China's golf lovers have exceeded 1 million, and are increasing at an annual rate of 30 percent, as is known from a "world managers" survey report published at the award-granting ceremony of the "world's most influential golf course" held on November 23. China will become the second biggest golf market in Asia. Now the country has more than 200 golf courses, but half of which are running in the red.

A high cost, including money for lawn maintenance, water and electricity charges and staff's pay, is a major cause of the losses, said industry insiders. Especially that for lawn maintenance, because lawns for a golf course must be fertilized, watered, sprayed and managed, each of them costing quite a big sum. Improper site selection will also lead to losses, and those sited in areas of more foreign investments stand a bigger chance to gain profits. Generally speaking, golf courses in Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai are better operated than those in remoter areas such as Inner Mongolia and Hubei.

(CRI November 25, 2003)