Sentosa Golf Club Magazine (May - June 2022)

MAY | JUNE 2022

SENTOSA GOLF CLUB

GUEST COLUMN WITH GREG NORMAN

THE BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF SENTOSA GOLF CLUB

INTERNATIONAL SERIES WHERE THE ASIAN TOUR BELONGS

GAME ON 'LEADING THE PACK'

TOURNAMENT READY 365 www.sentosagolf.com

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SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

SGC President Andrew Lim

Dear Members, I hope that you are all well. The shadow of COVID-19 has finally begun to lift, and we can begin to embrace a normalcy we remember. I hope this also ushers in a period of much needed business recovery for Members in your respective fields, offering stability and economic progress for Singapore.

The Club has had to adapt and remain resilient in the past two challenging years. But we have emerged stronger overall because of your support and the positive Club culture between staff and Members. We plan to continue building on what we have learnt, to innovate and improve on our Club’s unique character.

The leadership team at the Club will continue to play its part to achieve this. It is my pleasure to inform you that we have made two additions to the General Committee with effect from 1 April 2022: •

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Ling Tok Hong

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Darryl Wee

Both Tok Hong and Darryl are golf enthusiasts and bring a wealth of experience to the table. We welcome their service and contribution to our Club. We also look to Members for your support and participation as we begin to reintroduce golf and lifestyle activities, so that Members can interact and connect with each other beyond the groups that we keep to. In so doing, I hope we can build camaraderie and truly become Members of Sentosa Golf Club.

Sentosa Golf Club is one of the best clubs in the world and the Committees will continue to offer guidance to achieve greater accolades and remain the admiration and envy of golfers. We can only do all of this with good and passionate staff. I would like to take a moment to recognize and congratulate a number of SGC’s men and women for reaching significant milestones in their service at the Club:

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Senior Golfing Executive Sharon Tee (25 years)

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Membership Manager Koh Phun Phun and Shamsha Bin Sharrif (30 years)

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Sulaiman Bin Kassim and Abdul Kadir Salleh who have been with the Club for 35 years

We are thankful for their passion and dedication to the Club and in making sure our Members and Guests go away with memorable experiences each and every time they visit the Club. Without their hard work, devotion and loyalty, Sentosa Golf Club’s world-class standing would not have been possible.

We anticipate that the game of golf will continue its resurgence in Singapore and globally in the months ahead, as many golfers, old and new, have either bought memberships or rekindled their appreciation for the sport we all love.

The cover story of this issue provides a glimpse into the exciting restart of the 2022 Asian Tour season. Many Members may not recall immediately but both the R&A and Asian Tour have their headquarters at SGC, and we wish them the very best in reigniting interest and development in golf across the Asia-Pacific region.

SGC has also been strong supporters of local golf and have four touring professionals and an aspiring amateur under our sponsorship programme: Koh Dengshan, Koh Sock Hwee, Abdul Hadi and Jesse Yap, and 14-year-old Brayden Lee. I am happy to say our Club will continue to support them in their development throughout the remainder of this year so that they can continue to represent Singapore proudly in competition, while helping to promote the Club at the same time.

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General Manager Andrew Johnston (10 years)

Thank you and I wish each and every one of you good health and good golfing.

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Golf Superintendent Rodney McKeown (10 years)

Andrew Lim President

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WORLD GOLF AWARDS Sentosa Golf Club has been nominated for the following awards at the 9th Annual World Golf Awards

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Thank you for your continued support – please vote now

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GM’S MESSAGE Dear Members,

GM Andrew Johnston

The magic of golf at a well-maintained property delivers an extraordinary experience, even in a time of COVID which, remarkably, has seen golf thrive over the past couple of years. But as a golfing community, we seem to have allowed ourselves to soften our approach to course rules and basic etiquette. The experience of playing golf, especially at a world-class course, can be spoiled by others who fail to follow the basics of golf etiquette.

There are many essentials of golf etiquette, but let me list eight important ones in no particular order: 1.

Keep the pace of play moving

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Don't walk in front of someone else's line

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Pay attention to your shadow, don’t allow it to trouble others

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Don't give advice unless asked

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“Roar the Fore” – yell fore loudly; the safety of others is your responsibility

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Don’t let a bad round affect your group

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Fix ball marks, divots and rake the bunkers

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Clean up after yourself, do not leave your trash behind for others

These rules are not only essential to your own experience of playing golf but also affects everyone else’s experience. The last two rules need some serious attention at our Club. As we resume golfing with relaxed safe management measures, everyone in the community of golfers at the Club needs to refocus on the problem of not raking bunkers.

The game of golf is intended to be played in a fair format for everyone to enjoy. This cannot be accomplished when bunkers are unplayable from golfers not raking bunkers after they use them, or worse, walking up and down the face of the bunker. Finding your ball resting deep in a footprint, because someone in front of you did not follow the simple edict to rake the bunker, is inexcusable. It diminishes the experience and ruins the quality of golf at our Club.

Every morning, the agronomy team rakes nearly 200 bunkers to Tournament-Ready standards. Since January, we have reinstated all the bunker rakes on both courses. The time has come for all to take care of the courses. Raking bunkers should not be looked at as a choice but a necessity for everyone to partake in.

