Jockey Club and Hong Kong Golf Club join forces to promote local golf development and support international sporting events in Hong Kong

Two sporting organisations with deep historic roots in the city, The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and the Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC), today announced a collaboration to launch the "Jockey Club Community Golf Programme" (the Programme), an initiative designed to support the development of golf in Hong Kong and enrich international sporting events hosted by the city. Additionally, the HKJC announced that as the HKGC's community partner, it will fully support the international tournaments to be staged at the Fanling golf course over the next two years, including a series of community engagement activities during the "HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong" (LIV Golf) in 2026.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and the Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC), today announced a collaboration to launch the "Jockey Club Community Golf Programme" (the Programme), an initiative designed to support the development of golf in Hong Kong and enrich international sporting events hosted by the city. Photo by Bastille Post

For the M-Mark recognised world-class LIV Golf tournament, taking place in Fanling from 5-8 March, the partnership will aim to strengthen Hong Kong's mega-event economy, elevate its international profile, and advance its sporting development. It will also seek to strengthen school and community participation, nurture young local talent, and elevate local golf standards.

The partnership will aim to strengthen Hong Kong's mega-event economy, elevate its international profile, and advance its sporting development. It will also seek to strengthen school and community participation, nurture young local talent, and elevate local golf standards. Photo by Bastille Post

A launch ceremony for the collaboration was held today (February 11), attended by Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Andy Kwok, Hong Kong Golf Club Captain; and other guests.

Mr. Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Photo by Bastille Post

With the Chinese New Year approaching, Raymond Tam highlighted that the HKJC would launch a series of Year of the Horse activities, bringing a variety of exciting events to local citizens and visitors. They will start with HKJC's participation in the International Chinese New Year Night Parade, exclusive sponsoring the "Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong" Year of the Horse Fireworks Display, and staging of the Year of the Horse Raceday. Following the Lantern Festival is the LIV Golf. He said that HKJC hopes this partnership with HKGC will demonstrate Hong Kong's ability to host major high-caliber events and strengthen its position in the international sports arena.

Mr. Andy Kwok, Hong Kong Golf Club Captain, Photo by Bastille Post

Andy Kwok remarked: "We are excited to collaborate with The Hong Kong Jockey Club and draw on our vast experience of premier international golf events, world-class sports facilities and public engagement in order to spread the joy of golf to a wider audience. The HKJC's extensive community network will also be invaluable in growing the sport's popularity. The HKGC and the HKJC already share a long history, and we believe this joint initiative to promote golf will further strengthen our relationship and inject new momentum into the sport's development in Hong Kong."

To enhance community participation, support youth training and facilitate collaboration for major events, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has granted HK$32 million to The Hong Kong Golf Club Charitable Foundation Limited to set up the "Jockey Club Community Golf Programme". Over the next two years, the Programme will support HKGC in breadth and depth to roll out a series of community engagement activities, including in-depth participation in community projects and fan village activities during major tournaments.

The Programme is expected to benefit over 25,000 schoolchildren, teenagers and members of underprivileged communities each year. Photo by Bastille Post

The Programme will feature initiatives such as school-based activities, professional coaching for children and youth from underprivileged backgrounds, and disabled individuals, and invite members of underprivileged communities to attend world-class golf tournaments free of charge. The Programme is expected to benefit over 25,000 schoolchildren, teenagers and members of underprivileged communities each year.

In addition to the Programme, the HKJC will also host a booth in the fan village at Fanling Golf Course during the tournament featuring interactive games. This will highlight cross-sport collaboration and give attendees the opportunity to learn about sports beyond golf. Members of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team will also create balloon figures in the fan village to bring joy to spectators.

The collaboration will promote local golf development and support international sporting events in Hong Kong. Photo by Bastille Post

While international golfers are in Hong Kong, arrangements will be made for them to experience local cultural and culinary highlights, including Happy Wednesday races at Happy Valley Racecourse, which will both promote horse racing tourism and showcase the diverse attractions of Hong Kong to a global audience.

Through these activities and engagement opportunities, local citizens will gain more chances to connect with golf, while top golfers and visitors from around the world will experience Hong Kong's unique character as well as its ability to host high-calibre major events. This will help strengthen the Hong Kong brand and share the city's good stories.

Photo by Bastille Post

About the "Jockey Club Community Golf Programme"
To enhance community participation, support youth training and facilitate collaboration for major events, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has granted HK$32 million to The Hong Kong Golf Club Charitable Foundation Limited to set up the "Jockey Club Community Golf Programme". Over the next two years, the Programme will support HKGC in breadth and depth to roll out a series of community engagement activities, including in-depth participation in community projects and fan village activities during the major tournaments.

The two-year programme (2026 & 2027) aims to enhance community participation and awareness of golf, and promote the high-quality, long-term development of golf in Hong Kong.

