Sentosa Golf Club Magazine (November - December 2022)

THE BI-MONTHLY

OF SENTOSA GOLF

CAPTAIN’S MESSAGE

I would like to start this message by thanking Members, our generous sponsors, and colleagues at Sentosa Development Corporation for your tremendous support and contribution to the successful Sentosa 50th Jubilee Charity Golf Game in September.

Sentosa Golf Club is truly a Club with a heart. We were able to raise a Singapore golf and country club record of $3.9M for the underprivileged, something everyone we can all be very proud of as Members.

On the operations front, the Club has started this year strong, managing the high demand and expectations for golf with close to 100% occupancy throughout most the parts of 2022. With the return of overseas travel, we have seen the start of more normalised golf at around 80% occupancy. Even so, this remains a high number and I urge all Members to play our part as golfers to maintain our world-class conditioning standards by exercising good golf etiquette. Please encourage your fellow Members to fix divots, ball marks and rake bunkers.

As Members, we must also continue to uphold our Club’s unique character and positive culture by observing restraint when we play. While we have observed fewer reports concerning dangerous play recently, they do occur from time to time and on most occasions they can be mitigated by staying calm, observing good pace of play and good golf etiquette during the game. I wish to remind everyone that no Member has the right to react inappropriately or even violently, however much they feel aggrieved or get carried away during their round. Please enlist the help of our marshals if help is required.

The pre-Covid Club activities that we fondly remember have returned over the past months. On behalf of Lady Captain Gloria and the Greens Committee, I would like to thank Members who participated in the recent Captain vs. Lady Captain event.

May I also thank all participants of this year’s Club Championships and congratulate the outstanding winners:

• Ladies Club Champion – Samantha Lin

• Ladies Singles Matchplay Champion – Aamiya Koul

• Ladies Doubles Matchplay Champion – Lynda Lee and Gloria Kuok

• Mens Matchplay Champion (President’s Cup) – Mark Coppell

• Mens Strokeplay Champion (Captain’s Cup) – Mark Coppell

This issue’s centrefold feature takes a look at the changing face of golf in Asia. This encouraging change can only happen because of adequate support at the grassroots and junior development level in the game. I am happy to report that the Club continues to play its part in Singapore’s golf development. We will be supporting our four existing professionals - Dengshan, Sock Hwee, Jesse and Hadifor another year so that they can hone their skills on our outstanding playing surfaces to further their international credentials, as Sock Hwee did with her maiden win at the Bella Vista Charity Classic in the United States this year.

Looking ahead, I am truly excited about what 2023 will bring to Sentosa Golf Club. The team has already commenced pretournament preparations to prime both The Tanjong and The Serapong for upcoming events. The HSBC Women’s World Championship (HSBC WWC) returns in early March 2023 on The Tanjong. Members may recall that recent editions of this event were encumbered by Covid restrictions, but we can anticipate that the event in 2023 will be staged with a bang as an exceptional field of the world’s best female players returns to Singapore.

In addition, we will soon be able to share with Members details of the major televised Mens Professional event that is set to take place on The Serapong shortly after the HSBC WWC. The Club is honoured and very excited to have been selected to stage it and we hope to contribute positively to Singapore as a major sporting destination.

In closing, may I invite Members to join us for our annual Christmas Light-up on Wednesday 16 November at 7pm in the main lobby. We would love to meet and commemorate the start of the holiday season alongside cocktails and a snack or two with you.

Happy golfing, stay healthy and let us continue to grow and build a caring and gracious Club culture together.

Vernon Khoo Captain

SGC Captain Vernon Khoo

GM’S MESSAGE

Dear Members and Colleagues,

As the end of the year draws ever closer and we approach the holiday season, we have a lot to be thankful for. Looking ahead, we also aspire to continue to grow and bring new and more significant events for 2023. Covid has been one of the biggest disruptions our generation has seen, but I am confident we will overcome all the challenges with the tremendous perseverance and collective courage everyone has displayed and continues to demonstrate.

