To please officials in the city of Haicheng, close to Xiyang Village, Mr Zhou abandoned a plan to build a steel factory in the southern port of Beihai, where there would be ready access to ore shipped from Australia.

ECONOMIST: Being an entrepreneur in China has its own special problems

Five years ago, Mr Zhou's business was still centred on his village.

ECONOMIST: Being an entrepreneur in China has its own special problems

Washburn is turning the story to a book about golf in China, having followed Zhou from the courses to his wedding and even his remote home village.

CNN: Golf struggles to make mark in China