Sentosa Golf Club Magazine (May - June 2023)

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CAPTAIN’S MESSAGE

Dear Fellow Members,

It is a privilege to write this Message and have the opportunity to serve as Captain of our very special Club. I am truly humbled to be appointed to this role and hope to know all of you better in time to come.

Thank You Vernon

A very special thank you to Vernon Khoo who was a brilliant and inspirational Captain the past six years. Vernon's time in the role coincided with the Club receiving countless and highly-respected global awards. They came about because of his dedication and passion which is no coincidence. Vernon's positivity has also shone throughout our Club the past six years. A quality that was most needed and welcome as everyone worked their way through the pandemic.

So thank you, Vernon, for all your efforts, hard work, enthusiasm and many sacrifices.

Tournament Season

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with Sentosa Golf Club in helping to showcase to the watching world our two world-class courses over two world-class events in the space of just six weeks.

First, we enjoyed the 15th anniversary of the HSBC Women’s World Championship where Jin Young Ko became the first player to defend her title on The Tanjong. The Korean singled out the win as the most important of her career which is some statement from a player who has two Majors on her CV.

Then, The Serapong hosted the LIV Golf League for the first time in Singapore and we had LIV Golf’s first back-to-back winner in Talor Gooch. The quality of golf was of highest level and as spectacular as the condition of both courses under some trying weather conditions. The players repeatedly commented on how pure the greens were and what great condition the courses were in and that really is a collective effort.

Tournament Conditions 365

All our teams have worked flat out to deliver these tournaments to further enhance Sentosa’s position on the global golfing map, but this is also down to you, our Members.

We were able to present the courses in such pristine condition because of the SGC team’s commitment to deliver a ‘Tournament-Ready 365’ experience each and every day. For this to happen consistently all day during play, we look to Members for all your help in taking pride caring after our courses; with filling in divots, repairing pitch marks and raking bunkers, as well as a general sense of pride of being a Member of SGC.

We truly appreciate that there is an inconvenience that comes with staging these world-class events, but there is a true team ethic at play here with our outstanding Members and great Management team producing the unique culture that we have at the Club.

Welcome

I would also like to add a welcome to Guy HarveySamuel onto the Greens Committee. Guy has further been appointed Chairman of the Rules and Handicap Committee and will be a huge asset to an already brilliant team as we strive to continue our quest for excellence.

Speaking of the future, it is a very bright one for Sentosa Golf Club as we continue to implement our course improvements, development programmes and find ways to further establish our premier positioning as one of the best clubs in the world and I look forward to working with you all in the coming months.

I wish happy golfing to you all!

Darryl Wee Captain

SGC Captain Darryl Wee

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GM’S MESSAGE

Dear Members,

As the buzz of hosting two world-class golf events in Asia within a span of six weeks slowly fades away, it is important to recognize the tremendous sacrifices made by the staff at Sentosa Golf Club.

The HSBC Women's World Championship and LIV Golf Singapore were undoubtedly two of the biggest golf events in the world and hosting them in backto-back weeks was no easy feat. The staff worked tirelessly for the past three months to prepare for these tournaments, often at the expense of their personal time and during holidays.

The exceptional teamwork displayed by everyone involved in the preparations was evident, and the golf course conditions exceeded everyone's expectations. The tournament itself was an excellent display of skill and athleticism, but it was the tireless work of the staff that contributed greatly to the success of the events. We are so proud of our team and what we have accomplished.

We also want to express our gratitude to our Members who may have experienced some inconvenience during the tournament week. Parking, security checks, and limitations on Club amenities were necessary for the safety and security of everyone involved, but we understand that they may have caused some inconvenience which we sincerely apologize for.

To make up for this, we provided a suite for our members to use during the tournament, and we hope that everyone enjoyed the value of it. It is important to note that the cost of the tickets and suite was 100% borne by the Club as a gesture of appreciation to our Members to show how much we value you and your support.

