1-up to the Lion City

With three times as many courses as Hong Kong, Singaporeans are rather better served when it comes to choosing where to play. Duncan Forgan checks out the best of what the city-state has to offer.

The Tampines Course at Tanah Merah

WHERE TO PLAY

Tanah Merah Country Club
Garden Course ****1/2

The Garden at Tanah Merah is one of several in Singapore that is reserved for members and their guests. Yet the layout is so strong it’s worth utilizing networks or buying a few expensive libations for an influential local to secure a tee time.

Generally ranked alongside the two layouts at Sentosa Golf Club as one of Singapore’s top-three courses, the Garden was initially laid out in 1984 to a design by Thomson, Wolveridge and Fream. A redesign by Max Wexler added extra sloping and improved drainage and irrigation while Phil Jacobs applied another freshening-up in 2004 under the guidance of then Captain Tan Puay Huat. The result is an immaculately conditioned layout that winds its way around a number of lakes and through palms, bougainvilleas and tropical hardwoods.

While the course feels relatively open, accuracy from the tee is paramount. There are a number of exacting doglegs while crafty bunkering and water hazards also pile on the pressure. Pick of the holes include the short but tight par-4 16th and the closing 18th, a glorious two-shotter that makes a suitably grandstand finale to a course that has played host to big tournaments like the HSBC Women's Champions.

Par: 72 Yardage: 7,350
Green fee: S$216-344.50
Architect: Thomson, Wolveridge, Fream
(1984); Max Wexler (1994);
Phil Jacobs (2004)
Contact: www.tmcc.org.sg

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Written by Duncan Forgan

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