'Ending Lease Would Doom Golf Development In HK'

The vice-convenor of the Hong Kong Alliance of Golfers, Kenneth Lau, has warned that a takeover of the Fanling golf course and other ranges would spell the end of golf development in the territory.

Talking after taking part in a radio programme, Lau said Fanling is the only international standard course in Hong Kong and it is home to the longest running Asian tournament, the Hong Kong Open, which is set to celebrate its 60th anniversary this year.

He said that he is afraid that there will pressure on the government to take back the Fanling land for housing development when its lease expires in 2020.

He said the task force on land supply has also mentioned golf ranges, like the one in Tuen Mun and the Whitehead driving range in Ma On Shan as possible development sites.

It means that all the facilities for golf in Hong Kong will be gone and those teaching golf to newcomers will be left with no place, he said. "That will be the end of development of golf in Hong Kong," Lau said.

He also said that some 3,000 people in the golfing sector would be made jobless.

Lau agreed that the housing problem is one that the government needs to solve. The task force has suggested 18 options for this, and taking back the Fanling course is not the only one, he said.

Lau told RTHK's Janice Wong that he personally prefers the option of the government developing agricultural land in cooperation with private developers.

But Democratic Party lawmaker Andrew Wan said housing has reached a crisis and the land given as a lease to the golf club must be taken back. He admitted it is a difficult and critical decision to make.

"I have to admit it, it's a little bit of a pity to see such a long history golf course to be redeveloped. But it seems to be a must," Wan said.

But he agreed that a balance must be struck between sports and housing development. He said he himself will push the government to develop sports in Hong Kong.

He said he would support less land consuming alternatives, such as driving ranges located near the coast, where people can hit the golf ball into the sea.