Darren Clarke appointed new Mena Golf Tour patron

DUBAI // European Tour player, golf academy owner, charity founder and potential Ryder Cup captain, Darren Clarke obviously likes to keep himself busy.

Add to the current list of commitments Mena Golf Tour patron, after the 2011 British Open champion signed an agreement with organisers of the four-year-old developmental circuit.

The partnership was announced Saturday at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, where Clarke was asked how he imagines squeezing his new role into an already crammed schedule.

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“Ask that man sitting to your left,” he said, nodding to Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, his manager and long-time friend. “He organises my life. Chubby has got me to this point. I’m sure he will cope.”

Clarke’s appointment is designed to help guide a tour that is coping pretty well, already. Heading into its fifth year, it has grown from 68 professionals in its inaugural event in 2011 to averaging 120 last season. Such is the demand, that organisers have introduced a Qualifying School to take place days before the 10-tournament 2015 rota begins on April 3.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the Mena Tour has lived up to everybody’s expectation,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, tour chairman. “However, we needed to give it a little bit of a push, and also a little bit of guidance. We couldn’t find anyone better than Darren.”

That is tough to argue. Other than the major championship, Clarke has 21 professional victories under his belt, has spent almost 25 years on the European Tour and is the favourite to be named Europe’s captain for next year’s Ryder Cup. There is a lot to tap into.

“I feel I’ve got quite a bit to offer a tour as young as Mena,” he said. “I see big things for it. If it keeps going the way it is, it’s a huge pathway for someone from this region to qualify for the Olympics. It gives young professionals much-needed experience, which is difficult to gain.”

Clarke, who has committed to playing one Mena event this year, cited the development of the self-funded tour a “long-term project”. His remit includes passing on advice to players, and pointers on the packaging of the circuit, which held discussions this week with the European Tour regarding attaining Official World Golf Ranking recognition in the future.

“I think Darren’s name can swing a few votes to us, at least,” Buamaim said. “We’re hopeful.”