Bill Longmuir’s long association with Oman Golf has been recognised by the National Bank of Oman with an invitation to play in the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic at Almouj Golf The Wave, Muscat, on October 24-27.
The Scot was a stalwart of The European Tour for 16 years but it was as a Senior golfer that he made his mark. In his rookie year on the European Senior Tour in 2003 he won twice, was second twice and had three further top-10 finishes, ending his opening campaign runner-up on the Money List with 253,000 euro.
His love affair with Oman began in the early 1980s when he met HH Kais Al-Said. They became lifelong friends and together they created the then Ghala Wentworth sand course and later, the 18-hole grass course at Muscat Hills Country Club.
“What Mohammed Mahfoud Al Ardhi and the National Bank of Oman have done for Golf in Oman is remarkable,” said the eight times winner on the European Senior Tour.
“To bring a professional golf tournament to Oman so soon in the short time golf has been introduced to Oman is a huge feather in the cap for the Sultanate. To make it possible for the stars of the future of The European Tour to play a Challenge Tour event at the Greg Norman-designed Almouj Golf is an outstanding achievement and the first major milestone in Oman’s golfing progress.
“The National Bank of Oman has stuck its neck out and taken a huge step in improving the Sultanate’s future economy through golf in sponsoring this tournament. They have also made HH Kais’s Impossible Dream come to fruition. All the people I have met over the past 30 years of visiting Oman have fallen for the place. It’s such a friendly, relaxed environment, a natural, traditional magnet for tourists once they know of its existence – and this tournament will help to open their eyes to the Sultanate.”
Mohammed Mahfoud Al Ardhi commented: “Bill Longmuir is one of the most respected golfers on The European Tour and Senior Tour and a great friend to golf in Oman. It is fitting that Bill has accepted our invitation to play in our National Bank of Oman Golf Classic. He will be a fine Ambassador for the tournament and I’m sure our juniors will benefit from the golf clinics he has offered to hold for the youngsters.”
