Deng Xueqin (2nd from left), president of Genzon Group, and Lee Soo-min (5th from left), champion of the 2016 Shenzhen International during the awards ceremony Photo: Courtesy of Genzon Group

Logo of the Shenzhen International Photo: Courtesy of Genzon Group

The second Shenzhen International Golf Tournament, which was held at the Shenzhen Genzon Golf Club, came to a successful conclusion this Monday. Although the event for this year is already closed, the tournament will have a lasting influence in making golf culture more popular in China. Golfers, club managers and government officials are all looking to the future of golf in China with confidence.

"I'm very excited and happy to win my first European Tour event after just six tournaments. I'm really proud of myself," said 22-year-old Lee Soo-min from South Korea, the champion of the 2016 Shenzhen International.

"Playing in China is a great chance for me as I like to play at courses in Asia, which have long fairways, much water and many green plants," Lee said.

Lee attended the Shenzhen International as a wild card entrant invited by the tournament's initiator and sponsor Genzon Group.

The reason he was chosen was because the group wanted to encourage young and potential golfers like Lee who had made great progress in the past year, according to executives of Genzon Group. By winning the championship, Lee proved they were right. 

José Maria Zamora, the tournament director of the European Tour, said that on the golf course, he saw many details which reflected the high-standard service of organizers. The caddies are well prepared, skilled, and fluent in oral English. The lawn is also well maintained despite frequent rain in Shenzhen.

Zamora was also impressed by the spectators who, he said, were very supportive, enthusiastic and disciplined.

Ben Cowen, the European Tour's director of international policy, said that the Shenzhen International has raised the spectators' participation to a very high level.

The Eight-Kilometer Walk made more people know golf, especially children. Besides, the lectures at the public interaction zone were also very useful in spreading golf education among children. 

"Children are the future of golf. This tournament has played a very important role in promoting its future development in China," Cowen said.

Zamora said that the Shenzhen International combines the tournament with national fitness programs, and the European Tour will promote the innovative attempt in other tournaments.

Keith Williams, manager of the Shenzhen Genzon Golf Club, has worked in many golf clubs worldwide including The Hong Kong Golf Club and The Queen's Club in London.

Williams said that golf in China is a relatively young sport compared to many Western countries, but will continue to grow.

According to Williams, China can encourage younger generations to learn more about golf. "Golf will develop in China and, like many Western countries, become a game that can be enjoyed by everyone," he said.

Deng Xueqin, the president of Genzon Group, echoed Williams, predicting that from this year on, golf will become more popular in China.

"Chinese people have begun to pay more attention to fitness, and many national fitness programs have been held," said Deng. "Also, golf is returning as an event to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this August."