(SHENZHEN, China) – The inaugural ISPS Handa Senior World Championship presented by Mission Hills China begins tomorrow on the Jack Nicklaus-designed World Cup Course, Mission Hills Shenzhen.
The milestone event for the European Senior Tour on its first visit to China has created much excitement among the players and a great atmosphere at Mission Hills, home to some of the legends of the game, such as Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Greg Norman who have designed championship courses at the world’s largest golf club.
The list of golf legends continues with the Senior Tour stars arriving this week. The headline names include two-time major champion, Sandy Lyle; major champion and Ryder Cup winning captain, Ian Woosnam; major champion, Wayne Grady; Ryder Cup winning captain, Sam Torrance; and the 2010 Order of Merit Winner, Boonchu Ruangkit.
Speaking at the tournament press conference, Boonchu Ruangkit, Asia’s leading player on the Tour said: “I haven’t been in China for a long time but it is very exciting to be back. I have been to Mission Hills on two occasions previously but it is great to be here as a Senior Tour Professional. I have only had a chance to play on the World Cup Course and Zhang Lian Wei Course, but there are still 11 courses that I haven’t played! The Championship course is in great condition and I am looking forward to playing well.”
Ian Woosnam commented: “If it wasn’t for places like Mission Hills, golf wouldn’t have developed so strongly in China. The Chu family and Mission Hills have done a lot to help the game. I can see future champions coming from China very soon and I am delighted to be here.”
The golfing legends were joined at the press conference by Midori Miyazaki, Executive Director International Affairs ISPS – Title Sponsor of the Championship; Tenniel Chu, Executive Director Mission Hills China – Presenting Sponsor and Host Venue for the Championship, along with members of the organizing committee; Wang Yanmei, Deputy Director of the Multi-ball Games Administrative Centre of General Administration of Sport China & Vice President of China Golf Association; Andy Stubbs, Managing Director European Senior Tour; and Andrew White, Chief Executive WSM Sponsorship.
Midori Miyazaki, speaking on behalf of ISPS Chairman and philanthropist Dr Haruhisa Handa, said: “Dr Handa has a lot of close ties with China by building over 120 schools in the poorest regions and supporting orphanages, arts and culture, and now sport. ISPS are delighted to be involved in bringing the Senior Tour to China and are committed to helping the development of the sport at every level.”
Tenniel Chu commented: “Mission Hills like to be the first in golf and we like to do things well. Golf is a sport for all of the ages from 1 to 99. With the first European Senior Tour event in China, I do believe it will encourage more people to enter into this game. We have big plans for golf and we are delighted that the European Senior Tour are part of this.”
The ISPS Handa Senior World Championship takes place on the Jack Nicklaus designed World Cup Course at Mission Hills Shenzhen from 11-13 March 2011. Visitors will be able to watch some of the legends of the game including Sandy Lyle, Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam for free.
For more details about getting to Mission Hills Shenzhen, go to www.missionhillschina.com. High resolution images can be downloaded from the event FTP:
Address: ftp://217.20.28.222
Username: missionhills
Password: password1
About ISPS
ISPS is a ‘General Incorporated Association’ based in Tokyo. The organisation was founded by Japanese philanthropist, Dr Handa. ISPS contributes to society through supporting various sporting interests – currently focusing on golf. ISPS actively supports disabled golf and the International Blind Golf Association in addition to supporting a number of other charities for handicapped people.
See more information at: www.ispsgolf.com
About Mission Hills China
Owner and operator of Mission Hills Shenzhen, China and Mission Hills Hainan, China, Mission Hills Group China is the pioneer in the country’s fledgling hospitality, sports and leisure industry. Since 1992 it has invested heavily in sports and leisure facilities, hotels, major sporting events, and grassroots and global programs to promote golf’s growth in China.
Mission Hills Shenzhen, China 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 and other golf legends. It also features four clubhouses, three spas, two five-star hotels, three golf academies, 51 tennis courts, Asia’s most exclusive residential community and more.
Recently unveiled Mission Hills Hainan lies in the volcanic region of exotic Hainan Island, China. The resort sets a new standard in leisure, recreation and wellness experiences. It was home to the first-annual Mission Hills Star Trophy and will host the 2011 Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
For more information go to: www.missionhillschina.com
About WSM Sponsorship
WSM is a specialist sports marketing agency and a leading promoter of international golf events. WSM offers specialist collaborative divisions across sponsorship consultancy, digital, events, PR & media, experiential, design and CSR. WSM has been working with ISPS since 2009 and its other clients include Aberdeen Asset Management, Brit Insurance, Henderson Global Investors, MasterCard, Optimum Nutrition, Standard Chartered and Thomson Reuters.
WSM’s head office is based in London with international offices in the US and UAE; the agency is currently managing projects across five continents worldwide.
For more information go to: www.wsmsponsorship.com
Contact:
Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3509
sreynolds@buffalocommunications.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
www.twitter.com/buffalocomm
David Wood
Buffalo Communications
703.635.0577
dwood@buffalocommunications.com
