Par for the cause: Hong Kong Golf Club raises funds, builds community through sports

Members of the Hong Kong Golf Club gathered on the putting green this autumn to take part in two sporting events, both aimed at supporting charitable causes and strengthening community ties.

Beyond world-class competition, the club has used the Link Hong Kong Open as a platform to promote charitable giving and community engagement, working alongside the annual fundraising campaign Operation Santa Claus (OSC).

The 65th edition of the Link Hong Kong Open was held at the Hong Kong Golf Club’s Fanling course from October 22 to 25, continuing the legacy of the city’s longest-running annual golf tournament.

Bryant Lu, the club captain, said golf offered players a rare opportunity to build connections while playing. Unlike many other sports, it allowed people to spend several hours together, creating time not only to compete but also to talk and develop friendships, he said.

“It connects people on so many levels, and I find it more holistic than just an exercise. I think it has a community aspect, which most sports have, but I think golf is just deeper,” he said.

The event also featured a Fan Village, where visitors can explore various booths, including one hosted by OSC, and take part in interactive games and activities.

John Thompson, 46, a visitor in the Fan Village with his family, said such sporting events were a good way of encouraging people to support charitable causes and raise money.

“People are all together, having fun, and doing it for great causes,” he said.

The club also hosted its 39th annual Cup of Kindness on October 11, coinciding with the 39th anniversary of OSC. The event marked the ninth consecutive year of partnership between the club and the charity campaign.

The event raised HK$1.5 million (US$193,000) for OSC this year, which will support 13 selected projects and other ongoing ones focused on poverty alleviation, health and well-being, and inclusivity.

Andy Kwok, chairman of the club’s charity committee, said the partnership had grown stronger over the years.

“I think the relationship is growing stronger than ever,” he said, “OSC did a fantastic job by identifying those in need of our donations, and by bridging us the donor and the beneficiaries. So we are very happy with the partnership.”

This year, Kwok also joined OSC’s selection committee, taking part in the process of reviewing charitable projects and meeting representatives from various beneficiaries.

“It was an eye-opening opportunity for me as well,” he said, noting that the experience exposed him to social needs that he had not previously been aware of.

Home of Loving and Faithfulness (HOLF) is one of the continuing selected charity partners. The institution provides residential care services for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.

“I think for us, all the donations and support we get from the Hong Kong Golf Club or Operation Santa Claus, and the wider community is really important for us, because we rely solely on donations for our daily operations,” said Windy Ho, a social worker at HOLF.

She said the funding allows the organisation to provide residents with the therapeutic support they need.

With the backing of OSC, HOLF is also preparing to relocate from its current site in Sheung Shui to a purpose-built facility in Tai Po, increasing its capacity from 33 to 60 residents.

Ho said the new building had been designed with residents’ needs in mind, with its layout, facilities and equipment tailored to better support their care and therapy needs.

“We love hearing how we can contribute and help them to better serve the community. Ultimately, we want to be their long-term partner so that they can rely on us to continue to help them through their growth,” Lu said.

A representative from HOLF was also invited to attend the Cup of Kindness on October 12, giving club members an opportunity to learn more about the organisation and the people it supports.

Kwok said having donors and beneficiaries meet was important, as it helped donors understand how their contributions were being used, and allowed both sides to understand each other better and work together to create a greater impact.

Looking ahead, Kwok said sports could go beyond athletic achievement and play a bigger role in supporting Hong Kong’s community.

As the city continued to promote sports development, he saw opportunities for sporting events to bring more donors and sponsors together, and to raise awareness of lesser-known social issues and support those in need.

Established by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK in 1988, OSC has raised over HK$415 million and supported more than 382 charitable projects across Hong Kong, benefiting more than 100,000 people.