All of us should be proud of our Club, stand up for course etiquette, take pride in the world-class courses we have at Sentosa Golf Club and exhibit consideration for those playing behind us. One of our fellow Top 100 courses, St. Andrews, has a saying, "Always leave a golf course in better shape than you found it." Please do your part and call out your playing partners to rake the bunkers they get into.

To honour the tradition of golf, we must make golf etiquette second nature. This must also extend itself to fixing ball marks and putting sand in your divot. It is the responsibility of golfers to care for the course.

Last but certainly not least, don’t leave trash on the course. Allow me to point out to smokers that throwing your cigarette butts on the ground is not only inexcusable but inconsiderate for the rest of us to have to live with, and especially for those who have to pick up after you. If you choose to smoke on the course, please do dispose of your cigarettes properly and responsibly.

Andrew Johnston General Manager & Director of Agronomy

With the relaxation of safety measures, Sentosa Golf Club is looking forward to welcoming more of our members and their guests back to the Club. Experience the Club’s private and idyllic location to host your next Dinner & Dance, Corporate Function or Board Meeting. For more information or to enquire, please contact sales@sentosagolf.com

SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

CONTENTS 1.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE SGC President, Andrew Lim, welcomes our two new Committee members as well as highlighting the success of the Club’s sponsorship programme…

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GM'S MESSAGE

Cover Image: Sihwan Kim - Current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader. Secured two wins this season at the International Series Thailand and Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge.

Cover Photo Credits: Asian Tour / LIV Golf Investments

General Manager, Andrew Johnston, asks Members to respect the golf courses at SGC by adhering to rules and basic golfing etiquette…

12-13. LONG SERVICE AWARDS The Club pays tribute to a number of staff who have reached significant milestones in their journey with SGC…

14-16. ASIAN TOUR – INTERNATIONAL SERIES A detailed look into the increased growth of the Asian Tour and how the newly formed ‘International Series’ will help to raise levels of competition even further…

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GUEST COLUMN Former World No.1 and two-time Major Champion, Greg Norman, discusses how a strong Asian Tour is important for the overall success of golf…

20-21. GAME ON – SUSTAINABILITY IN DESIGN A look back at how sustainability and golf course design went hand-in-hand through the re-developments of both The Tanjong and The Serapong in recent years…

24-25. INSTRUCTION: SCOTTY CAMERON Learn more about the Titleist National Fitting Centre at Sentosa, as well as Skye Neal’s key secrets to putting…

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18 HOLES WITH… SGC Sponsored Professional, Koh Sock Hwee, tells us about her recent experience at the HSBC Women’s World Championship and how she plans to take on LPGA Tour Q-School in 2022…

This magazine is printed on environmentallyfriendly paper.

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MCI (P) 032/12/2021 To advertise in SENTOSA GOLF CLUB, please call 6275 0090.

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SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

MEMBER NEWS SGC GENERAL COMMITTEE UPDATE Ling Tok Hong

We are pleased to announce two new members to the General Committee.

Ling Tok Hong, a Certified Public Accountant with more than 25 years’ experience in financial and business advisory, has worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers since 1994. He joined PwC as a graduate and in 2006 was admitted as a partner. In 2021, he joined the PwC China, Hong Kong, Singapore & Taiwan Executive Board. Ling is an active member of the community and occupies board positions with the National Library Board, Stroke Support Station and the Casino Regulatory Board.

The Committee also welcomes Darryl Wee, Managing Director, Asia, The RBL Group. Darryl has over 20 years’ experience in business consulting, organizational transformation, leadership development and strategic HR. He currently sits on the Sentosa Development Corporation’s Human Resource Committee and is the Honorary Treasurer with the Singapore Golf Association and the Singapore Human Resource Institute. Darryl has been appointed as a member in both the Sentosa Golf Club General and Greens Committees.

Darryl Wee

PRACTICE RANGE IMPROVEMENT The work on the Practice Range is progressing on schedule. What many of you will have seen recently are the foundation pits going in to secure the extended mast poles, which have now been prepared and cast. Installation of the new mast posts and netting section is expected to take place in June. Please be aware that there may be temporary closures to ensure work safety. We’d like to thank you for your patience during this time.

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HOLEIN-ONE Hideo Manabe 2 Feb 2022 The Serapong Hole 2, 140 metres

WELL DONE

KOH

Kim Yun Mee 15 Feb 2022 The Serapong Hole 14, 134 metres

Geoffrey Cameron Boyd

It was fantastic to see our sponsored professional Koh Sock Hwee battle back after a tough start at the recent HSBC Women’s World Championship. Sock Hwee, who carded rounds of 71 and 73 on the weekend, will now focus her efforts on making her mark in America. “It was a tremendous honour for me to qualify and participate in the HSBC Women’s World Championship,” she reflected afterwards.

“The experience to play with some of the world’s best golfers was an invaluable one and was great preparation for my upcoming US tour. I would particularly like to express my gratitude to Sentosa Golf Club for their generous support and encouragement by allowing me unconditional practice to familiarize myself with The Tanjong. I am truly appreciative of all the support I have been given in recent years.” Everyone at the club wishes Koh all the very best for the season ahead.

