Azaan to take part in Asia Pacific event

MUSCAT: Oman's top golfer Azan al Rumhy will compete in the 12th Asia Pacific Amateur Championship to be played in the Unite Arab Emirates in November.

As one of the 46 member organisations Oman will be sending two amateur golfers to compete in the Championship. The selection process begins with World Amateur Golf Ranking status, as the top and currently only ranked Omani player Azaan al Rumhy will be making his seventh appearance in the Championship having previously played in 2019 (China), 2018 (Singapore), 2017 (New Zealand), 2016 (Korea), 2015 (Hong Kong), and 2014 (Australia).

To decide who the second player to represent Oman will be there will be a four round qualifying series with two rounds played at Al Mouj Golf and two rounds at Ghala Golf Club, to best prepare the winner for what they will experience in the UAE in November the conditions will be set to replicate those found in the Championship itself.

Mundhir al Barwani, Chairman of the Oman Golf Association (OGA), said: “We are honoured to be able to send two players to represent Oman in the Asia Pacific Amateur Championships, we know that the standard of this event is extremely high. The experience that events such as this gives our players is key in our continual improvement. We appreciate the support that Al Mouj Golf and Ghala Golf Club have given us to hold our qualifying series and we wish Azaan and whichever other player earns their place all the best in the Championship in November.”

Jamie Wood, OGA Technical Director, said: “Events such as this are vital not only to further the development of our elite golfers but also to inspire the younger golfers to work harder and perhaps for those who haven’t played golf before to try it out for the first time. The opportunities that exist to represent your country as part of the national team are fantastic and with a little hard work and dedication are very achievable. Through the generous support of the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Youth and our partners including Sohar Aluminium we will continue to introduce golf to as many citizens and residents of Oman as we can, and who knows, the next session we run could have a future superstar in it.”

ELITE GOLF TO RETURN

Elite golf will be making a welcome return to the region during the championship. Having been cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid19 pandemic the 2021 Championship was due to be played in Singapore, however the decision was made recently to move it to the UAE with Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club as the venue.

Jointly organised by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament, and the R&A the annual event was created in 2009 to further develop amateur golf in the Asia Pacific region. The 120-player field comprises of the top male amateurs in the Asia Pacific region representing the 46 Asia Pacific Golf Confederation member organisations. The winner of the Championship receives an invitation to compete in the Masters Tournament and The Open.

Taimur Hassan Amin, Chairman of the APGC, Fred Ridley, Chairman of the Masters Tournament, and Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said in a joint statement: “This year’s historic win at the Masters Tournament by Hideki Matsuyama, a two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur champion, underscored the importance of this event as a platform for the game’s development and rising talent in the region. We are grateful for the support of the Emirates Golf Federation and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, and we are committed to working closely with all involved to stage this year’s championship with responsible protocols in place so we can provide this life-changing opportunity safely to these deserving players.”