HK Golfer - July 2019

HK GOLFER JULY 2019

WOODLAND’S WIN / OPEN PREVIEW / THE CHINESE STORM GILCHRIST’S BIG PLAN / GOLF GURU / A SCOTTISH MASTERPIECE

LETTER FROM THE HKGA

H

eld at the Hong Kong Golf Club, New Course from June 5-6, the 9th HK-Guangdong Interport/2nd Greater Bay Area Junior Championship was a wonderful tournament and congratulations are due to the Guangdong Golf Association team on their splendid win.

The HKGA offers its heartfelt thanks to every player who participated. There was truly plenty of great golf on display and new friendships were made – a combination of what this wonderful game is all about! We congratulate all the winners, and of course the Hong Kong team, which made third place.

Team 1 of the HKGA finished 3rd with a total of 453.

In the meantime, Hong Kong’s top amateur player Terrence Ng, finished tied 9th at the Taiwan Amateur Championship with a total of 6-under 282 under difficult course conditions throughout the week. Taichi Kho and Chloe Chan also both finished in their respective top 20s, excellent results for our local players.

And last but not least, The Discovery Bay Golf Club was the venue for the 2019 HKGA Stableford Tournament in June, where Jeffery Wang won the Men’s Gross Division with 32, just one point over Daniel Wan, and Andrea Au was the winner of the Ladies Gross Division with 30 points, whilst Annie Wong took home the Runner-Up prize with 26 points.

We continue to encourage and support our local golfers and teams with all the resources available to us and we thank you for your continuous enthusiasm.

YOSHIHIRO NISHI President, HKGA 2 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

CONTENTS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION JULY 2019

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

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ON THE COVER: TRANSFORMATION COMPLETED

HKGA HAPPENINGS

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THE 852: THE MAN WITH THE PLAN

Hong Kong National Coach Gary Gilchrist and his team of coaches pride themselves of creating development plans for each student that passes through their academy in Orlando, FL. HK Golfer talked to Grant Balcke, Director of Training, on how they bring the same model to Hong Kong, and in particular, the Hong Kong National Team players and coaches.

12

ASIA ACTION: THE SEASON SO FAR

He had won some good, solid events on the PGA Tour, including the Reno-Tahoe Open and the Waste Management Pho enix Open. However, winning them over a period of seven years makes for an off-the-shelf career. This was Gary Woodland, before he became the winner of the 2019 U.S. Open.

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GOLF IN ITS TRUEST FORM

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THE TOUR: THE CHINESE STORM The new Web.com Tour season was only one week old, and already the pressure had been ratcheted up another level. Marty Dou made sure of that, setting the tone for the Tour’s three other Chinese players with a victory at the very first tournament of the season.

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INSIDE THE ROPE: THE AGE OF INNOCENCE

RETREATS: SIX OF THE BEST

HK Golfer takes a look at six Asian escapes that offer the chance to unwind, relax and improve your wellbeing, all within easy striking distance of some of the region’s best golf courses.

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RETROSPECTIVE: CELEBRITY CLUBBERS

It’s always refreshing to talk to the next generation of talented golfers.

Australia’s Zach Murray is one of them.

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THE GOLF GURU Expert tips for The Senior Player, The High Handicapper, and The Pro. As Major Championship summer draws to a close, we turn our at tention to the picturesque coast of Northern Ireland and the year’s final Major - The Open Championship.

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THE VIEW: A CONTEMPORARY MASTERPIECE

HK Golfer brings you a selection of Pro-Am moments featuring some of Hollywood’s most prolific celebrity players from back in the late 90s and early 2000s.

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TOP TIPPLE: A BLACK FOREST TREASURE

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LIVE UNDER PAR: A GLORIOUS SPRING

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GLOBAL GLANCE: HOVLAND BREAKS RECORD

Like many others, C.T. Pan and Sung Kang had visions of an American dream after getting hooked on golf as kids.

4 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

Opened in 2008, the Renaissance Club now sets the gold standard for world-class golf and high-end hospitality for those seeking an authentic, luxury experience in Scotland, the home of golf, and is soon set to attract many glittering stars of the global game.

The story of a small family distillery in the Black Forest might sound like a fairytale, but a little known fact is that the finest spirits have been produced by hand in a small valley there since 1844, and today, their gin is drawing great attention worldwide.

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THE NINETEENTH: MY BANE EXPERIENCE

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CONTRIBUTORS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION JULY 2019

Louie Chan

Louie is the Editor of HK Golfer and also writes extensively for the magazine, its website and digital platforms. He continues to work hard to lose the distinction of the golf editor with the worst swing!

Chuah Choo Chiang

Senior Director of Communications at the PGA Tour, Chuah Choo Chiang is HK Golfer’s storyteller for the PGA Tour events in Asia.

Calvin Koh

Calvin heads the press operations and media partnership for the Asian Tour and has over a decade of experience in sports PR and communications.

Jason Kwok

Jason has been a Hong Kong PGA Professional since 1995, an Asian Tour Player, and was the Head Professional at the Discovery Golf Club from 2007 to 2015.

Chris Cox

Timothy Low

T imothy is a f orm er touring professional golfer turned television presenter, golf commentator, event host and writer.

Brad Schadewitz

Lead Coach and former National Coach of the HKGA, and holder of the 2017 Top 25 Elite Junior Coach in the U.S.A. title, Brad’s most notable success to date has been coaching the first player ever to represent Hong Kong in the Olympic Games.

A full-time journalist now residing in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Chris co-ordinates international custom content for the PGA Tour.

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HK GOLFER MAGAZINE is published by the Hong Kong Golf Association and produced by Design Circles Limited. The HKGA was formed in 1968 with a mission to govern, promote and grow golf in Hong Kong. Responsibilities include Hong Kong national teams; junior and elite player development; grassroots initiatives; a centralised handicapping service for 15,000+ subscribers; and the running of international and domestic golfing events in Hong Kong – including more than 30 amateur tournaments each year plus the Hong Kong Open, the city’s oldest professional sporting event.

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HKGA

HAPPENINGS

by Louie Chan / Images: Chung 500

Hong Kong’s top amateur player Terrence Ng finished tied 9th at the Taiwan Amateur Championship with a total of 6-under 282.

Terrence Ng

“Overall, the team played very well. Terrence (Ng) had a top-ten finish, while Taichi (Kho) and Chloe (Chan) both finished in the top 20s. They played under difficult course conditions the whole week, but they all managed their game very well with consistency,” commented Tim Tang, High-Performance Manager of the HKGA. “I am so happy for Terrence and Taichi, as they were able to finish under par for the tournament. Taichi also played a great second round (4-under 68). I think it’s a very good start to the summer, especially for Chloe, who will play a lot of tournaments in the U.S. This was a perfect experience for our players; the organiser did an amazing job throughout the whole tournament, and we had a really good time. This kind of overseas tournament enables the players to gain more experience to compete under different types of course and weather conditions. It’s also very good for our top amateur players to play a 4-day event to learn how to pace out themselves through the week.”

Ng won his third Hong Kong Men’s Close A mateur Championship in February and secured a spot to play alongside the pros at the Hong Kong Open at the end of the year. However, the 24 year-old was less than satisfied with his top-ten finish at the Taiwan Amateur Championship. “I set my goal to contend and even to win this tournament, but unfortunately, I suffered 8 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

diarrhoea right before teeing off in the first round. Coincidentally, all the other three players on my flight had the same problem and we all had to visit the washroom multiple times during the round.

