Efforts to Promote and Nurture Young Golfing Talent in Singapore

8 Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked 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.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (Mr Eric Chua) (for the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth): Sir, 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, Sport Singapore works closely with the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) to promote and develop the sport of golf in Singapore.

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 the Sembawang Country Club, Keppel Club and Sentosa Golf Club. Depending on training requirements, the Squads also have access to other private clubs such as the Singapore Island Country Club, Tanah Merah Country Club and Seletar Country Club which support SGA's national programmes.

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 also provide young, aspiring golfers aged five to 14 years old a platform to showcase their skills and compete with peers.

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.

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

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.

Mr Speaker: Ms Yeo Wan Ling.

Ms Yeo Wan Ling (Pasir Ris-Punggol): Thank you, Speaker. Punggol Town is home to one of three full public golf ranges in Singapore. On evenings that I am there on community visits, they run at almost full capacity with both men and women, as well as children and family playing the sports, pointing to its growing popularity in young towns.

Given that Singapore has seen some very good budding sports success with our golfing athletes qualifying for the Olympics and the US Open and Masters, how can the Ministry continue to keep the costs affordable for our budding sports talents, including those who have not turned pro golf, and to ensure that affordable access to golf practice facilities, even with the closure of the golf range?

Mr Eric Chua: Sir, the example that I mentioned earlier, in response to the Member's supplementary question is that we have worked with Keppel Club to provide or set aside a majority of slots for the public and to also keep costs affordable for these members of the public. Rest assured, we will continue to work hard to ensure continued public access to golf.

Mr Speaker: Incidentally, two of our young talents, Shannon Tan and Chen Xing Tong, are currently competing in the HSBC Women's Championship in Sentosa. I wish them all the best.