Amateur golfers in the UAE are licking their lips in anticipation ahead of the September launch of the 2017 DP World Tour Championship ‘Luckiest Ball on Earth’ competition. The innovative series gives local players the chance of a ‘money can’t buy’ golfing experience alongside the stars of the European Tour at the Race to Dubai’s grand finale in November.
A total of 22 qualifying events will take place at 21 golf clubs across the UAE with the winner of each event taking their place in a Grand Final at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Sunday 22 October.
Two members of the UAE National Golf Team will also be invited through the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) to compete in the Grand Final, making a total of 24 players.
The winner of that event will be awarded a once in a lifetime opportunity to play alongside the likes of defending champion, Matt Fitzpatrick, and reigning Race to Dubai winner, Henrik Stenson, in the Rolex sponsored Pro-Am which takes place on the Earth course two days before the Race to Dubai’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship gets underway from Thursday 16 November to Sunday 19 November.
“We are hopeful that many more than 1,000 golfers from all over the UAE will again take part in 22 events at 21 clubs this Autumn to be in with a chance to play with one of the top players on the European Tour. This is the seventh edition of the Luckiest Ball on Earth initiative and it is exciting that the engagement with local golfers continues to grow. We especially thank the Emirates Golf Federation for sanctioning this local golf project,” said Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International, Dubai Office.
Tread in the footsteps of the @DPWTC pros and try and avoid the snaking creek that bisects the 18th fairway on Earth @JGEGolf @EuropeanTour pic.twitter.com/Eplz7SfPWK
— Golf in Dubai (@golfindubai_) June 20, 2017
The DP World Tour Championship sees the top 60 players on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai competing for a prize fund of US$8 million plus a Bonus Pool of US$5 million split between the top 10 finishers on the Race to Dubai following the conclusion of the tournament.
The Luckiest Ball on Earth competition has proven to be a hit with the UAE’s amateur golfers since the initiative was first launched in 2011. The annual competition is open to all golfers aged 18 or over who hold an Official Club Handicap recognised by the EGF (maximum 28 for men and 36 for ladies).
Arabian Ranches Golf Club member Kevin Barrett of Northern Ireland won the inaugural Luckiest Ball on Earth competition and played alongside Ryder Cup icon Edoardo Molinari in the Pro-Am before Italy’s Ornella Parigi of Saadiyat Beach Golf Club became the first female winner in 2012 and lined up with Australia’s Marcus Fraser. In 2013, former Dubai Creek Lady Captain Maureen Platt earned a place alongside Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen in the Pro-Am while in 2014 Dipesh Makwana came out on top against almost 1000 hopefuls to be teamed up with Race to Dubai runner-up Danny Willett. In 2015, Jairaj Gorsia from Meydan Golf was victorious and was given an unforgettable experience in the Pro-Am playing with England’s James Morrison. Last year’s winner was another Saadiyat Beach Golf Club member, Blanca Rivollier, who played with Bradley Dredge.
2017 Luckiest Ball on Earth Qualifying Events – Venues and Dates:
VENUE EMIRATE DATE
Dubai Creek Golf Club & Yacht Club Dubai 2 September
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club Abu Dhabi 8 September
Abu Dhabi Golf Club Abu Dhabi 8 September
Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club Sharjah 8 September
Al Ghazal Golf Club Abu Dhabi 15 September
Jumeirah Golf Estates Dubai 15 September
Al Dhafra Golf Club Abu Dhabi 15 September
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Abu Dhabi 22 September
The Track Meydan Dubai 23 September
Tower Links Golf Club Ras Al Khaimah 23 September
Emirates Golf Club – Ladies Dubai 25 September
Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa Dubai 28 September
Emirates Golf Club – Men Dubai 29 September
Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club Sharjah 29 September
The Address Montgomerie Dubai Dubai 6 October
Al Hamra Golf Club Ras Al Khaimah 6 October
Al Zorah Golf Club Ajman 6 October
Arabian Ranches Golf Club Dubai 6 October
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & GC Al Ain 6 October
Trump International Dubai 6 October
Yas Links Abu Dhabi 6 October
The Els Club Dubai 7 October
