International tournament returning to Riffa Golf Club

The Professional Golfers' Association's (PGA) commercial director Mike Gray and tournament director Kevin Feeney are currently visiting Bahrain to finalise the details of the event with Riffa Golf Club and Gulf Air officials.

The tournament's qualifying rounds began in July of this year and were open to golf club captains in seven regions of the UK and Ireland and to their PGA club professional. The seven pairs of British and Irish finalists will travel to Bahrain in October to take part in the 36-hole Grand Final on Sunday 15th and Monday 16th October alongside a Gulf pairing to be determined in a qualifying round on Wednesday 11th October. Also competing will be Riffa Golf Club's general manager and PGA professional, Michael Braidwood, who will team up with 2006 club captain Barry Hobday.

In addition to the tournament itself, the visiting international and regional PGA professionals will also lead a team each in a Pro Am tournament on Tuesday 17th October. Local corporations who have entered a team into the Pro Am event so far include Havelock AHI, Alba, DHL, Club Car, Ogilvey, the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel, Riffa Views, Bahrain International Circuit, Environmental Turf Technologies and Bahrain Airport Services.

"We are honoured to be the hosts of this prestigious tournament again this year," said Michael Braidwood. "The event itself looks set to be very enjoyable and the competitors will also have the opportunity to tour the off-road centre at the Bahrain International Circuit and take in the other tourist attractions of the kingdom during their visit."

PGA Captain Beverly Lewis will accompany the competitors to Bahrain and will make a special presentation to ladies and girls at Riffa Golf Club in order to help promote the sport amongst women. Officials from the PGA will also carry out a seminar at the Club during their visit in which regional professionals will receive training and refreshment on the rules of the game. All of these activities are part of the PGA's ongoing commitment to promoting and developing the sport in the Gulf region.