Golf forum

SINGAPORE, Oct 26 — A golfer was struck by lightning at the Tanah Merah Country Club yesterday morning, just as he neared the end of an 18-hole game.

The skies had only just turned a little dark and the club had contacted the Meteorological Services to check whether lightning was likely when the 57-year-old was hit.

Soh Lye Huat, a garment company owner, is now in a coma in intensive care at Changi General Hospital.

His son Jeffrey, a 22-year-old national serviceman, said his dad played golf at the Changi Coast Road course once a week with a regular group of three friends and that he was with them yesterday.

Tanah Merah Country Club general manager Roy Higgs said the Met Services usually sends a text message to the on-duty club employee when possible lightning activity is brewing.

The message is usually sent from half an hour to an hour before the club sounds its sirens and makes an announcement over its public address system for all players to clear the greens.