Tiger Bay promises stern test

Officials from next month’s Omega China Tour host venue have warned any players hoping for some respite after being blown from one corner to the other of the Golden Gulf course during the Zhuhai Leg that the next leg won’t be a picnic either.

The executive vice-president of the Tiger Beach Golf Links, which will host the Shandong Leg from 15th to 18th June, watched the carnage caused by the brewing of Typhoon Chanchu in the South China Sea and declared that the next tournament won’t necessarily be any easier.

“Maybe we won’t get winds as strong as in Zhuhai - the weather in June is usually very good in Shandong - but we have long rough,” said Brad Chi Shouwei.

“The rough at the Golden Gulf is only semi-rough compared to our rough. We also have deep pot-bunkers. Being a golf course right beside the beach we certainly have unpredictable winds; that’s something all links courses should have. I believe our course will be very challenging.”

Chi also believes the unfamiliarity of Chinese players with the traditional Scottish course set-up, which has been developed through a unique relationship with 2007 British Open host Carnoustie, will produce another important step in the learning process for the Omega China Tour’s professionals.

“Tiger Beach is a typical links golf course, which has a very different style from most of the golf courses in China,” he said. “It has a flavour of Europe, not only the course but also the club house. Our bunkers are naturally set up as the tides and the winds made them. I believe it’s not seen often in China, but everywhere in Scotland is like that. Through the relationship with Carnoustie in Scotland we have realised that we do have the links characteristics. That was confirmed by them when their board’s committee visited us in 2002. We had the chance to visit them too right after they came to see us, and there we signed the sister-course agreement. We have not just signed a contract - we help each other to get to the level we want to be. Carnoustie taught us how to maintain a links course as it should be. We helped them to get to know the Chinese market. It has worked out really well. We’ve had a really good relationship.”

A new addition to the Omega China Tour schedule this year, Tiger Beach displayed their commitment to a circuit that has quickly revitalised the professional scene in China by sending a team to study the organisation of the Zhuhai Leg.

“Tiger Beach has held a few tournaments before, and our sister-course Shanghai Silport has held the BMW Asian Open for many years, so we are very experienced, but still our company director Mr. Beta Song Kuang-man sent me here for a visit to China Tour tournament,” said Chi. “This shows how we value the Omega China Tour, as it is a real platform for Chinese Professionals. We will try our best to work with the World Sport Group and the CGA to host the tournament well and we welcome the players and media to go to our links course.”

May 16, 2006

Bookmark page with:

Return to Top of Page