Brian Curley, ASGCA

I've been designing golf courses in China for 14 years, and have formed observations on golf as I've watched the game grow in this vast land. I firmly believe that what makes golf great-its traditions-is what could ultimately cause its slow decline. Golf is resistant to change, but we are now in a technology-based world in which change occurs at a swift pace and is often quite contradictory to golf's institutions.

China is different, however, because it is new to the game. It never witnessed traditions firsthand and so has taken the game and folded it into its culture, incorporating its own take on certain behaviors. For example, it has long been accepting of the immersion of business, and Chinese golfers are not the least bit embarrassed to incorporate behavior seen as unacceptable to the western world, like the use of cell phones on the course.

Many Chinese clubs are made up of a membership of foreigners who are living away from home. Rather than worry about getting home to the family, on weekends, players migrate to the clubs to continue the 24/7 business mentality that pervades the country.

Asia also boasts a stronger participation by women, as Asian women can afford inexpensive maids and domestic help and therefore have more free time during the day. Western countries, however, witness a declining participation of women as other duties and priorities trump playing golf.

Additionally, Chinese are a more social group of people. Coming from small living environments, Chinese hit the streets daily. Playing golf and the camaraderie that it brings places a greater emphasis on the social benefits of the game itself. Clubhouses buzz with the sound of groups of golfers in no hurry to get to the homes or apartments. Westerners (especially Americans) on the other hand, are content to "cocoon" at home in single family residences, where they don't have to resist the pull of big screen TVs.

Vidbynas Golf Club, Stockholm, Sweden

Chinese people often endure city living for much of their lives, so green space is strongly desired, although they still wish to live close to the city and all it has to offer. Thus, I think we will see more density in golf developments, as opposed to the western model of villas and lower density. Chinese do not take their open space for granted, and the ability to live in an environment with green open land is seen as a feather in their cap.

In most western applications, golf is typically an 18-hole event. To solve the problem of different skill levels, courses often build multiple tees, which is not a perfect way to cater to the individual golfer. In China, the 18-hole facility is an anomaly; multiple courses are often planned, and the ability to create different experiences is real, not just talk.

Golf is also growing in China because the country is becoming wealthier and wealthier. An increase of young millionaires will produce more players purchasing equipment and more sponsorship money directed toward tournament purses.

The creation of night golf in the appropriate climates brings another market of players unable or unwilling to play during daylight hours: women who avoid harmful sun; busy executives who can find evenings more free in their schedule or even as an expansion of the business/golf connection; and families looking to spend time together.

Golf, most particularly golf course design, is at a significant point, as flat or declining participation is becoming evident in the western world. By examining how golf is perceived and played in China, and by even looking for work in the region, architects can help push the envelope of design as they "save" golf course architecture.

The content for this article was taken from a piece that appeared in Asian Golf Business magazine, viewable in an electronic version beginning on page 8 here.

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