November 27, 2020
SHENZHEN, China
PacificPine Sports, the exclusive operator of PGA of America Youth Development academies in China, has signed up as a member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF).
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Shenzhen, PacificPine Sports has operations in 10 cities in China, while PGA Youth Development has more than 2,000 students and employs over 40 coaches.
For more than two years, PacificPine Sports Group has partnered the PGA of America to develop state-of-the-art youth golf development centres in China. The partnership offers grass-roots through elite instruction programmes at ‘PGA of America Youth Development Centres’ across China, introducing and growing the game of golf for boys and girls.
PGA Professionals oversee the development and implementation of the business and lead instruction programmes at the PGA of America Youth Development Centres.
“China represents a tremendous opportunity for the future of the game of golf,” said Arjun Chowdri, Chief Innovation Officer at the PGA of America, an Executive Member of the AGIF. “The country is poised for tremendous growth in the sport of golf over the next several years, and together, with PacificPine and the expertise of PGA Professionals, we are excited to support this development.”
In November, 2018, the PGA of America announced a multi-year partnership with China’s Mission Hills Group and PacificPine Sports that saw the launch of PGA Golf Academies at the Mission Hills locations in Dongguan, Haikou and Shenzhen.
PacificPine Sports Founder and Co-CEO Raymond Roessel said: “We are extremely proud to partner with the PGA of America. As a PGA Professional for 20 years, I know first-hand that the expertise and knowledge of the game offered by PGA Professionals is unparalleled. The PGA of America Youth Development Centres are designed to introduce a new generation of players to the game across China.”
In January, PacificPine Sports and Five-Star Sports, China’s leading nationwide youth basketball academy programme, announced the completion of a merger and the closing of a US$8 million financing round led by PacificPine Group. The new combined company was renamed PacificPine Sports Group. The financing included a US$6 million series A preferred investment and a US$2 million secondary common share purchase. The basketball business continues to operate under the Five-Star Sports brand with the golf business operating under the PGA Youth Development brand.
Frank Au, Managing Partner of PacificPine Group and Executive Chairman of PacificPine Sports Group, said: “I believe there is an incredible opportunity in China’s burgeoning youth sports education market, as it corresponds directly to the rapid rise of the Chinese middle class. Parents and children are increasingly seeing the benefits of learning a sport and developing a healthy and active lifestyle. The combination of Five-Star Sports and PGA Youth Development creates a unique asset with a scale that can capture the rapidly developing youth sports education market in China.”
Eric Lynge, the AGIF’s CEO, said: “Any initiatives to grow the game and introduce youngsters to golf are to be applauded. In conjunction with the PGA of America, PacificPine Sports is at the forefront of developing golf in China. We look forward to supporting them in their continued efforts.”