The DP World Tour, which marks 35 years of tournament golf in the United Arab Emirates, has thanked the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) for its continued support to the Tour and help developing the game in the region.

The UAE’s governing body of golf was recognised for its contribution following the culmination of the inaugural Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Resort, with Keith Pelley, DP World Tour CEO, and Eric Nicoli, DP World Tour Chairman, thanking His Excellency General Abdullah Al Hashmi, EGF Vice Chairman, for his unwavering support to the Tour.

“The EGF has played a huge part in the DP World Tour’s success in the UAE for many years,” said Pelley.

“We have worked closely together to develop golf, from grassroots to the professional game. At the start of three consecutive DP World Tour events in the UAE, we wanted to show our appreciation to His Excellency General Abdullah Al Hashmi for his hard work and dedication and celebrate the Tour’s strong and enduring relationship with the EGF, which will continue for many years to come.”

The DP World Tour’s long-term association with the UAE dates back to 1989 when Emirates Golf Club hosted the first Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which celebrates its 35th edition this week.

Since then, events such as the Abu Dhabi Championship, DP World Tour Championship, the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, the Golf in Dubai Championship, the Aviv Dubai Championship, the Hero Cup and the Dubai Invitational have all graced UAE shores.

In 2021, the Tour and EGF announced a long-term partnership aimed at developing golf in the UAE for at least a decade.

Since then, the two organisations have collaborated across all levels of the sport in the UAE, from grassroots initiatives right through to the professional game, which has included the return of the Challenge Tour to the UAE for the first time since 2018.

Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation with winner Max Rottluff. Challenge Tour

Last year’s UAE Challenge and Abu Dhabi Challenge each had 30 spots allocated to the EGF to provide a pathway for both Emirati golfers and residents of the UAE, with several members of the UAE National Team grabbing the opportunity to play with up and coming stars of the golfing world.

“Given the current landscape of golf in the Middle East and across the world it is important to have partners that have the same vision as the EGF,” said His Excellency General Abdullah Al Hashmi.

“At the EGF we are committed to working with all tours and governing bodies to help shape the future of the sport we love. We look forward to 2024 and working with the DP World Tour to accomplish our goals.”

Image: Supplied