Will Work at the Club’s David Leadbetter Golf Academy
(SHENZHEN, China) – Mission Hills Golf Club – the world’s largest collection of premier golf courses with 12 layouts designed by many of the greatest golfers and golf-course architects from five continents – today announces the hiring of Andy Leadbetter as Director of Instructor Training at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy.
Leadbetter, eldest son of world-famous golf instructor David Leadbetter, had previously served as an understudy to David and his elite staff of instructors at the David Leadbetter World Golf Headquarters at ChampionsGate G.C. outside Orlando, Fla.
A native of Orlando, Fla., Leadbetter received a full scholarship to play at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is a former AJGA All-American. He has competed in numerous amateur and junior tournaments, amassing multiple victories on the Florida junior golf and high school levels.
"I am excited to be named the Director of Instructor Training for the DLGA at Mission Hills and eagerly embrace my obligation to ensure that our golf professionals are utilizing the finest instruction techniques available," says Leadbetter. "This, in turn, will make the game more enjoyable for the club’s many members and guests."
For more than two decades, Leadbetter has learned the game under the watchful eye of his world-famous father. He also was afforded myriad opportunities to assist during the countless sessions that his father held with world-class touring professionals.
"We are honored that of all the David Leadbetter Golf Academies worldwide, David has selected Mission Hills as the location from which to launch Andy’s full-time instruction career," says Dr. David Chu, Chairman of the Mission Hills Group. "We feel that this evidences David’s true commitment to and belief in the Chinese golf market, and are delighted to have Andy on board in such a vital position."
In addition to the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, the first in China, the club features the Mission Hills Golf Academy by Cindy Reid.
"The fact that Mission Hills showcases golf academies associated with two of the biggest names in golf instruction is proof that the golf world realizes the fantastic opportunity China presents to grow the game," says Chu.
About Mission Hills
Stretching across the lush, rolling hills of Shenzhen and Dongguan in southern China, Mission Hills is China’s highest rated golf club, and the largest golf club in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The property is home to 12 resort and championship courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Pete Dye and Brian Curley and Lee Schmidt (Schmidt-Curley Design) in conjunction with the many of the world’s greatest golfers including: Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Jose Maria Olazabal, Nick Faldo, David Duval, and Annika Sorenstam. Mission Hills is a full-service, luxury resort, featuring four spas, a 315-room, five-star hotel, 51 tennis courts and numerous fine dining establishments serving cuisine from around the world. It has hosted more than 50 international tournaments, including the 1995 World Cup of Golf and the Tiger Woods China Challenge. The Olazabal Course will host the Omega Mission Hills World Cup beginning in 2007 and extending through 2018.
Mission Hills’ awards and accolades include:
IAGTO Golf Resort of the Year-Rest of World Category
Best Golf Development and Best Development China by Bentley International Property Awards
5-Star Mobile Travel Guide
"The Most Favorite Golf Club to Millionaires in China by Euromoney China
The golf club in China most frequently visited by PGA TOUR players
The "Most Preferred Golf Club" in the 2005 Survey of the Preferred Brands of China’s Richest (Hurun Report)
Destination of Tiger Woods’ first visit to China
Contact:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381 (cell)
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com
Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
703.761.1444
sreynolds@billycaspergolf.com
