Dubai World Championship: The Countdown Begins As Rolex Is Named First Official Sponsor

With 175 days to go until the Dubai World Championship, Leisurecorp, a division of Nakheel Leisure, has announced a global partnership with Rolex, naming the world’s leading watch company and the Official Timekeeper of The European Tour as the first official sponsor of the much anticipated season ending event of the inaugural Race to Dubai.The partnership also includes the significant sponsorship of this week’s European Open and the 2009 South African Open, which will take place at Pearl Valley Golf Estates, a Leisurecorp-owned golf resort.The agreement is part of a long-term strategic partnership across Leisurecorp’s trilogy of tournaments and extends throughout its global portfolio of golf assets which includes Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, Pearl Valley Golf Estates in South Africa, and Turnberry in Scotland - host venue for The Open Championship in 2009.A key sponsor of the four main bodies governing golf worldwide, Rolex adds three more tournaments to its prestigious calendar of golf events through its partnership with Leisurecorp, thus reinforcing its enduring commitment to and support for world golf.Jean-Noël Bioul, Co-Director, Sponsoring at Rolex, said: “As one of the Tour’s longest standing sponsors and sponsor to more than 20 tournaments in The Race to Dubai, the decision to back such an exciting group of tournaments was a natural progression for our long-term support of golf and one that we are very excited about.“The advent of The Race to Dubai and the drama that surrounds it has made this European Tour season arguably one of the most important in its long and distinguished history. Due to the quality of the competitors and the prize fund on offer, the grand finale in Dubai will be one of the most important sporting events to ever be hosted in the region and we are extremely pleased to be a part of it.”The Race to Dubai season-long competition includes 49 golf tournaments at 26 destinations around the world. The contest will climax in November, when the number 1 to 60 players qualify for the Dubai World Championship, thereby ensuring that only the world’s best players will have the chance to compete for what has become golf’s ultimate prize.Hamza Mustafa, Managing Director of Nakheel Leisure, said: “We are delighted to announce Rolex as a global partner to our international golf programme and as the very first official sponsor of the Dubai World Championship. To have the support and backing of such a respected and world-class brand provides a strong foundation for success, as we progress towards delivering the most anticipated and exciting tournament in world golf.“The Dubai World Championship will provide a thrilling crescendo to The Race to Dubai and in challenging economic times it just goes to show that the most desirable sponsorship properties will continue to attract considerable interest from the corporate community. This is the first of several major partnerships to be announced in the coming months.”The Dubai World Championship will be held on the Greg Norman-designed Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, from 19 to 22 November. The event recently received patronage from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Executive Council.The 32nd edition of The European Open will be the first of the three events, taking place at The London Golf Club in Kent from 28 to 31 May. This year, golf fans will be able to see a world-class field free of charge on any day of The European Open, following the huge success of The European Open’s ‘free ticket Thursday’ last year, which attracted nearly 24,000 spectators.The 2009 South African Open Championship will take place at Pearl Valley Golf Estates in South Africa, from 17 to 20 December. Set against the backdrop of the Drakenstein Mountains in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Pearl Valley is one of the most spectacular courses on the European Tour and the Championship promises to be an important event in the early stages of the 2009/2010 season.

Anticipation Builds As 20,000 Register For Dubai World Championship

Tickets for the inaugural Dubai World Championship has seen interest from all corners of the globe with eager golf fans quickly snapping up more than 20,000 tickets within the first two weeks of becoming available.

Leisurecorp, a division of Nakheel Leisure and partners with The European Tour in creating The Race to Dubai, announced general admittance tickets for one of sport’s most anticipated events would be free earlier this month and has since received thousands of registrations via the tournament’s official website.

Golf legend Greg Norman, the designer of the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates which will host the Dubai World Championship from November 19-22, launched free tickets during a trip to make his finishing touches to the showpiece course which will see the top 60 players in The Race to Dubai competing for golf’s ultimate prize.
Hamza Mustafa, Managing Director of Nakheel Leisure, said:
“We have been absolutely delighted with the initial response to tickets becoming available and in the first few weeks we have seen people register from as far afield as Australia and the United States which is wonderful news for the tournament – and Dubai.

“There has been positive feedback from all corners of the golf world following our decision to offer tickets for free, with tens of thousands of people having already signed up to attend. The Dubai World Championship is going to be one of the leading events on the world’s sports calendar.”

Following the positive early response for tickets, fans are encouraged to register now at www.dubaiworldchampionship.com, the tournament’s official website which is also keeping track of the latest standings in The Race to Dubai, a season-long competition which features 51 golf tournaments in 28 destinations around the world.

The website also includes details and sales information on the two hospitality packages that are available, both of which include first-class facilities overlooking the 18th green, and one offering the unique experience of being among the first to play the Earth course following the Dubai World Championship.

Hamza Mustafa added:
“We have also seen strong interest in corporate hospitality sales and we encourage golf fans and those who want to provide something special for their clients and business partners to purchase now to ensure they experience sporting history right here in Dubai in the finest style.”

For more information on free tickets and hospitality ticket sales please visit www.dubaiworldchampionship.com

Greg Norman Announces Free Tickets For The Dubai World Championship

With less than 200 days to go until the eagerly-anticipated Dubai World Championship tees off on 19th November, Leisurecorp and sporting legend Greg Norman today announced that tickets to one of the hottest events on golf’s calendar will be free to all.

The move ensures that golf fans and those new to the game alike will now be able to see the climax to the inaugural Race to Dubai take place on what has been called ‘the world’s most anticipated golf course development’, for free. For those who want to experience the Dubai World Championship in luxury, two outstanding hospitality packages have also been announced.

