Shanghai: China’s top financial minds got a chance to take the Silport challenge when business news provider China Business News and the Bank of China Shanghai branch jointly hosted the CBN Corporate Golf Challenge.

Playing from a shotgun start over the East and Center course layouts, the 88-man field featured top executives from the field of business and finance as well as the media personalities who cover the sector.

Hu Changjiang topped the field when he shot an impressive two-over 74 for the low gross honor. Du Liping was runner-up three shots off the pace, while Chen Jian finished third, one shot further back.

In the low nett category, Bo Yichao finished top with a nett 70.8 ahead of Chen Xiaodong (73) and Gu Dingchen (73.6). Other honors saw Meng Fanchen claim the nearest-the-pin prize, while Feng Xiaoyen outdrove all the men when she smashed her ball 250 yards for the longest drive.

An air ticket offer for an eagle on the Center No. 5 hole went unclaimed. At the dinner party afterwards where a four-day trip to Cambodia and lucky draw prizes from Ballantine’s Scotch whisky were on offer, a four-man band from Shanghai entertained the assembled guests.

During the proceedings, a CBN reporter interviewed low nett winner Bo about his thoughts on golf and the Silport layout. As a lawyer by profession, he said that he had been playing golf for about nine years and the sport to him represented a good way to keep healthy amid the fresh air and beautiful views.

“This is the first time I have played Silport so everything was new to me and I could really feel the challenges of the course. My caddie was great and really professional in providing me with good suggestions. Her smile was very warm and I will definitely come back to play here another time,” he said.

“I really like golf as it is a good way to relax and to get away from the blare of the downtown business district. It is also a good place to make friends. I find the golf course is a good environment for my business as it is a quiet place where you can really get to know your playing partner.”