Sixth-Annual Edition Sees Most Participants Ever
(SHENZHEN, China) — Mission Hills Golf Club, the world’s largest golf resort, announces the 2009 Golfathon had more than 2,800 participants, making it the most successful edition to date.
The Golfathon was founded in 2004 to celebrate Mission Hills’ recognition by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest golf club. From May 1 to August 31, men and women from 21 countries — ranging in age from six to 77 — submitted scores on nine of the club’s renowned layouts. More than 25,000 rounds of golf were played during the competition.
The top 100 finishers qualified for this weekend’s Golfathon Final on Mission Hills’ Olazabal Course, annual host of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup. Last year’s winner, Mr. Xiu Ping Yuan, shot a 71 to successfully defend his title. Mr. Xiu also received an honorary observer spot and hospitality privileges at November’s Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
“We congratulate all of the 2009 Golfathon participants,” says Tenniel Chu, Executive Director, Mission Hills Golf Club. “As evidenced by the field of competitors from all over the world, the Golfathon is a key aspect of Mission Hills’ platform to promote international goodwill through golf.”
Of the more than 2,800 participants, nearly 800 were resort guests hailing from 21 different countries. Eighty-four of the participants were awarded coveted “Iron Man” status for playing all nine of their qualifying rounds within a five-day period. The competition featured a low round of 66 and one hole-in-one, netting the lucky player a brand new Audi.
“It was an honor to be involved with such a well-organized and fun event,” said one participant. “Having the Finals on the Olazabal Course was a real treat. It’s not very often one can say they competed in a tournament on a course that the world’s best professionals play every year.”
Says Chu: “Mission Hills would like to extend a special ‘thank you’ to our sponsors Audi, Folunsi, Ball, Thinkpad, Cleveland, Srixon, Polo Golf and Comfort Travel. Your support was crucial to making this the biggest and best Golfathon yet.”
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 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 long-term host of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup. The club will also host multiple editions of the Asian Amateur Championship, including the inaugural event October 29 to November 1, 2009.
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)
• Pete Dye Course named the “Best New Course in Asia” — Asian Golf Monthly (2007)
• Olazabal Course ranked the No. 2 course in China — Asian Golf Monthly (2007)
• 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)
• World Cup Course named one of the 10 “most significant and influential courses” of last 20 years — LINKS Magazine (2008)
• Olazabal Course ranked the No. 1 resort course in Asia — Golfing Magazine (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
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Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3509
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