DUBAI // Darren Clarke, the 2016 European Ryder Cup captain, will compete on the Mena Golf Tour next week at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic.
The Northern Irishman, the 2011 Open champion, became the developmental circuit’s patron last year, and on Tuesday confirmed his participation at Tower Links Golf Club from November 2-4.
“It feels great to be part of a tour which is headed in the right direction as it creates the right kind of competitive environment for the region’s talent, especially the amateurs, to advance to the next level,” said Clarke, who has racked up 22 victories worldwide and contested five Ryder Cups as a player.
“I have an opportunity where I can maybe offer a bit of advice to youngsters, only because there isn’t much I haven’t seen at this stage of my career, and it’s nice to give back. I just want to play some good golf and continue to work hard on my game and just keep going.
“With a population of close to 400 million, golf certainly has the potential to grow even bigger in the region.”
Clarke, 47, will lead the European Ryder Cup team as they seek to retain the crown at Hazeltine next year. He has twice been vice-captain. His appearance at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic represents a significant boost for the Mena Tour, which enters the penultimate tournament of its 2015 season. Clarke will be joined in RAK by Stephen Dodd, a three-time winner on the European Tour.
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, the Mena Tour chairman, said: “It is extremely exciting to see the strongest field that we’ve ever assembled for a Mena Golf Tour event and we’re all looking forward to it.
“Darren has been a wonderful ambassador for the region’s golf and a tireless worker for charity, whose Darren Clarke Foundation not only helps further the development of junior golf in Ireland, but also raises money for Breast Cancer Awareness.
“Darren’s wealth of experience and global profile will certainly ratchet up the level of excitement a notch and motivate youngsters to try and find that extra spring in their game to catch his attention.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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