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Beyond the Fairways

Diversity of design: Mission succeeds

In just 20 years since the first clod of earth was turned, a golf complex in China has become an exciting and value-for-money venue for golf lovers around the world. KAREN HARDING reports on the unparalleled development of Mission Hills.
High on the golfer’s Places I Must Play list should be Mission Hills in China. Drummond Club members now have the opportunity to mark a tick on that list.

AYM Golf Tours, which specialises in golf and sightseeing tours of China, has some fantastic offers available for those wishing to visit the world’s largest golf club and enjoy the unique experience that is Mission Hills.

Mission Hills was the brainchild of Dr David Chu, one of China’s leading entrepreneurs. Set on 20-square kilometres over the neighbouring municipalities of Shenzhen and Dongguan in the south-east corner of China, the original complex boasts 12 courses designed by some of the best known names in the golfing world. In Shenzhen there are seven courses, the World Cup Course by Jack Nicklaus plus six others named after their creator – the Faldo Course, the Pete Dye

Course, the Vijay Course, the Els Course, the Ozaki Course and the Zhang Lian Wei Course.

In Dongguan, a further five courses – the Norman, the Annika, the Leadbetter, the Olazabal and the Duval – are on offer.

Nicklaus’ World Cup course was the first course opened, in 1994, and hosted the 1995 World Cup, the remaining courses opening in reasonably quick succession thereafter. Greg Norman’s course was the tenth and is considered one of his best.

There are three clubhouses at Mission Hills Shenzhen, all world class in facilities and amenities. The original Shenzhen clubhouse overlooks the World Cup and Els courses while also servicing three other courses. Renovations and refurbishments due to be completed in July 2012 will add extra luxury and comfort.

The Mid-Valley Clubhouse, located halfway between Shenzhen and Dongguan and servicing the Faldo and Dye courses, is home to Asia’s largest tennis complex with 51 outdoor courts. It also offers a number of other sporting facilities and boasts the world’s largest outdoor playground for kids.

The Dongguan Clubhouse, at 65,000 square metres, is the world’s largest clubhouse and services the five Dongguan courses. It features Asia’s largest spa facility, a children’s activity and day centre, an exhibition centre and, naturally, a number of lounges

and restaurants offering both Western and Eastern cuisine.

Following the Shenzhen success, Dr Chu and the Mission Hills Group opened Mission Hills Haikou on exotic Hainan Island in 2010.

Schmidt-Curley Design, which crafted ten of the 12 original courses along with their designers, designed and crafted all ten Haikou courses, led by the excellent Blackstone course. Blackstone was awarded Asia’s Best New Golf Course by Asian Golf Monthly in 2010, the year of its opening, and hosted the 2011 World Cup.

The five-star Haikou resort, with its impressive courses, facilities and accommodation amenities, is a cornerstone of the Chinese Government’s plan to make Hainan the world’s leading tourism destination by 2020.

Chu, who passed away in early 2011, was posthumously inducted into the Asia Pacific Golf Hall of Fame later that year while the PGA Tour each year bestows an award in his name to recognise those who have been instrumental in developing golf in China.

Since the first clod of earth was turned in 1992, just 20 years ago, Mission Hills has come to be highly regarded in the golf world for the calibre of its golf courses. Accolades aplenty have been bestowed, perhaps the simplest and highest being the number of important events hosted over them in that short time – and to be hosted into the future.

That, and an unparalleled diversity of design and layout across the 22 courses, is surely temptation enough for a visit.

Drummond Club Members to China

Mission Hills Video

AYM Golf Tours has built a strong reputation for exciting travel to China. Managing Director Sheri Yu worked in the hospitality industry in Shenzhen and Hainan Island for seven years before moving to Sydney in 2000 and taking out her travel licence.

Yu conducts fully escorted tours of either 10 or 15 days to Mission Hills twice yearly in April and October, the premium seasons for golf and sightseeing. Drummond Club members interested in the golfing experience of a lifetime should give serious consideration to Mission Hills.

MISSION HILLS BEIJING, XIAN AND SHANGHAI – 15 DAYS
21 October – 4 November 2012
or 14 – 29 April 2013

MISSION HILLS SHENZHEN AND HAIKOU – 10 DAYS
13-23 November 2012
or 9 – 19 April 2013

For more information about Golf Tours China ring Sheri Yu on 0438 866 850 or email sheriyu@aymgolf.com.