State-of-the-art facility combines training, performance and competition to prepare students for successful golf careers
(SHENZHEN, China) — Mission Hills China — developer of the world’s largest golf club and impetus for China’s golf boom — has partnered with acclaimed instructor Hank Haney to establish the Hank Haney Golf Academy at Mission Hills – Haikou.
The academy is a key amenity of Mission Hills’ new resort on tropical Hainan Island and the first facility in Asia to offer comprehensive elite golf development programs providing golfers of all skill levels the tools to advance their games to any level they desire. This includes a focus on the pursuit of elite tournament competition and professional golf careers.
Haney, ranked No. 2 on Golf Digest’s 2009 list of “America’s Top 50 Teachers,” and star of Golf Channel’s global sensation, “The Haney Project,” will serve as Director of Instruction.
“The Hank Haney Golf Academy at Mission Hills – Haikou evidences our continuing dedication to fostering golf’s growth in Asia,” says Tenniel Chu, Executive Director, Mission Hills China. “Hank shares our vision of the sport’s bright future and we’re excited to formally welcome him to the Mission Hills family.”
Haney is a member of advisory staffs for Golf Digest, Nike Golf and the PGA National Teaching Committee. His students have won every significant championship in professional, amateur, collegiate and junior golf.
“We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Mission Hills, the entity most responsible for spurring China’s golf explosion,” says Haney, instructor to more than 200 touring professionals during his 30-year career. “Our successful program and experienced staff will help China’s golfers reach their full potential in golf and in life.”
The Hank Haney / Mission Hills partnership is the culmination of two years of developmental work by Mission Hills and athlete representation and sports event marketing firm, Octagon.
Jeremy Aisenberg, vice president of the Strategic Initiatives Group and Haney’s representative, characterized the partnership: “This alliance is evidence of a long-term vision for and commitment to the growth of golf in China and also represents the foundation of our investment in Chinese sports development.”
Facility highlights include a 2,000 square meter (21,000 sq. ft.) indoor training facility with 15 fully-equipped hitting bays, putting studio, club fitting equipment, ball-flight tracking technology and fitness center. Available for outdoor practice are a 200-yard-wide grass range and 2,400 square meter (25,000 sq. ft.) putting green with chipping and bunker area, as well as Mission Hills – Haikou’s onsite golf courses.
Peter Krause, 2005 PGA Teacher of the Year and a GOLF Magazine “Top 100 Teacher in America,” will serve as the Academy’s Head Instructor. The six-time Minnesota PGA Teacher of the Year and PGA Master Certified Professional is a former winner of the Minnesota Senior Open, recipient of the Minnesota PGA Senior Player of the Year award, and has worked with Haney for more than 20 years.
The Academy will boast intimate student-to-teacher ratios and all instructors are certified “Hank Haney Instructors” who have trained directly with Hank Haney (http://www.hankhaneygolfinstructor.com/Programs/tabid/57/Default.aspx). A variety of adult, senior and junior programs are available.
About Mission Hills China
Mission Hills China, owner and operator of Mission Hills Shenzhen (Shenzhen, China) and the new Mission Hills – Haikou (Haikou, Hainan Island, China) is a key player in the country’s fledgling sports and leisure industry. Since 1992 it has invested heavily in sports and leisure facilities, residential properties, hotels, major sporting events, and grassroots and global programs to promote golf’s growth in China.
Mission Hills Shenzhen is located 30 minutes north of Hong Kong and recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest golf facility. The property is home to 12 resort and championship courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Anoka Sorenstam, Ernie Ells, Jose Maria Olazabal, Vijay Singh, David Leadbetter, David Duval, Jumbo Ozaki and Zhang Lian Wei in collaboration with Schmidt-Curley Design (www.schmidt-curley.com). It also features four clubhouses, three spas, a five-star hotel, three golf academies, 51 tennis courts, Asia’s most exclusive residential community and more.
Recently unveiled Mission Hills – Haikou is central to a government initiative positioning exotic Hainan Island as the world’s preeminent holiday retreat. Only 15 minutes from Haikou Meilan International Airport, its state-of-the-art amenities include volcanic-themed golf courses (all by Schmidt-Curley Design), 525 tastefully-appointed guest rooms and suites, a three-story clubhouse, meeting facilities, 12 world-class restaurants, a fully-equipped sports and recreation center, Hainan’s only aquatic theme park, therapeutic natural mineral springs, a spa oasis and shopping arcade.
For more information: www.missionhillschina.com, info@missionhillschina.com, or (852) 2122 1616 (Hong Kong) — (86 755) 2802 0888 (Shenzhen) — (86 769) 8728 8888 (Dongguan).
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David Wood
Buffalo Communications
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