For one father and son duo, the DP World Tour’s Chinese double header was a source of particular pride and brought a spotlight on golf’s ability to change lives.
While having a family member as your caddie is by no means unheard of, few and far between of us can say their father is at the heart of a best-selling book.
It is no stretch to suggest that without Xunshu Zhou, emerging Chinese talent Yanhan might not be in the early stages of his professional career.
From working the fields in rural China, to security guard at a course, to golf professional, Xunshu’s inspiring story formed a key thread of a 2014 novel by Dan Washburn titled The Forbidden Game: Golf and the Chinese Dream.
Since playing against the best in China, he has helped nurture the development of his son Yanhan as his coach and was his caddie over the past two weeks at the Volvo China Open and Hainan Classic.
“He is everything to me,” Yanhan told the DP World Tour. “He makes me work harder (as) my dad is a hard-working person.
“He is a good coach. I have learned so many things from him.”
Just like his father was, Yanhan, who only turned 17 earlier this month, is competing on the China Tour, who co-sanctioned the two events which formed part of the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing.
Still at the outset of what he hopes will be a successful professional career, there is no doubting his motivation to succeed.
“My dream is to be top of the world,” added Yanhan, who made the cut in both back-to-back events on home soil in an indication of his potential.
However his son’s development progresses, Xunshu is just proud that his own hunger to pursue a career in the sport decades ago has helped lead them both to this stage.
“Throughout my life I’ve learned so much through golf,” he reflected. “It has changed my life.
“And through golf I was able to raise my child to where he is today. I feel very proud.”
