The cream of Oman’s national amateurs will be battling it out in the NBO Golf Classic Amateur Final at Almouj Golf, Muscat, Oman, during the first two days of the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, the climax to the European Challenge Tour season.
Oman’s leading amateur, Azaan Al Rumhy, will be leading the nine-man field over 36-holes of the Almouj course in a stroke play format, teeing off as three groups of three players as the last tee times of the day following the completion of the first and second round of the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final.
The Omani amateurs will play off the forward Championship tee markers on the Greg Norman-designed layout over the same course set-up for the leading 45 players on the European Challenge Tour, who are bidding to finish in the top 15 of the Road to Oman Rankings at the conclusion of the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final and earn European Tour cards for next season.
The top three players in the NBO Golf Classic Amateur Final will be awarded a prize in the event based on their gross score at the completion of their second 18-hole round.
Six of the field of nine Omani amateurs have already confirmed to play: Amjad Al Toky, Azaan Al Rumhy, Ali Hameed Al Salah, Hamed Al Rumhy, Fahad Al-Kitani and Rashad Al Harthy. Azaan Al Rumy, aged 31, and his brother Hamad, aged 29, with Ali Hameed and 15 year old Rashad Al Harthy recently represented Oman in the Nomura Cup at Yas Links, Abu Dhabi where they finished in 23rdplace.
It was the first time that an Oman team has entered the Nomura Cup, one of the biggest and most prestigious amateur team events in world golf. They competed against 26 countries from across the Asia-Pacific region with teams coming from as far afield as China, Japan, Australia and Mongolia in the 27thNomura Cup.
Azaan Al Rumhy, who has represented Oman on numerous occasions, believes competing in the Nomura Cup was the ideal way to prepare for the NBO Amateur Final at Almouj Golf, Muscat.
He says: “We are all excited and looking forward to taking part in the NBO Amateur Final on the first two days of the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final. It’s a new event and I think it’s the first event ever that’s going to be only for Omanis. It’s great to be playing on the same course as the pros that finished in the top 45 of the Road to Oman Rankings. I’m looking forward to that.
“The Nomura Cup was a great experience competing against teams from so many different countries. It was the first time we’d competed in the tournament and its one I’ve always wanted to play.
“I was the first time that we have had Rashad in the Senior Team and Rashad is a good example of how much junior golf has progressed in Oman. His game has improved a great deal recently and for a 15 year old to play in such a high-quality prestigious event as the Nomura Cup is a considerable achievement, although Rashad has had the experience of playing in the winning Oman junior team in the GCC Under-15 event both this year and last year. ”
“Having my brother, Hamad, in the side is always good as we support each other and push one another to perform even better. It will also be good to compete against Hamad in the NBO Amateur Final. I’m sure it will bring out the best in both of us.”
Oman National Team Coach, Marcus Casey, believes that the NBO Amateur Final, played at his home club at Almouj Golf, will be a great boost for amateur golf in the Sultanate.
He said: “Junior golf is developing and progressing well in Oman. All of the clubs are offering junior programmes and we expect the school programmes to start in the next few weeks.
“Playing in the Nomura Cup, ahead of the NBO Amateur Final, will be a great experience for the Oman Team. It’s a big step up for Rashad. It’s not really about how he does at this event, it’s all about the experience he will gain, so he can compete at the highest level in the future.
“Azaan, Hamad, Ali and Rashad have all played the Almouj course many times so competing at another links course like Yas Links is something I expect they will handle quite well.
“They just need to stay patient, take one shot at a time and remember that you don’t win a four-day tournament on the first day. Everyone makes mistakes and it’s all about making fewer mistakes than the other teams.”
Everything adds up to an exciting NBO Amateur Final at Almouj Golf, The Wave, Muscat, Oman next week.
Fans can find out everything they need to know about the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final by visiting the newly launched tournament website:www.nbogolf.com
