LPGA Tour event to be played in China

Ground-breaking move by
Grand China Air

Haikou, China, 29th April 2008 – The China Golf Association (CGA), Grand China Air, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and IMG today jointly announced that Grand China Air will title sponsor the LPGA’s first ever event in China - the Grand China Air LPGA - to be played from the 24th to 26th October, 2008 at the Haikou West Golf Club in Hainan’s capital, Haikou.
It is the first LPGA tournament to be played in China and the tournament was specifically developed by the CGA, the LPGA and IMG, as a platform for Grand China Air to promote their brand around the world as they look to expand into international markets.
Sixty-three of the world’s best female players will compete for a purse of US$1,800,000. The player field is made up of the top 51 ranked available players on the LPGA Official Money List as of the 14th of September, 2008, and 12 invited players to be decided by the CGA, Grand China Air and IMG. This will create playing opportunities for Chinese women golfers and offer opportunities for these chosen players to compete with the very best in the world.
Grand China Air is a subsidiary of the HNA Group, one of the four largest airline companies in China offering the best quality airline service, with the goal of becoming a world class brand.
Haikou West Golf Club, a beautiful and internationally renowned golf destination, will showcase the world’s best women golfers in October.
Mr. Chen Feng, Chairman of HNA Group and Grand China Air said, “We are delighted to announce this great new event which our partners CGA, LPGA and IMG have worked together to create for us. Women’s golf is going through an exciting time as its profile grows around the world and we would like our airline to mirror this growth. We believe the LPGA and Grand China Air will form a good partnership, and this LPGA tournament will be an ideal platform for us to enhance the profile of our airline around the world. We are looking forward to an exciting week.”
Director of Multi-Ball Games Centre of the State Sports General Administration, Deputy President and Secretary General of the China Golf Association Mr. Zhang Xiaoning added, “We are very happy to announce this new event, a result of CGA’s dedication in promoting women’s golf in China, which will, without a doubt, become a new milestone in the development of the sport in this country.
"It will be very exciting and motivating for our up-and-coming young Chinese golfers to have the chance to watch the world’s best women golfers here in China and for some of them to improve their skills by actually competing with the top LPGA players and we hope Chinese players will achieve good results.”
“This is a landmark event for women's professional golf, and we are excited to bring the best of the LPGA to China," said LPGA Commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens. "China is one of the fastest growing golf markets in Asia, and with our growing fan and sponsor interest, it is the right time to bring the LPGA there. We are looking forward to working with the China Golf Association, Grand China Air and IMG on this inaugural event.”
Robbie Henchman, IMG Senior Vice President, Director of Golf, Asia, commented, “Creating a new event in a dynamic market such as China has been very exciting, and in the Grand China Air LPGA, I believe we have got the formula just right for a fantastic tournament and one that will enhance Grand China Air’s profile worldwide. We are thrilled to be working with the LPGA and the CGA on this new event and to be part of creating such a significant new women’s tournament in Asia.”
Haikou West Golf Club, was built three years ago and was designed by Mr. Perry and Ms. Cynthia McGarry Dye. It is located on the west side of Haikou City, 30 minutes from the Haikou Meilan International Airport. The Golf Club offers fresh breezes from the South China Sea, a Haikou City backdrop and international level facilities including double-level driving range and first-class dining experience.
Hainan Island is situated on the south coast of China and is on the same latitude as Hawaii – a perfect holiday destination known for its white sandy beaches, pristine clear waters and lush tropical rainforests. The warm weather and waters of the South China Sea make it ideal for swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling, water skiing and parasailing at several holiday locations around the island.
The capital of Hainan Island is the northern city of Haikou, which is one of the most popular places on the island for holiday makers.
The tournament offering US$1.8 million prize money, sponsored by Grand China Air, will be held at Haikou from October 24 to 26, 2008. Sponsorship, hospitality and merchandising programs will be offered to corporations, to maximise promotional opportunities for the tournament.