Looking back over 2022, it seems like the year has flown by. However, there were many milestones accomplished. Two successful tournaments hosted, a multi-year partnership agreed with Toro, progress with our commitment to run Sentosa Golf Club as Carbon Neutral and two premier awards from the Asian Golf Awards, to name just a few (we also hopeful to report of more success at the upcoming World Golf Awards in Abu Dhabi mid-November).

As we look forward to the balance of 2022 and what 2023 has in store for us, we are eager to bring Club events back again, like the Captain vs Lady Captain Game with our Halloween party. In September we saw the return of our famous Raclette and Cheese evening, and it was graced with fantastic entertainment. Our wine and whiskey events have also once again become centre-piece events.

Next year our tournament season will see some changes. The SMBC Singapore Open has come to an end. We are thankful for all the hard work the team has put in to deliver both the Barclays and SMBC Singapore Open tournaments over the past 16 events. They have produced some historic championships and memorable moments. My personal favourite was Adams Scott's win in 2010. Mainly because he visited the golf maintenance facility during the Sunday rain delay to thank the team for their efforts (a class act and, to this day, the only Tour player to have visited the Agronomy team). He promised he would win the event for them once the rain stopped. Which he duly did!

The HSBC World Women's Championship will be our first professional event of 2023 and will be staged in its regular calendar spot, at the end of February and beginning of March. This year should be the biggest HSBC event ever, as we celebrate the 15th year of the Championship. To be officially announced in November, our next men's event will be a new LIV Golf Invitational, as revealed by Greg Norman at the recent LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok. We will welcome 48 of the best players in the world to battle it out on The Serapong, in what will be the biggest prize purse in history for a golf event in Singapore. We cannot wait to reveal more about the event in due course and, more importantly, deliver it to you.

Experience the Club’s private and idyllic location to host your next Dinner & Dance, Corporate Function or Board Meeting. For more information or to enquire, please contact sales@sentosagolf.com

Andrew Johnston General Manager & Director of Agronomy

GM Andrew Johnston

CAPTAIN’S MESSAGE

GM'S MESSAGE

MEMBER NEWS

ASIAN GOLF’S UPWARD CURVE

GAME ON –TORO PARTNERSHIP

SENTOSA ISLAND

CHARITY GOLF

INSTRUCTION

18 HOLES WITH…

GOLF TO MAKE COMMONWEALTH DEBUT

Golf has already been part of two Olympic Games, and it will now be part of the next Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Australia in 2026. It will join BMX and coastal rowing as Victoria is the first state or region to be awarded the Games. It is still undecided what the format and qualifying structure will be for the men’s and women’s competitions and there is also the prospect of adding a para-golf competition. “This is a great win for golf,” said Golf Australia chief James Sutherland. “This announcement validates golf’s increasing popularity and the enormous growth that the sport has enjoyed over the last three years.”

NEW ELEVATED STATUS FOR INDONESIAN MASTERS

The Indonesian Masters will bring the curtain down on the Asian Tour's season with a new prize pot of $1.5M which will make it the country's most lucrative sporting event. It was first held in 2011, when Lee Westwood won the first of his three titles, and it hasn't been played the last two years due to the pandemic. But it will now return to the schedule, at its traditional home of Royale Jakarta, as part of the Asian Tour’s ground-breaking International Series.

TORO'S NEW STRATEGIC ALLIANCE

The Toro Company has become an official partner with Asian Tour Destinations for golf course equipment and irrigation. They will support the region’s worldclass venues with products, technologies and services to help them create optimal course conditions. Toro will also advise courses on their irrigation techniques and practices for achieving the best quality of cut and after-cut appearance and provide equipment health checks and training on equipment operation and maintenance. To align with Sentosa's pledge to become the world’s first carbon-neutral golf club, it has a 10-year partnership with Toro for golf course maintenance equipment and irrigation systems.

KOEPKA BACK IN THE WINNER'S CIRCLE

Brooks Koepka claimed his first win since early 2021 with a play-off victory over Peter Uihlein at the LIV Golf Invitational in Jeddah. In an emotional interview the American explained that the past few years have been particularly tough. "I didn't know if my career was over for a half-second. So it's nice to be able to come back and be able to win," the 32-year-old said.

