Hong Kong SAR, China: Hong Kong golf has added another triumphant chapter to its annus mirabilis.
A fortnight ago in Beijing, Jeffrey Shen, Markus Lam and Ethan Tian defied the odds to secure an historic maiden win for Hong Kong, China in the Asia-Pacific Men’s Amateur Golf Team Championship for the Nomura Cup.
On home soil at the Hong Kong Golf Club this week, Shen combined with Kim Joon-ho, William Tang and Timothy Chan to steer Hong Kong to victory in the Southeast Asian Amateur Team Golf Championship for the Putra Cup.
It’s Hong Kong’s first Putra Cup title since the inaugural edition of the event in 1961.
Over the New Course at Fanling, the Hong Kong quartet posted a 32-under-par total of 808 in the event in which the three best daily scores in each four-man team are counted.
Thailand placed second on 29-under with the Philippines a further six shots back in third on 817. They were followed by Singapore (850), Malaysia (858) and Indonesia (865).
With rounds of 67, 64, 66 and 66 for an aggregate of 17-under, Shen claimed the individual title by four shots. Kim was third.
“I am really happy and excited! This is something I couldn’t do two years ago when I was just watching others compete for the championship. But this time, I finally managed to win the individual title. And on top of that, win the team championship together with Joon-ho, Timothy, and William,” said 23-year-old Shen, who will spearhead Hong Kong’s challenge at next month’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in New Zealand.
Danny Lai Yi-chun, Chief Executive Officer of the Golf Association of Hong Kong, China, said: “Sixty-five years ago, the Hong Kong team won the men’s championship at the inaugural Southeast Asian Amateur Team Golf Championship.
“Today, as the host country, we have reclaimed the men’s championship title, which is of great significance. Hong Kong’s young players have recently achieved outstanding results in several major tournaments, gaining recognition as a strong team in Asia.
“This is the result of the Golf Association’s years of dedicated efforts in discovering and cultivating outstanding sports talent, which is consistent with the sports development policy direction announced by the Chief Executive in the ‘Hong Kong Five-Year Plan’ and the ‘Policy Address 2026’.
“The Golf Association will continue to fully support the Hong Kong team, maintain its momentum, and strive for medals at the Asian Games.”
Established in 1961, the Southeast Asian Amateur Golf Team Championship aims to promote connections among Southeast Asian countries and regions and improve the level of golf in the region.
The competition has four divisions: Putra Cup (Men’s Team/Individual), Lion City Cup (Men’s Junior Team/Individual), Santi Cup (Women’s Team/Individual) and Kartini Cup (Women’s Junior Team/Individual).
Thailand claimed top honours in the Lion City Cup, Santi Cup and Kartini Cup.