Greg Norman, designer of the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where the Dubai World Championship will take place this November, visited the course this week to oversee some of the finishing touches to the course, ahead of the tournament. Norman commented:
“The Dubai World Championship promises to be a new highlight on the golf and sporting calendars. The course is looking spectacular and I am thrilled that when we open the doors on November 19th, everyone will be able to enjoy the tournament for free. This course deserves a special tournament and what could be more special than having 60 of the world’s top players battle it out in front of a huge crowd”.

Fans are encouraged to register early for the free tickets at www.dubaiworldchampionship.com, the tournament’s website which was launched today. The website also provides details and sales information on the two hospitality packages that have been announced – both offering five-star facilities overlooking the 18th green, and one offering the unique experience of being amongst the first to play the Earth course, following the Championship.

Abdul Wahid Al Ulama, Vice Chairman, Leisurecorp, said:"When we conceived the Dubai World Championship with our partners at The European Tour, we established a set of founding principles which would ensure that we created new experiences for a number of audiences – the players, sponsors, media and, of course, spectators.

“In line with the shared vision of The European Tour and Leisurecorp, the move to offer free entry for all is a gesture in the tournament’s first year to encourage all golf fans from both the region and overseas to descend on Jumeirah Golf Estates in November and watch what promises to be a thrilling crescendo to the inaugural Race to Dubai. Hopefully, it will also encourage those new to the game to come to the Championship and experience what this great sport has to offer. Whether you are a pro golfer or a novice, seeing the world’s top 60 players battle it out at the magnificent Earth course is something not to be missed.”

The Hospitality Pavilion overlooking the 18th green of the Earth course, places spectators at the heart of the action. With gourmet catering in a dedicated dining and lounge area, an open-air balcony and a wide range of other benefits, The Hospitality Pavilion is ideal for client entertaining and networking opportunities with Dubai’s business leaders, or simply enjoying the golf in style.

TheUltimate Golf Package includes two day’s hospitality admission and the opportunity to play on the Earth course, in Championship conditions, in the week following the tournament.

Abdul Wahid Al Ulama added:“The hospitality options we are offering include a range of benefits, not least some of the best seats in the house, overlooking the 18th green. The Ultimate Golf Package will tempt those ‘golf fanatics’ who are looking for a unique experience – walking in the footsteps of the legends that they have just been watching battle it out for the Championship. It is a rare treat to have the opportunity to be amongst the first to play on a course designed by Greg Norman and inaugurated by the likes of Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood and Rory McIllroy. This is a ‘must-do’ for any keen golfer”.

Hospitality Pavilion package includes:
· Course and Hospitality Pavilion admission
· Access to premium dining and lounge facilities overlooking the 18th green
· Five-star food and drinks served throughout the day
· TV monitors displaying all the action from around the course
· Priority car park pass
· Official tournament programme and draw sheet
· Exclusive Dubai World Championship merchandise
· Dedicated Event Management team

Price AED 2,800 per person (minimum 4 persons), per day
Ultimate Golf package includes:
· Two days hospitality admission on Saturday and Sunday (Hospitality Pavillion) including
· Access to premium dining and lounge facilities overlooking the 18th green
· Five-star food and drinks served throughout the day
· TV monitors displaying all the action from around the course
· Priority car park pass
· Official tournament programme and draw sheet
· Exclusive Dubai World Championship merchandise
· Dedicated Event Management team
· Be a pro for a day - play the Earth course following the Championship

Price AED 8000 per person (minimum 2 persons), per day

For more information on free tickets and hospitality ticket sales please visit www.dubaiworldchampionship.com
 

Dubai World Championship Receives Patronage From His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince Of Dubai

The inaugural Dubai World Championship has received a significant endorsement from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai after he granted his official Patronage for what is set to become one of the Middle East’s premier sporting events.

The Dubai World Championship is the grand finale to The Race to Dubai - a season-long competition which encompasses 52 golf tournaments around the world. The leading 60 players in The Race to Dubai will qualify for the Dubai World Championship ensuring that only the world’s best players will compete at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 19-22.

The patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum means the Dubai World Championship will join an elite list of sporting events such as the Dubai World Cup and Dubai Tennis Championships which received patronage in their beginnings before growing to become leading events in world sport.

Abdul Wahid Al Ulama, Leisurecorp Vice Chairman, said:
“The significance of The Race to Dubai and the Dubai World Championship cannot be underestimated and has already placed the Emirate of Dubai at the forefront of the global sports world as an innovator and leader in the historic sport of golf.

“We are truly honoured to have received patronage from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and with his support and guidance, we are certain that the Dubai World Championship will become one of the Middle East’s most important sporting events.”

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said:
“The European Tour is honoured that His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has granted his official patronage for the Dubai World Championship. This gives us great confidence as we continue with The Race to Dubai and look forward to a successful inaugural Dubai World Championship on the superb Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.”

Preparations for the Dubai World Championship are well underway with the Greg Norman-designed Earth course unveiled by Leisurecorp in January. Stars Sergio Garcia, Darren Clarke, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Robert Karlsson and young Emirati golfer Khalid Yousef previewed the final four holes of the course described by the legendary Norman as “the most challenging mile in golf”.

David Spencer, Leisurecorp CEO-Golf, said:
“As a Dubai World company, Leisurecorp is extremely proud to support the Emirate’s growth as a world-class destination for sport and tourism and we believe that the Dubai World Championship is very much in line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s great vision for Dubai and the UAE.

“The excitement surrounding The Race to Dubai has made this European Tour season one of the most important in living memory. The Dubai World Championship will feature arguably the most impressive field of sporting talent ever assembled in Dubai, and they will all be competing for golf’s ultimate prize, which means that come November the eyes of the sporting world will be on Jumeirah Golf Estates.”