The HSBC Women's World Championship and LIV Golf Singapore were fantastic tournaments, with great Champions, and we are extremely proud to have been the host venue. It was an honour to welcome the best golfers in the world to our Club, and we look forward to hosting more events in the future.

As we move forward, we will continue to strive for excellence in all that we do. We remain committed to providing our Members and guests with the best possible experience, and we look forward to seeing all of you at the Club.

However, we cannot do it alone. We need your help to maintain the golf course in the best possible condition throughout the year. We kindly ask that you fix your ball marks and one or two more every time you are on the green. Never overlook raking bunkers, as this is unacceptable and ruins the game for the person behind you. Lastly, please fill your divots with sand. We all want to enjoy the golf courses in the best possible condition, and we can only achieve this with everyone's cooperation.

In conclusion, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making these tournaments a success. From the staff to the players, sponsors, and our Members, we couldn't have done it without you.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to hosting more exciting events in the future.

Yours Respectfully,

Andrew Johnston General Manager & Director of Agronomy

GM Andrew Johnston

Cover Photo Credit: LIV Golf

CONTENTS

1.

CAPTAIN'S MESSAGE

Darryl Wee pens his first message to the members since taking over from Vernon Khoo as Club Captain…

4.

GM'S MESSAGE

General Manager, Andrew Johnston, shares his gratitude to all for allowing Sentosa Golf Club to successfully host the HSBC Women’s World Championship and LIV Golf Singapore…

10-11.

GENERAL GOLF AND MEMBER NEWS

Discover all the latest news from the Club including a look back at the farewell dinner for departing Club Captain, Vernon Khoo…

12-13.

LONG SERVICE AWARDS

Sentosa Golf Club pays tribute to our staff that have recently achieved milestones with the Club…

14-17.

LIV GOLF SINGAPORE

Recap all the excitement and entertainment from Singapore’s biggest ever golf event…

18-19.

NEWS FROM SENTOSA ISLAND

Catch up on all the off-course entertainment from LIV Golf Singapore including the ‘Longest Putt to LIV’ in RWS and the Chainsmokers concert at Palawan Green…

22-23.

INSTRUCTION BROOKS KOEPKA

SGC Club Professional, Skye Neal, talks us through the swing of four-time Major Champion and Smash GC Captain, Brooks Koepka…

18 HOLES WITH…

24. MCI (P) 049/12/2022 To advertise in SENTOSA GOLF CLUB, please call 6275 0090.

6 sentosagolfclub @sentosagolfclub @sentosagolfclub SentosaGolfClub SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE

GENERAL GOLF NEWS

VINCENT LANDS VIETNAM VICTORY

Kieran Vincent followed in the footsteps of his brother, Scott, with a win on the International Series in Vietnam. Scott won in England last year and is now playing on the LIV Golf League and Kieran (66) holed a 12-footer on the last to land his first win on the Asian Tour. The Zimbabwean beat Indian Anirban Lahiri, who was attempting to pick up his first Asian Tour title in eight years, and Australian Kevin Yuan at the Greg Norman KN Golf Links. Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, who won the Oman event, had led by three overnight but he would close with a disappointing 73 to tie for fourth. “I feel like I am a lead singer in a band of people that have done so much for me,” said the 25-year-old Vincent.

GOOCH RECEIVES INVITATION TO PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Talor Gooch, who was victorious at last month's LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club, has received an invitation to play in the second Major of the year, The PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, New York.

Gooch secured his spot at The PGA Championship through his standing in the OWGR, after being ranked World No.60 at the time.

Having won the week before at LIV Golf Adelaide, Gooch beat 2017 Masters Champion, Sergio Garcia, in a playoff to secure victory on The Serapong.

