Care for grass roots will extend beyond the greens at Third Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course

21 July 2005

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust is putting a new funding formula in place for the development of a third public golf course at Kau Sai Chau in Sai Kung, to ensure that the new facility not only meets Hong Kong's ever-growing demand for more golf venues, but also realises benefits for the sport's long-term growth and development, especially at grass roots level.

The Trust has committed a total of HK$184 million towards the estimated HK$300 million construction cost of the third course on the island, which is expected to be ready for use in 2007.

However, the donation will be "repaid" from future operational cash flows into a new development fund called the Kau Sai Chau Development Trust, which will be required to reinvest the money into a series of long-term golf-related and community development projects on Kau Sai Chau.

Among the planned projects is the establishment of a Golf Academy, which will host elite golf training, taking the sport to grass roots level. Children whose families have limited means will be among those given the chance to take up golf, and youngsters showing talent will have the opportunity to continue on to elite training programmes. This will help Hong Kong widen its talent pool and elevate its status in the regional and international golfing arena.

The Golf Academy will also provide vocational training for those keen to develop careers in the golfing industry in such areas as green keeping, course management, golf course operations and administration, and tournament management. In this way, not only will Hong Kong train and nurture its own professionals to underpin its future golf development, but also it will be able to export its golf management skills to other parts of China and the region.

Other projects to be funded include the development of "adaptive golf", to provide therapeutic and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities; and the provision of additional sports and recreational facilities on Kau Sai Chau.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director of Charities, Mr William Yiu, points out that the new funding formula exemplifies the Trust's determination to become more proactive in identifying areas of community need or opportunity, and also to ensure that funding is directed in a way that is flexible and most cost-effective for all parties concerned.

"This project is rather different from many of the Trust's charitable donations in that the initial donation for capital works will enable the golf course to operate with positive cash flows once the development is completed," he explains. "When that happens, the course will be able to repay the capital funding in a way that has been structured to ensure the original donation is reinvested in golf-related and community developments."

The Trust is also taking great care to ensure that development of the new third course not only complements the beautiful natural setting of Kau Sai Chau, but also provides positive environmental benefits. Indeed, HK$50 million of the total HK$184 million grant has been provided specifically for conservation measures. At present, parts of the eastern side of the island where the course will be located are scarred and subject to further erosion. Once the transformation is complete, however, erosion and sedimentation into streams and coastal waters will be much reduced, natural wildlife habitats enhanced, and the coastline preserved in perpetuity.

Similar positive effects have resulted from the opening of the existing two golf courses on Kau Sai Chau in 1995. The island was previously almost barren, having been damaged by its former use as a military firing range and by hill fires caused by grave worshippers. But since its development into golf courses, with rigorous environmental protection measures put in place by the operator, many species of flora and fauna have re-colonised the island.

The existing two golf courses, the only public golfing facilities in Hong Kong, have also proved highly popular among the community. In May this year, the one-millionth golfer was welcomed. On average, over 120,000 rounds are played each year by golfers ranging in age from four to 70 or over. More than 80,000 students have been taught at Kau Sai Chau, nearly 40 per cent of them aged under 21.

The facilities are operated by the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, a not-for-profit organisation established and managed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.