The Matchplay Championship, said to be the largest amateur golf event in the UK, has renewed strategic partnerships with two key sponsors ahead of its hotly-anticipated Regional Finals to be held at The Marriott Forest of Arden next month.
The event, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, has agreed a three-year extension with Marriott that will keep the Grand Final in the UAE until 2016. The success of the tournament over the last decade has largely beena result of the unrivalled experiences it provides competitors; further underlined by the renewed agreement with Grand Final host venue, The Els Club, Dubai. The quality conditioning of the world-renowned championship course, designed by the reigning Open Champion, Ernie Els, has been lauded by competitors since the prestigious event first came to the Emirate in 2011.
“This is a significant agreement for the Matchplay Championship,” noted John Woosey, Matchplay Championship, Managing Director. “After all, we pride ourselves on the ability to deliver to competitors an experiencethat isunlike any other amateur event in the country. Around 200 players will compete at European Tour venue, Marriott Forest of Arden next month, before the Grand Finalists are flown out to Dubai. That type of offering is only possible with great sponsors, such as Marriott and The Els Club, who we’re delighted to have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with for several years now. As the event continues to grow we certainly intend that it will alsocontinueto be one of the most prestigious events in the amateur golf schedule.”
Renewed partnerships with both Marriott and The Els Club will ensure that Grand Finalists in Dubai will enjoy conditions usually reserved for the world’s best players. In typical Matchplay Championship style, the forty finalists will be amongst the first to revel in the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, opened in Februarythis year. Elevated above Dubai’s impressive business district, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is the world’s tallest hotel. Spread across two iconic towers, the spectacular structure features exceptional dining and event settings, as well as an enticing array of relaxing recreational amenities.
“We are proud to be a partner of this internationally-recognised tournament, which has become a highlight on the amateur golfing calendar; we look forward to ensuring that the 2013 Matchplay Championship is another feather in Dubai’s cap as a leading host of high-profile sports events. We cannot wait for the players to experience everything that our iconic hotel has to offer,” noted JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai’s General Manager, Rupprecht Queitsch.
The tournament introduced a Singles Event for the first-time in 2012, proving immensely popular, resulting in record entries for the event with almost 6,000 competitors. The record entries highlights the attraction of an event, which is televised on Sky Sports and open to all men and women with handicaps less than 28 and 36 respectively. They compete in the Men’s Singles, Men’s Pairs and Mixed Pairs events, with knockout stages followed by a better-ball stablefordcompetition in the Regional Final at The Marriott Forest of Arden and Grand Final in Dubai.
The JRW Group:Matchplay Championship www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk