[attach id=216196 size="large"]The MGA shield.[/attach]

The sixth Malta Golf Association Shield has the backing of a new sponsor, Nescafé Dolce Gusto. The competition, one of the highlights in the Royal Malta Golf Club’s calendar of events, takes place this week.

The Shield is open to players holding a valid golf handicap.

The women’s tournament will be played today while the men’s competition is scheduled for Saturday. The finals will be held on Sunday.

The first two editions of the Shield in 2007 and 2008 were won by Tony Vella and Nigel Hall – both seasoned golfers. In 2009 Jutta Klotz became the first woman to win the tournament and the last two editions were won by junior players.

John Micallef Stafrace took the honours in 2010 when he was only 14 years and Quint Van Beek, aged 15, was last year’s winner.

William Beck, association president said: “As in previous years, we expect a high turn-out and we owe this to our sponsors as well as to the invaluable assistance from my colleagues on the Executive Council and the committee members of the Royal Malta Golf Club.

“Despite its 125 years of local history, in reality the Maltese only started to enjoy the game during the last 30 years or so.

“Our ambition is to introduce golf in schools as we intend to assemble a successful national team.

“In 2009, we participated for the first time as a team in the Mediterranean Games and this year we’ve taken part in the world Team Amateur Championships.”

Beck said participants with the overall best net aggregate scores will receive prizes from the sponsors and a memento trophy. An additional nine consolation prizes will be awarded.

Naum Janakiev, country manager of Nestlé Malta, expressed his satisfaction at their involvement in the Shield tournament.

“Golf blends nicely with our brand concept as the sport is an immensely social game,” he said.

“I would like to thank the MGA for giving us the opportunity to help in their efforts to improve the level of the sport in Malta.”