Game on: Hong Kong Golf Club


The HKGC hosted English golfer Tommy Fleetwood, American standout Patrick Reed and perennial Spanish favorite Sergio Garcia at the 60th Hong Kong Open; all had played in the Ryder Cup three months earlier. "Past champions of the Hong Kong Open have gone on to become Masters winners," says Doo, citing Rory McIlroy as an example. "And this year's winner, Aaron Rai, a young Indian player, is really good for the sport. It was his first win on the tour."
Youth, enterprise and innovation are all ambitions the HKGC has actively been targeting and promoting in recent years. "There are many youngsters playing at the club, from age six, and if you look at the development over the last 20 years, there are a lot more ladies playing, especially on weekdays," says Doo.
Leading the charge is Tiffany Chan, winner of the Hong Kong Ladies Open in 2016, who has since turned professional and competes on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour alongside the likes of Lydia Ko and Michelle Wie.
"She's the first Hong Kong player to play in the LPGA," says Doo, proudly. "It's similar to Yao Ming playing in the NBA." He says Chan's rapidly become a role model. "She's a real inspiration to the younger Hongkongers. They all want to emulate her." He also mentions Isabella Leung and Michelle Cheung as future local stars in the making.
