China calls off LPGA event at the eleventh hour
The China Golf Association (CGA), in a surprise move, has cancelled the LPGA event scheduled at the end of this month, without citing any reasons. The LPGA event, which would have been an inaugural event in the Peoples Republic, was called off and the LPGA
officials were informed of the decision late night Monday.
“Blindsided by the news, the LPGA has exhausted all possibilities to carry on with the event as scheduled but have been told that the tournament must be canceled,” the LPGA said in a press release Tuesday night. “We are unable to share further details of
the cancellation at this time. We view China as an important market for the LPGA and remain open to creating a world-class event with long-term success.”
The first of its kind LPGA event in China was earlier scheduled in August this year but LPGA extended the time in order to allow CGA to prepare for the event in a better way. The tournament time was extended also to lure in more sponsors for the event where
some of the top ranking LPGA players were set to tee-off.
China has grown into a lucrative market for the European and American players, coaches and caddies who have landed in the continent in bulk after being a victim of the economic crunch in their countries, which is now seeping into the fourth consecutive year.
The booming Chinese economy promises a vibrant and lucrative future for the professional players where the novice rich are eager to learn the tactics at any cost.
OneAsia Tour is another example where the Chinese influence has helped formulate the latest tour on the Asian circuit which has been challenging the old Asian Tour on many fronts.
According to the Chinese constitution, however, the state considers sprawling golf courses a lavish waste of money and proposes that the precious acres be utilized for agricultural purposes rather than turning them into a golf course.
The reasons behind the decision have still to surface. A CGA official declined to give out his name let alone the reasons behind the disappointing decision. LPGA will now probably move towards canceling the event altogether as they have already gone into
investing huge proportions of money for the marketing.
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