The first Yas Links Senior Open will take place on Saturday, May 3, and organisers are encouraging golfers to sign up before registration closes early next week.
Open to males and females over 50 years old, the amateur level competition will see golfers aiming to win the inaugural tournament in what promises to be a great day at the iconic venue.
Held at the beautiful Yas Links Golf Course at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, golfers will begin the stroke-play format tournament by teeing off at 08:00.
Yas Links has won a number of accolades, including being voted as the No1 Golf course in the Gulf region for the third year in a row as well as being the 24th best course in the world (outside the US) by Golf Digest USA in 2012.
To be eligible to compete, each participant must have a valid handicap verified by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF).
You will be up against some budding golfers in the country with the tournament open to guests, EGF members as well as Yas Links members.
The competition will see two overall champions in each category – men and women (with the lowest gross score). Plus, there will be other prizes available for stroke play and net category winners.
“We saw the opportunity to hold a Senior Open event due to the high volume of golfers in this category,” said Victoria Hassett, golf operations manager at Yas Links.
She added: “It is a very niche tournament and it will be enjoyed by those who perhaps want to switch up their normal game on the course and compete with others in the same age category.
“It is what the golfer will make it (of the tournament). The competition heat can be turned on and one can use the day to vie for prizes, bragging rights and to see how they measure up to other seniors in the region.
“Or, one can join with more of a social intent, since it’s not a members only competition.
“It should just be an all-round great day on the course where you can meet others with a similar passion then enjoy a lunch buffet and prize presentation afterwards,” added Hassett.
If you want to be part of the field, then you don’t have much time to register with the deadline closing on Tuesday, April 29.
Entry fees are Dh100 for Yas Links club members, Dh350 for EGF members and Dh450 for guests.
Included in the entry fee is one full round of golf on the championship links course, lunch buffet after the competition, pre-course warm-up practice on the driving range, and a shared golf cart with GPS.
And Hassett believes the opportunity to compete will be worthwhile.
“It is our inaugural Senior Open, so that makes it unique in itself. We hold a lot of Yas Links club member events but this is open to people who are not members,” said Hassett.
“So, it’s worth to take advantage when we do Open tournaments to experience all the exciting ‘bells and whistles’ a tournament can offer, something one may not be used to if not a member of a golf club.”
To register, please email [email protected] or call 02 810 7710.
What: Yas Links Senior Open 2014
When: Saturday, May 3
Where: Yas Links, Abu Dhabi
Contact: Email [email protected] or call 02 810 7710
