Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1623187/major-coup-hong-kong-clearwater-bay-club-will-host-asia-pacific
Sport/ Hong Kong

Major coup for Hong Kong as Clearwater Bay club will host Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship

Spectacular course chosen as venue for 2016 edition of tournament, which gives players chance to qualify for a starting spot at the Masters in Augusta

Guan Tianlang poses with the winner's trophy at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Amata Spring Country Club, in Chonburi,Thailand, in 2012. Photo: AP

Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club will play host to next year's Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, the seventh edition of the world's most televised amateur golf tournament.

In a major coup for Hong Kong, the championship co-organised by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and the R&A will take place over the spectacular Clearwater Bay layout from October 1-4.

For Hong Kong's leading amateurs there is the tantalising incentive of vying for a starting spot in the 2016 Masters tournament at Augusta National, the prize awaiting the winner.

Next October will arguably be the biggest month in the history of golf in Hong Kong Tom Phillips

Speaking on the opening day of this year's event at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Ning Li, president of the Hong Kong Golf Association, said: "All of us in Hong Kong who share a love of golf should be very proud to have been selected as the host.

"It will be an honour and a privilege to show the region our wonderful city and showcase one of the area's most beautiful and challenging courses."

Peter Dawson, chief executive of the R&A, said: "I think the choice of Hong Kong as a venue for this wonderful championship is very appropriate.

"It has a very strong history in the game of golf and we are very much looking forward to going there."

According to David Cherry, chairman of the APGC, Hong Kong Golf Club and Discovery Bay Golf Club were also considered by a selection panel before Clearwater Bay was given the nod.

Hideki Matsuyama, who qualified by winning the 2010 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship, plays the ninth hole at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia in 2011. Photo: Reuters
Hideki Matsuyama, who qualified by winning the 2010 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship, plays the ninth hole at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia in 2011. Photo: Reuters

Inaugurated at Mission Hills Shenzhen in 2009, the event has subsequently been held in Japan (2010), Singapore (2011), Thailand (2012), China (Nanshan, 2013) and Australia (2014).

Prior to this week, there have been five successive winners from Asia - South Koreans Han Chang-won and Lee Chang-woo, Japan's Hideki Matsuyama in 2010 and 2011 and China's Guan Tianlang, who is one shot off the pace following an opening 68 in Melbourne.

The winner each year earns an invitation to the Masters. The winner and runners-up gain spots in the British Open qualifying series.

Tom Phillips, chief executive of the HKGA, said: "With the Hong Kong Open taking place at Fanling a fortnight after the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, next October will arguably be the biggest month in the history of golf in Hong Kong."