The UBS Hong Kong Open has announced one of the most ambitious community outreach initiatives in the tournament’s 58-year history, HK18.
HK18 will bring the excitement and passion of the UBS Hong Kong Open to every corner of the city via an 18-day roadshow that will visit each of Hong Kong’s 18 districts. The innovative and interactive golf experience gives the public an opportunity to test their skills and a chance to pocket a HKD180,000 prize purse in the process.
Negotiating an early water hazard, HK18 will tee off in the Islands district at Mui Wo Ferry Pier on Tuesday November 22. The roadshow will culminate 18 days later, on Friday December 9, beneath the Hong Kong Observation Wheel in Central, where five of the top players competing in the 2016 UBS Hong Kong Open will go head-to-head in a public contest.
The putting challenge features a 6 x 5 metre, 3D map of the city, complete with iconic landmarks such as the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, IFC, and the Star Ferry.
Putt your way to $180,000
Participants will have five shots at five different holes of increasing difficulty. If a player makes all five putts, they will be automatically entered into a skills contest that will take place on the practice green at the UBS Hong Kong Open on Saturday December 10, after which five contestants will progress to a play-off where they will try their hand at an epic 18 meter putt. If they sink that putt, the prize is theirs!
Joinly funded by the tournament, UBS and other tournament sponsors, and the Mega Events Fund, all participants will receive a free Brand Hong Kong give-away, while those who advance as far as the third hole will receive a pair of free season passes to the 2016 UBS Hong Kong Open.
For those new to the game, the tournament has developed a virtual reality putting and bunker masterclass with instructions from Ryder Cup star Rafael Cabrera-Bello, one of the leading contenders at the UBS Hong Kong Open.
To get the ball rolling, the UBS Hong Kong Open’s HK18 challenge was launched with a fun promotional video that sees a giant golf ball travelling down the streets of Hong Kong as momentum builds for the tournament start on December 8.Watch the video here.
For information on HK18 dates and venues seewww.ubshkopen.com/HK18
Supported by the Hong Kong Mega Events Fund, the UBS Hong Kong Open is the longest-running sporting event in Asia and is tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and Hong Kong Golf Association. In a new move for 2016, entry to the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday December 8 and 9 will be free of charge. Visitors under 21 can enjoy free entry to the Saturday and Sunday as well.
