Dubai: Rising golf talent Paige Spiranac has confirmed her plans to return to compete in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters from December 7 to 10.
The 23-year-old from the United States, who made her major pro debut at last year’s event, has captured a growing audience as she shares her journey — both the highs and lows — on her social media channels.
Spiranac’s passion for the game of golf coupled with her engaging personality has drawn a significant amount of attention for the golfer — who is seeking to improve upon her 2015 debut — and the game, too.
“Playing Dubai last year was a great learning curve for me both inside and outside the ropes,” said Spiranac. “Through it all, I had a great experience and I am looking forward to being a part of the event again.”
Spiranac has been working hard on her game in 2016 as she made the cut at the Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links and captured her first professional victory on the Cactus Tour earlier this year.
“I still have a lot of work to go, but making the cut in Scotland was a good start and a step in the right direction,” she said ahead of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters where she will join a star-studded field headlined by defending champion Shanshan Feng, Dame Laura Davies and fellow American Cheyenne Woods among other top draws.
“Dubai was an amazing experience when I first visited the city last year. Everyone welcomed me with open arms. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to come for my first tournament,” said Spiranac.
Spiranac, who took to golf after a vaulting accident cut short her gymnastics career when she was just 12, first hit the spotlight when she guided her San Diego State University to victory in the 2015 Mountain West Conference Golf Championship and took the Colorado State Match Play Tournament.
A representative of the millennial generation, Spiranac has utilised social media platforms in an effort bring a lighter side of entertainment to golf, which was jump-started when her golf team at San Diego State University created a trick-shot video that received millions of views.
With a social media footprint of more than one million followers across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, Spiranac is driving a new generation of fans to the range, links, and tournaments in an effort to grow the game beyond traditional audiences.
Mohammad Juma Bu Amim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, who are the promoters and organisers of the event, said: “Paige belongs to a new breed of social media-savvy players, who represent the best hope to elevate the profile of women’s golf.
“They are genuinely talented, they are charismatic and have the ability to reach so many fans, so crucial to the success of a tournament. It’s good to see women’s golf open up to these players who are taking a very different path to the top.”
“We look forward to welcoming back Paige and hope her presence will inspire youngsters, especially from our region, to take up sports — so important for a healthy lifestyle,” he added.
The Omega Dubai Ladies Masters is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC as sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Drydocks World, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, JA Resorts and Hotels, Mercedes-Benz and wasl, while Dubai Duty Free, Neocasa Interiors and Motivate Publishing are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi’s drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.
