HONG KONG: The 2015 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) will deliver a world-class sporting spectacle when the seventh staging of the event takes place at The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club in Hong Kong from October 1 – 4.
Created by three of the most respected organisations in the world of golf – the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and The R&A – the championship prides itself on delivering a first-class experience for players and spectators alike.
With spectacular views over Hong Kong and the South China Sea from its elevated position on a peninsular in the New Territories, Clearwater Bay offers one of the most impressive settings in the event’s six-year history.
And with the Masters Tournament and The R&A’s track record in organising major championships, combined with the quality of competition in the amateur game in the region, the AAC promises to deliver a showpiece sporting event in Hong Kong.
Launched in 2009 to encourage and promote the development of golf in the Asia-Pacific region, and has now been held in China (2009, 2013), Japan (2010), Singapore (2011), Thailand (2012) and Australia (2014). Coming to Hong Kong following last year’s showing at the internationally recognised Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Hong Kong has a tough act to follow, but according to The R&A’s representative in Asia, is up to the challenge.
“The Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the Masters Tournament and The R&A look forward to bringing the 2015 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship to Hong Kong. Hong Kong has an impressive track record of staging world class international sporting events and we have no doubt that this year’s event at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club will be another example of that,” said The R&A director for Asia Pacific Dominic Wall.
“The quality of the course and facilities, combined with its accessibility from the city centre, were important factors in the decision to stage the event at Clearwater Bay. We strongly encourage Hong Kong’s golf and sporting community to come and enjoy this unique occasion.”
Last year’s championship was won by Australian Antonio Murdaca who received an invitation to the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in April this year. The champion and runner(s)-up also earn spots in The Open Qualifying Series for The Open Championship.
Continuing under its banner of ‘Creating Heroes’, the AAC will feature 120 players from the APGC’s 39 member associations and will be played over 72-holes of stroke play with a cut for the leading 60 players plus ties after 36 holes.
Malaysia has been traditionally awarded six starts with Low Khai Jei (352), Ervin Chang (675), Daeng Abdul Rahman Abd Aziz (770), Galven Kendall Green (993), Muhd Afif Mohd Razif (1014) and Chan Tuck Soon (1275) currently leading the race ahead of the August cut-off.
