The Volvo China Open will return to Genzon Golf Club for the next three years, it was announced today, while title sponsors Volvo Cars have also extended their long-standing partnership with China’s national open.
First played in 1995, the Volvo China Open was the first international professional golf event to be staged in mainland China. It remains one of the highest-profile sporting events in the country and is widely respected throughout the world of golf.
“The 2020 Volvo China Open will be the final test for Chinese players in the run up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, so it will be a wonderful opportunity for them to strive for the opportunity to represent their motherland in the Olympic golf competition,” said Pang Zheng, Secretary General of China Golf Association.
Following the successful staging of the 20th Volvo China Open in 2014 and the 25th Volvo China Open in 2019 at Genzon Golf Club, the Volvo China Open will return here again for the next three years.
“We are extremely excited to host the Volvo China Open for the next three years. Shenzhen is a highly advanced city with open, inclusive and innovative cultural characteristics, and there are now many creative entrepreneurs based in the city,” commented Deng Xueqin, Chairman and President of Genzon Group.
“Our market and cultural background actually promotes the development of golf. We insist on transmitting the true spirit of the game, and by combining with the city of Shenzhen, we are able to showcase the essential charm of the sport.
“It is our firm commitment to partner with the Volvo China Open for the next three years. We have significant and invaluable experience in staging international tournaments and we are confident that next year’s event will be a complete success.”
In 1994, Volvo took the lead in China’s golf market and became the first European luxury car brand to hold an international professional event in cooperation with the China Golf Association. In 1995, the two partners jointly launched the Volvo China Open, a pioneer and the forerunner of all professional golf events in China.
Over the past 25 years, Volvo has continued to act as title sponsor for the China Open, which is also the longest continuous cooperation between brands and events in Chinese golf history.
The Volvo China Open has strongly supported the development of professional golf in China. Cheng Jun (1997), Zhang Lianwei (2003), Wu Ashun (2015) and Li Haotong (2016) are all past champions, with Wu and Li going on to establish themselves among the world’s elite players on the European Tour.
“The 25-year history of the Volvo China Open is a testament to the collaboration between Volvo and the China Open,” said Yuan Xiaolin, Senior Vice President, Volvo Car Group, President & CEO, Volvo Car Asia Pacific.
“Over the years, a growing number of Chinese players have competed and excelled on this international stage. Meanwhile, the tournament and the sport itself has become more popular and gained a strong fanbase locally.
“As the Volvo China Open grows year after year, the collaboration between Volvo and the China Open has also continued to deepen.”
Wang Xinggui, Chairman of promoting company Mitime Investment and Development Group, proudly announced the Volvo in Golf competition schedule for 2020, including the 2020 Volvo China Open, the 2020 Volvo China Open qualifying events and also Volvo junior tournaments.
In addition to the 2020 Volvo China Open (April 23-26), the 2020 Volvo China Junior Challenge will be staged at Mission Hills Golf Club in Hainan province (February 12-14), together with the 2020 Volvo China Open Amateur Qualifying Final (February 17-19).
The 2020 Volvo China Open International Qualifying event (March 9-11) will be held at Nansha Golf Club in Guangzhou, while the Domestic Qualifying event (March 23-25) will be held at Qinglong Nanshan Golf Club in Chongqing.
In addition to the above events, the 2020 Volvo China Junior Challenge and the 2020 Volvo China Junior Match Play Championship will return to Sun Kingdom Sports Club in Chongqing, and will be held back-to-back from September 21 to 27.
The addition of a Junior Challenge tournament in the 2020 schedule is intended to fundamentally expand the foundation of junior golf and to provide a platform for cultivating and encouraging young golfers.
The top six male and top six female players in each competition will qualify for the 2020 Volvo Junior Match Play Championship. As in previous years, the winner of the boy’s 2020 Volvo China Junior Match Play Championship will advance directly to the 2021 Volvo China Open.
“The success of the Volvo China Open is due to the support of many parties, and I thank them all for the many years they’ve helped us to promote this incredible event from zero to one, from one to 10, and it has now been held successfully for 25 years,” said Zhao Qin, Chairman of the Volvo China Open Board, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Volvo Car Asia Pacific.
“The total prize fund of the 26th Volvo China Open is RMB 20 million, and it is a sanctioned event on the PGA European Tour. I predict that a strong field will take part next April.
“We welcome golf enthusiasts to come to Shenzhen and to watch this high-profile international competition, and we also welcome Shenzhen citizens to come to Genzon Golf Club for an entertaining weekend.”
The 26th Volvo China Open is organized by the China Golf Association, title sponsored by Volvo Cars, promoted by Mitime Golf, and is a sanctioned event on the PGA European Tour.
The event will take place from April 23 to 26 at Shenzhen Genzon Golf Club. This event will be Volvo Cars 89th sponsored tournament on the PGA European Tour and will offer a total prize fund of RMB 20 million.
Click here for more information about Genzon Golf Club