‘Shame on you – Hong Kong is not a world city’: golfers furious over course being lost to housing
- Legendary Gary Player shocked by government’s decision to take back century-old course
- Golf club non-members react with sadness, anger and resignation as course condemned to build flats
Golfers have lashed out at the Hong Kong government over its decision to take back the Old Course at Fanling for housing, with legendary South African Gary Player also voicing his disgust.
A mixture of anger, sadness, frustration, disappointment and resignation filled the fairways and chat groups after Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor accepted a task force’s recommendation to take back a fifth of the 172 hectares at the Hong Kong Golf Club.
“Shame on them. Hong Kong is no more a world city but a city of shame. It’s politically motivated and brainless,” said one member of the Little Sai Wan Golf Society that has monthly playing rights at Fanling.
“The government doesn’t care for the health of its citizens as evidenced by destroying the only green oasis in Fanling for the greed of builders and developers,” he said.
The captain of the Little Sai Wan society, Anthony Michell, said the government had ignored the sentiments of the Hong Kong golfing community and other members of the public who supported the club staying untouched.
The former president of another golf society which has just been granted playing rights at Fanling said Hong Kong’s “world city” claim was wearing thin.
“Hong Kong claims to be a world city, producing and inviting world-class talent, yet is slowly ridding itself of recreational facilities,” Matt Nabaro said.
“The decision to build on the old course at best is a drop in the ocean when it comes to solving Hong Kong’s housing crisis. With plenty of space and fiscal ability to reclaim land, it is difficult to see how this particular option is not politically motivated and unjust.
“Fanling represented a wonderful oasis, open to the public, and more recently inviting to societies who are inclusive of all.”
Nabaro, a pilot, said he has become disenchanted with Hong Kong and had left to take up a post in New Zealand.
Other golfers raised similar and familiar cries ever since the golf club came into the government’s cross hairs in 2013.
“It doesn’t make sense with so many other land options,” said one, while another added: “A sea reclamation is by far the ideal and endless solution.”
According to the land supply task force the public were in favour of using the Fanling course – one of three – as a short-term option to help alleviate the chronic housing shortage.
One golfer suggested that perhaps the campaign to save Fanling should have been directed at rapacious property developers, rather than the government, to garner more public support.
And the golf tours that sanction the Hong Kong Open – the Asian Tour and European Tour – have played a straight bat, probably not wanting to alienate government officials.
“The Hong Kong Golf Club is one of the longest standing host venues for tournament golf in the world,” Asian Tour chief operating officer Cho Minn Thant said.
“The tournament is one of Asia’s most important events and regarded by many as the major of the Asian Tour. Its atmosphere has always been outstanding for both players and fans during the Hong Kong Open and we believe it will continue to do so despite the recent developments.”
It also remains to be seen whether Honma renews its title sponsorship for the Open in November.
