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."
