(SHANGHAI, China) – Mission Hills Group today announced a list of international superstars from the worlds of sport, golf and entertainment who will play in the World Celebrity Pro-Am, October 18-21 at Mission Hills in Haikou.
The 2012 World Celebrity Pro-Am will bring together superstar celebrities, sports legends and renowned golfers. They include former NBA Star Yao Ming, who will be the event’s Charity Ambassador; Brazilian football superstar Ronaldo; Chinese gymnast and international businessman Li Ning; former World No. 1 snooker player Stephen Hendry and past Masters Champion Ian Woosnam.
Other stars who have confirmed their attendance include famous film directors Feng Xiaogang and He Ping, and film actors Wang Zhiwen, Chen Tao-ming, Zhang Guoli, Sun Nan, Leon Lai, Coco Lee, Charlie Young, Simon Yam and Michelle Chen.
Speaking in Shanghai today, Dr. Ken Chu, Chairman and CEO of Mission Hills Group said: “We firmly believe that the World Celebrity Pro-Am will take golf to a new level, not just in China but across the region. But this event is about more than golf. What we’re doing is creating general entertainment for people, so whether you’re into golf, football, acting or just watching celebrities, there’s going to be something for you. At Mission Hills we’ve always been committed to promoting international understanding through large-scale cultural and sporting events and the World Celebrity Pro-Am certainly follows this formula.”
Mission Hills also announced the formation of a tournament celebrity committee which, amongst other things, will be responsible for the event’s charitable activities. Committee members are Dr. Ken Chu, Mission Hills Group Chairman and CEO; golfing legend Greg Norman; former Chairman of CITIC Group and Vice Chairman of the China Golf Association, Wang Jun; Liu Changle, Chairman and CEO of Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings; Chairman of the Hong Kong Ocean Park Group and Lan Kwai Fong Group, Allan Zeman; Chinese film directors Feng Xiaogang and He Ping; legendary Chinese gymnast Li Ning; Hong Kong actor Eric Tsang and Sina CEO Charles Chao.
The Yao Ming Foundation and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will be charitable beneficiaries of the event.
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima; the former FIFA World Cup winner, FIFA Player of the Year and the highest scorer in World Cup History, is known simply as “Ronaldo” around the world. Speaking about the forthcoming event, the legend said: “I enjoy golf very much and playing at the World Celebrity Pro-Am at Mission Hills will be great fun. I’m really looking forward to coming to China and playing on Hainan Island.”
The internationally acclaimed tournament was first staged in 2010 and has already become one of the region’s leading lifestyle and entertainment events.
It will adopt a new tournament format to make it more entertaining and fun. The professional golfers will compete for a prize purse of 1 million US dollars. Mission Hills Group will confirm more participating golfers and celebrities in the coming months.
For more information please visitÌøå_?www.missionhillswcpa.com
About Mission Hills Group
Mission Hills Group (www.missionhillschina.com), owner and operator of Mission Hills in the heart of the Pearl River Delta and the tropical island of Hainan, is the pioneer in China’s fledgling hospitality, sports and leisure industry.
Founded in 1992, Mission Hills is recognized as the leading golf brand in the world and synonymous with high-end, luxurious and exquisitely-designed residences. Mission Hills has been the major driving force behind the sports and leisure industry in China. Its three world-class integrated leisure and wellness resort destinations have hosted more than 100 international tournaments. Mission Hills has also been accredited the “World’s Largest Golf Club” by the Guinness World Records.
Mission Hills’ properties sprawl over 40 sq.km. They include 22 championship courses designed by renowned players and architects from five continents, five-star resorts, award-winning spas and volcanic mineral springs, an international convention center, golf academies and Asia’s largest tennis facility. Mission Hills is also the official training headquarters of China’s Tennis and Golf Associations.
The Group’s “golf and more” leisure philosophy has catalyzed its tourism-related business expansion. Mission Hills Centreville and Mission Hills Ì¢?å» Lan Kwai Fong Ì¢?å» Haikou are family-friendly metropolitan leisure complexes and low-carbon town centers. Hubs for business, leisure, wellness and entertainment, their highlights include 1,000-plus international anchor brands featuring the latest fashion labels, finest jewelry and watches; trendiest restaurants, cafes and bars; state-of-the-art multiplex cinemas; ice skating rinks; bowling alleys; world-renowned auto showrooms; and many other exciting offerings. A total of six hotels are showcased in these developments, among them Marriott International’s Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance hotel brands, and Hilton International.
Today, Mission Hills Group has achieved many milestones and become the preeminent conglomerate in the sports, tourism, leisure and entertainment industry. The next breakthrough in the Group’s evolution will occur as it brings its tried and true branding and golf management services to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Yunnan, Chongqing and other destinations.
For more information about Mission Hills, visit www.missionhillschina.com, email info@missionhillschina.com, or call (852) 2122 1616 (Hong Kong), (86 755) 2802 0888 (Shenzhen), (86 769) 8728 8888 (Dongguan), or (86 898) 6868 3888 (Hainan).
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