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Wu Ashun – The China Golf Association hopes it is acting in the best interests of such up-and-coming young golfers.
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He also explained the process of admittance to OneAsia-sanctioned tournaments: "Firstly, by invitation – OneAsia will invite the leading players from the Asia/Pacific region; secondly, as a pathway for leading players from the member bodies' countries; thirdly, there will be some places offered to members of the JGTO as a founding member, even if it is not playing an active part this year; fourthly, additional places will be awarded to players from the host country of each tournament – 20-25 places for a full-field event."
The discussion then moved on to areas of greater controversy, and some surprises were in store.
On the subject of Japan's commitment, Zhang Xiaoning was categorical: "We are conscious of the rumors that the JGTO wants to drop out of the OneAsia structure – we checked immediately with the JGTO and we have received written confirmation, that I cannot make available to you, but that reaffirms that the JGTO will remain in the structure as a founding member and will contribute to future events."
"There are reasons why the JGTO has not contributed any events in 2009," he continued. "Mainly because the process is a complicated one. There is a lot of work to produce an event, including things like negotiations with broadcasters – we know that from going through the work for this Volvo Open with broadcaster, promoters etc. We understand the position of the JGTO – there was no urgency for them to contribute tournaments in 2009, but we have a firm commitment that they will do this from 2010."
Zhang explained the absence of Japanese players at the Volvo China Open with reference to a number of factors – tournaments in the USA and Japan, and also the fact that it had not been a priority to bring Japanese players to the event as the JGTO is not contributing events to the 2009 OneAsia schedule. "It is absolutely not the case that the Japanese Tour has ever said to its players not to take part in a OneAsia event," he emphasized.
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Happy caddies are oblivious to the political conflict currently enveloping Asian golf.
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The benefits that OneAsia offers to China are obvious – a far greater say in the organization that sanctions events in the country, more and better opportunities for Chinese players to play overseas golf against quality players in quality fields, and a better representation in their own domestic tournaments.
To some extent this last has rebounded on the Chinese this year. Of 36 starters only four made the cut – one fewer than last year – and their best-placed finisher was Liang Wenchong in 25th place. But the CGA will no doubt see this as a minor blip on a long-term path to China becoming a serious challenger in regional and world golf. The loss of four world golf ranking points for the winner of the tournament – down from 60 in 2008 to 56 in 2009 – is also likely to be regarded as a small step backwards, and a matter to be remedied at the earliest opportunity.
One other benefit has already made itself apparent. To general surprise, Zhang informed the conference: "I was not planning to talk about this today, but since the issue has come up I would like you all to understand the following: The International Federation of PGA Tours, formed by the PGA, the European Tour, the Sunshine Tour, the PGA of Australia, the JGTO and the Asian Tour, has recently honored the CGA and the KPGA with an invitation to become full members of the Federation. This will allow us to work together to develop golf around the world, and the CGA will send a representative to the next International Federation meeting in the UK. We had originally planned to hold a press conference to announce this news, but it has come up today – I think it shows the attitude of the international golf bodies, and the extent to which we can count on their support."
Questioned on why the CGA had decided to abandon the Asian Tour, Zhang was uncompromising, and one could read between the lines of his scrupulously polite response signs of a deeper rift between the Chinese and the Asian Tour.
"The China Open has been running for fifteen years now," he said. "Even in the face of the global financial crisis Volvo is still maintaining its financial support for 2009, which shows their confidence in the development of golf in China and in the CGA as the organizing body for the Volvo Open. But in recent years with the event sanctioned by the Asian Tour we have not seen any improvement in prize money, nor in the human or technical resources invested, nor has there been an increase in playing opportunities for Chinese players. So the CGA is not receiving any benefits from sanctioning through the Asian Tour. We want to make the most of this Volvo China Open and we want to work with a partner that can really bring some benefits to golf development for China and for the CGA."
