Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth with the closure of all three public golf courses by 2024 (a) whether there are plans to convert any of the 14 private golf courses for public use; and (b) whether there are plans to ensure that the sport remains accessible to the general public, especially schools and students.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (Mr Eric Chua) (for the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth): Sir, golfing is a land-intensive sport and there is a need to balance the allocation of land to the sport vis-à-vis the competing demands for land in Singapore, such as for public housing.
We recognise that it is important for the public to have continued access to the sport. The Government is looking at how we can ensure continued access to golf courses. In the near term, we have made available options to provide for public access to golfing.
First, the operator of the Mandai Executive Golf Course has been granted a two-year tenancy extension until December 2026.
Second, taking into consideration the impending closure of the 18-hole public course at Marina Bay Golf Course, the Government had earlier worked with Keppel Club to set aside slots at the Sime Golf Course for public use at an affordable price range, comparable to other public courses. Currently, the majority of slots at the Keppel Sime Course – on both weekdays as well as weekends – are set aside for members of the public. The Government will also look into the feasibility of public golfing facilities for the longer term, bearing in mind other needs of Singaporeans, at the same time.
Mr Speaker: Mr Chua.
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis (Sengkang): Thank you, Mr Speaker and I thank Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua for the update. I certainly concur with the view that, especially in Singapore where land-size constraints is an issue, it is not an efficient use of space. But I certainly also agree with the view that accessibility and affordability to all sports is important. I just wonder if the Senior Parliamentary Secretary can share if, in the next couple of years, when it comes to lease extension agreements for the private golf clubs, whether a view to public accessibility can be a feature in these agreements?
Mr Eric Chua: Mr Speaker, I think the short answer to Mr Chua’s question is yes and we do take that into account, both for the near term as well as for the longer term. In the near term, we are working with Keppel Club to see if more slots could be made available. So, for instance, we are exploring the possibility of introducing night golfing at the Keppel Sime Course, for instance, and in the longer term, we will explore all other various options and make sure that public accessibility is one of our key considerations in doing this.
Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
3 April 2024
https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=oral-answer-3563
Office of the Leader of the Opposition 