China Golf, 中国高尔夫

Yang leads OneAsia Order of Merit
Suzhou, China, April 19, 2010: Y.E. Yang leapt to the top of the latest OneAsia Order of Merit after his victory in the US$2.5 million Volvo China Open, co-sanctioned by OneAsia and the European Tour.

The 38-year-old Korean, who became Asia’s first Major winner with his win at last year’s PGA Championship, leads the money list with US$416,660, which he earned for his two-stroke victory at the Suzhou Jinji Lake International Golf Club.

Welsh duo Rhys Davies and Stephen Dodd are joint second on the money list with their runner-up paycheques for US$217,135.

Chinese number one Liang Wenchong, who won OneAsia’s season-opening Luxehills Chengdu Open and finished joint 17th at the Volvo China Open, is fourth with US$211,200.

Yang, who finished tied eighth at the Masters the previous week, was a popular winner in Suzhou, where he continued his China love affair that started with his memorable victory in the 2006 HSBC Champions in nearby Shanghai.

“It’s a tremendous honour to win the Volvo China Open. I feel a great sense of achievement. For some reason, every time I win I get nervous,” said the Texas-based father of three.

“I like being in China and everything just fell into place. I walked the course early on in the week and I thought it would be a course I would play well on.”

Yang’s young compatriot Kim Do-hoon rose to eighth on the OneAsia Order of Merit with US$104,343 after finishing tied eighth at the Volvo China Open, where he continued his remarkable run of form in an event that included 11 players with Ryder Cup experience.

Earlier this month, Kim shot a closing 64 to finish joint third at Luxehills with compatriot Kang Kyung-nam and won US$57,750. He then returned to the Korean Tour and shot another 64 on his way to a four-stroke win in the Tomato Savings Bank Open, sealing his first pro title on his 21st birthday.

In Suzhou, Kim shot a course-record equalling 64 in the first round at Jinji Lake and followed up with a 69 to lead outright on day two. Weekend rounds of 73 and 72 put him joint eighth with the likes of Henrik Stenson and Thongchai Jaidee and earned him US$46,593.

“It was a so-so final round, as I didn’t putt very well, but it has been a great three weeks for me after Luxehills and winning my first event in Korea,” said Kim, who was runner-up at the SK Telecom Open on last year’s Korean Tour.

The next OneAsia event is the GS Caltex Maekyung Open at the Namseoul Country Club in Seoul from May 6-9.

OneAsia Order of Merit: Top 20 (after Volvo China Open)
Pos.     Player                                      US$
1.         Y. E. YANG (KOR)                  416,660.00
2=.       Rhys DAVIES (WAL)              217,135.00
2=.       Stephen DODD (WAL)           217,135.00
4.         LIANG Wenchong (CHN)        211,200.00
5=.       Jamie DONALDSON (WAL)  106,166.66
5=.       Johan EDFORS (SWE)         106,166.66
5=.       Mikko ILONEN (FIN)                106,166.66
8.         KIM Do-hoon 753 (KOR)        104,343.75
9.         KIM Hyung-tae (KOR)             102,000.00
10.       Oliver FISHER (ENG)             75,000.00
11.       KANG Kyung-nam (KOR)       57,750.00
12=.     Nicolas COLSAERTS (BEL)  46,593.75
12=.     Thongchai JAIDEE (THA)       46,593.75
12=.     Pablo LARRAZABAL (ESP)    46,593.75
12=.     Graeme MCDOWELL (NIR)   46,593.75
12=.     Ross McGOWAN (ENG)        46,593.75
12=.     Alexander NOREN (SWE)      46,593.75
12=.     Henrik STENSON (SWE)       46,593.75
19=      KIM Bi-o (KOR)                       38,000.00
19=.     Kurt BARNES (AUS)              38,000.00

Suzhou, China; April 18, 2010: Y.E. Yang, Asia’s first Major winner, continued his love affair with China when a closing 71 gave the Korean a two-stroke win in the US$2.5 million Volvo China Open, co-sanctioned by OneAsia and the European Tour.

In wet and windy weather, the 38-year-old recorded his only bogey of the weekend at the testing 18th to post a closing one-under-par 71 and a 15-under total of 273 at the Suzhou Jinji Lake International Golf Club.

Welshman Rhys Davies shot a 67 and compatriot Stephen Dodd, the 2004 champion, carded a 69 to finish two behind Yang, the third-round leader.

Yang’s first win since last year’s PGA Championship was followed by jubilant scenes, when 21-year-old Kim Do-hoon, who finished tied eighth, and other Korean players ran on to the 18th green to celebrate the victory of their friend and mentor.

“It’s a great feeling to win the Volvo China Open. I love this country and have a special feeling when I come here,” said the father of three, who won US$416,660.

“It rained a lot, so it was very special that so many Chinese golf fans came out to support me. It really feels great to win in front of them. Suzhou and China are definitely special to me and I feel really good right now.”

