DUBAI, July 17 – The demanding Tayside links will be buzzing with intense activities with leading lights of the world's golf descending on Carnoustie to battle it out for honours at the 136th Open Championship from July 19 to 22.
A total of 156 players will compete at Carnoustie with the leading 70, and those tied for 70th place after two rounds, qualifying for the final 36 holes.
Creating its own buzz on the sidelines of the world's oldest championship will be a 'golf in DUBAI Open Stand,' aimed at showcasing Dubai's portfolio of world-class courses.
A 'golf in DUBAI' delegation, led by its Vice-Chairman and CEO Mohamed Buamaim, is, at present, in Carnoustie to brief and update people visiting their stand on what Dubai has to offer in terms of golfing facilities.
One of the highpoints of the giD's Open campaign is the unveiling of their own online golf reservation system -– golfcentral.ae. The user-friendly system allows golfers from around the world to book a tee-time on a number of selected courses with a minimum of fuss.
"To see the growth in Dubai to where it is today and where it came from is phenomenal," Buamaim said quoting golf legend Greg Norman, who is developing courses in Dubai.
Norman is among an elite list of famed golfers - Ernie Els, Thomas Bjorn, Colin Montgomerie and Ian Baker-Finch - who are among those who have built or are building golf courses in Dubai.
And the latest to join the high-profile list is none other than Tiger Woods himself. ''I have been amazed by the progress of Dubai. From the time I first came to play here in 2001, I wanted to be a part of this amazing vision,'' said Woods who chose Dubai for his first golf course because he was excited about the "challenge of transforming a desert terrain into a world-class golf course."
Added Buamaim: "With our brand ambassadors committing to show up at our stands, the 'Dubai feel' to the Open Championship could well prove to be one of the focal points for all golf enthusiasts.
'golf in DUBAI' – the promoters and organisers of the world-class events like the Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai Ladies Masters -- have signed up some of the world's leading golfers -- Mark O'Meara, Colin Montgomerie, Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson, Thomas Bjorn, Lee Westwood, Ross Bain, Jeev Milkha Singh and Peter Cowen – as their global brand ambassadors.
'golf in DUBAI' will be running a "Win A Dream Trip to Dubai" competition. The first three winners will be invited to visit the city during the Dubai Ladies Masters in December.
golf in DUBAI recently raised its global profile by promoting and organising high-profile events in India and Morocco. They will be creating golfing history in India by bringing the first European Tour event to the country early next year. The $2.5 million Indian Masters, to be held from February 7 to 10, 2008, will also be the richest golf event ever to be staged in the country.
It has also teamed up with the Hassan II Golf Trophy Society to promote and organise the 35th Hassan II Golf Trophy - one of the premier golf events in Morocco - which will be held in Rabat from October 25 to 28 this year.
‘golf in DUBAI’ is backed by Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the main partner and National Bank of Dubai, Emaar, Jumeirah Hotels, Emirates airline, BMW, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Gulf News, Omega and CNN as partners in its drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.
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Photo Caption:
TEAM WORK... Mohamed Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of 'golf in DUBAI' is flanked by members of his team (from left) Karyn Macdonald, Ayaka Nishi, Bob Connor, Angela Connor and Adrian Flaherty at the giD stand at Carnoustie
