MARINA BAY is Singapore’s first and only 18-hole public golf course, and one of Asia’s best public courses.
It was the first to introduce the longest and only par-6 hole on the island. In 2019 Marina Bay opened a multi-level 114 bay driving range: ‘Total Range,’ with the latest launch monitors and software allowing golfers to use every club in their bag and play from the tee to the green with precision and realism, in daylight or under floodlights.
Unfortunately, Marina Bay’s tender will not be renewed in 2021, the course is being turned over to housing. Singapore has decided too much precious land has been given over to golf and the number of courses are being drastically reduced. Anyone wanting the Total Range experience had better head for Singapore this year. (Fat chance.)
MATT FITZPATRICK won his second DP World Tour Championship and Lee Westwood in 2nd place won the European Tour’s Race to Dubai for a third time on a dramatic final day over the Earth course. Fitzpatrick, who won the event in 2016, signed for a four-under 68 in the final round to claim the last Rolex Series event of the season, ranking first in driving accuracy and short game. Westwood pipped him to the Harry Vardon Trophy by just 17.8 points.
“The European Tour have done an incredible job to pick the season up again from July when I hosted the British Masters,” said Westwood. “This game’s not getting any easier and I’m just enjoying playing against these great young players.” The 47 year old from Worksop is still chasing that elusive first major after being crowned the European Tour’s Golfer of the Year for the fourth time.
Defending his Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship title on 21st January, he will be joined by former winners Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood. Rory McIlroy and Justin Tomas have also signed up for the first event of the 2021 Race to Dubai. McIlroy will be looking for a first victory since November, 2019 and seeking to finally break his Abu Dhabi ‘duck’ after having finished runner-up in the event on four occasions.
He will fly from 24 degrees in Miami to 24 degrees in Dubai, which is how he likes it, no chance of seeing him anywhere chilly in January.
PETER ALLISS: “I observe dear boy, I don’t recite endless facts and statistics. I try not to state the b. obvious. If a player leaves a putt short and the commentator says “Oh he’s left it short” you can see that for yourself. Unless you can add something, say nothing.” It’s his observations that we will miss. Thank you Peter, you made golf viewing so unforgettable for us all.
WORLD No. 2 JOHN RAHM will play a full bag of Callaway clubs, including a prototype driver and irons, the Chrome Soft X golf ball and Odyssey putter after signing a multi-year deal with Callaway. Rahm used the TaylorMade SIM driver and woods and carried a full set of P750 irons when he won the Memorial at Muirfield Village in July.
He also won the BMW Championship in August following a playoff with fellow TaylorMade user Dustin Johnson, giving him his 5th PGA Tour title with TaylorMade since turning pro in 2016. TaylorMade are understandably miffed.
CHARLIE WOODS looked like a mini pro golfer at the Ritz Carlton Orlando, all the mannerisms on display. From taking off his glove to putt, carrying a yardage book in his back left pocket, marking his ball on the green and lining up shots, the youngest golfer to ever compete in the PNC Championship played the part.
Woods Snr. beamed with pride., but did his best to hide it, only becoming demonstrative when Charlie’s drive, 3-wood approach and short putt meant an eagle at the third hole. By the way, the Father /Son championship was won by Justin Thomas and his dad, if anyone noticed.
Until next time, Happy Golfing.
Contact Mick for regripping and repairs. 638 859 475.
