Golf looks to Asia for future growth, but lack of access impedes progress

This is worth the read... the two markets (America and Asia) are quite different and to require different localized approaches.

An interesting article from a friend who played Mission Hills

Click here to view

Asia Golf Industry Magazine

Here is a great down loadable e-zine for the golf business in Asia.

Click Here

Make Golf Olympic???

Many of us in the Middle Kingdom were hoping for golf to be voted into the Beijing Olympics. The organizers were even considering it as China lays claim to the birthplace of golf. If you want to know more about their claim read on....
"China - Birthplace of Golf?"

If you care to read more about the possibilties of Golf being an Olympic sport in 2016, read on...
Make Golf Olympic

Olympic Park Videos

Golf in the Year of the Rat by John Barton, Golf Digest

Click here to read the article on www.golfdigest.com

College days mark another step in Chinese golf's revolution

By

Tim Maitland

This autumn two teenagers will enroll, almost unnoticed, in US Colleges. For Chinese golf, however, a butterfly is flapping its wings on one side of the world and causing a hurricane on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

The freshmen-to-be are Hu Mu, who will play collegiate golf for the University of Florida Gators, and Wang Minghao, who will swing in the colours of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

They join Han Ren, who last year became the first Chinese-born athlete to play men's collegiate golf in the US when he joined the University of Indiana Hoosiers, and will be swiftly followed next year by James Su Dong, who like Han has been based in British Columbia, Canada since 2003.

These are the so-called Third Generation of Chinese golfers and they couldn't be more different from their predecessors.

In a nutshell the first and second generations, led respectively by Zhang Lianwei and Liang Wenchong, came from backgrounds where golf was barely known as a sport and buying a club was a luxury. In the cases of Wang and Su, the third generation have fathers who have owned golf clubs; luxury clubhouse, 18 holes and all.

"Me, Hu Mu, Han Ren we're from wealthy families, we can say that. We have had good educations," explains James Su.

"I went to a private kindergarten when I was four. From the private kindergarten I went to a private primary school and a private high school. Our parents can pay this sort of money. Zhang Lianwei, his parents, were humble people. They were living in poverty. They couldn't get any help from their parents. Zhang went looking for a job (in golf) to help pay for food."

Unlike their predecessors, the young guns are all fluent English speakers which opens up the whole lexicon of golf instruction, essential in a country where the sport is so new it has yet to produce its first truly elite-level coaches.

"The quality of their education is one of the reasons why I believe they will go to a higher level," says Zhang.

"Because they have English, they can discuss golf with other players from outside China. And they're not afraid to play with players from the European and US Tours. They are international players."

In terms of golf experience the current teenagers have already been playing golf for the same length of time as the second generation professionals, have probably played a similar number of tournaments and have certainly had significantly more and much better tutoring.

"If I'd started like these guys I'd probably be on the PGA Tour now. I'd probably be in the top 10. If I'd started like them, who knows?" Zhang smilingly states.

Consider the landscape when players like Zhang first started competing. The first modern course in China opened in Zhongshan in the southern province of Guangdong in 1984. Zhang first touched a club a year later at nearby Zhuhai Golf Club.

"When I started there were only two golf courses in China. Before the age of 20 I didn't know anything about golf; nothing at all!" recalls the godfather of Chinese professionals.

"When I started I got no support; nothing. I was like a blind man. Hitting balls every day, but having no idea why they went where they went. Each year there was only one tournament to play in; the China Amateur Open. I practiced the whole year just for one tournament!"

Many of the current professionals can tell similar stories. Almost all made a start through ancillary jobs at courses or driving ranges. Most had no inkling what the sport was until they started work. The only difference being that many of the second generation got their introduction to the sport in their late teens rather than their twenties. Under such circumstances it's amazing to think that Zhang has gone on to be the first Chinese to win a European PGA Tour event and the first to play in a Major, while Liang has gone one step further by becoming the first Chinese to win the Asian Tour's Order of Merit in 2007.

In comparison, the new kids on the block started early. The product of the quantum shift in China that helped move the country toward the socialist market economy.

"We have had a better start. At 18 Zhang wasn't even playing golf and Liang had barely started," admitted Hu Mu, whose father made his money in escalators and elevators, introduced him to golf at the age of seven, moved him to the IMG Academy in Florida at the age of 11 and has had him coached by David Leadbetter for the past five years.

"If you look at Zhang's career, he started golf at 20 years old and just caddied and practiced. It's unbelievable where he got to. And it's the same thing with Liang. He practices so hard; literally 12 hours a day. They got themselves to this point just by themselves without anybody telling them anything... maybe with a little help from friends, but not in golf. In golf alone they just had to figure everything out," said Hu, echoing the respect for his elders that all his generation seem to share.