25 Feb 2022 The Serapong Hole 2, 154 metre

Peter Jae Sun Min 8 Mar 2022 The Serapong Hole 17, 154 metres

Shirley Ann Harvey Samuel 18 Mar 2022 The Serapong Hole 17, 118 metres

WORLD GOLF AWARDS NOMINATIONS We are delighted to inform you that Sentosa Golf Club has been nominated for four awards at this year’s World Golf Awards. The Club is in the running for the World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility, which we were proud to win in 2020 and 2021. It’s an honour to be considered Singapore’s Best Golf Course, too, with The Serapong amongst the nominees. As well as offering two world-class golf courses, we are also extremely proud of our clubhouse, so to be nominated for the World’s Best Golf Clubhouse is extremely pleasing. Meanwhile, we wish Andrew Johnston all the best in another special category, Golf Course Designer of the Year.

INTER-CLUB LEAGUE UPDATE The 2022 Singapore Golf Association Inter-Club League (ICL) is now well underway. This is a Stableford event without handicap allowances (Gross Stableford) that is open to all SGA Ordinary Members. The 2022 ICL is played across five legs. In the 3rd leg (Men’s Stableford) Sentosa amassed 47 points.

The prestigious World Golf Awards serves to celebrate and reward excellence in golf tourism, world-class courses and golf destinations. The 9th annual World Golf Awards Gala Ceremony will be hosted at Park Hyatt Dubai on the evening of Thursday 17 November 2022, and we look forward to sharing further news in due course.

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SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! NEW MEMBERS FOR THE MONTHS OF FEBRUARY & MARCH 2022 ORDINARY MEMBER

WE MEET NEW MEMBER…

JEFFERY FOOTE Name Jeffery Foote

Occupation Vice President & Sales Chief Executive, Nippon Express South Asia and Oceania

Why did you become a member at SGC? Being one with nature is a big part of a Canadian's DNA and Sentosa Golf Club's charm and beauty was irresistible. The fabulous peacocks wandering the course sealed the deal.

Favourite thing to do in Singapore?

Only recently arriving in Singapore I have spent ample time eating at many of Singapore's exceptional dining venues in and around Duxton Hill, River Valley and Orchard Road. I still haven't tried Durian, but I understand the season is just around the corner.

Favourite thing about Golf?

Golf is a natural enabler in meeting fascinating people from all parts of the world. I am grateful for all the long-lasting friendships and partnerships developed over the years by simply chasing a little white ball up and down the fairway. A birdie or two is always a nice bonus.

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Mdm Chen Sue-Chin Mdm Choi Hee Soon w/o Pulvirenti Mdm Chong Hui Wen Jasmine Mdm Heng Po Khim Lydia Mdm Lin Xinyi Teana Mr Chia Siong Lim Mr Chung Hugh Wook Mr Hideto Tsuruta Mr Kenji Taira Mr Kong Hai Choon James Mr Lim Ling Kwee Mr Park Hongsoon Mr Wang Bingang Mr Xu Rong Mr Yong Khung Lin Mr Yu Dong Jin

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GLP Pte Ltd

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Mr Ang Kong Hua Mr Choi Soo Young Mr Eom Hyo Woon Mr Gavin Alan Weightman Mr Hideki Iwasa Mr Kazunori Matsunaga Mr Kim Taejin Mr Kwon Younghoon Mr Mei Ming Zhi Mr Vincent Chong Sy Feng Mr Wilfrid Foo Tsu-Jin Mr Yuh Dongjoon Mrs Kimiko Nonaka

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Ms Susanne Gamers Mr Atsushi Takenoshita Mr Binayak Dutta Mr David Alan Martin Mr Hemant Bakshi Mr Hiroaki Nishiyama Mr Hiromasa Yamamoto Mr Jeffery Jason Foote Mr Junya Ono Mr Keitaro Sugihara Mr Kiyokazu Bando Mr Koji Shinno Mr Kwak Soon Chul Mr Nicholas William Petheram Mr Oh Dong Hwan Mr Park Se Hwan Mr Schuwey Christian Mr Sota Wakabayashi Mr Tsuyoshi Morita Mr Wu Xin

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GENERAL

GOLF NEWS Credit: Augusta National

‘TK’ MAKES HISTORY SCHEFFLER CAPTURES MASTERS CROWN Before February of this year Scottie Scheffler had yet to win on the PGA Tour. He is now a four-time winner, the new World No.1 and the Masters Champion. The 25-year-old led by five after two rounds and held the lead until the close, eventually winning by three. He could even afford a four-putt at the 72nd hole as Rory McIlroy, who vaulted up the leaderboard with a finalround 64, took second on his own.

FOOTJOY UNVEILS TOUR ALPHA SHOE

Ratchanon Chantananuwat became the youngest male to win on one of the game’s major Tours when he captured the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup. The Thai 15-year-old amateur shot a 65 at Siam Country Club to edge out Korean Joohyung Kim by two shots.

Chantananuwat, at 15 years and 37 days improved upon the previous youngest mark set by Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa.

Kim eagled the last, but the 15-year-old calmly made a birdie of his own to seal the victory. He also became the fifth amateur to win on the Asian Tour and the first since 2009.

