Will be the second of back-to-back events in China on the Asian Swing Will have a prize fund of US $2,500,000 The DP World Tour has today announced that the inaugural Hainan Classic will take place at Mission Hills Haikou from April 24-27, 2025. The Hainan Classic will be the second of two consecutive events in China, co-sanctioned by the China Tour, on the 2025 DP World Tour schedule following the Volvo China Open, further strengthening the Tour’s presence in the region while also marking the end of the Asian Swing, the third of five Global Swings that form the first phase of the 2025 Race to Dubai. Mission Hills Haikou, located on the tropical island of Hainan, is one of Asia’s most prestigious golf resorts. It boasts ten championship courses, including the renowned Blackstone Course, which will play host to the Hainan Classic. The venue previously hosted the 2011 World Cup of Golf, which was won by American duo Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland. Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament & Operations Officer at the DP World Tour, said: "We are delighted to confirm Mission Hills Haikou as the host venue for the inaugural Hainan Classic, which marks an exciting milestone in the DP World Tour’s continued commitment to China. “As the second of back-to-back tournaments in the country, this event will play a key role in the Asian Swing on the Race to Dubai, offering players another fantastic opportunity to compete at an elite level in this region. Our thanks must go to our Strategic Alliance partners at the China Golf Association for their sanction and support of this event. “I would also like to thank the Chu family and Mission Hills for their support in securing the venue. Mission Hills Haikou has long been a flagship venue for golf in Asia, and the Blackstone Course is a world-class test that has previously showcased some of the game’s greatest talents. We are excited to bring the DP World Tour to this outstanding resort." Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Group, stated that as both a witness and participant in the evolution of golf in China, Mission Hills has consistently embraced its mission to advance the industry. “The establishment of the DP World Tour in Haikou, Hainan, not only aligns with the international sports objectives of the Hainan Free Trade Port but also represents a significant milestone for Chinese golf in its integration with the global event framework. Having been entrenched in the golf industry in Hainan for over a decade, we recognise that the introduction of premier international events will offer Chinese players a platform to compete against world-class athletes, thereby accelerating the development of local talent through real competitions. “Additionally, Hainan's distinctive tropical coastal climate and its year-round lush sports environment render it an unparalleled ‘winter training paradise’ on the global golf landscape. We extend our gratitude to the effective collaboration of the governments of Hainan Province and Haikou City, which have provided comprehensive policy and infrastructure support, showcasing the Free Trade Port's commitment to fostering international sports events. “Mission Hills is poised to utilise its leadership role within the industry and will leverage this event as a catalyst to assist Haikou in establishing a golf ecosystem that encompasses competitive sports, grassroots engagement, and youth training initiatives through a model of ‘event platform and industry network’, thereby positioning this green sport as a prominent emblem of the Hainan Free Trade Port.” He Fengxiang, Chairman of China Golf Association, said: "The China Golf Association is delighted that following the Volvo China Open, another top event under the DP World Tour, the Hainan Classic, will be hosted in China. “This not only provides opportunities for domestic golfers to compete against top international players, greatly enhancing the competitive level of golf in China, but also promotes the coordinated development of sports tourism, business cooperation, and other fields through the hosting of the event, effectively driving the prosperous development of the sports event economy and contributing to the construction of China as a sports power." Known for its striking volcanic rock landscape and strategic design, Blackstone has previously staged events such as the World Ladies Championship and the biennial World Celebrity Pro-Am, the latter of which was won in 2016 by Li Haotong, who recently picked up his fourth DP World Tour title at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. The Hainan Classic is set to attract a strong international field, featuring DP World Tour winners, rising stars, and homegrown talent eager to make an impact on home soil. With two events in China back-to-back, local fans will have the opportunity to witness world-class golf as the season gathers pace on the Race to Dubai.

