On the afternoon of December 3, 2025, students from the Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management (THEM) Programme enrolled in the Sports Management course, led by Assistant Professor Dr Xiaonan Zhang, visited Zhuhai Cuihu Golf Club for a professional practice activity themed “Operation and Management of the High-End Sports Industry.” The visit aimed to help students develop a concrete understanding of the operational and management systems, cultural positioning, and customer service practices of the sports industry through on-site instruction and field observation.

During the lecture, Mr. Zhou systematically elaborated on the daily operational and management challenges of golf courses from multiple perspectives, including facility and caddie management, organizational structure, event planning and hosting, turf maintenance, and marketing strategies. Drawing on real-world cases, he shared industry insights on how to balance customer experience with economic performance in the high-end service sector.

Mr. Zhou explained the operational and management practices of the golf course to the students

Mr. Zhou introduced the students to the 30-year history and development of Zhuhai Cuihu Golf Club

After the lecture, Mr. Zhou led the students and faculty on a guided tour of the golf course, offering on-site explanations of the design philosophy, functional zoning, turfgrass selection, irrigation systems, and ecological conservation measures. From the clubhouse to the greens, and from the driving range to the leisure areas, students experienced firsthand how spatial planning is embedded in service operations and how detailed management influences overall service quality.

Students followed Mr. Zhou on a guided tour around the golf course

The picturesque environment of Zhuhai Cuihu Golf Club

During the visit, students gained a hands-on understanding of how the golf industry operates and saw how guest experience, environmental design, and business management converge in the high-end leisure sector. This real-world exposure offered them vivid case studies and valuable practical insights into the complexities of running a premium leisure business.

Text: Zhiming Wang

Photo: Weilu Wang