Game on

Despite all this, remarkably, the HKGC faces the threat of closure, as a specially commissioned Hong Kong government Task Force on Land Supply assesses prime sites to reclaim and develop in the city to alleviate the chronic public housing shortage.

Naysayers accuse the HKGC of being ivory-towered, but the reality is different; the club has the highest public-use numbers of any golf course in the city. Contrary to popular belief, Hong Kong residents who are non-members can play at Fanling from Monday to Friday if they book in advance, at a discounted HK$1,100 for 18 holes. "More than 43% of the rounds have been played by non-members over the last few years," explains vice-captain William Doo Jr. "In 2017, we had more than 120,000 rounds of golf, which means that more than 50,000 were played by non-members. We are extremely happy that the courses [Fanling has three] can be utilised by the general public."

It's a modest investment in heritage, too. The HKGC is one of the oldest clubs in Asia and the first golf club in China. Its annual Open tournament is co-sanctioned by the European and Asia tours, and the likes of Greg Norman and Tom Watson have played its verdant fairways. Miguel Ángel Jimenez claims the HKGC has the "best ambience" of any club he plays anywhere in the world. Last month, Asian Tour players voted the HKGC the best tournament of 2018 and the best golf course.

The HKGC hosted English golfer Tommy Fleetwood, American standout Patrick Reed and perennial Spanish favourite Sergio García 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."