Shanghai: Siemens’ top executives combined a bit of business with golfing pleasure when the German industrial giant’s Shanghai Golf Society visited Silport on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Peter Borger, the executive vice president of Siemens China, said the 18-man field was largely made up of executives from the company’s 19 units operating in Shanghai. He said the society met once every month to six weeks to combine a bit of networking with golfing pleasure.

Siemens, which has been doing business in China since 1872, currently has a workforce of about 31,000 people in the country. It is primarily involved in the areas of household appliances, lighting, medical, transportation, power, automation and control and communications.

In its last fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, the company reported its sales had reached 38.4 billion RMB (US$4.6 billion) with its long-term investment exceeding 8.5 billion RMB.

Playing on Silport’s East and West course layouts, Axel Kaltofen won the low gross when the chief financial officer of Siemens’ switchgear joint venture shot a round of 96. Danny Hsu also carded a 96 but the 12 handicap was relegated to runner up by virtue of Kaltofen’s 20.2 handicap.

In the other prize category, Li Dan took the low nett with a nett 71 after the 26 handicap carded a round of 97.