Moroccan Golfer Serghini ready for the challenge at the 25th Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Faycal Serghini is confident he can step up and make a strong statement about the rising standards of the game in the Arab world when he tees it up at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club.
The leading Arab professional from Morocco knows a thing or two about what it takes to play at the highest level, having competed in the longest-running European Tour event in the region a couple of times, but, fuelled by the enthusiasm of his top five finish in the 2013 MENA Golf Tour Order of Merit, he is retuning with a renewed determination to make his presence felt this time around.
The 38-year-old Casablanca native will join a stellar star cast led by world number one Tiger Woods, European number one Henrik Stenson and Northern Irish sensation Rory McIlroy among other past champions during the event, which celebrates its 25th anniversary from January 27 to February 2.
“Playing alongside such a classy field, it doesn’t get any better. I can’t wait to get started,” said Serghini,who this year will have the company of compatriot Mustapha El Maouas, who has made it to the starting line-up after topping the MENA Golf Tour Order of Merit for amateurs.
“It will be a very special week for Morocco golf as it will put our country on the golfing map and this makes us all very proud,” said Serghini, who has also featured many times in Hassan II Trophy even before it became a full European Tour event in 2010.
“And we are very lucky to be playing on such a great course (Majlis). The course is absolutely immaculate and it is one of the best they compete on the European Tour,” said Serghini, who has been invited by golf in DUBAi as part of their strong ties with organizers of the Hassan II Trophy.
“I am definitely ready to get going and my immediate goal is to make the cut which I have not been able to do in my previous visits. Playing golf is what I love to do and I’m going to play every chance I get,” said Serghini, who finished runner-up to England’s Lee Corfield in the season-ending MENA Tour Championship in November last year in Al Ain.
Commented Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, said: “Encouraging and promoting emerging Arab talent has always been a priority for us at the MENA Golf Tour and we believe the experience gained from competing against a deeply-talented field at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic will help further add to their confidence.
“Morocco is leading the way when it comes to professional golf in the Arab world, and it’s definitely important for people from other countries to see how their golfers are shaping up. Morocco has invested heavily in sporting infrastructure and it’s paying off now,” he added.
‘golf in DUBAi’ is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and DUBAL as the 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.
