2017 Foshan Open
With its return to penultimate event on this year’s European Challenge Tour schedule, expectations are high that the 2018 Foshan Open will be one of the most thrilling in its history. Now in its sixth year, the event has already thrilled the thousands of fans who, each year, gather at Foshan Golf Club’s famous final green to watch the many dramatic moments as players attempt its devilishly tricky final day pin position. This year the drama at the Foshan Open is expected to ratchet up further as players vie for one of the 15 places on next year’s European Tour, where, increasingly, a tournament win can mean taking home prize money in excess of US$1 million.
Mr. Alain de Soultrait, Executive Director of the European Challenge Tour
“Foshan Open has been one of the players’ favourite events over the years,” said Alain de Soultrait, Executive Director of the European Challenge Tour. “It’s been very encouraging to see the big crowds of spectators who flock to the course to follow the ‘stars of the future’. With more pressure than ever on players to secure a top 15 spot on the Tour, spectators will definitely be in for a most thrilling Foshan Open.”
While the tournament has grown a reputation as one of the big spectator sporting events in the area, the Foshan Open has not confined itself to a sole focus on players and their performances. Over the years, it has embarked on an innovative series of activities, not normally associated with pro golf events, to broaden its appeal and generate an interest in, particularly, the community and the environment. In the run up to each Foshan Open, a great deal of time and effort is devoted to showcasing the environmental developments undertaken throughout the venue and the healthy lifestyle that’s possible as a result. The event has also concentrated on reaching out to those who are less fortunate in the local community with charity donations, visits and exposure to golf. While the venue itself has already been awarded a certificate by the Golf Environment Organization (GEO) based in UK, the plan is now to get the Foshan Open event itself certified as meeting the stringent environmental criteria of the GEO.
Foshan Golf Club
The 12-week run up to this year’s Foshan Open has also got off to an exciting start with the very welcome arrival of Julian Small as General Manager of Foshan Golf Club and a key member of the Foshan Open organizing team. He comes with considerable top class experience having been CEO at the world famous Wentworth Club , London, England from 1996 to 2015 which is host venue to the BMW PGA Championship each year. From 2015 he was Managing Director of the club at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, UAE, host venue of the DP World Championship. Both events are regarded as the two biggest on the European Tour.
Mr. Julian Small, General Manager of the Foshan Golf Club
“I’m delighted to join the team at Foshan Golf Club,” Mr. Julian Small said. “And bring my international knowledge and experience in club management and organizing professional golf tournaments to China.”
Background
With about twenty-year history, Foshan Golf Club was a new invested by New World China Land in 2007, and at the end of 2012, presented a brand new look to the Members. Managed by international golf management company – Asia Pacific Leisure Group, which possesses expert knowledge of golf culture, manner and rules, Foshan Golf Club enjoys a growing reputation as an international Members Only golf club in southern China and aims at inheriting the golf culture and history.
Starting from 2013, Foshan Golf Club is the site of European Challenge Tour Foshan Open and has signed a ten-year event memo. This event is organized by the European Challenge Tour and is certified by the China Golf Association. Foshan Open helps promote the golf culture and introduce modern Cantonese culture to the world.
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