HONG KONG’S FIRST CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE HSBC HOUR FREE GOLF LESSON
Hong Kong joins four other regions to take part in the HSBC Hour initiative in July to promote golf to public

Hong Kong, 30 June 2016 – Long-term international golf sponsor HSBC is bringing its pioneering global “HSBC Hour” initiative to Hong Kong for the first time. The HSBC Golf Hour of golf experiential week will be launched on 11 July as part of HSBC’s global “Anyone’s Game” campaign — and in celebration of golf returning to the Olympics in August. For one week, seven golf facilities around Hong Kong will be offering a one-hour free golf lesson to the public. Online registrations can be made from 4 July.

The HSBC Golf Hour offers an hour of free golf coaching to the public, giving them a first introduction to golf. As part of HSBC’s “Anyone’s Game” campaign, HSBC Golf Hour sees the bank teaming up with local golf associations and world-class golfers to give thousands of young people and their families an opportunity to get a taste of the sport. Following a successful pilot scheme in the UK in 2015, HSBC is expanding the initiative this year to include China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Top golfers enlisted to support the HSBC Hour include world No.7 player and Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship winner Rickie Fowler, double Open Champion Padraig Harrington and European Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke.

“We describe golf as “Anyone’s Game” because it is our fundamental belief that golf should be open to anyone,” says Giles Morgan, HSBC Global Head of Sponsorship & Events. “HSBC Hour is the embodiment of that commitment, giving thousands of people an opportunity to experience the game for the first time. By offering more than 250 clubs — from Sheffield to Hong Kong, Glasgow to Gloucester, Durham to Dubai — an hour of free golf coaching, we hope to do our part in introducing thousands more children to the game.”
“2016 is a landmark year for the sport as golf returns to the Olympics. It’s also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to inspire a whole new generation and with “HSBC Hour” and our grassroots initiatives around the world, we are proud to be a part of that.”

Sponsored and organised by HSBC in collaboration with the Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA), the Hong Kong “HSBC Hour” will offer free golf classes from 11 to 17 July, with an hour of golf coaching from 5 to 6pm each day. Seven indoor and outdoor golf facilities around the city will take turns during the week to provide the golf coaching, ensuring that the public around the city can enjoy the fun of golf.

Everyone aged six or above will be eligible to register online by going to the global HSBC Hour website and choosing the preferred location for coaching, enabling more than 500 people in Hong Kong to try out the sport and learn how to hold the club, stand to the ball and make a basic swing.

“We are delighted to play a part in launching the first ever HSBC Golf Hour in Hong Kong,” says Mark Chan, President of the HKGA. “This is an extension of the HSBC Hong Kong Junior Golf Programme that aims to provide accessible golf training to a wider community, regardless of their social background. We are grateful to HSBC which makes it possible to open up a pathway for children into the sport, and now is launching the “HSBC Golf Hour” for the Hong Kong community. The triumph of home-grown athletes like Tiffany Chan has been a success story for Hong Kong golf, and we believe there will be more following her footsteps, thanks to the support of HSBC grassroots initiatives.”

The HSBC-sponsored Hong Kong Junior Golf Programme was launched in 2015 to offer a structured pathway for children to try the sport for the first time. The programme includes the Golf For Schools initiative which introduces primary school students to ShortGolf, provides a pathway to develops their skills and – for those talented enough – offers the chance to represent Hong Kong on the international stage. The HSBC Golf For Schools initiative is currently active in 29 local primary schools across Hong Kong and has conducted demonstrations and introductions to golf for more than 12,000 children.

This year, four of Hong Kong’s top junior golfers will be selected to join an immersive golf programme at the HSBC’s flagship World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions, which will be held at Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai from 26 to 30 October this year. These elite juniors will have a chance to relive their dreams of playing golf with their world-class golf heroes!

For registration for HSBC Golf Hour, please visit www.theopen.com/hsbc.