Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club

The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club (Chinese: 清水灣鄉村俱樂部) is a privately owned and run, members-only country club, located on the Clear Water Bay Peninsula in Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong.

Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club
Aerial view
Club information
Location within Hong Kong
Coordinates22.2707°N 114.2980°E / 22.2707; 114.2980
LocationClear Water Bay, New Territories, Hong Kong
Established1982
TypePrivate
Total holes18
Websitewww.cwbgolf.org
Designed byT. Sawai & A. Furukawa

The club hosts the PGA Tour China Clearwater Bay Open yearly.[1]

History

The Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club was built at a cost of about HK$250 million by a number of wealthy people including Kenneth Fung, Run Run Shaw, and Yue-Kong Pao. Environmentalists criticised the project for the environmental damage the construction inflicted on the peninsula. A report by the Hong Kong Government agreed, claiming that the methods used for construction of the club and access roads resulted in "unnecessary scars". It also called the access roads a "major eyesore visible over a wide area".[2][3] Members of the government's Environmental Protection Advisory Committee accused the club of having little regard for the environment.[4]

On the morning of 4 November 1982 the club was attacked by six masked arsonists who assaulted a security guard and set a maintenance shed ablaze, destroying about $2 million worth of machinery, including tractors, buggies, and lawnmowers.[5][4] The incident slightly delayed the club's opening.[6] It eventually opened in December 1982.[7] The first phase included a nine-hole course.

Heavily indebted, the club opened when Hong Kong's economy was faltering due to fears over the 1997 handover to China.[3] The club struggled to attract members, and went bankrupt in 1983 and closed.[8] It reopened on 18 April 1984 after cutting staff levels and receiving a $6 million injection from a member.[9][10] It began making a profit in 1985.[11]

The club was accused of racial discrimination in 2018 after signage was posted barring domestic helpers from the poolside area.[7]

Facilities

Aside from the golf course, the club has various other facilities including a driving range, putting green, gym, spa, outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, table-tennis room, badminton courts, squash courts, basketball court, football pitch, children's playground, and indoor playroom. It also has several dining venues and retail shops.

Membership

New members could buy into one of the six types of membership by purchasing units of the club's debenture after passing a very stringent character check. Price starts from little under HK$500,000 and could reach over HK$3,500,000. On top of that, members are required to pay additional subscription fee each year.

Type of membership:

  1. Company Golf
  2. Individual Golf
  3. Company Country Club
  4. Individual Country Club
  5. Company Marina
  6. Individual Marina

Events

It has hosted various local and international events and tournaments, such as the PGA Tour China Clearwater Bay Open, the World Amateur Team Championships, Hong Kong Tennis Champions Cup, and Sport for All Day.

Charity Events

The Club has established the Community Outreach Programme (COP) in 2003, which aims to serve the neighbourhood and give back to the community. The COP initiatives spin around three major areas, including family care, harmony of neighbourhood, and environmental preservation. Collaborating with its charity partners, the Club organises various community and fundraising activities, including charity golf, run and walk; festive luncheons, wellness sessions, lucky bag and free use of Club facilities for the elderly and the underprivileged; reading scheme, child sponsorship, wellness and care programme for the less fortunate students; parent and child workshops and seminars; as well as emergency relief for neighbouring communities. Moreover, the Club has organised charity online concert and online wellness class.

Charity partners come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from education-oriented and upholding the well-being of elders, to emergency relief as well as environmental preservation. Major charity partners include but not limited to, Christian Action, Haven of Hope Christian Service, St. James’ Settlement, Lifeline Express Foundation, Mother’s Choice, World Vision Hong Kong, Caritas HK and HK Federation of Youth Groups.

Accolades (Recent)

Golf course

  • Golf Digest – The Best Courses in Every Country
  • Cloud Golf – Asia-Pacific Top 100 Golf Courses2019 - 2020
  • Rolex – Top 1,000 Golf Courses 2010

Private club

  • The Hong Kong Tatler – 10 of the Most Exclusive Private Members’ Clubs in Hong Kong
  • Platinum Clubs of the World – Top 50 Platinum Clubs of Asia-Pacific

Sustainability/environment

  • Environmental Campaign Committee – Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence 2019

Caring company

  • The Hong Kong Council of Social Service – Caring Company 15 Years Plus 2014 - 2019
  • The Hong Kong General Chamber of Small and Medium Business Limited – Partner Employer Award (Since 2013)

References
  1. "Revitalised Hong Kong golfer Jason Hak to compete in front of home fans at Clearwater Bay Open". South China Morning Post. 26 September 2016.
  2. Chugani, Michael (24 August 1982). "Super rich club raps environment report". South China Morning Post. p. 11.
  3. Lane, Winsome (24 December 1983). "No room for a sliced shot". South China Morning Post. p. 16.
  4. Chan, Julina (13 November 1983). "Rescue bid for luxury hideaway". South China Morning Post. p. 8.
  5. "Arson at club for rich". South China Morning Post. 7 November 1982. p. 11.
  6. "Arson gang attacks 'club for rich'". South China Morning Post. 6 November 1982. p. 1.
  7. Knott, Kylie (22 April 2018). "'No domestic helpers allowed' sign at Hong Kong private club called discriminatory". South China Morning Post.
  8. Fisher, Mark (3 March 1984). "Clearwater Bay club rescue fails". South China Morning Post. p. 21.
  9. Suen, Ophelia (18 April 1984). "Country club set to reopen today". South China Morning Post. p. 16.
  10. Chan, Julina (10 June 1984). "Hopes rise for troubled club". South China Morning Post. p. 12.
  11. "Country club sees black ink". South China Morning Post. 22 May 1985. p. 29.
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