PHANTOM X RANGE EXPANDED

The new Tour Alpha offers a three-part innovation that locks in a golfer's foot to produce superior feel and unrivalled traction. This is done courtesy of a moulded heel counter, exceptional support via the midsole and something called an A-frame Support System which fuses the two together to deliver stability at every stage of the swing.

The impressive Phantom X range of Scotty Cameron putters has received a large revamp with the introduction of seven new and updated models. Cameron has updated the Phantom X 5 and 5.5 putters, redesigned the Phantom X 7 and 7.5, and created the new Phantom X 9 and 9.5, along with an updated Phantom X 12. Later in the year there will also be a new Phantom X 11 and 11.5 as well as a straight-shafted Phantom X 5. So, in total, there will be a 10-putter Phantom X line-up.

In tests alongside the company's Tour X shoe, the shoe that this replaces, the Tour Alpha provides 12.7 per cent more walking cushioning, 10 per cent more mobility in trail foot eversion during the swing and more balanced support during the swing.

"From the types of metals used to the subtle changes in shaft bends, these new models offer brand new, highly-requested options," explains Cameron. "I’ve had so many people asking for a putter like Justin Thomas’ gamer – and the Phantom X 5.5 is my direct answer."

SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

LONG SERVICE

AWARDS

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As one of the world’s best golf clubs, we pride ourselves on showcasing exceptional hospitality and service. The Club will continue to do so in the years to come and cannot wait to honour our next set of staff in future issues.

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Every single one of these staff members being honoured has been an ever present at the Club for between 10 and 35 years. Their passion, loyalty, and dedication for the job is unwavering. We are all very grateful and thankful for the job that each of them does around the Club, from Agronomy to Golfing Sales, helping to elevate the Club to new heights every year.

YEARS

Sentosa Golf Club would like to congratulate a number of our staff who have reached significant milestones this year during their tenure with the Club.

Without the dedication and passion of our staff, the Club would not be able to provide its Members and guests with the best possible experience.

Top row (left to right): Sulaiman (Machine Operator), Kadir (Machine Operator), Shamsha (Machine Operator), Bottom row (left to right): Sharon Tee (Senior Executive, Golfing), Koh Phun Phun (Assistant Manager, Membership)

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SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

Top to bottom: Halim (Course Marshal) and Amirul (Course Marshal)

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Main image, top row (left to right): Sulang (Support Assistant, Golf Course), Tan Lay Hock (Technician), Jackson (Mechanic) Bottom row (left to right): Wu Zining (Executive Sous Chef), Suparti (Bag Valet), Athmalingan (Junior Sous Chef)

Main image (left to right): Wong Yee Wan (Lead, Golfing Receptionist), Andy Johnston (General Manager), Rodney Mckeown (Senior Superintendent, Golf Course) Top to bottom: Imran (Bag Valet), Mary Jane (Executive, F&B)

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SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

'THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES IS WHERE THE ASIAN TOUR BELONGS' These are exciting times for the Asian Tour with the birth of the International Series and some ground-breaking wins already.

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istorically, the Asian Tour has struggled to keep the big names playing on home soil but all of that will soon change as the Tour welcomes in a new dawn packed with tournaments, increased prize funds and exciting times.

On February 1 of this year the International Series was announced.

Backed by LIV Golf Investments, a start-up company headed by Greg Norman and backed by Saudi

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Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, it will now feature tournaments across Asia and Europe. Over a 10-year period LIV Golf has committed to investing US$300m with 10 tournaments boasting funds of $1.5-2m. The talent base has always been exceptional, now the playing opportunities are there to go with it.

Having overseen an 84-week absence of any tournament golf Cho Minn Thant, the commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, is welcoming far brighter times ahead.

“I feel like the International Series

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is where the Asian Tour belongs.

For decades, it’s what we’ve been waiting for and it’s the new standard for the Asian Tour. In the past, the Asian Tour was a collection of small prize money events with the odd $1m or $2m events scattered in there.

But now the standard for the Asian Tour is going to be $1m-plus, highlevel events, great destinations and locations, and it’s going to be a lot more competitive.”

And much of the focus will be on the players and being made to feel wanted. “We want to make them feel special. We want to make them feel

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SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE Photo Credits: Asian Tour Current Order of Merit leader, Sihwan Kim, claimed victory at the inaugural International Series event in Thailand at the start of March

like the International Series are major events. So, you’ll see a barber shop; you’ll see a smoothie bar; you’ll see foot massage; you’ll see more physiotherapy; you’ll see a clubfitting area; you’ll see a fully kitted out gym; you’ll see a players’ lounge.

We want to increase the whole professionalism of the Tour. And this is where it starts.”

Jeev Milkha Singh has been a member of the Asian Tour since turning pro and is a two-time Order of Merit Champion. The Indian ace feared for the future of his fellow pros as they were moving away from the game due to a lack of playing time in the midst of the pandemic. Now the picture is very different with fullysanctioned events and higher funds.

Ratchanon 'TK' Chantananuwat became the youngest ever winner on the Asian Tour after victory at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup

“The last time I saw this much excitement among the players was way back in 1995 when the Asian PGA Tour (which later evolved into the Asian Tour) was formed and we finally had a proper schedule that included several half a million dollar events at a time when $100,000 to $150,000 was the norm,” said Singh.

