NEWS FROM HONG KONG

The 2025 National Games of the People’s Republic of China opened this past September, while the golf events were hosted by the Hong Kong SAR division. The competition was held at the historic Hong Kong SAR Golf Club in Fanling. This marked the first time Hong Kong SAR hosted all golf events of the National Games, with four gold medals for men’s and women’s individual and team categories, making it a truly significant occasion. For Hong Kong SAR golf fans and fans coming from other countries, witnessing top-tier competitions right at their doorstep was a rare opportunity as well as watching Hong Kong SAR teams.

With over a century of history, the Fanling course is the oldest championship golf course still in use in Asia. It is not only professionally maintained with excellent facilities but is also renowned for its challenging design. Earlier, Wei Qingfeng, Secretary-General of the China Golf Association, inspected the venue and praised it for meeting the standards required for the National Games. He further noted that Hong Kong SAR’s cool weather in November, especially if windy, would increase the course’s difficulty, making players’ adaptability and strategy a decisive factor in the competition. The HKGTF the hosted China Golf Association and provided assistance during the event as both are long-term partners.

The Hong Kong SAR team lineup for the National Games was led by Kho Taichi, the individual gold medalist at the Hangzhou Asian Games, who alongside with his teammates won the team bronze medal. Kho has achieved remarkable success since turning professional in 2023. He became the first Hong Kong SAR golfer to win an Asian Tour event and then clinched gold at the Asian Games, outshining renowned Korean and PGA Tour player Im Sung-jae.

Two of the coaches of China National Golf Team are now working with Zhang Bin Lin in the Golf Industry College Hebei Oriental University. Zhang serves as the Dean of the College and is a HKGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional, while HKGTF president Steve Mak acts as the Technical Director of the college. The HKGTF will hold two certification courses in 2026.