Hainan Island, China: Shanqin Bay Golf Club, one of Asia’s most private and exclusive golfing establishments, has appointed Shane Templeton as Director of Golf Course Maintenance.

Designed by Coore & Crenshaw, Shanqin Bay opened to widespread acclaim in 2011.

With a spectacular course overlooking the South China Sea in the county of Wanning, Hainan Island, China, the club is restricted to only 50 members.

Australian-born Templeton is a well-known figure in the golf club scene around Asia, having spent more than three decades in the region.

During that time he had stints as Course Superintendent at the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club and the Hong Kong Golf Club, both Facility Members of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

He has also consulted to the Asian Tour for course preparation across the Asian region.

Currently based in Sanya, China, Templeton is a Senior Consultant to the Yalong Bay Golf Club.

Built on the site of an ancient Chinese fortress, the land for the golf course at Shanqin Bay was personally identified by Wang Jun, the club’s chairman.

He said: “If you stand in the middle of the golf course, swing towards the strong sea wind, you could hear the wave applause for you. The golf course merges into the surrounds and looks like it has always been there. The fairways look wide from the tee, but they are in reality well bunkered.

“When you turn around and face the ocean, it is hard sometimes to tell the difference between the sky and water. The carpet-like fairways exist in harmony with the defence facilities built in the 1970s. It is a magnificent view to see them now co-exist as one.”