Andreas Binder Interview

How often do you play golf yourself - and how did you first get started in the game?

Unfortunately, I do not play very regularly these days. But I like the game very much and try to get on the course at least every few weeks. My first contact with golf goes back to the year 2001, when I was stationed in Singapore, where golf is also a very important element of our business. At that time I was not so keen to take up this game, but it was very difficult to talk to our customers without any understanding of golf. Like most golfers it didn’t take very long for me to fall in love with the game.

What are you favourite courses, both in Asia and globally?

We are blessed with some of the most scenic courses in the world just around the corner right here in Hong Kong. Maybe the most scenic one is Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club, but I also enjoy all the others.

One of my favorite courses globally is definitely The Pines in Sanctuary Cove, Australia, where the MercedesTrophy Asia Final is usually held. It is not only a fantastic golf course but you are also playing side by side with kangaroos, which is a unique experience. Another course I really like is Sentosa in Singapore.

And your favourite golf event and player?

In my eyes the Ryder Cup is by far the most attractive golf event to watch since it is an exciting combination of individual sport and team play. And all the best golfers on the planet are competing with each other. I don’t think there is another tournament that can compete easily with the Ryder Cup.

With regard to individuals there are so many excellent players and this makes it hard for me to pick only one. Besides my fellow countryman Bernhard Langer, who is in my view one of the world’s best golfers over decades, there are many other players like Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and our brand ambassador Martin Kaymer. They are great ambassadors for this sport and a big inspiration to all amateur golfers like me.