DUBAI: The addition of a new event to the Thailand swing, a new Qualifying School venue in Morocco and continuation of the co-sanctioned events with the Sunshine Big Easy Tour highlight the 2017 MENA Golf Tour schedule, as it takes a significant step forward in enhancing the careers of its members.
The schedule, unveiled on Sunday on the sidelines of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, will see the golfing odyssey leave its footprints on six countries, logging thousands of miles in a reflection of its growing strength in the region and beyond.
Starting with the Qualifying School at Royal Golf El Jadida in Morocco March 5-8 which will be followed by back-to-back events in the North African country, the tour features a total of 15 tournaments before the season-ending Tour Championship returns to its original home at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club in October.
With Pattana Golf Club and Resort in Chonburi coming on board for the first time as a host venue, the MENA Golf Tour will have a three-event swing in Thailand as Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin and Mountain Creek Golf Resort in Korat have committed to continue their association with the tour they joined last year.
The Pattana Golf Championship, starting on May 15, will be a 72-hole event, a first for the MENA Golf Tour, and one which will carry more world ranking points as all other events on the tour are 54-hole affairs. Featuring in the field, among others, will be Thai ace Prom Meesawat.
The championship, the third and final event on the Thailand swing, will be preceded by the Mahasamutr Masters in Hua Hin and the Mountain Creek Open in Korat.
In June, the MENA Golf Tour will travel to South Africa for three co-sanctioned with the Sunshine Big Easy Tour before it takes a summer break.
The second half of the season will commence in Dubai in early September, with the Dubai Creek Open being the first of the four opening tournaments, in the UAE, and followed by others in Oman and Kuwait.
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, said: “We see it as our responsibility to maximize opportunities which can benefit our members and showcase years of investments made in building world-class facilities in the region.
“Hosting 56 tournaments in seven years gives us a tremendous sense of satisfaction and we thank all the host venues and players for believing in us. Producing more home grown champions like Rayhan may still be a few putts away, but we are happy to move the needle a bit forward,” said Buamaim.
“We enjoy great relationships with different tours in the world and that is one big reason for the growth of the tour over the years. I would like to thank Arab Golf Federation and all associations that are part of the apex body for their continued support.
“Many more countries have expressed their interest in hosting a tour event, but we happy with 15 to 18 events that we can manage and executive given weather conditions and logistics involved.
“We are delighted to announce our provisional schedule for the 2017 season which, I believe, will continue to provide an ideal platform for both professionals and amateurs to develop and showcase their skills on a global basis.
“I said it earlier and I am saying it again that this is one of the fastest growing tours in the world. I want to see the region grow. The more it grows, it will give the young guys greater opportunities to come through the ranks,” 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 and enjoys the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) status.
For more information, please visit www.menagolftour.com.
Extended Thailand swing highlights 2017 MENA Golf Tour schedule
Extended Thailand swing highlights 2017 MENA Golf Tour schedule
