体坛英语新闻：Mission Hills golf event tees off in South China

HAIKOU, South China, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am 2012 golf event, which is to last until Oct. 21 at Misson Hills, Haikou, tees off on Friday.

The one million U.S. dollars tournament was first staged in 2010 and has become one of the region's leading lifestyle and entertainment events.

The event is divided into two parts including Pro-Am match and individual match.

The guest list includes Oscar-nominated actor Andy Garcia, American actress Minka Kelly, retired football star Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, Chinese director Feng Xiaogang, Chinese actor Wang Zhiwen, and Chinese pop singer Sun Nan.

Twenty-two Olympic medal winner Michael Phelps, former NBA player Yao Ming, former world No. 1 tennis player Pat Cash and former world No. 1 snooker player Stephen Hendry will also appear.

Phelps said this is the second time for him to participate in this event.

"I could enjoy the sport with my friends on the course," said Phelps.