Following the overwhelming success of the 33rd PAN-Arab Golf Championship, Morocco’s top two players in the event will be leading the way to the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic in October, courtesy of their sponsor’s invitations.
“Congratulations to both Ahmed Marjan and Mustapha El Maouass for their outstanding performances in finishing first and second in the individual competition and leading the Morocco team to victory in the PAN-Arab Championship,” commented Nick Tarratt, Director, European Tour International, Dubai Office.
“We wish them the best of good fortune when they take part in the prestigious National Bank of Oman Golf Classic at Almouj Golf The Wave, Muscat, Oman on October 24-27. Again, we thank the National Bank of Oman for offering sponsor’s invitations to the top two players in the PAN-Arab Championship.”
With the Championship being decided by a sudden-death play-off Marjan took the title at the first extra hole, becoming the individual champion of the 33rd PAN-Arab Golf Championship, which underlines the strength of Moroccan golf.
“It is very gratifying for us at the Tour to witness the fast-improving standard of golf among the Arab nations. With the generous support of the National Bank of Oman in offering sponsor’s invitations to so many talented Arab Nationals we can look forward to seeing how they perform against our European Challenge Tour professionals in Muscat in October. I’m sure it will be a fascinating and highly competitive tournament,” added Tarratt.
Azaan Al Rumhy, who was tied 17th in the individual competition from 49 competitors, with the Oman team finishing overall ninth, commented: “It was fun and very competitive. In previous PAN-Arab Championships two or three countries have dominated the event but this year it was much more open.
“Our Oman team was a new team for us. Ahmed Al Balushi only finished his exams three days before the Championship but it was great experience for Ahmed and my younger brother, Hamed. Ali Hameed played well to finish in 27th position in the individual standings.
“We had a much younger team than normal, whereas the leading teams like Bahrain, Egypt and Lebanon all had older and much more experienced players in their team who have competed at a high level for some time.
“The Dreamland course was in good condition and the atmosphere was excellent. We all enjoyed playing the course. In the PAN-Arab Championship you need to have four strong players and many of the teams competing were m
“Although there were 15 countries taking part, with Syria, Iraq and Jordan sending players to the Championship, there were 12 countries actually competing in the team category. It was a very competitive four days.”
With the National Bank of Oman giving sponsor’s invitations to the top two players in the PAN-Arab Championship the representation of Arab Nationals competing in the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic on October 24-27 has risen to a significant number.
Among the invitees are Ali Al Bishi from Qatar and Bahrain’s Hamad Mubarak, who were the leading two players in the GCC Championship at Almouj Golf earlier this year; Qatar’s Saleh Al Kaabi and Oman’s Azaan Al Rumhy and Ali Hameed. Ahmed Al Musharekh, who was the UAE’s leading amateur before turning professional last year.
There are still a number of National Bank of Oman sponsor’s invitations and qualifiers to be confirmed in the coming weeks which will add to the truly international and Arab National flavour of the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic.
