 |
Hainan, 21st October 2012 – Andy Garcia and Matt Kuchar were crowned team champions at the 2012 World Celebrity Pro-Am (WCPA) at Mission Hills Haikou.
The Oscar nominated Hollywood star and 2011 Mission Hills World Cup champion produced an emphatic display of team golf on the final day to finish with a combined winning stableford score of 92 over 36 holes.
Chinese popstar Sun Nan and LET professional Liebelei Lawrence finished close runners up with a total of 91 points and celebrated Chinese movie director, He Ping and Rich Beem finished third with 89 points.
Matt Kuchar’s scintillating second round 66 earned him a total of 84 points and subsequently wrapped up victory in the professional individual competition, finishing four points clear of runner up Sam Dyson and six points clear of Anthony Wall in third place.
Meanwhile renowned Chinese actor, Wang Zhiwen, emerged as the winner of the celebrity individual stableford shooting an impressive thirteen shots under his handicap to amass an 85 point total.
The winners were honoured at the official prize giving ceremony on the 18th green of the championship Blackstone Course. Crowds gathered to watch Matt Kuchar, Andy Garcia and Wang Zhiwen lift their exquisite Waterford crystal trophies.
After beating off competition from a strong international field to claim the winner’s cheque of USD 240,000, Kuchar said: “When I got the invite to the World Celebrity Pro-Am, I was so excited, I couldn’t wait to get back here to one of my favourite places in the world and I’m delighted to have won.”
His playing American partner and star of the ‘The Godfather’ said: “It’s been great, this is my first time in Asia and it’s been a beautiful experience. I had an extraordinary playing partner and I’m very proud of the trophy. The beautiful thing about these tournaments is that it’s great to compete and win but it’s more about the memories and relationships you create.”
Wang Zhiwen was awarded with a lifetime honouree membership at Mission Hills. Commenting on his success, the award winning actor said: “Being one of the players for both the 2010 Mission Hills Star Trophy and the 2012 World Celebrity Pro-Am, I feel very happy and excited. I will come back for sure, whether I am invited or not!”
In addition to the individual and team accolades, a prize was also awarded for Best Dressed on the golf course which was won by Hong Kong actor Michael Miu.
Among the star studded competitors was the Michael Phelps, the most successful Olympian of all time. The American swimming legend finished with a respectable 78 points and said: “It’s been great. I love coming to Asia. I was able to achieve the biggest dream I ever had in China and flying through Beijing and coming here brought back so many great memories.”
The 2012 WCPA brings together international stars from the world of film, music and sport to raise money to support the ongoing work of two charities, the Yao Ming Foundation and UNICEF. The tournament is destined to return to Mission Hills in 2014 with a new line up of A-list celebrities and elite golfers.
For more information please visit: www.missionhillswcpa.com
