On the back of the resounding success of the EAGL Mini-Series at Jumeirah Golf Estate’s Fire course, the Emirates Amateur Golf League (EAGL) is set to light up the Dubai golf scene yet again with the announcement of the ‘EAGL Business-Series’, with the EAGL Corporate Invitational event to kickstart the innovative corporate series in December.
The event invites companies to sponsor a team and be part of the ever-growing initiative to develop new clients, enlarge their business database, increase brand exposure and awareness and networking with some of the bigwigs in the business and financial sphere in the region at a relatively low cost.
The organisers are hosting the 9-hole Corporate Invitational with eight-man teams going head-to-head followed by a Gala Dinner at The Meydan Hotel and prize presentation against the backdrop of “Racing at Meydan”.
EAGL’s ambassador, European Tour pro Shiv Kapur, reflected on his experience at the EAGL Mini-Series in June and how he’s excited to see the impact the project will have on the amateur golf scene in the UAE.
“When I first came on board as an advisor and ambassador to EAGL the concept was very exciting, it was to bring the business community and the local golfing community together under one roof, to make it a networking platform and to go beyond that,” said Kapur
“At the first event I was lucky enough to commentate for it and I saw firsthand the nerves on the first tee that all the amateurs experienced because playing golf live on TV is very different to playing a regular corporate event and I thought that was a lovely experience for them, to experience what a professional golf team event looks like. We all witnessed the Ryder Cup recently and you see how team events bring people together a lot closer than individual events. So, I think the unique selling proposition of EAGL being a team event is it brings people together in a team format. It’s a great opportunity for networking and business and also bringing the local Emirati community and the expat community together.
The three-time Asian Tour winner discussed what the EAGL Business-Series has to offer for everyone involved and for the companies interested in upping their profile and brand exposure among the corporate world.
“You’re going to have over 100 people playing in different teams,” he said. “You’ll also have the social opportunities with the dinners, and you’re looking to bring 250 to 300 people under one roof, which is great for financial institutions such as banks. Anyone that has a client-driven business will have access to a database which they would normal not get. I think the wonderful thing with golf is it’s not a formal setting, it’s not a boardroom or a lunch, you’re out there for four to five hours with someone and it’s a very personal feeling. I think that has been the great success of golf; if you’re looking at the pro-ams around the world, we’ve done very well as professionals because of the success of pro-ams and I think that EAGL is an extension of that where you’re bringing amateurs in one team playing for something that means something to them but at the same time you’re making new friends, new business contacts and you’re expanding your database.
Kapur disclosed that a junior series will be added as a part of the Business-Series to promote and encourage youngsters to play and enjoy the game of golf, and also promote the junior golf scene in the country.
He said: “The Business-Series will also have a junior series which will be a regular feature. I feel that there a lot has been done at the corporate level and grassroots level but in terms of competition with juniors we thought it would be a great platform to give alongside the business angle of it to promote junior golf and the women’s game in the region. I think a lot happens in Dubai at professional level but at the amateur level this is probably the grandest event that you’re going to see in the amateur golf landscape in Dubai.”
Sudesh Aggarwal, the mastermind behind the Emirates Amateur Golf League, inspired Kapur to come aboard and be part of the EAGL family after sharing his great ambition and vision of the project.
“I think that Sudesh is a very exceptional businessman,” said Kapur. “He has been very successful in what he’s done, his ideas are grand and that’s what made me come on as an ambassador. To me, the biggest USP of this event is the fact that it’s going to be live on TV, you’re bringing teams and individuals together and the format is very exciting when you’re playing across the year over four or five different events under one team banner. There’s something that brings everyone together, which no other golf tournament does. So I think it’s great that he’s doing it. He’s very ambitious, and when you come up with such an ambitious platform, normally people are a bit skeptical but I think the response we got so far has been excellent, especially the first Mini-Series that we did, I was personally blown away myself.
Golfers or prospective team owners, interested in getting involved in the Emirates Amateur Golf League should visit www.eagl.ae and follow the EAGL social media pages for updates.
