Golf program has driving ambition for youngsters

The China Golf Association and HSBC announced a three-year program in Shanghai on Tuesday to boost golf among youngsters.

The CGA-HSBC China Junior Golf Program is designed to support junior golf players and further promote the sport among the general public.

"Since the program started in 2007, we have seen 440,000 teenagers experience the sport," said Helen Wong, president and CEO of HSBC China.

Thanks to the program, more junior golf players have shone on the international golf circuit in recent years. Guan Tianlang, Ye Wocheng, Liu Yu, Feng Shanshan and Shi Yuting are all young golf players that are making the world take a fresh look at Chinese golf.

Li Dazheng, vice-president of the China Golf Association and deputy director of the Multi Ball Games Administrative Center under the General Administration of Sport, said he appreciates the success Chinese junior players achieved in golf, but had concerns about their future development.

"Junior golf players don't have too much pressure compared with adult players, but they need to learn how to face the pressure soon," Li said.