The DP World Tour Championship, Dubai unveils its new event logo for the season finale, incorporating the iconic Harry Vardon silhouette central to The European Tour’s corporate identity.
A three-year agreement to extend The Race to Dubai through to the end of 2014 was announced in December with the season-ending event now known as the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. The new logo reflects the new name and title sponsor while emphasising the tournament’s position as the climax of The European Tour’s Race toDubai.
The next three editions of the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, will return to the Jumeirah Golf Estates, host venue since the inaugural Race to Dubai finale in 2009, with the prize fund increasing by US$500,000 to a total of $8 million, and the winner’s cheque rising from $1.25 million to $1.33 million. This year, the event will be played from 22-25 November.
The European Tour underwent a global rebrand in 2008, creating a new corporate logo incorporating the image of Harry Vardon, considered by many to be Europe’s first touring professional. The use of Vardon’s image creates the link between the Harry Vardon Trophy, traditionally presented since 1937 to the player winning The European Tour’s Order of Merit – now called The Race to Dubai- and the Tour’s season-ending finale, the DP World Tour Championship,Dubai. This trademark is owned by The European Tour.
HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World, commented: “We are thrilled to be partnering with the European Tour for yet another year to bring to Dubai the world’s best golfers and their fans. The DP World Tour Championship and the crowning Race to Dubai have become over the past few years a staple in Dubai’s calendar of exclusive sporting events, reflecting not only the success of the event, but also Dubai’s position as a prime business, sports and leisure destination. We look forward to enjoying what is shaping up to be another exciting and successful event for both the European Tour and DP World.”
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “The new logo further strengthens our association with DP World and Dubai, two incredibly strong partners who are fully dedicated to the future success of The Race to Dubai. We look forward to the season finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates when our leading world-ranked players return to compete in the DP World Tour Championship.”
The field will continue to comprise the leading 60 players who qualify through all officially-sanctioned tournaments on The European Tour’s International Schedule, culminating in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
DP World, the world’s third largest marine terminal operator, operates more than 60 terminals across six continents. For the first three editions of the Dubai World Championship, DP World has been a presenting sponsor and strong supporter of the event, won in 2009 byEngland’s Lee Westwood, in 2010 by Robert Karlsson ofSwedenand last year by Alvaro Quiros of Spain.
Additionally, DP World continue to support the Hong Kong Open, the penultimate event on The Race toDubaiand will be supporting the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club over the next three years.
The DP World Tour Championship is also delighted to announce Rolex, one of the world’s leading timepiece companies, as the event’s first Premium Partner. Rolex, the Official Timekeeper to The European Tour, is one of the Tour’s longest standing Sponsors and their association with the season finale continues their support of tournaments on The European Tour International Schedule. Rolex also sponsors Challenge Tour events, the Major Championships and is the Presenting Sponsor of The Senior Open Championship, this year taking place at Turnberry, Scotland.
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