Five Minutes with Shay Smart

For golfers and investors out there, you might find golf and investing share a lot of similar attributes. In this, the seventh in a series of interviews presented by Charles Schwab, Hong Kong, Ltd., Shay Smart - one of Hong Kong’s leading PGA-qualified instructors - talks about his favourite course, the investment lessons he’s learned over time and his respect for his mentor, Davis Love III

The North Course at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau

Do you have a favourite course?

I’m very partial to Sea Island Golf Club in Georgia. I worked there before coming to Asia and the Seaside Course holds a lot of good memories for me. It’s a great track. Originally designed by Harry Colt and Charles Alison in the 1920s, it was updated by Tom Fazio and is a delight to play. My favourite course in this part of the world is the North Course at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau. It’s a very challenging layout and the views are great.

Who would be in your dream fourball?

Davis Love III would be my first pick. I worked for him at Sea Island and I always respected the way he carried himself. He’s a tall guy, like me, and very much a man of his word. He was a great mentor. My second choice would be Bob Hope. He’d provide the humour but I also liked him because of all his charity work. Lastly, Lee Trevino. He came from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. He’s quite the character.

How do you maintain focus during a round?

To be honest I really only focus on what really means the most to me in life. When I play golf I realise how fortunate I am to be doing so.

How would you describe your overall investment philosophy?

Generally speaking I’m quite conservative – I place the emphasis on the long term rather than the short term. It’s also important for me to have a good understanding of the companies I am investing in.

What key lessons have you learned through your personal investing experiences?

It goes back to trust. You need to be comfortable with the people who are advising you. Without trust you can end up getting burned. You also need to stick to your plan. My investing plans now are all long term. Gone are the days when I tried to make a quick gain.

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