We are delivering the next “Short Interview” featuring Expats in Mongolia, who are working and enjoying live in Mongolia and UB city. We aim to share their experiences of living in Mongolia. Our next guest is Kevin Brand, British PGA Professional Golfer.
He has traveled to over 50 different countries around the world, both working as a Professional Golf instructor and as a tourist. Before he came to Mongolia, he worked as a professional in India at a golf club which is almost 200 years old. Certainly, it starts with “Why Mongolia?"
Why you choose to come to Mongolia?
MCS offered me the chance to come to Mongolia to help develop golf. As the first PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL in the country the opportunity to develop golf in the way I see the game developing was too exciting to turn down. I had a blank sheet of paper, and I had the chance to introduce golf to a whole country for the first time.
So far I have been here 3 years. I work 8 months a year, and I go back to Europe for the cold winter clubs. So I have the best of both worlds, as I do not need to work here in the cold of winter. I hope to spend at least 3 more years in Mongolia, as I am only half way through introducing my golfing plans.
How is UB treating you so far?
I have been so impressed with the Mongolians I have met so far. Mongolians are very easy to get on with. They have a similar sense of humor to British people. Most people I work and deal with speak very good English, so living and working here is very easy. As I live in Zaisan and work at Sky Resort, life here is very easy. I do not have to worry about traffic problems in town, and time keeping is very easy. Everything I need is in Zaisan or Sky Resort.
What would you advise for the person who has never been to Mongolia?
I would recommend any expat to give UB a try. It is very easy to live here. Especially if they are outside types of people. How many cities have amazing countryside less than 30 minutes drive from the capital city. Of Course like any expat here would think, the way you guys drive cars here is some what crazy. I understand UB is a new city compared to cities in the west, and it will take some time to sort out the Garbage and Traffic problems both in UB and the countryside. In the 3 years I have been here I have seen progress on both these points.
Most favorite thing to do in UB?
Apart from of course spending time playing golf at Sky Resort, which take it from me is a 5 star club that any western country would love to have. I love spending time fishing in the local countryside near UB. It is amazing that 30 minutes drive from UB how good the river experiences can be. No one around and very quiet. A truly amazing and relaxing way to spend my day off.
Last question is for you.
As a Professional Coach who has taught golf all over the world, I was amazed how easy local Mongolians are to teach to play golf. Especially the Mongolian Ladies, they are so much easier to teach golf than European ladies. I have often wondered why this is the case, and I have yet to find the answer. BUT THEY ARE SO EASY TO TEACH TO PLAY GOLF. I HOPE WITHIN 5 TO 10 YEARS WE MAY EVEN HAVE A MONGOLIAN PLAYING GOLF IN THE PGA TOUR.
I hope to be part of the UB golf community for many years to come. As a PGA golfer UB is a very rewarding way of life.
We are delivering the next “Short Interview” featuring Expats in Mongolia, who are working and enjoying live in Mongolia and UB city. We aim to share their experiences of living in Mongolia. Our next guest is Kevin Brand, British PGA Professional Golfer.
He has traveled to over 50 different countries around the world, both working as a Professional Golf instructor and as a tourist. Before he came to Mongolia, he worked as a professional in India at a golf club which is almost 200 years old. Certainly, it starts with “Why Mongolia?"
Why you choose to come to Mongolia?
MCS offered me the chance to come to Mongolia to help develop golf. As the first PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL in the country the opportunity to develop golf in the way I see the game developing was too exciting to turn down. I had a blank sheet of paper, and I had the chance to introduce golf to a whole country for the first time.
So far I have been here 3 years. I work 8 months a year, and I go back to Europe for the cold winter clubs. So I have the best of both worlds, as I do not need to work here in the cold of winter. I hope to spend at least 3 more years in Mongolia, as I am only half way through introducing my golfing plans.
How is UB treating you so far?
I have been so impressed with the Mongolians I have met so far. Mongolians are very easy to get on with. They have a similar sense of humor to British people. Most people I work and deal with speak very good English, so living and working here is very easy. As I live in Zaisan and work at Sky Resort, life here is very easy. I do not have to worry about traffic problems in town, and time keeping is very easy. Everything I need is in Zaisan or Sky Resort.
What would you advise for the person who has never been to Mongolia?
I would recommend any expat to give UB a try. It is very easy to live here. Especially if they are outside types of people. How many cities have amazing countryside less than 30 minutes drive from the capital city. Of Course like any expat here would think, the way you guys drive cars here is some what crazy. I understand UB is a new city compared to cities in the west, and it will take some time to sort out the Garbage and Traffic problems both in UB and the countryside. In the 3 years I have been here I have seen progress on both these points.
Most favorite thing to do in UB?
Apart from of course spending time playing golf at Sky Resort, which take it from me is a 5 star club that any western country would love to have. I love spending time fishing in the local countryside near UB. It is amazing that 30 minutes drive from UB how good the river experiences can be. No one around and very quiet. A truly amazing and relaxing way to spend my day off.
Last question is for you.
As a Professional Coach who has taught golf all over the world, I was amazed how easy local Mongolians are to teach to play golf. Especially the Mongolian Ladies, they are so much easier to teach golf than European ladies. I have often wondered why this is the case, and I have yet to find the answer. BUT THEY ARE SO EASY TO TEACH TO PLAY GOLF. I HOPE WITHIN 5 TO 10 YEARS WE MAY EVEN HAVE A MONGOLIAN PLAYING GOLF IN THE PGA TOUR.
I hope to be part of the UB golf community for many years to come. As a PGA golfer UB is a very rewarding way of life.