China Golf, 中国高尔夫

zhanglianwei

BEIJING, Sept 2 (Reuters) – China’s Zhang Lianwei is hoping this week’s European Masters will be a genuine learning experience after signing up the host club’s teaching professional to caddie for him.

The $2.8 million event in the Swiss Alps will be the first in Europe co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours and Zhang has enlisted the help of Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club’s Stephane Barras to put on the best possible showing for his continent.

“I met Stephane last year and he called me last month to offer his services as my caddie this week,” Zhang, 44, said in an Asian Tour release.

“I gladly took up his offer as he will be a big help because he knows the golf course well. I have also asked him to look closely at my golf swing. In recent times, I have tried to tweak my own game but I may have worked on the wrong things.

“Stephane has already given me a list of things to try, so hopefully I will be able to make improvements in my game.”

Zhang, who has not enjoyed the best of form lately, is considered China’s golfing trailblazer after being the first Chinese to win a European Tour event in 2003 and the first to play at the U.S. Masters the following year.

A five-time winner on the Asian Tour, Zhang has been asked to mark the tour’s sanctioning of the tournament by striking the first tee shot in Thursday’s opening round.

“It’s good to see the tours strengthening their partnership as it will only grow the game,” he said. “I am honoured to have the privilege to hit the first shot of what is a new chapter for Asian golf.”

The European Tour co-sanctions more than a dozen events in Asia. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by John O’Brien; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Zurich Financial Services Group has signed up as one of five exclusive partners of the inaugural Asian Amateur Championship, scheduled to be held at the Mission Hills Golf Club’s World Cup Course in Shenzhen, China, from October 29 to November 1.

Zurich chose a propitious moment for its decision to co-sponsor the event. It comes on the heels of Korean golfer Y.E. Yang’s victory over Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship tournament last weekend. Yang became the first Asian golfer to win one of the four “majors.” His success highlights the increasingly international nature of the ancient game, and, as a result, makes sponsoring tournaments a more attractive proposition for international companies like Zurich.

The Group’s bulletin explained that the “event is a joint initiative by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the Masters Tournament and The R&A [Royal and Ancient St Andrews - the Scottish home of golf] and will feature a field of up to 120 top amateur golfers from golf associations across the Asia-Pacific region.

“An invitation to play in the 2010 Masters Tournament awaits the winner, while both the winner and the runner-up will gain a place in International Final Qualifying for The Open Championship being played next year at St Andrews, Scotland.”

Geoff Riddell, Zurich’s Chairman of Global Corporate & CEO of Asia Pacific & Middle East, expressed his support for “such an exciting event.” He indicated that it would give Asia-Pacific amateur golfers a “chance to compete in two of the most important and famous golfing events in the world.” He also described the tournament as a “unique platform for the amateur game in a region where golf’s popularity is increasing significantly.”

Riddell added: “Zurich is already a proud sponsor of golf tournaments in Switzerland, the US and around the world and sees golf as a perfect metaphor for Zurich’s customer focused brand positioning ‘deliver when it matters’.”

Source: Zurich Financial Services – www.zurich.com

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The 3rd Garuda IndonesiaTournament group Picture

Beijing Team

Shanghai Team

(Aug.5th, 2009,Bali,Indonesia) Garuda Indonesia, the national carrier of Indonesia, tee off its 3rd Garuda Indonesia Golf Tournament (China Region) held at Nirwana Bali Golf Club and New Kuta Golf Club in Bali, Indonesia at the end of July 2009. 130 golfers from mainland Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Bali swung club and participated the event.

Mr. Pikri Ilham K, the Chief Representative of Garuda Indonesia China, introduced the tournament: “we are very pleased to be able to host a sport that so many of our customers are so passionate about, and we believe our association with China golf industry to promote Indonesia golf will help bring Garuda closer to golfer enthusiasts in China.”

“The attraction of playing golf in Bali is: you will not only immerse with picturesque and immaculate scenery as ordinary tourists, but take advantage its world-renowned golf facilities to give full play of your golf expertise”, Mr. Pikri added.

The big group of golfers from China surprised Bali and even made a record in Bali Golf industry. Mr. Kang Dharma Wijaya, the Chairman of Bali Golf Association of Indonesia and the owner of the oldest golf course BaliBeach in Bali, was quite impressed by this golf tournament: “The 3rd Garuda Indonesia Golf Tournament (China Region) brings the biggest group of Golfers from China in Bali’s history in 2009.”

Besides 100 successful male entrepreneurs from China in the group, there were around 30 female golfers from China, and most of lady golfers came from Shanghai. Naomen HappyGolf Ladies Team, Shanghai’s First Women Golf Team caught the hot eyes in Bali. The fashionable golf style presented the new image of China.

