INTEREST in the Sharjah Senior Invitational Pro-Am presented by Shurooq is gathering pace throughout the UAE and beyond.
The 18-hole Pro-Am, hosted by Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, takes place on Wednesday, March 16, with the Press Conference unveiling exciting future plans starting the proceedings at 10.0am. The Press Conference will feature three former Ryder Cup stars along with representatives from Shurooq, The European Tour and Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club.
Following the Press Conference, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani will preside over the Official Opening of the Golf Academy at 11.0am, preceding the golf clinic at 11.30am when European Senior Tour winners Des Smyth, Paul Broadhurst and Ronan Rafferty will demonstrate how the game should be played and offer tips and advice to the day’s attendees.
Lunch is at 12.0noon on the stunning SENSI Terrace, then a photo session before the announcement at 12.50pm signals the players to head for their tees for the shotgun start at 1.0pm where one of the Pros will repeatedly play holes 3 and 12, while another also plays holes 8 and 17 with every group. The third Pro will also play one hole with each group at some point during their round, meaning the invited amateurs will play a total of five holes with a European Senior Tour Professional.
The format will be a best 2 from 4 Shambles with all five scores to count on the four par-3s. The best 2 from 5 modification will also apply when the ‘roaming’ Pro joins the group for an additional hole.
The Presentation Dinner takes place at 6.30pm with multiple prizes awarded from a variety of events running throughout the day’s play and concludes with an entertaining Question and Answer session with Smyth, Broadhurst and Rafferty on their escapades during their lifetime playing on The European Tour and Senior Tour.
The Pro-Am promises to be a fun day for all as sponsors and invited guests play the Peter Harradine-designed layout which will showcase Sharjah’s merits as an international golf and tourism destination.
Nick Tarratt, Director, European Tour International Dubai Office, said: “We’re excited to see a European Senior Tour initiative in Sharjah and back in the UAE and the region. Shurooq and the Sharjah Government have been great supporters and their efforts, along with that of Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, to make this initiative happen are to be commended.”
H.E. Marwan Jassim Al Sarkal, Chief Executive Officer, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), commented: “We’re delighted to be supporting this wonderful event that will promote the emirate of Sharjah on the local, regional and global stage. Sharjah has many merits as a hub for business, sport and tourism and we look forward to welcoming our friends, clients and associates to play with some of these great names from the world of golf.”
Ziad Al Sharabi, Sales and Marketing Director, Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, added: “This event is a fantastic platform for us to showcase our excellent floodlit course and leisure facilities to both the local residents of Sharjah and the international market. We will be opening our new state-of-the-art Golf Academy and we’ll be proud to show what the club has to offer during this great event.”
