Dubai: In another first for the city, Dubai will play host to the Asian Tour’s final event of 2014 in December, underscoring the vibrant nature of the golf industry in the country and across the region.
A welcome addition to the city’s growing portfolio of world-class events, the Dubai Open, as the tournament will be called, is being promoted and organised by golf in DUBAi, who are an old hand at staging high-profile sporting events like the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters and the MENA Golf Tour.
As part of a three-year agreement with the Asian Tour, ‘golf in DUBAi’ will manage all aspects of its end-of-year spectacular that has the potential to become one of the most illustrious stops on the region’s premier Tour.
The landscape of Dubai has changed dramatically since the city first hosted an international golf tournament — the Omega Dubai Desert Classic — in 1989, and today the sport has become a key component of Dubai’s ambitious drive to host 20 million visitors annually by 2020 – the year the city will host the World Expo.
Talks with prospective sponsors and different Dubai golf clubs are at an advanced stage and ‘golf in DUBAi’ will soon announce the official title, the venue and dates of the newest Asian Tour tournament in the city.
“The arrival of the Asian Tour is very exciting news for all of us in Dubai and we are extremely confident of delivering the event in sync with Dubai’s reputation as an ideal golfing destination,” said Mohammad Juma Bu Amim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi.
“We feel honoured that the Asian Tour has placed its trust in us and we will strive to deliver a memorable week for its members and the UAE fans,” he said, adding: “Events like this will continue to strengthen our strong historical ties with Asia.
“Dubai’s economy benefits both directly and indirectly from golf tourism, and there is a positive synergy between golf and the key tourism sectors. Golf is just one of the many reasons that people visit Dubai to savour the experience of playing on courses of international standard,” he said.
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, happening out there, the city is ideally placed to capitalise on its unique position as a diverse and high quality golfing destination.
“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 in this new and exciting event in December. As a players’ organisation, the Asian Tour is represented by an eclectic mix of the finest players from across the region and internationally and we look forward to entertaining golf fans in Dubai.”
