Established in 1889, Hong Kong Golf Club is the city's oldest golf club and boasts three 18-hole championship courses, a par-3, 9-hole course, and a 32-bay driving range. The club offers a range of amenities, including gyms, restaurants, swimming pools, indoor simulator rooms, and a kids’ playroom.
As a key tournament venue, the club hosted four major international tournaments last year, featuring events from the Asian Tour and the Ladies Aramco Team Series. Anticipation is growing for the upcoming Hong Kong Open, scheduled for November 21-24, which is part of the International Series for the Asian Tour and underscores the club's vibrant role in professional golf.
PGA Professional Tim Hung shares insights into his globe-trotting career that led him to his current position at this prestigious club, a journey that began as a junior golfer in Hampshire.
What was it like working at Mission Hills, the world’s largest golf resort?
Everything is on a massive scale at Mission Hills. We had over 10,000 members of staff, so it was hard to get on first name terms with everybody!
With 12 golf courses, three clubhouses, three spas, two hotels and a shopping mall, it is definitely not your average golf club, but it provided an incredible insight into what it takes operate a golf resort at this level of size and quality.
It wasn’t without its challenges, especially as my Chinese language skills weren’t that great at the time, so I had to have a translator follow me around everywhere, including golf lessons. The climate was also pretty challenging, as the temperature was consistently around 40°c in the summer months with 90% humidity.
How did you hear about your current role at Hong Kong GC and what was the interview process?
I saw the job advertised on the PGA website. I had been lucky to play at Hong Kong Golf Club a few times with some of the professionals there at the time, so I had a pretty good understanding of what they were looking for and what the role entailed.
I was interviewed by the Director of Golf at the time, Dean Nelson, and from there I was fortunate to be offered the position as an Assistant PGA Professional a few weeks later. Dean has since moved on to be the general manager at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, but I still keep in contact with him and thank him to this day for giving me the opportunity to work here.
What qualities/experience do you think got you the job?
My language skills for sure. Being able to speak fluently in English and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) is a massive positive, and allows me to get any message across directly, rather than having to rely on a translator. I’m still trying to improve my Chinese with regular weekly lessons to help me with all the formal meetings I have to attend with the committee, and presentations for local community outreach.
Also holding the PGA qualification, which I managed to obtain whilst abroad, and to have the experience of living on over this side of the world, made moving from China to Hong Kong a seamless transition.
In addition to your degree and PGA qualification, what other career development plans have you got?
I recently attended the Club Management Association of Europe’s Diploma Level 2 in Abu Dhabi. I have just sent off my assignment to get marked so I am hoping to get that within the next few weeks. Fingers-crossed!
I’m then looking to start the PGA’s Director of Golf qualification in the near future, as that’s hopefully the next step for me in my career.
What does a typical working day involve?
Having recently moved up to the role of Senior PGA Professional, I am mainly focusing on managing golf operations. I oversee a team of 93 staff, from bag drop, course marshals, range attendants, golf cart staff, and a team of 13 PGA Professionals who come from all over the world.
I assist as much as I can around the club, working closely with my Director of Golf, Daniel O’Neill (PGA of Australia) and Ian Gardener, our General Manager, to ensure the day-to-day operations at the club are running smoothly. Every day is different, as I’m sure most golf pros will attest, so I don’t have a typical day, but that’s why I love my job as much as I do!
What are the current challenges facing the club?
As Hong Kong is a very condensed city, there is always a struggle to find space to build new residential property. Over the past few years, the Hong Kong government has talked about taking back a part of the golf club’s land to build new houses. The club is built on government leased land, so we are very much at the mercy of the local planners. There are plans to take back eight holes to be used for housing, which would be a huge shame, so we are currently in talks to prevent that from happening.
As a result, I am having to come up with different ideas to try and utilize the club for community outreach and charitable events, so I’m currently spending a lot of my time working with local organisations to host such activities, including cycling, running, Futsal and Woodball events.
Have you had any mentors during your career or people who you have been able to lean on for advice?
There have been many, but I would pick out three people. Firstly, Mark Henderson, who was Director of Golf Academies at Missions Hills, and who took me on as an assistant and really introduced me to the world of the PGA Professional.
Secondly, Master PGA Professional Iain Roberts, who has been in Asia over 20 years – and currently runs a golf school in Hong Kong – and still offers me his valuable advice.
And finally, Dean Nelson, whom I previously mentioned, who took me on at Hong Kong Golf Club. I learned so much about leadership and whose skills and way of working I always look to emulate when I’m in the office or leading a team of staff.
What do you know now that you wish you’d had known when you first started out?
The road is never straight, so be adaptable to change. The role of the modern PGA Professional is also changing, so other skills can help from previous experiences.
What advice would you pass on to other PGA Members who may be interested in working abroad and Hong Kong specifically?
I would advise anyone to embrace new experiences and be prepared to adapt.
The PGA is one big family, and we are all here to help each other, so don’t be afraid to reach out to someone, wherever they are in the world.
