(L to R): Ms Catalina Tapia, AGIF Board Member, Mr Sukum Phongprateep, Golf Club Manager, Nikanti
Golf Club, Thailand, Mr Declan McCollam, General Manager, Prestige Golfshire India, Mr Ian Roberts,
SICC General Manager, Mr Ungku Ghazni, Senior Manager, Kota Permai Golf and Country Club, and Mr
Michael Wong, AGIF Secretary and SICC Director of Golf & Sports.
SINGAPORE, 29 October 2026 – The Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) has been awarded the 2026 Country Leadership Award - Golf Club for Singapore by the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF). The award recognizes the club's achievements in golf development, sustainability, innovation, and facility investment.
SICC General Manager Ian Roberts accepted the award at the AGIF Awards Gala Dinner on 28 October 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) Convention Centre in Malaysia.
Now in their second year, the AGIF Awards recognize leadership and contributions to golf across Asia. Only one club per country receives the Country Leadership Award, which evaluates institutions across five areas: hosting golf events, sustainability, growing the game, innovation in club management, and investment in facilities.
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“This recognition is a tremendous honour for SICC and a testament to the collective dedication of our general committee, members and staff,” Roberts said. “It reflects our commitment to continually raising standards, from delivering championship golf experiences and investing in our facilities to advancing sustainability and developing the next generation of golfers. While we are proud of our heritage, our focus remains firmly on the future.” |
SICC operates 63 holes across three championship courses.
In November 2025, the club hosted the Moutai Singapore Open, returning the national championship to the venue where the inaugural event was held in 1961.
The club redeveloped The Island Course in September 2025 under a design by Nelson & Haworth. The project added championship-standard course updates alongside redesigned irrigation, drainage, and environmental conservation features.
For youth development, the club hosted the 32nd edition of the Junior Invitational Golf Championship in 2026, sponsored by Charles Schwab.
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(L to R): Mr Declan McCollam, General Manager, Prestige Golfshire India, Mr Ian Roberts, SICC General |
SICC has implemented environmental initiatives covering energy use, water conservation, biodiversity, and course maintenance.
Since its FY2023/2024 baseline, the club has reduced Scope 2 carbon emissions by 6.9% through solar energy installations, battery energy storage, and operational adjustments. Additional measures include smart irrigation systems, electric maintenance equipment, and native tree propagation to establish wildlife corridors.
The club’s Bukit Course and The New Course hold GEO certifications, while the redeveloped Island Course is currently undergoing recertification. SICC has set a target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Prior to the awards ceremony, Roberts participated as a panellist at the AGIF Annual International Summit 2026 during a session titled “Best Practices: Inside the Plans of Asia’s Leading Golf Clubs.” The discussion covered resource management, changing member expectations, and sustainability strategies.
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“Golf clubs today must balance the traditions that define them with the need to evolve,” Roberts said. “This recognition reinforces our commitment to innovation, responsible development and contributing to the continued growth of golf in Singapore and across Asia.” |
AGIF President Chris Gray noted the club's performance across the evaluation criteria.
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“SICC demonstrates how a golf club can successfully combine a rich heritage with progressive management and a commitment to sustainability,” Gray said. “Its achievements across the five award criteria reflect a well-rounded approach to excellence and set a strong example for clubs across the region.” |
Established in 1963, SICC serves more than 7,800 Principal Members across two locations. Its venues have hosted events including the Rolex Masters, the Singapore Open, and the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship.
The Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) is a Singapore-registered non-profit organization established in 2010. It acts as an industry network for club operators, course owners, suppliers, and golf professionals across Asia.
