RIYADH: The Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup will touch down in Riyadh for the first time in March as the sport’s biggest and most exciting amateur tournament takes place at Dirab Golf and Country Club on Saturday.

The seventh of 100 qualifiers for the global event, which is enjoying a growing reputation after three hugely successful previous tournaments, will feature 80 players, all personally-invited guests of Turkish Airlines.

One winner will progress to the Grand Final in Antalya, Turkey, this October, while there will also be memorable prizes for, the runner-up, third place, Best Gross and nearest-the-pin prizes for men and women.

“We are proud to be hosting the latest 2016 Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup qualifier in Riyadh,” Erol Senol, General Manager for Turkish Airlines Saudi Arabia, said. “We are excited to be welcoming everyone to the world class facilities at Dirab Golf and Country Club. We are sure the players will have a day to remember and wish them all the very best of luck.”

Winners of the Grand Final progress to play in the 2016 Turkish Airlines Open pro-am, while all finalists are to enjoy a seven-night stay in an all-inclusive hotel, two rounds of golf and VIP passes to the Turkish Airlines Open, the $7,000,000 European Tour event, from Thursday to Sunday.

The event is backed by Global Sponsors Porsche and the Financial Times, with Conte of Florence the Official Clothing and Fashion Partner.

Turkish Airlines, which was recently voted Best Airline in Europe for the fifth consecutive year, as well as World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge and World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining in 2015, launched the World Golf Cup in 2013.

It featured 12 qualifying events and was won by China’s Han Liang. His prize for victory was partnering world number one and 14-time major champion Tiger Woods in the Turkish Airlines Open pro-am. In 2015, Johannesburg qualifier, Neill Bam proved successful at the Grand Finals and went on to partner Rory McIlroy in the pro-am - a truly once in a lifetime opportunity.