Fashion, fun and tournament red will fringe the fairways this week at the 10th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
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This year’s milestone event, which runs from Thursday to Sunday, promises a jam-packed weekend of prizes, fashion, hospitality, surprises and unexpected moments with stars both on and off of the course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National course.
The Championship’s much-loved ‘Ladies Day’ which returns on Friday, features a bumper 10-prize ‘Best Dressed’ haul as Hello! Middle East fashion scouts will roam the course and Championship Village hunting for 2015’s ‘Best Dressed Lady’.
Prizes will be awarded for a variety of categories, with the ultimate winner bagging an all-inclusive trip-of-a-lifetime for two to San Francisco, courtesy of Championship partners Etihad Airways and The St. Regis Saadiyat Island.
On Friday, ladies will get free admission to watch some of the world’s biggest golf names – including Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Henrik Stenson and Martin Kaymer – battle it out for the much-coveted Falcon Trophy and a share of the $2.7 million (Dh9.91m) prize purse.
And two of the European Tour’s brightest up-and-coming female talents will host a special Ladies Day clinic on the Friday morning at Yas Links Golf Club .
Twenty-seven year-old Mel Reid, who last month finished T5 in the Omega Dubai Women’s Masters, and Carly Booth, who at 22 recently became the youngest Scot to qualify for the Tour, will be on hand with top tips and advice.
Places for the Ladies Day golf clinic are limited to 40 people and are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis to female members of ‘Golf in Abu Dhabi’ clubs.
Members should contact their club managers for further details.
But the fun won’t be restricted to the ladies. A family favourite will be the ‘Splash of Red Day’, where anyone dressed in Championship red – from suits and shirts, to socks and skirts – will get free admission to Saturday’s play.
Taking part in a stream of player autograph and Q & A sessions will be HSBC ambassadors and sporting legends Tim Henman, Brian O’Driscoll and Gavin Hastings who’ll be on hand all weekend to meet fans in the Championship Village and HSBC World of Sport.
“There’s literally tons on offer for all ages and nationalities,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, director, Events Bureau, Abu Dhabi Tourism &
Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).
“Our aim is to ensure everyone has a great championship – players and spectators – to show off our wonderful facilities and hopefully encourage people to come back again, pick up golf clubs and get to grips with the game in one of the best winter climates around.”
Tickets and tailored packages are available with a daily pass costing Dh50 and Dh150 for the four days.
Guests staying at any Abu Dhabi hotel over the Championship period are allowed to enter free and all those who book packages will enjoy a complimentary clinic with a world top-30 player.
What: Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
Where: Abu Dhabi Golf Club
When: Thursday, January 15 to Sunday, January 18
Contact: For tickets and more information visit www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com
