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Jim Johnson

January 9, 2009: This year’s Omega China Tour schedule will tee off with the 36-hole Qualifying School for foreign PGA professionals, which will be held at Palm Island Resort in Guangdong province from February 9-10.

For the second season, 10 spots at each Omega China Tour event have been allocated to foreign PGA members living in Greater China and these will be offered to the top 10 finishers at next month’s Qualifying School.

“This year’s Qualifying School should be even more competitive than last year, which was only the first time we’d invited foreign PGA members to compete on Tour,” said Zhang Xiaoning, Executive Vice-President and Secretary-General of the China Golf Association.

“This time, more foreign PGA players are aware of the opportunities on the Omega China Tour, so we expect a larger field, including all the players who did well last season. Palm Island Resort is a top-class venue and the event will act as a great springboard for the Omega China Tour’s fifth season.”

Beijing-based Jim Johnson, who finished 10th on the Omega Order of Merit, and Hong Kong-based Nick Redfern were among the foreigners who performed with distinction last year after progressing through Qualifying School. Redfern was among many foreigners to praise the circuit in their first full season.

“After playing in seven of the eight Omega China Tour events in 2008, I found it a great environment for playing in professional 72-hole events with world-class organisation,” said Redfern, who also competed in several Asian Tour events including playing all four rounds at the US$5 million Barclays Singapore Open.

“The Omega China Tour is very welcoming and the golf courses we played are of the highest USGA standard. It was a great way to travel around China and experience the incredible culture and sights, and mix with the wonderful people.”

Nick Redfern

Last year also marked the first full season that two players were invited from each of Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Macau, with experienced Chinese Taipei pros winning four of the eight events in 2008.

Courtesy of Omega China Tour, www.omegachinatour.com

From Golf Digest Singapore Jan 2009 issue