“I’d say many players in the Top 60 www.sentosagolf.com

were incurring a loss, but this season the 60th-placed player will make at least $100,000. That is a very decent amount playing golf in Asia.”

The Asian Tour began in Saudi with Harold Varner III making an eagle courtesy of an astonishing 92-foot eagle putt to pip Bubba Watson.

A month later the first International Series event took place in Thailand where Sihwan Kim claimed victory at Black Mountain. The American had been knocking at the door for his maiden win in recent months and he shot a closing 63 to beat local hope Phachara Khongwatmai by two strokes.

The 33-year-old, who turned pro in 2011 and had posted eight topfour finishes previously, made seven birdies in a row, two short of Austrian Bernd Wiesberger’s record at the 2017 Maybank Championship, and a birdie at the penultimate hole was enough to secure the win.

The second International Series event will take place at Slaley Hall in England on 2 June. There will be an increased purse again of $2m and Kim will be looking to continue 15

Photo Credit: Asian Tour

SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

SGC Member Mitchell Sloarach (far left) meets Gary Player (2nd from left) ahead of the DCG Open in New Delhi.

STATS

$460,325 Sihwan Kim’s earnings in first five starts

63-70-70-65 Ratchanon Chantananuwat’s rounds at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup

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15 year old Ratchanon’s world ranking

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Asian golfers in the world’s top 100: Hideki Matsuyama (13), Sungjae Im (19), Siwoo Kim (48), Takumi Kanaya (59), Joohyung Kim (74), Ryosuke Kinoshita (77), Rikuya Hoshino (83), Kyoung-Hoon Lee (84), Anirban Lahiri (85), Jinichiro Kozuma (100) 16

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his hot streak. Having waited 11 years to post a professional victory he then added a second win at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge, a joint-sanctioned event with the Ladies European Tour, held again in Thailand.

But the most remarkable win to date has been Ratchanon Chantananuwat's success at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup in Thailand. At just 15 years and 37 days old he became the youngest male player to win on one of the game’s major Tours.

Equally impressive it didn't actually come as a huge shock having made six cuts out of six and challenged in three of them. He did it with a final-round 65 and beat Korean Joohyung Kim by two.

The astonishing effort bettered the previous youngest win by Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, who was 15 years and eight months, while on the Asian Tour the youngest winner had been Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil at 17 years and five days old.

With a one-shot lead, on the week of the first mixed event on the Asian Tour, he coolly birdied the 18th. And he even spoke with a high level of maturity afterwards.

“I've got to be honest, I got pretty lucky, I had hit two or three terrible drives. I saw that [Kim eagled 10] and was not surprised, he pulls off that stuff all the time. It put pressure on me, but I tried @sentosagolfclub

not to look at it too much," said Ratchanon, who is nicknamed 'TK'. “Nothing’s going to change.

I’m going to stay in school (in Bangkok), go to college, practise more. That’s been my plan all along. I have talked to a lot of players, and they have all said go to college.”

He also became the fifth amateur to win on the Asian Tour and the first since 2009. Kim had the consolation of receiving the US$135,000 winners’ cheque.

The final word goes to Norman who, like Cho and Singh, is understandably excited by what's happening on the Asian Tour.

"The Asian Tour is a sleeping giant.

Golf across the Asia Pacific is without a doubt golf’s major frontier and accounts for almost 40 per cent of the world’s golfers and the lion’s share of new golf course developments.

From LIV Golf’s perspective, we are looking for new commercial opportunities that can propel the game farther. "We now have our International Series in full swing and are eagerly exploring how we broaden the reach and impact to maximise the merits of this exciting new chapter for golf in the region.

We will be watching on with a great deal of interest, we have some real young stars ready to burst onto the scene. That is something I always relish; watching out for the next new name.”

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SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

GUEST COLUMN

Greg

Norman

I

Former World No.1 and Two-time Major Champion CEO of LIV Golf Investments

have been playing golf in Asia for over 40 years. I always loved visiting and the passion for the sport was almost second to none. The key for us is to create open competition and accessible pathways to spur on new champions who can help inspire the next generation of golfer.

We also see part of LIV Golf Investments' role as providing security so we can work with the Asian Tour on planning for the future.

This will breed confidence with existing sponsors but also attract federations and governments to work with us to introduce new events in important emerging markets.

The potential is so exciting.

China and India, for example, could have a seismic impact on the game and we see stars emerging from both markets.

Golf is finding its way into more communities. Look at Vietnam where I work closely with the government. They are expanding more and more courses, attracting tourists to visit, but also providing exposure and access to local

players. There are some 30,000 players in Vietnam and the market is just getting started. When they near the participation levels of the likes of Japan, UK or Sweden, we are going to uncover our future stars and that, for me, is the lifeblood of the game's future.

If we can get the Asian Tour into a position where it can stand shoulder to shoulder with the PGA Tour then we believe we will attract more interest, with more viewers.

If we create an avid fan base, we will create more players. And if we create more players, we see golf as playing a more central part in the global sports arena. Golf hasn’t had true competition over the decades and that is finally changing. Some may view that as a threat, but it is a good thing for the sport.

“

As well as new markets, we are going to see a swell in support from corporate partners. Golf is going to need to compete with shifting societal trends and the advent of new sectors like E-Sports, but we won’t be scared to try new things.

