BIGGER DRAW

A regional twist will be added to one of the major sporting events on Bahrain’s golfing calendar as organisers of the annual American Mission Hospital (AMH) Island Classic Charity Golf Tournament prepare to mark its 20th anniversary.

The much-anticipated event, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad, will take place once again at his private golf course in Saffriya.

AMH Chief Medical Officer Dr George Cheriyan said: “We are very excited that this tournament has been successfully run for the last 20 years, thanks to the generosity of His Majesty King Hamad who has supported the efforts of the hospital by being the patron of this tournament.”

The AMH Island Classic charity golf tournament remains a major fundraiser of the non-profit hospital’s hospital to cover the cost of new equipment and dedicated outreach work.

The tournament is designed as a handicapped team event and will follow the Florida format, in which all players play their shot from the position determined to be the best ball.

This year’s tournament will be special with players from across the region being invited to play in the tournament for the first time, including national team players. 

Dr Cheriyan explained: “The addition of more top players from other GCC countries is to highlight that the first mission doctors also travelled there to provide a medical service in the early 1900s when none was available.

“The presence of more players who have represented their national teams will elevate the standard and the status of the tournament and there will be a special players’ awards ceremony dinner in addition to a gala dinner held to thank the sponsors.”

Last year’s tournament was another spectacular success with Ministry of Interior 3 and E K Kanoo 2 celebrating victories in the Championship Flight and Premier Flight respectively.

Last year’s tournament, organised by the Royal Golf Club, saw three days of thrilling action as 41 teams vied for glory. The magnificent ministry team was made up of Mohammed Al Fadhala, Mohammed Al Sayed, Naser Al Fadhala and Juan Fuentes and the ecstatic E K Kanoo team featured Graham McKenzie, Jamie Bowen, Kevin Dismore and Michael Brightmore.

The Championship Flight featured players with a handicap average of less than six, whilst the Premier Flight was contended by groups with an average of more than six.

Saffriya 3 rallied to second place in the Championship Flight, whilst Kuwait Finance House finished third. In the Premier competition, DHL 2 proved to be a strong package, as did DHL 1 who finished third.

In addition, there were some fun side-contests running throughout. Stanley Kwik won the ‘Closest to the Pin’ award, Rashid Al Qutami took home the Longest Putt gong, whilst Andy Love was on target to claim Most Accurate Drive.

GulfWeekly once again acted as one of the event media partners and our team, made up of Editor Stan Szecowka with guests David Axtell, William L. Vidrine and Serwin Rampersad, came a respectable third on the final day of play on Saturday but was not close enough to challenge the top teams.

Ultimately, apart from all the thrills and spills on the course, the event generated BD70,000 which has been invested in the hospital’s community outreach work and new equipment.

Planning is still underway for the 20th Annual American Mission Hospital (AMH) Island Classic Charity Golf Tournament, which will take place from November 23-25.

For more information and sponsorship details, contact marketing and development manager and Island Classic Organiser, Ali Moosa Jaafar Tarada on 17248136 or email ali.tarada@amh.org.bh