What appeals to the Chicago native is the artistic side.

"I love what I do as it is creating something that will be around and enjoyed for a very long time."

Packard has been based in Shanghai since 2004 when he moved here to design a nine-hole addition at Shanghai Silport Golf Club which has hosted the Volvo China Open six times and just last weekend hosted the South Korea-China Invitational Tournament.

Seeing great potential in the growth of golf in China and having worked in Asia (Thailand and South Korea) previously, Packard decided to stay.

"China is an amazing place to be right now and being part of the development is exhilarating, albeit exhausting at times. Golf is growing quickly here and we're already seeing some excellent players emerging."

Interestingly Packard says he is not a particularly good golfer and has lost track of his own handicap. "I tend to be involved in other activities like travel and relaxing with friends. I design courses every day so I need to step away from golf in my down time."

(Shanghai Daily April 22, 2008)