The Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) will make its debut at the 2008 Pine Valley Beijing Open in Beijing and Isao Aoki - the first male Japanese golfer to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame - will play at the event.

The 65-year-old Aoki is one of Japan's best-known golfers and his inclusion at the upcoming Pine Valley Beijing Open, from May 8-11, adds spice to the event.

After the success of last year's tournament, the total prize money for this year's edition of the Pine Valley Beijing Open has doubled to $1 million. Also, and more importantly, the China Golf Association (CGA), Asian Tour and JGTO are now sanctioning the tournament.

The 2008 Pine Valley Beijing Open signifies the first time the JGTO has sanctioned an overseas event since its inception 38 years ago, and represents a milestone in the history of golf in both Japan and China.

Aoki said: "It is the first time a JGTO event will be held overseas, hence it has special significance and I am quite excited to be a part of it. The fact that Beijing was chosen as the tour's first stop outside Japan shows the JGTO believes strongly in the growth of golf in China.

"China is developing at a very rapid rate and the Chinese golf industry is no different. The potential for the growth of golf in China is unlimited and I believe golf has a very a promising future in China," Aoki said.

Among Japanese golfers, Aoki tops the JGTO with the highest number of overseas achievements. Apart from his 51 JGTO victories, he has won tournaments on numerous other tours, including the PGA Tour, European Tour, Australian PGA, Champions Tour and Japan Senior Tour.

In 1983, he became the first Japanese player to win a PGA event, capturing the Fields Open in Hawaii (Sony Open). In the same year, he also triumphed on the European Tour at the European Open. Aoki also won the World Match Play Championship at the Wentworth Club in London.

Aoki has had five top 10 finishes in three of the grand slams, but not the US Masters. His most compelling performance was at the US Open in 1980 when he led throughout the tournament until the last day when Jack Nicklaus, the "Golden Bear," made a charge and won by two strokes.

His performances at international competitions gained Aoki worldwide recognition and led to his 2004 induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, the second Japanese golfer after female player Hisako Higuchi.

Aoki has acknowledged the potential of China's rising golf stars: "I am familiar with the Chinese players who have performed well on the international stage recently. Of course I know Zhang Lianwei and Liang Wenchong, they are both international superstars."

(China Daily April 23, 2008)