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Veteran Yang back for Renji Challenge

By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-20 08:08

BEIJING - Veteran Chinese golfer Yang Hongmei, a six-time winner on the China LPGA (CLPGA) Tour, has returned from a month-long training camp in the United States to compete in the Renji Challenge here from Friday to Sunday.

The $50,000 Renji Challenge is the CLPGA 2011 season's third event and will be staged at the picturesque Beijing Renji Golf Club.

Yang, one of China's best female golfers, missed the season's first two events due to her training sessions in Florida, where she was instructed by South African coach Andrew Park.

"I was lucky to be selected to the training camp in the US," said Yang, 35. "I learned a lot about physical training, technique and psychological adjustments. It feels like the time there was just not enough."

Yang said her confidence has been boosted thanks to the camp.

"I come to the Renji Challenge with lots of confidence. I missed the first two events and now have to win more points in the coming events," Yang said.

The Chinese Golf Association (CGA) and the Orient Golf Group combined to establish the CLPGA Tour in a bid to emulate the success of South Korea's women golfers on the international stage.

Yang's overseas training is just part of efforts to improve Chinese women's golf.

The debut CLPGA season in 2009 featured eight tournaments; now the tour boasts 18 events and continues to attract more international players.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/20/2011 page23)