Suzhou, China: For the first time since the 2010 Volvo China Open, Jinji Lake Golf Club was the venue for a professional golf event when it played host to the RMB1.5 million Suzhou Open.
The PGA Tour Series China event attracted large crowds, who enjoyed a dramatic weekend of golf despite weather delays. The players took advantage of the outstanding course conditions, with Canada’s Richard Jung holing a long birdie putt on the 72nd hole to win by two shots from China’s Yuan Yechun, with a 21-under-par total of 267.
Located in the Suzhou Industrial Park, Jinji Lake Golf Club opened in 2005 and features a 27-hole Gary Player-designed course with three very different nine-hole combinations – Links, Wetlands and Forest. Managed by IMG, the club offers night golf and is recognised as one of the leading private golf clubs in China.
“IMG has been managing Jinji Lake Golf Club since the opening, and we are very proud of our long relationship with this outstanding club,” said Paul Burley, Senior Vice President, IMG Golf Course Services, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
He added:”It was a privilege to see the inaugural Suzhou Open take place over the unique combination of our Wetlands and Links courses. I know the players enjoyed the contrast between the two nine holes, and the outstanding course conditions provided by our Golf Course Superintendent, Eddie Bao.”
IMG has been managing clubs in China for over 20 years. It currently has five clubs currently in its China portfolio.