Highest-ranked Non-American for Second Consecutive Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 17, 2009
(SHENZHEN, China) – Mission Hills Golf Club announces its Chairman, Dr. David Chu, has been named to Golf Inc.’s 2009 list of the “Most Powerful People in Golf.”
Founder of the world’s largest golf club, Dr. Chu rose from No. 9 to No. 7. For the second consecutive year, he is the highest-ranked non-American. Other Top 10 honorees include Jack Nicklaus (No. 1), Tiger Woods (No. 3) and PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem (No. 6).
Golf Inc’s recognition of Dr. Chu evinces China’s increasingly important role in global golf. Although the country did not have a modern golf course until 1984, just 25 years later it has more than 400 and is the focal point of the sport’s future growth. The publication lauded Dr. Chu’s mission to spread golf throughout China since founding Mission Hills in the early 1990s.
“Mission Hills has always made growing the game a top priority,” says Chu, who debuted on the 2007 list at No. 16. “We take the utmost pride in our position at the epicenter of golf in China and are devoted to bringing this great game to as many people as possible.”
According to the China Golf Association, there are more than three million golfers in China today. This number is expected to jump to more than 20 million in the next ten years, making it the world’s second-largest golf market (only trailing the United States).
Under Dr. Chu’s watch, Mission Hills has spearheaded the game’s continuing rise to prominence through a variety of initiatives. These include bringing numerous professional tournaments to the club, such as the Omega Mission Hills World Cup; establishing three onsite teaching academies; hosting premier junior events such as the Faldo Series Asia and Mission Hills Jack Nicklaus Junior Championship; lobbying for golf’s inclusion in the Olympic Games and more.
The PGA TOUR recently recognized Dr. Chu’s groundbreaking contributions to golf in China by establishing the David Chu Award. In coming years, it will be given to other individuals who have been instrumental to the sport’s growth in the world’s most populous country.
“Mission Hills’ promotion of golf in China is far from finished,” says Chu. “We’re ready to capitalize on the momentum created by the recent Olympics announcement and are more confident than ever that the sky’s the limit for Chinese golf.”
Widely regarded as the architect of the sports and leisure field in China, Dr. Chu is a renowned entrepreneur with significant investments across Asia and North America, covering the sports, leisure, industry and real estate sectors.
As Strategic Advisor to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Bid Committee, Dr. Chu played a crucial role in securing the Games for China. He is also Vice-Chairman of the China Football Association, China Tennis Association and China Volleyball Association.
A reputed philanthropist, Dr. Chu has donated over US$75 million to charitable causes, including disaster relief efforts and the promotion of education and sports. After the 2008 Sichuan earthquake disaster, he established “Dr. David Chu’s Care Fund for Orphans” and donated more than US$3 million to help cover the future living expenses and educational needs of those orphaned by the tragedy.
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 one from world renowned instructor 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.
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
Olazabal Course ranked the No. 2 course in China – Asian Golf Monthly
Dr. David Chu, Chairman of Mission Hills Group, named one of the “Most Powerful People in Golf” – Golf Inc.
Dr. Kenneth Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Group, named one of golf’s “Most Admired Operators” – Golf Inc.
World Cup Course named one of the 10 “most significant and influential courses” of last 20 years – LINKS Magazine
Olazabal Course ranked the No. 1 resort course in Asia – Golfing Magazine
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
sreynolds@billycaspergolf.com
