HK Golfer 2011 April

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HK Golfer Luxury: Baselworld, New BMW 5-series, Single Malts & more...

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION ISSUE 51

HKGOLFER.COM

APRIL 2011

$50

MASTERS ISSUE

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TRAVEL England's Atlantic Golf Coast

NICK FALDO SANDY LYLE AMEN CORNER AUGUSTA PICKS MAJOR MEMORIES

Extra: Maria Verchenova HK Men's & Ladies Close in review DISPLAY UNTIL MAY 15

contents

HK Golfer

Issue 51

April 2011

68 On the Cover:

Martin Kaymer, the world number one ranked player, will be looking to make it back-to-back major wins with victory at the Masters this month Photo by AFP

Features

Plus…

40 | Looking Back: Sandy Lyle's 1988 Masters

20 | Tee Time

Sandy Lyle, the 1988 Masters champion, reflects on his win at Augusta as he prepares to play the tournament for the thirtieth time of his career.

As told to Alex Jenkins

46 | Lewine Mair's Masters Memories

HK Golfer's European Correspondent, a veteran of over twenty Masters tournaments, picks her favourite moments at the year's first major.

By Lewine Mair

50 | The Masters Interview: Nick Faldo

The three-time Masters champion talks to HK Golfer about all things Augusta and tells us who he thinks has the game to succeed at one of the world's most challenging venues.

Interview by Alex Jenkins

54 | Amen Corner

Nick Faldo guides us around arguably the most treacherous – and most beautiful – stretch of golfing acreage in the world.

By Nick Faldo

68 | Mizuno Makes History

Shinichi Mizuno becomes the third junior in a row to win the prestigious Close title and thereby earn a return to Fanling for December's UBS Hong Kong Open.

By Alex Jenkins

78 | From Russia with Clubs

Maria Verchenova – once dubbed golf 's "Maria Sharapova" – is letting her game do the talking as she goes in search of success on the Ladies European Tour.

By Paul Prendergast

82 | England's Atlantic Links

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Overlooked by many, this stunning stretch of pure golfing terrain in the southwestern counties of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall offers exceptional golf at exceptionally reasonable prices.

By Alex Jenkins

A review of the best of Baselworld, one of the world's most important watch exhibitions.

By Evan Rast

28 | Driving Range

HK Golfer checks out the new BMW 5-series. Is it still the best in its class?

By Ben Oliver

30 | Liquid Assets

The Catena family, one of the pioneers of Argentina's wine industry, has been making fine wines for well over a hundred years. HK Golfer reports.

By Robin Lynam

32 | Single Malts

It has taken the better part of thirty years but our whisky editor is belatedly won over by Glenmorangie.

By John Bruce

34 | Money Matters

Hong Kong residents planning on moving abroad should take heed – you could find yourself in a taxing situation.

By Howard Bilton

44 | Game On

Now you can play Augusta National – from the privacy of your own home.

By The Editors

88 | Check-in: The Nam Hai

A review of Vietnam's most elegant golferfriendly resort.

By The Editors

98 | Final Shot

HK Golfer meets Manuel de los Santos, arguably the world's most remarkable golfer.

By Alex Jenkins HKGOLFER.COM

HK Golfer

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION APR 2011 • Issue 51

Editor: Alex Jenkins email: alex.jenkins@hkgolfer.com Editorial Assistant: Cindy Kwok Playing Editor: Jean Van de Velde Photo Editor: Daniel Wong Contributing Editors: Lewine Mair, Ariel Adams, Robin Lynam, Evan Rast Published by:

TIMES INTERNATIONAL CREATION

82 DE PA R T M E N T S 10

HK Golfer Mailbag

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Divots

62

From the President

62

Around the HKGA

68

Junior Q&A

69

Club Results

70

Ladies Golf

72

Local News

74

Regional Events

90

Global Tournament News

94

Social Scene

HK GOLFER is published by Times International Creation, 20/F, 28 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong. HK GOLFER is published bi-monthly © 2011 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.

HK Golfer・APR 2011

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HK Golfer Mailbag New HK Golfer Website

Congratulations on the new-look website, it really is sublime. I no longer live in Hong Kong, yet this is a nice way to stay in touch – if only via online media. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Lewine Mair's story on Tiger Woods ["Getting There" in the December 2010/January 2011 issue]. An excellent angle under such circumstances, and eloquently written. All the best going forward.

Andrew Wood Via Email

Sai Kung Stunner

Thank you for publishing Graham Uden's wonderful aerial photograph of Kau Sai Chau ["Happy Birthday KSC"] in the February/March 2011 issue of HK Golfer. It really brought home to me how stunning the island is and what a brilliant place it is to play golf. While it is certainly true that the number of courses in Hong Kong is limited, the golf that we do have is very good indeed – and at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau we have one of the foremost public courses in the world. Not only do the three layouts cater for different levels of golfers very well but the [green fee] rates remain comparatively low for the region. I think a lot of people forget these facts.

Editor’s reply: Thank you Andrew. For those not yet aware, the HK Golfer website can be viewed at www.hkgolfer.com and contains a large archive of material from issues over the past three years plus additional images and news. Exclusive web-only content is being introduced all the time, so log on and find out more! P.S. If you liked Lewine's story on Tiger Woods then I'm sure you'll enjoy her piece on her favourite moments from the Masters in this issue.

Eric Kwok Jardines Lookout Editor’s reply: I couldn't agree with you more, Eric. Enjoy the bottle of Louis Roederer courtesy of Links Concept. We are indeed lucky to enjoy public golf of the calibre of Kau Sai Chau and the number of local golfers who got into the game as a result of the facility opening its doors in the mid 1990s must be in the tens of thousands, which is a remarkable achievement. I for one am very much looking forward to my first Kau Sai Chau round of the year on the North Course soon.

We Want to Hear from You! Have something to say about an article in HK Golfer or a topic affecting golf in our area? Send your thoughts and comments to letters@hkgolfer.com. Please also include your address, contact number, email and HKGA #. The winner of the best letter will receive a bottle of Champagne Louis Roederer courtesy of Links Concept.

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Global Focus Desert Stormer Luke Donald found the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain, Arizona to his liking as he picked up his first win on American soil in nearly five years with a dominant display at the WGC Match Play Championship at the end of February. Never down in any of his matches throughout the week, the 33-yearold Englishman is something of a match play specialist – he's won eight and a half points from his 11 appearances at the Ryder Cup – and jumped to a career high of number three in the world rankings after beating Martin Kaymer 3 and 2 in the final. – AJ Photo by AFP

Local Focus Cutting it Close Shinchi Mizuno plays his tee shot at the newlyrenovated seventeenth hole on the New Course at Fanling during the last day of the Hong Kong Close Amateur Championship. Mizuno, 17, became the third teenager in three years to win the title, which was held over the Lunar New Year holiday, by holding off reigning Hong Kong Club champion Max Wong by two strokes. The Nagoyaborn youngster, who was the only amateur to qualify for last year's UBS Hong Kong Open, earns a return trip to the European Tour event courtesy of his victory. – AJ Photo by Daniel Wong

China Focus 'Island' Green The par-three twelfth hole at the newlyopened Leaders Peak Course at Stone Forest International Country Club near Kunming, Yunnan Province takes the term 'island green' to a whole new level.

Surrounded on all sides by dramatic rock formations, the green on the 196-yard hole is approximately five times larger than the famous island green seventeenth at TPC Sawgrass but is every bit as intimidating as much is hidden from the tee by rock that rises above the putting surface. Like the other two courses at the club – Yufeng Ridge and Masters Resort – Leaders Peak was designed by the American firm SchmidtCurley Design. – AJ Photo by Ryan Farrow

divots

New Sponsor for Stableford Tournament Leading German kitchen system manufacturer Bulthaup will sponsor this June's Stableford Tournament, which will be played on June 14 at Discovery Bay Golf Club (pictured). Established in 1949, and inspired by the bauhaus movement, the brand, which is distributed in Hong Kong, China and Singapore by the Madison Group of Companies, is known for its innovative architecture and design quality.

Contact: madison.bulthaup.com; 2868 0895

Stars Headed for Ballantine's Championship American ace Dustin Johnson and 18-time European Tour winner Miguel Angel Jimenez (pictured) have been added to the star-studded field for this month's Ballantine's Championship in Korea. The duo will join Lee Westwood, three-time major winner Ernie Els, Ian Poulter and YE Yang at the Blackstone Resort in Seoul from April 29 to May 1 . Said Johnson, who will be making his debut appearance in Asia: "Ballantine's have been busy assembling a fantastic field for the tournament and with so many great players taking part, I'm excited to get out there and give it my best for the Korean galleries."

NUMBERS GAME

1.50 52

The price, in US$, of a pimento cheese sandwich at the Masters. The sandwich is considered something of a Masters specialty and, like everything else on the patrons menu, is very reasonably priced. Pink lemonade costs US$1; a beer costs US$2; while a club sandwich will set you back $2.50, inclusive of tax.

The number of years that Gary Player has played at the Masters, which is a record. Player has won a total of three green jackets – in 1961, 1974 and 1978 – and has made the cut on 23 occasions, a record that he shares with 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples.

415

The length, in yards, of the par-four eleventh in 1932, the year Augusta National Golf Club opened.

Over the years the tee has been pushed back significantly in order for the hole to play as it was originally intended. It will measure 505 yards at this year's tournament.

“I think for me the Masters is probably the most difficult major to win. Maybe I have a little too much respect” - World number one Martin Kaymer doesn't sound too confident ahead of the first major of the year. The German has missed the cut at Augusta in each of his three starts.

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CLUBHOUSE Away from the Fairways The Cartier ID One Rolex Oyster Watch Perpetual Concept Cosmograph Daytona

 TEE TIME

Fresh Basel

Baselworld, the industry’s biggest watch and jewellery show, opened to a very eager crowd this year and with the first deliveries expected to land in Hong Kong soon, there's lot to be excited about, reports Evan Rast CONTINUED OVERLEAF

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If you love racing as much as golf, you’ll love this next tourbillon. Presented by Hublot as a special edition created for Formula 1 – they are now the official watchmaker for the Grand Prix – the F1 King Power Tourbillon Gold Ceramic comes in a 48mm 18k king gold case, combined with a black ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal caseback.

Available in a limited series of 50, the watch features the automatic HUB7300 tourbillon chronograph movement that features a five-day power reserve. What’s special about this watch is its tourbillon cage and balance that is designed to resemble an F1 disc brake, much like its satinfinished ceramic bezel.

The F1 King Power Tourbillon is a good mix of sporting character and technological savvy.

Even the strap is made with a combination of rubber and Nomex, a tech fibre used in the manufacture of racing suits. The watch is waterresistant to 100 metres.

Rolex presents its Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in 18k Everose pink gold, with a striking new monobloc Cerachrom bezel in black, reminiscent of the 1965 version of the watch. Fitted with the automatic 4130 calibre with Parachrom hairspring and Breguet overcoil the Cosmograph Daytona is as shock-resistant as ever. This new combination of black and pink gold is complemented by a chocolate brown or ivory coloured dial and gold hour markers.

The Golden Rule

Basel Brilliance: Arnold & Son's TE8 (above) has a distinctly English touch; the new F1 King Power Tourbillon Gold from Hublot (right); the Explorer II from Rolex is one of the brand's most iconic models 20

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The metal continues its domination this year, with watchmakers offering a selection of interesting tones, from warm and rosy to shiny black.

A r nold & S on u nvei l s a ne w T E 8 Tourbillon in a 44mm 4N rose gold case and fitted with its hand-finished A&S8000 calibre.

A watch with a distinctively English touch, the TE8 comes with a dial that features a ¾ wave cutout motif which doubles as the barrel bridge, and an l’anglaise tourbillon, where the cage is held only by one triangular-shaped bridge.

The beautifully chiselled dial features wave-like patterns that is a nod to the brand’s seafaring heritage. If you recall, the watchmaker John Arnold supplied watches to explorers like James Cook and the Royal Navy.

The movement of the watch, the A&S8000, is a hand-wound calibre running at 12,600 vph and offering 80 hours of power reserve. The TE8 Tourbillon will be produced in a limited edition of 25 pieces each in black ruthenium or 4N rose gold movement, individually numbered and engraved.

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Vintage Victories

As with the Geneva shows, Baselworld is proving that this is the year for bringing back the classics.

The Explorer II is one of Rolex’s most iconic models, not only because of its design, but also because of its link to the conquest of Mount Everest. It was on May 29, 1953 that Sir

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Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first men to ever reach the summit of Mt Everest, the highest point on earth with a height of 29,035 feet above sea level. Norgay was wearing the Rolex Explorer Model 6098 – or the Explorer I – throughout the climb, and amazingly, the watch withstood the harsh conditions and was still running when they

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reached the top. The much-publicised climb resulted in a big following for the series, and later, a creation of a follow-up model, the Explorer II, first introduced in 1971.

This year, celebrating the 40th anniversary of its creation, a larger 42mm re-edition of the watch with the orange hand is presented, fitted with the Rolex 3187 calibre incorporating a Paraflex shock absorbers and anti-magnetic Parachrom hairspring. The new Explorer II, with its characteristic 24-hour orange arrow hand comes in the traditional white lacquered dial and a black version with phantom effect (black base on black dial).

Aviation specialist Bremont is releasing a watch that is inspired by the clocks found in

the 1944 Mustang WWII P-51K-10 fighter planes. The brothers English were going after a real vintage vibe with this watch. In fact, the Bremont P-51 is built using original parts from the famous aircraft! Aluminium from the Mustang’s fuselage have been integrated into the dial and movement, limiting the number of pieces in the series to 251.

Equipped with the Swiss BE-54A automatic chronometer calibre, the Bremont P-51 has a date indicator and also shows UTC time. The 43mm hardened steel Trip-Tick case features a new rotating Roto-Click inner bezel that houses four ball bearings inside the case for better increment measurement.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Aeronautical Engineering: The Bremont P-51 is built using original parts from a 1944 Mustang fighter plane 22

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HMS1 LIMITED EDITION

HAND-CRAFTED IN SWITZERLAND Manual movement Arnold & Son caliber AS1001 Two barrels, 80-hour power reserve See-through caseback. 100 feet (30 meters) water resistant Available in rose gold or stainless steel

www.arnoldandson.com

Laurent Ferrier's Galet Secret Tourbillon Double Spiral

T he ca seback is open , revea l i ng t he movement, and a colourful rotor that has been shaped to resemble the original on the nose of the P-51K-10 aircraft.

Subtle Innovations

Hermes Arceau Time Suspended

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For the watch industry, mechanical mastery a nd complicat ions are va lued so much, sometimes at the expense of design. But there are a number of timepieces launching this year that are definitely in possession of both beauty and brains, and here are three: Laurent Ferrier, a new but now wellrecognised brand because of its big win at the Grand Prix d’ Horlogerie Geneve in 2010 for best men’s watch, has released its second timepiece, the Galet Secret Tourbillon Double Spiral. The watch has the same functions as its predecessor, the Galet Classic, with the manual winding tourbillon movement with the double spiral escapement – two inversed balance springs to average out the negative effects of gravity – that makes it more accurate in measuring time.

The Galet Secret’s big secret however, is that the dial opens to reveal a customised miniature painting. At the push of a button, the dial opens 240 degrees to reveal your very own piece of art, made possible by two opaque colour sapphire crystals that swivel on a pivot. You can also program the movement of dial to your chosen hour.

The Galet Secret Tourbillon Double Spiral offers 80 hours of power reserve, with the tourbillon visible through its sapphire caseback.

Another beauty worth having a look at when it hits boutiques later in the year is the Hermes Arceau Time Suspended.

Created with the genius of movement developer JeanMarch Wiedderecht, the watch features a new and unusual complication: it allows the owner to stop time whenever he or she pleases, without affecting the movement. So when you do feel like seeing what time it really is, the watch will be able to do so without skipping a beat. Feeling like a superhero has never been so entertaining.

The watch features a 360-degree hour and minute retrograde mecha nism, which give the illusion of “suspended time,” where the hour and minute hands stop at 12 o’clock, and the HKGOLFER.COM

Built to last: The bezel on the Yacht-Master II from Rolex uses stateof-the-art Cerachrom, which offers ultimate scratch resistance.

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date hand disappears completely. The automatic movement has a 42-hour power reserve.

The Hermes A rceau Time Suspended watch comes in a sleek 43mm 18k pink gold or stainless steel case, water-resistant to 30 metres.

The use of Cerachrom, a tech material that is stronger than stainless steel and traditional ceramic, with ultimate scratch resistance and a glossy sheen is an obvious trend. Rolex is

presenting its Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II with a bezel in this non-fading, corrosionresistant material.

The latest edition has a 44mm case with 18k Everose Rolesor case – a combination of stainless steel and 18k rose gold – and is equipped with the calibre 4160 automatic chronograph movement, with programmable regatta countdown mechanical memory.