However, that’s life as a player,” said Ng. “I hit well but missed lots of putts in the first two round. My putting became a lot better in the last two rounds, but I didn’t hit as well as I did at the beginning. I will play a few more overseas tournaments in the next few months, including the Malaysia Amateur Championship, the Singapore Amateur Championship and the Asian Amateur Championship in September. Hopefully, I will gain my momentum to get into the Hong Kong Open at the end of the year,” added the Hong Kong top amateur.

Team 3 of Guangdong won the 2nd Greater Bay Area Junior Golf Championship cum 9th Guangdong Interport Junior Golf Championship 2019. The visitors from Mainland China won by 9 strokes over Team 2 of Guangdong. Team 1 of the HKGA finished 3rd with a total of 453.

The Discovery Bay Golf Club was the venue for the 2019 HKGA Stableford Tournament in June, where Jeffery Wang won the Men’s Gross division with 32, just 1 point over Daniel Wan. Andrea Au was the winner of the Ladies Gross division with 30 points, whilst Annie Wong took home the runner-up prize with 26 points.

THE 852

THE MAN WITH THE

PLAN

by Louie Chan / Image: Paula Vega

Hong Kong National Coach Gary Gilchrist and his team of coaches pride themselves of creating development plans for each student that passes through their academy in Orlando, FL. HK Golfer talked to Grant Balcke, Director of Training, on how they bring the same model to Hong Kong, and in particular, the Hong Kong National Team players and coaches.

O

ver the past year Gary Gilchrist has visited Hong Kong twice and has been followed by his Director of Training, Grant Balcke, who has travelled to the SAR to work with the players and coaches over a one-week period. “During our time in Hong Kong, we have spent both individual and group training time (a pillar of the Gilchrist system of training) with each member of the Hong Kong National Team. We also worked closely with Head Coaches Tim Tang and Ducky Tang on continuing to implement these plans,” notes Balcke.

The individual training plans are based on the following assessment areas:

• On-course analysis/statistics • Video analysis • TrackMan combine

10 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

• K-Vest kinematic sequence • BodiTrack pressure trace

From t his data a nd key metric s, t he blueprint of t he training plan is then created under the watchful eye of the entire training team - Gilchrist, Balcke, Tang (Tim), and Tang (Ducky).

The goal of the programme and having Gilchrist, Balcke and their team of coaches working closely with the Hong Kong National Team and coaching team is to implement a system of training specifically developed for the environment in Hong Kong that will be the foundation for player development for decades to come.

“A system of training is not just about one coach or a single method of teaching. It’s a system that all National Team coaches and players will train under to allow improved player development through a streamlined process, improved player / coaching team communication, a more tangible improvement evaluation along with better pre- and post-tournament planning,” explains Balcke.

(Left to right) Grant Balcke and Gary Gilchrist

Having players from Hong Kong play on the world stage is something that we take pride in. Through the new implementation of the Gary Gilchrist System of Training and better alliances around the world, especially in the U.S., we will see an increasing number of players from Hong Kong going to the U.S. and playing the NCAA, with the hope of these players moving on to playing on the PGA and LPGA Tour soon.

The team at the Hong Kong Golf Association, Tim Tang and Duck Tang, have been training under the GGGA System of Training and have completed the GGGA Certification process under Gilchrist and Balcke. This one-year process has allowed the coaches to enhance their knowledge of player development and coaching which Gilchrist has developed over the past 30 years.

“We recently had Terrence Ng visit our Academy in Orlando to prepare his game for the PGA Tour Canada event. The goal

of his trip was not only to gear himself up for the event, but also to put in motion a plan to take Terrence from National Team standout to ultimately achieving his dream of playing on the Tour,” added Balcke.

The future is bright for the Hong Kong National and Development Team Squads with everyone involved, led

by Gilchrist. It’s exciting to see a systematic approach to developing the future stars of the SAR.

JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 11

ASIA ACTION THE SEASON SO FAR The f irst half of the 2019 Asian Tour season will be best remembered for thrusting the region’s best and promising players into the global spotlight.

At the season-opening event in January, Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond found his winning rhythm again when he outclassed a host of quality players to lift the iconic SMBC Singapore Open trophy for his third Asian Tour title.

Victor y at the Mayba nk Championship in March was particularly special for Australian Scott Hend as he cemented his status as the most successful international golfer on the Asian Tour when he claimed his 10th victory in Malaysia.

Hend now hold s a sl i m advantage (US$50,000) over Janewattananond on the Asian Tour Order of Merit at this stage but expect more twist and turns when the players return to action this month.

Asian Tour 12 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

GLOBAL GLANCE HOVLAND BREAKS RECORD Viktor Hovland ended the week triumphantly at the U.S. Open after shooting 69-73-7167 to finish at 4-under 280, the lowest 72-hole score by an amateur in U.S. Open history.

The new mark broke Jack Nicklaus' record of 282 set at Cherry Hills in 1960.

“It's obviously cool to achieve such a thing,” commented Hovland. “And I hope that this will feed, or I can feed off of this going into my professional career and do more things like this and be a contender to win tournaments.”

The Oklahoma State product also finished as the low am at the Masters in April, joining Phil Mickelson (1991) and Matt Kuchar (1998) as the only two other players to accomplish that feat since 1990.

USGA/Chris Keane 14 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

ON THE COVER FEATURE

TRANSFORMATION

COMPLETED

by Louie Chan / Images: USGA

He had won some good, solid events on the PGA Tour, including the Reno-Tahoe Open and the Waste Management Phoenix Open. However, winning them over a period of seven years makes for an off-the-shelf career. This was Gary Woodland, before he became the winner of the 2019 U.S. Open.

T

he most recent year of Gary Woodland’s career has reminded us to open our minds to the idea that, for all the numbers we can pull up on a screen, they are overlaid with various shades of grey. A player can lose on each of the first seven times they hold a 54hole lead and win like they know nothing else on the eighth. We know that because that’s exactly what Woodland did on Sunday, June 16th.

As Brooks Koepka stalked to within one stroke of Woodland, through various stages of this U.S. Open’s closing round, t he outcome appea red a forma lit y.

Koepka, such a specialist in this major championship domain, was on the verge of

16 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

making history in seeking to become only the second man to win three U.S. Opens in succession.

“All right, man, we’ve got a ballgame now,” Koepka said he was thinking. But despite shooting in the 60s in all four rounds, Koepka could not keep up with Woodland, whose 69 equalled his highest score of the week.

“Props to him for the way he hung in there,” said Koepka.

Not only did Woodland refuse to wilt; he took this title by three shots. It was impressive to see Koepka, denied his fifth major win in nine starts, amongst those waiting by the 72nd green to offer congratulations to the new champion. This

Gary Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open Champion (Copyright USGA/JD Cuban)

JAN JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 17

Brooks Koepka was on the verge of winning three U.S. Opens in succession (Copyright USGA/Chris Keane)

18 HK GOLFER | JAN JUL 2019 2019

was fully justified; the level of calmness as displayed by Woodland under intense pressure was quite outstanding.

Every major winner has moments.

Woodland had three. He diced with danger when aiming for the par-five 14th green from 263 yards. Woodland’s threewood approach seemed destined for trouble, but instead bounced favourably from the top of a bunker protecting the front of the green. A crucial birdie followed. At the 17th, Woodland played a superb chip over a ridge to 2 feet. On the last, the 35 year-old converted a birdie putt from 30 feet. Short game, for so long a Woodland weakness, proved a Pebble Beach strength.

“I played aggressively, and it paid off,” Woodland said, adding, “I didn’t ever let myself think the tournament was over.”

Xander Schauffele shot a 67 to share third with Jon Rahm (68), Chez Reavie (71) and Justin Rose (74), at seven under.

