UBS' generosity makes it break rules at HK Open

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Published: 12:00am, 6 Dec, 2011

Updated: 12:00am, 6 Dec, 2011

For golfers, a hole-in-one is a rare stroke of luck. It would have been too for fund-raisers at the UBS Hong Kong Open, thanks to an offer from the sponsor to donate US$20,000 to Operation Santa Claus if the feat was achieved on the 15th hole.

But although no player nailed a hole-in-one at the Hong Kong Golf Club tournament in Fanling this year, the generosity of the Swiss bank overrode the rules and UBS went ahead with its donation to OSC.

David Boyd-Thomas, head of corporate responsibility, said: 'We have always made the generous decision that - no matter what - we would support Operation Santa Claus, and that is part of our tradition.'

This is the seventh year that UBS has raised money for OSC at the Open, through activities suitable for young and old. Spectators turned out in droves on all four days of the tournament, from Thursday to Sunday.

Jointly organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK, OSC has supported more than 100 charities since it was founded in 1988.

This year it will raise money for 16 Hong Kong charities.

There were various ways for visitors to play their part for charity at the city's oldest professional sporting event, founded in 1959. Those seeking a souvenir had their picture taken with the trophy in exchange for donating HK$50; the images would later appear on a cover of the Hong Kong edition of Golf Digest magazine.

Some spectators donated that amount in order to take a photograph with the event's roving Santa Claus. Others gave HK$20 to take part in a minigolf putting challenge.

And a couple of golf pros took time to impart their skills. UBS invited Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland - who won the tournament - and China's No 1 Liang Wenchong to host a golf clinic for the Hong Kong Special Olympics Golf Team.

UBS is a big OSC donor, raising more than HK$248,000 last year.

How you can give

Donate online by credit card at osc.scmp.com

Donations can be made at ATMs or at any branch of HSBC: account number 502-676299-001 for SCMP CHARITIES LTD-OPERATION SANTA CLAUS

You can make a donation by cheque, payable to 'SCMP CHARITIES LTD-OPERATION SANTA CLAUS' and mail to: Operation Santa Claus, Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, New Territories, Hong Kong

Donations of HK$100 or more are tax-deductible. If you would like a tax receipt, please send the completed donation form and original bank receipt with your name, address and phone number to the address above.