In Kroos Control

You had the opportunity to join Shek O in 1976 and it was there where you've said you really developed a passion for the game. What is it about Shek O that you clearly enjoy so much?

I actually joined Fanling in 1969 as a five-day member and I would play with my two English bosses at the time, both of whom were members there, on Saturday mornings. My seven-day membership didn't progress so I leapt at the invitation to join Shek O. It was quite a quick process in those days, as the club at the time allowed up to 40 Americans to join. Six months after getting into Shek O, Fanling offered me seven-day membership and I've remained a member at both, although Shek O is where I play most. It's more convenient, it has an intimate course style with a ‘family’ club ambience and I really enjoy the friendships that I have formed there.

What was the club like in those days?

The course has changed vastly and is much improved. It is a more challenging course today than it was. The grass planted on the fairways and greens have changed for the better and the drainage is good. But like everyone else there, it taught me the "Shek O Shuffle" - the term I use to describe hitting a putter or running a low 6- or 7-iron from off the green. We laugh about it but it's highly effective and still very much in use to this day. It's often the only way to hold those postage stamp-sized greens.

Now at the age of 71 I'm still finding it the most enjoyable course to play in Hong Kong or indeed anywhere. I've lost some distance but at Shek O I can still hit a lot of wedge or 9-iron approach shots. It really gives my short game a good work out.

How good a player were you in those early years of being in Hong Kong?

I was probably an 11 or 12 handicap at that time. My mother was a good golfer but I never had formal lessons, which is why my game has struggled in certain areas. Golf is a lot like riding a bike. People who get proper training at a young age are likely to be good golfers for the rest of their days. They won't be swinging over the top and hacking it around like me.

From what I understand that rather sounds like you're doing yourself a disservice. You represented Hong Kong at the Johnnie Walker Asian International Championship in 1995 ...

I was part of the Shek O team that won the InterClub Championship that year. We had beaten Fanling at Fanling and as a result, we were invited to participate at the event, which was held on Jeju Island in Korea. Johnnie Walker brought in Greg Norman and Vijay Singh to give clinics. Unfortunately I put my back out during the practice round and couldn't play, which meant the team couldn't compete – or at least, it meant we couldn't compete in the team event. It was a shame but we had a stunning time nonetheless.