MUSCAT, JAN 9 - The inaugural European Tour event in Muscat will make an instant impact with Oman as a golfing destination, according to Nick Tarratt, Director of the European Tour Middle East. The NBO Oman Open will make it debut on Tour with 138 players across the world at the Greg Norman-designed Al Mouj Golf in Muscat from February 15-18. “The tournament will be a $1.75 million prize money event and economically Oman is expected to make good return from the top-notch Tour competition,” Tarratt said during a press conference at the NBO headquarters. Top players including Ryder Cup stars Andy Sullivan and Chris Wood along with former Open champion Paul Lawrie — also a two-time Ryder Cup player — and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnson will tee it up in the event.
“I’m looking forward to playing in the 2018 NBO Oman Open in February,” said three-time European Tour winner Sullivan said.
Dr Mohammed bin Hamad al Rumhy, Minister of Oil & Gas, said in his address, “I’ve always enjoyed playing golf in the region and it’s exciting to play in a new country that I’ve not played before. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in Oman in just a few weeks’ time. The evolution of this tournament has been of great benefit to Oman in putting the Sultanate on the world sporting map and showcasing the country’s enviable assets while at the same time significantly aiding the growth of golf here at grassroots level.”
Oman Golf Committtee (OGC) chairman Mundhir al Barwani said it is a proud moment for the Sultanate.
“After NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, it is heartening to note that we are in the forefront with an important tournament in the golfing calendar. This will give us the impetus to further enhance our position as golfing destination.”
And, it will be a great opportunity for the amateur Oman players, as two slots are available for them in the high-profile tournament.
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY
The local amateurs will compete in the OHI Oman Amateur Open at Ghala Golf Club over January 26-27 with the winner being awarded a place in the NBO Oman Open field. Furthermore, there will be one additional amateur spot allocated.
“I am excited and eager to play in the European Tour event,” Oman’s top golfer Azaan al Rumhy told Oman Daily Observer. “I have played in Asian Tour and if I get a chance to play at Oman Open, it will be my first-ever European Tour event,” Azaan, who hope to qualify for the event either as a OHI Amateur Open champion or as a wild card entrant.
On a query whether he is satisfied with the progress of local talents after the country staging such mega golf event, the OGC chairman said: “I would be complacent if I say yes. But, overall we have progressed well and the roots of the game is now solid in the Sultanate. These top events will definitely help our players to make rapid paces in their career development,” Mundhir al Barwani said adding that these initiatives will give these players invaluable exposure to top level golf.
Nick Tarratt said the Challenge Tour events in Muscat had been given highlights on the television but Oman Open will get live coverages across the world. “It is great for Oman to have five golf courses and golf is here to stay. The event will be go live across the world.”
On a query he said Oman TV will also be provided the live feed, reaching the golfing action to local enthusiasts as well.
This will be the sixth time a NBO-sponsored professional golf tournament has been hosted at Al Mouj Golf, with the venue welcoming the stars of the European Challenge Tour for the past five years. The NBO Golf Classic was the penultimate event on the Challenge Tour schedule in 2013 and 2014 before it was elevated to become the season-ending showpiece, NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, from 2015 to 2017.
Ahmed al Musalmi, CEO of NBO, said: “Over the last five years, we have enjoyed great success with the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final. We are very proud of how this landmark event has now grown to join the very prestigious European Tour, with the inaugural NBO Oman Open 2018. The impact of continuously growing the tournament has helped position Oman as one of the world’s most memorable sports destinations with all the abundant attributes that our great country has to offer.”
“Our vision for the tournament is to position Oman on the international stage, with the objective of creating opportunities to support economic diversification, attracting foreign direct investments and increasing tourism.”
‘Fond memories’
Also teeing it up in Muscat will be Jordan Smith. The Englishman topped the Road to Oman Rankings in 2016 before making a lightening quick start to his European Tour career last year with victory in the Porsche European Open along with a further four top ten finishes as he secured a place in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai at the first time of asking.
“I’m excited to be returning to Oman and playing in the inaugural NBO Oman Open at Al Mouj Golf next month,” said Smith. “I have fond memories of Oman and winning the Road to Oman in 2016 and look forward to playing again in Muscat at Al Mouj Golf. It is a challenging golf course and I’m delighted to include Oman and the NBO Oman Open in my 2018 schedule.”
Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia, winner of the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final and Road to Oman in 2015 will join Smith in the NBO Oman Open field as will 2016 NBO Golf Classic Grand Final winner Bernd Ritthammer along with another former Ryder Cup player and two-time OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic champion Stephen Gallagher. The list of former Al Mouj Golf winners will also include Clement Sordet who will return to the scene of his triumph just over three months after his 2017 NBO Golf Classic Grand Final victory while last year’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters champion Jeunghun Wang and rising star Seungsu Han, both from Korea add further quality to the field.
Anuroop Athiparambath
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