Fashion and Golf Meet on the Fairways of the Dubai World Championship

Leisurecorp, a division of Nakheel Leisure, has announced a global partnership with Polo Ralph Lauren joining together a world-renowned luxury lifestyle brand and one of the most innovative new tournaments in golf.

Polo Ralph Lauren has become the official outfitter for the Dubai World Championship, the anticipated season-ending event to the inaugural Race to Dubai, and will dress officials, marshals and PRO-AM players. The two-year partnership fully extends to this week’s European Open in addition to the 2010 tournament, and is in line with Leisurecorp’s efforts to bring new audiences to golf by lending the sport a modern, stylish image.

In the coming months, Polo Ralph Lauren will unveil a collection of Dubai World Championship golf wear for men and women that will be sold internationally at select Ralph Lauren retail locations and at the tournament itself. They will also design a new shirt to be worn exclusively by the leading European Tour player caddies at the Dubai World Championship, replacing the traditional caddie bib.

Polo Ralph Lauren already partners with European Tour members Luke Donald and Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño; outside of golf, Polo Ralph Lauren is official sponsor of the U.S. Open (Tennis) and an official outfitter of the Wimbledon Championships.

David Lauren, Senior Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Corporate Communications for Polo Ralph Lauren, said:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Leisurecorp for the Dubai World Championship and The European Open. This new partnership is very much in line with our support of high-profile sporting events, and builds on our existing relationships with leading European Tour golfers Luke Donald and Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño.”

The Race to Dubai season-long competition includes 49 golf tournaments at 26 destinations around the world. The contest will conclude in November, when the leading 60 players will qualify for the Dubai World Championship, thereby ensuring that only the world’s best players will have the chance to compete. The Dubai World Championship will be a celebration of golf for spectators and players alike. Tickets for all four days are available free of charge.

Hamza Mustafa, Managing Director of Nakheel Leisure, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Polo Ralph Lauren into a partnership with the Dubai World Championship. We look forward to working with what is undoubtedly one of the world’s most prestigious fashion brands as they continue to build their brand presence in leading global sports events.

“The Dubai World Championship will provide a thrilling crescendo to The Race to Dubai, and the opportunity to introduce such a modern and luxurious brand as Polo Ralph Lauren is entirely fitting with our vision to truly differentiate this event within the golfing world."

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 European Open will be the first of the two events, and will take 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 success of the tournament’s ”Free Ticket Thursday” promotion last year, which attracted nearly 24,000 spectators.

For more information on the tournaments, please visit:

European Open Championship: EuropeanTour.com

Dubai World Championship: DubaiWorldChampionship.com

For information on sponsorship, please contact:

David Collins
Director of Sponsorship, Leisurecorp
David.Collins@leisurecorp.com
PH (04) 3662910
Corporate Hospitality
Kerry Bannerman
Hospitality@dubaiworldchampionship.com
PH (04) 365 8678

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