With club staff readying to host a 105-strong international field, Matthews says they’ll be watching keenly to see how the 18-hole, all-grass, 7,325-yard course stacks up to Challenge Tour expectations.

“This is the first time we have had a field of elite players of this level so it will be interesting to see just how the course stands up to their skills,” explained Matthews.

“The course maintenance team has been working hard through the tough summer conditions to get the playing surfaces to the levels we wish to present the players with and which they will, I’m sure, expect. But I think they will be pleasantly surprised by what they find when they arrive, not only from the course, which will be a fair test of golf, but from the development and destination itself.”

The inaugural Ras Al Khaimah 2016 Golf Challenge runs from Wednesday 26 – Saturday 29 October and will set the pace in the run down to the coveted Road to Oman series.

The Challenge sees a field of 105 players from 16 nations battle for a US $350,000 prize purse.

Among the field are Challenge Tour leaderboard contenders, English duo Jordan Smith and Sam Walker and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox. Spectators can also look forward to off-course family entertainment, with post-play music every night and free golfing lessons among a range of activities lined up for the tournament village.

For more information on the tournament and The Road to Oman visit www.europeantour.com/challengetour