Dubai: The Matchplay Championship, one of Europe's largest amateur golf tournaments, will crown new winners this week as competitors from across the UK and Ireland return to the Els Club for the second successive year.
The three-day grand final showdown started yesterday and ends tomorrow. After entering the tournament for just £25 (Dh150) at www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk, a diverse array of golfers will stake their claim for the title after booking their place in the field through the Matchplay qualifying rounds and regional final last month at European Tour venue, The Marriott Forest of Arden in England.
The final is filmed for a Sky Sports TV production later in the year and offers some of the UK's most avid golfers the opportunity to shine in front of a television audience usually reserved for the world's best players.
With almost 6,000 competitors originally teeing it up in the event, the finalists can be proud of their efforts in getting this far. Forty players will tee up this week, enjoying seven night's of luxurious accommodation at the Courtyard Marriott and three rounds of competitive golf at the prestigious Els Club, designed by golfing legend Ernie Els.
Last years' Men's Pairs runners-up Chris Scott-Douglas and Mike Ankers from the Midlands have returned to the final and head-up a stellar field of competitive amateurs. A new Men's Singles event was introduced for the first time this year with the inaugural champion due to be crowned tomorrow.
First launched in 2003, the tournament has grown to become the biggest amateur event in the UK and Ireland.
For further details on the Matchplay Championship or to enter the 2012/13 championship, visit www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk.