A galaxy of stars from the fields of sport and entertainment lit up Mission Hills on November 19-20 with sparkling performances at the Asia Star Golf Charity Event – on and off the course.

The three-day ‘Swing for Love’ tournament over the David Leadbetter-designed course at Mission Hills Dongguan attracted more than 40 well-known actors, pop icons and models China, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan as well as an Olympic medallist.

Leading a 15-strong Korean contingent were models Ha Yeon-hwa and Go Yeon-ni, singer Kim Jang-hoon, yoga professor Nadia, actress Wang Bit-na and actor Jo Dong-hyuk.

China’s delegation was spearheaded by Li Xiao Shuang, an Olympic champion in Artistic Gymnastics with national renowned movie director and actors.

From Hong Kong, actors and movie directors Francis Sung and Billy Lau were joined by fellow-actors Michael Miu Kiu-wai, Andrew Lam, Ricky Chan and Dickie Wong Dik-gei and actresses Cindy Lee, Jaime Chik and Rain Lau.

Meanwhile, among those representing Taiwan were the Power Station, Eric Moo, Sam Tseng and JR Yang.

As well as displaying their prowess on the course, the visitors enjoyed a host of social activities, highlighted by a Gala Dinner at which an auction was held to raise funds for the Free Lunch for Children programme, which was established by more than 500 journalists and mainstream media along with the China Social Welfare Foundation.

To the delight of organisers, a total of RMB1.352 million was raised from this year’s Asia Star Golf Charity Event – almost double the amount raised in the previous two years and taking the three-year total beyond the RMB2 million barrier.

Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony, Tenniel Chu, Mission Hills’ Vice Chairman, said: “We are all here for a very good reason – to show our love and support for those who are less fortunate than us and to raise funds for the ‘Free Lunch for Children’ undertaking, a most worthy cause.

“My heartfelt congratulations go to Hovie Media for their foresight in hosting this gathering. My thanks also go out to all of our participants from Hong Kong, Korea, mainland China and Taiwan for giving so graciously of your time.

“Since its inauguration more than 20 years ago, the Mission Hills Group has always prided itself on giving back to society and placed a strong emphasis on supporting the under-privileged and those in need. In total, more than RMB700 million has been donated to charities.

“There can be no more fulfilling feeling than knowing you are touching the lives of less fortunate individuals in a positive fashion.

“Your kindness will, I know, help to bring some much-needed joy into the lives of boys and girls who deserve every bit of love and support we can muster.”