Dubai: Jumeirah Golf Estates is preparing to welcome 65,000 fans, 60 of the world’s top golfers and more than 200 global press to the ninth edition of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai season-ending DP World Tour Championship this weekend, November 16 to 19.
Four grandstands, seven hospitality chalets, four giant TV screens and 11 scoreboards have been under construction for the past eight weeks to ensure a first class experience for spectators. A wide range of food and beverage will also be on offer in the Championship Village, and fans can also enjoy six-hole mini golf, practice their skills around world famous landmarks in the DP World Around the World Challenge, and see trick shot artist, Paul Barrington, in action.
Throughout the US$13 million tournament, which also sees a US$5 million bonus split between the top 10 in the Race to Dubai final standings, 70 groundskeepers will attend daily to over 7,675 yards of the 18-hole Earth Course. There are 99 bunkers for players to avoid and over 1,500 irrigation sprinklers to keep the course in top condition. The tournament offers seating on the first, ninth, 17th and 18th holes bringing the number of grandstand seats to 1,832.
Nearly 21,000 VIP guests will enjoy 2,475 square miles of hospitality overlooking the 18th hole, with over 200 chefs preparing to serve over 15,000 meals to players, spectators and staff throughout the week, with 31,920 forks set to used by players and officials alone. Over 1,490 rehydration drinks will be drunk by players on course, and over 1,700 pieces of fruit will be taken from the tenth tee by players and their caddies.
Volunteers will total 253, 150 will be UAE residents and 103 will be international, 173 will be men and 75 will be women, while 169 will be returning volunteers, 84 will be first timers and 18 will have helped out at all nine tournaments. There will also be 500 staff present from the European Tour, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Tour productions, including security and hostesses.
Over 100 students from GEMS Wellington International School will also provide scoring support to help keep track of all the birdies, eagles and albatrosses. And away from the sporting action, 14 Dubai favourite eateries will have pop-up restaurants in the Championship Village.
By the end of the tournament, US$450,000 will have been raised for charities Friends of Cancer Patients and the Special Needs Foundation over the past eight years.
TV coverage totalling 1,844 hours shot by 138 crew will also be beamed to 486 million homes around the world with an additional 30 minutes of live TV coverage being shown over the final two rounds.
Abdul Aziz Bukhatir, executive director of corporate services at Jumeirah Golf Estates said: “It’s a privilege to host this exciting tournament. This is the ninth year and we’re looking forward to another great week.
“We believe we have created an unrivalled sport and lifestyle community for our residents and hosting the DP World Tour Championship gives us a wonderful opportunity to showcase our development to the thousands of spectators who visit the event and the millions more watching around the world.
“This tournament is great for Dubai in general as it really puts the emirate’s footprint on the world map.”
Nick Tarratt, director of the European Tour’s international office in Dubai, said “With the top 60 players in the Race to Dubai competing in the European Tour’s US$8 million season-ending event this week, the eyes of golf fans around the globe will be focused on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Since the inaugural event in 2009 the DP World Tour Championship has become one of world golf’s true flagship events and with the help of our wonderful sponsors and exemplary host venue, the 65,000 fans who come through the gates can expect not only top quality golf, but a five-star spectator experience for all the family.”
