Page 40 - Summer2020GTP
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STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
CHINA & HONG KONG
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL tournaments, teachers, playing pros, caddies, etc.
The way we see it is the government has been
laying a sound and complete groundwork to
grow the golf industry in the country. This may be
also one of the plans to boost domestic spending
By Steve Mak, and GDP, especially when international trade
President and
CEO HKGTF and and globalization is under threat and facing
USGTF-China tremendous uncertainties in the future.
The recent outbreak of the coronavirus has
caused a huge loss in life and damage to the
arlier we reported that the government of China
Ehad suppressed the sport of golf since 2014 by economies of China and the world. But one bit
closing down some 300 golf courses out of 700, and of good news out of this disaster was that virus
closing countless driving ranges around the country specialists commented that golf courses were
in an effort to clean up all illegal construction of the safest places, literally, and subtly encouraged
golf courses and corrupt activities behind the people to play golf. The same thing happened in
scenes. 2003 during the SARS outbreak. China experienced
From 2014-2018, the central government a bloom in golf immediately when SARS settled
did the housecleaning on one hand, while on down.
the other, it issued many new policies during this The Chinese government is now working hard
period of time to promote golf: inclusion of golf on with full force trying to recover from the damage,
the encouraged list of sports for citizens; brought and is investing tons of money and resources with
golf into junior high and high schools; admission full steam to prepare for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
of golf pros and amateur winners into colleges We strongly believe the government will really look
with entrance exemption and scholarships, and into golf after the Winter Olympics and will seriously
Shenzhen City (first Economic Development Zone) develop the sport of golf as an industry in the years
and Hainan (international tourist island) provincial to come.
governments issued policies to develop golf as one USGTF-China and HKGTF were impacted badly
of the main sports with investments in research, by the market slowdown, decline in demand of
infrastructure, training, and tournaments with certification and barely survived in past 6 years.
handsome prize purses. However we endeavor to hang on, bearing the
First, the government cleans up the market hope that golf will ultimately be recognized and
to pave the way for healthy and long-term promoted by the government. We are getting
development. Second, it builds market demand close to the end of the tunnel and will see the light
through introducing the sport to kids and youth, soon within a couple of years. We are preparing
and also to the general public. Third, more ourselves to take a ride of the tide when it comes,
colleges set up golf faculty to train and develop which maybe the second wave in China golf
human resources to support the industry. This history with the first happened during year 2004-
development includes golf course management, 2014.
Sharing Our Passion Around The World!”
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Golf Teaching Pro SUMMER 2020
