Singapore Golf on the wane???

Subject: Singapore Golf on the wane??? Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:33 pm

SINGAPORE GOLF ON THE WANE? I THINK NOT.

Singapore Golf on the wane??? Golf_image

March 24, 2014 -
I was a little alarmed when I opened the Straits Times this morning. On the front page was a teaser to a news item in the Business section that claimed that golf was decreasing in popularity, giving way to other sports like running and cycling. One of the reasons given by the journalist was that there was not much retort or response from the golf community given the recent non-renewal of land leases for several golf clubs in Singapore.

It appears that there is some confusion regarding the development of golf in this country. One thing that needs to be clarified is that the reduction of the number of courses here should not be deemed as a decline in interest for the sport. Land is limited in Singapore, and given the planned increase in population, something's got to give. This is made even more poignant by the fact that we're the country with arguably the most number of golf holes per square kilometre in the whole wide world.
Don't get me wrong. We, as part of the golf community here, understand and accept this.
But saying that the government's stand at not renewing the land lease for several of the golf clubs here, and the golf community's lack of ire in response to that as declining interest in the game is not only overly naive, but erroneous.

I agree that sports like triathlons, cycling, and running have caught the eye of many Singaporeans. This is in lock-step with our growing need to stay healthy, and to be fit. However, this is in no way mutually exclusive to golf participation. In fact, being fitter should make one more apt at picking up the game, let alone staying in it longer.

Or maybe in this androgynous age we live in, we just like to see ourselves in lycra tights.
The golf community's "silence" in response to this land "reclamation" move by the government is an admirable sign of restraint and understanding, and speaks volumes of the type of people who indulge in our sport. Although the writing is on the wall for several golf clubs - notably Keppel, Marina Bay, and Orchid Country Club whose lease will not be renewed when they expire within the next decade - the ramifications for many of the other clubs are still unclear. The conclusion and end-result to what will happen to the majority of our golf ourses is still up in the air.

Why should we complain about something we still know very little of?
As for the decreasing popularity of the sport, I can only say that I hardly feel that the claim holds any water. Despite an environment of exclusion - all, except one, of our golf clubs are private - there are scores of golfers making their way to Batam, Bintan and Johor every weekend to tee it up. In addition, the fact that corporations and charities are booking courses way in advance to secure dates at golf clubs to hold their annual fund-raisers, or customer-relation events indicate in no small measure the buoyancy of the demands for the game. I'll go out on a limb to say that golf as a sport to reach out to the community is alive and well, and progressing nicely in Singapore, thank you very much.
Golf surely has a place in our country. It has a worthy legacy entrenched in our history, and is indeed one of the first sports that was played with any regularity by the inhabitants of our nation. Golf clubs like Singapore Island Country Club, and Keppel Club have more than a hundred years of history, and that says something in this era of diminutive attention spans and 140-word Tweets. It is a game of admirable countenance and teaches life skills that few - if any - other sport provides. Yes, it may take too long, but some view that as a privilege, not a disadvantage.

That, of course, doesn't mean that everything is alright in Singapore golf. We still need more access for both young and old who don't have club memberships. We need corporate support to promote competitive golf and to nurture tomorrow's national athletes and professionals. And we also need the Singapore Open to return.
But saying that the popularity of golf is on the decline because of the above is like saying Singaporeans are becoming less interested in the property market because of the government's cooling measures. And we all know how ridiculous that is.

Subject: Re: Singapore Golf on the wane??? Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:54 pm

Great article Smile

Junior Golfer Posts : 201 Join date : 2010-08-25

I love the last statement! UP!

Junior Golfer Posts : 117 Join date : 2010-01-13

kwannick wrote:: I love the last statement! UP!

Yup! Agree fully

Newbie Golfer Posts : 77 Join date : 2010-03-18

Very true! In fact some weekends Golf course in JB are fully booked esp those nearer to causeway.

Senior Golfer Posts : 398 Join date : 2011-07-22

I wonder if anyone do a check on populations per km2. How's Singapore standing? No. 1 also?

Very Active Golfer Posts : 533 Join date : 2013-03-06

Well said, DAZ!!! On Green

Newbie Golfer Posts : 50 Join date : 2011-10-12

Well written article DAZ, I like chicken rice and wagyu beef too Very Happy

although i eat chicken rice more frequently.
Should send it up to SPH.

Subject: Re: Singapore Golf on the wane??? Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:16 pm

Not written by me bros

Written by golf digest J.K Tan

Very Active Golfer Posts : 533 Join date : 2013-03-06

Upz to both u & J K Tan, nonetheless....

Junior Golfer Posts : 137 Join date : 2012-10-07

Great write up. But I am not sure Singapore has the most golf clubs per square kilometer or per thousand population if we compare Singapore against other cities. If we compare Singapore as a country against other countries, it would definite be the case but as a city I am not sure.

Furthermore, I think the government's move to reduce the number of golf clubs is another step towards killing the dreams of many young middle income folks - many are working hard to achieve their 'C's and they are getting more and more just a dream. They can't afford cars, condos and soon clubs. Have to fight hard to hang on to careers and cash!

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