Located off the southern coast of mainland Singapore, Sentosa (Isle of Tranquillity) was initially known as Pulau Blakang Mati (Island Behind Death). Starting from the 1880s, the island was an important British military base with a number of forts built on it to protect the southern shipping lanes. In 1970, the island was renamed Sentosa following a naming contest organised by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB). The development of the island into a tourist and recreation resort came under the management of the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), which was formed in 1972.One of the projects under the development plan for Sentosa was an 18-hole golf course at the southeastern end of the island. Designed by world-renowned golf course architect Frank Pennick, the course was opened to members of the Sentosa Golf Club and the general public in 1974. One of the unique features of the picturesque course was the second hole, which was located on a small reef off the main island. A golfer had to travel across the seashore to play the hole and make a return trip to continue the game.
