One always hears about company executives bragging about ”doing deals on the golf course.”  Well, this time around it gets serious… really serious.  Or as they say back home: SERI-AAAAS!

Howzit-HongKong recently learned that, in the crowded world of international golf, there is a World Corporate Golf Challenge that pits the best of the best executives from companies all over the world for the honour of representing their company and region at the biggy… the finals of the World Corporate Golf Challenge at the Fancourt Links in South Africa nogal!

For your information:

The Links at Fancourt was added to the Fancourt estate in 2000, and is an awe-inspiring example of magnificent design and golf-course construction, about which designer Gary Player says: “Links golf is how the game originated and at The Links we take golfers back to the roots of golf – and they can play a ‘British Open’ all of their own!” 

South Africa’s other famous international golfer, Ernie “The Big Easy” Els has a home close by, while George also plays host to the South African leg of the International Rugby Board’s World Sevens Rugby Series in December every year.

The winners of the Hong Kong edition of the World Corporate Golf Challenge will travel to the magnificent George region to play golf, and represent Hong Kong at the finest course in South Africa.

So all you golf-loving business executives out there in the SAR, here’s your chance to represent your company – and Hong Kong – on the world stage.

The territory is to host a leg of the World Corporate Golf Challenge – the prestigious inter-companies tournament that each year sees thousands of businessmen around the globe transfer their boardroom battles to the fairways.

The fantastic prize on offer to the winners of the Hong Kong event is an all-expenses paid trip to play in the World Final in South Africa next May.

Twenty teams – comprising four players who each have a maximum handicap of 24 – will contest the WCGC Hong Kong on Friday, 5 March 2010 at the Discovery Bay Golf Club on Lantau Island.

“Corporate golfers in Hong Kong have been crying out for a meaningful and high-profile tournament that carries a real incentive to play well,” said Simon Wait, project director of event organisers Two Up Front.

“This goes way beyond your typical corporate golf event. As well as enjoying an ultra-competitive tournament at one of the most picturesque courses in Asia, the teams will be playing for a fantastic prize – the chance to represent Hong Kong in a world tournament at an exotic location.

“Initial interest from the corporate sector is very strong and we are expecting a rush of entries from companies keen to claim bragging rights on the golf course.

“Moreover, this will be an annual event for the Hong Kong business community to look forward to and, as word spreads, we expect it to become even more popular, especially as the World Final is regularly moved to a new location.”

Previous World Finals have been held in Jamaica, Mauritius, Malaysia and Spain.

The 2010 World Final – featuring teams from more than 20 countries and territories – will take place at the beautiful Fancourt and Oubaai Golf Clubs in South Africa’s spectacular Garden Route region from 3-8 May 2010.

The WCGC Hong Kong already has its first sponsor – organisers have reached agreement with HK Golfer to be the Official Golf Magazine of the tournament.

Hong Kong-based sports PR and publishing specialists Two Up Front have secured a long-term licence to host the Hong Kong leg from the WCGC’s parent company in Spain.

They are co-organising the tournament with event management company Laxton Marketing Consultants, who have offices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai. The two firms have previously worked together on other high profile sporting events, including the HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens and the Hong Kong Tens rugby tournament.

Companies requiring information about sponsorship opportunities or wishing to register a team in the WCGC Hong Kong should call Amy Broomhead on 3579 8110 or email amy@laxtonmarketing.com.

Make the boss proud and enter.