ABU DHABI, UAE, 12 January 2011 – Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer of tourism, cultural, and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi including Saadiyat and the stunning Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, will host another all-star line-up for the Saadiyat Beach Classic on Monday January 24th.
Gary Player and the team from TDIC will welcome Abu Dhabi favourites Paul Casey and Ian Poulter, along with European Tour winner Matteo Manessero, winning Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie and Ryder Cup vice captain Thomas Bjorn in a pro / celeb – am format. Rugby legends Victor Matfield, Gavin Hastings, ZinZan Brooke and former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke will also compete in the unique event that invites amateurs from around the UAE to compete alongside the headline players. Ladies Tour stars Henrietta Zuel and Carly Booth will also play, adding further style and elegance to the high profile charity event.
Following a hugely successful inaugural event in 2010 that raised AED 1.2m for charity and marked the opening of the Arabian Gulf’s first and only beachfront golf course, the Saadiyat Beach Classic has become one of the most popular and prestigious occasions in Abu Dhabi’s sporting and social calendar. Funds raised at this year’s charity ball held at Emirates Palace will go directly to Emirates Autism Centre and Abilities Centre for Special Needs, as well as The Player
Foundation, to ensure that children in Abu Dhabi benefit directly from this enjoyable day of golf and evening of celebrations and auctions.
His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of TDIC, commented: “Golf is a key driver for Abu Dhabi’s leisure aspirations and the Saadiyat Beach Classic is now a firm part of our events calendar. We have received considerable support from all involved and we are looking forward to continuing to build the event in the coming years.”
Lee Tabler, Chief Executive Officer of TDIC, further added: “TDIC is looking forward to welcoming these world class players to Saadiyat Beach Golf Club to enjoy the beautiful beachfront course, raise important funds for local charities and round off a month of golfing excitement in Abu Dhabi with a fantastic day of sport and giving. Golf is growing across Abu Dhabi, and through Saadiyat Beach Classic, TDIC and our supporting sponsors are keen to ensure that this translates into real benefits for the local communities.”
Mohamed Eraiqat, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank commented: “ADCB is delighted to support the Saadiyat Beach Classic as it welcomes some of the world’s best sporting and entertainment figures to the capital. Maintaining our commitment to the future of Abu Dhabi, we look forward to participating in an event that not only entertains its guests but also raises awareness and funds for two very important local charities.”
The key aim of the tournament is to make a real difference to the lives of many children, whilst at the same time offering golfers and spectators the unique opportunity to rub shoulders with icons of sport and entertainment. On the evening of 24th January, TDIC will also host a black tie charity gala dinner at Emirates Palace featuring entertainment that includes a mixture of live performances from singers and artists from the Western and Arab world. Malik Jandali, one of Syria’s most versatile and imaginative musicians, is just one of the performers set to entertain guests at the prestigious event.
The evening will include silent and live auctions for a wide range of big-ticket items, donated by corporate sponsors to significantly boost the fund raising efforts. Some of the luxury items due to be auctioned include a Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Annual Passport for 2011, a couture dress made to measure by esteemed designer, Rami Al Ali, a Tiger Woods autographed personal Nike driver, and a Phillippe Tournaire ‘Palace’ ring with diamonds.
Gary Player, designer of Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and host of Saadiyat Beach Classic Pro-Am tournament and ball, explained: “Last year’s event saw VIPs from golf, sports, entertainment and business come together to play golf and enjoy an evening of entertainment and giving. I am always proud when golf brings people together for a good cause, and Saadiyat Beach Classic’s role in generating funds for children’s charities is fantastic. With these talented and charismatic golfers, unique auction prizes and the spectacular ball itself, I have no doubt that Saadiyat Beach Classic will see even more success in 2011.”
Colin Montgomerie, a long time supporter of golf in the UAE, commented: “Golf in its purest form is played along the coastline, and as a Scotsman I am especially looking forward to my first visit to the UAE’s only beachfront golf course at Saadiyat Beach. Abu Dhabi has a growing reputation as a truly world-class golfing destination, and the Saadiyat Beach Classic seems like the ideal opportunity to enjoy a beautiful setting whilst supporting local children’s charities.”
Managed by Troon Golf, the world’s largest golf management company, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is the flagship sports facility on Saadiyat Beach, a destination that is set to become a magnet for high-end visitors and residents due to its host of exclusive and stylish 5-star resorts.
The Pro-Am tournament on 24th January is free for spectators to attend, offering fans unprecedented access to some of the world’s greatest golfers as they tackle the spectacular championship golf course at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. The course opens at 9am with the first tee off at 10am.
Saadiyat Beach Classic 2011 is presented by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. Prestige Partners are Emirates Airlines and Emirates Palace and Media sponsors are Abu Dhabi Media Company and Motivate Publishing.
For more information go to www.saadiyatbeachclassic.com.
Full list of professional golfers and celebrities playing Saadiyat Beach Classic 2011:
• Gary Player, golfing legend and designer of Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
• Ian Poulter, English professional golfer and fashion designer.
• Paul Casey, English golfer ranked 3rd in the world in 2009.
• Colin Montgomerie, Scottish golfing legend and captain of this year’s successful European Ryder Cup Team.
• Matteo Manassero, Italian professional golfer and youngest ever winner of the European Tour.
• Thomas Bjorn, Denmark’s most successful professional golfer who plays on the European Tour.
• Faris Al Mazrui, member of the UAE National Golf Team.
• Constantino Rocca, professional Italian golfer and winner of five European Tours.
• Glenn Ralph, professional English golfer and winner of the 2009 Cleveland Golf/Srixon Scottish Senior Open.
• Carly Booth, Scottish professional golfer and emerging young talent in the golfing world.
• Henrietta Zuel, professional English golfer and the youngest ever player to take part in the Ladies European Tour as an amateur.
• Victor Matfield, South African rugby union player for the Sprinbok rugby team.
• Dwight Yorke, British football player who has played for Aston Villa, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sunderland and Sydney FC during his career.
• Zinzan Brooke, former New Zealand rugby union player.
• Gavin Hastings OBE, former Scottish rugby player considered as one of the best players to emerge out of Scotland.
Contact:
Guy DeSilva
Media Director
Black Knight International
+1 561 624 0300 x642
guy@garyplayer.com
