Emirates NBD Race to Malaysia launched for the UAE

Emirates NBD in association with Thriwe introduces ‘The UAE Chapter’ of one of the world’s most prestigious World Amateur Golf Tournaments to be hosted in Malaysia under the label ‘The Emirates NBD Race to Malaysia.’

The Emirates NBD Race to Malaysia, powered by Thriwe, is a golf tournament with National Championships in over 47 countries worldwide, and will be held for the first time in the UAE in conjunction with Sports2Business, Emirates Golf Federation and Dubai Sports Council. This will bring 14 exciting amateur golf events over seven consecutive months held at the world-class golf courses of the UAE.

To play in the events, players must have a maximum handicap is 25, with entries open to both men and women, over the age of 18 years old and holding an official EGF Handicap.

Annual series

This annual series will commence at the Montgomerie Golf Club, Dubai, on Sunday 10th April 2022. The event will consist of 14 qualifying events across some of the most respected and challenging UAE golf courses, culminating in the National Final at Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah, on Saturday 1st October 2022.

The winners of this National Final, across five separate handicap categories, will then represent the UAE in the World Final on November 12th - 19th in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, to compete against 46 other countries over six rounds on Malaysia’s finest golf courses.

Russell Yeomans, Founder of Sport2Business events, commented at the announcement, "We are delighted to work with Emirates NBD and Thriwe to bring this established global event to the UAE. This is an amazing and unique opportunity to offer UAE amateur golfers a superb ‘Olympic’ style experience to represent the UAE in the World Final in November. With flag-raising events, tourist experiences and a bonanza style presentation ceremony, it will quite simply be a money cannot buy experience of a lifetime for the UAE team."

"More importantly, this is another opportunity to showcase the world-class golfing assets of the UAE as we work with the UAE Tourism teams to potentially bring the World Finals to the UAE in 2023 and 2024," continued Yeomans.

He added, "Opportunities like this cannot exist without great sponsors, so we are proud to team up with Emirates NBD and Thriwe to create more memorable experiences for the amateur golfers of Dubai. We are also delighted to have AARO, AGMC (BMW), Active Living, eGolfmegastore and other recognised sponsors supporting our Gold Sponsor Emirates NBD."

Prestigious event

Marwan Hadi, Executive Vice President and Head of Retail Banking, Emirates NBD said, "As a leading bank in the region, we are happy to be a part of one of the most prestigious golf events in the UAE, reiterating our commitment to encouraging sporting activities in the region. In line with the bank’s commitment to engage the wider Dubai community in the great game of golf, we have sponsored many golfing events in the UAE over the years including the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, an event that we have been supporting for over 30 years. Staying true to our ‘Passion for Sport’ strategy and through our GolfLan (Thriwe) programme, we continue to offer our customers access to attractive golfing privileges and benefits."

The sanctioning body, Emirates Golf Federation, added through Director General, Akram Skaik, "We are delighted to support this amateur series adhering to the World Handicap System (WHS) and EGF guidelines, so amateurs at all levels can enjoy local and global competition knowing handicaps are monitored and respected. We see this as one of a growing number of EGF sanctioned events adding value to the ever increasing number of EGF members as golf continues to prosper as a sport in this country."

The golf clubs of the UAE have embraced the concept and offered to run member events to send their best golfers to represent their club in the National Final in October 2022. Globally there will be 1,400 qualifying events, and over 50,000 amateur golfers will aspire to reach the World Final in Malaysia in November – where there will be the five UAE representatives.

Calendar of UAE Events

Sunday 10th April, 2022 – Montgomerie Golf Club, Dubai.

Saturday 23rd April, 2022 – Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

Sunday 24th April, 2022 – Yas Links, Abu Dhabi.

Saturday 30th April, 2022 – Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Dubai.

Sunday 1st May, 2022 – Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi.

Saturday 7th May, 2022 – Trump International Golf Club, Dubai.

Sunday 8th May, 2022 – Dubai Hills Golf Club.

Saturday 14th May, 2022 – Emirates Golf Club, Dubai.

Sunday 15th May, 2022 – Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah.

Saturday 21st May, 2022 – Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Sunday 22nd May, 2022 - JA The Resort, Jebel Ali, Dubai.

Sunday 29th May, 2022 – Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai.

Saturday 4th June, 2022 – The Els Club, Dubai.

Saturday 1st October, 2022 – National Final – Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah.