After a joint inspection of the highly rated Yalong Bay Golf Course and facilities at Sanya, top officials of the Ladies European Tour and the Ladies Asian Golf Tour have added their enthusiastic support to that of China Golf Association for the holding of the inaugural €200,000 Sanya Ladies’ Open planned for 22 – 24 October.
The new tournament will kick off a three week swing of Ladies European Tour events across Asia which, due to their end of season timing, are expected to attract some of the top Europeans looking for a final boost to their rankings.
“We’re delighted to be coming to Sanya and especially to Yalong Bay,” said Cyprien Comoy, Tournament Director for the Ladies European Tour. “The course is a superb layout and, with its comprehensive facilities as well as top class international hotels close by, it fits our requirements perfectly. I know the players will be very happy with the standards here, both on and off the course.”
Alexandra Armas, the LET’s Executive Director, commented: “The Ladies European Tour players are thrilled to be returning to China and we are delighted to be strengthening our excellent relationships with the Ladies Asian Golf Tour (LAGT) and China Golf Association (GCA), whom we thank for their approval and support.”
Aylwin Tai, senior adviser to the Ladies Asian Golf Tour was equally enthusiastic. “Sanya is well on the way to becoming one of the world’s most attractive leisure destinations and, in Yalong Bay, they have a great championship course in a wonderful setting. We are very grateful to Sanya and to Yalong Bay Golf Club in their dual role as host club and promoter of the event, for all their hard work in making the Sanya Ladies Open become a reality.”
Yalong Bay, a Robert Trent Jones Jnr. design masterpiece, is no stranger to top pro events having hosted the TCL Classic on the European and Asian Tours from 2005 to 2007. At 7,189 yards off the back tees, the par 72 layout is open to the strong breezes that sweep in off the South China Sea presenting an ever changing challenge for players.
“I and my colleagues in China Golf Association are very pleased that Sanya is bringing a top level ladies professional golf event to China,” said Chen Ya-xiong, Director & General Manager of Yalong Bay Golf Club, Committee member of the China Golf Association. “Yalong Bay Golf Club has always given Chinese golf its strong support and so, with almost Rmb1.8 million prize money on offer, this is a great opportunity for China’s leading lady players to show what they can do against top class international opposition.”
A signing ceremony between representatives of the Tours, Yalong Bay Golf club and Sanya Government took place after the course inspection.
“This is another step for Sanya on the path to becoming one of the world’s most prestigious leisure destinations,” said Liao Min-sheng, Director of Sport & Culture Bureau, spokesman for Sanya government. “Having the Sanya Ladies Open as a top class international golf event fits very well with our vision for Sanya and we hope to see it grow steadily in international prestige.”
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