19 February 2006
Singaporeans from All Walks of Life Set New World Record
NUS Alumni Spearheads Another Nationwide Attempt to Set New Guinness World Record for Largest Number of Golfers Teeing Off Simultaneously for a One-Day Golf Event
Aiming to share the significance of its Centennial year with the wider Singapore community, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) collaborated to replay the Centennial Golf Challenge. Torrential rains had forced the event that was earlier scheduled for 8 January 2006 to be postponed till today. The reorganising of this event for a second time reflected the enterprising attitude of the organising committee, who had fixed their sights on setting a new Guinness World Record for the University and for Singapore .
Presented by DBS Bank, a long time supporter and partner of NUS, the event saw more than 1700 Singaporeans converge at 13 golf clubs throughout the island to set a new Guinness World Record of the largest number of golfers teeing off simultaneously at a one-day golf event.
Participants in this national and historic event included golf club members; the NUS community of alumni, students and staff; NUSS members and the wider golfing public.
“By setting ourselves this challenge, we broke new ground,” said Associate Professor Teo Choo Soo, Director of NUS' Office of Alumni Relations and Chairman of the NUS Centennial Celebrations Steering Committee . “Never before has a world record like this been attempted. It symbolises the spirit of the NUS community – the desire to break out of conventional thinking, pursue new dreams and set new standards.”
His Excellency Mr S R Nathan, President of the Republic of Singapore , graced the event and activated a siren from Laguna National Golf & Country Club, initiating the mass tee-off for all golfers. Mr Nathan is also Chancellor of NUS, Patron-in-chief of the NUS Endowment Fund, and was the Patron of the NUSS 50th Anniversary Celebrations.
The activation of the siren was simultaneously web cast live to golfers participating at the other 12 golf clubs. Amongst the golfers playing at Laguna National Golf & Country Club were VIPs that included cabinet ministers and senior management from the public and private sector organisations.
For their attempts to be counted, each participating golfer was required to concurrently tee off from a teeing box measuring 5 metres square at a 30 degree angle. Furthermore, the ball had to travel a minimum distance of 91 metres. The total number nationwide will be validated and passed onto the Guinness World Records office in London with supporting evidence for the creation of the totally new record entry.
Upon completion of the record attempt, golfers continued with the tournament in the hope of winning the individual and team trophies, as well as hole in one and novelty holes prizes.
Mr Kwek Chok Ming , Chairman of the NUS-NUSS Centennial Golf Challenge Organising Committee and NUS Society Golf Convenor, said that the event involved months of meticulous planning and would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of the management, staff, members of the participating golf clubs, and sponsors. “It's tantamount to organising 13 tournaments but with the precision timing demanded of this world record attempt,” said Mr Kwek. “That we pulled this off is testimony to the enthusiasm of the NUS Society members, our alma mater and the Singapore golfing community to be involved in this Centennial event.”
This nationwide golf event served as an opportunity for past and present students of the University to interact, while the strong support from the golfing community clearly reflected the positive relations between NUS, NUSS and its surrounding communities. NUSS, the largest organised alumni group of the University, played the pivotal role as coordinators and organisers of this event.
About NUS Centennial Celebrations
Established in 1905, the National University of Singapore (NUS) has been ranked among the world's top 20 universities. Its rich heritage and strong track record attract talented students and faculty, creating a diverse and vibrant campus community. In 2005/2006, NUS marks 100 years of education in Singapore with a series of celebratory events. The theme for the NUS Centennial, Unleashing Minds, Transforming Lives, captures NUS' mission to create a stimulating educational and research environment as its strives to provide a balanced, quality education to equip its students for the fast-changing global economy. More information about the NUS Centennial Celebrations is available at www.nus.edu.sg/centennial
Please refer to Annex 1 for the list of participating golf clubs.
Please refer to Annex 2 for names of VIP participants at Laguna National Golf & Country Club.
Please refer to Annex 3 for list of sponsors.
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