Dubai commits to the future growth of golf
Dubai’s commitment to golf has been underlined through the establishment of a new entity which will serve to optimise the benefits the sport brings to the emirate. Falcon Golf will convene all relevant parties in the industry to enhance Dubai’s golf efforts – including driving greater golf tourism, using the sport as a platform to tell Dubai’s story in overseas markets, promoting grass roots participation and managing the successful hosting of tournaments. The organisation will be Chaired by Peter Dawson, former Chief Executive of The R&A and former Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. It will work to increase knowledge about Dubai through the lens of golf, as well as boost Dubai’s reputation as one of the world’s leading golf destinations.
Commenting on his appointment and the establishment of Falcon Golf, Mr Dawson said: “Dubai has a fantastic golf offering and, combined with the emirate’s forward-thinking approach, I believe there is a real opportunity to develop it further. It is a sporting partnership that, over the years, has not only contributed to the growth of Dubai, but also to the global growth and popularity of the game. I am delighted to have been chosen for this special role and motivated by the exciting challenge ahead. Dubai’s investment in its golfing credentials, including its relationship with the European Tour, has proved to be very successful and I look forward to working with all of our stakeholders as we look to the future.”
His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, said: “Dubai has long recognised the potential of both golf’s contribution to the sport economy and the platform it provides to tell our story to the world. The entity will bring together the emirate’s fantastic golf assets and ensure that these continue to deliver for Dubai. This is great news for the continued development of the game in this part of the world. With world-class facilities and courses, a number of professional golfers calling Dubai home, including Rory McIlroy and Rafael Cabrera Bello, as well as new courses coming to the market, we see a clear opportunity for future growth.”
Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Emirates Golf Federation, said: “Golf has been played in the UAE for more than 40 years. In Dubai, as recently highlighted in a Deloitte report, it has grown into an industry worth $270 million. In Falcon Golf, we now have an entity that is responsible for the growth of the game.”
Falcon Golf will manage Dubai's involvement with the Race to Dubai, a season-long competition on the European Tour which celebrates both the diversity and shared passion for golf in 26 countries across the globe. The world’s best golfers accumulate Race to Dubai ranking points as they compete across four continents, earning a place in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in November 2017, when the European Tour’s Number One player will be crowned. This season’s Race to Dubai is well under way, showcasing a new ‘look’ that incorporates Dubai’s official brand logo.
Management of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic will transfer to Falcon Golf from April 1st 2017. Mohamed Juma Buamim will become Honorary President of the tournaments and continue to impart his knowledge and expertise that has led to the successful hosting of these two events, while golf in DUBAi – under a new name – will continue to oversee the MENA Golf Tour and tee-time booking platform Golf Citizen.
Commenting on Dubai’s renewed commitments to golf, Buamim said: “These are very energising times for Dubai and its golf offering and I am excited to see the industry being convened in this way. I am honoured to have been able to contribute to the success of Dubai’s growth through golf over the last two decades and look forward to my continued involvement, guiding the success of the two tournaments that are so close to my heart.”
Peter Dawson added: “Mohamed Juma Buamim and the team at golf in DUBAi have done an outstanding job and I look forward to building on the strong foundations they have laid.”
