PROMOTES HASSAN II GOLF TROPHY
RABAT, June 16 - ''golf in DUBAI'' took another giant stride in showcasing the emirate''s growing golfing profile to the world when it teamed up with the Hassan II Golf Trophy Society to promote and organise one of the major tournaments in Morocco.
The 35th Hassan II Golf Trophy will be held in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, from October 25 to 28 this year, it was announced at the signing ceremony of the partnership agreement between Driss Benhima, Deputy Chairman of Hassan II Golf Trophy Society and Mohamed Buamaim, Vice Chairman and CEO of ''golf in DUBAI''.
Mohamed Buamaim, Vice-Chairman and CEO of 'golf in DUBAI,' (fourth from right), is flanked by Driss Benhima (on his right), Deputy Chairman, Hassan II Golf Society, and Mohamed Chaibi, (on his left), Tournament Director, and other members of the society after the signing of the agreement in Rabat.
The signing ceremony, which amply reflects on the growing economic, political and sporting ties between the two countries, was held in Rabat recently.
“We are delighted with this partnership with 'golf in DUBAI' and are looking forward to working with them to promote our tournament to a new level,” said Driss Benhima , Deputy Chairman of the Hassan II Golf Trophy Society.
“We are confident that their experience in organizing major professional tournaments, will help in raising the profile of the Hassan II Golf Trophy,” he said
“The event will also strengthen the ever-growing bilateral ties between UAE and Morocco. We know the Dubai Desert Classic is one of the most-sought after events on the European Tour and, I am sure, the same vision and standards of excellence will echo during the Hassan II Golf Trophy,” he said
"We in the UAE have deep feelings of respect and regard for the people of Morocco. And I am confident that our partnership agreement with the Hassan II Golf Trophy Society will mark the beginning of a new era in the sporting ties between the two countries," said Buamaim.
"Since its inauguration in 1971, the Hassan II Golf Trophy has attracted some of the finest players in the game and has helped launch the careers of the likes of Payne Stewart, Vijay Singh and David Toms.
"Being promoters and organisers of premier events like the Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai Ladies Masters, we are familiar with what it takes to put together world-class tournaments. This is the third time that we will be handling an event outside the UAE," he said.
"Our first event at Bangalore in India last year turned out to be a huge success and the recently announced European Tour Indian Masters will without doubt be a big boost for Indian golf.
"We are honoured to be associated with a prestigious event of the stature of the Hassan II Golf Trophy" Buamaim added.
Last year, Scotland's Sam Torrance beat French Raphaël Jacquelin in a playoff to win the Hassan II Golf Trophy held at Royal Golf Dar Es-Salam –- a championship 45-hole course -- from February 23 to 26.
Torrance carded rounds of 70-67-69-75 in the vibrant North African country and was tied with the 31-year-old Frenchman on the 11 under par tally of 281 before going on to defeat Jacquelin at the first extra hole of a play-off and collected the winner's cheque for $120,000.
Golf, first introduced to Morocco in the 1920s and has since developed into a national passion and craze being further enhanced when King Hassan II himself took it up as a pastime and became the honorary president of the Moroccan Golf Federation.
‘golf in DUBAI’ is backed by Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the main partner and National Bank of Dubai, Emaar, Jumeirah Hotels, Emirates airline, BMW, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Gulf News, Omega and CNN as partners in its drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.
