BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- A rehabilitated Beijing Orient Pearl Golf Club debuts on the CLPG Tour schedule on Thursday with the tee-off of the 18th Beijing Women's Challenge.
The Shunyi-area club, host venue of the inaugural CLPG Tour event in 2009, was among the casualties of last year's flood season when the rainfall was 60 percent greater than an average summer in the capital.
Beijing Orient Pearl general manager Xu Zhonghu said the waterlog created extreme challenges but also a good opportunity to make several upgrades to the par-72, 6,523-yard layout.
"Several fairways were damaged during the flooding. We took this opportunity to resurface all 18 fairways with bent grass. After six months of meticulous maintenance, the course has now reached a higher level, both visually and in terms of playability," he said.
The RMB500,000 tournament, the fifth stop of the CLPG Tour 2025 season, provides a good showcase of some of the top young talent in the country as the "Post-00s" youth movement continues unabated. As evidence, the first four tournaments of the season have all been won by this new generation of golfers.
Top amateur Ren Yijia is the defending champion. The Dalian native beat veteran Pan Yanhong in a second-hole playoff last year as a 14-year-old to become the youngest winner on the CLPG Tour. It was a record short-lived as Zhou Shiyuan eclipsed the mark in November with her win at the Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Challenge.
After her practice round Wednesday, Ren, last year's China Amateur Open winner, said she couldn't help but notice the differences in the course compared to last year.
"The course conditions are quite good overall, with both fairways and greens in excellent shape. The only noticeable changes are in the trees; some have grown fuller with more branches and leaves, while others have disappeared," said Ren, 96th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
"I believe the overall scores will improve this year. The weather conditions are more favorable, cooler and more pleasant. Plus, after another year, everyone's game has sharpened."
For Wang Zixuan the tournament is a chance to be at home, playing in front of family and friends. The 17-year-old Beijinger, who won the GolfJoy Women's Open at Mission Hills Dongguan in March for her maiden pro title, said she first attended the event as a spectator.
"I was just 13 years old when my coach brought me to watch this event. Though young, I clearly remember Liu Wenbo's victory. It became a huge inspiration for me," said Wang who was predicting a 13- or 14-under score to contend.
"I am playing a calmer game this season and my putting has noticeably improved. Next, I'm determined to secure my second CLPGA victory and climb the World Rankings higher."
Li Menghan, who was born in December 2008, at nearly the same time that the China Golf Association announced the China LPGA Tour launch, was surprised to learn she was as old as the tour.
"What a magical coincidence," said the Shandong native. "I'm so grateful for this platform that allows us to compete alongside professional players and keep growing. Getting another start this week, I'm really hoping to make a breakthrough."
Li has indeed been close on the CLPG Tour with three top-five finishes in her last three starts dating back to the Chongqing Women's Open in November. Last month, the Weihai teenager was equal runner-up at The Royal Junior event in Japan.
"Truthfully, I've had solid chances in several tournaments, but there's always that one untimely mistake out of nowhere. After that, I didn't handle the mental side well either. It's been frustrating. But now returning to Beijing Orient Pearl, where I won on the CLPGQ (development tour), I feel my mindset has improved somewhat. I'm coming in with real anticipation this time." ■
