Hong Kong China Trumps Singapore In Matchplay Thriller

The Asian Games golf team of Hong Kong China fended off a stiff challenge from from Team Singapore in the inaugural EFG Young Athletes Foundation International Golf Challenge at Hong Kong Golf Club.

Uniting EFG sponsored programmes and athletes in Singapore and Hong Kong China, the International Golf Challenge presented an outstanding warm-up opportunity for some of the region’s elite professional and amateur golfers.

The press conference during day 1 of EFG Young Athletes Foundation Golf Challenge at Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong, on 13 September 2023, Hong Kong SAR, China. Photo by : Ike Li / Ike Images

Team Singapore were represented by Koh Sock Hwee, Aloysa Atienza, Chen Xingtong, Ryan Ang and James Leow. 

Team Hong Kong China was represented by LPGA Tour professional Tiffany Chan, up and coming talent Arianna Lau, and Hong Kong’s Asian Tour pros Taichi Kho and Matthew Cheung, the official ambassador of the EFG Young Athletes Foundation.

Day one of the Ryder Cup play-off format competition saw the teams play a four-ball and foursomes with Team Hong Kong China edging Singapore 20-16. 

The action during day 1 of EFG Young Athletes Foundation Golf Challenge at Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong, on 13 September 2023, Hong Kong SAR, China. Photo by : Ike Li / Ike Images

In Day two’s singles play, the Singapore men claimed honours after Leow and Ang beat Kho and Cheung.  The women of Team Hong Kong China, Chan and Lau, trumped Teams Singapore’s Atienza and Chen respectively.

Hong Kong China ultimately prevailed by a combined team score of 58.5 to 49.5. 

Tiffany Chan was named MVP of the tournament, winning the most holes (13) over 36 holes.

The showdown event also raised funds to support the work of the EFG Young Athletes Foundation Hong Kong and Singapore Golf Association to nurture young talent and help aspiring athletes achieve sporting success in the global arena.

The action during day 1 of EFG Young Athletes Foundation Golf Challenge at Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong, on 13 September 2023, Hong Kong SAR, China. Photo by : Ike Li / Ike Images

It was also announced that Matthew Cheung – Hong Kong’s newest Asian Tour golf professional – was appointed as an ambassador to represent the foundation at various sports events and activities, and to serve as a positive role model, inspiring young athletes to reach their full potential.

Isaac Lee was also named as one of the recipients of the EFG Young Athletes Foundation scholarship for 2023.

The EFG Young Athletes Foundation supports talented young athletes across all sporting disciplines, and almost all of the players in the Hong Kong China and Singapore Asian Games golf teams have benefited from EFG’s or the Foundation’s support during their golfing careers. Tiffany Chan has been EFG’s Global Sport Ambassador since 2017, while Matthew Cheung has just been named as the newest ambassador and Arianna Lau was the EFG Young Athletes Foundation Scholar for 2021. Koh Sock Hwee has been supported by EFG in Singapore since 2018. Further, James Leow is an Ambassador for the EFG-SGA Elite Young Golfers Squad and Aloysa Atienza received an EFG-SGA Elite Young Golfers Scholarship.

The press conference during day 1 of EFG Young Athletes Foundation Golf Challenge at Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong, on 13 September 2023, Hong Kong SAR, China. Photo by : Ike Li / Ike Images

Albert Chiu, Executive Chairman Asia Pacific of EFG and Chairman of the EFG Young Athletes Foundation: “As Chairman of the Foundation, I am proud that so many athletes supported by EFG or the EFG Young Athletes Foundation Hong Kong will be competing in the Asian Games 2023. This demonstrates how far young talent can go with the right partner – achieving sporting excellence and realising their ambitions.”