Some events at the Asian Games are truly world class. Think of the Chinese gymnasts, divers and table tennis players; the Indonesian badminton stars and the Korean shooters.
Others definitely fall more into the improvers' category.
In the best traditions of 'Eddie the Eagle' or 'Eric the Eel' the most
noteworthy performer on Wednesday was an Afghani golfer by the name of Ali Ahmad Fazel.
The 19-year-old from Kabul shot 130 in his first round at Dragon Lake Golf Club, a whopping 58 shots over par.
Despite his effort, which leaves him a distant last in the field as he scored 66 in the first nine holes alone, Fazel pronounced himself satisfied with his play.
"I had a good performance today," said Fazel. "The course is more difficult from what we have in Afghanistan. The ball runs faster on this course."
He went on to come up with one of the understatements of the sporting year.
"[Tomorrow] I have to be more accurate."
Fazel started with a disastrous 13 on the very first hole. He recovered quickly, making par then three bogeys in the next four holes. But his round fell apart after that as he shot 12's on the 8th and 9th holes, then 11, nine and nine in the next three. His eighteen rounds of agony ended with one par, five bogies and 12 double bogeys or worse.
His teammate Hashmattulah Sarwaree, who shot 108 to lie third last, helped to put things in perspective about the challenges faced by golfers from Afghanistan.
"There are only nine holes in Kabul and no water traps," said Sarwaree.
"And there are no trees, and we only have one tee to share."
Golf has been included at the Asian Games as a precursor to its inclusion at the 2012 London Olympics. Fazel has not given up his dream of being there.
"I want to turn professional in the future," he said. "I love golf. My two brothers also play golf. I can't tell if I'm turning professional in five or ten years but I will work hard to build my way there."
Miguel Luis Tabuena of the Phillipines shot 68 to share the overnight lead with Sri Lankan Mithun Kaluthamthrige.
The par-72 course on the outskirts of the city features a plethora of water hazards and has several large bunkers in the middle of the fairway which they have called Dragon Eyes. The 8th hole is a particular beauty; nicknamed the 'devil hole' it is 540 metres of constant sand traps and a relatively narrow fairway.
Michael Burgess travelled to China with the support of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, which is an organisation dedicated to building New Zealanders' knowledge and understanding of Asia.
- Herald on Sunday
A round of 58 over par is probably not the way you'd want to start a golf tournament. Photo / Getty Images
Some events at the Asian Games are truly world class. Think of the Chinese gymnasts, divers and table tennis players; the Indonesian badminton stars and the Korean shooters.
Others definitely fall more into the improvers' category.
In the best traditions of 'Eddie the Eagle' or 'Eric the Eel' the most
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