Emirates all set to swing at Asian Open 2006

The tournament will see an impressive line-up of players - Colin Montgomerie, Thomas Björn, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Nick Faldo, Zhang Lian-wei and Ross Bain, the Dubai-based golfer sponsored by Emirates - swinging hard to win the coveted trophy.

As a renowned sponsor of golf events, Emirates is offering professionals, amateurs, customers and spectators an array of prizes at the Asian Open 2006.

For a token registration fee, golf enthusiasts can participate in the Emirates Spectator Charity Hole-in-One contest throughout the tournament for a chance to win a Business class return ticket to Dubai. All proceeds from the competition will be donated to the Shanghai Charity Foundation, a local charity that supports impoverished students.

During the tournament, spectators can fill an entry form at the Emirates kiosk to win a trip of their lifetime - 160,000 Skywards* Miles, which can be redeemed for two return Business Class tickets to Dubai and two nights in a luxury hotel, courtesy of Emirates Holidays.

Emirates' sponsorship of the Closest to the Pin contest, to be held during the Pro-Am on Wednesday 19th April, will see professionals teaming up with the airline's customers and partners, with two of these amateur golfers collecting one Emirates Business Class ticket each to Dubai.

Not to be left out of Emirates' treasure trove are the professional golfers who will be provided a prize of two business class tickets for the pre-tournament Pro Shoot Out competition being held on Tuesday, 18th April.

Emirates also will hold two private golf clinics for its key customers and partners - an outstanding opportunity for amateurs to not just rub shoulders with renowned golfers at the event but also be tutored on the finer points of their game.

Richard Vaughan, Emirates' Senior Vice President East Asia and Australasia said:

"We are delighted to sponsor the Asian Open for the third year running, demonstrating our commitment to top-notch international golfing events in the region."

"The Asian Open, coming so close on the heels of our sponsorship of the Hong Kong Open, Singapore Masters and Malaysian Open, will help us build a closer, personal relationship with our customers and golf enthusiasts in Asia. It also reflects Emirates' proactive approach towards the local community, seizing the opportunity to support a worthy cause in tune with its successful operations into Shanghai and the forthcoming direct services to Beijing."

In addition to the golf tournaments in Asia, Emirates is a sponsor of top golf events such as the BMW International Open, the Austrian Open, and the New Zealand Open.

This year, Emirates will launch services to nine new destinations, including Beijing in September. Currently, Emirates operates daily flights and Emirates SkyCargo operates six freighter services every week between Shanghai and Dubai.