University sets coursework with a difference
EBEN HARRELL, "The Scotsman", Wed Oct 18
Xiamen University has made golf instruction mandatory for some courses
Students of management, law and economics will get lessons
It is believed that golf ability is crucial for networking in "elite" circles
Key quote "Golf is not only good exercise, but [it] will teach students communication skills and benefit their future careers. It is as beneficial to society as compulsory education." - Zhu Chongshi, Xiamen University president
Story in full GOLF courses have traditionally been used by executives as a substitute for the boardroom - a place to negotiate deals and make contacts.
But one Chinese university believes the Scottish game is so integral to business success, that it is now compulsory for students to take to the fairways.
Xiamen University in southeast China has made golf instruction mandatory for all students majoring in management, law, economics and software engineering. The university is now in the process of building a designated practice-ground and driving-range on campus.
Business chiefs and golf-tour operators said the move will be good for Scotland, which already uses its status as the home of golf to court international executives.
However, efforts to tap into China's burgeoning economy have met with mixed success, for until recently the Royal and Ancient game was seen as a decadent bourgeois practice there.
Xiamen University president, Zhu Chongshi, said China now embraces golf and recognises its importance in international business. He said higher education must now be "designed to fulfil market demand" and that golf ability is now a crucial tool for networking in "elite" circles.
He said: "Golf is not only good exercise, but [it] will teach students communication skills and benefit their future careers. It is as beneficial to society as compulsory education.
"The highest embodiment of the education system is producing socially elite people with the best education."
The news has also touched off a debate in China over the relevance of using university resources to teach a game the majority of the country cannot afford to play. The average per-capita income in the country is ?113; a green fee often costs half that.
The golf industry in Scotland has pursued contacts in China for many years, and the Executive has estimated that Chinese golfers will contribute millions to the economy in the next few years.
Caroline Packman, the head of VisitScotland's Business Tourism Unit, said: "We know how important golf is in encouraging businesses to come to Scotland for meetings and conferences.
"Many companies come here for golf breaks, as an incentive to their staff, and golf is a primary attraction."
Ben Kelly of The Old Course Experience, an upmarket golf tour company in St Andrews, has seen a noticeable rise in Chinese executives visiting Scotland.
He said: "We get businessmen over here for deals in Edinburgh or London and then they come up to St Andrews with their clients."
While most business deals secured on Scottish links remain private, several trips have spilled into public view, often for nefarious reasons.
Earlier this year, a top official in the Bush administration was arrested after lying to investigators about a trip he took to Scotland.
Politicians, executives and lobbyist Jack Abramoff were flown to St Andrews on a private jet and entertained on the courses in the area.
'It's a great chance to network'
PETER Shakeshaft runs LINC Scotland, which promotes networking between companies and investors in Scotland.
He also plays golf. A lot. To him, it's just part of the job.
"I've done business on the golf course for over 30 years," he said. "It's a great networking opportunity. If you are walking the best part of two miles with three other guys, you are going to be relaxed and in the mood to talk and foster relationships in a very different environment from the boardroom.
"It never gets too serious. The nitty-gritty should be left for the boardroom, but it's an important part of the process.
"I don't know any businessmen who play a 'customer game', which is allowing your partner to win to get them in the mood to do a deal. The competitive element is too strong".
He added: "I have only had one deal go wrong on the course. I was playing with an American at Muirfield, which has regulations that you must play a foursome, which means you have to alternate shots with your partner. He was miffed that he didn't get to play every shot. It didn't put him in the best mood and, as I recall, I didn't manage to do that deal."
Crazy for golf
CHINA has about 200 golf courses, with some 40 in Beijing alone, compared with only three in the capital in 1994. A further 200 are under construction.
The country has an estimated 200,000 golfers, with the number increasing by 20 to 30 per cent a year.
Professor Ling Hongling, of Lanzhou University, claims the sport was invented in China, with evidence of golf being played there in 945 - 500 years before a club was swung in Scotland.
Pu Yi, China's last emperor, learned golf in the 1920s from his English tutor, but the sport did not prosper because of decades of poverty and communism. However, rising prosperity has increased its appeal.
The Scottish Executive has estimated that Chinese golfers may contribute as much as ?70 million to the Scottish economy over the next four years.
In 2002, Carnoustie Golf Links signed a sister-links relationship with a Chinese course, Tiger Beach Golf Links.
