Fantastic opportunity has arisen for two amateur golfers competing in the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship 2019 to play in Rolex Series opener on the European Tour

Two amateur golfers will earn a spot at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA next January, a Rolex Series event, following an announcement from Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council today.

The spots will go to the Champion and leading Emirati player from the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship, which is being hosted at the Gary Player masterpiece and Ladies European Tour host venue, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, from 15th to 18th December 2019.

The announcement comes as the Troon managed trinity of Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi, gear up for a busy season of golf ahead, which includes major Tour and Tourism events, as the world-renowned venues continue to drive their reputations as a world-class golf destination.

Following the success of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship, the 2019 event hosted at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, is set to be bigger and better, being played over 54 holes in an Individual Strokeplay format. The Championship invites scratch golfers from the world over to compete for a chance to earn valuable WAGR points, as well as the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship title, and now one of two places in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA.

Returning to Abu Dhabi from 16th to 19th January 2020, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA, featuring the amateurs who are successful at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, is often considered the unofficial start to the European Tour. It’s the largest event on the Abu Dhabi annual golfing calendar and a stop on the European Tour that never disappoints the players or the fans. Some of the recent star players include Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler (2016 Champion), Tommy Fleetwood (2017 and 2018 Champion) and the 2019 Open Champion, Shane Lowry (2019 Champion).

Continuing the array of golf, the third edition of the 2020 Abu Dhabi Pro-Am presented by Troon Golf will also take place from 3rd to 6th February 2020. The 2019 edition saw 18 teams compete for a prize pot of 18,000 Euros and 2020’s edition was elevated with the inclusion of Yas Links Abu Dhabi. The event, which is sanctioned and refereed by the Confederation of Professional Golf, was a source of great drama across the championship courses.

The Abu Dhabi Golf Festival (7th to 14th February 2020) is also one of the most popular weeks for European golfers taking a winter break in Abu Dhabi. Spearheaded by leading German golf tour operator, Golf Extra and the leading DMC, Desert Gate, the event has grown in stature and reputation over the last three years, as golfers spend a week of friendly competition around Abu Dhabi’s Troon facilities for the Abu Dhabi Golf Festival Trophy. Tour Operators can sell the event to their clients with favourable mark ups. Visit Abu Dhabi Golf Festival for further information.

Golfers from Europe and Asia can access Abu Dhabi with direct flights from the majority of major cities with premium airlines including the UAE’s national airline Etihad – who offer free golf bag luggage, at flight timings of five to eight hours. Abu Dhabi offers a plethora of activities off the course including culture, entertainment, music and sporting activities and events. Highlights in the calendar include; Formula 1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Finale and the after-race concert of The Killers (1st December 2019), and Bruno Mars and extravagant New Year’s Eve celebrations (31st December 2019).

H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “This is another hugely exciting opportunity for upcoming golfers to test their skills against some of the very best players in the world at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA.

“Attracting more players and fans to the game of golf is an important part of the continued growth of the tournament and having local talent teeing off alongside some of the biggest names in the sport will create even more interest in the Championship."

Commenting on the major events, Francisco de Lancastre David, Cluster General Manager at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi, said: “There’s always a great buzz in the region when the golfing season officially gets underway. As well as playing three world-class golf courses, off the course there is also so much for visitors to do and celebrate. From the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, to watching the world’s best golfers play Abu Dhabi Golf Club in January, once again Abu Dhabi will prove itself as not only a golfing location, but also a fantastic destination with lots on offer for visitors.

“The Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship will certainly kickstart a brilliant schedule of golfing events too, and with the added incentive for players to earn spots at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA, it’s bound to add another dimension to the event and further boost the profile of golf in the region. We thank the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for raising the profile of the event.”

To find out more about these major golf events, or for group bookings and tourism queries, please contact Clinton Norris on cnorris@troon.com

ENDS

For more information about Abu Dhabi Golf Club visit: www.adgolfclub.com
For more information about Saadiyat Beach Golf Club visit: www.sbgolfclub.ae
For more information about Yas Links Golf Club visit: yaslinks.com
To watch the Abu Dhabi destination video, click here

About Troon
With global headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon is the world’s largest golf management company, with more than 270 golf courses in its portfolio. Also specialising in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues, the company oversees operations at Troon Golf, Honours Golf and Troon Privé properties located in 36 states and 31 countries. Additionally, 56 Troon facilities featuring 79 courses enjoy a Top 100 ranking by national or international publications.

With Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and Dubai UAE, Troon International is committed to developing Troon’s presence throughout the world. This rapidly expanding division now oversees operations at 47 courses in 18 countries including England, Scotland, Spain, Norway, the United Arab Emirates, Australia and South Korea with further expansion planned across all regions.

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