Awali Golf Club is gearing up to welcome competitors to the upcoming 54th Bahrain Open and 29th Bahrain Ladies Open Championships played at the home of the oldest golfing destination in the Middle East.
As reported in GulfWeekly, the club is celebrating its 80th anniversary after paperwork was discovered marking its origins to 1937.
The Ladies Open commenced in 1987 and is once more open to any lady with a golf handicap. Last year’s championship was won by AGC’s own Sarah Hobday, happy to have finally followed in her daughter Suzanna’s footsteps, herself a Bahrain LadiesO pen winner in 2009.
Sarah will be defending her title this year amid a strong field of contenders including former champions as well as last year’s trophy-chasers who will all be doing their best to improve on previous attempts at glory.
The Bahrain Open started from small beginnings in 1964 and was the first Open Championship for individual players in the Gulf region.
Over the years the tournament became so popular and started attracting more entrants than the course could handle. As a result, a qualifying handicap was introduced to restrict the number of entries. Currently the handicap is set at 12, therefore, any player, gent or lady, with a handicap of 12 or under is eligible to play.
The Championship attracts competitors from the kingdom and further a field. Last year, Andrew Marshall from the UK became the Bahrain Open winner for the sixth time, equalling the record held by Abdulla Sultan Saleh and Nasser Yacoub, but he will be missing this year due to other commitments.
Bill Scarth, Awali’s club captain and chairman of the organising committee, said: “I’m delighted and, quite frankly, humbled by the sheer effort of the volunteers helping to run these events.
“There are an awful lot of ‘moving parts’ that need to be set in motion and coordinated. Most of the work is unseen to the players, but I do witness everything the teamis doing and they have my uttermost thanks!
“I know many of the island’s low handicap golfers are eagerly honing their skills and looking forward to the challenge of both the Open and taking on the visiting players and professionals alike.
“If you have a handicap of 12 or less, lady or gentleman, then I urge you to come and take Bahrain’s ultimate golfing challenge. It is like no other competition on the island and the feeling on the first tee is both terrifying and exhilarating.
“Our ladies section is particularly strong this year and, as always, I fully expect them to have more fun than the Open players. Whilst remaining very competitive, the ladies also play with fantastic sports manship and great friendship. Every handicapped lady golfer is welcome to play and will definitely receive a very warm welcome.
“The Ladies Open post event party is always a highlight of the AGC year!
“So if you want to enjoy a fun weekend of golf, experience one of the friendliest clubs on the island and pit your skills against our special course with its superb ‘browns’ and unique challenges, pick up an entry form from Awali Golf Club or download one from www.awaligolfclub.com
“The atmosphere at AGC is always warm and we welcome visitors throughout the year. If you are considering taking up the sport, or would just like to watch some golf please come down during the Championships and sample the hospitality that Awali has to offer.”
The Bahrain Ladies Open Championships will take place on Friday and Saturday, March 3 &4 followed by the Bahrain Open on March 10 & 11.
