UAE. Dubai Duty Free (DDF) and co-sponsor Desert Course at Arabian Ranches are to host the first series of Open Amateur Golf Matchplay Championships in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) between 23 September and 16 December 2004.
The sporting event is open to all male, female and junior golfers with an official handicap. The Desert Course, designed by Ian Baker-Finch in association with Nicklaus Design, was opened to the public on 1 February 2004.
Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin said: “Dubai Duty Free sponsors five golf tournaments here in the UAE and the Matchplay Championships at the Desert Course is an exciting addition to the golfing calendar. The format should attract wide interest and it is expected that the entire championship will be played over 650 rounds during the four-month period.”
Matchplay, a knock-out competition, eliminates players from the first round through to the quarters, semis and finals. Some high-profile events such as the British and US Amateur Championships are still determined by this format.
Director of Sales and Marketing and Gold Operations at Emaar Properties PJSC Raimund Legnar said he expected the Matchplay Championships to be oversubscribed. “This is a great opportunity for golfers in the UAE to test their Matchplay skills and nerves on a one-to-one basis and make it through all six rounds of golf to become the first Open Amateur Matchplay champion,” he said.
Entries will be limited to 64 players or pairs per category. The tournament organisers will apply a handicap ballot system to identify the final competitors. The closing date for the entry is 31 August 2004. The Players Draw will be on 5 September 2004.
For further details, contact The Desert Course at +971 4 884 6777, email teetime@thedesertcourse.ae or register online at www.thedesertcourse.com.
Pictured from left to right: Dubai Duty Free Manager of Events, Advertising and Media Relations Sinead El Sibai, Raimund Leignar and Colm McLoughlin.
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