Golfing enthusiasts prepare their putts for the Caledonian Cup

By Wang Han Source:Global Times Published: 2016-5-22 18:23:01

Despite its previous ban as a "bourgeois sport," golf is once again growing in popularity in Shanghai. An increasing number of high-end public golf courses have been constructed around the city in recent years, and local and international golfing tournaments are also being held here.

Most recently, the annual Caledonian Cup Challenge has attracted both expatriate and Chinese players to Shanghai's most pristine golf ranges. The 5th Annual Caledonian Cup Challenge was held on May 13 at the Binhai Golf Course in Pudong New Area, attracting 70 participants (including sponsors and organizers), primarily male entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Members from four different teams from Scotland, England, Ireland and Internationals, were grouped to compete together, playing 18 holes over four hours. "Players are grouped based on their handicaps and nationalities," said Stephanie Ho, project manager of event planning company Verve International, adding that high-handicap players are not likely to play with low-handicap amateurs.

According to Tatiana Danila, events account manager of Verve International, sponsored service stations were provided at four holes. "For example, one of our sponsors provided healthy snacks and smoothies to our players at hole number one," Danila told the Global Times. "Staff from the American Medical Center Shanghai also offered physical therapy to golfers at another hole."

A dinner buffet and awards ceremony concluded the event. This year, 16 awards for individual participants, pair players and teams were up for grabs. "Most Birdiers," "Wooden Spoon (worst player)," "Best Pair," "Best Individual Handicap," and "Best Dressed Golfer" were among the more interestingly worded awards.

Hack around

The organizer of this multinational golf tournament is Scottish national Jordan Campbell, founder and CEO of Verve International. He explained to the Global Times the story of creating this tournament.

"What happened was that I am a part of the Shanghai Scottish Association and a few of my Scottish friends invited me to play golf together on Fridays. We then tended to have a hack around on Friday afternoons," said Campbell.

To his surprise, many other Shanghai-based expats who had heard about their game wanted to join in. This small gathering soon developed into a full-blown golf competition. "We first had an English team to play against a Scottish team, and then there was an Ireland team, a Wales team and an international team. It all evolved organically and quickly," said Campbell.

Campbell and his company's staff sought out sponsors to financially support the tournament. He is content with the progress they have made. "We had four teams the first year, six teams the second year and seven teams the third and fourth years," said Campbell. "But this year we had fewer teams, because we want to make the tournament more compact and exclusive."

He pointed out that the majority of players are from big companies that have time or power to take Fridays off. "We don't do it on Saturday or Sunday, because anyone can do that. We want to make sure it is an exclusive networking event for people who own or work for big companies," said Campbell.

Campbell clarified that, currently, there are not many Chinese joining the tournament.

Exorbitant fees

"Playing golf is an ordinary family event when I was in Scotland, but it has become a rare occasion for me since I came to China," said Graeme Faulkner from Glasgow.

Faulkner told the Global Times that his father taught him to play golf when he was only 5, in the family backyard. But in Shanghai, which lacks backyards, Faulkner must teach his own son, who is now 5, at expensive local venues.

Campbell echoed this sentiment, saying that the biggest difference between golf in the UK and golf in China is its price. "I went to the University of St Andrews, and it only cost me 100 pounds ($145) for a one-year membership. I could take whatever course I like at any time throughout the year. But here in Shanghai, it is around 1,500 yuan ($229) for just one round per day," he said.

Faulkner said that he is still willing to pay the exorbitant fees because golf enables him to enjoy fresh air and outdoor greenness as well as exercise and have fun with friends. As for Campbell, he said playing golf is the perfect way to network professionally.

"I have noticed that some Chinese children in Shanghai have started attending golf courses and learning to play golf. So I think this sport will become more widespread and inexpensive in China in the near future," said Faulkner.

Cheerleaders pose with the tournament's banner before heading for the Binhai Golf Course.



 

Group photo of participants and organizers of the Caledonian Cup Challenge 2016



 

A participant swings at the tournament. Photos: Courtesy of Verve International



 
Newspaper headline: Par for Shanghai


Posted in: Metro Shanghai

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