(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) H E Sultan al Habsi, deputy chairman of the board of governors of the Central Bank of Oman, officially declared open the season-ending NBO Golf Classic Grand Final on Wednesday with a ceremonial tee-off shot at Al Mouj Golf.
Habsi was joined by CEO of NBO Ahmed al Musalmi and NBO chairperson Sayyida Rawan al Said at the opening ceremony.
H E Sultan al Habsi (left) receives a memento from a NBO official
Speaking on the occasion, Sayyida Rawan said, 'At NBO, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting this tournament at all levels. We believe that this game is more than just a sport. We believe it is the perfect vehicle that can help drive Oman's economy forward and showcase what we have to offer.
'Golf engages young people in many ways. It teaches key life skills while highlighting the importance of humility and respect and how to remain persistent and dedicated in their goals. These are just a handful of reasons why we at NBO made the commitment to become a driving force behind golf in Oman,' she added.
The NBO Golf Classic Grand Final is the final event of the European Challenge Tour's 'Road to Oman' which comprises 27 events in 21 different countries culminating in Muscat.
The top 45 players in the rankings are competing in Muscat for a US$487,700 prize fund as well as the chance to play on the European Tour next season. The top-15 finishers in the Road to Oman after the Grand Final will earn the European Tour card.
Last year's Road to Oman champion, Jordan Smith, graduated to play on this season's European Tour and has already won his first title at the Porsche European Open which enabled him to tee up in his first major - the US PGA Championship where he finished in a tie for ninth place.
Smith is now in the top 60 players in the world and currently in 20th place in the Race to Dubai with his spot in the field for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship secured.
Among the other notable player in recent Challenge Tour history is Brooks Koepka of the US, a graduate of the Challenge Tour in 2013, who won this year's US Open, while fellow graduate Tyrrell Hatton is enjoying a wonderful season on the European Tour having claimed a second successive Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title before following up with another victory the following week at the Italian Open.
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