Overall Champion Receives Exemption to October’s Asian Amateur Championship
(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 – announces it will host the sixth annual Golfathon, May 1 – August 31, 2009.
Open to players of all ages and abilities, contestants will challenge 10 of the club’s 12 acclaimed golf courses designed by legends Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Annika Sorenstam, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Jose Maria Olazabal, David Leadbetter, Jumbo Ozaki and David Duval. The Overall Champion will earn an exemption to October’s inaugural Asian Amateur Championship on Mission Hills’ World Cup Course. The AAC winner will be awarded a spot in the 2010 Masters Tournament, arguably the sport’s most-revered championship.
“The Mission Hills Golfathon combines the thrill of golf and marathon into a formula that attracts golf enthusiasts from around the world to our club for the ultimate golf challenge,” says Tenniel Chu, Executive Director, Mission Hills Golf Club. “This year’s exemption to the Asian Amateur Championship is an exceptional first prize. Now golfers from around the world can experience Mission Hills’ unparalleled golf-and-resort experience and vie for a spot in Asia’s most important amateur event.”
All Golfathon participants will be offered a 15-minute complimentary swing analysis at one of Mission Hills’ three golf academies, a 15 percent discount on a one-hour individual lesson, and spa and merchandise discounts. Golfathon participants who sign up by April 30 will get a greens fee coupon valued at RMB 1380 ($200), and those who become Mission Hills members during the May 1 – August 31, 2009 period will receive a members’ rebate on the Golfathon package.
Adding to the challenge, any participant who can complete nine qualifying rounds of golf within five consecutive weekdays will receive an “Iron Man” certificate and complimentary weekday green fee valued at 1380 RMB ($200).
“We will pamper Golfathon competitors with our renowned, gold-standard personal service,” says Chu. “Come share an unforgettable experience with family, friends and fellow golfers, as no other resort in the world can match Mission Hills’ vast array of activities and first-class amenities.”
About Mission Hills Golf Club
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 World Records. The property is home to 12 resort and championship courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Annika Sorenstam, Ernie Els, Jose Maria Olazabal, Vijay Singh, David Leadbetter, David Duval, Jumbo Ozaki and Zhang Lian Wei.
Mission Hills is a full-service, luxury resort, featuring four clubhouses, three spas, a five-star hotel, three golf academies (including schools from world renowned instructors David Leadbetter and Cindy Reid), 51 tennis courts with a professional tennis academy, 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. In 2007, Mission Hills began its role as host of 12 editions of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
Mission Hills’ recent awards and accolades include:
* IAGTO Golf Resort of the Year (Rest of World category)
* Best Golf Resort in China – Asian Golf Monthly (2006, 2007, 2008)
* Best Golf Resort Hotel and Best Spa Resort – Business Traveler (2008)
* Pete Dye Course named the “Best New Course in Asia” – Asian Golf Monthly (2007)
* Olazabal Course ranked the No. 1 resort course in Asia – Golfing Magazine (2008)
* World Cup Course named one of the 10 “most significant and influential courses” of last 20 years – LINKS Magazine (2008)
* Dr. David Chu, Chairman of Mission Hills Group, named one of the “Most Powerful People in Golf” – Golf Inc. (2007, 2008)
* Dr. Kenneth Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Group, named one of golf’s “Most Admired Operators” – Golf Inc. (2008)
* Tenniel Chu, Executive Director of Mission Hills Golf Club, named “Golf Entrepreneur of the Year” – Asian Golf Monthly (2008)
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
www.buffalocommunications.com
Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
703.761.1444
sreynolds@billycaspergolf.com
