Aussie Jones Appointed Singapore Golf Association High Performance Manager

POSTED ON April 24, 2026 @ 1:23 pm

SINGAPORE – The Singapore Golf Association (SGA) has appointed Australian veteran Gareth Jones as its new High Performance Manager (Professional Squad), a strategic move designed to bolster the development of the nation’s rising professional ranks.

Jones, who brings more than 20 years of elite international experience, will oversee the SGA Professional Programme. The initiative currently supports 11 full-time touring professionals. Jones has already begun work on the ground this week, preparing players for the Singapore Open presented by The Business Times, which tees off at Sentosa Golf Club from April 23–26, 2026.

A Proven Track Record

Jones arrives in Singapore with a formidable coaching pedigree. He previously served as the National Team Head Coach for the Japan Golf Association and held high-performance roles with Golf Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport.

During his career, he has mentored top-tier talent, including:

Keita Nakajima and Takumi Kanaya (former World Number One amateurs).
Ren Yonezawa.
Multiple McCormack Medal winners.

His leadership has also guided teams to victories at major international events such as the Asian Games, Nomura Cup, and Bonallack Trophy.

Integrating Support for Success

In his new capacity, Jones will focus on performance planning, athlete development, and tournament preparation. He will collaborate directly with the players’ personal coaches to maintain an integrated, athlete-centric system.

The appointment comes at a time of significant momentum for Singaporean golf, supported by corporate partners Radar Tyres and EFG Bank. Recent international successes include:

Shannon Tan: The trailblazing professional secured the 2025 Ladies European Tour Order of Merit title following a standout season featuring multiple wins.
James Leow: Captured his breakthrough Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory at the Aramco Invitational Tournament in Saudi Arabia last December.
Nicklaus Chiam: Claimed his maiden ADT title at the PKNS Selangor Masters in February 2026. Chiam currently stands as the highest-ranked Singaporean on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).

Quotes

SGA CEO Joshua Ho: “We are pleased to welcome Gareth, whose experience will further strengthen the structures supporting our professionals. With the backing of partners such as Radar Tyres and EFG Bank, our players are now better supported in competing internationally. We are seeing real progress, and Gareth’s role is to build on that momentum through a more integrated high-performance framework.”

Gareth Jones: “I’m excited to work with Singapore’s players and contribute to their continued progress. The focus is on helping them perform consistently at the highest level, while complementing the work already being done with their personal coaches.”

Nicklaus Chiam (SGA Professional): “Being part of the SGA Professional Programme has been instrumental as the programme has provided us with consistent training and support throughout our journey. Gareth’s appointment is a strong addition as he brings a wealth of experience, fresh perspectives and ideas that will help us continue improving as we progress in our careers.”