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Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Golfer Chen Xingtong looks to build on US stint for World Amateur Team Championships
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Chen Xingtong is looking forward to her second outing at the World Amateur Team Championships, which will be held in Singapore from Oct 1 to 11. SINGAPORE – When Chen Xingtong made her debut at the World Amateur Team Championships (WATC) in 2023, the Singaporean golfer felt a mix of nerves and excitement. Playing alongside Sweden's world No. 1 amateur Ingrid Lindblad in the first two rounds, Xingtong was tested from the start. But the teenager took it as a learning experience, paying close attention to the different aspects of her flight mate's game. In Abu Dhabi, she finished 101st in the individual standings and was part of the women's team alongside Inez Ng and Aloysa Atienza who tied for 20th, which was Singapore's best result at the tournament. Since then, the 16-year-old has steadily built on her international experience and is looking forward to a return, after being named in the 2025 WATC squad by the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) on Aug 14. She said: 'There were a lot of really important takeaways from watching the best in the world, just learning from how they do it and trying to take small bits of their routine to integrate into my own. 'I definitely have a bit more experience than the last time I was in this position, excited and eagerly anticipating the tournament.' The Singapore Sports School (SSP) student will team up with Ng – who finished joint-fourth in 2023 – and Valencia Chang at the Tanah Merah Country Club's (TMCC) Tampines Course as they compete for the Espirito Santo Trophy from Oct 1 to 4. In the men's competition, the team will feature Hiroshi Tai, Brayden Lee and Troy Storm, as they battle for the Eisenhower Trophy from Oct 8 to 11. Tai, 23, was the first Singaporean to feature at the 2024 US Open and 2025 Masters after winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title in 2024. Xingtong is feeling confident after a fruitful stint in the United States, where she finished second at the US Girls' Junior Championship in July. In her historic run to the final, she was defeated 2 and 1 by Canada's eventual champion Aphrodite Deng at the Atlanta Athletic Club's Riverside Course. She said: 'I'm more confident coming into this event, still just trying to enjoy myself on and off the course for this event and staying patient. 'It was really fun to be able to make such a deep run and meet up with some of my good friends during the tournament.' Her performance across the seven-day tournament also proved to Xingtong what she is capable of mentally and physically. She added: 'US Girls' was seven days straight, with 36 holes the last four days which is really taxing on the mind and body, but I'm really glad to have gone through all that because it shows that I can handle it.' All these experiences are crucial for the world No. 192 amateur, who is looking to study and play college golf in the US from 2028. Xingtong, who is currently pursuing the Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at SSP, noted that the US would be crucial for her growth as 'many of the world's best amateurs go there to compete and study', before she decides whether to turn professional. Noting the progress in Xingtong's game, national coach Murray Smit attributed it to the technical work she has done with her coach Skye Neale at Sentosa Golf Club, coupled with 'improved preparation and strategy when building up to tournament'. With the WATC approaching, Smit said the team have ramped up their preparations in a bid for best-ever team finishes in both the men's and women's competitions. For the men, their best finish was in 2022, when Tai, James Leow and Ryan Ang came in 21st. Ahead of the championships, the golfers – including Tai and Ng who returned from US during their summer break – attended a training camp at TMCC, while getting tips and insights from some of the local professionals who have competed on the course. Smit said: 'Ultimately the players will come in prepared and ready, and then it's just about enjoying what will be one of the most memorable weeks of these players' careers, competing on home soil in the biggest amateur team event in golf.'
CNA
08-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Tee time runs out for four golf courses in Singapore
Four golf courses here at home will be closing by 2035 as their leases expire. The land will be used for other developments including an Education Ministry outdoor adventure learning centre and more residential properties. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman chat with Ivan Chua, Vice President from Singapore Golf Association for more.