Hu Mu is realistic enough to recognize that the real "future" of Chinese golf is the generation that comes after his.

"I can be sure in 10 years time there'll be like five more junior golfers with my talent. There are so many people with really good feel and really good talent who are aged 8, 9, 10. In 10 years time they'll be such good players. More and more people are playing golf in China so it's only going to get better," he said.

Importantly, China now has a structure in place through which its players can develop.

Introduced in 2007 the HSBC China Junior Golf Program is a partnership between HSBC, the world's local bank, the China Golf Association (CGA) and global sports marketing firm IMG.

"There are two sides to the plan. One is to select talented people and develop them into stars. The other side is to get more and more kids playing golf. We're building a bridge to get more and more children of various ages interested in golf. We're trying to make each generation bigger. The system is getting bigger and bigger," says Song Liangliang, the Deputy Secretary General of the CGA.

The programme includes a season-long HSBC National Junior Golf Championship, which in 2008 consists of seven legs leading to a finale just before the US$5 million HSBC Champions in November, as well as the HSBC China Junior Open. Other key elements include a national ranking system, and golf camps.

"We've worked together to design an expandable structure that helps the CGA identify and develop its young talent, hence the rankings, the camps and the season-long tournament structure," explains HSBC Head of Sponsorship Giles Morgan.

"The programme has started working in 40 schools this year and will continue to expand. We're also playing a role in increasing the education and enhancing the quality of information available to China's golf coaches.

"It's a dual strategy; first to ensure the kids have the proper channels along which to improve through proper competition, proper ranking points and a proper sense of progression. This ensures a generation coming through that is developed and educated. Then we want to put the building blocks in place to ensure that the future generations grow in numbers, thus broadening the talent pool as well as further developing the size of the golf market," says Giles Morgan.

China is on the verge of producing it's first generation of golfers who, thanks to the individual wealth of their parents, will be able to compete on a level playing field internationally in as much as they have started the sport at a similar age to the rivals and have had as good an upbringing in the sport. Whatever success they have as professionals will only fuel the growth of a sport that is finally in a position to tap into the potential power that a population of 1.4 billion brings. As Hu Mu points out, once you add in the appetite for excellence, success is a given.

"China was the strongest country for forever. We went down a little bit but now we're coming back," he says.

"The whole thing is if Chinese people want to do something they want to be the best…. and they do it!

Sports Management in the Middle Kingdom

Like many sports in China, Golf is stopping this Summer for the Olympic Games. The Omega China Tour is enjoying a nice three month break before it starts back up in September.

The question in many sports managers mind for China is what will companies do with funding for sports after the Olympic Games? Will Olympic advertising go to other sports for sponsorships or will it be pushed to other areas of society. Many other people are wondering what will happen with the event facilities. They have made spectacular events and many will be used over and over as many are on collage campuses. However, there are a few that will need to be managed.

The NBA China was formed this year as the NBA USA is very popular in China. NBA USA is a key partner in this. This shows the interest in sports in China. It will be interesting to see how the sports management industry develops in China. Here is an article regarding NBA China: http://www.nba.com/news/nba_china_080114.html

Regarding Golf Course management... China has seen a lot of players trying to get into this market. Many of the large companies like ClubCorp and Troon have tried the Chinese market. Many of the big organizations stay for 2-3 years and fizzle. Many local Chinese management groups have started up but there hasn't been a hybrid of a management company started between foreign and locals. I will write more about this in a future article.

Here in Beijing, things are changing daily. The last few pieces of infrastructure for the Olympics are finishing up. From what locals tell me, many construction sites will be stopping soon as the last push to make Beijing cleaner starts. Beijing is becoming a beautiful city and should be even nicer when the Games finish.

Asian Golf Monthly

For those who want to keep up more with golf in Asia, here is a good website with on-line magazine: http://www.asiangolfmonthly.com/

Golf struggles to make mark in China

By Steven Jiang
For CNN

Editor's note: "Beijing Journal" is an occasional series examining China's capital as it prepares for the 2008 Summer Games. This report looks at life outside the capital in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China (CNN) -- Longtime sports writer Dan Washburn does not hide his disappointment that his favorite game has failed to make the cut for an appearance at the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

Chinese pro golfer Zhou Xunshu stumbled upon the sport when he was a security guard.

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"If golf were part of the Summer Games, it would make a huge difference for its growth here," said the Shanghai-based American freelance journalist, who has been covering the sport's nascent China Tour for ESPN.

"It would give golf government blessing, which would translate into state funding and mandatory news coverage."

The presumptive limelight would bring a welcome change for Washburn, 34, who has often found himself part of a tiny media contingent on the green since he began reporting on the tournament in the summer of 2006.