TWO ADDITIONS TO THE PREMIERE SERIES RANGE

FootJoy have added to their popular Premiere Series Collection with the launch of the Wilcox shoe for men and Issette for women. These super-stylish offerings are designed to give you outstanding traction, stability and underfoot cushioning and they promise to add to a range which already includes the Tarlow, Flint, Packard and Field. The Wilcox has the classic FootJoy look but with modern-day technology to keep your feet dry and supported. The Versatrax outsole has nine stable cleats which provide outstanding grip in any conditions. Both shoes feature a full-grain leather design and come with a one-year waterproof warranty.

MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH FOR VU

American Lilia Vu beat compatriot Angel Yin in a play-off to claim her first major title at the Chevron Championship. Yin looked to be in control but bogeys at 16 and 17 meant that she would need a birdie at the last to take it to extra holes. Then Vu, who was inspired by her late Vietnamese grandfather, birdied the 18th again for the victory in Texas. Nelly Korda moved back to World No. 1 after eagling the 72nd hole to finish third on her own and there was a five-way tie for fourth including three Asian players; Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand and Korean duo Amy Yang and A Lim Kim.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

NEW MEMBERS FOR THE MONTHS OF FEB & MAR 2023

ORDINARY MEMBER

1. Mdm Jean Chuang Peck Yen

2. Mr Hsu Shiu Min

3. Mr Stephen McNulty

4. Mr Shin Yong Keuk

5. Mr Thomas Wolf

6. Mr Toshiyuki Sakai

7. Mr Wong Qi Wen

CORPORATE MEMBER

1. Concerto Singapore Pte Ltd

2. Essencore Pte Ltd

WE MEET NEW MEMBER…

WONG QI WEN

Occupation

VC Fund Analyst

Why did you become a member at SGC?

Sentosa is the most prestigious club in Singapore and arguably Asia, with two championship courses. Having been a junior member at Sentosa Golf Club for the past couple of years, I feel very comfortable with the staff and members here.

I do feel a sense of welcome and warm hospitality which makes me always look forward to being at the Club. I knew this place was special hence why I wanted to be a part of it as a member.

Favourite thing to do in Singapore?

My favorite thing to do in Singapore is discovering hidden food spots all around the island. We are spoiled with good food.

Favourite thing about Golf?

I love the challenge of trying to master the game. It constantly keeps you on your toes and humbles you greatly.

Greatest Achievement in Life?

My greatest achievement in life would be graduating from Duke University as a student athlete with a Bachelor and Masters degree.

3. ICAP (Singapore) Pte Ltd

CORPORATE NOMINEE

1. Mr Bae Jungkwon

2. Mr Cho Kang Wook

3. Mr George Dranganoudis

4. Mr Go Tanaka

5. Mr Hong Jong Bum

6. Mr Kim Kwangwook

7. Mr Lim Taehyung

8. Mr Park Hyun Chol

9. Mr Takashi Iwata

10. Mr Takao Fujino

11. Mr Tang Meng Hoe Andrew

TERM MEMBER

1. Mr Binayak Dutta

2. Mr Christopher George Albert Rummery

3. Mr David Alan Martin

4. Mr Hemant Bakshi

5. Mr Jeffery Jason Foote

6. Mr Hiroaki Nishiyama

7. Mr Hiromasa Yamamoto

8. Mr Keitaro Sugihara

9. Mr Kiyokazu Bando

10. Mr Koji Shinno

11. Mr Nicholas William Petheram

12. Mr Park Se Hwan

13. Mr Shim Taeyong

14. Mr Sota Wakabayashi

15. Mr Wu Xin

MEMBER NEWS

CAPTAIN VERNON'S FAREWELL GAME

The Club held a farewell party on 1 April to bid outgoing Captain, Vernon, who had served as a Committee Member since 2011.

Vernon's unwavering commitment and remarkable contributions to the Club had been instrumental in overseeing several prestigious tournaments and garnering numerous top awards and accolades. We couldn't have done it without his expert guidance and leadership. The farewell dinner, graced by the presence of 100 Members and invited guests, was an event to remember.

