SICC Sets Course Beyond Golf

Source : The Business Times, September 26, 2007

THE Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) yesterday broke ground for a S$60 million ultra-modern new clubhouse at the Island location off Upper Thomson Road. Work is scheduled to be completed in 2009.

Modern update: Club president Giam Chin Toon with an artist's impression of the new clubhouse. He believes it needs a makeover to be like a modern corporation with a board or general committee

Club president Giam Chin Toon said that the construction of the new clubhouse was an important step towards making the club as good as any golf and country club in the region.

He said: 'Golfing is still intrinsic to the SICC identity, but our needs are expanding and our member profile is changing. As such, we need to upgrade our facilities to better serve our members and make SICC a location for everyone in their family to enjoy themselves.'

Speaking to The Business Times about recent comments in the media about the SICC, Mr Giam said that such criticisms were common within the framework of clubs and their management committees.

He suggested that perhaps some people were unable to handle democracy as they get carried away with it and forget self-restraint and self discipline. He said that it was inconsistent to self-regulate and not also have self-restraint and discipline, and he thinks that people find it difficult to know where to draw a line.

Mr Giam, who has been club president for about four years, restated the club aim of making the SICC the leading golf and country club - but conceded that with critical self-examination, the SICC is not quite there yet.

He said that he believes the future of SICC lies in restructuring the way it is run. The club needs to transform itself to be like a modern corporation with a board or general committee which does not concern itself with day-to-day operations of the club. The board should form a 'think-tank' and set the directions, policies and give advice to the management.

Day-to-day running of the club should be left in the hands of the professionals. The convenors and captains of the various sports will form the link between the board and management.

Mr Giam said that SICC had a long history with traditions which are sometimes good but which can also hold things back. In order for the club to progress, he believes that what applied in the past may no longer apply in the future.

He believes that the club must embrace change and upgrade the management into a modern and efficient structure - as the SICC is a huge club. Rules will have to be updated as they are the framework of the club.