「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」粉嶺球場掀戰幔 逾20位本地高球精英全力火拼世界級高手
World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club set to showcase over 20 local stars on a global stage
[香港，2023年3月14日] 由香港哥爾夫球會呈獻的「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」，將於本月23日至26日一連四天在粉嶺球場舉行。賽事刷新有史以來多逾20位本地高爾夫球精英參加，他們將與來自世界各地的頂級球手，包括2010年「香港高爾夫球公開賽」冠軍保爾特（Ian Poulter）和2016年英國公開賽冠軍斯滕森（Henrik Stenson）同場較勁，競逐獎金高達100萬美元的賽事。
首屆賽事陣容鼎盛，共132位來自亞洲職業巡迴賽（亞巡賽）的頂尖球手和國際球星，以及超過20位本地新晉職業球員和業餘新星也獲得參賽資格，其中包括剛獲得亞巡賽資格的兩位明日之星許龍一和張雄熙。
許龍一興奮地表示：「以香港職業球員的身份代表香港參賽感覺特別有意義，這亦是我一直以來的夢想。我已經有一段時間沒有在香港參與競賽，這次能夠在粉嶺複合球場上與國際高球手一同參賽，實在是極之難得的機會，可以磨練臨場實戰技巧和心理素質，對我職業球手之路會有莫大裨益。我會沉着應戰，期望在本地球迷面前打出好成績。」
「我十分期待在賽事期間與球迷見面。不少參加今次賽事的本地球員都和我一樣，希望在賽場上能高舉特區旗幟，感受令人自豪的一刻！」許龍一續說。
近期，許龍一的備戰狀態大勇，上周出戰獎金高達200萬美元的泰國國際系列賽（International Series Thailand），他以低標準桿12桿的優秀成績並列第34位，在第一輪的賽事更曾一度佔據榜首。今周，他將出戰印度舉行的DGC 公開賽，爭取表現之餘也為主場的賽事作準備。
獲邀參與「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」，一同見證香港高爾夫球賽事復常，在國際和本地賽事中嶄露頭角的高爾夫球精英包括迪蘇沙（Leon D’Souza）、楊曉威、林日曦、林行知、陳諾謙、余彥豪、林竑希、吳所謂、李中堯、黑純一和伍城鋒。
本屆「香港哥爾夫球會奬杯賽」冠軍、現年17歲的業餘球員李中堯對於能有機會與亞巡賽高手及國際球星一起參賽，成為132位球手的其中一員感到十分興奮。
李中堯表示：「能够與全球各地優秀球員同場競技是一次難得的體驗，也是我一展身手的舞台。過去我一直以觀衆的角度去欣賞這些球員比賽，現在有機會與他們同場較量對我和其他代表香港的球員來說實在是個好機遇。」
參賽球員除了爭奪「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」殊榮外，本次賽事亦已獲The R&A認證，成爲第151屆「英國公開賽」資格賽系列的三場亞洲區賽事之一。
一連四天的「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」免費入場，粉嶺球場不但上演世界級高爾夫球競技，同場更舉辦與眾同樂的「粉嶺同樂谷」，每天免費為公眾提供各種娛樂活動，包括高爾夫球體驗、現場音樂表演、國際美食佳餚，以及STEAM兒童及親子活動等； 3月25日（星期六）於舊場1號洞更舉辦經典汽車展，定必成為車迷的心頭好。
香港哥爾夫球會呈獻的「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」榮獲大型體育事務委員會頒發成為「M」品牌認可活動，標誌著這是集合緊張、精彩和刺激的大型體育活動。這項盛事將協助提升香港作為亞洲體育盛事之都的形象。
[Hong Kong, 14 March 2023]: A record number of local golfers will tee it up at an international professional golf tournament when the US$1 million World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club (WCC) makes its debut from 23-26 March 2023 in Fanling.
Hong Kong’s newest tournament has already attracted a stellar field of the world’s best golfers - included among them former Hong Kong Open winner Ian Poulter (2010) and Henrik Stenson, winner of The Open in 2016.
Alongside the greats of the game, over 20 places have been offered to the city’s rising professional and amateur talents, including freshly minted Asian Tour players Taichi Kho and Matthew Cheung.
Kho - who, like Cheung, played his way to a Tour card through qualifying back in January - said he was thrilled with the opportunity to play in front of his hometown fans across the famed composite course. There is sure to be plenty of fans flocking to Fanling over the championship’s four days, given the fact that entry is free across the tournament week.
“To be a professional golfer from Hong Kong and to be playing in Hong Kong, it's truly something that I've always dreamed about,” said Kho.
“It's been quite a while since I've played in Hong Kong competitively so it'll be really nice to feel the hometown support and I really hope to see as many people out here as possible. A lot of Hong Kong players will be playing so it'll be great to feel the hometown pride and try to fly the flag high.”
Kho has already started work as he will be coming back to his hometown off two Asian Tour events - the US$2 million International Series Thailand where he was impressive all the way in finishing in a tie for 34th on 12 under par, and The DGC Open, set to be played at the Delhi Golf Club from March 16-19.
As well as Kho and Cheung, the rising stars of Hong Kong golf are expected for the World City Championship (WCC), at a time when the game in the city has never been healthier.
The likes of Leon D’Souza, Alexander Yang, Isaac Lam, Tommy Lin, Timothy Chan, Hoho Yue, Markus Lam, Kevin Wu, Isaac Lee, Jason Hak and Terrence Ng have been extended invitations to the tournament after making their mark on events both internationally and locally.
Seventeen-year-old amateur Isaac Lee, who was a recent winner of the Hong Kong Golf Club’s Fanling Trophy said he was thrilled by the opportunity to be part of a full field of 132 golfers that includes the very best from the Asian Tour, as well as international stars.
“I'm very excited,” said Lee.
“It's going to be a good opportunity for me to be able to play with a lot of top golfers from all over the world, and it’s also a good stage for me to showcase myself.
“I have watched a lot of these players over the years at the Hong Kong Golf Club, so now to be going out to play against them is just a great opportunity for me, and for all the Hong Kong golfers who will play.”
As well as the honour of competing for the prestigious WCC trophy, the tournament offers players a chance to play in this year’s 151st Open Championship in July as it has been selected as one of the three Asian tournaments that make up The R&A’s Open Qualifying Series (OQS).
“It’s an incredible opportunity,” said Kho.
“I think the only thing a professional golfer could ever ask for is more opportunity and for us to be given this opportunity to qualify for the most historic event in golf is truly special.”
Alongside the world-class golf on offer, the World City Championship is serving up plenty of world-class entertainment in the spectator hub, the WCC Fanling "Fam" Village, with an array of family-friendly activities across the week, from golf clinics, live music, international cuisine, a Classic Car Show on Saturday 25 March, and a STEAM kids and family area.
The World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club is proud of being an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports events capital. The “M” Mark awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolising an intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory sports calendar.
Information and Photo source : Elite Step Asia Limited / World City Championship
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