Hong Kong golfers call for downtown driving range amid debate over Fanling closure

POSTED ON August 30, 2018 @ 12:00 pm

Golfers in Hong Kong want to see a four-storey driving range built downtown on a waterfront site in Kowloon. The request comes amid fierce debate in the city over whether to close the Fanling course in the rural New Territories to make way for housing.

The Hong Kong Alliance of Golfers, formed of players, coaches and industry workers, said the city lagged behind New York, Chicago and Tokyo by not having such a facility.

The alliance said the sport deserves more government support and that an “integrated golf centre” should be built at Kai Tak, the site of the city’s old airport.

Alliance spokesman Kenneth Lau Ka-lok said: “Golf is an event of the Olympic Games – it deserves more attention and support from the government.

“A harbourfront driving range would not only add value to the land, it would help popularise the sport and provide a badly needed training venue. The facility could also become a distinctive landmark and tourist attraction.”

The advocacy group for the sport was launched in April in an effort to fight back against plans to develop the Fanling course – home to the Hong Kong Golf Club – for new homes to ease the city’s housing shortage.

Click here to read full article