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Out in Front  DRIVING RANGE

The curvy and gadget-packed new 5-series from BMW is still the best in its class, writes Ben Oliver

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he arrival of a new BMW 5-series brings a sense of an automotive epoch changing. It is a reference point; along with the smaller 3-series, it is the heartland car of what is – arguably – the world’s most consistently good carmaker, and at times it has been – again, arguably – the best car in the world. For BMW’s engineers and designers, it’s a privilege but maybe a little stressful to be tasked with making car for which merely being better than all its rivals isn’t enough; it must be crushingly superior.

The old 5-series was spiky, angular and architectural, and looked literally harder to swallow than this new one. The latest model is more curvaceous but blander. It looks as if it will slip down more easily but the danger – and the basis of a row among BMW diehards – is that design that is too easily palatable now might be all digested too soon. Buyers are less likely to reject the car for being too conservative than too aggressive, but will it look dated in six years’ time?

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The more organic look works better in the cabin, where the old Five’s bluff, upright forms have been replaced by curves and the return of the driver-focused fascia. There are some particularly soft leathers, rubbery plastics and

SCORECARD (Based on 550i) How much?

Engine:

Transmission: Performance: How heavy?

HK$1.05million 4395cc twin-turbo V8, 407 horsepower @ 5,500rpm 8-speed automatic, 6-speed manual 5.0 sec 0-100kph, 250kmh 1905kg

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tight panel gaps, even on the very early example we tested, and rear-seat passengers are better catered for, with leg- and headroom to challenge the Mercedes E-class; previously, BMW had prioritized those in the front.

The row over the looks distracts from the long list of engineering and technological changes that will radically alter our notion of how a 5-series should function and drive. The range is led by the 550i powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine with 407bhp. Across the range, power and efficiency have been improved; the twin-turbo inline-six 535i petrol with 306bhp is 13 per cent more efficient and produces 17 per cent less carbon dioxide than the 540i it replaces. There will be a Prius-style hybrid option later, and all engines – including the humblest – can be equipped with an eight (yes, eight) speed automatic geabox from BMW’s flagship V12 760Li. The other big change is the adoption of the FlexRay in-car data network. FlexRay has twenty times the capacity of previous systems and makes it possible to offer a dizzying list of gadgets, and, by integrating them, multiply their usefulness. So the 5-series’ cameras and radar and ultrasound sensors together with electronic control of the steering, throttle and brakes give you a car that can – among many other talents – recognize a suitable parking space and drive itself into it, give you a birds-eye view of everything surrounding the car, read speed limit signs as you pass them and remind you if you break them, warn you if you’re drifting out of your lane or if there’s a car in your blind spot, maintain a constant distance to the car in front down to a standstill and slam the brakes on in an emergency.

If collision can’t be avoided it can call the emergency services, tell them where you are, what colour the car is and what kind of crash you’ve just had. You can surf the web and deal with emails and plot navigation routes on your laptop and send them to the car, or play fighter pilot with the headup display and the night-vision system that can spot pedestrians in the dark. Almost all of this is optional, of course; specify the lot and you’ll have a 5-series that costs as much as that V12 7-series but is smart enough to chauffeur you to work in the morning and remind to wipe the egg off your tie before you go into that meeting.

But when you take full control, you won’t be disappointed. The engines are, predictably, sensational: refined, responsive, powerful and seemingly uncompromised by their green credentials. That new eight-speed gearbox shifts utterly seamlessly and its broader spread of ratios provides both sharper initial acceleration and lower revs and near-silence when cruising.

Refinement and handling are often hard to reconcile, but the new 5-series offers more of both than almost any other car on sale. Over Hong Kong’s city streets it will provide an HKGOLFER.COM

impressively quiet, jolt-free ride, but press it harder on faster, twistier roads and it will do a fair impersonation of one of BMW’s sports cars, with strong grip, flat cornering and sharp turnin to bends. The only real criticism is a slight lack of involvement from the steering, BMW having switched to the more fuel-efficient but less natural-feeling electric power assistance from hydraulic in order to save a few more grammes of carbon dioxide.

The wrangle about the design just proves that the Five still matters. BMW’s range might have multiplied endlessly since the first one was launched in 1972, but the 5-series still accounts for 20 per cent of the firm’s sales and profits, and people who buy a 1-series or a Z4 or an X6 need to see that BMW’s heartland car is still the best in its class. Mercedes’ new E-class provides some very tough competition, but for innovation and involvement the Five is still way out in front.

German Gravitas: a long list of engineering and technological changes will alter our notion of how a 5-series should function and drive, but will the design look dated in six years time?

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On to the Malbec, and our first wine after a shaky start got progressively better. The 2008 Catena Malbec still has young-tasting chewy tannins that suggest it would benefit from more time in the bottle, but a little air goes a long way towards softening them.

Dark fruits dominate on the palate and although the wine was initially rather closed it opened up over time and notes of leather and mocha began to emerge. It went well with a good Brie and would probably be quite a reliable steak wine, priced at a fairly reasonable HK$165.

The second Malbec, a 2007, belonged to the Catena Alta range, made with grapes from vineyards with elevations ranging from just under 3000ft to just under 5000ft. This too opened up, and having another year of bottle rgentina, like Chile, is working hard to trade up. More age, as well as better quality fruit, gave it an expensive wines are being made, particularly from Malbec advantage over the first wine that became more which has become established as the country’s signature red apparent over time in the glass.

It has a similar dark fruit character, but as wine grape.

But in terms of quality for price it seems to remain generally you would expect at more than double the true that the smart buys are at less than HK$400 – quite often price, greater complexity with notes of chocolate, much less – and that those planning to spend more should ask themselves how cinnamon and lavender and softer tannins.

This wine is currently on offer at HK$345, but much they are willing to pay for the marketing and packaging.

The Catena family, who have been planting Malbec – a Bordeaux varietal – in normally priced at HK$418.

The highpoint of the tasting should have been Argentina since 1902, are among the most important pioneers of Argentina’s wine industry and have been major contributors to putting Malbec and Mendoza Province, the Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2006, made from old vines in high elevation wineyards. now Argentina’s most important viticultural region, on the world wine map.

Micro-fermented in new French Oaks The winery, under winemakers Nicolas Catena and his daughter Laura, barriques before being aged makes some of the most highly for 24 months in new French esteemed wines to have been Oak, and shipped in one of produced in the country, and the thick heavy bottles that offers a balanced portfolio of have become a hallmark of the wines made from different premium end of Argentina’s vineyards relatively high in the Malbec production, it sounded foothills of the Andes. promising.

Growing at high altitudes We decanted two hours concentrates polyphenols in before the tasting, and much the grapes, and there is some of the intense cassis originally evidence to suggest that heartapparent on t he nose had health benefits from Argentina’s dissipated by the time the wine reds may be greater than those The Andes provide a was poured. stunning backdrop at from wines made from grapes Bodega Catena Zapata A lthough this was grown closer to sea-level. agreeably mineralic, with a Be that as it may, HK Golfer good harmonious balance assembled a small group of interested wine lovers to try a selection of Malbec wines from the Bodega Catena of sweet berries and spices with tobacco and mocha notes, there was a consensus among the Zapata, supplied by Watson’s Wine Cellar.

We started, however, with a 2008 Catena Alta Chardonnay, relatively highly oenophiles present that even at the offer price priced at HK$388 per bottle, perhaps because 80 per cent of the grapes used of HK$728 the wine was uncompetitive with others in the same price bracket. Two bottles of come from a special parcel of land in the Bodega’s Adrianna Vineyard at an elevation of almost 5000ft. The other 20 per cent come from the Domingo the Catena Alta Malbec 2007 at HK$690 would have been a much better deal. The regular retail Vineyard at an elevation just over 1000ft lower.

The wine has pronounced acidity with plenty of citrus, stone fruit and honey, price for the wine from Watson’s is HK$898.

For those who care about such things and will be most enjoyed by those who like their Chardonnays well oaked.

A serious food wine rather than one suitable as an aperitif, this Chardonnay Robert Parker gives the Catena Alta Malbec was tasted, as is the HK Golfer custom, with cheese, but the wine maker’s 2007 92 points, and the Catena Zapata Malbec recommendation of pairing it with chicken marinated in lime and honey makes Argentino 2006 96. That works out at about HK$100 per point of difference. better sense.

 DRIVING RANGE

Elevating Wines

The Catena family, one of the pioneers of Argentina's wine industry, has been making fine wines for well over a hundred years. Robin Lynam reports on a selection of their offerings that are now available in Hong Kong

A

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 SINGLE MALTS

Beyond First Impressions HK Golfer whisky editor John Bruce is belatedly won over by Glenmorangie

I

n my very first contribution to this illustrious publication, I mentioned that prior to the reinvention of the malt whisky industry a request in a good lounge bar in Scotland for a single malt would have elicited the reply, “Glenfiddich or Glenmorangie” in all but the best stocked of hostelries. This was indeed the case and faced with the choice over the years, I must confess that the former usually got my vote. However, having somewhat reluctantly attended a recent tasting of five malts from the Glenmorangie distillery organized by the St Andrew’s Society at the Canny Man in Wan Chai, I find that, as in many things youthful, I may have been somewhat hasty in my sweeping judgment. Indeed, it may be that my opinion of Glenmorangie has been rescued by my Scottish parsimony as the mere HK$100 price tag was the clincher in my decision to attend.

The tasting was hosted by David Blackmore, the Glenmorangie Master Brand Ambassador and in the course of the evening he was knowledgeable and entertaining in equal parts as he described, with obvious affection, the product and production values of the distillery. From his talk of the tallest stills, the best water, the traditional values, the choice of casks to the relentless pursuit of excellence and the lack of chill filtering in many of their premium malts, David is obviously a master of his craft. Was it loyalty to an employer who had given him the onerous task of travelling the world talking about and drinking malt whisky or was this indeed Zeus’ nectar recycled via the Tarlogie springs?

Glenmorangie distillery, sit u ate d on t he sc en ic Dornoch Firth just south o f Ta rl o g ie a n d u si n g t he waters from t he aforementioned springs, acknowledged as its “greatest asset”, has succeeded in translating its share of the perceived Scottish duopoly into a significant worldwide presence. This has been done with great regard for the tradition that has served to create this giant of the whisky industry. No more than sixteen local “Men of Tain” are ever hired to work on the distilling process.

Only Scottish barley is used along with water solely from the springs. The distillery has purchased all of the surrounding land to ensure that the waters remain pure a nd u npol luted by a ny modern farming methods; a tactic made more palatable by the rampant increase in land prices in recent years.

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David was particularly eloquent in his description of the developments that have taken place in selecting a wider range of casks to further mature the whisky in and we sampled examples of each of the variations during our well-priced evening. I must say that four out of the five samples immediately overcame any misconceptions that hearken back to those halcyon days of my youth. I am still not a great lover of the Glenmorangie Original, a ten years old bottling, that is rich and quite fruity in its initial and middle tastes but has a finish that just doesn’t match that of my favourite malts.

There is just a hint of something that doesn’t sit with my West Coast palate. But there were two whiskies that were certainly worthy of the enthusiasm that young Mr. Blackmore so obviously possesses for his product.

The first of these is the Lasanta, which is matured for ten years in American White Oak, ex-Bourbon casks and then for a further two in Spanish Olorosa sherry casks. This has produced a whisky of rare quality and both the nose and taste are richly fruity along with a really caramel-type flavour somewhat similar, if you have a ridiculously sweet tooth, to Cloutie dumpling served with butterscotch Angel Delight. The aftertaste is long and rich and so unlike the Glenmorangie Original of my original aversion that one really appreciates the distiller’s art in creating such variety. Lasanta is apparently Gaelic for warmth and passion but my initial theory of its derivation as referring to the Spanish version of the festive chimney scrambler remains perfectly relevant: I would be delighted to get a bottle of this very good malt in my stocking.

However, my favourite of the evening and a malt whisky that I recommend that any aficionado should sample is the Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or (pictured). Once again this spends ten years in bourbon casks but then it further matures in French Sauterne casks. This unique process has produced something really special. The nose and the middle are as zesty as any malt that I have tasted, with a hint of flavour more akin to the Orient than north east Scotland. The finish is an utter pleasure that sweetens as it ends. If the Glenmorangie website request that I verify my age before entering included a "Scotland" and "Hong Kong" in the “where are you from” table of drop down choices – rather than merely UK and China respectively – my conversion would be complete.

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Necessary Considerations

Thinking of leaving Hong Kong? You might find yourself in a taxing situation, writes Howard Bilton

ong Kong has a very lenient system of taxation. The rates are low and tax is charged only on income which has a Hong Kong source. Capital gains are not subject to tax and there is no inheritance tax or estate duty. If you move away from Hong Kong, as many do upon retirement or after the end of their contracts, you are likely to face a different system of taxation with much higher rates. Sometimes the increases in tax payable can come as a nasty shock – as can the vigour with which your new home country attempts to collect the tax.

The most popular destinations for those leaving Hong Kong are the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. All of these places charge their residents tax on their worldwide income at rates of 30 per cent upwards and make it very difficult to shield income and capital gains from tax by the use of offshore structures and their like. In fact, the income and capital gains tax rate is not the end of the story.

We recently conducted a study to work out how much of a typical high rate tax payer’s income was returned to the government by a UK tax resident. The higher rate of tax in the UK is 50 per cent; national insurance normally adds another 10 per cent on income from employment, which leaves approximately 40 per cent. Then the government takes another slice on all expenditure. Alcohol, tobacco, fuel and other items carry government duty. Add in road tax on a car, congestion charges, Government rates on your house and other items – things that make up the expenditure of an average resident – and then add VAT at 20 per cent on top of that. The result is that somewhere between 75 and 80 per cent of income goes back to the UK Government.

It is possible to spend a reasonable amount of time in high tax countries without becoming tax resident but it’s easy to overstay your welcome and get caught up in their tax system. For example, in the UK, you would not generally become tax resident unless you spent over half of any one year there, but you will become a tax resident if you spend and aggregate of 360 days in the country over any four-year period. Thus it would be possible to be there 180 days in year one and year two but then a single day spent in the UK in years three or four would trigger a retrospective tax residency from the day you arrived and four years of tax bills on your worldwide income. Other countries consider you tax resident if that country is your “primary place of residence” or “main centre of economic or social activity”. So unless it’s possible to point to somewhere else where you actually live then you can be considered tax resident without spending the minimum required number of days there.

Many use offshore structures to shield their income and capital gains from tax once they become tax resident in a high tax country but anti-avoidance rules now look through most of these structures and treat the underlying income rolling up within an offshore trust or company as belonging to the taxpayer who set up the structure and tax accordingly. Previously many have set up these structures and assumed that the confidentiality afforded offshore will protect their identity, so they would not need to declare the income within these structures when the law says they must.

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Now there are processes in place which allow the onshore countries to obtain information from anywhere in the world about who is behind a particular structure. Recently UK banks have been forced by HMRC to reveal details of all UK residents who hold accounts with them in their offshore branches. There are apparently 500,000 such accounts containing money which should have been taxed but has illegally remained undeclared. The US has been very successful in forcing Swiss banks to reveal details of US account holders. Liechtenstein has recently been forced to sign tax cooperation agreements which will force it to reveal details of foreign account holders. One of the employees of a major Liechtenstein bank sold stolen information about foreign account holders to the tax authorities of both Germany and the UK. My legal studies suggest that it was quite illegal to receive stolen goods but clearly the normal rules of law don’t apply when a government is involved.

All Offshore Financial Centres (OFCs), BVI included, have signed Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs) which allow onshore countries to obtain details about ownership of hitherto confidential structures. The EU has forced its member states and territories under their control to automatically pass details of any bank account held by a resident of another EU state back to the country of his residence.

Although not in the EU, Switzerland has being forced to sign up to this initiative. So, for example, a resident of Germany who has a bank account in the Cayman Islands which generates income has details of that account and the income generated by it passed back by the Cayman Islands to the German tax authorities.

Many simply do not realise the additional tax cost of moving to another country. Many also do not realise that the days of hiding money in secret accounts or structures is now well and truly gone and attempts to do so are only likely to increase tax because details of the accounts will be revealed and the owner will be charged interest and penalties on top of the tax due and may even face criminal prosecution. Offshore structures can still be used HKGOLFER.COM

to legitimately save tax but they must be specifically tailored to the country in question. Simple structures no longer work.

A commonly held misconception is that the remittance of capital to your new country has any effect on its taxation. If you have accumulated money while in Hong Kong and then move to a new country it matters not one bit whether or not you bring that money into the country or not. Capital sums earned before you become resident somewhere else are never taxable in your new country whether you take the capital into the new country or not. Income generated on that capital will almost certainly be taxable in your new country whether you leave it offshore or not.

