It has been announced that the inaugural Dubai Open Golf Championship is to be held from 18-21 December at the award winning Els Club Dubai (pictured above), a course designed by four-time major champion Ernie Els.
The tournament, promoted by golf in DUBAi will be the first professional tour event staged at the course, which opened in 2008, and will be the season-ending finale on the 2014 Asian Tour calendar.
Dubai Sports City President Khalid Al Zarooni said, “This is an extremely proud day for Dubai Sports City and we are extremely grateful to the Asian Tour and golf in DUBAi for this decision. The fact this prestigious event at The Els Club has been confirmed is recognition of the quality of the facility, both on and off the course. The Els Club is world-class, there is no doubt about that, and now the world will get the chance to see that through the hosting of the Dubai Open.”
President Khalid Al Zarooni went on to say, “The award of this event is also an illustration of the continuing rapid pace of development of Dubai Sports City. The Els Club’s hosting of the Dubai Open means it will join the Dubai International Stadium and the ICC Academy among our venues that has staged major sporting action. Our academy facilities in football, cricket and golf – the latter through the Butch Harmon School of Golf – are state-of-the-art and that offering is all set to be enhanced still further with our swimming and fitness facilities set to open imminently.
“And with real estate within Dubai Sports City – including Victory Heights that surrounds The Els Club – proving to be among the most sought after in Dubai we are going from strength to strength. The award of the Dubai Open to The Els Club is another illustration of that fact and we look forward to a fantastic event in December.”
Ernie Els said, “Obviously it’s a thrill for us that The Els Club Dubai has been selected as the venue for this new tournament, the third course in the Ernie Els Design portfolio to host professional tour events. We really couldn’t be more proud of this golf course. Since it opened as our flagship for The Els Club brand, it has become a favourite among local and international golfers. The presentation of the playing surface and overall conditioning of the course make The Els Club a go-to destination for locals, top professional golfers and also tourists visiting Dubai. I am sure everyone will savour the experience of playing the course. It’s a challenging test, for sure, but it also offers good scoring opportunities for the golfer who is on his game. I’m certain it will be a great week and I send my best wishes to everyone involved.”
The Els Club General Manager Chris Brown said, “I am delighted at the news that we will be hosting the Dubai Open in December and wish to thank the Asian Tour and golf in DUBAi for the faith shown in us to deliver this tournament. Since The Els Club first opened its doors in 2008 it has been our ambition to host a professional tour event and now we have that chance. It is the perfect opportunity for The Els Club to showcase our outstanding course and our outstanding facilities, including our state-of-the-art Clubhouse, to players from around the world, spectators and the world’s media. Planning is already well underway and we are confident we can deliver a magnificent and memorable occasion for all our stakeholders and this will hopefully be the first of many professional tournaments that are played at The Els Club at Dubai Sports City.”
The Els Club is managed by Troon Golf, which manages courses in more than 29 countries and 34 States in the US. Commenting on the announcement of the upcoming Dubai Open, a spokesman for Troon Golf said, “This is fantastic news and a perfect fit for Troon Golf. We manage courses throughout the Asia region, in China, India, Malaysia, the Maldives and South Korea and so this additional link with the region through the hosting of the Dubai Open is a further enhancement of that connection.
“We take pride in providing the finest playing surfaces, incredible guest service, unmatched amenities and exquisite dining at some of the leading luxury golf courses in the world and The Els Club at Dubai Sports City is an outstanding example of what we do. We look forward to the Asian Tour’s visit and everyone who attends can be sure of outstanding hospitality at an outstanding course.”
The Els Club forms part of the exclusive golf course villa community of Victory Heights. It is part of the extraordinary Dubai Sports City, the world’s only integrated sports city, featuring world-class sporting facilities and a variety of world-renowned sports academies. Memberships of The Els Club are still available and details can be obtained by contacting Francisco David at franciscod@elsclubdubai.com. Corporate membership includes unlimited use of the boardroom and conference facilities.
About Ernie Els Design
Ernie Els began his course design career after his second US Open victory. His vision is creating a boutique design firm that works with some of the world’s best developments to produce authentic, sustainable golf courses that fit into today’s landscape. Ernie Els designs and renovations are environmentally responsible while meeting the challenges of growing the game of golf. Based in Jupiter, Florida and a field office in Malaysia, the company applies the latest technologies and expertise to service its development partners and clients throughout the world.
Whether it is the renovation of Wentworth’s West Course, host to the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship, or award winning layouts in destinations such as Malaysia, Dubai, South Africa, Hawaii, Mauritius and The Bahamas; Ernie Els Design delivers a product that sets a new benchmark in each market; its portfolio includes The Els Clubs, Big Easy Winebar & Grill, Els Performance Academy, Els Residences and an internationally recognized wine portfolio.
About Dubai Sports City
Dubai Sports City (DSC) is a 50-million square feet mixed use development that will be the world’s first integrated purpose-built sports city. The development is being built around five major sports venues and features a series of major sports academy facilities. Already fully operational is the 25,000-seat capacity Dubai International Stadium, an 18-hole championship golf course The Els Club – Ernie Els’ premier flagship design in the Middle East – and its state-of-the-art Clubhouse including multiple dining options, the International Cricket Council (ICC) head office and the ICC Academy, the Dubai Sports City Academies Campus including a full-sized Indoor Dome (believed to be the only one if its kind in the UAE) which is home to Spanish Soccer Schools runs by former Real Madrid and Spain legend Michel Salgado and includes outdoor grass and artificial turf pitches, and the Butch Harmon School of Golf. The Victory Heights golf course villa community, set on the fairways of the prestigious Els Club golf course, is thriving, and also located in DSC is the Bradenton Preparatory Academy, an American curriculum school managed by GEMS Education that has been open since 2009.
Access to Dubai Sports City is now easier than ever with the opening of the Hessa Street extension and the launch, on 1 March, of the first bus service into Dubai Sports City, the F29, which starts at the Mall of the Emirates. More information may be found at http://www.dubaisportscity.ae/ and http://www.elsclubdubai.com/
For more information please contact
Dubai Sports City
Brian Murgatroyd
brianm@dsc.ae
The Els Club Dubai
Thomas Murdoch
ThomasM@elsclubdubai.com
Ernie Els Design
Thomas Rubi
thomas.rubi@ernieels.com
