Singapore: An agreement between the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) and three leading clubs in the Island Republic is ensuring tee-times and access to practice facilities for elite amateur golfers.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the SGA, Keppel Club, Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) and Sentosa Golf Club took effect late last year.

“We are extremely thankful to Keppel Club, SICC and Sentosa Golf Club for their collaboration with SGA to developing our youth golfers. The partnership will ensure an optimal training environment for our athletes to succeed,” said Joshua Ho, General Manager at the SGA, an Associate Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

Andy Johnston, General Manager at SGC, said: “Sentosa Golf Club is delighted to continue our on-going support for Singapore’s junior golfers, to provide them with additional training facilities access and to be ready to compete at international stages.”

Ian Roberts, Director of Golf at SICC, added: “Junior golf is an important part of the golf eco-system, and we are pleased to be a part of the journey with SGA to develop elite golfers. With this collaboration, it allows juniors to gain more exposure and friendship through the game of golf.”

The SGA is also collaborating with Keppel Club to operate a Centre of Excellence (COE) at the club’s new Sime location to develop youth golfers in Singapore.

After 118 years at the original Bukit Chermin location, Keppel Club has now unveiled its new course at Sime.

Keppel Club is operating the Sime course for both club members as well as the public, with 40% of tee times allocated to members and 60% open for public booking.

As part of Keppel Club’s efforts to support national golf through SGA’s high-performance and junior development programmes, Keppel will provide SGA with access to the driving range, short game practice areas including the short course.

SGA will also be allocated weekly 18-hole and nine-hole access to the Sime course for training purposes.

“We are thrilled to announce our first Centre of Excellence at Keppel Club. This is a milestone for Singapore golf, and we look forward to building on this to eventually achieve our dream of having our very own Home of Golf in Singapore.” said Ho.

Keppel Club Captain Ng Luo Yi said: “We are looking forward to a new chapter as we begin operations at Sime. Keppel Club has always been a strong advocate of junior golf, and we are excited and glad that we will play a part in supporting Singapore’s next generation of champions.”

Sentosa Golf Club and Singapore Island Country Club are Facility Members of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.