The stage is now being set for the inaugural National Bank of Oman Golf Classic held at Almouj Golf The Wave, Muscat, on 24-27 October.
The spectacular setting of the Greg Norman-designed course overlooking the Indian Ocean is now taking on a special significance as the structure of a world-class golf venue takes shape.
The television coverage of the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic will showcase Oman globally to a totally new audience of golfers and tourists, with more than 100 hours of coverage across 49 worldwide territories, reaching a potential 250 million homes.
The European Tour Weekly Show covers a total of 66 hours over 49 territories, reaching a potential 200 million homes. The Golfing World programme has 20 hours across 48 territories, potentially reaching almost 250 million households.
The Challenge Series show totals 14.5 hours, which goes to 34 territories, reaching a potential number of 166 million homes.
Wicked Tents and ICON PROLAB are among the prestigious Premium Sponsors of the first professional golf tournament held in Oman and the first European Challenge Tour event to be staged in the GCC.
“This is a tremendous honour for Wicked Tents to be involved with this groundbreaking tournament, both as a sponsor and a contractor,” says Alistair McDonald, Managing Director of Wicked Tents and Flow.
“The event will certainly help put Almouj Golf The Wave and Oman on the golfing map, which, in turn, will undoubtedly lead to an increase in golf-related tourism. Staging a tournament of this magnitude shows tremendous vision on the part of the National Bank of Oman. By demonstrating that Oman has the ability to organise, stage and manage golfing events of this scale on a world-class golf course can only lead to increased worldwide exposure.
“The tournament will play a major role in attracting golfers to Oman and help to develop grass roots golf in the Sultanate. The National Bank of Oman is totally committed to ensuring that the tournament gives youngsters the chance to see at first-hand what the game of golf has to offer. Through clinics at the tournament the youngsters will be invited to learn the game, meet the professionals and understand about the wider industry – which is a fantastic opportunity for them.
“Based on our experience with other major tournaments in the region, such as the DP World Tour Championship, we feel that we are bringing valuable knowledge to the event. The National Bank of Oman have created a unique look and feel to their event, which presents the ideal showcase, unlike any other European Challenge Tour tournament that has come before it.
Dave Weller, Director of ICON Prolab commented: “We are very pleased to be Premium Sponsors of the inaugural event and its sole branding supplier. The event will be great for Muscat and the whole Sultanate of Oman, and will help to position Oman as a top golfing destination for tourists.
“The international television coverage will appeal to a new global audience who, I’m sure, will get behind the tournament and see how beautiful Oman is. The amount of tourists attending the event will only grow as the tournament expands in the coming years.
“The development into a major event, enticing tourists to Muscat from around the world will be a gradual process during the next few years. The Qatar Masters and DP World Tour Championship in Dubai started on a similar scale and are both now colossal events on the international circuit.
“Our involvement in other major golfing events around the world puts us in a great position to use the experience we have gained to maximise the effect in helping to showcase Oman. Involving the schools and local youngsters in the tournament, as well as encouraging families to attend, will resonate with the spectators, leading to more Omanis taking up the game.”