Getting a world-class golf course into perfect condition ahead of a major competition is a challenge anywhere in the world. In Beijing, it's even more difficult because of the cold winter and dry climate.
Robert Barnes, director of golf course maintenance at Pine Valley, reckons he is more than equal to the task and outlines some of the steps he has taken to make sure the resort is ready.
'Everyone here at Pine Valley is very excited about this premier golf tournament coming to our facility, but in order to make this tournament as successful as possible we knew we had to make some changes to the golf course and also the training of the staff,' Barnes says.
Planning begins months in advance - the team have been preparing for this tournament for six months.
'When the European Tour came to Pine Valley in November of 2004 there was some discussion about the course layout. In today's golfing arena there is more emphasis on making the courses more challenging. Pine Valley was no different and the European Tour wanted to make this golf course as challenging for the pros as possible,' says Barnes.
In order to toughen up the course, his team built a new pro tee box on the 18th hole, which added an additional 22 yards to the hole and made it more challenging, demanding greater care in club selection.
On holes four and 16, Pine Valley has added trees in strategic areas to make the accuracy off the tee of prime importance.