Travel: The Best of Kunming and the Charms of Sri Lanka
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION VOTED THE REGION’S NO 1 GOLF MAGAZINE
ISSUE 85
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AM: Met by concierge at Edinburgh airport. Transfer to The Scotsman Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel in Edinburgh’s city centre. PM: Lunch at Gullane Clubhouse. Play the course. EVENING: Dinner at the award-winning Timberyard restaurant in the historic Edinburgh Grassmarket.
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championship courses in the world, and is host to the British Open in 2016. Lunch in the Troon Clubhouse. EVENING: Dinner at The Honours in Edinburgh, Martin Wishart’s Michelin-starred restaurant.
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DAY FIVE
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AM and PM: A second full day at Ryder Cup, Gleneagles accompanied by your concierge. Hospitality is included throughout the day. EVENING: A farewell dinner in the magical Edinburgh Castle. Here you will experience an unforgettable meal within the castle itself. DEPART: Day 6. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.
s t i r l i n g a n d s t i r l i n g.c o m
| CONTENTS
HK Golfer Issue 85
February 2014
38 On the Cover:
The one glaring omission on Lee Westwood’s otherwise glittering resume is a major championship. Will 2014 finally be his year? Photo by AFP
Features
Plus…
34 | Making His Mark
18 | In Focus
Six months after joining the HKGA from his previous role working for six-time major champion Nick Faldo, Chief Executive Tom Phillips talks about the state of the game in Hong Kong. Interview by Alex Jenkins
A pictorial look back of the past 30 days – locally and regionally By The Editors
23 | Tee Time
38 | Park Enters the Record Books Australian Unho Park held off the challenge of compatriot Scott Barr to claim his third successive Ageas HKPGA Championship last month. By Alex Jenkins
JS Watch co. Reykjavik is a family-run Icelandic watchmaker. Billed as the world’s smallest, the brand’s exceptional timepieces, which are now available in Hong Kong, have drawn fans as diverse as Tom Cruise and European royalty. By The Editors
50 | Looking Forward
36 | Liquid Assets
The majors in 2013 were great, but 2014 has the potential to be even better. We assess the fortunes of Tiger, Phil, Adam and others as they gear up for what could be a season for the ages. By Paul Prendergast
54 | Q&A with Stuart Manley
Daniel Wong (Park); Kimi Tai (Manley)
An interview with the Welshman who thrilled the galleries at December’s Hong Kong Open on his way to finishing runnerup to Miguel Angel Jiménez. Interview by Jonathan Williams
58 | The Heart of China A travel review of Kunming, home to a collection of the most lauded courses in the Middle Kingdom. By Paul Myers
54 8
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64 | Golfing Eden Our correspondent travels to Asia’s Emerald Isle to participate in the popular SriLankan Airlines Golf Classic. By Duncan Forgan
A Who’s Who of Australian wine. By Julien Yung Mameaux
30 | Tales from the Box Our regular columnist welcomes in the Year of the Horse by putting a uniquely equine spin on proceedings. By Julian Tutt
68 | Crossword Win a signed Lee Wybranski poster by completing our 2013 season in review crossword. Compiled by Dr Milton Wayne
70 | 5 Minutes With ... Justin Rose, who broke his major duck at a memorable US Open at Merion last year. By Alex Jenkins HKGOLFER.COM
HK Golfer
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION FEBRUARY 2014 • Issue 85
Editor: Alex Jenkins email: alex.jenkins@hkgolfer.com Editorial Assistant: Cindy Kwok Playing Editor: Jean Van de Velde Senior Editor: Roy Kinnear Photo Editor: Daniel Wong Contributing Editors: Lewine Mair, Robert Lynam, Evan Rast, Ben Oliver, Julian Tutt Published by:
TIMES INTERNATIONAL CREATION Times International Creation Limited 10A Lockhart Centre 301-307 Lockhart Road Hong Kong Phone: +852 3590-4153 Fax: +852 3590-4533
58 D E PA R T M E N T S 12 Mailbag 14 Divots 18 Local Focus 20 Asia Focus 23 Clubhouse
Publisher: Charles McLaughlin Art Director: Derek Hannah Assistant Designer: Mimi Cheng Office Manager: Moira Moran Advertising: For advertising information, please contact: ads@hkgolfer.com For purchasing information contact: sales@hkgolfer.com For subscription information contact: subs@hkgolfer.com Hong Kong Golf Association Suite 2003, Olympic House 1 Stadium Path, So Kon Po Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Phone (General): +852 2504-8659 Fax: +852 2845-1553 Phone (Handicaps): +852 2504-8197 Fax: +852 2504-8198 Email: hkgolf@hkga.com handicaps@hkga.com In association with: www.thymedesign.hk
32 Around the HKGA
Paul Myers
HK GOLFER is published by Times International Creation, 10A Lockhart Centre, 301-307 Lockhart Road, Hong Kong. HK GOLFER is published monthly © 2012 by Times International Creation. Published in Hong Kong. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. PRINTED IN HONG KONG. 10
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HK Golfer Mailbag Impressive Park Unho Park’s third straight victory at the Ageas HKPGA Championship in January was made all the more impressive by the fact that the tournament has been staged over numerous courses during his three-year reign. In 2012, Park won after rounds held over the New Course at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Discovery Bay Golf Club and the North Course at Kau Sai Chau. The following year he defended his title after playing the first round at the Old Course at Fanling, and his latest win saw him triumph after a second round hosted by Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club. That really is a very impressive achievement, and it comes as some surprise to learn that despite enjoying a solid career on the Asian Tour, he has yet to win on that particular circuit. Surely his time will come. Unho Park tees off at the 14th hole on the North Course at Kau Sai Chau on his way to winning the 2011 Ageas HKPGA Championship
Michael Hwang Waterloo Road Editor’s reply: Thanks for writing in, Michael. You can read a full report on Park’s latest Ageas HKPGA Championship victory by turning to page 38.
Inspirational Lyle I very much enjoyed James Henderson’s story on Jarrod Lyle [“A New Journey” – January 2014] and his amazing recovery from leukemia. Lyle is not a golfer I previously knew much about, but his devotion to his young daughter and wife and his positive outlook on life is truly heartwarming and inspirational. Congratulations to him and I look forward to seeing his name appear on more and more leaderboards in the future.
Daniel Wong
John Gibson Via email
12
Big Year for Rory Like a lot of golfers my age, I am a big fan of Rory McIlroy. Although he didn’t have a very good year in 2013 I am predicting he will be able to bounce back and start winning more tournaments, including majors, in 2014. As Lewine Mair pointed out in her story on Rory in the January edition [“A Fresh Start”], he has had to deal with a lot of issues away from the course. But hopefully, with many of those distractions now behind him, as well as the good news of his engagement with Caroline Wozniacki, he will return to winning ways. I also hope he will return and play the Hong Kong Open this year after missing out in 2013. Watching him win at the Hong Kong Golf Club in 2011 was one of the reasons I started playing golf. Thomas Kwok (aged 14) Via email
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| DIVOTS
Special Offer. Enjoy golf ’s most reliable and accurate course maps from around the world, with no annual fee
Four in a Row for Louis, the King of January
For the fourth consecutive time, Louis Oosthuizen (pictured) won the first European Tour event of the calendar year with a successful defence of his Volvo Golf Champions title in Durban early January. The sweet-swinging South African, who claimed the title by a shot from former winner Branden Grace, started his unique run in 2011 with victory at the African Open, a win which he replicated in 2012. “It’s great, of course, but I can’t explain it,” said Oosthuizen, who won the 2010 Open Championship at St Andrews. “I think the break helps – I barely lifted a club over the holiday – and I just try and get off to a good start in the New Year.” Oosthuizen struggled with injuries for much of 2013 but is determined to recapture the kind of form that saw him nearly win the Masters Tournament in 2012. “Last year was really frustrating,” said the 31-year-old, who lost in a play-off to Bubba Watson at Augusta National. “I’m on the right path now but I still have a lot of work to do.”
McIlroy and Wozniacki Announce Engagement
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Rory McIlroy is claiming his first win of 2014 – his engagement to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. The couple (pictured) announced their engagement via Twitter after McIlroy popped the question in Sydney, where Wozniacki was preparing for the Australian Open, on New Year’s Eve. “Happy New Year everyone! I have a feeling it’s going to be a great year!! My first victory of 2014,” McIlroy tweeted. He added a hash tag, “She said yes!!” Wozniacki sent out a similar tweet a few minutes earlier that said, “Happy New Year everyone! Rory and I started 2014 with a bang! … I said YES!!!!” They first began to see each other in the summer of 2011, shortly after the Ulsterman won his first major with a record-setting performance at the US Open at Congressional. Both reached the number one ranking in their respective sports but McIlroy is now ranked sixth in the world, while Wozniacki has tumbled to 10th. HKGOLFER.COM
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| DIVOTS
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Woods’ Earnings Top HK$10 Billion
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Tiger Woods (pictured) has surpassed US$1.3 billion (HK$10.08 billion) in career earnings, according to a report published in the US edition of Golf Digest. The report estimates that 88 per cent of the money Woods has earned since turning pro in 1986 (US$1.16 billion) has come from endorsements. The world number one made US$71 million in off-the-course earnings to go with his US$12 million earned in tournaments in 2013. After earning more than US$100 million in endorsements in 2008 and 2009, Woods’ off-the-course take took a hit due to fallout from news of his extramarital affairs. Things have rebounded slightly from a low of US$62 million in endorsement money in 2011, according to the report. But Woods recently lost another deal, as Electronic Arts and Woods announced they were parting ways at the end of 2013 after a 15-year relationship. Rounding out the top f ive earners were Phil Mickelson (US$52 million), Arnold Palmer (US$40 million), Jack Nicklaus (US$26 million) and FedEx Cup winner Henrik Stenson, who earned US$19 million on the course but only US$2.8 million in endorsements. Rory McIlroy finished in sixth with US$18 million in endorsements and US$2.6 million on the course. McIlroy signed a huge Nike deal but finished with only one win, the Australian Open, in 2013.
