Xiamen, China: A new, grandly-named Women’s World Golf Series, aimed at raising the profile of women’s professional golf during the off-season, is being launched in China.
The China Women’s Open, which is taking place from December 13-16, at Orient Golf & Country Club in Xiamen, is part of a new series which organisers say is being launched ‘in response to rapid growth in demand for women’s sport across Asia’.
The China Women’s Open is the inaugural tournament of the World Golf Series, which will comprise six Tour-calibre tournaments across Asia from late autumn 2019 to spring 2020. The fields will comprise players from each major tour who qualify via the Rolex World Women’ Golf Ranking.
Ivan Khodabakhsh, Chief Executive of the World Golf Series, said: “The China Women’s Open is a significant moment in the development of golf in the Asia-Pacific region particularly, and is testimony to the shift toward an omni-present sport culture among fans and TV viewers alike. The elite women’s Tour players have brought a different tone of voice, which is very appealing to sponsors.”
TK Pen, Chairman of the World Golf Series, said: “Women’s golf needs to evolve to fit the new media and event landscape, and I’ve received calls from several countries asking for a platform to showcase their top professional players in an open series without membership barriers.
“Rather than create another professional golf Tour, I have decided to partner with Ivan to create a series of top tournaments that can meet these calls. It is synonymous to the One Belt initiative to create this series of events from Asia to the Middle East, providing players from all Tours the opportunity to compete against each other in the traditional off-season.”