香港哥爾夫球會呈獻「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」 世界級高爾夫盛事將重臨亞洲國際都會
World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club brings world-class golf back to Asia’s World City
[香港，2023年2月28日] 香港哥爾夫球會呈獻——首屆「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」將於3月23日至26日在粉嶺球場舉行，爲本港熱愛體育及娛樂盛事的觀眾帶來睽違已久的精彩國際高球賽事。歐洲高爾夫球巨星保爾特（Ian Poulter）和 斯滕森（Henrik Stenson）已率先宣布參賽，加入這項獎金高達100萬美元的國際高球盛事。屆時賽事亦將向全球超過105個國家和地區進行直播。
這個全新的職業體育盛事已獲The R&A 認證，成爲「英國公開賽」資格賽系列的三場亞洲區賽事之一。粉嶺球場一向是芸芸職業球員心中的一流競技場，這項賽事榮獲此殊榮定必提升了不少吸引力。
香港哥爾夫球會舉辦「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」的其中一個目的是配合香港特區政府推廣「你好，香港！」活動，吸引更多海外旅客到訪香港。隨著世界頂尖球星保爾特和斯滕森已確定參賽，這項賽事未開始便已見成效。
保爾特曾取得17個職業冠軍，其中一次是在2010年的「香港高爾夫球公開賽」中以創紀錄的低22個標準桿成爲賽事盟主，他當年在粉嶺球場上的表現十多年來仍令人津津樂道。他表示很期待再次到訪香港作賽。保爾特說：「香港是我最喜歡的地方之一，我很期待回到這亞洲國際都會參加首屆『國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽』。」
斯滕森作為歐洲其中一個最有成就的高爾夫球員，擁有22個職業冠軍，包括2016年「英國公開賽」。他曾保持在世界職業排名前10位逾300星期，高峰時更達世界排名第二位。這位來自瑞典的大滿貫冠軍表示很高興首次來港登場，他說：「我對即將首次訪港作賽感到興奮，很期待在粉嶺球場與球迷見面。」
賽事除了有上述兩位國際球星以及多名亞洲巡迴賽（亞巡賽）頂尖球手參與，香港亦有精英球手參戰，包括剛轉職業的香港首席球員許龍一。這位22歲的球手熱切期待能在主場出戰新秀賽季的其中一場比賽。
許龍一表示：「我對參加『國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽』感到非常興奮。作為一名香港高球手，能在主場上以職業球員的身份在本港球迷面前出賽，是我一直夢寐以求的事，十分期待在賽事期間與球迷見面。不少本地球員亦會參加今次賽事，所以這次將有機會在賽場上高高展示我們特區的旗幟！」許龍一曾在2021年度的亞太業餘錦標賽奪得亞軍，登上業餘生涯高峰。
過去數十年，香港哥爾夫球會以舉辦各項盛事著稱，吸引了大量本地觀眾，以及來自亞洲和世界各地的旅客和高爾夫球愛好者前來觀賽，其中2018年第60屆「香港高爾夫球公開賽」更吸引了逾49,000名觀眾參與。
香港哥爾夫球會會長郭永亮歡迎國際高爾夫賽事重臨香港，他表示：「經過了三年的停頓，我們很高興與亞巡賽攜手舉辦『國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽』，爲本港帶來一個全新的賽事。這是球會在今年賽季舉辦的三項國際賽事的揭幕賽，我們期待在2023年迎接全球各地的球迷和香港觀眾蒞臨粉嶺球場。」
郭永亮續說：「舉辦國際一流賽事和為觀眾提供精彩體驗是香港哥爾夫球會一直引以自豪的傳統。我很高興『國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽』將秉承這項傳統，並與社區一起分享體育盛事回歸本港的喜悅。」
爲了讓全港市民共享這項睽違已久的精彩國際高球盛事，「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」將會在賽事期間（3月23日至26日）免費開放予公眾參與，門票可透過 www.ticketflap.com 預先登記，先到先得。
香港哥爾夫球會亦會邀請學校和社區組織參與這項盛事，讓新一代能體驗和認識有關高爾夫球的基本知識，一同享受比賽的刺激氣氛。
賽事不止有世界級的高爾夫球競技和球場，觀眾村每天更將提供各種娛樂活動，包括高爾夫球體驗班、現場音樂表演、國際美食佳餚、以及STEAM兒童及親子活動等。此外，觀眾村亦設有展覽攤位，屆時觀眾可以深入瞭解香港哥爾夫球會粉嶺球場的悠久歷史和重要的自然生態價值，同時也可以即場報名參加自然生態導賞團。
除了球賽和娛樂等精彩活動，球會再下一城，在3月25日（星期六）「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」連同香港老爺車會將舉辦古董及經典汽車展，與球賽一樣免費入場。有關展覽和整個賽事周活動詳情將於稍後公布。
郭永亮指出：「舉辦『國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽』這些國際賽事對於本港作爲國際盛事之都的形象十分重要。今年三月香港匯聚國際體育巨星和娛樂盛事，反映香港已回歸國際舞台。」
舉辦首屆「國際都會高爾夫球錦標賽」之後，球會將在10月舉辦女子歐洲巡迴賽賽事之一「沙特阿美石油團體系列賽」（Aramco Team Series），而香港歷史最悠久的職業體育賽事——第62屆「香港高爾夫球公開賽」亦將於今年11月復辦。
香港哥爾夫球會呈獻「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, 28 February 2023]: Hong Kong golf and entertainment lovers are in for a treat with the debut of the World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club (WCC) from 23-26 March 2023 in Fanling. European golf legends Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson are the first confirmed headliners for the US$1 million tournament, which will be broadcast live to over 105 countries and territories.