The Ramsports Pickleball Stadium, located at Mission Hills MH Mall in Longhua District, officially opened its doors to sports enthusiasts Saturday with a grand opening ceremony that included esteemed figures from the sports industry. Included were Chinese gymnastics legend Li Ning, founder of the Li-Ning athletic brand, Richard Gossett, CEO of Ramsports, Tenniel Chu, vice chairman of Mission Hills Group, Seymour Rifkind, chairman of the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA), Steve Kuhn, founder of the Pickleball Champions League (PCL), and Eddie Shen and Michael Newell, well-known coaches. The stadium, Ramsports’ first pickleball facility in China, features 3,500 square meters of international standard pickleball courts, including three indoor, three outdoor, and four courts with electric retractable roofs. It also boasts coaches accredited by the IPTPA. A fast-paced sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, pickleball has been rapidly gaining popularity worldwide among all ages due to its easy learning curve and social aspect. “I think it's great for the health of the people, mentally and physically, to make new friends — to use pickleball as a way of exercising and enjoying life,” said Gossett, CEO of Ramsports, during an interview with Shenzhen Daily. “It's a game that everyone can play, and we are excited that we are going to introduce it to the community." Gossett, who is very optimistic about the sport’s development potential in China, mentioned that the company will open a second facility in China in the next four months and is also discussing franchises. During his welcoming address, Alex Yuan, president of Ramsports Group, discussed the brand's dedication to introducing international sports concepts and premium products to the Chinese market. He emphasized the goals of enriching the sports landscape, engaging in more collaborations, and providing professional services to sports enthusiasts. “Pickleball is by far the most exciting new sport in the world. We foresee that China will be the fastest-growing [market] in the world of pickleball in terms of players,” said Mission Hills Vice Chairman Chu. “Together, we will be developing new facilities and also inviting the best tournaments to come and develop the game of pickleball in China." In their speeches, Seymour Rifkind and Steve Kuhn envisioned the stadium's opening as a pivotal step towards advancing the sport's popularity and prosperity in China. The opening ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting, dynamic dragon dance performances, a fashion show blending style and athleticism, and pickleball demonstrations by Ramsports' coaching team. Also included was a signing ceremony between Ramsports and Roos Van Reek, the Netherlands' No. 1 pickleball player and a prominent figure in the Australian Major Pickleball League. Due to the sport's growing popularity, there have been discussions about its potential inclusion in future Olympic events. “We think pickleball will be played, if not in L.A. (2028 Olympics), it will be in Australia (2032 Olympics),” said Gossett. Considering preparations for pickleball's eventual inclusion in the Olympics, Gosset stated, “We need to get going here in China. We are going to hold big tournaments here. We are waiting to see the schedule through the China Tennis Association. We will work with them in any way we can to provide the best facilities, to train, to teach, to hold tournaments.” Looking to the future, Chu expressed optimism about the sport's growth in China, noting its similarities to badminton and table tennis — sports in which Chinese athletes have excelled in the Olympics. "We do foresee that in the near future, the Olympic Committee will definitely consider this sport as part of the Olympic family. Chinese players will definitely have a very promising future in terms of developing the sport,” said Chu.

World Golf Awards, the premier authority in acknowledging and honoring excellence in golf tourism, has announced the top golf tourism organizations for this year during its 11th annual Gala Ceremony held in Madeira Portugal. Mission Hills Shenzhen has been awarded the title of Asia's Best Golf Real Estate Venue for 2024 at the 2024 World Golf Awards. Located within a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction and encircled by 12 premier championship golf courses crafted by renowned golfers and legends, Mission Hills Resort Shenzhen presents an enticing blend of five-star luxury accommodations alongside some of the world's most exceptional sporting, spa, and leisure amenities. The outcomes are the culmination of a year-long investigation into the most favored golf tourism and hospitality brands globally. Votes were submitted by professionals within the golf industry, members of the media, and the general public, with the nominee receiving the highest number of votes in each category being declared the winner. About World Golf Awards World Golf Awards serves to celebrate and reward excellence in golf tourism, world-class courses and golf destinations. Launched in 2014, World Golf Awards aims to drive up standards within the golf tourism industry by rewarding the organisations that are leaders in their field. Votes are cast by professionals working within the golf industry and by the public (golf tourism consumers). World Golf Awards is the sister organisation of World Travel Awards, currently celebrating its 31st anniversary. For more information about World Golf Awards visit worldgolfawards.com. About Mission Hills Shenzhen The Mission Hills Group serves as both the owner and operator of premier resorts located in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port, establishing itself as a leader in China's hospitality, sports, and leisure sectors. The comprehensive Mission Hills resorts cover over 40 square kilometers and feature 22 championship golf courses, making it the largest golf facility globally. Additionally, the resorts include five-star hotels, award-winning spas, volcanic mineral springs, international convention centers, cutting-edge golf academies, a 28-pitch football training facility, Asia's largest basketball school, and the continent's most extensive tennis complex. Noteworthy developments at Mission Hills also encompass shopping and entertainment options at Mission Hills Centreville, the Bromsgrove School Mission Hills in partnership with the historic British boarding school, collaborations with prestigious hotel brands such as Hard Rock, Renaissance, and Ritz-Carlton, Mission Hills Movie Town, and innovative alliances with the NBA and PGA of America.

Team Tamburlini celebrated an incredible win during a significant event at the Aramco Team Series in Riyadh. The annual finals were held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Team Tamburlini triumphed with an outstanding score of 43-under par, finishing a remarkable 10 shots ahead of their closest competitors.  The team consists of Chiara Tamburlini from Switzerland, Anne-Charlotte Mora from France, Mimi Rhodes from England, and Tenniel Chu, the vice chairman of Mission Hills Group. Over the course of the two-day competition, each player showcased exceptional skills, leading to the largest victory margin ever recorded in the history of the Aramco Team Series. It's worth mentioning that just a month earlier, on October 5, the same team, under Tamburlini's leadership, secured the championship at the Aramco Team Series Shenzhen at the World Cup Course Mission Hills Resort Shenzhen. As Saudi Arabia officially becomes a member of the BRICS group, this expansion is set to create new trade opportunities and enhance the national network. The economic and trade collaboration between China and Saudi Arabia is increasingly strengthening, alongside a growing frequency of sports and cultural exchanges. Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Group, remarked that golf, being a sport cherished globally, possesses remarkable attributes for business networking and social interaction. Mission Hills Group will maintain a close partnership with Saudi Golf and actively promote non-governmental sports cooperation between the two nations, particularly in golf. The 2024 Aramco Team Series has concluded successfully, and we eagerly anticipate an even more thrilling series in 2025.