SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 2005 – A pair of golf courses designed by the internationally acclaimed team of Nelson & Haworth will be front and center on the world golf stage when the European Tour kicks off their 2006 international schedule in November.
"I am very proud of the past work we’ve done around the world, however, it is gratifying to be recognized with not one, but two major tournaments to be played on our courses within a month," said course architect Robin Nelson. "I think the U.S. national television audience will have a chance to see some of the beauty of China they may not have seen as well. The golf courses are pretty spectacular too."
First to shine will be The Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China, opened in 2004, which has been selected as the venue for the inaugural HSBC Champions tournament on November 10-13, 2005.
This event, the richest on the Asian continent with a prize fund of $5,000,000, marks the start of the 2006 European Tour and will bring together many of the world’s leading players, including the professional tournament debut in China for number one-ranked Tiger Woods.
"I can’t wait to come to the HSBC Champions tournament in China," said Woods. "The best players in the world teeing up head to head, it is going to be a blast for all of us as competitors, but it is also going to be a very entertaining event for all of the people of China."
Only two weeks later, on November 24-27, the second event of the European Tour will be played on another Nelson & Haworth designed course. The Volvo China Open, the oldest and most established professional golf championship in China, will be held at Shenzhen Golf Club. Opened in 2000, Shenzhen Golf Club is Southern China’s most prestigious golf clubs and occupies a prime site close to Hong Kong in mid-downtown Shenzhen.
Nelson & Haworth designed courses are certainly no strangers to other prestigious events as numerous Asian and European tournaments have been played on their venues around the world, including the PGA Tour Senior Skins at their Mauna Lani Course in Hawaii.
As the first American golf course design team to set up offices in Asia in 1987, it’s fitting that their courses should be the benefactor of these major international events in China, the fastest growing golf destination in the world.
About Nelson & Haworth:
Founded in 1987, by senior partner Robin Nelson, the design firm of Nelson & Haworth operates independently via offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Montreal and San Francisco.
The head office of the company is situated in Singapore and is the base for operations throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and Africa. Haworth and Mogg are based in Shanghai and Singapore, respectively, to provide timely and economical design services to clients in the region.
The U.S. operation of the company is conducted through the independent offices of Robin Nelson Golf Course Architects, a design corporation owned and operated by Robin Nelson in Northern California. Nelson & Haworth provide design and documentation support to this office as required and the two offices collaborate on projects frequently.
"We pride ourselves on producing high quality design drawings that enable our projects to be built with a high degree of accuracy, says Nelson. "We also spend an enormous amount of time on site designing and directing the contractors and shapers to ensure that our concepts fit exactly with the natural lay of the land."
With over 60 courses in a dozen countries, Nelson & Haworth are one of the most recognizable golf course design firms in the Asia Pacific region. Their work is rated among the regions best, with courses such as the Bali Golf & Country Club, Sabah’s Shan Shui Golf & Country Club and Mimosa Golf & Country Club in the Philippines.
Nelson & Haworth were recognized as Asia’s "Best Golf Course Architect" by Asian Golf Monthly Magazine in 2002 and Nelson was selected "Golf Course Architect of the Year" by Boardroom Magazine in 2000.
For more information on Nelson & Haworth and a complete list of their courses, including current projects, visit their web site at www.nelsonhaworth.com.
Contact:
Robert Kaufman
In The Loop Golf Public Relations
(707) 569-8481
eglglf@yahoo.com
