Yas Links Golf Club Abu Dhabi to re host the European Tour sanctioned Pro Am The Emirates Airline Invitational

The magnificent Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, has been chosen as the venue for the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, on Monday, January 30, 2012.

The European Tour-sanctioned one-day Pro-Am was staged at Yas Links for the first time in January 2011 and proved to be an overwhelming success. Players and spectators alike heralded the tournament a fun yet seriously competitive event where the fans were able to get close to the action and join in the banter with the cream of The European Tour.
With the event now part of The European Tour’s Pro-Am Calendar, the sixth staging of the Emirates Airline Invitational is gathering momentum towards the big day. With the series of Carpetland Golden Ticket qualifiers well underway, the battle for a place in the Grand Final to earn a place as the leading amateur and leading junior is also warming up.
The date of January 30 for the Emirates Airline Invitational fits perfectly into The European Tour’s Middle East Swing schedule with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship from January 26-29, the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy from February 2-5, followed by the Omega Desert Classic from February 9-12
Abdullah Al Naboodah commented: “We are delighted to announce that we will be going back to Yas Links, Abu Dhabi. Last year’s Emirates Airline Invitational at Yas Links was enjoyed by everyone and Chris White and his team looked after everyone exceptionally well.

“With the Invitational now being a European Tour sanctioned event it has been elevated to an even higher position and we are looking forward to a really great day and generating as much funds as we possibly can for charity, continuing the great tradition of the event.

“Although the Invitational gains greater status year on year the Pro-Am remains most famous for its atmosphere of being a really great fun yet competitive event played in a wonderful sporting spirit – and I know this sixth running of the event will be just as enjoyable for the players as it will be for the spectators.”
Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open Champion who put the icing on the cake on his season last year by sinking the winning putt for Europe in The Ryder Cup, commented:  “It’s fantastic news that that the Invitational is going back to Yas Links.
“Kyle Phillips has created something pretty special and unique there. I think authentic is probably a good word for it. He really has achieved what he set out to do – creating a genuine links course in the desert. Sometimes you can close your eyes and think you’re at Kingsbarns at St Andrews, the way the greens roll, the way they’re shaped, the turf and the way everything reacts – as I say, authentic is a great word to describe it.”
Chris White, General Manager, Aldar Golf, commented: “It’s a great honour for Yas Links to again be chosen to host one of the greatest one-day Pro-Ams in world golf. The 2011 Invitational was a wonderful experience for all concerned and we are all eagerly awaiting January 30.”
Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International – Dubai Office, added: “The Emirates Airline Invitational was a huge success at Yas Links last January so it makes good sense for the tournament to return there on January 30, the day after the conclusion of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
“The Tour is pleased to be sanctioning the event and we value the tournament as one of the most prestigious and enjoyable Pro-Ams on our Tour.”

Nadim Lahad, Emirates Airline Manager, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain commented:  “We are looking forward to returning to the wonderful Yas Links Golf Club in Abu Dhabi for our second year in sponsoring the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah. The venue and the date are just right.

“The Invitational will further be used as a platform for Emirates to showcase our high quality services to an international audience and with the support of The European Tour we expect this reach to expand even further.”
 

Picture Caption: Abdullah Al Naboodah presents Retief Goosen with the trophy after the two-times US Open Champion had won the 2011 Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, in January.