More signages needed?
Lin Yanqin, Today Online 3 Feb 09;
WITH the fenceless boundary between the Singapore Island Country Club’s (SICC) golf course and MacRitchie Reservoir sometimes not apparent to the casual visitor, better markers could be put up, say some members of the public.
The comments come following the spat on Sunday between a few SICC members and eight trespassers, which ended with one of them in hospital. Police are investigating.
Signboards along the perimeter of the course warn users to “beware of golfers teeing off”, disclaiming the club’s liability for any injuries.
Said Nature Trekker (Singapore) head Ben Lee: “It might not be clear because the signages can be missed. Some Singaporeans also do have a habit of trespassing, so the signs could also warn people of the penalties of trespassing.”
:Today: reader Mariann Maes felt that the club could be more “proactive” in looking out for the welfare of those passing by the course. She wrote to :Today: in a letter: “How on earth could joggers and walkers possibly scan the entire golf area constantly, each time they pass the SICC? Shouldn’t it be the golfers’ responsibility to check if the coast is clear before they tee off in that direction?”:
Mr Lee also felt that the club’s staff could be more cordial to those unwittingly straying past or close to the boundary. To avoid any potentially-unpleasant encounters, he has stopped leading walks from MacRitchie to Lower Pierce Reservoir, as it requires one to enter the course for a short stretch.
But regular jogger Loo Zhen Hoong, 24, said the club’s members and staff are used to the sight of joggers along the course. “We wave at them and say good morning,” he said. “To me, it’s clear enough where the boundary lies.”
Another jogger said that it was possible to trespass as the open boundary extended over a long distance. “Signs can help. But nobody will want to see fences, it will spoil the environment,” he said.
Today contacted SICC yesterday morning, but the club could not reply by press time.
