HH Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum grants his official patronage for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic
His Highness Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, has granted his official patronage for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in a fitting recognition to the role played by the event in contributing to the Emirate’s status as a global centre of sporting excellence.
The eyes of the golfing world will firmly be focused on Dubai early next year when an all-star cast, spearheaded by world number one Tiger Woods and second-ranked Rory McIlroy among other past champions, descend on the Emirate to vie for honours in the landmark 25th edition of the longest-running European Tour event in Asia and the MENA region at Emirates Golf Club from January 27 to February 2, 2014.
Since the inception of the tournament in 1989 when the European Tour visited the region for the first time, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, promoted and organized by golf in DUBAi, has grown dramatically in size and stature, setting in motion a chain of events that were fundamental to the growth of the game in the region.
Today, ‘a jewel in the desert’, as the tournament is fondly referred to, is the prime example of how golf and tourism can act together as drivers of growth with thousands of visitors enjoying truly world-class standards on every level: from golf courses to hotels, restaurants and leisure facilities.
“We feel privileged and honoured to have received the official patronage of HH Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum which underscores the importance of sports in the overall growth strategy for Dubai,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi.
“We sincerely thank HH Shaikh Hamdan and all contributing government entities, including the Dubai Sports Council, for their support and look forward to carrying on the journey to realize Dubai’s goal of becoming a solid foothold for sports in the world,” he added.
The 25th anniversary edition of the tournament will host many of the world’s most gifted golfers all of whom will be afforded the kind of welcome that makes them return to the outstanding Majilis Course year after year.
The $ 2.5 million tournament will be preceded by the Champions Challenge, an 18-hole stroke-play showpiece, which will see former winners of the event contest for a share of the $600,000 prize fund on the Majlis course on Tuesday, January 28.
Tickets for the 2014 edition of the event have already gone on sale online and fans can visit the official tournament website (www.dubaidesertclassic.com) for more information. Members of GOLF CITIZEN, a worldwide golf reservation website (www.golfcitizen.com) launched by ‘golf in DUBAi’ in 2011, are being offered a special 25 per cent on tickets.
Golfers from around the world can register as a ‘GOLF CITIZEN’ for free and book rounds at a number of courses globally.
‘golf in DUBAi’ is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Drydocks World & Maritime World, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Mercedes-Benz 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.
Pic caption:
His Highness Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, presenting the winner’s trophy to Ernie Els, the 2005 champion of Omega Dubai Desert Classic, as Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of ‘golf in DUBAi’, looks on in this file photo
