Chinese to Build 14 Golf Courses, Establish Unit to Promote the Game

PEKING —  China will build at least 14 golf courses, establish a golfing association and perhaps by next January play host to its first international tournament, an American consultant to some of the projects announced.

Wade Phillips, Far East representative of Arnold Palmer Enterprises, said the Chinese also want to modify municipal soccer fields to double as practice driving ranges.

The plans are part of an effort to develop a sport once repudiated by the Communist Party as a wealthy pastime and relic of a weak China bullied by imperialists. Foreign-run golf courses were closed after the Communists took power in 1949.

“They’re going for it. They’re serious,” Phillips said. “The fact that golf is so popular in other countries makes the Chinese feel like they have some catching up to do.”

Palmer, the American pro golfer and business executive, helped design China’s first golf course, the Zhongshan golf course nestled amid the rice paddies of southern Guangdong province adjoining Macao. It opened last year.

A second course was inaugurated May 4 in Guangdong, a joint venture between a provincial tourism company and Japan’s Golf Promotion Co., Ltd.

In Peking, work began May 2 on a golf course and country club catering to foreigners. Located among the picturesque golden-roofed Ming Tombs, where 13 of China’s emperors are buried, the project is scheduled for completion next year.

Phillips said in an interview that he was in Peking to advise the state-run China Sports Federation on starting a golfing association, which would provide what Phillips called a focal point for sending and receiving invitations to tournaments.

He also said Palmer’s company is negotiating with the Chinese on a joint venture to produce Arnold Palmer name-brand leisure wear for sale inside China.

Chinese plans call for three courses in Guangdong, two in Peking, one between Peking and Tianjian, three in Shanghai, two on Hainan Island, one in Hunan province, one in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and one in Dalian, Phillips said.

“Before long, you’ll see golf courses blossoming all over,” he said. “We’re going to design some of those golf courses.” He said it was too early to specify which ones.

Phillips said the golfing association would be established in the next few months, followed by preparatory work for China’s first international golf tournament, which he said would take place at Zhongshan, with a target date of next January.

Part of China’s problem in developing golf is that practically no Chinese are playing it. Phillips said trainers at Zhongshan are teaching 30 young players culled from the area.

Last month a group of Chinese from Hebei province became the first to go abroad for golf training. The official news agency Xinhua said they would study for three years in Japan.