ASIA: Marina Bay Golf Course to close its doors

Singapore: Marina Bay Golf Course (MBGC) – Singapore’s first and only 18-hole public golf course owned and managed by NTUC Club – will close its doors today with the expiration of its land lease.

MBGC has had an illustrious 18-year history, welcoming members of the public to experience its world-class facilities.

Since its inception in 2006, MBGC has seen more than 1.3 million people on the greens and dispensed over 419 million driving range golf balls.

It made its mark by earning numerous accolades including Best Public Golf Course in Asia-Pacific and ranking among the Top-Three Courses in Singapore.

Despite the closure of MGBC, NTUC Club will continue to make the sport accessible and affordable through its estate-less golf club, My Golf Kaki (MGK).

This has been done by providing more slots to MGK members during weekdays as well as increasing the number of days night-golf is available at the Orchid Country Club (OCC).

Together with the recent expansion of MGK’s portfolio of local and overseas courses, including in Indonesia and Malaysia, MGK members can not only enjoy an easier planning and booking process, but have a wider variety of golf courses to choose from as well.

Lim Eng Lee, NTUC Club’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Despite the closure of MBGC, we hope to continue to make golf an affordable and accessible sport.

“In anticipation of MBGC’s closure, we have stepped up efforts since last year to promote the affordable MGK membership to golfers. We are encouraged by the response with the community growing from 7,000, to over 9,000 members in the last 12 months.

“I am pleased that NTUC Club has been working closely with the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) in our shared vision that golf can be an inclusive sport to be enjoyed by all.”

Tan Chong Huat, President of the SGA, said: “The closure of the hugely popular Marina Bay Golf Course will significantly impact Singapore’s golfing community without access to a private golf club. We acknowledge the impact of land scarcity on the entry barrier and accessibility to playing golf in Singapore.

“As the national custodian of the sport, SGA will continue to play its leadership role in developing a robust golf eco-system that strives to promote and develop the game of golf for all Singaporeans from all walks of life.”

He added that SGA will uphold its commitment to making golf an inclusive sport that contributes to the physical and mental well-being of Singaporeans.

“The SGA remains dedicated to this mission and looks forward to working with stakeholders, including NTUC Club, to achieve pragmatic and beneficial outcomes aligned with urban growth needs and the development of golf in Singapore,” said a spokesperson for the Association, an Associate Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

Similarly, NTUC Club is committed to grow Singapore’s golfing community, and has been in discussion with the authorities for potential sites that can be developed under the Labour Movement (LM).

NTUC Club plans for future LM golf courses to be inclusive with a new, integrated golf concept – one that is enhanced by additional recreational spaces for family-friendly activities such as cycling tracks, nature trails, and common spaces for picnics and performances.

Future LM golf courses will welcome not just golfers, but the public and people from all walks of life.