While World Number One Lee Westwood and the cream of The European Tour will battle it out for the richest prize of the year, spectators at this week’s Dubai World Championship presented by DP World are in for a four-day feast of sporting and social attractions.
Organisers have confirmed a wealth of both entertainment and dining options to ensure spectators have a variety of off-course attractions as the Tour’s top 60 players go head-to-head in the $7.5 million tournament.
As well as golfing lessons, trick shot demonstrations, children’s golf and live musical entertainment, a wide selection of F&B outlets around the Greg Norman-designed course will offer everything from snacks and soft drinks to fish and chips and full meals.
“This is the grand finale of the golfing calendar and a celebration of what has been an historic year for the European Tour with three Major winners and a victory for Europe in The Ryder Cup,” said Dubai World Championship director Colin Smith.
“We believe we have something for everyone during the four days of the tournament. With season tickets free of charge we expect a record number of spectators as well as an all-star cast of players, while our musical events in the Championship Village will ensure the party goes on long after the close of play each day.”
Outside of the Championship Village, one of the most popular places for spectators is sure to be a temporary version of Dubai’s popular watering hole Left Bank, which allows a great vantage point for the signature par three 17th hole with the laid back lounge creating its own unique golfing atmosphere.
To be staged from Thursday to Sunday (November 25-28), the tournament will also offer free golf tuition courtesy of the Emirates Golf Federation. Three local pros from the UAE PGA will be on hand from 9am to 4pm each day to provide complimentary ten minute lessons with prior booking.
Former Tour pro David Edwards, who kept the crowds enthralled with his extraordinary array of trick shots at The Ryder Cup, is also making a bee line for the Earth course. A former European Tour pro, Edwards currently holds the world record for his famous Scissor Hands shots – 310 balls in just three minutes – and will be demonstrating his trick shot talents on the driving range every day (12.45pm and 3.00pm) during the Dubai World Championship.
Also making sure the party goes with a swing will be a number of live music acts including U2 tribute band Vertigo (November 25), Suburban Voodoo (November 26 and 28), Rich and Famous (November 27) and DJ Gail Cherelle. Add in SNAG (Starting New At Golf) for younger fans as well as the Flying Elephant Children’s Zone and it is clear there will be something for all the family at the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World.
In addition to DP World – Presenting Sponsor for the second year in succession – the Dubai World Championship is supported by Premium Partners Rolex, Emirates and BMW; Sponsors Atlantis, CNN, The National and Polo/Ralph Lauren; and Event Supporters Dubai Duty Free, MMI, TNT and Toshiba.
This second edition of The Race to Dubai carries a prize fund of $7.5 million and a Bonus Pool of $7.5 million to be divided between the leading 15 players at the conclusion of the season.
The potential audience reach of The Race to Dubai events across the Tour’s global broadcast platforms encompasses almost 500,000,000 households (live/delayed transmissions); 218,000,000 (highlights) and around 350,000,000 via the weekly magazine show, European Tour Weekly.
Season tickets can be downloaded free of charge from the official website www.dubaiworldchampionship.com