Page 1: Is it a golf course or a practice range? No one can give a definitive answer.
Page 2: The golf course in the wetland park raises ecological concerns.
Page 3: What exactly do local governments gain from building golf projects? Whether it's a golf practice range or a full course, the seemingly small difference in terminology hides a vast disparity in land costs and operational rules.
Reported by Sun Xiaolin from Yangzhou — Beneath the Runyang Bridge in Yangzhou lies the ancient town of Guazhou, renowned since Wang Anshi penned the famous lines, "Between Jingkou and Guazhou lies just a river, Zhongshan is separated by only a few mountains."
In Guazhou Town stands the Runyang Ecological Wetland Park. On May 28th, within this wetland park, the construction of the so-called Taiyang Island 18-hole standard golf project will open for business.
Similarly, beneath the Runyang Yangtze River Bridge, a few kilometers away from Guazhou in Puxi Town, another golf project named Donggao Golf is under construction inside the Donggao Ecological Wetland Park.
Whether it's Taiyang Island or Donggao, both are officially referred to as golf practice ranges in local official statements in Yangzhou.
There is a significant distinction between a golf course and a practice range. In the eyes of local authorities, a practice range is not considered a full golf course and thus falls outside the central government’s ban. Typically, a practice range would not exceed 50 acres, with the largest being around 100 acres.
However, according to information obtained by this reporter, the Donggao Golf Course and its associated areas cover far more than a thousand acres.
Amidst the national strict prohibition on constructing golf courses, these two suspected golf projects in Yangzhou have been built openly near the Runyang Yangtze River Bridge, beside the Yangtze River channel, and inside the wetland parks.
On May 4th, the Ministry of Land and Resources announced cases involving illegal use of land for golf courses in Wuhu, Anhui, illegal occupation of land for golf courses in Anji, Zhejiang, and unauthorized construction of a golf course in Erdos, Inner Mongolia.
Li Jianqin, Director of the Enforcement Supervision Bureau of the Ministry of Land and Resources, specifically reminded local governments at the press conference that day not to misinterpret the policies regarding golf. The policy on golf course construction has not changed; any golf course constructed in violation of regulations will be firmly dealt with according to law.
Is it a golf practice range or a full course?
On the morning of May 19th, in Shuangqiao Village, Puxi Town, Yangzhou,
"Do you know where the Donggao Wetland Park is?" The villagers looked blank. "Do you know where the golf course is?" Immediately, they pointed towards the end of the road.
The road where the reporter stood was uncommon for a rural area. Compared to other country roads, it already had densely installed streetlights, landscape trees planted on both sides, and at the end of the road lay the under-construction Donggao Golf Project.
The scene before the eyes revealed that the main structure of the clubhouse had been preliminarily completed. The grass on the course, fairways, sand dunes were mostly ready, and freshly cut grass clippings lay next to the neatly maintained grass field.
Stone markers like PAR5 had already been set up. Under the PAR5 marker, a series of numbers were clearly written: 5680 5419 0847 1441”.
PAR indicates "the number of strokes used to complete a hole equaling the standard," abbreviated as "standard strokes," a typical golf term.
According to the "Yangzhou City Domain Ring Road Industry Belt Development Plan" issued in 2007, the wetland park where the Donggao golf course is located will "build amusement parks and golf practice ranges," with an initial plan to invest 650 million yuan.
This reporter learned that the park where the Donggao golf course is located covers an area of 3 square kilometers, about 4500 mu (Chinese acre).
Compared to Donggao which is still under construction, the Taiyang Island Golf Project located beside the East China Petroleum Technician College has been basically completed. The clubhouse is majestic, and the entrance to the course exudes wealth and leisure.
Sales personnel from Taiyang Island told this reporter over the phone, "The clubhouse is currently under renovation and will open on the 28th of this month."
Not only Donggao Golf, but also the Taiyang Island Golf Project has been promoted by the local government as a "practice range."
The "Yangzhou Tourism Industry 'Eleventh Five-Year' Development Plan" points out the need to "expand and improve the Runyang Forest Park, build amusement parks and golf practice ranges."
But is it really so?
According to the Yangzhou Municipal Government's officially published "Overview of Basic Recruitment Projects in 2007" (hereinafter referred to as "Overview"), this project is specifically listed: The project description clearly states that it is a "golf course and other sports projects." The "Overview" also reveals that the project name is the Puxi Donggao Sports Club, the project nature is defined as "tourism infrastructure," the investment amount is 150 million yuan, it is a sole proprietorship project, specifically undertaken by Puxi Town and the Yangzhou Municipal Tourism Bureau.
Taiyang Island is the same.
"Guazhou is actively developing high-end golf courses in ecological gardens, etc." Yangzhou Deputy Director of Tourism Quan Douhuanling previously told local media, revealing that Taiyang Island Golf is an authentic golf course.
Sales personnel from Taiyang Island Golf also clearly informed this reporter that it is a standard 18-hole golf course.
I have a few things to say: View Comments Leave a comment here! Support it, golf can significantly help with local recruitment. Oppose it, ordinary people cannot afford it, no need to build it. For golf, it should be adapted to local conditions. It depends on whether it benefits local development. Domestic golf projects are somewhat like rats running across the street, everyone shouting to beat them. Golf is an inevitable product after economic development, there's no need to completely eliminate it. [1] [2] [3] [Next Page]
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