THE BIG ONE
The World Cup of golf is to be played out on the Olazabal Course at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen from November 22-25. Granted, this is not in Hong Kong, but it is just across the border – and it’s one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world so it would probably be worth the hour to get there. The World Cup at Mission Hills will be one of a series of tournaments across the world encompassed in the World Golf Championships. Up to 28 nations are estimated to make an appearance, with China hosting, and the event itself is worth US$5 million.

What: Mission Hills World Cup 2007 When: November 22-25 Where: Mission Hills Golf Club, Shenzhen How much: 1000RMB, 500RMB Enquiries: www.missionhillsgroup.com

RIGHTEOUS!
The only surf contest in Hong Kong hits Sai Kung November 25. This year Billabong is fully sponsoring the affair to make sure it’s better than ever. The main event is the Billabong Surf Cup, with $10,000 in cash prizes plus products provided by Billabong. Besides this, the hosts encourage one and all to attend ‘the best beach in Hong Kong’, whatever the skill level, to enjoy the waves and watch locals and overseas athletes duke it out. There will be DJs, BBQs, demos of the latest Channel Island boards and, of course, lots of beer. The meeting point for competitors is Sai Kung Public Pier at 7:30am but hurry up, be quick, registration ends November 17. Go to the Billabong Pak Sha Road Shop or X Game shops to register.

What: Billabong Hong Kong Surf Cup When: November 25 Where: Tai Long Wan, Sai Kung How much: $160 (competitors), $90 (spectators) Enquiries: www.xgamehk.com

TEE UP
Just before the Mission Hills tournament gets underway, the HK Golf Club in Fanling is hosting the UBS HK Open 2007 from November 15-18. Don’t think just because the words ‘world’ and ‘cup’ aren’t slapped on this one that it isn’t important. Professionals from the Asian Tour, PGA European Tour and HK Golf Association are partaking in a bid to win US$2,250,000. The four course tournament is set in two stages; after the first 30 holes, the field will be cut to the leading 70 plus ties. Tickets are as follows: Thursday 15: $100, Friday 16: $100, Saturday 17: $200, Sunday 18: $250, four day pass: $350. Tickets can be bought online for a 10% discount at www.cityline.com or by calling 2111 5333.

What: UBS HK Open 2007 When: November 15-18 Where: HK Golf Club How much: $350, $250, $200, $100
Enquiries: www.ubshongkongopen.com

ROW YOUR BOAT
The 29th HK Rowing Championships are getting underway over the weekend of November 17-18. The Saturday’s 10am-6pm schedule will include heats and repechages, while the semis and finals will race from 9am-6pm on Sunday. Clubs from all over Hong Kong ranging through all sorts of skill and age categories have entered and will congregate at the Sha Tin Rowing Centre and Jockey Club Shek Mun Rowing Centre to prove their mettle. The 15 events – from men’s singles to women’s eights and adaptive men’s singles – race over 2,000 and 1,000 metre courses.

What: 29th Hong Kong Rowing Championships
When: November 17-18 Where: Sha Tin Rowing Centre, Jockey Club Shek Mun Rowing Centre How much: Free to watch, entry closed Enquiries: www.rowing.org.hk

AROUND WE GO
Loro Piana is back to sponsor the Royal HK Yacht Club’s Around the Island race for its 24th episode on Sunday, November 18, to coincide with Harbour Day. The glitzy event requires competitors to sail 26 nautical miles to starboard around HK Island. The race starts and finishes in the vicinity of the yacht club on Kellett Island. The final cut-off for entry is at 6pm on November 15, with a system of late entry fees ranging from $50 to $150 depending on how late your entry is.

What: Loro Piana Around The Island Race When: November 18 Where: Start: Kellett Island, race: around HK Island
How much: competitors $150, $100, $50. Free to watch Enquiries: www.rhkyc.org.hk

KING OF THE HILL
The King of the Hills Mountain Marathon Series 2007-2008 kicks off its first of five races on November 25. This one takes place in Sai Kung with half and full marathons over steep hills and through beautiful scenery at Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung Country Park entrance. The competitor who obtains the three best results over the five-race series will be crowned this year’s King of the Hills. The other races are at Tai Po (Dec 16), Lantau (Jan 6), HK Island
(Jan 27) and Sham Tseng (Feb 24). In advance, entry costs $100 per race or $380 for all five races. Day-of-race entry costs $160
per race.

What: Sai Kung, KOTH Mountain Marathon Series When: November 25 Where: Meeting point: Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung Country Park entrance How much: $380, $160, $100 according to price category Enquiries: www.seyonasia.com

KNOCK ABOUT
Victoria Park hosts the HK National Tennis Championships 2007 from November 17 to December 16. During the event, nine different tournaments will include men’s and ladies’ open singles and doubles, mixed doubles, and men’s and ladies’ B singles and doubles. The singles events carry HK national ranking points and the Doctor’s Choice men’s open singles winner will take home $10,000 plus a gift set while the Doctor’s Choice ladies’ open singles will win $5,000 and a gift set.

What: HK National Tennis Championships 2007 When: November 17-December 16 Where: Victoria Park How much: Free to watch. Enquiries: www.tennishk.org