NOVEMBER cannot come quickly enough for Mission Hills Golf Club.
That is when China will break new ground by hosting the 41st World Cup of Golf - the longest-running and one of the most prestigious professional team golfing events featuring two-man line-ups from 32 nations.
The decision to take the Heineken-sponsored event to Shenzhen's magnificent Mission Hills complex in Guanlan Town has been welcomed by, among others, legendary American golfer Jack Nicklaus, a three-time winner of the World Cup's individual award and the designer of the 36 holes at Mission Hills.
Nicklaus said: 'It is a great idea. China is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing golf countries in the world. They are developing a golf population and golf courses to meet the growing demand.
'You are starting to see a real boom in the game as interest in the region continues to grow.' By road, the club is 25 kilometres from Lo Wu and 200 kms from Guangzhou.
From Hong Kong, the travelling time will be considerably reduced with the completion of the Meilan highway which will directly connect Guanlan with the territory and will intersect with the newly planned expressway from Shenzhen airport to Heao.