Invitation to all women golfers

Golf's most prestigious one-day Pro-Am, The Emirates Airline Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, has been awarded official sanction status by The European Tour and placed on The Tour's Pro-Am Calendar, since the inaugural event in 2007.

October marks the start of the Middle East qualifiers to take place along with the Women's Golf Middle East Ladies only Qualifier on October 19 at The Els Club - Dubai Sport City.

Women's Golf Middle East was invited in 2010 to host the first ever ladies qualifier on behalf of The Invitational, which proved to be very popular with lady golfers, and has now formed part of the annual qualifying rounds - a milestone that we are very proud of and following the success of last year's ladies' qualifying round, we hope to see more female golfers taking part this year.

Charity drive

The Emirates Airline Invitational will donate proceeds to the official sponsor, Carpetland, for their chosen charity - Friends of Cancer Patients. The Women's Golf Middle East Ladies Qualifying event in October will honour Breast Cancer Awareness month and the aim is to create a day of loyalty to the cause.

Leading up to the Emirates Airline Invitational 2012, we honour a remarkable gentleman, Abdullah Al Naboodah, who first took up the game of golf in 2006 and has since grown the sport on the local front as well as on the international front, presenting a promising future for Emirati golfers.

Al Naboodah in his capacity as vice-chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, has played an imperative role in the development of the UAE golf team and Emirati Junior Golf Development Programme. Displaying a consistent and committed involvement in the game, he now holds an impressive six handicap. Determination and a strong sense of the game has seen him playing with the world's top professionals such as Tiger Woods.

Golden ticket

Middle East golfers yet again get the opportunity to win the dream Golden Ticket to one of the most prestigious Pro-Ams in world golf, with the support of the new Official Golden Ticket Partner - Carpetland.

The final event will receive international media coverage and The European Tour will co-ordinate the TV agreement and film shooting with European Tour Productions.

The 2011 Invitational presented the likes of then World No 1 Lee Westwood, 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell and two-time Major champion Retief Goosen - who won the individual honours - as well as a host of leading European Tour players and celebrity competitors.

The Emirates Airline Invitational will be hosting a series of qualifying events over the next few months at golf courses throughout the region. The top 10 per cent of players from each of the qualifying events will qualify for the Grand Final to be held in January at the 2012 Official Venue.

Middle East golfers can visit The Emirates Airline website for more details on the qualifying events and to submit their entry by e-mail to goldenticket@theinvitational.com or download the entry form and fax it to the tournament committee office, to be part of this glamorous annual Pro-Am.