UBS tees off Operation Santa Claus campaign at UBS Hong Kong Open

[Hong Kong, November 16, 2012]: UBS, title sponsor of the Hong Kong Golf Open since 2005, launched its Operation Santa Claus campaign today at the Hong Kong Golf Club.  2012 marks the 25th year of Operation Santa Claus.

Ms Kathryn Shih, CEO, Wealth Management for UBS Asia Pacific presented a cheque for 10,000USD to Mr Bryan Curtis, Head of Radio Television Hong Kong’s English Language Programming and Co-chairman of the Steering Committee for Operation Santa Claus, while a “secret Santa”, (none other than Mr Iain Valentine, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Golf Association), looked on.

The par-3, 12th hole at Fanling will be the Operation Santa Claus hole at this year’s UBS Hong Kong Golf Open.  England’s Steven Webster was the first player to ace the 12th in Round 2, scoring the first hole-in-one of the UBS Hong Kong Open 2012.  UBS presented Webster with a cheque for 10,000USD in the UBS Pavilion after his round.  Webster finished today with 71.

The affable Webster commented on his ace today saying, “It is my fifth hole-in-one on the European Tour but this is the first time I’ve won anything. I want to thank UBS not just for my award, but for also making the 12th a charity hole which makes it even more meaningful.

When asked what he would do with the prize money, Webster said, “Since it is an Operation Santa Claus charity award, I think it will make for a nice Christmas present for my Nan back at home.”

Ms Kathryn Shih commented on the fundraising efforts saying, “UBS places a special emphasis on involving our Community Affairs Partners in our global sponsorship properties. The UBS Hong Kong Open is the ideal platform for UBS to extend its support to, and raise awareness for, Operation Santa Claus.

“The event has served as a tremendous fund-raising vehicle for Operation Santa Claus in the past and we expect record crowds to attend this year’s UBS Hong Kong Open, which we hope will further increase the funds raised,” said Ms Shih.

Ms Shih’s prediction seemed to be coming true as attendance after the opening round of the UBS Hong Kong Open on Thursday was 5,749, up 48% from 2011.

Bryan Curtis thanked UBS for its commitment to the Operation Santa Claus campaign, saying:

“I believe the Hong Kong Open has been the key to UBS and Operation Santa Claus forging such a close relationship. A lot of the major banks donate, but once UBS took over the Open, it has moved the event to a new level and it’s been a great eight years.

“Last year, the Operation Santa Claus event that took place on the UBS trading floor generated more than HKD$1million from the donation of commissions derived from a days’ activity on the floor.

“In terms of the UBS Hong Kong Open, UBS have looked at interesting ways to raise donations, whether hole-in-ones, birdies or fundraising activities in the tented village. This variety of channels to donate helps spread the word as well as encouraging people to donate.

“One of our goals is to raise awareness as well as encouraging donations. And I think what UBS has done with this event is one of the best examples of helping elevate the profile of Operation Santa Claus because this is a sanctioned, high-level, huge profile event. To have Operation Santa Claus attached as the designated charity of the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open is fantastic. I consider it one of the jewels in the crown of the series of events that we do have,” concluded Curtis.

UBS raised a total of HK$248,000 for Operation Santa Claus from last year’s on-course activities at the UBS Hong Kong Open and over one million Hong Kong dollars in total from its Operation Santa Claus fund-raising.

About the UBS Hong Kong Open

The Hong Kong Golf Open is Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event.  Beginning in 1959, the Hong Kong Open has a rich history of winners including ten different Major Champions who have amassed 26 Major titles between them.  UBS, the diversified global financial services company, has been title sponsor of the event since 2005.  The UBS Hong Kong Open is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and the Hong Kong Golf Association.