Swinging Skirts showcases Taiwan golfing talents

2016/04/06

Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic tees off April 18 in Daly City, California, giving rising Taiwan talents the opportunity to strut their stuff on the international golfing stage.

Co-organized by Taipei City-headquartered Swinging Skirts Foundation, the classic enters its third year with a field of more than 150 top women golfers battling it out for US$2 million in prize money.

The foundation was established in 2010 by a small group of male and female golfers eager to grow the game in Taiwan and capitalize on local phenom Yani Tseng climb up the rankings. They decided to honor the Scottish roots of the sport by donning kilts and accordingly settled on the catchy name Swinging Skirts.

SSF Chairman Johnson Wang said the initiative stems from his dedication to promoting the sport in Taiwan and helping young players put their skills to the test. “We will sponsor six local juniors to compete this year, as we believe female golf is one of the sports where Taiwan stands a chance to become a frontrunner in the global arena.”

According to Wang, the 2014 edition was the first LPGA competition hosted by a foreign group on U.S. soil and described by LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan as “a perfect example of borderless golf.”

The inaugural event was such a success that the 2015 edition saw a 66 percent increase in attendance. It was also featured in a National Geographic Channel special aired in more than 40 countries and territories.

Wang’s efforts in boosting Taiwan’s global image through sports diplomacy were recognized in March with a Friend of Foreign Service Medal by the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=243566&ctNode=2194&mp=9)