Nomura Cup set to make Middle East debut in Abu Dhabi

One of the world’s most prestigious amateur team events is coming to the Middle East for the first time when Yas Links in Abu Dhabi hosts the Nomura Cup from October 22-25.

Some 22 countries have already confirmed, with the field expected to expand to approximately 30 teams in the coming weeks.

The Arab nations have shown great support for the four-day stroke-play tournament and the UAE will be joined by Jordan, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia at the Kyle Phillips designed course in October.

Adel Zarouni, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation said: “As we get ever closer to the Nomura Cup teeing off at Yas Links, it is very gratifying for us at the Emirates Golf Federation to see that the number of countries which have confirmed the entries of their teams has risen to 22 and is still, hopefully, rising.

 “It is also encouraging that all the golf-playing Arab nations have committed to compete in the tournament, significantly Oman and Jordan, along with Bahrain, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and, of course, the UAE.

“The widening interest in the Nomura Cup demonstrates the rapidly rising growth of golf throughout Asia and among the Arab states. I am sure Nomura Cup is going to be a ground-breaking event that will not only create greater involvement in amateur golf across Asia and, in fact, globally, it will also provide the opportunity for the UAE to showcase the emirates as a true worldwide golfing destination.

“I’m certain that the friendly yet determined competition of the Nomura Cup will also show that the UAE not only plays the perfect host to some of the greatest professional tournaments in world golf, that it is able to also stage international amateur events and spotlight the importance of effective and well run junior golf programmes.”

The Nomura Cup began in 1963 as a tri-nation tournament in the Philippines when the host nation took on Japan and China.

Today, there are 39 member countries affiliated to the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, supported by the R&A.

The biennial tournament has been dominated by Australia, who have won the Cup ten times and Japan, who are seven times winners.

The Aussies successfully defended their title at the 2013 Nomura Cup at Santiburi Country Club in Thailand, and they will be fielding another strong team in Abu Dhabi in October, along with Japan, China and Korea.

The 27th Nomura Cup will be hosted in Abu Dhabi by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) under the guidance of EGF Chairman, Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, and under the patronage of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
 

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