Golf’s Top 10 Earners in 2013 Tiger Woods
US$83.09 million
2
Phil Mickelson
US$52.00 million
3
Arnold Palmer
US$40.00 million
4
Jack Nicklaus
US$26.00 million
5
Henrik Stenson
US$21.44 million
6
Rory McIlroy
US$20.60 million
Order through HK Golfer: www.hkgolfer.com
7
Gary Player
US$16.09 million
8
Adam Scott
US$15.64 million
Or write to us at: skycaddie@hkgolfer.com
9
Ernie Els
US$14.68 million
10
Greg Norman
US$14.00 million
AFP
1
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Local Focus Three Up For Park Unho Park, seen here hitting his tee shot at the par-4 third hole at Clearwater Bay during the second round of last month’s Ageas HKPGA Championship, became the first man in history to win the history-rich event three years in a row. Park, who turned 40 just before the tournament started, emerged with a one-shot victory over fellow Australian Scott Barr after an enthralling final day’s play at the Hong Kong Golf Club. The Asian Tour star finished on a three-round total of two-under-par and won HK$81,000 – as well as the handsome Joe Hardwick Trophy – for his victory. Photo by Daniel Wong
Asia Focus Ishikawa Looking for Strong 2014 Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa plays a shot from a fairway bunker during the first round of the Sony Open in Hawaii, the PGA Tour’s first full-field event of the calendar year. Once considered the future of Asian golf, 22-year-old Ishikawa has fallen to number 81 in the world and the legions of Japanese media who used to follow his every move have turned their attentions to compatriot Hideki Matsuyama (world number 23), who has exploded onto the scene since turning pro less than 12 months ago. Nevertheless, Ishikawa, nicknamed Hanikami Oji, literally the “Bashful Prince”, enjoyed a solid run of results at the end of last season in the United States and is eyeing a strong 2014. Photo by AFP
At the end of a great day... ... a sublime experience
As Jim Murray said in his Whisky Bible, “…A whisky that gives you the will to live !” We chose this as our first release because we had never tasted a distilled spirit at once so old – and so young. Only a taste can tell you how splendid it really is. And when it’s finished (which is very soon, now) there may not be anything like it for a while; it took us many years to find these 1,348 bottles, and it will be a long search for its successor. Meanwhile, we suggest you have a look at our cognac 1950, 478 bottles of which have just been released.
lastdrop@hkgolfer.com; (852) 3590 4153 lastdropdistillers.com
CLUB
Away from the Fairways | TEE TIME
MAKING AN IMPACT JS WATCH CO. REYKJAVIK IS A FAMILY-RUN ICELANDIC WATCHMAKER. BILLED AS THE WORLD’S SMALLEST, THE BRAND’S EXCEPTIONAL TIMEPIECES, WHICH ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG, HAVE DRAWN FANS AS DIVERSE AS TOM CRUISE AND EUROPEAN ROYALTY. The Islandus Chronograph. From HK$33,000 HKGOLFER.COM
CONTINUED OVERLEAF
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craftsmanship, attention to detail and sheer excellence in watch making appealed to this new influx of visitors. The brand was quickly back on its feet and working furiously to keep up with the renewed demand. Fans of the brand include Hollywood A-listers Jude Law and Tom Cruise as well as Constantine II, the former king of Greece. JS Watch has gone on to create five highly sought after limited edition collections. Having survived the financial failure, it seems only fitting that the company has created a new timepiece that embraces Iceland’s volcanic vicissitude. The Frisland GOÐ is a tribute watch that pays homage to the destructive power of the countr y ’s volcanoes. Based Fans of JS Watch on the brand’s popular Frisland include Hollywood collec tion, this A-listers Jude Law edition has the and Tom Cruise as name GOÐ well as Constantine II, etched onto the dial in a vivid the former king red hue. The of Greece. polished black dial is actually a carefully applied layer of volcanic ash taken from the cloud that grounded European air traffic for weeks in late 2010. Beneath the brimstone, the timepiece is anything but ordinary. Assembled by hand, the case is made from 316L surgical steel and water resistant up to 50 meters. It protects an automatic ETA movement, customised to JS Watch’s specifications. The finished product has a power reserve of up to 38 hours and is visible through a sapphire caseback. The simple, bold aesthetic continues with fter years of imagining their dream watch, friends Sigurdur oversized white roman numerals at the 12 Gilbertsson, Julius Heidarsson and and 6 o’clock positions. Plain white indices Grimkell Sigurthorsson decided complete the hour markings and a red sweeping to make the timepiece a reality. hand compliments the finish. At 44mm the In 2005, with Gilbertson’s father, Frisland GOÐ is a real statement and a piece of Gilbert Gudjonsson, a master watchmaker of 40 geological authority. Fiercely proud of Iceland’s nautical prowess, JS years onboard, the team launched its first line Watch co. has also produced a hardy timekeeper and JS Watch co. Reykjavik was born. The collection was an immediate success in conjunction with the country’s national coast and sold out within six months. Iceland’s guard – the Sif North Atlantic Rescue Timer. A economy, however, turned out to be built on classically styled pilot’s watch, the Sif is generously an unstable base and the Icelandic Krona – the proportioned at 40mm. The remarkably clean currency of this island nation – collapsed. The dial design and robust construction has made wealthy domestic market, on which the firm it a treasured possession of the fearless men and woman of the coastguard. White luminous relied, vanished. In the wake of the financial collapse, however, numerals provide visibility in poor conditions millions of tourists flocked to Iceland, desperate and the water resistance extends to a depth of to take advantage of the prices offered by the 1,000 metres. Only 941 of these watches have been country’s weak economy. JS Watch co’s precision
A Clockwise from top: JS Watch co’s Gilbert Gudjonsson, a master watchmaker for more than 40 years; the special edition of the Frisland GOD is priced from HK$102,000; Tom Cruise and the team from JS Watch 24
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produced and the case back is specifically numbered. Available in stainless steel or with a contemporary PVD black coating the finished timepiece is as a comfortable in the office as it is in rough seas. Arguably JS Watch co’s most popular collection is the Islandus. While the special edition, of which only 10 were made, has sold out, buyers have instinctively gone for the more widely available model. And for good reason: this watch is a classic. Generously proportioned at 44mm this timepiece features a manually wound movement and roman numerals on the face; the number 12 stands out in a bright red colour. With a sterling silver dial guilloched by hand and an ostrich skin strap it represents one very special timepiece indeed. Reflecting the determination of the Icelandic people and the country’s dramatic nature, the GOÐ, Sif and Islandus timepieces exemplify JS Watch patriotism. These timepieces, which are available in Hong Kong through Times International Creation, are rare examples of traditional craftsmanship working in harmony with contemporary passion. Their mark may not yet match that of a volcano, but they’re a powerful – if exclusive – force in the world of horology and a brand the people of Iceland should be proud of. JS Watch co. Reykjavik is represented in Hong Kong by Times International Creation. For more information, contact jswatch@timesic.com; (852) 3590 4153
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Sif NART. From HK$22,000
101 32mm. From HK$14,000
1941. From HK$21,000
JS Watch co. Reykjavik is represented in Hong Kong by Times International Creation. For more information, contact jswatch@timesic.com; (852) 3590 4153 Frisland. From HK$21,000
Frisland Classic. From HK$22,000
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Islandus. From HK$21,000
1919. From HK$21,000
Frisland God. From HK$34,000
101 38mm. From HK$14,000
Islandus Chronograph. From HK$33,000
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CLUBHOUSE | LIQUID ASSETS
A WHO'S WHO OF AUSTRALIAN WINE WINE EXPERT JULIEN YUNG MAMEAUX TAKES A LOOK AT THE CHARACTERS THAT MADE AUSTRALIAN WINE WHAT IT IS TODAY
W
hether you drink Chardonnay, Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon – the country's top three varietals – or rarer grapes like Riesling or Grenache, it is key to understand the value and character of Australian wine. It is now two centuries since the first vineyards were established, and the country's winemakers – even the big brands that have become household names – have a history all of their own. THE STORY BEHIND THE LABELS Arguably the most famous winemaker in Australia, Penfolds, has existed since 1844 when Englishman Christopher Rawson Penfold, then a medical practioner, emigrated to Adelaide and brought winemaking practices to South Australia. His wines have made quite the impact – from the McLaren Vale vineyards in South Australia affordable Rawson's Retreat, a quaffable Shiraz-Cabernet blend with black fruits and spicy notes, to the aficionados' favourite , a vintage Grange – Penfolds seemingly has a wine for every budget. Grange is named after the original doubled over the past 20 years, says Vanya Cullen, home of Penfold and his wife Mary. chief winemaker at the multi-award-winning Cullen Jacob's Creek's origins are rooted in nature. Tied to a small creek running Winery, and herself one of the most powerful through the Barossa Valley, it is named after William Jacob, a surveyor who settled women in the winemaking world. in the country in 1839 after visiting on a European expedition. The first vines were The success of Australian wines overseas has planted on the fertile banks of the creek by Johann Gramp, a Bavarian immigrant also led to some distorted commercial perceptions. in 1847. The pick of this now super brand's wines include the Johann, a full-bodied New heroes are needed. This is perhaps the role, Shiraz-Cabernet blend, and the elegant St Hugo, which is named in honour of or at least the ambition, of the Australian First Gramp's grandson. Families of Wine, a newly formed group of the Wolf Blass, on the other hand, is the brainchild of Wolfgang Blass, a former cash- oldest winemaking families. The 12 member strapped German wine student who arrived in Australia in the early 1960s. In 1974, wineries – including Brown Brothers, Campbells, his Black Label product won the Jimmy Watson Trophy, prompting him to make d’Arenberg, de Bortoli, Henschke, Howard Park, the much-copied statement: "My wines are sexy; they make weak men strong and Jim Barry, McWilliam’s, Tahbilk, Taylor’s, Tyrrell’s, and strong women weak." Yalumba – is committed to restoring the golden reputation of Australian wines overseas. They have STARRING ICONIC FIGURES good arguments – like Hill of Grace, Henschke’s James Busby is regarded as the "father of Australian wine". A Scotsman who single vineyard, single grape jewel – and are ready was persuaded that viticulture could contribute to sustaining the development to welcome you like family. of the colonies, he collected vine stocks in France and Spain and imported them to Australia. Julien leads The Experience Company (www. Another major personality was Maurice O'Shea, a master blender by professional, TheExCo.com), Asia’s premier travel concierge O'Shea tirelessly kept refining table wines, like his Mount Pleasant from the Hunter offering tailored wine, golf and spa experiences. Valley, until they reached near perfection. Join the upcoming Australia wine tour, or arrange Long time the exclusive domain of men, the Australian wine industry has been a personalized holiday. Contact The Experience highlighted in recent times by the increasing influence of women in the trade. The Company at +852 2179 3307 or Julien@TheExCo. proportion of female oenology graduates at domestic winemaking schools has com. Quote “HKGolfer” for a special discount.
