IN a remarkable golfing career spanning five decades, Gary Player travelled more than 12 million kilometres, but China was one of the few countries where golf had not taken him.
Until March, 1993, that is. More than two years on, the legendary South African still fondly remembers the day he first set foot in the People's Republic to visit the site of the Zhaoqing Resort and Golf Club that he had been commissioned to design.
'All my life I had wanted to visit China but I never thought the day would come,' said the nine-time major champion.
Accompanied by the club's developers and Zhaoqing government officials, Player spent six hours at the course and was left with a lasting impression.
'This land is absolutely unbelievable. It is a gift to nature and here we will be aiming to build one of the best golf courses in the world,' he said while touring the area.
When he returned 21 months later, Player struck shots at several holes and said: 'When I first came here, I said this was an ideal piece of land for a great golf course. It really is a magnificent setting.' The Zhaoqing club is 85 km northwest of Guangzhou in the scenic Seven Star Lake area.