Friday 26 / July / 2024
Muscat: A seven-member Oman team, including three talented juniors, has left for Qatar to take part in the GCC Men's and Under-18 Golf Championships to be organised at the Doha Golf Club from Wednesday.
With the Sultanate's most experienced golfer Azzan Al Rumhy spearheading the challenge, Oman's men's team are expected to achieve good results. The team also comprises Hamed Al Rumhy, Yousuf Al Balushi and Ahmed Al Balushi.
In the under-18 category, the Omani team of Rashad Al Harthy, Fahad Al Kitani and Hamood Al Harthy will be the strong title contenders.
The trio had a great outing in the last year's GCC U-18 event organised in Kuwait where they had won the runners-up spot.
In the 2014-15 season too, they did well winning laurels for the country, especially in the under-15 level.
The team to Doha is accompanied by Oman Golf Committee's vice-chairman and team manager Ahmed Al Jhdhamy, and junior national team coach Milo Breitenwischer.
OGC chief Mundhir Al Barwani, meanwhile, wished the team all success at the GCC championships.
“I wish the players all the very best. We are hopeful about our men’s team as well as the u-18 team. Azzan is an experienced golfer while Hamood, Fahad, Rashad are all set to take up the challenge. They have a very good reputation at this level. I am extremely satisfied with both the teams’ preparations.”
Coach Breitenwischer, a PGA Pro, said: “I know the limitations of the boys. I cannot expect an extraordinary result from them. But if they stick to their basics and play their own game, then they are bound to get some good results.”
The Omani boys began their final preparations for the championships in right earnest, undergoing a rigorous practice session right after their arrival at Doha Golf Club.
Azzan said: “Today we had a very good practice round. We are all geared up for the tournament."
"I have played a number of rounds here on this course. I am quite familiar with the course character. I hope we can finish in top places," he added.
Azzan also said the team will miss Ali Hameed, who retired from national team duty last year.
"Definitely, we will miss the services of Ali Hameed. This is for the first time that we are playing without him," Azzan said.
"But I hope Ahmed Al Balushi will get a good chance to prove himself.”
Hamood Al Harthy, meanwhile, sounded optimistic of under-18 team's chances.
“Today’s practice was great. With Fahad and Rashad, we are a very good team and we will throw some tough challenge to our opponents. We are confident of achieving a podium finish,” he said.
OGC vice-chairman Ahmed Al Jhdhamy said: “We are all geared up. The boys are well prepared. We have our coach Milo here with the boys. They can turn to him any time in any given situation. His presence is especially inspiring for the boys.
"We don’t want to return home empty handed and the boys know it very well.”
