Big-time players in need of some big-time events

The recent success of Chinese youngsters abroad has highlighted the importance of more elite and competitive tournaments for amateurs at home.

"The United States has systematic and complete training and competition formats. People can get high-level competitive experiences at a very young age," said Chinese Golf Association boss Zhang Xiaoning. "China has to set up more competitions - that is the best way to test and train a golfer."

The Fangshan Changyang China Amateur Golf Championship (CAGC), which was established last year, is one of Zhang's initiatives to provide an elite platform for young players.

The CAGC is the nation's top amateur tournament as it has attracted the best amateurs in the nation as well as some rising stars from other countries and regions.

"Feng Shanshan and Andy Zhang are lucky to have the chance to be based in the US, training and competing," Zhang said. "But most of the promising Chinese kids are here and we need more events like the CAGC to give them top-level experiences before they turn pro."

The CAGC, which features a three-round women's competition and a four-round men's event, provides 100 spots - 70 for domestic players and 30 for internationals.

The elite amateur event aims to draw extra attention to the sport's development. Former world and Olympic gymnastics champion Li Xiaoshuang, now a golf enthusiast, has become its ambassador, and Beijing Olympic gymnastics champion Li Xiaopeng has been invited to help promote the sport.

"I believe China has lots of talent in different sports, and that goes for golf, as well," said Xiaoshuang. "What golf needs most in China is the public's support and attention as well as more exposure in the media."

(China Daily 07/13/2012 page23)