World Golf Ranking circuit

NEWS RELEASE FROM MENA TOUR

DUBAI— The growing strength of the MENA (Middle East, North Africa) Golf Tour has been recognised at the highest level with the Governing Board of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) giving its nod to award the ranking status to its members. 

Coinciding with golf’s return to the Olympic Games this year after more than a century, the landmark decision, taken during a governing board’s meeting held on the sidelines of the 2016 Masters Tournament in Augusta, will provide a fresh energy boost for the development of sport across the board in the region.

With the ranking system coming into effect at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic, starting on May 2 at Tower Links Golf Club, the MENA Golf Tour has become the 19th Eligible Golf Tour from around the world in what is seen as validation of the vast potential of the tour in the region.

“We are really delighted about this recognition, a major step forward for a tour which aims to maximise the region’s enormous potential for golf. The tour is now complete in every sense of the word, one that will open the door to new horizons,” said Darren Clarke, the Patron of the tour.

“The MENA region is an increasingly important market for the game as a lot of fresh talent coming up through the ranks over the last few years. With each tour event carrying world ranking points, the momentum will only pick up pace,” said Clarke, the 2016 European Ryder Cup captain. 

“From my experience I can tell this tour is the fastest growing professional golf tour in the world. With all the prize money, new destinations and OWGR points, I think this is going to go in one direction,” he added.