Korean Noh Appointed golf in Dubai Ambassador
South Korean teenage sensation Noh Seung-yul has been appointed as the global brand ambassador of golf in DUBAi, the promoters and organisers of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, it was announced on Tuesday.
An integral part of a growing army of South Koreans who have lit up the tour events with their precocious talent, Noh will promote the two premier golf tournaments and, in turn, the brand ‘golf in DUBAi’ on the global stage as part of a four-year partnership which extends up to 2014.
The 18-year-old prodigy announced his arrival on the big stage by winning the Midea China Classic in 2008 and further cemented his credentials as one of the most exciting young talents in world golf with a stunning victory in the 2010 Malaysian Open in March, the win making him the second youngest winner (18 years 282 days) ever on the European Tour after Danny Lee (18 years, 213 days).
Widely tipped to follow in the footsteps of Korea’s most famous golfing star K.J, Choi, who fought back-to-back with Tiger Woods on all four days in the recent Masters Tournament, Noh has also claimed a place in this year’s British Open by finishing in the top four in an Asian qualifying tournament in Kuala Lumpur.
With Noh coming on board, golf in DUBAi has gained a brand ambassador who has achieved an extraordinary level of success during his short career as a golfer, and one who is keen to partner with the company in its endeavour to promote Dubai as the city of golf.
“Noh is an exciting talent and we are delighted to have signed him as our Global Brand Ambassador. Like rest of the world, we have always been impressed by his outstanding golf talent, dedication and natural flair,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi.
“We are confident that this four-year partnership will prove successful for both parties and leave a lasting impression on the golfing world, he said, adding: “We are a great admirer of the rising standards of Korean golfers who look so driven and motivated and bring their own special flavour to a tournament.
“As a youth icon, Noh is a trend-setter and appeals to a young audience and I hope his association with us inspire the youth in our country to succeed on the world stage.”
The superkid, Noh, is himself looking forward to representing golf in DUBAi on the global stage. “It’s a pleasure to be associated with golf in DUBAi, a strong brand that always believed in giving an opportunity to young players to compete in their tournaments, a long-held tradition that reinforces their commitment to the world of golf,” said the teenager.
“I, was invited to play in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, and the experience, to say the least, was just wonderful. With top players from all continents regularly descending on Dubai every year, the tournament has become one of the most popular stops on the European Tour, and I am delighted to be part of a drive to promote the city as the golfing hotbed of the region, if not the world,” said Noh who, at present, is leading the Asian Order of Merit with $484,437 in earnings after the Ballentine Championship at Jeju Island in Korea, and aims to join his mentor Choi on the US PGA Tour.
“I’m taking it one step at a time. My current target is to be successful on the European Tour so that I can go to the final PGA Q school stage this year and my dream is to win Majors and become better than K.J. Choi eventually,” said Noh, who turned professional in 2007 on the back of an impressive amateur career during which he finished tied third in the 2006 Maekyong Open and won the Korean Amateur Championship and Korean Junior Championship in 2005 to become the youngest winner in the history of this championship.
The winner of the Asian Tour’s Rookie of the Year award in 2008, Noh started playing the game by hitting balls on the beach near his house at Gangwondo when he was seven years old. At 18, he is already a star.