Yang, who plans to open a golf academy in the mainland, made his name in China by beating Tiger Woods to win the 2006 HSBC Champions in nearby Shanghai.

At Jinji Lake, he led by one going into the final day after earlier rounds of 68, 66 and 68, and was never overtaken.

“I was really happy with my concentration and form, and I played well from the bunkers today in pretty bad weather,” said the Texas-based Korean, who finished joint eighth at the Masters last week.

“It was a long journey from Augusta earlier in the week and I’m a bit tired after a long week. I have blisters and I can assure you it’s not from too much sun!”

Yang’s Volvo China Open victory automatically earned him a spot in this year’s edition in November and also the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational in August.

Jamie Donaldson (73), another Welshman, Finland’s Mikko Ilonen (73) and Sweden’s Johan Edfors (69) shared fourth on 12-under, one ahead of England’s Oliver Fisher (69).

Kim, 21, continued his recent run of form when he shot a 72 to finish 10-under with the likes of Thai star Thongchai Jaidee and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who both shot 69.

Kim shot a course-record equalling 64 in the first round and led outright after round two, a week after winning his first Korean Tour title and finishing joint third in OneAsia’s Luxehills Chengdu Open earlier this month.

US Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin shot 70 to finish 16th on eight-under, seven ahead of European counterpart Colin Montgomerie (75).

Chinese number one Liang Wenchong, the winner at Luxehills tied for 17th on seven-under after a 72.

The next OneAsia event is the GS Caltex Maekyung Open at the Namseoul Country Club in Seoul from May 6-9.

Volvo China Open, OneAsia/European Tour

Leading Final-Round Results (par 72):

273 – Yang Yong-eun (KOR) 68-66-68-71

275 – Rhys Davies (WAL) 73-70-65-67, Stephen Dodd (WAL) 69-71-66-69

276 – Johan Edfors (SWE) 68-71-68-69, Jamie Donaldson (WAL) 66-68-69-73, Mikko Ilonen (FIN) 68-67-68-73

277 – Oliver Fisher (ENG) 73-65-70-69

278 – Graeme McDowell (NIR) 70-70-70-68, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 64-70-75-69, Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) 69-72-68-69, Henrik Stenson (SWE) 68-73-68-69, Alexander Noren (SWE) 71-67-70-70, Ross McGowan (ENG) 71-68-69-70, Kim Do-hoon (KOR) 64-69-73-72, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 66-69-70-73

280 – Corey Pavin (USA) 67-70-73-70

281 – Josh Geary (NZL) 73-67-72-69, Graeme Storm (ENG) 69-69-73-70, Damien McGrane (IRL) 67-73-70-71, Liang Wenchong (CHN) 66-70-73-72, Bradley Dredge (WAL) 70-70-68-73

282 – Kim Dae-hyun (KOR) 70-67-75-70

283 – Tano Goya (ARG) 70-72-73-68, Ted Oh (KOR) 73-69-71-70, Anthony Wall (ENG) 72-70-71-70, Ignacio Garrido (ESP) 70-72-69-72, Shane Lowry (IRL) 70-68-72-73

284 – Danny Willett (ENG) 71-69-73-71, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (ESP) 72-70-71-71, Peter Lawrie (IRL) 67-72-72-73, Peter Hanson (SWE) 72-67-72-73, Peter Whiteford (SCO) 70-70-71-73, David Dixon (ENG) 70-72-69-73, Niclas Fasth (SWE) 71-72-68-73, Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 69-68-73-74

Selected Scores:

285 – Bae Sang-moon (KOR) 71-69-70-75

287 – Colin Montgomerie (SCO) 72-68-72-75

Best China Golf Courses and Golf Tours in China

Read the rest of this entry »

INSPIRED LIANG SOARS TO VICTORY IN LUXEHILLS CHENGDU OPEN

April 4, 2010

Chengdu, Sichuan, China: A jubilant Liang Wenchong from China claimed the US$1 million Luxehills Chengdu Open today after a gripping play-off victory over Korean Kim Hyung-tae.

Roared on by huge crowds Liang birdied the first extra hole on the par-five 18^th to win at Luxehills International Country Club in the opening event of the season on OneAsia.

It was a wire-to-wire victory for the Chinese number one but he was made to work harder than expected after a spirited challenge by Kim.

Liang, who started the day with a three shot lead over Kim, shot a three-under-par 69 while the Korean came in with a 66. They finished tied on 21-under-par 267.

“Wow! What a day. I am drained having led from the first round and then ending up in a play-off. To win in front of my home fans in this manner makes it so special. I am very proud,” said Liang.

It was his second OneAsia victory as he triumphed in the Midea China Classic last year in Guangzhou.

In a thrilling back nine, Kim caught playing partner Liang when he birdied 11, 12 and 13. However, the Korean missed a short par putt on 15 to give his Chinese opponent a one shot lead.

More drama unfolded on the penultimate hole when Kim made a birdie two while Liang bogeyed meaning he was a stroke behind playing the last to the shock of the gallery.

