Life Sevens Golf

Shenzhen in December is still full of flowers. At the Airport Golf Course near the airport, as Kangtai's club drew a graceful arc in the air, a small white ball flew out. Not far away, a plane was taking off.

For a period of time, Kangtai also took off and landed frequently in various cities for business; but now, he spends most of his time relaxing on courses all over the world, this time he made a special trip to Shenzhen to participate in a golf tournament organized by a friend . The chairman of the Beijing Oriental Agricultural Trading Company, has been learning ethnic musical instruments since he was 12 years old. After working in the orchestra, he later gave up the arts to become a businessman.

He started golfing in 1998, and after three or four months he was in the 80s. In 2004, he won the championship of the "Volkswagen Masters" China amateur group, and participated in the final in South Africa as one of the two players representing China, winning the nearest hole award and ranking 10th overall.

Three Businesses

What business does your company do?

Vegetable export. Mainly exported to Russia, South Korea, Japan. Just over a year. It is also preparing to introduce a production line in the United States for vegetable processing, mainly for the domestic market.

What did you do before?

Sales and construction of electronic equipment, monitors, cameras, etc. The company was established in 1992. At that time, it was the earliest to make electronic equipment. There was no competition, but it was too busy and did not have much time to play.

Now the business is seasonal so I can spend more time playing. And a friend in the United States is the general manager, and he comes back when he is busy.

You have to take care of the general direction, right?

We discuss. Because I haven't learned management, it's more troublesome to manage.

How do you divide your work and spare time?

70% play. I don't usually go to the company every day in Beijing.

Why is playing football so appealing to you?

Playing golf can adjust your mindset. The most important thing in playing football is your mentality. Whether you play well or not is your own business, you don't have to blame others. If you're in a bad mood, you won't be able to play well.

Volkswagen, which organizes the "Volkswagen Masters", believes that golf and Volkswagen's brand pursuit are compatible, mainly referring to three aspects: the pursuit of technical excellence, the almost demanding requirements for high quality, and the unremitting pursuit of drastic action. Did playing football inspire you in terms of business management?

Inspiration in every way. In terms of every action of playing, it is somewhat related to the usual work. Don't be in a hurry, don't work hard. My mentality is also more relaxed. I used to fly all over the place to sign contracts. At most, I flew every day for a week on the plane, but now it is rare.

Have you found your passion in golf?

Yes. Sometimes playing football can also talk about business. A friend who makes vegetables and plays football introduced me to the information. Once you understand it, you can do it.

The people who do business with us also play football. Especially those Koreans, he thinks that you play better than him, and he thinks that there is no problem with cooperation.

I offered to ask me to negotiate a contract that I need to play. Most of them like to play ball. The specific contract is signed by the manager.

Do you have goals for your game and career?

In business, I think three to five years should be done better and more standardized. Strive to do what the big cities across the country need.

The goal in play is to be consistent.

Sevens Golf

When did you get into golf?

Was dragged into the water by a friend in 1998. Before, I didn't think there was anything to play in golf. It's the same as the old people's sports. You can walk half a day with one stroke, and half a day with one stroke. They always persuaded me to fight, but I didn't.

Do you remember the first time you played?

I practiced for 20 days myself, the first time I played against them, I shot 110, not bad. When I hit three or four months, I felt pretty good, and I hit more than 80 shots.

Why do you suddenly have the motivation to practice?

Because there are too many people saying its benefits, I want to try it out and see what the benefits are.

Also because I was more competitive at the time. At that time, a few friends were learning ball together, and I just wanted to play better than others, so I practiced harder, and went to practice after get off work. Later, I got injured from practice and couldn't sleep well at night. I woke up at 4 o'clock, went to the stadium at 5 o'clock, and went to work at the company after playing the ball. Basically every day.

How do you realize the joy of golf?

