GOLF – A pair of talented Bahraini youngsters will be looking to make history later this month and become the first-ever champions of the Bahrain Ladies Open Golf Championship.
Twenty-year-old Habiba Maher and 14-year-old Fatima Albunni are set to compete in the upcoming 36th edition of the prestigious competition, set to take place from April 18 and 19 at Awali Golf Club (AGC) alongside the 60th Bahrain Open Golf Championship.
Both Maher and Albunni participated in last year’s event and showed impressive skill.
As both are members of the Royal Golf Club, they are familiar with playing on grass, but they found out last year that playing on a sand course has some important differences. Last year was a great learning experience, and this year they hope to simply play well and will see what it brings.
Both girls started playing golf at the age of eight. They are currently hoping to find a caddy to help them plan their shots and avoid the dangers that the AGC course brings.
Maher has put a lot of effort in raising her fitness level as she says that playing two focused rounds of golf can wear you out, so being fit will definitely help.
Albunni recalls from last year that the difference in putting on fast greens compared with slower browns were especially difficult. She will make sure to have the speed figured out once she competes in this year’s tournament.
AGC first opened in 1937 and is today the oldest golf club in the Gulf.
Maher and Albunni are set to be part of a field of more than 100 players, both professionals and amateurs and including visitors from overseas, who are expected to play in the two 36-hole tournaments.
Past AGC lady member Emma Boyd from Great Britain holds the record for most titles in the ladies’ championship with six. Fellow-Briton Sarah Hobday was last year’s champion.
The course will be available for practice on Wednesday and Thursday next week ahead of the weekend’s play.
All visitors and spectators are welcome to see the action and sample some of the hospitality that AGC is well known for.
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