Hong Kong, 15 February 2011: Aussie David Gleeson tees off today on Lantau Island's Discovery Bay in Hong Kong in a bid to secure a spot at the prestigious Volvo China Open, to be played at the Luxehills International Country Club Chengdu from 21 to 24 April.
The 2002 Volvo China Open champion heads a field of 72 players from 15 countries and territories, including Jerry Smith, former PGA Tour regular and winner of the Founder Open in Chengdu on the Volvo China Tour back in 1997.
They will be strongly challenged by qualifiers from previous years including Tsai Chi-huang from Chinese Taipei, Daniel Im from USA and the promising young Korean, Eom Jae Woong.
Entries to qualify are oversubscribed and many of the players participating have come back year on year to take on the challenge at Discovery Bay.
“There’s a certain magic to this place,” said Sam Clayton, General Manager of the club. "Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities on earth yet, out here, it feels like you’re a thousand miles away. It has some of the best views anywhere and sipping a cool drink on the terrace as the sun sets over the mountains of Lantau is definitely something not to be missed.
"Added to that, we have a wonderful Robert Trent Jones Jnr designed course in superb condition which, though not long by modern standards, has 18 holes each of which has its own fascinating character and challenge.”
“There’s another factor that keeps pulling them back,” added Alistair Polson, Director of Operations for the Volvo China Open. “Here the players have to either carry or pull their own clubs. Originally we thought they would hate it but actually it’s a refreshing change from what they face week in week out, a return to those times when they were club golfers and the happy memories that go with that. Look at us. This will be the fifth consecutive year that we’ve come back to hold Qualifying here!”
Adding to the charm of the event is the volunteer force from the local school.
“They are all 12 and 13 year olds,” said Polson. “They take two days off school to help and their enthusiasm really gives the event a happy, cheerful atmosphere.”
International Qualifying takes place on 15 and 16 February. The Leading four scores over 36 holes will qualify for the Volvo China Open which takes place in April in Chengdu.
The Volvo China Open offers a prize purse of RMB20,000,000 and is just one of 13 already confirmed tournaments on the OneAsia schedule. The Asia Pacific-based elite tournament destination aims to stage a total of 15 to 17 tournaments across the region for its leading players in its 2011 season.
For more information, please visit Official website: http://qualifying.volvochinaopen.com or contact
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