Gary Player - The Legend

Gary Player Swings in for Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

Jan 14, 2008 | Filed Under: General News

Player’s UAE capital tour to include Saadiyat Island site visit-

Crowds in the galleries at the annual Abu Dhabi Golf Championship - the European PGA Tour sanctioned event which runs from January 17th-20th - could well be rubbing shoulders with the International Ambassador of Golf, Gary Player, after the Black Knight confirmed he’ll be in the UAE capital to see some of the tournament action.

“The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship is now a well-established destination on the Tour, which attracts a world-class field every year,” said Player, who’ll also visit Saadiyat Island - the 27 square kilometre natural island offshore Abu Dhabi city where he is designing the Arabian Gulf’s first “ocean” course.

“If Chris DiMarco and Paul Casey’s respective hard-fought victories in previous years are anything to go by, the eventual winner of the Championship’s third instalment will fully deserve their name on the prestigious “Falcon” trophy.

“With all to play for on the final day, I’m sure the last 18 holes will see an exciting round of action at the National Course.”

Joining defending champion, England’s Paul Casey, in the hunt for a share of the US $2 million prize purse, are: 2007 Open winner, Ireland’s Padraig Harrington; Australia’s Adam Scott, the current world number six; record eight-time winner of the European Order of Merit, Colin Montogomerie; UAE resident Henrik Stenson; and flamboyant Englishman Ian Poulter, with more players still to be confirmed in the 120 strong field.

“Gary Player will be in Abu Dhabi to further progress the design and construction of his Saadiyat Island course, one of two championship courses planned for the destination,” said Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, which owns the championship, and Managing Director of Tourism Development & Investment Company, who is behind the transformation of Saadiyat Island.

“His presence at the championship will be a big boost for spectators who will have the chance to see the golfing legend up close.”

Gary Player’s Saadiyat course will be the first in the Arabian Gulf with several beach-front holes. It is also the first in the UAE to be designed by the South African who is acknowledged as the most successful international golfer of all time.

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