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THREE promising young Bahraini golfers and an expat schoolboy have received a boost to their driving ambition to reach the top in golf by being provided with complimentary membership of the prestigious Royal Golf Club at Riffa Views.
Mohamed Jalal, 15, Khalifa Almeresi, 18, and Dhari Al Borshaid, 16, were identified by the Bahrain Golf Association as being three of its best prospects and now enjoy full practice and playing rights at the Royal Golf Club as part of the Junior Elite squad. Expat youngster Sam Hobday, 15, who plays off a handicap of 5, has also become a member of the squad.
"We have created an excellent scheme to support the growth and development of junior golfers in Bahrain," explained Michael Braidwood, the Royal Golf Club's general manager. "Any talented young Bahraini or long-term expat resident with a handicap of 5 or below is eligible to apply for a place.
"We look forward to seeing these four excellent players making use of the great facilities on offer to them at the Royal Golf Club to further improve their skills."
In recognition of the Royal Golf Club's proactive approach to enhancing junior golf in the region, the club recently secured the right to host a qualifying round for the Faldo Series Middle East, a scheme devised by golfing legend Nick Faldo to encourage the growth of the sport amongst young people.
The four newest members of the Royal Golf Club are expected to compete for a slot in the final and the three Bahraini youngsters are also tipped to represent Bahrain in the country's junior team at the Pan Arab Championships later this year.
"In addition to our junior development programme and our hosting of an important Faldo Series qualifier, we are also working closely with Gulf Air on another scheme to make golf coaching more accessible to Bahrainis," added Braidwood. "We believe it is vital to support the development of golf at a grass roots level here in Bahrain, particularly given the country's long history of dominance in the sport regionally and the need to ensure that this success continues into the next generation."
The prize Junior Elite package is worth at least BD800 per year to each player.
The Royal Golf Club has been constructed on the site of the former Riffa Golf Club and sits at the heart of Riffa Views Signature Estates. It boasts Bahrain's only 18-hole championship golf course and also features a 9-hole par 3 academy course. Both were designed by British golfer Colin Montgomerie.
