Shanghai: Air France put its China customers into the swing when the French national carrier hosted its Air France Business Golf Club Competition 2008 over Silport’s East and Center courses under sunny skies.

Teeing off under a Stableford points scoring system, the event, which was being held in China for the first time, was part of a global series of tournaments hosted by the carrier. Other competitions had also been held in France, Italy and Germany, among others.

The winners of each event worldwide received a free flight courtesy of Air France to join in the grand final to be held in France at a later date.

At a brief media conference before the competition, Air France officials said the carrier was hosting this global golf tournament as it always pursued first-rate services for its customers and potential customers, both on the ground and in the air.

They added Silport was chosen as its tournament venue as the club demonstrated both excellent service and a quality course to host such a competition.

It was also announced the carrier would be expanding its Shanghai to Paris route to two flights daily after earlier having opened a new run to Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Air France offers more than 200 weekly flights to 22 Asian cities spread over 11 countries. The figure accounts for nearly 13 percent of its total airline capacity.

On the course, there were some outstanding golf performances as Liu Hongxin topped the 86-player field to win the Men’s Gross champion with an impressive score of one-under 71. The 12-handicap was well below his average in posting a nett 59. The women were equally impressive as Lu Meiping, also a 12 handicap, shot a one-over 73 to be crowned the Ladies’ Gross Champion. Liang Xiaodi was runner-up three strokes back.