FAR HILLS, N.J. (July 21, 2014) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced that the Hong Kong Golf Association has adopted the USGA’s Golf Handicap and Information Network^® (GHIN) for its more than 15,000 subscribers.  

Formed in 1968 with a mission to govern and promote the game in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Golf Association’s responsibilities include selecting Hong Kong national teams, junior and elite player development, grassroots initiatives and conducting international and domestic golf events. The association runs more than 30 amateur tournaments each year, as well as the Hong Kong Open, the city’s oldest professional sporting event. 

“We look forward to working with the USGA to introduce the GHIN service to golfers in Hong Kong,” said Ning Li, president of the Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA). “The HKGA administers the Handicap Index^® for more than 15,000 subscribers and golf club members. We aim to provide a modern online system with added benefits and first-class service.” 

As a National Sports Association, the HKGA works closely with the four member golf clubs of Hong Kong (Hong Kong Golf Club, Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, Discovery Bay Golf Club and Shek O Country Club); the public golf courses at Kau Sai Chau and Nine Eagles; Hong Kong’s public driving ranges; and governing bodies, including the Home Affairs Bureau, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and the Hong Kong Sports Institute. 

“We are proud to welcome the Hong Kong Golf Association to GHIN,” said Thomas J. O’Toole Jr., USGA president. “The USGA Handicap System™ is in use by a growing number of golf associations, federations and unions throughout the world, and it is a priority for the USGA to expand the GHIN Service’s global presence as part of our commitment to provide the best possible service to these licensed organizations and their members.” 

Developed in 1981 at the request of state and regional golf associations, the USGA’s GHIN service is the largest handicap computation provider in the world, serving more than 2.3 million golfers from 80 golf associations, federations and unions that collectively represent more than 14,000 golf clubs in 47 USA states, as well as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Guam, Bermuda, the Bahamas, India and Hong Kong. GHIN is offered exclusively through state and regional golf associations, federations and unions as a service for their member clubs to assist in meeting the policies of the USGA Handicap System™, which enables all golfers to compete on a relatively equal basis. 

GHIN is easily assessable as a mobile app available free via Google Play or the iTunes Store to any golfer who holds a Handicap Index issued by a licensed golf club through a state or regional golf association that subscribes to the GHIN service.” 

About the USGA 

The USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as 10 national amateur championships, two state team championships and international matches, attracting players and fans from more than 160 countries. Together with The R&A, the USGA governs the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, equipment standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The USGA’s reach is global with a working jurisdiction in the United States, its territories and Mexico, serving more than 25 million golfers and actively engaging 150 golf associations. 

The USGA is one of the world’s foremost authorities on research, development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history and invests in the development of the game through the delivery of its services and its ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants program. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries. 

For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.