Golf For All, Golf For Good
Words by Tim Pinnegar, Photography by Marcus Lim, Assisted by McDouglas Lim
The NTUC Club, established in 1986, is the social and engagement arm of Singapore’s National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). It was created with the mission to engage union members and the public through affordable leisure choices.
From its humble beginnings with the first Clubhouse at Shenton Way, NTUC Club has grown to become one of the largest leisure providers in Singapore. Today, under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Lim Eng Lee, its various facilities such as Downtown East, Orchid Country Club, D’Resort, Wild Wild Wet and multiple social club houses, as well as its organised programmes and activities, provide a wide range of recreational experiences to the 1.4 million NTUC members and their families.
“As part of the Labour Movement, NTUC Club remains committed to its social mission of enriching the lives of our workers through accessible play choices,” affirms CEO Eng Lee.
“In recent years, we have embraced transformation which include going beyond facilities and partnering companies through our new service UPlay – a one stop concierge service to better engage their employees.”
GOLF JOINS THE MOVEMENT
Golf was introduced to form part of the Labour Movement’s offerings in the early 1990s with the opening of a driving range and a nine-hole course at Orchid Country Club. The original Aranda nine-hole course was later expanded to 27 holes with the addition of the Vanda and Dendro nines. Today, this well-used course is the only location in Singapore to offer night golf.
“Orchid Country Club (OCC) was borne out of careful deliberations in the early 90s—a time when
golf was considered an elite sport beyond the reach of the average Singaporean,” notes Eng Lee. “With OCC, we changed the narrative—golf became affordable and accessible to the masses. Singaporeans who previously found it difficult to access the sport benefited from the opening of OCC, altering the status of golf from elitist to inclusive.”
In 2006, NTUC Club’s golf footprint was further extended with the launch of the 18-hole public golf course and multi-tier driving range at Marina Bay Golf Course (MBGC).
At its peak, Marina Bay served up to 8,000 rounds each month.
MY GOLF KAKI
In 2002, My Golf Kaki (MGK), an “estate-less golf club”, was launched with the initial intent of providing union members with affordable golf experiences that included handicap maintenance, insurance, preferential event rates, and discounted green fees.
In recent years, the closure of numerous golf courses in Singapore and rising cost of private club membership highlighted the importance of estate- less golf clubs such as MGK. To better serve the growing golfing community, NTUC Club ushered a year-long relaunch programme to enhance MGK’s services and experiences in 2023, which included the 2024 opening of the Golf Hub at OCC, and MGK’s booking app a year later.
To address these disruptions, NTUC Club made the decision to relaunch and enhance MGK to better serve the golfing community. “We embarked on an exciting transformation, complete with a refreshed look and innovative experiences for our kakis,” says Melvyn Tan, NTUC Club, Director of Golf
Ecosystem.”
We remain more committed than ever to providing members affordable and amazing golf experiences, complemented by unparalleled service. It is the most vibrant estate-less golf community in Singapore.”
Today, MGK members enjoy access to Orchid Country Club on weekdays, a golf academy for lessons, and—since late 2024—weekly weekend golfing sessions in Batam. For just $128, MGK members can play 18 holes at Palm Springs Golf & Beach Resort, including return ferry, buggy, caddy, lunch and express immigration clearance.
This weekly Sunday round sees up to 50 MGK members make the journey each weekend, with many returning regularly. Saturday golfing sessions to Batam have also been launched recently.
Furthering its mission, MGK recently signed agreements with Ria Bintan Golf Club and The Els Club Desaru Coast for MGK exclusive green fees. Also in the pipeline are organised trips to destinations further afield—Japan being the first on the list. For members who prefer to stay in Singapore, MGK has negotiated access to Changi Golf Club.
Keen to encourage newcomers, MGK launched the MGK Golf 6 at Orchid Country Club. This package allows beginners to play six holes in the early morning or late afternoon. Golfers can form their own flight or be paired with others—fostering camaraderie and future playing companions. On selected days, a guide accompanies the group to assist with rules, safety, and etiquette—issues that beginners often find confusing.
“Since the revamp of MGK, we have been encouraged by the strong response from members and golfers, with the community growing from 6,000 to more than 12,000 members,” notes Eric Lee, Assistant Director, My Golf Kaki and General Manager, GreenBox
by My Golf Kaki.
