Chen Xiangfeng

　　The skill level of some teenage golfers in China is comparable to their foreign counterparts, according to Li Yong, deputy secretary general of the China Golf Association (CGA).

　　"But the number of such good players here is far below that in foreign countries," said Li.

　　"The main problem for us is how to offer them more chances to compete and mine their potential. A lot of work is ahead if we are bidding to produce a group of top golfers in the near future."

　　Li made the comments as a quartet of Chinese juniors got set to tee off in the Volkswagen China Masters tournament, which opened yesterday at Beijing's Pine Valley Golf Club.

　　This is the first time China's best young amateur golfers are competing in a local pro tour event.

　　The four are: 14-year-old Hu Mu, who won the 2001 China Junior Golf Open in the 15-18 group and took the title at the 2003 Florida Junior Championship; 14-year-old Xiao Se, winner of last year's Zhang Lianwei Challenge tournament; 15-year-old Jimmy Ko, a six-time Hong Kong Junior champion; and 15-year-old Chinese Taipei resident Lo Shih Kai, who became the youngest golfer in Asian Tour history by advancing to the final two rounds in the Acer Taiwan Open last year.

　　"It is exciting; I will treasure such a good chance and try my best against the pro golfers," said Xiao Se.

　　He was echoed by Li.

　　"By competing with professional players, these youngsters will gain valuable experience and greatly improve their skills.

　　"The success of many of the world's top golfers can be attributed to hard work and dedication. I am sure those four kids will learn a lot from them."

　　Asked to give some tips to the talented teens, 1991 PGA Masters champion Ian Woosnam of Wales said: "Just be patient and enjoy the game. Try to have good coaching and get good technique training. It is significant to build basic skills from now on."

　　Besides Woosnam, the US$300,000 event, the ninth leg of the 2004 Asian Tour, has also attracted China's top golfers Zhang Lianwei and Liang Wenchong, six-time major winner Nick Faldo of England and Thomas Bjorn of Denmark. Seven-time European Tour No 1 Colin Montgomerie pulled out, citing "personal reasions."

　　Moreover, to help develop China's golf, Volkswagen has donated US$15,000 to the CGA for junior development.

　　"Golf is becoming more and more popular in China, and there are tremendous golf courses springing up.

　　"Golf is not just for rich people now. We are going to attract more youngsters and develop China's golf from the grassroots," said Klaus Dieter Schadewald, director of Volkswagen Brand.

　　But Li realistically noted China remains far behind foreign countries in terms of investment in the game's grassroots development.

　　"Our association did not provide any money on this. I hope more and more social investments will be involved in cultivating young golfers in China," Li said.