In a country where playing a round of golf costs about $100 and the average income hovers just above $2,000 a year, Washburn is not surprised to see most Chinese media and people show little knowledge or interest in the "elite" sport.

But ample access to Chinese professional golfers -- many of whom appreciate the rare attention -- has drawn Washburn deeply into their fascinating world.

"They are poor men playing the rich man's game," Washburn observed. "If they were not playing golf, they would be working in the field farming."

This is the case of Zhou Xunshu, a 35-year-old pro golfer Washburn befriended during his first China Tour assignment, who grew up in a mountain village in the country's impoverished southwest.

Like many of his peers, Zhou stumbled upon golf when he left his hometown to pursue a better life in the big cities. He became a security guard on a golf course in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou before even realizing the sport's existence.

The mundane job sparked Zhou's interest in the strange game -- he started sneaking out at night, rolling balls on the green and working on his swings with a broken club.

It was not until six years later at the age of 29, however, that Zhou was able to practice semi-regularly when a sympathetic manager allowed him play on the course in early mornings.

By the time Washburn met him, it was already Zhou's second year on the tour.

This season, Zhou -- who makes less than $1,000 per month as a driving range instructor and has to cover his own tour expenses -- placed 9th among 91 players after three events, earning him some $5,600.

"What sets him apart is he is not just playing for the prize money -- he is driven and wants to be one of the best," Washburn said.

"His is the ultimate underdog story."

Washburn is turning the story to a book about golf in China, having followed Zhou from the courses to his wedding and even his remote home village.

Hoping to bring attention and help to players like Zhou, Washburn nevertheless insists his book -- titled "Par for China" -- is not just about golf but about the country seen through the sport.

"Golf is a barometer for China's political and economic rise," he said. "It's a symbol of so many issues affecting the country now -- the gap between the rich and the poor, environmental problems, land use, official corruption and historical prejudice."

Despite all the hurdles, Washburn feels optimistic about golf's future in China.

He would love to see the sport -- after three decades of absence in the early Communist era -- trickle down to the masses.

Currently most of the China's million-strong golfers hail from the nouveau riche class and enjoy their game in the country's 400 exclusive clubs.

For the Chinese Tiger Woods to emerge, Washburn believes the system has to change to attract more young talent, regardless of their backgrounds.

"They need public courses," he offered. "And they need a Chinese player in the world's top ten -- someone like the NBA's Yao Ming -- to raise public awareness and inspire a new generation of golfers."

Some interesting thoughts about China

Here are some fascinating highlights from McKinsey entitled, “Preparing for China’s Urban Billion.”

- By 2025, China will have 221 cities with more than one million
inhabitants – compared with 35 in Europe today.

- China’ urban population will expand from 572 million in 2005 to 926
million in 2025. Over 350 million people will move from rural areas
to the cities – more than the population of the United States.

- By 2025, China could have 15 super-cities with average populations
of 25 million people. 41 percent of China’s higher income middle
class will live in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Wuhan, Chongqing,
Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

- China will build almost 40 billion square meters of floor space
over the next 20 years, requiring construction of 50,000 new
skyscrapers – the equivalent of ten New York Cities.

- Up to 170 cities could meet planning criteria for mass-transit
systems by 2025, more than twice the current number in Europe. This
could promise to be the greatest boom in mass-transit construction in
history.

- China’s urban economy will generate 90 percent of its GDP by 2025.
Urban China will become a dominant global market with its aggregate
consumption almost twice, and disposable income over two times, those
of Germany.

China Golf Show 2008

The 2008 Beijing China Golf Show wrapped up over the past weekend. The show continues to grow each year as the golf industry continues to grow at a fast past on the Mainland. The majority of exhibitors are American, Australian, and local golf companies. Golf giants like Titleist, Taylormade, Mizuno all have a presence along with services and large equipment manufacturers like Toro and John Deere.

For the most part the show is like the show in the United States where it is a networking event for golf industry professionals in China. Some of the newer offerings this year were an expanded presence of golf travel as the RMB has appreciated nicely the Chinese have more in their pocket as they travel overseas. In addition, this year a nice driving range at the back of the show was added as a nice amenity for locals to try different clubs. Many manufacturers pushed fitting clubs rather than simply buying clubs off the rack as many Chinese are custom to doing.

Here is the show website for more details: http://www.chinagolfshow.com/en/gz_show2007.asp

2008 Omega China Tour Kicks Off

In its fourth year, the Omega China Tour was kicked off last week. This year the tour is comprised of ten events. The main sponsor is Omega along with several large global companies. Each event consists of roughly 130 players. Ten foreign professional have exempt status and some other foreign invitations are given out. To learn more about the tour, you can go to the tour website at: www.omegachinatour.com.

