Golf in China has long been considered a mysterious, luxurious and high-end sport available only to the elite in society. This stereotype was formed mainly because of its high cost. Peking University’s very own golf association aims to remove this stereotype and popularize this seemingly aristocratic sport across China. The Peking University Golf Association (PUGA), founded in October 2005, is the first student golf association in mainland China and is now gaining popularity and reputation both in and outside of Peking University.
Affordable golf
High cost is a major obstacle to the promotion of golf in universities, the two major expenses for golf being the cost for the driving range and the equipment required. In order to provide accessible and affordable golf programs for its members, PUGA has endeavored to get sponsors and win social support. “We managed to reach an agreement with a golf club and were able to use its driving range at a much lower price,” said Wang Xinyu, current president of PUGA, who started to play golf at the age of 10 and received golf training in Canada. “Our members enjoy a special training package of 1,000 balls for 400 yuan there, and a further discount is also offered when more balls are purchased. Besides, we are also provided with high quality golf equipment for free. In addition, we also select members who have already received systematic golf training and are good at golf to teach those entry level members so that a huge amount of fees for coaching are saved.”
Apart from making training affordable for its members, PUGA has also put in great effort into finding sponsors to support its other activities, relieving the financial burden for its members. On January 16th, 2013, PUGA’s first Peking University Winter Golf Camp was held in Shenzhen, attracting more than 10 students to join this five-day camp. In order to relieve their financial burdens, PUGA managed to secure a company in Zhejiang Province as a sponsor to cover part of the camp fees. As a result of its great efforts, PUGA succeeded in providing an affordable golfing experience for its students.
Responsible and professional training
“They are really responsible and their training is really comprehensive and professional,” Xu Jixiao, an international exchange student at Peking University evaluated the training PUGA offered as such. “They always accompany us on our routine training, and teach us not only basic golf skills, but also the rules, stories and culture behind golf. PUGA is very professional and I have really learned a lot from them.” Just like other golf beginners, Xu also experienced frustrations during his first few attempts. “I took several swings with my golf club but the ball just didn’t move. Both the ball and golf club head are just too small.” Though frustrated, Xu did not give up. “They told us about the difficulties that we may encounter as beginners, and have encouraged us to persevere in our practices. I know that I will always have them behind me whenever I face problems.”
Leading golf association
When asked about the role PUGA plays in promoting golf in universities, Wang Xinyu replied with great confidence, “We definitely play a leading role.” Wang certainly has reasons to be confident. As the first students’ golf association in mainland China, PUGA have both experience and a comprehensive training program to boost about. Many golf associations from other universities, including the golf association from Tsinghua University and University of International Business and Economics, sought advice from PUGA while establishing their own golf associations. What’s more, PUGA is also organizing a golf league to connect golf associations nationwide. “We plan to hold a golf tournament at the end of June 2013, inviting all the golf associations in China to engage in a competition in Beijing,” said Wang.
PUGA’s golf team has also won many awards in golf competitions, coming in first in the Beijing Universities’ Open Golf Tournament six times in a row as well as the second Cross-straits Elite Cup Golf Tournament.
Big vision, ambitious dreams
Till now, PUGA has recruited more than 1,000 members ranging from undergraduates to PhD students and has achieved great success in the last few years. Wang has big plans for PUGA. He says, “On the one hand, we want to grow this sport; on the other, we want to cultivate excellent golf athletes. In foreign universities, golf associations have served as stepping stones for students to enter the professional field. Similarly, PUGA wants to create a platform for students to engage in professional competitions and find their way to professional golf field. Golf is enjoying growing popularity in both China and the world and it is included in the 2016 Olympic Games. As a powerful sports nation, China will definitely place more importance on golf, which will leave a positive influence on the sport and on the various golf associations across China. We aim to provide our country with excellent golf players to compete in the Olympic Games.”
By Xiong Min
Update Date: March 31,2014
