Kunming, China:A new golf academy has opened at Spring City Golf & Lake Resort.
The Golf Academy China – operated by the same company that runs academies in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia and Bali, Indonesia – has begun offering golf schools and specialised teaching at the acclaimed golf resort, which boasts two of the top 100 courses in the world.
Head pro Jason Hoyles, a European PGA professional, has two Chinese instructors, Toby Zhang and Yang Yong, at a facility described by the academy’s owner, Neil Douglas, as one of the best-equipped training facilities in China.
Douglas, a British PGA pro who has been teaching in Asia for the past 15 years and is based at the Golf Academy Borneo in Sabah, says the facilities at Spring City are the best he has seen.
“We have the best-equipped golf academy in the best setting and at the best golf course in China,” he said. “Our focus is to encourage players in mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore – as well as others who wish to improve their game – to come to Spring City to stay, learn and play some great golf.”
As well as private tuition, the Golf Academy China is offering two, three and five-day schools – with a proficiency card after attending a three-day school – junior and corporate clinics as well as private tuition. Special accommodation rates are available for juniors who stay at Spring City Resort.
The academy is training two up-and-coming Chinese LPGA pros, Li Zi and Chen Cuixia.
The stature of Spring City as a perfect training location for aspiring professionals and amateurs was highlighted last year when Guan Tianlang practised there before becoming the youngest player to compete in the US Masters.
Spring City’s greens are among the fastest in Asia, running as high as 12 and 13 on the Stimpmeter, especially on the Bent-green Mountain Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus.
The terraced Lake Course, with Lake Yangzhonghai in view most of the time and designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, has been regularly rated in the top three courses in China.