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Plans to bring Presidents Cup to China

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-11-10 11:27

 

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SHANGHAI: The USPGA Tour plans to bring the Presidents Cup to China within a decade, while assisting the booming nation to grow its game.

The prestigious tournament pits a 12-strong team of Americans against a dozen of the best from the rest of the world, apart from Europe, every tow years.

It is hosted alternately in the United States and countries represented by the international team.

Until now, no Chinese player has featured but with the growth of the game here, USPGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchen said the possibility China might host the tournament in 2019 was being examined.

“We agreed to look at and, over the next year and a half, do a feasibility on the pros of the Presidents cup being staged in China in perhaps 10 years’ time,” he said.

“This would become a goal of China to create players – one year before the second playing of golf at the Olympics – who can play at that level.

“I’m not sure that’s possible but we are in discussions over the next year as to how it could work and we’ll have more to say about that at a later date.”

The development of golf in China has been nothing short of amazing.

The country only opened its first course –the Chung Shan Hot springs Golf Club, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) across the Pearl River Estuary from Hong Kong – in 1984.

Twenty-five years later and China now has about 500 courses, and the USPGA Tour is keen to cash in.

“I think I speak for all of the members of the federation, and certainly the PGA Tour, when I say that we will do whatever is necessary and everything we can to help underpin that growth in the years to come,” said Finchen.

About the broadcaster:

Chantal Anderson is a multimedia journalist at the China Daily Web site. Originally from Seattle, Washington she has found her way around the world doing photo essays in Greece, Mexico and Thailand. She is currently completing a double degree in Journalism and International Studies from the University of Washington.