At the time of writing this column, Chinese New Year had passed and we are over 3 weeks into the holy month of Ramadan. By the time members read this, Muslim members would be celebrating Hari Raya. I would like to wish all Muslim members Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
In December 2025, a revised budget for the golf course upgrading project was put to members for approval. Options were also proposed separately should the revised budget not pass. Unfortunately, all resolutions pertaining to the golf courses were not passed. Nevertheless, we are wiser. With clarity, the Greens & Golf Facilities Sub Committee (GSC) can press ahead with some mini projects.
On the 6th hole, Par 3, New Course, we plan to make it more convenient and safer for members using buggies to access the fairway (if they had “laid up” on the fairway) and the green during wet weather. We have budgeted for this in 2026 and with the approval of The Committee (TC), we will commence executing this project.
The Captain had also tasked the GSC to look into the renovation of the two half way houses on the golf courses. The Southern half way house is at the 13th hole Old Course, while the Northern half way house is at the 6th hole Old Course. Drawings have been done and TC has given its feedback. There will be some rework on the designs and these will be presented to TC again for approval. The Northern half way house is likely to be relocated to serve the 6th hole Old Course, the 12th hole New Course and the 3rd hole New Course.
There are a three sub projects from the golf course upgrading project that we may possibly pursue. They are:
- Constructing the maintenance building to store the Clubs’s machinery
- Putting sub soil drainage and additional sumps in the rough to improve the playing experience from the rough during the rainy season
- Desilting the lake at the 15th hole Old Course will increase the quantity of water that can be stored and improve the aesthetics.
These will not be redundant in any future golf course upgrading project unless there are significant redesigns to the golf courses. In any case, we will have to seek members approval to pursue them.
There are some mini projects relating to Trackman.
The teaching area at the driving range will be renovated to have two enclosed bays with air-conditioning. The external service provider will be putting in Trackman to enhance the learning experience in comfortable surroundings for members.
At the opposite end of the driving range, we have plans to build up to two enclosed air-conditioned bays, subject to budget constraints. We will also equip the bay (s) with Trackman. This will be available for use by members.
The 2 golf simulator bays equipped with Trackman in one of the squash courts should be completed sometime in April. A Trackman staff will be on hand a few times a month for a few months to educate members on the use of these facilities to improve their golf. Over time, members will become familiar with terms like launch angle, ball speed, angle of attack, spin, club to path, descent angle, peak height and the like.
The longest running project is propping up the raintree in Car Park A. Simple columns supporting different large branches of the raintree would have required closing nine car park bays. An innovative solution has been subsequently proposed to reduce the number of car parks impacted but is currently undergoing engineers’ and arborists’ analyses. We may also have to reroute the traffic flow.
At present, the number of field staff is still not at full strength as one of the external service providers who was successful in the tender for outsource contract workers is unable to supply the club with staff in the very short term. In addition, to maintaining the golf courses and landscaping, field staff are also assisting with the renovations at the lawn tennis courts.
The GSC is mindful of the lake conditions at the 15th hole Old Course and have been discussing options given the shortage of field staff.
As members may be aware, there is also a lot going on in other TC Convenors’ purview, particularly the Sports Convenor, the Food & Beverage Convenor, the Admin & HR Convenor, Projects & Facilities Convenor and the Captain. We appreciate Member’s patience with all the inconveniences. In time, members will get to enjoy the significantly enhanced facilities.
In the meantime, happy clubbing.
David Mah
Vice Captain
