A friendly senior 36-hole competition today witnessed 20 former Taiwan LPGA and Japan LPGA Tour star players, with a combined 89 professional victories, return to their full-fledge battling mode as the first-round action of the first annual Xiu Ju Cup was underway Tuesday at the Suncity Golf Club in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

The TLPGA-organized tournament was put into plan and supported by SAMPO Corporation chairman Chen Sheng-Tien, wishing to commemorate the spirit of his passed mother Chen Chang Xiu Ju on the eve of her 100th birthday who shared a contagious positivity and a fearlessness of age that inspired many of her peers to envision their dreams. For 25 years, the Chen Chang Xiu Ju Foundation has been working at all levels to bring in a cultural shift in the local society.

The tee-off ceremony earlier on Tuesday was joined by Chen, SAMPO vice president Chen Sheng Chuan, TLPGA chairwoman Cheng Mei-Chi (鄭美琦), and legend golfer Huang Yueh-Chyn (黃玥珡).

Today’s weather conditions weren’t the most ideal with occasional rains intervening, but the veterans displayed a seasoned coolness, showing the robust skill sets that brought them to top of the sport in their early career.

“I feel really proud to play alongside these amazing women and friends,” said Cheng, who was the first Taiwanese player to win an LPGA Tour title on American soil.

“Those special memories from the 80s just rolled back in waves, when we fought together on the Japanese tour. We played wonderfully and I think it’s the time when they developed a strong respect to Taiwanese players. I’m honored to be in that part of history. And I hope there was a sort of legacy left back,” Cheng said.

Huang Hui-Fan (黃慧芳) used a late surge with three birdies in her inward nine to steal the first-round lead with a 74. She led Tseng Hsiu-Feng (曾秀鳳) by one shot.

Tseng, who made one birdie and four bogeys throughout the first 18, sits solo at second. Japanese Mika Nagaishi, Mayumi Chinzei, and Taifong-club-based Ho Po-Hsia (何柏霞) were tied for third after first-round 76s.

“There is finally a senior pro tournament in Taiwan! I picked up my first pro victory on the TLPGA Tour when my daughter was very small. I remember I ran to her and lifted her up to celebrate. Now, she’s 21 already. I don’t think I have the strength to hold her up anymore. I’m just happy she’s here cheering for me again,” Huang said, all smiles on her face.

Huang Bie-Shyun (黃璧洵), Fukuya Cup winner on the JLPGA Legends Tour this past week, rolled her ankle on the fourth holes which greatly influenced her mobility. She finished the day with a 77, sitting solo sixth.

The final 18-hole play starts tomorrow at 8:00 in the morning.

The Xiu Ju Cup is the first-ever professional senior tournament on the TLPGA Tour.