Hong Kong appear primed for their best showing in years at the Queen Sirikit Cup, thanks largely to the recent form of talented teenage twins Demi [Jun-wi] and Ginger [Jun-ki] Mak.
Traditionally, teams from the SAR have fared poorly in the region's most prized amateur ladies team event, which starts today at Royal Adelaide Golf Club.
But, according to national junior coach Brad Schadewitz, who is in Australia as non-playing captain, the 15-year-old Mak sisters, and Betty Ng Yung-foon, could surprise their more illustrious opponents over the course of the three-day event.
'We'll go into the tournament as underdogs of course,' said Schadewitz. 'But both Ginger and Demi have shown tremendous improvement and with Betty's experience in playing these major competitions, we have the potential to surprise a few people.'
The Mak's, who have swept all before them on the local amateur scene, became the youngest players in the 28-year-old event's history last year when they represented Hong Kong at the Green Valley Country Club in Bangkok. That experience, they believe, will stand them in good stead for this week.
'The first time we played against other competitors of this level we were perhaps a little intimidated by it and our performance probably showed. We're definitely more confident this year and having played a lot of other events around Asia, we know we can compete,' said Ginger, the 2006 Helene et Henri Hong Kong Ladies Close Amateur champion.