Careful planning is everything. Before you move to your new country there are structures which you can set up which will be effective in mitigating or avoiding tax but they will rarely be simple if they are to avoid being caught by the anti-avoidance laws in your new country.

Here is another trap for the unwary. Most countries consider that any offshore structure which is managed and controlled from within their jurisdiction is tax resident in their jurisdiction.

For example, a BVI company which has directors based in the Australia is considered by the Australian Taxation Office to be tax resident there

"Somewhere between 75 and 80 per cent of income goes back to the UK Government." and therefore taxable on its worldwide income at the usual Australian rate. It’s the company (or trust) which is taxable in Australia. Anyone who is going to become Australian tax resident and has offshore companies can no longer act as director and must appoint professionals to act in his place and actually manage and control that company – not just pretend to manage. It is not enough just to arrange the appointment of “nominee” directors, who do as they are told. Control has to be given up.

So, if you are going to move countries then a careful examination of the relevant tax laws applicable in your new country is an absolute necessity. A review of existing structures is a must, as is consideration of what new structure should be put in place to avoid the worst aspects of the tax system of wherever you find yourself.

Howard Bilton is a UK Barrister, Professor of Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego and Chairman of the Sovereign Trust (Hong Kong) Ltd, which specialises in international and offshore tax planning.

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HK Golfer・APR 2011

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The 75th

Masters April 7-10, 2011 Augusta National Golf Club

Miller Brown

HK Golfer’s preview of the first major of 2011 38

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Looking Back: Sandy Lyle’s 1988 Masters.............................. 40-43 Game On: Now you can play Augusta.................................. 43 Major Punting: Archie Albatross............................................... 44 Lewine Mair’s Masters Memories............................................. 46-49 Interview: Nick Faldo.................................................................... 50-53 Amen Corner Guide...................................................................... 54-59 HKGOLFER.COM

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looking back AFP

Sandy Lyle, 2010 Masters Tournament 40

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"The Bunker Guy" In 1988, Sandy Lyle produced one of the most famous shots in Masters history when he fired a brilliant seveniron from a fairway bunker to birdie the eighteenth hole and claim the coveted green jacket. He shares his memories of that wonderful moment with HK Golfer

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his will be the thirtieth time I've teed it up at the Masters and I'm really looking forward to returning to the challenge of Augusta. Although it's over 20 years since my win in 1988, I've played pretty well there in recent times and funnily enough, the 69 I had in the first round in 2010 was the best start I've ever had. I normally open with a 74 or something and thought it would be a breeze to make the cut. But I experienced the highs and lows of Augusta by adding an 86 on the second day.

That's the Masters for you!

Augusta looks after its winners very well and I always enjoy the Champions Dinner that's held on the Tuesday of the tournament. It doesn't happen anywhere else – aside from St Andrews when the Open returns there – and it's nice to catch up with all the gossip that's going on. Looking down that table with all the familiar names is great, although I do miss some of the old characters, like Sam Snead. In past years we'd all huddle around Sam and he'd tell his dirty jokes at the end of the evening. It's a good night and something very few people have the opportunity to do.

When it was my turn to host the dinner [in 1989] I chose to serve haggis, which took a bit of explaining to Larry Mize and others who hadn't ventured over to the UK that often. But the hardcore – the likes of Watson, Nicklaus and Palmer – they'd all had it before. Besides, if I hadn't HKGOLFER.COM

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"I knew that the main thing I needed to do was stay out of the fairway bunker, so I hit a one-iron up the hill thinking I would be safe.

Wrong again!"

Getty Images

Sandy Special: Lyle blasts his famous seven-iron shot at the eighteenth in 1988 42

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have served it I'm sure I would have been booed all the way from Scotland. The haggis got a lot of attention in the press but it was only an appetizer; I chose beef for the main.

Heading into the final round in 1988 I had a two-shot lead over Ben Crenshaw, who I was partnered with, and Mark Calcavecchia. I started well, and made a nice birdie at the ninth and a good par at ten to maintain my two-shot lead. Coming into Amen Corner I was feeling pretty good about things. I thought that if I could just get through the eleventh and twelfth holes then I've got two par fives to come – at thirteen and fifteen – and the seventeenth and eighteenth holes didn't scare me as much then as they do now. "We've got a good chance here," I told myself.

Unfortunately Amen Corner wasn't too kind on me that day. I hit a good drive down the eleventh but when I got up to the ball I saw that a big chunk of red Georgia clay was hanging to one side of it. I couldn't figure out where the ball was going to go – how the mud would affect the ball flight – but knew I had to keep it safe, which meant not going left and dicing with the pond there. I hit a pretty good shot but the ball was wavering about in the air and drifted right and ended up a couple of feet off the green.

That's OK, I thought, I can get my putter to that.

I get down to the green and the blinking mud is still there – and to make matters worse it's right on the contact area, precisely where I'm going to hit it with my putter. What bloody else can I get served up here, I thought. In retrospect I should probably have bladed it with a sand wedge as my putt finished eight feet short and I missed the next. Bogey! I just had to accept it and remind myself that the Masters Golfing Gods are sending these little things down just to

test me, to try me out. I quickly realized that I wasn't going to get it served to me on a plate.

The twelfth wasn't playing as wicked as we know it can – the wind wasn't swirling. When I was on the eleventh I had seen Bernhard Langer hit a seven-iron to the back of the green, which meant I could hit an eight-iron because I'm a bit longer than him. Again, I felt comfortable with what I was doing and took aim for the right side of the front bunker, which was in line with where the flag was located. I hit it about 96 per cent, perhaps one groove too high on the clubface, but felt it was plenty good enough.

I was wrong. The ball caught the front of the green, dug its heels in and spun back into Rae's Creek. The curse of it was that if it had carried two feet more I'd have stiffed it for an easy two.

After pitching up from t he drop zone about 70 yards out I did well to two-putt from just off the green for a double bogey. I had lost my lead.

A l l wa s not l o s t h o w e v e r.

At the par-five thirteenth I hit a good drive round the corner and only had a seveniron left. The old gremlins started to come in then b e c au se I had a bit of a hook lie. I was desperately trying not to tug it left or hit it short and into the water, and once again I hit it good. Unfortunately I carried it a bit far – the ball pitched hole high and released into the back bunker into an awful lie. It was a treacherous place to be because the green slopes all the way back down to the water and with the lie I had there was no way I was going to be able to get any spin on the ball. I had to play cagey by aiming away from the pin.

The result wasn't bad – I left myself a 15-footer for birdie – but could only two-putt. I had played Amen Corner in three-over-par and was now one off the pace being set by Calcavecchia.

Two pars over the next two holes steadied the ship somewhat – although the fifteenth should have been a good birdie opportunity for me – and I managed to birdie the short sixteenth with a nice putt, parred seventeen and now I'm standing on the eighteenth tee in the knowledge that a par would mean a play-off with Calcavecchia; a birdie would clinch it.

I knew that the main thing I needed to do HKGOLFER.COM

was stay out of the fairway bunker, so I hit a one-iron up the hill thinking I would be safe.

Wrong again! The ball ran straight up in there.

The lip on the bunker wasn't too bad but I knew the way the ball rolled in that it would be up against the face. So I'm walking towards it with a black cloud descending, thinking this was not looking too great. It turned out to be a bit better than I thought – the ball was on an upslope but there was just enough room to clear the lip. The number I had was 146 yards to the pin, and just over 150 yards to the landing area beyond that.

An eight-iron was exactly the distance to pin but a seven-iron was the safest because being short was far worse than being big.

I knew when I'd hit it I had caught it well, and as the applause from the crowds grew louder and louder I figured the ball had caught the slope on the green and come back to within only inches of the pin. I was actually disappointed to see where it had stopped. Everyone says I only had a six-foot putt but the camera foreshortened the length – it was a good fifteen feet away.

I had about 10 minutes to work out the line, because Crenshaw was butchering the hole. The nice thing was that the putt couldn't get away

from me because there was a slight upslope beyond the hole. That meant the two-putt – and a spot in the play-off – was assured. My backstroke was about three inches long but that was enough to send it wandering down in the general direction and it just managed to fall in.

The relief was amazing.

The little jig I did in celebration was supposed to be a somersault but the legs had gone. Having won the week before [at the Greensboro Classic] I had had quite a lot of media attention, which kept me busy off the course, and by the time that final putt had dropped I was absolutely shattered.

I am constantly reminded of what I did on the eighteenth. When I'm in America I hear about it every week. I'm remembered as the "bunker guy", which I don't mind at all; in fact I quite like it. What I'm especially proud of is the fact I was the first person in a long time – I think since Arnold Palmer – to birdie the eighteenth to win the Masters. Of course it's happened quite a few times since then – Mark O' Meara's done it, as has Phil Mickleson – but noone apart from me has done it from that horrible little bunker. –As told to Alex Jenkins

Game On: Virtual Augusta

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he vast majority of golfers are never going to be lucky enough to arrange a tee time at Augusta National, but now we can all get as close as possible without flying to Georgia – via our video game consoles. For the first time ever, the Alister MacKenzie-designed course is now available to play on EA Sports' latest edition of their long-running and hugely popular Tiger Woods PGA Tour game.

"People have been asking us when Augusta is going to be in the game for as long as I can remember," EA Senior Designer Mike Devault says. "I think now is the perfect opportunity with the new generation of consoles meaning that the detail we can provide on the course has finally reached a level that Augusta are comfortable with and they are happy to let us do it."

It has taken two years to ensure that the world's most famous course is accurately represented in the game, but don't think this is just a way for the club to make a bit of cash. 100 per cent of Augusta National's proceeds will go to the newly-founded Masters Tournament Foundation, which will invest in worldwide golf development programmes.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: The Masters is on sale in Hong Kong from March 29 and will cost HK$329 on Xbox 360 and HK$380 on PlayStation 3.

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masters punting

The Contenders

Our resident tipster Archie Albatross assesses the chances of the game's leading lights and reveals his top Masters picks

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recent survey found that almost a quarter of all golfers would constitute their once-in-a-lifetime fantasy foursome with Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods; an amazing indictment of our fascination with major winners. But much more significantly, almost 90 per cent would request for it to be played amongst the pine trees and azaleas of Augusta National Golf Club.

Archie is no different from most golf fantasists (OK, maybe sub out Tiger Woods for Natalie Gulbis) but every April we get the chance to 'be there' over the finest four days of major championship golf. So sit back, wear your green socks, mix your lil' ol' self a mint julep and follow the fortunes of the following contenders for the 2011 Masters.

Bubba Watson offers value at 50/1

The Defending Champ

The Masters is surely the best tournament in the Archie's Picks world to be the defending champ. Apart from the Phil Mickelson: 7/1 certainty that your place in golf lore is secured, the Luke Donald: 33/1 chance to host the most distinguished line up of Bubba Watson: 50/1 your predecessors at the famous Champions Dinner Steve Stricker: 50/1 must be a huge thrill. Phil Mickelson has that honour again this year after winning his third – and most convincing – green jacket in 2010. HK Golfer's 'Shot of the Year' was Lefty's thrilling six-iron from the pine straw on the thirteenth during the final round last time around, and having dominated the Masters Sunday back-nine over the last five years, he is accurately priced at 7/1 this year. His early season form has been patchy but in Phil's case this is insignificant: he come alive in Georgia.

Definite top-five chance.

Past Masters

AFP

Astonishingly, Tiger Woods is the 5/1 favourite with most bookies. This is poor value, folks. Sell! Tiger has clearly re-committed himself to the game – but is still in the middle of revamping his swing. Common wisdom is that he has been tinkering too much with a game that frankly didn't have too much wrong with it. Tiger is a decent 10/1 chance in any tournament, but his form simply does not merit favouritism this year.

Fancy an old timer? Fred Couples showed he could mix it with the young guns at Riviera recently. He will be thinking he has just one or two real chances left to compete at Augusta. There is almost always one golden oldie in contention in the majors these days. It would not be a surprise if it were Freddie in April.

Vijay Singh is also back – he's healthy and enjoying the game again. He's already put together a tidy string of results in the early part of the season and, with his putting now under control, I can see his name featuring on the leaderboard. As a great putting test, Augusta was never regarded as a natural fit for the big Fijian but his record belies that reputation (he won in 2000). I have a 44

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sense Vijay will give backers a fun run for their money this year at 66/1.

The Euro Challenge

The first stop in reviewing currently hot golfers has to be Europe. How about any of the new world's top three? Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and the new numero uno, Martin Kaymer could all fare well at Augusta but of these, Donald – with his masterful wedge game – appeals most at a best price 33/1. I like that for some each way action.

The Englishman's game has been rebuilt following a bad wrist injury two years ago and is now one of the most reliable on tour.

American Hopes

As always, when you get some mispricing at the top of the market, there is some value to be found further down the order. Both Steve Stricker at 50/1 and Matt Kuchar at 66/1 are very attractively priced and worth inclusion in a staking plan. But of all the emerging talent in American golf, Bubba Watson's form over the past nine months has seriously caught the eye.

His monster driving (how about a 376-yarder during the recent WGC Match Play!) will be a great advantage at Augusta and 50/1 looks a very decent price for him to follow fellow lefties, Mickelson and Mike Weir into the record books.

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masters memories

1997 Handover: Nick Faldo presents a 21-year-old Tiger Woods with the first of his four green jackets.

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Lewine Mair's

Masters Memories

HK Golfer's European correspondent, a veteran of over twenty Masters tournaments, picks her favourite moments from the year's first major PHOTOGRAPHY BY AFP

Tiger: The Awakening

The score-line of 40-30 smacked of Wimbledon rather than the Masters but that was how the then 21-year-old Tiger Woods compiled his first-round 70 in 1997. To this correspondent at least, that year’s event would become the most riveting Masters of modern times.

When it came to the Saturday evening and the American had a nine-stroke lead, his fellow competitors were in shock, with Colin Montgomerie among the more hard-hit victims.

Though the Scot had amassed a 74 as against Tiger’s 65 to let Costantino Rocco take over his second place, he did not begin to do his usual thing of walking off in a huff. Instead, he strode determinedly to the media centre.

As it turned out, he came more as prophet than player and could not wait to make his predictions. “Tiger,” he said, “will not only win but he’ll win by more than nine shots.”

“How can you be so sure?” chorused the writers.

“Because,” he answered, “Tiger is not Greg Norman and Rocca is not Faldo.” That, of course, was a reference to how Norman had been six shots ahead of Faldo going into the last round the year before but ended up taking the HKGOLFER.COM

kind of hiding which will haunt him for the rest of his days.

Tiger won by a mind-boggling 12 shots in ‘97 and, as Montgomerie so rightly said, on this occasion the entire field was humiliated to the core.

It was a glorious beginning to Woods’ major-winning career but the success which followed did not come on its own. Rather was it accompanied by a build-up of pressure which, looking back, maybe rendered it more than somewhat surprising that he did not hit the buffers – or that fire hydrant – sooner than he did.

Enter Earl

Woods touched on the mental demands for the first time at his press conference ahead of the 2002 Masters. In reliving his victory of the previous year, the one which completed his so-called “Tiger-Slam” of all four majors, he mentioned that his temperature had shot up to 104 Fahrenheit (40 Celsius) on the Sunday night.

By way of explaining to the unenlightened what went into winning a major, he cited Bobby Jones. The latter would apparently lose ten to 12 pounds during a championship – a state of affairs which had contributed to his decision to retire at 28.

Tiger’s father, Earl, could have tried to keep his son under the radar. Instead, he exacerbated the situation by making one far-fetched prediction after another.

Tiger, he said, would be like Gandhi: he would make the world a better place.

It was after Tiger had won again in 2002 that Earl stayed behind in the media centre to make further claims on his son’s behalf. “Tiger,” he said, “is like a forest fire and you don’t have anyone to stop it. He is continually improving and he will get better and better. Whether or not these guys get better is inconsequential.”

Earl would have been the last person to think that Tiger would be the player to ruin things for Tiger…

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Tiger could not have picked his words more carefully in venturing that he, personally, would like to see such a move.

Yet when his message was relayed to Johnson, it invoked the sharpest of responses: “I don’t tell Tiger how to play golf if he doesn’t tell us how to run our club.” In other words, as one British broadsheet put it, “Hootie tells Tiger to mind his own business.”

"Quiet With the Crisps"

Falling Foul

Men of the Masters (clockwise from top): Ian Poulter promised former Augusta chairman Hootie Johnson that his Masters debut wouldn't be highlighted by his highlights; Arnold Palmer bids an emotional farewell during his last round as a competitor in 2004; Jose Maria Olazabal's 1999 victory, his second, was one of the great comeback wins of all time; Luke Donald's chances of success in 2009 were scuppered by a bag of crisps, despite his brothercaddie's intervention.

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The then world number one received a formal dressing down from Billy Payne, the Augusta chairman, when he returned to the game after events of 2009-2010. Yet the truth is that it is not necessary to have “done a Tiger” to fall foul of Augusta officialdom.

