Continuing a trend of private banks and wealth firms supporting sports, (Singapore Branch) has brought more players into its young golfer’s scholarship programme.
The bank, in partnership with the Singapore Golf Association (SGA), said yesterday that it has expanded the scope of the the EFG-SGA Elite Young Golfers Scholarship Programme to 11 golfers this year from five in 2024.
Among this year’s scholarship recipients are amateur golfers who are hoping to become professionals, for example Inez Ng and Justin Kuk. The initiative was established in 2022 with each scholarship running for a year.
“The EFG-SGA Elite Young Golfers Scholarship represents more than just financial backing,” Albert Chiu, executive chairman, Asia-Pacific, EFG, said. “We recognise that professional golfers often face their challenges alone, with very limited financial backing from corporate sponsors.”
“By supporting these athletes, we are not just providing financial support; we are creating a community of excellence where young athletes can thrive and grow together. When corporations like EFG step up to sponsor budding local talents, we are investing in Singapore’s future champions,” Chiu said.
The story is also an example of how the worlds of investment, sponsorship and sports overlap. In March this year, another Swiss bank, , hosted the UBS Golf Challenge 2025: Sergio García’s Swing Spectacular, at Singapore’s Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC). UBS guests and young golfers from TMCC watched and learnt golf techniques from Spanish golf star Sergio García. Also, see this report from August 2024 about EFG’s programme, as highlighted above.
Private banks and other financial institutions have targeted “aspirational” sports such as golf, aligning their brands with the sport and tapping into the kind of interests that many affluent citizens have. There are other angles: banks have worked with owners of sports teams to manage the financial side of games, as in the case of Citigroup, explained here.
Success stories
The bank highlighted successes by sportspersons it has backed such as Shannon Tan, the first Singaporean golfer to qualify for the Olympics. Tan, EFG’s first Singapore Sports Ambassador, claimed her second victory on the Ladies European Tour with a win at the Amundi German Masters on 29 June.
Rising star Inez Ng, who claimed victory in both Individual and Team play at the Cavalier Regional Preview (NCAA Div 1) USA in 2024, praised the scholarship. “This scholarship transforms the prospect of a professional journey from a solitary struggle into a supported path,” Ng said. “The financial backing allows me to focus on crucial aspects of my golfing journey such as specialised coaching and proper recovery, which are essential for competing at the highest level.”
Another EFG-supported golfer is Koh Sock Hwee, who has been backed by the Swiss lender since 2017.
“This support has been pivotal in helping me represent Singapore in different tours in Asia and Europe. During the Covid-19 years, when many sponsors were scaling back support, EFG maintained its support for me,” Koh Sock Hwee said. Another player covered by the programme is 17-year-old Brayden Lee, a member of the SGA national squad, who won The Royal Junior in April.
“Our partnership with EFG continues to transform how we develop our golfing talent in Singapore,” states Tan Chong Huat, president, SGA. “By supporting these 11 athletes, both EFG and SGA are paving the way for a robust pipeline of sporting excellence, demonstrating our commitment to creating viable pathways in professional golf. We are showcasing that with the proper support, pursuing a professional golfing career in Singapore, though often lonely and demanding, is not only possible, but also full of promise.”
The scholarship recipients selected this year by EFG have the following credentials:
-- Aloysa Margiela Atienza was the winner of the SEA Amateur Team Championship in 2024;
-- Amanda Tan took 2nd place at the PXG Women’s Match Play Championship, USA in 2022;
-- Brayden Lee was the winner in Division A of the HSBC Youth Golf Challenge 1st Leg in 2024;
-- Chen Xingtong was the Women’s Champion in the Singapore Open Amateur Championship in 2024;
-- Gregory Foo was the winner of the SPGA’s President’s Cup in 2024;
-- Inez Ng was the Champion in both the Individual and Team play for the Cavalier Regional Preview (NCAA Div 1) USA in 2024;
-- Justin Kuk took 1st place in the Singapore National Amateur Championship in 2024;
-- Koh Sock Hwee was the Champion of the Bella Vista Charity Classic, USA in 2022;
-- Nicklaus Chiam was the winner for the SPGA Heritage Golf Classic in 2024;
-- Ryan Ang took 1st place in both the Putra Cup and Kuala Lumpur Amateur Open in 2024; and
-- Troy Storm was the winner for both the Lion City Cup and HSBC Youth Golf Challenge 1st Leg, Singapore in 2024.
EFG Bank is a subsidiary of , the Zurich-listed group.