Rose, the 2013 Champion, pulled even with Woodland with an opening birdie, but he bogeyed the second. He couldn’t keep pace with the leader, who played the first eight holes in two under to keep a charging Koepka at bay. Koepka began the day four strokes behind Woodland, who was winless the previous seven times that he held the 54-hole lead, and, aided by eight one-putt greens, played the first 11 holes in four under par to pull to a single stroke behind Woodland.

“It doesn’t hurt,” Rose insisted. “You reflect and think how you can get better.

There’s no point in letting it hurt too much. It hurts if you lose at the death and you make a mistake. Like the way it happened for me today, I’m more proud of the fact that I even gave myself a chance.”

FEB JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 19

Brooks Koepka was denied his fifth major win in nine starts by Gary Woodland (Copyright USGA/Chris Keane)

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Gary Woodland was understandably emotional before signing his card (Copyright USGA/John Mummert)

Wo o d l a nd , w ho c a me i nt o t he tournament 0 for 30 in the Majors, closed with a two-under-par 69 and a 72-hole total of 13-under 271. He thereby becomes the eighth first time Major winner in the last 11 U.S. Opens. Given the personal heartache of his recent past, Woodland was understandably emotional before signing his card. “I never really thought the tournament was over, so all the emotion came out when that final putt fell in,” said the victor. “It’s so special to do it here at Pebble Beach. I played to win.”

Rory McIlroy’s tilt at glory looked destined for failure by the time he reached the 3rd tee. The Northern Irishman double bogeyed the 2nd, a scenario which left him with far too much to do in his quest to win a second U.S. Open. McIlroy’s 72 meant a tied ninth finish and a tale of what might have been.

Adam Scott was amongst those to briefly play their way into contention. The Australian reached nine under par before carving his tee shot into the front garden of a Pebble Beach mansion from the 13th tee. Less relevant, but just as striking, was Scott’s 3-foot putt for par on 16 that came to rest 7 feet beyond the hole. Perhaps this was a lesson from the fashion gods towards Scott for the wearing of brown trousers that resembled the outfit of a landscape gardener.

Tiger Woods waited until Sunday to deliver his best round of the week, a 69, with his total of two under meaning a tie for 21st. “I’m going to take a little bit of a break and enjoy some family time,” said Woods, whose next competitive stop is expected to be the Open Championship.

Woodland will do likewise, with a trophy for added company.

JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 21

THE OPEN PREVIEW FEATURE

GOLF IN ITS

TRUEST

FORM

by Timothy Low / Image: Courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland

As Major Championship summer draws to a close, we turn our attention to the picturesque coast of Northern Ireland and the year's final Major The Open Championship.

T

he only one of golf ’s big four to be contested outside of the continental United States, the Open Championship usually conjures up images of raw, natural beauty.

Golf courses that fit seamlessly into their natural surroundings, windswept, timeless, stunning. Conditions range from gorgeous summer skies to dour overcast ones that douse the masses gathered on those hallowed links with rain, cold and misery. The Champion Golfer of the year is normally the one who survives the Open’s test with patience, steely resolve, a penetrating stinger and the innate ability to deal with the inevitable bad bounce or two with ease.

It’s for those reasons that The Open Championship is one of the most unique and enjoyable Majors of the year to watch.

It’s golf in its truest form.

After a 68-year wait, golf ’s oldest Major returns to the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. A spectacular strip of golfing heaven on the

22 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

After a 68-year wait, golf ’s oldest Major returns to the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 23

You couldn’t write a better ending to a home open than Rory McIlroy kissing the claret jug (Copyright USGA/JD Cuban)

24 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

coast of north Antrim, its full 7,337 yards will certainly be a worthy test for the field that will descend upon it come July 19.

With no-one in The 148th Open Championship field having contested a Major at Portrush before, this year’s tournament offers punters an interesting quandary when it comes to picking a pretournament favourite. If I were a betting man (which I am), I’d keep an eye out for these guys.

THE DARK HORSE One could hardly call Xander Schauffele a dark horse these days with the last couple of years the American has had, but I’ll slide him under this column, nonetheless. The 25 year-old has had a sparkling run of late and his recent Major championship finishes will certainly catch the eye of more than a few as he makes the hop across the Atlantic. The 4-time PGA Tour winner has notched top 3 finishes in three of his last five majors, with a runner-up position at The Open at Carnoustie last year to boot. A pair of solid finishes at the Masters (T2) and the U.S. Open (T3) already this year will certainly give him plenty of confidence going into this season’s final Major. His patient, watertight game should keep him in the mix even if conditions sour at The Open, so don’t expect him to fold like a cheap lawn chair down the stretch. From what we’ve seen in recent years, he’s as tough and gritty as they come.

THE FAVOURITES As an Ulsterman, you couldn’t write a better ending to a home Open than Rory McIlroy kissing the claret jug on Sunday afternoon as the sun sets over white rock beach, his golfing demons exorcised, his putter tamed and his name back in the Major winners circle for the first time since lifting the Wanamaker trophy at Valhalla in 2015. Rory has and will always be Northern Ireland’s golfing poster child.

Likeable, aggressive, youthful and fearless, he also has the added advantage of competitive experience around the venue.

A course record 61 is the best that Rory has managed - more than 14 years ago.

A McIlroy win in his hometown would

JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 25

Tiger Woods has got his eyes set on Jack Nicklaus’ Major record of 18 once again (©Rolex/Thomas Lovelock)

certainly be one for the ages. It won’t come easy though - he’s blown hot and cold this season to say the least. His win at The Players was inspired, his 61 en route to the Canadian Open was magical. But tossed in among those moments of brilliance were balky putting displays, poor driving and lapses in concentration.

In short, if McIlroy wants a fairytale finish to a feel good week, he had better be firing on all cylinders.

Tiger Woods’ win at Augusta in April was without a doubt the greatest comeback story in all of sports. His redemption arc complete, his critics silenced. But if you think the greatest of all time is going to ride content into the sunset, you clearly don’t get why he’s the greatest of all time. The big cat is back and hungry for more. He’s a master at adapting to ever-changing conditions and has conquered links golf in every form it has had to offer.

He’s the toughest between the ears out on tour and he’s got his eyes set on Jack Nicklaus’ Major record of 18 once again. Links golf and all its intricacies take years of experience and an acute golf acumen to master, and let’s be honest, no-one dissects and breaks down a golf course strategically than Tiger. He may not be able to bomb it out there like he used to, but he’ll out think the field almost any day of the week. In his 40s, he may not be a spring chicken anymore, but he’s certainly still a massive threat.

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BET THE FARM Two words - Brooks Koepka. The Major Championship specialist and reigning Player of the Year surely has to be the odds-on favourite to add a third leg to his quest for the elusive career Grand Slam. He’s confident, powerfully built, and is a proven closer on golf’s grandest stages. Four of his six PGA Tour victories have come in major championships, so he’s a solid bet to be in the mix come Sunday afternoon. He’s bagged two runnersup places in Majors so far in 2019, with a successful defence of the PGA Championship at Bethpage to boot. His record on links courses may not be exactly stellar, but a T10 outing in 2015 and a T6 in 2017 at least prove that he has got what it takes to tame the fickle beast that is links golf. If you want a solid bet, look no further than “major” Brooks Koepka.

Toss in a few names like Johnson, Rahm, Fleetwood, Molinari, Rose, and golf ’s newest Major Champion Gary Woodland, and we’ve got a mouthwatering conclusion to the 2019 Major season on our hands. Regardless of who lifts the claret jug come Sunday at the Open, one thing’s for sure - Royal Portrush will provide the perfect canvas for this year’s Champion Golfer of the Year to paint his masterpiece.

