Inside the Ropes

Last month at the Foreign Correspondents' Club, Hong Kong-based golf photographer Richard Castka exhibited a selection of images from his 20-plus years of covering the major tours and capturing world-class courses. Alex Jenkins spoke with the well-travelled lensman, owner of the largest independent golf archive in Asia.

Woods holes a putt on the 18th at the 2008 US OpenWho are the best players to work with?

Ernie Els would be one of them, as would Nick Dougherty. I went onto the Great Wall of China with Nick when he played in the 2006 Volvo China Open. He insisted on carrying his tour bag, which was difficult to do because of the tall steps and the weight of the bag. Monty [Colin Montgomerie] is good fun at corporate events, as is Tiger Woods. Swing coach Butch Harmon is also good fun to work with.

And the worst?

Darren Clarke is difficult to work with. If he's in a good mood then OK, but if he's not ... Paul Casey is another for the same reasons. It’s amazing how victory changes people. Ian Poulter was quite moody when he first joined the tour but he has mellowed considerably now. Michael Campbell would talk to everyone before he won the US Open, but after his victory he seemed to distance himself from everyone but his fellow pros.

What has been your best moment on a course?

Seeing China's Zhang Lian Wei take his first tee shot at the Masters [in 2004]. It was a momentous occasion for Asian golf and one that I believe has helped
raise the standards to where they are now.

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