TMCC’s 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) was convened on Friday, 25 April 2025, at the Garden Banquet Room. The meeting began at 6:00pm with 50 Principal Members and 4 spouses in attendance, thereby achieving a quorum.
President’s Opening Address
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the Management and General Committee, I warmly welcome you to the 42nd Annual General Meeting.
Before we begin the AGM, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to all Members for your continued support of the Club. TMCC exists for your benefit, and we remain committed to being a premium Club for the enjoyment of our Members, their families, and friends.
To be able to continue to do this, TMCC must be financially sustainable consistently. This not only involves covering our day-to-day operating expenses but also building sufficient reserves to manage major capital expenditures, including lease renewals. As many of you will recall, during the last lease renewal, the Club was able to utilise reserves to help subsidise Members, reducing the top-up required from you.
In terms of financial sustainability for FY2024, I am pleased to say that the Club did fairly well, with a modest operating surplus. The Club will continue to build on cash reserves as I mentioned, which is important for sustainability going forward.
On top of a strong financial performance last year, the Club hosted marquee event, not only internationally through golf tournament (Hana Financial Group Singapore Women’s Open), but also socially, by enhancing our F&B offerings with renowned chefs such as Justin Quek, all for the benefit of our Members and their guests. The Club will continue to do this going forward, so that there are more non-golf opportunities for our Members and guests to enjoy.
In terms of sporting activities, the Club introduced Pickleball, a sport that has become very popular in Singapore. We will continue to monitor the usage of these facilities to ensure they meet the needs of our Members.
I am also pleased to share that the Club has been recognised by the Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) for our sustainability efforts, having successfully met their standards for sustainable golf course management. In that regard, the Club installed solar panels, which will not only contribute to our green initiatives but also help reduce utility expenses.
On the social golf front, TMCC has, for some years now, organised golf trips to destinations such as Japan, and these have been an outstanding success.
With that roundup, before I officially call the AGM to order, I would like to thank Members for their continued support. More importantly, I wish to express appreciation to the Management for their dedicated efforts in serving our Members well.
And with that, I now call the AGM proceedings to order.
AGM Proceedings
At the AGM, three key items on the agenda were confirmed and seconded by Members with no further questions or amendments, except for one regarding the Annual Report and Accounts.
Agenda Items:
- Confirmation of the minutes from the last AGM
- Receipt of the Annual Report and Accounts for FY2024
- Reappointment of Deloitte & Touche as external auditors
During the discussion of the Annual Report, Mr. Edward Lau (L9515) raised a question regarding the significant increase in professional fees recorded on page 49, from $2,835 in 2023 to $95,608 in 2024. General Manager Elliott Gray provided a detailed breakdown of the $95,000 in professional fees, including bid preparation, legal fees, and expenses related to the January 2024 Town Hall meeting. With this clarification, the Annual Report was accepted without further amendments.
Question and Answer (Q&A) Session
The Q&A session was a lively and engaging part of the AGM, with several Members raising insightful questions.
Member Eric Ng (N5411)kicked things off by raising a question on two recent membership-related initiatives introduced by the Club. The first is the offering of membership at a significantly reduced Entrance Fee of $130,800 for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) between the ages of 21 and 40. The second permits members of selected clubs to play at TMCC at guest fee rates without requiring an invitation from a TMCC Member. Mr Ng sought clarification on the rationale behind these changes, expressing concern that such initiatives might dilute the value of Club membership by reducing the incentive for individuals to join or retain their membership.
In response, the Club President Ronald Ong thanked Mr. Ng for his thoughtful question and shared these initiatives were introduced to attract younger golfers and better utilise course capacity, which is currently at 70-75%. The Term Membership, priced just over $100,000 and valid until 2040, provides young professionals with a pathway to Ordinary Membership. General Manager Elliott Gray also highlighted a trial partnership with My Golf Kaki, a group of over 600 golfers, to increase weekday usage and optimise underutilised slots.
