Major winner Greg Norman is predicting a huge future for golf in China after casting his eyes over the next generation of talent while attending the star-studded Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am.

The Australian has come to Mission Hills Haikou on the tropical island of Hainan to link up with female players from China’s Olympics squad as they use the resort’s superb facilities to fine tune their games.

While the public’s attention has been focused on the likes of Hollywood A-listers Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, Jessica Alba and Chris Evans who are taking part in the Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am, Norman has China’s golfing destiny on his mind as the sport prepares to feature in the 2016 Olympics.

In his role as advisory coach to the Chinese National Golf Team, Norman was on hand to offer his advice and said he shared the Mission Hills Group’s support and enthusiasm for the growth of the game in China.

“These players are a fiercely proud group and they want to represent China, to be the first in golf to represent their nation,” said Norman. “There’s a lot of talent. It’s just a matter of getting them to believe in it. Mission Hills has long supported the development of young Chinese golfers and that is a great thing for the game of golf in China.”

As well as Norman’s guidance and the Mission Hills facilities, China’s young golfers have this week been able to catch multiple Major champion Gary Player and Ryder Cup heroes Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and Paul McGinley in action at the Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro Am. Major winners John Daly, Ian Woosnam, Darren Clarke and Rich Beem are also appearing.

In addition, there is a strong line-up of the world’s best female golfers here in Hainan, led by world No 4 Suzann Petersen.

The innovative Mission Hills Celebrity Pro-Am tournament sees 24 elite professional golfers paired with celebrities over two rounds on Mission Hills Haikou’s signature Blackstone Course – voted Best Championship Course in Asia-Pacific at last year’s Asian Golf Awards.

Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund and Yao Ming Foundation.

The Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am is sponsored by American Express, Porsche, Stella Artois, Tibet 5100, Kohler, Lindt, San Pellegrino and Appletiser.

Greg Norman watches members of China’s National Golf Team practice at Mission Hills Haikou during the Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am. (Photograph by Power Sport Images for Mission Hills)

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