Almouj Golf the Wave ready for the National Bank of Oman Classic

The stage is set for what promises to be a captivating second edition of the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic taking place at the pristine Almouj Golf The Wave, Muscat from Thursday October 30 to Sunday November 2.

This year’s event sees an increased prize fund of US$330,000 and a greater number of Official World Ranking Points on offer. The prestigious tournament forms the third stage of the European Challenge Tour’s ‘Final Swing’, which will culminate with the top 45 players on the Challenge Tour Rankings following the National Bank of Oman Golf contesting the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club from Wednesday November 5 to Saturday November 8.

The field for the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic stands at 114 players which consists of five categories: the leading 75 players from the 2014 Challenge Tour Rankings; 20 professional player invites; up to 10 amateur invites; five invitations from the Challenge Tour; and the balance of the field will be completed from the Challenge Tour Rankings following the Shankai Classic presented by IDG.

Nick Tarratt, Director, European Tour International – Dubai Office said: “The National Bank of Oman Golf Classic is the penultimate event of the 2014 Challenge Tour season and has huge significance for the Challenge Tour players. With the prize money increase and the increased Official World Golf Ranking points it is a must-play event for all those players wishing to progress up the global golfing ladder.

“72 of the top 75 in the current Challenge Tour Rankings have committed to play in Oman. The Rankings are currently led by Andrew Johnston (England) with prize money of €181,115. It is great to see Moritz Lampert (Germany), currently second in the Challenge Tour Rankings, who has already won three events on this year’s schedule and automatically gained his playing privileges on The European Tour, in the field. The good news is that he has decided to play the last two events on the Challenge Tour in Oman and Dubai as he loved playing the golf course at Almouj Golf The Wave and the tournament last year and has a target of winning the 2014 Challenge Tour Rankings.

“We also welcome Johan Edfors (Sweden) who finished 10th in the 2006 European Tour Order of Merit with three victories in one season and has total career earnings of over €5 million. Last Sunday he won the Challenge Tour’s Shankai Classic in China.”

National Bank of Oman is spearheading the development of golf in the Sultanate though this sponsorship of the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic, the first Challenge Tour event to take place in Oman and the region.

They are also gratefully supported by presenting sponsor Oman Air; premium sponsors Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa and Al Jenaibi International Automobiles BMW and The Wave Muscat as well as local, regional and international partners Y&R, WSP Global, Zeenah events, Talentz, Gloria Jeans coffee and Tanuf Water, See Muscat and the stunning venue, Almouj Golf The Wave.

Ahmed Musalmi, CEO, National Bank of Oman, said: “We are grateful for the support we have received from the private and public sectors and we appreciate the input from the various Ministries, of Sports, Information, Tourism, Health, ROP and the Muscat Municipality.

“It was our honour and privilege last year to showcase what Oman has to offer in terms of global business, international tourism and golf tourism. As a result we have been able to reap the rewards through international awareness via the promotion and publicity from television and media in corporate business and tourism for Oman, Muscat and Almouj Golf The Wave.

“The National Bank of Oman Golf Classic has also provided a considerable boost for the growth in golf among the Omani youth. The fact that we have 16-year-old, Hamood Al Harthy representing Oman in the National Team speaks volumes for the growth of golf in the Sultanate. Oman’s National Team Coach, Marcus Casey, has spoken about the impetus the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic has provided in growing the interest of golf and encouraging youngsters, both Omani nationals and ex-pats, to take up the game.

“It is gratifying to see that for our second edition of the tournament we have been able to expand the local involvement with nine amateurs, including the three Oman National Team Members, Azaan Al Rumhy, Ali Hameed and Hamood Al Harthy, We also welcome from Bahrain, Hamad Mubarak and Nasser Yacoob who both qualified through the GCC Golf Championship earlier this year.

“Through the Arab Golf Federation we also invited Ali Alsakha and Abdulrehman Almansour both from Saudi Arabia. From the UAE we welcome Rashid Hamood and from England the international amateur Haydn McCullen.”

Pictured: Nick Tarratt, Director, European Tour International – Dubai Office (left) and Humayun Kabir, General Manager, Wholesale Banking, National Bank of Oman pose with the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic trophy.