World Stars Visit HSBC Headquarters European Ryder Cup heroes Ian Poulter, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell and Open Champion Ernie Els stopped off in Hong Kong en route to the WGC-HSBC Champions event, which took place at Mission Hills Golf Club in Dongguan in early November. The players visited title sponsor HSBC’s Hong Kong headquarters to officially launch the tournament and, in accordance with Hong Kong custom, rubbed the paws of the famous bronze lions outside the Norman Foster-designed building to bring good luck ahead of the tournament. The act clearly worked for Englishman Poulter, the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open champion, who emerged with a two-stroke victory.
Michelle Moving to Madison
AFP
Congratulations to Hong Kong international Michelle Cheung, who has earned a golf scholarship to the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Cheung, 17, seen here signing her letter of intent, will commence college life next September and is set to become an integral part of the Wisconsin Badgers side, which plays in the Big Ten conference. “Michelle has a lot of talent and I’m really pleased for her – she’s been great to work with over the past few years and really deserves it,” said HKGA National Coach Brad Schadewitz. Cheung, who finished fourth at the 2012 Hong Kong Ladies Amateur Open and was second in this year’s Hong Kong Close Championship, will be just the fifth international athlete to play women’s golf at Wisconsin. “We’re really delighted to be adding Michelle to our golf programme,” said Badgers Coach Todd Oehrlein, who saw Cheung play several events in the US as part of the HKGA’s junior summer tour. “In addition to her accomplishments on the golf course, I’ve been extremely impressed by her personally. We’re very proud she has chosen Wisconsin.”
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HK Golfer・DEC 2012
Mizuno Solid at Asia-Pacific Amateur Shinichi Mizuno finished in a credible tie for 33rd at the AsiaPacific Amateur Championship, which was held at Amata Spring Country Club in early November. Mizuno, 18, carded a four-round total of 296 (eight-over) over the rolling Bangkok course, while fellow Hong Kong international, Terrence Ng (pictured), missed out on the weekend action following rounds of 80 and 81. China’s Guan Tian-lang, aged just 14, won the tournament in sensational style. The Guangzhou-based Guan finished at 15-under-par to win both the title and a spot in the 2013 Masters Tournament, which, along with the R&A and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, organize the Asia-Pacific Amateur. Guan, who also received a berth into the International Final Qualifying for The Open Championship, will be the youngest player in history to tee it up at Augusta National Golf Club for the Masters. HKGOLFER.COM