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ANOTHER milestone has been reached for a sporting facility full of history as Abdul Elah Fakhroo becomes the first Bahraini Captain of Awali Golf Club.
It’s a significant achievement for the enthusiastic golfer as the club has been around for more than 76 years, and was the first course created in the region.
His captaincy will kick off with the usual fanfare and tradition that is expected of ‘The Captain’s Drive-In’ at Awali Golf Club on Friday, September 26.
Fakhroo, 53, said: “Historically the club has been of great importance to Bahrain. I am very proud to be elected as the first Bahraini Captain of Awali Golf Club. I would like to promote the game to a wider audience.”
He has been a member of Awali for 14 years, works for Bapco as manager of its oil storage and export department, and has been with the company for 32 years.
Married to Imelda, a Scot, they have two children, a daughter, Alia, 21, and son, Mishal,19. He only took up the sport after being driven away from another passion because of the smoke.
“I used to play 10-pin bowling and being an indoor activity I used to go home smelling of cigarettes even though I did not smoke because at the time smoking was allowed indoors.
“I thought about outdoor sporting activities that might suit me and my wife encouraged me to have a go at golf in 2000. My cousin, who had just started playing at the time, helped too.”
Fakhroo now plays off a handicap of 12 and has come to love the game. “Even if you have a bad round,” he said, “you still manage to burn a handful of calories just by walking in the fresh air which sometimes exceeds four hours.
“With golf being an international sport, you can also play anywhere in the world when you are travelling.”
Fakhroo likes to watch Spain’s Miguel Ángel Jiménez who has won 21 times on the European Tour in action because he likes his ‘style and accuracy’.
He added: “Golf is a great sport which anybody can play anywhere in the world and eventually it can become a way of life if you let it! In spite of what people may think it is also a wonderful spectator sport in my opinion.”
Fakhroo hopes that the year will be a fun-filled and exciting one at Awali Golf Club and welcomes both members and their guests to come and enjoy all that the little club has to offer both on and off the course. “Why don’t you come along and experience it for yourself!” he said.
He has yet to decide on a charity to support during his captaincy year and will make a decision shortly.
“The members wish Abdul Elah a successful season,” a spokesman for the club said.
l AGC is a Bapco facility with membership open to all. Full details are available on the club website, www.awaligolfclub.com
