Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) has unveiled 27 new holes designed by Australian golf architect Graham Marsh, on the site of its previous 18-hole New course.
The project, overseen by the club’s golf redevelopment planning committee, was prompted by the Singapore Government’s acquisition of SICC’s Sime course for public use.
As a result, the club has gone from four 18-hole courses to two 18-hole courses (Bukit and Island) plus the new 27-hole layout, with the nines named following a member competition as Millennium, Peirce and Reservoir. These will be playable in three combinations to form an 18-hole round and will collectively retain the New course name.
Ground was broken in February 2019 and the completed layout was handed back to the club in April 2021.
“Satisfaction and experience of individual holes are equally important for a golfer,” said Marsh. “While the Millennium and Peirce nines are a mix of well-balanced holes with similar terrain, creek crossings, lakes, reservoir views and strategic challenge, the Forest nine exists in its private environment with a number of ‘risk and reward’ holes which establishes its notoriety for golfers for all proficiencies.”
Watch: A video from SICC on the redevelopment of the New course.
The layout features several heritage trees, some of which are the oldest specimens in Singapore. During construction the trees were relocated to frame holes and will act as wildlife corridors.
“What golfers will experience is an unsurpassed view of the Lower Peirce Reservoir on many holes,” said SICC club captain Vincent Wee. “While playing on slopes and terrain as if carved out from natural landscape, and in harmony with the delicate surrounding ecosystem, driving on bridges and boardwalks will be a pleasant and tranquil transition between some of the holes.”
Extensive earthworks were undertaken to reshape holes and upgrade drainage and irrigation. The sub-soil drainage and sub-air systems on fairways and greens are designed to efficiently manage rainwater.
Greens have been grassed with Primo Zoysia while tees, fairways and rough feature Zeon Zoysia.
“The team, contractors and Graham Marsh worked tirelessly to overcome the logistics and labour delay caused by the pandemic,” said Kenneth Chen, chairman of the golf redevelopment planning committee. “After the golf course was handed over in April 2021, the maintenance team took time to get the golf course ready in satisfactory conditions.”