China Golf Association Reps Visit NJSGA Headquarters
Three representatives of the China Golf Association spent a full day at NJSGA headquarters at Galloping Hill Golf Course on Wednesday, May 14.
The Chinese representatives included Pang Zheng, deputy secretary general of the CGA, assistant Li Ruiqian and project coordinator Jin Yan.
All three took part in the NJSGA Course Rating Seminar, both in the classroom and in rating three holes of Galloping Hill’s course.
The seminar included instruction from Scott Hovde, USGA assistant director, handicap and course rating administration, and Lee Rainwater, USGA assistant manager. Denise Keating, NJSGA course rating manager, and Jack Luts, NJSGA board member and course-rating chairman, organized the event.
“We are very impressed by the seriousness and education of the course-rating seminar. We are also impressed by the relationship between the USGA and a state association like the NJSGA,” said Zheng through Yan, who acted as interpreter.
Other than visiting NJSGA, the CGA representatives will also meet with the Florida Golf Assocation.
It was not the first time an international golf association met with the NJSGA. A year ago, members of the South Korea Golf Association paid a visit to the Galloping Hill offices.
“The Chinese wanted some exposure to how a state association operates,” said Rich Kennedy, NJGA director of handicapping and member services. “They seemed to be familiar with and have a good understanding of how the USGA operates, but didn’t know how a state association works.
“It was a good field trip for them, particularly the course-rating seminar and in receiving an overview of what we are all about, where we started and where we are now. Because of the wonderful facility we now occupy, we are able to host seminars and similar events.
“It enables us to connect with international associations,” Kennedy added.
China, a country with a population of 1.35 billion, four times the population of the United States, has only 693 golf courses spread over its 23 provinces. New Jersey alone has more than 300 courses while the U.S. boasts 15,500 courses. The countries are roughly the same size in area, at 3.7 million square miles.
“Golf in China started originally for the wealthy, but is now moving to the middle class. People see it as healthy, and a chance to be out in nature. It will be an Olympic sport in 2016 (in Rio de Janeiro) and that will help promote the sport in our country,” Zheng said.
