Emirati Naif Sailem (pictured), from Al Ain, was inspired to practice his putting at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship’s Tented Village as the world’s top players attracted record crowds to the US$2 million European Tour event at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Naif, who works with the Phoenix Desert Safari tour company, has been on the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) stand promoting the emirate to the thousands of spectators who have descended on the ADTA-owned Championship to see the likes of Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia in action.
“I enjoy golf. It’s a nice game,” said Sailem. “I sometimes play when I have free time.”
Not that there was much of that for him during the Championship, as he and his colleagues were on hand to welcome 10,810 golf fans through the gates in its first two days, an increase of 10.8 per cent on the inaugural tournament in 2006.
ADTA Director General Mubarak Al Muhairi said the figures for the first two days reflect a growing awareness of the quality of the Championship and of what Abu Dhabi is able to offer in terms of visitor attractions.
“With all the major stars having made the cut and performing so well, we’re confident that the last two days will also see record numbers of people coming to enjoy the Championship. The action is building up for an amazing final day,” he said.
Tickets for the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, which ends Sunday, January 21, are available via the official website – www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com – online at www.timeouttickets.com, via the ITP toll free hotline 800 4669 or for international clients +971 4 210 8943 and at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Tickets are priced at AED 125 for a daily pass and AED400 for a four-day pass though preferential rates of AED100 and AED300 respectively apply to UGA members. Children under 18 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Car parking will be free during the Championship.
A complementary shuttle bus is available to take fans from Abu Dhabi city centre and Dubai to Abu Dhabi Golf Club. The buses depart both Abu Dhabi City Terminal and the Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, at 8.30am, 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm. The return from Abu Dhabi Golf Club to both destinations is at 3.00pm, 4.00pm, 5.00pm, 6.00pm and 7.00pm.
The high profile sponsorship line up for the Championship includes Etihad Airways and Aldar as Diamond Sponsors; Emirates Palace hotel, Etisalat and Standard Chartered Bank as a Platinum Sponsors; Nissan, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Omega and Xerox as Gold Sponsors; Gulf News as the Official Newspaper; and Middle East Golfer as the Official Magazine.
