Anar Mammadov

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Inaugural Azerbaijan Golf Challenge Open Praised by Foreign Media

The Azerbaijan Golf Challenge Open is over and the votes are in about the overall quality of the country’s first professional golf tournament and they are all positive. The foreign press agrees that the Azerbaijan National Golf Club is an emerging golf destination worth noting, with an exceptional course and a variety of amenities.

It is no easy task to gain the notice of the powers that be on the European Tour and be chosen to host a European Challenge Tournament. Some of the most difficult courses in the game of golf are venues along the tour route. Players vying for the premium 15 spots on the European Tour will be tested along the way as they adhere to a rigorous schedule, traveling to Portugal, Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, France and China and other countries across Europe to face superior course designs, fierce weather and the most competitive players in golf.

Through the tireless efforts of Anar Mammadov, a leading businessperson and president of the Azerbaijan Golf Federation, the Jon Hunt designed, 72-par golf course was built on the 75 hectares of the beautiful National Golf Club, just 20 months before the opening tee of the Azerbaijan Golf Challenge Open. After meetings with Nick Tarratt, the head of the European Tour and Paolo Casati, the Vice-President of the Italian Golf Federation, the club was deemed in full compliance with the world standards and accepted as a venue on the Tournament schedule.

Among the media coverage of the Azerbaijan Golf Challenge Open, The Golf Business Monitor published an article citing the National Golf Club in Guba as a budding golf destination, while the publication, Inside the Games, included a statement from Anar Mammadov saying the Federation’s hope is to make golf popular at all levels in the country. Other media sources that commented on the tournament included the Shanghai Daily, the Scottish Golf View and the European Challenge Tour official website.

Gaining international exposure for the tournament is one way the members of the Azerbaijan Golf Federation hope to encourage tourists and golfers on all levels of play to consider the National Golf Club as a desirable destination. In addition to the golf course, those visiting the club can enjoy the five-star accommodations of the new Rixos Hotel, sharpen their game at the Golf Academy and enjoy Azerbaijan cuisine at Restaurant Nineteen.

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Moritz Lampert Wins Inaugural Azerbaijan Golf Challenge Open

A German sensation, who has been wowing crowds on the European Challenge Tour, began his final day of play at the Azerbaijan Golf Challenge Open five strokes behind the leader. But, Moritz Lampert’s remarkable achievement of 16 birdies and four eagles helped him finish the tournament 16 under par to take the win away from challenger Michael Lorenzo-Vera from France, in the end.  This marks Lambert’s third Challenge Tour title for the season, cementing his position as a player to keep an eye on during the European Tour.

The 26-year old was awarded a gold loving cup and a cheque for €48,000 from Anar Mammadov, President of the Azerbaijan Golf Federation and prominent Azerbaijani businessman. Anar Mammadov stated that the tournament held at the newly constructed Azerbaijan National Golf Club is just the beginning of the significant events which Azerbaijan will host in the future. He thanked the golfers who took part in the tournament and invited other tournaments to consider the National Golf Club as a desirable venue.

Also in attendance was Alain de Soultrait, the President of the European Challenge Tour, who said that Azerbaijan is the 45th country on the Tour and he believed the Azerbaijan Golf Federation and the National Golf Club in Guba did an excellent job, especially since the facility is less than two years old.

With this win, Moritz Lampert moves ahead of England’s Andrew Johnston to the top of the rankings. The next time fans will see Lampert play will be at the first “Made in Denmark” tournament on the European Tour later this month.

The Azerbaijan Golf Challenge Open was the first world-class tournament at the National Golf Club, the country’s first 18-hole golf course, which opened in September, 2013. Anar Mammadov and the Azerbaijan Golf Federation worked tirelessly to bring the prestigious European Tour event to the country and to host the 156 top-tier golfers from around the world. Now on the Tour’s official calendar of events, the Azerbaijan Golf Challenge Open will be held in Guba again next year.

Part of the mission of the Azerbaijan Golf Federation is to use high-profile events such as this year’s tournament to highlight the country as a tourist destination, where golf is offered on a professional grade course along with five-star hotel accommodations and the finest culinary and cultural offerings. International media coverage of the tournament agreed that the venue was exceptional with a wide variety of amenities. The Anar Mammadov Pinterest page includes more information.

