R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings points, berths in Nicklaus Junior Championship up for grabs
(SHENZHEN, China) — Mission Hills Group — impetus for China’s golf boom and owner and operator of the world’s two largest golf properties — announces the return of the Mission Hills Jack Nicklaus Junior Championship.
It will be played May 25-27 at Mission Hills Shenzhen on the Nicklaus-designed World Cup Course.
For the second straight year, R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) points will be awarded to competitors. In addition, overall winners of the Boys and Girls categories and the top-three finishers in each will receive berths in the Nicklaus Junior Championship at PGA National Resort & Spa, July 9-10, 2011.
Overall winners of the Boys and Girls divisions will also win a spot in the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills Shenzhen early next year.
“We’re excited to continue our strong relationship with Jack and host the Mission Hills Jack Nicklaus Junior Championship for the fourth consecutive year,” says Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Golf Club. “The tournament has rapidly become a fixture on Asia’s junior golf calendar and a key component of our multi-faceted program to cultivate a generation of major champions.”
One hundred competitors in four age categories (Under 15 and Under 18 for boys and girls) will do battle over 54 holes of stroke play on the World Cup Course. Opened in 1994, it has been lauded as one of China’s best tournament sites. The layout most recently hosted the 2011 ISPS Senior World Championship, won by two-time major champion Sandy Lyle.
Some of Mission Hills’ other commitments to junior golf include its role as official home of the Faldo Series Asia, creation of the Mission Hills Golf Series Junior Tour, instruction programs at its three golf academies specifically geared toward young players, and regular scheduling clinics from luminaries like Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and Nick Faldo.
About Mission Hills Group
The Mission Hills Group, owner and operator of Mission Hills Shenzhen and Mission Hills Hainan, is the pioneer in China’s fledgling hospitality, sports and leisure industry.
Mission Hills, recognized as the leading golf brand in the world and synonymous with high-end, luxurious residences of rare and exquisite design, has created two superb leisure and wellness resorts. It has held more than 100 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 an unprecedented 12 editions of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
Mission Hills Shenzhen
Stretching across the lush, rolling hills of southern China, Mission Hills Shenzhen is the country’s premier golf club, and also the “World’s Largest Golf Club” as accredited by the Guinness World Records. The property is home to 12 signature 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 Shenzhen is a full-service, luxury resort, featuring four clubhouses, three award-winning spas, a five-star hotel, three golf academies (including one from world-renowned instructor Cindy Reid), Asia’s largest tennis facility with 51 tennis courts and professional tennis academy, and numerous fine dining establishments serving cuisine from around the world.
Mission Hills Hainan
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. Nestled amid lush, green gardens, it caters to golf enthusiasts and comprises specially-designed golf courses, each incorporating native lava rock formations. Other state-of-the-art features include 518 elegantly designed guest rooms and suites, a three-story clubhouse, China’s first Hank Haney Golf Academy, meeting facilities, 12 world-class restaurants, a fully-equipped sports and recreation center, Hainan’s only aquatic theme park, therapeutic volcanic mineral springs, a spa oasis, and shopping arcade.
Mission Hills Hainan’s Blackstone Course hosted the inaugural Mission Hills Star Trophy in October 2010, a ground-breaking celebrity pro-am golf tournament for Asia. It will also host the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in November 2011. A magnificent addition to Hainan’s tropical island paradise, Mission Hills Hainan is poised to become the island’s premier sanctuary, attracting visitors from around the globe.
Getting There: Mission Hills Shenzhen is a 45-minute drive from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Mission Hills Hainan is 15 minutes from Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK). Flights from major cities throughout Asia — including Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore — to Haikou are available on Air China (Star Alliance member), Asiana (Star Alliance member), China Eastern Airlines (SkyTeam Alliance member), China Southern Airlines (SkyTeam Alliance member), Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, KLM, Shanghai Airlines (Star Alliance member) and more.
Contact:
Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
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sreynolds@buffalocommunications.com
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David Wood
Buffalo Communications
703.635.0577
dwood@buffalocommunications.com
