Hong Kong: Golf in Hong Kong has achieved ‘mission impossible’ after the latest notable success for Arianna Lau and Sophie Han.

In California, the Hong Kong, China combination of Lau and Han triumphed in the Girls 15-18 team section at the IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championship 2023.

In the wake of that success, it was confirmed that golf has, for the first time, reached the points tally needed to attain Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) Tier A status.

Danny Lai, Chief Executive Officer at the Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA), said: “It’s mission accomplished. Golf will now be a HKSI Tier A sport in 2025.” 

Lau and Han finished on a combined 10-under-par 422 (137-144-141) to take the title in California, 11 shots clear of second-placed Mexico.

That followed on the heels of Lau’s historic victory at this year’s Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) Junior Championships, Han’s third-placing at this year’s Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP), Tiffany Chan’s eighth at the LPGA’s Hugel-Air Premia LA Open in 2021, and Taichi Kho’s second placing at the 2021 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.

All those results have counted towards the points tally needed for golf to attain HKSI Tier A status.

“Five years ago when we set this target, many people said it was impossible,” said Lai. “Considering the limited resources we have and the small pool of players, it really is amazing.”

Golf in Hong Kong can now look to funding for elite training programmes, a team of dedicated coaches led by a Head Coach, full sport science and medicine support, and athlete development programmes.

Lai said: “Thank you to [HKGA Head Coach] Tim Tang and Yumi Ma, [Manager, Junior/International Development] for fighting on the front line with me, and to everyone in the HKGA back office for their support.

“Special thanks to everyone on the committee and everyone who believed we could do it from the outset. And, of course, a special thanks to the players, who continue to make the city proud and whose talent has made this all possible.”