Omega Desert Classic Qualifier on January 23 2011

Leading professionals and amateurs from in and around the UAE will vie for “dream tickets” to the main draw when the 2011 Omega Dubai Desert Classic qualifying round gets under way at the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course on Sunday, January 23, 2011. The winners of the professional and amateur divisions will join the Tiger Woods-led main draw.

The 18-hole qualifier will see both professionals and amateurs compete in their respective divisions from the championship tees in a stroke-play format, and the winner in each category will join a galaxy of superstars, led by Tiger Woods, in the longest-running European Tour event outside Europe and the longest in the region.

The qualifying round provides the regional talent – both UAE and non-UAE golfers — a rare opportunity to compete at the highest level of competition.

Entries are invited from all golfers, including UAE PGA professional members of categories 1 and 4, Arab golf professionals who are members of their respective National PGA or similar body recognised by the European Tour.

It is also open to amateurs who are full members of a golf club or the Emirates Golf Federation’s Handicap Scheme or Arab nationals who hold a handicap of scratch or better. Interested golfers may visit the official tournament website — www. dubaidesertclassic.com – for online registration at the earliest to avoid the last-minute rush.

The 2010 qualifier saw Stephen Deane (professional) of Emirates Golf Club and Miki Mirza (amateur) of the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, earn the rights to play in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic after an absorbing contest at the Majlis course.

Deane shot a gross four-over-par 76 to win by one shot from his nearest challengers while Mirza needed to take a detour before settling the issue in a tense playoff against Bahrain's Nasser Yacoob after both were tied at two over par 74 in regulation.

Photo: Stephen Deane (professional) and Miki Mirza (amateur) with ‘Great Dane’ Thomas Bjorn and tournament director Adrian Flaherty after winning the 2010 Omega Dubai Desert Classic qualifier

Both the players, however, missed the cut at the 2010 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, but the experience of rubbing shoulders with an elite field, spearheaded by golfing legend Tom Watson, has given them a big boost to their confidence. Mirza, who since has reduced to his handicap down to plus three — the lowest in the UAE – will be the player to beat.

“The Omega Dubai Desert Classic Qualifying round provides a perfect platform for all golfers of the region to showcase their skills and win a rare ticket to play in this prestigious event of the European Tour,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi.

“Being able to play in the company of some of the world’s greatest golfers is something many golfers especially amateurs, dream of. We, at golf in DUBAi, welcome all golfers – both UAE and non-UAE; professionals and amateurs to be a part of this qualifier,” he added.

While the who’s who of world golf vie for the top honours at the 2011 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the winners of the qualifier will add a bit of local flavour to this European PGA Tour event which has put Dubai on the map.

'golf in DUBAi' is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Gulf News Emirates NBD, Jumeirah and wasl while Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi’s drive to showcase the emirate's vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.