THE Fiji International has attracted the Chinese market after being showcased at the China Golf Show in Beijing last week.

The three-day show which ended on Sunday promoted the event to over 18,000 golf consumers and cementing Fiji’s place as a must visit golf destination to the Chinese market.

The show is considered the world’s second largest consumer golf show and is also the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

Fiji International general manager Natalie Ritter said the China Golf Show was one of the greatest golf shows that had gained the attention and respect of elite visitors for many years.

“It is very much a consumer driven show, so a good opportunity to ensure the Chinese golfing community knows that the Fiji International is a real player on the golfing stage,” Ritter said in a statement.

“The event also conducts educational seminars and conferences, hereby adding more importance to the sport.

“With an array of networking opportunities and business generation, the event was a fruitful one to both buyers and sellers.”

The show featured more than 350 brands of golfing product and accessories.

Golf resorts and tourism ideas, real estate services, fitness equipment, tableware, construction tools, clubhouses and kitchen accessories were also on display.

The China Golf Show is the only dedicated trading and sourcing event covering the entire supply chain in China which is endorsed by the China Golf Association, the PGA of America, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and other leading associations.

“The event keeps you ahead of your competition by offering you the cost-effective platform to showcase your latest products and services, get market updates, find new partners, and meet buyers and trade professionals including general managers, assistant general managers, directors of golf, superintendents, PGA Professionals, retail buyers and facility owners,” Ritter said.

Golf packages to Fiji inclusive of the experience of watching the Fiji International from October 15 to 18 at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course were given out to interested consumers.

The inaugural Fiji International, boasting a million dollar prize purse was made possible through the support of Fijian Government, Fiji Tourism and Fiji’s number one golf ambassador, Vijay Singh, all making a push to put their country on the lucrative golfing map.

“As the newest tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia tours, the inaugural Fiji International was a resounding success,” Ritter said.

“It was not only a great golf event, but also an opportunity to showcase Fiji as a premier cultural, leisure and sporting destination with a diverse range of activities and attractions.

“120 players from 16 different countries came together at the spectacular Natadola Bay to take on the challenging championship course, designed by local hero Vijay Singh, in what was the regions first ever internationally broadcast tournament.”

Other players in the field included three time major champion Nick Price, Fiji’s Dinesh Chand, India’s highest ranked and world top 100 player Anirban Lahiri, China’s top ranked players Liang Wenchong and Wu Ashun and two of Australia’s most successful and respected golfers Craig Parry and Peter O’Malley.

Hitting the very first tee shot of the Fiji International, Steven Jeffress went on to make history by sinking the last putt of the tournament as he birdied the 18th hole to claim the title by four shots from fellow Australian, Jake Higginbottom.

via Chinese market for Fiji International golf – Fiji Times Online.