From the President As the newly elected President of t he Hon g Kon g G ol f Association I would like to take this opportunity to thank my predecessor, Peter Aherne, the Executive Committee and all the staff at the HKGA for their efforts during the past 12 months. It is my belief that golf in Hong Kong has never been stronger and I look forward to another successful year of helping to grow the game in our city. During my first term as President, during the 2009/2010 season, the HKGA worked hard in developing the game at a junior level. This theme has continued in the intervening years – with fantastic results. Young golfers from Hong Kong have enjoyed significant success on both the regional and global stage, with many earning coveted golf scholarships at universities and colleges in the United States and elsewhere. This speaks volumes for the effort that the Association, and in particular National Coach Brad Schadewitz, has put in during this time and we are excited for the future. My thanks must also go to EFG Bank, sponsors of the junior
development programme, which have been instrumental in helping us achieve our goals. This summer will see change at the HKGA with Iain Valentine retiring from his position as Chief Executive after 11 years in the position. Iain, who will be standing down at the end of this month, has been a fantastic figurehead for the Association and has overseen a number of important initiatives during his tenure, including the expansion of HKGA handicapping, and has played a vital role in the establishment and implementation of the aforementioned junior development programme. His reputation in the golfing world has also enabled the HKGA to maintain its relationships with government, golfing bodies and international associations at the highest level. Iain will be missed and on behalf of everyone at the HKGA I wish him the very best in the future. Iain’s replacement will be Tom Phillips, who joins us from his position as CEO of the Faldo Series, Sir Nick Faldo’s industryleading golf development programme. Tom’s credentials are second to none and I am very much looking forward to working with him as the HKGA enters this new and promising chapter. Best wishes to you all for a successful summer on the course. William Chung President
Tiffany Impresses at Pro Event
Patrick Leung (Chung); Daniel Wong (Chan)
Hong Kong amateur international Tiffany Chan (pictured) continues to show why she is so highly rated among her peers after an accomplished performance against a professional field at the CLPGA Beijing Challenge in late May. Nineteen-year-old Chan, who is currently studying in the United States, opened with a sparkling 69 over the Orient Pearl Country Club course on the outskirts of the Chinese capital before slipping back over the closing two rounds to finish in a share of 34th. The tournament was won by Wichanee Meechai of Thailand who stole the show with a blistering 63 in the final round. Chan, the reigning China Amateur champion, has a history of excelling against more experienced opposition. In 2012, the former Diocesan Girls’ School student outplayed a string of China LPGA Tour pros to capture the Yinli HKPGA Classic, another professional event, in Dongguan. Last December, Chan became the first female golfer from Hong Kong to win the China Amateur Open after holding off the challenge of Chinese international player Yin Yuan Ru at Peach Garden Golf Club near Guangzhou. 44
HK GOLFER・JUL 2013
HKGOLFER.COM