Prestigious Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation scholarship for top Mena Golf Tour Amatuer
The winner of the MENA Golf Tour’s Order of Merit title for amateurs will be rewarded with the prestigious Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation scholarship in addition to a special invitation to play in the 2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic. The all-expenses-paid scholarship will see the leading amateur return to Dubai for a five-week intensive training stint to fine tune his skills in the run to the European Tour event, promoted and organised by golf in DUBAi, at the Emirates Golf Club from January 31 to February 3, 2013.
Designed by the Emirates Golf Club professionals, the training programme will cover all aspect of the game, ranging from technique to swing strength and overall fitness, ensuring the amateur is physically and mentally ready to compete at the highest level of golf.
The leading amateur, if required, will also be encouraged to join the English language coaching classes to brush up his communications skills so that he feels at ease when interacting with players from different countries.
The scholarship, first awarded to Ahmed Marjane, who topped the inaugural MENA Golf Tour Order of Merit for Amateurs in 2011, is part of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation’s ambitious drive to continually identify and nurture the talented Arab youth with the aim of producing a future generation of champions.
Set up under the auspices of golf in DUBAi in 2006, the foundation aims at creating new windows of opportunities for all emerging MENA national professionals and amateurs which will not only hone their golfing skills, but will also enhance the overall development of golf in the region.
“Our aim is to see an Arab golfer come up through ranks and make a name for himself. The MENA Golf Tour has created a competitive atmosphere which hitherto was missing in the region. We are encouraging players to use this platform to climb the ladder of success,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi.
“Special care is taken to promote top amateurs, who I believe, are the ones who can effectively motivate a new generation of players. The Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation Scholarship is a step in that direction and may spark off extra intensity in the Order of Merit race for this special bonus,” he added.
“At the end of the day all we want is to see an Arab golfer winning on the international stage… or at least doing well. Once the early mission is accomplished, the rippling effect will take care of the rest.”
A new initiative by the foundation, the MENA Golf Tour features six events this year. Boasting combined prize fund of $325,000, the tour kicks off at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht on September 24, 2012 while the season-ending MENA Tour Championship will be held at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club from October 29 to 31.
The top three professionals, besides the leading amateur from their respective Orders of Merit, will receive special invitations to compete in the 2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
With all sponsors of golf in DUBAi, including title sponsor Omega and main sponsor Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) throwing their weight behind this new growth-for-golf initiative, the profile of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation has gone up a notch.
CNN, Drydocks World & Maritime World, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Jumeirah, Mercedes-Benz and wasl along with Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate, the patrons of golf in DUBAi, are also part of the foundation’s drive to unearth champion material from the Arab world.
Ahmed Marjane, the winner of the first Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation scholarship, with Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, and Mohamed Juma Buamaim,vice chairman and CEO of golf in ‘DUBAi’