The dinner was a fitting tribute to Vernon's exemplary leadership and tireless efforts towards making the Club a success. Everyone present at the event had an unforgettable evening, and we hope that Vernon and everyone else who attended will cherish the memories of this special occasion for years to come.

The Club owes a debt of gratitude to Vernon for his invaluable contributions, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide the Club towards greater heights, and his impact on the Club will be remembered for years to come.

Mr Vernon Khoo with his family

Mr Vernon Khoo with President Andrew Lim

WHISKY

LONG SERVICE AWARDS

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

As the Club reflects on hosting two of Asia’s most prestigious golf events at the start of this year, I would like to take this moment to congratulate a number of our staff who have reached important milestones in their time at Sentosa Golf Club.

Ranging from 5 to 40 years, every member of our team has contributed greatly to the success of the Club through their hardwork, dedication, and commitment to improving day-in-day-out.

I speak for everyone at the Club in saying that we are extremely proud of our staff and what they have helped us to achieve over the last few years. The standards they continue to set, both on and off the course, are a joy to behold and provide our members and guests with the best possible experience 365 days of the year.

I hope you will all join me in recognising these members of staff for their incredible achievements.

Andrew Lim SGC President

35 YEARS

40 YEARS

30 YEARS

25 YEARS

20 YEARS

MOHD YASIN Corporate Services

THAM CHING-CHING F&B

YEO YEE HUAT Golfing

YEO JOO KOON Agronomy

TEO KOK KEONG F&B

BAKYAH Corporate Services

HAFIZ BIN HASSAN Agronomy

15 YEARS

10 YEARS

5 YEARS

ALI BIN MAT Golfing

NORHASIKIN Corporate Services

SKYE NEAL Golfing

ZAINUTDDIN Golfing

ZULKEFRY BIN AHMAD Golfing

SUZZNE LEAU F&B

SILVERIUS BIN LAMPAN Agronomy

JALIN ANAK PAGANG Agronomy

EFINDI BIN MUSLIMIN Agronomy

MARLAN Golfing

LILY TEOH F&B

MOHAMAD SAH Agronomy

ADELINE YAN Agronomy

ABDUL RAHIM S/O MOHD SHAFI Golfing

JULPI BIN ADBU RAHIM Agronomy

CHEF KK F&B

MOHD HASRUL Agronomy

TUN TUN NAING F&B

TAN LU PING F&B

CHUAH BOON WAN F&B

KENNY CHEE F&B

CHRISTOPHER LUM F&B

MOHAMMAD SHAKIR Agronomy

DOUBLES UP IN HISTORIC WEEK

Talor Gooch arrived at Sentosa Golf Club on the back of a threeshot win in Adelaide, a victory built on the foundation of a pair of 62s and a 10-shot advantage. He left Sentosa Golf Club with another success, the first back-to-back triumph in the brief history of LIV Golf, but this time it came in very different circumstances.

The 31-year-old American had led or shared the lead in the past six rounds, and it was a battle royale with Sergio Garcia as both players closed with four-under 67s to finish on 17-under with Brooks Koepka one shot back.

The pair would go to extra holes and back down Sentosa's iconic 18th and, this time around, Gooch would flirt with the water down the left before rifling a fairway wood into the

heart of the green while the Spaniard, a former winner of the Singapore Open five years ago, was unable to match it after finding sand just short of the green.

With the win Gooch moved to the top of the individual points standings as he quickly joined Brooks Koepka as the only two-time LIV winners.

And, to top off an historic week in Singapore, Gooch was also able to celebrate the team title as the RangeGoats GC, who were one shot shy of Dustin Johnson's 4Aces in Australia, picked up their first win as captain Bubba Watson, Harold Varner III and Thomas Pieters helped Gooch to a three-round total of 37-under, three better than Garcia’s Fireballs GC.

Remarkably Gooch, who switched from the 4 Aces to the RangeGoats in the off-season, has now enjoyed success eight times in the first 13 LIV

Golf events – these two individual wins and six team titles.

