2007 AAB-AMH ISLAND CLASSIC CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT: A REVIEW

The prestigious three-day AAB-AMH Island Classic Charity Golf Tournament concluded on Saturday 9^th October 2004 at His Majesty the King’s Private Golf Course in Saffriya.

The event, now in its 8^th year, is held under the Patronage of His Majesty the King and is one of the most popular events on the sporting and social calendar in Bahrain.

This year’s tournament was raising funds for American Mission Hospital to support its new chronic disease management clinics, its new community outreach program and to purchase much needed medical equipment. The generosity of sponsors in 2004 means that around BD80,000 in cash has been raised - with a further BD65,000 in kind.

Excitement was running high throughout the tournament. In the end, the Championship Flight was won by Bahrain Duty Free (52.6), this team being the one with the lowest net score over the three days for all teams with a handicap average of 6.0 or less.

In overall second place was Arab Banking Corporation (54.9) and in third place overall was Gulf Daily News with 55.0.

The Premier Flight was won by Telegulf (52.6), this team being the one with the lowest net score over the three days for all teams with a handicap average of 6.1 or more.

In overall second place was Norwich Union Insurance (Gulf) (55.0) and in overall third place was DHL (55.5).

Some 46 teams participated in the tournament (almost 200 golfers) with some excellent golfing. 

Teams playing over the three days were:

Championship Flight

Three teams from Saffriya also participated in the event as guests of American Mission Hospital.

Premier Flight

Speaking at the end of the tournament, Co-Chair Dr. Paul Armerding said: “We are deeply indebted to His Majesty the King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, for graciously agreeing to be the Patron of the Island Classic and generously agreeing once again to host the event on his Private Golf Course.

“The AAB and AMH would like, once again, to thank all the sponsoring companies and organizations which have given so generously to help make this event such a successful one. Their generosity will enable our hospital to continue to meet the broad range of healthcare needs in this community,” he added.

Dr. Ron Koller, AAB President and Co-Chair of the event, said: “I would like to thank the golfers for making the three days such fun and for their sportsmanship throughout the tournament. The standard of golf has been impressive and I believe we will see the Island Classic continue in Bahrain as an annual premium sporting event in Bahrain’s golfing calendar.

“I would also like to express my gratitude to the many volunteers in so many capacities without whom such an event would have been insurmountable and to His Majesty’s golf course staff for maintaining such an exceptional course throughout the three days.”