Hong Kong Golf in the 1960s - Part Two

‘Hong Kong’ is Chinese for ‘Fragrant Harbour’, but by far the most fragrant spot we visited on the island is the Shek O Country Club, just fourteen miles from the buzzing crowds who make money instead of honey.
Shek O is a sheltered, though not so secret valley. Twenty-one householders living there own the golf club (limited to 300 members), the swimming pool, such accoutrements as a small driving range, and an army of devoted club servants. There is considerable visitor restriction at the club; also, only twenty-one building sites are allowed on the estate. None of the rank and file membership has any say in the running of the club and that suits everyone, including the Shek O Development Company which owns the lot.
The Convenor (they don’t have a President, Captain or Professional) is the executive boss, and his rule is absolute, benevolent and, of course, honorary. My buddy Graeme Nicholl is the Secretary. He reports to the Convenor (currently the genial Walter Vaughan, a past-captain of Royal Hong Kong), and he, old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, report to the chairman of the company.
The clubhouse, a simple bijou, is built on a peak looking down on the serene valley which is sheltered from the noisy world, and laid out as a charming golf course.
Because, here and there, rock comes to the surface, the lie of your ball could once be improved on the outward 9, but you can’t improve the view. At all times the links is a short shot from the sea. At the 6th (Land’s End) you have to carry a neck of ocean with your drive as at the renowned hole at Pebble Beach in California. The 18 holes stretch to about 5,000 yards, short enough, but so pleasant, particularly for the predominantly senior membership with corresponding avoir du pois.
The impression of playing in a lovely valley is constant. You are away from unpleasant things. Within minutes of arrival, the Golf Widow and I both said ‘Shangri-la!’ As for testing golf, don’t expect too much. Kel Nagle holds the course record with 58 that can’t last. But who cares.
The members of Shek O really rally round. Mr Nordahl Wallem (I hope he will excuse me for tossing in the fact that he is a Norwegian millionaire) has generously presented a new watering system, and someone else is giving a ski-lift to transport players from the 17th green to the lofty 18th tee. The bridges over burns are ships’ plates from the docks... In fact, Shek O affluence is liberal in an unobtrusive way.