Paul Casey, the English gentleman of modern-day golf, says he’ll be going all-out next month to match German Martin Kaymer’s record of three titles in the PGA European Tour-backed Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship…
Casey, who lifted Abu Dhabi’s ‘Falcon Trophy’ in 2007 and 2009, says while he’s looking to break the run of defending champion Kaymer, the task is toughened by the challenge of holding off the Championship’s strongest field to date. The awe-inspiring line-up already includes three reigning Major winners: Charl Schwartzel (US Masters); Rory McIlroy (US Open) and Darren Clarke (British Open) World number one, Luke Donald, World number three, Lee Westwood and Abu Dhabi debutant and 14-time major winner, Tiger Woods. Australia’s Jason Day, the current world number eight and Korean sensation KJ Choi, the current world number 15 have also declared their intent to win their first Middle East title in January and a share of the US $2.7 million prize fund.
“It is no surprise to see so many of the world’s best players entered in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship for next year as this tournament has definitely grown into one of golf’s premier events. The National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club is one of the best we play on throughout the year and, luckily, it seems to bring out the best in my game so I’m hoping for a great week,” said Casey.
The Championship organiser, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and HSBC, its title sponsor, anticipate the quality of field for the January 26-29 event, coupled with a vastly improved programme of entertainment and events in the expanded Championship Village will attract a spectator turnout to beat this year’s 40,000 total.
“We are gathering one of the finest fields to ever contest a Middle East tournament and Paul Casey is a key figure in this,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, ADTA. “He has impressed and delighted the galleries with his winning performances here over the years and is certainly a crowd favourite along with our defending champion, Martin Kaymer. No-one would be surprised to see one of these two fine payers triumph again in January although, of course, the likes of Tiger Woods, Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy might have something to say about that.”
HSBC Group Head of Sponsorship, Giles Morgan, said: “Paul has been in sparkling form recently and with his track record in the event he’s got to be one to watch. It promises to be a great way to kick off the golfing year – we saw a changing of the guard in 2011 but Tiger’s form has been good and Paul is back in the groove so who knows what will happen next. It’s a great time to be involved with the sport.”
Away from all the course action, the Championship Village has been expanded to 1,200m² and provides a fantastic range of attractions, prizes, games, competitions, live performances and family-friendly fun. Fans will also be able to enjoy the popular HSBC Interactive Zone, with its variety of sporting activities that reflect the diversity of HSBC’s global sports sponsorship. Open to all, the HSBC Interactive Zone allows people to test and hone their swing and putting techniques, while non-golfers can spend time in the creative area.
With Championship tickets priced at AED 50 for a daily pass and AED 150 for a four-day pass, a range of innovative promotions have also been introduced for next year. As well as a family-friendly picnic day, the first-ever ‘Dress in Red Day’ will see any visitor with red in their outfit – whether something simple like a red hat or even red accessories – enter for free. As is tradition at the family-centric event, Emirates Golf Federation members and children under-18 – when accompanied by an adult – also enter free of charge. HSBC customers can benefit by simply presenting their cards at the entry gate during tournament week. Premier card holders can redeem two daily tickets, while regular card holders can claim one daily ticket.
Tickets are available via the event’s official website, www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com, as well as online at www.timeouttickets.comand www.itptickets.com. Phone bookings can be made through the ITP toll-free hotline 800 4669, or for international visitors, +971 4 210 8943.
ENDS
About ADTA:Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has wide ranging responsibilities for managing and assisting the development of the emirate's tourism industry and the marketing and promotion of the emirate as a world-class destination of distinction. Its responsibilities include; destination marketing; infrastructure and product development and regulation and classification. A key role is to create synergy in the international promotion of Abu Dhabi through close co-ordination with the emirate's hotels, destination management companies, airlines and other public and private sector travel-related organisations.
About HBSC:HSBC provides a comprehensive range of financial services to around 89 million customers through four global businesses; Global Retail Banking & Wealth Management, Global Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets and Global Private Banking.
HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 7,500 offices in over 80 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, North and Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$2,716bn at 30 September 2011, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.
HSBC in the MENA Region
HSBC is the largest and most widely represented international banking organisation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with operations in 14 countries. HSBC has branches and offices in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Algeria and the Palestinian Autonomous Area. In Saudi Arabia, HSBC is a 40% shareholder of Saudi British Bank (SABB), and a 60% shareholder of HSBC Saudi Arabia Limited for wholesale and investment banking in the Kingdom. In Iraq, HSBC holds a majority shareholding in Dar Es Salaam Investment Bank. HSBC also maintains a representative office in Libya.
This presence, the widest coverage of any bank in the region, comprises some 285 branches and offices, and around 12,000 people. In the full year 2010, HSBC made a profit before tax of $892 million in the MENA region.
