HSBC to sponsor 11th GCC Golf Championships

To be staged in the UAE for only the second time, the 54-hole tournament will be the first international event to be held over the 7,092-yard, par-72 course with four-man teams flying in from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to join the host nation golfers representing the UAE.

The second biggest regional amateur event for Arab golfers after the Arab Championships, the GCC Championships will see defending champions Bahrain start as red-hot favourites. But over a course that will be a stranger to most, this year's tournament is expected to throw up a few surprises for some of the Arab world's leading amateurs.

'HSBC is delighted to be associated with an event of such regional scope, especially in view of our reputation for supporting the Middle East's major sporting events,' said Jerry Palfenier, Head of Marketing HSBC Bank Middle East Limited. 'Furthermore our support for golf at a global level is now well known with the HSBC World Matchplay in the UK and, of course, our involvement in the Dubai Desert Classic.'

'The 11th GCC Golf Championships is an obvious fit with this and we look forward to welcoming all the GCC for what should be an excellent advert for the amateur game.'

Adrian Flaherty, General Manager of the organising UGA, said he was pleased to have HSBC involved with an event that will be held at the Desert Course from May 19-21.

'HSBC are good friends of the golf community here in the UAE so we're delighted to welcome them as the main sponsor for what is a true regional event,' he said. 'We have also received interest in the event from a number of other sponsors and should be able to announce them in due course. The backing of the business community is important in developing golf in the Arab world and we value that ongoing support.'

With the main sponsor in place, the stage is now set for a 54-hole shoot out between the GCC's best Arab players in a team competition with a format to be decided by the tournament committee during the week of the event itself.

'While the low handicappers from Bahrain will start as favourites, the players being considered for the UAE team are all in good form and under the guidance of experienced coach Wayne Johnson, 'added Flaherty. 'Whoever is chosen will be there on merit and won't feel uncomfortable in this sort of company.'