“We’re especially heartened by the positive feedback from stakeholders, particularly beginner golfers who’ve gained confidence and valuable on-course experience through events like MGK Golf 6 and weekly Sunday golf in Batam. But MGK is more than just a golf membership—we continue to strive to transform the sport into a lifestyle and recreational choice for the community.”
TIME TO GO INDOORS
While MGK serves those who prefer playing on a course, for many golfers— both beginners and experienced— barriers such as Singapore’s hot climate, the time required for a round, and the high cost of green fees prevent them from committing to the sport long-term.
To help address these constraints, NTUC Club launched GreenBox— MGK’s indoor golf simulator facilities. The GreenBox flagship venue opened recently at Downtown East, Pasir Ris, with a smaller facility at Orchid Country Club.
The Pasir Ris location features 15 driving range bays and four private rooms, all equipped with the latest technology from Korea’s Golfzon. These simulators provide immersive, realistic virtual play on over 200 iconic local and international courses—including the now-closed Marina Bay Golf Course.
GreenBox is a collaboration between E Golfing Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Singapore-listed Ellipsiz Ltd, and UPlay Ventures Pte Ltd (an affiliate of NTUC Club). “E Golfing was born out of a vision to redefine how people experience golf in today’s fast-paced, digitally connected world,” says Shaun Tay, General Manager of E Golfing.
“The collaboration is a strategic move to reframe golf for a digitally savvy generation who continually demands new levels of recreational and lifestyle experiences. By creating immersive experiences with highly advanced simulation technology for My Golf Kaki’s growing community, GreenBox delivers fun and inclusive spaces for everyone, young and old.”
Each simulator bay offers data feedback via motion sensors and force plates. The hitting mats mimic real fairway conditions, light and heavy rough, and even bunker lies. Unlike many simulator venues in the city centre, GreenBox is in the heartlands, making it more accessible to a wider audience. With rates ranging from $10 to $40 per hour per person, GreenBox has lowered the cost of entry to the sport. Golf coaches and lessons are also available for an additional fee.
GreenBox is not just for individuals. The team is actively engaging companies and communities to encourage group sessions for employees or members.
With its game-changing Golfzon Network Play technology, GreenBox turns networking into a global sport—linking players in real-time matchups across different bays, rooms, centres and even continents. Young golfers are also a focus: GreenBox is working with schools to bring pupils in for gamified lessons designed to spark interest in golf.
Coming up at GreenBox: a slate of year-round themed indoor events, including skill challenges, equipment demos, and workshops. GreenBox and the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) are also exploring the potential launch of a National Indoor Golf League, in addition to upcoming inter-club and inter-school tournaments staged across both outlets via Golfzon Network Play.
“It’s a natural evolution for My Golf Kaki—a bold step forward in making golf more accessible, affordable and engaging for golfers from all walks of life,” adds Melvyn Tan.
“GreenBox also transforms the game’s time- honoured traditions into a spatial indoor experience that is as seamless as it is revolutionary. Whether it is learning the fundamentals, refining techniques, or simply enjoying the company of fellow players, GreenBox represents what it means to be part of the growing golfing community in Singapore. It’s an open invitation to experience the sport at GreenBox, regardless of skill level, with a sense of belonging and excitement.”
GreenBox is also one of the Singapore Golf Association’s designated indoor training facilities for both its national team and development squad. “Our partnership with the SGA dates to 2021, when we signed our first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to popularise the sport, establishing the MGK Academy to provide golfing programmes and facilitate learning experiences for ordinary Singaporeans,” states Lim Eng Lee.
“This was followed by a second tripartite MOU, which leveraged SGA’s Get Golfing! and the Singapore Professional Golfers’ Association (SPGA)’s community programme to further efforts to enhance the mass appeal of golf and promote community outreach initiatives. Our continued collaboration on GreenBox further reaffirms our shared commitment to making the sport even more relevant to a broader community.”
THE FUTURE
“NTUC Club is committed to growing Singapore’s golfing community and answering its evolving needs,” Eng Lee boldly states.
“We are part of a larger ecosystem and believe the future of golf in Singapore is through partnerships with various stakeholders, both locally and overseas. Collaborations with players like E Golfing are testament to this vision. We want to play our part in enriching the larger golf landscape for the public and people from all walks of life.”
One potential challenge is the future of Orchid Country Club. But this does not deter Eng Lee and his team.
Following the success of MGK and the launch of GreenBox, they remain resolute in their mission and see even more opportunities to deliver on their mission of Golf for All, Golf for Good.
