He said a high-quality, world-class golf course was important for retaining foreign businesses and their top talent.

“We can ignore the traffic problem today. But when the residents move in, they will have huge grievances. They will ask: ‘How come the government did not think about the issue before? How dumb!’”

He called on the public to view the city’s housing challenge “reasonably and objectively” and avoid “emotional and politicised interference”.

“Scrapping the housing plan does not mean that the government is no longer committed to tackling the housing crunch,” he said, adding that former and incumbent administrations had proposed megaprojects to build homes.

He was referring to the Northern Metropolis project, which aims to use 30,000 hectares (74,100 acres) in the New Territories for an IT hub and housing, as well as the Lantau Tomorrow plan to create a new economic centre by building three artificial islands.

Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, convenor of Hong Kong’s key decision-making body the Executive Council and a club member, previously urged the government to abandon the plan to show support for the sports sector.

City leader John Lee Ka-chiu has vowed to press ahead with taking back the site, regardless of the outcome of the planning board meetings.

Veteran political commentator Sonny Lo Shiu-hing said it was normal to see differences among pro-establishment figures over policy.

“The government adopted a kind of moderate compromise in dealing with the golf course, however it may have neglected some other considerations, such as what Ma mentioned about the transportation and infrastructure network,” Lo said.

“Central authorities encourage the pro-establishment camp to raise critical and constructive suggestions. It’s natural to see differences. But it’s very clear that whatever moderate solution is adopted by the government, not everyone can be pleased.”

Professor Lau Siu-kai, a consultant at the semi-official Beijing think tank the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said the land was the common property of Hongkongers, which should be put to best use.

“Some say building public housing will be better for addressing the housing issue, while others may argue keeping the golf course will benefit sports-related economic benefits. That’s why all stakeholders really need to sit down and discuss how to utilise [the land] to maximise the long term economic benefit of Hong Kong,” Lau said.

But Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun on Wednesday told a radio programme the government remained committed to the proposed development at the Old Course and the housing density would be modified to accommodate requirements from environmental authorities.

“We still think that developing public housing on the site is the most appropriate [arrangement],” Wong said.

Former planning director Ling Kar-kan on Monday dismissed using alternative sites for the housing, as a development would involve lengthy procedures. He said the government should strive to implement any additional proposals to boost flat supply along with the Fanling project.

Under the redevelopment plan, the government will take back 32 hectares of land from the golf club in September, including nine hectares earmarked for public housing. The rest will be reserved for conservation and recreational uses.

The previous day, Lee said Hong Kong would still be capable of holding international tournaments even if the Old Course was used for housing. Authorities were “ready and willing” to lend the site for events before any construction commenced, he said.

Lee noted the club would still have 140 hectares of land, including two complete 18-hole courses and 10 holes for a third course, which would suffice for holding major tournaments.

Hong Kong has six golf courses, two of which have three sets of 18 holes.

Wong said the Leisure and Cultural Services Department planned to maintain the areas not occupied by housing as a “passive park”, with an emphasis on open spaces instead of facilities such as playgrounds and athletic fields.

International tournament organisers could use that space for parking and marquees, he added.

Club captain Andy Kwok Wing-leung on Wednesday thanked the chief executive for supporting efforts to continue hosting international tournaments but said the entire course had to be maintained intact.

“The most important thing is how to maintain the high quality of the course … so there won’t be hiccups,” Kwok said. “We need to ensure organisers of the Aramco Team Series and Hong Kong Open are confident that Hong Kong’s ability in holding tournaments remains unchanged … [so] international tournaments will not be handed over to other cities.”

The Hong Kong Open, part of the men’s Asian Tour, is set to be held in November.

The club, which leases 172 hectares of land in Fanling, said it would cooperate with the government and the organisers so the tournaments could be held as scheduled.

Kwok said there were multiple substitutes for the land and that the golf course was crucial to Hong Kong’s soft power as an international sports hub.

A planning official on Monday said the Leisure and Cultural Services Department had experience in park management, maintenance of greens and hosting sports activities.

But the department would consult different bodies and consider hiring a professional team to maintain the 32-hectare area if needed, he said, stressing that the site taken back would not be damaged.