Following on from successfully hosting the tournament for the past three years, Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club have announced that they have extended their partnership with the Faldo Series Middle East Championship for the next three years.
Since 2013, the Faldo Series Middle East Championship has been played over two rounds at the AESGC course, but from 2016 onwards, it will be played as a three-round event to allow the tournament to qualify as a World Amateur Ranking event.
Players between the age of 12 and 21 with a recognised handicap of 18 or below are eligible to play in the event which starts Sunday, March 27, with the official practice round. This will be followed by the three tournament rounds from Monday, March 28, onwards.
As in previous years, the five winners from their respective categories will qualify for an invite to compete in the Faldo Series Grand Final. The winners in the past three years have enjoyed trips to the Greenbrier, West Virgina, USA in 2013 and 2014 and the Sporting Club, Berlin, in Germany last year.
The venue for the 2016 Faldo Series Grand Final is yet to be confirmed, but it is likely to take place in a Europen city towards the end of the year.
Six-time major champion Nick Faldo created the Faldo Series in 1996 to give opportunity to young people through golf and to help identify and nurture the next generation of champions.
On signing the new deal with AESGC, Faldo commented: “I am delighted that we have agreed to continue our Faldo Series Middle East Championship with Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club.
“The event continues to grow year on year and has become a premium event in the region attracting golfers from both inside and outside the UAE all competing in what is becoming one of our most well-supported tournaments.
“One of the main objectives of the Series is to provide opportunities for young aspiring golfers, so it was fantastic that no less than 27 different nationalities were represented in the 2015 tournament including Emirati golfers and those from neighbouring countries.
“We remain focused on developing the Faldo Series in more countries and introducing the lessons and opportunity of this sport through elite junior amateur competition along with grass roots introduction to golfers on all levels.”
Speaking on behalf of AESGC, Golf Manager Gavin Chappell expressed his delight by saying: “It is fantastic for the club to have been given the opportunity to host the event for the next three years.
“We have already had a fantastic response for this year’s event and I am sure it is going to be another high-quality field.
“This really is a fantastic event and with such a legend in the name of golf associated with it, it gives a brilliant opportunity for all the competitors.
“You only need to look at the list of past winners who have gone on to great things in the game of golf to realize why this is such a big event for budding golfers.”
Past champions of Faldo Series include major winners Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng, and Tour winners such Nick Dougherty, Oliver Fisher, Marc Warren, John Parry, Rashid Khan, Melissa Reid, Florentyna Parker and Carly Booth.
“The event has become a premium event in the region” – Nick Faldo
Supported by golf’s governing bodies, 40 annual tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide, spanning Europe, North and South America, and Asia, apart from the Middle East.
The tournament in Al Ain is also being supported by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF).
EGF Chairman HE Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi said: “The Emirates Golf Federation is a proud Sanctioning Partner of this prominent junior event and series.
“As the governing body of golf in the United Arab Emirates, the EGF is delighted to see a junior World Amateur Golf Ranking event in the country. This is a great accomplishment for Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club and for UAE golf.
“The event is expected to bring together the best junior golfers from the UAE as well as the neighbouring brother nations. Developing junior golf is a key goal for EGF, and we are pleased to support this platform for junior golf within the region.”
For further details on the event and how to enter, e-mail [email protected] or call +971 3 702 6400.
