Golf and squash players have raised almost HK$600,000 Despite the global economic crisis, golfing and squash enthusiasts have generated impressive sums of money for the annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive - raising an estimated HK$591,680 to date. The UBS Hong Kong Open 2008, a golf tournament held from Thursday to Sunday at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Sheung Shui, raised HK$260,000 as of yesterday, HK$243,000 from UBS itself, and pledges and cash are expected to continue to roll in. The Wing Ding Squash Tournament, an annual fund-raiser for Operation Santa Claus, was held on November 15, but it generated pledges and cash that continue to be paid to the charity. As of yesterday, it had raised HK$331,689 - a 13.2 per cent increase over last year. The golfers launched their event last Tuesday with a nearest-to-the-hole competition in Chater Garden, which raised HK$120,000 for Operation Santa Claus. That was an auspicious start for the UBS Hong Kong Open, which was won by Taiwan's Lin Wen-tang in a dramatic playoff victory on Sunday. He became the first Asian winner of the Open in 10 years. The contest is celebrating its 50th year. On Friday, Hongkonger Jason Hak Shun-yat, 14, became the youngest player to make the cut - allowing him to play on the two final days - on a European tour event. The contest joined the European Tour in 2002. Sponsor UBS donates HK$2,000 for every birdie made at the 18th hole. The 10th Wing Ding Squash Tournament at the Football Club in Happy Valley, saw 14 teams of squash players dressed in colourful and sometimes outrageous costumes. One thousand HK$50 raffle tickets were snapped up in a couple of hours. The tournament was named after the late Yuen Kam-wing, who worked at the Urban Council Squash Centre, looking after court bookings and serving at the bar. Despite suffering from a severe physical disability, he impressed those around him with his sense of humour. He died, aged 34, in 1998. Co-organised by the South China Morning Post and Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 3, Operation Santa Claus, now in its 21st year, will benefit 13 charitable groups. Part of the funds raised will go to the SCMP Homes for Hope project to help victims of the devastating May 12 earthquake in Sichuan rebuild their homes. From next Monday, the OSC 'Christmas tree' will be published in the Post showing the daily progress of the fund-raising drive.