NINE months after its old site at Bukit Chermin was shut, Keppel Club came alive again on Saturday (Mar 18) at its new home at Sime Road.

Speaking at an event to mark the official opening, guest-of-honour Transport Minister S Iswaran described the club as one with “inclusivity and exclusivity”.

Inclusivity because the club, which was inaugurated over a century ago in 1904, is now a private-public facility which allows non-members, especially seniors, to play at a special rate.

And exclusivity because its present site is at the old Sime course that belonged to the Singapore Island Country Club, a premier club that has staged some of the biggest events in Asian golf since the 1960s.

Among the guests to play on the new course on Saturday was Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. Along with other golfers, they experienced what the course – after a S$4.6 million refurbishment – was like with its updated tee-boxes, new bunkers and fresh greens.

About 200 members and guests played as well, and they were later taken on a trip down memory lane as they watched videos of Keppel Club’s long history. It has, after all, survived two world wars, and one bomb that fell during World War II landed in front of the pond at Bukit Chermin, close to where the 14th hole was.

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In one segment of the video, titled The Phoenix Rises, the audience was reminded of how the club’s future was in doubt over the past few years and now has a new lease that will run until 2030 at least.

At the official opening, there was a special tribute for long-time member Himmat Singh Gill, a former teacher and ex-hockey and cricket player who joined the club in 1967. He turned 93 on Saturday.

“Keppel Club has been like our second home for my 95-year-old brother, Ajit, and I. We’ve had some great times at the club, playing social and inter-club golf,” said Himmat as he made his way around Sime to catch up with old friends.

Himmat, who also had the chance to play a round of golf on Sunday, said: “I like the changes made to the course, especially the bunkers and greens. Unlike the old course at Bukit Chermin which was narrow and more challenging, the new course is a little forgiving. I am happy that at this age, I can still play and enjoy the camaraderie with my buddies.”