GOLF & INVESTING | 5 MINUTES WITH ...
Pony Leung For golfers and investors out there, you might find golf and investing share a lot of similar attributes. In this, the third in a series of interviews presented by Charles Schwab, Hong Kong, Ltd., Pony Leung – the locally-based pro and wine aficionado – talks about her golfing upbringing, her love of links golf and the investing lessons she’s learned over time. What connections do you see between golf and investing? You need to be super patient when it comes to both golf and investing. Even if you prepare well you shouldn’t expect to see immediate results. It’s a process. If you don’t prepare at all – if you don’t have a plan – you shouldn’t expect a positive outcome. When did you start playing? When I was 11 or 12 my dad introduced golf into the family. It came at a good time as I had decided around then that tennis was no longer my favourite sport. Too much running was involved! How often do you play? Typically three or four times a week, but it depends when the next tournament is. If there is one coming up then I’ll play more often. I try and prepare as best I can. What’s been your best ever round? I had a bogey-free 65 at the Faldo Course at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen about four years ago. I was definitely in the zone that day. It was the most simple and effortless round I’ve ever played. I still remember it vividly but I haven’t been able to replicate it – yet.
Courtesy of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Do you have a favourite course? I’m a member at Discovery Bay Golf Club here in Hong Kong, which I love, but my favourite course in the world is Bandon Dunes (pictured) in Oregon. It’s a lovely course overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The whole experience is spectacular and I enjoy every second playing there, even when my ball ends up in the gorse. It is the first traditional links-style course that I ever played. You never forget your first one. What about your favourite wine? We understand you’re something of a connoisseur ... Golf and wine are the two things I’m really passionate about. On a hot summer day I probably enjoy wine even more than golf. It’s hard to pick a 78
HK GOLFER・JUL 2013
favourite but I’ll admit to having a bias towards Burgundy. Wine can be a good investment, but I love my collection so much that I don’t think I’d ever be willing to sell any of it. Who would be in your dream fourball? It’d be great to play with Adam Scott, Na Yeon Choi and Suzann Pettersen. I love Scott’s swing, while Choi and Pettersen are my favourite players on the LPGA Tour. How do you maintain focus during a round? It is very important to stay in the present and don’t overthink the shot; you have to stick with your routine and trust all the hard work you put in will deliver results. Between shots I often play tunes in my head and think of things that have nothing to do with golf. How would you describe your overall investment philosophy? For me, investing is a hobby, not a career. I don’t spend my days checking prices. I’ll make a move when there is a great opportunity, but I generally don’t worry too much about my investments. What key lessons have you learned through your personal investing experiences? You can’t win them all! Don’t fantasise about buying at the lowest price and selling at the highest – just stick with your goals and targets. It’s very much like golf: you can’t control the scoreboard. Just play your own game and whatever happens, happens. HKGOLFER.COM