Watch the birdie! Former migrant is a high flier
By Victoria Fei |
July 27, 2013, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WORKING up a sweat on a sweltering summer day, Wang Yongqiang, 31, a professional golfer at the Qizhong Golf Club in Minhang District, hits balls again and again.
He is preparing for the 12th National Games in September, where he will represent Shanghai as the only member from the city on an eight-man team.
Watching his graceful, careful swings on the green, it's hard to grasp the fact that Wang is a former migrant worker from Henan Province, whose education stopped at the level of vocational school.
He has worked his way up, starting as a cleaner at the golf club.
"Before I became a migrant worker, I had never heard about a game called golf," Wang recalled. "Now, there is nothing in this world like a hole-in-one."
From rural hometown to big city, Wang's first stop was the southern city of Guangzhou, where he worked in construction, sales and other jobs.
While on an elevated ring road one day, he saw people playing golf at a course below. "Wouldn't it be wonderful," he thought to himself, "if I could work at such a place!"
Low start
When he came to Shanghai in 2002, he was lucky enough to get a job as a cleaner at the Qizhong Golf Club, starting at a monthly salary of 500 yuan (US$81), the lowest pay rung at the club.
It didn't take long for Wang to figure out that he could more than triple his salary if he became a golfing coach. So he set his sights higher.
"Because the club was newly opened, golfers were few," he said. "Since the greens were pretty empty, staff were allowed to play for free if we finished work early.
I worked really hard to gain time for practice."
Later, as the golf club became more popular, a demand for coaches arose. Wang practiced even harder, sometimes up to 14 hours a day.
He began each day with a 10-kilometer run, followed by sit-ups and push-ups. His hard work paid off and he was finally hired as a coach.
In 2004, he participated in his first amateur golf contest in Shanghai. Although he didn't do particularly well on the leader board, his determination was fired up. He started entering golf tourneys around the country. Four years later he won the championship at the Shanghai Golf Tournament.
Family's backup
Zhao Chunli, Wang's wife, gave him the backup he needed.
"My wife takes care of everything at home," he said.
"She donated part of her earnings to pay for accommodation and air tickets when I entered tournaments. She never said no. Her support has been invaluable."
Wang bought a new apartment in Minhang in 2008, just before the birth of their son, who now plays mini golf at home.
Wang's mother Gao Qiurong assists the couple by caring for her grandson.
"I don't know much about golf," Gao confessed. "But I know it is the career for my son, and I will support him all the way."
Wang's life is hectic. Competitions and practice aside, he also coaches up to 10 students at a time at the club. His achievements have drawn students to him. "To me, the fun isn't just landing a ball directly in the cup, but rather talking to the people who play," Wang said.
"Some of them are gentlemen. I learn a lot by talking to them."
What's ahead?
Since the International Olympic Committee voted to add golf to the line-up of sports for the 2016 and 2020 Summer Games, Wang has set his sights on the international arena.
Impossible? Well, stranger things have happened to people even less dedicated to their dreams.
He is preparing for the 12th National Games in September, where he will represent Shanghai as the only member from the city on an eight-man team.
Watching his graceful, careful swings on the green, it's hard to grasp the fact that Wang is a former migrant worker from Henan Province, whose education stopped at the level of vocational school.
He has worked his way up, starting as a cleaner at the golf club.
"Before I became a migrant worker, I had never heard about a game called golf," Wang recalled. "Now, there is nothing in this world like a hole-in-one."
From rural hometown to big city, Wang's first stop was the southern city of Guangzhou, where he worked in construction, sales and other jobs.
While on an elevated ring road one day, he saw people playing golf at a course below. "Wouldn't it be wonderful," he thought to himself, "if I could work at such a place!"
Low start
When he came to Shanghai in 2002, he was lucky enough to get a job as a cleaner at the Qizhong Golf Club, starting at a monthly salary of 500 yuan (US$81), the lowest pay rung at the club.
It didn't take long for Wang to figure out that he could more than triple his salary if he became a golfing coach. So he set his sights higher.
"Because the club was newly opened, golfers were few," he said. "Since the greens were pretty empty, staff were allowed to play for free if we finished work early.
I worked really hard to gain time for practice."
Later, as the golf club became more popular, a demand for coaches arose. Wang practiced even harder, sometimes up to 14 hours a day.
He began each day with a 10-kilometer run, followed by sit-ups and push-ups. His hard work paid off and he was finally hired as a coach.
In 2004, he participated in his first amateur golf contest in Shanghai. Although he didn't do particularly well on the leader board, his determination was fired up. He started entering golf tourneys around the country. Four years later he won the championship at the Shanghai Golf Tournament.
Family's backup
Zhao Chunli, Wang's wife, gave him the backup he needed.
"My wife takes care of everything at home," he said.
"She donated part of her earnings to pay for accommodation and air tickets when I entered tournaments. She never said no. Her support has been invaluable."
Wang bought a new apartment in Minhang in 2008, just before the birth of their son, who now plays mini golf at home.
Wang's mother Gao Qiurong assists the couple by caring for her grandson.
"I don't know much about golf," Gao confessed. "But I know it is the career for my son, and I will support him all the way."
Wang's life is hectic. Competitions and practice aside, he also coaches up to 10 students at a time at the club. His achievements have drawn students to him. "To me, the fun isn't just landing a ball directly in the cup, but rather talking to the people who play," Wang said.
"Some of them are gentlemen. I learn a lot by talking to them."
What's ahead?
Since the International Olympic Committee voted to add golf to the line-up of sports for the 2016 and 2020 Summer Games, Wang has set his sights on the international arena.
Impossible? Well, stranger things have happened to people even less dedicated to their dreams.
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