Tickets for the 5th annual Abu Dhabi Golf Championship go on sale this week with some of the world’s finest, up-and-coming and most influential golfers confirmed and organisers promising an enhanced off-course offering.
Taking to the greens and fairways of Abu Dhabi Golf Club from 21-24th January 2010 will be two-time Abu Dhabi champion and world number four, Paul Casey, enigmatic Spaniard and world number 10, Sergio Garcia, and Australia’s towering Geoff Ogilvy, the world number 11, who will contest the Championship for the first time. And Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which is behind the event, says the 2010 line-up will boast significantly more major names.
“We will be announcing a wealth of top-draw names over the coming months, some of which will be seen for the first time in the UAE,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Head – Major Events Division, ADTA, which manages the tourism industry in the emirate.
Many of the world’s elite players are eyeing the event – the first stop on the 2010 European Tour – as a platform to book their place in next year’s Ryder Cup teams. In addition, the US$2.2 million Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, taking place on the Par-72 National Course, is widely regarded as a springboard for up-and-coming hopefuls looking to make a name for themselves, the most famous of which was Germany’s Martin Kaymer, who recorded his maiden European Tour win at the UAE showcase in 2008.
As part of the event’s long-term growth strategy, ADTA has made a number of enhancements to the four-day overall spectator engagement programme.
ADTA has upgraded the Spectator Village to incorporate a host of new interactive elements. These will give golf enthusiasts and those new to the game a broader platform to connect with the Championship. It is also boosting the entertainment line-up for 2010, to ensure the action continues well after the last shot is played.
The tournament’s online presence has also been bolstered by introducing VPAR scoring software for its Al Massod Pro-Am. VPAR, which is at the cutting-edge of technology, will ensure real-time scoring on the web so fans can follow the action as it happens.
Tickets for the Championship are AED 125 for a daily pass and AED 400 for a four-day pass. Preferential rates of AED 100 and AED 300 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.
