Shanghai: A wee bit of Scotland came to Silport when the Shanghai Golf Association hosted a round of its 2010 Expo Cup Golf Series at the club.
The day was especially memorable for the presence of Alex Salmond, Scotland¡¯s First Minister, who hit the opening tee shot. The leader of the Scottish National Party emphasized in a speech the strong relationship between China and Scotland and how golf played a big role in linking the two cultures.
He praised Silport and how it had been an important bridge between the two countries for so many years and hoped one day it could become ¡°China¡¯s St. Andrews¡±.
In conclusion, the golf-loving Salmond thanked Silport owner Beta Soong for his great support to both countries, adding how excited he was to experience the game in China for the first time, especially at Silport, a very nice and challenging course.
Taking the microphone, Soong shared some of his golf club management experience with the 80 guests in attendance, telling the golfers they should love the Earth more, be environmentalists, defer to golf itself and never think about excess luxury for golf club design and maintenance.
While there were no ¡°winners¡± at the event, its importance was more so in experiencing golf culture and understanding the development of golf in China.
In an event that truly brought the two cultures closer, the festivities included a Chinese tea ceremony, a flute performance and a Chinese cultural show. At the tee-off ceremony, a Scottish piper played.
Accompanied by Silport head pro Michael Dickie clad in his kilt, and two Shanghai Golf Association officials, Salmond played three holes of the East Course.
The event was co-organized by Scottish Travel and the Scottish Development International Shanghai Office.
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