GOLF – A spectacular opening ceremony was held last night at The Royal Golf Club for the 2025 Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship – the kingdom’s biggest and most prestigious golf tournament, held as part of the DP World Tour.
His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS) chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa attended the event, along with SCYS first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman, and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa was also on hand, along with DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings, BOC secretary general Faris Al Kooheji, other high-ranking officials, and a group of the DP World Tour stars.
A brilliant and colourful show of Bahraini culture and heritage was put on along the 18th green of The Royal Golf Club’s championship course, while a parade of flags of the nations of participating players took place.
“It is an honour to be here in the beautiful Kingdom of Bahrain to witness a quite incredible opening ceremony, and for what I’m sure will be another memorable edition of the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship,” said Kinnings.
The parade of flags during last night’s opening ceremony
“Last year the DP World Tour returned to Bahrain after a 13-year gap, and we are delighted to continue the momentum of that fantastic event as a global field of players gathers once again at the wonderful Royal Golf Club.
“Our thanks go to His Majesty King Hamad for his vision and passion for the game of golf, and for inviting us once again to Bahrain.”
A pro-am will be held today while this week’s competitors will also continue their practice rounds.
Action in this year’s Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship will then take place from tomorrow to Sunday, featuring 132 of the world’s best golfers, including defending champion Dylan Frittelli and Major winners Padraig Harrington, Jimmy Walker, and Patrick Reed.
Young girls perform during the opening ceremony
Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship director Freddie Schmeisser expressed his delight in the tremendous feedback received from the players on the improvements made to the course for this year.
“It has been absolutely positive,” Schmeisser told the GDN. “We are all impressed by the work that The Royal Golf Club have done – the greens look fabulous, the fairways are super green, the grass has grown so much so we have very thick rough.
“It will be a big challenge for the players, especially when the winds come out. Everybody is impressed by the improvements the course has made and everybody is delighted.
“This is a top golf course – absolutely top standard for the DP World Tour. We are excited about the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship and are returning to The Royal Golf Club after a very successful tournament in 2024.”
Schmeisser was joined by French golfer Mike Lorenzo-Vera yesterday in a special event for national media, held at the tournament venue.
Lorenzo-Vera gave a brief talk and demonstration about golf and even took the time to conduct one-on-one lessons at The Royal Golf Club’s driving range with media members. GDN Media managing editor Stanley Szecowka was among those who participated.
Szecowka attempts a shot during the event for national media
Lorenzo-Vera expressed his admiration for the kingdom and said that he is greatly looking forward to this week’s events.
“I’ve come back four times since last year as I really enjoy the place, and to be back now during the tournament is fantastic,” Lorenzo-Vera told the GDN.
“The course is always in good shape, but now it has taken a step up in terms of difficulty, because the greens are really faster. All the movement on the greens are going to be more tricky to read and to pace the golf ball at a good speed.
“It’s going to be a really good challenge because it’s going to be windy all week as well – Thursday is going to be pretty violent, the wind, so it’s going to be a big mental test. We have to get through that.”
Lorenzo-Vera talks about the game
Lorenzo-Vera participated in last year’s tournament in Bahrain but didn’t make the cut after the first two rounds. He is now confident that his extended time in the kingdom since then will make a difference.
“What helps a lot is that I know the course pretty well because of the four times I came here,” he said. “I’ve played a lot of time here, I know the shots I need to play, so I am a little bit relaxed.
“But the game of golf is always different – I’m pretty confident, I’m hitting the ball pretty well, putting pretty good, and my knowledge of the course is better than others.
“But it’s sport. Result-wise, hopefully it’s going to be a great one on Sunday, but all I can say is I’m going to give 100 per cent on every golf shot.”
Schmeisser speaks to media members
Schmeisser called on the general public to be a part of this week’s programme at The Royal Golf Club and enjoy everything on offer – especially all that will be on hand off the golf course.
“Everything is bigger and better than it was last year – we have an increased hospitality capacity, nearly doubled the size because of the requests that we received and the interest in the tournament,” he said.
“We improved and made it even bigger – not only the hospitality but also the village area for the kids and families.
“The tournament is free of charge, we have a zip line 112 metres long, a soft play area, mini-golf, so there are a lot of things, even if they are not interested in the professional golf tournament.
“There are also a lot of food and beverage offerings for everybody to have a great time here at The Royal Golf Club.”
In addition to free general admission, elevated and premium experiences are also available. These include Ticket+, which is available on the Entertainer, offering preferential viewing and access to a dedicated bar, and the Championship Chalet, which includes premium food and beverages. Both options provide spectacular views of the pristine 18th green, where the most dramatic moments of the tournament will unfold.
Registration for free tickets for the 2025 Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship is available at manama.platinumlist.net.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
Top stories for today:
Khaldiya clinch title
Traditional clothes plan for workplaces backed
Councillors call for plan to enforce public cleanliness
&uuid=(email))