No lease renewal for six golf courses; two sites to be turned into public golf course

SINGAPORE: Six golf courses will not have their leases renewed when they expire over the next 10 years, as the land will be set aside for other uses such as housing.

The Mandai Executive Golf Course, which was previously granted a two-year extension, will shut by the end of 2026.

Four golf courses - Warren Golf & Country Club, Orchid Country Club, Keppel Club’s Sime course and Singapore Island Country Club’s Bukit course - have leases expiring in 2030.

The lease for Tanah Merah Country Club’s Garden course will expire in 2035.

Announcing this on Monday (Jul 7), the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) also said lease renewals until 2040 were offered for two courses: Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course and National Service Resort & Country Club’s Kranji course. Their leases had been set to expire in 2030.

There are currently 16 golf courses in Singapore, and the leases of the remaining eight courses are subject to future review.

"The leases of these golf courses are for a fixed term, with an end date that is publicly known, to allow both the operators and members of the golf clubs to make informed decisions," the ministry said.

"This also ensures that land occupied by golf courses can be returned to the state and redeveloped for more pressing national needs in a timely manner."

The land currently occupied by Keppel Club’s Sime course and Singapore Island Country Club’s Bukit course will become a dedicated 18-hole public golf course after their leases expire on Dec 31, 2030.

Part of that site is also being considered for use by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) for its members, taking into account that the lease for NTUC’s Orchid Country Club will not be renewed, said MinLaw.

Homes will be built on the land freed up by Orchid Country