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| TALES FROM THE BOX
Horseplay European Tour commentator Julian Tutt welcomes in the Year of the Horse by putting a uniquely equine spin on proceedings.
Daniel Wong (Poulter); AFP (Woods and Harmon)
F
Ian Poulter (this page) living up to his reputation at the 2011 Hong Kong Open; Tiger Woods with former coach Butch Harmon (opposite) back in 2000 30
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arewell snake, hello horse. How much more appealing than the slimy, slippery poisonous little viper is the four-legged creature t hat ha s ser ved ma n k i nd so brilliantly over the centuries. Consider the many varieties: war horse, cart horse, dray horse, thoroughbred, steeplechaser, hurdler, show jumper, dressage horse, hunter, Shetland pony and even show pony. In an idle moment I wondered which golfers might have been what in an earlier life ... War horses have varied considerably over the years but the typical cavalry charger needed to be strong, to carry the armoured knight, brave and fleet of foot. The athletic Ernie Els springs immediately to mind. Cart horses are big and cumbersome, with enormous stamina and big hearts. Phil Mickelson is one of the gutsiest and most resilient golfers around. It’s not difficult to see him with a cart in tow. The dray horse is not dissimilar to the carthorse, but with a more specialised role. A willingness to loiter for hours outside breweries and public houses immediately suggests Darren Clarke, whose perfectionism would have ensured a correct delivery every time, although John Daly is a strong candidate too. In his case though there’s a danger the inn might not have received all that the brewery had dispatched. Golf is well served with thoroughbreds, who sprint fast and true all the way to the finish line. Surely Tiger Woods must be the pick of the yard here, with a “Best in Class” rosette for Seve Ballesteros. Steeplechasers, to a degree, share the qualities of carthorse and thoroughbred. Who can you see bringing home the field in the Grand National? A primetime Jack Nicklaus gets my vote. The hurdler is more thoroughbred, with less daunting obstacles to clear. Tom Watson strikes
me as the standout candidate. Show jumpers must be incredibly athletic, brave and finely attuned to their master’s every command. For his dedication to David Leadbetter, at the height of his career at least, Sir Nick Faldo represents the classification in this equine fairytale. Dressage mounts must be nimble dancers, with an ear for a tune and their rider’s wishes. A yout hf u l Woods perhaps wit h Butch Harmon in the saddle? The hunter must be limitlessly brave, full of stamina and aggression, willing to throw himself into the unknown without a second thought. They can be fallible too of course. Greg Norman is my hunter extraordinaire. T he She t la nd p ony i s a d i st i nc t ive , diminutive breed, much loved by children and designed to live out on the wild moors of Britain. They tend to make a lot of noise too. Look no further than UK-based Zimbabwean
HKGOLFER.COM
Tony Johnstone, although another expat, Australia’s Wayne Riley, qualifies too. Finally the show pony, and of the modern generation there is surely a clear winner in this category. There is no finer peacock striding the fairways than Ian Poulter. I write this as the Volvo Golf Champions nears its climax, where the over-sized Colin Montgomerie has been reminding us of his many talents. Not wishing to leave him out of this star-studded cast, perhaps he makes the list as the Trojan Horse. Just a thought ... As a long time and frequent international traveller it’s very easy to become rather blasé about the varied and fascinating places that we visit. This applies even within Europe where over the years we have been to all the great capital cities. As a small group of chatterboxes, we happy few commentators tend to dine out most evenings, often in the nearest watering hole we can find. A few years ago we decided that a greater ef for t mu st be made, a nd we took t he opportunity to visit the Coliseum in Rome, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon; Montmartre, the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles in Paris; the wonderful Prado Museum in Madrid, full of Goya’s treasures; the aesthetic delights of Prague and Vienna and so on. It’s something all too few golfers do, and when you throw in other venues such as Beijing and Shanghai, Moscow, Sydney, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Jakarta, you realise what a hugely privileged life we lead. I’m indebted to Hong Kong-based Dominic Boulet for showing me HKGOLFER.COM
Golf is well served with thoroughbreds, who sprint fast and true all the way to the finish line. Surely Tiger Woods must be the pick of the yard here, with a “Best in Class” rosette for Seve Ballesteros. some of the delights of the Far East, which would have been so easy to miss. However, there are a few irritations involved in all this travelling. We are very fortunate in that we invariably travel in Business Class on long-haul flights, which is a great boon, and does allow one to arrive at the next tournament reasonably refreshed. I have developed the annoying habit of always wanting to be first off the plane, a desire that I quite often achieve. It’s not always possible though, and I confess it does cause the red mist to descend when the charge for immigration is on and there is a line of wheeled suitcases weaving their way erratically in front of me, their owners oblivious to the fact that they are trailing this wretched encumbrance three feet behind them, cunningly designed to trip up the unwary. Frequently there will be an elderly couple too, progressing sweetly and innocently at half a mile an hour and filling the whole companionway. Even if there is a little extra width they will foil your attempt to pass, by wobbling and swerving at the moment critique. You either have to politely wait, with mounting frustration and the crowd closing in on you from behind, or rudely yell at them and elbow your way through. Fear not, Mother, I pursue the former course. But then comes the escalator. Why is it that people are quite happy to walk up or down stairs, but as soon as they get on an escalator they stand still and side by side, thereby blocking the passage of anyone who wants to dash on down, or even up? On the London Undergound, just like the MTR, there is a code; the idle nonwalkers “Stand on the Right”, allowing the more athletically minded to pass unhindered. Great. So why can’t that happen at airports? Grrrr! This inconsiderate behaviour has started before the flight of course, with the passage through security. Why is it that people will stand in the queue, idly twiddling their thumbs, waiting until they actually get to the conveyor belt before they take laptops out of their cases, phones and loose change out of their pockets? More “grrrr”! Perhaps such frustrations will magically dissolve as we move into the Year of the Horse. Have a very happy Lunar New Year. HK GOLFER・FEB 2014
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HK Solid at HSBC China Junior Open Early January saw a number of good performances by Hong Kong players at the 2014 HSBC China Junior Open, which took place in difficult conditions for scoring at Zhuhai Golden Gulf Golf Club in Guangdong province. Wu Suo-wei put in the most eye-catching display: his three-round total of 222 (sixover-par) earned him joint first place in the Boys’ 11-12 division alongside China’s Wang Dong Yu, a result that will surely bolster his chances of international squad selection. In the Girls’ 15-17 division, Mimi Ho finished in sixth spot following rounds of 86, 84 and 81, while Leon D’Souza bagged 10th in the Boys’ equivalent category after scores of 78, 82 and 74. The second best individual result from the Hong Kong contingent came courtesy of Fritz Lo, who put together three solid rounds to place fifth in the Boys’ 13-14 age group. Cyrus Lee (Boys’ 11-12), Virginie Ding and Selina Li (both Girls’ 11-12) also secured top10 finishes in their respective divisions. The results earned Hong Kong fourth place behind China, Chinese Taipei and Malaysia in the team competition.
Stanley’s New Year Ace Daniel Wong (Winter Junior and EFG)
Congratulations to Stanley Tang who welcomed in the New Year with one of the first holes-in-one to be recorded anywhere in the world in 2014. Tang (pictured), who is the husband of HKGA staffer Calyx Lai, aced the par-3 seventh on the Gary Player-designed North Course at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau at approximately 9.55am on 1 January. “I was just very happy to see the ball disappear,” said Tang, who used a 9-iron from 124 yards for his second career hole-in-one. 32
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Winter Junior Wins for Fritz and Emily Fritz Lo and Emily Vickie Leung (pictured) were the big winners at the HKGA Winter Junior Championship, which was played on 30-31 December over the South Course at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau. Lo scooped the Overall Boys’ title after winning on count back from Yue Hin-ho after the pair tied on a two-day total of 142 (four-over-par), while Leung fired a second-round 70 after opening with a 78 to finish three clear of Phyllis Tang, Michelle Lee and Li Kai Wing in second place.
EFG Bank 2013 Grand Final The Hong Kong Golf Club’s Deep Water Bay course was the venue for the fifth playing of the EFG Bank Junior Tour Grand Final in early January. The event, which was open to golfers up to the age of 14, proved once again to be a success and was highlighted by a number of fine individual performances. As sponsors of HKGA’s Junior Development Programme, EFG Bank's role in local junior golf is significant - and the Junior Tour illustrates the increased number of playing opportunities now available to budding young golfers in the city. HKGOLFER.COM
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HKGA | TOM PHILLIPS Q&A
Making His
Mark
Six months after joining the HKGA from his previous role working for six-time major champion Nick Faldo, Chief Executive Tom Phillips talks to Alex Jenkins about the state of the game in Hong Kong, the challenges he faces and explains why he is excited about the future.
