Golf was first introduced to Hong Kong just over 100 years ago. The Hong Kong Golf Club is among the 100 oldest clubs in the world and golf was played in Hong Kong before any other country in the Far East. Up to the end of the Second World War, it was mainly the interest of the expatriate population. For the past 40 years, however, this sport has become increasingly popular amongst the local population who now form some 80% of the GAHKC database of subscribers.
Golf Association of Hong Kong, China(GAHKC) was set up in 1968 to co-ordinate 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 GAHKC 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 GAHKC 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 in the world amateur golf rankings and more than 10 on college golf scholarships in the US and around the world.