Etihad Airways, lead sponsors of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships, has announced that one of Europe’s top players, Henrik Stenson, has accepted the challenge to take part in the airline’s second “Swing on the Wing” competition.
Taking place on Wednesday 17 January, Stenson will join five amateur golfers from around the globe and long driver world-record holder Paul Slater on the wing of an Etihad aircraft on the runway at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The seven players will all endeavour to beat the Asian long-drive record of 696 yards, set by Britain’s Ian Poulter at last year’s inaugural Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.
Geert W. Boven, EVP Sales and Services, Etihad Airways, said: “To have five amateur golfers with Paul Slater, and now Henrik Stenson, all competing for the long-driver record from the wing of an Etihad aircraft will be an incredible spectacle. The 2006 “Swing on the Wing” has become one of golf’s most iconic images and this year’s event is set to make it even more impressive.”
Henrik Stenson, who holed the winning putt for Europe at last year’s Ryder Cup, is one of the many high-profile players competing at this week’s second edition of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships.
Mr. Stenson said: “I would like to thank Etihad Airways for inviting me to take part in the “Swing on the Wing challenge”. I am extremely excited abut the opportunity, but more than anything I want to make sure I can better Ian Poulter’s performance from last year.”
Etihad built on the phenomenal success of the 2006 “Swing on the Wing” by extending the promotion to include amateur golfers from 36 prestigious clubs from around the world.
More than 8,000 players took part in long drive competitions in order to qualify for the final in Abu Dhabi, with the winners coming from Dubai, England, Germany, India and the USA.
The winners are James Efde from London, Ralph Bellet from Frankfurt, Sidharth Sriram from New Delhi, John Jordan from New York and Rob Atkinson from Dubai.
As the official airline for the 2007 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, Etihad is involved in a series of promotional activities surrounding the tournament as well as flying the players, officials and their equipment to the UAE.
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and based in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi.
Currently Etihad offers flights to 47 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.
For further information contact Etihad Airways Corporate Communications.
Tel: +971 2 505 8336 or visit the airline’s websites, www.etihadairways.com
