Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship promises fun for all the family on and off the greens

This year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship will feature what is arguably the strongest field ever assembled at a Middle East golf tournament. Organisers Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and the title sponsor HSBC have attracted an eye-catching line-up of Major winners and past and present world number ones for the Gulf’s premier golf competition running from 26th to 29th January at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Leading the chase for the capital’s prestigious Falcon Trophy and a share of the massive $2.7 million prize fund will be three reigning Major winners – Charl Schwartzel (US Masters), Rory McLlroy (US Open) and Darren Clarke (British Open).

They will be joined in this European PGA Tour-sanctioned event by the current world number one Luke Donald, as well as the defending champion Martin Kaymer, who has already won the trophy a record three times. Pushing them all the way will also be the often enigmatic Lee Westwood and, making his Abu Dhabi debut, a resurgent Tiger Woods.

In total, half of the world’s top ten players will square off on the National Course for what is the championship’s seventh showing.

But it’s not just the action on the fairways, bunkers and greens that’s sure to draw the crowds, the tournament’s organisers are going all out to attract the whole family. There will be a raft of activities, entertainment and competitions in the Championship Village, located around the course at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Previously, crowds of 40,000 have flocked to the National Course to get ‘close to the ropes’ and watch the world’s best battle it out for the tournament’s iconic Falcon trophy. This time round however, ADTA are looking to double that figure.

“The 2012 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship offers something for everyone, from top-class action on the course to world-class entertainment in the Championship Village,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, events manager for ADTA. “For 2012, the Championship Village is bigger and better than ever and we have made sure that all members of the family will find something special to do. We believe we have created an unmatched experience for everyone at the Championship.”

The remodelled Championship Village, which has been expanded to more than 1,200m², has been designed to offer visitors of all ages a fantastic range of attractions, prizes, games, competitions, live performances and family-orientated fun. Fans will also be able to enjoy the popular HSBC Interactive Zone, where they can test and hone their swing and putting techniques; non-golfers can spend time in the creative area.

Elsewhere, the HSBC Children’s Zone encourages kids to try golf first-hand or take part in arts and crafts activities in the Children’s Creative Zone. For the big kids, a range of interactive sports and games challenges are on offer – everything from a Golf Simulator and Putting Challenge to Coaching Nets – where visitors can perfect their skills courtesy of a free golf lesson from a professional coach.

With golf whetting the appetite for more sports action, the HSBC Interactive Village does not restrict itself to just the one ball game.

The Speed Serve Challenge and Cricket Challenge will test agility, stamina and speed, whilst the Rugby Kicking Challenge and Rugby Lineout Challenge tests strength and precision.

And if all that action is leaving you in need of a spot of relaxation, then you can always visit the ADTA Souk Area or refuel in the Oasis Café, which boasts views of the first fairway and second tee. Following each day’s play, the Village will also welcome an international DJ to encourage visitors to dance the night away.

Ticket prices for the championship have been slashed dramatically this year with a daily pass costing just AED 50 and a four-day pass set at AED 150.

In addition, Saturday sees the introduction of the ‘Dress in Red Day’ where anyone wearing an item of red clothing will enter free of charge. Emirates Golf Federation members and children under 18 also enter for free, as do all HSBC customers – premier card holders can redeem two daily tickets, while regular card holders can claim one daily ticket.

Tickets are available online via www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com or through the toll-free hotline 800 4669.

A Giant day out

We chat to Faisal Al Sheikh, events manager at ADTA, to find out more about this year’s tournament.

What can visitors expect at this year’s Championship Village?
Quite simply the richest and most diverse Championship Village experience to date!
We’ve really pushed the boat out this year and have catered to all tastes - you don’t even have to be a golfer to enjoy the many sports challenges. We’ve got all sorts of family-friendly activities, many of which have been introduced by our fantastic Title Sponsor, HSBC, in its Interactive Village, including a rugby kicking challenge, a speed serve challenge and even a cricket challenge – all of which are completely free-of-charge with some great prizes to be won. We will also be holding various clinics designed to entice more youngsters to take-up the game.
In addition, visitors can relax at the Oasis Cafe, or indulge in a bit of traditional retail therapy at the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority souk.
The Village will be a beehive of activity and is the perfect for visitors to relax and unwind if they fancy a few hours away from the course.

How have you improved it over last year?
We are anticipating record crowds at this year’s Championship because of the superb field – it is the strongest-ever line up we have ever had, so it was important we also upped the Championship Village ante.
That’s why we’ve increased the size of the village to its biggest ever, at just over 1,200 square metres, and significantly improved the events and activities on offer. Every effort has been made to create an unmatched family experience.

You’ve seriously slashed ticket prices this year. What other incentives are ADTA planning to entice visitors to
the Championship?
You’re absolutely right - we have significantly reduced ticket prices this year. Day passes now cost just AED50 and four-day weekend passes costing just AED150, which is great value for money when you consider the world-class golf on view. And, as always at the Championship, kids and under 18s go free – it’s all part of our family commitment.
We have also expanded the Championship’s social calendar of events and have introduced a special picnic day where the public can buy baskets on-site and enjoy a bite to eat in one of the course’s many public viewing areas.
Also, we have Dress in Red day, where anyone wearing an item of red – which is the championship colour – will be admitted for free, while an after-play DJ will entertain those who wish to stay on at the course.

What are you most excited about this year?
It is a fantastic to be able to welcome the world’s greatest golfers – the giants of the game - to Abu Dhabi. They will be competing alongside some very ambitious young guns and I can’t wait to see how this year’s Championship unfolds. The addition of Tiger Woods, who will make his Abu Dhabi debut, has definitely got local, regional and international fans excited too. I expect we will see some brilliant golf and an event that will be remembered for a long time.
Finally, we will also be making an announcement about the tournament’s 2013 venue following the final day’s play and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Abu Dhabi Golf Club for all their work in helping us host six consecutive and highly successful Championships.

Last year 40,000 spectators came to watch the action. What sort of figures are you expecting this year?
With the world-class line-up we have, we’re expecting high attendance numbers, but our priority now is making sure we get it right for everyone. We want visitors to enjoy the best possible Championship experience, both on and off the course.

Jon Muller