LIVE UNDER PAR

C.T. Pan secured his maiden PGA Tour triumphs at the RBC Heritage 28 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

A

GLORIOUS

SPRING

by Chuah Choo Chiang / Images: Getty Images

Like many others, C.T. Pan and Sung Kang had visions of an American dream after getting hooked on golf as kids.

G

rowing up in an era when a certain half-Asian golfer na med Tiger Woods wa s starting to make the game really cool with his electrifying talent and bravado during the late 1990s, C.T. Pan, who hails from Chinese Taipei, and South Korea’s Sung Kang were mesmerised and subsequently drawn into a sport which would forever change their lives.

In what will be remembered as a glorious Spring for Asian golf, Pan and Kang masterfully secured their maiden PGA Tour triumphs at the RBC Heritage and AT&T Byron Nelson, respectively, which will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of Asian golfers to shoot for the stars.

Interestingly, both athletes share a similar journey in the game. They were strong amateur golfers with Asian Games gold medals to show for it, their fathers

played pivotal roles in their rise, and they both landed in the United States to pursue the game as teenagers, without speaking a word of English.

Pan, 27, recalls how his parents’ labour of love - his father and mother worked at a local club near home - paved the way for him. “My father loved golf; when I was five, we watched a lot of golf on TV and he kept telling me that the sport had a lot of potential in terms of a career,” says Pan, who is only the second player from Chinese Taipei to win on the PGA Tour following T.C. Chen’s victory at the 1987 Los Angeles Open.

With raw ta lent and a desire for hard work cultivated by his late father’s disciplinarian approach, Pan transformed from a boy with big dreams into a PGA Tour champion. He is also very much in contention to become Chinese Taipei’s first golfer to play in the Presidents Cup where

JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 29

IT JUST FEELS AMAZING. I DREAMED ABOUT WINNING AN EVENT ON PGA TOUR WHEN I WAS REALLY YOUNG AND WATCHING TIGER DOMINATING. SUNG KANG

the International Team will face the United States at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia this December.

Growing up, Pan and his older brother, Fu-chiang, spent hours hitting golf balls with a mixed bag of clubs comprising of junior equipment and cut-down adult irons. He didn’t receive any formal coaching, as it was expensive, and so instead relied on instructions published in golf magazines.

“We were like sponges, we absorbed everything. We always tried different things and just figured things out,” says Pan. My father was quite strict and he made us practice and improve ourselves. I can remember all the late nights watching the Masters or watching PGA Tour events, watching Tiger winning. And my dad would tell me, ‘Hey, I want you one day to do that for me’.”

Pan’s breakthrough first came when he was invited to join the IMG National Academy in Bradenton, Florida in 2007 on a full scholarship, which meant leaving home as a teenager. His main challenge wasn’t competing against American kids but learning to speak English. “I didn’t speak a word. However, I knew this was a great opportunity as our financial situation was not great,” he recalls.

Pan subsequently won multiple American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tournaments before gaining a place at the University of Washington, where he was a two-time All American. He also helped Chinese Taipei win the team and individual gold medals at the 2014 Asian Games, cementing his stature as one of Asia’s rising stars.

After turning pro, he competed on the Mackenzie Tour PGA Tour Canada, winning twice during the summer of 2015 to earn promotion onto the Web.com Tour. After registering seven top-10s in 2016, the slightly built Pan skyrocketed onto the PGA Tour. He finished 88th on the FedExCup points list in his first full season in 2017, before coming in at a commendable 35th 30 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

place last season on the back of 10 top-25s, including two top-5s.

Strangely, Pan’s destiny with a PGA Tour win was nearly derailed by his own AJGA tournament, which fell during the same week as the RBC Heritage. He initially wanted to skip the RBC event, but without a single top-30 during the first quarter of 2019, his wife Michelle told him to get back on the Tour while she took care of his amateur tournament, which featured 10 juniors whom he had flown in from Chinese Taipei.

“I was trying really hard to spend time with the kids. I didn’t play well the first three months…and my wife told me to be here.

She was right again,” he says with a smile.

Like Pan, Sung Kang’s father sent him to America at the age of 15 to improve on his golf and English. Developing an all-round solid game, Kang played his way into the South Korean national team which grabbed gold at the 2006 Asian Games, and success on the PGA Tour followed slowly but surely.

“My dad gave me a lot of support when I was young and sent me over to U.S. and gave me a tremendous opportunity to learn,” says Kang, who became the 10th Korean-born player to win on the PGA Tour.

Unlike Pan, Kang cut his early professional teeth on the Korean and Asian circuits, winning four times on home soil before securing playing rights on the PGA Tour in 2011 and 2012. He lost his card and focused on the Web.com Tour for three seasons before regaining his PGA Tour rights in 2016. Like most Koreans, he benefited immensely from a friendship with K.J. Choi, Korea’s most successful player with eight Tour titles.

“It just feels amazing. I dreamed about winning an event on PGA Tour when I was really young and watching Tiger dominating,” recalls Kang. “I talked to K.J. coming into Saturday (at the AT&T Byron Nelson) and he gave me a lot of advice. He told me just to play my game, not change anything, stick to it and be patient. It was very helpful.”

Sung Kang became the 10th Korean-born player to win on the PGA Tour JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 31

(Left to right) Marty Dou, Karl Yuan and Zhang Xinjun

32 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

THE TOUR

THE CHINESE

STORM

by Chris Cox / Images: PGA Tour

The new Web.com Tour season was only one week old, and already the pressure had been ratcheted up another level. Marty Dou made sure of that, setting the tone for the Tour’s three other Chinese players with a victory at the very first tournament of the season.

T

wo days later and the Chinese quartet was back on the course together in the Abaco Islands for a practice round, each trying to uncover the secrets that would lead to a win and another leg up in the race for a PGA Tour card.

But first? Coconuts. Lots and lots of coconuts.

“We spent 20 minutes on the tee just cranking out coconuts,” Carl Yuan said, laughing. “The group behind us came up to the tee and we said, ‘Hey, you guys can go ahead of us, we need to enjoy our coconuts.’”

Meet the four Chinese stars of golf, who are taking the Web.com Tour by storm and having fun while doing it. Fierce competitors on the course but best friends off of it, they are primed to make the move to the Tour together, coconuts and all.

“We’re as close as guys can get out here, travelling together, playing tournaments together, playing for our country; we’re really proud of what we’re doing,” said Yuan.

“We always have each other’s backs and we always want to play well and beat each other.

I think it’s a great thing to have, four players from the same country going through this.”

Through 16 events, Yuan, Dou, Zhang X injun and Andy Zhang have already combined for 14 top-25 finishes, with Dou winning the season-opening victory at the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, and Zhang Xinjun winning twice to top the race in the Top 25 standings. Dou is also inside the Top 25 which rewards players with a ‘promotion’ onto the PGA Tour for the 2019-20 Season.

And that doesn’t even include Hong Kong’s Motin Yeung, who carded a T7 at the LECOM Suncoast Classic, or prodigy Norman Xiong, who was born in Guam to Chinese parents.

“We like to compete with each other more than with other guys,” Dou said. “Since we’re from the same country, we want to play better than the others, but we’re still good friends. It’s more of a pride thing. We’re more motivated, and when one of us plays well it brings more confidence to the others.”

Feed i ng of f one a not her’s suc c e s s has given these players much more than

JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 33

(Left to right) Andy Zhang, Zhang Xinjun, Marty Dou and Karl Yuan in the Abaco Islands

confidence, though. It has also given them full bellies.

If one of them cards a top-10 finish in a given tournament, rules stipulate that they must pay for the group’s dinner the following week. It’s a tradition Dou and Zhang Xinjun established two years ago in their first turn on the Tour and which continues today.

Given the success they have encountered through the season’s first three-plus months, that’s a whole lot of free grub.

“It was actually something that Marty started the first year we were out here,” Zhang Xinjun recalls. “We started with T5 or better. Now, as long as you get top 10, you have to invite everyone out for dinner. When Marty won in the Bahamas, we all got together in Panama and let Carl and Andy know that’s what we do out here. Last week someone picked up the tab for crawfish. It’s always the local favourite or what anyone wants to eat.”

31 year-old Zhang Xinjun is the elder statesmen of the group and perhaps its most extraordinary story. He didn’t begin playing golf until he was 17 and received no formal training until earning a spot on the Chinese National Team.

Despite that, the Shanxi native earned his Tour card two years ago thanks to a pair of runner-up finishes, though a poor 2018

34 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

campaign has him back on the Web.com Tour this year.

Those unique experiences have positioned him as the wise veteran amongst his Chinese peers, particularly Yuan, who like Zhang is part of the China Golf Association.

“I definitely think that it’s part of my role out here,” Zhang said. “Having played most of the courses with some success, I’ve tried to help these guys as much as I can. Whether they want to know certain things about the course, the logistics of travelling or even about life, I try to help.”

Of course, it’s easy to heed advice from a peer encountering his share of success, as Zhang has a pair of top-five finishes this year at the Panama Championship (2nd) and Chitimacha Louisiana Open (T3). He feels better prepared this time around to take on the rigours of PGA Tour life, after making the cut in just 12 of 28 events a season ago.

“I’ve really matured a lot over these last two years, and I’ve grown in cooperation with my translator and coach,” he said.

“The maturity, the level of mentality that I have, and my game, have all improved. If I were to play a PGA Tour event again, I feel much more prepared to handle it.”

In a similar position is Dou, who burst onto the scene two years ago with a third-place finish in his second start and a win

Marty Dou is congratulated by Karl Yuan and Zhang Xinjin after winning the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic

at the Digital Ally Open in late July. But he struggled mightily in his first stint on the Tour, making just four cuts in 23 starts. He put the level of his play down to a lack of proper training, as he often opted to focus on relaxation and setting up his new Dallas home instead of working on the course.

“I was getting furniture and the rent, getting the cars all set up,” the Henan native said. “I didn’t focus on what I should have been focusing on - practicing and not thinking about too much else. I got away from my game.”

It was a shock to the system for a player who for so long dominated the game. He captured several amateur and junior events and won four times on the PGA Tour Series-China, including the Order of Merit in 2016, so these problems were newfound territory.

“Everything went pretty smoothly until last year,” he recalls.

“It was the first time I felt that what I used to do didn’t work out here. Before, if I didn’t work hard, I could still play pretty well out there. When you’re not playing well, you don’t know how to pull yourself back.”

Now, the 22 year-old has reimmersed himself back into the game with new coach Cameron McCormick, LASIK eye surgery, and a more dedicated approach to his practice routine.

Dou admits that his practice habits often paled in comparison to his other Chinese counterparts, but no more.

His newfound outlook on the game immediately paid dividends at the season-opening Bahamas event, where he drained a 55-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to win by two.

Naturally, Zhang and Yuan joined him on the 18th green to celebrate, like best friends do.

The moment was just as worthwhile for Yuan, a 22 yearold who turned professional less than a year ago. It gave him a firsthand look at something to strive for.

“After (Dou) won, it proved that any of us can do it, even me and Andy,” said Yuan, who recently celebrated his birthday at a dinner with his Chinese colleagues and their caddies. “We’re on our first year on Tour, but no, if one of us can do it, we all can do it.”

Yuan, who was born in Dalian, might end up being the best of the bunch. He won the Yantai Championship on the PGA Tour Series-China as an amateur last July, then posted three consecutive top-10s on the Tour as a pro. He also earned a spot into the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, where he carded a third-round 70 playing alongside Rory McIlroy and Kevin Na.

JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 35

INSIDE THE ROPE FEATURE

THE AGE OF

INNOCENCE It’s always refreshing to talk to the next generation of talented golfers. Australia’s Zach Murray is one of them.

by Calvin Koh / Image: Asian Tour

U

nlike some of your mega superstars, often hidden behind security, agents and uttering practised answers, they are often ready to offer you an uncensored account of their lives, goals and ambitions.

The towering Aussie, Zach Murray, is part of a new generation of Tour rookies who are taking the Asian Tour by storm.

Murray signalled his arrival on the biggest stage by becoming the third fastest Qualifying School graduate to win on the Asian Tour with his victory at the New Zealand Open in March.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Murray says he “just wants to keep playing well and capitalise on that win”.

It’s an honest answer that speaks volumes of his career ambitions.

“Obviously that win in New Zealand has changed my life and I’m trying to take it all in now,” said the Australian.

Not to be outdone in the tale of rookies, young Thai talent, 20 year-old Sadom Kaewkanjana surpassed Murray’s earlier feat by becoming the record fastest Qualifying School graduate to win on the Asian Tour in his very first start at the Bangabandhu Cup

36 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

Golf Open, just four months after coming through Asian Tour Qualifying School with a tied-13th result.

He wears a smile all the time and his dedication to his craft makes him admirable. He also wants to “work even harder and get better all the time”.

The young Thai speaks with the innocence that comes with his age, but he competes with the confidence of a hardened Tour veteran. “Winning in my first start on the Asian Tour, I feel very happy. I will take a lot of positives from this experience and this win has given me a lot of confidence in my game. It’s been an unbelievable journey since turning professional last December,” said Sadom after his win in Dhaka.

Despite his success, Sadom believes his best is yet to come, as he sets his sights on fulfilling his full potential in the big league. “My initial goal was just to keep my Asian Tour card for the next season, but now I have won on both the Asian Development Tour and the Asian Tour, I am really happy; I didn’t expect to do so well, but I will have to work harder to get even better after this,” he commented.

So, watch this space as Murray and Sadom could well strike again very soon.

Zach Murray JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 37

GOLF GURU | HIGH HANDICAPPERS

IMPACT:

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH

by Brad Schadewitz

1

2

Get yourself into your set-up position using a pitching wedge or a sand wedge. Choke down on the club to about mid grip and narrow your stance slightly. From here go to the impact position. Rotate the left hip to around 30 degrees open and press the grip a little ahead of the ball while keeping your nose right on top of the ball, simulating the proper impact.

1

2

Now go through the full sequence and hit a half shot around 50 yards whilst trying to repeat the impact position and into a long arm follow through. This will help you hit down and through the shot without scooping.

38 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

OVERVIEW Understanding the correct feel and position of proper impact is extremely important.

Many of the higher handicappers I see actually have an upward or scooping motion at impact and this usually leads to a lot of fat, topped or thin shots. I love to see players do drills to put themselves in the proper impact position and get a better understanding of what proper impact should actually feel like.

THE SCOOP (RIGHT) The incorrect follow through. Our athletic instinct is to actually help the ball up in the air by scooping, but we should actually be hitting down and through the shot taking a divot just in front of the ball

3

4

Now take the club back to a half swing position and pause, then slowly rotate back down to the impact position in picture 2.

3

4

JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 39

GOLF GURU | PRO TIPS

DON’T TRY TO LAG!

by Jason Kwok, HKPGA

Unlesstry youto understand how!understand So many Don’t lag, unless you golfers to imitate thetowhip effect how.

