EDGA Dubai Finale star, Brendan Lawlor takes the first ceremonial tee shot as His Excellency Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation and Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director of DP World, watch on along with the UAE’s boys U13 Boys Team and children from the Dubai Heights Academy.

By Kent Gray
Irishman Brendan Lawlor was given the honour of marking a month to go until the 11th DP World Tour Championship on Sunday, hitting a ceremonial tee shot off the 1st tee on Earth at Jumeirah Golf Estates to mark the occasion.

Lawlor is one of eight golfers of determination set to compete in the inaugural EDGA Dubai Finale, a 36-hole tournament that will be played in conjunction with the DPWTC using the same course set-up as the European Tour’s elite players.

The 22-year-old hit the shot in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, and later hosted a coaching clinic for the Students of Determination from Dubai Heights Academy and the UAE’s U13 Boys squad who recently won the bronze medal at the Pan Arab Golf Championships in Egypt.

The introduction of the EDGA tournament marks the first time a golfers of determination event has been hosted in conjunction with a European Tour event in the region, following the successful EDGA Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club, which Lawlor won.

New European Tour Middle East Tom Phillips welcomed Lawlor to JGE.

“It’s great to have Brendan with us to celebrate our one-month countdown and we look forward to welcoming him and seven other Golfers of Determination back here to Jumeirah Golf Estates for the inaugural EDGA Dubai Finale,” Phillips said.

“Golf has always been an inclusive game and we are very proud that the European Tour is a driving force in opening up the sport to as many people as possible.”

The EDGA Dubai Finale dovetails nicely with the UAE’s official Year of Tolerance and DP World’s commitment to driving an inclusive and tolerant culture across its business, sponsorship platform and the wider UAE community.

“DP World aims to build a better future for everyone and it’s great to see, first-hand, children of all ages, backgrounds, genders and abilities playing a sport that means so much to our business,” said Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director of DP World.

“Golf is much more than just a game, it’s a platform for us to inspire people through the DP World Tour Championship and our partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation to build a more inclusive society.”

This year’s DPWTC will see the top 50 players on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai Rankings – down from 60 – eligible to compete in the prestigious event over the Earth course from November 21-24. The tournament will also boast the richest first prize in golf with the champion receiving a mouth-watering US$3 million.

An estimated 65,000 spectators are expected to attend the free event with a further 500 million people tuning in across the globe to see the action unfold on television.