David Hui, Wyman Li, David Cherry, Billy Payne, Peter Dawson and Ning Li.

Melbourne, Australia: Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club has been confirmed as the host venue for the 2015 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC).

The AAC, which is being played at Royal Melbourne Golf Club this week, is scheduled for October 1-4 next year.

As the event moves throughout the region, it has now been held in China (2009, 2013), Japan (2010), Singapore (2011), Thailand (2012) and Australia (2013).

Organised by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and The R&A, the AAC offers the winner an invitation to the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. The champion and runner(s)-up earn spots in The Open Qualifying Series for The Open Championship.

The 2015 event will mark the first time the championship has been held in Hong Kong. Clearwater Bay is located in the New Territories and situated on a peninsula with stunning views of the South China Sea and Hong Kong. The golf course is divided into two parts: the Highland Nine and the Ocean Nine.

“All of us in Hong Kong who share a love of golf should be very proud to have been selected as the host,” said Ning Li, President of the Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA). “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.”

Wyman Li, Chairman of Clearwater Bay, said: “The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is, without question, the elite amateur competition in our region, with unmatched rewards that continue to inspire players to reach their dreams. We are delighted to serve as hosts and are committed to growing the profile of the event in every way possible.”

David Hui, Captain of Clearwater Bay and Honorary Chairman of the HKGA, said: “This announcement represents a significant moment for the further development of golf in Hong Kong and the entire region.

“The Asia-Pacific Amateur will bring with it tremendous prestige to our area, with the world of golf watching as we assist in the conduct of this far-reaching championship. We can, and will, provide the support necessary to ensure the event’s ultimate success.”

This week’s sixth edition of the AAC features 116 players from the APGC’s 35 member associations. Television coverage includes three hours of live broadcast on each of the four days and a 30-minute highlights show, and will be aired in more than 150 countries, confirming it as the world’s most televised amateur golf tournament.