HSBC partners with HK Golf Association to launch program

Peter Wong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Asia-Pacific, HSBC; Brad Schadewitz, National Coach of the HKGA; Ning Li, President of the HKGA participating in the ShortGolf activity with local students and young National Team member, Michael Regan Wong. [For chinadaily.com.cn]

Also present at the SKH St. James' Primary School was Ning Li, President of the Hong Kong Golf Association, who commented:

"We are thrilled to welcome HSBC on board as partners in this hugely exciting HSBC Hong Kong Junior Golf Programme. Having such a blue-chip sponsor, with such experience in golf at all levels, is a massive boost to the development of the junior game here in Hong Kong. It enables us to rapidly expand the scale of the programme, get more kids into golf and provide some incredible opportunities for our top juniors.

"The ultimate aim for all of us is to see more local young talent progress all the way through the programme and go on to achieve success at an international level, exactly as Tiffany Chan has done by breaking into the top ten of the world amateur rankings," continued Li. "With HSBC as our new financial partner, along with the support of our car partner Mercedes-Benz, our golf clubs, The R&A and our other sponsors, we could not be better placed to deliver further success."

As part of the launch event, over 100 school children from SKH St. James' Primary School and other local schools got their first taste of golf through the HSBC Golf For Schools Programme, where they participated in a ShortGolf class, comprising easy-to-play putting and hitting games.

Tom Phillips, CEO of the HKGA, said: "HSBC Golf For Schools is intended to be affordable and accessible for children of all backgrounds. For those children who are inspired by the ShortGolf experience, we then offer a pathway into the sport, starting with a series of coaching clinics at golf courses and driving ranges across Hong Kong.

"We've got a number of local primary schools signed up to the HSBC Golf For Schools programme already, with St. James' Primary today becoming the ninth school to join the scheme," added Phillips. "Our aim is to reach 15 schools and more than 300 children in year one, laying a foundation on which to build in subsequent years."

The HSBC Hong Kong Junior Golf Programme will comprise two closely linked components:

· HSBC Golf For Schools: Primary school children will graduate through a pathway of Golf Fun Days, ShortGolf classes and monthly golf clinics, culminating in on-course golf lessons and the opportunity to gain an official HKGA handicap. Teachers will also be instructed in how to deliver ShortGolf classes, enabling the schools to independently continue the golf activity.

· HSBC Junior Development Programme: A talent-identification programme comprising HKGA-sanctioned junior tournaments and matches, including the HSBC Junior Golf Tour and a cross-border match against the top juniors from HSBC's China Junior Golf Programme. The top Hong Kong juniors will be invited to join the HKGA Junior Squad for weekly coaching and expert advice.