Hong Kong Golf Club captain Andy Kwok Wing-leung expressed confidence that the club is well-prepared to host next year's National Games golf event at the Fanling Golf Course.
His remarks followed the successful conclusion of the LINK Hong Kong Open 2024 on Sunday, which also served as a preparatory test match for the upcoming National Games.
The National Games Coordination Office and the Chinese Golf Association, among other organizers, have conducted thorough assessments of the club's facilities and operations, including crowd management, stadium design, and security measures.
According to Kwok, the feedback from the officials was overwhelmingly positive, affirming the club's capability to manage significant events.
With a history of hosting large-scale tournaments such as the Hong Kong Open and LIV GOLF, the club is experienced and ready to ensure the highest quality standards for the National Games. Kwok also noted an increase in international visitors at this year's Open and acknowledged that there is still potential to attract even more tourists.
In an innovative move during the competition, the club named each of the 18 holes after one of Hong Kong's districts, such as Tai Po and North District. Informational boards and QR codes were placed to highlight local attractions, aiming to promote tourism and encourage visitors to explore the unique cultural tourism aspects of different areas.
The strategy also included promoting golf in local shopping malls.
When asked about expected tourist numbers for the National Games golf event, Kwok mentioned that while specific figures are currently unavailable, past golf opens suggest that an event spanning more than four days typically draws between 30,000 and 40,000 spectators.