The city’s newest professional sports event received a huge fillip by being selected as one of three Asian tournaments in The R&A’s Open Qualifying Series (OQS). With the Fanling club already a firm favourite among the professionals, the tournament’s coveted OQS status will only add to the allure.
One of the Hong Kong Golf Club’s primary objectives in presenting the WCC is to support the government’s “Hello Hong Kong” campaign and attract international visitors to the city. That mission is already coming to fruition with Swedish star Stenson set to make his first ever visit to Hong Kong.
Fans will need no introduction to Poulter, whose victory at the 2010 Hong Kong Open - when he set the championship record at 22-under-par, ranks high amongst the decades of unforgettable Sundays in Fanling.
The 17-time tournament champion welcomed the opportunity to return to the city, saying, “Hong Kong is one of my favourite places and I am looking forward to coming back to Asia’s World City for the inaugural WCC,” said the Englishman.
One of Europe’s most accomplished golfers, Stenson has 22 worldwide wins, including the 2016 Open Championship. He has spent more than 300 weeks of his career ranked among the world’s top 10 golfers, reaching a career-best No. 2.
“I’m excited to be coming to Hong Kong for the first time and look forward to seeing all the fans in Fanling,” he said.
Joining Poulter and Stenson is a full field of the best of the best from the Asian Tour, as well as some of Hong Kong’s top golfers, including newly turned pro Taichi Kho. The 22-year old is eagerly anticipating the chance to play at his home course in his rookie season.
“I am incredibly excited about playing the WCC. As a Hong Kong golfer, to be playing as a pro on my home course and in front of home galleries is something that I have dreamed about. I hope to see as many fans as possible over the tournament. A lot of Hong Kong players will be playing, so it will be a great chance to fly the Hong Kong golf flag high,” added Kho, whose successful amateur career included a notable runner-up finish at the prestigious Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2021.
Over the decades, Hong Kong Golf Club events have built a reputation for welcoming the local public and drawing tourists from around Asia and the world, with over 49,000 spectators attending the 60th Hong Kong Open in 2018.
Hong Kong Golf Club Captain Andy Kwok welcomed the return of international golf to the city:
“After a three-year hiatus, we are delighted to be hosting the WCC and to be partnering with the Asian Tour in bringing such an important new event to Hong Kong. It is the first of three top international tournaments we will host at the Club this season, and we look forward to welcoming visitors from around the world and around Hong Kong to Fanling throughout 2023.
“Staging world-class tournaments and providing a great spectator experience is something the Club has a long and proud tradition of doing. I am pleased to say that this will continue at the WCC as we join hands with the community and celebrate the return of major sporting events to Hong Kong,” said Mr Kwok.
In keeping with the Club’s mission to share the excitement with all of Hong Kong, the WCC is free for entry across the tournament week (23-26 March). Tickets will be available by prior registration via www.ticketflap.com.
The Hong Kong Golf Club will also host schools and community organizations at the event, offering an opportunity to learn more about the fundamentals of golf and to experience the excitement of tournament play.
As if the world-class golf and world-class views were not enough, the tournament’s spectator village will offer a daily calendar of entertainment from golf clinics to live music concerts, international cuisine, a STEAM kids and family area and much more. The village will also feature an exhibition booth where visitors can learn more about the long history and ecological importance of the Hong Kong Golf Club’s Fanling site and register for guided nature tours.
Revving up the excitement even further, on 25 March, the WCC will present a Classic Car Show in association with the Classic Car Club of Hong Kong. Like the rest of the tournament, admission is free. More details on tournament activities will be announced shortly.
“Tournaments like the WCC are vital to Hong Kong’s reputation as an international events hub. To have the stars of the sports and entertainment worlds jetting into the city this March is a sure sign that Hong Kong is back,” added Mr Kwok.
In addition to hosting the inaugural WCC, the Club will also stage the Aramco Team Series, a premier Ladies European Tour event, in October, whilst the 62nd edition of the Hong Kong Open, Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, will make a welcome return in November.
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 event 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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