The ISPS Handa Senior World Championship presented by Mission Hills was announced today as an exciting new feature on the 2011 European Senior Tour schedule.
The new event, co sanctioned by the European Senior Tour and Chinese Golf Association, will be played on the World Cup Course, Mission Hills, Shenzhen, from March 11-13 and represents the Senior Tour’s first visit to China.
With a prize fund of US$350,000, the event is likely to attract some of the biggest names in the sport and further strengthens the importance of China as a major golfing destination.
The new tournament is title sponsored by ISPS (International Sports Promotion Society), which is chaired by Japanese businessman and philanthropist Dr Haruhisa Handa. ISPS is committed to developing the sport at every level, and will be using the tournament to help promote blind and disabled golf, in its bid to bring the sport to a wider audience.
Making the announcement Dr Handa, who is also an International Ambassador of the European Senior Tour said: “ISPS is thrilled to announce this fantastic new event on the senior golf calendar. I would like to thank Mission Hills for their support in helping make this happen. I am also delighted to continue our collaboration with the European Senior Tour and welcome the Chinese Golf Association to this exciting new partnership.
During 2011 ISPS will continue to help develop the sport and seek ways of fostering more opportunities for blind and disabled golfers to enjoy the game. We have Paralympic ambitions for the sport which we hope will soon become a reality.”
Tenniel Chu, Executive Director of Mission Hills, the presenting sponsor and host for the Championship, added: “At Mission Hills we have long been proud of our position at the forefront of golf development in China and, indeed, Asia. With the confirmation that we will play host to China’s first European Senior Tour event at Mission Hills Shenzhen, I am delighted that our important role in welcoming the most important golfing events and organization to our country will continue with the ISPS Handa Senior World Championship presented by Mission Hills,”
The ISPS Handa Senior World Championship presented by Mission Hills is also groundbreaking territory for the European Senior Tour, as it is the first time they have co sanctioned an event alongside the Chinese Golf Association.
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “We would like to thank ISPS and Dr Handa for their support, which we greatly appreciate, and for their continued assistance in promoting blind and disabled golf around the world.
“The European Tour Group is delighted to continue our relationship with the China Golf Association to grow the game with the help of the golfing legends who will tee up at Mission Hills in what promises to be a fascinating new experience for our Tour. We are pleased, also, to strengthen our strong links with the Chu family, who are magnificent hosts at Mission Hills, and promoters WSM whose efforts on behalf ofthe Senior Tour are always appreciated.”
The tournament will be promoted by WSM Sponsorship, who created the vision for the event in collaboration with ISPS, Mission Hills and the co-sanction partners.
Andrew White, Chief Executive of WSM Sponsorship, said: “WSM are the leading promoter on the European Senior Tour, involved in five events in the 2011 season. We are excited to be working with ISPS and Mission Hills on this flagship event next year. This will be a pivotal event on the European Senior Tour and an ideal platform to continue profiling the work of ISPS in bringing the sport to new audiences as well as strengthening the growth of the game in China.”
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