| FIVE MINUTES WITH ...
Bruce Chan
The founder of Golf 007, a leading Hong Kong-based golf travel agency, talks us through a memorable two rounds at Xili, his fondness for John Daly and what he’d like to see happen to slow players. When did you start playing? I started playing seriously – sometimes four or five times a week – in 1996 after a friend took me to the now closed driving range in Pokfulam. He had lain down a challenge for me: hit the ball over 100 yards. I’ve been hooked ever since. How often do you play? I play a lot less now because of work, but I do try and get in five or six rounds per month. What’s been your best ever round? I have had two rounds of 76 at my home course, Xili Golf & Country Club in Shenzhen. Both rounds occurred within a couple of weeks of each other, but I haven’t got anywhere near that score since! Do you have a favourite course? Can I name a few? There are just too many beautiful courses all over the world, so it’s very hard to determine a favourite. The Mountain Course at Spring City Resort in Kunming is fantastic in every way, as is Black Mountain in Hua Hin, Thailand. But I have never seen a prettier course than Old Head Golf Links in Kinsale, Ireland (pictured above). The views there are just breathtaking. The North Course at The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau is my favourite in Hong Kong, and it would be even better if its condition were more consistent. Who is your favourite player? I have two – John Daly (pictured right) and Ian Poulter. I like their intensity and both are great fun to watch. Poulter was magnificent at last year’s Ryder Cup, just amazing. What, if anything, drives you mad when playing? Slow play. It’s a crime, really, and in an ideal world, the offenders should have to pay higher green fees! Some people moan about unraked bunkers but I’m fine with them – bunkers are hazards and you shouldn’t find yourself there in the first place. 74
HK Golfer・FEB 2013
Who would be in your dream fourball? Ideally, it would be Jiyai Shin, Christina Kim and John Daly – they’re all about my size around the mid-section but still manage to play excellent golf. But seriously, anyone who has a good sense of humour and is willing to have a good laugh at their own game would do. What’s in your bag? I have two entirely different sets of clubs – one for my club and one for when I travel. The set I use most comprises a TaylorMade R11 driver, XXIO fairway woods, TaylorMade Burner irons, Cleveland 588 wedges and a TaylorMade Ghost putter. I like TaylorMade Penta and Bridgestone B330 golf balls and house all of my equipment in a Porterline 905 golf bag. – As told to Alex Jenkins HKGOLFER.COM