Barcelona, Spain: Mission Hills Group Vice Chairman Tenniel Chu has become the first senior golf industry figure from Asia to address the European Golf Business Conference in its nine-year history.
Speaking to 200 delegates from 25 countries, he shared his thoughts on the future of golf and how golf club owners needed to be ‘flexible’ to meet modern demands.
He also outlined the major new development projects that are keeping Mission Hills at the forefront of Asia’s leisure and lifestyle industry.
Chu told the audience: “The future of golf is about risk, trying something new, going for broke. You know you won’t always win, but you back yourself to succeed more often than you fail.
“By taking risks, my father brought a new leisure lifestyle to China that millions of people are enjoying.
“This willingness to take on the risk is – I strongly believe – the key to ‘flexibility’. We know we should adapt, but are we brave enough to see it through? At Mission Hills, we have accepted the challenge. We are changing golf.”
Meanwhile, Mission Hills’ pioneering role in China’s golf development was recognised with a special award.
The one-of-a-kind ‘Dare to Dream’ trophy was presented to Chu by the European Golf Course Owners Association at their Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony.
The award “recognises Mission Hills’ pioneering role in developing golf in China, using it to build bridges with the outside world and finding innovative ways to grow the game and nurture future champions”.
In accepting the award from EGCOA President Alexander Baron von Spoercken, Chu dedicated it to his late father, Dr David Chu, the founder and former Chairman of Mission Hills Group who is fondly remembered as ‘The Father of Golf in China’.