When, for instance, Bernhard Langer hit into a members’ four on the weekend prior to the tournament in the mid 1990s, this avid Christian could not have been in more trouble had he been caught digging up the greens.

Back in 2004, Ian Poulter, while preparing for his first trip to Augusta, received a prior warning about the hair-do he might sport that week. The message came from Hootie Johnson, Payne’s predecessor as chairman, but was delivered by another. “I won’t,” promised Poulter when he was asked about it, “put a ‘colour’ colour in it.

Out of respect, I’ll steer clear of the old blue and red stripes and stick to natural shades.”

Woods knew what it was like to be rebuked by Hootie. Back in 2003, when Martha Burk, the feminist activist, was at her most trenchant and making much of Augusta’s insistence on remaining a male-only club, Woods was asked for his take on the subject. Since the club now had a couple of African-American members, did he not think that it should open its doors to women?

The rules for spectators at the Masters are pretty much similar to those at most tournaments.

Mobile phones and cameras are not permitted, while no-one is allowed to break into a run.

But unlike most events, these are very strictly adhered to.

Yet there is a downside to having so welldisciplined and orderly a crowd.

When, for instance, Luke Donald eagled the eighth in his final round in 2009 to be no worse placed than one shot off the lead, he was thrown off course by a lady eating a bag of crisps as he was shaping to his second at the ninth. Amid the otherwise almost eerie silence, this spectator’s

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bolshie brand of crunching could not have done more to unhinge a man’s concentration.

“Quiet with the crisps, please,” implored Luke’s brother, Christian, who was on the bag.

Alas, the damage was done. Luke’s ball landed five feet short of the target and was soon slipping from the front of the green. Before too long, the player’s name was mirroring the missile in falling from the leaderboard.

Emotional Olly

Moving on to those who make it to the top of the leaderboard and stay there, Jose Maria Olazabal’s victory of 1999, his second, was arguably the most emotional Masters this correspondent has witnessed to date. The Spaniard’s win of wins occurred only two years after he had been diagnosed with a form of rheumatoid arthritis so dire that he could barely drag himself from his bed.

Well though he strung his shots together on the Sunday, Olazabal struggled to do the same with his words. That victory meant everything to a man who, at one point, had thought he might never walk again.

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Send-Off: Jack and Arnie

Jack Nicklaus’s victory of 1986 was another of the never-to-be-forgotten variety. He was 46 at the time and, though he had never enjoyed quite the same level of overt popularity as Arnold Palmer, everyone revelled in the sight of this older player, with his son, Jackie, on the bag, keeping the moderns at bay.

Today, Nicklaus has joined the still-more senior Palmer as an honorary starter at Augusta, a role which links the game’s past and present as nowhere else.

The early morning ceremony is never anything other than a distinctly moving affair, though it has to be said that, in terms of poignancy, there has never been anything to match Palmer’s last round as a competitor in 2004.

Arnie’s entire army was behind the ropes and, as the great man walked between greens and tees, so he appeared to be greeting each and every person by name.

It was a little cameo which captured the best of the man – and the Masters.

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Nick Faldo, 2010 Masters Tournament, Par-3 Contest

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The Masters Interview

Nick Faldo With three green jackets to his name – thanks to wins in 1989, 1990 and 1996 – the 53-year-old Englishman is a true Masters legend.

Here he talks about his debut at Augusta, his brilliant come-frombehind win against Greg Norman 15 years ago and who he thinks has the best chance of coming out on top this time around INTERVIEW BY ALEX JENKINS PHOTOGRAPHY BY AFP

“The Masters is not the place to go if your game isn’t firing on all cylinders. You’ll get caught out very quickly.”

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our first golfing memory was watching the 1971 Masters as a 13-year-old. Eight years later you made your debut at Augusta. What are your memories of that experience?

It was very intimidating, it really was. I arrived and although I’d seen Augusta on television I really had no idea of the scale of the place. The first thing that strikes you is the undulations, which get flattened out on TV – the course is really very hilly. But the conditioning too is amazing. However many hundred acres of just perfect fairways – that was remarkable seeing for the first time. In those days the Masters was an invitational tournament in the truest sense of the word and the looks I received from some of the old boys – as if to say, ‘Who's that guy?’ – was daunting too.

But you seemed to have figured it out OK by making the cut. What advice would you give a Masters debutant? It is possible to get over the mystique of Augusta on your first trip there?

I don’t think you ever get over the mystique. My advice for anyone making the debut is to arrive very early. Go the week before, get settled in, figure out your route from the locker room to the first tee, learn how everything works and so on – things like will help you feel a lot more comfortable by the time it comes to hit your first tee shot. The key to Augusta is the greens. Certainly I’d never played on greens like them before and it takes a long time to appreciate that you need to play different types of chips than you’re used to because of their slopes and speed. I remember practicing one- and two-yard chips because a lot of the time that was the only way to stop the ball anywhere near the hole.

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Masters Magician (clockwise from bottom): A brilliant final-round 67 in 1996 earned Faldo his third green jacket; offering some advice to Greg Norman, his defeated opponent, on how to handle the media; the Englishman has made the transistion from golf course to TV tower seamlessly

You haven’t played the tournament for the past few years because of commentary commitments with CBS. Don’t you ever get the urge to say to them, ‘Sorry guys, I fancy playing this year’?

[Laughs] No. I love being involved at the Masters with what I do now for CBS and I get a great deal of satisfaction from it too. My playing days are behind me – and to be honest, the Masters is not the place to go if your game isn’t firing on all cylinders. You’ll get caught out very quickly. I love that I can still be involved in the tournament though.

Do you ever play Augusta outside of the Masters – don’t past champions get membership?

Yes – it has become something of a tradition to play the Sunday before the Masters with my son Matthew. We get out there and blast away and it is great fun. Unfortunately he will be away on work this year and I’ll be away with CBS for the [NCAA] Final Four, so it is going to be a big shame to miss out this time. Past winners of the Masters get honorary membership but you don’t get the same member’s rights. If I wanted to turn up tomorrow I’d still need to play with a member.

A lot has been made of the lengthening of Augusta in recent times. What is your view, as a golf course architect, of the changes?

I like them and they were necessary, given how far the guys hit it. They wanted to get them hitting similar irons into the greens as we

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used to in the 80s, and I think they’ve achieved that. The subtleties of the course have remained – they haven’t touched the twelfth hole, for example. I am a fan of what they have done.

Do you consider 1996, where you overcame Greg Norman on that dramatic final day, as your finest Masters win?

All three are incredibly special, but certainly 1996 stands out in a number of ways. That was the best I have even been mentally on a golf course, and to shoot 67 with just one bogey in that kind of situation… well, that is about as good as it gets right there. It also came at a time when I was not at my peak playing-wise – I was getting on a bit in my career – so I was very proud of the way I was able to get it done.

It is also without doubt the most famous of my wins. Wherever I am – especially in America – people are constantly reminding me of it. They know I have won the Open too, but they are not always correct about the details – they will say, “You won at Birkdale, right?” and stuff like that.

But the Masters in 1996 – everyone seems to remember exactly what happened and when.

As soon as the round was over, Norman went and faced the media and ended up staying for an hour talking about what had just happened. Did that surprise you?

Absolutely – and huge credit to him for doing that. I couldn’t have done the same. I would have needed to sleep on what happened

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and gone back and done the interviews the next morning. Or maybe just go in and read a statement, get the thing over in five minutes.

But credit to Greg. To stand there and take it on the chin… that’s what I said to him on the [eighteenth] green, I said “Don’t let the bastards beat you down” because I knew what was coming. I genuinely felt for the guy on that day because, hey, that would have scarred me if it happened to me.

“I genuinely felt for the guy [Norman] on that day because, hey, that would have scarred me if it happened to me.”

Where does the two-iron you struck into the heart of the thirteenth green during the final round that year rank among your best-ever shots?

Oh, right up there. The thing about that shot was the timing [Faldo ended up two-putting to match Norman’s birdie and maintain his twoshot lead]. It came at such a pivotal point in the round. I was originally going to go with the five-wood but the ball wasn’t sitting right, so I switched to the two-iron, which came across as indecision on TV, but it wasn’t. You can’t go left and you can’t go right on that hole, because of the water, which easily brings bogey into play, so yeah, it was a great shot at just the right moment.

Which was better – that or Phil Mickelson’s shot from off the pine straw on the same hole last year?

[Laughs]. Well Phil’s was def initely a wonderful moment, a real adrenaline moment – it’s great to commentate on a shot like that.

I can’t believe how steady these guys are on the pine needles. I hated being on the stuff.

Normally my foot would slip as I was making a turn and I’d end up catching the ball heavy and it would only go 50 yards or so. But as a shot his was just fantastic.

All the talk leading up to the Masters has been the strength of the European players. Who of them do you like for success at Augusta?

Well they’re all in with a shot, aren’t they?

[Lee] Westwood, as he showed last year, knows his way around now; Luke Donald is putting beautifully, so if he can maintain that he’ll have a chance. Then there’s [Ian] Poulter and Paul Casey’s game has always suited Augusta. I thought when [Alvaro] Quiros won the other month [in Dubai], with his length, if he can keep it straight, then he’ll have such short irons into the greens that he could be another. Rory [McIlroy] seems to have gone off the boil of late, but he, like Casey, is one that you expect to do well there. And of course Martin Kaymer. He’s the world number one and he doesn’t get fazed easily, which is a huge attribute to have.

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Do you take any credit for Kaymer’s rise, given his work – particularly the strategic and mental aspects of the game – with Fanny Sunesson, your former caddie?

It’s funny. I saw him the other week hit a chip shot and thought, ‘hey, that looks like me.’

But it was a very smart move getting involved with Fanny; she’s helped him a lot and they do a lot of good work together. She’s taken the experience of working with me for 10 years and passing on aspects of what she learned to him.

He has essentially been fast tracked. Martin is a fine player with a great mind.

And a final word on Tiger Woods. Can he contend at the Masters, despite the swing changes he’s going through?

It’s going to be very hard, because he just doesn’t look comfortable. You can never say never with Tiger but he has hit so many shots recently that for him are sideways. When you go from hitting it perfectly – which he did for so long – to not being able to control it like you want to then it can affect you mentally as well.

There’s not much confidence there. And his putting will have to get a whole lot better very soon. You can’t win at Augusta without putting unbelievably well, and he has been struggling on the greens. It’ll be a struggle, but on the plus side few know the course better. – As told to Alex Jenkins HK Golfer・APR 2011

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Amen

Corner

In late April 1958, legendary golf writer Herbert Warren Wind was looking for a catchy phrase to describe the three holes at Augusta National Golf Club – 11, 12 and 13 – that provided the most drama and excitement during the Masters of that year. Baseball had “Hot Corner”, while American Football had “Coffin Corner” – what could the golfing equivalent be? His answer: Amen Corner.

Fast forward to 2011 and these three holes are still just as thrilling as they were 50 years ago. Three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo guides us around arguably the most famous acreage of terrain in the game Photography courtesy of Miller Brown

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“White Dogwood” No. 11 505 yards Par-4

I have a lot of affection for the eleventh because it is where I won my first two Masters titles [in playoffs against Scott Hoch and Raymond Floyd, in 1989 and 1990, respectively] but it has changed a lot since those days. The tee has been pushed back by 40-odd yards and the fairway has narrowed significantly. It used to be that if you really hit a good drive you could catch the down slope, which would leave a shorter approach, but nowadays that option is really only for the very longest hitters. Most of the guys will reach the top of the hill and still have around 200 yards in.

The other thing: you can’t take the drive too far down the right side as there are now trees which can block the approach. The second shot has always been a tough one. There is the famous pond on the left [where Raymond Floyd dunked his approach on the second play-off hole to lose to Faldo in 1990], so the tendency is to go right, but from the bailout area there it is not easy to get up and down to a the traditional final-day pin position because the green slopes away from you and back towards the water. A great hole.

Historical Stroke Average: 4.29 Historical Rank: 3

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“Golden Bell” No. 12 155 yards Par-3

It is the shortest hole on the course but you have to be so precise because of the angle of the green. If the pin is on the left then it is probably only around 135 yards, but if you pull it then you are in the flowerbeds and goodness knows what. If the pin is cut in the centre it brings in the front bunker, and the depth of the green there is only a matter of yards. There is really only about an eight-foot circle when you can land it. When the flag is on the right, where it normally is on the final day, the water [Rae’s Creek] is more of a factor. The back bunkers is definitely not the place to be either; you have to be so delicate just to keep it on the green from there. What compounds everything is the infamous Amen Corner wind. If it is swirling then club selection is so much harder. Downwind – the ball just seems to carry forever, like it is on some kind of jet stream. If it is blowing in your face then you have to try and take the spin off the ball and make sure it does not balloon on you. Trusting your yardage – and yourself – is never more important than at the twelfth.

Historical Stroke Average: 3.30 Historical Rank: 2

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“Azalea” No. 13 510 yards Par-5

You have to hit a hook off the tee here to make sure you get round the corner, otherwise you can be in the pine straw like Mickelson was last year – not that that seemed to make any difference to him! But generally, if you are too far right you have can have a hanging lie with the ball above your feet, which makes the second shot – if you’re going for the green in two – that much harder to figure out. You cannot hit it left and into the Rhododendrons, which you tend to do with that kind of lie, but fanning it right means the water. I played a practice round with Angel Cabrera a year before he won [in 2009] and he managed to cut the corner by hitting it over the mammoth trees with his drive, but that is not a shot you expect to see being attempted by those in contention on the final day – it is too risky, especially with the creek meandering up the left side. Long is no good either because the green, which is divided by ridge, feeds everything towards Rae’s Creek. That being said, the thirteenth is a good birdie opportunity – one that could be all so important come the end of play on Sunday.

Historical Stroke Average: 4.80 Historical Rank: 17

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From the President The early part of the year is traditionally one of the busiest periods for the Hong Kong Golf Association – this is when some of our major events are held – and I’m glad to report that 2011 has so far been highlighted by some excellent displays from local golfers.

Arguably the standout performance so far has been Shinichi Mizuno’s fantastic effort in winning the Montrose Fine Wines Hong Kong Close Amateur Championship at Fanling over the Lunar New Year. The 17-year-old played tremendously well to hold off the challenge of three-time Hong Kong Golf Club champion Max Wong and will once again play at the UBS Hong Kong Open as a result. I’m sure he’s looking forward to teeing it up with the some of the greatest names in golf, and I wish him the best of luck.

Shinichi’s win was the third year in a row that a junior golfer (i.e. someone under the age of 18) has triumphed at the Close. His win follows Liu Lok-tin last year and Steven Lam in 2009. This, I believe, shows superb progress and certainly underlines the success of the HKGA’s Junior Development Programme.

Another junior, Tiffany Chan, was equally as impressive in winning the Hong Kong Ladies Close Championship, which was held at Discovery Bay Golf Club at the end of February. It was the second year in a row that Tiffany has won the tournament and she finished in style with a final round of 71, one-under-par.

Congratulations to her.

A very young ladies’ team travelled to Delhi Golf Club in India to represent Hong Kong at the recent Queen Sirikit Cup – officially known as the as the Asia-Pacific Ladies International Golf Team Championship. Mimi Ho, Michelle Cheung and Tiana Lau were by far the youngest competitors at the event, but put in admirable performances which bode very well for the future. You can read more about how they fared at the bottom of this page.

Naturally the success of local junior golf wouldn’t be possible without the help of all the staff and volunteers who put so much time and effort into making the numerous tournaments held throughout the year run smoothly. Nor would the Development Programme be able to grow the game in Hong Kong without the contributions of our corporate sponsor, EFG Bank. Headed by Albert Chiu, chief executive for Asia, and Chairman Robert Chiu (both pictured here), EFG has been a fantastic supporter of junior golf in our community and I’m delighted that they will continue their contributions for the year ahead to the tune of HK$1.2 million. The announcement of this was made at during the EFG Bank Junior Golf prize presentation dinner held at the Hong Kong Football Club just before the Lunar New Year and I would like, on behalf of the HKGA, to offer my most sincere thanks to them. Their commitment to local junior golf is unsurpassed.

A final word to the non-playing team captains who voluntarily give up their time to travel and look after the international sides.

Their dedication is greatly appreciated.

—Ning Li

President HKGA

Learning Experience for Youthful Queen Sirikit Team Represented by one of the youngest sides in the competition’s 33-year history, the Hong Kong team enjoyed a useful showing at the Queen Sirikit Cup at historic Delhi Golf Club last month. The team – which comprised 15-year-old Mimi Ho and 14-year-olds Tiana Lau and Michelle Cheung (pictured here with non-playing captain Margaret Hamilton) – finished the event in 13th spot, some way behind Korea’s national side which took the title. Cheung, who had a first round of 80 before firing back-to-back 76s, finished the individual event in 25th. Ho (81-79-76) and Lau (86-78-88) placed 30th and 38th respectively. National Coach Brad Schadewitz said: “I was very proud of the way they represented themselves and their country. They were all making their Queen Sirikit Cup debut and it was a great experience for each of them. Nobody worked harder as a team in their practice and time spent at the club.”

