Officials from China Golf Association (CGA) believe Zhang Na's historic win on the Japan tour earlier this month shows the nation is on track to become a golfing power.

"It is encouraging news for the developing sport in China. Breakthroughs in international competitions attract the public to women's golf," Li Yong, deputy secretary general of CGA, told China Daily on Tuesday before the launch of the Orient Masters, Beijing Stage.

The Orient Masters in Beijing is the first competition of the 2007 China Ladies Tour, and now taking place at Orient Beijing Tianxing Golf Club.

"I was also in Japan when Zhang won the tournament. Her performance amazed many foreign players and also my counterparts from Japan. 

"Orient Masters has produced a number of excellent golfers like Zhang. I am confident in the near future Chinese women's golf will become a new power in Asia."

Zhang, 25, a two time winner on last year's China Ladies Tour, led from the first round to become the first Chinese woman to win a title on the Japan tour at the Suntory Ladies Open women's golf tournament on June 10th.

Zhang's success in Japan is set to inspire more women to join in the fun.

"Last year China had about 40 professional women's golfers. This year the number has doubled. Thanks to the increasing number of stages of the Orient Masters and participation of star golfers, we are looking forward to another doubling next year," Li added.

The 2007 China Ladies Tour comprises four Orient Master stages - Beijing, Qingdao, Shanghai and Wenzhou in Zhejiang province - and one grand finale in Xiamen, Fujian province.

Moreover, the Orient China Ladies Open was set up last year, becoming the country's first national Open Championship and the annual finale for the four-stage China Ladies Tour.

There was also more good news for the sport this month with the emergence of teenager Feng Shanshan.

Feng, 16, the first student from China to enroll at the International Junior Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island (IJGA), successfully qualified for the 2007 US Women's Open that runs until July 1st.

Feng also became the first amateur from China to compete at the US Women's Open. Previously, Ye Liying and Yang Hongme have competed in the tournament as professionals.

In addition to Feng, Ye and Yang, 29-year-old Wang Chun is expected to perform strongly in Beijing. Her impressive performances so far in her career have won her the opportunity to compete in the 2007 Korean Ladies Tour.

(China Daily June 29, 2007)