The tournament was the final individual competition of LIV Golf's first year, with a season-ending team event to be held in Miami. In the previous event former leading amateur Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra won the LIV Golf Invitational-Bangkok by three strokes over Patrick Reed. The ex-Oklahoma State player turned professional to play on the LIV series.

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MEMBER NEWS CHRISTMAS LIGHT-UP

This year’s Christmas light-up will take place on Wednesday 16th November, at the Clubhouse Lobby. The traditional light-up will commence at 7pm, and we look forward to welcoming all members for this festive event.

MORTLACH WHISKY

TASTING & DINNER

We are inviting members and nonmembers to join us in The Tanjong Room on Friday, 11th November from 7pm, as we embark on a gastronomic journey to unveil Mortlach’s secrets. The extraordinary combination of exquisite food and outstanding pairing with Mortlach's distinctive taste profile is sure to tickle your taste buds. Prices: Member ($138); Non Member ($148). To register, please email sgc_fnb@sentosagolf.com or call 6373 7151.

Giving

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have rendered

the year. In keeping with this tradition, the Management is seeking members’ support in the contribution to the Staff Ang Pow fund, by making a $50 contribution. The total amount collected will be

amongst all the staff and will automatically be billed to your December 2022 statement. We thank you for your generous contribution. Should you wish to opt out, or if you wish to contribute more than $50, please fill in the form by Friday, 9th December. For enquiries, please call 6373 7105 or 6373 7113.

HOLEIN-ONE

Jang Se Cheon

14 Aug 2022

The Serapong Hole 2, 154 metres

Akio Ogawa

4 Sep 2022

The Serapong Hole 17, 136 metres

Chua Why Lam

9 Sep 2022

The Serapong Hole 8, 159 metres

Patrick Lim Choon Seng

29 Sep 2022

The Serapong Hole 14, 168 metres

Chng Boon Huei

1 Oct 2022

The Tanjong Hole 17, 159 metres

ASIAN GOLF CONTINUES ON AN UPWARD CURVE

You only need to look at the changing face of the International Team at the recent Presidents Cup to see how the game is evolving. When the matches were first played in 1994 there was one Asian player, Tsukasa Watanabe, in David Graham’s side - at Quail Hollow there were four Koreans and Hideki Matsuyama from Japan. What is more the Koreans quickly became the heartbeat of Trevor Immelman’s side, with the likes of

Tom and Si Woo Kim bouncing around Quail Hollow and inspiring their team-mates to a comeback that briefly threatened to come off.

We’ve known for decades quite how strong and deep the Korean women are, but this was a real demonstration that the Korean men are soon going to be a real and collective force in the game.

“It's definitely gotten big, Korea is a small country in Asia, and it's incredible how we've gotten four of the guys in our team and it's really good for Asian golf,” explained Tom Kim. “I feel like it could inspire a lot of

people back at home in Asia to say, OK, if we go to the PGA Tour, we can play the Presidents Cup.”

Captain Immelman also recognised the vast potential on a global level of what the Asian wave of talent could bring to the game at the highest level.

“I think it's just a nod and a testament to the amazing work that countries have done at the grassroots level all over the world to right now, where we start to see this talent break through at the highest level. We've seen it much earlier in the women's game, and we've seen how

Asian women have really dominated the sport for quite some time now.”

As things stand half of the women’s world top 20 players come from Asia.

“When you look at our international team, it represents billions of people all over the world. So what we're trying to do is tap into that, inspire the youngsters all over, and welcome fans from all of those countries to come on down and support us in some way, shape, or form because we're their team.”

The headline figures from a recent

R&A report showed that golf participation is very much on the up in the Asia-Pacific region. More than 23.3 million people across the continent played golf in 2020 which is up from 20.9 million in 2016 – this represents an 11.5 per cent rise which is particularly significant when compared to the rest of the world.

The biggest increases were shown in China (+43%) and Korea (31%) and it was calculated on members of golf clubs and independent golfers who were playing nine or 18 holes as well as users of practice ranges where there wasn’t an opportunity to play on a course.

