Shanghai to Host First LPGA Event in Five-Year Deal With Buick
Buick LPGA Shanghai to be a Global Flagship Event of Women’s Golf
SHANGHAI, May 17, 2018 – SAIC-GM Buick Brand, WME | IMG China and the LPGA announced at a special press conference today that the prestigious LPGA Tour will be in Shanghai October 18-21, 2018 for an all new women’s golf event, the Buick LPGA Shanghai, at Qizhong Garden Golf Club.
SAIC-GM Buick has committed to sponsor the tournament for a five-year period. The first edition will boast a purse of US$2.1 million, and the field will consist of 62 of the world’s top ranked players on the LPGA Money List, 15 from China Lady’s Professional Rankings and 4 sponsor invites.
The tournament will be a 72-hole stroke play event over four days with no cut and will be sanctioned by the China Golf Association, the LPGA and the CLPGA.
China’s first lady of golf, Shanshan Feng, the first Chinese player, male or female, to win a Major and be ranked No.1 in the world, attended the announcement today and she made the 1st putt alongside the VIP attendees to launch this Shanghai event.
The charismatic Feng commented: “I am very honored to be here to make this announcement of the exciting new Buick LPGA Shanghai. I am so proud to represent China as I play all around the world, but it is particularly special to be able to welcome all my friends on the LPGA to my homeland for such an exciting new tournament. I can’t wait for October.”
Mr. Ye Bao, General Director of Marketing Department of SAIC-GM Buick, founding partner of this event, said: "Buick Golf is a long-term, high-end sports platform constructed by Buick. Buick LPGA Shanghai begins its first five years, marking a new peak of Chinese Women's Golf Championship, which is wholly supported by Buick. We hope that through this event, we can help Chinese players accumulate more experience, keep forging ahead, and realize their golf dream. “Relying on Buick LPGA Shanghai, the cooperation between Buick and Chinese Women's Golf Championship has advanced to a deeper level.
Zheng Pang from China Golf Associated said: “CGA is more than happy to have a new LPGA event in China. Buick LPGA Shanghai will provide the best competing platform for local Chinese players to prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.”
Grant Slack, SVP & Managing Director, Golf Events, IMG, said: “We are delighted to be working with Buick and the LPGA on this prestigious new tournament. Women’s golf in China is in a very healthy state, largely thanks to Shanshan’s phenomenal achievements in the past few years. She has blazed a trail around the world for all of China’s up and coming players and is a wonderful ambassador for the women’s game globally. This event will be the perfect platform for both Buick, Shanshan, her fellow Chinese players and all of the LPGA’s star golfers to showcase their phenomenal talents.”
“We are proud and excited to team up with Buick and IMG to bring our Tour to China’s largest city, Shanghai,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “It will be a delight to show off the talented field of female golfers from the LPGA, the China Golf Association and the CLPGA to the great fans of China who have always showed us tremendous support.”
The tournament will be played on the undulating championship course at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club where the players will have to negotiate the many bunkers and a feature lake.
About SAIC-GM Buick
Buick is an international modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors and thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models in North America and China. Buick has sold over 9 million vehicles in China since its introduction by SAIC-GM in 1998. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers in China at www.buick.com.cn.
About the LPGA
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 members representing more than 30 countries. With a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while the Symetra Tour, the official development and qualifying tour of the LPGA, consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. Additionally, LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management.
The LPGA demonstrates its dedication to the development of the game through The LPGA Foundation. Since 1991, this charitable organization has been committed to empowering and supporting girls and women through developmental and humanitarian golf initiatives, such as LPGA*USGA Girls Golf.
Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via www.LPGA.com. Join the social conversation at www.facebook.com/lpga,www.twitter.com/lpga, and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo, and on Instagram at @lpga_tour.
About CLPGA
The China LPGA Tour, established in December 2008, is the country’s only women’s professional golf tour permitted and sanctioned by the China Golf Association. On March 8th 2013, its continuous growth was recognized when the Tour was invited to join the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings system. This recognition provided nearly 2,000 players from different countries with the opportunity to play for ranking points.
2018 is the Tour’s 10th anniversary. CLPGA has witnessed and supported Chinese players creating history and becoming stronger. During the years of development, the Tour has truly developed into an international organization. New tournaments are launched in Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong since 2017, attracting Around 300 members from China, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, USA, Korea, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand.
With the golden idea of “Family, Friends, Future”, CLPGA are committed to create value and help with professional dreams of its members, promote the development of golf and Chinese culture both in the region and around the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment