The venue for the inaugural National Bank of Oman Golf Classic has received a resounding endorsement from José Maria Zamora, Tournament Director of The European Tour, on his recent visit to Oman and Almouj Golf The Wave, Muscat.
Sponsored by National Bank of Oman, the tournament - which takes place from October 24-27 - will be the first Challenge Tour event of its kind not only in the Sultanate of Oman but also in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
With its place on the 2013 calendar confirmed as the last event before the season-ending Challenge Tour Grand Final, the US$300,000 National Bank of Oman Golf Classic is set to attract a top class field of 84 professionals with a further 30 invites available to the title sponsors, including ten for low handicap amateurs.
According to Zamora, the Tournament Director for the event, it will be a tournament and venue fitting of such a prestigious place in the Challenge Tour’s schedule.
“The commitment of the National Bank of Oman to the Classic is superb,” says Zamora. “This is the Challenge Tour’s only tournament in the Middle East and we want to make it a really special event. We’ve got all the ingredients for a great Classic, an excellent three-year sponsorship, the players who will become the stars of the future, a magnificent golf course and warm, sunny weather.
“This will be one of the strongest fields of the year on the Challenge Tour with all our players pushing for top places in the event to get into the top 45 on the Tour and make it into the Grand Final.”
It was Zamora’s first visit to Oman and he was hugely impressed with the Sultanate and Amouj Golf, saying: “Greg Norman has created a fantastic golf course at The Wave and the practice facilities are ideal for our players. The par-three course also helps them hone their game.
“We are indebted to the National Bank of Oman for their sponsorship in supporting the Classic,” adds Zamora.
