How five partners combined to bring golf’s Singapore Open back to Sentosa

[SINGAPORE] In its 65 years of storied history, golf’s Singapore Open has undergone many changes in alliances with the Far East Circuit, Asia Golf Circuit, Australasian Tour and the Asian Tour, and with co-sanctions with the European Tour and the Japan Golf Tour.

Last year, the tournament became part of The International Series, the upper-tier level of events on the Asian Tour that provide a pathway to the lucrative Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf League.

This year’s Singapore Open is taking place with a partnership between five major stakeholders – the Singapore Golf Association (SGA), the Asian Tour, Sentosa Golf Club (SGC), the International Series, and a new presenting partner, The Business Times.

The key people overseeing the running of the Apr 23 to 26 event at Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course are Asian Tour commissioner and CEO Cho Minn Thant, SGA CEO Joshua Ho, SGC general manager Andy Johnston, The International Series head Rahul Singh, and BT editor Chen Huifen.

Cho, a 42-year-old from Myanmar who has been living in Singapore for close to 20 years, was responsible for forging the links with LIV Golf that have given the Singapore Open a higher standing and stature on the international golf calendar.

He first joined the Asian Tour to handle event management and went on to run national golf Opens. He moved up the ranks to become chief operating officer and eventually CEO.

Cho enjoys a strong working relationship with SGA officials, especially the association’s president Tan Chong Huat and Ho, the CEO.

The latter is a former national amateur who won the SEA Games gold medal in 2017 and is now a professional. The 31-year-old has competed four times in the Singapore Open – in 2011, 2016, 2017 and 2019 – and knows what the expectations are from a player’s point of view.

He was a high-performance manager with the SGA in 2019 and turned professional the following year to help coach the Singapore team with then-national coach Matt Ballard.

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As for the course itself, no one knows every blade of grass and the layout better than Johnston, the 62-year-old American who is at SGC well before the crack of dawn each day.

While many of his colleagues are still asleep, Johnston – who is also the director of agronomy and the resident golf course designer – is already busy checking the fairways and observing how the sunrise might change the texture of the grass.

“This is the third major golf event for us this year. Staging an event of this scale is very much a collective effort, and it relies on close coordination across many stakeholders, not just our team,” he said.

Johnson also represents the club in Asian-Tour-related meetings; addresses player feedback before, during and after an event; and helps to manage areas such as safety and security around the course.

Growth of the International Series

The Singapore Open plays a central role in the vision of the International Series, which is to expand and cement its position on the global golf calendar. The Series does this with the inclusion of historic and legacy tournaments with distinguished past champions.

As head of the International Series, Rahul Singh has led the global expansion of the Series in Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere.

“My role is largely about ensuring the competition is delivered to the highest standard, while also keeping all stakeholders aligned and making sure decisions are made efficiently and collaboratively,” said the 53-year-old, who is based in New Delhi.

“Ultimately, our focus remains on creating meaningful pathways into the highest levels of the game, whether it’s the Majors or LIV Golf, and ensuring that our players have every opportunity to compete and succeed on the world stage.”

As for The Business Times, which is the Singapore Open’s presenting partner for the first time, the event is an ideal kickoff to the publication’s 50th anniversary celebrations this year.

BT’s editor Chen said that seeing the country’s financial daily at a golf course is not new, for BT has held its own Corporate Golf League for many years already.

“If you look at our history, BT has always been in the business of celebrating excellence. Our business awards have highlighted the best in leadership and entrepreneurship for decades – often nudging the market towards new trends by showcasing the best in class. So, being part of the Singapore Open isn’t actually a leap for us; it’s a natural fit,” she said.

“Our audience – the business community – likes to network and talk strategy. By being part of the Singapore Open for our 50th anniversary, we are simply providing a world-class backdrop for those conversations and strengthening the bond with the readers and newsmakers we serve.”

This week’s Singapore Open, with US$2 million in prize money, is part of the Open Qualifying Series. The tournament’s leading two players who are not otherwise exempt will qualify for The Open at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in the UK in July.