HAIKOU, China, Oct. 23 -- Oscar winner Michael Douglas and Basketball Hall of Famer Allen Iverson were in action alongside legends from the world of golf during day one of the Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am golf tournament in China.
Having taken lessons to prepare for his first full round of golf, former NBA star Iverson, who was playing with golf professional and fellow American John Daly, said: "Huge respect for the guys who play this game, you know what I mean. It's such a hard game and I never knew how hard it was until today. It just gave me a whole new level of respect for the guys who play it."
During his round with golfing great Gary Player, 72-year-old Douglas commented: "I wouldn't say we are consistent, it's more peaks [and] valleys. Mr Player [80 years old] is our inspiration. Between Mr Player and me we have over 150 years of experience - but between the jetlag and the heat, I'm feeling it a little bit today."
The fourth edition of the World Celebrity Pro-Am, which concludes on October 23, is taking place at the Mission Hills Haikou resort on the tropical island of Hainan in southern China. Another American movie star, Jeremy Renner is also taking part, plus an array of golfing champions including Mark O' Meara, Rich Beem, Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis.
The biennial Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am was established in 2010 as Asia's first and only pro-celebrity golf tournament. Proceeds are being donated to The Nature Conservancy and the Hainan United Youth Association.