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hk close

Mizuno

Makes History Shinichi becomes the third junior golfer in a row to win the prestigious Close title and thereby earn a return journey to Fanling for December's UBS Hong Kong Open REPORT BY ALEX JENKINS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL WONG

T

h ere's a lot to l i ke about Shinichi Mizuno. The 17-yearold West Island School student is friendly, unfalteringly polite and eager to please – attributes that even extend to when he's on the golf course. He's not the type of junior golfer to throw tantrums or clubs. Like the majority of his peers, Mizuno eschews khaki trousers and solid pastel polo shirts for a far more trendy ensemble – and now that the wild Rory McIlroy-like mop that he sported during his mid-teens has been cropped to something rather easier to manage, he really does look the part. None of this would merit discussion if he wasn't much of a player of course, but Nagoyaborn Mizuno, who moved to Hong Kong as a six-year-old in 2000, can rightfully consider himself the best amateur golfer in town.

Mizuno's win at the Montrose Fine Wines Hong Kong Close Amateur Championship over the Lunar New Year holiday, where he bested the heavily-fancied Max Wong in a gripping 36-hole duel on the final day, was evidence of how dependable a golfer he has become.

Played in unseasonably warm temperatures, this year's Close was once again dominated by youth, with six of the top eight on the final leaderboard aged 18 or under. Mizuno became the third consecutive junior to triumph after Steven Lam's win in 2009 and Liu Lok-tin's runaway victory of 12 months previously, which speaks volumes about the success of the Hong Kong Golf Association's junior development programme led by national coach Brad Schadewitz.

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Wong Claims Mid Amateur Championship Max Wong's narrow loss in the overall championship was a slightly easier pill to swallow after he was crowned Mid Amateur champion following his fine play. Open to players over the age of 25, Wong's four-round total of 289 was 10 better than Jonathan Yeap, who finished second. Ronald Totton placed third, a further four strokes adrift.

Surprisingly, neither Lam or Liu made much of an impact at Fanling. Both got off to steady if unspectacular starts but faded late and were overshadowed by Mizuno, whose second-round 68 gave him a three-shot cushion over Wong, the danger man, heading into the gruelling final day. Liu was rewarded for his brilliant play over the year, however, by claiming the 2010-2011 Order of Merit title on completion of the event.

Playing 36 holes in a day would seemingly favour the younger, fitter player but it was Wong, a Hong Kong Golf Club member whose savvy play has helped net him the last three club championships, who took the upper hand; a 72 in the morning was two less than his rival, which meant only one stroke separated the pair with a round to go.

Mizuno, the only amateur to qualify for the UBS Hong Kong Open last November, wasn't giving up lightly however. Falling behind Wong for the first time after his opponent birdied the sixth, the junior put on a great display and managed to recapture his lead early on the back side thanks to nearly flawless golf.

Maintaining his nerve, Mizuno played steadily, recording a succession of pars, which Wong could only replicate. A wonderful bogeysave a the sixteenth, after he found the greenside HKGOLFER.COM

bunker in three, narrowed the gap but in the end a long-range two-putt on the final green earned him both the title and a return to the UBS Hong Kong Open in December.

"I'm really proud of the way I played, it was tough out there," said Mizuno, whose final round of 71 was only bettered by another junior, Terrance Ng, who had a superb 69, and Ronald Totton. "I knew Max would come at me – he's a great player – but I was able to make the shots I needed to hang on. It's a wonderful feeling to be the Hong Kong Close champion." Turn to page 66 for more images.

Final Standings 1 2 3 4 5=

7 8 9=

Shinichi Mizuno Max Wong Terrence Ng Adrian Leung Steven Lam Jonathan Yeap Oliver Roberts Ambrose Tam Ronald Totton Tang Kei-hin

74 68 74 71 74 71 72 72 73 74 74 69 74 76 74 74 73 75 74 77 70 73 75 81 76 75 76 74 75 77 75 74 77 75 81 70 74 74 80 75

287 289 290 298 299 299 301 302 303 303

Fanling Favourites (from left): Mizuno celebrates upon holing the final putt; posing with the silverware; Max Wong was crowned Mid Amateur champ; Liu Lok-tin wasn't at his best during the tournament but was rewarded for his fine play throughout the year by claiming the Order of Merit title HK Golfer・APR 2011

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A blend of youth and experience (clockwise from top): Down, but not out; Adrian Leung finished in fourth spot; Terrence Ng showed his potential with a finalround 69; Steven Lam had a surprisingly quiet tournament; Oliver Roberts showed flashes of brilliance; Jonathan Yeap took the first-round lead; Mizuno's short game was in fine fettle throughout the week.

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+. *ROIHU )- LFRQ LQGG

junior golf

Shinichi Mizuno

The Hong Kong Close champion talks to David Cunningham III following his most important win to date You've gone from rank beginner to Hong Kong Close Amateur champion in just five and a half years. Can you explain it?

I think it's just been a case of loving golf and enjoying it every time I play that has led to the stage I am at now.

I have to say, though, that I enjoyed the game even more after winning my age division at the Junior Open in 2008.

I love to compete and I love to win.

Mizuno at the 2011 Hong Kong Close

Are there any experiences in particular that have contributed to your improvement?

Playing in the UBS Hong Kong Open last year. My confidence rose considerably afterwards and it made me really motivated to play in it again. I'll be back at Fanling this year after winning the Close, which I'm really happy about.

What was it like playing in a European Tour event with plenty of big names?

It was great. I loved playing with a big audience watching me. I didn't talk to many of the star players because I was nervous, but being able to see them hit and putt from close range was very fun.

You played with Anthony Kang in the second round when he shot 61. What did you learn from that?

It was great fun to watch but I didn't realize he was shooting that low until I saw the leaderboard on hole 16 because I was too focused on my own game. I did learn, however, that no matter what you're scoring you always have to keep the same routine and rhythm. I also learned that the pro's drives are super long and that their putting is amazing [laughs]. I've worked hard on my own putting since, which has helped my scoring.

Daniel Wong

Can you give us an idea of your practice and workout regime?

I'm pretty busy with school work at the moment and my time spent on the course and in the gym is less than it was before. Now I'm in the gym two times HK GolferăƒťAPR 2011

How often do you receive instruction – and from whom?

HKGA National Coach Brad Schadewitz and Jason Kwok at Discovery Bay, my home club, have helped me a lot. I see Brad once a week and Jason once every two weeks. We focus on everything from the full swing to putting. I have been making a lot of changes - and every piece of advice I receive from them has helped me.

What do you believe is most important to a good round of golf?

To put 100 per cent effort into the shot you're about to hit, so that you won't regret anything afterwards. Going out there with the aim of having fun rather than thinking too much about scoring is what it should be all about.

The last 12 months have been especially successful for you. What, if anything, has changed? Is there a secret formula?

I don't know exactly, but I have been working hard in the gym for the past two years, which has helped with my distance and stamina when competing in four-day events. The secret formula: loving golf more and more.

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a week for a two-hour full body workout. I practice golf twice a week for three hours and get on the course once a week. I also go for a 45-minute jog on the weekends. I think fitness is really important. I wouldn't be playing golf to the standard I am now without putting in the hours at the gym.

What do you focus on when playing in tournaments?

I try to forget about any problems I might have with my swing and just try to keep my head up and walk proud.

How do you recover from a bad shot?

I try not to think too much about why I made the mistake. Instead, I just think back to all the good shots I made with the same club previously.

How do you find a balance between your social life, golf, family and school?

Hard question! Obviously I want to put golf as my first priority, but now school is the most important thing for me. Golf, social life and then family time.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

Hopefully playing on the Japan Tour. I know it's very hard to become a successful playing professional but hopefully my golf will be good enough by the time I leave college.

What advice can you give aspiring junior golfers in Hong Kong?

Always love the game and try and enjoy every situation you find yourself in. We are all young and still have many opportunities, so don't get upset over tiny mistakes.

David Cunningham III lives in Hong Kong and writes about junior golf on his website, www.teengolfworld.com HKGOLFER.COM

results

Around the Clubs The Hong Kong Golf Club Lusitania Cup – Nett Section (18 holes only) Hiroshi Matsui won the Lusitania Cup Nett Section (18 holes only) with All Square.

HKGC vs. Clearwater Bay G&CC January 15 Played over the Eden Course HKGC: 24 CWB: 8½ Monthly Medal – Gross Section January 22 Kelvin Inge won the Monthly Medal Gross Section played over the Eden Course with 74.

Monthly Medal – Nett Section January 22 Simon Westbrook won the Monthly Medal Nett Section played over the Eden Course with Net 65.

Sir David Trench Cup Final January 23 D. Fung won the Sir David Trench Cup Final played over the New Course with 38 points. Hiroshi Matsui was the runner-up with 36 points.

Willie Woo Cup – Gross Section January 30 Hung Hak Yau won the Willie Woo Cup Gross Section played at Deep Water Bay with 26 points. Alex Jewkes was the runner-up with 21 points.

K J Woo Cup – Nett Section January 30 Lam Wai Kwun won the K J Woo Cup Nett Section played at Deep Water Bay with 32 points. Patrick Lam was the runner-up with 30 points.

Captain’s Cup February 27 Played over the Eden Course Winner: Alex Jewkes Runner-up: Fred Ng

Mose Mak (149) Miki Motogui (16) Miko Kudo (163)

January Medal January 19 Gross Winner: Nett Winner: Runner-up:

Pia Fung (84) Anita Chu (80) Haj Wilcox (82)

CNY Scramble January 26 Winners:

Runners-up:

Lydia Mak, Fizzy Pavri, Nighty Sweeny & Liz Mangum (55) Mei Fung, Pamela Hwang, Fumiko Kataoka & Cecilia Szeto (58 C/B)

February Stableford February 16 Division 1 Winner: Lydia Mak (32 points) Runner-up: Mei Fung (31) Division 2 Winner: Fumiko Kataoka (30) Runner-up: Liza Ho (29) February Medal February 23 Division 1 Gross Winner: Nett Winner: Runner-up: Division 2 Gross Winner: Nett Winner: Runner-up:

Pia Fung (84) Marsha Ko (72) Mei Fung (75) Liza Ho (96) Fumiko Kataoka (73) Mose Mak (75)

Discovery Bay Golf Club

Super Seniors Trophy – Gross Section March 9 Terry Collins won the Super Seniors Trophy Gross Section played over the Eden Course with 29 points. Hiroshi Matsui was the runner-up with 22 points.

Super Seniors Trophy – Nett Section March 9 Joe Pethes won the Super Seniors Trophy Nett Section played over the Eden Course with 36 points. Roger Chin was the runner-up with 35 on a countback over the last nine holes from James Dyer.

Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club Men’s Section 2010 Captain’s Cup Final January 23 Gross Winner: Stuart Gethin (79 – play-off) Runner-up: Patrick Tam (79) Nett Winner: Patrick Tam (68) Runner-up: Jackson Chu (73) 2010 Chairman’s Cup Final January 23 Winner: Jeremy Tang (38 points) Runner-up: Angus Chan (37) Members’ Guest Day 2011 January 29 Winners: Angus Chan, Cheung Ming-hoi,

John Ma & Fu Tin-cheung (94 points) Runners-up: Peter Kwan, Johnny Lau,

Chow Sing-cheung & Sam Au Yeung (93) Captain’s Cup February 19 Gross Winner: Runner up: Nett Winner: Runner-up:

Eugene Pak (83 C/B) Jackson Chu (83) Jackson Chu (72) Tommy Shiu (75 C/B)

Chairman’s Cup February 19 Winner: Runner-up:

Jeremy Tang (36 points) Edwin Lim (33 C/B)

Ladies’ Section Winter Cup January 12-13 Winner: Runner-up: 2nd Runner-up:

Pia Fung (149) Madoka Murayama (151) Haj Wilcox (155)

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Winter Plate January 12-13 Winner: Runner-up 2nd Runner-up:

Mizuno 2 Ball Better Ball January 8 Winners: Roger Finnie & Winkie Lau (45 points) Runners-up: D.J. Kim & K.W. Choi (44) 2nd Runners-up: J.H. Choi & S.I. Lee (43 C/B) Best Gross: D.K. Kim & Ronald Totton (38 C/B) MacGregor Bogey Competition January 23 Men’s Division Winner: Ip Yan-ming (+7) Runner-up: B.W. Park (Even C/B) 2nd Runner-up: Jamo Lo (Even) Best Gross: K.S. Lee (-3 C/B) Ladies’ Division Winner: Michiko Miyazaki (+1) Runner-up: Hedy Chan (Even) 2nd Runner-up: Yasuyo Nagatomi (-2) Best Gross: Roberta Tan (-8)

Hong Kong Golf Association Interclub Championship February 12-13 DBGC defeated CWBG&CC by 3 ½ points to 2 ½ points to win the Interclub Championship held over the New Course at Fanling mid-February. DBGC reached the final after beating the heavily-fancied HKGC side on countback on the first day of play. CWBG&CC had earlier defeated SOCC by 4 points to 2 points. In the consolation match, HKGC beat SOCC by claiming all six matches.

The winning DBGC team of Oscar Ho, Shinichi Mizuno, Jay Won, William Chung (Team Captain), Stephen Ahmoye, B.W. Park and K.C. Choo. Missing from the photo is Ronald Totton, who played on day one.

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ladies close

carding an excellent 71. Reaching the turn in an impressive three-under 33, the 14-year-old would have been ever further ahead had she not stumbled slightly down the closing stretch.

On day two, Chan was again upstaged, this time by Discovery Bay member Mimi Ho, whose 71 propelled her into the lead after Lau slipped back with an 80. Chan, playing solid if unspectacular golf, was round in 73 to lie two back with 18 holes to play.

But as is so often the case with champions, she found an extra gear on the all-important final day and wore down Ho with an imperious display of ball-striking. While not always at her best on the silky Discovery Bay greens, Chan's long game was in fine fettle – time in the gym and a minor swing change in the off season has enabled her to hit the ball considerably further than ever before – and after taking the lead for the first time in the championship halfway through the front nine, she accelerated away from the pack and finished in style.

Digging Deep Defending champion and pre-event favourite Tiffany Chan bounces back to record second successive Ladies title REPORT BY ALEX JENKINS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL WONG

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iffany Chan finished strong to win the Hong Kong Ladies Close Amateur Championship for the second time in two years late February.

The 17-year-old Diocesan Girls School student, the SAR's standout female golfer over the past three years, fired a nerveless final-round 70 at Discovery Bay Golf Club to reel in overnight leader Mimi Ho. Chan's three-day total of 219 (three-over-par) gave her a sixstroke triumph over second-placed Ho, while Kitty Tam showed a welcome return to form with a 73 to finish third, a further two strokes back.

"It's a great way to start the season," said Chan, who made a final-hole eagle after hitting a 210-yard three-wood to within six feet of the flag at the riskreward par-five closer. "It's a very nice feeling to defend my title."

With Stephanie Ho missing out on the tournament due to showbusiness commitments – the talented 18-year-old has, temporarily at least, hung up her clubs to focus on her flourishing singing career – Chan started the event as the clear favourite. But she didn't have everything go her way.

An opening 76 put her five strokes behind surprise first-round leader Tiana Lau, who celebrated her inclusion in Hong Kong's Queen Sirikit Cup side by 70

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Lo Claims Mid-Amateur Crown Hong Kong Golf Club's Jane Lo carded a threeday total of 251to claim victory in the Ladies Mid Amateur Championship, which was played concurrently with the Close. Rounds of 84, 81 and 86 gave her a three-shot cushion over Helen Cheung, a Discovery Bay member, in second place. Lee Un Kyoung finished third, a further six shots adrift. Visit hkga.com for the full results.

Results Hong Kong Ladies Close Amateur Championship Discovery Bay Golf Club, 21-23 February, 2011

1 2 3 4 5=

7 8 9 10

Tiffany Chan Mimi Ho Kitty Tam Isabella Leung Michelle Ho Michelle Cheung Tiana Lau Michelle Yan Annabelle Gerber Christy Chong

76 73 70 76 71 78 78 76 73 75 82 75 78 80 77 78 77 80 71 80 86 85 78 80 85 81 83 87 84 86

219 225 227 232 235 235 237 243 249 257

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Junior showdown (clockwise from top): Kitty Tam; Michelle Cheung; Mimi Ho; Tiffany Chan and caddie Sharon Lam; Tiana Lau in trouble at the seventeenth; Lau in full flight; Isabella Leung

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news

Staunton Prevails to Win Fourth HKGC Club Championship Unusually for these championships the most anticipated and intriguing games were the semi-final matches in the senior division. All four top seeds had made it through, the leading qualifier Tim Orgill playing evergreen super-senior Terry Collins, and Max Wong, winner of the last three championships, playing Roderick Staunton, recently returned from England. Both were going for a fourth title over the New Course.

