SINGAPORE - The Singapore Golf Association (SGA) held its annual fundraiser on Saturday (Oct 7) at Raffles Country Club, raising more than $400,000 for junior development and elite golf training.

More than 200 guests and sponsors turned up in support of the occasion, including Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who was the event's guest of honour.

The planned tournament for the day had to be called off due to inclement weather, but there was still time for some novelty events to take place on the course.

One, called The Longest Drive, pitted donors against members of the SEA Games golf team who took home the gold medal in August.

Mr Goh, a former prime minister, was joined at the event by SGA governing council chairman Khoo Boon Hui and Singapore Sports Institute chief Toh Boon Yi.

Tokens of appreciation were given to platinum sponsors and partners of SGA, and a lucky draw featuring prizes donated from sponsors took place during dinner.

Said the fundraiser's organising chairman Lyn Sen: "The golfing community and public will slowly come to realise that golf builds character and teaches valuable life skills to the young.

"It is no longer a game for the privileged elite as the game is played by many aspiring golfers who do not belong to any members' clubs."