I'm an ancient piece of earth and my name is Bukit. To be precise I'm a golf course.
I live at the Singapore Island Country Club and last month was my birthday. In cricket 100 runs is a feat and so is 100 caps in football. But I'm 100 years old and still in fighting shape. Imagine.
I don't want to make too big a deal about my age because I have a couple of Scottish cousins who are far older. In 1552, golf was first played at St Andrews. In 1567, so it's whispered, Mary, Queen of Scots played at the Musselburgh Links.
How I was born is connected to a Scottish club-maker who worked in the army and navy stores. James Braid was talented, not just as a golfer - he won the Open Championship in 1901, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1910 - but as a course architect.
Braid didn't even come to Singapore to visit the land. He simply used topographical maps, designed me and sent the plans by ship. On Aug 4, 1924, the first club competition was held on my fairways.
I've seen things few people have.
Seve Ballesteros once walked on me and gave Lam Chih Bing, the former Singaporean pro, a few tips. The occupying Japanese forces dug me up to make trenches. And the incredible Kee Bee Khim, 73, won 36 club championships here. The earth which comprises me is rich with history.
This story is from the September 14, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 14, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
NUS team discovers way to rejuvenate eggs of older women
Researchers' breakthrough could boost success of assisted reproductive tech
US senator slammed for saying Muslim advocate supports extremism
Republican Senator John Kennedy accused a leading Muslim civil rights advocate of supporting extremism during a Senate hearing on hate incidents in the US, drawing criticism from many rights groups.
Canadian PM shows no sign of stepping down despite election loss
Doubts about the leadership of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau intensified after his ruling Liberal Party suffered a second humiliating loss in a special election, but the unpopular leader is determined to cling to office ahead of a looming national vote.
Golf – a refuge for US presidents but a headache for the Secret Service
Security risks abound on golf courses, with their wide-open spaces offering easy access
More women aged 50 and older having babies
The boundary of motherhood has shifted over the past few years as more women aged 50 and above are having babies.
Developers offered new incentives to use greener cooling solutions
Bonus floor space for those that build new district systems or tap existing ones
COE prices mostly higher; Open category premium hits $113,104
Certificate of entitlement (COE) premiums climbed across most categories on Sept 18, with the Open category recording the biggest rise to hit $113,104.
Turn phone or laptop into health screener with new software
A new software that analyses users' vital signs can turn any laptop or phone camera into a fullyfledged health screening device.
New Silkroutes ex-director gets jail for key role in market rigging
A former finance director of Singapore-listed New Silkroutes Group was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison on Sept 16 after pleading guilty to manipulating its share prices to allow its shares to be used as consideration for corporate deals.
Circle Line services hit again after fire in depot
Transport Correspondent For a second day, passengers on the Circle Line (CCL) had their journeys disrupted after several trains briefly lost power at about 8pm on Sept 18, stalling for about 15 minutes.