Sotry many golfers try imitate the of PGA Tour swings thatswings gives whip effect of players' PGA Tour players' themgives so much power. most in that them so muchBut power, buttry most many ways that try in many waysare thatwrong. are wrong.

The correct sequence of movement thatcreates creates clubhead speed, the that clubhead speed, or the or kinetic kinetic must chain,bemust be by set the up proper by the chain, set up proper backswing. see in the backswing.

As you As canyou seecan in the swing swing sequence, the isclub is swung to top the sequence, the club swung to the of swing (Image 3) on a plane steeper

40 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

left arm parallel (Image a plane than the setup shaft plane.2)Ason I start the on or slightly steeper than chain the target downswing, I start the kinetic from line.ground As I start downswing, I start the up bythe loading my left foot and the kinetic from the ground up rotating the chain left hip.

I allow the weight by the loading the of clubmy to left loadfoot andand coilrotating my arms, left hip.shallows I allow the weight the club to which club. Inofmany good load andthecoil myangles arms,will which players, wrist alsoshallows increase thetransition, club (Image shaft has now in but 4). thisThe is not a necessity. returned the setup the plane.

In of many The key tototransferring power the good players, thetowrist angleis will kinetic sequence the club thatalso the right arm maintains a firm connection

increase butshoulders this is not from chestintotransition, elbow as the starta necessity.

Then the the forearms club can and release on to rotate, while wrists perfect supple. plane through impact without remain manipulation.

The hips continue to clear and the The key transferring theand power shoulders andtoarms will be coiled then of theupkinetic sequence the club is catch with the hips aftertoimpact.

This that theknown right asarm a firm action, the maintains stretch shortening connection from chest to elbow cycle of your muscles, is the visible lag ofaas the shoulders good golf swing.start to rotate, while the forearms andcommonly wrists remain supple. faults I see two occurring in transition, both of which will cause

Thepower hips continue clear,incorrect and the major loss and to a steep shoulders and arms The will first coil isand then club path to impact. relaxing catch up with hipsofafter impact. the right arm the at top swing (imageThis 6), action, known as the which causes slices and stretch fats andshortening tops as the cycle of yourarc muscles, is the visible lag on of downswing is greatly diminished athe good swing. startgolf of the downswing, then the right most to common faults armThere needs are to betwo extended make contact. in both to ofpull which will elbow cause Thetransition, second is trying the right major loss (image and a 7), steep incorrect down topower your side which totally club path totheimpact.

Firstthe is power relaxing disconnects arms from of the body and thus creates a steep attack.

theIfright arm at thethetop theincrease swing you can shallow clubofand which causes arm your coil fromthe hips to elbow hands to by collapse starting behind the right with armpit, your downswing youcausing left hipslices, turn, fats andwell topsonasyour the way downswing arc an is you are to creating greatly efficient diminished golf swing. on the start of the downswing, then the right arm needs to be extended to make contact. Next, trying to pull the right arm down, which totally disconnects the arms from the power of the body and creates a steep attack.

If you ca n sha llow the club a nd increase your coil from hips to hands by starting your downswing with your left hip turn, you are well on your way to creating an efficient golf swing.

JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 41

GOLF GURU | SENIOR GOLFER

THE CLAW GRIP

by James Stewart

42 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

We have all seen many different styles of putting on the PGA Tour, and over the last decade the claw grip has become very popular; players like Justin Rose now use it.

Like many players, as we get older, our nerves are not quite what they were when we were kids. This is often evident in our putting and the conventional grip can easily breakdown as a result. Around six years ago I switched to the claw grip and I have never looked back.

What I like about using the claw grip is that I keep my right hand very passive through the stroke and with a very light grip pressure. In picture one, I place my left hand on the grip, with my thumb going down the centre, so most of the weight of the putter is in my left hand. I then place my right hand on the putter using the claw style grip. As you can see, there is very little cup in my right wrist, so my wrist and back of the hand are both flat. I maintain this in the stroke, which stops the right wrist from breaking down, hence there will be more consistency especially under pressure.

If you haven’t tried the claw grip yet and you struggle with your putting, I recommend that you try this, along with an Evnroll putter.

JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 43

THE VIEW

A

CONTEMPORARY

MASTERPIECE

by Mike Wilson Images: Courtesy of Renaissance Club

44 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

The Renaissance Club sets a new, gold standard for links golf in Scotland, the ‘Home of Golf’

Opened in 2008, the Renaissance Club now sets the gold standard for world-class golf and high-end hospitality for those seeking an authentic, luxury experience in Scotland, the home of golf, and is soon set to attract many glittering stars of the global game.

A solid success story

F

rom the kernel of a bold vision to build and operate one of the finest new golf courses anywhere in the world, let alone in the country where it all began over 500 years ago, the Renaissance Club has done an outstanding job.

A plethora of great golf courses, especially of the links variety already existed, and to do what they have done in a generation has been no mean feat.

Having set out its not-inconsiderable stall, founded on a truly great and authentic links course, now into its second decade, the Renaissance Club has matured into a classical and contemporary masterpiece.

The beating heart of the Club was always going to be a truly awe-inspiring golf course; with a genuine links layout set against a dramatic backdrop. It’s a seascape that can change in character from a deep-blue, flat-calm to a choppy, gunmetal grey festooned with white horses seemingly in the blink of an eye.

Tom Doak, whose other designs include Medinah GC and Pacific Dunes in the U.S., and the dramatic Cape Kidnappers

46 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

course in New Zealand, was chosen by the Sarvidi family to develop the 300-acre coastal site with good reason. He is amongst the very best; a man with the greatest empathy with and passion for this form of natural, coastal golf courses.

Indeed, the links course at the very heart of the Renaissance does beat with a vigorous pulse, with each one of the 18 holes offering a different challenge. Every club in the bag will be tested over nine Par-4s, four Par-5s and five Par-3s. Every shot on each hole asks a different question, each with a variety of answers, making it a thinking golfer’s course.

But, fear not, whilst the 7,300-plus yard Par-71 Doak masterpiece will test the very best in the world at the back-toback Scottish Opens, the Renaissance is far from an instrument of torture to be endured. It is rather to be enjoyed and savoured by discerning golfers of all standards.

A choice of tees, from distant Championship tees only to be played by the best, to a well-calibrated set of forward tees to suit all ages, abilities and genders, sees the Renaissance offer a

Natural links land, honed to perfection JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 47

Making waves - the Renaissance Club hosts both 2019 men's and women's Scottish Open Championships

kaleidoscope of competitive and recreational challenges.

But be warned, the start at the Renaissance is as demanding as it is enjoyable. A pair of Par-4s, both nearer 500 yards than 450, followed by the first of four Par-5s, the third, at 601 yards being the longest on a course, it finishes as it begins, with a muscular, demanding Par-4 stretching 485 yards from the back tees.

Much is written about how ‘signature holes’ define a golf course, but the Renaissance boasts a ‘signature stretch.’ Akin to the Amen Corner at Augusta National, the collection of holes just after the turn, a challenge that can make-or-break a round of golf, is a truly delightful run of three holes, all clinging on to the foreshore - grand vistas to match great golf holes.

Coalescing around the shoreline of the Firth of Forth, the 10th, at 417 yards, a relatively benign Par-4, allows the golfer to take in the sheer splendour of the panoramic seascape. With Fidra Island in plain sight, the 11th is a tricky Par-3, followed by the 12th, a strapping Par-4, weighing in at just under 500 yards. The Renaissance Club’s ‘signature stretch’ may not be the most difficult trilogy of holes on the course, but they are certainly the most majestic.

