Omega China Tour to pass US$1m mark in 2008

The Omega China Tour will boast overall prize money of RMB8 million (US$1.1 million) for the first time in its fledgling history when it tees off next year.

A total of 10 tournaments will be played on the mainland each boasting purses just over US$100,000, with the first event being played in March.

The new schedule once again reflects the lightening growth of the game of golf in the world’s most populous country and the swelling ranks of professional golfers eager for more tournaments to compete in.

The circuit was inaugurated in 2005 by the China Golf Association (CGA) and promoter World Sport Group and saw four tournaments staged.

The number of events has been increased by two each year meaning that 2008 will be a landmark season allowing players to compete for US$1.1 million.

"The China Golf Association is excited to see the continued growth of the Omega China Tour. The China Golf Association and World Sport Group are continuing to provide a true platform for the development of professional golf in China and the results are showing through," said Zhang Xiaoning, Director General of the Multi-ball Games Administrative Centre for the General Administration of Sport.

"Liang Wenchong gained a great deal of experience from playing on the Omega China Tour and of course this year went on to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title. Just recently, one of our up and coming players, Shang Lei finished fourth at the Asian Tour Qualifying School and was quick to credit that result with three years of playing on the Omega China Tour," added Zhang.

The new season starts with the Guangzhou Tournament played at Dragon Lake Golf Club from March 13 to 16.

The Omega China Tour then journeys to tournaments in Xiamen, Kunming, Shanghai, Nanjing, Yanji, Qingdao, Tianjin and Beijing and to new stops in Tianjin and another city yet to be determined.

For the third successive season Omega will title sponsor the Tour and the season ending Omega Championship will be played at Tianan Golf Club from October 9 to 12.

The Sofitel Golf Championship, another of the Tour’s premier events will once again be played Zhongshan International Golf Club from May 22 to 25.

"In conjunction with the China Golf Association we are delighted to be able to quickly announce such a strong schedule for 2008. This is thanks to strong corporate support from Omega, Sofitel, and supporting sponsors such as Mizuno. In addition we are indebted to the backing of many government bodies such as in Yanji, where their Tourism arm has been instrumental in the success of the Yanji Golf Championships," said Nick Mould, President, East Asia, World Sport Group.

"We have a long term commitment with the China Golf Association to build the Omega China Tour into one of golf’s strongest domestic circuits and we have been thoroughly satisfied with the progress the Tour has made over the past three seasons. In the new year we look forward to being able to announce further sponsorship support for the Tour," added Mould.

Li Chao claimed this year’s Omega Order of Merit title for the second time in his career following his success in 2005. He won three titles and will be back next season to try to continue his winning ways.

The country’s most successful golfer Zhang Lianwei, who also lifted three trophies this year to finish second on the Merit list, will return looking for more silverware.

Wu Kangchun, this year’s Rookie of the Year, and other stars in the making such as Shang, Yuan Hao, Huang Mingjie and teenage golfing prodigy Ye Jianfeng will also be back in action.

2008 Omega China Tour Schedule (click here for full details):

March 13-16, Guangzhou Tournament, Dragon Lake GC

March 27-30, Xiamen Tournament, Orient (Xiamen) G&CC

April 10-13, Kunming Tournament, Lakeview GC

May 15-18, Shanghai Tournament, Orient (Shanghai) G&CC

May 22-25, Sofitel Championship, Zhongshan International GC, Nanjing

June 5-8, TBC, Venue TBC

September 4-7, Yanji Golf Championship, Yanji Harangang Golf Resort

September 18-21, Qingdao Tournament, Qingdao Huashan Golf Resort

September 25-28, Tianjin Tournament, Tianjin YangLiuQing GC

October 9-12, Omega Championship, Tianan GC, Beijing

December 19, 2007