CNN Living Golf Interview 19Jul04 CC.doc

Chairman CNN InterviewLast Update: 19Jul04Date: Friday, July 23, 2004Edit by: Carol ChuDRAFT 21) Why did he decide to develop Mission Hills? 你當初興建觀瀾湖高爾夫球會的原因是甚麼?Mission Hills is a multi facet investment project caters for with Golf, Hotel, Food & Beverage, Spa, Golf Academy and Property development.Given the economic boom in China, the country lacks a platform for business networking and cultural exchanges. Golf provides an effective tool for such communication.Mission Hills provides a window to the world and showcase the new, and modern China. Given the fact that golf in China has started only 20 years ago. There are still lots of room for development. When the Club first opened its door back in 1994, there was only 100 golfers per month, and now, with 10 courses, it is expected to peak at 2000 golfers per day.2) Did he want it to be so big? 當初有否想過球會會有現在這樣大的規模?When we first started, our goal is to be a world-class facility and Asias largest.It really took us by surprise that within the first 7 years; Mission Hills has already become Asias #1. Now, given the location, the unexpected double-digit economic growth, and the support from the local government, Mission Hills has managed to meet its milestone. Then our goal was to become Worlds #1. Without the economic support, even if it is the Worlds largest facility, this would not have been a financial sustainable model. Therefore, it took us another 3 years to complete the remaining 5 coursesthat is also a record in itself.HA, HA, HA3) What has been the global response to the project both from players and the industry?全球的球手及業內人士貴球會有何評價?To be a world-class facility, beside the hardware development, Mission Hills also acts as the window to showcase modern China. In 1995, Mission Hills has hosted the World Cup of Golf, which is considered as the Olympics in Golf. That was the first time that China has ever hosted an international golf tournament. Players like Fred Couples, Davis Love III, Jasper Parnevick, Michael Campbell, Constantino Rocco.all came to China for the first time and played at Mission Hills. Everyone was amazed at the facility and the fact that Chinese spectators love the game that they know so little about.At that time, Burch Riber, the Executive Director of the International Golf Association, had said China is creating a miracle with their hands. Then, in 2001, we invited Tiger Woods for his first visit to China. Tiger is an icon for most of the 400 million youth in China. At the press conference, Tiger said to the international mediaI was always looking forward to come to ChinaI couldnt have had a better spot to come to than Mission Hills.Now, in 2004, when Chinese # 1 seed player, Zhang Liang Wei, played at the US Masters for the first time, many golfers came up to him and used Mission Hills as their common topic and talked about the development of golf in China. From 1995 to now, Mission Hills has already hosted over 20 international events. I believe by brining in more international events to China, this will accelerate the growth of the game to the population in China.4) What has been the investment in Mission Hills and how long will it be before it makes a profit. 整體項目的總投資額是多少? 預計何時開始產生營利?As to date, Mission Hills has invested US$400 million dollars and it is a multi facet investment project caters for with Golf, Hotel, Food & Beverage, Spa, Golf Academy and Property development.On return of investment, the first 5 courses have been reinvested in the expansion plan and it is a financial viable model.5) Has Mission Hills made golf more accessible for residents of neighboring Hong Kong? 觀瀾湖的地利位置會否更方便鄰近的香港的高球人士?Currently, there is one 18-hole golf course per 600 thousand peopleand with the rise of golf population in HK, Furthermore, we are located 30 min from Hong Kong and since the border between HK and Shenzhen is now open on a 24 hours basis, we have shuttle service that caters for our members and guests between the border.Mission Hills has a unique offering - not only for the golfers from Hong Kong, Pan Pearl River Delta area but also many overseas guests from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Europe came over to this new golf Mecca and see for themselves what the worlds largest golf club is like.6) When golf becomes an exhibition sport in China in 2008 does he hope Mission Hills will be the venue?如果2008年的於中國舉辦的奧運會加入了高爾夫項目, 你會否爭取為賽事舉行地點?As a golf promoter, I have always believe in the promotion of the game. It would be ideal for golf to be an official sport within every major international sporting event.Whether it takes place at Mission Hills or not, is not our prime objective. Our vision is to provide more