EBEN HARRELL, "The Scotsman", Wed Oct 18
Xiamen University has made golf instruction mandatory for some courses
Students of management, law and economics will get lessons
It is believed that golf ability is crucial for networking in "elite" circles
Key quote "Golf is not only good exercise, but [it] will teach students communication skills and benefit their future careers. It is as beneficial to society as compulsory education." - Zhu Chongshi, Xiamen University president
Story in full GOLF courses have traditionally been used by executives as a substitute for the boardroom - a place to negotiate deals and make contacts.
But one Chinese university believes the Scottish game is so integral to business success, that it is now compulsory for students to take to the fairways.
Xiamen University in southeast China has made golf instruction mandatory for all students majoring in management, law, economics and software engineering. The university is now in the process of building a designated practice-ground and driving-range on campus.
Business chiefs and golf-tour operators said the move will be good for Scotland, which already uses its status as the home of golf to court international executives.
However, efforts to tap into China's burgeoning economy have met with mixed success, for until recently the Royal and Ancient game was seen as a decadent bourgeois practice there.
Xiamen University president, Zhu Chongshi, said China now embraces golf and recognises its importance in international business. He said higher education must now be "designed to fulfil market demand" and that golf ability is now a crucial tool for networking in "elite" circles.
He said: "Golf is not only good exercise, but [it] will teach students communication skills and benefit their future careers. It is as beneficial to society as compulsory education.
"The highest embodiment of the education system is producing socially elite people with the best education."
The news has also touched off a debate in China over the relevance of using university resources to teach a game the majority of the country cannot afford to play. The average per-capita income in the country is ?113; a green fee often costs half that.
The golf industry in Scotland has pursued contacts in China for many years, and the Executive has estimated that Chinese golfers will contribute millions to the economy in the next few years.
Caroline Packman, the head of VisitScotland's Business Tourism Unit, said: "We know how important golf is in encouraging businesses to come to Scotland for meetings and conferences.
"Many companies come here for golf breaks, as an incentive to their staff, and golf is a primary attraction."
Ben Kelly of The Old Course Experience, an upmarket golf tour company in St Andrews, has seen a noticeable rise in Chinese executives visiting Scotland.
He said: "We get businessmen over here for deals in Edinburgh or London and then they come up to St Andrews with their clients."
While most business deals secured on Scottish links remain private, several trips have spilled into public view, often for nefarious reasons.
Earlier this year, a top official in the Bush administration was arrested after lying to investigators about a trip he took to Scotland.
Politicians, executives and lobbyist Jack Abramoff were flown to St Andrews on a private jet and entertained on the courses in the area.
'It's a great chance to network'
PETER Shakeshaft runs LINC Scotland, which promotes networking between companies and investors in Scotland.
He also plays golf. A lot. To him, it's just part of the job.
"I've done business on the golf course for over 30 years," he said. "It's a great networking opportunity. If you are walking the best part of two miles with three other guys, you are going to be relaxed and in the mood to talk and foster relationships in a very different environment from the boardroom.
"It never gets too serious. The nitty-gritty should be left for the boardroom, but it's an important part of the process.
"I don't know any businessmen who play a 'customer game', which is allowing your partner to win to get them in the mood to do a deal. The competitive element is too strong".
He added: "I have only had one deal go wrong on the course. I was playing with an American at Muirfield, which has regulations that you must play a foursome, which means you have to alternate shots with your partner. He was miffed that he didn't get to play every shot. It didn't put him in the best mood and, as I recall, I didn't manage to do that deal."
Crazy for golf
CHINA has about 200 golf courses, with some 40 in Beijing alone, compared with only three in the capital in 1994. A further 200 are under construction.
The country has an estimated 200,000 golfers, with the number increasing by 20 to 30 per cent a year.
Professor Ling Hongling, of Lanzhou University, claims the sport was invented in China, with evidence of golf being played there in 945 - 500 years before a club was swung in Scotland.
Pu Yi, China's last emperor, learned golf in the 1920s from his English tutor, but the sport did not prosper because of decades of poverty and communism. However, rising prosperity has increased its appeal.
The Scottish Executive has estimated that Chinese golfers may contribute as much as ?70 million to the Scottish economy over the next four years.
In 2002, Carnoustie Golf Links signed a sister-links relationship with a Chinese course, Tiger Beach Golf Links.