Few people realize that Indonesia already possesses a wealth of world-class golf courses – in fact, there are more than 50 international standard golf clubs in Indonesia and 5 golf courses in Bali spread across the world’s largest archipelago – designed by some of the greatest names in golf, including veritable golfing legends such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

As a part of Garuda Strategy to launch more tailor-made products to cater for different segment market in China, hosting a golf event is not only a “tee off” to introduce Indonesian golf facilities to golfer in China, but to continue its series campaign to promote different destinations and products in Garuda route network, such as in-depth look on Indonesia cultural and tourist destination other than Bali, Australia, free & easy package for individual traveler and golfer.

Garuda has launched the first direct flight from Shanghai to Bali since 2008. For the success of the golf event, Garuda is furthering the cooperation on golf tour with HappyGolf naomen Corp. to develop the high-end market.

The upcoming golf tour to Bali (HappyGolf Bali Quickee Aug.2009-Jan.2010) Aug.24-Aug.29 2009, HappyGolf Bali Quickee 6 Days 4 Nights, direct flight from Shanghai to Bali, Garuda Indonesia Airlines Executive Class, free golf for every day in Bali. Convenient accommodation. Five world-class golf courses in Bali open the door for golfers from China. The golf tour package price is RMB15900/USD2400(Valid from Aug.10 2009 to Sept.10).It’s the nation wide Golf Tour Campaign “HappyGolf Bali Quickee”.

The winners of The 3rd Garuda Indonesia Golf Tournament 2009

About Garuda Indonesia

Garuda Indonesia is the first and largest carrier in Indonesia with routes to more than 43 domestic and international destinations. Emphasizing on service, all operational activities are geared to promote Garuda Indonesia as the main comprehensive service provider for air travelers or air cargo shippers. It had a total fleet of 63 aircrafts consisting 3 Boeing-747-400s, 6 Airbus 330-300, 4 Airbus 330-200 and 50 Boeing-737s (300,400,500 and 800 series) as of 30June 2009.

With its head office at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Garuda Indonesia currently employs approximately 5,808 people and provides more than 93,000 flights serving more than 9 million customers annually.

Garuda Indonesia has been serving China-Indonesia route with 11 flights a week from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou since 2002.

For more information on HappyGolf Bali Quickee, please contact:

Danielle Dan Regional Manager HappyGolf naomen Corp.(Shanghai)

Mobile：+8613801879189 Tel: +86 21 6421 5522 Fax: +86 21 5106 2930 E-mail: dan@happygolf.com.cn; shanghai@happygolf.com.cn

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The 2009 Men’s Asia Amateur Golf Championship qualifier is set for Aug. 15 and 16 at LeoPalace Golf Resort. The top two finishers at the qualifier have a shot at representing Guam at the inaugural Asian Amateur Championship at Mission Hills Golf Club in China’s Guangdong province.

Royal and Ancient of St. Andrews — the governing body for golf in Asia, Europe and other parts of the world — will pay for all expenses for the players in the tournament, including airfare, hotel, food and other expenses, according to Guam National Golf Federation president George Benoit.

Golfers who want to participate must have a handicap index of 5.4 or less, Benoit added.

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Mission Hills

Shenzhen is home to hundreds of factories, one of China’s two mainland stock exchanges, a theme park called Window on the World that features more than 100 miniature versions of monuments like the Taj Mahal, a Soviet aircraft carrier, and, of course, the world’s largest golf resort: Mission Hills.

But this has not stopped the Mission Hills team from achieving another world record.

Last month, they opened the world’s largest practice putting green, a beautiful 17-acre spread of 18 rolling greens and tiny sand bunkers.

Already, the resort boasts 12 world-class golf courses designed by some of the most famous names in the game – Greg Norman, Vijay Singh, and Nick Faldo – and hosts major world tournaments.

Mission Hills is a curious mix of extreme luxury and developing world. It has three spas, 3,000 caddies (all of them women – to seem less intimidating to novice golfers – and all wearing red jumpsuits and plastic helmets). Some 2,000 rounds of golf are played here each day.

The resort abuts the city’s industrial outskirts, and to drive from one end of the resort to the other requires passing a vacuum sealing plant, an electronics factory, and acre upon acre of actively tilled peasant farmland.

Even the staff works to keep up.

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Jeev Mikha

NEW DELHI: Jeev Milkha Singh’s world ranking of 42 has earned India a rare direct entry into the Mission Hills World Cup to be played at Mission Hills Golf Club in China on Nov 26-29.

