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Sheshan Golf Club

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sheshan Golf Club
Map
Interactive map of Sheshan Golf Club
Club information
Established2004
TypePrivate
Total holes18
TournamentsWGC-HSBC Champions 2005–2018
WebsiteSheshan Golf Club

Sheshan Golf Club (simplified Chinese: 佘山高尔夫俱乐部; traditional Chinese: 佘山高爾夫俱樂部; pinyin: Shéshān gāo'ěrfū jùlèbù) is a private golf club in Shanghai, China. Designed by Robin Nelson and Neil Haworth (Nelson & Haworth), the 18-hole golf course has a par of 72 and spans almost 7,200 yards (6,583 meters).[1]

The club hosted 14 of the 15 annual WGC-HSBC Champions from 2005 to 2019.[1][2] Sheshan was named the second and third best golf course in China by Golf Digest in 2024[3] and 2022, respectively.[4] It was also recognized as the 2020–2021 Platinum Club of Asia-Pacific and gained five-star private club status.[5] The course is known for its challenging layout, featuring water hazards, tree-lined fairways, and elevation changes.

Overview

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Sheshan Golf Club, which opened in 2004, is a golf facility spanning approximately 360 acres. The course is about 45 minutes from downtown Shanghai.[6] The course landscape is characterized by over 60,000 trees, including Yulan Magnolia, ornamental Osmanthus, and a 1,000-year-old Ginkgo.[7][6] The architects modeled the course after the Donald Ross design at Oak Hill, incorporating "downhill tee shots and approach shots to elevated greens."[8]The club is known for its exclusivity; as of July 2010, the initiation fee was reported to be $240,000.[9]

Sheshan served as the host site for the HSBC Champions from 2005 through 2019,[1] with the exception of 2012, when the event was held at Mission Hills Golf Club in Guangdong.[2] The tournament gained World Golf Championship (WGC) status in 2009.[10] In 2013, the WGC-HSBC Champions became an official European Tour and PGA Tour event with a purse of US$8.5 million,[2] the highest in East Asia at the time. Notable participants have included Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, and Lee Westwood.[11]

The course is recognized globally for its high level of difficulty. In October 2019, Golf Week listed three of Sheshan's holes among the 15 most difficult on the 2018-19 PGA Tour. According to tour data, the par-4 ninth hole was the most difficult on the schedule, and the course also featured the most difficult par 3 and par 5 on the Tour.[12]

In January 2021, Golf Magazine ranked Sheshan eighth on its list of the world's most difficult courses, noting that it "has some brutally difficult golf holes," including a demanding par-5 that requires three shots to reach the green for most professional golfers.[13]

WGC-HSBC Champions

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The WGC-HSBC Champions is a professional golf tournament held annually in China. It is sanctioned by the International Federation of PGA Tours (Asian Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, and Sunshine Tour) and the China Golf Association. Inaugurated in 2005,[14] the tournament features a purse of US$8.5 million,[2] the largest in the Asia-Pacific region.

Initially established as the HSBC Champions, the event was designated as a World Golf Championships tournament in 2009.[10] In 2013, it became an official PGA Tour event and was integrated into the FedEx Cup schedule.[15]

Traditionally played in November, it served as the fourth and final tournament on the WGC calendar, alongside the WGC Mexico Championship, WGC Match Play, and the WGC St. Jude Invitational.[11] The field is composed of top-ranked players from the six major international tours and the China Golf Association. Qualification is extended to leading money winners from the sanctioning tours, and winners of major championships and the other World Golf Championships tournaments.

The WGC-HSBC Champions was cancelled for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16][17] Although the tournament remained under contract with the PGA Tour as of 2023,[18] it has not been contested since its initial cancellation in 2020.[11]

Awards and recognition

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Since 2005, the Sheshan Golf Club has received industry awards, including recognition from Golf Digest, Asia Golf Monthly, and others.