Closer to home, supported by the R&A, the Singapore Golf Association engaged a specialist advisory firm to produce a report to help with the development of the game. There are approximately 80,000 golfers of whom 46,000 are members of Singapore’s 12 private clubs.

Why these clubs are so key to the health, financially and literally, to local golf is demonstrated by the fact that the Singapore Government incurs something like an annual expenditure of $10B Singapore dollars around health services and the benefits that golf provides is one way to helping

the Government manage future health investment and expenditure.

The financial revenues generated by golf clubs in Singapore are significant with total revenues across all facilities of around $238M Singapore dollars per annum – an average of $18.3 million per facility.

And, better still, approximately $63M Singapore dollars is raised for charity each year through golf club-based events in Singapore with employment for around 2,550 people.

Much like the Presidents Cup, and anything to do in the game, a huge factor is the grass-roots level and junior development in the game. At the recent International Series Singapore event the Asian Tour donated $25,000 to the Singapore Golf Association’s Junior Development Programme as part of the tour’s pledge to support communities where the marquee International Series events are held.

The SGA currently features initiatives such as a calendar of junior events, a development Order of Merit and development programme which provides a pathway for talented junior boys and girls aged 6 to 12 into the SGA Future Squad.

Si-Woo Kim enjoyed a strong performance at the recent Presidents Cup, defeating Justin Thomas 1-Up in the Singles

Joohyung Kim is the second youngest player to ever win twice on the PGA Tour

Photo Credits: Asian Tour

of

Golfers preparing for the start of the Sentosa Golden Jubilee Charity Golf Weekend

My wife and I always wanted to live and work overseas and the opportunity to work in Singapore, coming from Australia, was a great fit for us. I also truly felt that I could make a long-lasting difference to their highperformance programme and so the move was a very exciting one. This year we have witnessed Aloysa Atienza win the silver medal at the Southeast Asian Games, shooting a course-record 65 on the final day. There were some challenges with both the men's and women's teams losing a player through the Covid-19 protocols but both teams rallied brilliantly and had a chance to win a bronze medal before being edged out.

We have also seen our leading amateurs tee it up in the International Series Singapore in August with James Leow, Hiroshi Tai, Ryan Ang and Justin Kuk in the field. This was a fantastic test played on the Tampines Course at Tanah Merah and James and Hiroshi both made the weekend among some of the world's best players.

This is such an important part of the learning curve in proving to themselves that they are closer than they think when their time comes to turn professional – in the end James was our highest finisher, tying for 31st with none other than former Masters champion Patrick Reed.

In terms of the national team, a couple of our male athletes will be either

turning professional or heading into military service, giving our young guns an opportunity to step up. This is why having depth to our program through the junior and development squad pathways are so important. Inez Ng, Hailey Loh, Jaymie Ng, Shayne Lim and Aloysa have all showed that they can either win overseas or at least be extremely competitive and a few of them will now head to college in the States. We really should see our women be extremely competitive regionally in the coming years and we have some really solid depth in our junior female ranks.

Part of this is down to being able to have access to Sentosa's incredible practice and training facilities and both courses. All facets of our players' games will be evaluated on the championship courses, and I passionately believe that it is necessary to create a training environment for the players that challenges them on a daily basis so they have no choice but to thrive. And Sentosa is the ultimate place in Singapore to train to bring out the national teams very best.

We speak to the coach of the Singapore National Team, Matt Ballard

We really should see our women be extremely competitive regionally in the coming years and we have some really solid depth in our junior female ranks.

Low Carbon Food-Print Christmas Pudding

CHRISTMAS PUDDING (SERVES 10)

To make the pudding

1 Grease a 1.5-litre pudding basin with butter and add a disc of baking paper. Lay a sheet of tin foil just bigger than the basin on a work surface and lay a sheet of baking paper the same size over the top. Grease the paper and fold a pleat into the centre to allow the pudding room to expand.

2 Place the dates, fruit and Longan into a microwaveable bowl and pour over the brandy. Microwave for four minutes, stirring halfway.

3 Whisk the butter and sugar together and beat until fluffy. Add molasses and mixed spice, then beat in the eggs. Add the brandy-soaked fruit and mix in.

