Officials from the Singapore Golf Association and ONERHT Foundation with Mrs Josephine Teo (fourth from left), Minister for Digital Development and Information and Minister-in-charge of Cybersecurity & Smart Nation Group at the ONERHT Foundation 10th anniversary charity golf day last November.
PHOTO: THE PICTURE SUITE
SINGAPORE — Once viewed primarily as an elite pastime, golf in Singapore is undergoing a quiet revolution. A growing network of stakeholders is repositioning the sport as a vehicle for youth development, social mobility, and community engagement, led by a landmark partnership between the ONERHT Foundation and the Singapore Golf Association (SGA).
The collaboration, which was recently renewed for another three-year term in November 2025, aims to dismantle the "barrier to entry" often associated with the greens. By focusing on grassroots outreach and youth training pathways, the initiative seeks to make the sport accessible to Singaporeans from all walks of life.
At the heart of this movement is the belief that the technicalities of a golf swing are secondary to the life lessons learned on the course.
"Golf is a sport that teaches discipline, integrity, patience and resilience. They are qualities that extend far beyond the fairways," said Ho Peng Kee, Patron of ONERHT Foundation. "Through our partnership with the Singapore Golf Association, we hope to empower young people with opportunities to develop not just as athletes, but also as individuals who can contribute meaningfully to society."
This philosophy has seen golf integrated into more than 100 primary and secondary schools as of 2025 through the National School Games. Additionally, emerging formats like indoor golf simulators are being explored to bring the game into community spaces and ActiveSG centres.
Established in 2015, the ONERHT Foundation serves as the corporate social responsibility arm of the ONERHT Group (including RHTLaw Asia LLP). As the foundation prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025, its track record of fundraising has become a cornerstone of its community support.
Fundraising Milestone: Over the past decade, the foundation has raised more than $6 million for various causes.
Signature Events: The 9th Annual Charity Golf & Gala Dinner, held in October 2024 at Sentosa Golf Club, raised over $430,000 for nine different beneficiaries, including the Singapore Cancer Society and Life Community Services Society.
The Four Pillars: The foundation's grants are strategically funneled into education, environmental sustainability, the arts and sports, and support for disadvantaged groups.
For the Singapore Golf Association, the partnership provides the financial and social capital needed to maintain a sustainable talent pipeline. Currently, an estimated 75,000 Singaporeans engage with the sport through alternative formats like virtual golf, a demographic that is significantly younger and more diverse than traditional club members.
"Our partnership with ONERHT Foundation has continued to strengthen our golf ecosystem with their support for our community engagement and junior development," said Joshua Ho, Chief Executive Officer of the SGA. "We strive to make golf in Singapore an inclusive one, accessible to Singaporeans from all walks of life."
| Impact Area | Initiative / Outcome |
| Youth Development | Support for SGA Future Squad and school-based outreach. |
| Community Health | Promoting golf as a "healthy and inclusive" activity for all ages. |
| Social Mobility | Providing pathways to scholarships and mentorship for underprivileged youth. |
| Philanthropy | $430,000+ raised in 2024 alone to support 9 local charities. |
As Singapore continues to optimize land use—balancing the closure of some public courses with the extension of others like the Mandai Executive Golf Course—the role of corporate-community partnerships has never been more vital. By turning the golf course into a classroom for character, the ONERHT Foundation and SGA are ensuring the next generation of Singaporeans stays on course, both on and off the green.
