Long Yongtu, one of China’s most famous civil servants, paid a visit to Shanghai Silport on a wet day in April 2003 to get his first experience on the country’s premier championship layout. The former vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Trade who was the chief negotiator for China’s 2001 entry into the World Trade Organization, arrived at the club in a low-key manner with just a driver and one other person.

Despite the wet, cold spring day, Long, who is currently the Boao Forum for Asia secretary-general, appeared at Silport in good spirits and turned out to be an amiable person.
He said he just come from Zhouzhuang, an area he had a deep love for. He suggested it was the right place to stage the 2001 Informal Trade Minister Conference of APEC. As a result, the ancient water town had developed very quickly in recent years. “It is always a place I want to visit again,” Long said,

“It was six years ago that I started to play golf. At that time, I took part in the Asia Ministers Conference in Malaysia and all the ministers could play golf except me. Although I am very busy with my job, I like to play when I can,” he said.

“Someone recommended Silport to me before arriving at Zhouzhang. He told me I could not miss Silport because several China Open championships had been played there.”

When asked about China’s policy on golf, Long had his own ideas. “Golf has spread quickly through China with so many clubs built so dramatically. However, the standard of living is still far away from those developed countries. It is impractical to develop this game on a large scale. Golf has taken a lot of fertile land. We must try to understand the government’s policy that it is neither encouraged nor forbidden.

He dismissed the rumor that government officials were forbidden to attend golf clubs. “Erroneous information has been relayed incorrectly. As exercise, golf is good for people’s health. But it is always considered to be special – for businessmen and used as a business platform. In my opinion, those grass roots officials, especially the ones who are responsible for trade and investment, should learn how to play golf. This kind of platform could be used effectively to develop the economy.”

Long encouraged local leaders to carry golf through and asked those leaders in Kunshan to be smart and wise for the game’s development.

Despite not touching a golf club for three months, Long showed little signs of rust, walking vigorously along the course. He said he loved the traditions behind golf, the tall old cypress trees around the Silport layout and the ancient statues dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Moving at a quick pace, Long finished 18 holes in about three hours. He never hesitated and executed his shots decisively – just as in the manner he behaved when negotiating China’s WTO entry agreement.

The seventh hole proved to be his nemesis, the same hole that has troubled many a professional with its narrow fairway, lake on the right and bunker guarding the front of the green. He successfully reached the edge of the green in three strokes but was let down by inconsistent putting. Yet, he never complained.

Throughout his round, Long treated all those around him very cordially. His partner said he loved to play with him because of his humor. On a course known for its water hazard, he only put one ball in the wet stuff and remarked: “As we are playing golf in the water town of China, it would have been a pity if the ball did not fall into the water.”

Jack Huang, Silport’s general manager and playing partner, complimented his famous guest saying he proved himself to be a skilful player under such wet conditions. “Mr Long is an impressive civil servant and equally impressive on the golf course. He was very steady under such trying conditions and a very adventurous player.”

At the end of his round, a wet but still energetic Long Yongtu offered a tip to his caddie. When he was told Silport staff are forbidden to accept tips, he withdrew his money and instead complimented the caddies on their service. He was equally impressed when he was invited to attend the Volvo China Open in November, an invitation he would honor.