Front left to right: Zhang Xiao-ning, Deputy Chairman and Secretary General of the China Golf Association, Xu Yueping, chairman of Taihu Golf. Back left to right: Aylwin and Alexandra Armas |
“China represents the future for golf and I feel I should be there at this time in my career,” she said. “The Ladies European Tour gave me my start in pro golf and so I want to be part of this historic moment together with my fellow European players.”
Xu Yueping, chairman of Taihu Golf, the sponsor and organizer, said, “There is no higher honor for us than having Annika Sorenstam compete at Taihu in her final season. We will treasure this long into the future.”
ABOUT SUZHOU TAIHU INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB: A luxury villa, hotel and resort development located at the edge of the scenic Taihu Lake, 40 minutes from the city of Suzhou. The Graham Marsh designed 18 holes championship course is complemented by a state of the art golf academy. The site is famous as the place where the military genius, Sun Tzu, wrote the immensely influential book “The Art of War”. Website: www.taihugolfhotel.com
ABOUT CHINA GOLF ASSOCIATION: The official governing body of golf in China and main sanctioning body of the event. Major initiatives in the last few years have led to development of rules officials, a season long series of junior tournaments and training programs, national training squads for leading amateurs and the dramatic expansion of competitive opportunities for pros and amateurs.
ABOUT LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR: Having formed over 30 years ago, the Tour aims to promote worldwide interest in the game of golf as well as to further the interest of its playing members. It has spawned some of the world’s greatest players such as Annika Sorenstam and Laura Davies. Website: dev-let.ocs-software.com
ABOUT LADIES ASIAN GOLF TOUR: Formed in 2005 and taking over where the previously known Kosaido Ladies Asian Golf Circuit left off in 2003. LAGT is more than just a Tour; it has lofty aspirations for the development of Asian ladies’ golf locally and internationally. It has a strong association with the R&A, Asia Pacific golf Confederation, the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour. Website: www.lagt.org