Sporting Legends Pay Tribute to Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am 2012

HAIKOU, China, November 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2012 Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am, held on the Blackstone Course at Mission Hills Haikou, has proved to be Asia's biggest entertainment and sports event of the year with participating celebrities ranging from the world of film, music, entertainment and sport.

Sporting Legends Participated in The Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am 2012. (PRNewsFoto/Mission Hills China)

Among them was the legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps: "Being able to play some of the coolest, most challenging golf courses that I've ever played is what I love to do now. There are a lot of great people here and I've always had a great experience at Mission Hills," said the 22-time Olympic medal winner.

Former NBA superstar Yao Ming also "played" with the other famous figures. He commented: "It is not like playing basketball when everybody fights for one ball; golf is just about playing your own ball. I am just a beginner to golf and I need to practice more on this game." Charles Barkley may have finally found a new playing partner.

Football great, Ronaldo added: "It is an honour and pleasure to be here and I'm very excited to play golf at Mission Hills. In fact, after my retiring from football, I start to play golf to do the exercise. I like to play golf like I used to play football and also I hope to lose some weight through this game."

Dr. Ken Chu, Chairman and CEO of Mission Hills Group said, "The objective of the World Celebrity Pro-Am has always been to take golf to a new level, not just in China but across the region. We're delighted to have so many international sport legends on board."

"We've always emphasize that Mission Hills is about more than just golf. What we're doing is creating general entertainment for people, so whether you're into film, celebrities, golf or just sport in general, there's going to be something for you," added Chu.

Lining up alongside Phelps, Yao and Ronaldo from the world of sport were seven time world snooker champion Stephen Hendry, former Wimbledon tennis champion Pat Cash, and four golf major winners in Darren Clarke, Michael Campbell, Ian Woosnam and Tony Jacklin, as well as four-time PGA Tour winner and current PLAYERS Champion Matt Kuchar.

Already internationally acclaimed for staging championship golf events, the World Celebrity Pro-Am put Mission Hills on the world map for overall entertainment. The tournament was first staged in 2010 and has already become one of the region's leading lifestyle and entertainment events.

For more information about Mission Hills, please visit www.missionhillswcpa.com or email info@missionhillschina.com.

About Mission Hills Group

Mission Hills Group (www.missionhillschina.com), owner and operator of Mission Hills in the heart of the Pearl River Delta and the tropical island of Hainan, is the pioneer in China's fledgling hospitality, sports and leisure industry.

Founded in 1992, Mission Hills is recognized as the leading golf brand in the world and synonymous with high-end, luxurious and exquisitely-designed residences. Mission Hills has been the major driving force behind the sports and leisure industry in China. Its three world-class integrated leisure and wellness resort destinations have hosted more than 100 international tournaments. Mission Hills has also been accredited the "World's Largest Golf Club" by the Guinness World Records.

Mission Hills' properties sprawl over 40 sq.km. They include 22 championship courses designed by renowned players and architects from five continents, five-star resorts, award-winning spas and volcanic mineral springs, an international convention center, golf academies and Asia's largest tennis facility. Mission Hills is also the official training headquarters of China's Tennis and Golf Associations.

The Group's "golf and more" leisure philosophy has catalyzed its tourism-related business expansion. Mission Hills Centreville and Mission Hills - Lan Kwai Fong - Haikou are family-friendly metropolitan leisure complexes and low-carbon town centers. Hubs for business, leisure, wellness and entertainment, their highlights include 1,000-plus international anchor brands featuring the latest fashion labels, finest jewelry and watches; trendiest restaurants, cafes and bars; state-of-the-art multiplex cinemas; ice skating rinks; bowling alleys; world-renowned auto showrooms; and many other exciting offerings. A total of six hotels are showcased in these developments, among them Marriott International's Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance hotel brands.

Today, Mission Hills Group has achieved many milestones and become the preeminent conglomerate in the sports, tourism, leisure and entertainment industry. The next breakthrough in the Group's evolution will occur as it brings its tried and true branding and golf management services to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Yunnan, Chongqing and other destinations.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Sundi Shi
Mission Hills China
Telephone: (86 755) 2802 0888 Ext. 36022
Email: sundishi@missionhillschina.com