In 2008, three Chinese professionals qualified to play in the Asian Tour. As China golf continues to develop more and more players will venture out to the Asian Tour and US / European Tours. This year, Liang Wen Chong, China's number one player will play in The Masters. Jia You! (Good Luck, Play well)

One Asia Tour closer to reality by Colin Wilson

A new professional *OneAsia Tour*, basically covering the whole western side of the Pacific, could tee up by 2009 after Japan's decision to back the plan. The OneAsia Tour has been on the drawing board for more than two years.

The initial goal is to play 20 tournaments with a minimum prize purse of $US1.5 million, although some tournaments would be worth twice that amount. Australia would look to have four or five tournaments as part of the new Tour.

"It absolutely makes sense that all the bodies in the region act together to try to create something bigger than the disparate parts," said Ben Sellenger of the Australasian PGA Tour. "This is the way forward."

The Japanese Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia have signed a memorandum of understanding to create the OneAsia Tour and are now talking with the Asian Tour and golf officials in China, South Korea, Thailand and India about signing up to the new circuit.

"Internationalisation for our players is critical as we need to have international stars from Japan," said Andy Yamanaka, chief secretary of the Japan Tour. "By working together, it is going to be a huge benefit for sponsors too as the exposure will be worldwide."

The biggest hurdle now will be formulating how the Tour would be structured, what representation each country has and how players qualify for it.

"It absolutely makes sense that all the bodies in the region act together to try to create something bigger than the disparate parts, said Sellenger. "It's a huge step for Japan to make that decision to support it."

PGA Professional's life in China

Click on the web page below to see the article:

PGA of Australia agrees to develop regimen for Chinese golf trainers

An interesting article on how the the PGA of Australia is developing a training program for Chinese coaches.

http://www.pga.com/2008/news/other/02/12/auschina021208.ap/index.html

China Golf at the PGA Show

During the middle of January, the PGA Show was held in Orlando, FL. This was the first year an official delegation from China attended the show. There were twelve golf industry professionals who attended the PGA Show including Zhang Xiao Ning who is head of the Small Ball Sports for China (includes things like Tennis, Ping Pong, and Golf)

Sports in China are a little different from other countries. I will add a blog entry about sports in China at a later date. For a simple explanation: athletes are typically chosen at an early age and trained full-time in the sport officials feel they will excel. Sport and Sports Management is changing quite a bit in China with the Olympics being held this year.

During the PGA Show, there was a one hour spotlight on “Golf in China”. There were three speakers for this event: Zhang Xiao Ning, Director of Small Ball Sports; The General Manager for Spring City Golf Club (The top club in China), and Vice President for Octagon Sports. They each
had their own spin regarding golf in China but all had the same outcome: THE FUTURE IS VERY BRIGHT FOR GOLF IN CHINA.

During the session, it was stated that there are over 400 courses in the country at present. Golf Course construction is being controlled as it strains water and land resources in a country of 1.3 billion people. The China Golf Association official stated that they are working three strategies to make golf more of a game for the masses: 1 – returning the land to the original state by constructing golf courses, 2 – Serving the public, 3 – Serving youth. While course construction is controlled, a China Golf Association official stated that courses are increasing at 30% per year.

Among the three speakers, they stated there are currently between one and three million golfers in China. From my own sources I have heard numbers as low as three hundred thousand. Nevertheless, it was said that by 2020 China will boast more than twenty million golfers. Twenty million golfers are numbers like the United States is boasting now. If that is the case, the next sleeping giant in the golf world is definitely in Asia. As the middle class in China continues to grow, it is said that by 2020, China will boast a middle class of around 700 million. At this point, the masses will be able to enjoy golf, at least hitting balls at a driving range.

It is said that there are currently around 2,000 playing amateurs that want to turn pro and there are around 300 professional players in the country at present. In 2008, China Golf tournaments for professionals will cross a new barrier as there will be over twenty million dollars in prize money in tournaments such as the HSBC Champions, Asian Tour, and the Omega China Tour.

Some things the China Golf Association official stated was their goal to build a teaching training system and a more formalized competition system. He stated the CGA is currently starting to work with the Australian PGA in developing the coaching system for developing the
future coaches in China. Regarding competition, HSBC has signed on to be the sponsor of the “Junior Golf Development Program”. He stated that in early 2008, a more formalized competition system will be started for Professionals, Amateurs, and Youth.

The CGA official gave a request to PGA Members for help in the areas of golf management, tournament management, coaching development, and other general development areas. He stated that the CGA is interested in creating industry standards and research sharing with other countries.

This is a great start for China’s relation with the PGA of America. I hope there will be many good years of cooperation between the two organizations in the years to come.