QIC throws weight behind Commercialbank Qatar Masters for second years

Qatar Insurance Company (QIC), the leading insurer of the Sate of Qatar, will again underwrite an event that heads into its eleventh year firmly established as one of the premier overseas dates on the PGA European Tour calendar.

The 2008 Commercialbank Qatar Masters, Presented by Dolphin Energy, is organised in co-operation between the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), the Qatar Golf Association (QGA) and Commercialbank.

Staged at Doha Golf Club from Thursday (January 24), this year's event will present a field as strong as any ever seen in the history of the event with world stars such as defending champion Retief Goosen, world number seven Adam Scott and Ryder Cup winners Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and David Howell all featuring in the 120-man line-up

'The tournament is proud to have the sponsorship support of global brands as well as leading Qatari commercial concerns such as QIC,' said Commercialbank Group CEO Andrew Stevens. 'The staging of this tournament is a team event which would not be possible without the support of QIC so we are delighted to welcome them aboard for yet another year.'

QIC President & CEO, Mr. Khalifa A. Al-Subaey added: 'After the great success of last year, we had no hesitation is giving our support to this year's Commercialbank Qatar Masters.

'Events such as this, the Asian Games, the Qatar Tennis Open and the bid for the 2016 Olympics show Qatar's sporting capabilities and ambition. We believe it is important that companies such as QIC support that ambition and so are delighted to once again be involved with what we believe is the region's best golf tournament.'

The 2008 Commercialbank Qatar Masters, Presented by Dolphin Energy, will be the richest golf event ever staged in the Gulf state with a cheque for $416,660 and the unique Mother of Pearl trophy going to the winner.