Will Feature Federation Cup, Opening Ceremonies, Pro-Am, Golf Clinics By Montgomerie, Immelman, Goosen, and Weir, and the World Freestyle Golf Roadshow
(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 line-up of events to be held the week of the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup, November 19-25.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 – Federation Cup
The Federation Cup, donated by Dr. David Chu, Chairman, Mission Hills Group, is a friendly, two-man team competition to be played over the club’s recently-opened Pete Dye Course and aimed at promoting goodwill among the participants. The eight-team field is comprised of executives from the International Federation of PGA Tour’s six member organizations, as well as title sponsor OMEGA and host venue Mission Hills. Among those scheduled to compete are PGA Tour Commissioner, Tim Finchem.
"The Federation Cup mirrors the spirit of the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup," says Dr. David Chu, Chairman, Mission Hills Group. "The World Cup was founded in 1953 to create international goodwill through golf. Mission Hills carries on this tradition as the host of the World Cup for the next 12 years, and the Federation Cup is an integral part of those efforts."
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 – Opening Ceremonies
On Wednesday, November 21, Opening Ceremonies for the 2007 OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup will be held.
The ceremonies will officially kick-off the 53rd edition of the World Cup and will celebrate the beginning of the event’s 12-year relationship with Mission Hills.
"The World Cup is one of the most venerated titles in all of golf,’ says Dr. Chu. "Since its inception many of the game’s greatest players, from Hogan and Snead, to Nicklaus and Palmer, to Els and Woods, have been among its champions. This rich history, combined with the tournament’s founding principle of promoting international goodwill through golf, makes us honored to have been named the host through 2018."
Among those in attendance at the opening ceremonies will be famed Chinese Olympic gymnast Li Ning, and American-born Chinese tennis champion, Michael Chang, who has established the world’s first Michael Chang Tennis Academy at Mission Hills.
Chang is excited about the possibilities for his recently opened academy.
"Our immediate plans for starting the Mission Hills Michael Chang Tennis Academy stem from a passion and desire to produce tennis champions from China," says Chang.
"Through the establishment of the state-of-the-art Michael Chang Tennis Academy, Mission Hills will establish itself as an international leader in tennis similar to its position as an international leader in the golf industry," says Dr. Chu. "The sport is growing at a steady pace and we are doing everything in our power to further its stature."
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 – Pro-Am on Olazabal Course
The Pro-Am will feature 56 teams, each one comprised of a professional and four amateur playing partners. It will allow VIP’s and luminaries to get "inside the ropes" and measure their games against those of the world’s greatest golfers such as Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie, and Mike Weir. Amateurs scheduled to compete include Michael Chang and Li Ning. The event will also serve as the World Cup teams’ final opportunity to experience the intricacies and strategic underpinnings of the Olazabal Course before the competition begins in earnest on Thursday.
The Olazabal Course, a par-72, 7,251-yard layout, designed in collaboration with Scottsdale, Arizona-based architects Schmidt-Curley Design, Inc., will be making its debut on the international golf scene this year. Its 155 bunkers (including 26 on No. 15) are reflective of Olazabal’s reputation as one of the game’s great short game and sand savers. Numerous majestic vistas of untouched jungle and natural flowing streams create outstanding backdrops throughout the golf course. The signature square tees, along with undulating concave Paspalum fairways, are two distinguishing features of this true championship course. The Olazabal Course hosts the Omega Mission Hills World Cup beginning in 2007 and extending through 2018.
"We are excited that VIP’s will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the beauty and challenge of the Olazabal Course," says Dr. David Chu, Chairman, Mission Hills Group. "The Pro-Am showcases a course that has emerged as one of Asia’s most-revered venues for competitive golf. The tournament-ready conditions will provide participants with memories to last a lifetime."
Thursday, November 22, 2007 – Putting Clinic with Colin Montgomerie, Trevor Immelman
Colin Montgomerie, the former Ryder Cup hero and eight-time PGA European Tour Order of Merit winner, and rising-star Trevor Immelman, the 2003 World Cup champion, will conduct a clinic on the putting green on Thursday evening. The clinic will focus on the fundamentals that one must adhere to in order to sink more putts.
"I am eagerly anticipating offering a few tips to the patrons," says Montgomerie, the 2007 winner of the Smurfit Kappa European Open. "Golf is booming in popularity here in China and I feel the clinic will offer a golden opportunity to impart just a little of my putting knowledge to fans who are thirsting for everything golf."
Friday, November 23, 2007 – Full-Swing Clinic with Retief Goosen, Mike Weir
Two-time U.S. Open winner, Retief Goosen, and 2003 Masters champion, Mike Weir, will conduct a clinic on the full-swing on Hole No. 1 of the Duval Course.
Weir, a recent victor over Tiger Woods in Sunday singles at The Presidents Cup, is excited for the opportunity to interact with the fans at Mission Hills.
"Mission Hills has played a huge role in popularizing golf in China," he says. "I am honored to have been asked to relay some of my thoughts about the golf swing to the assembled crowd. I hope that some of the things I tell them will help to knock a few strokes off their games."
Throughout the Week – World Freestyle Golf Roadshow
The World Freestyle Golf Roadshow (WFGR), a star attraction at corporate and golf events throughout Europe, will entertain the crowds with its repertoire of extraordinary trick shots. Stars Paul Barrington and Geoff Swain will showcase their talents by driving through plywood, hitting three balls at once, and driving from a range of extreme tees, among other feats.
Says Tenniel Chu, Executive Director, Mission Hills Golf Club: "These hugely entertaining golf ambassadors will bring a brand new golf perspective toChina that is outside the realm of championship golf. We are truly delighted the WFGR is to participate in the supporting activities surrounding the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup."
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 in 2001. 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
Dr. David Chu, Chairman of Mission Hills Group, named by Golf Inc. magazine as one of the "Most Powerful People in Golf."
About the World Cup
The 2007 OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup will launch a new and exciting era in the history of the event. John Jay Hopkins, a noted Canadian industrialist, founded the event in 1953 as a way to promote goodwill among nations through golf. Initially named the Canada Cup, it became the World Cup in 1967 and is scheduled to be played at Mission Hills Golf Club through 2018. The 2007 OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup will offer a purse of $5,000,000. It is a four-day team event that will feature a four-ball (better-ball) format on days one and three, and a foursomes (alternate shot) format on days two and four.
Getting There: Mission Hills Golf Club is a short drive north of Hong Kong International Airport, www.hongkongairport.com. Flights on most major airlines from most major cities are available into Hong Kong. From the airport, Mission Hills transports golfers in luxury shuttles across the border to the resort hotel.
For more information about Mission Hills Golf Club, visit www.missionhillsgroup.com, email info@missionhillsgroup.com, or call (852) 2122 1616 (Hong Kong) – (86 755) 2802 0888 (Shenzhen) — (86-769) 8728 8888 (Dongguan).
Contact:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381 (cell)
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com
Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
703.761.1444
sreynolds@billycaspergolf.com