“It's one of those days that I'll remember. I grew up watching Sergio. He's one of the greatest golfers of this generation. To go and battle with him and come out on top is something I'll never forget. I know that I’m not going to continue playing this level of golf forever. So you just enjoy it while it comes and try to make it last as long as you can,” Gooch said.

“And when it goes away, you try to get back on the train as quickly as possible. So you try to savour these moments and try to feel these feelings and emotions and try to remember ’em so that when they go away you can really get back as quickly as possible.”

This was the fifth straight event where the team title had different winners and Watson's captaincy played its

Talor Gooch holds the LIV Golf Singapore trophy after securing victory on The Serapong

part in getting the quartet over the line according to Varner III, who would chip in at a crucial moment following a weather delay.

"I'm a big person in speaking it into existence. So we come in and earlier this week I was being super negative and Bubba put his hands down and had his little grunt and he said, We're not going to have this negativity in this team. And I was like, I love that. "So every time we had a delay this week Bubba was like, Hey, give me some good shots. And I walked up to the table, and I said, I'm going to walk over there and I'm going to chip this in after we go back. And that's what happened."

Gooch turned professional in 2014 and one habit that he has always stuck with is to ring his dad, Ron, who once played minor league baseball and the advice that he receives is as simple as it is effective.

“It's a course that I enjoy. I feel like if my game is a little bit on, hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens, give yourself a lot of birdie opportunities, and then the greens are so pure that if you're rolling it with a little bit of confidence, you can make some putts. It's that kind of golf course.”

Sergio Garcia

“It's such a clean, beautiful city. The people treat us with such respect and the golf course, it's as well maintained a golf course as I think I've ever seen. It's just incredible. For such a small country to be able to bring world-class golf and have such a world-class golf course to host us on is exciting for all of us to be here.”

Phil Mickelson

"My dad isn't able to come out to all the tournaments like back in college golf and amateur and junior golf he would come out to as many as he could. So we've made it a routine that, no matter where I was in the world, I was going to call him before each round. And so 10 minutes before we tee off I just step aside and give him a call and it's just kind of our routine.

"He just says, hey, go have some fun. Go hit a bunch of fairways. They can't eat you out there, so go enjoy it. It's kind of pretty boring, honestly, but it's cool and we enjoy it."

Zimbabwean Scott Vincent secured his playing privileges for the 2023 LIV Golf League by topping the International Series Order of Merit during the 2022 Asian Tour season and his solo fourth was his best return to date.

"These are the type of situations that we want to be in more and more because that's how you get better at it. So I continue to use all this as a learning platform for me and I still hope that my game continues to rise to an even higher level. And that's the route that we're on and that we're chasing."

For two days it looked like Phil Mickelson might be the story as the left-hander, who had dazzled so brilliantly at Augusta, opened with back-to-back 66s as he took a novel approach to The Serapong.

"I've got three clubs to hit off the tee. I got a driver, a 2-wood and a 3-wood because there's so many options on the tee boxes here of where you want to hit it. So when the wind's changing

and so forth I feel like I have the shot that I need, despite whatever or regardless of whatever the conditions are," explained Mickelson. He also managed to battle the heat and humidity with a common-sense strategy which worked a treat for the first two days – he would then stumble slightly to a 72 on the Sunday.

"I've been using an umbrella, that saved a lot of direct sun, as well as a wet cold wet towel on the back of my neck keeping my temperature down. It's really helped me with being able to think a little clearer throughout the day without getting overheated. Then I kind of liked the hot temperature because my body is looser, it doesn't tighten up, I'm able to create a little bit more speed, and so I end up playing a little bit better in it."

