Tan, Low eminently qualified to lead Singapore golf, but...
Ross has great passion for golf, and the question is whether rugby can afford to lose Teo Ping
This is new and, just maybe, no one here has witnessed such an election.
For the first time since the formation of the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) in 1961, the national sports body is set to have a contest for the president's post.
Since the SGA was registered on Oct 5, 1961, the national golf organisation has had six presidents, all shoo-ins.
They were: J. W. Stogdon (1962-1963), Wee Chong Jin (1963-2002), Dennis Lee Kim Yew (2002-2004), Chandra Das (2004-2006), Dr Ong Leong Boon (2006-2010) and Bob Tan (2010 to present).
Next Wednesday, a new name will be added to the list.
And it is a straight fight between Jurong Country Club captain Ross Tan and Sentosa Golf Club president Low Teo Ping.
The 13 club chairmen (or presidents) will have a dilemma choosing between the two capable personalities.
Both have strong credentials to lead the association, which is craving fresh ideas to resuscitate a sport that is facing a tremendous challenge with declining numbers in the local playing population.
The impending reduction in the number of clubs and courses has been a factor, but the need for expansion of prime areas for certain sectors to grow business will always be a priority for land-scarce Singapore.
Against this gloomy backdrop, it is interesting to note that Tan and Low have the guts and gumption to put forward their names.
Tan, 59, a businessman, is a "hidden" face in the local sporting scene despite his involvement in national bowling for several years and his ties with Jurong Country Club, where he is known as a go-getter.
No doubt, he has been active in the SGA sub-committees, always working behind the scenes to give the sport at club and national level a big fillip.
He is also a very popular captain at Jurong and has memberships at several other clubs, including Singapore Island Country Club, Keppel Club and Sentosa Golf Club.
I have known Tan for about 10 years and have played social rounds with him. I can vouch that he lives and breathes golf.
As a schoolboy at St Andrew's, Tan played a range of sports, specialising in tennis, bowling and rugby.
These days, his life revolves around golf and he does not want any distractions from other sports.
NEW LEVEL
His biggest concern for the sport has always been to find ways to take the sport to a new level - in interest, promotion and standard.
Low, 71, a retired banker, needs no introduction, having been a national rugby player and recognised sailor and currently a top administrator involved in several bodies.
Once president of the Singapore Sailing Federation, he switched to take the helm at the Singapore Rugby Union. And he has a proud record with both associations, taking them forward with great plans and fresh ideas.
Singapore rugby thrived in the 1960s through to the '80s, but went downhill thereafter.
Low, a former scrum-half, has put Singapore rugby back on the map.
He has attracted some world rugby events (especially the Sevens) to Singapore and the new Sports Hub has staged some fascinating events.
I have known Low for almost 40 years, and I've been impressed by his deep interest in all sports.
Having been a top schoolboy athlete focusing on track and field and rugby, he excelled in sports and studies at Raffles Institution.
I have also played social golf with him and, although he is not a long-hitter (maybe it's his age), his course management is impeccable.
His knowledge of sport is immense, he owns an analytical mind and his contacts in Singapore and beyond are noteworthy.
My only concern about his interest in golf management is whether he would be a big loss to national rugby, which has witnessed an upsurge in activity because of his vision and drive.
Also with his busy schedule at regional level in rugby and several portfolios in local sport, it may be too much for him to split his energy to another sport, on top of his Olympic duties (he is chef de mission for Singapore at the upcoming Rio Olympics, having acted in that capacity previously).
I believe sports in Singapore must consistently breed new administrators so that the country will have a good spread of such personalities, instead of relying on the same faces for the various important portfolios.
On that score, it would not be a bad idea for the highly sporting Low (Sporting Sam was his nickname during his playing days) to reconsider his decision to take the SGA leadership.
If he is hell-bent on helming golf (and there is no doubt he would do a good job), then perhaps he should step down from rugby's leadership.
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