Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy patrons threaten legal action over clubhouse changes

Some patrons of an exclusive Hong Kong sports club have escalated action against the Rosewood Hotel Group’s plan to change operations at its clubhouse in Central, but the hospitality firm says it has made some “refinements” to the arrangement.

A representative of a group of concerned patrons at the Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy (HKGTA) told the South China Morning Post on Thursday that complaints had been filed with the Consumer Council watchdog.

The group had also threatened to take the matter to the Customs and Excise Department over alleged breaches of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, the representative said.

Rosewood, the parent company of the Carlyle & Co private club, told the SCMP on Friday that it denied any breach of contract.

A spokesman said the group had introduced a number of refinements to its plan, under which Carlyle & Co would take over operations of HKGTA’s Town Club in Central. These included retaining the HKGTA identity in the club’s name, adopting a phased transition to protect patrons’ exclusivity and establishing a patrons’ committee for communication, he said.

“We have listened carefully to patrons’ feedback, and having considered their feedback, we have introduced a number of refinements,” the spokesman said.

However, a representative of concerned HKGTA patrons, who identified himself as KK Chui, said that he did not believe Rosewood cared about the interests of members, especially perpetual patrons.