SENIOR WORLD PROS CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE HELD IN CHINA

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR
By STEVE TODD
The ISPS Handa Senior World Championship presented by Mission Hills was announced today as an exciting new feature on the 2011 European Senior Tour schedule.
The new event, co-sanctioned by the European Senior Tour and Chinese Golf Association, will be played on the World Cup Course, Mission Hills, Shenzhen, from March 11-13 and represents the Senior Tour’s first visit to China.
With a prize fund of US$350,000, the event is likely to attract some of the biggest names from the ranks of pro golf's over-50s and further strengthens the importance of China as a major golfing destination.
The new tournament is title sponsored by ISPS (International Sports Promotion Society), which is chaired by Japanese businessman and philanthropist Dr Haruhisa Handa. ISPS is committed to developing the sport at every level, and will be using the tournament to help promote blind and disabled golf, in its bid to bring the sport to a wider audience.
Making the announcement Dr Handa, who is also an International Ambassador of the European Senior Tour said: “ISPS is thrilled to announce this fantastic new event on the senior golf calendar. I would like to thank Mission Hills for their support in helping make this happen. I am also delighted to continue our collaboration with the European Senior Tour and welcome the Chinese Golf Association to this exciting new partnership.
During 2011 ISPS will continue to help develop the sport and seek ways of fostering more opportunities for blind and disabled golfers to enjoy the game. We have Paralympic ambitions for the sport which we hope will soon become a reality.”