Year Awarding Party Award
2025 World Golf Awards China's Best Golf Course 2025 (nominee)[19]
2024 World Golf Awards China's Best Golf Course 2024 (nominee)[20]
Golf Digest The Best Golf Courses in China – 2nd[3]
Golf Digest World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses – 97th[21]
Golf Inspired Best Courses of 2024 – 2nd[22]
2023 World Golf Awards China's Best Golf Course 2023 (nominee)[23]
2022 World Golf Awards China's Best Golf Course 2022 (nominee)[24]
Golf Digest The Best Golf Courses in China – 3rd[4]
2021 World Golf Awards China's Best Golf Course 2021 (nominee)[25]
2020–2021 China Daily 2020-2021 Platinum Club of Asia-Pacific[5]
2020 World Golf Awards China's Best Golf Course 2020 (nominee)[26]
2019 World Golf Awards China's Best Golf Course 2019 (nominee)[27]
China Daily China's No. 1 Golf Course[28]
Golf Digest World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses – 85th[29]
2018 World Golf Awards China's Best Golf Course 2018 (nominee)[30]
South China Morning Post 5 Top-Hole Golf Courses in China for Elites – 1st[31]
Golf Digest Complete 200 Greatest International Golf Courses[32]
2017 World Golf Awards China's Best Golf Course 2017 (nominee)[33]
2016 Golf Digest World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses – 86th[34]
Imperial Tours Top 5 Golf Clubs Around China’s Scenic Spots[35]
World Golf Awards China's Best Golf Course 2016 (nominee)[36]
2015 Golf Magazine Top Club in China
Hurun Research Institute Best Golf Club in Shanghai
Americangolf.com Asia's WOW Course
Aligolf.com Asia Top 10 Golf Courses
World Golf Awards China's Best Golf Course 2015 (nominee)[37]
2014 Golf Punk Top 10 Championship Golf Courses
Golf Magazine Top 10 Golf Courses in China
Golf Digest (US) World's 100 Greatest 100 Golf Courses – 82nd
World Golf Awards China's Best Golf Course 2014 (nominee)[38]
2013 Golf Vacation & Lifestyle Magazine Top 10 Golf Club Restaurants in China
Golf Vacation & Lifestyle Magazine Top 10 Golf Clubhouses in China
Golf Vacation & Lifestyle Magazine Top 30 Must-Play Golf Courses in China
Golf Punk Best Golf Course
Golf Punk Best Golf Club
Golf Punk Best Golf Community
Golf Digest (China) Top 100 Golf Courses in China – 1st[39]
Golf Digest (China) Top 10 Golf Clubs in China – 2nd
Golf Digest (China) Top Golf Community in China
International Property Media Ltd. Best Golf Development (Asia Pacific)
International Property Media Ltd. Best Golf Course (Asia Pacific)
International Property Media Ltd. Best Golf Development (China)
International Property Media Ltd. Best Golf Course (China)
International Property Media Ltd. Highly Commented Architecture Single Residence (China)
2012 Travel & Leisure Magazine Top 10 Golf Courses
2011–2012 Golf Weekly Top Golf Club in Shanghai
Golf Digest (US) 89th Best Course in the World (Outside of the US)
2011 GOLF Magazine Top 10 Golf Courses in China
2010–2011 Golf Digest (China) Top 100 Golf Courses in China – 1st
Golf Digest (China) Top Golf Community in China – 1st
Golf Digest (China) Top 10 Golf Clubs in China – 2nd
2011 Asian Golf Monthly Best Course in China – 2nd Runner Up
Golf Vacation & Lifestyle Magazine Top 30 Must-Play Golf Courses in China
2010 Travel & Leisure Magazine Top 10 Golf Courses of the Year
GOLF Magazine Top 10 Golf Courses in China
Golf Weekly Top Club in Shanghai
Asian Golf Monthly Best Championship Course in Asia-Pacific[40]
Asian Golf Monthly Runner-Up Best Course in China
Asian Golf Monthly 6th Best Maintained Course in Asia
2009–2010 Golf Digest (US) Top 100 Best Golf Course outside the United States – 68th[41]
2009 Golf Weekly Top Golf Club at Shanghai
Golf Digest (China) Top Golf Course in China – 2nd Runner Up
Asian Golf Monthly Best Championship Course in Asia-Pacific
Asian Golf Monthly Runner-Up Best Golf Course in China
Asian Golf Monthly 2nd Runner-Up Best Maintained Course in Asia-Pacific
Golfers' Choice, Golf Vacations Magazine 10 Most Outstanding Golf Courses
Golf Punk Course of the Year
Golf Onlife.com Course of the Year
Focus Media Course of the Year
2008 Golf Digest Top 10 Courses in China – 3rd[42]
2008–2009 Golf Digest (China) China's Top 10 Golf Clubs – 1st
2008 Asian Golf Monthly Best Club House in Asia – 2nd Runner Up
Asian Golf Monthly Best Maintained Course in Asia – 1st Runner Up
Asian Golf Monthly Best Championship Course in Asia – 2nd Runner Up
GOLF Magazine Top 10 Golf Courses in China
2007 球场点评 10 Best Golf Clubs in China
Golf Outdoor Golf Weekly Top Golf Club in City
Asian Golf Monthly Best Championship Course in Asia – 2nd Runner Up
Asian Golf Monthly Best Course in China – 2nd Runner Up
Golf Digest China Top 10 Golf Courses in China[43]
2006 GOLF Magazine Top 10 Golf Courses in China
2005 Golf Digest-HK Magazine Senasia Publication Best New Golf Club
China Golf Best Golf Property
China Golf Top 10 Par 4 – Hole 16