Daniel Wong
You took on the job at an interesting time for golf in Hong Kong. Media interest in the Government’s decision to review the land use at the Hong Kong Golf was at its peak and it was only three months before the Hong Kong Open, which was lacking a title sponsor. Was there at all a sense of ‘What have I got myself into here’? [Laughs] No, not at all. I had been in Hong Kong for eight years working in golf and during that time I worked closely with the HKGA, so I knew what they did; I knew the team, the venues and the committee members well. In every respect I knew what I was getting into and I felt well equipped for that. It was an interesting time and continues to be an interesting climate – I think it is always going to be. That was one of the attractions for me. I had a wonderful 14 years with Sir Nick Faldo but the HKGA challenge was a really exciting one. The issues that you refer to were already there. They didn’t just land on my desk on my first day in the job. The Hong Kong Golf Club does a huge amount for us and for golf in Hong Kong as a whole – for junior development, for the general public and for the Hong Kong Open – so they will always have our support. The Hong Kong Open – yes, there were a few issues, but it happened and it was a great 34
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Selling a title sponsorship is perhaps not as easy as it sounds, which has been proved elsewhere in the world with other tournaments, and not just with golf but in other sports too. Having said that, we are confident as a group about the future and are in advanced discussions with potential partners for 2014. event with an exciting finish and a worthy winner. We are working on getting it in good order for 2014 and beyond. People seem genuinely surprised that in an affluent city like Hong Kong a title sponsor for the tournament couldn’t be found. Is that too simplistic a view of how high-level sports sponsorship works, and is finding sponsorship even the HKGA’s remit? It is our remit, but not solely. We work with our partners at the Hong Kong Golf Club and the European and Asian Tours and between us we are HKGOLFER.COM
Tom Phillips, seen here at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, spent 14 years working with Sir Nick Faldo before joining the HKGA as chief executive in August of last year
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all responsible for making the Hong Kong Open happen. The more we work together, the better. We essentially did have a title sponsor for 2013: the Hong Kong Golf Club. From a corporate sponsorship point of view it was structured differently than in previous years in that we had a group of premier partners, and together with the support of the Golf Club this helped fund the tournament and allowed it to go ahead. Selling a title sponsorship is perhaps not as easy as it sounds, which has been proved elsewhere in the world with other tournaments, and not just with golf but in other sports too. Having said that, we are confident as a group about the future and are in advanced discussions with potential partners for 2014. The Hong Kong Open has been going for 55 years and there is no reason to doubt it won’t continue for another 55 years. So are you saying the Hong Kong Open can still function without a title sponsor? Yes it can and it did. It needs sponsors of course – whether it’s one title sponsor or two or three premier partners – but there are different ways of going about it.
Daniel Wong (Jiménez); courtesy of the LCSD (National Games)
"In many ways we’ve become a victim of our own success. We ‘lose’ a number of our international squad players every year to colleges in the United States ... Starting a grassroots programme will, in the long term, help to this end."
Phillips says that the HKGA and its partners are working hard on getting the Hong Kong Open, which was won last year by Miguel Angel Jiménez (top), in good order for 2014; one of the highlights of the 2013 season was the silver medal-winning performance by the Hong Kong team at the National Games (opposite)
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The HKGA is funded through a variety of ways, including by the subscription fees that readers of this magazine pay each year. Presumably you’re now working on generating new revenue streams? Yes, that’s one of the areas that I think there is a definite opportunity to explore. The more revenue streams we have, the more we can do for golf in Hong Kong. We are fortunate to have support from a number of corporate partners, but none more so than EFG Bank, which has supported our junior development programme over the past few years. The results of that support speak for themselves. So yes, we are looking at bringing in a number of other major partners in different categories. We have a sponsorship programme that we’ve put in place and are talking to a number of blue-chip brands. Watch this space. All being well and other revenue streams are found, what will the funds be spent on? Junior development is always going to be a major part of what we do, and one area we are looking to expand in 2014 is at the grassroots level. Our current development programme starts with the EFG Bank Junior Golf Series, which is for kids aged seven and upwards who already play the game to a certain standard. What we really want to do is take golf to kids who may not otherwise have the opportunity
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to play; to really spread golf, to cast a wider net. Those who show interest and are keen to pursue it would then be given access to courses and coaching in Hong Kong. Once they’ve attained a certain level they would then graduate to the existing development programme. In many ways we’ve become a victim of our own success. We ‘lose’ a number of our international squad players every year to colleges in the United States, who thanks to their performances for Hong Kong have been given golf scholarships. This in itself is wonderful but it does mean we need to continually rebuild our teams. Starting a grassroots programme will, in the long term, help to this end. And what about new initiatives for the HKGA’s core group of subscribers? Absolutely. With increased funding and close cooperation with venues in Hong Kong we are looking at creating more opportunities for golfers of all abilities, genders and ages. We’re also looking at opportunities outside of Hong Kong. We want to develop an attractive package of benefits to our subscribers. The more corporate partners we have, the more benefits we can feed to subscribers. 2014 is going to be a big year on the international front with the Queen Sirikit Cup, the Putra Cup, the Junior World Championships and the World Amateur Team Championships all taking place. What goals do the HKGA have with regard to these events? We set out our targets at the beginning of the year, which tournaments we’re going to focus on and what kind of results we’re aiming for, both for the teams and for the individuals involved. It is important for our own focus but it’s also very relevant for our relationship with the Hong Kong Sports Institute. The Sports Institute provides benefits in two areas – through potential funding and also through access to their state-of-the-art facilities. Furthermore, funding can be available for the HKGA but also for the individuals themselves. We’ve come off a successful 2013, with a silver medal earned at the National Games and also some excellent individual performances, so we’ve set the bar high for 2014. If we can continue to obtain strong results we can aim for Tier B status – for up and coming sports – with the Sports Institute, which is the tier below elite status. Because of Hong Kong’s size we have a limited pool of players. Is it unrealistic to think we can compete and challenge with some of our bigger near neighbours – the likes of China, Thailand and so on?
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When we set our targets we have to accept our limitations, but at the same time our view is that anything is possible. We have funding, we have excellent coaches and we have strong support from our partners – including the golf courses and the driving ranges – so we can continue to aim to move up the rankings and compete with our neighbours. At the end of the day, our goal is to promote golf in Hong Kong, and the more opportunities we can provide our top golfers, the better. That produces a trickledown effect. It inspires a new generation of players. If the younger kids see guys excelling at golf and making a great life out of it, it makes the sport more attractive to the next generation. One topic of concern to golfers in Hong Kong has been the closure of some of the driving ranges in recent times. What is the HKGA’s view on the subject? The driving ranges are hugely important in what we’re trying to do and therefore our relationship with them is similar in some ways to that of the golf courses. We’re working to strengthen our ties with all our partners, including the driving ranges, and it’s important that we support them in their endeavours. Therefore another area we will focus on is public relations. We need to tell our story but we also need to highlight the important role that the member golf clubs, the public courses and the driving ranges play for golf in Hong Kong and for society in general. That will help their cause as much as it does ours and it is something we will be working hard on in the months ahead. Six months into the job now. Are you enjoying it? Yes – I love it. In some ways it’s very different to what I was doing before but there is a lot of crossover too – I’m working with a lot of the same partners and clients. One of the attractions for me from the start was that I already knew the team at the HKGA. The association has made significant progress over recent years thanks to my predecessor; and the team that I have joined works hard, they are very professional and they do an excellent job. Having them behind me helps my role enormously. It’s certainly a challenging role, but exciting nonetheless.
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HKPGA NEWS | AGEAS HKPGA CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW
Park Enters the Record Books Australian Unho Park held off the challenge of compatriot Scott Barr to claim his third successive Ageas HKPGA Championship victory last month.
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nho Park held his nerve to become the first player in the history of the Ageas HKPGA Championship to win three consecutive titles after an absorbing final round at the Hong Kong Golf Club last month. Park, who turned 40 on the eve of the HK$450,000 tournament, holed a succession of crucial putts down the closing stretch to card a level-par 70 over the New Course to pip fellow Australian Scott Barr (71), his co-leader after two rounds, by a shot. Hong Kong's James Stewart fired a blemish-free 68 to secure solo third place, a further three shots behind. Tournament drawcard 57-year-old Wayne Grady, the 1990 US PGA Championship winner, finished in 10th spot after a closing 71. "I'm so relieved right now, over the moon actually," said Park, who benefited from a Barr bogey at the penultimate hole of the tournament. "I was trying not to think about winning today but it was hard not to. I had a two-shot cushion at one point and let
Daniel Wong
"I'm so relieved right now, over the moon actually ... It was emotional out there; I may have looked quite comfortable but it felt like my stomach was in my mouth." 38
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Unho Park with the Joe Hardwick Trophy after his hard-fought win over fellow Australian Scott Barr (opposite)
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Park compared his emotions over the closing holes to hitting his opening tee shot at the 2006 Open Championship – one of golf's four majors – at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
Daniel Wong
James Stewart (top left) finished strong with a blemish-free 68 in the final round to claim third place on his own; Timothy Tang (top right) also rebounded with a solid round at Fanling to finish in fourth 40
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that slip away. It was emotional out there; I may have looked quite comfortable but it felt like my stomach was in my mouth." Singapore-based Park, who earned a cheque for HK$81,000 in addition to the handsome Joe Hardwick Trophy and a luxury Carl F Bucherer watch for the victory, got off to a flying start with birdies at the second and third holes. Bogeys at the fourth and ninth set him back, but Barr, who lost out to Colin Montgomerie for the 2003 Macau Open title, was having problems of his own, meaning Park had a two-shot advantage with nine holes to play. But Barr, one of the most consistent players on the Asian Tour since its inception a decade ago, roared back with birdies at the 10th and 14th to tie the lead. His only dropped shot of the back nine – after he failed to get up and
down from behind the 17th green – would prove decisive, however. Park, who made nine successive pars to finish, was full of praise for his playing partner and hoped his fast start to 2014 would translate into a maiden win on the Asian Tour. "This has got to be the best [of the three HKPGA Championship victories]," declared Park, who compared his emotions over the closing holes to hitting his opening tee shot at the 2006 Open Championship – one of golf's four majors – at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. "Scott was a bit unlucky on 17, so to hole my own putt for par was really important. He's been playing really well ... I'm just trying to let it all sink in, but I couldn't have asked for a better start to the new year. I'm feeling good about my chances for the season ahead." HKGOLFER.COM
Masters
The - Golf Tournament 2014 -
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Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club on day two
Scott Barr hits his drive at the 17th hole at Clearwater Bay
Danny Kan had reason to smile after a good opening round of 72 over the New Course at Fanling
Major champion Wayne Grady finished in 10th spot
Unho Park in action during the second round
Daniel Wong
Hong Kong’s Jimmy Ko chips on during the first round 42
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The Joe Hardwick Trophy on display
CEO of Ageas Insurance (Hong Kong) Stuart Fraser presents Unho Park with the winner’s cheque Singapore’s Lam Zhiqun ended the HK$450,000 tournament in a share of fifth
Unho Park is flanked by Singaporeans Koh Deng Shan and Lam Zhiqun
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Unho Park drives at the 15th on day one
Scott Barr and Grant Gibson celebrate with Wong Woon-man after the latter’s hole-in-one on the 16th hole in round two
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COVER STORY | LEE WESTWOOD
The
Nearly Man
Could 2014 be the year that Lee Westwood finally bags a major championship? Lewine Mair recounts the popular Englishman’s performances in the world’s biggest events and gives her verdict.
