November 8, 2007 – Golf will come to downtown Hong Kong next week as the UBS Hong Kong Open Roadshow offers the public a taste of the big tournament atmosphere.
Enthusiasts of all levels, from regular players to beginners, will have the chance to test their swing and get tips from the pros at portable hitting bays set up in Chater Garden, Central.
The public will also be able to find out more about the Open at the tournament information booth while plasma TV screens will show promotional highlights.
The UBS Hong Kong Open Roadshow will be staged from Monday to Friday (November 12 to 16), 10:30am to 8pm daily, to coincide with the tournament which begins at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling on Thursday.
It is one of a series of initiatives aimed at further increasing public interest in the Open, which last year attracted record crowds to Fanling.
“This is the first time we have brought an Open Roadshow to the heart of Hong Kong,” said Martin Capstick of promoter Parallel Media Group. “It is a chance for the public, whether they are golf fans or not, to learn more about the tournament and the world class players who are taking part.”
Organisers are also enhancing spectator facilities at the Hong Kong Golf Club as the tournament’s popularity continues to grow.
Fans will have a choice of following the stars on foot around Fanling’s par-70 Championship Course or watching the action from the Public Village located next to the clubhouse.
The village will have an enlarged, three-tiered viewing terrace overlooking the 18th green plus a giant TV screen so spectators can follow the action from the rest of the course.
In addition, there will be a golf simulator where spectators can “play” the par-three 12th hole famously aced by Chinese star Liang Wenchong last year and Holland’s Robert-Jan Derksen in 2005.
The village will also have food and beverage outlets and numerous exhibition booths.
Travelling to the tournament has been made easy with title sponsor UBS again providing free shuttle buses on the final two days.
One service will depart from Admiralty: spectators should take Exit A from Admiralty MTR station and meet the bus outside Admiralty Centre.
A second service will operate from Kowloon Tong KCR station: passengers should take the To Fok Road exit and meet the bus outside the station.
Departure times for both services will be every half hour from 9am to 12:30pm on Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18.
A return service will operate on both days with first departure from the Hong Kong Golf Club at 3pm and then every half hour from 4-6pm.
In addition, there will be a free shuttle bus service between Sheung Shui KCR station and the Hong Kong Golf Club on all four days of the tournament.
This will operate from 7am to 6pm on November 15-16 and 8am to 6pm on November 17-18. Buses will depart every half hour.
Organisers have also expanded the number of ticketing outlets this year in response to increased demand.
Day tickets are priced at HK$100 (Thursday, Friday), HK$200 (Saturday) and HK$250 (Sunday). Season tickets (covering all four days) cost HK$350.
Tickets can be purchased through CityLine (www.cityline.com or hotline 2111 5333), via Now TV on channel 501, or from various driving ranges and golf shops, details of which can be found on the tournament’s official website, www.ubshongkongopen.com.
The stellar line-up at the UBS Hong Kong Open will be headlined by two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen and 2003 Masters winner Mike Weir, who will be joined by fellow PGA Tour stars KJ Choi, Stuart Appleby and Trevor Immelman.
Reigning champion José Manuel Lara of Spain is returning to defend his title while Asian Tour UBS Order of Merit leader Liang Wenchong will fly the flag for China.
