BIG NEWS FOR DUBAI: A new European Tour event just 21 days away

There is a new norm for golf and sporting events these days.

Planning used to be a minimum of 12 months a year, the perhaps previous year’s event finishing and then review, analysis and planning starts straight away!

Covid-19 has caused this re-set, but in the end the business of golf tournaments is now all about money. If there is the money, the tournaments can happen. If there is not, the tournaments will not happen, however hard all the parties around the table want it to happen.

The Golf in Dubai presented by DP World boasts a prizefund of $1.2 million and will be held on Fire course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai from Wednesday, December 2 – Saturday, December 5, 2020, the week before the season ending event on the 2020 Race to Dubai, the $8 million DP World Tour Championship, Dubai on the Earth course next door.

We await to hear the possibility of golf fans attending as well local participation with a Pro-Am or the like at both events.

Golf fans on the ground are really missing their watch.

The Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic looked so good on TV, but with fans and the usual engagement it would have been so much more fun, locally, regionally and internationally.

On talking to Ismail Sharif, Managing Director of host venue Jumeirah Golf Estates, he commented, ‘‘We thank everyone involved, both internally and externally, for all the work on making this event happen.

There has been a significant upgrading of the Fire course over the last few years and we especially thank the European Tour for their confidence in us at Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Golf, to deliver and host a quality golf tournament on a quality golf course.”

Ismail is a veteran of golf and arguably the father of the golf scene in Dubai and is passionate about the game and its future.

The Greg Norman designed Fire course will host the 4-day, 72 hole event, which can stretch to 7,480 yards with a traditional Par of 72.

“We have always been rightly proud of the Greg Norman designed Fire course and feel it has always been our ‘hidden gem’ at Jumeirah Golf Estates, with the Earth course receiving all the necessary attention and focus, with 2020 being its 12th consecutive hosting of the DP World Tour Championship.

The week before the season ending event will be a key week for all the players who are vying to get into the top 60 qualifying spots or improving their positions in the Race,” continued Sharif.

It is interesting to note that a new entry category has just been added to the DP World Tour Championship, ‘…. any European Tour member in the top 75 in the Official World Golf Ranking at the conclusion of this week’s Masters who is not otherwise exempt.’

What especially excites Sharif, in these Covid-19 days, is the international TV and media coverage around the world before, during and post events.

“We are delighted to be hosting, as well as showcasing to the world through global TV and all other media platforms and coverage, both the Fire course as well as the Earth course in two consecutive weeks and of course spreading the message that Dubai has had a record summer of local golf, that it is safe and will, hopefully and soon, be one of the first international golf destinations to rebound.

Our collective desire is to put another golf course in Dubai on the ‘must play’ list for local golfers and all international golfers coming to Dubai,” concluded Sharif.

With player participation now being finalised over the next few days, we all await with anticipation the announcement of the confirmed player fields for both events.

fairwayviewskt@gmail.com

THIS WEEK’S GOLF

GOLF MAJOR

Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th November, 2020

THE MASTERS

Venue: Augusta National GC, Augusta, Georgia, USA.

Purse: $11.5 million.

LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR (LET)

Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th November, 2020

ARAMCO SAUDI LADIES INTERNATIONAL PRESENTED BY PUBLIC INVESTMENT FUND

Venue: Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia

Purse: $1 million

LET GOLF ON TV. DUBAI SPORTS CHANNEL 2

Thurs 14.30 – 17.30

Fri 14.30 – 17.30

Sat 13.00 – 16.00

Sun 14.00 – 17.00