April 14, 2007 (Shenzhen, China) – New “World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame” inductee, David Leadbetter today visited Mission Hills Golf Club to unveil Omega Mission Hills World Cup Promotion. Featuring 12 world class courses and 216 signature holes, Mission Hills Golf Club will be the host venue of World Cup for 12 consecutive years (2007 – 2018). To promote the “Olympics of Golf”, Mission Hills Golf Club will organise regular legendary golf course designers’ visits, followed by a series of significant professional and amateur golf tournaments, sports and cultural activities approaching the tournament period.

With well-established relations with Mission Hills Golf Club, David Leadbetter made his third visit to Mission Hills Golf Club on April 14, 2007. Leadbetter opened its China’s exclusive David Leadbetter Golf Academy (DLGA) and designed his first-ever golf course in the world at Mission Hills. The Leadbetter Course is designed with the intention of challenging the golfer to use every club in their golf bag. 

Recently inducted into the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame by GOLF Magazine, David Leadbetter was selected to be 15th inductee to the elite list, sharing the stage with Tommy Armour, Peggy Kirk Bell, Percy Boomer, Manuel de la Tor re, Jim Flick, Claude Harmon, Sr., John Jacobs, Ernest Jones, Davis Love, Jr., Harvey Penick, Paul Runyan, Bill Strausbaugh, Jr. and Bob Toski. The legendary golf course designer was also christened as the “World’s No. 1 Golf Instructor” as well as recognition as one of the world’s most influential golfers by Golf Digest, a leading golf publications in United States.

The new “World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame” inductee conducted two golf clinics to impart his instructional mastery with hundreds enthusiastic junior golfers, members and VIP guests. Leadbetter also presided over the tee-off ceremony and present prizes at the conclusion of this year’s highlights, 2007 David Leadbetter Cup and Leadbetter Skill Challenge.

Tenniel Chu, Executive Director of Mission Hills Golf Club had this to say, “We warmly welcome the third visit of Mr. Leadbetter to unveil the World Cup promotion. It is an eventful and auspicious year for Mission Hills and China. With the ‘Olympics of Golf”, the Omega Mission Hills World Cup is being hosted here for the next 12 years, I am sure Mr. Leadbetter and I, together with the rest of the world are anxiously looking forward to watching his most promising protégés compete for the US$5M prize purse!”

David Leadbetter said, “I feel like part of Mission Hills. Both Mission Hills and DLGA share the same passion and philosophy – we both foster and mentor China’s most promising young golf talents. We instill the noble spirit of golf, nurture sportsmanship, widen the game, and most importantly guide and inspire the younger generation to take on the world’s stage. When everybody thinks of China golf, they will think about Mission Hills. With the 12 years of Omega Mission Hills World Cup here at Mission Hills, I look forward to a China champion in the future.  ”

The 2007 Omega Mission Hills World Cup will be staged from November 22-25, 2007 on the Olazabal Course at Mission Hills. The World Cup will invite two-man teams from 28 nations to play in the tournament. In 2007, the prize is purse of US$5 million and broadcasts over 140 countries. It is hardly surprising that it has been labelled the “Olympics of Golf”, a title of huge significance in today’s China. Omega Mission Hills World Cup will develop golf game into a global sport ultimately.