Hong Kong: Paul Tse has been elected as President of the Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA). Tse assumes the post from Kenneth Lam, who retired from the office after serving in that capacity for two years.

During his term, Tse will be aiming to expand on the HKGA’s promotion of golf in the community, schools and elite golf in Hong Kong.

At the Annual General Meeting, Dr Kelvin Inge was elected as Vice President.

Dr Ronald Lu will continue to serve in the capacity of Honorary Chairman of the HKGA, while Tim Tsang and Chris Ip have also been re-appointed to the posts of Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer respectively.

“We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Mr Lam for his leadership and contributions to the sport,” said a spokesperson for the HKGA.

Lam, who served as Hong Kong’s Olympics golf team leader in Tokyo, said having more golf facilities is conducive to promoting and growing the game in the city.

“Golf courses are important training grounds for many promising home talents, including LPGA golfer Tiffany Chan who made local history by qualifying for two consecutive Olympic Games,” said Lam. “In addition, having more driving ranges will make the sport more accessible and encourage more members of the community to take up the game.”

The HKGA was set up in 1968 to co-ordinate golfing activity at a territory-wide level, such as the running of the national championships, training players and the financing of teams to participate in overseas team events.  

Efforts by the HKGA to promote the need for public facilities were successful when the Tuen Mun Driving Range and the Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course came on stream in 1995.

In recent years, participation has grown considerably. Hong Kong now has around 1,600 junior golfers and the HKGA supports more than 100 squad members.  

The level of excellence among Hong Kong’s elite teams and individuals has also improved significantly, with 20 players currently listed in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, and more than 10 on college golf scholarships in the US and around the world.