Superstars to converge on Hainan for Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am

Superstars from movies, music and sport will converge on the Chinese tropical island of Hainan this week for the spectacular Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am.

The headline-grabbing weekend of golf, glamour and gala events will be staged at the island’s premier integrated leisure resort, Mission Hills Haikou.

Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, Jessica Alba and Chris Evans, music maestro Kenny G and sporting greats Yao Ming, Clarence Seedorf and Evgeni Plushenko head the Who’s Who of celebrities taking part.

Golfing greats appearing in the Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am will include nine-time Major champion Gary Player, Ryder Cup heroes Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and Paul McGinley, and Major winners Greg Norman, John Daly, Ian Woosnam, Darren Clarke and Rich Beem.

A strong line-up of top female professionals will be led by women’s world No.4 Suzann Pettersen plus a large contingent of stars from the Ladies European Tour.

The innovative tournament will see 24 elite professional golfers paired with celebrities over two rounds on Mission Hill Haikou’s signature Blackstone Course – voted Best Championship Course in Asia-Pacific at last year’s Asian Golf Awards.

Captain America star and Hollywood heartthrob Evans is relishing the chance to compete in the tournament for the first time.

“I’ve heard so many good things about the Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am from my friends so I cannot wait to be involved this year,” he said.

“I know Mission Hills Haikou is a world class resort with amazing golf facilities so I’m looking forward to seeing it for myself and enjoying a great few days in China."

In total, participants in this year’s star-spangled World Celebrity Pro-Am have collected more than 160 acting awards, over 100 music awards, 35 Olympic and World Championship medals and a staggering 335 professional golf victories, including 17 Majors.

China’s basketball legend and former NBA star Yao will take part in the tournament for the second time.

The retired athlete remains one of the most influential sporting figures in China and his revisit to Mission Hills will further popularize the game of golf in the nation.

Chinese music icon Jay Chou, who has sold an estimated 30 million albums in his dazzling career, and martial arts movie superstar Donnie Yen have been named Official Ambassadors for the World Celebrity Pro-Am and will play key roles in the Opening Ceremony.

Aside from Chou’s involvement, China’s entertainment industry will be well represented by movie legend Feng Xiaogang – the only Chinese film director to have his star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame – acclaimed actors Chen Daoming and Wang Zhiwen and singer Sun Nan.

Hong Kong celebrities appearing at Mission Hills Haikou this week will include actor Eric Tsang and actress-singer Miriam Yeung.

The action will get underway on Friday when the golfers and celebrities play a practice round accompanied by VIPs from government, business, culture and tournament sponsors.

This will be followed by a Red Carpet Cocktail Reception and Opening Ceremony staged outdoors Movie Town, at the resort’s US$300 million new tourist attraction.

Movie Town is a three-way collaboration between Mission Hills Group, film legend and avid golfer Feng, and the country’s biggest movie producers, Huayi Brothers Media.

Among a host of activities taking place on and off the course, golfing legends Player, Norman and Daly will all conduct clinics for aspiring young players.

The Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am will be broadcast in 160 countries. In addition, 300 media personnel are expected on-site to report on the tournament while organisers are braced for an estimated 120,000 spectators over three days.

Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund and Yao Mong Foundation.

The Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am is sponsored by American Express, Porsche, Stella Artois, Tibet 5100, Kohler, Lindt, San Pellegrino and Appletiser.

SOURCE: Mission Hills