Non-profit club concludes first season with awards ceremony

KUWAIT CITY, April 23: Swing Kuwait, a non-profit golf initiative dedicated towards children with special needs, recently concluded its inaugural season with one final training session, which took place on April 22 at the Sahara Kuwait Golf Resort. The event also included an awards ceremony which honored the season’s outstanding golfers in recognition of their performance throughout the season. As well as showing appreciation to all the coaches and volunteers for their dedication and commitment to the program.

The first of its kind in the country, Swing Kuwait is a non-profit club founded by Hamad Al-Barrak, a 14-year-old Kuwaiti with a passion for golf. The initiative seeks to support children with special needs — especially those with autism and Down’s syndrome — through golfing; helping them become more independent and enabling them to play and socialize in a friendly, safe environment. Swing’s golfing season had kicked off in November of last year, with members meeting every Saturday at Sahara Kuwait Golf Resort.

Al-Barrak, founder and organizer of Swing Kuwait, stated: “My passion and love for golf drove me to start Swing.

I had come to learn through research that children with special needs tend to be much more comfortable and engage better while playing individual sports. Swing gives children the opportunity to interact with others and build social relationships, as well as enabling them to enjoy the soothing, stress-free environment that golfing provides.”

Al-Barrak started by approaching Sahara Golf Resort management, which generously provided the golfing premises. He then sought the support of head coach Edward Retief from Sahara for designing the program and overseeing the weekly training of the young golfers. Additionally, the help of coaches Cameron Van Rooyen and Xu Xon and the many volunteers who were there on a weekly basis to support the children.

Finally, Al-Barrak concluded by saying: “This initiative is completely dependent on the concept of volunteering. Coaches, family members and friends all came together out of good will to make it happen. It is our hope that Swing continues to positively affect the lives of children with special needs and their parents. I also hope that Swing inspires others in the community to start their own projects and initiatives to support special needs children within our society, in any way they could.”

Participant of the Hankook Golf Tournament 2017 on the course.

KUWAIT CITY, March 19: Hankook Golf Tournament was organized on March 17 at the Sahara Golf Club. It was the 12th successive year of this prestigious event, organized in the month of March each year at the beginning of the spring season.

Since it is an open event with participation not just limited to Sahara Club members, the tournament has always attracted golf enthusiasts from all over.

This year as well, there was an overwhelming rush for inclusion, and eventually 100 players were shortlisted covering various nationalities, agegroups and diverse backgrounds including the Ambassadors of South Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia, who graced the event with their participation. The inclement weather on Thursday night had given way to pleasant conditions on Friday morning with a light, cool breeze blowing.

The verdant, beautifully-landscaped 18-hole course of the Sahara Club with undulating contours together with an ambient climate contributed to a healthy game of golf. As usual, the game was played in the ‘Stableford’ format, which allows for relatively speedy play. The tee-off commenced at 8:00 am using the Shotgun approach, and the players were able to finish their games by 1:00 pm.

This year a new provision was introduced so as to ensure a level playing field — the players were categorized into two divisions based on their handicap levels : Division A (Handicap 0 to 14) and Division B (Handicap 15 to 28). In Division A, both Abdulwahab Al-Musallam and Abdul Rahman Bahman came up with an outstanding score of 35 points, but based on their gross scores, Abdulwahab Al-Musallam was declared the winner. In Division B, the first and second prizes were won by Jong Dae Choi and the young budding talent Fahad Al-Zahem respectively.

Among other prizes, M.O. Cha came up with a brilliant performance so as to win the prizes for Longest Drive as well as Nearest to Pin in the Ladies’ group. In Men’s group, Ali Al-Ansari, who comes from a family of keen golfers, won the prize for Longest Drive, whereas the prize for Nearest to Pin was won by the veteran Joon Ho Bae, who has been in excellent form for the last few seasons. Finally the coveted prize for Best Gross was won by the old warhorse Juno Sethi, who achieved a fabulous score of 74 points.

Prize distribution was organized in the afternoon in the gracious presence of His Excellency Yeonchul Yoo, Korean Ambassador, Sung Wook Kang, the newly-appointed General Manager of Hankook Tires Middle East and Ahmed Al-Mailem. Speaking on the occasion, Kuldeep Lamba, Managing Director, Al-Mailem Group expressed his satisfaction at the large turnout. “It is wonderful to see so much energy and enthusiasm among golfers here”, he added, “I take this opportunity to welcome Kang to Kuwait and thank Hankook for their unwavering support over the years”.

Finally, he complimented Razmic, Edward, Richard and other Sahara Club officials for their professional administration of the event, and expressed hope that the tournament would continue to receive the same level of encouraging response in future also

One of the most anticipated car events of the year has been Gulf Run, a premier car show that has consistently drawn in regional enthusiasm by car aficionados since its inception. This year, Gulf Run took place in Murouj, from Jan 19 to 21 2017, as a one-of-a-kind event that was comprised of three segments, including the 24hour karting endurance race, Gulf Run Bahrain, where a two-day test drive event had taken place in an inner, outer and GP circuit, and a car show in Murouj where Lotus was one of the main sponsors.

