June 8 – The China Long Drive Championship has announced a renewed partnership with RG GOLF, the leading indoor golf simulator brand in China, as the official Indoor Simulator Sponsor for the 2024-2026 seasons.
The Championship, hosted by the China Golf Association, launched on July 1, 2020, across over 100 RG GOLF-connected indoor golf simulator studios and academies in more than a dozen cities nationwide. The preliminary stages of the competition were conducted through RG GOLF simulators at these venues. This innovative competition format and setting quickly attracted nearly 400 golf enthusiasts of various age groups from across the country.
The inaugural event was held during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting significant challenges for organizing cross-regional and cross-city competitions. As the organizing committee grappled with how to conduct the preliminaries nationwide, RG GOLF emerged as the perfect solution. After close communication, the two parties swiftly signed a cooperation agreement. RG GOLF not only provided customized competition scene technical support specifically for the China Long Drive Championship but also utilized its network of over 100 carefully selected connected golf venues across various cities as competition sites. This allowed participants to compete in nearby cities and venues, providing convenient conditions for participation and paving the way for the rapid promotion of the China Long Drive Championship across the country.
By the end of 2023, the number of RG GOLF-connected golf venues nationwide had increased from over 400 in 2020 to more than 800. RG GOLF has also become the brand with the largest market share among indoor simulator brands in China. This growth demonstrates the market’s recognition of RG GOLF’s continually improving technical capabilities, user experience, exceptional cost-performance ratio, and user-friendly services.
Esport Long Drive Concept Attracts Young Generation
On May 18, 2021, the first stage final of the 2021 China Long Drive Championship was successfully held at Studio 800 of Shenzhen Media Group. This event marked the first time that the China Long Drive Championship implemented the concept of Esports into Long Drive competitions.
Esport Long Drive Concept @ China Long Drive Championship 2021
The top 8 players from the open, women, and master divisions gathered at the Shenzhen TV station to compete on an Esport-styled stage with vibrant lights and music throughout the competition. The players were excited and enjoyed the atmosphere. The event was live-streamed on major golf channels in China, attracting over 1 million viewers.
Similar to the virtual interactive golf league, TGL, founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, which is set to launch in January 2025, the sport of golf is entering a new era. Traditional golf organizations are exploring ways to attract the younger generation to the sport. The Esport Long Drive concept is undoubtedly one method to promote the game and captivate the interest of young people, encouraging them to take their first swing in golf.
The China Long Drive Championship 2024 is scheduled to kick off in August, with top players earning the opportunity to compete in the Asia Long Drive Championship 2024.