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quite believing him. By the same token, Westwood’s philosophising on the subject is no longer as convincing as it once was. It was in China a year or so ago, when he had to wait endless hours on an out-of-the-way tee during a Pro-Am, that he analysed his overall career as follows. “If I were standing here talking you today having won a major, I would probably give myself eight and a half out of ten. So how much should I knock off for not having played well in a specific week?” The answer, here, was that that no one would probably have wanted to knock anything off that
AFP
ou can almost see Lee Westwood rolling his eyes as he reads the early headlines in 2014. Every member of the British press will be asking if this will be the year when he finally shakes off one of the most pressureladen labels in golf – namely, ‘Best Player Never to Have Won a Major’. It is a title which used to belong to Colin Montgomerie. The Scot always made a valiant attempt to explain that he would not want to swap his seven successive European Tour Order of Merit titles for a lone major without anyone
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Lee Westwood moved from England to Florida at the end of the 2012 season in order to prepare more efficiently for the majors
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“If I were standing here talking you today having won a major, I would probably give myself eight and a half out of ten. So how much should I knock off for not having played well in a specific week?”
AFP
Westwood drives at the 2012 Masters Tournament (top). The Englishman led the 1999 edition of the event with nine holes to play but struggled coming home, finishing in a share of sixth. At Muirfield (opposite) last summer, Westwood lost his lead as Phil Mickelson closed with one of the greatest Sunday displays in recent memory to win the Claret Jug 46
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eight-and-a-half tally, particularly in an era when bagging a single major is relatively commonplace. Keegan Bradley, Stewart Cink, Darren Clarke, Jason Dufner, Trevor Immelman, Zach Johnson, Martin Kaymer, Lucas Glover, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen, Justin Rose, Charl Schwartzel, Adam Scott, Webb Simpson, and YE Yang are among the active players who posses one. Yet, after his close call at the 2013 Open and a second disappointment at the subsequent US PGA championship at Oak Hill, Westwood, who will be 41 in April, had one of those moments when his inner feelings came to the fore. There may or may not have been an end-ofseason drink involved, but he dispatched a couple of Tweets which told everything about how much he really cares.
The fellow who, in the wake of Westwood’s closing 76 – out in 41 and back in 35 – at the US PGA, said that the golfer needed to learn how to putt, got a terse reply along the lines that it was probably more important that he should get a life. Then, in a follow-up memo, Westwood said he was “just sick” of the negative so-and-sos who kept having a go at him. Westwood, of course, had plenty of nearmisses in majors prior to last year. Back in 1999, his name was at the top of the leaderboard at the Masters heading into the final nine of the tournament. Then, alas, he started for home 5, 6, 4 (bogey, double-bogey, bogey) to finish with a 71 and an anticlimactic share of sixth place. Later, he would admit to feeling “positively nauseous” at the end of the experience. In 2008, he had missed a putt on the final green which would have earned him a play-off in the US Open while, in 2009, he was ahead with nine to play at The Open at Turnberry only to amass bogeys at the 15th, 16th and 18th to slip into a share of third place behind Stewart Cink and Tom Watson. Again, in 2010, he was leading the Masters by one going into the final round, only to post a 71 and lose out to Mickelson, who HKGOLFER.COM
closed with a 67. All of the above would have hurt but none would have quite the same impact on the player as what happened at the 2011 Open at Royal St George’s. That was the week when his closest golfing rival and friend, Darren Clarke, beat him to a maiden major. From the start of their professional days, the International Sports Management stable-mates had fed off each other, with one typical example of how they would set each other’s competitive juices flowing there for all to see at the 1999 European Open. That week, Clarke had a record 60 in the second round and was eight clear of his friend going into the last round. Westwood responded with a closing 66 to Clarke’s 75 to beat him by a single shot. How Clarke would have hated that day. Each had their highs and lows over the next few years but, when it came to the aforementioned 2011 Open, no one was mentioning Clarke. Other, that is, than Chubby Chandler, ISM’s founder. When the press had asked Chandler which of Westwood and Graeme McDowell he expected HKGOLFER.COM
to win, Chubby, simply because he did not want to stir up trouble between those two players, answered with an oblique, “Why not Darren?” Though Clarke had only finished 30th on the previous year’s Order of Merit, he felt entirely at ease in the angry squalls at Royal St George’s; they put him in mind of his amateur days at Portrush. Smiling through the tempest, he shook off Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson to take the title of his dreams. Westwood, meantime, finished in a share of 11th place. He would have been happy for Clarke but he would have been a saint not to have felt irked that Clarke had got there first. That he thought himself to be the better player of the two (Clarke, mind you, would have been equally convinced that he had the edge) can only have made things worse. Westwood moved to Florida at the end of the 2012 season because he felt his golf was less likely to stand still over the winter months and, when it came to Muirfield, it looked as if his latest drive was about to be rewarded. He putted beautifully over those impeccable greens and, with one round to play, he had a twoHK GOLFER・FEB 2014
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In Westwood’s favour is the fact that he has stopped bouncing from one coach to another – he is currently with Sean Foley – and that people’s expectations are not what they were.
AFP
With good friend and fellow ISM stable-mate Darren Clarke (top) after representing Europe at the 2004 Ryder Cup. Westwood would have been happy for Clarke’s 2011 Open Championship success, but irked that the Ulsterman got there first 48
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shot lead over Hunter Mahan and Tiger Woods. His 12-year-old son, Sam, had been following him every day and it was shaping to be a great story for the British press, not to mention one which would put paid to all the negative publicity surrounding Muirfield and its no-women policy. On the Saturday night, Westwood fielded all the questions you would have expected about past close calls. Similarly, the media wanted him to elaborate on his feelings going into the last round, given the experience he now had of being in contention in majors. “I’ll think about winning the Open championship tonight at some stage,” he began. “I don’t see anything wrong with that, picturing yourself holding the Claret Jug and seeing your name at the top of the leaderboard. When it comes to teeing off, I should be in the same frame of mind as I was today when I didn’t feel any pressure. I was nice and calm out there and in control of what I was doing. “I know what it takes to win a major now. It’s just a case of going out there tomorrow and having the confidence in my game, which I’ve got.” He said that he had never felt as comfortable at the top of a major leaderboard before suggesting that that was connected with turning 40. Since the number of times he could be up there in the future had to be limited, he felt it made sense to enjoy himself. “It’s where you want to be after all.” After his closing 75 he insisted he was not too disappointed, pointing to how he was a philosophical person, one who didn’t let anything get to him anymore. “Perhaps he should,” suggested Derek Lawrenson, writing in the Daily Mail the following day. “Perhaps he should have been gutted.” As those aforementioned Tweets would reveal, he was no different than anyone else would have been in his situation. He was ruffled to the core. Maybe that little explosion will have done him no harm. Though there is no getting away from the fact that 41 is hardly the optimum age for major hunting, it has to be remembered that his generation are fitter than their predecessors. Westwood has been working on a bit of weight-loss over the winter and also on his flexibility. Also in his favour is the fact that he has stopped bouncing from one coach to another – he is currently with Sean Foley – and that people’s expectations are not what they were. He would make for a hugely popular winner and, if and when he can get that first major under his belt, you would back him to handle the very different pressures attached to capturing a second. HKGOLFER.COM
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STATE OF THE GAME | 2014 SEASON
Looking
Forward
The majors in 2013 were great, but 2014 has the potential to be even better. Paul Prendergast assesses the fortunes of Tiger, Phil, Adam and others as they gear up for what could be a season for the ages.
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A deserved major for Stenson would break that particular drought for Sweden and the Scandinavian nations in general, guaranteeing a home reaction equivalent to the joy experienced in Australia for Scott’s win when he broke the country’s duck at in Georgia last year. Woods turned 38 just after Christmas but after his five-win, PGA Tour ‘Player of the Year’ season he will surely be feeling confident of adding to his 14 major championship haul – and clinging to the top ranking in the game. His major drought extends way back to that US Open play-off win over Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines in 2008, but Woods will feel like he has a home-field advantage in 2014, having claimed majors at three of the four venues to be played and been pipped at the post on more than one occasion in US Opens at Pinehurst's formidable No 2 course. "I've won at three of the four venues – Augusta National, Valhalla Golf Club and Royal Liverpool – and on Pinehurst No 2, I'm trending the right way," said Woods recently, citing his third place finish at the 1999 US Open and a second to Michael Campbell in 2005 in North Carolina. "But I still need to practice, work, grind and prepare, and have my game come together those four times a year, and I hope that will happen." Woods has had his naysayers who have written off any chance of him adding to his career tally
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iger Woods ended the 2013 season at the head of the Official World Golf Rankings, but the footsteps from behind are getting ever louder, threatening to turn the opening months of the 2014 season into a contest for the top spot – a situation more customarily seen in the women’s game over the past few years. Courtesy of their end of season exploits, many would argue the battle for the mantle of 'Best player in the World’ is actually being waged by Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and Australia’s Adam Scott. Stenson’s form in the latter half of 2013 was beyond brilliant – he became the first player to win the FedEx Cup/Race to Dubai double on either side of the Atlantic – but Scott’s four-week performance under the intense glare of an adoring public on his return home to Australia as Masters champion was exceptional too. There is no impediment for either player to again contend strongly in the majors in 2014. Scott has been a feature in almost every major for a number of years now and his game and comfort levels when in contention only continue to gather momentum. A successful defence at Augusta National would be a short odds bet, a multiplemajor season would not surprise at all for the current world number two. 50
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2013 Player of the Year Tiger Woods has a brilliant record over the courses that host this year’s major championships – Augusta National, Pinehurst No 2, Royal Liverpool and Valhalla
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Mickelson has publically stated that he will be planning his entire 2014 schedule to attempt to peak at Pinehurst for his chance at history and what would be a truly remarkable moment in the sport if he can pull it off.
