Sentosa (Serapong course) is host to the Singapore Open and amongst some of the best golf courses in Asia. I played the course during my first visit to Singapore in January 2019. It was a perfect day for golf with nice sunny weather and I started with a quick warmup on the driving range
The driving range is very basic. It is uphill which makes it difficult to see the shots land on most greens, but as it was just for a few swings it was fine. There is a small chipping area next to range.
The course
The first hole is a slight dogleg with a well placed fairway bunker on the right hand side.
It is a large green where I had a long putt and opened with a 3 putt for bogey.
A short downhill par 3 with the pin in the front. I hit a poor tee shot and made another bogey. Even though the hole is very short it is well protected by large bunkers.
TOUGH PAR 4
I difficult dogleg right to left and a good risk/reward hole. There is a slope down towards to hole in the dogleg and a good drive will leave a short approach shot. I took the driver and cut across the corner as much as I thought was possible.
I did not cut enough of the corner and ended up being long in the right hand side rough. As you can tell from above it is a challenge.
I did not manage to get the ball on the green but scrambled for a par. Would probably play the hole the same way next time as you also have a large tree in the fairway to deal with if you play safe from the tee.
My favourite hole
The 4th is my favourite hole on the course and not surprising as I made eagle which rarely happens. A really strong par 5 where you have decision to make from the tee. The short route between the bunkers will leave you a possible shot for the green. The safe way on the right hand side of the bunkers and play as a proper par 5. I am one of those golfers that mostly go for the hero shots so easy decision.
They have just removed enough trees on both sides to make a opening for the temptation to go for the green which I had to do. Hit a solid 3 wood into the green.
Above my eagle putt which was downhill with a big break. Unbelieveable that I holed it and my playing partners where jumping up and down as it was their first time they had seen someone make eagle.
A well bunkered and great par 4. My drive went left into a bunker.
A couple of shots out of the bunker and a nice 1 putt for par.
A good looking par 5 with water in play all the way down the right hand side. I took on the right hand a hit a really nice drive down the fairway and had a 6 iron to go the green which I missed short.
It is a real birdie opportunity, but the green is narrow and requires a good approach.
The BACK NINE at SENTOSA (SERAPONG)
A narrow tee shot and bunkers in play. I hit my drive right into the rough but only had a wedge to green.
A uphill par 4 with a well protected green. Again a short hole so only a wedge to the green which I hit a couple of yards short and rolled down the front slope of the green. Managed to rescue par.
A reachable par 5 and I was dissapointed to make double bogey after hitting a good drive into the fairway and was close to the green in two. Got a bad lie and went across the green. Did not recover from there and poorly played hole.
Water all the way up the left hand side and bunkers guarding the right hand side. Holes likes this adds a bit of pressure to the tee shot but is also very rewarding to walk off with par or better.
A par to finish is something I enjoy and especially when there is a real opportunity to reach the green in two. Water and bunkers in play on this hole.
I hit my second shot over the green and had to settle for a par. A nice finishing hole.
Summary & score
Serapong (sentosa) was a good experience and the course condition was excellent. I played 2 weeks after the SMBC tournament. The weather was nice, allthough hot and humid which is expected this time of year. Greens were fast and there are lot of well placed bunkers to challenge your sand skills. I am happy with my score of 77 and especially the eagle on the 4th hole.
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