Those who thought that Collins would be so badly outgunned by Tim that he would end up being cannon fodder were proved wrong. Despite losing the first three holes, Collins' steady play allowed him to chip away at Orgill's lead until he was, in fact, one up with two to play. Alas for Collins, a slight slip at the par-three seven teenth, coupled with an Orgill birdie at the last meant the latter had squeaked through to the final of a championship he has yet to win.

The match between Wong and Staunton was one of the most exciting of the last decade. The opening nine holes was a cagey affair, with the duo all square after Wong missed plenty of birdie opportunities. He did take the eleventh hole after a fine approach and then extended his lead at the thirteenth to go 2-up. The pair halved the next, a par-five, with Staunton holing a remarkable 18-footer to match Wong's easy birdie. The putt proved to be Roderick crucial, as Staunton then pitched to Staunton, taken two-feet to win the fifteenth and from the 2009 then brought the match back to level Hong Kong after an uncharacteristic mistake by Open Amateur Wong at the sixteenth.

Staunton then produced one of the finest bunker shots that I've ever witnessed after missing the green at the seventeenth. 30 yards right of the putting surface, Staunton lofted an immaculate pitch to four feet, and when Wong failed to get up and down from a tricky lie to the left he went to the last hole 1-up. Staunton sealed the deal with a wonderful 30-foot birdie putt after it looked like Wong might take the game to extra holes.

The final was a well-played but much less dramatic affair, played at a good pace and in an excellent spirit. Staunton, round in 69 in the morning, edged 2-up on Orgill, who never fails to impress with his power and immaculate swing. The afternoon round brought much more of t he sa me, wit h Staunton edging a number of holes to eventually triumph 4&3. Orgill had a number of chances to fight back, but his short game needed to be a little sharper to cope with an opponent of Staunton's calibre. In winning Staunton becomes the first player in a generation to win four Club Championships, the last being Dr. Cam Gribben in 1989.

In the Junior Championship for players holding a handicap of 10 or over, two young men, Ben Rhys and Sherman Lee, met in the final. Rhys' fine round in the morning took him to 5-up at lunch. Rhys was still 4-up when the match was sensationally ended after Lee received a call from the hospital to say that his wife had gone into labour. We are therefore in the happy position of being able to congratulate both contestants, albeit for somewhat different achievements! – Dr Brian Choa

Fine Showing by HK Seniors at Asia-Pacific Championship Hong Kong recorded a fine fifth-place finish at the 2010 Asia Pacific Senior Amateur Championship held at Bangkok Golf Club late November. Joe Pethes was the standout performer for Hong Kong as he claimed the 65-69 age division. Pethes recorded rounds of 76, 76 and 80 for a three-round total of 232 which enabled him to win the age title and also finish in a share of eleventh place in the overall tournament. Other notable performances included Tony Taylor's 235 total (tied for overall 18th) and Terry Collins and Pang Yai-wai's matching 243s, which earned them a share of fifth in Pethes' category and 31st overall. William Chung (tied 21st overall ) and Don Moore (tied 40th) rounded out the Hong Kong displays. Hong Kong finished on a total of 619, 22 shots behind the winners Australia.

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faldo series

Faldo Series Asia Grand Final Indian Chadha claims overall title as Hong Kong youngsters put in best-ever showing at Nick Faldo's prestigious youth tournament

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bhijit Chadha of India birdied the final hole to win the fifth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen last month, an event that saw Hong Kong players record impressive results.

19-year-old Chadha shot a final round 74 over the Faldo Course to finish on level par, one ahead of compatriot Ashbeer Saini and 18-year-old Liu Yi-chen of Chinese Taipei, who claimed the girls' title.

“This is my first international victory, so I feel brilliant,” said Chadha, who becomes the second champion from India after two-time winner Rashid Khan.

“My knees were trembling on the eighteenth but I didn’t three-putt all week so that was the secret behind this amazing victory.”

The champion from Chandigarh, home town of popular Indian professional Jeev Milkha Singh, continued: “I would like to thank Nick Faldo and all the sponsors for giving us this opportunity and I can’t wait to spend time with Sir Nick at the Europe Grand Final later in the year.”

“Congratulations to Abhijit on a wonderful win against a record field at a Faldo Series Asia Grand Final,” said six-time major champion Faldo. “Abhijit joins an impressive list of Faldo Series champions and I look forward to spending time with him and the other age-group winners during the fifteenth Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at the Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland on September 12-14.”

The six-time Major winner added: “I thank everyone involved in giving these players this experience. Our friends at Mission Hills, The R&A, ISPS and UFL, 74

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and all our other partners, bring valuable support and vision. It is their commitment that makes the Faldo Series possible and allows us to provide experience and opportunity to young people through golf.”

Hong Kong's representatives at the event were Liu Lok-tin, Terrence Ng, Ambrose Tam and Kitty Tam, and it was Ng who put in the best performance by finishing in a tie for sixth in the overall championship, which underscored how much the 18-year-old has developed in recent times. A brilliant 68 on the second day proved to be the highlight of his week, despite the fact that he double-bogeyed the demanding seventeenth.

Liu, the 2010 Hong Kong Amateur and Close champion, also played admirably, his three-round total of 225 earning him second place in the boys' under-18 category, which was just one behind the winner, Jack Colegate of England.

Kitty Tam showed a return to form with rounds of 77, 74 and 79 netting her second place in the girls' under-16 division.

Final Standings 1 2=

4 5 6=

8=

Abhijit Chadha Liu Yi-chen Ashbeer Saini Tao Huang Masamichi Ito TERRENCE NG Jack Colegate LIU LOK-TIN Lee Chieh-po Kenneth de Silva

73 69 74 76 73 68 72 71 74 76 71 72 73 73 74 80 68 74 70 77 75 76 73 74 76 80 67 76 74 73

216 217 217 219 220 222 222 223 223 223

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Swinging Sweet (clockwise from top): Terrence Ng blasts out of a bunker during the final round; Ambrose Tam in action; Liu Lok-tin's power-hitting served him well over the Faldo Course; the island-green at the signature sixteenth hole; Kitty Tam claimed second place in her division

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seniors tour

Mission Accomplished Senior Lyle ends title wait with stellar display at Mission Hills

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wo-time Major Champion Sandy Lyle captured an emotional the eighteenth with a two-shot lead rather than a first tournament victory in 19 years with a hard fought win one-shot lead when you've not won for so long." in the inaugural ISPS Handa Senior World Championship Lyle, who is an ambassador for title sponsor presented by Mission Hills China last month.

ISPS, had given warning of an impending Lyle had been without a victory since winning the last of return to the winners’ enclosure when he started his 18 European Tour titles in the 1992 Volvo Masters but the the 2011 season by finishing runner up in the Scot brought that barren run to a commanding end with a flawless final round Handa Australian Senior Open and tied fifth in 70 over the World Cup Course at Mission Hills to finish on 12-under-par 204, the Handa Cup Senior Masters in Japan to lead three strokes clear of Australian Peter Fowler. the European Senior Tour Order of Merit.

“You wonder after about four or five years whether you’ll ever win again let The 1985 Open Champion and 1988 Masters alone nearly 20, so this is very special,” said the 53 year old. “I joined the Senior Champion extended his advantage at the top Tour and it didn’t happen as quickly as I expected it to so you do have doubts. to €51,783 courtesy of collecting the €37, 484 My trophy cabinet has been gathering dust over the years so I feel relieved to get first prize, with 2010 Order of Merit winner a win and it’s even better that it’s here in China on this course. This answers a lot Boonchu Ruangkit moving into second place of questions I had about myself.” courtesy of finishing tied eighth along with Ian The five-time Ryder Cup player began the final round with a two-shot Woosnam at Mission Hills. Fowler’s closing 71 advantage and never looked like relinquishing it despite Fowler’s enduring for second place represented his best finish on challenge, which only ran out of steam over the last two holes. the Senior Tour following an injury plagued Lyle birdied the second hole before picking up another shot on the sixth and two years. Paraguay’s Angel Franco was third while Fowler moved within one shot of him with a birdie on the signature par- on seven-under-par after also signing for a 71. five sixteenth, the Australian then bogeyed the next hole to restore Final Standings Lyle’s cushion.

1 Sandy Lyle 68 66 70 204 €37,484 A par on the closing hole – where he had dropped his only shot of the tournament in the second round – compared to another bogey by 2 Peter Fowler 67 69 71 207 €24,989 Fowler was enough to give Lyle a victory that he admitted was one of 3 Angel Franco 69 69 71 209 €17,493 the most meaningful in his 34-year professional career.

4= Mark Belsham 71 74 66 211 €11,008 “This victory is very sweet as it’s obviously been such a long time,”

Bobby Lincoln 74 68 69 211 €11,008 said Lyle. “I said a couple of years ago that I’d be happy just to win a

Juan Quiros 70 71 70 211 €11,008 Par Three contest – it had been that long.

Noel Ratcliffe 68 74 69 211 €11,008 “I showed a lot of patience this week. I only made one bogey in 8= Boonchu Ruangkit 72 69 71 212 €7,497 three rounds which is way beyond my norm. Usually I’d make at least

Ian Woosnam 73 68 71 212 €7,497 four or five but I was very consistent. I wouldn't say it was easy today 10 Tony Johnstone 75 64 74 213 €6,247 and I certainly didn't run away with it but it was a lot nicer going to 76

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Shenzhen Spectacle (clockwise from top): Boonchu Ruangkit; Ian Woosnam; Peter Fowler; Sam Torrance; Angel Franco; Lyle with Mission Hills' Tenniel Chu and Midori Miyazaki of ISPS

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profile Maria Verchenova: "I didn't even know what golf was when I was young because everyone in Russia focuses on tennis."

Maria Verchenova - once dubbed golf's "Maria Sharapova" - is letting her game do the talking as she goes in search of success of success on the Ladies European Tour, writes Paul Prendergast

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s refreshing as it is to witness the emergence of an exciting new kid on the block, it’s even more pleasing when the player in question has risen from a challenging background or a country where golf is not recognised as a mainstream sport. Jhonattan 'Johnny' Vegas, the 2011 Bob Hope Classic winner, is the latest in this category and has burst to prominence from what you might term an ‘emerging’ golf nation: Venezuela.

Vegas’ undoubted superstar potential may see a new generation of Venezuelans dedicate themselves to the sport in his country, although President Hugo Chavez's distaste for the game – he has described golf as a "bourgeois sport" and has threatened to close two of Caracas's betterknown courses – doesn't necessarily bode well on that front.

Regardless, Vegas follows many others that have gone before him by single-handedly flying the flag for their countries at the highest echelons of professional golf. Carlos Franco from Paraguay burst to prominence on the PGA Tour over a decade ago, Camilo Villegas is doing the same thing for Columbia right now, while Zhang Lian-wei, China's golfing trailblazer, has also played his part. Special mention to Yani Tseng, who has reached the very pinnacle of the women's game despite being Chinese Taipei's sole representative in the top 50 of the world rankings.

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But as Se Ri Pak proved, it only takes one to lead the way and for a spark to be lit. Pak's dominance on tour, from 1998 to 2003, has given rise to dozens of talented young Koreans who now ply their trade on the LPGA. We will watch for the emergence of home-grown golfing pioneers from places like Vietnam, Turkey and Nigeria, for surely they will come.

Commencing her fifth season on the Ladies European Tour is perhaps the most unlikely of these pioneers, Russia's Maria Verchenova. Her arrival on the world stage is an unlikely story in terms of the cruel realities of the weather in her homeland, which renders golf unplayable for six months of the year. Compounding this and, perhaps more critically, is the most basic lack of resources – i.e. golf courses – at her disposal, the scarcity of professional coaching and the generally poor level of competition at any age group when she was learning the game.

While it is slowly getting better, golf in Russia is by all accounts akin to cricket in China. If you look hard enough you can find it being played somewhere by a few diehards, but by no means it is part of popular culture or accepted as a grassroots sport. Kids simply don't play it because their parents did.

“I didn’t even know what golf was when I was young because my family was poor and everybody in Russia is focused on tennis,” she says. “But thanks to my parents I was given a chance.”

That chance came when on holiday in the Czech Republic as a 12-year-old.

“My dad took me for coffee at a golf club,” she explains. “The next day we went back and I tried hitting a few balls with a local coach. He said I had a talent for the game and I should play. When I got back we went to Moscow City Golf Club and that’s how I started.”

Verchenova’s trajectory was steep. In 2004, aged 18, she won the Russian Amateur Championship and the next year secured victories at the Latvian and Slovenian Amateur Championships. By the time she won the Russian title again in 2006, Verchenova was ready for a run at the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School.

“I was sick of competing almost against myself only as an amateur and wanted to get better, so I decided to try to qualify for the tour. Just about everyone at home was against it, telling me I needed to get more experience but HK Golfer・APR 2011

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Fashionista: Verchenova hasn't struggled getting attention from sponsors and has contracts with luxury clothing and shoe brands 80

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I went ahead and gave it a go,” she remembers.

“I got through the first stage with my mum caddying for me and told her I’d give up the game if I didn’t get through [the final qualifying stage]. I went to the second stage and got my card. I couldn’t work out why everyone was so against it.”

Maria has kept her card through the first four years of her LET career, playing over 50 tournaments and has a sprinkling of top-10 finishes to her name. However, she is hell bent on making her name based on her achievements with her golf clubs and not just for her striking looks. From her rookie year onwards, she has been dubbed the “Maria Sharapova” of Russian golf by the media, which was something she understood but it still irked. “I don’t blame them because I had a good second year and being the

only Russian player, it was probably convenient to compare me to her,” she says.

Verchenova isn’t naïve though. Being beautiful is rarely a hindrance and it has, she admits, helped her secure the kind of sponsors that wouldn’t have looked twice had she not been so biologically blessed.

At the ANZ Ladies Masters on the Gold Coast this February, I had the opportunity to witness at close quarters how Verchenova is progressing towards her goal of being recognised purely for her golf game. After originally arranging to interview Maria, the opportunity to caddie for her came up on the Monday afternoon. After some swift rearranging of my schedule, I was on the bag for the tournament. We got the formalities of the interview out of the way after nine holes on Tuesday, where Maria told me with a laugh about one of the first year lessons she learned on tour: “never trust a journalist!”

Ve rc h e n ova h a s m ad e a si g n i f ic a nt professional and lifestyle decision by deciding to move from her native Russia to Munich, Germany a little over 12 months ago. “It’s very tough to practice back in Moscow, the weather only allows me to play from around the end of March for around five months a year,” she explains. “I have a new coach, my management company is there and I have many friends in Munich, which makes it a lot easier for me.”

The evidence that she has the game to succeed on the LET is certainly there. Her ball striking in the practice rounds and Pro-Am was impressive and she is a surprisingly long hitter for one so lithe. She had managed to straighten out her long game from the previous week where she missed the cut at the Australian Open, but it was her putting that let her down in the first round.

She regularly left putts short on the grainy, Bermuda greens at the Royal Pines course. 36 putts in the first round, including three putts on each of the last two holes, contrasted with coleader Karrie Webb’s 25 in the Aussie’s round of 66. Playing in the afternoon wind, Maria hit more greens in regulation than the LPGA Hall of Famer did in the calm morning conditions.

Not bad for someone who only learned that golf could be played professionally six years ago!

A morning tee time in the second round was filled with promise of a fight back with the leaders set to face the afternoon conditions. For the first nine holes, it was much of the same stuff from Maria: good ball striking and a lot of missed opportunities on the greens. However, after nine straight pars, a 10-footer dropped on the tenth and further birdies on sixteen and eighteen gave her a round of 69 and an even par total for 36 holes. Alas, the afternoon groups HKGOLFER.COM

enjoyed calm conditions instead of the battering winds Verchenova’s half of the draw had faced the previous day. This resulted in a record low four-under-par cut for the tournament, meaning, of course, that she had missed out on the weekend action.

However, this is not a story of what could have been in one tournament. From what I have seen up close of other LET winners over the last five years at this event, Verchenova’s game compares favourably. Ball-striking wise she’s certainly up there with the best of them.

Her dedication, work ethic and desire to achieve cannot be faulted. By her own admission, her short game and putting is where improvement in her game will be best realised.

Rehab from a back injury last year provided her with a poignant reminder of the challenge ahead for the game in her home country. While waiting in a physiotherapist’s waiting room, she responded to a fellow patient’s question on why she was there and how she suffered the injury “Tennis, basketball?” When the reply was golf, the retort was prompt: “Golf… that’s not a real sport.”

