China's Dr. David Chu certainly is a man on a mission most days as the Hong Kong born entrepreneur makes his debut at #16 amongst Golf Inc. Magazine's annual list of the "Most Powerful People in Golf". As a newly anointed member of golf's power brokers, Chu also becomes the first Chinese national to appear on the list ahead of the likes of notables Arnold Palmer (#20) and Nike's golf CEO Bob Wood (#32).

Chu's ranking occurs in the first year that the rankings expanded to include leadership positions outside of the United States. Inspired by his life long passion for the game, David is responsible for the vision and development of Mission Hills, the world's largest and most opulent golf resort in the world. Opened in 1994 to rave reviews, The Guinness Book of World Records officially recognized Mission Hills as the largest golf club in the world in 2004. The expansive property is now home to 216 world class birdie opportunities.

Mission Hills' staying power on that stage is evidenced by the fact that the 28-nation Omega Mission Hills World Cup will be contested at the club from 2007 through 2018.

"The World Cup demonstrates international goodwill through golf, and the fans both in China and at Mission Hills are looking forward to welcoming players from around the world to begin a new era of golf development in China," adds Chu.

In addition, the prominent businessman, who for his accomplishments holds an honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Toronto, continues to stencil his legacy in sports through active endeavors ranging from serving as the Vice-Chairman of the China Football Association, China Tennis Association and China Volleyball Association, being the Strategic Advisor to the 2008 Beijing Olympics Bid Committee, bringing more than 50 international golf tournaments to the country and engineering some guy named Tiger's first visit in 2001.

As for Mission Hills, there seems to be no rest in its laurels. Recently, the resort announced the opening of its 11th and 12th courses from legendary designer Pete Dye and Chinese golf hero Zhang Lian Wei.

Dye's first ever design in China, offers a marked departure from the property's other 11 designs. Dye trademarks are all present and accounted for throughout the 6,800-yard layout, including small pot bunkers, long tee-to-green waste areas, railroad ties used as sleepers and walkway steps framed by tall native grasses to provide a sharp, visual contrast. Dye and collaborating architect Brian Curley of Schmidt-Curley Design routed the course through dramatic, rolling hills, where the course will be serviced by a new clubhouse scheduled to soon open.

An innovative executive course – the first par-3 course in China -- designed by Schmidt-Curley in conjunction with one of China's true golfing legends, the Zhang Lian Wei Course features design elements and greens borrowed from many of the world's most famous golf venues. Architecture aficionados will discover a history lesson of quirky designs such as the Postage Stamp green from Royal Troon, the Road Hole green at St. Andrews and Donald Ross-style "turtle back" green complexes.

Also in the news are the announcements of two new golf academy additions. The hiring of Andy Leadbetter, the eldest son of swing guru David Leadbetter, as Director of Instructor Training at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy brings youthful experience, expertise and the name-beneath- the-name to the instructional facility full time. The resort will also now be the home of renowned teacher Cindy Reid who makes her move from the TPC at Sawgrass in Pointe Vedra Florida.

"I am excited to be named the Director of Instructor Training for the DLGA at Mission Hills and eagerly embrace my obligation to ensure that our golf professionals are utilizing the finest instruction techniques available," says Leadbetter. "This, in turn, will make the game more enjoyable for the club's many members and guests."

Reid, whose resume includes having worked with several PGA Tour players over her twenty-five year career, including Jim Furyk, Fred Funk, Davis Love III, Frank Lickliter, Rocco Mediate, and Vijay Singh to name a few, is widely considered to be one of the game's premier teachers and is known for her ability to communicate and inspire her students. Reid is a Golf For Women magazine Top 50 instructor, is a regular contributor to The Golf Channel's "Academy Live," and is a contributing instructor writer to Golf For Women and PGA TOUR Partners Magazine.

There seems to be no stop in the Mission Hills development future as Dr. Chu and his team continue to make the world's largest golf experience, through strategic additions, partnerships, and alliances, not only bigger but better. As a relatively obscure golf name, to debut at #16 is quite an accomplishment when you consider the very well known company. It will be interesting to see just where, now that you know him, the good doctor sits with respect golf's power brokers a year from now.

And from a player's perspective, China is often referred to as the Far East and for the most part remains equally distant from most golfer's travel plans, but perhaps it is time the world took notice – just like Guinness did and, since researching a little for this story, I know I have.

For more about Mission Hills CLICK HERE

Stretching across the lush, rolling hills of Shenzhen and Dongguan in southern China, Mission Hills is China's highest rated golf club, and the largest golf club in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The property is home to 12 resort and championship courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Pete Dye and Brian Curley and Lee Schmidt (Schmidt-Curley Design) in conjunction with the many of the world's greatest golfers including: Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Jose Maria Olazabal, Nick Faldo, David Duval, and Annika Sorenstam. Mission Hills is a full-service, luxury resort, featuring four spas, a 315-room, five-star hotel, 51 tennis courts and numerous fine dining establishments serving cuisine from around the world. It has hosted more than 50 international tournaments, including the 1995 World Cup of Golf and the Tiger Woods China Challenge in 2001. The Olazabal Course will host the Omega Mission Hills World Cup beginning in 2007 and extending through 2018.

Steve Woods is a contributing writer to golf-south.net and is also the co-publisher of GolfScene.