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| Defending champion Cassandra Kirkland of France |
On October 25-27, the fourth edition of the Sanya Ladies Open will be once again contested over Yalong Bay Golf Course in Sanya, Hainan. With a contracted prize fund of €300,000 and total field of 120 players in action it is all set to be another exciting contest and the order of merit titles are at stake on all three of the sanctioning Ladies European, China LPGA and Ladies Asian Golf Tours.
Solheim Cup sensation Charley Hull and current number 2 on Rolex Rookie of The Year Rankings, together with current Rookie leader Holly Clyburn will be battling in order to demonstrate who’s the best 2013 season rookie. Defending champion Cassandra Kirkland of France and past winners Lee-Anne Pace (2010) and Frances Bondad (2011) will be also there to try to win the Open once again.
Lee-Anne Pace, who won the inaugural Sanya Ladies Open, commented on the course: “It’s a good lay out, I think if your driver and your putting is hot that week it is going to be a good score. Especially putting… the shot into the green is not so difficult but driving and putting is the key. I really like playing in China and I normally play quite well there.”
France’s defending champion Cassandra Kirkland added:The golf course fits me quite well. It was really windy last year and I love when the conditions are kind of difficult so that’s why I think played quite well there. I am really happy to go back for sure. When you have good memories and a victory is always nice to go back. So, I am really excited to go back in October!”
The players are looking forward to tackling the par-72 (36-36) Robert Trent Jones-designed course, set at 6433 yards for the tournament, which features 98 bunkers and a winding river that awaits wayward shots.
Since its inception in 2000, Yalong Bay has successfully staged 12 professional tournaments such as the Sanya Open in 2003, 2004 and 2006, the Volkswagen Masters in 2006, Crowne Plaza Open in 2006; the TCL Classic on the PGA European Tour in 2005, 2006 and 2007 as well as the Sanya Ladies Open in 2010 ,2011 and 2012.
Owned by China Everbright Group, the course was named as one of the ‘World 100 Best Courses Outside the US’ and in ‘China’s Top 10 Golf Clubs’ by American Golf Digest.
Sitting on the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands on the southern tip of Hainan, its pristine natural setting is forever bathed in sunshine and it’s perfect for golf, just a stone’s throw away from Yalong Bay with its rolling waves and pristine golden sands.
On the doorstep of the world’s most dynamic economy, Hainan has preserved an idyllic environment in the face of massive change and is China’s tourism gem, with millions of international holiday makers flocking to the island every year.
Authorised by the General Administration of Sport of China, the official organiser is the Multi-ball Games Administrative Center of General Administration of Sport, Sanya Municipal Governmental and China Golf Association. The title Sponsor is Sanya Municipal Government with co-sponsor China Everbright Group. Again, the Yalong Bay Mangrovetree Resort is the official hotel this year.(www.mangrovetreeresort.com).
