UBS Charity Cup returns in 2016

Alan Tam adds star power to the tournament’s charitable initiatives

[Hong Kong, 20 October 2016]: The title sponsor, organizers, and official charity of the UBS Hong Kong Open 2016 are proud to announce a major charitable initiative around the hosting of the tournament on 8-11 December at the Hong Kong Golf Club. Headlining the new initiatives is the return of the highly successful UBS Charity Cup. Last year’s inaugural event, played in the week after the UBS Hong Kong Open, attracted a full participation of 200 players and raised more than HK$2 million for three local charities.

This year’s UBS Charity Cup will be held on 14 December at the Hong Kong Golf Club and is supported by UBS, Friends of Asia Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Golf Club, the Hong Kong Golf Association and the European and Asian Tours. Also lending his support to the initiative is local singer and artist Alan Tam who was today announced as the Official Ambassador of the UBS Charity Cup.

"I am delighted to endorse this worthy cause, which imbues this world-class sporting event with a deeper meaning for society. I think it's great that the charities they support are all for the health and well-being of our children and youth, which is often overlooked these days. I'm a golfer myself and I especially want to see the sport being made accessible to a lot more youngsters in our community. I look forward to joining all of the participants at the Hong Kong Golf Club in December".

In its inaugural year, the UBS Charity Cup was the most successful fundraising initiative of the entire European Tour season with HK$2.3 million raised, exceeding all other events on the Tour’s 2015 calendar (although this figure was surpassed in 2016 with Rory McIlroy’s donation of his prize purse at the Irish Open to his eponymous foundation).

The organizers of the UBS Charity Cup are committed to exceeding the amounts raised in 2015 and have announced four local charity beneficiaries to date, including previous recipients: InspiringHK Sports Foundation, Playright Children’s Play Association and the Autism Partnership Foundation. The Hub Hong Kong, a centre that provides developmental, recreational and social programmes for disadvantaged children in Sham Shui Po, is the newest beneficiary for 2016.

Amy Lo, Head of UBS Wealth Management Greater China and Country Head of UBS Hong Kong, commented on the initiative, saying, “Following the remarkable success of last year’s Charity Cup, UBS is delighted to once again support this meaningful initiative. The Charity Cup and other community-focused events around this year’s tournament demonstrate the event partners’ commitment to ensuring that the UBS Hong Kong Open leaves a lasting legacy for all of Hong Kong.”

Friends of Asia has again pledged to match the total funds raised from the Charity Cup campaign dollar for dollar, with a minimum donation of HK$1,000,000 going to the campaign’s charity beneficiaries. Dr Caleb Chan, Founder of Friends of Asia Hong Kong, commented on the charitable efforts around the tournament saying:

"Following the remarkable success of hosting the first Charity Cup, Friends of Asia Hong Kong is proud to once again be supporting this unique charity initiative. Through the three beneficiaries we support, the funds raised through this event last year helped to start up some really meaningful health-related programmes for disadvantaged children and youth in our community.

"As the official charity of the UBS Hong Kong Open, the tournament provides a vital platform for Friends of Asia to advocate our mission to promote health and wellness through sports. We seek to raise not just funds but crucial awareness of the need to provide resources, care and opportunities for the underprivileged in Hong Kong," added Dr Chan.

To further expand the fundraising opportunities, a UBS Charity Cup Dinner and Concert, featuring special guests Elisa Chan and Anthony Lun, will be held at the Deepwater Bay Golf Club on 6 December.

The Hong Kong Golf Club is once again providing the venue for the Charity Cup without charge.

"The Club is delighted to be supporting the Charity Cup, which will provide a wonderful opportunity for local golfers to enjoy the Championship Course just days after the completion of the UBS Hong Kong Open," said Kenneth Lam, Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club.

“As well as our commitment to developing junior golf in Hong Kong, the Club works hard to host numerous fundraising initiatives for the benefit of the Hong Kong community throughout the year, so our involvement with this very worthy event is a natural step for us to take. It promises to be a special day,” added Lam.