Business Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Badminton player Loh Kean Yew a ‘role model' for children at HSBC event
[SINGAPORE] A smash and sharp drop were some of the moves made at the Singapore Badminton Hall East Coast @ Expo on Saturday (May 24). It may have seemed like any other day on the court, except that the person demonstrating the techniques was none other than former men's singles world champion Loh Kean Yew. Loh was coaching some 30 primary school children from low-income families at the badminton coaching clinic, which was hosted by HSBC. Wong Kee Joo, chief executive of HSBC Singapore, said: 'This badminton clinic is a way for us to engage the community, and ensure that the community also gets to participate in sports – versus just being a spectator. (With) regard to the children, hopefully we can also inspire them.' In addition to participating in the clinic, the children received a pair of tickets to the KFF Singapore Badminton Open 2025, which will start on Tuesday and run until Jun 1. Loh will be competing in the tournament. Wong added that Loh is a 'great role model' for the children. 'The kids can look up to him and hopefully learn the same grit, determination and perseverance.' A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up HSBC has supported a variety of sporting events – and particularly youth sports development in – not just badminton, but also rugby, golf and tennis. 'I think sports is an activity that is very transformational. Because when it comes to sports, it gives you the ability to understand teamwork and collaboration, (as well as) focus, resilience and determination,' Wong said, adding that these are important values to teach the younger generation. Loh noted: 'My journey in the sport began at a young age, and I understand how transformative these early experiences can be.' ' Sports is an activity that is very transformational... It gives you the ability to understand teamwork and collaboration, (as well as) focus, resilience and determination. ' — HSBC Singapore Wong Kee Joo chief executive In addition, the bank hosts the long-running HSBC Youth Golf Challenge in partnership with the Singapore Golf Association. In March, HSBC partnered social service agency Trybe for an event where professional female golfers shared their experiences with young people facing adversities. Engaging the community In April, HSBC held its first rugby coaching clinic for beneficiaries from the same organisation. Wong highlighted that the bank's employees are also involved in engaging the community through sports. 'Just last year, employees from across the bank came together to form a sports community that seeks to not only serve as a platform for employees to connect and stay active through sports, but also work and engage with various sporting associations and organisations in Singapore to explore ways to give back to the community,' he said. The CEO added that the bank will continue to 'create opportunities' for the communities in which it operates. The attendees of the event are beneficiaries of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which aims to support children from low-income families.
Business Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Badminton player Loh Kean Yew a ‘role model' for children at HSCB event
[SINGAPORE] A smash and sharp drop were some of the moves made at the Singapore Badminton Hall East Coast @ Expo on Saturday (May 24). It may have seemed like any other day on the court, except that the person demonstrating the techniques was none other than former men's singles world champion Loh Kean Yew. Loh was coaching some 30 primary school children from low-income families at the badminton coaching clinic, which was hosted by HSBC. Wong Kee Joo, chief executive of HSBC Singapore, said: 'This badminton clinic is a way for us to engage the community, and ensure that the community also gets to participate in sports – versus just being a spectator. (With) regard to the children, hopefully we can also inspire them.' In addition to participating in the clinic, the children received a pair of tickets to the KFF Singapore Badminton Open 2025, which will start on Tuesday and run until Jun 1. Loh will be competing in the tournament. Wong added that Loh is a 'great role model' for the children. 'The kids can look up to him and hopefully learn the same grit, determination and perseverance.' A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up HSBC has supported a variety of sporting events – and particularly youth sports development in – not just badminton, but also rugby, golf and tennis. 'I think sports is an activity that is very transformational. Because when it comes to sports, it gives you the ability to understand teamwork and collaboration, (as well as) focus, resilience and determination,' Wong said, adding that these are important values to teach the younger generation. Loh noted: 'My journey in the sport began at a young age, and I understand how transformative these early experiences can be.' ' Sports is an activity that is very transformational... It gives you the ability to understand teamwork and collaboration, (as well as) focus, resilience and determination. ' — HSBC Singapore Wong Kee Joo chief executive In addition, the bank hosts the long-running HSBC Youth Golf Challenge in partnership with the Singapore Golf Association. In March, HSBC partnered social service agency Trybe for an event where professional female golfers shared their experiences with young people facing adversities. Engaging the community In April, HSBC held its first rugby coaching clinic for beneficiaries from the same organisation. Wong highlighted that the bank's employees are also involved in engaging the community through sports. 'Just last year, employees from across the bank came together to form a sports community that seeks to not only serve as a platform for employees to connect and stay active through sports, but also work and engage with various sporting associations and organisations in Singapore to explore ways to give back to the community,' he said. The CEO added that the bank will continue to 'create opportunities' for the communities in which it operates. The attendees of the event are beneficiaries of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which aims to support children from low-income families.
Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore Open golf tourney returns after three years with US$2 million prize purse
(From left) Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour commissioner and chief executive; Huang Jie, Guizhou Moutai Chiew chairman; Singapore Golf Association president Tan Chong Huat; and SGA vice-president Ivan Chua at a signing ceremony for the event. PHOTO: ASIAN TOUR SINGAPORE – Golf's Singapore Open, the national men's professional competition, will return to the Republic when it tees off at the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) from Nov 6 to 9. Last played in 2022, the Singapore Open will be sanctioned by the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) and Asian Tour, with Kweichow Moutai, a Chinese liquor company, coming on board as the new title sponsor in 2025. Staged at the SICC's New Course, the Moutai Singapore Open will offer a prize purse of US$2 million (S$2.59 million) – an increase from the US$1.25 million for the 2022 edition – as one of 10 events on the International Series. The International Series, which was launched in 2022, provides a pathway to the LIV Golf League. Singaporean professional golfer James Leow welcomed the return of the event, which the 28-year-old has watched as a spectator and played in four times. The 2019 SEA Games gold medallist said: 'It's nice to have the event back after three years – everyone is constantly asking about it and it's such a special event. 'It has a long history and has had many big golfing stars competing in it and winning it... It's also the part that it's a life-changing dream for all the professionals and aspiring professionals.' Inaugurated in 1961, the Singapore Open was part of Asia's very first professional golf circuit, which comprised a handful of tournaments in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia and Japan. It became a fixture on the Australasian Tour for three seasons from 1993, before it joined the Asian Tour in 1996. The event was co-sanctioned with the European Tour from 2009 to 2012, and later with the Japan Golf Tour from 2016 to 2022, which marked its most recent edition. Past champions of the tournament include Australia's former world No. 1 Adam Scott (2005, 2006, 2010) and 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia (2018) from Spain. With the tournament part of the International Series this year, Leow relishes testing himself against the best on the Asian Tour and LIV Golf League. 'With the International Series, which are the elevated events on the Asian Tour, there's more prize money, the winner gets more ranking points, and you're competing against a deeper field of players including the LIV guys,' said world No. 1,417 Leow, who currently has full status on China Tour and Asian Development Tour, and conditional status on the Asian Tour. 'It'll be a test to see where I'm at and as a competitor and athlete, we aim to win when we tee it up so that's the goal.' This year's edition will return to the venue where the tournament was first played in 1961 until 1987. The last edition of the event, which was won by Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana, took place at Sentosa Golf Club. It also adds to a vibrant golf calendar in Singapore this year, which includes the LIV Singapore in May and the World Amateur Team Championships that will take place in October. Singapore Golf Association (SGA) president Tan Chong Huat said: 'The Singapore Open is about to embark on an exciting new cycle and we are looking forward to working with our partners, the Asian Tour and Kweichow Moutai, to continue the legacy of our national open. 'Our National Open is one of Singapore's premier sporting events, and we are overjoyed it is returning to the calendar later this year with a dynamic new title sponsor at one of the country's most acclaimed golfing venues, Singapore Island Country Club.' The Singapore Open is part of the closing stretch of the 2025 Asian Tour season, which concludes with the Dec 10-13 Saudi Open. Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour's commissioner and chief executive, said: 'The Singapore Open is an integral part of Asian Tour history and one of our most-prized tournaments – so we are thrilled it is returning to our schedule later this year. 'The story of the Singapore Open runs in parallel with that of the Tour's and, in many respects, we have grown hand in hand… 'With it set to be staged during the all-important closing stretch of the season, our members and fans in the region can look forward to a memorable climax.' Kimberly Kwek joined The Straits Times in 2019 as a sports journalist and has since covered a wide array of sports, including golf and sailing. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
