Andy Leadbetter, son of golf legend David Leadbetter, came to
Shenzhen in September to join the Mission Hills Golf Club as the
director of instructor training for the academy named after his
father.
The family has an academy network named after David Leadbetter —
about 30 in total — around the world. Andy said he chose China to
continue his career because "this is a growing market."
"I think I can make a big splash here," said the young man, who
has several years' experience of golf instruction under his
father's guidance at ChampionsGate, Florida, the United States.
Andy has been impressed by the hospitality of local people. "I
made more friends in the couple of weeks here than in the past
several years in the States," he said.
After graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with
a full golf scholarship, Andy said he experienced a transition
period and once worked as a property dealer but finally found where
his real interest lies. "I like the feeling of helping people,
blowing people's minds and sharing my knowledge with the
learners."
Andy said one of his goals was to find and train more talented
golfers like Mu Hu, a Shenzhen-born teenager who has already found
fame in major tournaments.
His father, David Leadbetter, is recognized as one of the
leading golf instructors in the world. He created a teaching
philosophy that has grown into an academy network, influencing
players such as Nick Faldo, Greg Norman and Ernie Els.
(Shenzhen Daily November 6, 2007)