Champion Golfer of the Year, Cameron Smith, tees off on The Serapong's 7th hole

RangeGoats GC secured victory in the Team competition at Sentosa Golf Club (L to R: Thomas Pieters, Talor Gooch, Bubba Watson, Harold Varner III)

Iron Heads GC's Scott Vincent equalled the unofficial course record of 62 on The Serapong during Round 2

“I just think it's a ball striker's golf course. You've got to put the ball in play off the tee. If you're in the rough you're going to catch some fliers, and you've just got to leave yourself some good opportunities from the fairway, and then from there, you can get it quite close, and these greens are just so pure that you can roll it in pretty easy if you just start it on line.”

3 4ACES 382 YARDS

During the opening round, Dean Burmester extended his three-put avoidance to 234, eclipsing the previous streak of Fireball GC's Carlos Ortiz

views generated 1.8 million likes 20k in followers 20% increase

Brooks Koepka

LIV GOLF SINGAPORE – STATS & FACTS

Laurie Canter produced the third ace in LIV Golf history and the second in consecutive weeks after Chase Koepka's hole-in-one in Adelaide

This was the first time Dustin Johnson and his 4Aces failed to finish on the podium

David Puig's tee shot on the opening day was measured at an impressive 382 yards

THE CHAINSMOKERS MADE LIV SINGAPORE A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER

Talor Gooch wasn’t the only one putting on a show in Singapore last month. In fact, the American might just have been outshone by two of his countrymen, Alex Pall and Drew Taggart of The Chainsmokers, whose performance on the conclusion of day two (29 April) of the inaugural LIV Golf Singapore presented by Resorts World Sentosa, raised the roof.

The Chainsmokers, who have become one of music’s hottest recording artists, were scheduled to perform at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in 2019, but the show was cancelled. This was their second time they formed part of LIV Golf’s entertainment line-up, having performed at the 2022 LIV Golf Team Championship in Miami, Florida last October.

And it was part of a “fun weekend” for the group, who also played in Seoul and Busan, a mini tour that left them “exhausted”, probably like a lot of fans, who were on their feet for the electrifying performance from the very first minute.

“LIV Golf is building a one-of-a-kind league featuring top competition with the sport’s best players matched with unforgettable fan experiences around the globe,” said Greg Norman, CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf, prior to the event. “Last year, The Chainsmokers show put an exclamation point on LIV Golf’s Team Championship in Miami, and we’re proud to bring one of the world’s biggest acts to Singapore for our

season’s first stop in Asia in what will be a can’t-miss event for the region.”

It was certainly that, as Pall and Taggart fired up the sell-out crowd. Formed in 2012 in New York, the group is known for hits like Closer (with Halsey) and Something Just Like This (with Coldplay), both of which have clocked up more than two billion streams on Spotify and over two billion views on YouTube.

The electronic dance music (EDM) duo also picked up a Grammy in 2017 for Best Dance Recording for their song Don’t Let Me Down. Their most recent album, titled So Far So Good, was released in 2022.

The fun-filled evening got underway at 7.30pm at the Palawan Green, situated along Palawan Beach just minutes away from The Serapong. A spectacular location for golf, it seems it’s not a bad place to host a gig, either. However, it wasn’t just EDM that visitors got to enjoy during their stay on the island.

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), Asia’s premium lifestyle destination resort, the tournament’s presenting partner and official hotel, made sure it was a weekend to remember by pulling out all the stops to deliver a topnotch entertainment experience for professional players, fans, and visitors.

As well as the action on the course, RWS offered its signature hospitality to the players with its diverse range of accommodation options, including the eco-luxurious Equarius Villas, Equarius Ocean Suites that offer exceptional underwater views, and the trendy Hard Rock Hotel Singapore.

Meanwhile, the fans got to enjoy exclusive food and beverage deals at specialty restaurants, shopping privileges at RWS Galleria, and complimentary shuttle service between the integrated resort and Sentosa Golf Club.

Visitors also took part in the “Longest Putt to LIV” challenge, where they competed on the world’s most extended artificial golf putting green at The Forum. The challenge was enjoyed by thousands of participants, who all competed for attractive prizes from RWS and more.

