Ask any golfer what their ultimate goal is, and they’ll tell you their hopes and dreams of hitting a hole-in-one.

With odds calculated at 12,500 to 1, accomplishing this feat seems impossible.

But every so often, a golfer surmounts the daunting odds and hits the perfect shot. With a single swing, he achieves triumph, satisfaction and an amazing story to tell for years to come.

This can-do spirit was what inspired the College of Design and Engineering’s (CDE) fundraising efforts at the NUS 120th Anniversary Charity Golf @ Sentosa. On 16 July 2025, over a hundred alumni, industry partners and friends of CDE gathered at the Sentosa Golf Club’s iconic Serapong course for a meaningful day of golfing, networking and fundraising.

Alumni, industry partners and friends of CDE gathered to play golf for a meaningful cause.

While there were no golfing hole-in-ones that day, the memorable event achieved something possibly greater. From an original fundraising goal of S$700,000, the event raised funds to increase the total accumulated from 15 Dec 2024 to S$2.87 million.

The funds will help undergraduates in financial need. Championed by the Alumni Students Advancement Committee (ASAC), the charity golf event began with a shotgun tee-off of 36 flights, where players enjoyed friendly competition, fine weather, and great company.

Caption: Donors teed off in beautiful weather at Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course.

Following the tournament, the golfers gathered for an appreciation dinner, joined by many generous donors who have supported CDE over the years.

During the dinner, Professor Teo Kie Leong, Dean of CDE, highlighted the College’s commitment to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of financial background.

Currently, 50% of CDE students who apply for financial aid come from families with a monthly Per Capita Income (PCI) of S$750 and below. Thanks to the strong support from CDE’s donors, ASAC and the golfing community, these students will receive financial support through bursaries, empowering them to focus on their education without having to worry about affordability.

To this end, the College is still appealing for donors till the end of 2025. The fundraising fervour so far has been admirable. CDE launched the Faculty and Staff Giving campaign last year, which has already raised nearly S$100,000 in support of the College of Design and Engineering Bursary.

The event raised over S$2.87 million in support of undergraduate financial aid, far surpassing its initial goal of S$700,000. From left to right: Prof Heng Chye Kiang (Deputy Dean, CDE), Prof Teo Kie Leong (Dean, CDE), Prof Richard Liew (Head, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, CDE), Mr Wong Jin Kok, (Engineering ‘85), Mr Seah Cheng San (Engineering ‘82, Business '92), Mr Yeo Keng Joon (Business ‘85) and Mr Edwin Seow (Engineering ‘82).

Interested supporters can also continue supporting CDE through Give.NUS, NUS Giving’s recently launched platform that makes giving easier. The Charity Golf campaign leveraged Give.NUS to rally more supporters to make their gifts online, providing a simple, user-friendly avenue for donors to contribute to the cause.

As we celebrate both NUS’ 120th anniversary of NUS and CDE - Engineering’s 70th anniversary this year, it’s important to remember these milestones have been laid on the foundation of undeterred belief, bold perseverance and generous hearts.

Just like the dedicated golfer who has just realised his hole-in-one dream, we know that the work goes on. Every next swing is an opportunity to hone his craft, perfect his game and take his impact to the next level.

And one day, he’ll achieve the impossible again.

You can create life-changing possibilities for engineering students at CDE too. Make a gift today to the College of Design and Engineering Bursary and enable real impact for deserving students.