As we come to the end of 2024, we will conclude publishing The Captain Answers. We thank everyone for your feedback, questions and readership in the past 12 months. The Newsletter Sub-Committee would also like to thank Captain Anthony Maniam and Vice-Captain Wong Kok Leong for their valuable time in contributing to this column.
Why are morning golfers allowed to play only 9 holes when play commences at 9.30am during inclement weather?
By Vice-Captain Wong Kok Leong
The sun is shining brightly over Sime Course on what it seems to be a good day for golfing. The sky is clear with some cumulus clouds gently floating by. All of a sudden, short blasts of siren are heard around the course. Course marshals appear in their buggies and instruct golfers to stop play, and seek safety at the nearest shelters or to return to the clubhouse.
Golfers are left wondering if it is a false alarm. This is rarely so.
Keeping our golfers safe is of utmost importance to Keppel Club. So are giving them maximum play time on the course and ensuring the golf course is in a good playing condition. These are the things our Golf department and Course Maintenance team, headed by Course Superintendent Krishnan Ramasamy, have to strike a balance.
Our lighting detector, which is jointly managed with SICC Bukit course, is set up to detect lightning within eight kilometres. When a strike is detected within the range, our staff are alerted and the siren will be sounded automatically.
Hence, even when the sun is shining and the sky is clear, when there is a risk, the safety measures we put in place will kick in.
When play is suspended, a host of activities that impact golfers will be set in motion.
- Messages will be sent via our Telegram, in 30-minute intervals to update golfers on the status of the suspension and resumption of play.
- If the game remains suspended for two hours or more, golfers can decide if they want to abandon the game. Prevailing terms and conditions will apply with regard to rain checks for public golfers* and buggy fees for member.
- When play is suspended, some morning flights may not be able to finish their first nine holes before the crossover time at 11.45am. Marshals are trained to advise golfers in advance if they are able to make it by the crossover time.
- When the course is suspended beyond 9.30am, before any morning flights have teed off, only 9-hole play will be permitted for all flights, regardless of the time at which they complete the nine holes. This is not applicable to the afternoon flights though.
If the first afternoon flights can only commence play at 2.30pm or later, the club will, given the right conditions, institute the mini-shotgun start instead of the regular timesheet.
When lightning activities are no longer within the range and thundery showers have stopped, our Golf Operations team will assess the situation and decide whether to resume play or close the course. This decision is made in consideration of the danger of slippery course conditions and potential damage to the golf course.
We seek our golfers’ understanding that decisions are always made in the best interests of all golfers.
* Details of our rain check policy can be found here.