Golf: Top field for 50th Mena Golf Tour event

Dubai - The Tour has seen 32 different winners from 14 countries

A strong field of amateurs and professionals will battle hard during the Dubai Creek Open at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club from September 5 to 8.
For the Mena Golf Tour, the organisers, the Dubai leg will be their 50th tournament.
Since 2011, the Tour has seen 32 different winners from 14 countries with English players winning 29 of the 49 tournaments (all 54-hole affairs) thus far.
"The staging of the 50th tournament shows we have moved the needle a little bit forward which gives us a tremendous sense of satisfaction," Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the Mena Golf Tour, said at a Press conference ahead of the Dubai Creek Open, starting on Monday.

"If our players have enjoyed some moments in the spotlight, it's all down to the support that we have received from our host venues, sponsors and partners," he added.
The Official World Golf Ranking status for the Mena Golf Tour members and a new tie-up with South Africa's Sunshine Tour have further reinforced the Tour's position and importance in world golf.
"With tournaments in Morocco, South Africa, Spain, the GCC states and Thailand, we have succeeded in creating a global platform for the region's talent to step up to the plate and show what they can bring to the table," Buamaim said.
England's Zane Scotland, the most prolific winner on the Mena Tour with 11 titles to his credit, said: "It's a great achievement one that resonates beyond the region. I have been playing on the tour since winning the inaugural event in 2011 and can tell from experience that it has a tremendous potential to grow and prosper." 
Top names in Arab and international golf like Ahmed Marjan (Morocco), James Allan (England), Tyler Hogarty (South Africa) and Daniel Kay (Scotland) among others, took time to settle down while practising during the weekend to get used to the challenging windy conditions at the course, once a Dubai Desert Classic venue.
Ahmed Al Musharrekh, the only UAE professional in the field and who has just returned from national military training, said: "The tour is just awesome. The experience that you gain from playing alongside an international field is something unique for the region's players, especially the amateurs." he added, "I would like to see the region grow. The more it grows, it will give the young guys greater opportunities to come through the ranks."
Adel Zarouni, vice chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, said: "It's quite encouraging to see the Mena Tour grow in stature and popularity every year. It's a fantastic achievement."
Also attending the announcement on Sunday at the venue was Mustafa Al Hashimi, chief hospitality leisure officer at Wasl that manages the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
moni@khaleejtimes.com