The inaugural Dubai Open will head to the UAE with hopes that it can inspire a generation of UAE golfers, according to golf in DUBAi (giD) CEO, Mohamed Juma Buamaim.

The Asian Tour’s final event of 2014 this December has been moved to Dubai after giD agreed a deal that sees the city added to seasonal schedule of the Tour.

As a result of the partnership, the Asian Tour will hand out special invitations to 23 leading MENA Golf Tour players to compete in the marquee event.

The top three professionals on the MENA Golf Tour Order of Merit already receive exemptions into the Final Stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School.

“Ours is the Tour that is really growing local talent from the region,” said Buamaim.

“We are trying hard to encourage youngsters to get to the next level.

“I am confident our new partnership with the Asian Tour will further ignite their desire to succeed which is paramount to producing a future generation of champions.

“We welcome the initiative taken by the Asian Tour by offering slots to our players and hope our bond will only grow stronger as time goes by.”

With development of golf at the heart of their mission, the growing exchanges between the Asian and MENA golf tours have the potential to create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world.

As reported by Sport360, the Dubai Open is likely to only host the Asian Tour finale in its first year and the three-year agreement will see giD move away from its preferred home at Emirates Golf Club with a host venue yet to be confirmed.