Marshals head to Earth for Dubai World Championship

While the 60 players on The Race to Dubai target a sensational finish to their season, an army of over 400 volunteer marshals will be on hand to make sure the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World goes with a swing.

To be staged over the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 25-28, the second Dubai World Championship will again bring down the curtain on The European Tour season with a celebration of golf culminating in the crowning of the European Number One.

And with attendance figures likely to exceed the 60,000 mark for the second year in succession, Chief Marshal Buddy Morin believes his team will yet again have a major role to play in an event that offers $7.5 million in prize money as well as a Bonus Pool of $7.5 million for the top 15 finishers in The Race to Dubai.

“Last year, we attracted over 400 volunteer marshals from Dubai, the UAE, the region and many from overseas,” he said. “Attendance figures exceeded all our expectations, so at least the same number of volunteer marshals will be required again this year.”

During the four days of the tournament and the curtain-raising Pro-am, the marshals and volunteers are charged with keeping the play moving, while ensuring that the galleries are free to enjoy the action without disturbing the players.

Officials and organisers believe the thrilling culmination of The Race to Dubai, a star-studded field of European Tour pros and the fabulous atmosphere that was so prevalent in 2009 will combine to attract a similar number of spectators to the Greg Norman-designed course next month.

“We expect big crowds again so the marshals have a very important role to play when it comes to the staging of the event,” said Nick Tarratt, Director, European Tour International, Dubai Office. “We look forward to welcoming back Buddy Morin and his team of volunteers, as well as new volunteers who want to enjoy the tournament from a working, yet still fun and rewarding, perspective.”

Although Morin is delighted with the response to his marshal request for 2010, more volunteers are still required for what has quickly become one of the key dates on the city’s sporting and social calendar.

“While we have received strong commitment from our regular and loyal volunteer marshal base, we are still looking at around 50 positions for both Static and Roving Marshals,” he added.

“As well as being part of a great sporting occasion, our marshals also receive Dubai World Championship shirts, caps, tournament passes, car parking and invitations for 200 volunteers to a Volunteers’ Appreciation Golf Day played over the Earth course, or a Green Fee voucher.”