The Peninsula
Preparations are well under way to host the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters (CBQM) from March 6-10, President of Qatar Golf Association (QGA), Hassan bin Nasser Al Naimi said.
The 22nd edition of the popular European Tour golf event which will be held at Doha Golf Club, is organised by The QGA, the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Doha Golf Club (DGC) and long-term title sponsor, Commercial Bank.
The QGA President said: “The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is a leading fixture on Qatar’s sporting calendar. Since its inception, the event has complemented the growth of golf in the country. The tournament also continues to contribute to encouraging young Qataris to take up the sport and learn from The European Tour Stars,”
“Preparations for the next tournament are well underway, together with our partners who have played a vital role in enhancing the event experience for both players and spectators each year. We look forward to welcoming the players, golf fans and our valued sponsors to Doha Golf Club for another edition of world-class golf in March 2019,” added Al Naimi.
The tournament is considered Qatar’s annual ‘must-attend’ sporting and social event, first held in 1998 and widely known for bringing together the world’s best golf talent; the likes of Branden Grace, Sergio Garcia, Rory Mcllroy, Justin Rose, Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Henrik Stenson have all competed in past years.
The CBQM was attended by over 20,000 spectators in 2018 and broadcast to a global TV audience of over 400 million viewers. During this year’s edition, all eyes will be on Doha as the biggest names in the sport vie for the Mother of Pearl Trophy on one of the most challenging courses on The Tour.
The CBQM is one of the most important international sporting events in Qatar and 2019 is the 14th consecutive year of sponsorship of the Commercial Bank of Qatar. This reflects the Bank’s commitment to the development of sports in the country and the enhancement of Qatar’s sporting reputation at the international level.
In the run up to the tournament, Commercial Bank has organised a range of activities to promote the tournament and encourage local participation in golf.
Together with the Bank’s employees, Commercial Bank Group CEO, Joseph Abraham, attended the first pop-up golf event. During the event, he participated in golf activities to generate a buzz around the internationally-renowned tournament.
The other mini-golf events took place at Village Mall in Qatar, with members of the public being encouraged to put their golfing skills to the test. Volunteers were also present at the booth to provide key tips and information about the sport. In addition to the mini-golf event, Commercial Bank has organised a series of educational tours across schools and universities in Qatar to help students learn more about golf.
Abraham said: “Commercial Bank is delighted to once again sponsor this tournament in support of Qatar’s national vision of being a world-class venue for sport, promoting healthy lifestyles, and bringing members of the Qatari community together. I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the first of our mini-golf pop-up events, and encourage our staff and members of the public to join us at the tournament in March. It is set to be a wonderful day out for sports fans and families alike.”
Admission will be free for spectators during the 2019 CBQM and free tickets can be collected through the official website of the event, www.qatar-masters.com upon registration.