(SHENZHEN, China)A total of 40 caddies, out of 300 candidates, survived the primary competition on May 8 to enter 6-8 matches in the next round of the 2008 Mission Hills Caddies’ Golfathon. They will be tipped by world’s NO.1 female coach Cindy Reid.

Lower entry threshold, competitive selection
The primary competition of the 2008 5th Mission Hills Golfathon, which kicked off on May 1, is in full swing right now. Meanwhile, a group of little girls have appeared on the course. Though small in figure and unprofessional in golfing skills, they are joyous throughout the game. They are the 300-odd caddies participating in the primary matches of the Mission Hills Caddies’ Golfathon.

“The caddies are divided into several groups, each of which recommends several excellent caddies to compete,” said people in charge of the Club’s Golf Operation Department, “We used to pick the participants from the best caddies of the year or month. This year, we expanded the scope to cover the excellent caddies who have delivered good services and a number of gifted players.”

The Mission Hills Golfathon, now entering its fifth year, has become a golf feast for golf lovers from around the world, and the caddies’ Golfathon, another attraction of the event, was born along with the first such event. “A great many caddies are interested in golf due to their involvement in the industry, but rarely have the chance to try their hands. The event provides them a chance to experience how it feels to be a master of the course. It is also meant to be an award for excellent caddies,” he said.

Uneven in skills, participation first
Shedding the uniform for caddies and changing into player clothes, all participants looked smart and excited. It is a first-time experience for most caddie players, who have frequently practiced on the Club’s training course but seldom swung on the competition course. “Such an opportunity to play on course is truly rare. Though we are clumsy in skills, participation comes first,” said most of the players.

Though secondary in skills, the players have made sufficient preparations. Many players warmed up before the tee-off, swinging back and forth for trial. They have also paid attention to the game progress, making sure they are not affecting the followers.

Xiao Tan, one of the competing caddies, said she had been a caddie with Mission Hills for three years and had played on the course for several times. She has managed to maintain a gross score of 100 strikes, which is fairly good among caddies. She successfully secured a birdie at 3# of the Vijay Course, a thrilling experience for her which aroused enormous envy from her teammates. It was a par-three hole. She teed off the ball to the green and putted it into the hole.

Double participants, Master teaching
In the past events, only around 20 caddies could make to the Caddies’ Golfathon. In order to involve more people into the event and experience the fun and challenges of it, the club has doubled the number of participants, according to people in charge on the Caddies’ Department of Mission Hills. Efforts will be also promised to enable more caddies to join in the event in the future.

Of the 40 caddies who made to the next round, 15 are from Shenzhen Clubhouse, 5 from Mid-Valley Clubhouse, and 20 from Dongguan Clubhouse. They will compete in the next round of the Caddies’ Golfathon, about 6-8 matches. All contestants will receive the “Golfathon Caddie Certificate” and the final winner will be awarded the champion’s trophy. Apart from enabling the players to experience the Golfathon, Mission Hills has also arranged Cindy Reid, the world’s No.1 female coach and the dean of Mission Hills Golf Academy by Cindy Reid, to give free training sessions to improve the golfing skills of those advanced caddies.