Ever since the Volvo Golf Champions was first announced in July last year, right across Bahrain, individuals, organization and businesses have been lining-up for a piece of the action as the final countdown starts toward the first-ever European Tour event to be staged in the Kingdom, whilst a raft of world-class stars have signed on the line for the event, which takes place at the Royal Golf Club, Bahrain from Jan. 27th - 30th.

Volvo has announced the entry of two additional 'Major' champions, Spanish star José Maria Olazábal, two times US Masters champion and American Todd Hamilton, winner of the 2004 Open Championship. Already confirmed players includes international stars such as Colin Montgomerie, Ian Poulter, Francesco and Edoardo Molinari, Peter Hanson, Thomas Björn, Robert Karlsson, Matteo Manassero and Michael Campbell.

Commenting on his decision to play the Volvo Golf Champions, Olazábal, who won the US Masters in 1994 and 1999 said, "These are incredibly exciting times for European golf and for the European Tour, along with its long-term partner Volvo and IMG to put together a brand new event in the Middle East at a time when the sponsorship market is very tough indeed is clear evidence that our golf circuit is in great shape, on and off the golf course." US star Hamilton, who won the British Open in 2004 becomes the third 'Major' champion to sign-up for the Bahrain showpiece.

"I played a dozen times on the European Tour last season and really, really enjoyed it, getting in the money on seven occasions," said the 45-year-old American, who has 11 victories to his name on the notoriously difficult Japanese Tour, adding, "I have huge respect for European golf in general and Colin Montgomerie in particular and it will be a privilege - and I'm sure a challenge — to play the Volvo Golf Champions over the course he has designed in Bahrain." Per Ericsson, President, Volvo Event Management — Golf, commended the Kingdom of Bahrain for its wholehearted support, saying, "Ever since I first set foot in Bahrain over a year ago, I was struck by the 'can-do' attitude and the support of Bahrain Economic Development Board and our various other partners has been instrumental in us getting to the stage we are at today with a world class field committed to a first class venue here in a truly outstanding destination." Professional golf may be relatively new to Bahrain, but then so too was Formula 1 back in 2004 and the community has fully supported stars such as Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher," adds the man in charge of Volvo's award-winning golf portfolio, asking the local population to, "Get involved with the Volvo Golf Champions, support great global stars such as Ian Poulter and Colin Montgomerie and you will not be disappointed, I can assure you."

Meanwhile, the Volvo Golf Champions is expected to generate a surge in interest and participation in the game of golf, according to Daij Khalifa Aleid, representative of the Bahrain Golf Association.

Per Ericsson also announced that Volvo has given the opportunity to a local Bahraini golfer to represent the Kingdom of Bahrain when he lines-up alongside the established stars of the European Tour; the winner of this week's Bahrain Golf Association National Team Qualifier earns a coveted place in the field for the Volvo Golf Champions.

"The Bahrain Golf Association is thrilled that opportunities have been created for our players and competing against great golfers such as Colin Montgomerie and Ian Poulter will provide them with precious experience and help to inspire youngsters to take up the game," said Daij Khalifa Aleid, representative of the Bahrain Golf Association The Royal Golf Club is also gearing-up for its first European Tour showpiece, General Manager Susan Stevenson saying, "On the Montgomerie Course, we have successfully completed the re-seeding exercise and have had golf course 'shaper' Trevor Dormer working with our own Director of Agronomy Mark Hooker and his team, putting the finishing touches to a course that will be in perfect condition for our big European Tour debut."