Great entertainment will meet top-quality golf at this month’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship where the expanded championship village will be packed with a fantastic wealth of attractions, prizes, games, competitions, live performances and family fun headlined by the inaugural HSBC Interactive Zone.

With spectators readying to watch the world’s best players battle it out on the Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National Course, including world number one Lee Westwood and all four 2010 Major winners, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which is behind the European Tour highlight event, has, together with the event’s sponsors, moved to ensure the off-course action is just as exciting.

“We want Championship visitors to connect with this golfing destination of excellence on and off the course, and to leave totally satisfied and ready to recommend the event to others in the future,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, ADTA.

ADTA has pulled together its biggest ever display, featuring three zones that will appeal to all the family. The Culture Zone will provide a rich insight into the emirate’s traditional life with displays of basket weaving, henna art, calligraphy and falconry.

The Team Abu Dhabi stand will feature some of the emirate’s top racing vehicles, such as the Junior World Rally Car, the Porsche GT3 race car and a UIM F1 Powerboat, allowing fans to get up-close to high-octane machines. There’s also a Hall of Fame tent, where visitors can relive Abu Dhabi’s greatest sporting moments over the last six years, in an interactive walk-though experience.

And for golf aficionados, ADTA has brought together all four Major trophies, marking the first time the prestigious quartet have been on public display in the Middle East.

In addition, the 200 square metre HSBC Interactive Zone, which will move to the village after a successful run on Abu Dhabi Corniche, gives fans of all sports the chance to brush up their skills and learn a few more.

A range of golf challenges, alongside rugby, tennis, horse racing, cricket and karting activities, are up for grabs in the zone.

Also, the world’s local bank, in the first year of its involvement with the tournament, is allowing HSBC customers to experience the Championship for free, simply by presenting their HSBC debit or credit cards at the entrance on Thursday 20th January and Sunday 23rd January.

“We have introduced the HSBC Interactive Zone on Abu Dhabi Corniche in the build-up to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, and it has been a resounding success with families,” said Simon Cooper, CEO of HSBC Middle East and North Africa. “We’re taking that approach into the Championship too; the HSBC Interactive Zone in the Championship Village is there to give any visitor a fun, hands-on experience to complement the excitement of the golf.”

For those looking for something more relaxed, visitors can head to the Anantara Spa tent, operated by the exclusive Emirates Palace hotel, where they can get free massages and the chance to unwind between watching the golfing action.

Kids can enjoy a Mini Putt Experience organised by the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, with fantastic prizes for budding golfers. They can also broaden their skills on a putting simulator powered by Etisalat.

To celebrate Etisalat’s 5th year as Official Telecommunications partner, the simulator will challenge players to putt an exact simulation of the course’s 5th hole. There will also be daily prizes for the winners including mobile handsets and laptops. In addition Etisalat will have demonstration products and sales assistants on hand for all golf fans’ telecommunications needs.

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, which is owned by Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), will offer more experienced players the chance to demonstrate their golfing skills on their specially designed golf simulator.
Winners will have the chance to play at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, the region’s first oceanfront golf club, designed by Gary Player. Additionally, TDIC, the master developer of tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi, and which also owns Abu Dhabi Golf Club, is sponsoring the Championship Radio. The station will offer ball-by-ball coverage throughout play, keeping spectators up to date with what’s happening on the course.

Jeremy Dale, one of the world’s leading trick-shot artists, will dazzle fans with his ‘seen to be believed’ routines. Dale, a genuine switch-hitter, who can strike quality golf shots both left and right handed, has entertained spectators in over 20 countries.

There’ll be a wide selection of hospitality options including the popular Champions Lounge overlooking the 9th and 18th greens, serving bubbly, cocktails and an exquisite array of appetisers, allowing fans to relax and watch all the action in style.

After play ends each day, the Champions Lounge and Falcon Terrace will turn into an intimate concert venue where Stuart Kennedy, a well-established swing/jazz vocalist from the UAE, will entertain.

With everything from an official merchandise store provided by Cutter & Buck to information on joining the UAE’s fastest growing golf club, the Etihad Golf Club, there is plenty to see and do at the Championship Village. And daily Championship information will be provided by Golf Digest and its ‘On The Tee’ daily newspaper.

For five-star hospitality that includes unparalleled views of the action from the iconic Abu Dhabi Golf Club clubhouse, spectators can buy tickets for the Falcon Terrace. The all-inclusive, all-day packages cost Dh1, 200 per person per day, with priority given to those booking tables for all four days. The Falcon Terrace sales team can be contacted at kate.bartley@imgworld.com.

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 EGF members. Children under 18 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Car parking is free during the Championship. HSBC cardholders receive free entry on the door on Thursday 20th January and Sunday 23rd January.

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.
 

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