China shuts down 111 golf courses as it continues its assault on ‘sport for millionaires’

TVC E. Eye-watering big-money transfers have made China one of the most talked-about sporting destinations over the past year as European clubs look to hold onto their top talent amid a landgrab from the Chinese Super League.

But while these well-bankrolled clubs are on a government-promoted transfer binge to promote growth, some other mainstream sports are receiving quite the opposite sort of treatment.

Indeed, China has launched a renewed crackdown on golf, closing 111 courses and telling members of the ruling Communist Party to stay off the links in an effort to conserve water and land.

The state-run Xinhua News Agency said Sunday the courses were closed for improperly using groundwater, arable land or land in nature reserves, and it said authorities have imposed restrictions on 65 more courses.

China orders local officials to stop issuing smog alerts

The party has fired local leaders for accepting free rounds.

One of China’s most famous leaders, Mao Tse Tung, christened golf a “sport for millionaires” and current leader Xi Jinping has continued the assault on the sport as part of a crackdown on corruption and excess in the country’s growing middle class.