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Bringing Golf to Azerbaijan

The first professional level golf course in the republic of Azerbaijan was unveiled in the fall of 2012. Designed by UK-based golf architecture firm International Design Group and built by Total Golf Construction, the National Azerbaijan Golf Club is, frankly, a thing of beauty. Eighteen holes wind among gorgeous, multilevelled views of the countryside outside the capital city of Baku. The facility includes practice areas and a nearby luxury Rixos hotel. It is also the home-base for the newly established Azerbaijan Golf Federation, an enterprising group with a firm goal: promoting the sport of golf in Azerbaijan. 

 Credited for the strong and sudden development of the republic’s interest in the sport of golf is the newly founded Azerbaijan Golf Federal, under the leadership of Anar Mammadov, who has served as the organisation’s president since its founding in 2012. The organisation was founded with the mission of popularizing the sport in Azerbaijan, to bring it to the people, teach them the sport, and foster a love of the game. The organisation has facilitated this promotion through close cooperation with the Youth and Sports Ministry. They have launched a pilot project in some of the nation’s schools, SNAG, or Starting New at Golf. The SNAG program has developed special teaching tools and equipment to provide an introduction to golf to the nation’s schoolchildren. The response has been promising, with over one thousand pupils actively involved. Federation President Anar Mammadov believes the sport instills in growing minds the attributes of discipline and commitment, and serves as a good introduction to the fun and value of physical activity. See an Anar Mammadov biography here.

The Azerbaijan Golf Federation is also working closely with the National Olympic Committee. Azerbaijan has been working to promote all sports within the republic in hopes of Olympic success. With golf in consideration to be reestablished as an event in the Summer Olympics in 2016, the Federation sees a unique opportunity. They have established the Academy of Golf, with aims to craft a talented team ready to compete at an Olympic level. The gorgeous facilities at the National Azerbaijani Golf Club have already began hosting tournaments: the Challenge Tour tournament dedicated to National leader Heydar Aliyev in early June of 2014, and the greatly anticipated Azerbaijan Open Challenge, part of the European Challenge tour, and the first professional golf tournament in Azerbaijan, from July 31-August 3, 2014. 

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World-Class Golfing with the Azerbaijan Golf Federation

The game of golf, which originated in the highlands of Scotland in the fifteenth century, has found a new home in the diverse and developing country of Azerbaijan. In 2012 and early 2013,  golf began to become an established sport in Azerbaijan, mostly due to the efforts of the Azerbaijan Golf Federation to introduce golf to the country and foster it its people a love for the game. The organization’s president, Anar Mammadov, is largely credited for having the passion and drive to raise interest in golf in Azerbaijan. Under his leadership, the organization has promoted the development of golfing as a new pastime for both children and adults. See Anar Mammadov Pinterest here.

The Azerbaijan Golf Federation has achieved great success in promoting the game by partnering with the Youth and Sports Ministry and the National Olympic Committee. A promotional project called SNAG, or “Starting New at Golf” teaches people from all walks of life the basics of the game, and the recreational benefits players can enjoy. SNAG was launched as a pilot programme to selected schools in the capital city of Baku, and quickly recruited over one thousand students. The SNAG programme is expected to grow in coming years, bringing golf to a whole new generation.

Another large venture that the Azerbaijan Golf Federation is pursuing is launching the Academy of Golf, with instructional staff and a small course in the facility where beginners can try their hand at the game. Membership will be open to anyone over four years of age, professional players and first-timers alike. The Federation is excited to raise a new generation of golfers, with hopes that a national team can be composed of graduates from the Academy. Golf is in consideration to be reinstated as an event in the summer Olympics, and Azerbaijan already has its eye on the gold.

The Azerbaijan Golf Federation is an affiliate of the International Golf Federation since 2013. Its headquarters are located at the newly developed Quba Golf Club, near Baku. The facility boasts a full 18-hole championship course, breath-taking views, deep bunkers and a unique, rugged look. It is the first professional-level golf facility ever built in Azerbaijan, and will host its first tournament, the Azerbaijan Open Challenge, this August. But the Azerbaijan Golf Federation knows that to effectively spread interest in the game of golf, proper courses will need to be constructed and maintained throughout the country. Promoting the game is a way to promote health and sportsmanship within Azerbaijan, and to increase the country’s visibility on the international stage of professional sports. 

