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Paul Chan
SportGolf
Tim Noonan
Tim Noonan

Opinion | History counts for nothing as already besieged Hong Kong Golf Club is now forced to put flagship event on ice

  • Having already surrendered one of its three courses to housing, the club now becomes a victim of violent protests
  • Uncertain future for venerable golf tournament as the European Tour postpones 60-year-old event amid security fears

Reading Time:3 minutes
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Wade Ormsby of Australia playing the signature 18th hole on his way to winning the 2017 Hong Kong Open at Fanling. Photo: Richard Castka/Sportpixgolf.com
Tim Noonan
A tournament in crisis, a golf club in crisis, a city in crisis. Three strikes and you’re usually out and so it was that the European Tour announced it has postponed next week’s Hong Kong Open golf tournament at Fanling.
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Amid everything else that is happening in Hong Kong, the news solicited little more than a knowing shrug. In reality, it would have been next to impossible to hold the event given the ominous infrastructure and security issues.

But among the things the 61st edition of the Hong Kong Open might have done, there are a list of things it could not do. It would certainly not have stopped Beijing from asserting its authority over the High Court ruling on face mask bans or stop the violence and vandalism in the streets. It certainly won’t stop the toxic, pervasive smog of tear gas and, most importantly, it will not fill the massive void of leadership that has pushed this great city to the brink.

So why is it even remotely significant that a professional golf tournament has been postponed in Hong Kong? Because landlords are still demanding rent payments and banks are still collecting interest on loans. Because people are still trying to go to work, if they can get there, and some kids are still going to school. Because there is no time out from reality for the rank and file in Hong Kong, where we are all in dire need right now of any distractions and vestiges of normalcy.

Olympic champion and major winner Justin Rose triumphed at Fanling in 2016. Photo: Richard Castka/Sportpixgolf.com
Olympic champion and major winner Justin Rose triumphed at Fanling in 2016. Photo: Richard Castka/Sportpixgolf.com
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Of course, how much “normalcy” a golf tournament on a highly contentious golf course can bring is a subject for great debate. But isn’t it wonderful that we are still free to disagree? Enjoy it while you can.

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