Abu Dhabi: Spain's Sergio Garcia is the latest big name player to join the elite field set to gather on the Yas Links Golf Club course on January 30 for the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah.

Widely acclaimed as the most prestigious one-day Pro-Am in golf, the tournament has long attracted a host of the game's best players since its first staging at the Four Seasons Golf Club, Dubai in 2007, but now that it has received official European Tour sanctioning more players than ever are keen to get in on the action. Having returned to form n last season with back-to-back victories at the Andalucia Masters and the Castello Masters Ryder Cup star Garcia is relishing his first visit to Yas Links and his second appearance at the tournament.

"I'm really looking forward to playing in the Emirates Airline Invitational again," said Garcia, who played in the event at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht two years ago in a group with tournament host Abdullah Al Naboodah, Lee Westwood and good friend Allan Stanton, Hawker Beechcraft's Sales Director. "I enjoyed the 2010 event — it's a great day and lots of fun. I've heard very good things about the course at Yas Links so I can't wait get out there."

Garcia joins an all-star cast for the 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational which also includes defending champion and two-time Major winner Retief Goosen, 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, 2012 European Ryder Cup Captain Jose Maria Olazabal, 2010 European Captain and eight-time Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie and wealth of talent from the cream of The European Tour.

Sponsors

Along with the quality of the field, the event also attracts, in addition to title sponsor Emirates Airline, luxury jet manufacturer Hawker Beechcraft is once again on board as a Premier Partner along with Sunseeker International yachts, who will have a boat moored in the lagoon at the 14th hole during the tournament. Standard Chartered, Visa, Land Rover, and the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group complete the line-up of Premier Partners.

"It's a pleasure to once again be a part of the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah," said Sean McGeough, President EMEA & APAC, Hawker Beechcraft. "The Middle East represents one of our most important global markets..."

For more information regarding the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah or to apply for free tickets please visit: www.emiratesairlineinvitational.com

ANTICIPATION is already building ahead of the Emirates Airline Invitational Golden Ticket Grand Final taking place at Yas Links Golf Club in Abu Dhabi on January 24^th.

The event is the culmination of the hugely successful Golden Ticket Series presented by Carpetland, which has captivated the imagination of golfers across the GCC and around the world. A total of 1116 players have entered some 31 qualifying events in five different countries - Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar as well as the UAE and the UK - all playing for the chance to win a coveted ‘Golden Ticket’ which will grant one adult and one junior a place in the star-studded Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, also taking place at Yas Links on January 30^th.

Marketing Director for Carpetland Shahriar Khodjasteh commented “The uptake in the series has been extraordinary and to have our preferred charity ‘Friends of Cancer Patients’ benefit to the tune of AED64,500 is just fantastic. I would like to thank James Bowring and his team for executing each event so professionally and representing our brand all over the GCC.”

The pool of 1116 has been whittled down to 62 who will compete in the Grand Final the week prior to the Emirates Airline Invitational, all vying for the chance to tee it up alongside the likes of Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen, Paul Casey and Emirates Airline Invitational Ambassadors Graeme McDowell and Ross Fisher in the finest one-day pro-am in the world.

“To win a Golden Ticket to play in the Emirates Airline Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah is simply a once in a lifetime opportunity for any golfer and we are delighted that so many golfers have recognised this,” said Tournament Director, James Bowring who created the concept three years ago with Worldwide Golf. “The series we put together this year offered every golfer who plays in the GCC a chance to win the Golden Ticket and we hope to spread this to other parts of the world in 2012.”

One of those hoping to bag a Golden Ticket will be 13-handicapper Rafa Roberts, who put in a sterling display to win the UK Qualifying event from a field of 120 players at the beautiful Golf Club at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire over the summer. Rafa will now be flown out to the UAE by Emirates Airline to compete in the Grand Final and will be invited as a guest to watch the event proper should he miss out on a Golden Ticket.

“It’s a fantastic series with an amazing prize up for grabs at the end,” said Rafa. “I’ve been to Dubai before but I’ve never been to Abu Dhabi so I’m really looking forward to it. I watched the Invitational on TV this year so it’ll be great to actually be there and even better if I manage to win the Grand Final so I can play in the event.” 

The December Carpetland Open was played today at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club with 88 players from all over the UAE taking part.  The December event was always going to be particularly special as the top three teams would gain a place in the Grand Final of the famous 'Golden Ticket' which will be played in late January at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi.  The top junior and adult in the 'Golden Ticket' Grand Final will then qualify to play alongside one of the European Tour's top players in the prestigious Emirates Airline Invitational.

