Memories came flooding back for Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC) professional Iain Roberts yesterday.
It was in 1983 that Roberts came within one shot of qualifying for the Open at Royal Birkdale.
'I often think about that and how my life might have been different if I had qualified,' said Roberts, who took over as senior pro at Fanling three years ago. 'Who knows how things could have turned out? If I'd got into the tournament it's probable my career would have taken a different path,' added Roberts.
Roberts confesses that appearing in the 1983 Open might well have persuaded him to attempt to make a name for himself as a playing professional on the PGA European Tour. Instead, he opted to concentrate his efforts on establishing himself as a club pro, which he did with great success at north London's Muswell Hill Golf Club before landing the plumb job in Hong Kong.
As well as renewing acquaintances with British PGA members during his Birkdale visit, Roberts met up with his HKGC predecessor Joe Hardwick and HKGC vice-captain Hugh Staunton.
Networking was also on the agenda for Steve Feuerstein, president of Sports International, promoters of the Hong Kong Open.
