Filling a golf vacuum

SINGAPORE — It may carry a smaller prize purse, but the impending return next year of the Singapore Open is welcome news for local golfers and the fraternity alike.

Previously trumpeted as the Major of Asia — the continent’s richest national Open boasted prize money of US$6 million (S$8.04 million) for its last edition in 2012 — the event has been in hiatus following British bank Barclays’ decision not to renew its title sponsorship.

But The Straits Times has reported that the tournament is expected to make a comeback after signing on a Japanese bank as its new title sponsor and will be hosted at the Sentosa Golf Club in January or February next year.

Local golfer Choo Tze Huang, who is preparing for the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School competition next week, called the news a “boost” for the Republic’s professional and amateur golfers.

“It’s always good having events in Singapore that promote the game back home,” he said. “The number of events on the Asian Tour has decreased (in the past few years) and a lot were cancelled because of the poor economic situation.

“For now, we have to be grateful for what events we get to play in and hopefully, local companies can come in to help in the development of Singapore golfers.”

First organised in 1961, the Singapore Open ran every year until 2001. Sponsorship woes saw the event suspended from 2002 to 2004 before promoter World Sport Group stepped in to revive the tournament in 2005. The arrival of Barclays the next year amped up the prize purse and star factor, with the event attracting the likes of Major winners Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Angel Cabrera and Rory McIlroy.

While the Republic has lacked a marquee men’s golf tournament in the past three years, Asian countries such as Malaysia and China have expanded their golf calendars, with Kuala Lumpur hosting the US$7 million CIMB Classic, while Shanghai has the US$8 million WGC-HCBC Champions.

With a smaller prize purse, questions remain about whether the tournament will still be able to draw the world’s best to Serapong.

Choo said: “It’s different compared with US$6 million, but this is a stepping stone to getting (the Singapore Open) back to where it was. Realistically, (less money) will definitely affect turnout, unless sponsors are willing to pay appearance fees to get the bigger players to come.”

Singapore Golf Association president Bob Tan was more optimistic about the tournament’s return, saying yesterday: “The nature of the game is that most top golfers come to participate only if they are paid an appearance fee. A lot of it depends on the total budget, and the promoter will have to discuss this with the sponsor on how to produce a good show.

“It’s very difficult to say (how this will affect the prestige of the event). At the end of the day, people watch the tournament for the players. It’s not necessarily about how much prize money there is; what’s more important is who’s playing. When there are good players, the viewership goes up.”

He added: “The European Tour had to close some events as there weren’t enough sponsors. In Asia, aside from Malaysia, China and Dubai, there are no big-money events. There is a big gap in Singapore and a vacuum without the Singapore Open. It’s better to have the Singapore Open than not at all, as there have been a lot of profile and interest generated as a result of the past events.”