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 "Sheshan International Golf Club". Golf Digest. March 29, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "HSBC Champions added as official PGA Tour event". wkyc.com. 2012-11-04. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  3. 1 2 Hennessey, Stephen; Detre, Paul (2024-12-06). "The best golf courses in China". Golf Digest. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  4. 1 2 Hennessey, Stephen; Duncan, Derek (2022-07-07). "The Best Golf Courses In Every Country". Golf Digest. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  5. 1 2 "Sheshan Golf Club meets platinum 5-star standards". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  6. 1 2 "Sheshan Golf Club Chinas secluded little world of golf". NBC Sports. 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  7. ↑ "In China, golf has come to encapsulate a country grappling with its own identity". The Independent. 2018-10-29. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  8. ↑ None, None (April 15, 2026). "SHESHAN INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB". Nelson & Haworth.
  9. ↑ Barton, John (2010-07-06). "Golf in the Year of the Rat". Golf Digest. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  10. 1 2 "HSBC tournament in China to become WGC event". NBC Sports. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  11. 1 2 3 "WGC HSBC Champions Past Winners, Stats & History | BettingSites.co". 2019-10-29. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  12. ↑ Kelly, Todd. "The top 20 most difficult holes on the PGA Tour 2018-19". Golfweek. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  13. ↑ Dethier, Dylan (2021-01-06). "Torture Country Club? This is the PGA Tour's hardest possible golf course". GOLF. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  14. ↑ Yue, Ma (2009-08-25). "HSBC Champions hikes purse". archive.shine.cn. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  15. ↑ Gray, Will (2012-11-04). "HSBC Champions to become official PGA Tour event in 2013". Golf Channel. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  16. ↑ "WGC-HSBC Champions cancelled because of coronavirus restrictions". Reuters. 2020-09-01. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  17. ↑ Schlabach, Mark (2022-07-06). "WGC-HSBC Champions canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions in China". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
  18. ↑ "PGA Tour boss reveals end of an era for WGCs and no more Match Play as of 2024 | Golfmagic". www.golfmagic.com. 2023-03-07. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
  19. ↑ "World Golf Awards » China's Best Golf Course 2025". World Golf Awards. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  20. ↑ "World Golf Awards » China's Best Golf Course 2024". World Golf Awards. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  21. ↑ Duncan, Derek; Hennessey, Stephen (2024-07-10). "World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses". Golf Digest. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  22. ↑ Berry, Mark (2024-12-11). "Golf's Golden Age in China: Unveiling the Best Courses of 2024". Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  23. ↑ "World Golf Awards » China's Best Golf Course 2023". World Golf Awards. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  24. ↑ "World Golf Awards » China's Best Golf Course 2022". World Golf Awards. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  25. ↑ "World Golf Awards » China's Best Golf Course 2021". World Golf Awards. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  26. ↑ "World Golf Awards » China's Best Golf Course 2020". World Golf Awards. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  27. ↑ "World Golf Awards » China's Best Golf Course 2019". World Golf Awards. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  28. ↑ "Where to find China's No 1 golf course". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  29. ↑ Whitten, Ron (2019-12-20). "World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses". Golf Digest. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  30. ↑ "World Golf Awards » China's Best Golf Course 2018". World Golf Awards. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  31. ↑ Andrews, Mark (2018-09-26). "5 top-hole golf courses in China for elites". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  32. ↑ "Golf Digest's Complete 200 Greatest International Golf Courses". Golf Digest. Archived from the original on 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  33. ↑ "World Golf Awards » China's Best Golf Course 2017". World Golf Awards. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  34. ↑ Whitten, Ron (2016-01-05). "The World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses". Golf Digest. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  35. ↑ "Top 5 Golf Clubs Around China's Scenic Spots - Imperial Tours". Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  36. ↑ "World Golf Awards » China's Best Golf Course 2016". World Golf Awards. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  37. ↑ "World Golf Awards » China's Best Golf Course 2015". World Golf Awards. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  38. ↑ "World Golf Awards » China's Best Golf Course 2014". World Golf Awards. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  39. ↑ "Best Courses In 203 Countries". Golf Digest. Archived from the original on 2026-03-08. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  40. ↑ "Awards – Nelson Haworth". Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  41. ↑ "Awards – Nelson Haworth". Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  42. ↑ "Top 10 Courses in China". Golf Digest. 2008-06-11. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  43. ↑ "Awards – Nelson Haworth". Retrieved 2026-04-22.
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31°06′32″N 121°12′58″E / 31.109°N 121.216°E / 31.109; 121.216

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