4 Fold in the flour and spoon the mixture into the pudding basin. Place the parchment and tin foil layer over the top and secure with string. Make a small handle to lift the pudding out later.

5 Put the pudding into a deep pan with an upturned plate in the bottom and pour boiling water into the pan halfway up the basin. Cover with a lid, bring to the boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Add more boiling water as necessary.

6 Steam for 3-3½ hours. Take the bowl out of the water and leave to sit for 20 minutes before you turn it out.

To make the custard

1 Whisk the egg yolks and caster sugar until well combined, then set aside. Pour the milk, cream and vanilla paste into a pan and heat until it starts to steam.

2 Pour part of the mixture into the eggs and whisk quickly to combine. Slowly add the rest of the milk/cream mixture into the eggs, always whisking.

3 Return the custard to the pan and heat on medium, stirring until the mixture thickens. Stir in the brandy and pour over your turned-out pudding. You can make the custard in advance and then reheat.

For the pudding

50g prunes, chopped 250g mixed dried fruit 50g dates, chopped 20gm wolf berries

50gm dried Longan, soaked 125ml brandy 125g dark muscovado sugar

125g butter 3 tbsp molasses

1 tsp mixed spice 2 eggs 125g self-raising flour

For the custard

4 egg yolks

50g caster sugar

150ml milk 170ml double cream

1 tsp vanilla bean paste 60ml brandy

Featuring pastry chefs Suzzne Leau and Stella Tiong

GAME ON!

Toro Partnership Takes SGC’s Agronomy Programme To Next Level

E arlier this year, we announced details of our new 10-year partnership with The Toro Company and local Toro distributor, Jebsen & Jessen. The agreement included a complete fleet of Toro golf course maintenance equipment and irrigation products, as well as landscaping tools, training, and on-site service and support. It’s helping to elevate Sentosa Golf Club’s already world-class agronomy programme to the next level – and we’re excited to share further details of our partnership and how this will benefit the Club going forward. Many of you will already know that we have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Toro, the leading

worldwide provider of innovative solutions for the outdoor environment. It leads the creation of industry thinking for sports turf management machinery in conjunction with industry golf course superintendents’ feedback to support ideas for problem resolution. As part of the partnership, Toro will engage its innovation technology by providing R&D products to be trailed and assessed at Sentosa to support the Club with innovative solutions.

In addition, Toro has provided a full-time Toro Warranty Service Manager for ten years to create a safe, productive and effective maintenance system supporting service, parts and aftersales support.

Toro has also engaged its wireless

MyTurf Pro fleet management system at the property to keep inventory and service management. This system provides real-time data on the total cost of ownership and product requirements, linked with remote parts ordering service improving service efficiencies. These moves will play a key role in helping to develop a Centre of Excellence at the Club to support and educate regional clients.

Passing the test

As part of the agreement, we are also looking forward to seeing one or two new models in action on the course, such as the new eTriflex 3370 riding triplex unit, the latest in sustainable electric mowing operations. Toro has also launched a number of new 60v electric handheld

From L to R: Philipp Hoffman (MD of Jebsen & Jessen Technology), Per Magnusson (Group CEO - Jebsen & Jessen), Pete Moeller (Toro Vice President, International), Mark Kolentsis (GM Singapore Jebsen & Jessen), Richard Walne (Toro MD APAC), Andrew Johnston (GM & Director of Agronomy - Sentosa Golf Club), Gareth Knight (Toro Regional Manager), Rodney Mckeown (Golf Course Superintendent - Sentosa Golf Club),

Cameron Russell (Toro Sales & Marketing Director - APAC), Sylvester Yeo (Senior Assistant Director, Corporate Services - Sentosa Golf Club)

products in the US for alternative environmental applications, and these will be provided once compliance for Singapore is approved.

Meanwhile, the new zero emissions lithium battery Toro Workman GTX utility vehicles are already in operation on-site, and all Toro Hybrid products, such as Reelmaster 5010H for fairways and 3420/3360 for tees and surrounds, will also be part of the new supply tender. The new equipment will play a key part in helping to reduce carbon emissions and increasing productivity for the property.

