Making a sound investment in the future of Singapore golf

[SINGAPORE] This week, an international field featuring some of the region’s leading players will be in action at Sentosa Golf Club for the 2026 Singapore Open presented by The Business Times – a tournament that has long been a marker of the game’s standing in Asia.

With a rich history dating back to 1961, the event made a strong return in 2025 at the Singapore Island Country Club after it was last played in 2022.

This year’s edition – set to take place from Thursday (Apr 23) to Sunday – is special as the event is part of The Open Qualifying Series, with two spots awarded to players to qualify for The Open at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in the UK in July.

The field at Sentosa’s Serapong course includes LIV Golf League stars Lucas Herbert and Peter Uihlein, International Series Rankings leader Travis Smyth, and former Singapore Open champions Sadom Kaewkanjana and Jazz Janewattananond.

The staging of the Singapore Open reflects the growing momentum of golf locally, while Singapore’s role as a host venue for a top sporting event has also grown in stature.

Major tournaments such as the HSBC Women’s World Championship and LIV Golf Singapore have brought world-class competition here.

Today, over 200,000 people in Singapore participate in golf – not only through traditional club play but also via alternative formats such as simulators and short-form experiences.

Lim Eng Lee, the chief executive officer of NTUC Club, said the organisation has been looking at ways to make golf more accessible by lowering the entry barrier and introducing alternative formats such as simulators at GreenBox by My Golf Kaki at Downtown East.

“These platforms allow more people to experience the game in a more flexible and affordable way, especially for those who may not have easy access to traditional courses. It’s about broadening how people engage with golf and meeting them where they are,” he said.

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Programmes like Get Golfing!, Golf in Schools and inclusion in ActiveSG Pesta Sukan reflect a collective effort to widen access while strengthening pathways. In 2025, Golf in Schools reached over 800 students, while the Disability Golf Programme engaged more than 250 people with disabilities.

While the growing participation has been encouraging, there are also signs of progress at the elite level. Recent performances by Singaporean golfers on the regional and international circuits suggest a growing depth of talent, supported by increased exposure and competitive opportunities.

Victories by Shannon Tan, James Leow and Nicklaus Chiam further reflect Singapore’s growing ability to compete on the global stage. The national women’s team also clinched a silver medal at the 2025 SEA Games – the first since 1991.

Last month, Tan became the first golfer to be named The Straits Times Athlete of the Year, following a standout season which included winning the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit.

Corporate support has played a big role in sustaining this momentum, particularly in a challenging environment where the sport competes for both space and resources. Partnerships around key events, including the Singapore Open, highlight how collaboration between sport and business can contribute to both visibility and viability.

These developments, based on the Singapore Golf Association’s (SGA) three key pillars – developing the golf ecosystem, accelerating high performance, and strengthening financial sustainability – have contributed to a more robust golf landscape.

SGA CEO Joshua Ho said: “We have laid strong foundations for a vibrant golf ecosystem in Singapore, built on the three key pillars. We will continue to balance growth with accessibility, ensuring the sport remains relevant while supporting high-performance ambitions.”

Many active players are optimistic about the future of golf in Singapore.

Mok Kee Pean, an 88-year-old who picked up the sport in his late 30s, noted how the golf scene has improved in recent years.

“I have seen more young people taking up the sport. There are stronger performances from our players, and more community engagement through charity events and social golf across different groups. As a player myself, it’s encouraging to still be part of such a welcoming and active golfing community,” he said.

The foundations are in place. What comes next will depend on how effectively stakeholders – from governing bodies to clubs, sponsors and the wider community – work together to build on this momentum.

The trajectory of Singapore golf will be shaped by the strength of its foundations – strong governance, growing participation and rising international credibility. The opportunity now lies in building on this momentum to shape the next chapter of Singapore golf.

The writer is a communications professional who runs a sports marketing agency. He is also a media consultant for the Singapore Golf Association.