Organisers of this month’s new look, US$2.7m Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship (20-23 January) are giving fans a chance to win tickets to see their heroes in action, and learn a spot of Arabic at the same time.

By logging on to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Facebook page -www.facebook.com/AbuDhabiHSBCGolfChampionship2011 - fans can see the European Tour-backed tournament’s star-studded line-up trying their best to speak Arabic, as they ready to do battle in the UAE capital next weekend for a shot at the coveted Falcon trophy.

Shrewd linguists can then win weekend passes to the event, running at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, by guessing what the phrases mean and by voting which golfer has the best pronunciation.

World Number 1, Lee Westwood, and two-time Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship winner, Paul Casey, are just two of the golfers enrolled for Arabic lessons by organiser, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA). Ryder Cup winner Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa, and rising star Matteo Manassero of Italy, also dusted off their phrase books to try and jump to the top of the class.

With its strongest player line up - including all four 2010 Major winners and seven of the world’s top 11 - and an enhanced Championship Village - with a larger F&B offering, activity line-up and competition pool - this year’s event is expected to attract the biggest spectator turnout in its six year history.

For those not lucky enough to win, regular Championship tickets are priced at AED125 for a daily pass and AED400 for a four-day pass. Preferential rates of AED100 and AED300, respectively, apply to UGA members. Children under 18 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Car parking is free during the Championship.

Tickets are available via the event’s official website, www.abudhabihsbcgolfchampionship.com, as well as online at www.timeouttickets.com and www.itptickets.com. Phone bookings can be made through the ITP toll-free hotline 800 4669, or for international visitors, +971 4 210 8943.

As part of the event’s new title sponsorship deal with HSBC, the world’s local bank, all HSBC customers gain free entry to the Championship on Thursday 20th and Sunday 23rd January by showing their debit/credit cards at the gate.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is backed by a high-profile sponsorship line-up that also includes Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, Emirates Palace hotel, Etisalat, TDIC, Airbus, Xerox, CNN, Gulf News and Rolex.

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