The MENA Golf Tour rolls into the UAE after a summer break with a strong field contesting for a share of the $50,000 prize money at the Dubai Creek Open in September.
With the first two events on the 2014 edition of the tour in Morocco producing first-time winners, the interest in the tournament has further intensified in anticipation of what new story lines will emerge if the early trend continues.
England’s Joshua White, who won the Royal Golf D’Anfa Open, the opening event on the tour this season, currently leads the Order of Merit standings with of $9,490 in earnings, just ahead of France’s Edouard Espana, who claimed a cheque for $9,000 for winning the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam Open in his debut on the tour.
Moroccan players dominate the Arab division for the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation Award, which recognizes the region’s top-3 amateur and professional performances, with Faycal Serghini and Ayoub Lguirati (amateur) topping the standings in their respective divisions.
Anticipation is building ahead of the Dubai Creek Open, starting on September 15, with over 120 players, including 33 amateurs, from 27 countries already signing up ahead of the deadline for entries that expires on August 31.
His Highness Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, presenting the winner’s trophy to Mustapha El Maouas, the 2013 MENA Golf Tour Amateur Order of Merit champion, in the presence of Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, Khalfan Al Kaabi, a board member of the federation, Mohamed Juma Bumaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, and Saeed Al Aryani of Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club
Headlining the early entries are Jake Shepherd of England and Stephen Dodd of Wales, the winners of the order of merit titles for professionals in 2011 and 2012 respectively, along with England’s Lee Corfield, Sandro Piaget of Monaco and Shafiq Masih of Pakistan, all former winners on the tour.
Morocco’s Lguirati, Zi Hao Su of China, Azaan Al Rumhy of Oman, Stuart Cameron of England and India’s young prodigy Rayhan Thomas are some of the leading amateurs in the field who will be showcasing the tour’s talent pool bubbling beneath the surface.
While the traditional golf powerhouses like the UK, the USA and Australia are well represented in the early list of entries, players from as far afield as Kenya, South Korea, Tunisia and Sri Lanka have also signed up, giving the tour truly a global look.
Having played hosts to numerous major tournaments, including the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on two occasions, the Dubai Creek Open is no stranger to international golf and they will be welcoming the MENA Golf Tour for the third time in a move that is fast-becoming a tradition.
“We look forward to welcoming players from different nationalities on the MENA Golf Tour. As in the previous years, the field looks pretty strong and I am sure the script will have some exciting twists and turns,” said Mustafa Al Hashimi, CEO of wasl Hospitality and Leisure that manages the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
“Our golf course operations team will spare no pain to ensure the (par-71) course is in great condition for the big week. Also, it will be interesting to see if the course record – a 63 jointly held by Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke – comes under threat.
“I wish all participating players the very best and hope they will relish the beauty and challenge of our course set against the stunning backdrop of the Creek and Marina.”
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, said: “We’re obviously very pleased with the overwhelming response to the Dubai Creek Open, which is not only a great advertisement for the club, but also for the tour as a whole.
“We appreciate all the hard work the club does in preparing the courses which is always in great condition and we can expect some exciting golf ahead.
The MENA Golf Tour, he said, has attributes to become even stronger in years to come if we continue to have the backing of premier clubs in the region.
“Ours is basically a self-funded tour and we need all the support we can get as we aim to create a healthy playing platform for emerging stars from across the region while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game,” he added.
An initiative of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, the MENA Golf Tour was created in 2011 with the aim of developing golf in the region. It is affiliated to R&A, the worldwide golf governing body based in the home of golf, St Andrews, and the Arab Golf Federation.
