Page 54 - 07.06 p1-56 (Final Print)

STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
SINGAPORE
NEWS FROM SINGAPORE
By Tendy Tsia
USGTF Member, Singapore
s the world struggles with the COVID-19
Apandemic, major golf events, as with all
other sports, have been canceled. And golfers,
when they can, play the game under new
rules and practices. Singapore has similarly
been impacted. In February, the prestigious
HSBC Women’s World Championship had to be
canceled, and the World Amateur
Team Championships (WATC),
scheduled for October, have also
been canceled due to health
considerations.
In March, due to travel
restrictions, golf courses in Singapore
suddenly found themselves fully
booked for play as golfers were not
able to travel for leisure or work and
escaped to the greenery and fresh
air of golf courses. Even then, many
restrictions were in place for play, such as no
removal of flagsticks, one golfer per buggy, no
sand rakes, etc., similar to many golf courses
round the world.
In April, Singapore began a lockdown of all
facilities and restricted movement of people
to essential services for a month – which was
extended to June – to manage the spread of
the virus and flatten the curve of transmission.
All sports and recreational facilities, including
golf clubs in Singapore, had to close as part of
this circuit breaker.
“Sharing Our Passion Around The World!”
®
54
SUMMER 2020
On June 19, with the management and
control of the spread of the virus, Singapore
opened much of its economy, including golf
clubs. With great joy, golfers flooded clubs to
get back to the game they loved and missed
for the past three months! However, safety is
still of utmost importance as the Singapore
Golf Association issued a set of guidelines on
how players and clubs have to prepare for the
resumption of the game.
With the COVID-19 crisis, golf in Singapore
has entered into a different stage. Many
Singaporeans now re-examine the value of
health and how nature and sports are important
to maintaining it. Golf is a game that enables
both, and we have seen an overwhelming
response back to the golf courses since the
opening of the facilities.
Currently, the golf industry is suffering
from this pandemic, as are other industries.
The recovery will take time, but a crisis can
also present opportunities. The pandemic
had a disastrous impact, but it also allows for
opportunities to revolutionize the industry. For all
who love golf and all USGTF coaches, let’s see
the opportunities behind this crisis, persist in your
enthusiasm in the game and your coaching,
and prepare for new challenges.
Golf Teaching Pro ®