Toro’s focus on sustainability, including Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities, underpins its purpose of enriching the beauty, productivity and sustainability of the land. Sustainability is the foundation of its strategic priorities, and the company is committed to leveraging innovation to reduce the impact of its operations, products and services. We’re excited by the partnership and we look forward to continuing our work together.

Lifeline for forgotten battery site

The anti-motor torpedo boat battery at Berhala Reping, concrete

structures that have deteriorated over time, will be stabilised with minimal intervention to preserve its authenticity, based on a study SDC had commissioned on the structures' condition. Work is due to begin early next year and will be done primarily to arrest deterioration and in a manner that will not impede future restoration work.

History industry observers commented that the site is important enough to be retained and made available to those interested. Jack Lee, President, Singapore Heritage Society, said the Society would welcome the site being conserved, with suitable interpretive signs so that its significance to Singapore’s military history can be appreciated.

Greensmaster eTriflex Models

The historic Fort Berhala Reping on The Serapong Hole 6 is set to be restored over the next year

GR1000 Series

ToroWorkman GTX

GOLDEN JUBILEE CHARITY GOLF

RAISES NEARLY

It was a great honour to host the Sentosa Golden Jubilee Charity Golf on the last weekend of August, when the Club welcomed a great number of individuals and organisations in support of the President’s Challenge and Community Chest. In total, the weekend helped to raise an incredible $3,908,888.88, every dollar of which will now be channelled to benefitting agencies of President's Challenge, as well as more than 100 social service agencies and 200 critical programmes supported by Community Chest.

Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health Masagos Zulkifli hosted the Charity Golf, which was supported by key donors including FTX Foundation, Singapore Exchange Limited, The Barracks Hotel, and Yeo’s. It was a pleasure to see everyone enjoying the golf, and extremely rewarding to raise this large sum for such a worthy cause.

In September, President Halimah Yacob was presented with the cheque for $3,908,888.88 by Sentosa Development Corporation Chairman Bob Tan, at the Sentosa Golden Jubilee Dinner, witnessed by Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health Masagos Zulkifli, SDC Chief Executive Thien Kwee Eng, Community Chest Advisor Phillip Tan, and Community Chest Chairman Chew Sutat.

“Sentosa holds a special place in Singaporeans’ memories, and it is heartening to see how Sentosa and SDC have grown alongside Singaporeans over the past 50 years,” said President Halimah. “It is befitting that SDC has made giving back to the community an integral part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations. The funds raised through the Sentosa Golden Jubilee Charity Golf will go a long way in helping benefitting agencies supported by the President’s Challenge and Community Chest. As we celebrate Sentosa’s history, I wish SDC continued success in creating more unique and innovative experiences for all Singaporeans to enjoy.”

In celebration of the Sentosa Golden Jubilee, Sentosa Golf Club received 20 yellow train trees (Samanea saman) that were proudly donated by Member Mr Eddie Loo.

ANKIMO PONZU

KUMOKO PONZU

KOBAKO KANI

SHOOT LOWER SCORES WITH THESE 5 TOP TIPS

In this month’s issue, SGC Head Professional, Skye Neal, shares some simple advice on how you can improve your golf game in quick time…

1 Putting: practice with purpose

Firstly, be smart – keep statistics. Keeping track of all your data is vital. If you do this, it’s easy to identify those areas that are costing you the most shots and shape your practice sessions accordingly. Depending on your level, the number of fairways hit, greens in regulation, up and downs, bunker shots and penalty shots will vary a little, but for all players, typically 40% of their score is made up of putts.

My advice would be to spend more time on the putting green working on speed control – which, over time, will lead to fewer three putts. Most importantly, practice like you play. Often I see players with five or six balls playing from the same spot to the same hole; this block practice method does very little for your skill retention. Instead, play one ball to different holes with different breaks and distances. This random type of practice will improve your skill level.

