Olazabal Course Gets Thumbs Up From Players in WGC-HSBC Champions

SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With Louis Oosthuizen topping the leader board at the halfway stage of the WGC-HSBC Champions at Mission Hills, players, organizers and fans have had the opportunity to reflect on the first two days of play on the Olazabal Course and the impact of bringing a show-piece event of its kind to China's most populous province.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121103/CN05723 )

For a number of players competing the US$7 million purse International Federation of PGA Tours sanctioned event, playing in China is a regular occurrence and a key component of their tournament schedules as they look to bolster their positions on tour money lists and reap the financial rewards of playing professional golf in the sport's frontier nation. But for others it's an entirely new experience.

Talking about his first impressions of China, having landed earlier in the week, 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson commented that it was "just like the movies."

Commenting on the venue and the quality of field, Luke Donald added, "I was here a few years back for the Goodwill Trophy but this is obviously a big event for golf, a big event in China and Asia, and I'm excited to be a part of it."

Whether an old hand or a relative newcomer to China's golf scene, the venue for the 2012 tournament is certainly attracting the attention of players and spectators alike.

Mission Hills is no stranger to staging international golf tournaments having brought the World Cup of Golf to its neighbouring resort in Shenzhen in 2007 and hosted it ever since. But the WGC-HSBC Champions is something different, attracting the world's champion golfers to compete in a different format of play.

As Ryder Cup star player Ian Poulter noted: "I've played here a number of times, and it's going to be an exciting week to play in a stroke‑play event as opposed to knowing the course as a kind of foursomes and a four‑ball course. It's a strong field, a lot of guys in decent form, so you're going to have to play well."

Two time champion and PGA tour veteran Phil Mickelson was equally impressed with the set-up: "It's a wonderful course. The 15^th hole is a great example I think of just a terrific hole. It's the signature hole here. If you hit a good drive, you can go for the green. If you go for the green, you have water, left, right and difficulty long. It's just a very fair test, and rewards good shots."

Speaking about the Olazabal course on his arrival, 2012 Open champion Ernie Els, who co-designed his own course some eleven years ago at Mission Hills, commented, "Well, it's an amazing golf course. It was a very difficult piece of land, and I think what they have done has been amazing. There are a lot of elevation changes, so you've got to figure out the yardages which is a little difficult. But the course is right in front of you and the bunkering is unbelievable."

"The course is in really good shape so I think the fans and the tournament should really enjoy it. I think it's going to be a bit of a birdie‑fest here and there," he continued.

Mr. Chen, a Dongguan local, watching with his son at the iconic 15^th hole commented, "I've never played golf before and never been to Mission Hills but we're very pleased to have the opportunity to see the world's best golfers playing here in Guangdong Province so I have brought my son along and hopefully it will inspire him to take up the game. The course looks amazing and you can get so close to the players."

They weren't the only ones taken a-back by the spectacle of the Olazabal course, with tournament sponsor HSBC's Global Head of Sponsorship and Events, Giles Morgan, commenting on the tournament venue in a press conference, "It's absolutely stunning. Really really beautiful and catching up with some of the players who hadn't played here before, [they] were absolutely blown away by how beautiful the course is and how well it's playing. We're in for a real feast of golf."

Chairman and CEO of Mission Hills Group Dr Ken Chu added, "We're delighted to stage such a prestigious event as the WGC-HSBC Champions here at Mission Hills. It was always my father's objective to bring the world's best golfers to China and for them to compete on top championship courses. I think we've achieved that with the Olazabal course at Mission Hills Dongguan and it's wonderful to see so many golf fans enjoying the spectacle."

The WGC-HSBC Champions boasts a prize fund of US$7 million and is one of four World Golf Championships sanctioned and organised by the operational committee of the International Federation of PGA Tours, which includes the Asian Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA TOUR, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour. The other World Golf Championships include the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, WGC-Cadillac Championship and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

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 ▪ Lan Kwai Fong ▪ 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.

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 further information, please contact:

Ms. Sundi Shi
Mission Hills China
Telephone: (86 755) 2802 0888 Ext. 36022
Email:       [email protected]

SOURCE Mission Hills China