The field is selected through each nation’s leading player on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) as of June 22.

Jyoti Randhawa, who played with Jeev last year in the same event, is likely to be his partner once again. Currently Randhawa at 154th is the next best Indian and Arjun Atwal is ranked 296th.

The leading player may select any player of his choice from the same country provided such player was ranked within the top 100 on the Official World Golf Ranking as of either June 22, 2009, or August 17, 2009.

If there was no other available player from that country within the top 100 on the OWGR on either of the dates, the exempt player’s partner shall be the next highest ranked available player from the same country outside of the top 100 as of August 17.

Besides India, 17 exempt nations have now been confirmed for the 2009 World Cup.

The final field of 28 nations will be completed following three qualifying tournaments to be played in Asia (Kuala Lumpur), Europe (Estonia) and South America (Venezuela), with three countries going through from each regional qualifier to join the 18 exempt nations and hosts, China, at Mission Hills.

Jeev likely to have Jyoti as partner for World Cup

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Sergio Garcia

Edited by Fanja

BEIJING (Reuters) – World number five Sergio Garcia will represent Spain for the fourth time in the $5.5 million World Cup of Golf in Shenzhen, China later this year, organizers said on Thursday. The 29-year-old, who won the HSBC Champions in China last November to briefly take over the world number two spot, will select his own team mate to take on 27 other nations at the Mission Hills club from November 26 to 29.

“There are always a lot of good teams at the World Cup. I think that the Swedish team, the defending champions, will be very good,” the five-times Ryder Cup player said in a statement.

“The Americans always seem to bring a good solid team into the tournament. Australia, of course, is going to have a good one coming in. One of the Asian teams could be solid.”

Swede Henrik Stenson, the world number seven, has confirmed he will defend the title but he may have to choose a new partner as 2008 European number one Robert Karlsson might need to take the rest of the year off because of an eye problem.

The hopes of a first American win since Tiger Woods and Mark O’Meara’s victory in 2000 will rest on the shoulders of world number 34 Nick Watney and whoever he selects as his team mate.

One of the most exciting young talents in the game, Rory McIlroy, will play in the united Ireland team for the first time and has chosen fellow Ulsterman Graeme McDowell as his partner.

World number 19 Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher return to southern China to represent England again after finishing sixth last year, while Martin Kaymer will be back flying the German flag.

Nineteen countries, including hosts China, have already secured their places in Shenzhen with nine more spots up for grabs at regional qualifiers.

The resplendent Mission Hills, which will host the World Cup for at least another decade, has 12 courses but the tournament will again be played on the championship layout designed by Garcia’s compatriot Jose Maria Olazabal.

“The next time I see Jose Maria I’ll probably ask him about the course,” said Garcia, who played at the World Cup alongside Miguel Angel Jimenez in 2001, 2004 and 2005.

“I’ve seen a little bit of it on TV and I’ve heard good things about it … I’m just hoping that my partner and I can do well and bring the victory to Spanish soil.”

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Garcia to represent Spain at World Cup in China
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The 2009 China Female Professional Golf Tour has been held recently in Shanghai with fierce competition. Teenager players including Minting Shi, Jiaxin Yong, Xiyu Lin, Yu Liu, Xin Wong catch most of the attention from the media.

In the qualifying tournament on Monday, the 14-year-old Xin Wong and 11-year-old Minting Shi entered the elite tournament as No.1 and 2. Minting Shi participated the tournament with the recommendation from China Golf Association. She entered the final with a ranking of 45 which gained her a name of “child prodigy” given by the media. Even the champion of the tour station Shanghai, Ping Huang, admired her skills, saying “her putter is very precise.”

The three little pretty girls, Jiaxin Yong, Yu Liu, Xiyu Lin, have been the heated topic in the competition. Jiaxin Yong and Yu Liu had experience in Oriental Female Tour; they straightly entered the elite tournament. Xiyu Lin’s achievement also surprised the audience. Finally, Jiaxin Yong won the Award of Best Amateur Player with a ranking of 12. Yu Liu ranked 29 with a steady performance. It is reported that Jiaxin Yong and Xiyu Lin will attend the France Evian Teenager Masters Golf Cup on July 18th and 19th. This elite tournament played the role of warming up for them before France.

These teenager players are not to be ignored, for their marvelous achievements and adept skills. However, being young and short results in serving balls in a short distance. The 6399 yard in Shanghai Oriental Field is still too long for these young players. Critics say their lack of strength explains their disadvantages. Though these young competitors cannot match the adult professional players, their courage and perseverance make us believe that golf will have a bright future as a sport in China.

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