Shanghai: Kuang Jin-yoo made history when he became the first person ever to record a hole-in-one during a members’ tournament at Shanghai Silport.

Playing in the Autumn Cup against a field of 129 player, the Korean businessman aced the second hole on the club’s West Course layout with a 165-yard blast that rolled straight into the cup.

It was the first time an ace had been recorded during a member’s tournament since the club first began hosting such events in 1999. On average, it hosts about six such tournaments annually.

For his feat, the XX.X handicap, a Silport member since 200X, received a one-year membership card from Silport and an insurance premium from Sino-Life, valued at RMB 500,000.

Playing under cool and dry conditions on the Championship Course, a layout currently made considerably more difficult with its preparations for the upcoming Volvo China Open, the field was divided into three groups based on their handicap.

Li Renheng a 4.8 handicap, shot a four-over-par 76 and the low score of the day to claim the Group A low gross prize. Chen Zhangning, a 10.8 handicap, shot an 82 for the low nett with a nett score of 70.8.

In Group B, lady golfer Chen Jing, a 2.4 handicap, shot a seven-over-par 79 to win the low gross. Yu Sunqiang, a 25.2 handicap, carded a 99 to take the low nett with a nett score of 73.8.
Group C saw Chen Shichun earn the low gross with a score of 92. Quan Chengzhen was the low nett after registering a nett 72.

Following their day out on the course, the players repaired to the club’s party room for a meal and the prize ceremony. Among the prizes were crystal trophies, golf equipment, golf caps, Scotch whisky and hotel-stay vouchers.

Special thanks to our many sponsors, among them Electrolux, Oral-B, China Airlines, DBTEL, Ballantine’s Scotch Whisky , Sino-Life and Sanyo.

Shanghai Silport has hosted the Volvo China Open for the past five years. The club will again host the country’s national championship on November 25-28 when it will open the 2005 European Tour season in this joint-sanctioned event with the Asian Tour.