MUSCAT: The eighth edition of the OHI Oman Amateur Open has received the largest ever number of entries with over 200 registrations received from amateur players in Oman, the GCC and internationally. To cater for the unprecedented demand for entries, the starting line-up will be culled to 120 golfers who have registered with the lowest handicaps. The 2017 Oman Open will be staged at Ghala Golf Club in Muscat on January 27 and 28. Following the recent announcement of OHI as title sponsors of Oman’s premier golf Open, Golf Oman have also introduced a fourth category to cater for talented young golfers. Joining the OHI Oman Amateur Open, OHI Ladies Open and the OHI Juniors Open is the launch of the OHI Oman Under 15’s Open.
Commenting on the new category for players aged under 15, Mundhir al Barwani, Chairman of the Oman Golf Committee (OGC), noted, “The game of golf is becoming increasingly popular with youth in Oman and we felt it was the right time to add this new category to our calendar. We have so many talented youth attending training programmes across all four clubs in Oman and with our golf in schools initiative we want to create a competitive opportunity for them. We look forward to crowning the first ‘Oman U-15 champion golfer of the year.” Eihab al Saleh, CEO of OHI, which is the title sponsor of the event added, “Golf in Oman is at a very exciting stage and OHI had no hesitations when approached to become title sponsors. The introduction of the under -15’s event is fantastic and shows why golf is such a unique and accessible sport, with golfers aged from 7 to over 70 coming together across the 2 days of game play.”
The OGC’s mission, with the support of the Ministry of Sporting Affairs and their corporate partners Oman LNG, National Bank of Oman and Omantel, is working to raise awareness and participation levels for golf in Oman to give golfers of all ages the opportunity to play the sport. The committee aims to create an environment that allows beginners to learn and serious golfers to strive to the top. OGC is working to raise the standard of golf in Oman and produce a national team capable of competing in international events like the Olympic Games and the World Cup of Golf.
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