Etihad Airways, the world’s leading new airline, continues to offer the world’s leading and innovative sports promotions, as it unveils its Swing on the Wing 2007 (SOTW) competition.
In conjunction with its lead sponsorship of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships 2007, Etihad is giving golfers across the world the chance to compete for the world’s longest golf drive, from a wing of a wide-body aircraft on the runway at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The competition will build on the phenomenal success of the 2006 Swing on the Wing, in which images of professional golfers, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, were beamed round the world.
“The 2006 Swing on the Wing created a huge impact across the world’s media, and is regarded as one of the most recognisable sporting images of the year. Since then Etihad has received hundreds of requests from Guests asking how they could have their own Swing on the Wing, and so we decided to launch this ground-breaking competition,” said Geert W. Boven, vice president commercial, Etihad Airways.
Announced at a media gathering at the prestigious Abu Dhabi Golf Club by Sheraton, the venue for the 2007 Abu Dhabi Golf Championships, Swing on the Wing is set to take place at up to 40 golf clubs around the globe.
Members at each participating golf club will take part in a ‘longest drive’ competition, with the winning player being entered into a prize draw, with the chance of flying to Abu Dhabi for the final.
Three winning names from the clubs will be chosen and flown to Abu Dhabi to compete alongside a European Tour golf star, and long drive specialist, Paul Slater, at Abu Dhabi International Airport on 17 January 2007.
Slater set the world record for the world’s longest drive earlier this year, smashing the ball a staggering 884 yards.
In addition to the winning names from the clubs, two lucky winners will join the final on the runway at Abu Dhabi International Airport, via the SOTW website www.theswingonthewing.com which has gone live.
Several famous golf clubs around the world will be taking part in SOTW including Wentworth in England, Paris International Golf Club, Glendower Golf Club in Johannesburg, Winter Park and Golf Club in Bangkok and Garden City Golf and Country Club in New York.
Speaking about SOTW Laura Kettle, director of golf at Wentworth said: “We are delighted to be a lead host of the 2007Swing on the Wing competition. It is one of the most exciting and innovative golf challenges to take part in, with a prize that money cannot buy.”
Etihad was a lead sponsor of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Golf Championships in January 2006, which was enormously successful in raising the profile of Abu Dhabi as a major tourist destination for sport and leisure activities.
“Thanks to world class events like the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships, the UAE and Abu Dhabi is quickly establishing itself as one of the world’s premier golf venues. Swing on the Wing 2007 will once again ensure that Etihad Airways is a central part of bringing amateur and professional golfers to the region, and promoting Abu Dhabi as a world-class destination,” concluded Geert Boven.
Some 120 European Tour players are due to take part in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2007 providing a stunning breadth of field, including some of the world’s best ranked professionals.
Those players who have confirmed their participation in the 2007 championship include defending champion Chris DiMarco, Spain’s Sergio Garcia, Ryder Cup star Colin Montgomerie, and South African Retief Goosen.
As the official airline for the 2007 ADGC, Etihad will be involved in a series of promotional activities surrounding the tournament as well as flying the players, officials and their equipment to the UAE.
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, is the world’s leading new airline and currently offers flights for Guests and cargo to 47 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.
Etihad Crystal Cargo – www.crystalcargo.ae – offers a comprehensive range of cargo services throughout Etihad’s network, and services its many all-cargo destinations and world-wide charters with a fleet of modern regional freighter aircraft.
Etihad Holidays - www.etihadholidays.com - offers a range of innovative holiday options in 82 destinations including skiing, fly-drives, cruises, tours, stopovers, inbound programmes and city breaks.
Through these exciting divisions, Etihad Airways is changing the way people see the world.
Etihad Airways has been awarded the titles of the world’s leading new airline in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and the world’s leading flat-bed seat in 2006 by the World Travel Awards.
For more information about this award-winning aviation group, please visit www.etihadairways.com.
