Muscat: The grand finale for the Oman Golf Trophy, a unique golf diplomacy initiative, is set to be played at the award-winning Al Mouj Golf in Muscat from 3 to 7 March 2023.
The initiative is characterised by a robust public-private partnership to promote investment and tourism opportunities in Oman in line with Oman Vision 2040, with the Sultanate of Oman aiming to leverage golf as an elegant ambassador to highlight the natural beauty of the country for travellers and strengthen diplomatic ties between Oman and Italy.
Created in conversation over a game of golf between Francisco Palau Grieg, Honorary Consul of Oman in Milan, Italy, and Ali Daud, CEO of Daud Group, as they discussed how golf could be a vehicle to bring Oman to Italy and Italy to Oman, the Oman Golf Trophy was launched as a joint initiative with the blessing of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth.
The Italian leg of the Oman Golf Trophy tournament was played across seven of the most prestigious courses in Italy between September and November 2022, with as many as 14 players from over 800 participants qualifying for the grand finale, that will provide local golfers with the unique experience of playing alongside Italian golfers.
In addition to competitive golf at Al Mouj Golf, participants will also have the opportunity to explore many of the key experiences that make Oman one of the region’s top tourist destinations, including the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House Muscat, Old Muscat, and the historic area of Nizwa.
The Oman Golf Trophy invites Italians and Europeans to discover Oman’s exclusive tourism experiences and rich business opportunities. It is stewarded by the Oman Golf Association (www.golfoman.com) under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth with technical as well as financial support of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and the Ministry of Commence, Industry & Investment Promotion, coupled with sponsorship by some of the most well-known groups in the country including Daud Group, Oman Air, OHI, The Zubair Corporation, Al Mouj Muscat and Kempinski Hotel Muscat.
Speaking ahead of the Oman Golf Trophy grand finale at Al Mouj Golf, Basil Al Rawas, Undersecretary for Sports and Youth at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, said, “The Oman Golf Trophy is the first-ever Omani tournament to be hosted overseas. The grand finale will provide a great opportunity to continue promoting the Sultanate of Oman, utilising golf, as it is one of the most popular elite sports in the world. Having hosted seven events in Italy, it is amazing to be closing the tournament in Oman as there are many benefits to be achieved at all levels, particularly for promoting sports tourism and boosting the economy.”
“After successfully hosting the grand finale, we look forward to rolling out similar events through different sports, in order to promote Oman, alongside our international partners and supported jointly by the public and private sectors.”
Highlighting the benefits of strengthening diplomatic relations with Italy through this initiative, Honorary Consul, Francisco Palau Grieg, added: “We were thrilled to host the Oman Golf Trophy between September to November 2022, particularly the last course in Rapallo where His Highness Sayyid Nazar AlSaid, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oma to Italy, was able to participate.
“The seven tournaments have opened a magnificent view on a beautiful country many Italians hadn’t known anything about, let alone visited!
“Thanks to the superb work done by the sponsors, professionally coordinated by the Foreign Ministry and the Oman Golf Association. Superb videos and images were showcased, and this created amongst so many of the club members and their family and friends, a great interest – as a result many decided to visit Oman over the Christmas and new year holidays! I’m looking forward to arriving in Muscat for the Grand Finale with the 14 winners and leaders of industry, representing multiple sectors: Pirelli Group, the world leader in tyres, Bankers, Hirsh Private Equity, FINSEA one of the leading logistics companies in Italy, Real Estate, Water Treatment, among others. All discovering Oman and its tourism and investment potential while doing what they love – playing golf – at one of the top 100 best golf courses in the world.”
Situated along a stretch of pristine coastline, flanking the Indian Ocean and stunning Hajjar mountain range, Al Mouj Golf is one of the most sought-after destination in golf, with its impressive 18-hole Championship layout complemented by a number of world-class facilities that include a teaching academy, a floodlit par 3 nine-hole course, a floodlit driving range, and a restaurant specialising in Mediterranean and International style cuisine.
Welcoming over 16,000 golfers annually, Al Mouj Golf is ranked within the World Top 100 golf courses, and has been recognised with a number of international awards. Al Mouj Golf is a key component of Al Mouj Muscat, the Sultanate’s leading leisure and lifestyle destination.
Source : TimesofOman