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The European Challenge Tour in Azerbaijan

In 2012, Anar Mammadov founded the Azerbaijan Golf Federation to help promote the game within his home country. Fast forward to 2014, and through tireless work and investment of resources, Azerbaijan can now lay claim to being an exceptional 21st century golfing destination for one monumental reason: it is playing host to the European Challenge Tour.

The European Challenge Tour is one of the world's premium golf competitions and is usually confined to world class courses within Europe itself. There, the best golfers in the world compete for a massive €300,000 prize while showcasing phenomenal chips, putts, and drives which are the envy of every aspiring golfer.

In 2014, those same skills, those same famous golf personalities, are heading out to experience the true beauty and awe of the Caucasus region: The Azerbaijan National Golf Course is finally ready to take its place alongside the elite golf courses around the world. After years of difficult preparation the Azerbaijan golfing community can show the international community what the country can offer to golf professionals, and amateurs, from all around the globe.

With Anar Mammadov's stewardship, Azerbaijan can now boast an 18-hole course to rival any other, training facilities and an academy to help nurture the future Azeri golfing greats, and a luxurious 5-star complex for golfers and spectators to soothe their nerves before and after the tournament.

Comprising 7,011 yards with a par 72 rating, the Azerbaijan course is perfectly balanced for both beginners and professionals. Previously, in June, the first ever amateur tournament was played there in the form of the Heydar Aliyev memorial tournament, but now it is time for the professionals of the world to take to the course and wonder at the awe-inspiring backdrop of mountains and lush fields which can only be found in the hidden gem of Azerbaijan.

Alongside this practical achievement comes a digital one to accompany it. The Azerbaijan Golf Federation website has launched to help educate the world in what the country has to offer visitors and indigenous golf enthusiasts alike. The site is an indispensable resource of information, conveying important information such as upcoming tournament dates, rules of gold, tips, and how best to use the training facilities on offer. Alternatively, for more information on the federation's founder and creative driving force, try the Anar Mammadov Websta page.

The European Tour is sure to be a huge success, and can now add Azerbaijan to its list of impressive homes.

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Business, Charity, and Golf: The Life of Anar Mammadov So Far

In 2012, Anar Mammadov became chairman of the Azerbaijan Golf Federation. This honor was bestowed upon him following a wide range of accomplishments in both the Azerbaijan and international communities. Combining efforts in the business world, sporting sphere, and charitable communities, Anar Mammadov has excelled at putting projects together while advocating ethical business practices.

Born on the 26th of April, 1981, Anar Mammadov quickly rose to prominence through his academic achievements in the early 2000s. In just three years, he graduated with a Law degree from Baku State University, a degree in Business Administration from the American Intercontinental University of London, a bachelor's of Arts degree – topped off with a degree in Business Administration.

By the end of 2004, Anar Mammadov was well versed in the business world and went on to found ZQAN Holding in 2005. Starting off with a modest investment, the company grew to being one of the most successful investment businesses in Azerbaijan. Acquiring and merging businesses as varied as telecommunications, hospitality, and marketing, the company was renamed Garant Holding in 2013 as it became a truly international player.

Building on the success of his business achievements, Anar Mammadov turned his attentions to promoting the customs and traditions of the Azerbaijan people, while campaigning for a fairer treatment of his countrymen and women within the international community. This culminated in the creation of the Azerbaijan America Alliance, a non-profit charity which has nurtured the economic and cultural connections between both Azerbaijan and the USA.

Through Anar Mammadov's stewardship, the Azerbaijan America Alliance has striven to campaign on the behalf of the Azeri people. Its focus has been on forging stronger diplomatic and economic ties with the USA via a number of initiatives including a yearly gala dinner where policy makers from both countries meet to socialize and discuss mutually beneficial plans. One of the Alliance's key campaigns involves the removal of section 907 of the 1992 FREEDOM Act which forbids aid being given to the Azeri people from the USA.

As if balancing a successful investment company and a leading Azerbaijani charity were not enough, Anar Mammadov has also championed a number of key golfing tournaments in his role as the President of the Azerbaijan Golf Federation. Since 2012, his work has been instrumental in the building of world class golfing facilities, the hosting of the European Challenge Tour in 2014, and the promotion of the sport within Azerbaijan.