Crail, Scotland … The stars of the MENA Tour have hailed the major step forward in the Tour events being afforded World Ranking status.
It is a landmark decision of the Governing Board of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) to award the ranking status to the MENA Tour, and starting with coming week’s Ras Al Khaimah Classic.
“Certainly, it’s a big thing for the tour. If you play well on a consistent basis, you will be rewarded for your efforts, which is great,” said England’s Andrew Marshall, a two-time European Tour winner.
“If you can rack up a couple of good wins along with some top-10 finishes, there is always a chance of breaking into the world’s top 200 which will open the door to more playing opportunities on some major tours.
Andrew Marshall, and winner recently of a maiden MENA Tour title, hails the awarding of World Ranking points to the MENA Tour. (Photo – www.MENA Tour).
“For me, personally, it’s my first season on the tour, but I am really enjoying it. The atmosphere is pretty relaxed and the organization just great. Unlike some other tours, it’s not that expensive to play,” added the 42-year old Englishman, who is currently placed second on the Order of Merit following his second, first and seventh place finishes in the first three events on the tour.
“With the tour offering a plenty of incentives, including multiple European Tour starts and playing privileges on the Sunshine Tour, it’s an added bonus. It will be great if other tour events in the region also come forward and offer spots to leading MENA Golf Tour players,” he added.
Marshall’s compatriot and the most prolific winner on the tour Zane Scotland felt the world ranking status is massive for the players. “It has really put the tour on the map in global golf — an apt recognition it deserves with all the good tournaments they have.
“I have been playing on the tour since day one and know how quickly it has grown over the years. The world ranking status has given me a real drive to grab the points and improve my standings.
“In 2013, I had a great season on the MENA Golf Tour, winning five tournaments but my performance didn’t match up to my world ranking which was around 1,200. With the ranking points now in place, it’s just fantastic,” said Scotland, who boasts 10 wins and four runner-up finishes.
Calling it an awesome development, Saudi Arabia’s Othman Almulla said: “The region’s players should be pro-active in grabbing the playing opportunities that the tour offers.
“The experience that you gain from playing alongside an international field is something unique for the region’s players, especially the amateurs,” said Othman, who, at 21, became the youngest Arab amateur golfer to qualify and play in the 2007 Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
“It is the best thing that can happen to the region’s golf.”
With the ranking system coming into effect at this week’s Ras Al Khaimah Classic at Tower Links Golf Club, the MENA Golf Tour has become the 19th Eligible Golf Tour from around the world.
Meanwhile, Scotland is paired with fellow Englishman and a four-time winner Lee Corfield and Sweden’s Per Barth, who won the Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open last year, in the day’s first group, going out at 7am while the last three-ball will tee off at 11.30am.
