Bahrain celebrity golf tournament set to feature Thomas Bjorn, Paul Casey and other big names – Golf News
Two veteran golfers Thomas Bjorn and Paul Casey, who regularly play on the European Tour, and the NFL Hall of Fame quarterback, Joe Montana, are set to feature in the Bahrain celebrity golf tournament.
While taking anti-government protests into consideration, the European Tour officials decided not to stage the Volvo Golf Champions again in Bahrain and moved it to South Africa.
Therefore, the event was held at The Links course at Fancourt, South Africa, from January 19 to 22, 2012.
This was not the only sport event that was cancelled in the country. Bahrain government also called off the Bahrain Grand Prix after the protest broke out last year.
However, the government of Bahrain and IMG Worldwide, a sports marketing firm, decided to schedule the celebrity golf tournament to give the local golf fans a chance to enjoy the sporting event.
Paul Casey, who won the Volvo Golf Champions in Bahrain last year, showed his gratitude after being selected as a part of the Pro-Celeb golf event.
“I am delighted to be returning to Bahrain for this showcase event at the magnificent Montgomerie Course,” he said.
He added, “The weekend of events and the unique pro-celeb tournament will undoubtedly provide terrific entertainment for visitors from Bahrain and across the region”.
On the other hand, the Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al-Khalifa, also looked happy to attract such high profile players to the tournament.
He said, “We are delighted to be attracting such a high calibre of international golf and sports stars to Bahrain for the tournament”.
The Global Co-Managing Director of IMG, Guy Kinnings, welcomed the celebrities and the professionals to Bahrain.
According to him, the event will be a great success as it has attracted so many big names from the European Tour and celebrities from all over the world.
The former UK number one tennis player, Tim Henman, also felt honoured to be asked to participate in the event and said that he is lucky to be a part of the unique event.
The event will be played at the Montgomerie Course at Royal Golf Club, which was developed in 2009.
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