Etihad Airways, the world’s fastest growing airline, is used to setting records, so it is not surprising that the UAE’s national airline was right behind Ryder Cup Golf stars Ian Poulter and Paul Casey’s attempt to break the record for the world’s longest drive from the wing of an Etihad aircraft.
The record attempt on the runway of Abu Dhabi International Airport formed part of a special events programme surrounding Etihad Airways sponsorship of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Golf Championships, and saw Poulter and Casey climb onto the wing of an Etihad Airways Boeing 767 plane for their drives.
“It is very exciting for Etihad Airways to be involved in a world record attempt like this. Once again Etihad is demonstrating its passion for innovation and style with two of the world’s best golfers,” said Ian Ferguson-Brown, Head of Head of Brand Management and Communications, Etihad Airways.
Casey and Poluter, both renowned as long hitters on the European PGA Tour, did not hold back as they unleashed several huge drives down the vast Abu Dhabi runway.
Both players registered several drives over 600 yards, with Poulter’s biggest hit measuring an amazing 696 yards (the length of many par fives!), and the longest ever in the Middle East. Casey came up just 31 yards shy of the world record of 720 yards.
“I may not have broken the world record but that was definitely the longest drive I have ever hit. A big thank you to Etihad Airways for letting me have a crack at runway golf. I am looking forward to the real thing this week and getting some more Ryder Cup points on the board,” commented Casey.
Etihad Airways is a lead sponsor of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, 19 – 22 January, which is part of the European PGA Tour.
Photo Caption:
1) European PGA Ryder Cup Star Paul Casey drives a golf ball, alongside Ian Poulter, from the wing of an Etihad Airways Boeing 767 Aircraft in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 18 January 2006
2) European PGA Ryder Cup Star Ian Poulter on the wing of an Etihad Airways Boeing 767 Aircraft in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 18 January 2006
3) European PGA Ryder Cup Stars Paul Casey and Ian Poulter on the wing of an Etihad Airways Boeing 767 Aircraft in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 18 January 2006
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is the world’s fastest growing airline and currently flies to 20 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America and Asia.
Together with its divisions Etihad Holidays and Etihad Crystal Cargo, Etihad Airways is changing the way people see the world.
For more information about this award-winning aviation group, please visit www.etihad.ae.