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but if Phil Mickelson can win on the links of Scotland at the age of 43, does anyone really want to bet their house that Woods has lifted his last major trophy? Woods is also just three wins shy of tying Sam Snead’s record of 82 all-time PGA Tour career victories, a record that Woods seems destined to claim as his own before turning 40. To say the interest in the US Open will be at fever pitch is probably understating the hoopla we’ll witness in the lead up to Mickelson’s bid to win the title in June and with it, the career Grand Slam. Pinehurst was the venue for the late Payne Stewart’s victory over Mickelson in 1999, where Stewart clasped Mickelson’s face on the final green to commiserate but to also tell him "You’re going to be a father", as Mickelson’s wife Amy was due their first child any day. Mickelson has publically stated that he will be planning his entire 2014 schedule to attempt to peak at Pinehurst for his chance at history and 52
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what would be a truly remarkable moment in the sport if he can pull it off. "It would mean a lot to me to have it take place in that setting. That close call there, when my good friend Payne Stewart made that putt and said those emotional things to me," said Mickelson. "To come back and possibly win my first US Open there, I don’t even know how to say how important that would be." Outside the majors and focus on the ‘MickelSlam’, Europe will be defending another Ryder Cup, this time at Gleneagles in Scotland, and we will welcome the new EurAsia Cup to the schedule, pitting Asia v Europe in a Ryder Cupstyle format in Malaysia this March. We will watch with baited breath and almost a sense of inevitability to see if newly turned professional Lydia Ko can continue on her winning way and claim the No 1 ranking in women’s golf. The 17-year old won in just her second start since turning pro to add to her already incredible career record and has wasted little time changing not only her bank balance, but signing with IMG and sensationally sacking both her caddie and long-time coach. David Leadbetter has been given the licence to guide Ko as she aims to bridge the narrow gap between herself and Imbee Park, Suzann Pettersen and Stacy Lewis at the top of the game. Will Rory McIlroy’s win at the Australian HKGOLFER.COM
Open in November kick start another incredible season for the hugely talented but often distracted Ulsterman? The New Year’s Day announcement of his engagement to Caroline Wozniacki should add to his positive vibe after what appeared, from the outside at least to be a tempestuous relationship in 2013. Is a major at last in store for Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald or maybe another ‘feel good’ story for someone like Steve Stricker or Lee Westwood? And then there’s Jordan Spieth and the dreaded ‘Second Year Syndrome’, which in his case might just be something that happens to everyone else; the continual rise of the Asian players headed by Hideki Matsuyama and Kiradech Aphibarnrat; and the prospect of more controversies that could erupt in 2014 after the sagas we witnessed over the past 12 months or so: Vijay Singh versus the PGA Tour, Sergio v Tiger, Tiger and a few rules issues and the increasing incidences of regrettable social media use. Roll on 2014. Clockwise from top: Phil Mickelson will be desperate to complete the “MickelSlam” with victory at the US Open; look for Lydia Ko to continue her brilliant form in 2014; Adam Scott featured prominently in all the majors last year HKGOLFER.COM
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INTERVIEW | STUART MANLEY
Stuart
Manley Jonathan Williams talks to the Welshman who thrilled the galleries at December’s Hong Kong Open on his way to finishing runner-up to Miguel Angel Jiménez.
It’s up …
Daniel Wong
We’re now a month on from the Hong Kong Open. You said at the time that you weren’t disappointed by the result – but has that changed at all now that you’ve had time to reflect? I’m still on a high when I think about the Hong Kong Open – I’m very proud of my performance that week. Going into the tournament my goal was to give [Miguel Angel] Jiménez a run for his money as he was the best player in the field, and I couldn’t be happier to make it into a play-off against him. The only negative I take from the week is missing out on my maiden win, which would have given me tournament entry exemptions for the next two years. 54
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Where does that chip-in for birdie on the last hole of regulation play rank in terms of your career moments, and how hard was it to gather your thoughts before the play-off following the excitement that had come before? The chip-in on t he last is one of t he highlights of my career … my head was spinning and my hands were shaking with adrenaline when I got to the tee for the playoff. The head of my rescue club became even smaller and I caught the ball high on the clubface, leaving me a long second shot to the green. I tried to play a high cut into the tight right pin position, but overdid it. In the end it was a superb putt from Miguel to win. HKGOLFER.COM
… and it’s in! Manley holes out for birdie on the final hole of regulation at the Hong Kong Open HKGOLFER.COM
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The chip-in on the last is one of the highlights of my career … my head was spinning and my hands were shaking with adrenaline when I got to the tee for the play-off.
Daniel Wong
Clockwise from top: Manley finished with a final-round 68, which earned him a cheque for US$112,910; a wry smile for Miguel Angel Jiménez after the Spaniard holed a brilliant putt on the first hole of the play-off; surveying a putt at Fanling 56
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You rose to prominence thanks to your performance at the World Cup in November, where you finished tied eighth in the individual standings. Your third round – where you started birdie, hole-in-one, 11 – was one of the more unusual 72s ever recorded. How did you deal with that wacky opening? The ace was pretty special – shame about the car though! [Manley thought he had won a Mercedes for the hole-in-one only to be told it was only up for grabs in the final round.] But the 11 on the next hole had nothing to do with the fine print for the hole-in-one prize. It was just a disaster hole that we all have once in a while. The main thing I take from that round is the way I gathered my thoughts to quickly get back into the tournament after that infamous 11, when all I really wanted to do was crawl under a rock. The banter from the Aussie crowd was pretty brutal but I think I gained a lot of respect from the galleries by my strong finish. Going back to earlier in your career, before you turned pro, you played in the victorious
Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team in 2003, where you went unbeaten. What are your memories from that event, and how big a step up was it when you joined the pro ranks? Playing in the Walker Cup team was certainly the highlight of my amateur career, especially getting the winning point to retain the cup. I loved being part of a golf team again – the atmosphere was superb playing in front of huge galleries. Hopefully I can make the Seve Trophy or even in the Ryder Cup in the future. It was a huge step up joining the pro ranks, but I was lucky to have fantastic support from my family and a good management team. I had generous sponsorship from the Welsh Sports Lottery Fund, which supported towards the end of my amateur career and also through Qualifying School. For some time it was difficult for me to actually believe I belonged [on tour]. I would find myself at tournaments or on the range in awe of the players around me, and it has taken a while to realise I can compete against the guys and deserve to be where I am today. What recommendations would you give to someone thinking about turning pro? Always believe in your ability, work hard, get good support and have big dreams! You’ve successfully gone through Q-School for the European Tour four times in the last HKGOLFER.COM
For some time it was difficult for me to actually believe I belonged [on tour]. I would find myself in awe of the players around me, and it has taken a while to realise I deserve to be where I am today. decade and played on the Challenge Tour in the years you didn’t make it. What do you put your great start to this season down to? I have been working with my coach, Neil Matthews at the Celtic Manor Resort, over the past three years to improve my technique. I have also been focusing on the psychological side to golf, which is equally important as a good swing. As a result my confidence has grown as my game has improved. Now I believe I can be competitive [on tour]. Which players did you particularly look up to when you turned pro? Like many young Welsh golfers at the time I was a huge fan of Ian Woosnam. He was such a tenacious player. In my later amateur career and early professional years I was mentored by Phillip Price. We are still very close friends today.
Cardiff City. But by the age of 16 I didn’t have a contract with either and realised there was no future for me in football. From there golf took over and I have no regrets. You’re a Cardiff City fan – will they stay up this season and what are your thoughts on the new manager? They’ll stay up in the Premiership but it will be by the skin of their teeth! It was a shame how the old manager [Malky Mackay] was treated, but the club is in good hands with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, providing he is allowed to manage without meddling from the directors’ box!
Is it true you had trials with Manchester United – and if so, was there ever a situation where you had to decide between golf and football? [Laughs]. Yes, that’s true. I had trials with them when I was a 12-year-old. I tried out as a right-back with Lee Sharp [who would go on to play 193 games for the club] but wasn’t selected. I signed for Swansea City for two or three years and then had a year with their rivals, HKGOLFER.COM
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GOLF ATRAVEL Player’s Guide The Heart of
China
Paul Myers journeys to Kunming, home to arguably the most lauded courses in the Middle Kingdom.
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The ninth hole on the Lake Course at Spring City Lake and Golf Resort is a Robert Trent Jones, Jnr-designed gem HKGOLFER.COM
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h i n a ’s p opu l a r it y a s a golf ing destination comes as no surprise, given that participation in the game and course development continues apace, despite the central government’s intervention a few years ago to approve all new projects. What is somewhat surprising, however, is that the epicentre of this growth is neither in Guangdong province nor on the holiday island of Hainan. It is more than 1,200km west of Guangzhou and twice as far from Beijing – in Yunnan, in and around the provincial capital of Kunming. The so-called City of Eternal Spring has blossomed into a golf mecca that can match any other in the Middle Kingdom in terms of quantity, while surpassing all others in terms of quality. Well known as the home of Spring City Golf and Lake Resort, which opened in 1992, Kunming is on the verge of a golf explosion that will double the region’s current 15 courses in the next three to five years. The opening of China’s fourth-largest airport in June 2012 has been one catalyst for Kunming’s emergence as China’s golf tourism
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capital, but it is only part of the formula. The region’s near-perfect climate and wonderful layouts designed by a sprinkling of the world’s most renowned golf course architects are causing in-the-know foreign golfers, as well as a steady stream of mainland Chinese who have been going there for years, to flock to the city. Appropriately, a destination-marketing group, Kunming Golf (golf-kunming.com) has been launched to herald Kunming’s golf attractions on the world stage. Located 2,000m above sea level and with the best year-round climate in China, Kunming has a bundle of history, culture, food and scenery to complement its outstanding golf. The city’s history dates back almost 2,800 years when it was first developed at the behest of a ruler in the Nanzhao Kingdom, then based 320km further west at Dali. In the 14th century, Kunming replaced Dali as the capital of Yunnan, and today it is the province’s economic, cultural, transport, government and educational heart, as well as home to Yunnan’s 26 ethnic minorities. Among its many claims to fame, Kunming is the winter home of millions of seagulls, which migrate from freezing Siberia in December and January, making a temporary home around the HKGOLFER.COM
Well known as the home of Spring City Golf and Lake Resort, which opened in 1992, Kunming is on the verge of a golf explosion that will double the region’s current 15 courses in the next three to five years. city’s majestic Green Lake. Now the cawing of visiting seagulls is complemented by the ooing and aahing of visiting golfers. Two st u n n i n g 3 6 -hole complexe s – Stoneforest International Country Club and Sky Oasis Resort – both founding members of the Kunming Golf group, now complement Spring City’s acclaimed Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones Jnr layouts. The three clubs, along with Honghe Spring Golf Club, and another founding Kunming Golf group member – Brilliant Resort & Spa – offer a combined golf and relaxation experience that few, if any, in Asia can match. Numerous other new courses are also on the drawing board, are being developed or have already opened. The latter includes twin layouts designed by current Open champion Phil Mickelson, in a development known as The Aqua. With two hotels on site, an equestrian centre and fishing ponds, The Aqua adds HKGOLFER.COM
considerably to the lustre of golf in the region. Featuring a championship layout and imposing wetlands course, it perfectly complements Spring City and Stoneforest in style and presentation. Despite these recent new developments, Spring City remains the undisputed standardbearer of Kunming golf. Its stature is confirmed by both the Lake and Mountain courses being ranked in the top 100 courses in the world by Golf Digest – a rare honour indeed. Spring City was built when there were fewer than a hundred courses in China. Despite unprecedented growth of golf, with perhaps 600 courses now in play, Robert Trent Jones Jnr’s Lake layout has been rated the number one or two course in the country for more than a decade. Its sister Mountain course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, has never been far behind. The longer Mountain Course, which plays up to 7,453 yards from the back tees, features great variety as it winds its way around a
The opening tee shot at Spring City’s Lake Course (right) asks plenty of questions of one’s accuracy; the eighth hole on the spectacular A Course at Stoneforest International Golf Club HK GOLFER・FEB 2014
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Stoneforest International Country Club is a real jawdropper. Set among karst limestone pillars of all shapes and sizes, this is a spectacular course that seems to have been transplanted from Arizona or Nevada.
