Hong Kong: A record 38 representative teams from 20 countries and regions are primed to compete in this week’s 2017 Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Junior Championship Mitsubishi Corporation Cup at Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC).
Under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), this is the third edition of the event as the Mitsubishi Corporation Cup.
The tournament has drawn the participation of several nations for the first time in 2017, while a contingent from the European Golf Association will also participate at the HKGC, a Golf Course Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
Last year’s competition was held in Taiwan, and won by a team from South Korea. That winning duo – Kim Min-kyu and Park Min-ji – have moved on to senior play. But 2016 individual champion Jed Morgan of Australia is in Hong Kong to defend his title, fresh on the heels of his win at the Singapore Junior Golf Championship in June.
Hong Kong Golf Association Vice President Nishi Yoshihiro welcomed the visitors. He said: “We are delighted that more teams from more countries and territories are represented at this first hosting of the Mitsubishi Asia Pacific Junior Championship in Hong Kong. I’d especially like to welcome the teams from China, Macau, Lebanon and Oman, participating in the event for the first time.”
David Cherry, Chairman of the APGC, highlighted the event’s role in acclimatising the region’s future winners to high-level competition, saying: “The Mitsubishi Asia Pacific Junior Championship is growing as one of APGC’s flagship events and allows young players from vastly different backgrounds to compete equally on a world stage.
“The tournament has already featured the likes of Aditi Ashok from India, Nasa Hataoka from Japan and Choi Hye-jin from Korea, who gained experience and no doubt confidence from playing against the best of their peers.”
Play will take place over three days (August 30-September 1), with a different format on each day – four ball, foursome and individual men’s and women’s stroke play.