“The reason why there is a lack of sponsorship is because sponsors do not see the benefits. In the past, they gave money, our golfers met with success and then things came to a stop,” said Hsu. “They did not do their bit to cultivate the next generation of players. As a result, sponsors are not reluctant to do so anymore simply because we did not prove ourselves.”
SETTING UP THE APPROACH
For Taiwan to regain the confidence of sponsors, and for the country to have a chance to return to its previous glory, a strict training program is needed to nurture talented golfers from a young age, Hsu said.
In 2002, a junior golf program (青少年培訓班) was created for this purpose. Now into its sixth year, the program is extremely grueling and has been likened to “hell,” said Hsu, who is also the Vice President of the Chinese Taipei Golf Association (中華民台北高爾夫協會) and the chairman of the Junior Committee.
The live-in training program, sponsored by Sunrise Golf and Country Club (揚昇高爾夫鄉村俱樂部), takes in between 12 and 20 amateur golfers annually. Morning call is at 5am and training starts at 5.30am with professional coaches hired from overseas. Parents are allowed two visits a month, for half a day each time. The students are monitored closely and chauffeured to and from school to “minimize any bad influence they might come into.”
“The program is so tough that Yani Tseng told reporters that it was like being in hell,” Hsu laughed. “But without this hell, there would not be Yani Tseng today.”
Without a doubt, the program is bearing fruit. In addition to her surprise win at the US LPGA tournament in June, Tseng, who was in the program from 2002 until last year, captured eight championships alone in 2005.
“Yes, Taiwan’s golf used to very good. But I believe our current achievements will help bring us back on track,” said Hsu.
How long might it take for Taiwan to reclaim its former status as Asia’s golf kingdom?
“Definitely not very long,” said Kyi. “Once the local tour is properly structured, the players will have a good foundation, a proper stepping stone, starting from the domestic tour and then moving on to Asian Tour, after which they can go on to play in the US too.”
The approach has been lined up for golfers in Taiwan. Now all they have to do is win.
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