Sergio Garcia hits a 675 yard drive !
Sergio Garcia has managed to combine my two favourite sports by smashing a golf ball 675 yards down the longest straight at the Yas Marina F1 Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Now that is something I would really love to do.
Apparently the ‘Whack from the track’ event is not a new thing. The current Asian long drive record is held by Sweden’s Henrik Stenson who smashed the ball a massive 721 yards in 2007. The original event was actually called ‘Swing from the Wing’ and was pretty much the same set-up except Stenson shot his ball from the wing of an A330 plane! It’s an unfair advantage if you ask me as Stenson started off 30ft higher than Garcia.
Last year it was called ‘Shot from the Yacht’ where Trevor Immelman hit ten golf balls off the superyacht Aviva onto a putting green on land in the grounds of the Emirates Palace Hotel.
So far, Etihad has shown off its planes, yachts and now F1. I swear they’re just trying to rub it in for the rest of us. I think a little envy is creeping in somewhere…
Anyway, I love the events if I’m being honest, it’s nice to see something different and as cool as this. I mean, who wouldn’t want to have a go at shooting a golf ball off an airplane wing or superyacht? I know I would. I think I’d rather see a video of a 36 handicapper try and make it though, that would be classic. They should put up a massive prize and let people enter.
This particular event is set-up to celebrate the partnership between Etihad Airways and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship which got underway today at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club where there is currently a four way tie for the first round lead at six under par between, Paul Lawrie, Stephen Dodd, Daniel Vancsik and Alvaro Quiros.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer, said: “Etihad is proud to offer innovative events around its sponsorships and each year we have created a different golf challenge with one of the game’s top stars. This year is no exception, and with our sponsorship of the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, we are particularly excited that Sergio could participate in the challenge at the Yas Marina Circuit. We wish him well in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.”
Sergio Garcia said: “This is certainly one of the most fun golf challenges I have been involved in and it was a great way to prepare for the tournament. The circuit is incredible and while I did not beat Henrik on this occasion, I do intend to do everything I can to win here in Abu Dhabi this week. I also hope that Fernando Alonso will win for Ferrari later this year when he drives in the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.”
Well, Sergio is currently on two under par after the 11th hole so he’s still in it at the moment. As well as taking part in the ‘Whack from the Track’ challenge, Sergio met students from the British School Al Khubairat, who were present as part of Etihad’s “My First Golf Lesson” promotion. Sergio also took part in a Par 3 challenge, where he had to hit ‘from Abu Dhabi to Tokyo’, as part of Etihad’s promotional launch of their new Japanese route.
As the diamond sponsor and official airline for the 2010 ADGC, Etihad is involved in a series of promotional activities surrounding the tournament as well as flying the players, officials and their equipment to the UAE.
Etihad’s involvement with the Championship is one of the many high-profile sports sponsorships for the airline and complements existing partnerships with the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ferrari F1 Team, Manchester City Football Club, Chelsea Football Club, Harlequins Rugby Football Club and the GAA All Ireland Senior Hurling Championships.
Now that my friends is a sponsorship portfolio and a half wouldn’t you say? Wonder if they’ll sponsor me next year? Hmmm
I could drive a ball longer than that, In a car!