3 minute read
CAPTAIN’S MESSAGE
SGC Captain Vernon Khoo
Dear Fellow Members,
I trust you have all been keeping well. Please allow me to begin this message on a topic that has come into focus during this ongoing pandemic.
Club Culture Sentosa Golf Club (SGC) is one of the best in the world and our Members enjoy the admiration and envy of many golfers. But what I’m most proud of is our Club culture of warmth, courtesy and friendliness amongst both Members and staff.
Our Club is a unique blend of individuals from diverse backgrounds — Singaporeans, permanent residents and foreign residents of many nationalities. Despite our cultural differences, we all share a common love for golf, a game of friendship and camaraderie. I hope Members are as proud as I am of SGC’s culture and will do your part to grow this valuable intangible asset we have. During these challenging times, SGC has been our refuge and getaway and we’ve been running at 100% occupancy since our reopening after the Circuit Breaker. Given that Members cannot travel out of Singapore, all of us must continue to share our common Club space. There will be inevitable occasions in the Clubhouse and on the golf courses when we may encounter inconveniences and small altercations, but please do always exercise graciousness and courtesy to both your fellow golfers and our staff. Despite the odds, our golf course conditions have remained excellent. This is due to the dedication and hard work of our agronomy team. Let’s contribute to these excellent playing conditions by practicing good golfing etiquette. Do your part to help repair pitch marks, fill divots neatly and avoid damaging the grass next to the tracks. Let’s all take ownership of our Club and display the responsibility expected of us as Members of SGC. May I also urge Members to be generous in offering words of encouragement and giving recognition to deserving staff for the high standards of service we enjoy. Patience and small acts of kindness always go a long way, whether it be at the Club or outside. Revenue Challenges COVID-19 has also presented SGC with revenue challenges. The Club used to derive 60% of its revenue from Members and their guests, and 40% from nonmembers, i.e. golfers at corporate events and 'walk-ins' by visitors. SGC’s business model of a small membership base has worked well in the past, giving Members good access to golf while leaving room for corporate and walk-in golfers. Compared to other clubs with a much larger membership base, the Club’s collections from subscriptions are a fraction of its revenue received. Yet, we are proud to deliver world-class standards.
However, the golfing landscape has changed dramatically ever since COVID-19 struck. While golf has seen a boom worldwide and in Singapore, this dramatic increase in demand has meant that a Club like SGC has had to depend solely on Members (90%) and their guests (10%). We’ve had no revenue from corporate events and visiting golfers, and this is expected to continue in the months ahead. As we enjoy the $6m upgrade of the beautiful Serapong course, remember that it was done without having to tap on Members for any contribution. We depended on the generosity and support from our owners, Sentosa Development Corporation, for which we are most grateful. However, to continue to deliver two excellent courses, we need to be financially sustainable and viable as a business. With the current situation, we shall have to find fair ways to share the financial burden among all those enjoying their golf games at our Club. This will be in the interest of all Members. The financial wellbeing of our Club will translate to a better long term membership value for us all.
Please allow me to end my message with a big thank you to all my fellow Members, for your support and understanding as we continue to build and uphold a caring and gracious Club culture. Happy golfing!
