The DP World Tour announced yesterday that it will launch a brand new tournament, called the Bahrain Championship, to be held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad at the Royal Golf Club (RGC) early next year in a major boost for the sport of golf in the kingdom.
The announcement was made by DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley at a special signing ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain in Seef attended by Supreme Council for Youth and Sport first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
“This is so exciting!” Pelley said, addressing an assemblage that included officials from the BOC, the Bahrain Athletics Association, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and RGC chairman Captain Waleed Al Alawi.
“We are launching a brand new tournament on the DP World Tour, called the Bahrain Championship, which will be held from February 1 to 4, 2024.
“And, we are so privileged to be here. Although he couldn’t be with us today, I would like to thank His Majesty King Hamad for welcoming us to the kingdom. This is the first time since 2011 that we will hold a tournament in Bahrain and we so appreciate His Majesty’s patronage .”
Shaikh Khalid also made a brief speech before he and Pelley signed the agreement.
“Bahrain takes great pride in hosting this international tournament in which some of the world’s best golfers will compete at the Royal Golf Club,” he said.
“Organising this event is part of our continued interest in supporting various sports, including golf, which is considered one of the most important sports globally.
“We are all confident about the success of this tournament. And, by hosting this event, we aim to highlight Bahrain’s ability to host different types of sports tournaments as well as confirm our commitment to developing golf further.
“And we are grateful to His Majesty for his patronage of the Bahrain Championship. It reflects His Majesty’s keen interest in hosting various tournaments that help enhance Bahrain’s standing on the global stage.”