In a country where, according to Verchenova, Tiger Woods could walk down the main street of Moscow unrecognised but Roger Federer would be mobbed, golf in Russia has a long way to go to be accepted into mainstream culture let alone considered a sport or even a meaningful pastime. Verchenova realises that through her exploits she can shine a light for young Russian kids to follow in her path.

“I’m just like every other girl out here, practicing to get better, doing my own thing almost by myself. Hopefully I’ll be the one that bring golf to the next level at home and the one kids will point to and want to be like,” she says.

“I’d like to do a kid’s golf school or academy at some stage in the future so that the next generation can really pick up the game and get interested in golf; get it on TV in Russia so that everyone can see that it‘s not something unusual for us. Maybe in 10 years, we can be a bit like what China is becoming.

“We have nice golf courses outside of Moscow but it’s a [long] way to travel to get to them. It’s hard with the weather but it would be great to see golf grow more. Sochi, in the south of Russia, would be a really good place for golf because the weather is good there most of the year.”

The biggest hurdle, says Verchenova, is the lack of a structured junior programme.

“We don’t have golf coaches,” she bemoans.

“If I were to have kids who wanted to play golf, I would have to put them in an American university because you get to compete every week against other strong kids, which I couldn’t do when I was growing up.”

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It’s clear Verchenova’s game is on the up and that her desire to be accepted for her golf deeds are on track and any success she has will do more for Russian golf than anything she can do off the course. At 24, she has time on her hands and seems to be well placed to maximise her opportunities from her new home base, where she is close to quality coaching and facilities.

It will be interesting to look back in five years time at her progress and how far the game in Russia has grown with her. There is no doubt the profile of the game in her homeland and their next generations of golfers will be linked to the pioneering steps she is taking now.

With a robust golf game, an engaging personality and a cheery disposition as part of her arsenal, Russia couldn’t ask for a better ambassador to lead the way.

“Maybe in 10 years, golf in Russia can be like what golf in China is becoming.”

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GOLF TRAVEL

David Cannon/Getty Images

A Player’s Guide

Cornish Cracker: the parfive sixteenth at St Enodoc 82

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England's Atlantic Links Often overlooked in the grand scheme of British golf, England's West Country is home to a number of classic links courses set in truly glorious locations, writes Alex Jenkins

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hink of links golf in the British Isles and more often than not your mind will conjure up names from the Open Championship rota of courses – the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie, Turnberry, Royal Birkdale, and so on. It's perfectly understandable – and make no mistake: any golfer worth their salt should try and play these magnificent layouts before it's time to join that Great Golf Course in the Sky. But the fact remains that Britain is packed full of great courses, a huge number of which get completely overlooked – particularly by foreign travellers – purely because they don't hold a notable professional tournament.

The Open returns to the south of England this July – to Royal St Georges (another must-play) – after a hiatus of eight years, which is great news for the clubs in an around the immediate region: they're sure to do thriving business with more than 150,000 spectators likely to descend on the Kent coast to watch the third major of the year.

But head down to the southwest of the country, to the counties of Devon and Cornwall, and you'll discover a number of tremendous links tracks that have the twin advantages of being decidedly less busy and decidedly less expensive. They call themselves the Atlantic Links and they offer golfing tourists a first-class alternative to the well-trodden and more traditional golf routes of the Scottish and Lancashire coasts.

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WHERE TO PLAY SAUNTON (East) HHHHH

If the powers that be broke new ground by deciding it was time for the West Country to hold an Open Championship, the East Course at Saunton would almost certainly be the chosen venue. Laid out over wonderfully undulating links land on Devon's unspoilt north coast a few miles west of the pleasant market town of Barnstaple, Saunton is a full-strength championship track that winds its way through dramatic dunes and demands accuracy from the tee. It would be a poor decision to make a round on the East your first on a trip to these parts, as it has the potential to seriously bite. Fortunately however, the club has a second course – the West – which is a very fine layout in its own right and provides an excellent work out before tackling its longer and tougher brother. Long, wispy rough, hard and fast greens and classic pot bunkers, combined with an exceptional routing make the East one of the most majestic – and most unheralded – courses in the land.

YARDAGE: 6,779 PAR: 71 Designed by Herbert Fowler Greens Fee: From £74 in high season Others: A handicap certificate is required Contact: sauntongolf.co.uk

TREVOSE (Championship) HHHHH

David Cannon/Getty Images

Southwest Stunners: The magnificent East Course at Saunton (top) is considered the finest links to have never hosted the Open Championship; St Enodoc's fabulously quirky sixth hole features the dreaded "Himalayas" dune, thought to be the biggest bunker in Europe 84

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Playing this Harry Colt gem, located on the rugged north Cornish coast at Constantine Bay, just outside the charming fishing village of Padstow, is an exhilarating experience. While some links courses are noted for their blind holes and exceptionally penal rough, Trevose offers a kinder introduction to those unfamiliar with the nuances of the “bump and run” game, thanks largely to the generosity of the fairways, which means time spent looking for wayward shots in kept to a minimum. The rollicking front nine, which affords some magnificent coastal views, gets off to a stern start with the 440-yard par-four opener. But the beauty of Trevose, aside

from its consistently quick and true greens, lies in its variation. This is far from being a slog.

From the members’ white tees, three of the four par-fives are reachable in two on a calm day for the majority of competent golfers, and the parthrees, which are a delightful set of holes, won’t see you pulling off your fairway wood head covers unless it’s really blowing a gale. Yes, there are some brutish par-fours on the card but there are plenty of chances to make amends should you falter. This links really is fun – and has proved its championship credentials by hosting numerous top-tier events, including the 2008 Brabazon Trophy, one of the most important amateur tournaments in the British Isles.

YARDAGE: 6,967 PAR: 71 Designed by Harry Colt & Sir Guy Campbell Greens Fee: From £65 in high season Others: A range of quality accommodation is available on-site Contact: trevose-gc.co.uk

ST ENODOC (Church) HHHHH

Debate rages in pubs and inns across Cornwall as to which is the better course: Trevose or St Enodoc. It's understandable as the two courses are only a few miles apart (St Enodoc can be found across the Camel Estuary from Padstow in the royal sailing town of Rock) and both offer a tremendous golfing experience. But they are in truth quite different. While laid-back Trevose is a fully-fledged resort, St Enodoc is very much more of a private members' club in the traditional sense of the term. Set amidst towering sand dunes clad with wild sea grasses, the front nine of the Church Course here is a breathtakingly magnificent run of holes and affords a number of fine coastal views.

The pick of the bunch – and one of the most wonderfully quirky holes anywhere – is the sixth, a mid-length par-four which features a blind drive and requires the approach shot to be played over a mammoth dune called "Himalayas" some 100 yards from the green. "Himalayas" is rumoured to be the biggest bunker in Europe – and at 75 feet high it might just be. The back nine isn't as linksy as the front and while it is has some memorable moments – the closing three holes provide a superbly challenging finish – the meadowland nature of some of a few of the early holes prevent St Enodoc from being rated higher. The course is named after a small church that stands to the right of the tenth green, which is the final resting place of John Betjeman, the Poet Laureate, who penned his famous poem Seaside Golf after a rare birdie at the thirteenth.

YARDAGE: 6,547 PAR: 69 Designed by James Braid Greens Fee: From £67 in high season Others: A handicap certificate is required Contact: st-enodoc.co.uk HKGOLFER.COM

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Atlantic Aces: Spectacular scenery awaits at Trevose (top); the wild sea rushes can be a serious hazard at Royal North Devon (right); an example of Burnham & Berrow's artfully-designed green complexes

ROYAL NORTH DEVON HHHH

England’s oldest course – and the oldest links outside Scotland – Royal North Devon, known locally as Westward Ho!, is the complete antithesis to the modern style of layout so favoured by developers in Asia – and a must-visit for anyone who considers themselves a true aficionado of the game. Established in 1864, RND is links golf at its most raw. There is scarcely any definition to the fairways, which are classified as common land and are more often than not populated by sheep, and the greens merely follow the natural contours of the land. But herein lies its brilliance. The best holes are down by the shore and take advantage of crumpled terrain. It’s along this stretch that you encounter huge clumps of the infamous sea rushes – a tall, spiky marine vegetation that can be even more hazardous to your score than the majority of the deep sleepered bunkers that punctuate the course.

Although you wouldn’t want to stray into “Cape” bunker, one of the biggest in the land that gobbles up under-hit drives at the par-four fourth. RND’s most famous son is J.H. Taylor, the five-time Open champion, and a large part of the atmospheric clubhouse-cum-golfing museum is dedicated to his achievements. At Westward Ho! you really are following in the footsteps of champions.

YARDAGE: 6,653 PAR: 72 Designed by Old Tom Morris and Herbert Fowler Greens Fee: From £48 Contact: royalnorthdevongolfclub.co.uk

BEST OF THE REST

If you're making your way to Devon and Cornwall from London, then it's well worth stopping off at the links at Burnham & Berrow, a quality Harry Colt design that overlooks the Bristol Channel some two and a half hours from London. The opening holes are some of the most demanding in the region, with sandhills framing the fairways and the small greens featuring strong contours. Precision is everything here. Contact: burnhamandberrowgolfclub.co.uk.

For more information on all the courses listed here visit atlantic-links.co.uk.

WHERE TO STAY

The art deco-style Saunton Sands Hotel, a four-star resort with splendid ocean views, is a good base for playing both Saunton (it's literally next door) and Royal North Devon some 20 minutes away. There are numerous accommodation options available in and around Padstow, the closest town to Trevose and St Enodoc, including Trevose itself, which offers a range of quality accommodations onsite. The St Enodoc Hotel in Rock, which adjoins the golf club, is another excellent choice and houses Nathan Outlaw, a superb seafood restaurant that was awarded two Michelin stars in January 2011.

WHEN TO GO

The British weather is famously unpredictable but golf is generally possible year-round on the Devon and Cornish coast thanks to the 86

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influence of the Gulf Stream, which makes these the warmest English counties during winter; snow – and the likelihood of the courses being closed as a result – is rare. The best golfing conditions are typically May thru September when the turf is at its best. Sunset doesn't occur until after 8p.m. in the summer months and many courses offer substantial green fee discounts on rounds commenced after 4pm.

GETTING THERE

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Richard Hughes (Royal North Devon)

Numerous carriers – including Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Qantas – fly direct to London's Heathrow airport daily.

Car hire is by far the most convenient mode of transport upon arrival, although it is possible to travel by a combination of train and taxi to all five courses listed here. It's approximately a four and a half hour drive from Heathrow to Padstow; three and a half hours to Barnstaple.

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check in

The Nam Hai Hoi An, Vietnam

AT A GLANCE

OVERVIEW

When it opened its doors in late 2006, the Nam Hai immediately earned the status of Vietnam's most stylish and luxurious resort. Owned by Indochina Capital – one of Vietnam's leading real estate developers and financial services firms – who poured US$56 million into the project, the Nam Hai is part of GHM's portfolio of properties and its immaculately manicured grounds lie between the port city of Danang and the UNESCO world heritage site of Hoi An on the country's splendidly scenic Central Coast.

ACCOMMODATIONS

All 60 villas and the vast majority of the 40 one-to-five bedroom pool villas (each with its own plunge pool and butler service) have views of the alluring soft white sands of Ha My Beach and the Gulf of Tonkin beyond. The villa interiors, which are the work of renowned French architect Reda Amalou and Indonesian designer Jaya Ibrahim, take elements from traditional Vietnamese living, with a curtain-enclosed elevated king-size bed made from dark-stained teak surrounded by amenities that are rather more modern in aspect – including a flat-screen TV, espresso machine and iPod dock. High ceilings, a spacious bathroom (stocked with branded toiletries), a private outdoor rain shower and a walk-in closet make staying here a truly Zen-like experience. The only slight demerit: the complexities of the villas' lighting system may stump the less technically savvy out there. But help is always at hand in the form of the resort's helpful and efficient staff.

DINING

The resort's signature dining room, unimaginatively named The Restaurant, overlooks the hotel's splendid water gardens and serves up a pleasing assortment of Vietnamese and international cuisine. The wine list, meanwhile, is extensive enough to delight even the most serious oenophiles. The Restaurant is also the venue for the daily buffet breakfast (included in the room rate), which is excellent.

Fresh seafood, grills and local fare is served at the resort's other eatery, the 88

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NUMBER OF ROOMS 100 villas, including 60 one-bedroom villas and 40 pool villas with one- to five-bedrooms. Pool villas come with their own plunge pool and butler service.

HIGHLIGHTS Striking interiors and high-tech gadgetry is the name of the game. Home to a first-class spa and one of Southeast Asia's best infinity pools.

PRICE For a stay during May, the resort's website quotes US$495 for a one-bedroom villa per night; pool villas from US$887. Includes breakfast.

CONTACT The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Hamlet 1, Dien Duong Village, Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province; tel +84 510 394 0000; thenamhai.com

laid-back Beach Restaurant, while the resort's expansive and well-stocked bar offers indoor and outdoor seating.

LEISURE FACILITIES

The Nam Hai's award-winning spa is rightly considered one of Asia's finest and provides a full range of face and body treatments, including therapeutic massages, detoxifying body wraps and romantic bathing ceremonies. As one would expect from a resort of this stature, the Nam Hai comes with not one but three pools, including its piece de resistance, a magnificent infinity pool that abuts the beach.

WHERE'S THE GOLF?

The Montgomerie Links, another Indochina Capital-owned property, is located only 10 minutes away. Probably the pick of Colin Montgomerie's Asian designs, this championshipHKGOLFER.COM

length course incorporates striking bunkering and well thought out green complexes. Greg Norman's wonderful Dunes Course at Danang Golf Club is also nearby. A mesmerizing sandbelt-style track laid out over the purest of golfing terrain, the Dunes is one of the most architecturally significant courses to have opened in Asia in years.

VERDICT

While a number of new hotels and resorts have cropped up along Vietnam's Central Coast in recent times, the Nam Hai continues to lead the way in terms of pure luxury and service. Its proximity to Danang's two golf courses and international airport (30 minutes) is an obvious boon, and while US$495 a night for a onebedroom villa puts it in the decidedly pricey category, one feels after a few days' pampering that this actually represents excellent value for money. –Alex Jenkins Heaven in Hoi An (clockwise from top): The Nam Hai's splendid ininifty pool is within touching distance of the pure white sands of Ha My Beach; a view over the exquisitely manicured grounds; the interior of a 'standard' one-bedroom villa; the resort's awardwinning spa

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GLOBALTOURNAMENTNEWS WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP (WGC) EVENTS WGC – CADILLAC CHAMPIONSHIP

TPC Blue Monster at Doral, Florida, March 10-13 American Nick Watney kept his cool to win the WGC-Cadillac Championship by two strokes over compatriot Dustin Johnson for the biggest win of his career. Watney, who finished second at Doral two years ago, birdied the eighteenth to make sure of victory with a five-under-par round of 67, securing his third PGA Tour win. “This means so much, it is the biggest day of my golfing career,” said Watney, who in 2009 was in contention until the final hole before losing to Phil Mickelson. “With the way it ended two years ago... I'm very proud.” Johnson had eased the pressure on Watney with a bogey on the sixteenth but the winner showed his steel with an aggressive approach to the final hole where he found water on Saturday. "The tournament wasn't over and I wanted to give myself a putt. I putted the best I've ever putted under pressure today and it worked out," said Watney. Dane Anders Hansen and Italian Francesco Molinari were tied for third place while England’s Luke Donald, who began the day two shots off the lead, had to settle for a share of sixth place with Australian Adam Scott. Tiger Woods equalled the best round of the day with a six-under-par 66, earning him his first top-10 finish in a PGA Tour event since the US Open in June.

1 2 3 3 5 6 6 8 9 10

Nick Watney Dustin Johnson Anders Hansen Francesco Molinari Matt Kuchar Adam Scott Luke Donald Rickie Fowler Hunter Mahan Rory McIlroy

67 70 68 67 69 69 65 71 71 69 68 67 68 68 70 69 68 69 68 71 68 70 68 71 67 72 66 72 71 73 68 66 64 71 71 73 68 69 69 74

272 274 275 275 276 277 277 278 279 280

$999,572 $606,883 $332,001 $332,001 $249,893 $193,489 $193,489 $142,796 $124,946 $92,103

OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKINGS

WGC – ACCENTURE MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Ritz-Carlton GC, Dove Mountain, Arizona, February 23-26 England's Luke Donald beat new world number one Martin Kaymer by 3 and 2 to win the final in Arizona. Donald played an amazing week's golf in the first WGC event of 2011. The 33-year-old was never behind in a match and was never taken as far as the eighteenth hole. The victory catapulted him from ninth to third on the Official World Golf Ranking. With Kaymer now first, Lee Westwood in second and Graeme McDowell in fourth, European golfers occupy the first four spots in the rankings for the first time since 1992. In the final, Donald saw a familiar pattern emerging as he raced into an early lead - three up through just five holes. Even a brief hailstorm couldn't throw the Englishman off his stride and it looked like being a procession to the title. But Kaymer struck back, winning three holes in a row from the sixth to level the match at the turn. Donald then moved back in front, holing a good putt on the eleventh before Kaymer missed from closer range. Donald also won the twelfth and the deal was effectively sealed when the German missed a short putt for a half on the fifteenth. A half was all that was required at the sixteenth and the title went to Donald. In the consolation match, Matt Kuchar saw off Bubba Watson to take third place.

