Hong Kong: Hong Kong Golf Club Captain William Doo Jr has hailed EFG’s announcement of a multi-year extension to its title sponsorship of the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open until at least 2021.

Speaking during the fifth edition of the event at Fanling, Doo said: “I would like to express our gratitude to EFG. EFG is a long-standing supporter of golf development in Hong Kong and we are truly thankful for their continued and whole-hearted commitment to this tournament.

“We look forward to working in partnership with EFG in the coming years to build on the foundation that has been created.”

The sponsorship extension complements a number of initiatives led by the Swiss private bank, including the sponsorship of EFG Global Sport Ambassador Tiffany Chan and Mission Hills Junior Programme; and programmes of its Foundation such as the EFG Hong Kong Tennis Association Tour Team, and the EFG Young Athletes Foundation Scholars Vincent Capol and Chloe Chan.

Albert Chiu, Executive Chairman, Asia Pacific, EFG Bank, said funds will be used to further enhance the player and spectator experience at the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open, while ensuring that Hong Kong’s premier women’s golf event remains true to its vision of creating a pathway for leading local players to compete on the international stage.

Chiu said: “We are delighted to announce a multi-year extension to our title sponsorship of the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open. Nurturing and providing every opportunity for upcoming local athletes to achieve their dream and hopefully make Hong Kong proud one day has always been EFG’s underlying corporate commitment.

“The EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open is now a well-established tournament and in addition to attracting seasoned professionals from the Asia-Pacific region, it is also an ideal platform for home grown talents to hone their skills and grow their game.

“With EFG Global Sport Ambassador Tiffany Chan returning to play each year, the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open also provide fans and golf-lovers the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Hong Kong’s golden girl in action and cheer on their idol over three days of world class competition.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Hong Kong Golf Club for at least two more years and bring the tournament to greater heights.”

Chan said: “I am so happy to hear of EFG’s extension as the title sponsor of the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open. This is great news for the Hong Kong golf community and for me. For the past five years, I have always made a conscious effort to play in my home tournament where the support I and my fellow Hong Kong players receive is unrivalled in comparison to anywhere else in the world.

“I have many happy memories competing at the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open, especially in 2016 when I took home the trophy. I am proud to be able to represent EFG as their Global Sport Ambassador. I will do my utmost to provide my fans with something to cheer about over the next few years.”

Inaugurated in 2015, the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open sees 123 players representing 14 countries compete over three rounds on the Old Course at the Hong Kong Golf Club, a Golf Course Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

The US$150,000 tournament is the first and only women’s golf tournament in Hong Kong in which players can earn World Ranking points.