An essential component of the joy behind driving cars is the pure feeling of adrenaline that comes with being behind the wheel of an elegantly powerful ride, a sensation that is vital for thrill seekers who yearn to experience refreshingly new levels of exhilaration. That is what Lotus brought to the car show at Murouj. There, three Lotus cars were on display, including the Evora 400 and 2-Eleven. The new Lotus Evora 400 is the latest pure and focused supercar from Lotus, combining high performance with the legendary Lotus benchmark handling.

With a maximum speed of 186 mph and acceleration of 0-60 mph is just 4.1 seconds, the new Evora is a more agile and involving drive that enables it to lap the challenging test track at the Lotus Headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk at a scintillating six seconds faster than previous models. Over two thirds of the Lotus Evora 400 is new, including its supercharged and charge-cooled mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 410 Nm of torque. A new aluminum chassis incorporates a new interior and the lightweight composite body has changed significantly both front and rear.

The new Evora is 22 kg lighter, an accomplishment that has been achieved through careful and clever design and attention to detail. This weight reduction is even more impressive considering that the supercar has more power and a higher standard specification than before. Meanwhile, the Lotus 2Eleven that was displayed at the event, which is owned by a VIP client, takes the Chapman philosophy of ‘Performance through light weight’ to its most extreme level yet. Weighing in at just 670 kg or 745 kg and with 255 PS on tap courtesy of its supercharged and intercooled 1796 cc engine, the 2-Eleven boasts a power to weight ratio similar to that of a 1960s Formula One car.

Designed with the most serious of track day enthusiasts in mind, the Lotus 2-Eleven offers race car levels of performance coupled with legendary Lotus ride and handing to deliver a truly outstanding track day car. Introducing the Lotus to the Kuwait market reaffirms Alghanim Motor’s commitment to providing its customers with only the best quality products, outstanding service and everything else in between. Visit Alghanim Motor’s Lotus showroom at Shuwaikh Industrial 1, block 1, street 11 opposite of the Historical Vintage and Classic Cars Museum Saturday – Thursday from 9 am – 12.30 pm and 4.30 pm – 8.30 pm. Find out what’s new by following us on Twitter and Instagram at @AlghanimLotusKW.

KUWAIT: Mercedes-Benz fans can prepare themselves for adrenaline and excitement as A R Albisher and Z Alkazemi Company confirms its participation in its eighth consecutive GulfRun Car Show. Taking place from 10 – 12 March at a new outdoor location, Murooj – Sahara golf club, the GulfRun Car Show is part of the annual GulfRun motorsport event which seeks to bring together car and automobile racing lovers.

Established in 2005 by a group of passionate young Kuwaitis, GulfRun has developed into a complete season of motorsport activities that include the 12hr and 24hr Karting Endurance races, the GulfRun Car Show, GulfRun Race in Bahrain and the GulfRun Racing Academy, with the aim of educating drivers on the correct techniques and training in a professional, controlled environment.

Labelled the premier car show in Kuwait, the auto exhibition showcases a range of the latest and most exotic sports cars alongside race cars participating in the 11th GulfRun race that takes place on 17-18 March in Bahrain international race circuit. Mercedes-Benz will have two of its dream cars on display this year – the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe and AMG GT. Also available for on spot test drives will be the GLE and GLC SUVs. Visitors registering for test drives will go in the running to win one of five spectacular weekend test drives of the Mercedes-Benz vehicle of their choice.

“GulfRun has become one of the most anticipated auto events in Kuwait, and this year is shaping up to be another exceptional edition. Our customers will have the chance to appreciate, test drive and learn everything they need to know about our beautiful motor vehicles. It’s also a special opportunity for us to showcase the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe and AMG GT,” Michael Ruehle, CEO of Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi Company

Visitors will be assisted and have their questions answered by a team of knowledgeable sales consultants at the Mercedes-Benz stand. For lovers of speed, the new AMG GT S is the second sports car developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG. Its newly developed AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine underscores the hallmark AMG driving performance, combining driving dynamics and first-class racetrack performance with superb everyday practicality and efficiency that sets new standards in the segment.

The first sports car engine with internally mounted turbochargers (“hot inside V”) and dry sump lubrication is configured in two output ratings, with the GT S launch model having an output rating of 375 kW (510 hp).

Its interior design embodies maximum emotion and sensual purity. Radically low, sporty proportions create a unique sense of spaciousness. Clearly drawn components and their authentic materials underscore the dynamic character and create instant excitement: anyone opening the door discovers an exciting interplay between the deep, sloping dashboard and a dominant, arched high centre console, a design which evokes emotions and impresses with its perfection.

Also sharing the spotlight at GulfRun, the all-new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 4MATIC Coupé is an exciting interpretation of a four-door SUV coupé that combines the sportiness of a coupé with the strengths of an SUV.

Exceptional agility, distinctive engine sound and typical sports car acceleration are united with poise, assurance, tremendous pulling power and perfect traction. Its avant-garde exterior design and exclusive interior adds to its stand-out appeal – a unique creation for those looking for an all-round vehicle with high-performance technology and an emotional design.

The all-new GLE 63 4MATIC Coupé comes with a powerful, hand-built AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine and a wealth of AMG-tuned enhancements that add unrivalled performance to its sleek coupé styling and commanding SUV strength.

GulfRun Car Show 2016 takes place from 10 – 12 March at Murooj, Sahara Golf Club,Kuwait. Visit the Mercedes-Benz stand to avail your free test drive.