Fore the future!

The Hong Kong Golf Club is hopeful LIV Golf's tournament to be held next month will attract more locals, especially youngsters, to take part in the sport, according to club captain Andy Kwok Wing-leung.

Kwok said tourists from 26 countries have purchased tickets to watch the tournament on March 8-10 at the Fanling Golf Course.

"Hong Kong is a hub for large-scale events. The tournament will combine elements like music and a carnival to attract a new demographic of spectators and players and push the sport's development," Kwok said at a press briefing yesterday at Fanling.

"The most important part of the golf event this time is our intention.

"We hope to promote the sport to more audiences."

Kwok said his club is "very confident" in coorganizing the tournament and boost Hong Kong's reputation as a large-scale events hub and to make the city shine in the international arena.

"We are actively communicating with the organizer, in hopes that well-known golf stars can get a feeling of Hong Kong's atmosphere and meet with citizens on the sidelines of the tournament," Kwok said.

"We hope to bring golf, apart from what's happening inside, to outside the course. We are exploring the possibilities of various activities."

LIV Golf is applying for the government's "M" mark event status for massive sports events, but Kwok believes that whether the application is successful or not, the club's intention to make the sport more popular in the city will not change.

Kwok said the club has filed an application to the government to borrow the "Old Course," which reverted to the government for potential public residential development late last year.

"LIV Golf experts have completed course inspections. Since those coming to play in HK are top-notch, we will work with LIV Golf to improve facilities to meet the requirements, including raising the safety net around the course," he said.

"The organizer attaches importance to the supporting facilities of the golf course, which is to HK's advantage. I hope LIV Golf can play in HK regularly."

LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman, a retired Australian golfer who won 88 professional tournaments, including 20 PGA Tour events and two majors, said most of LIV Golf's 52 players have never been to the city and are "very excited" to visit.

"HK Golf Club in its own right is just one of the true classics. It's been around for decades and it tries to adjust to the times of modern technology," Norman said through video link.

He added LIV Golf is trying to grow and develop in the region, and the March event will allow the Greater Bay Area region more exposure globally.

"What we pride ourselves on is being able to let young kids see the quality of the players we have and get excited about seeing, listening, talking to them, understanding the magnitude of being one of the best players in the world," Norman said.

"I'm always open to get as many younger kids to experience what LIV Golf is about."

The tickets range from HK$366 to HK$414 for one day, and around HK$1,085 for a three-day pass.

LIV Golf, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, goes to Las Vegas this weekend before heading to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from March 1 to 3.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com