Island course to host opener of ST & BT corporate league
Teams getting ready to tackle Singapore’s best courses in the coming season.
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(From far left) SPH Media deputy CEO Kuek Yu Chuang, CLA Global’s Ong Kian Min and Tony Mallek share in the joy as CLA Global captain Henry Tan beams with pride after receiving a cheque from The Business Times editor Chen Huifen in May.
PHOTO: SPH MEDIA
Godfrey Robert
There is still five months until the start of The Straits Times & Business Times Corporate Golf League, but teams have already begun their preparations for the popular event that is into its 14th edition.
Winners in 2023, Hugo Boss formed their team two months ago and have started practice sessions under new captain and seasoned golfer Andre Huber, who took over from the dynamic Marilyn Lum.
Defending champions Orchid Country Club have ticked the preparation boxes on many fronts, and their players are actively playing in the local league and competitions.
After failing to win top honours for the past two years, CLA Global are going all out on a recruitment drive to select decent golfers and boost their image.
CLA Global’s zestful captain Henry Tan said: “We want to move up the standings and I’m looking out for better players. In fact, we are entering three teams for the Dato Cup event at Seletar Country Club next month, and this will also serve as a selection process.
“The ST & BT league serves as a premier platform for businesses to strengthen relationships with clients and associates while connecting with industry leaders, so I am not surprised that it has rekindled interest and will renew friendships.”
Singapore Pools and Performance Motors Limited will use their own corporate events to select their players, while last year’s runners-up, Singapore Global Trust, will retain their same team.
Team Gayatri, which fielded national player Troy Storm in the last event, are eyeing Singapore Golf Association league players for the 2026 event.
Further excitement has been raised as the five-leg event will tee off on March 5 at the recently redeveloped Singapore Island Country Club’s Island course, which has received rave reviews in the media.
The par-72 Island course has been upgraded to a true championship layout with redesigned holes and greens upgraded to pristine condition.
The move to use the Island course as one of the venues has been welcomed by most teams. Team Gayatri captain G. Shanmugam said: “I have never played on the new Island. I have heard many positive stories about it and am looking forward to play on it.”
The ST & BT event will conclude on May 8 at SICC’s New course, which is currently staging the Moutai Singapore Open, a national tournament that was inaugurated in 1961.
From the Island course, the event moves (on March 27) to the renowned Tanah Merah Country Club’s Tampines course, a world-class venue that recently staged the World Amateur Team Championships.
Tampines has also staged global events like the Lexus Cup, HSBC Women’s Champions and Queen Sirikit Cup competitions.
The third leg will be held at Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course on April 10, a world-class venue that has won global headlines as host of some of the biggest events, such as LIV Golf tournaments and the Singapore Open.
Serapong offers a major challenge to the teams because of its tough layout and difficult bunkers.
The fourth leg will be at Orchid Country Club on April 23, once a regular host of the Handa Classic. The Yishun layout offers a different setting, compared to the other venues, and calls for a more relaxed approach.
Judging by the number of pledges for entering the competition, organisers are pleased that the event has gained so much traction with companies.
The writer is the former Sports Editor of The Straits Times and has been writing about golf and sports for more than 55 years.