After a game, you will taste the joys, sorrows and joys of life. It may be a very good shot, or it may be a bad shot at all. If you think you can conquer it, but you don't, you want to conquer it the next day. I play 7 times a week when I have more. In the past two years, it has been a little less, and I play two or three times a week.

When was the first time you entered the competition?

Can't remember, it's all small competitions. The first time I participated in an official game was the opening of the Yalong Bay Stadium. The first time I was ranked was two or three years ago. The last time I participated in the "Volkswagen Masters", I shot 71 and was the champion of the amateur group in China, but I was not too satisfied with the ball. Later, I went to South Africa to participate in the tournament and only shot 83. It was the hardest course I've ever played, and it was also the most beautiful. It was the stadium of the Mandela Presidents Cup, which also hosted many World Cups.

Was there a particularly satisfying one?

Yes. Played Volvo's amateur tour once and hit his best score of 69 stalks.

Besides South Africa, where else do you go to play?

A little more in the US. Foreign stadiums have a little more natural environment, and we have a little more artificial. The foreign ones are more difficult to hit, the wind direction and the mountain ups and downs are big.

What golf courses do you play regularly?

Shenzhen is a little more than the port and Guanlan, and Beijing is a little more south. This (airport) is a bit like a South African golf course. It is windy and difficult. It looks simple and is actually difficult. Jingnan Stadium has many trees and a beautiful environment. Guanlan is because there are too many stadiums, and they all play. In addition, I prefer Qingdao International Golf Course.

A lot of people take outfit very seriously, how about you?

People who really play ball don't take it seriously, including food and clothing. Everyone ate a quick snack and went to play ball. As long as it is standard golf clothing, it is more comfortable and absorbs sweat, which is good. People who really play football don't go after brand names. The clubs I use are also considered brand-name clubs, but unlike others, a set of 100,000 or 100,000 clubs is enough.

How much does it cost you to play a month?

About ten thousand. Mainly the course fee, excluding travel expenses and equipment fees.

Are there any golfers you admire?

Love III of America. I like him, one is that his movements are good-looking, and the other is that he is good and bad, he doesn't have too many expressions, and he is not in a hurry. If there is a game he participates in, I will watch it more focused and pay attention to his movements.

For golf, some people think it is elegant and reflects identity, Some people want to socialize with friends in the same circle. What have you gained from playing?

Still making friends. You can make friends you like. For example, when we played with us, some people threw clubs and scolded caddies when they didn’t play well. I wouldn’t play with them for the second time. Some people are very high-quality, and they don't have so many expressions when they play, and everyone is very happy. When it comes to playing, I prefer Cheng Jun. He was the 1997 Volvo Professional Championship. He has a company that sells golf equipment, and I'm doing something for him for free now.

A lot of people talk about it from a health perspective, what do you think?

It depends on what state of mind. If you are particularly anxious to fight well, you may sometimes have a heart attack. The last time I played in Hainan, two words from Rong Gaotang Rong Lao were written on the stones of the golf course, and I thought it was very good. It was probably "one more stroke to be healthy, one less stroke to be happy".

It's amazing that you hit 80 in three or four months. What lessons can you teach?

One is hard, the other is serious. My body is more flexible, it's innate. Look at other people's play, and what is the advantage, just practice by yourself, and practice in a good place. Take every shot seriously when you play.

The right way to find a coach. I didn't have a coach at the time, I just watched videos to learn. After playing for a few years, I also let the coach see it later. After reading it, it helps a lot, and if you don't understand something, you can understand it. I knew it was right to do it before, but I don't know why.

Do you enjoy anything other than golf as an amateur? Do you still like music?

The instruments are all forgotten. I just watched my daughter play the zither, and she plays the guzheng very well. Hearing her singing and watching her play the piano is also very happy. She also plays very beautifully, but unfortunately she doesn't have time to play. I mainly spend my spare time on golf, and I also like to collect some antiques.

MARISA WANG is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of World Manager Magazine.