Sands Golf Day brings golf expert to Macao

Young talents from Macao had a taste of professional golf on the Sands Golf Day with top-ranked pros enlightening them on the essence of fundamentals at a skill challenge on Monday.

Hosted by Sands China, a major operator of integrated resorts in Macao, the promotional event provided 16 local youngsters, aged 7-15, with a rare opportunity to interact and learn from four accomplished pros, Australian siblings Minjee Lee and Minwoo Lee, New Zealand's Lydia Ko and US Collin Morikawa, all of which were invited to the event held at the Front Lawn between The Parisian Macao and the Four Seasons Hotel Macao Cotai Strip.

The fun day began with the Front Lawn Challenge, where the pro quartet demonstrated their accuracy by hitting long-distance shots at designated targets, with young amateurs also joining in.

It was followed by the Long Putt Skills Challenge, where the 16 young golfers, all selected by the special administrative region's junior golf association, were divided into four groups, with each group being led by a pro.

Each group played for a charitable cause on behalf of either the Macau Deaf Association or Orbis Macau. At the end of the challenge, Sands China offered a total donation of $12,400 (91,363 yuan) to the two organizations, based on the results of the friendly competition.

"At Sands China, we are committed to supporting the development of local sports talent and nurturing the growth of young athletes," said Dr. Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd.

"With community events like this, we bring together accomplished sports professionals and aspiring athletes from our community. Our aim is to provide a unique platform for interaction and mentorship, motivating young athletes to pursue their goals with unwavering determination, and we hope to help them realize their full potential and contribute to the rich sporting legacy of our city."

As an 11-time LPGA Tour title winner, Minjee Lee took pride from taking part in such an inspiring event to contribute to the sport's grassroots promotion in Asia, where her family hold roots.

"I am thrilled to be part of this event to inspire young people and ignite their passion for sports, while supporting two local charities," said Lee, an Australian of South Korean heritage.

"The opportunity to demonstrate and share my love for golf with junior players in Macao is a privilege on its own, seeing their enthusiasm and potential is doubly rewarding. I am grateful to Sands China for giving me this opportunity to spread joy through golf and make a positive impact on people's lives in the Macao community," said the winner of 2022 US Women's Open and 2021 Evian Championship.

Sands Golf Day is the latest example of Sands China's parent company, Las Vegas Sands, helping bring sporting events and professional athletes to Macao. Sands has demonstrated its commitment to increasing access to such opportunities for young people in Macao through its partnerships with ambassadors like British soccer icon David Beckham and now Minjee Lee.