Kaikou Golf Club
Xiamen, China:
Greg Norman’s maiden golf course design in China will play host to next month’s US$350,000 Asian Golf Championship, the first Asian Tour-sanctioned event in China for nine years.
The Kaikou Golf Club in Fujian Province boasts 36 holes. The first course was opened in 1994 with the second layout being unveiled in 2009. The courses are part of a commercial, resort and residential project.
Greg Norman Golf Course Design is a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
To be staged from November 30-December 3, the Asian Golf Championship will be the first event following the strategic partnership signed between the Asian Tour and China Golf Association (CGA) in March.
Promoted and operated by Beijing based promoter CGD (Beijing) Sports Industry Co, Ltd (CGDs), the event is being jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and CGA with a field breakdown of 56 Asian Tour professionals, 48 China Tour professionals and four special invitations.
Rolex is the official Timekeeper for the tournament.
Golfers from the China Tour will be eligible to take up associate memberships with the Asian Tour, with the top-five non-exempt players from the China Tour Order of Merit receiving spots into the Final Stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2018.
The winner of the Asian Golf Championship will earn an exemption on the Asian Tour under the winner’s category. For China Tour professionals, their earnings will count towards the Asian Tour Order of Merit and China Tour Order of Merit.
Pang Zheng, CGA Deputy Secretary General, said: “The co-sanction of the Asian Golf Championship is a new opportunity for both China golf and the growth of the game of golf in Asia.”
Asian Tour CEO
Josh Burack said: “The launch of the Asian Golf Championship is a significant development for professional golf in Asia. Our strategic partnership with the CGA is a game-changer as the creation of tournaments like the Asian Golf Championship will greatly enhance playing opportunities for the many talented players from China and the Asian Tour members who will compete against them.
“A new chapter for Asian golf is ready to be written. Our Asian Tour members are excited to tee off in China again.”
China Tour-Regular Season CEO
Wen Ouyang said the co-sanctioned tournament represents a significant milestone for both Tours.
Wen said: “This new tournament not only completes our 2017 season but also opens up the door for Chinese professional golfers as we seek a more sustainable way of co-operating with other leading international Tours.”
