By MIKE ORLOFF
As part of the 2025 launch of Golf Industry Asia, Co-founder Sean Plunkett and I embarked on our first industry field trip of the year - first stop Singapore.
This journey wasn’t just about ticking off some visits to a few golf courses—it was a goal to meet industry professionals face-to-face, visit golf venues, and deepen our understanding of the evolving golf landscape in Asia, with Singapore being an integral and mature part of it.
My personal goal is to explore all 48 countries that make up Asia, reconnect with and build our network, and learn firsthand from the people shaping the future of golf in the region.
It was the first time I had been back in Singapore since 2019. Although I’ve been fortunate to travel throughout Asia over the past 15 years—attending conferences and building relationships online and in person—this was the first time I was able to visit Singapore’s golf venues.
It's always rewarding to finally put a face to a name you’ve only seen on LinkedIn or other social media, and in many cases, share local food or drink.
And how much can you possibly fit into three days? As it turns out, quite a lot!
We started our trip at Laguna National, thanks to the warm hospitality of Mark Bates, Director of Golf – Business Development & Special Projects. Mark, a Canadian PGA Member, has been based in Asia for nearly two decades (half of that time at Laguna National). His knowledge and stories of the region deserve their own story in a future feature. We enjoyed 18 holes together on the Classic Course.
(Laguna National view from the course toward the clubhouse.)
(Hole 18)
(Hole 2 back over the river.)
Laguna National’s Classic Course certainly lives up to its nickname, "The Beast." With 146 bunkers, five water features, and undulating greens, it offers one of the most visually dramatic and technically demanding layouts in Asia. Originally built in 1993, it stretches over 7,471 yards. It underwent a redesign in 2010 and again in 2017 to improve playability, introduce new holes, and modernize the experience for both amateurs and professionals. Its a privately owned facility, unlike most in Singapore that are member-run.
It’s no surprise the course was chosen as the venue for the Porsche Singapore Classic, a DP World Tour event held earlier this year.
After lunch, we made our way to Tanah Merah Country Club, just a short drive away. There, we were welcomed by Elliott Gray, General Manager, and Brodie MacDonald, Director of Golf—both GBI PGA Members. With Singapore set to host the 2025 World Amateur Team Championship, Tanah Merah Country Club is preparing to take the spotlight. The club operates across two distinct properties and features two courses: the Garden Course and the Tampines Course.
TMCC’s history dates back to the late 1970s when plans were first drawn for what would become one of the most prestigious clubs in the region. Since opening in 1984, it has hosted numerous top-tier events, including the Singapore Open, Johnnie Walker Classic, Tiger Skins, and HSBC Women’s Champions. Nestled on Singapore’s East Coast, TMCC’s offerings go beyond golf, boasting a luxurious clubhouse, Olympic-size pool, tennis and squash courts, and four dining outlets served by over 220 dedicated staff.
(Tanah Merah - Tampines Course)
The next day began with a visit to Sentosa Golf Club, a name synonymous with Asian golf. Situated on the stunning island of Sentosa with panoramic views of Singapore’s skyline, the club features two world-class courses: The Serapong and The Tanjong. It has hosted major global events including the Singapore Open, HSBC Women’s World Championship, and the LIV Golf Singapore tournament.
One of the standout features of Sentosa is its commitment to sustainability. In 2020, it became the first golf club in the world to sign the UN Sports for Climate Action Initiative. Their environmentally focused operations—both on and off the course—have set new standards for how the game can coexist with nature.
(Me, Sean, and Gareth)
We also had the opportunity to tour the Toro Centre of Excellence with Gareth Knight - Senior Sales Manager SEA, Indian Subcontinent, New Zealand & Hong Kong. It's a hub developed through a 10-year partnership between Toro and Sentosa, and there is nothing else like it that I've seen before. The facility serves as a regional centre for training, innovation, and showcasing Toro’s latest turf and irrigation technologies.
(Part of the Toro fleet)
After lunch, we returned to Tanah Merah Country Club for a planned 18-hole round. Unfortunately, around the 11th hole, a powerful electrical storm rolled in, cutting our game short. Welcome to Singapore!
With no golf scheduled for our third day, we used the time to visit a few more venues that had long been on our radar. First up was Sembawang Country Club, a site rich in military history and undergoing course renovations during our visit.
Our tour of the grounds was led by Christine Maestri, Senior Golfing Manager, and organized by General Manager Christopher Chew, who was engaging from the start to try and meet and have us see their facility.
(Sean, Christine, and Mike)
Founded in 1967 by the British Marines stationed at Dieppe Barracks, the club originally featured just nine holes. Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, even officiated at its opening. After the British forces withdrew in 1971, the New Zealand Southeast Asia Force (NZ SEA Force) took over operations, eventually handing it over to Singapore’s SAF in the early 1980s. Since then, the club has served as a key venue for military diplomacy, providing a social and recreational space for high-ranking officials and visiting dignitaries.
To wrap up our trip, we made one last stop at the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC)- Bukit, where we were greeted by Ian Roberts, an old friend and fellow Aussie. Ian and I first met in the early 2000s on the Gold Coast, where we both managed resorts. It’s amazing how relationships in this industry tend to circle back over time.
SICC is a sprawling operation across two sites and includes what might be one of the largest clubhouses I've ever seen. One of the courses is currently undergoing major upgrades, and the Club was recently announced as the host of the upcoming Singapore Open.
(Hole #1 recently opened for limited play.)
(Check out this bunker face!)
On our last night, we did some touristy stuff with dinner at The American Club, followed by a walk around Marina Bay Sands.
(Iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel and precinct.)
To do business in Asia, you need to be in Asia (which is the case generally, no matter what country you are in), and there’s no substitute for being on the ground. We are an industry connected by the love of the game.
Reading reports and online articles only takes you so far. It’s only when you’re shaking hands with General Managers, sharing stories with Golf Pros, and walking the fairways that you truly understand the spirit and operations of any golf facility.
We met so many passionate people on this journey (many not listed, sorry) —people who came to Asia for a temporary assignment or adventure and stayed to build lives and careers. Some found love, others found purpose, and many stayed for the unique business opportunities the region offers.
This industry is filled with amazing individuals, each with a story worth telling. We will share many more of these stories as our Golf Industry Asia journey continues. We would love to come visit your facility - feel free to drop me a message.
Next stop? Phuket, Thailand. Stay tuned as the adventure continues.
