Update from Beijing – Developing the golf industry in China
The R&A’s Sustainable Golf Seminar teed off in Beijing with a team of renowned sustainable golf experts sharing best practice responsible and practical approaches to golf developments, renovations and course management.
A mix of golf course operators, academics and other stakeholders listened and engaged with the speakers on lively discussions on what sustainability is and why it matters, opportunities and threats specifically in China, and a drill down on best practice on project planning and course design.
The quote of the day came from Professor Hu Lin, Director of Green Environment Center of China Agricultural University at the end of his presentation which was packed with statistics on land and water use of golf clubs, and lower grade and contaminated land in China.
“It is unnecessary to use any arable land for golf course construction in China. If only a small part of waste land and other poor land is used, it will be large enough for the development of golf industry in China.”
The other speakers were Paul Jansen, Owner of Jansen Golf Course Design & Construction; Dominic Wall, Director – Asia Pacific at The R&A; Steve Isaac, Director – Golf Course Management, The R&A; Liang Wen Chong, Captain of the China Olympic Golf Team; Jonathan Smith, Golf Environment Organization; and Micah Woods, Chief Scientist at Asian Turfgrass Center.