The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, is widely attributed with the adage, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. And that maxim not only sums up the 18 holes that are the vigorous heartbeat pulsing through the veins of the Renaissance club course, but also the splendid operation that the Servadi family has curated and now fiercely protects.

Because if the golf course is the ‘beating heart’ of the operation, then the soul must be the ancillary facilities without which the Renaissance Club would be just another upscale golf course.

From the state-of-the-art clubhouse to the spacious, luxurious lodgings and fine dining that are an integral part of the overall 50 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

offering, the clear sense is that this is a world class act. Nothing is too much trouble and you are in the hands of people who care as much about golf - and your forthcoming experience - as you do.

The Renaissance Club, in the close company of the venerable Muirfield, Gullane and North Berwick courses as the undoubted jewels-in-the-crown of Scotland’s ‘Golf Coast’, is the most exclusive of them all, with private and privileged membership, costing a King’s Ransom and a pipe-dream for the majority of golfers worldwide.

But an innovative scheme, the ‘One Time Experience’, is a thoughtful option for those who dare to dream. It offers the round of a lifetime, including a deluxe lunch, and the five-star accommodation is available as a base from which to experience and enjoy those other aristocratic courses nearby.

Over the space of the next several weeks and beyond, many of the global game’s elite exponents - male and female including Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood, Ariya Jutanugarn, Inbee park, Lydia Ko, Michelle Wie, and home favourites Georgia Hall and Charley Hull, will take on the Renaissance in championship trim - all within days of their respective British Opens.

In less than the time it takes a fine Single Malt Scotch Whisky to mature into the finished product, the Renaissance Club has more than earned the accolades it has rightly garnered, not only for the calibre of a very fine golf course, but also for the quality of the premium package and sophisticated service it delivers.

And for those for whom private membership may be out of geographical or pecuniary reach, the ‘One Time Experience’ can provide the golfing adventure of a lifetime, and will likely even exceed the highest of expectations.

Greener than green, the Renaissance Club is accredited and endorsed by the Golf Environment Organisation

7-star service, the awardwinning clubhouse and lodgings are second to none

Room with a view, the Spa at Renaissance eases the rigours of a round of world class golf

JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 51

RETREATS

SIX

OF THE

BEST

by Kate Farr

HK Golfer takes a look at six Asian escapes that offer the chance to unwind, relax and improve your wellbeing, all within easy striking distance of some of the region’s best golf courses.

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BEST FOR HEALTHY DINING: COMO POINT YAMU, PHUKET COMO Point Yamu is the perfect place to ditch those bad habits and put healthy cuisine at the front and centre of your stay. Known as COMO Shambhala Cuisine, the resort’s dining ethos is simple: seasonal, pure and sustainable food in delicious, nourishing combinations – no deprivation required. So famous is the nutritious food at COMO that the brand has published its own cookbook, enabling guests to whip up delicious dishes like cacao mousse with raspberries and pistachios in their own kitchens. Once you’ve sated your appetite, head to the picture-perfect infinity pool, enjoy a Thai massage, or simply unwind in your elegantly minimalist suite or villa.

Work up an appetite for your next meal at The Blue Canyon Country Club. This threetime host of the Johnnie Walker Classic offers two distinctly different 18-hole, par-72 courses.

The distinguished Canyon Course is ranked as one of Asia’s most prestigious, while the Lakes Course was designed by renowned architect Yoshikazu Kato to challenge even the most experienced of players. comohotels.com

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BEST FOR SPA: FUSION RESORTS CAM RANH, VIETNAM Offering guests the ultimate in indulgence, and less than two hours’ from Hong Kong, Fusion Resorts have pioneered the “all-youcan-spa” holiday. Sitting atop a pristine natural sandbank overlooking the South China Sea, the resort encourages you to kick back and relax with unlimited spa treatments available for the duration of your stay. If you can bear to tear yourself from the spa, you’ll also find complimentary fitness sessions, along with a vast pool, tennis courts and water sports activities on offer. Alternatively, simply settle back in your plush and spacious accommodation – many of the villas offer stunning sea views and private pools.

Voted Asia’s Best New Golf Course in 2018, the nearby KN Golf Links Cam Ranh was designed by Greg Norman, and offers 27 holes over 800 hectares of stunning coastline – perfect for a looser-limbed swing after your massage. fusionresortcamranh.com

JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 55

BEST FOR DETOX: THE FARM AT SAN BENITO, THE PHILIPPINES Renowned for its thorough approach to wellness, The Farm At San Benito is the Philippines’ premier holistic health resort.

One of The Farm’s most recognised services is its Detox Cleanse programme. Comprising of juice cleanses, guided fasting and colon hydrotherapy, the stay is supported by tailored spa treatments, and bespoke services provided by the retreat’s on-site medical team. Promising that guests will leave revitalised and restored, the cleanse takes place in the comfortable surrounds of the resort’s private pool villas, set within lush tropical gardens.

Take your mind off your rumbling tummy at the nearby Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club. With sweeping views of the Batangas mountain range, this club offers 27 holes and is open year-round. thefarmatsanbenito.com

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BEST FOR UPPING YOUR GAME: CHIVA-SOM HUA HIN, THAILAND If you’re looking for a retreat that will enhance your sporting ability, Chiva-Som Hua Hin’s Total Golf Enhancement retreat may be just the ticket. You’ll receive coordinated guidance from the resort’s in-house fitness team, including a golf biomechanics session, targeted fitness training, and, naturally, golf lessons. The weeklong retreat also includes two rounds, plus assessment by one of Chiva-Som’s accredited golf pros, offering invaluable feedback that helps you develop your overall game. Each stay offers unlimited access to the resort’s water therapy suites to ease any muscle aches, along with a nutritionally balanced diet plan to keep you at your peak. And with just 54 plush rooms, this is a luxurious and tranquil spot in which to focus on some uninterrupted coaching.

Put your theory into practice at the Sea Pine Golf Club. Owned by the Thai military, which uses it as a retreat for serving officers and veterans, this links course offers a scenic game with just the right amount of challenge presented by the sea breeze. chivasom.com/hua-hin

JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 57

BEST ALL-ROUNDER: LAGUNA LĂNG CÔ, VIETNAM Laguna Lăng Cô is the ideal choice for those who like their relaxation with a generous dose of variety. Offering a huge variety of sports, including stand-up paddle boarding, fat biking, tennis, jet-skiing and slacklining, the resort features not one, but two full-service spas, along with a kids’ club for those who wish to bring the family along. There is also an extensive choice of trips and day excursions on offer. A Vietnamese wooden boat safari allows guests to experience traditional fishing village life, while personalised cycling excursions showcase the rugged clifftop beauty and sea views of Chan May National Park. Lăng Cô is located close to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient capital city of Hue, the charmingly rustic city of Hoi An, and the relics of the intricately carved My Son temples.

Conveniently located within the resort, the Laguna Golf Lăng Cô is an 18-hole, par71 championship course designed by Sir Nick Faldo. Ringed by mountains and cooled by ocean breezes, this is an unforgettable course that is suitable for players of all levels. lagunalangco.com

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BEST FOR SLEEP: AMATARA PHUKET, THAILAND In our fast-paced world, a good night’s sleep can often be the first thing to fall by the wayside, leading to poor memory function, low immunity and an increased risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. Phuket’s Amatara resort aims to tackle this with a targeted retreat that helps guests to reset, reconnecting with their natural sleep cycles for an optimal night’s rest. Each retreat includes a polysomnography (overnight sleep test) session, along with a neurologist consultation to analyse the results and come up with a plan for improved sleep.