2 Centred strikes

This is of major importance. A miss-hit with the driver creates a lot of gear effect, which adds sidespin to the ball. This can make it easy to misdiagnose your error. For a right-handed golfer, a ball struck in the heel will tend to spin to the right and have much less energy in it. A ball struck in the toe will tend to spin to the left. Therefore, to hit more fairways, it is essential to hit it closer to the middle. The length of your driver could be the problem. If it is too long, it is significantly harder to find the centre. The average length on the PGA Tour is still only approximately 45” long. To help identify your strike location, you can use a face sticker, shaving foam or foot spray. If you’re struggling, I highly recommend that you schedule a fitting here at the National Fitting Centre to get the best consistency and distance from your driver.

3 Ball Striking

Solid ball striking with your irons comes from the ability to control the low point of the swing. So, here’s a fantastic drill that you can practice on the grass range here at the Club. Place tee pegs under the ball and simply ensure that the divot starts just after the tee. At impact you’re trying to get approximately 80% of your pressure into your target side foot.

4 Establish your wedge distances

Following on from Trent Turner’s article in the last issue, it is essential you know how far your wedges go if you want to shoot lower scores – especially your comfortable length swing shot with each wedge. Not only will this give you confidence to be able to get up and down, knowing your distances will also allow you to plan your lay-ups on par 5s or recovery shots from trouble.

5 Come and see us… when you’re playing well

Don’t wait until you’re playing badly to come and see us.

There’s nothing better than when you’re playing well. When you’re struggling, though, this game can beat you up time and time again. So, the next time you’re flushing your irons and finding this game really easy, I want you to come and see us. Why? Well, this way we can establish what you are doing well and create a baseline and reference point that we can get you back to as and when you’re struggling. You may not feel it’s worthwhile but, trust me, it will be!

18 Holes With…

PRAYAD MARKSAENG

In the latest issue of 18 Holes With…we spoke to 10-time Asian Tour winner and current Japan Golf Tour player, Prayad Marksaeng, about his memorable victory in the SMBC Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club in 2017, as well as why The Serapong is one of his favourite courses…

How did you get into playing golf?

My house is near Royal Huahin GC, and I used to walk past holes 1-4 on my way to school. I started picking up balls to sell, before becoming a caddie.

It was until the age of 19 that I started to play properly. I received support from Khun Santi Bhirombhakdi, the owner of Singha and Royal Huahin GC, who gave me my first full set of clubs.

Did you have an idol growing up? Jack Nicklaus. In the modern era – Ernie Els, Adam Scott and Tiger Woods.

In what year did you turn professional?

1991.

How much has the Asian Tour progressed since its conception in 1994?

The Asian Tour is still the player’s tour. The prize money has grown lots and there are lots of young members with an incredibly high standard.

What was it like to win the SMBC Singapore Open in 2017?

Incredible – I was the oldest player in the field and gained an exemption from both the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour by winning.

What makes The Serapong such a special course to play?

The Serapong is the ultimate Championship course with perfect conditioning.

It is always fun to play as there are plenty of scoring opportunities with holes to gain and holes to lose.

Do you have a favourite hole on The Serapong?

It is hard to choose as every hole has a unique design and I like them all.

What has been your favourite victory in your career and why?

It has to be the SMBC Singapore Open in 2017. It was a memorable victory playing in difficult conditions and being the oldest player in the field.

What is your favourite golf course in the world?

The Serapong. It is right up there with the best.

How much are you enjoying currently playing on the Japan Senior Tour?

I always feel happy and have fun playing tournaments in Japan. I have met many old friends

who have turned senior, both Japanese and foreign players.

In your opinion, who are the best up-and-coming players from Thailand?

Sadom Kaewkanjana is a very interesting player and I like the way he plays golf. He doesn’t think too much. Just plays with a natural touch.

If you could pick a fourball from any players in the world, who would you choose?

Adam Scott, Tiger Woods, Retief Goosen

Who is the greatest golfer of all time?

Tiger Woods.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever received? Greg Norman used to tell me that I was tiny but always fought hard. That was good to hear as I always feel like I have big power if I keep fighting.

What is your favourite club in the bag? Driver.

Have you ever achieved a holein-one?

Yes, one at the Hero Indian Open in 2015.

How would you describe Sentosa Golf Club in three words?

Challenging, well-designed and creative.

What is your favourite thing about Singapore? The Merlion.