Driving for the green: Hong Kong Golf Club holds Cup of Kindness game in support of Operation Santa Claus
- Hong Kong Golf Club partners with Operation Santa Claus to hold two sporting events to help raise money for local charitable projects
- ‘The collaboration with OSC is a great way to raise awareness about the sport as well as the community,’ club captain Andy Kwok says
Members of the Hong Kong Golf Club reunited with fans for two signature events on the putting green, all in the name of charity.
After a nearly four-year hiatus brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, the club partnered with the Asian Tour’s International Series and annual fundraising drive Operation Santa Claus to bring back the highly anticipated Hong Kong Open.
“The collaboration with OSC is a great way to raise awareness about the sport, as well as the community,” club captain Andy Kwok Wing-leung said. “It also brings many of our members together as our common cause to help others further unites us.”
OSC is a joint fundraising effort by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK. Since it was established in 1988, the drive has raised HK$369 million in support of 338 charitable projects across Hong Kong.
The tournament, which is the city’s longest-running sports event, ran from November 9 to 12 this year and featured a series of contests, as well as interactive family friendly activities and a designated game for professionals and amateurs alike.
Taichi Kho and Matthew Cheung were among local talent who competed alongside fellow global golf stars Cameron Smith, Talor Gooch and Graeme McDowell to raise money for worthy causes.
The event marked the second joint event held by the club and OSC this year, with the duo coming together on October 22 to host the annual charity tournament, the Cup of Kindness.
The event has generated more than HK$85 million (US$10.9 million) in financial support to a range of charitable organisations in Hong Kong since it was established in 1987.
This year’s tournament raised HK$5 million and also received US$50,000 in donations from the International Series to support charities such as the Home of Loving Faithfulness, which provides care for those with special needs.
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On the last day of the Hong Kong Open, Kwok told the Post that golf was an inclusive sport for all ages and also brought together enthusiasts from all walks of life.
“The Hong Kong Open is not just a sporting event, but we are expanding it to a fun family event as well,” he said. “There are ongoing kids engagement and family-focused activities in the Fan Village.”
At the event, families were also invited to spend quality time together at the Hong Kong Open Fan Village and experience the sport through a range of activities that included mini-games, interactive booths and art workshops.
“The game is more than just a sport, it also focuses on character building for the younger generation,” Kwok said. “It instils the values of integrity, perseverance and discipline.”
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The club captain said children joining the Hong Kong Open through schools and youth groups would be able to witness an international-level golf tournament and learn about the sport’s core values of preserving nature and heritage.
Kwok said golf continued to be a sport that inspired a sense of togetherness across generations of fans. He added that the club was committed to promoting the sport and contributing to worthy causes through its long-time partnership with OSC.
