Singapore loses last 18-hole public golf course to redevelopment
Golf courses in Singapore lease government land, leaving them vulnerable to changes in planning goals. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
Opened less than 18 years ago, the course hosted its final rounds for the public on Saturday (Jun 29) as it joins others in Singapore that have closed or shrunk in recent years. Only one public course remains, a nine-hole venue in the north of the city-state.
The closure is the latest example of a major push to redevelop land, especially for housing, after soaring demand pushed home prices and rents out of reach for many residents. Golf courses in Singapore lease government land, leaving them vulnerable to changes in planning goals. Authorities have yet to announce details for the redevelopment of the Marina Bay site, which will include a memorial for the nation’s former leaders.
Social golfers bid reluctant farewell to Marina Bay Golf Course
Marina Bay Golf Course is set to shutter on June 30. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
At midnight on June 13, Terence Lim and his friends sat in front of their laptops, frantically trying to secure a tee time at the Marina Bay Golf Course (MBGC).
Within seconds, all the available slots for June 28 were snapped up and thankfully, Lim was among the lucky ones. Like many social golfers, he wanted to get a “farewell round” in before Singapore’s only 18-hole public course shutters on June 30 owing to its expired land lease.
Lim, 32, who works in sales, picked up golf in 2018 at Mandai Executive Golf Course – a nine-hole public course – with the same group of friends. They do not own private country club memberships and are regular patrons at MBGC.
S'pore will have no public golf courses after Dec 2026
9-hole Mandai public golf course operator granted 2-year tenancy extension until end-2026
The public will be able to play at the Mandai Executive Golf Course for two additional years, after the operator was granted a tenancy extension until December 2026.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the Mandai golf course will have to make way for a new outdoor adventure learning centre after its tenancy expires on 31Dec 1024. The Mandai golf course, located at Upper Seletar Reservoir, was opened in 1993.
Before the closures, Singapore had three public golf courses - The Mandai Executive Golf Course,
the 18-hole Marina Bay Golf Course which closed on 30 Jun 2024 and Champions Public Golf Course in Bukit Timah which had its last day of operations on Dec 26, 2023.
