Heart of the Matter podcast: Are country clubs becoming irrelevant in land-scarce Singapore?

[LaksaNews]

With its lease not renewed, Raffles Town Club is the latest in a line of private clubs whose land is being repurposed by the government for other uses.

Aside from land restraints, is there a future for clubs like these in Singapore where generational aspirations are changing?

Steven Chia speaks to Desmond Tay, president of the Club Managers' Association (Singapore), Jean Low, CEO of social club 1880 and chief research officer at Mogul.sg, Nicholas Mak.

(From left) Steven Chia, 1880 CEO Jean Low, Nicholas Mak from Mogul.sg and Desmond Tay, president of the Club Managers' Association (Singapore). (Photo: CNA/Tiffany Ang)
Nicholas Mak, head of research at Mogul.sg:

With the proliferation of condominiums all over Singapore, you'll find facilities (like pools and courts) that in the past could only be found in country clubs.

Desmond Tay, president of the Club Managers' Association (Singapore):

In the past, people join country clubs ... for the prestige as well as the elite community. But the younger generation are more into (being) inclusive and (want) diversity.

Jump to these key points:

• 1:31 Traditional clubs not resonating with young people
• 5:13 The rise of new social clubs
• 9:10 Which clubs are at risk
• 12:33 Why are some golf memberships expensive
• 18:06 The future of clubs in Singapore

Find more episodes of Heart of the Matter here.

A new episode of Heart of the Matter drops every Friday. Follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify for the latest updates.

Have a great topic for us? Drop the team an email at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg

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