Dubai will become host to a fourth season-ending championship of a major golf tour with the announcement yesterday that ‘golf in DUBAi’ have secured the rights from the Asian Tour.
The details of the tournaments such as dates, prize money and host venue have not been revealed with ‘golf in DUBAi’ stating in a press release that talks are on with prospective sponsors and different Dubai golf clubs.
However, Sport360º understands that the dates are going to be December 18-21, the last free week on the Asian Tour calendar for the current season, and that a brand new golf course will make its debut on the professional map.
The Majlis course of Emirates Golf Club, the preferred venue of ‘golf in DUBAi’ events, will not be in a position to host the championship as it would be in the preparation stage for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic after hosting the Dubai Lad-ies Masters from December 10-13.
The new tournament is expected to be named Dubai Open, attached to the name of the sponsor who will have the title naming rights.
Speaking to Sport360º, Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, said the minimum prize money level on an Asian Tour event is $300,000, and the Dubai Open will definitely be more than that.
Dubai already hosts the season-ending finale of the European Tour (DP World Tour Championship), the Ladies European Tour (Omega Dubai Ladies Masters) and the European Challenge Tour (Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final at Al Badia).
The tournament is part of a three-year deal the Dubai-based promoters have signed with the Asian Tour, and while it is the season-ending championship this year, that slot is likely to go back to the Thai Golf Championship or the King’s Cup, or a new tournament next year.
“I think today’s announcement is very important for two reasons,” Buamaim says.
“By not having an Asian Tour event here, we were neglecting the Asian community from the golfing fabric. I know there are some Asian players in the European Tour events played here, and I have seen how much the Thais want to play with and watch Thongchai Jaidee, the Indians with Jeev Milkha Singh and the Koreans with Noh Seung-Yul.
“With so many Asian players in the field, the Dubai Open is surely going to attract a lot of the Asian expats here, and golf fans from abroad. It has the potential to increase the participation levels here dramatically.
“And secondly, we have got a great relationship going with the Asian Tour. They have promised a significant number of starts in their events for the top Arab players from our MENA Golf Tour, on the main tour as well as their development tour. That gives our regional players a chance to get better and hopefully earn world ranking points, which is so important as golf has now become part of the Olympics.”
As for the possibility of relinquishing the season-ending slot, Buamaim says: “Yes. It may not be a season-ending tournament next year, but if Asian Tour do get a bigger event, I will personally be delighted for them. In that case, the Dubai Open will be a regular event on the Tour.”
Dubai Open will have a full field, unlike the DP World Tour Championship, where only the top-60 players from the Race to Dubai qualify. That way, ‘golf in DUBAi’ will be able to reserve some spots for players from the MENA Golf Tour, as well as extend certain number of invitations to players from other Tour.
Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han was equally upbeat about the success of what he called an important stop in Dubai.
“With so many prestigious tournaments, in particular the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, taking place there, Dubai can surely capitalise further on its unique position as a diverse and high quality golfing destination,” Han says.
“We feel proud and privileged to join hands with an organisation whose track record of hosting international golf tournaments is second to none. The Asian Tour is delighted to be coming to Dubai and I am sure our players will be very excited to compete there.”
