News
The 6th Yinli HKPGA Classic 2008
October 29th, 2008
The most important event on the Hong Kong Professional Golfers’ Association’s calendar, also considered as HKPGA’ s Annual ‘Major Championship’ with significant order of merit points on offer, The Yinli HKPGA Classic took place on Oct 20-22. The annual event was organized by HKPGA with major sponsored by Yinli Golf Club, and co-sponsored by Mr. Cheng Kwee of Grand Waldo Hotel & Mr. Alan Kwok Chin Kwok, with prize sponsors E.A.C Golf Association, Callaway, Kasco, Mizuno, Ping, PRGR and Bonaka Company. The total sponsored money for the event has grown to HK$860,000, and some of the region’s best professionals including players from Mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore were invited to take part.
Mr. Huang Tung-liang from Taiwan secured his Open Division victory after two days of tightly fought competition with a combined score of 141 (3-under-par). Singapore veteran Bill Fua produced a score of 152, which was good enough to claim the Senior Division title. Ms. Hu Ling from China was the first Ladies Division winner of the title. Her two-day total scores of 142 proving too good for the rest of the field.
On Oct 20, the first day of the tournament, Wong Woon-man from Hong Kong, an Omega China Tour regular, led the field by one shot after an excellent 68. James Stewart, the 2006 champion, and Hong Kong’s Derek Fung were both one shot adrift in second place, while Huang Tung-liang’s 74 put him in joint sixteenth. On the final day, tough pin placement claimed many casualties, but Huang coped extremely well and carded a brilliant 5-under- par 67, to enable him to clinch the open division victory. The easygoing and softly spoken Huang was thrilled with his maiden win as a professional. He turned pro in 2003. “After numerous attempts at Asian Tour events in China, I played a lot of tournaments in Taiwan throughout September and my game has been in good shape,” said Huang. “On the first day, I could not get used to the speed of the greens and I also made a big mistake at the fourteenth where I hit in the water twice to make a triple bogey. I was able to adjust on the final day and hit a lot of good iron shots, which enabled me to make a good score and win. I am really happy with the condition and design of the golf course and the greens are superb. I will definitely come back to defend the title.”
Wong Woon-man had to settle for second place alongside Taiwanese youngster Chen Ming-hsin. Derek Fung finished at level par 144 and alone in fourth place.
Subsequently on Oct 22nd, the Pro-Am tournament invited club members, sponsors, celebrities and artists —including HKPGA Honorary President Mr. Eric Tsang, well-known artist Sammo Hung, Simon Yam Tat-wah, Chan Pak-cheong, Gilbert Lam Wai-sun, Wong Hang-sau, Paul Chin and Yu Siu-po to take part. The prize presentation was held on the same evening. Professional Dean Tan, combining with his partners—Ngai Hoi-fai, Ho Siu-chung and Lee Lai, led the winner team of Pro-Am with a team score of 16-under-par. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly 2007 Champion Jang Chel Ho’s amazing hole-in-one at the third hole. Mr. Tse Hing-tong & Ms Lee Chung-fong outdrove everyone and won the longest drive award in the men’s and ladies’ divisions respectively, while Mr. Cheung Chi-wong & Kam Tai-hin picked up the nearest-the-pin honors.
The Chairman of Yinli Golf Club & HKPGA Vice President, Mr. Leung Chi has always been a big drive in the development of golf in Hong Kong and China and provides the use of his club to HKPGA members for training. His support began in 2003 with the establishment of the event; the big prize purses on offer and the redevelopment of the first-class venue has successfully attracted quality players from around the region as well as elevating the event’s status towards international standard.
