More opportunities for Singapore golfers to shine with new SpexSG entity

THE recent announcement of a new high-performance entity called Sports Excellence Singapore (SpexSG) marks an important step in the continued evolution of Singapore’s high-performance sporting ecosystem.

By bringing together the High Performance Sport Institute, the Singapore Sports School and national football project Unleash the Roar! under a single entity, the move signals a clear commitment by the government to building a more integrated and athlete-centric system.

SpexSG, a subsidiary of Sport Singapore, was launched on April 1 and will operate as a newly formed company limited by guarantee.

From the perspective of the Singapore Golf Association (SGA), this development is both timely and encouraging. High-performance sport today demands a holistic approach that goes far beyond coaching alone.

Sports science, performance analytics, medical care, mental conditioning and athlete welfare are now essential pillars in helping athletes perform consistently on the world stage.

By consolidating expertise and resources within SpexSG, Singapore is strengthening these critical support systems.

For many sports, including golf, the journey from a promising junior to an elite international competitor can be long and complex.

Athletes navigate key transitions – from school competitions to national squads, from youth tournaments to elite amateur or professional circuits, and from developmental training environments to high-performance programmes.

A more integrated framework can help ensure that athletes receive consistent support throughout this journey.

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While strengthening high-performance structures is important, the foundation of sporting success often begins much earlier – at the point of introduction.

Many young Singaporeans discover sports not through family tradition but through opportunities to try new activities in schools, community settings or public sporting events.

In golf, the SGA sees more than 2,000 junior participants across its events and development programmes annually.

The sport is also part of the National School Games, where over 100 primary and secondary schools participated in 2025. These school platforms provide valuable opportunities for young athletes to experience competitive sport and develop an interest in the game.

Talent can emerge in unexpected ways. Singapore’s SEA Games golfers such as Brayden Lee and Chen Xingtong did not come from golfing families and discovered the sport through chance opportunities.

Their journeys highlight that potential athletes may remain undiscovered unless accessible platforms exist.

Initiatives such as sport fiestas, school outreach programmes and co-curricular activities play an important role in broadening access and creating conditions where future talent can be nurtured.

Participation in golf has evolved over the years. There are an estimated 120,000 golfers playing on traditional nine- and 18-hole courses today, alongside 75,000 engaging through alternative formats like indoor simulators and virtual golf experiences. These emerging formats have grown rapidly among younger players and new entrants.

As Singapore continues to optimise land use, such formats may play an increasingly important role in widening participation.

Facilities such as indoor golf simulators could potentially be incorporated into community sporting spaces, including ActiveSG centres, allowing more Singaporeans convenient access to the sport.

Partnerships with schools may also strengthen participation pathways. Models such as multi-school CCAs or shared training hubs could allow more students to access specialised sports like golf while using facilities and coaching resources efficiently.

Merits of an academy model

Beyond grassroots participation, a strong youth development pathway is equally important. Golf at the Singapore Sports School is currently offered as an individual programme, generally for athletes who are already in the SGA high-performance squad.

Unlike academy-status sports, there is no structured training programme within the school curriculum, with students typically sourcing their own coaching support.

As the sport grows, there may be merit in exploring an academy model for golf. Such a model could provide structured training while allowing promising athletes – not yet part of the national squad – to benefit from specialised sports education during formative years.

Singapore has already seen encouraging progress in recent years. The emergence of players such as Shannon Tan on the international stage demonstrates the potential of Singaporean golfers when the right support structures are in place.

SpexScholarship and SpexPotential schemes have provided financial support over and above what SGA provides, enabling enhanced training and competition opportunities that help our golfers reach their fullest potential.

Hiroshi Tai also made history by becoming the first Singaporean to compete at the 2025 Masters Tournament in the US, while James Leow and Nicklaus Chiam have captured titles on the Asian Development Tour.

These achievements reflect years of development, dedication and collaboration.

With stronger alignment between athlete development, education and high-performance support, SpexSG has the potential to further strengthen this foundation.

Ultimately, the success of any high-performance system depends on people – the athletes, coaches, scientists and administrators – who work together to build a culture of excellence. Structures alone cannot guarantee results, but when thoughtfully implemented, they can provide the platform upon which athletes can thrive.

SpexSG represents a positive step forward, with the potential to strengthen Singapore’s sporting ecosystem and support the next generation of athletes striving to compete on the world stage.

Tan Chong Huat is the president of the Singapore Golf Association, while Joshua Ho is the CEO of the association.