Whilst Gooch will no doubt remember his triumphant weekend for many years to come, everyone who visited Sentosa for LIV Golf Singapore will have left with memories that will last a lifetime.

“LIV Golf is building a one-ofa-kind league featuring top competition with the sport’s best players matched with unforgettable fan experiences around the globe”

LIV Golf's leading players visited Bunnyverse at Resorts World Sentosa

(From L to R: Louis Oosthuizen, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Cameron Smith, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Charl Schwartzel)

Fans and spectators were able to take on the 'Longest Putt to LIV' challenge at Resorts World Sentosa during LIV Golf Singapore

LIV GOLF SINGAPORE LAYS DOWN MARKER FOR REST OF 2023 SEASON

History was made at Sentosa Golf Club at the end of April, when America’s Talor Gooch became the first player to win back-to-back LIV Golf titles. The 31-year-old defeated Spain’s Sergio Garcia in a playoff at the LIV Singapore tournament just one week after taking the honours Down Under in Adelaide. It’s no surprise, then, to see the RangeGoats GC man leading the individual standings through five events, and he’ll no doubt be cherishing the opportunity to perform

in front of his home fans when the league visits Cedar Ridge Country Club in Oklahoma in May for LIV Tulsa. However, with nine events remaining, there’s a long way to go before this year’s LIV Golf champion is crowned.

Gooch’s fine form started at Grange Golf Club, where huge crowds welcomed the players for the inaugural LIV Golf Adelaide. Back-toback 62s saw him open up a 10-shot lead, an advantage that dwindled to just two strokes in the final round, but he managed to keep his composure to take the title.

There were a few nerves down the stretch on The Serapong, too, as Gooch flirted with the

water hazard on the par-5 18th in the first playoff hole. However, he made his birdie four, something Garcia was unable to do, which gave him a second successive win and a $4 million prize.

After five tournaments, Gooch is sitting pretty atop the league on 92 points, 19 clear of Peter Uihlein, who finished 11th at LIV Singapore, which, incredibly, is his lowest finish so far. Charles Howell III completes the top three with a certain Brooks Koepka lurking in fourth spot.

Despite Gooch’s scintillating form, it’s the 4Aces GC – Messrs Johnson, Perez, Reed and Uihlein – that lead the way in the team standings. After a run of three tops threes, they finally notched a win in Adelaide, where Gooch and his RangeGoats teammates Bubba Watson, Thomas Pieters and Harold Varner III were beaten into second.

However, inspired by Gooch’s individual brilliance around The Serapong, the RangeGoats went one better at LIV Singapore to take the title, and they’ll be targeting more of the same over the coming months as they look to hunt down Johnson and co, who have built up a healthy advantage at the top of the league.

After visiting Oklahoma in May for LIV Tulsa (12-14), the league heads to Trump National Golf Club for LIV DC (May 28-28), before visiting Europe and Spain for LIV Valderrama (June 30-July 2) and then Centurion Club for LIV London (July 7-9). Four more tournaments follow in America before the conclusion in Jeddah at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (November 3-5).

THE SECRETS BEHIND

KOEPKA’S POWERFUL SWING

In this month’s issue, SGC Head Professional, Skye Neal, takes a closer look at Brooks Koepka’s swing, and highlights what you can learn from the four-time Major champion and this year’s runner-up at the Masters.

1 Set Up

Today’s Tour professionals have such strong and athletic set-ups –and LIV Golf star Brooks Koepka is no different. I particularly like how his ankles sit nicely under his hips keeping his weight on the balls of his feet. This puts him in a nice ‘ready’ position to begin his swing.

2 Takeaway

A really good takeaway from image A is that the Club is in front of the hands. Brooks has minimal hip and shoulder turn at this point, but has tilted his shoulders and this takes the club to this position. Too many club golfers pull the clubhead in too deep and this causes a myriad of problems.

