Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore has reopened its championship course, The Serapong, following a major renovation programme.
The renovations include a new bunkering style which features serrated edges to enhance The Serapong’s character and overall playing strategy. The club used 6,000 tonnes of new sand during the renovations to reinstate consistency, texture and tournament-ready compaction for improved playability.
Modifications have also helped to enhance and preserve the personality of many holes, including the signature fifth, which overlooks Singapore and its bustling port.
Overseen by Andrew Johnston, the club’s general manager, director of agronomy and resident course designer, The Serapong has been closed since March and, alongside the new bunkering, a number of other key course upgrades were implemented during that time. These included the re-grassing of fairways, rejuvenating them with minor grading adjustments and improved drainage strategies, as well as modifying the greens soil profile by introducing new carbon technology to boost soil chemistry and profile structure.
Finally, the renovations also paid close attention to the re-levelling of all tee boxes, reinstating them with the historic tabletop flat finish The Serapong is renowned for. It will enable the club to continue to maintain the tees at a super low mowing height of 3mm, improving the quality of the playing experience for members and guests.
Speaking ahead of The Serapong’s reopening, which is a soft launch ahead of a grand reopening next March, Andrew Johnston said: “The last time The Serapong was renovated was nearly 14 years ago and since then the course has grown to become one of the world’s best, picking up multiple accolades in the process. Despite the challenges presented by the worldwide pandemic, we have found a way to pull the Sentosa family together within the safe working restrictions to complete the works. This has been a very exciting project that was well overdue, and we are confident the changes implemented will only enhance the golfing experience for our members and guests.
“Being located in a sub-tropical climate means the golf course ages faster than an ordinary one, and these renovations are crucial to maintaining the quality of the playing surfaces, as well as the conditions and high-standards that we pride ourselves on here at Sentosa, 365 days of the year.”
