DEFENDING champion Saleh Al Kaabi will be among 106 golfers teeing off today at 7am in the 55th Bahrain Open at Awali Golf Club.
The 36-hole stroke-play tournament is one of the leading annual competitions in the Kingdom. It was the first of its kind in the Gulf – a singles event that is open to both professional and amateur golfers meeting the handicap requirements.
It is the premier event of the Awali Golf Club season with the competing golfers coming from all over the world, representing various golf clubs.
Al Kaabi secured the 2017 title with a four-under-par gross total of 136 at the end of the two days of action held along Awali’s 6,309-yard sand course.
A number of other former champions will also be competing, many of whom are the cream of the crop of Bahrain golf and some of whom are members of Bahrain’s national team.
Several professional players are also set take part in the event.
Today’s action commences with round one at 7am, when the first group of golfers will be teeing off.
Round two tomorrow will also begin from 7am. The prize giving ceremony is then scheduled to take place at around 5.30pm, to be followed by the closing celebrations from 6om onwards at the club house.
Retained
The champion will receive the Bahrain Open Trophy (to be retained by Awali Golf Club) and a replica of the Trophy to keep.
Prizes will be awarded to the top players with the lowest gross scores over 36 holes.
There will also be several other prizes, such as Nett prizes which will be awarded for the lowest Nett score over 36 holes, the lowest Nett score on day one, and the lowest Nett score on day two.