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Luke Donald Martin Kaymer Matt Kuchar Bubba Watson J.B. Holmes Miguel Angel Jimenez Ryan Moore Y.E. Yang

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$1,400,000 $850,000 $600,000 $490,000 $270,000 $270,000 $270,000 $270,000

As of March 13, 2011

1

Martin KAYMER

GER 8.20

2

Lee WESTWOOD

ENG 7.85

3

Luke DONALD

ENG 6.73

4

Graeme McDOWELL NIR

5

Tiger WOODS

USA 6.14

6

Phil MICKELSON

USA 5.99

7

Paul CASEY

ENG 5.93

8

Rory McILROY

NIR

9

Matt KUCHAR

USA 5.37

6.37

5.63

10 Steve STRICKER

USA 5.37

11 Dustin JOHNSON

USA 5.24

12 Jim FURYK

USA 4.97

13 Ernie ELS

ZAF 4.91

14 Ian POULTER

ENG 4.57

15 Nick WATNEY

ENG 4.56 HKGOLFER.COM

GLOBALTOURNAMENTNEWS EUROPEAN TOUR – RACE TO DUBAI 2011 COMMERCIALBANK QATAR MASTERS

Doha GC, Feb 3-6 Thomas Bjorn held his nerve to land an eleventh European Tour title at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy. The Dane saw his overnight one shot lead wiped out by Markus Brier at the first hole, and then when the Austrian fell away 2009 winner Alvaro Quiros charged to within one on the back nine. But the former Ryder Cup star, an assistant to Colin Montgomerie at The Celtic Manor Resort last year, stayed calm to record a closing round of 69 to win by four shots on 14 under. Bjorn parred his first 14 holes, before a wonderful six-iron approach to the fifteenth led to his first birdie of the day. Two more birdies at the end of the round enabled him to end in style.

1 2 3 3 5 6 6 6 9 9

Thomas Bjorn Alvaro Quiros Markus Brier Rafael Cabrera-Bello David Howell Thomas Aiken Soren Hansen Robert Karlsson Victor Dubuisson Richard Finch

74 65 66 69 75 69 66 68 71 66 69 73 77 68 66 68 75 69 68 68 71 69 69 73 74 71 68 69 70 69 69 74 74 68 71 70 70 69 71 73

274 278 279 279 280 282 282 282 283 283

€303,114 €202,073 €102,983 €102,983 €77, 113 €54,561 €54,561 €54,561 €36,859 €36,859

OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

Emirates GC, Feb 10-13 Spain's Alvaro Quiros recorded a hole in one as he beat the cream of world golf to become Omega Dubai Desert Classic champion.

Just after running up a triple bogey when three clear, Quiros aced the short eleventh and ended up beating Dane Anders Hansen and South African James Kingston by a stroke. The big names all faded. Tiger Woods finished with a double-bogey seven for a 75 and joint twentieth place with Sergio Garcia, while long-time leader Rory McIlroy was tenth and Lee Westwood fifteenth after dropping three shots in the last two holes. Bighitting Quiros, who had treatment on his arm out on the course, grabbed his fifth European Tour title with a closing 68 and 11-under-par total. “It was the perfect shot,” said the 28-year-old of his ace. “Once a year it happens.”

1 2 2 4 4 4 7 7 9 10

Alvaro Quiros Anders Hansen James Kingston Jean-Baptiste Gonnet Scott Strange Alvaro Velasco Thomas Aiken Fredrik A’Hed Peter Hanson Rory McIlroy

73 68 68 68 69 68 71 70 72 72 67 67 68 69 72 70 72 72 67 68 74 70 65 70 67 67 74 72 69 71 69 71 69 69 73 70 65 68 75 74

277 278 278 279 279 279 280 280 281 282

€301,353 €157,045 €157,045 €76,786 €76,786 €76,786 €49,724 €49,724 €40,503 €31,462

AVANTHA MASTERS

DLF G&CC Feb 17-20 SSP Chowrasia secured a home victory as he overcame Robert Coles in an exciting finish to the Avantha Masters. The-32-year old-Indian shot a closing round of 67 to finish 15-under-par at the DLF Golf and Country Club near New Delhi, which was one ahead of Coles, who saw his hopes of a first European Tour title denied in the cruellest of circumstances. Chowrasia looked to be cruising as he notched up seven birdies in his first 14 holes. But a double bogey at the par-three sixteenth left the door open for Coles, who missed two golden birdie opportunities in the closing holes before taking four shots to get down from the edge of the green at the last. “It’s obviously disappointing…but I will probably feel a lot worse tomorrow,” said Coles. “I had a great chance to win.”

1 2 3 4 5 5 7 7 9 9

SSP Chowrasia Robert Coles Gregory Havret Robert-Jan Derksen Pablo Larrazabal Suljan Singh Mark F Haastrup Chinnarat Phadungsil Shiv Kapur Angelo Que

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70 69 67 67 70 67 67 70 72 67 68 68 66 73 68 69 69 70 66 72 69 69 68 71 71 66 68 73 70 68 71 69 72 65 72 70 71 68 68 72

273 274 275 276 277 277 278 278 279 279

€300,000 €200,000 €112,680 €90,000 €69,660 €69,660 €49,500 €49,500 €38,160 €38,160 HK Golfer・APR 2011

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GLOBALTOURNAMENTNEWS PGA TOUR RESULTS 2011 WASTE MANANGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN

NORTHERN TRUST OPEN

1 2 3 3 5 5 5 8 8 8

1 2 3 4 4 4 7 7 9 9

TPC Scottsdale, Feb 3-6 Mark Wilson won the frostdelayed Phoenix Open for his second win in three starts this year, holing a nine-foot birdie putt on the second hole of a playoff with Jason Dufner. Wilson, two strokes head with 18 holes to play, closed with a 69 to match Dufner at 18 under. Dufner shot a 66 after making two birdies in the last three holes. “I’m just enjoying the ride here and that’s just kind of the way I’m going to look at this year, just ride the train as long as I can,” said Wilson, who won the Sony Open in Hawaii in January. Wilson, a 36-year-old from Wisconsin, earned over one million dollars for the win and jumped 40 places to fifty-first in the world rankings. He now has four PGA Tour victories to his credit.

Mark Wilson Jason Dufner Martin Laird Vijay Singh J.B. Holmes Nick Watney Gary Woodland Chris Couch Tommy Gainey Webb Simpson

65 64 68 69 65 68 67 66 68 71 64 65 69 65 68 66 65 70 67 67 70 66 65 68 68 66 69 66 66 65 68 71 63 65 68 74 70 66 67 67

266 $1,098,000 266 $658,800 268 $353,800 268 $353,800 269 $222,650 269 $222,650 269 $222,650 270 $164,700 270 $164,700 270 $164,700

Riviera CC, Feb 17-20 In a battle of generations at Riviera, Aaron Baddeley, 29, played mistake-free over the final six holes to hold off Vijay Singh and deny a fairy-tale finish for 51-yearold Fred Couples. Baddeley closed with a 2-under 69 for a one-shot victory over Singh, who turned 48 shortly after the tournament concluded. It was the third career PGA Tour win for Baddeley, whose game had slipped so much that he had plunged to number 224 in the world. The victory wasn’t enough to get him back into the top 50, but at least he can book a trip to Augusta National for the Masters. Singh, who had fallen out of the top 100 in the world for the first time in more than 21 years earlier in the season, had his highest finish since he won the Deutsche Bank Championship in 2008.

Aaron Baddeley Vijay Singh Kevin Na Robert Allenby Jimmy Walker Ryan Moore K.J. Choi Fred Couples David Duval Justin Rose

67 69 67 69 68 70 67 69 71 66 67 71 67 70 71 66 68 71 69 68 69 68 70 69 70 69 70 68 68 66 70 73 71 71 69 67 69 69 70 70

272 274 275 276 276 276 277 277 278 278

$1,170,000 $702,000 $442,000 $268,667 $268,667 $268,667 $209,625 $209,625 $175,500 $175,500

AT&T PEBBLE BEACH NATIONAL PRO-AM

Pebble Beach Golf Links, Feb 10-13 Pebble Beach in mid-February turned out to be a real Cinderella story. D.A. Points captured his first PGA Tour victory and dragged along his amateur, Bill Murray of Caddyshack fame, to the pro-am title. One shot behind as he played the second-toughest hole on the course, Points holed out for eagle from 100 yards on the fourteenth hole and followed that with a bending 30-foot birdie putt. He closed with a five-under 67 for a two-shot victory. Points became only the fourth player in the last 20 years to make Pebble Beach his first PGA Tour victory. “The only chance D.A. had to win was if I could make it through the entire week without asking what the initials ‘D.A.’ stand for,” said Murray. “And I didn’t. And he’s the champion.” D.A. stands for Darren Andrews.

1 2 3 4 4 6 6 6 9 9 92

D.A. Points Hunter Mahan Tom Gillis Spencer Levin Steve Marino Aaron Baddeley Bryce Molder Nick Watney Steven Bowditch Phil Mickelson

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63 70 71 67 70 67 70 66 67 68 70 70 71 68 67 70 65 66 71 74 68 71 67 71 69 66 68 74 68 67 75 67 71 69 69 69 71 67 69 71

271 273 275 276 276 277 277 277 278 278

$1,134,000 $680,400 $428,400 $277,200 $277,200 $211,050 $211,050 $211,050 $163,800 $163,800 HKGOLFER.COM

events

Bremont's Maritime Clock HK Debut

The Chart Room at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club was the venue for the Hong Kong debut of the stunning B-1 Maritime Clock by Bremont [which featured in the December 2010 issue of HK Golfer]. Held on March 2, the event was jointly sponsored by the British watch brand and Simpson Marine. Host Denis Martinet introduced Bremont founders Nick and Giles English, who explained their unique brand philosophy and unveiled the stunning marine chronometer to a group of enthusiasts, including Bremont-wearing actor-singer Michael Wong. - CM

Giles English

Giles English and Michael Wong

Erik Hoover, Michael Wong and Charles McLaughlin

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Nick and Giles English

Anish Lalvani and Giles English

Nick Li and Frank Eimer

Mark Woodmansey and Denis Martinet

Giles and Nick English, Michael Wong, Erik Hoover

Winston Koo, Giles English, Joyce Lo

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HK Golfer Events

Bespoke Golf Days Corporate Hospitality Tournament Management

With over twenty years’ experience, HK Golfer Events is Hong Kong and southern China’s leading golf tournament and event organizers HK Golfer events is a division of HK Golfer, Hong Kong’s premier golf publication. Call (852) 3590 4153 or email info@hkgolferevents.com

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events

Ray Roessel, Angus Sexton, Tim Orgill and Francesco Suarez

VPAR Asia Launch

Ian Stirling and Dom Boulet

Tim Orgill, Fred Brown, Meon Lam, Samson Siu, Dom Boulet 96

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Thursday, March 17 saw the official launch of VPAR – the innovative live scoring system – in Asia. Held at the Hong Kong Golf Club, the launch included a round over the New Course to test the state-of-the-art equipment. Impact Golf Management, which is headed by former Hong Kong amateur international Tim Orgill and Dominique Boulet, one of the best local professionals in history, are the sole distributors of the device in Asia and see the product as being particularly popular at corporate golf events and top amateur tournaments.

The VPAR concept is simple: each player scores their round on a handheld device and VPAR immediate calculates the net score or points and updates live leaderboards – which can be viewed on the device, on the web and on dedicated screens in the clubhouse. "It was a brilliant day on the course and VPAR is fantastic," said Angus Sexton, a senior vice president at ipac, who was one of sixteen lucky golfers invited to join in the day.

"I can't wait to play another match using VPAR." –A.J.

Tim Orgill and Angus Sexton celebrate a holed putt HKGOLFER.COM

Visa Infinite Media Tour In late February, Visa hosted a gathering of industry specialists to be among the first to try the personal privileges and unparalleled services offered by Visa Infinite, the card at the pinnacle of Visa’s credit card portfolio. Over lunch in the Garden Suite at the Peninsula Hotel, a presentation by Corbin Sun, Acting Country Manager Visa Hong Kong and Macau was followed by talks by Philippe Kjellgren, Visa Luxury Hotel Collection President and CEO and Nicolas Pegna, Managing Director at Berry Bros. & Rudd. Afterwards, guests were treated to a fascinating and exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Peninsula kitchens. A range of exclusive golfing and other lifestyle privileges are available to all Infinite cardholders. – C.M. Visit visainfinite.com

Corbin Sun

Judy Inn, Corbin Sun and Susan Chan

Philippe Kjellgren

Nicolas Pegna

Denis Fahy, Chris Cottrell, Nicolas Pegna, Charles McLaughlin, Simeon Mellalieu and Iris Chan HKGOLFER.COM

Charles McLaughlin and Simeon Mellalieu

Behind the scenes in the Peninsula kitchens HK Golfer・APR 2011

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final shot

Armed with a seven-iron and a baseball grip, De los Santos found that not only could he hit the ball vast distances, but also that he still had natural balance. Unable to keep himself away, he would arrive every morning and stay until dark. The people running the centre were so impressed that they told him he could hit as many balls as he liked and they would not charge him. He took them at their word and did just that, hitting thousand upon thousand of them.

"My first few shots at the driving range went over 200 metres, the guys working there couldn't believe it," remembers De Los Santos he inaugural ISPS Handa Senior World Championship, which with his thousand megawatt smile. "But golf was held at Mission Hills in early March, made for compelling is a lot like baseball; actually it's easier because viewing – not least because it saw Sandy Lyle claim his first the ball doesn't move. I have good hand-eye tournament win in 19 years. But as great as Lyle's victory was, coordination."

To say the least. De Los Santos' game is the star of the week was undoubtedly Manuel De Los Santos from the Dominican Republic, who has a handicap of two and also aided by his physical strength. His arms are enormous and his powerful right leg helps the far greater physical handicap of just one leg. him maintain his balance on De Los Santos, who plays his follow through. While he without the help of an artificial walks between shots with the aid l i mb, wa s at t he world's of crutches, he hops across the biggest golf club on behalf of putting green until he holes out. the tournament sponsors and His reasoning for not wearing showed his remarkable ability a prosthetic is simple. "Golf is a by notching a tidy three-oversport and I am an athlete, so I par 75 over the Jack Nicklausshould walk," he says. designed World Cup Course Such is De Los Santos' ability during the Pro-Am prior to the that he has played a few events event. Those who witnessed him on the French domestic tour smashing his drives nearly 300 and has won tournaments for yards and chipping and putting handicapped golfers throughout with a deftness that would have Europe, including the biggest of pleased most of the pros in the lot, the Swedish Invitational attendance were left in awe and Open, in 2008. His goal now is came away – and I count myself to get down to scratch. among them – inspired. Which " I a m a l ready l iv i ng my is exactly what the 26-year-old dream; travelling the world wants you to feel. and playing golf and meeting Little did he know it but De interesting people is something Los Santos' golf ing journey I could never have imagined," he began at the age of 18 when he says. "I am so happy. I've been was struck by a car while riding given a second chance with my his motorcycle and awoke from a life and for this I am eternally coma four days later to discover grateful." that his left leg had been cut off The surprise of my time with above the knee. A promising De Los Santos was learning that young baseball player who had he has an 11-year-old son. "Yes, scouted interest from the Toronto my son, he is a great baseball Blue Jays, De Los Santos was Balancing Act: player, I hope he can fulfill my understandably shattered; his Manuel de los Santos original dream of making it to dreams of playing in the Major the Major League," he responds.

League extinguished.

"But you're only 26; you were 15 when After his accident, he moved from his home in the Caribbean to Paris, with Elena, his wife, and attempted to get his life back on track. He freely admits that he was born?" I reply, my A nglo Sa xon mentality getting the better of me. He lets it was a struggle and took time to adjust to living in the French capital. Then he came across The Legend of Bagger Vance — a Will Smith film about a golfer out an enormous laugh. "Oh yes – you have defeating adversity — and was himself inspired. The next day, he took himself to to remember that I am from the Dominican Republic. We start everything early there." his local driving range and became hooked.

Inspirational

Alex Jenkins spends time with Manuel de los Santos, arguably the world's most remarkable golfer

T

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