Interviews

Dave Axland: From the ground up

The shaper-turned-architect has worked alongside some of the most talented designers in the business, but what is his story? Richard Humphreys finds out

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Dave Axland: From the ground up

The shaper-turned-architect has worked alongside some of the most talented designers in the business, but what is his story? Richard Humphreys finds out

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Laura Hyde
/ Categories: News

Nelson & Haworth begins redesign work at Singapore Island

Nelson & Haworth has started redesign work on the Island course at The Singapore Island Country Club, following an official groundbreaking ceremony attended by the country’s former prime minister Goh Chok Tong.  

The S$30 million (US$21.9 million) project will see the course – the shortest of three at the club – lengthened from 5,945 to 6,498 metres (7,106 yards). This will be achieved by adding back tees and moving several green locations. New ‘junior’ tees will also be added. 

Vincent Wee, the club’s president, said: “The lease extension for the Island location until 2040 is now secured, and we should embark on the redevelopment of the Island Course to optimise golf course usage during inclement weather.” 

“With a number of golf courses closing down in Singapore, it is important to maintain the heritage and tradition of the Island course,” said golf course architect Neil Haworth. “The Island course redesign will keep the traditional style of golf courses built in the 1920s and 1930s.” 

The project will include the replacement of turfgrass and irrigation to improve playing conditions, allow a higher degree of free-roaming buggy traffic and an improved walking experience. 

The Island course was the club’s first, designed by Scottish professional Peter Robinson and opened in 1932. Changes were made by five-time Open champion Peter Thomson’s firm in August 1998 and there have been minor enhancements since. This project follows a 2017 renovation of the club’s Bukit course and the creation of a 27-hole New course on the site of two former 18-hole courses in 2021

“Just like what we have done for the New course, this presents an opportunity for the team and various consultants to plan and adopt the best practices with the latest technology on construction, irrigation, water harvesting and improved turfgrass varieties to ensure course sustainability, efficiency and, most importantly, an improved playing experience for golfers,” said Ivan Chua, club captain and chairman of the redevelopment project committee. 

Work is expected to take 18 months, with staggered closure of holes allowing play to continue.  

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    Former prime minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong (centre) with club officials at the groundbreaking ceremony

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