Known affectionately to millions around the world as "Monty", Colin Montgomerie is one of his generations most recognisable and endearing sports stars and is a true statesman of golf. 
 
Colin consistently ranked amongst the world's best golfers, moving in to the top 10 of the World Rankings in 1994.  After being honoured with an MBE in 1998 the following year produced a record equalling five victories in European events and he was never outside the Top 20 in any tournament.  Over the last two decades Colin has emerged as the undisputed leading European golfer. 
 
Throughout his career Colin has competed in more than 500 professional European Tour events, winning a British record of 31 European victories.  His achievements in the sport have been recognised and celebrated in 2013 when he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
 
Colin's upbringing on the famous links of Scotland and a lifetime of playing many of the world's greatest courses at the highest level of the game has given him a keen eye and a perceptive insight into what makes for a great golf course design.  The De Luxe Series team caught up with Colin to discuss the fascination with golf in Asia & Australasia along with taking a look at the incredible work he is doing building a growing portfolio of exceptional golf courses in the region.
 
 
Over the past few decades golf has seen a tremendous rise in popularity across Asia.  Why do you think that is?
 
The rise of Asian talent through the European Tour and PGA Tour is partly accountable because it has helped to raise the profile of the game and has provided the respective countries with a role model to follow.  The fact that the Tours now fly further afield to host tournaments has also helped because it gives spectators in countries like China or India more chance to engage with golf.  When I played in India earlier in the year I noticed a huge growth in fans to when I have been there previously and it is great to see. 
 
How does the challenge of designing a golf course in Asia differ to the more familiar territory of Europe?
 
I think in some ways it does present more of a challenge but I try and work with the contours and terrain that have available to me so whether I am working in Europe or Asia it doesn’t matter too much. 
 
What about the differences in actually playing golf in Asia?
 
The humidity is an obvious difference but I think the variety of grass types make quite a large difference to how each course plays as the climate and amount of rainfall effects which grass types are used.  As a result, the pace of the greens can vary, along with the thickness of rough and even the lushness of tee boxes. 
 
Last year we featured the Montgomerie Links as one of our top five golf courses in Asia and this year we still believe that it rightfully belongs in that list.  What do you think makes this Vietnamese golf course so special and unique?
 
The course is so special and unique because it is an exciting mixture of heathlands and links-style holes which caters for players of all abilities.  It also preserves the existing natural links conditions and re-establishes a links landscape where land has been previously disturbed, so by keeping the natural characteristics of the site such as the sandy soil, wind-blown dunes, and indigenous vegetation make, it is a very special links golf course which is unique to Vietnam.’
 
You have recently unveiled your latest project at Imperial Springs Golf Club in China.  Can you tell us about that?
 
I am very excited about Imperial Springs because of the quality not only of the golf course, but also of the overall development.  We started with a very natural, beautiful site that was a very interesting blend of stream valleys and steep hills, resulting in some very dramatic golf holes.  But not only is it a world class golf course that should become one of the best in China, it is also a very impressive, world class development with a state-of-the-art conference centre, a boutique all suite hotel, private hot spring spa villas and the 6800 m2 Presidential Villa which make it an exciting prospect for all who visit.
 
Can you talk us through your other exciting projects (throughout Asia) such as the Pantai Lagenda in Malaysia and the Akbulak Golf and Country Club in Kazakhstan?
 
Akbulak is at the base of beautiful snow-capped mountains at 2000 metre elevation in Kazakhstan, where optical illusions in judging uphill and downhill will be a big factor in choosing the right club to hit.  With 9 holes already grassed, this golf course should be completed within 2013.  Pantai Lagenda was one of my earliest designs which is located along the east coast of Malaysia and is a modified links style with great contrast between the two sets of nine holes.  I am currently working on the design of a project called Tiracol Resort in Goa, India.  This is a very exciting project with a site that is hard by the sea, with great cliffs that remind one of Pebble Beach.  The views out over the Arabian Sea there should be fantastic. 
 
Are there any players who have caught your eye recently? 
 
There are so many good players on the European and PGA tours now but I have to say that the recent win at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth by the young Italian, Matteo Manassero, was very impressive and young Guan Tianlang’s performance at The Masters was remarkable.
 
During your playing career you have won a British record of 31 European Tour titles, lead the Order of Merit a record of seven times in succession between 1993-1999 and helped Europe to five Ryder Cup victories including one as captain in 2010.  What stands out as your most memorable achievement?
 
It is hard to say which stand out because all of the memories are important to me.  I will certainly never forget my first victory at the Portuguese Open in 1989 and, my three PGA Championships in succession are a stand out memory.  The Ryder Cup however is something I have always had a special affinity with and winning it with Europe as a Captain in 2010 was one of my proudest moments and one which brought a number of new emotions to me, which I didn’t experience as a player. 
 
Having missed out on a major title, do you have any niggling regrets? 
 
It would have been nice to have won a major, having come so close on a few occasions but I certainly don’t regret what I have achieved.  To date I have had a very enjoyable and successful career and have to say that the three PGA Championship that I won in a row from 1998 - 2000 are very special to me, especially being the European Tour’s flagship event. 
 
We’d like to congratulate you on a well-deserved induction into World Golf Hall of Fame.  How special was this moment to you? 
 
It means an awful lot to me and it is very humbling to be part of such a fantastic organisation.  Anything with the word world is a big deal to me and I am thrilled to be announced alongside a good friend of mine, Ken Schofield, who used to run our Tour so it is certainly a great honour to receive it alongside him.  I almost feel like I am too young to be announced for the honour but I am really looking forward to competing on the Senior’s Tour. 
 
Off the fairway, what else have you been up to recently?
 
I am still actively raising funds for the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation and am thrilled to say that we are currently on track to building two new Maggie’s Centres in Scotland.  Without the help of many people this would not have been possible and I hope to continue raising funds for this great charity in my Mother’s name.  

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