“TAKING AWAY OUR PLAYGROUND”
Mr Poh and the three golf coaches CNA spoke to also stressed the importance of the Mandai golf course for those who are just picking up the sport.
Tanah Merah Country Club golf instructor Mr Lim pointed out that Mandai course is the “perfect place” for beginners to learn the game.
“It is … a safe place for golfers of all levels, especially kids, to play as the course is short and it does not take long for one to complete a round of nine holes.”
This is reflected in the golf course’s visitor traffic, which records about 100,000 patrons a year. Of this, about 40 to 50 per cent are juniors, noted Mr Poh.
But with the Mandai golf course gone, SG Golf Coach Academy’s Mr Koh said he would not be able to find another location that can house many junior players. His academy teaches about 120 such players a week, ranging from as young as three years old to 70.
“It’s like taking away our playground,” said Mr Koh.
The golf course closure also means that beginner players would have to go to other clubs to start their journey, which may be “difficult” as there may not be flexible booking options, said another golf instructor, Mr Philip Ang.
These students may then have to resort to going to neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia to play the sport, added the coach who has 17 years of experience under his belt.
“You have to cough up more money to go to Batam to learn golf … (Those) who cannot afford it may not even start (the sport),” said Mr Ang.
WHAT THE CLOSURE MEANS FOR COACHES
Jobs and livelihoods are also in limbo for some of the coaches CNA spoke to.
“We need this (space) because we need a place for our jobs, “ said Mr Koh.
“Not all of our guys are ready to … do other jobs … Like myself, I’m 33. All my life I’ve been doing golf.”
With three children and two elderly parents to look after, it is “almost impossible” for him to make a career switch now, he added.
“There are so many people working there from maintenance to reception. It’s a big spectrum.”
In its announcement on Friday, MOE also said the four consolidated locations are projected to fully meet the camping needs of some 100,000 students participating in cohort camps and uniformed group programmes each year, from 2032.
Mr Ang expressed confusion over the eight-year gap between now until 2032, adding that coaches like himself do not know how the takeover process will materialise.
The 66-year-old said he has also been getting questions about the golf course from teachers of school students he conducts lessons for.
“We don’t know how to answer to these schools … We don’t know what to do,” he said.