As always in the Carpetland Open it was a pairs event and this month the format was better ball Stableford.  Winning by just one point was the Creek-member team of Yves Aboukhaled and Pierre Abou Jaoude.  Their score of 38 points beat Madhav Nair and Shashi Raghavan into the runner spot on 37 points.  In third place and also winning their spot in the Golden Ticket Grand Final were Dave Gowans and Joy Lirio who also had 37 points although lost in a countback to Nair and Raghavan.  The special on course nearest the pin and longest drive competitions were won by Adonis Nasr and Shahin Khodjasteh.

Tournament Director of the Emirates Airline Invitational James Bowring joined Carpetland's Shahriar Khodjasteh to present the awards and the special invitations.  Bowring commented; "It is wonderful to have Carpetland as a sponsor of this year's event.  The 'Golden Ticket' competition has proved hugely successful and given the normal golfer a chance to rub shoulders with some of the games elite players."

Congratulations to Hassan Yazdi who won the EGF Open Golden Ticket Qualifier at Sharjah G&SC with a nett 75 on Thursday 1st December. Also qualifying in second place on count back was Dylan Fjellstrom and in 3rd Haroom Mahmood on nett 77. All three players will compete in the Golden Ticket Grand Final at Yas Links on 24th January

Rattan Sehra won the EGF Open Golden Ticket qualifier at Emirates Golf Club on 14th November with a fine 72 around the Faldo Course. Francisco Giles also qualified in second with nett 74. Both players will now compete in the Golden Ticket Grand Final on 24th January at Yas Links for a chance to play in the Emirates Airline Invitational 2012

Congratulations to Aryaan Kumar and Hrithik Khurana (centre) who finished 1st and 2nd respectively in the Junior Golden Ticket Qualifier at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club on 24th November. Aryaan and Hrithick will play in the Golden Ticket Grand Final on 24th January with the winner playing in the Emirates Airline Invitational 2012 with a European Tour Pro as their partner.

Congratulations to Sharon Hall for winning the Yas Links Members Medal Qualifier by two shots to her son Darren Hall. Sharon Hall shot nett 68, Darren Hall with nett 70 and in 3rd was Emanuel Ostojic with a nett 71. Sharon will compete in the grand final in January for a chancy to win the Golden Ticket.

For your chance to win the Golden Ticket please click here

The magnificent Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, has been chosen as the venue for the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, on Monday, January 30, 2012.

The European Tour-sanctioned one-day Pro-Am was staged at Yas Links for the first time in January 2011 and proved to be an overwhelming success. Players and spectators alike heralded the tournament a fun yet seriously competitive event where the fans were able to get close to the action and join in the banter with the cream of The European Tour.

With the event now part of The European Tour’s Pro-Am Calendar, the sixth staging of the Emirates Airline Invitational is gathering momentum towards the big day. With the series of Carpetland Golden Ticket qualifiers well underway, the battle for a place in the Grand Final to earn a place as the leading amateur and leading junior is also warming up. 

The date of January 30 for the Emirates Airline Invitational fits perfectly into The European Tour’s Middle East Swing schedule with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship from January 26-29, the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy from February 2-5, followed by the Omega Desert Classic from February 9-12

Abdullah Al Naboodah commented: “We are delighted to announce that we will be going back to Yas Links, Abu Dhabi. Last year’s Emirates Airline Invitational at Yas Links was enjoyed by everyone and Chris White and his team looked after everyone exceptionally well.

“With the Invitational now being a European Tour sanctioned event it has been elevated to an even higher position and we are looking forward to a really great day and generating as much funds as we possibly can for charity, continuing the great tradition of the event.

“Although the Invitational gains greater status year on year the Pro-Am remains most famous for its atmosphere of being a really great fun yet competitive event played in a wonderful sporting spirit – and I know this sixth running of the event will be just as enjoyable for the players as it will be for the spectators.” 

Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open Champion who put the icing on the cake on his season last year by sinking the winning putt for Europe in The Ryder Cup, commented:  “It’s fantastic news that that the Invitational is going back to Yas Links. 

“Kyle Phillips has created something pretty special and unique there. I think authentic is probably a good word for it. He really has achieved what he set out to do – creating a genuine links course in the desert. Sometimes you can close your eyes and think you’re at Kingsbarns at St Andrews, the way the greens roll, the way they’re shaped, the turf and the way everything reacts – as I say, authentic is a great word to describe it.” 

Chris White, General Manager, Aldar Golf, commented: “It’s a great honour for Yas Links to again be chosen to host one of the greatest one-day Pro-Ams in world golf. The 2011 Invitational was a wonderful experience for all concerned and we are all eagerly awaiting January 30.”

Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International – Dubai Office, added: “The Emirates Airline Invitational was a huge success at Yas Links last January so it makes good sense for the tournament to return there on January 30, the day after the conclusion of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

“The Tour is pleased to be sanctioning the event and we value the tournament as one of the most prestigious and enjoyable Pro-Ams on our Tour.”
Nadim Lahad, Emirates Airline Manager, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain commented:  “We are looking forward to returning to the wonderful Yas Links Golf Club in Abu Dhabi for our second year in sponsoring the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah. The venue and the date are just right. 

“The Invitational will further be used as a platform for Emirates to showcase our high quality services to an international audience and with the support of The European Tour we expect this reach to expand even further.”

The Montgomerie Dubai kicked off proceedings with a large field of 62 members all battling it out for the 3 qualification spots in the Golden Ticket Grand Final. 15 yr old Ananya Sharma takes 1st place,  Robert Webb came 2nd and Alan Salem took the final 3rd spot.

Congratulations to Jonathan De Fraine from Jumeirah Golf Estates who won the Golden Ticket Qualifier on Saturday 8th October with a nett 72. With 33 players in the field, level par was good enough to take the single spot in the grand final.

Over 20 members battled it out for a spot in the Golden Ticket Finale which was taken 16 year old Joe Madin won the event with a fantastic score of 61 off 18 handicap. Joe took the single spot available for the Tower Links Members and will take part in the Grand Final in January.

ENGLAND: THE larger than life Raphael Roberts was left beaming from ear to ear after winning the coveted Golden Ticket at the Emirates Airline Invitational Golden Ticket UK Qualifier.

The eagerly anticipated event, organized by the Middle East’s No.1 golf publication Worldwide Golf, which took place in the stunning surroundings of The Golf Club at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire, England on Monday August 22^nd, was hugely over-subscribed with a ballot required to trim down the field to the maximum permitted 120 golfers.

The lucky selected competitors were treated to a day of glorious sunshine with the Melbourne Course – one of Brocket Hall’s two world-class layouts – in pristine condition.  With a maximum handicap of 18 for men and 28 for ladies the standard of golf on display was tremendous and with a trip to the UAE to compete in the Golden Ticket Grand Final, and a chance to tee it up alongside the stars of The European Tour at the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, up for grabs, competition was fierce.

Among the field in the strokeplay event were celebrities such as radio DJ Spoony and ex Celtic and West Ham goal keeper Allen McKnight while competitors were also treated to a breathtaking and highly entertaining show by renowned trick shot specialist Kevin Carpenter who was previously a pro at Riffa Views Golf Club.

With some impressive scores being returned it was going to take a phenomenal performance to take the considerable spoils and 13-handicapper Rafa pulled one out of the bag with a wonderful round of net 69.

“This feels absolutely tremendous,” said an ecstatic Rafa who will fly to the UAE on Emirates Airlines to compete in the Golden Ticket Grand Final next January the week before the Invitational and will be invited to Abdullah Al Naboodah’s event as a special guest even if he doesn’t win the Golden Ticket. “It’s quite rare for me to win a tournament – normally I come sixth or seventh so today being first is special and I feel very, very happy. It’s great.

“I’ve been to Dubai before but I’ve never been to Abu Dhabi so I’m really looking forward to it. I watched the Invitational on TV this year so it’ll be great to actually be there and even better if I manage to win the Grand Final so I can play in the event.”

Taking second place in the overall net category was Mike Trower (17) who shot a net 70 while last year’s winner, Steve Gray (13) finished third with a net 71 and Peter Drew (9) completed the net prizewinners with a net 72.

Brocket Hall member Kay Wardley used her local knowledge to good effect to win the ladies’ event with a score of 71, closely followed by fellow member Suzi Hyne on net 72 while the impressive Charlie Clare shot 75 to win the best gross category.

Longest Drive prizes for men and ladies were won by George Gros and Helen Hayward while Nearest the Pin prizes were won by Vijay Raithatha (men) and Vicki Stone (ladies).

The event, which also saw competitors give generously in a charity auction, was in aid of the Invitational’s official UK charity, the Jude Brady Foundation which raises funds and awareness to help combat stillbirth and neonatal death.

Emirates Airline Invitational Tournament Director James Bowring added:

“It was great to see so many golfers playing in the over-subscribed event and a big thanks to Brocket Hall for staging the tournament on the stunning Melbourne course. Raphael played great to qualify for the Grand Final of the Emirates Airline Invitational Golden Ticket to be held in the UAE in January.”

With Rafa now confirmed as the UK Golden Ticket qualifier all eyes turn back to the Middle East for the main series of qualifying events, with the Club Member tournaments commencing at the Montgomerie, Dubai on September 23^rd and the non-member tournaments beginning at The Els Club, Dubai on October 19^th.