Experience of competing against the best is invaluable. The Asia Pacific Amateur has reminded us of how important access to competition is.

It was the brainchild of Billy Payne, who recognised the significance of the Asia Pacific continent to golf. To see the full circle with Hideki Matsuyama pulling on the Green Jacket in 2021 shows the importance that kind of exposure can give to players. We need exciting new champions to emerge from all corners of the globe. Golf is a truly global game, but we are only scratching the surface.

If we can get the Asian Tour into a position where it can stand shoulder to shoulder with the PGA Tour then we believe we will attract more interest, with more viewers.

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SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

F&B NEWS

Behind the Scenes

with Chef KK and the Team!

Sentosa Golf Club is often renowned for its world-class gastronomy experience. Our talented team of chefs are known for their excellent culinary skills that produce some of the highest quality dishes in Singapore.

It is always our aim to provide Members and guests with the best possible experience when it comes to dining at the Club. Our team are enthusiastic about highlighting their endless talents with no details left unturned in the pursuit of excellence.

From 29 Mar 2022, groups of 10 fully vaccinated people are now allowed to dine-in at the restaurants located within the Club. Safety measures are slowly starting to ease up and we are seeing an increase in social gatherings since the latest announcement by the government.

With numbers begin to increase once again in the restaurants, this means our team have to be coordinated in our approach when it comes to making sure that all parties are highly satisfied with the meals they are being served throughout their visit.

In order to facilitate this, we often have to call upon extra staff to help us ease the demand. Let’s take a sneak-peek

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at what goes on at the back of house and meet a few of our additional team members.

Today, we have Jaya and Soe Soe, our third party contractors who are also part of the Sentosa Golf Club family.

Other than their primary job scope, they also help us to practice teamwork and often multi-task across various assets in the kitchen to assist F&B. For example, during a busy period, Jaya will help us out in the kitchen, arranging the food that will be sent right to you, whilst at the back amongst the hustle and bustle, Soe Soe is often seen helping out with the preparation of ingredients for the next peak hour.

Preparation is the key to everything that we do in the kitchen. The team must be ready for any situation that presents itself on any given day. We would like to thank Jaya and Soe Soe for their hardwork and dedication to the job and are excited to continue collaborating with them in the future.

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SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

GAME ON! “Leading the Pack” - Greg Norman Hails Sentosa

W

ith The Serapong being nominated as Singapore’s Best Golf Course at this year’s World Golf Awards, it provides a perfect opportunity to look back at the development of our world-class layout, and review the renovations that have taken place on both courses in recent times.

The Serapong, host venue of the Singapore Open since 2005, reopened at the end of 2020 after it underwent an extensive renovation, which was masterminded by the Club’s General Manager, Director of Agronomy and Resident Architect, Andrew Johnston.

The renovations were headlined by a new bunkering style with creative, artistic serrated edges to enhance

The Serapong’s character and overall playing strategy. Being located in a sub-tropical climate means the golf course ages faster, so a number of other renovations were required to maintain the quality of the playing surfaces.

It meant re-grassing fairways, improving drainage, re-levelling all tee boxes and modifying the greens’ soil profile by introducing new carbon technology to boost soil chemistry and profile structure.

High Praise Johnston has been nominated Golf Course Designer of the Year at this year’s World Golf Awards, which is down in no small part to the way in which the Club has embraced sustainability practices into golf course design. It’s why the Club is globally recognised as one of the

world’s most sustainable golf clubs.

Sentosa has recently drawn praise from the great Greg Norman, who was part of the team at Ayla in Jordan that developed the first carbon neutral golf course. The Australian describes sustainability as the “single most important factor” when it comes to course design.

“I know the work that Andy Johnston does at Sentosa is really leading the pack when it comes to environmental best practice,” adds Norman. “One of the most remarkable pieces is the quality and conditioning of the course. And not only during Championships. It has certainly earned its reputation amongst the game’s pinnacle golf clubs. And to do so, with environmental bestpractice at its core is an exceptional achievement.”

Of course, The Tanjong, which features an iconic experience set against the Singapore Straits, has also seen a number of changes since it opened in 1974. Like other golf courses in the region, it has had to withstand the vagaries of a tropical climate, with such weather conditions typically allowing a golf course to have a lifespan of about 20 to 30 years.

Despite smaller-scale upgrading efforts over the years, the old Tanjong course’s infrastructure faced challenges in irrigation, drainage and turf maintenance. As a result, the course closed for a comprehensive redevelopment in November 2015, with nine months of construction followed by a three-month turf maturation period.

Sustainability has been described as the "single most important factor" in golf course design by the great Greg Norman

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The recent renovation of The Serapong in 2020 has allowed it to become more efficient and stand the test of time better

Self-sufficient Irrigation

Reservoir water features ensure that both championship courses are now self-sufficient when it comes to irrigation

Environmental sustainability is a hallmark of the redeveloped Tanjong, which was redesigned by Johnston in 2016. Several green initiatives have been implemented to conserve and re-use resources. A special temporary nursery to facilitate the relocation of more than 300 trees was used in the redevelopment, while six reservoir water features have been installed to ensure that The Tanjong is self-sufficient in irrigation. Even concrete from old cart paths has been re-used.

