More than 1,100 Participate on Eight Courses; $1.4 Million in Proceeds Expected
(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 its second annual charity golf tournament for victims of the May 2008 Sichuan earthquake is expected to raise approximately $1.4 million.
More than 1,100 participants gathered on eight of the club’s courses for the “Golfers 5.12 Fund Raising Campaign 2009.” In doing so, the shotgun start set a Guinness Record for most individuals simultaneously beginning play. All proceeds will be donated to the Caring for Children Foundation and its reconstruction of Dakang Town in Sichuan Province.
“One year ago today, we launched the ‘Golfers 5.12 Campaign’ and raised more than $800,000 for the quake-stricken areas of Sichuan,” says Dr. Kenneth Chu, Vice Chairman, Mission Hills Group. “Today’s event surpassed the inaugural tournament both in terms of money raised and number of participants. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the players; your compassion for the victims of the tragedy is admirable.”
The “Golfers 5.12 Fund Raising Campaign” was founded by Dr. David Chu, Chairman of Mission Hills Group, artist Eric Tsang and Chan Iu Seng. This year’s event was co-sponsored by 25 golf associations and business groups.
The tournament continues Mission Hills’ history of significant and timely altruistic donations following natural disasters. In addition to the Sichuan tragedy, Mission Hills has contributed to victims following the February 2008 blizzards in southern China, the 2006 and 2005 floods in southern China, the 2003 SARS outbreak in Hong Kong and more.
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 with collaboration from Schmidt-Curley Design.
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
703.891.3509
sreynolds@billycaspergolf.com
