From the President We’re now well and truly in Hong Kong’s peak season for golf and I’m delighted to be able to write about the success that players from the SAR have achieved over the past two months. As many will be aware from the last issue of HK Golfer – as well as through other news sources – the Hong Kong team claimed a memorable silver medal at the National Games in September. The National Games is known as the “Olympics of China” and the team – which comprised Jason Hak, Wong Woon-man, Timothy Tang and amateur Motin Yeung – put in a superb performance to finish second, behind hosts Liaoning, in what was an extremely strong field. Indeed, such was their display that they managed to finish ahead of Guangdong province, which boasted a side that included Chinese legends Liang Wen-chong and Zhang Lian-wei, who picked up the bronze medal. It’s hard to overstate the importance of this result and I would like to credit not only the team and the coaches, but also the sponsors of both the HKGA and the HKPGA, the Home Affairs Bureau, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department as well as the golf clubs of Hong Kong, whose support made this achievement possible. Another who deserves praise is Hong Kong Golf Club member Doug Williams. Doug has enjoyed a quite outstanding season, earning multiple tournament victories along the way.
Attaining senior status – Doug turned 55 in February of this year – clearly agrees with him, because since his Hong Kong Seniors Amateur Close Championship victory earlier this year, Doug has been on a roll. At last month’s Hong Kong Amateur Open, which was held at Fanling, he finished as the top local player, notching three solid rounds to end the tournament just three strokes behind eventual winner, Liu Yu Jui of Chinese Taipei, who at the age of just 22 is some 33 years Doug’s junior. The following week, Doug won the Jockey Club Kai Sai Chau International Open in fine style, a victory he replicated later in the month at the Singapore Open Senior Amateur Championship. With our own Senior Open taking place from 13-15 November, Doug is surely the man to beat. Another man who has a definite Hong Kong connection is Miguel Angel Jiménez, who has confirmed his participation at next month’s Hong Kong Open. The Spaniard claimed last year’s title for his third win in our city and it will be great to welcome him back to the championship, which takes place between 5-8 December at Fanling. The Hong Kong Open has a proud and distinguished history and I, like all golfers in Hong Kong, look forward to another entertaining week of world-class golf. Finally, the HKGA is excited to launch a new patrons’ programme for brands or businesses who are interested to support golf in Hong Kong – in return for which there are a number of unique benefits on offer. Those interested to find out more should contact the HKGA office at hkgolf@hkga.com. William Chung President
Williams Claims Second Kau Sai Chau Title Doug Williams’ year just keeps getting better and better. The 55-year-old Hong Kong Golf Club member, who won the Seniors Amateur Close Championship on his debut in May, added the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau International Amateur Open to his evergrowing list of titles with a gutsy come-from-behind victory last month. Williams carded two birdies in the final three holes for a final-round 70 over the demanding Gary Player-designed North Course to pip overnight leader Terrence Ng by a shot. Williams finished with a three-round total of 223 (seven-over) to earn his second victory in the event. Zhang Juntao of Macau (227) finished in solo third, four strokes off the pace. Just three weeks later, the US-born Williams, a long-time Hong Kong resident, would claim a commanding seven-shot victory at the Singapore Open Senior Amateur Championship. 56
HK GOLFER・NOV 2013
HKGOLFER.COM