[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Singapore: Turf industry professionals from around the region will once more join forces in support of the SMBC Singapore Open’s Superintendent Volunteer Programme.

“As well as helping in the tournament preparations at the Serapong Course, it’s a great opportunity for participants to network, to meet old friends … and make many more new friends,” said Andy Johnston, General Manager at Sentosa Golf Club, a Golf Course Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

Superintendents from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam are among the volunteers who will ensure the award-winning Serapong Course is in tip-top conditions for the event that is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation and will take place from January 16-19.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”16551″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Turf industry professionals from around the region will join the SMBC Singapore Open Superintendent Volunteer Programme.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“With Major champions such as Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson in the field, it promises to be another memorable week,” said Johnston. “We’ve received much praise from the players in recent years about the way in which we prepare and set-up the course and the quality of the conditions. Much of that success is down to the outstanding support we’ve received from volunteers.”

As part of the Asian Golf Industry Federation’s (AGIF) on-going partnership with Sentosa Golf Club, a quintet of grand prize lucky draw winners from turf grass events held during the past year are receiving fully-funded trips to participate in the Superintendent Volunteer Programme.

Nino Jerome Ramos (Fairways & Bluewater Golf Resort, Philippines), Azmil Bin Mohamad Ithanin (Forest City Golf Resort, Malaysia), Son Vu Minh (Vân Trì Golf Course, Vietnam), Thanakorn Wannasriphisut (Amata Spring Country Club) and Yanto Warsito (Mountain View Golf & Country Club, Indonesia) will all be part of the team at Sentosa.

Eric Lynge, the AGIF’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “I’m sure it will be a wonderful experience for all of them and one of the highlights of their careers to date. Our thanks go to Andy Johnston and his team at Sentosa, SMBC and Lagardere Sports (Singapore Open promoters) and The R&A for their continued support of the AGIF’s Certificate in Greenkeeping programme.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”16552″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Many of the SMBC Singapore Open volunteers join on the Monday of tournament week and assist with the final preparations – and then stay on for the four days of the tournament, helping in any way they can. Often, they work from 6 am through to 9 pm.

“Their contribution to making the SMBC Singapore Open one of the prime events on the Asian golfing calendar is immense,” said Rodney McKeown, Golf Course Superintendent at Sentosa Golf Club, who will be hosting an education seminar in conjunction with the Superintendent Volunteer Programme.

The theme for the education programme is ‘Soils and the Science’ with Peter Kirby and Dr Shoumo Mitra confirmed as speakers.

Turfgrass industry employees can register their interest in joining the SMBC Singapore Open Superintendent Volunteer Programme by contacting Adeline Yan Kwai Ling at adeline_yan@sentosagolf.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]