SINGAPORE - For the first time, Singapore has entered the prestigious Golf Digest ranking of the World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses, with the recognition of Sentosa Golf Club (SGC) as the region’s No. 1.

SGC clinched the 58th spot globally, making it Southeast Asia’s best golf course and the only Singapore golf course that has been ranked in the table’s history.

The closely-watched rankings are based on ratings by 2,000 independent and top golfers across the globe. Each course was assessed on seven different categories – shot value, resistance to scoring, design variety, memorability, aesthetics, conditioning, and course ambience.

More than 33,600 courses across 206 countries were rated worldwide.

According to Golf Digest, SGC’s Serapong Course fared well in all categories, doing particularly well for “shot value” - indicating its ability to test golfers’ skills - and “conditioning’, which highlights the quality of grass conditions at the Serapong Course.

The latest accolade comes just weeks ahead of the two major championships that will take place on the Serapong Course – the SMBC Singapore Open (Jan 28-31) and the HSBC Women’s Champions (March 3-6).

“This recognition is dedicated to the members and staff of SGC who together have contributed immensely in ensuring that the golf course is always in excellent condition. It is also recognition of the ability of Singapore to be able to achieve world excellence in its facilities, when it puts its heart and mind into it,” said SGC president Low Teo Ping.

In its list, Golf Digest cites that Serapong is famous for its Dragon’s Tail, a loop of holes four through six with island fairways surrounding a tidal basin, set against legendary backdrops of the Singapore skyline.

The 6,675-metre Serapong course has been named “Best Golf Course in Singapore” by Golf Digest Singapore and Swing since 2009. The course was opened in 1982 and subsequently underwent an S$12 million upgrade in 2007.