Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) have signed an agreement to extend the airline's long-standing partnership with the annual European Tour event, which will take place from 21 to 24 January at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Etihad Airways' investment further supports Abu Dhabi's vision to position itself as a premier international golf tourism destination.
The announcement was made by Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' Chief Commercial Officer, and His Excellency Aref Al Awani, ADSC's General Secretary, at the airline's headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways, the official airline and gold partner of the golfing event since its inauguration in 2006, named the Abu Dhabi tournament's most successful winner, Martin Kaymer, as its Etihad Guest Ambassador in 2014.
The two-time Major winner and three-time Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer will be up against one of the championship's strongest-ever fields with world number one Jordan Spieth, making his Arabian debut, alongside four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, American hotshot Rickie Fowler and Swede Henrik Stenson.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' Chief Commercial Officer, said: "The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is a world-class event attracting some of the games' greatest competitors to Abu Dhabi. We are very proud to continue our support for this initiative as it fits perfectly with our strategy to reinforce Abu Dhabi as a leading hospitality and leisure destination."
As part of the four-day event, Etihad Airways has organised a series of community activities including a golf simulator at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club and a ladies best-dressed competition with a prize of two tickets on the airline's flagship Airbus A380 service to New York.
In addition, members of Etihad Airways' loyalty program, Etihad Guest, will get complimentary access to the event by presenting their membership card on arrival.
The airline also continues its 'Etihad Most Birdies Prize', won last year by Phil Mickelson. The player who cards the most birdies over the four rounds of the 2016 tournament will receive two Etihad Airways First Class return tickets to any destination on the airline's network.
His Excellency Aref Al Awani, ADSC's General Secretary, said: "Etihad Airways is the championship's longest-standing partner and its support over the years has played a key role in elevating the event, and golf in Abu Dhabi, onto the global stage. From enticing visitor packages and competitions, to the highly contested 'Etihad Most Birdies Prize', we look forward to working closely with Etihad Airways and our title sponsor HSBC to continue lifting the championship's fan and player offering to new heights."
The partnership renewal follows HSBC's confirmation that it too will continue its title sponsorship of the championship until 2020, a clear demonstration of the bank's commitment to the event and belief in Abu Dhabi as a sporting destination. New sponsor Mercedes Benz will also drive support for the 2016 event.
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is owned and presented by ADSC. Tickets and tailored packages are available via the event's official website www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com at AED50 for a daily pass and AED150 for a four-day pass. Guests staying at any Abu Dhabi hotel over the championship period can enter for free.