Singapore: Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC) has adopted aspiring golfer Irvyn Tan, underscoring its commitment to nurturing young golfing talent.

Known for its encouragement of athletes, TMCC is extending its support to 18-year-old Tan, recognising his outstanding potential.

A year ago, TMCC adopted James Leow, an Arizona Tech graduate who won the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medal in 2019 and is currently third in the Singapore Professional Golfers’ Association’s rankings.

Tan recently showcased his prowess by finishing tied-second and top amateur in the DP World Tour’s Porsche Singapore Classic qualifying competition at Laguna National.

Tan’s journey in golf began at the age of five, graduating from KinderGolf to the Mandai Executive Golf Course and then to the Singapore Golf Association’s (SGA) training programmes in 2017.

Talent-spotted by TMCC, Tan’s adoption falls in line with the club’s purpose and objective to take a player’s game to a higher level, predominantly by allowing him access to the club’s practice facilities and two 18-hole courses, Tampines and Garden.

The Club, a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, has also revamped its junior programme and targets to grow its non-member Junior Golf Programme participation by 40%.

TMCC President Ronald Ong said: “At TMCC, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering the sport of golf and nurturing the next generation of talent.

“The Club is committed to expanding its pivotal initiatives aimed at fostering and enhancing the community’s passion for golf as well as cultivating golfers with exceptional potential.”

Club Captain Goh Hoon Pur, instrumental in bringing local and regional tournaments to Tanah Merah, said: “TMCC’s decision to sign Irvyn, recognising his promising potential in the regional golfing scene, underscores the Club’s commitment to elevating the standards of local golfers.

“Our reputation as a leading golf and country club comes with a responsibility to nurture talent and contribute meaningfully to the broader community, aligning with Singapore’s Sports Vision 2030. This vision aims to cultivate a supportive environment where talented athletes can thrive and represent us on the world stage.”

Tan, a member of the SGA Development Squad since 2021, has set himself the goal of qualifying for the US PGA Tour to put Singapore on the golfing map.

However, his most imminent milestone is to qualify to represent Singapore in next year’s biennial World Amateur Team Championships (WATC) for the Eisenhower Trophy, conducted by the International Golf Federation.

Tan, a third-year diploma (business) student at Republic Polytechnic, said: “As a competitive golfer, progress is something we all strive for. However, not having a club in Singapore has greatly hindered that progress, from not having course access to proper practice facilities like a practice green.

“Therefore, I am grateful to TMCC for granting me this privilege as I truly need on-course practice.

“With SGA’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with various clubs, I’ve been able to hop around these various clubs to practise under SGA. But, with club adopting, I will now be able to have a club I can call home and call my main base of operations.

“As I have been golfing for more than 10 years, throughout my golfing journey, I have developed a profound appreciation for the values and traditions that define the sport.

“As an avid golfer deeply passionate about the sport, I am eager to contribute to the club’s growth and success while representing its values with enthusiasm and dedication. I believe that my skills, experiences, and personal attributes make me an ideal candidate to serve as an ambassador.”