More Chinese youngsters are expected to seize the opportunity to hit the golf range as the country provides more support to the sport.

According to Zhang Xiaoning, secretary-general of the Chinese Golf Association, China has encouraged thousands of junior golfers since it started to boost the development of youth training after the Doha Asian Games, where China failed to take a medal while South Korea bagged all four gold medals.

The CGA launched a junior golf program in 2007 to popularize the sport on campuses and has also introduced the game at more than 300 primary and middle schools around the country. An international junior team has also been established to play in tournaments overseas.

To prepare for the 2016 Olympics, a national squad was set up in June 2011. Zhang said the main idea behind starting a national training squad was to provide financial support to talented golfers who could not afford to pay to compete in the sport by themselves.

"The national team is one way to develop Chinese golf after the sport was included in the Olympics," Zhang said. "We also encourage associations, individuals and families to use various channels to lift up golf's status.

"Feng Shanshan's victory is a great breakthrough, and she has shown that the Chinese can play good golf, which is an enormous boost to the confidence of local golfers, especially the youth. I believed we will have more young golfers coming through as the Olympics approaching."

Feng's manager, Guo Wei, said golf is set to receive more exposure in China as China Central Television has bought the broadcasting rights to a number of LPGA tours.

Despite her modest popularity in China, the 22-year-old is a sports celebrity in neighboring countries Japan and South Korea. Feng is frequently recognized by people in Japan when she is shopping.

"Feng is more popular in Japan, South Korea and the United States because the Chinese have few channels to access golf tournaments and therefore have little understanding of the sport. But in South Korea, a lot of people stay up to watch live golf at midnight," Guo said. "Now CCTV will broadcast more competitions and the Chinese will be able to see her on TV."

tangzhe@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/23/2012 page23)