Andy Leadbetter, son of golf legend David Leadbetter, came to Shenzhen in September to join the Mission Hills Golf Club as the director of instructor training for the academy named after his father.

The family has an academy network named after David Leadbetter — about 30 in total — around the world. Andy said he chose China to continue his career because "this is a growing market."

"I think I can make a big splash here," said the young man, who has several years' experience of golf instruction under his father's guidance at ChampionsGate, Florida, the United States.

Andy has been impressed by the hospitality of local people. "I made more friends in the couple of weeks here than in the past several years in the States," he said.

After graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a full golf scholarship, Andy said he experienced a transition period and once worked as a property dealer but finally found where his real interest lies. "I like the feeling of helping people, blowing people's minds and sharing my knowledge with the learners."

Andy said one of his goals was to find and train more talented golfers like Mu Hu, a Shenzhen-born teenager who has already found fame in major tournaments.

His father, David Leadbetter, is recognized as one of the leading golf instructors in the world. He created a teaching philosophy that has grown into an academy network, influencing players such as Nick Faldo, Greg Norman and Ernie Els.

(Shenzhen Daily November 6, 2007)