Fashion, Fun, Picnics…and Golf
12 - January 2013
Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Unveils Exciting Array of Off-Course Activities to Complement Region’s Finest Field
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the organiser of next week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, has revealed more details about the incredible range of family-friendly activities and fan-driven events running at the four-day tournament, which tees-off on Thursday (January 17th).
With the Championship’s eighth outing attracting another stellar line-up of the world’s top players, including enigmatic American superstar, Tiger Woods, and world number one, Rory McIlroy, the range of activities in the expanded Championship Village has been enhanced to ensure spectators are kept entertained on the fringes of the National course.
Heading the fun-tastic bill is ‘Ladies Day’ on Friday (January 18th), which will include a best dressed competition run in partnership with glamour magazine Hello! Middle East. As part of the competition, the magazine’s Deputy Editor will prowl the Championship Village identifying the most suavely and glamourously dressed women. The winner will receive a one night’s stay at the Championship official hotel, the five-star St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, a luxurious spa treatment and a complimentary golf lesson at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
On Saturday (January 19th), fans can enter for free by simply wearing an item of visible clothing that is ‘Championship red’, while those looking for a lunch with a difference can choose carefully-selected viewing areas overlooking the National Course fairways and greens and take advantage of a special Picnic Day promotion. Additionally, the first 100 people to cross the Championship entrance gates every day will be let in for free and the first 75 HSBC Premier customers through the gates each day will get a voucher for a free picnic for two.
“Once again we have looked at ways of adding to the Championship’s pull and we’re confident our compelling range of events, activities and promotions will generate plenty of interest from Emiratis and the country’s diverse expatriate community,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, TCA Abu Dhabi. “As well the chance to watch the world’s top golfers in action, the Championship Village offers a wide selection of activities everyone can enjoy. We’re predicting another magical event for fans both on and off the course.”
At the heart of the Championship Village, the HSBC Interactive Village will be a central attraction and the ideal place for people of all ages and abilities to test out their sports skills, or learn some new ones! With everything from putting and chipping challenges to HSBC Golf Simulators and the HSBC Coaching Nets - where people can spend 10 minutes enjoying a free golf lesson from a professional golf coach - there will be plenty for golf lovers to soak up.
Elsewhere, the HSBC Children's Creative Zone with a host of arts and crafts activities, the HSBC ‘photo experience’, the HSBC Speed Serve Challenge and music from a live DJ every afternoon. Visitors will also have the chance to win a range of brilliant prizes.
Added to the mix will be appearances by a host of sporting legends, including double Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship winner, Paul Casey, former British number one tennis player, Tim Henman, and two of the greatest rugby players of all time, Scotland’s Gavin Hastings and Welshman, Jonathan Davies.
HSBC Global Head of Sponsorship and Events Giles Morgan said: “The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is our flagship event in the region and, again, we’ve got a world class field taking part – we know fans and our customers are inspired by watching some of the biggest names in golf and the HSBC Interactive Village is all about giving people the chance to get involved themselves.”
Daily entrance to see the ‘Giants of Golf’ starts at just AED 50, with a four-day pass costing AED 150. Tickets are also available via the event’s official website www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com/en/Ticket as well as www.timeouttickets.com. Etihad Guest (frequent flyer programme) members and HSBC customers receive free entry to the Championship when they show their cards at the gate.