In early December, the construction of the new nine-hole, par 3 course and short game practice facility was finished. This project is part of a major golf training base for The Shanghai Golf Association, headed by David Wang, a long-time friend of Rick Robbins'. The facility already includes a state-of-the-art driving range that includes a restaurant, private range access rooms, pro shop, conference room and other facilities. Since the opening of the practice range last year, the facility has been used to begin training young students from area schools in addition to regular golfers.
With the completion of the new par 3 course and short game area that has a chipping green, sand play area and putting green, students will have a place to work on all aspects of their game. Being located in the newly developing Waigaoqiao District of Shanghai, it is accessible to many people by train, highways and the subway.
Scheduled to start later this year is a full championship golf course that will eventually host the Shanghai Open golf tournament. Routing plans have already been started and several of the planned lakes and canals that will form the main drainage function for the area have been dug. "I am very excited about this project for many reasons" stated Rick Robbins. "Being located in such a highly visible place as Shanghai is very good for marketing but even better for me personally is the opportunity to help create a new facility that will play a part in the growth of golf for many kids in China", Rick continued. "The long-term growth of golf as a popular sport in China will depend on access by the younger generation to places like this to learn the game."