Today, the redeveloped 18-hole Par 72 course is home to unique hole layouts, water features and the hardy 'Zorro Zoysia’ grass on its fairways, ensuring the rigorous conditioning required to host international championship tournaments.

Environmental sustainability is the hallmark of the redeveloped Tanjong with several green initiatives implemented to conserve and re-use resources.

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Whatever renovations are required in the future, our courses will always be developed with sustainability in mind.

That the Club has been nominated World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility in the World Golf Awards, which we were proud to win in 2020 and 2021, proves that we continue to lead by example.

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SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

NEWS FROM SENTOSA ISLAND

SENTOSA PASSPORT AND GOLDEN JUBILEE GRAND DRAW

It’s not too late to get involved in this fantastic promotion, which got underway on 11 March and runs until 31 August 2022. Just come and experience what Sentosa has to offer and you could walk away with $50,000 worth of prizes! Get started on your journey by collecting stamps to your Sentosa digital passport and receive sure-win gifts along the way. Mastercard® cardholders and Islander members enjoy extra perks. As if you needed an incentive to come and enjoy Sentosa!

SENTOSA & BREWERKZ LAUNCH 50TH JUBILEE EDITION

NEW SENTOSA HERITAGE TRAIL LAUNCHED “There is always something new and exciting to discover in Sentosa,” says National Heritage Board (NHB) deputy chief executive for policy and community, Alvin Tan. These words came after the launch of the wonderful Sentosa Heritage Trail, which features three thematic routes.

The first of the routes is called “Kampongs and Barracks”, which lets the public explore the lives and livelihoods of the people of Pulau Blakang Mati. The “Forts” route, meanwhile, explores the extensive fortifications on Sentosa, which was militarised in the late 1800s. The trail highlights include Fort Siloso and Fort Serapong. The last route - “Memories of Sentosa” – takes visitors back to a number of former attractions.

FREE SENTOSA ENTRY EXTENDED Visitors are now able to take advantage of free entry till 30 September 2022. If entering at the Sentosa Express, use your Ez-Link Card to tap and enter for free. Visitors without an Ez-Link Card can approach the Service Ambassadors for free entry. For those driving in by car at the Sentosa Gantry, entry is free as long as the vehicle has a locally registered IU.

Sentosa has teamed up with Brewerkz to launch a Jubilee Edition Islander Brew, the flavour of which has been inspired by the island’s plants. The Lychee Pale Ale comes in two different cans: one depicts Sentosa by day and the other by night. Featured on the artwork are icons of Sentosa, such as its former monorail, Sentosa Ferry Terminal, Fort Siloso and Universal Studios Singapore.

Free island admission is also given for all BlueSG members entering Sentosa in BlueSG’s electric cars. BlueSG rental charges apply. Visitors can reserve and drive an electric Bluecar from any BlueSG station to BlueSG Beach View Station at Sentosa Beach Carpark. This service is available 24/7. Of course, guests can make their way into Sentosa for free by cycling or walking, too.

This Jubilee edition of the Islander Brew, which has also been certified carbon neutral, marks the fifth beer rolled out under the partnership between Sentosa and Brewerkz. The previous four flavours in the Islander Brew series have also been inspired by plants found in Sentosa, namely cocoa, lime, jasmine and nutmeg.

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S G C N E W S I N D E TA I L

Bee AMAZED founder John Chong on Sentosa Golf Club's new Singapore Honey Bee colony at The Serapong An obvious question is why is it so important to preserve and grow the bee population?

Put simply, one third of all food production in the world depends largely on bees. They play an integral part in relation to the importance of agricultural production. Effective pollination improves their yield, quality and enhances plants’ resistance to pests. They are critical and essential for the preservation of ecological balance and biodiversity in nature, and they also provide one of the most recognisable ecosystem services, i.e. pollination, which is what makes food production possible.

Bees also act as indicators of the state of our environment. Their presence or absence tells us when something is happening with the environment and, by observing the development and health of bees, it is possible to implement

precautionary measures.

So, with Sentosa Golf Club being a champion of environmental matters, the new Singapore Honey Bee colony is part and parcel of the Club's DNA to provide a conducive and eco-friendly environment for its stakeholders without neglecting even small creatures like the honey bees. A small colony of about 8,000 bees, it should reach about 20,000 one day.

We recently added a new colony of local honey bees belonging to the species, Apis Cerana, commonly known as the Asian Honey Bee, at Fort Berhala Reping. The area behind the old war structure on The Serapong’s 6th hole features lots of Honolulu Creepers which produce year-round beautiful pink flowers. So the bees there will never be short of nectar nor pollen while the nearby mangrove trees and the surrounding

trees at The Serapong also provide a richer diet.

So, if the conditions are right, we could possibly get some unique SGC honey and that could be harvested and auctioned off to the highest bidder and used to support a local charity.

The type of honey produced will largely be a polyfloral honey. It is estimated that to produce one kilo of honey, the honey bees would have to visit more than two million flowers. As such, it is critical to provide them with more bee-friendly flowers and plants.

We'll monitor the progress and the growth of the honey bees. We will gradually increase the number of Apis Cerana on both golf courses and we will look to emphasise the importance of having more bee-friendly plants and trees that can provide the bees a constant and all-year-round supply of nectar and pollen.

