Need inspiration to keep grinding away at your game on the range this summer? May we suggest a quick scroll through the official Race to Dubai standings.

Why? Well it’s nearly time for the 7th edition of the Luckiest Ball on Earth series where the eventual champion earns a spot in the Rolex-sponsored Pro Am ahead of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE) from November 16-19.

Only the top-60 players earn a start in the European Tour’s $8 million season-ending event on Earth at JGE, ensuring the winner of the UAE amateur competition a play date with a recognised star on November 14. Perhaps even Spanish star Jon Rahm who is set to play the DP World Tour Championship for the first time after winning last week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

The 2017 series will see 22 qualifying events held at 21 golf clubs with the winner of each qualifying for the Luckiest Ball on Earth grand final at JGE on October 22. Two members of the UAE National team will be granted special invites to the final leaving 24 players chasing the “Luckiest Ball”.

Here’s the schedule:

2017 Luckiest Ball on Earth Qualifying Events – Venues and Dates:
VENUE                                                    EMIRATE                              DATE
Dubai Creek Golf Club & Yacht Club   Dubai                                   Sept 2
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club                     Abu Dhabi                           Sept 8
Abu Dhabi Golf Club                            Abu Dhabi                           Sept 8
Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club          Sharjah                                Sept 8
Al Ghazal Golf Club                             Abu Dhabi                           Sept 15
Jumeirah Golf Estates                         Dubai                                   Sept 15
Al Dhafra Golf Club                             Abu Dhabi                            Sept 15
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club                   Abu Dhabi                            Sept 22
The Track Meydan                              Dubai                                    Sept 23
Tower Links Golf Club                         Ras Al Khaimah                   Sept 23
Emirates Golf Club – Ladies               Dubai                                    Sept 25
Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa                Dubai                                    Sept 28
Emirates Golf Club – Men                  Dubai                                    Sept 29
Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club            Sharjah                                 Sept 29
The Address Montgomerie Dubai      Dubai                                    Oct 6
Al Hamra Golf Club                            Ras Al Khaimah                   Oct 6
Al Zorah Golf Club                             Ajman                                   Oct 6
Arabian Ranches Golf Club                     Dubai                                    Oct 6
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & GC     Al Ain                                    Oct 6
Trump International                           Dubai                                     Oct 6
Yas Links                                           Abu Dhabi                             Oct 6
The Els Club                                      Dubai                                    Oct 7
Grand Final
Jumeirah Golf Estates                       Dubai                                    Oct 22                                                          

Arabian Ranches Golf Club member Kevin Barrett (Northern Ireland) captured the inaugural Luckiest Ball on Earth competition in 2011. His reward was a tee-time with Ryder Cupper Edoardo Molinari.

Blanca Rivollier enjoyed a dream day at last year’s Rolex-sponsored DP World Tour Championship Pro-Am alongside Welshman Bradley Dredge

Italian Ornella Parigi (Saadiyat Beach GC) became the first female winner in 2012 and lined up with Australia’s Marcus Fraser. In 2013, former Dubai Creek Lady Captain Maureen Platt earned a place alongside Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen while in 2014 Dipesh Makwana came out on top against almost 1000 hopefuls to be teamed up with Race to Dubai runner-up Danny Willett. In 2015, Jairaj Gorsia (Meydan Golf) drew England’s James Morrison. Last year’s winner was another Saadiyat Beach Golf Club member, Blanca Rivollier, who played with Bradley Dredge (pictured).

You must be at least 18 and hold an official cub handicap recognised by the EGF (maximum 28 for men and 36 for ladies) to be eligible.