Mena Golf Tour spurs growth of regional talent

Organisers of the MENA Golf Tour believe the initiative has hit the right notes in putting the region’s golf on a trajectory for growth as manifested by the overwhelming response to the tour this season.

“Our primary aim was to provide emerging players, especially from the region, a platform to play against a competent international field. We needed a start and the MENA Golf Tour has provided just that,” Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the tour, told newsmen on the eve of the Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open, starting at Al Badia Golf Club, on Monday.

Welsh ace Stephen Dodd, Zane Scotland, who is also a ‘golf in Dubai’ ambassador, UAE professional Ahmed Al Musharrekh and James Shippy, general manager of Al Badia Golf Club, were also present at the Press conference.

“The fact that the Al Badia event has been oversubscribed requiring us to hold a pre-tournament qualifying round for the first time demonstrates the progress of the tour as players chase their dreams on the region’s best courses.

“Of particular significance is the participation of players, both amateurs and professionals, from the region, especially Morocco, and that has put Arab talent on centre-stage. Earlier, they were competing in regional events, but this tour, in simple words, has ignited their desire to succeed, which is paramount to producing a future generation of champions.

“We have added more events on this year’s schedule, which includes stops in Morocco, Qatar and Oman, but as a young tour we welcome any support that we can get. With amateurs being an integral part, the tour has its own unique flavour.

“We are grateful to these amateurs and professionals for being part of this tour and strongly believe their presence will play an important role in developing the game at grassroots level,” said Buamaim.

“Ours is a region that boasts many golf courses of international standards and what the MENA Golf Tour has done is to increase the usage of these courses, which are showcased to a worldwide audience through TV highlight packages that we produce for each event.

“Produced and edited by Taj Television network, the highlights of each tour event reach millions of homes in Europe, Australasia, Africa and Middle East, Central and South America, North America and Asia Pacific through various channels. This is an added plus that will encourage more countries to come forward and host a tour event,” he said.

“Guaranteed spots in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic for the top three professionals and the leading amateur on their respective orders of merit, I believe, are good enough incentive besides the prize money for players to sign up the tour events.

“Exemption into the final stage of Asian Tour’s Q-School for the top three professionals and a reserved spot for the leading professional in the Tropheé Hassan II, a European Tour event in Morocco, has further spiked up the interest for the players besides reflecting on the tour’s growing popularity.

“We’re working to get Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and Qatar Masters spots as well. So instead of giving one start, we’re working on securing a number of starts. These incentives, which can’t be measured in money, may attract a lot of players who aren’t quite able to secure a card in Europe or Asia,” he said.

A superb initiative by the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, the MENA Golf Tour is supported by Omega and Mercedes-Benz. It is affiliated to the Arab Golf Federation and the R&A - golf's governing body - and boasts a combined prize fund of $525,000, including $75,000 for the Tour Championship.


 

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