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SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

INSTRUCTION

HOW TO HOLE

MORE PUTTS

Photo Credit: Acushnet Singapore

Did you know that around 40% of your shots are played with the putter? For many, it’s the most important club in the bag. In this issue, Head Professional, Skye Neal, explains the importance of getting custom fitted, and shares his top tips to help transform your performance on the greens.

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Titleist National Fitting Centre You can experience the same process, equipment and fitting technology that the best players (and putters) in the world rely on to improve their game here at the Titleist Fitting Centre at Sentosa Golf Club.

Using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, Scotty Cameron gathers information on how the world’s best players approach putting. With those insights the manufacturer continually experiments with new designs, materials and technologies and evolves its putter design based on the key elements of putter selection: shape, path, toe flow and length.

THE ‘SCOTTY DIFFERENCE’ 25+ years creating the finest milled putters in the world

29 players trusted a Scotty Cameron putter at the 2022 SMBC Singapore Open

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42 one putts made

by Cameron Smith at this year’s Players Championship @sentosagolfclub

40+ Major Championship victories

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My secrets to better putting…

1 Length The correct putter length is crucial for a consistent stroke. The length of your putter sets your eye position and can affect your posture and amount of arc in your stroke.

If your putter is too long, it is highly likely your posture may be too upright and set too far inside the target line. If your putter is too short, it’s possible you may get too hunched over the ball and set too far outside the target line.

Too long

Perfect!

Too short

2 Speed Our Agronomy team post the daily green speeds for all the practice greens and golf courses; this will help you develop consistency in your speed control if you are able to calibrate yourself correctly.

To do this, find a relatively flat spot on the practice green and putt three balls with your comfortable length stroke in one direction. Pace out the distance. Then repeat in the opposite direction and, again, pace out the distance. This will give an average distance for your comfortable length stroke incorporating any influencing grain. This will be for the speed of that particular green, so check the speed of the green for the course you are playing and adjust accordingly.

3 Face & Path For better speed control and, ultimately, to hole more putts, you have to strike the ball solidly with a consistent path. Try this combination drill. You need a two-tone golf ball and a Scotty Cameron putting path tool. Line the tool up to form a gate for the putter to travel through squarely. If the ball is lined up correctly and you strike it with a square face, the ball will roll end over end nicely.

4 Make it fun!

Get on the practice green with a buddy. Games like this help prevent you from getting bogged down with technique and mechanics. Find two holes 4-5m apart; each hole is won by the first player to hole out. Keep putting against one another until one of you holes the putt, and then switch places. First one to three points wins.

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SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

HAMO BAINIKU

NAMA JUNSAI TOSA SU

SUSHI KONDO SEASONAL ITEMS TACHIUO SHIOYAKI

AYU SHIO

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18 Holes With…

KOH SOCK HWEE In the latest issue of 18 Holes With…we spoke to our very own sponsored professional, Koh Sock Hwee, about her aspirations to qualify for the LPGA Tour in the US, as well as how she was first introduced to the sport and why Sentosa Golf Club will always hold a special place in her heart…

What do you like most about the courses at Sentosa Golf Club?

It is tournament ready 365 days of the year. Always in pristine conditions, and ever so challenging that it demands every part of your game to be working well How did you get into playing golf?

My uncle introduced the sport to my dad. My brothers and I started following them to the range every Sunday.

From there, we would try to hit the ball on our own Did you have an idol growing up?

After I started playing golf, it has always been Tiger Woods In what year did you become a professional golfer?

February 2016 What has been the best moment of your career so far?

Winning two medals at my last Southeast Asian Games in 2015 How much do you enjoy playing at Sentosa Golf Club?

It is always a joy to play and train at Sentosa Golf Club. The course is always in good shape. I could play there for the rest of my life!

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How did it feel to play in this year’s HSBC Women’s World Championship?

It was an awesome experience playing with the world’s best golfers again. It was an invaluable experience and lots of positives to take with me to the US Do you have a favourite hole on The Tanjong?

Hole 17. Always a challenge with the water surrounding the green, and the large bunker that is strategically placed to catch any shots with inaccurate distance

How important has the Club’s support been to your career?

The support from the Club has been tremendous and encouraging. I am truly appreciative and grateful of the generous support I have been given

What is your favourite club in the bag?

9 Iron

If you could pick a fourball from any players in the world, who would you choose??

Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam and Michael Jordan

How would you describe Sentosa Golf Club in three words?

World Class. Hospitable.

Prestigious

Who is the greatest golfer of all time?

For me personally, I would pick Tiger What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever received?

Everything is about perspective – to make the best use of what you have now and live life in the present

Have you ever achieved a holein-one?

I have got 2 hole-in-ones so far, one in Taiwan and another in USA

What is your favourite thing about Singapore?

Food. The different types of cuisines is one of my favourite things about Singapore. It is a true reflection of our diverse culture here in Singapore If you weren’t a golfer, what other sport would you play?

Basketball

What are your aims for the remainder of 2022 and beyond?

I will be in the US to play in some mini tour events and take part in the LPGA Qualifying School. The goal is to participate in the final stage of Q-School and achieve status to play in the US next year

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