Liang responded magnificently by holing a 15 foot birdie putt to force a play-off and send the crowd wild.

On the play-off hole he reached the green in two and hit an amazing lag putt from 60 feet to within a foot. Kim found a green side trap, recovered well but then saw his 20 foot birdie putt lip out.

“The way Kim was playing I really thought I wasn’t going to win. On the ninth hole I really started getting some doubts and on the 18^th I was also worried because I knew he would make an easy par. I have never concentrated so hard as I did over the putt to make a birdie and get into the play-off,” added Liang.

In-form Kim won the KEB Invitational two weeks ago in Shanghai and came so close to recording an upset victory.

“My emotions are all over the place. After the 17^th I thought I had it. Could have won and should have but it was a great week for me,” said 32-year-old Kim.

Koreans Kim Do-hoon and Kang Kyung-nam ended in joint third place two off the lead. Kim shot 64 while Kang carded a 66.

Australian Kurt Barnes who began the day in joint second with Kim closed with a 69 and finished equal fifth with 19-year-old Korean Kim Bio.

The next event on OneAsia is the US$2.5 million Volvo China Open at Suzhou Jinji Lake International Golf Club from April 15 to 18.

Leading final round scores:

Par 72

267 – Liang Wenchong (CHN) 64-66-68-69, Kim Hyung-tae (KOR) 69-67-65-66

(Liang won on first extra hole in sudden death play off)

269 – Kim Do-hoon (KOR) 69-66-70-64, Kang Kyung-nam (KOR) 70-67-66-66

270 – Kim Bio (KOR) 67-66-69-68, Kurt Barnes (AUS) 69-64-68-69

272 – Scott Arnold (AUS) 67-67-71-67, Scott Strange (AUS) 71-67-66-68

273 – Martin Andrew (AUS) 72-68-67-66, Craig Parry (AUS) 70-70-66-67, Simon Yates (SCO) 70-68-68-67, Anthony Summers (AUS) 72-69-64-68, Maeng Dong-seop (KOR) 69-67-69-68, Brad Kennedy (AUS) 71-66-68-68, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 67-67-70-69, Stephen Allan (AUS) 69-67-68-69, David Smail (NZL) 69-66-68-70

Selected scores:

278 – Zhang Lianwei (CHN) 68-70-71-69, Shigeki Maruyama (JPN) 71-70-69-68

PGA Pro Paul Surniak, who helped manage this blog for many months, and Active Release Techniques founder Dr. Mike Leahy P Michael Leahy, PGA, PAul Surniak have joined forces to create a state of the art golf school and academy in Colorado.

ART is a preferred treatment for preventing golf related injuries and for increasing your range of motion in your golf swing.

ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.

The Art Golf Academy is the only golf academy that offers the golfer swing techniques, personal training and ART to maximize your bodies potential. Virtually every professional sports
team, Olympic athlete and golfer has an ART provider in their camp. ART is now the gold standard in sports medicine.
Active Release Techniques Targets Golf

The team of professionals at the ART Golf Academy include Dr. Mike Leahy founder and creator of the ART techniques, PGA Professional, six times Colorado long drive champion and China Tour Player Paul Surniak and Kris Fiser certified personal trainer and fitness model. The ART Golf ACademy is also a TPI Certified facility (Titliest Performance Institute).

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)

中文
Read the rest of this entry »

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

中文
Read the rest of this entry »

Y. E. Yang beats Tiger in PGA Championship! This could be the greatest thing to happen to golf in Asia. Ever since golf exploded in Asia, Asian players have tried and tried to get the respect from the rest of the golfing world. This could be the win they have been waiting for. For the last several years Asian women have been almost dominating the LPGA Tour but the men have had a tougher time doing so. Don’t believe for one minute that Asia has not produced great players. Players like Jumbo Ozaki, Isao Aoki and K.J. Choi are proven winners on the PGA Tour and around the world. But the major championships have eluded them but no more. Will this open up the gates for many more? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure , this will light the fire for the continued growth of the game in all of the Asian countries.

For the best in golf gifts and accessories visit Birdieball.com

For the best in golf lessons and instruction visit Colorado golf school

Yang takes down Tiger to win PGA Championship.

The wounded warrior program has been growing over the last few years, both in numbers and popularity. More and more soldiers are coming home and learning the game. Because of injuries suffered in the field some have not been able to return to other sports. Golf provides the opportunity for them to get back to competition and the enjoyment of being outdoors. PGA Professionals around the country are helping these men and women learn and enjoy the great game of golf.  Paul Surniak the Colorado Golf School the Cheyenne Shadows golf club and the A.R.T. Golf Academy will be working with the organization to help all soldiers. Also check out Birdieball for the best in golf gifts. Birdieball also is bringing golf to the soldiers in Afghanistan.

Colorado Golf School to work with wounded warrior program – Culturefish Media – pitchengine.com.

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

中文
Read the rest of this entry »