Making its debut swing in the league

THIS is Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts' first year participating in The Business Times Corporate Golf League, and it was perfect timing, says Paul Wilson, team captain and Banyan Tree assistant vice-president/ group golf director for Laguna Golf.

"Laguna Golf is being renovated and is reopening in Bintan at the end of this year, so we thought that it would be great for us to network within the Singapore golf community - not just the general golf community, but media and industry professionals, as well as high flyers.

"The Corporate Golf League has such a fantastic cross section of industries taking part, such as banking, media, healthcare so there's a real diverse group of people."

He adds: "The other thing that appealed to us is that it's not the same group of people at every event - while there's a core of team members, they are also encouraged to bring their guests, clients and associates."

A particular highlight has been visiting the six golf courses which are hosting the rounds, with two standouts being Tanah Merah Country Club's Tampines course and Jurong Country Club. Another is the league organisation by SPH Golf.

Explains Mr Wilson: "They do a great job of organising the whole day from start to finish. Their welcome lunch is a great chance for people from different teams to mingle together.

"I quite like the format as there's that aspect of more competitive golfers who want to challenge the teams and really challenge for the overall prize, and then there's the social division where it is a much more friendly competition where there is still something to play for, but there is less pressure on you as a team."

He continues: "We invite our existing property and potential new property owners to play so we can use it as a way of thanking our existing clients and furthering that relationship."

Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts also came in as the main sponsor this year with over S$300,000 in green fee vouchers and premium "turndown" gifts for the golfers' goodie bags and lucky draw prizes and nearest to pin novelty prizes for all six rounds.

The prizes included hotel stays, golf rounds and spas at Banyan Tree Bintan, Phuket and Lang Co.

For the final round on Sept 16, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts will also be sponsoring a hole-in-one prize of a one-bedroom S$220,000 unit at Cassia Bintan.