The final piece of the puzzle is a range of complimentary therapies and spa treatments, helping to promote a refreshing natural slumber.

Phuket is a bone fide golf lover’s island, meaning that you’ll be spoiled for choice with no less than eight world-class courses to choose from. The Jack Nicklaus-designed Mission Hills course offers spectacular views across the Andaman Sea, and is the perfect way to burn off any excess energy before bedding down for the night. amataraphuket.com

JUL 2019 | HK GOLFER 59

RETROSPECTIVE

CELEBRITY

CLUBBERS Images: Courtesy of Globe Photos Inc.

HK Golfer brings you a selection of Pro-Am moments featuring some of Hollywood’s most prolific celebrity players from back in the late 90s and early 2000s.

Fine art prints are available for purchase by HK Golfer readers in the following sizes and editions:

16” x 20”, edition size 125, numbered with holographic seals and matching COA’s normal price US$595, HK Golfer price US$535.50 + free shipping

20” x 24”, edition size 75, numbered with holographic seals and matching COA’s normal price US$995, HK Golfer price US$895.50 + free shipping Please email sales@globephotos.com Use promo code HKG07

Justin Timberlake at the Bob Hope Golf Classic, Palm Springs, California, 2006 (Average Handicap 4.8)

Kevin Costner, 1998 (Average Handicap 12.6)

Michael Douglas at the Dunhill Pro/Am Golf Tournament at St Andrews, Scotland, 2004 (Average Handicap 15.5)

Don Johnson at the Dunhill Pro/Am Golf Tournament at St Andrews, 2002 (Average Handicap 9)

Sean Connery at Lexus Celebrity Pro/Am Golf in La Quinta , California, 1998 (Average Handicap 15)

TOP TIPPLE

66 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

A

BLACK FOREST

TREASURE

by Ann Tsang / Images: Courtesy of BOAR Distillery

The story of a small family distillery in the Black Forest might sound like a fairytale, but a little known fact is that the finest spirits have been produced by hand in a small valley there since 1844, and today, their gin is drawing great attention worldwide.

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IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HEART OF THE BLACK FOREST, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE RENCH VALLEY, DISTILLING HAS A RICH HERITAGE AND A TRADITION THAT GOES BACK ALMOST 200 YEARS. OVER THIS TIME, RECIPES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED, THROWN AWAY, LOST, CHANGED, REFINED AND PERFECTED.

W

ho would have guessed that the gin recently named as World Champion comes from the Black Forest area of Germany, and that one of its key ingredients is the rare Black Forest truffle. BOAR Gin continues to be awarded gold medals left, right and centre in renowned competitions around the world.

The Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft (German Agricultural Society) awarded it a gold medal and certified BOAR Gin as being the best gin in Germany. At the Global Spirit Awards in Las Vegas, BOAR was chosen as the best gin and the best clear spirit in the world and in New York, the BOAR distillery was recently chosen as the “Distillery of the Year”.

The traditional distillery is breaking new ground in the production of fine distillates in terms of both flavour and quality.

It refines and harmonises its BOAR Gin with mountain spring water rich in minerals and the rare Black Forest truffle. The distillery’s unique production process gives this London Dry Gin a mild and complex flavour profile and a very specific identity, which has taken the beverage industry by storm.

The story of the BOAR distillery in the Black Forest is that of a simple, down-to-earth wish: to only be satisfied by the best. Only the finest botanicals and purest raw materials are used in the creation

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process. The Black Forest water from its own well lends BOAR distillates a particular mildness, mineral-rich, and natural composition.

The interplay of the botanicals with the mineral-rich deep well water culminates in a formidable experience for the senses – elegant, smooth, and with a unique identity.

In the middle of the heart of the Black Forest, at the beginning of the Rench Valley, distilling has a rich heritage and a tradition that goes back almost 200 years. Over this time, recipes have been developed, thrown away, lost, changed, refined and perfected.

The wild-grown, hand-selected ingredients that comprise BOAR Gin make this masterpiece something very rare. The traditional natural aromas unfold with a particularly fine mildness – a classic flavour with juniper berries, lavender and thyme, refined and harmonised by an innovative process in which the rare Black Forest treasure is added – the Black Forest truffle.

The original Black Forest truff le is actually a botanical treasure from the past. Under the National Socialists, the foraging and enjoyment of this culinary natural resource was outlawed in 1935, as was the trading of it, with the passing of the German Reichsnaturschutzgesetz (National Nature Protection Law). As a result, over the following decades,

most knowledge of this variety of truffle became forgotten – until recently. But it still existed under the earth, untouched.

Since its rediscovery, the truff le has played a significant role in the overall composition of BOAR gin. It gives the total composition of botanicals an unprecedented volume and creates an experience of drinking pleasure, free of causticity and bitter substances.

For aficionados, the truffle can be perceived in the fine finish; for gin fans, the moment of pleasure is significantly extended until it gently tapers off and lingers in the mouth..

Truffles aside, a fine spirit is more than just the sum of its parts, because without the inspiration, a variety of ideas and the passion of a master distiller and his processes, all of these things do not come together in such perfect harmony.

All of BOAR Distillery’s products are handmade and produced in small quantities, just like previous generations have done it since 1844, and real family

secrets from the past are hidden in each of them.

The eponym and icon of BOAR gin is a real native of the pristine environment of the Black Forest - the wild boar - the revered animal that seeks out the treasured truffles.

“At our Black Forest distillery, we distil with our hearts, hands and wood from our own forest,” says Markus Kessler, the great-great-great-grandson of Andreas Kessler, who founded his distillery 175 years ago.

For two consecutive years – 2017 and 2018 – BOAR has been accoladed as the gin distillery to have won the most awards in the world, including a double Gold Medal at the 2018 Chinese Wine & Spirit Awards, the largest and most renowned competition of its kind in Asia.

This premium gin is a uniquely spectacular creation from southern Germany and, in particular, will excite anyone who enjoys drink ing this wonderful white spirit with all the senses, and those who treasure the truly special things in life.

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THE NINETEENTH

MY

BANE EXPERIENCE

by Timothy Low / Image: Getty Images

Eduardo Molinari

S

low play, the number one reason people are giving the game up worldwide and frankly, the bane of my golfing existence. Five-plus hour rounds of golf have sadly become more common across the world, a far cry from the suggested four-hour completion time I was taught when I first picked up the game almost two decades ago.

Golf is hard, we get it. But is that 16th practice swing before your short-sided pitch shot really going to matter? Is that fourth look from behind the hole at your 3-footer going be the difference maker? I think not.

Eduardo Molinari's recent controversial tweet revealing the names of players that had more than their fair share of slow play warnings on the European Tour certainly garnered its fair share of attention. But to be fair, I'm with Dodo on this one, slow play is unnecessary and inexcusable on any level.

Whether you're a hack who couldn't hit a piano hanging 72 HK GOLFER | JUL 2019

from a barn door, or the best golfer in the world coming down the stretch in the mix on a major Championship Sunday, there's no reason why it should take longer than 40 seconds to make contact with the ball.

I understand that everyone prepares differently for a shot, but common sense dictates that the preparation start well before it's your turn to hit. If I had a dollar for every time I saw a golfer dawdling about while his playing partners are hitting, then only sizing up his shot when it's finally his turn to play, I dare say I'd be a wealthy man. It doesn't take much to shave a couple of seconds off a round per hole; and when you add it all up at the end of the day, you'll be amazed at the difference it makes.

And hey, even if it doesn't equate to better scores, at least you'll be able to drown your sorrows at the 19th hole a whole lot sooner!

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