On course for environmental disaster

A US golf expert interviewed by one of my colleagues predicted that China will turn out a top world player in the next decade.

That is exciting news for the millions of Chinese golfers and fans. And it must be especially thrilling to sports officials since golf will be reinstated as an Olympic event in 2016.

However, the environmental damage caused by the growing number of golf courses in the country paints a dreadful picture of the sport played on beautiful green turf.