Sakhir The Royal Golf Club's Montgomerie course will host some of the world's top golfers and famous sporting celebrities in a unique tournament format on April 13 and 14. IMG Worldwide and the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) are organising the weekend of competitive golf and special events.
Global golf stars — Paul Casey, Colin Montgomerie and Thomas Bjorn — are among the pros already confirmed to face off over 18 holes. Each will play in teams of two alongside tennis superstar Tim Henman, American football icon Joe Montana, and football legends Gianluca Vialli and Ruud Gullit. The pro-celebrity tournament will take place a week prior to the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, and is one of a growing number of international sporting events held in the Kingdom.
Other activities during this two-day celebration will include a community tennis coaching initiative featuring Britain's Tim Henman at the Bahrain Tennis Club, a football coaching programme with former football internationals Gianluca Vialli and Ruud Gullit at Bahrain National Stadium, and a Sportsman's Question Time with Joe Montana.
Showcase event
Paul Casey, an 11-time winner on the European Tour, including last year's Volvo Golf Champions in Bahrain, said: "I am delighted to be returning to Bahrain for this showcase event at the magnificent Montgomerie course."
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa, chief executive of the EDB, said: "We are delighted to be attracting such a high calibre of international golf and sports stars to Bahrain for the tournament. Hosting key international events such as the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix, the Bahrain International Boat Show, and the Bahrain Air Show, are an important focus for the EDB as we seek to showcase the Kingdom's attractive business environment."
Tim Henman, former UK number one, said "I am honoured to have been asked to play in the golf tournament and delighted to be taking part in the tennis coaching initiative. The Bahrain Tennis Club has already played host to a number of high profile tournaments and special coaching clinics, dedicated to fostering local tennis talent and offering a platform for competition."
The weekly UAE Golf Special will not appear this week.
