The MENA (Middle East & North Africa) Golf Tour, one of the most famous open golf tournaments aimed at both professionals and amateurs, has decided to bring the circuit to Europe this year. This international tour marks a new milestone by opening the 2016 calendar with the inaugural Qualifying School tournament, which was held this week at the Almenara Golf Club of the Sotogrande resort. Another event of the MENA Tour season, the Sotogrande Masters, will be played at the resort’s second course, La Reserva Golf Club, from April 3 to 6.
This tournament circuit, an initiative of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, was created in 2011 and is endorsed by the Arab Golf Federation and the R&A. It is also considered one of the few tournaments in the world that brings together professionals and amateurs of this sport. Until now, this tournament had always been held in Middle East and African courses, but this year, for its sixth edition, they have decided to take it to European courses, and Sotogrande has been its destination.
The MENA Golf Tour is open to professionals and amateurs from around the world and aims to develop and showcase players’ skills while consolidating their golfing careers.
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, President of the MENA Golf Tour, said: “This year we have a very important calendar, with almost twice as many events as last year, when there were only eleven. This increase in the number of activities is proof of the significant growth that the circuit has experienced over the years. It is wonderful to see how new countries are offering us their support.”
Marc Topiol, CEO of Sotogrande SA, said: “We are delighted to support golf promoters who share our vision for the sport. By offering our renowned golf courses for this tournament, we encourage professionals and amateurs to play in the same tournament and showcase the skills of new professionals.
MENA Golf Tour Qualifying School
The Qualifying School of the MENA Golf Tour, has ended with the victory of the Spaniard Javier Gallegos, who signed a final card of 73, and took a final advantage of two strokes to the second classified, the Scottish Duncan Stewart, who finished with a round of 71 strokes. The top sixty finishers of this School have obtained the category 7, which allows them access to all the tournaments of the circuit this season. Gallegos was awarded a check for 3,000 dollars.
For the first time on the circuit, the Q School, in accordance with the guidelines set by the game’s premier body, will pave the way for the MENA Golf Tour to qualify for placement in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
With the Olympic Games in the spotlight, appearing in these rankings is a must for players from many different countries aspiring to qualify at a time when golf returns to the Olympic program later this year after an absence of 104 years.
MENA national amateur golfers should have a handicap of 4.4 or lower to participate. International amateurs should have a handicap of 1.4 or lower.
The MENA Golf Tour 2016 features nearly twenty events in new destinations, including Kuwait, Egypt, Spain, Thailand and South Africa.
The MENA Golf Tour is an initiative of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, which was created in 2011 with the aim of developing golf in the region. It is affiliated with the Arab Golf Federation and the R&A, the world’s highest authority on the rules of golf, whose headquarters are in St Andrews, the birthplace of the sport.
About Sotogrande
Sotogrande, located on the Costa de la Luz in the Andalusian province of Cadiz, is one of the most select and discreet tourist destinations in Europe. Sotogrande, which covers 20 square kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea to the foothills of the Sierra de Almenara, conveys the authenticity of the original vision that its founders had 54 years ago of a captivating place that combines the culture and history of Andalusia and its exceptional natural beauty.
Sotogrande offers a healthy lifestyle with excellent sports and leisure facilities. It is one of the most important sporting destinations in Europe for sailing, golf, water sports, tennis and polo. Sotogrande offers a wide range of opportunities for its international community of 5,000 inhabitants through a platform of opportunities focused on sport, culture, tradition and culinary experience. There are both permanent residences and vacation homes and it is a favorite destination for families looking for year-round activities. It is also easily accessible from most major cities in Europe.
Sotogrande S. A. is a luxury real estate development company in the European market. The company creates and develops unique residential communities combining local heritage with expertise and high quality infrastructure. Its long-term commitment is based on a plan to develop exclusive residential developments and infrastructure for sports and leisure activities in the south of Spain, with a clear vision of respect for the environment.
Sotogrande S.A.’s portfolio includes multiple premium residential developments (La Reserva, Ribera del Marlin, Los Cortijos); restaurants and bars; two renowned golf courses; two hotels; a beach club; sports facilities (tennis, polo and horseback riding); a private marina with 1,400 moorings; and development land on which to build up to 1.8 million square meters of residential and commercial real estate.
The company is listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange.
Leave a Reply