The first-ever Ladies Professional Golf Association tournament in Taiwan will be held Oct. 20 to 23 in Taoyuan County, Vice President Vincent C. Siew said March 1.
“Holding this event will raise Taiwan’s visibility in the international arena,” Siew said at a news conference. “It will also help further the development of sports and tourism in Taiwan.”
The vice president announced that the Sherwood Taipei will be the title sponsor of the 2011 LPGA Sherwood Taiwan Championship.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, who recently became the world’s top-ranked female golfer, said, “It has always been my dream to play in an LPGA tournament in my hometown of Taoyuan.”
“I’m going to invite my good friends to watch the games here and to experience the beauty of Taiwan firsthand,” Tseng said.
Zayra Calderon, LPGA’s chief of tournament business affairs, said the association is very excited about taking the event to Taiwan.
“Essentially the best of the best will come to Taiwan to participate in this inaugural event. I am sure Taiwan golf fans are in for a treat to witness the best lady golfers from around the world in action,” Calderon said.
She explained that the top 80 ranked players in terms of prize money as of Sept. 12, 2011 will be invited to compete.
Meanwhile, Taoyuan County Magistrate John Wu said, “The LPGA has brought joy to all the residents of our county.”
Wu promised that the county government would do everything possible to ready accommodations, transportation and other amenities for visitors to the event.
“I invite everyone from around the world to come to Taoyuan to experience history in the making,” he added.
