The competition, which launches in September, will see golfers competing for this ‘money can’t buy’ golfing experience.
A total of 22 qualifying events will take place at 21 golf clubs across the UAE with the winner of each event taking their place in a Grand Final at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Sunday 23 October.
Two members of the UAE National Golf Team will also be invited through the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) to compete in the Grand Final, making a total of 24 players.
The winner of that event will be awarded a once in a lifetime opportunity to play alongside the likes of defending champion and double reigning Race to Dubai winner, Rory McIlroy and British Open champion Henrik Stenson, in the Rolex sponsored Pro-Am which takes place on the Earth course two days before the Race to Dubai’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship gets underway from Thursday 17 November to Sunday 20 November.
“We are thrilled that more than 1,000 golfers from all over the UAE will take part in 22 events this September to be in with a chance to play with one of the top players on the European Tour,” said Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International, Dubai Office.
“Our Luckiest Ball on Earth competition is proving to be a bigger and more spirited spectacle every year and we wish the participants the best of luck as they chase that coveted place in the DP World Tour Championship Pro-Am. Our thanks and appreciation go to all of the clubs as well as to the Emirates Golf Federation for its continued support of the Luckiest Ball on Earth.”
The DP World Tour Championship sees the top 60 players on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai competing for a prize fund of US$8 million plus a Bonus Pool of US$5 million split between the top 10 finishers on the Race to Dubai following the conclusion of the tournament.
Now in its sixth year, the Luckiest Ball on Earth competition has proven to be a hit with the UAE’s amateur golfers since the initiative was first launched in 2011. The annual competition is open to all golfers aged 18 or over who hold an Official Club Handicap recognised by the EGF (maximum 28 for men and 36 for ladies).
Arabian Ranches Golf Club member Kevin Barrett of Northern Ireland won the inaugural Luckiest Ball on Earth competition and played alongside Ryder Cup icon Edoardo Molinari in the Pro-Am before Italy’s Ornella Parigi of Saadiyat Beach Golf Club became the first female winner in 2012 and lined up with Australia’s Marcus Fraser.
In 2013, former Dubai Creek Lady Captain Maureen Platt saw off all comers to earn a place alongside Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen in the Pro-Am 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. Last year, Jairaj Gorsia was victorious and was given an unforgettable experience in the Pro-Am playing with England’s James Morrison.
General admission tickets for the DP World Tour Championship are free of charge and can be obtained by registering online at www.DPWorldTourChampionship.com. Those who register will also be placed into a prize draw with the chance to win a pair of VIP Hospitality tickets for the Championship Chalet.
2016 LUCKIEST BALL ON EARTH QUALIFYING EVENTS – VENUES AND DATES:
VENUE EMIRATE DATE
Al Zorah Golf Club Ajman – 2 September
Al Dhafra Golf Club Abu Dhabi – 2 September
Arabian Ranches Golf Club Dubai – 2 September
Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club Sharjah – 2 September
Al Badia Golf Club Dubai – 2 September
Dubai Creek Golf Club & Yacht Club Dubai – 3 September
Abu Dhabi Golf Club Abu Dhabi – 3 September
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Abu Dhabi – 9 September
Yas Links Abu Dhabi – 9 September
The Address Montgomerie Dubai Dubai – 16 September
Al Ghazal Golf Club Abu Dhabi – 16 September
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club Al Ain – 23 September
Emirates Golf Club – Men Dubai – 23 September
The Track Meydan Dubai – 23 September
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club Abu Dhabi – 23 September
The Els Club Dubai – 23 September
Jumeirah Golf Estates Dubai – 24 September
Al Hamra Golf Club Ras Al Khaimah – 24 September
Tower Links Golf Club Ras Al Khaimah – 24 September
Emirates Golf Club – Ladies Dubai – 26 September
Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa Dubai – 29 September
Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club Sharjah – 30 September