Praise For Going Green & Sprinkling Soul Across the Greater Bay
2019-10-17 09:52:11
The Foshan Open, one of the most prestigious international sporting events in the Greater Bay Area, was officially unveiled today at a press conference held at the offices of the Foshan Government. Its success at becoming a green event with the possibility of being the first event in China to be certified by the worldwide Golf Environment Organization, as well as its efforts throughout the year at bringing the Greater Bay Area community closer together were particularly highly commended by the key officials attending.
Those key officials attending were Ms. Li Ying, Minister of Media and Information Department of the China Golf Association, Mr. Huang Xianlin, Deputy Director of Guangdong Golf Sports Centre and Deputy Secretary-General of Guangdong Golf Association, Mr. Hu Yongjian, Deputy Investigator of Foshan Culture, Radio and Broadcasting, Tourism and Sports Bureau, Ms. Xie Fei, Chief Representative and Manager of European Tour International, China, and Mr. Julian Small, General Manager of Foshan Golf Club.
Now in its seventh year, the Foshan Open attracts some of the world's best young golfing talent from the European Challenge Tour as winning is certain to secure a highly coveted spot on the lucrative European Tour. Last year's champion, Victor Perez from France, has just, in September, won the hugely prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and soared up to 20th in the European Tour Rankings.
Former players Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton and China's Li Hao-tong have been very successful and have been ranked among the top 50 players in the world this year. Other Chinese players who have done well are Zhang Xin-jun who plays on the PGA Tour in the US, Zhang Hui-lin and Chen Zihao. With the Olympics due to take place in Tokyo next year, the Foshan Open has become especially important for Chinese players to perform well and so make their case for selection.
Ms. Li Ying, Minister of Media and Information Department of the China Golf Association
“Our thanks must go to New World China and Foshan Golf Club. Through their efforts, the Foshan Open is getting more and more influential in the Greater Bay Area,” said Ms. Li Ying. “It is now one of the more important men's professional golf tournaments in China. Through competing against talented international pros, Chinese players can improve themselves and get closer to competing on the world stage.”
The inaugural Foshan Open was held in 2013 and can boast to being the longest running European Challenge Tour event in China. This year it also established itself as the richest of all the events on the Tour.
Ms. Xie Fei, Chief Representative and Manager of European Tour International, China
“The last six years have been spectacular,” said Ms. Xie Fei. “The Foshan Open is now considered to be one of the Majors of the Challenge Tour. Every year, each aspect of the event is progressing—the fan experience, the quality of the hospitality, the organization and the course itself are all progressing continuously. The ability to bring something new to the event each and every year is what makes the Foshan Open appear to be in a very exciting perpetual movement. This ability to reinvent itself each year is what makes the Foshan Open so special. Progress and innovation are, without doubt, key words at the Foshan Open.”
In February, in their Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macao Greater Bay Development Plan, the State Council presented the idea of building a humanistic Greater Bay where integrity, respect and compassion among others are key human values. Accordingly, the Foshan Open is dedicated to delivering not only an exciting and prestigious golf tournament but also rich cultural experiences to citizens in the Bay Area through a series of creative approaches.
Mr. Huang Xianlin, Deputy Director of Guangdong Golf Sports Centre and Deputy Secretary-General of Guangdong Golf Association
“The Foshan Open plays a significant role in connecting the Greater Bay Area and in promoting golf across Guangdong Province,” said Mr. Huang Xianlin. “It is a great opportunity to let the public experience the charm of golf and arouse their interest and create friendships.”
Much has been said about the Foshan Open having a soul and this has been attributed to the generally agreed view that the event very much reflects the soul of ancient Foshan City. The Canton Cup, which is presented to the champion each year, is a marvelous work of famous local artist Mei Wending and completely reflects the long history and profound ceramic culture of Foshan. Each year, just before the tournament begins, the international players are invited to visit some of the most attractive historical sites thus linking culture, sports and tourism together.
Mr. Hu Yongjian, Deputy Investigator of Foshan Culture, Radio and Broadcasting, Tourism and Sports Bureau
“The Foshan Open has been innovative in promoting traditional culture, sustainable development and healthy lifestyle,” said Mr. Hu Yongjian. “At the same time, Foshan also can appear to the world as an international city which is attracting more and more people to come and get to know more about the city.”
Also in 2013, Foshan Golf Club became the first golf club in the Greater Bay Area to be awarded accreditation from the Golf Environment Organization, the environmental body recognized throughout the world. In 2016, it was awarded further accreditation and now, in 2019, there is a strong likelihood the Foshan Open itself will be awarded accreditation by the Golf Environment Organization. This year there has been a concerted effort to go even greener. Examples are e-tickets and promoting online to reduce paper and print. Replacement of traditional fuel using shuttle buses with more efficient ones, elimination as much as possible of single use plastic water bottles. In fact fans will be encouraged to collect any used water bottles and also to help sort garbage.
Mr. Julian Small, General Manager of Foshan Golf Club
“Sustainability is essential to our future,” said Mr. Julian Small. “This year, one of the things we are focusing on is using E-Tickets and E-Promotions and citizens can Scan our Foshan Open QR Code to get their tickets and more information on the exciting events taking place. Our aim is that by working together we can ensure that the Foshan Open will be exciting, sustainable and continue to be recognized as the leading golf tournament in the whole of Southern China.”
The Foshan Open, which will be staged at the Canton First Estate, Foshan Golf Club later this month, is more than just a wonderful international tournament but also a festival for people to have fun with family and friends in the beautiful surroundings. There will be many fun activities in the Village Zone as well as Ladies Day, a new addition to the event, designed to show the event cares very much that ladies have a thoroughly enjoyable time as well.
Now one of the most prestigious sporting events in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and with prize money totaling US$500,000, the Foshan Open will run from Thursday 24th through Sunday 27th October. It is organized by the China Golf Association and co-organized by Guangdong Golf Association and the Foshan Culture, Radio and Broadcasting, Tourism and Sports Bureau with support from Foshan Golf Club, sanctioning from the European Challenge Tour and presented by New World China.
