Programmes to Promote and Nurture Young Golfing Talents in Singapore

*7288. Ms Yeo Wan Ling: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth what programmes are available to help promote and nurture young golfing talent in Singapore considering that access to public golf facilities and courses is now limited due to the reallocation and closure of such public facilities.

1. Sport Singapore provides the overarching framework to encourage an increasingly strong sporting culture and participation in Singapore, as well as the development and nurturing of high performance athletes at all levels. In the case of golf, it works closely with the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) to promote and develop the sport of golf in Singapore.

2. SGA identifies and grooms talented junior golfers through programmes such as the SGA Future Squad which provides a structured pathway into SGA's High-Performance programmes. For golfers in SGA's Junior Development, Development, Junior National and National Squads, SGA conducts weekly training for them at Sembawang Country Club, Keppel Club, and Sentosa Golf Club. Depending on training requirements, the Squads also have access to other private clubs such as Singapore Island Country Club, Tanah Merah Country Club, and Seletar Country Club which support SGA's national programmes.

3. SGA organises junior level tournaments such as the SGA Junior Inter-Club League and SGA-BFG Junior Golf Series which are held across various golf courses and clubs in Singapore throughout the year. These tournaments provide young, aspiring golfers aged 5 to 14 years old a platform to showcase their skills and compete with peers.

4. In addition, the Singapore Sports School (SSP) also provides a further pathway to high performance in golf. SSP nurtures student-athletes in the national youth team and supports them on their academic and sporting development. SSP provides athlete-friendly academic and holistic development programmes that enable the student-athletes to focus on their sports commitments. SSP currently has seven student-athletes in golf, among whom is Chen Xing Tong, the youngest female to have won the Singapore Open Amateur Championships in 2024 at the age of 16.

5. For those looking to pick up golf, either recreationally or to develop high performance talents, there is a range of programs offered at both public and private golf courses, including the programs outlined above.

6. Whilst space constraints and competing land use requirements have limited the space available for golf courses, the Government recognises that it is important for the public to have continued access to the sport and is looking at expanding options by which to do so. We had previously extended the tenancy of Mandai Executive Golf Course until December 2026 and worked with Keppel Club to set aside the majority of slots at the Sime Golf Course for use by members of the public at an affordable price range, comparable to other public courses. The Government will continue looking into the provision of public golf facilities for the longer-term.