Superb conditioning awaits at Sky Oasis (top), one of the newest courses in Yunnan; Phil Mickelson’s design contribution to the region can be found at The Aqua (right), an allencompassing resort that includes two hotels and an equestrian centre; a traditional tea ceremony at the Brilliant Resort & Spa (sidebar) 62
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mountainside, while offering occasional glimpses of Lake Yangzonghai, above which the resort is built. The slightly shorter (7,201 yards from the tips) but tighter and more difficult Lake Course is a totally different experience, with the lake almost always in sight. The terraced fairways of the first seven holes step gradually towards the lake until dramatically reaching the par-3 eighth hole, which plays steeply downhill to the water’s edge. The following par-5 ninth, which plays along the lake shore, is among the best of all. Spring City’s always-exemplary course conditioning is now matched by a stunning new clubhouse, while a new pro shop and locker rooms are under construction. Until the opening in 2009 of Sky Oasis (originally called Skyait Golf Club), and in 2010 of Stoneforest, Spring City was streets ahead of anything else in and around Kunming. Not so much now. Sky Oasis’s twin wetlands and mountain layouts and Stoneforest’s A and B courses, designed by Schmidt-Curley, are worthy competitors. Like Spring City, both are outside Kunming
– Stoneforest about an hour’s drive southwest near the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shilin Scenic Area, and Sky Oasis a two-hour drive north. Situated in a traditional rural area of Yunnan, Sky Oasis is a complete surprise. Played mostly by Kunming locals, its appeal will undoubtedly grow as more foreign players hear about it. A new highway to Kunming, planned but not yet in construction, will also make a huge difference. But the journey is well worthwhile. The lowland A Course plays through and around wetlands on the first nine, then rises to a pinefringed mountainside on the homeward nine. Playing a little more than 7,000 yards from the back tees, it is an enjoyable and highly playable experience. The real challenge comes on the B Course, a mountain wonder that rises to a highland plateau where you can seemingly touch the sky. Billowing clouds sweep seemingly at arm’s length overhead and steep gorges drop to the Niuhan River far below. Indeed, Sky Oasis is an ideal name. Another major attraction is the Eagle Hole, an extra par-3 shaped like an eagle HKGOLFER.COM
that serves as a jackpot hole for visitors seeking to score a hole-in-one. It’s not part of Sky Oasis’s twin layouts, but could be incorporated into one of several new planned courses on the site, one of which is in the early construction phase. Stoneforest International Country Club is a real jaw-dropper. Set among karst limestone pillars of all shapes and sizes, this is a spectacular course that seems to have been transplanted from Arizona or Nevada. Its twin 18-hole layouts are nothing short of exceptional. The A course, playing 7,241 yards from the black tees, has at least a dozen holes that will have golfers reaching for a camera before hitting a golf ball. Among them, the 189-yard par-3 seventh that plays downhill to a green backed by a castle-like fortress of stone pillars, is surely one of the most scenic holes on the planet. This hole is perhaps trumped by the 618-yard par-5 10th hole on the B course that climbs uphill (after a downhill tee shot) to huge battlement-like pillars, which assume a red colour in the setting sun. There is no accommodation at Stoneforest but the course is close enough to Kunming to enable a day trip – or, ideally, can be combined wit h visits to Spring Cit y and Brilliant Resort & Spa. Meanwhile, Honghe Spring, located near the city of Mile, 100km south-west of Kunming, rates as one of the toughest courses in China. Steep elevation changes, jungle-like rough and sometimes narrow fairways through up challenges that are rarely experienced at other courses in the immediate region. Mile, an attractive city on a lake, is renowned for its mineral springs, which are also an attraction at Brilliant Resort & Spa, just a 10-minute drive from Spring City.
TRIP PLANNER GETTING THERE Dragonair (dragonair.com) and Hong Kong Express (hkexpress.com) operate daily direct flights to Kunming from Hong Kong. Flying time: 2 hours, 45 minutes. GOLF PACKAGES Kunming Golf (golf-kunming.com) has numerous stay and play packages including 5-day/4-night offers from RMB7,760 per person (HK$9,940) which includes airport transfers, accommodation and golf green fees at its three member courses. Spring City and Stoneforest have a combined 4-day/3-night package with two rounds at each course including welcome dinner, breakfasts and transfers for RMB8,446 (HK$10,820) single occupancy or RMB6,939 (HK$8,888) per person based on double occupancy. A surcharge of RMB440 applies at weekends and public holidays and a surcharge of RMB980 applies in July and August. Visit golf-kunming.com for details.
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TRAVEL | SRILANKAN AIRLINES GOLF CLASSIC
Golng
Eden
Feeling more than a little perturbed by the state of his game, Duncan Forgan travels to Asia’s Emerald Isle to participate in the popular SriLankan Airlines Golf Classic.
Alex Jenkins (Victoria and Royal Colombo)
The dramatic sixth hole at Victoria Golf and Country Resort near Kandy (above); Royal Colombo’s colonial-era clubhouse (opposite) is one of the most agreeable in South Asia Photo credit: Alex Jenkins (Victoria and Royal Colombo) 64
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F
alling like a droplet off the face of India, Sri Lanka’s otherworldly beauty has moved many visitors to tears down the centuries. Known to Arab traders as Serendib – fitting source material for the word ‘serendipity’ – and British colonists as Ceylon, the island nation, with its tropical bounty of paradise beaches, jungle clad mountains and tumbling waterfalls, is as visually stunning as any on earth. Like others before me, I am in thrall to the country’s jaw-dropping physical attributes. However, it is the reliably unkempt state of my golf game as much as the verdant mountain
scenery at Nuwara Eliya that is currently threatening to bring on the waterworks. Located at an altitude of 6,000 feet amidst the highest mountains in Sri Lanka, the course at Nuwara Eliya was built by a Scotsman way back in 1889 for the British servicemen and officials who used the town as a cool retreat from the sweltering lowlands in colonial times. This particular Caledonian interloper, however, is singularly failing to do justice to his golf-obsessed forefathers. “You need to slow your swing down,” says my aging caddie who is showing signs of being mortally offended by my crash-bang-wallop approach to the game even by HKGOLFER.COM
Like others before me, I am in thrall to the country’s jaw-dropping physical attributes. However, it is the reliably unkempt state of my golf game as much as the verdant mountain scenery at Nuwara Eliya that is currently threatening to bring on the waterworks. the second hole. What is doubly galling is that the ‘spotter’, a second veteran caddie deployed to keep track of errant shots whom I deemed an unnecessary luxury at the outset of the round, is currently one of the busiest men in town. The scattershot nature of my game is providing cause for consternation. At least, I console myself, I am stinking the place up in a thrillingly different golf destination. On the face of it Sri Lanka is not the most obvious place to bring your clubs. Currently there are only four courses, Nuwara Eliya, Royal Colombo, Victoria Golf and Country Resort near Kandy and the new Eagles’ Golf Links at Trincomalee. Meanwhile, the hilly topography of the island may make for some eye-catching vistas but it also contributes to some fairly tortuous journey-times. Nevertheless, the high standard of the four existing courses allied to the feeling that Sri Lanka’s time as a world class tourist destination has arrived serve to make a compelling case for the country. “Things are good here now,” confirms Sunil, my driver, the following day, as we make our way from Nuwara Eliya back down through a succession of venerable tea plantations towards the city of Kandy where I am to showcase my appalling game in the SriLankan Airlines HKGOLFER.COM
Golf Classic. Showing remarkable cool as he guides the car around a switchback corner, narrowly missing a three-wheeler making its way ponderously in the opposite direction, he continues: “We are at peace and we live in a land of plenty.” Looking around me at the cathedral of lush greenery in the mountains, it is not difficult to see why ordinary Sri Lankans like Sunil might have cause for an optimism that is not always easy to come by in the developing world. The vicious civil war that pitted Tamil separatists in the north and north-east against the country’s Buddhist Sinhalese majority for over thirty years is now over – ending in bloody but comprehensive victory for the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. With this newfound stability to fall back upon, Sri Lankans of all creeds can get on with the business of prospering in a near Edenic country blessed with abundant natural resources. Yet wh i le t he fo c u s of it s people i s undoubtedly on the future, visitors don’t have to mine too vigorously to catch a glimpse of the country’s fascinating past. That’s especially true of Nuwara Eliya, wh ich revels i n it s ‘preser ved-i n-a spic ’ colonial trappings. HK GOLFER・FEB 2014
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The golf course, which is spread-eagled around the town centre, is the most obvious manifestation of its time-warped persona. It is, however, far from a relic and holds its own as a modern test. There’s certainly a quirkiness about it. The proximity to public life necessitates several road crossings and more than a little confusion with non golf-savvy locals over ‘right of way’ privileges. Despite these eccentricities, it presents many compelling challenges. The tall trees and thick foliage that crowd the fairways make accuracy paramount, especially on rollercoaster holes such as the par-4 14th and the sixth, an epic par-5 that finishes up on a green measuring close to 10,000 square feet. The whiff of nostalgia is even stronger at the nearby Hill Club where I am spending the night. Founded even before the Golf Club in 1876, this former male-only bastion for gentlemen tea-planters takes pride in its anachronism. While females are admitted these days, a strict dress code still applies so I am resplendent in the requisite jacket and tie as I take my seat underneath a stuffed boar’s head in the dining room for my evening meal. The food, a resolutely old-school roast pork loin with roasted vegetables and thick gravy, isn’t wholly top notch, but the clubby ambience – check out the billiard room, the giant roaring hearth in the dining room, and threadbare red carpets direct from the 1920s -- make this a fascinating place to lay your head for a couple of nights. Next morning I begin the day the Sri Lankan way with a breakfast of curry mopped up with egg hoppers (bowl shaped pancakes made with rice flour and coconut milk with a delicious runny egg deposited in the middle) before setting off back down the hill towards Kandy. Although it is the country’s second largest city, Kandy has the feel of an overgrown provincial town. Secret side roads transport you quickly from busy street markets bustling with three-wheelers and women sporting colourful saris to peaceful temple complexes shaded by giant coconut palms. Spiritual attractions like the Temple of the Sacred Tooth – Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic – pull in the pilgrims but I am here to worship at the city’s alter of golf, the Victoria Golf and Country Resort, situated around a 40-minute drive out of town.
