Six of the star players of the 2016 UBS Hong Kong Open took time out this evening to participate in a charity fundraising putting contest at the Central Harbourfront.
The public event saw UBS Hong Kong Open defending champion and Olympic gold medalist Justin Rose, supported by current tournament leader Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain and Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, go up against Patrick Reed – a.k.a. Captain America, Danny Willett of England and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand in an epic 18 metre putting contest.
The competition saw the two teams putt simultaneously from two ends of a purpose-built putting strip, in an effort to putt as many balls as possible in a five-minute time-trial, with HK$10,000 donated to the tournament’s official charities by the Hong Kong Golf Club and Friends of Asia for each successful putt.
A total of HK$180,000 was raised, with Rafa Cabrera Bello receiving the accolade of Most Valuable Player for his four successful putts. The money raised will be shared among the tournament’s four nominated charities, the Autism Partnership Foundation; InspiringHK Sports Foundation (IHKSF); Playright Children’s Play Association; and The Hub Hong Kong.
The initiative brought to a close the tournament’s new HK18 community initiative which has taken the excitement of the UBS Hong Kong Open on an 18-day roadshow, visiting each of Hong Kong’s 18 districts. The interactive golf experience has seen some 1,350 members of the public test their skills on a purpose built course, with over 20,000 spectators enjoying the fun.