Friends of Asia Hong Kong appointed Official Charity of 2015 UBS Hong Kong Open

The title sponsor, organizers, and official charity of the UBS Hong Kong Open 2015 are proud to announce the launch of a new charitable initiative, the UBS Hong Kong Open Charity Cup. The event, which is scheduled to take place on 28 October at the Hong Kong Golf Club, is organized in conjunction with Friends of Asia Hong Kong, the official charity of the 2015 UBS Hong Kong Open, and venue sponsor, the Hong Kong Golf Club.

The Charity Cup underscores the community focus of the UBS Hong Kong Open and is supported by the Open’s event partners including UBS, Friends of Asia HK, the Hong Kong Golf Club, the Hong Kong Golf Association and the European and Asian Tours.

Ms Kathryn Shih, Head of UBS Wealth Management APAC, commented on the initiative saying, “UBS is delighted to support this exciting new campaign which is the latest in a series of activities designed to ensure that the Open leaves a positive legacy for all of Hong Kong.

“On behalf of UBS, I would like to thank all of our event partners for their support, especially Friends of Asia HK and the Hong Kong Golf Club and its members, who have opened the course for use by the public for an additional day for the UBS Hong Kong Open Charity Cup.”

Extending a successful partnership first established during last year’s championship, Friends of Asia HK has once again been appointed as the official charity of the UBS Hong Kong Open in 2015.  Caleb Chan, Founder of Friends of Asia HK, commented on the organization’s appointment saying:

“We are delighted to be the official charity of such a well-established, history-rich and respected event as the UBS Hong Kong Open for the second year. Friends of Asia Hong Kong is committed to expanding the charitable profile of important events like the Charity Cup, in association with event partners such as UBS, the Hong Kong Golf Association, the Hong Kong Golf Club and the European and Asian Tours. The fundamental belief upon which we are built centers around the spirit of giving and the importance of helping others.”

UBS and Friends of Asia HK are working closely with the event partners to expand the impact of the tournament’s charity program as exemplified by the launch of the UBS Hong Kong Open Charity Cup. In keeping with this commitment, Friends of Asia HK has pledged to match the total funds raised from the Charity Cup campaign dollar for dollar, with a minimum donation of HKD 1,000,000 granted to the campaign’s charity beneficiaries.

 

Proceeds will be shared equally among three youth-based organizations:

·       Playright Hospital Play Services, which provides treatment, support and comfort through play to ill children in local hospitals.

·       InspiringHK Sport Foundation, which seeks to improve the lives of disadvantaged youth through sport.

·       Autism Partnership Foundation’s Aoi Pui School, Hong Kong’s only school devoted to supporting autistic youth.

The Autism Partnership Foundation’s Aoi Pui School was a beneficiary of the 2014 tournament with Friends of Asia HK and the Hong Kong Golf Club each donating HKD 100,000 to the school. The funds were used to financially support local youth suffering from autism spectrum disorder to attend the school.

Apart from contributing to the local community, one of the major attractions for Charity Cup participants is the unique opportunity to play on the UBS Hong Kong Open course, which is open for play on just nine days each year. The Hong Kong Golf Club, venue sponsor of the UBS Hong Kong Open Charity Cup, is providing the venue for free for this first of its kind charity golf event.

“The Club is delighted to be supporting the Charity Cup, which will provide a wonderful opportunity for local golfers to enjoy the Championship Course just days after the completion of the UBS Hong Kong Open,” said Kenneth Lam, Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club.

“As well as our commitment to developing junior golf in Hong Kong, the Club works hard to host numerous fundraising initiatives for the benefit of the Hong Kong community throughout the year, so our involvement with this very worthy event is a natural step for us to take. It promises to be a special day,” added Lam.

Apart from raising funds through Registration fees for the Charity Cup, (HKD 5,000 for individuals and HKD 20,000 for teams of four), a range of other initiatives during the UBS Hong Kong Open week will generate funds for the beneficiary organizations.

Title sponsor, UBS, will support the campaign with a hole-in-one competition over the course of the UBS Hong Kong Open. The first professional who cards a hole-in-one on the 144-yard 12^th hole at Fanling during the UBS Hong Kong Open will trigger an automatic donation to the UBS Hong Kong Open Charity Cup campaign.

The 2015 European Tour season has seen 43 holes-in-one recorded with UBS Hong Kong Open headliners Miguel-Angel Jimenez, Dustin Johnson and Thongchai Jaidee all accomplishing the feat this season. Jimenez has three holes-in-one on the year while Dustin Johnson and Thai ace Thongchai Jaidee have one each.

Funds will also be raised via branded donation boxes placed on the course, in the expanded Spectator Village and inside the Friends of Asia HK booth during the UBS Hong Kong Open (22-25 October).

In keeping with the focus on enhancing the accessibility of the UBS Hong Kong Open for the wider community, organizers previously announced that entry to the first round on Thursday, 22 October, is free for all spectators.

Spectators must pre-register via the official ticketing website for the complimentary tickets:http://tickets.europeantour.com/event/ubs-hong-kong-open-thursday-only/hong-kong-gc/905708/. Charity Cup donation boxes will also be set up at the public entrance on Thursday and throughout the tournament to further encourage donations.

UBS Hong Kong Open Charity Cup Factsheet

Date	Wednesday 28th October 2015
Sessions	Two sessions: Morning:  Tee-off at 08.00.  Afternoon: Tee-off at 13.00.
Organizers	UBS (Title sponsor – UBS Hong Kong Open), Friends of Asia Hong Kong (Official  Charity – UBS Hong Kong Open), Hong Kong Golf Club (Venue Sponsor – Charity  Cup), Hong Kong Golf Association, European Tour, Asian Tour (sanctioning bodies –  UBS Hong Kong Open)
Venue	UBS Hong Kong Open Championship Course (composite course) The Hong Kong Golf Club (official venue sponsor) Lot No. 1, Fan Kam Road, Sheung Shui, N.T. Hong Kong. Tel: (852) 2670 1211    Website: www.hkgolfclub.org
Beneficiaries	All proceeds will be shared equally amongst three local youth-based charities: ·       Playright Hospital Play Service ·       InspiringHK Sports Foundation ·       Autism Partnership Foundation
Participants	Maximum 200 players. Each session will host a maximum of 25 flights, (100 players),  each.
Format of  Play	Individual Stableford Points.  Each player plays against the net par of each hole and  receives points according to how they score in relation to par.
Handicap	Full handicap allowance up to 24 for men & 36 for ladies.
Tee Box	Amateur Men play from Blue Tees, Ladies play from White Tees.
Prizes	1st, 2nd & 3rd highest Individual Stableford Points. Nearest the pin at Hole 12 and Longest drive at Hole 6.   All participants will receive souvenir photos, official UBS Hong Kong Open  merchandise, gift bags and enjoy premier hospitality at the UBS Pavilion on the  18th green at the Hong Kong Golf Club.
Fees	Registration fees are HKD 5,000 (Individuals) and HKD 20,000 (Teams of four).
F&B	Breakfast and lunch will be served in the UBS Pavilion on the 18th Green for players in  the morning session.  Lunch and afternoon tea will be served in the UBS Pavilion on the  18th Green for players in the afternoon session.