Like the course at Nuwara Eliya, the Donald Steel-designed layout here isn’t without its quirks. There are only 12 bunkers on the entire course for example. However, when it comes to stimulation and exhilarating beauty, the course is more otherworldly than eccentric. With the giant Victoria reservoir and the Knuckles mountain range providing the backdrop, the setting is immaculate. And so are many of the holes. The pick of the bunch is the 6th which is played from an elevated tee more than 100 feet above the fairway. Other highlights are myriad, but for me the pinnacle of the round was the par-5 15th. The sweeping grandeur of the hole which sweeps its way along the perimeter of the reservoir was reason enough to salute its merits. The fact that it yielded my only birdie in 54-holes of golf made it even more notable. While it is never a chore to be out on the course at a venue as enjoyable as this, the view from the terrace 19th hole makes a postround libation a must. Tomorrow I will head back to Colombo for one final round at the excellent Royal Colombo, which will turn out to be another fine test despite extensive repair work being carried out on its greens. For now, however, I’m content to observe a box-office sunset while beads form rivulets on an ice cold bottle of local Three Coins beer. This time, however, the tears are wholly welcome.
THE SRILANKAN AIRLINES GOLF CLASSIC Sri Lanka may still be in its infancy as a world-class golf destination but there’s no denying the support the Royal and Ancient game is getting from the country’s national carrier, SriLankan Airlines.The airline has put its weight behind promoting the nation’s golf options, most visibly through its annual staging of the SriLankan Airlines Golf Classic, which has become one of the best-loved amateur events in south Asia.The 14th installment of the tournament took place at the stunning Victoria Golf and Country Resort in Digana, Kandy, from 23-27 October and proved to be another memorable outing for a brand that is attracting increased participation from golf lovers around the world.On this occasion, over 170 amateur golfers from 15 nations across the globe flew into Sri Lanka especially for the four-day event.This year’s tournament attracted golfers from the US, Australia, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Malaysia, the UK, France, Germany, Japan, China, India, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Dubai, Pakistan and Italy. The international contingent was joined by over 50 Sri Lankan golfers, taking the total number of participants to around 220 players. The tournament was played on two consecutive days by each player and points were allocated for a player’s gross and net stableford scores over their two rounds. The overall winners of this year’s tournament were R Subramaniyam Sashi Humar of Malaysia who won in the men’s category with a score of 64 and Qin Ami who triumphed in the ladies’ category with a total of 50 points. “As the flag carrier, SriLankan Airlines has been actively promoting sports tourism to attract holiday-makers to the country,” said Sri Lankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena. “We are encouraged to enhance and make the Golf Classic grow, as it is drawing a lot of interest from golfers all over the world, who are always looking out for new challenging courses.”
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Hawaiian Islands Golf Tour 27 June - 7 July 2014
Tour Inclusions: - 10 nights deluxe accommodation with breakfast daily - 7 rounds of golf including Kapalua Plantation & Bay Courses and Mauna Kea - All rounds with carts - Internal flight - Maui to the Big Island - Welcome cocktail party - Presentation dinner with beverages - Drums of the Pacific Luau celebration with dinner and show - Group airport and golf transfers - Fully escorted by Go Golfing’s experienced host - Commemorative tour polo Golfer package from USD6,320 per person (twin share) Non golfer package from USD4,495 per person (twin share) Single supplement USD1,695
CROSSWORD | 2013 IN REVIEW
Compiled by Dr Milton Wayne
ACROSS
DOWN
1.
Scene of Justin Rose’s US Open triumph (6)
1.
See 34 across
3.
(and 6 across) LPGA star who tamed the Old Course at St Andrews in 2013 (5,5)
2.
These tormented Tiger in 2013 (7)
3.
See 5 down
6.
See 3 across
4.
(and 17 across) Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year (5,7)
8.
See 11 across
5.
(and 3 down) PGA Tour Rookie of the Year (6,6)
9.
See 38 across
7.
(and 42 across) He got in trouble for spike mark tapping (5,5)
9.
(and 27 across) He won the major he threw away in 2011 (5,6)
11. C’mon Aussie! (4,5) 12. Europe’s ladies won this cup for the first time on US soil (7) 14. Runaway winner of 2013 Hong Kong Amateur Close Championship (3,4) 15. See 43 across 17. See 4 down 20. “El Pato” (7) 22. (and 34 down) First English winner of the US Open since 1970 (6,4) 23. (and 35 down) He shot the lowest round on the PGA Tour in 2013 (3,5)
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10. See 30 across 13. East Lothian’s finest (9) 14. See 26 across 16. (and 19 down) Only local player to make the cut in the 2013 Hong Kong Open (7,4) 18. Scene of Glory’s Last Shot in 2013 (4,3) 19. See 16 down 21. See 22 down
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25. Welcome target of a USGA initiative (4,4)
22. (and 21 down) 2013 HKPGA Order of Merit winner (5,7)
26. (and 14 down) He Phinally(!) won the oldest major championship (4,9)
24. Phenom who turned pro and promptly fired her coach (5,2)
27. See 9 down
25. Multiple major winner who became a deer antler digester (5)
30. (and 10 down) Hong Kong’s standout senior amateur player of 2013 (4,8)
28. The magical number posted by 23 across (5,4)
34. (and 1 down) At least he’s still number one with Caroline (4,7) 36. See 14 across 38. (and 40 across and 9 across) “The Mechanic”, Hong Kong Open hero (6,5,7) 39. He went “part-time” and blossomed (8) 40. See 38 across 41. (and 31 down) She won three straight Majors and claimed number one ranking (5,4)
29. See 37 down 31. See 41 across 32. See 33 down 33. (and 32 down) PGA Tour Player of the Year (5,5) 34. See 22 across 35. See 23 across 37. (and 29 down) Junior Chinese star who became youngest to make the cut in a major (4,8)
42. See 7 down 43. (and 15 across) First man to win the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai in the same season (6,7)
WIN A SIGNED LEE WYBRANSKI POSTER! To enter, complete the crossword and send a scan or a photo of the completed grid to Crossword@HKGolfer.com, with “February Crossword” as the subject. Remember to include your name, address and a contact number. Entries close on 15 March. ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL BE DRAWN FROM THE CORRECT ENTRIES.
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5 MINUTES WITH ...
Justin Rose From 21 missed cuts in a row to winning the US Open, the English Ryder Cup hero who made his debut at December’s Thailand Golf Championship, talks to Alex Jenkins about the highs and the lows of professional golf. It has been 15 years since you arrived on the scene at Birkdale in the 1998 Open Championship. Does it feel as long ago as that? Probably at times it feels 25 years since Birkdale, and other times it feels like it was just yesterday. There’s a lot of water under the bridge. My learning curve has been steep from that point. I sort of announced myself on the golfing scene probably before I was ready to handle it. And golf can be a cruel game. And definitely I have had the ups and downs, but I think that ultimately it’s made me stronger. Those downs are well documented but during that time, did you ever envisage yourself going out and winning the US Open? When I was missing 21 cuts in a row I was just trying to not fade away, really. I just didn’t want to be known as a onehit wonder, a flash in the pan. I believed in myself inherently, deep down I always knew that I had a talent to play the game. And I simply thought that if I put talent and hard work together, surely it will work out in the end. I think that the other thing that I was able to do during that time was not beat myself further and further into the ground. If I missed a cut by five one week and I missed it by two the next week, I would kind of tell myself that I was getting better. So I think that’s how I worked my way out of it a little bit.
in its glory too much. You’ve just got to keep your head down. Obviously I’m determined to win more of them and that’s my mind‑set for now. But, when I am growing old and looking back on my career, knowing I’ve won a major championship, it feels very nice there won’t be the question of, ‘what if?’ or,’ could I have tried harder to win a major?’ There will be no regrets, which I think is a nice place to be in my career right now. How do you compare the emotions of winning your first major to being part of that winning Ryder Cup team at Medinah in 2012? I think the celebrations are much more fun when you win as a team. Because everybody’s egging each other one and collectively you’ve achieved something. So the camaraderie of it all is a very unique and very special thing. You’ve done it together. It’s an amazing moment. A nd I think that was very, very special. And probably very unique in the way in which we did win it. That’s probably something that I’ll never feel again.
AFP
How has life changed for you since Merion? Just a few more demands on my time. But I really don’t feel that life has altered that much. My kids are really too young to realise what happened, so, when I go home, I’m just dad. I’m still doing all the menial tasks around the house. It doesn’t get me out of doing any of that stuff [laughs]. I think winning a major championship ... at the end of your career when you look back, that’s when it really means something. When you’re in the midst of what you feel like is your prime, you can’t really allow yourself to get sidetracked with the reminiscing and the sort of basking
“It feels very nice there won’t be the question of, ‘what if?’ or,’ could I have tried harder to win a major?’ There will be no regrets.”
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