Prestigious team tournament moves to new resort on China’s Hainan Island
(HAINAN, China) — The Mission Hills Group — one of the world’s leading golf brands and the driving force behind the sport’s rapid growth in China — announces its new resort, Mission Hills Hainan, is ready to host the 56th Omega Mission Hills World Cup, November 24-27.
While its sister venue in Shenzhen is officially the largest golf club in the world, Mission Hills Hainan is the first golf resort in Asia to be built on top of a dormant volcano. Haikou’s flagship tournament course, the par-73, 7,777-yard Blackstone, will host the event.
Fifty-six players from 28 countries will compete for the largest purse in Asian golf, with the winning team receiving $US 2.4 million.
Among those scheduled to vie for top prize are Northern Ireland’s U.S. Open Champions, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell; 2011 Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel from South Africa; Germany’s Martin Kaymer, the 2010 PGA Champion and recent WGC winner in Shanghai; and England’s Ian Poulter. Not to be forgotten are the defending champions, Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari.
Open less than two years, Mission Hills Hainan has already established itself as a world-class tournament venue and award-winning holiday destination. Earlier this month, it was named 2012 ‘Golf Resort of the Year’ by the International Association of Golf Tourism Operators (IAGTO).
Dr. Ken Chu, Chairman & CEO of Mission Hills Group, said: “This is the first Omega Mission Hills World Cup since the decision was made to make it a biennial event. We are very excited to welcome the world’s best players to Mission Hills Haikou for the first time. Blackstone is an intriguing and challenging course, the likes of which few players will have ever experienced. This event is the perfect platform to showcase Haikou’s uniqueness as a championship venue and holiday destination to the rest of the world.”
Mission Hills Hainan’s 10 courses all weave through the unique volcanic terrain. Landforms more than 10,000 years old and natural mineral springs 800 meters underground are a reminder of Hainan Island’s special geological value. When constructing the resort, conservation and ecological sustainability were paramount: 20,000 trees and 800 acres of wetland were preserved, 30,000 tropical trees planted and 50km of serpentine lava walls and 88 lava caves left undisturbed. Thirty million cubic meters of soil were used to backfill and sand cap the lava rock foundation, while embedding 570km of irrigation pipes and 28,000km of electrical cables.
Off the course, Mission Hills Hainan exudes luxury and glamour. The 518-room, five-star hotel is its centerpiece. More than 3,000 staff are employed to maintain and upkeep the high standards expected from a Mission Hills venue. It also houses Asia’s biggest spa facility with 61 treatment suites, volcanic mineral springs featuring 168 hot and cool springs with centuries-old bathing rituals and healing philosophies from five continents. Other amenities include a premium clubhouse, outdoor aquatic theme park, 12 restaurants, fitness and recreation center and a shopping arcade carrying the world’s finest brands.
Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Golf Club said: “Mission Hills has established itself as a global leader in the provision of high-end golf and leisure services. Mission Hills Hainan represents the pinnacle in golf development, combining breath-taking volcanic scenery and state-of-the-art facilities to offer a unique golfing experience to players at all levels of the game.”
Brain Curley said: “The stage is set for another dramatic Omega Mission Hills World Cup and Mission Hills Hainan is a befitting venue for a tournament of this caliber. The Blackstone Course uses the natural shapes, features and hazards of the lava-formed terrain to elicit exciting golf, punishing the conservative and rewarding the brave.”
About Mission Hills Group
Mission Hills Group (www.missionhillschina.com), 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, two 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 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.
Contact:
Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
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sreynolds@buffalocommunications.com
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