Jean Iggo Honoured for Outstanding Commitment to Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

England’s Jean Iggo, Chief Marshal of the 2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, was today unveiled as the inaugural winner of 'The Spirit of the Championship' award – a new tournament accolade designed to reward outstanding commitment to the emirate's PGA European Tour event.

A former Lady Captain at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Iggo has been the tournament’s Chief Marshal for five consecutive years. During her half-decade tenure she has worked tirelessly to ensure that thousands of volunteers – seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers to the game – excel in the US$2.7 million prize purse event, one of Abu Dhabi’s flagship sporting events.

“It is such an honour to receive this award. For me, golf is the greatest sport in the world, so I am really fortunate to be able to have this role in a tournament I love,” said Iggo, who was presented with her award by His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and Chairman of the Championship Committee, at the tournament’s closing prize ceremony.

“I would like to dedicate this award to all the amazing volunteers who, over the years, have helped to make this Championship what it is – one of the best events on the global golfing calendar.”

With Martin Kaymer, the newly-crowned 2011 champion, looking on, Al Muhairi was quick to highlight how Iggo had consistently demonstrated the values inherent in ADTA’s judging criteria: respect, pro-activity, excellence with integrity, leadership, teamwork, innovations, customer focus and transparency.
“Jean Iggo epitomises the dedication and support that ‘The Spirit of the Championship’ award has been introduced to recognise,” said Al Muhairi. “It is thanks to the efforts of people like Jean that the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is now established as one of the leading events on the European Tour and a true world-class sporting event.”
Eligibility for the ‘The Spirit of Championship’ was open to anyone associated with the Championship, from spectators and volunteers to golfers and score-keepers, with ADTA revealing the accolade will now be awarded annually.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship was backed by a high-profile sponsorship line-up that included HSBC as title sponsors, as well as Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, Emirates Palace hotel, Etisalat, TDIC, Rolex, Cadillac, CNN, Xerox, Etihad and Gulf News.