SWING TIME
With world class coaches and state of the art facilities, Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy grooms future champions on court and on the greens
Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy (HKGTA) might well change the way young athletes think about golf and tennis programmes. Indeed, its goal is to provide an alternative to the typical sports camp or club by offering a holistic approach to the development of sporting excellence.
From beginners to avid golfers and expert tennis players, HKGTA enables each person’s skill set to be developed with its total wellness approach, which ranges from bespoke programmes to sports wellness treatments that give athletes every opportunity to recuperate and relax after a day of training.
A world apart from the asphalt jungle of urban Hong Kong, HKGTA, nestled in leafy foothills around Sai Kung, is a 820,209sqft development designed in a warm, Mediterranean-inspired architectural style and organised along a cascading watercourse and an array of lush gardens.
Spread over seven hectares, the site features a two-storey sports house serving the golf and tennis training institutes, complemented by an impressive array of other facilities and activities, including a pro shop, the Kids Academy, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, wellness facilities, a cooking studio, Academy Library and stylish dining and leisure areas. HKGTA also includes a variety of accommodation buildings for those training over extended periods.
The cutting edge golf facility features 75 hitting bays—equipped with an automatic ball feed system not seen before in Hong Kong—three coaching studios with the latest digital analysis technology such as Flightscope, Swing Catalyst, SAM Puttlab and K-vest sensor technology, all in addition to putting and practice greens and the signature HKGTA Short- Game Course.
HKGTA is staffed by coaches certified by the PGA of America. The PGA of America Learning &
Performance Institute helps patrons to maximise their quality family time by offering a broad range of innovative programmes for the kids and the entire family to get involved with, so patrons can enjoy a great game of golf together any time of the year. From beginner to elite junior training, through to the adult family programmes, all the cutting-edge courseware and systems can be tailored to suit each family’s evolving golfing needs. The institute uses leading technology, proven teaching systems and a positive learning environment to give players of all ages the best possible experience and support.
The coaching staff at the tennis academy are equally impressive. Director Bastien Liveriou, for instance, has coached tennis players at the ATP, WTA and ITF level— including national youth champions. The tennis academy offers a proven system and a holistic approach to training that focuses on developing a technically sound playing style while helping students to manage their emotions, gain confidence, adapt to change and overcome challenges.
Facilities at the tennis academy include seven outdoor plexipave courts, one indoor court that is certified by the ITF and two mini tennis courts for children. For racquet sport enthusiasts looking for something new, there’s also a court for playing padel, a cross between squash and tennis.
While parents enjoy tailored golf or tennis programmes, young learners can develop their skills at the Kids Academy. In keeping with HKGTA’S overall mission, it takes a holistic approach, based around eight different learning styles. Kids Academy offers activities, games and adventures designed to stimulate and develop visual-spatial, interpersonal, bodily-kinesthetic and other skills that will help prepare budding young Hong Kong athletes to become the Masters and Wimbledon competitors of the future.
Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy, 81 Tai Chung Hau, Sai Kung, Hong Kong; +852 3187 8900; hkgta.com