The National Bank of Oman Golf Classic has appointed David White, formerly of Muscat Hills Golf Club, as the tournament’s Event Coordinator and he has high hopes ahead of the second edition of the showpiece event which is again to be held at Almouj Golf, The Wave, Muscat, from October 30 - November 2.
“My primary goal is to encourage the community in Muscat to attend the event, especially children and families, to help develop the game in Oman, along with creating a strong brand awareness for National Bank of Oman locally and internationally,” said the 29-year-old Englishman, who spent three and a half years at Muscat Hills Golf Club, first as Operations Manager and then as Sales and Marketing Manager.
“There has been a lot of growth in the game of golf over the past three years that I have witnessed here in Oman. There is no doubt that Oman is becoming a tourist destination for golf. However, there needs to be more hotels built, along with a tourist infrastructure to assist the game in Oman.
“There is certainly much more interest in golf than when I first arrived in the Sultanate and there is always an abundance of enquiries. Converting the younger generation to play is the hardest challenge, primarily due to time commitments and cost. The National Bank of Oman Golf Classic will certainly continue to create more interest from the younger generation.
“I believe you need to take golf out of the clubs and into the Omani Schools, and promote it in the shopping centres and places of interest. People in general need to have things brought to them and by taking the game to the local population is a good way to grow the game.”
White was impressed with last year’s tournament – both in terms of the standard of play from the Challenge Tour players who were attempting to play their way on to golf’s top tier – The European Tour - and the way in which the event was staged.
“The Challenge Tour players are fantastic golfers and many of them have already played on The European Tour. Last year’s National Bank of Oman Golf Classic winner Roope Kakko shot an impressive 14-under-par around the Almouj course which is exceptionally low on such a challenging links course, so the standard is extremely high.
“I am looking forward to seeing who will win the event as the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic is the last event before the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final so there will be lots to play for and the standard of golf will be as high as ever.
“Last year’s event was a great opportunity to get up close to the Challenge Tour players. The hospitality tent was probably one of the best I have seen in terms of the sea front location overlooking the 18th Green of Almouj Golf Club.”
