RIYADH, 9 February 2007 — The Constance Belle Mare Plage Challenge Cup, one of the biggest amateur golfing events in the Middle East, moves to Saudi Arabia for the fifth qualifying round with Dirab Golf Club as host.
Close to a hundred golfers tee it up shotgun-style at the ever improving Dirab course this morning for an opportunity to play in the grand final of the challenge.
In the new format, 4-ball betterball, there will be only one men’s division and one ladies’ division. There will still be a total of six qualifiers, but these would be the teams of Best Gross, Best Net Men and Best Net Ladies. Other than the opportunity to play in the grand final, winners will also receive a prize from Burberry Golf, one of the event’s sponsors.
It is mandatory for the winners to be present in the awards ceremony. Absence from the ceremony would forfeit the winner from qualifying, thus award will be given to the next high scorer.
The tournament culminates in the grand final, which will take place on May 5 at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, the only 18-hole golf resort in the region.
The lucky winners will win a 10-day trip to the paradise island of Mauritius in December. Flying with Emirates Airline, one of the event’s sponsors, winners will stay at the luxurious Constance Belle Mare Plage, voted Golf Resort of the Year in 2004 by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. All winners will play in the Mauritius Open Pro-Am and the gentlemen winners will be eligible to play in an amateur competition the Wednesday before the Open, as well as having the chance to qualify to play in The International Championship.
Should the winners of the Belle Mare Challenge Cup be of scratch handicap, they will be entered into the prestigious Open itself. The ladies will also qualify to play in the Ladies’ Tournament on the Thursday and Friday.
Joining the title sponsor of the challenge, Hotels Constance, are co-sponsors Emirates Airline, Burberry Golf, African and Eastern, Istithmar Leisure/Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Golf Holidays + Events.
