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Open seeks cash boost to stay on Tour

Securing a visit by Tiger Woods and raising the prizemoney for the Hong Kong Open will be the main topics of discussion when golf officials and the government sit down tomorrow to talk about the future of the oldest sporting event in town.

Following the government's decision to grant $1 billion for a 'relaunch' campaign in the wake of Sars - and with sport being considered as a way to restore Hong Kong's image - the Hong Kong Golf Association and its partners the Asian PGA Tour have put forward their claims to increase the prizemoney from its present purse of US$700,000 to US$1 million.

A substantial increase is seen as vital for the future of the tournament according to Iain Valentine, HKGA chief executive. He says Hong Kong is at risk of losing its prestigious European Tour sanction unless it can raise the prizemoney so as to attract top players.

'Currently our event offers one of the lowest purses on the European Tour. If we are not able to increase our prizemoney, we could run the risk of losing the European Tour sanction and they could sanction some other event in Asia. That would take all the glitter away from the Hong Kong Open as we would not get the best players taking part,' said Valentine.

'Being part of the European Tour is vital for the well-being of the Hong Kong Open. It gives us prestige. The European players love coming here but if it was no longer part of their Tour and there were no Ryder Cup points on offer, they would not come,' Valentine pointed out.

Valentine was also enthusiastic about a visit by the world's number one golfer Tiger Woods - in line with the Post's proposal to bring a galaxy of high-profile stars to the territory to restore Hong Kong's Sars-battered image.

'It would be great if we could do that. The ideal scenario of getting a high-profile golfer like Tiger Woods to Hong Kong would be for him to play in a tournament. It would be fantastic if he could appear at the Hong Kong Open this year and it would be just what is needed to raise the profile of the city,' said Valentine.

Woods is believed to command an appearance fee of US$2 million. His schedule is fixed well in advance. But if the cash is available, local officials feel there is no harm in making a bid to get him.

Asian PGA official Venus Ho confirmed Woods was likely to be a topic of discussion at tomorrow's meeting.

'Of course our aim is always to bring the best golfers in the world to Hong Kong. This topic is open for discussion and we know the government is also supportive of this idea,' said Ho, the account manager in charge of the Hong Kong Open.

The Tourism Commission, one of the government departments looking at ways to publicise Hong Kong, has already stated that it is keen to support high-profile sports events, especially those with established pedigree. The Hong Kong Open fills both criteria.

'We are looking at events which can be done quickly and which are of a high-profile nature. We are also looking at recurring events and the long-term,' Duncan Pescod, deputy commissioner, Hong Kong Tourism Commission, told the Post in an interview earlier.

'The Hong Kong Open has all the right ingredients,' said Ho. 'It has a great tradition, it is held in a healthy open-air environment and it can attract tourists. Also it is a huge draw amongst the local business and corporate community.'

This year's tournament - the 45th Open - is set to be held from December 4-7 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

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