A fully functional clubhouse will just be one of the many changes that will greet the golf fans at Jumeirah Golf Estates during this week’s DP World Tour Championship.
Players, fans, sponsors and JGE members all stand to benefit as the European Tour season enters its final stretch, with both components of the tournament – the title itself in the $8 million showdown, and the European No1 crown – up for grabs when the top-60 players from the Race to Dubai battle it out from Thursday, November 19.
Golf obviously remains at the heart of the matter, and with as many as seven players still in with a chance to win the Race to Dubai, it is going to be four exciting days at the Greg Norman-designed course.
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Just 1,613.37 points separate No1 Rory McIlroy and the No2 Danny Willett. Which means that if Rory McIlroy is to finish rank last this week, Willett needs to be 57th to overtake him.
That seems a far-fetched possibility given that McIlroy’s worst finish at the Earth course is a tied 11th in 2011. In his five other visits, he has never finished outside the top-five.
Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace – ranked second to sixth in the Race to Dubai – will have to finish second or better depending on where McIlroy and Willett finished, while Byeong Hun An has to be first.
But for those who want to enjoy the day sitting outside the golf course, there is an enhanced Championship Village this year with an even wider range of food and beverage outlets, a brand-new putting zone and a new Emirates ‘Fly With Me’ Kids’ Zone.
One more view from the Belltower at @JGEGolf – this is down the 10th hole of Earth course. @Sport360 @EuropeanTour pic.twitter.com/qBPH5x8fwr
— Joy Chakravarty (@TheJoyofGolf) November 15, 2015
The top deck of the driving range has been transformed into extra seating for the spectators with the space behind, where the temporary clubhouse used to be, is now taken up by new F&B joints.
A new grandstand has also been added – at the back of the first tee – in addition to the ones behind ninth, 17th and 18th greens.
The magnificent clubhouse is now completely open, and apart from the spacious and comfortable players’ lounge and locker room, they can also use the new gymnasium that is being officially inaugurated today, physio area and a new crèche facility.
Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International – Dubai Office, said “The facts and figures show that now in our seventh year, the DP World Tour Championship has grown into one of the most popular and well supported sporting events in the Middle East.
A view of the 18th of Fire course @JGEGolf from the Belltower! #RoomWithAView @Sport360 @EuropeanTour pic.twitter.com/Hr9YXmTzaA
— Joy Chakravarty (@TheJoyofGolf) November 15, 2015
“We are expecting well over 55,000 spectators that we got last year. There is genuine interest and building excitement locally and internationally amongst both golfers and non-golfers.
“The especially exciting element is the engagement with all the government of Dubai agencies including Dubai Sports Council, DTCM/Dubai Tourism and Falcon &
Associates as we deliver one of the largest sporting events in the region under the Dubai umbrella.”
Entry to this year’s tournament is free of charge. Fans can visit www.DPWorldTourChampionship.com to register their attendance.