The Programme will offer a series of activities, including school-based events, experiential courses and inter-school competitions, and provide complimentary tickets to underprivileged communities. These activities will allow students and underprivileged individuals to engage with golf, thereby strengthening public awareness of the sport.

In the lead-up to both golf tournaments, professional golfers will visit primary and secondary schools to engage with students. The aim is to cultivate interest in golf among young people and provide them with the opportunity to interact closely with top golf players. Additionally, arrangements will be made for elite international golfers to mentor young players with different abilities, fostering a spirit of inclusivity.

The Programme is expected to benefit over 25,000 schoolchildren, teenagers and members of underprivileged communities each year.

About the Hong Kong Golf Club
Hong Kong Golf Club is one of Asia's most historic and prestigious golf clubs and has been at the forefront of golf development in the region ever since its foundation in 1889. Home to three championship courses at its Fanling venue, championship golf is at its heart. In addition to hosting HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong since 2024, it established the Hong Kong Open, an International Series tournament and the city's first professional sporting event, in 1959 and has staged every edition since. The Club is ranked #48 on the Platinum Clubs of the World's list of the Top 150 Golf and Country Clubs for 2026-2027.

As an increasing number of Hong Kong residents choose to live, work and retire on the Chinese Mainland, the demand for cross-boundary social welfare services continues to grow. Ongoing innovation in social welfare services is therefore necessary for the sector to meet the evolving needs of society. In response, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has approved a donation of nearly HK$70 million to support Connecting Hearts Limited in launching the three-year Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead programme.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (3rd left); Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd right); Alice Lau, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (2nd left); Edward To, Director of Social Welfare of the HKSAR Government (2nd right); Peter Douglas Koon, Chairman of the Connecting Hearts Limited (1st left); and Professor Annie Tam, Vice Chairperson of the Connecting Hearts Limited and President of the Connecting Hearts Academy (1st right), officiate at the launch ceremony of the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead Capacity Building Programme (Cohort 1). Photo source: HKJC

The programme is built on two pillars: capacity building and integration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). It aims to enhance the professional capabilities and leadership capacity of Hong Kong’s social welfare sector, promote cooperation in welfare services across the GBA and develop sustainable, high-quality service models for the region. The Launch Ceremony cum Pilot Class of the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead Capacity Building Programme (Cohort 1) was held today (18 August), with some 400 participants in attendance.

Officiating guests at the launch ceremony included Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Alice Lau, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Edward To, Director of Social Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Peter Douglas Koon, Chairman of Connecting Hearts Limited; and Professor Annie Tam, Vice Chairperson of the Connecting Hearts Limited and President of the Connecting Hearts Academy.

Club Steward Bernard Chan delivers a speech at the launch ceremony of the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead Capacity Building Programme (Cohort 1). Photo source: HKJC

As a patriotic organisation with a strong commitment to Hong Kong, the Club has consistently leveraged its unique strengths to serve society’s priorities and contribute to the country’s high-quality development. It also actively responds to the National 15th Five-Year Plan and supports measures that facilitate Hong Kong residents’ development and daily lives in the Chinese Mainland. Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Bernard Chan said that the Club is supporting the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead programme in response to the growing demand for cross-boundary welfare services among Hong Kong residents in the GBA. He encouraged participants to make full use of this valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of national development and welfare service practices on the Chinese Mainland. This will enable them to contribute to the long-term advancement of the social welfare sector in alignment with overall national development.

Group photo, Photo source: HKJC

Under the capacity building pillar, the programme aims to nurture a new generation of social welfare professionals equipped with expertise, leadership skills and innovative thinking to address emerging challenges arising from demographic changes, technological advancement and a rising demand for cross-regional services. The programme is expected to provide training for 1,780 social welfare professionals. Initiatives include specialised training for middle management staff to gain a deeper understanding of welfare services in the GBA, overseas study visits for industry practitioners to learn about service innovation and data application, and sponsorships for social workers with potential as future sector leaders to pursue master’s degree programmes locally or overseas.

Participants attend the pilot class of the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead Capacity Building Programme (Cohort 1). Photo source: HKJC

Under the GBA integration pillar, the programme will promote deeper collaboration between social welfare organisations in Hong Kong and throughout the region. Building on the memoranda of understanding already signed between welfare agencies, the programme is expected to incubate around 100 cross-boundary collaborative concepts in areas including services for older adults, children and families, rehabilitation and mental health, poverty alleviation, development of the welfare sector, volunteering and others. Fifteen initiatives demonstrating strong potential will receive additional funding to be developed into pilot programmes, serving as replicable and sustainable cross-boundary service models that provide more comprehensive and higher-quality welfare services for Hong Kong residents in the region.

Participants attend the pilot class of the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead Capacity Building Programme (Cohort 1). Photo source: HKJC

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club • Connecting Hearts: Moving Ahead programme, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.