Oman Golf: Ghala Golf Open attracts record entries

Muscat: To honour Oman’s golfing pioneer late His Highness Sayyid Kais bin Tariq Al Said, Ghala Golf Club will organise their annual open tournament under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Taimur bin Asad Al Said.
Teeing off on January 21, the Ghala Golf Open will be a tribute to His Highness’s passion for the game and will entertain 160 participants, which makes it the largest golf tournament in Oman history.
“The passion His Highness Kais brought to the game was unquestionable. Being an avid golfer, he represented Oman at international tournaments and club competitions. He was not only a passionate golfer but also an iconic ambassador for golf in Oman. Golf would not have reached the platform it has reached today without his guidance and contributions,” remarked Ibrahim Al Wahaibi, vice-chairman of Ghala Golf Club.
Golf, a game that was played leisurely by a few in Oman has now reached a platform that is competitive, zealous and played by several nationalities. The tournament will memorialise this transition,what Golf has become in the Sultanate thanks to HH Kais Al Said. The event is to celebrate his achievements and bring all golfers together.
Sponsored by His Highness Sayyid Taimur Al Said, the single Stableford format tournament with a shotgun start is intended to offer all handicap bearing golfers the opportunity to be a part of this prodigious occasion.
Leon Sassen, General Manager at Golf World, said: “We had an overwhelming response from players this year. I have been managing golf events for almost nine years in Oman, and I can proudly say this is the largest single day tournament I have ever managed here, with, 160 players’ participation. It just shows how popular His Highness Kais was. He was the motivation for me to move to the Sultanate.”
After the huge success of the event last year, the sporting and social benefits continue to be observed nationwide. Oman is becoming one of the popular golfing destinations, attracting a number of vacationers as well as locals to swing their clubs. With scenic backdrops and discerning tourists, the game has opened doors to more economic opportunities.