Tournament seeks ‘urgent’ clarity on how Hong Kong government will maintain golf course taken back for housing

After city’s leader John Lee says land may be offered for use during golf events, Aramco Team Series queries ‘what does that land look like’

‘I don’t see that there is a plan in place,’ tournament director says regarding the land’s upkeep and its impact on Hong Kong’s place in the golf calendar

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Government plans to redevelop part of the golf club are threatening the future of tournaments in the city, organisers have warned. Photo: Elson Li

Published: 7:30am, 19 Jun 2023

The organiser of the Aramco Team Series needs “urgent assurances” from the government over its ability to look after the area of Hong Kong Golf Club it will take back control of in September – or the city risks losing the women’s tournament for good.

Officials are working with Aramco to make its series a multi-year event in Hong Kong, with an initial three-year deal being discussed, but that is threatened by the uncertainty surrounding the government’s proposed redevelopment of the Old Course.

And with LIV Golf bosses “assessing right now whether or not to award” the city a spot on their 2024 calendar, Vicky Jones, the championship director for ATS and LIV in Asia, described the need for information as “really urgent”.

Last week, Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee Ka-chiu, said the city would take back the 32-hectare site “no matter what”, but was “prepared and happy to offer the course to organise relevant activities for golf tournaments, such as parking, promotions and reception, if needed”.

Tournament chiefs need clarity over the government’s proposed redevelopment of the Old Course. Photo: Jelly Tse

The government originally planned to build 12,000 public flats by 2029 to help tackle the city’s long-standing housing crisis.