British PGA professional Keith Lawson caters to a growing demand for golf industry services across the region

Hong Kong is the gateway to "exploding" golf industry opportunities throughout the region, according to entrepreneurs Keith Lawson and David Levy.

Mr Lawson, a British PGA (Professional Golf Association) professional, and Mr Levy, a Canadian quality control executive, identified a market for golf industry services particularly in the Chinese mainland, where the sport is thriving. They set up Academex Ltd, as a conduit for golf-related training and employment services, in 2002.

Academex offers training services for all positions in the golf club business - from front desk managers to caddies - conducted on site. It offers management services in the areas of club audits and staff appraisals, and also has an online industry newsletter called The Club Classified, disseminating industry news and advertising positions vacant or wanted.

The partners believe that the growth of China's middle class population, with their increasing disposable income, points to a strong future for private, member-based clubs.

"Golf is exploding in China, and will be an exhibition sport in the 2008 Beijing Olympics," Mr Lawson said. "The game has become widely accepted and very popular amongst the mainland Chinese, and given the sheer volume of people it is likely that China will produce international standard players within the next five to 10 years. When that happens, and we get tens of millions watching young Chinese hopefuls competing with Tiger Woods, the game will go crazy."

Having lived in Hong Kong for 10 years, Mr Lawson had watched the golf industry burgeon across the region and saw it as an ideal base to set up a cohesive support service.

Stepping stone to the region

"Hong Kong was the ideal place to set up the business. It is certainly a convenient and practical stepping stone to China, where the golf club industry has grown enormously since the first course opened in 1987.

"As of 2003, there are over 200 golf clubs either open or under construction in China, and a similar number of private city and athletic clubs. Hong Kong provides easy access to all major Chinese cities, as well as those in the rest of Asia."

Mr Lawson said Hong Kong's recognition as an international hub was another reason for basing the business here, along with its straightforward legal system and its low and simple taxation.

"So far the business has been steady, and we are quite satisfied with the growth and potential in this area," Mr Lawson said.
 
"In future we see China as our main market, and Hong Kong provides us with easy access to all the major cities. Eventually we will establish a permanent presence in China, but that's a few years away yet."

Related link:
Academex www.academex.com.hk