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Tribune News Network
DOHA
The Qatar Golf Association (QGA) has increased qualifying spots in the Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in a bid to make it more attractive and competitive.
The tournament will start at the Doha Golf Club course from February 14 and run through to February 16. As many as 100 players, including 23 Pro golfers, have sent in their entries.
The three-day Stroke Play event used to advance the winner in both the amateur and Pro categories besides two best Qatari finishers till the last year. But the QGA has added two more automatic berths in the Pro class, raising the maximum number of qualifiers to seven now.
During a press conference at the Doha Golf Club on Monday, QFA General Secretary Fahad Nasser al Naimi said that the new step would be very helpful for the popularity of the event.
“We’re happy to announce that we’ve increased the number of qualifying spots. Already a lot of players are coming from all over the world to play in the Qatar Open and try to have a chance to qualify for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
“This will draw more professional players, add to the depth in the event and offer a good opportunity for the amateur to hone their game. Since there will be three spots for the professionals as well, we’ll hopefully be able to get bigger and better response from them,” he added.
As far as the Qatari players are concerned, they will also have one extra spot compared to two till now. He said, “Saleh al Kaabi and Ali al Shahrani have been qualifying for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters for some time. Now we have Jeham al Kuwari, who is young and talented. We wish to promote him. As a result, we have now three qualifying spots for the Qatari players,” he explained.
The 2017 Qatar Open runner-up Kaabi, Shahrani and Kuwari will lead the 10-member Qatari team challenge in the tournament.
Last year, Joshua White of England had topped the Pro category, beating former double European Tour winner Simon Khan and Jean-Michel Hall was third.
American Thomas Strandemo has had good time in the event as an amateur and was runner-up to Jakub Hrinda, a Doha-based Slovakian player, in 2015. There are four Pro players from Doha among 23 who would be competing for three precious Qatar Masters spots.
Also among the professional players is Craig Lawrie, son of former Major champion and two-time Commercial Bank Qatar Masters winner Paul Lawrie.
QGA Event Manager Mohammed Faisal al Naimi said the Qatar Open is playing a good role in development of the Qatari talent. “The development process always takes some time. We’re benefitting a lot from series of events that we host. This has enabled us to claim the silver medal in the Arab Championship last year. We also did well in the junior Arab level events and won the team silver medal.
“Our golfers are playing and competing well in the Asian Games, Asian Championships and World Championships. Regular exposure in strong events will surely help the Qatari players raise their level,” he added.
Also present in the press conference were Doha Golf Club General Manager Gary McGlinchey, Andreas Pfister, InterContinental Doha General Manager, and Ramy Essam, Sales Director of Alkalive. Pfister said: “Intercontinental Doha has been supporting the community sports activities actively and we are proud to back the Qatar Open once again.”
QGA General Secretary Fahad Nasser al Naimi thanked sponsors Qatar Olympic Committee, InterContinental Doha, Doha Golf Club, Royal Air Maroc and Alkalive for their backing to the event.
DOHA
The Qatar Golf Association (QGA) has increased qualifying spots in the Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in a bid to make it more attractive and competitive.
The tournament will start at the Doha Golf Club course from February 14 and run through to February 16. As many as 100 players, including 23 Pro golfers, have sent in their entries.
The three-day Stroke Play event used to advance the winner in both the amateur and Pro categories besides two best Qatari finishers till the last year. But the QGA has added two more automatic berths in the Pro class, raising the maximum number of qualifiers to seven now.
During a press conference at the Doha Golf Club on Monday, QFA General Secretary Fahad Nasser al Naimi said that the new step would be very helpful for the popularity of the event.
“We’re happy to announce that we’ve increased the number of qualifying spots. Already a lot of players are coming from all over the world to play in the Qatar Open and try to have a chance to qualify for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
“This will draw more professional players, add to the depth in the event and offer a good opportunity for the amateur to hone their game. Since there will be three spots for the professionals as well, we’ll hopefully be able to get bigger and better response from them,” he added.
As far as the Qatari players are concerned, they will also have one extra spot compared to two till now. He said, “Saleh al Kaabi and Ali al Shahrani have been qualifying for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters for some time. Now we have Jeham al Kuwari, who is young and talented. We wish to promote him. As a result, we have now three qualifying spots for the Qatari players,” he explained.
The 2017 Qatar Open runner-up Kaabi, Shahrani and Kuwari will lead the 10-member Qatari team challenge in the tournament.
Last year, Joshua White of England had topped the Pro category, beating former double European Tour winner Simon Khan and Jean-Michel Hall was third.
American Thomas Strandemo has had good time in the event as an amateur and was runner-up to Jakub Hrinda, a Doha-based Slovakian player, in 2015. There are four Pro players from Doha among 23 who would be competing for three precious Qatar Masters spots.
Also among the professional players is Craig Lawrie, son of former Major champion and two-time Commercial Bank Qatar Masters winner Paul Lawrie.
QGA Event Manager Mohammed Faisal al Naimi said the Qatar Open is playing a good role in development of the Qatari talent. “The development process always takes some time. We’re benefitting a lot from series of events that we host. This has enabled us to claim the silver medal in the Arab Championship last year. We also did well in the junior Arab level events and won the team silver medal.
“Our golfers are playing and competing well in the Asian Games, Asian Championships and World Championships. Regular exposure in strong events will surely help the Qatari players raise their level,” he added.
Also present in the press conference were Doha Golf Club General Manager Gary McGlinchey, Andreas Pfister, InterContinental Doha General Manager, and Ramy Essam, Sales Director of Alkalive. Pfister said: “Intercontinental Doha has been supporting the community sports activities actively and we are proud to back the Qatar Open once again.”
QGA General Secretary Fahad Nasser al Naimi thanked sponsors Qatar Olympic Committee, InterContinental Doha, Doha Golf Club, Royal Air Maroc and Alkalive for their backing to the event.
