Marina Bay Golf Course = Singapore

What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about Singapore?

Clean & green?

Efficient?

A nanny state?

Fast-paced?

Well, whatever you can think of Singapore, you can also apply it to the Marina Bay Golf Course, a public golf course managed by an NTUC-owned subsidiary.

Like Singapore in general, despite the packed conditions, the fairways and greens are extremely well maintained.

Like Singapore in general, the place is relatively litter-free, with the exception of a few cigarette butts here and there.

Like Singapore in general, there seemed to be a very efficient system. For example, specific buggies meant for specific tee-off timings are assigned to specific golfers, unlike the "anything-goes" system at Batam or JB.

Like Singapore in general, you feel that you are being watched all the time. Marshals are very much on the ball, preventing you from doing anything illegal. If you try something funny (like driving the buggy onto the greens), you'll get some cards. Receive 2 yellow cards or 1 red card, you're outta there!

Like Singapore in general, you'll have to move at a pretty fast pace. Any slower, you'll get told off by the lovely marshals. It was Wednesday morning mind you. Can't imagine how it is like on a weekend morning.

This may be a bit controversial, but like Singapore in general, the place is pretty boring. It was constructed out from a piece of reclaimed land, hence, everything is man-made. No naturally growing trees. No naturally occurring lakes. No natural rock outcrops. Every hole is somewhat straight, sprinkled with pot-hole bunkers all around. I mean, what's the point? After some time, the bunkers are no longer a challenge but simply a nuisance. Screw the sand wedge. Give me the hand wedge any time.

Oh, now I get it... MBGC = NTUC = PAP = Singapore. Hence MBGC = Singapore.

Apart from proving to myself that I can get a better score, I wouldn't come back anytime soon. One thing that turns me off is the strict requirement of showing a valid handicap card. Either that, or pay SG$10 to let a golf pro assess you. Then, the pro grant you license that's only valid for 1 freakin' month. I played at the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket, which it hosted the Johnny Walker Classic. That place didn't even have a half baked request for a damn handicap card.

Public course my ass.

Scores:

Don't have the full scores. I only remembered Richard carding 91, Sean 101, me 109, SW 112.