Mena Golf Tour returns to the UAE
The Mena Golf Tour is back in town on September the 23rd and this year it is bigger and bolder
Returning to the region for its second running the tournament has expanded, strengthened and moved forward its position with 2 more events added to the calendar.
Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club had been included on the list of the UAE leg and the Tour is venturing out for the first time into the surrounding GCC at the Dirab Golf and Country Club in Saudi Arabia which is another milestone on the progression.
“I can say with a sense of satisfaction that we have a strong field and look forward to some exciting golf ahead” Adrian Flaherty
Adrian Flaherty Commissioner of the Mena Golf Tour Said: “The tour is hitting the right notes. If the first edition of the tour far exceeded our expectations, the second one, I believe, will be even better. Entries have shot up considerably this time around and more nationalities are represented in the field, clearly reflecting on the growing popularity of the tour.”
Entries include not only emerging players from in and around the region, but also some seasoned players like multiple European Tour winner Stephen Dodd. I can say with a sense of satisfaction that we have a strong field and look forward to some exciting golf ahead.
In view of the overwhelming response from players from different parts of the world, this time we have decided to expand the starting to 120 players for each event.
in the field. Still, the cut will be made after 36 holes with 50 and ties going into the final round. This, I believe, will add to the intensity of the competition.
On the organizational front, things are moving well. We are, in particular, pleased with the whole-hearted support we are getting from the host clubs. They have done a great job in presenting the courses in prime conditions.
At the end of the day, all we want is to see a player from the region make a name for himself. The guy just doing well is enough for us. Becoming a champion is secondary. At least for the moment.
Dubai Golf has also entered one of their Courses into the fray with the opening event called the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Open.
“We are delighted to be hosting such a prestigious event on the championship course at Dubai Creek.” Mustafa Al Hashimi
Mustafa Al Hashimi, General Manager, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club commented, “We are delighted to be hosting such a prestigious event on the championship course at Dubai Creek. The course is no stranger to hosting major tournaments having previously hosted the Dubai Desert Classic on two occasions and we are all looking forward to welcoming a very strong field to the Club for what is certain to be a very exciting event.”
With Al Badia Golf Club, Tower Links Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach again holding an event the UAE is set to shine on the Golfing Stage as the Mena Golf Tour tries to cement and expand its position pushing Golf in the region forward.
The final event is again at the Al Ain Equestrian Club and Gavin Chappell Head Golf Pro told us: “Firstly it was a great privilege for the Club to host the 2012 MENA Tour Championship, the standard of players that competed in the four events last year looks to be even stronger for 2013 and the addition of the 2 extra events is a sign that the MENA Tour is building on what was a great tour last time. With the extra events joining this year and the great courses we have in the region it makes it extra special for the AESGC to be asked to hold the final event again.
We do not get the same exposure as clubs in Dubai or Abu Dhabi so again having prestigious events like this is of added importance to us. I felt the course held its own with the quality of the field that competed in last year’s finale and with some additional tees that have been added I am sure it will again this time.
Will be exciting to watch the tour this year unfold and I look forward to welcoming all the amateurs and professionals to Al Ain who make it through to the Tour Championship.”
Well, it promises to be another hotly contested event and we will be posting all the latest news on the event on the UAE Golf Online website. We would like to take this moment to wish the organizers, the Golf Clubs and most importantly the participants the best of luck.
