A New Chapter in the Development of the Digital Golf Industry — Launch Ceremony of the China University Digital Golf Education Development Alliance and Industry Forum

On November 16, the ‘Launch Ceremony of the China University Digital Golf Education Development Alliance and the Digital Golf Industry Development Forum,’ hosted by Tianjin University of Sport and organized by GOLFZON China, was held with great fanfare at GOLFZON (Tianjin) CITY GOLF.

The event was attended by some 100 representatives from more than 50 universities—including 15 of China’s leading 985 and 211 universities such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Tongji University, Tianjin University, Nankai University, Beijing Sport University, and Shanghai University of Sport—as well as from related organizations and bodies including the China Golf Association, the China Institute of Sport Science of the General Administration of Sport, the Liaoning Golf Association, the physical education federation, and the Federation of University Sports of China.

This event followed the ‘Sports University–GOLFZON China Charitable Donation Signing Ceremony and Seminar on Digital Golf Development and University Student Employment’ held this past July at Tianjin University of Sport, marking yet another event in the field of the digital golf industry and education. Conducted on a larger scale and at a higher level than the previous event, it also generated a significant social response.

The event consisted of ▲the Launch Ceremony of the China University Digital Golf Education Development Alliance, ▲the Signing Ceremony for GOLFZON China’s Industry-Academia Cooperation Talent Development Project, and ▲the Digital Golf Industry Development Forum.

Driving a New Leap Forward for the Digital Golf Industry

In his opening remarks, Zhang Lishun (张立顺), Party Secretary of Tianjin University of Sport, stated, “Digital golf is an industry that aligns remarkably well with the characteristics of new quality productive forces (新质生产力),” adding, “Universities should not stop at promoting the development of digital golf, but should actively incorporate it into their teaching and training curricula so that students can develop innovative thinking and capabilities.”

Park Young-jo, Chairman of GOLFZON China, said, “Digital golf is a field that represents the new quality productive forces within the sports industry,” noting, “While promoting the development of the sports industry and providing new momentum for socioeconomic growth, it is at the same time creating more opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment.” He added, “I look forward to universities and GOLFZON China working closely together to jointly lead the development of the digital golf industry.”

Professor He Zhongkai (何仲恺) of Peking University said, “Peking University has also made considerable efforts to popularize golf, but has faced difficulties due to environmental constraints,” adding, “Seeing CITY GOLF firsthand today, I have confirmed the potential and future of popularizing golf within universities.” He went on to assess, “At a time when the nation is emphasizing the development of new quality productive forces, digital golf is a field that fits the trends of the era and is certain to grow.”

Professor Wang Fatao (王法涛) of Beijing Sport University explained, “Digital sports are fundamentally transforming the structure of the sports industry, shifting it toward a high-quality, high-efficiency industrial structure,” adding, “As a core component of the digital sports industry, digital golf is creating new industrial systems, business models, and consumer markets, and will also generate many jobs for society.”

Chen Juhong (陈巨红), President of Hunan Golf and Tourism Vocational College, stated, “The China University Digital Golf Education Development Alliance will provide vocational colleges with a broader platform for cooperation and exchange,” adding, “We will strengthen resource sharing and innovative collaboration among schools, and expand industry-academia cooperation with companies to cultivate talent for the digital golf industry.”

A New Start for Digital Golf Education

At the alliance’s launch ceremony, Liu Baohua (刘保华), Dean of the School of Social Sports at Tianjin University of Sport, delivered a speech on behalf of the alliance’s founders.

Dean Liu Baohua said, “The world is rapidly entering the digital age, and securing advanced digital technologies is a key factor in enhancing national competitiveness,” adding, “The launch of this alliance will strengthen academic exchange and industry-academia cooperation among universities and promote the integration of the digital golf industry, academia, and research.” He also said, “It will open up a broader job market for students in related majors,” encouraging the participation of universities and institutions nationwide.

Subsequently, Tianjin University of Sport Party Secretary Zhang Lishun, GOLFZON China Chairman Park Young-jo, Hunan Golf and Tourism Vocational College President Chen Juhong, Hebei Sport University department head Zhao Wei (赵伟), Shenzhen University School of Physical Education Party Secretary Li Zhijun (李智军), Peking University Professor He Zhongkai, National Athletic Training Education Federation Development Service Committee Deputy Director Jing Yun (静云), and Tianjin University of Sport Dean Liu Baohua took the stage to officially declare the launch of the alliance.

Cultivating Digital Golf Talent and Expanding Employment

As a digital sports company, GOLFZON China values not only industry development but also social responsibility, and is actively engaged in nurturing digital golf talent and expanding entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.

At the Signing Ceremony for the Industry-Academia Cooperation Talent Development Project held after the alliance’s launch, Hunan Golf and Tourism Vocational College and Hebei Dongfang University were selected as the first universities to sign agreements with GOLFZON China. The two sides agreed to establish a system for cultivating specialized talent and linking graduates to employment, serving as a starting point for GOLFZON China to actively engage in golf talent development and industry growth.

In addition, Hebei Sport University was selected as one of the first beneficiary schools at the charitable donation signing in July, and is currently operating as the first university to incorporate a digital golf simulator into its actual curriculum. Marking its 40th anniversary this year, Hebei Sport University presented GOLFZON China with a plaque of appreciation and commemorative gifts through Zhao Wei, head of its Department of Social Sports. Department head Zhao Wei said, “The introduction of the GOLFZON simulator not only made the school’s 40th anniversary all the more meaningful, but also presented a new direction for digital education.”

Discussing the Direction of Digital Golf Industry Development

The Digital Golf Industry Development Forum centered on three themes: ▲the convergence of digital technology and golf and its future development, ▲sports education innovation and talent cultivation based on digital golf, and ▲the development of China’s golf industry through the university digital golf alliance.

Zhang Ning (张宁), Director of Education at the China Golf Association, explained, “Digital golf is opening a new path for talent cultivation,” noting, “This year’s finals of the China Indoor Golf Open and the coach-transition program for elite athletes were also held at CITY GOLF, with many athletes taking part.” He went on to assess, “Digital golf is gradually establishing itself as one of the key directions of the golf industry, and GOLFZON China is leading the industry’s development.”

Jing Yun, Deputy Director of the physical education federation’s Development Service Committee, said, “The digital golf industry is a highly promising field from an employment perspective as well,” adding, “The virtual practicum equipment operation curriculum being developed in cooperation with GOLFZON China not only improves the capabilities of industry professionals but also provides new career development opportunities.”

Wang Zefeng (王泽峰), a researcher at the China Institute of Sport Science of the General Administration of Sport, explained, “Accurate data is a hallmark of scientization,” adding, “A data foundation is essential for scientific research and practice, and digital golf is an important direction for the scientization of the golf industry.” He added, “I hope that GOLFZON China and the sports universities will cooperate to help China grow into a golfing powerhouse, and that Chinese golf can advance beyond Asia to the world.”

This ‘Launch Ceremony of the China University Digital Golf Education Development Alliance and Digital Golf Industry Development Forum’ served as a starting point to fully advance industry-academia cooperation. Going forward, GOLFZON China’s industry and market competitiveness is expected to combine with universities’ research and talent resources to lay the groundwork for cultivating high-quality digital golf talent, innovating sports education, and raising educational standards. It is also expected to meet the demand for talent needed for the growth of the digital golf industry and to further expand entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for students.