When he gets his left arm parallel to the ground, the club has started to steepen and the shaft plane points inside the ball-totarget line. At this point, he still has minimal hip and shoulder turn.

4 Downswing

As Brooks allows his hips to unwind and he starts to unleash the club on the ball, look how he’s got the shaft to shallow (now the butt end of the club is slightly above the ball-totarget line) without compromising the clubface.

5 Impact

A powerful strike on the ball is delivered as he’s allowed his hips to rotate faster than his shoulders. Notice his angles through the ball – they’re still very good. Also note that slight divot that he takes. He’s hitting down on the ball a fraction, which for a 3-wood is perfectly fine.

6 Through swing and finish

3 Top of backswing

At the top of his backswing, notice how compact his arm swing is (no over swing). The clubface is fairly neutral and his wrists are fully loaded. He still hasn’t turned his hips that much and his right knee is still flexed. We know that Brooks is an incredibly talented athlete and because of his strength and agility, he can make this work. A word of warning: the weekend golfer may struggle to shallow the club from here in the downswing. Therefore, I would recommend most golfers turn a little more in their hips by allowing the right leg to straighten a little.

Post impact, Brooks displays a lot of the same characteristics that are typically associated with quality ball strikers – lots of side bend and nice hip and shoulder tilts. Here is a player with an aggressive swing; he pounds the ball hard but, crucially, has that balanced finished. Note the slightly high elbow finish, which is a by-product of his preferred shot shape. He hit this shot 290 yards down the middle of the left side of the fairway.

DARRYL WEE 18 Holes With…

In the latest issue of 18 Holes With…we sat down with our new Club Captain, Darryl Wee, to find out more about his love for golf, what makes Sentosa Golf Club one of the world’s best golf clubs, and the greatest piece of advice he has ever received…

How old are you?

I am 55 this year.

What profession do you work in?

I am in the consulting business and lead the Asia Pacific practice for a US-based consulting organization called The RBL Group.

How did you get into playing golf?

I started golf because of my MBA classmate and NS mates. It was during the Tiger Woods era, and all they would talk about was golf.

What is your handicap?

My current HI is 2.7.

What do you love most about the game of golf?

I love how the game helps us build connections and deepen relationships. Golf has brought me some of my dearest friends.

What is the lowest score you have ever recorded?

My lowest round was a 69.

What made you want to be a member at Sentosa Golf Club?

It provides a wonderful golfing experience; the friends we have here, and the culture of the Club attracted us to Sentosa.

How does it feel to be the new Captain?

I feel humbled to be appointed to this role and feel that it is a privilege to Captain a club of such high standing. I take the role very seriously and aim to work with management to balance the needs of our members.

What makes Sentosa Golf Club one of the world’s best golf clubs?

Our two world-class courses and the

quality of our greens. This is one of the reasons why we have the ability to host such high-quality golfing events. It is also the passion of our people. From the maintenance crew to our leadership team, everyone takes great pride in their work.

Do you have a favourite hole on either The Serapong or The Tanjong?

I don’t have any favourite holes on the course, I love them all!.

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

I’ll stretch the boundaries and say Jesus, Lee Kuan Yew and Tiger Woods.

Who is the greatest golfer of all time?

I am an admirer of Bobby Jones and his golfing achievements. He was the first to achieve the golfing Grand Slam and built Augusta National Golf Club.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever received?

“When ignorance screams, intelligence shuts up. Your peace and tranquillity are worth more.” This was from the story of the Donkey and the Tiger.

What is your favourite club in the bag? I love my putter, but it doesn’t always love me!

Have you ever achieved a hole-in-one? Yes, I’ve actually had 2.

How would you describe Sentosa Golf Club in three words?

World-class, Caring and Home

What is your favourite thing about Singapore?

In the words of Kit Chan, “this is home truly”

Do you enjoy any other sports apart from golf? Is eating considered a sport?