Singapore to Host Golf’s Premier Amateur Stage
Lion City’s bid wins global praise ahead of WATC showcase
Las Vegas - Singapore will step onto golf’s global stage again this October as it prepares to host the World Amateur Team Championships (WATC) at Tanah Merah Country Club – a decision hailed as one of the best by the sport’s governing body.
Antony Scanlon, Executive Director of the International Golf Federation (IGF), lauded the Lion City’s winning bid during a recent visit. “Singapore was one of the best candidates. We were impressed by the quality of the course and the strength of the bid submitted by the Singapore Golf Association (SGA),” he said. “The IGF membership recognised its merit during the bidding process.”
The biennial championships will bring the Espirito Santo Trophy (women) from 1–4 October, followed by the Eisenhower Trophy (men) from 8–11 October 2025, to the award-winning Tampines Course. The event is expected to draw the finest amateur talent from around the world – future stars whose names will soon grace professional leaderboards.
“A significant number of top amateurs who play in this tournament eventually progress to the professional ranks, including participation in major championships,” said Scanlon. “In fact, 70% to 80% of the Olympic golf field today previously competed in the WATC, back when golf was not part of the Olympic programme.”
WATC’s rich history includes legends like Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam – and more recently, current World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. The tournament’s origins are just as prestigious.
“If you go back to the original WATC, the founding captain of the U.S. team was none other than the great Bobby Jones,” Scanlon said. “That first tournament was hosted by The R&A at St Andrews, and the winning team was Australia. And I’m saying that not trying to be biased even as an Australian.”
With Singapore’s proven credentials in hosting world-class golf and the enduring legacy of the WATC, the stage is set for another chapter in the sport’s amateur elite to begin.