The spotlight of international amateur golf has shifted to Southeast Asia, where the 2025 World Amateur Team Championships (WATC) are officially underway in Singapore. For the first time in history, the island nation will host both the women’s and men’s team championships at Tanah Merah Country Club’s Tampines Course.
The championships will unfold over two consecutive weeks. The women’s teams tee off first, competing for the Espirito Santo Trophy from October 1–4, followed by the men’s battle for the Eisenhower Trophy from October 8–11. The format is simple but demanding: each country sends a team of two or three players, and the best two scores each day count toward the overall tally. Four days, 72 holes, and one chance to become world champions.
A Tradition of Excellence
The World Amateur Team Championships carry a legacy that stretches back decades. The men first played for the Eisenhower Trophy in 1958 at the Old Course of St Andrews, and the women’s Espirito Santo Trophy debuted in 1964 in France. Since then, the event has grown into the premier global showcase for amateur golf, with past competitors often becoming household names once they transition into the professional ranks.
For Singapore, this hosting moment is a milestone. “We are honoured to be selected to host the World Amateur Team Championships in 2025,” said Tan Chong Huat, president of the Singapore Golf Association. “This will be the first time Singapore will host this prestigious event and we look forward to welcoming top golfers and officials from around the world to our island.”
The Women Take the Stage
The opening week belongs to the women, and the field is loaded with talent. The United States arrives with a formidable lineup in Megha Ganne, Farah O’Keefe, and Catherine Park. The Republic of Korea, long a force in women’s golf, counters with Ajin Sung, Seojin Park, and Soomin Oh. Sweden, a nation that claimed the Espirito Santo Trophy as recently as 2022, brings rising stars including Meja Ortengren and Moa Svedenskiold.
The host nation, Singapore, will draw plenty of attention as well. Their squad features Inez Ng, Valencia Chang, and 16-year-old Xingtong Chen, who made history earlier this summer by winning the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship. Her presence adds a special storyline for local fans eager to see a homegrown contender shine on the international stage.
A Truly Global Gathering
From Australia and England to Japan, Spain, and South Africa, the Espirito Santo Trophy has attracted the game’s best from every corner of the world. Over the next four days, golf fans will watch not only for birdies and bogeys but also for how nations rise and fall together in a format that rewards depth, resilience, and consistency.
What’s Next
When the final putt drops on October 4, attention will quickly turn to the men’s Eisenhower Trophy. The format and pressure remain the same, and the tradition just as rich. Together, the back-to-back championships in Singapore promise two weeks of golf that celebrate both the competitive fire and the international spirit of the game.