Abu Dhabi: Ten lucky Emirati students are being given the chance to have a lesson with charismatic French star, Jean Van de Velde, at this week's Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, running from January 15 to 18.
The exclusive lesson will mark the end of the Standard Chartered Young UAE Leaders Golf Programme in which 25 students from the Abu Dhabi Men's College and Abu Dhabi Women's College participated and will reward the 10 most promising ones with an hour's session on the National Course's new driving range, with the golfer, who finished T19 at the British Open in 2008.
Jeremy Parrish, CEO, Standard Chartered Abu Dhabi & Al Ain explained that since 2006, the bank has aimed to foster and sustain golf's long-term presence in Abu Dhabi.
"This year, as part of our community programme, we wanted to make the sport more accessible to the UAE youth. We believe that Jean's successes and obvious love for the game make him the ideal person to take local interest in golf to the next level.
We hope Jean will instill a similar passion for the sport among the emirate's leaders of tomorrow," he said.
Van de Velde made headlines while leading the 1999 British Open, when he blew a three-stroke lead and, failing to clear the Barry Burn in two, famously rolled up his trouser legs and removed his shoes and socks at the 72nd hole, finally losing the subsequent playoff to Paul Lawrie.
He will apply the same dedication to his first 2009 event, the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, in his bid to claim his maiden National Course title.
