UAE Golfers aiming to strike it lucky at Dubai World Championship
Over the coming month, every UAE golf club affiliated to the Emirates Golf Federation will be gripped by Race to Dubai fever as golfers across the emirates fight it out for a place in the Rolex Pro-Am at the Dubai World Championship, presented by DP World.
All 17 EGF-affiliated clubs in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah have signed up to take part in the ‘Luckiest Ball on Earth’ competition, an event that will see a winner from each club take part in the Grand Final at the Earth course, Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 15.
EGF General Manager Saeed Albudoor said: “We are delighted to support this ‘Luckiest Ball on Earth’ competition. It gives all EGF golfers in the UAE the opportunity to play in a high profile club and nationwide tournament with the ultimate winner playing alongside one of the world's leading golfers in the Rolex Pro-am.
“We are especially excited to have the 36-hole UAE National Championship to be held at Jumeirah Golf Estates included as a qualifier. We would like to thank the organisers of the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World for this initiative, which I am sure will help raise the profile amongst all golfers of The European Tour's season ending climax to The 2011 Race to Dubai.”
Colin Smith, European Tour Director – International Business Development Middle East and Asia said he was pleased with the clubs’ feedback.
“The response from the clubs has been incredibly supportive and we are delighted to have them all on board,” he added. “While each club will stage a qualifying round in October with the winners coming together to play for a place in the Pro-Am, there will also be a place in the Grand Final for the lucky player who finds a ‘special’ golf ball placed in the stack of range balls set up prior to each tee off time.
“In addition, the top three gross scorers in the UAE National Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates – as well as a special ball holder – will also qualify for the Grand Final. We are currently finalising some other key UAE calendar events and corporate golf days to complete the Grand Final field and will announce these shortly.”
In all, 60 players competing in the Grand Final fight it out for a coveted place in the Rolex Pro-am to be held on Tuesday, December 6, at the Earth course, venue for the 2011 Dubai World Championship, presented by DP World. The Pro-am will see stars such as current World Number One Luke Donald, 2010 Dubai World Championship winner Robert Karlsson and 2011 Major winners Charl Schwartzel (Masters), Rory McIlroy (US Open) and Darren Clarke (The Open) tee up alongside their amateur playing partners.
Forty-eight hours later, the top 60 in The Race to Dubai will come together for the grand finale of The European Tour season, the $15 million Dubai World Championship presented by DP World.
Getting the Luckiest Ball on Earth competition underway on October 7 are Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club, Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai, Al Ghazal Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s Yas Links.
Tower Links Golf Club in Ras al Khaimah will stage the final qualifier on October 29.
Fans can get their complimentary tickets for the 2011 Dubai World Championship presented by DP World – held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council – by registering at the official website www.DubaiWorldChampionship.com.
