eMagazine 2009 Sep/Oct issue - Jurong Country Club

FOREWORD
Dear members
As I have mentioned during our Dialogue Session on 17 July, we are making
plans for a major course upgrade sometime in 2010. For information, our last
golf course re-construction took place 17 years ago and it is in need of a major
upgrade. For the record, local golf clubs upgrade their courses between 6 and
13 years after construction or renovation.
The problems we have to face on a constant basis in an aging course such as
ours are numerous and costly. We have serious drainage problems on both
nines, turf is severely contaminated with weeds especially nutgrass, excessive
organic matter build-up, mutation of turf on the greens resulting in inconsistent
putting speed, tight golfing corridor on the front nine which restricts sunlight
and airflow, an obsolete irrigation system and shrinking greens. Maintaining
an aging course has become very expensive and if we are to remain status quo
we will have to spend an additional $1million a year just on patchwork repairs
with no significant improvements to the course on the whole.
With the course upgrade targeted for next year, a Golf Course Upgrading
Committee has been formed and we are in the final process of selecting a golf
course architect to prepare a conceptual design for a walking as well as buggies
on course with minimum changes to the existing layout but with bigger greens,
improved drainage and irrigation system. With new turfs species both on
fairways and greens, we should see our course reclaiming its past glory as one
of the best courses in Singapore.
By now, members would have known that the Club has awarded a 3-year
contract with effect from July to Pan West Private Limited to operate the Proshops
and driving range based on the highest tender price. Members would
now have a wider choice and be able to enjoy a wider range of golf products
right at our own doorstep.
Since the beginning of 2009, the Club has signed seven more fully reciprocal
agreements with Haderslev Golfklub in Denmark, The Links Kennedy Bay
in Western Australia; three clubs in West Malaysia namely Kota Permai Golf
and Country Club Selangor, Kajang Hills Golf Club Selangor and Staffield
Country Club Negeri Sembilan; Kelab Golf Sarawak in East Malaysia and
Tokyo American Club, a social club in Japan. We are still actively looking into
expanding our list of reciprocities.
I am also proud to announce that our 33rd Jurong Open Charity Golf held from
28 to 30 Sept was concluded with resounding success! For the first time, we
managed to raise over $200,000 in aid of Charity. This achievement is all the
more momentous considering the recovering economy. We now have more
funds to disburse to our adopted charities, and this is without doubt due to the
concerted effort and commitment of ALL involved in this event – from the staff/
management to members, friends and sponsors. THANK YOU for the team spirit
and camaraderie!
Until next time, cheers!
Bobby Wee
Captain
With the course upgrade
targeted for next year, a
Golf Course Upgrading
Committee has been
formed and we are in the
final process of selecting
a golf course architect
to prepare a conceptual
design. With new turfs
both on fairways and
greens, we should see
our course reclaiming
its past glory as one
of the best courses in
Singapore.
the blue heron
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