Singapore: Fledgeling professional James Leow, who brought glory to Singapore as Southeast Asian (SEA) Games individual gold medallist in 2019, has been ‘adopted’ by the Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC).

Home to two 18-hole courses – Tampines and Garden – TMCC will provide a conducive platform for Leow to practice and prepare for tournaments, underscoring the club’s commitment to inspire future generations of golfers.

“It is a tremendous gesture by TMCC to sign on Leow who has the potential to make it big on the regional scene,” said Dr Goh Hoon Pur, Club Captain at TMCC, a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“The club has a philosophy to help raise the standard of local golfers by any means. We feel that investing in James is a major positive move. He has the ability and talent to take his game to a new regional level,” added Dr Goh.

TMCC Club President Ronald Ong added: “While the move to sign on James Leow is on an individual basis, the club has often looked into helping the golfing community at large.

“We have several initiatives to promote and nurture the love for golf in the community and will continue to do so on a wider scale. Leow’s presence will be a tremendous boost to our members and will be a case study that inspires new generations of golfers.”

During a successful college career at Arizona State University, Leow won major US Collegiate and amateur tournaments, including the 2022 Thunderbird Collegiate and Pacific Coast Amateur titles, and represented the triumphant Team International against the US in the Palmer Cup.

A contender at last year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Leow also led Singapore to its best result at the Nomura Cup, gaining team and individual silver medals in the Philippines late last year. In the process he soared to a high of 43rd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

While still an amateur, Leow was the best Singapore performer at the International Series Singapore over the TMCC’s Tampines Course in 2022, securing 31st place.

Now aged 26, Leow who turned professional last December, said: “It’s an honour and privilege to be a sponsored ambassador at Tanah Merah Country Club. I’m grateful to the club for the support and opportunity to pursue my golfing career.

“I’m blessed to have special access to two superb 18-hole golf courses with beautiful clubhouses and practice facilities that will help with my tournament preparations as well as improve my personal game.

“It brings me great pleasure to be part of the TMCC’s community and I can’t wait to get to know everyone and golf with my fellow members.”

In an interview with The Straits Times, Leow revealed his grand golfing ambitions.

“My goals are to secure playing rights on a major Tour and to start racking up Official World Golf Ranking points in order to climb the rankings. Breaking into the top 100 in the world and qualifying for the Majors are my main goals,” he said.