When a story grows wings

Forest City Golf Resort features the Jack Nicklaus Legacy Course and LGK Classic Course. Photo courtesy of Forest City Golf Resort.

A Peg That Grew Beyond Expectations

It began as a news peg—a small but timely development: Singapore’s golf courses are closing, and Johor’s fairways may be next in line to welcome the wave.

I didn’t expect this story to turn into a multi-format journey. But that’s exactly what happened, and I’m truly touched by how much care and energy the team at The Business Times Singapore poured into it.

A Multi-Format Storytelling Journey

Then it was updated with a static map.
Then came an interactive version on Ceros—beautifully laid out for reader clarity.
There was even a print version, followed by a video.

As someone who often works behind the scenes, seeing a single story grow into multiple formats like this is rare. I felt grateful—not just for the exposure, but for the collaboration.

What the Story Covers (Brief Summary)

The piece explores how Johor’s golf industry is preparing for a shift, as several golf courses in Singapore are expected to close by 2035.

Through conversations with course operators, industry insiders, and ground-level voices, I learned about pricing challenges, high maintenance costs, and the cautious optimism surrounding cross-border golfers.

The story pulls back the curtain on what it takes to keep a golf course running—and whether the influx of new players will bring growth or new pressures.

📰 Read the full story in The Business Times Singapore (paywalled): https://www.businesstimesintl.com/asean-business/johor-tees-cross-border-golf-boom-singapore-cuts-courses

The Video Version

The BT video team later brought the story to life with a YouTube video—featuring excerpts from the article and visual snapshots of Johor’s courses.


Grateful to the video team for adding this final layer to the story.

Reflections & Thanks

What started as a simple news peg became something more because others believed in it too.

To Anita Gabriel for her editorial guidance, the BT Visual Team for the beautiful maps, and the video crew for their final touch—thank you.

This has been a beautiful reminder that storytelling isn’t a solo sport. Sometimes, the right team helps a story take root… and bloom.

If you have any thoughts on Johor’s golf boom — let’s chat in the comments or connect on LinkedIn.

🌐 Follow more of my writing at Roam With Bee.

and also at https://www.linkedin.com/in/beekim/

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