Singapore: The Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Singapore’s premier golf and lifestyle destination, has announced the full reopening of all 18 holes of The Island Course following an extensive redevelopment.

This marks the complete transformation of one of the nation’s most historic and cherished golfing landmarks.

The official reopening was graced by Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong as Guest of Honour, alongside close to 80 distinguished invitees including the club’s General Committee, members and valued partners.

The SICC said ‘the reopening represents more than the revitalisation of a beloved course, it is a powerful statement of SICC’s commitment to heritage, innovation and sustainability’.

Built on nearly a century of history, the redeveloped The Island Course delivers world-class design, eco-conscious technologies and tournament-ready infrastructure.

Since its debut in 1932 by Scottish golf course architect Peter Robertson, The Island Course has long been appreciated for its tranquil setting, mature vegetation and natural contours. In the early 2000s, five-time Open champion Peter Thomson introduced enhancements to preserve The Island Course’s essence while adapting it for contemporary play.

By 2021, with advancements in golf technology, evolving member expectations, and an increased focus on sustainability, the need for a comprehensive redevelopment became clear. The guiding vision to the late course designer Neil Haworth, Principal of Nelson & Haworth Golf Course Architects, was to preserve heritage while future-proofing the course, integrating safety, playability, and ecological innovation.

The brief was ambitious:

• Honour the course’s historic design DNA.
• Introduce advanced turf and drainage systems for year-round play.
• Enhance inclusivity with multiple tee options for all golfers.
• Embed sustainability at the core of design and operations.

“We set out to honour the soul of The Island Course, its history, its natural beauty, its place in the hearts of Members while reimagining it for the demands of modern play,” said Ivan Chua, Chairman of The Island Golf Redevelopment Project Committee.

He added: “This redevelopment, one of the club’s most significant infrastructure projects in recent years, is an investment in the future of both the club and the sport. Members can now look forward to more strategic play, better greens, and improved bunkers. More importantly, the course has been designed to cater to both competitive players and social golfers, with additional tee boxes introduced to make it more inclusive for women, juniors, and beginners.”

The redevelopment was made possible through the expertise and partnership of TEHC International, the project’s appointed builder, whose proven track record in golf course construction helped bring the vision to life.

Ian Roberts, General Manager at SICC, said: “Sustainability has been at the heart of The Island Course redevelopment. We integrated responsible practices such as water conservation, bio-diversity protection, and tree preservation, while creating a wetland.

“We have also preserved tree corridors, tagged heritage trees, and replanted endangered species. Beyond playability, our commitment is to ensure the course remains environmentally sustainable, with continuous improvements as new systems and innovations emerge.”

Beyond these initiatives, the redevelopment also embraced innovative ecological solutions such as the installation of SubAir and Toro Lynx irrigation systems to optimise turf health and water efficiency. More than 90% of the flora was replanted with native species to strengthen bio-diversity corridors, while fallen trees were thoughtfully repurposed into tee markers, buggy exit signs, and distance markers; a circular approach that reduces waste while preserving the natural heritage of the course.

Together, these efforts ensure that The Island Course not only plays beautifully but also thrives as a living, sustainable eco-system.

“The Island Course stands as a proud symbol of what SICC represents – heritage, excellence and forward vision,” said SICC president Vincent Wee. “This redevelopment is more than a renewal of fairways; it is a renewal of purpose to offer our members a world-class golfing experience rooted in tradition and shaped by innovation.”

*Singapore Island Country Club, Nelson & Haworth Golf Course Architects and Toro are all members of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.