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29 March 2024

Hassan 11 trophy boost for Mena Golf Tour

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By Staff

The winner of the 2013 Mena Golf Tour Order of Merit title will receive a special invitation to compete in the Hassan II Trophy in addition to playing in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic next year.

With only a week left before the third edition of the tour tees off with opening two events in Morocco, the ‘double bonus’ incentive of joining the starting line-up for two of the premier European Tour events in the region has further ratcheted up the level of excitement, promising to see an intense race to the finish.

The invitation to the Hassan II Trophy, a premier golf tournament presided over by Prince Moulay Rachid, comes as part of Morocco’s commitment to supporting Mena Golf Tour’s initiatives for overall development of the game in the region.

First played in 1971, the Hassan II Trophy has been a European Tour event since 2010 and, over the years, has seen the likes of Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, Vijay Singh and Pádraig Harrington join its illustrious roll of honour.

“Morocco has always been at the forefront of flying the Arab flag in the golfing world and it’s great to have them on board for the Mena Golf Tour this year,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the Mena Golf Tour.

“They have been supportive of the tour since its inception in 2011 by fielding a large contingent of players in all events and we value their contribution to the success of the tour which has grown from four events in the inaugural edition to 11 this year.

“Morocco’s gesture to offer a spot in the Hassan II Trophy to the winner of the Tour’s Order of Merit title is a huge step in the right direction and will help promote emerging talent, especially from the region. We share the common objective of seeing Arab players fare well and put the region on the sporting map,” he added.

“With golf returning to the Olympics in 2016 for the first time since 1904, the region’s players need regular exposure to top-class events if they aim to make the cut and fly their country’s flag. The experience gained on Mena Golf Tour will be invaluable,” he added.

Meanwhile, the first leg of the Mena Golf Tour starts on March 11 when the capital city of Rabat will play host to the Dar Es Salam Royal Golf Championship while the second event will be played at Royal D'Anfa Mohammedia in Casablanca from March 18 to 21, marking the tour’s first foray into the North Africa region.

The remaining nine events on the tour’s schedule, including the season-ending Tour Championship, will be played from September onwards.

A player, whether an amateur or a professional, is required to play a minimum of six events to feature in the final Order of Merit standings for the Tour Championship.

The top three professionals and the leading amateur from their respective Orders of Merit will receive special invitations to compete in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the longest-running European Tour event outside the continent.

A superb new initiative by the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, the Mena Golf Tour is affiliated to the R&A and the Arab Golf Federation. It is supported by Omega as the Official Timekeeper and Mercedes-Benz as the Official Car Sponsor.