CHALLENGE TOUR GRAND FINAL GOES TO DUBAI FOR NEXT THREE YEARS
The
United Arab Emirates will become the 45th country to stage a European
Challenge Tour event when the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand
Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club is staged from October 31 to November
3, 2013.
The
€330,000 tournament marks the start of a three-year relationship
between the Challenge Tour and Al Badia Golf Club and will feature the
top 45 players on the Challenge Tour Rankings.
In
addition to a first prize of €56,650 and increased Official World Golf
Ranking Points as per a standard Challenge Tour event, the top 15
players in the rankings after the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour
Grand Final hosted by Al Badia
Golf Club will win a European Tour playing card for 2014.
It
will be the first time the Challenge Tour has visited the UAE and will
come just four days after the penultimate event on the calendar, the
National Bank of Oman Golf Classic, is staged in Oman. It also means
both The European Tour and
the Challenge Tour will end their 2013 seasons in Dubai.
Alain
de Soultrait, Director of the Challenge Tour, said: “One of the
objectives of the Challenge Tour is to stage events in different
locations around the world so we are delighted that the UAE – renowned
worldwide for its golfing infrastructure
– has become the 45th country in the history of the Challenge Tour. It
is a fitting way for us to celebrate the conclusion of the 25th
anniversary of the Challenge Tour.
“With
a significant prize fund, a magnificent golf course and a global TV
reach of over 367 million households, we believe this will be a Grand
Final that showcases the best of both the Challenge Tour and Dubai so we
thank our sponsor Al
Futtaim Automotive Group, Dubai Festival City and Al Badia Golf Club
for their outstanding support.”
Celebrating
its 25th year of operation, the Challenge Tour has consistently acted
as a springboard to The European Tour and has helped launch the careers
of golfing superstars such as current US Open Champion Justin Rose,
Major Champions
Louis Oosthuizen and Martin Kaymer and current Race to Dubai leader
Henrik Stenson.
Al
Futtaim Group Real Estate, Director of Hospitality Moutaz Duwaji:
“There is no doubt that the Challenge Tour plays an important role in
the development of golf stars of the future so we are proud to be able
to stage the final event of
the season – the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted
by Al Badia Golf Club – for the next three years.
“We
believe that with a high quality field, global TV exposure and free
entrance for spectators, the tournament will become one of the most
prominent sporting occasions on the UAE calendar and a true showcase for
Dubai Festival City.”
The
Challenge Tour has enjoyed a successful first 25 years and in 2013 will
stage 26 events in 17 countries before reaching the Grand Final in
Dubai.
And
while it has produced many notable names over the years, it also has
strength in depth with some 21 players from the Challenge Tour going on
to play in The Ryder Cup, while 65% of players who play on The European
Tour have also played
on the Challenge Tour.
As well as a 72-hole, four-day
tournament with no cut, the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand
Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club also offers a host of sponsor
benefits including a Pro-Am on October 30 featuring all 45 qualifiers.
“With the golf course measuring 7,330
yards, we believe Al Badia Golf Club will offer a tough test for the
players and will certainly be fitting of its status as the venue for the
Grand Final,” said Golf Club Manager James Shippey.
“Our
members and regular golfers will notice a few changes with a new tee on
hole 18 and some strategic bunker and tree placements for the
tournament. Over the coming eight weeks, we will work round the clock to
have everything in place
for the first tee time on October 31 and look forward to welcoming golf
fans to the course to see the stars of tomorrow in action at one of the
best venues in the Middle East.”
The
Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf
Club is supported by the Dubai Sports Council, the Emirates Golf
Federation and the Arab Golf Federation.
Labels: CHALLENGE TOUR
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