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Mission Hills sets a record with the world's largest score

The chairman of Mission Hills Golf Club yesterday likened its inclusion in the Guinness World Records to winning an Olympic gold medal for China.

The club has been officially crowned the largest club in the world, thanks to its 10 signature designer courses totalling 180 holes.

'The joy and excitement is just like a China sportsman winning a gold medal in the Olympic Games,' chairman David Chu said as he received the certificate from Guinness World Records representative Stewart Newport.

Ten years ago the vast expanses bordering Shenzhen and Dongguan were a wasteland. Now they are graced by the biggest names in golf - from Jack Nicklaus to Annika Sorenstam.

'Our first objective was to be the best in Asia, which we are. Today, we are number one in the world,' he said.

The ceremony was attended by Li Zhijian , deputy director, State Sports General Administration; director of the National Tourism Administration He Guangwei ; Xu Deli , vice-governor of Guangdong; Li Youwei , a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; Liang Daoxing , Shenzhen vice-mayor; and Dongguan vice-major, Zhou Zhina .

Mission Hills has hosted the 1995 World Cup, the Tiger Woods Challenge and the Dynasty Cup, a Ryder Cup-style clash between the best of Asia and Japan.

The sprawling complex was quickly approved by Guinness World Records as the world's largest golf club, surpassing North Carolina's Pinehurst in the US, which has eight courses.

'It can take up to six months to verify a claim, but this was pretty straightforward,' said Mr Newport.

He said Guinness had more than 40,000 records in its database, but only 350 were from the mainland, from an enthusiast with the world's smallest teapot (4mm) to the longest goldfish to the fastest train in public service (in Shanghai).

'Now we are able to recognise a record for China in golf. We have more than 150 records in the field of golf, from the oldest player with a hole in one [at 99] to the more straightforward records like Jack Nicklaus' 18 wins in the Majors.'

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