Children aged eight to 10 from primary schools SKH Wing Chun in Sheung Shui and PUA Wah Yan in Wan Chai are the first in Hong Kong to have completed a series of ShortGolf classes delivered at their schools by the HKGA. Following their experience with ShortGolf, a fun and easy introduction to the game, the children are invited to visit a golf club in Hong Kong to receive their certification of achievement.
For the primary school children from Sheung Shui and Wan Chai, their first ever visit to Fanling included a tour of the historic Hong Kong Golf Club, a visit to the practice area to demonstrate their ShortGolf skills and an introduction to real golf from the club’s teaching professionals.
Speaking at the recent launch of the HSBC Hong Kong Junior Golf Programme, Tom Phillips, CEO of the HKGA, said: “HSBC Golf For Schools is intended to be affordable and accessible for children of all backgrounds. For those children who are inspired by the ShortGolf experience, we offer a pathway into the sport, starting with a series of coaching clinics at golf courses and driving ranges across Hong Kong.
"We’ve got nine local primary schools signed up to the HSBC Golf For Schools programme already,” added Phillips. “Our aim is to reach 15 schools and more than 300 children in year one, laying a foundation on which to build in subsequent years.”
Also supported by The R&A, HSBC Golf For Schools culminates in on-course golf lessons and the opportunity to gain an official HKGA handicap. From there, children progress to the HSBC Junior Development Programme, a talent-identification scheme comprising HKGA-sanctioned junior tournaments and matches, including the HSBC Junior Tour and a cross-border match against the top juniors from HSBC’s China Junior Golf Programme. The top Hong Kong juniors are then invited to join the HKGA Junior Squad for weekly coaching and expert advice and ultimately the chance to represent Hong Kong on the international stage.
Click here to see the published article.
