As the week of the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic begins, the final finishing touches to the venue, Almouj Golf The Wave, Muscat, are close to completion.
The myriad of arrangements required to stage a world-class international golf tournament that began in March have taken shape and the event is now ready to welcome the players, officials and spectators from all over the Middle East and around the globe to the first professional golf tournament to be held in Oman.
The setting at Almouj Golf The Wave could not be more spectacular. The National Bank of Oman and the European Challenge Tour have combined with the Premium Sponsors, Oman Air, Oman Oil company, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort, ICON PROLAB and Wicked Tents, along with a wealth of local support to create the atmosphere that any international golf tournament anywhere in the world would be proud of.
“Having visited major golf tournaments around the world over a lifetime in golf I am hugely impressed with the presentation of Almouj Golf The Wave,” says Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International Dubai Office. “The attention to detail and the overall organisation of the tournament has been a credit to National Bank of Oman in showcasing the Sultanate and demonstrating that Oman has the infrastructure and enthusiasm to create a sporting event of this magnitude.
“No stone has been left unturned and I’m sure that all the players will be more than happy with every aspect of the event and will be eager to return to play the tournament next year and in the years to come. Everyone has been catered for, and the spectators will be captivated by the welcome they will receive at Almouj Golf The Wave. I’d be surprised if it doesn’t lead to a lot more Omanis taking up the game.”
Mundhir Al Barwani, Chairman of the Oman Golf Committee, commented: “It is very satisfying to see Almouj Golf The Wave looking so resplendent, ready to welcome everyone to the first European Challenge Tour event to be played in the GCC. The National Bank of Oman Golf Classic is a major milestone in our golfing history. The promotion and publicity of the tournament will show what a wonderful return on investment sponsors can enjoy. It will also broaden golf awareness within Oman as well as internationally.”
There are a wide variety of things to do at the tournament from golf lessons in the public village to a wonderfully entertaining trick-shot show by David Edwards, one of the best golf trick-shot entertainers in the game.
One of the necessities for world-class golf tournaments is the volunteers, who cover a multitude of official duties from scorers to on-course marshals to leaderboard operators. Ed Daly, from Almouj Golf, who officiated as Chief Scorer at the Volvo Golf Champions tournament at the Royal Golf Club, Bahrain in 2011, is full of praise for the volunteers who have come forward to support the event.
“This has been a real honour for me to be asked to fulfil the role of Chief Scorer for the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic,” he says. “The response from the volunteers has been fantastic. There were so many people who wanted to be involved, it was very gratifying. There was a great turnout for the briefing sessions and the enthusiasm shown for the event will, I’m sure, guarantee that the tournament will be a great success.
“We have received support from the Almouj Golf members and from members of the Oman Golf Committee. In fact, we have had a positive response from the entire Muscat golfing community,” added Ed Daly, who, with Almouj Golf General Manager Simon Duffield, conducted separate briefings at ABA School.
The leaderboards will be managed entirely by the pupils of the ABA School, Muscat, and in addition 67 students will manage the seven leaderboards positioned around the golf course.
There will also be 50 employees of National Bank of Oman who will perform the role of Ambassadors during the week to help the spectators enjoy the tournament even more.
There is no doubt that the National Bank of Oman will be one of the most well organised and popular golf events in the Middle East, which had been made possible by the vision and enthusiasm of the National Bank of Oman and has been embraced by the Omanis themselves.
