Sir Nick Faldo will expand his golf development efforts in the Middle East with the launch of a new Faldo Series tournament in the United Arab Emirates. The Middle East Championship will be held at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club in Abu Dhabi for the next three years, starting this year on April 17-18.
“We look forward to bringing the Faldo Series to Abu Dhabi for the first time and to continue giving opportunity to golfers across the Middle East,” said Faldo. “I thank Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club for sharing our vision and also the Emirates Golf Federation for its support.”
“We are delighted to have been chosen as the Middle East venue to host the Faldo Series,” said Michaela Forrester, Golf Manager of Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. “We look forward to welcoming talented young golfers from the UAE and neighbouring countries to Al Ain in April.”
“It is fantastic that Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club have decided to host the prestigious Faldo Series tournament for the next three years,” added Khalid Mubarak, Secretary General of the Emirates Golf Federation. “It is very much in line with our mandate to provide opportunities for young golfers in the UAE to learn more about golf and play in the top competitions against the best golfers in the region.”
Supported by The R&A, ISPS and the European Tour, talented golfers aged 12 to 21 will compete over 36 holes for the Faldo Series Middle East Championship at the Al Ain Golf Club on April 17-18.
The field, which will also receive expert advice from guest speakers during the week, will be divided into five age-groups. The winner of each division – three boys and two girls – will join Faldo at the season-ending 17th Faldo Series Grand Final.
In a bid to create access to golf for a younger audience, a programme of grass-roots activities will also be introduced during the tournament for children from the local community.
Nine Faldo Series tournaments across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have already been announced for 2013 and dates are set to be confirmed for events in Austria, Brazil, Chile, CzechRepublic, Germany, Greece, Slovakia and The Netherlands.
Established in 1996, 40 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers participating each year. Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.
In September 2013, Faldo will begin taking students at a full-time residential academy for education and golf development in America. The first ever FaldoSeriesAcademy in Casa Grande, Arizona is also home to the Faldo Series USA and marks the next significant step in the programme’s history.
Golfers born in 1992 or later wishing to enter or receive more information about the Faldo Series Middle East Championship at Al Ain Golf Club on April 17-18 should email luke@aesgc.ae.
Faldo Series www.nickfaldo.com