Chairman Niam Chiang Meng assured Members that the Club’s focus is on delivering value while maintaining reasonable membership fees. He emphasized the importance of building financial reserves in preparation for the lease expiry in 2035/2040 and staying relevant in Singapore’s evolving social landscape.
He noted the importance of building financial reserves early to avoid burdening Members with significant costs when renewal discussions arise, particularly if land values are adjusted by the government.
The Chairman also highlighted the need for the Club to stay relevant to Singapore’s evolving social landscape. As the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) evaluates land use through the lens of public benefit, it is vital for TMCC to demonstrate inclusivity and national relevance. Initiatives such as collaborating with Laguna National to support young Singaporean golfers are part of this direction.
He acknowledged that while the Club’s membership base is ageing, and it is essential for TMCC’s long-term sustainability to attract younger Members. Increasing membership numbers would bring in additional revenue, allowing the Club to improve offerings without raising costs for current Members.
Finally, Chairman Niam reaffirmed that hosting international events such as the World Amateur Team Championship (WATC) not only enhances TMCC’s reputation but also drives course quality. These efforts, he said, are all part of the Club’s broader mission to ensure its long-term financial health and relevance, while continually enriching the Member experience.
Member Peter Teo (T1243) raised concerns about the Club’s ongoing restriction on two-ball bookings, noting that while it was understandable during the high-utilisation COVID period, it now seems unnecessary, particularly on low-demand days like Wednesdays and Fridays. Mr. Teo urged the Club to reconsider its policy, pointing out the inefficiency of unused slots while willing members are turned away.
In response, Captain Goh Hoon Pur explained that the two-ball policy was aimed at balancing fair access and pace of play.
Chairman Niam Chiang Meng acknowledged the concerns and agreed that the two-ball policy should be enforced more strictly. He proposed that two-ball players who refuse to accept additional players should forfeit their right to play as a two-ball, and that two-ball flights should not be scheduled between three- or four-ball groups to maintain the pace and flow of play. Captain Goh agreed with this approach and confirmed that the Greens Committee would review the matter and work towards a mutually acceptable policy that balances the interests of all players. This was met with applause from several Members.
Following which, Mr. Alec Koh (K2539) suggested that important information, such as My Golf Kaki’s access to TMCC, should be available on the Club’s official website to keep members well-informed. Additionally, Mr. Koh inquired about the status of Saturdays as Members’ golfing days, asking whether members still have booking priority and if guests can still be brought with prior approval. He expressed disappointment over a recent instance where another club secured multiple bookings on a Saturday, preventing him from making a reservation.
In response, the General Manager Elliott Gray acknowledged Mr. Koh’s suggestion to update the TMCC website with important information, such as My Golf Kaki’s access to the course, ensuring members are kept well-informed. Regarding the inquiry about Saturdays, the Elliott reassured Mr. Koh that Saturdays remain a privilege for TMCC members.
Ms. Lam Soo Li Joyce (L9180), who had submitted her question in writing, sought clarification on whether the costs involved in hosting the World Amateur Team Championship (WATC) had been properly projected. She expressed her unwavering support for the event’s prestige but emphasised the importance of adequate financial planning.
In response, President Ronald Ong reassured Ms. Lam that the Club follows strict budgetary discipline, with a typical budget of around $200K for events of this scale, and that actual costs are often lower than the projected amount.
On matters pertaining to Food & Beverage, Edward Lam (L9515) praised the chef at Garden View Restaurant (GVR) and suggested that dim sum items be reintroduced to the menu, possibly on Sundays.
In response, the President acknowledged Mr. Lam’s suggestion and confirmed that the General Committee would take it into consideration.
As the Q&A segment draws to a close, President Ong made his ending remark and shared that the Club would continue to improve and maintain the Club’s premier status in the coming year, amidst the challenging economic situation, while striving to maintain financial viability and stainability.
On behalf of the General Committee, President Ong thanked all Members for attending the AGM and concluded the meeting at 7:14pm. Members then adjourned for dinner, where they had the opportunity to socialise and discuss the meeting in a more relaxed setting.
