Golf In Dubai

Golf in Dubai combines the elegance of one of the world’s most popular sports with one of the world’s most stunning locations. Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, and has enjoyed phenomenal success as a dream destination for travellers of all types, but golf fans are particularly interested in the region because it is home to several prestigious tournaments. These include:

• Dubai Desert Classic – Part of the European Tour, the Dubai Desert Classic started in 1989 and has been held annually almost every year since (there was no tournament held in 1991). Although the 1999 and 2000 events were played at the Dubai Creek Golf Club, the tournament is now played at the Emirates Golf Club.
• Race To Dubai – Offering more prize money than any other golf tournament in the world, the Race to Dubai takes place at the prestigious Jumeirah Golf Estates. It replaces the European Tour Order of Merit from 2009 and look set to be the premier golf event for decades to come.

Although they do not take place in Dubai, there are two other Persian Gulf golf tournaments that many people associate with the region due to their relatively close proximity. These are:

• Abu Dhabi Golf Championship – The Abu Dhabi Championship is is one of the most recent tournaments in the European Tour, having been held for the first time in 2006. It is played at Abu Dhabi Golf Club every January.
• Qatar Masters – Held at the Doha Golf Club in Doha, Qatar, the Qatar Masters tournament started in 1998, and is part of the European Tour.

May 13, 2008