Mission Hills Star Trophy Launched In Hainan

HAINAN, China (October 27, 2010) - The inaugural Mission Hills Star Trophy launched in pageantry Wednesday as the world's most exciting celebrities and golfers descended on Mission Hills Haikou in Hainan, China for the ground-breaking celebrity Pro-Am, that is already one of the region's leading lifestyle and entertainment event.

Dr. Ken Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Group, was joined at the opening press conference by a host of sporting stars and international celebrities. Tournament ambassador and double Open champion, Greg Norman, took to the stage alongside Hollywood superstar Christian Slater, Olympic great Michael Phelps, Chinese film director Feng Xiaogang and one of China's favourite actors, the evergreen Chan Dao Ming.

The Mission Hills Star Trophy brings together superstar celebrities, including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Christian Slater, Hugh Grant, Matthew McConaughey and Michael Phelps among others, and the world's biggest golfing names, such as Greg Norman, Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and some of women's golf's greatest ever stars, Lorena Ochoa, Annika Sorenstam and Se Ri Pak.

"The time is right for Asia and, indeed, China to host an event of the unique stature of the Mission Hills Star Trophy," said Norman Wednesday.

The event's star power was further bolstered this week with the announcement that Tseng Yani, currently ranked 4th in the world in the women's game will be joining the professionals as they compete for Asia's richest individual golfing prize of a $1.28 million winner's check.

Said Mission Hills' Dr. Ken Chu: "Tomorrow, we will take the next step in the development of our golfing vision when we tee off on the magnificent Blackstone Course. For the first time in Asia, we have brought together some of the biggest names in global entertainment to play alongside golfing greats in a Celebrity Pro-Am that is already one of the region's leading lifestyle and entertainment events."

Added Norman: "The time is right for Asia and, indeed, China to host an event of the unique stature of the Mission Hills Star Trophy. By bringing together celebrities and top professional golfers for the first time in Asia, Mission Hills has ensured the sport will receive enormous exposure here and abroad, as will the superb facilities at Mission Hills Haikou."

Beijing Olympic darling Michael Phelps, who has been at Mission Hills' Shenzhen facility fine-tuning his game in preparation for the Mission Hills Star Trophy, is thrilled to be back in China: "This country holds very special memories for me and I will never forget the support I got from the Chinese public at the Beijing Games. Golf is a passion of mine and I am honored to be part of something as special as the inaugural Mission Hills Star Trophy."

Feng Xiaogang, one of China'sleading actors, writers and film directors, was keen to stress the importance of the event for golf's development in the region: "It is a great honor for meto welcome the leading celebrities and golfers from around the globe to China. The Mission Hills Star Trophy will continue to develop golf in China and share an exciting new destination, Hainan, with the world,"

The Mission Hills Star Trophy field includes celebrities, professionals and selected amateurs, with the amateurs playing with the celebrities and professional golfers Thursday and on Friday in Pro-Am format.

The weekend play will then be in four-ball stroke play format between 18 teams consisting of a celebrity and a professional, with a 36-hole individual professional event running concurrently on the Blackstone Course. The pro event offers a $1.28 million first place check, the richest individual prize in Asian golf.

The Mission Hills Star Trophy will be beamed live to over 150 counties across the world. The TV output will be managed by esteemed broadcaster Terry Jastrow, the veteran sports producer of 68 golf majors and six Olympic Games over his glittering career. Terry has won seven Emmy awards and been nominated for 17 times.

The Mission Hills Star Trophy is one of the first major events supporting agovernment-led initiative to make Hainan a leading international tourismdestination in the coming years and reaffirms Mission Hills Haikou as the world's most memorable golf resort. In 2011, the OMEGA Mission HillsWorld Cup will also be played at Mission Hills Haikou.

For information about the Mission Hills Star Trophy, please visit the Sharkwatch » Tournaments section of Shark.com.

Comments