Background check
The Mena Tour, held under the auspices of the Sheikh Maktoum Golf Foundation and affiliated to the Arab Golf Federation and the R&A, began as a four-tournament enterprise in 2011 and has grown this year to 20 events.
The circuit, which comprises 54-hole tournaments, now takes in nine countries: Morocco, Spain, UAE, Thailand, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Egypt.
Seasonal gains
This year has marked a number of new additions to the tour, including the increased calendar and a Q-School that took place in Spain in February – an important criteria in gaining world ranking points.
The South African Sunshine Tour has also come on board, signing a three-year partnership with the Mena Tour two months ago.
Gaining recognition
The Mena Tour has long campaigned for world ranking points and its acceptance was rubber-stamped by the OWGR’s governing board at last week’s Masters in Augusta.
The ranking system comes into effect at next month’s Ras Al Khaimah Classic at Tower Links Golf Club. Offering world ranking points opens makes it more possible for an Arab golfer to qualify for a future Olympics.
Olympic movement
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, the Mena Golf Tour chairman, said: “With OWGR points on offer, the Mena Golf Tour members can hope to target qualification to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo as a more realistic goal.
“For any sportsperson there is no bigger honour than having the opportunity to represent your country.”
Darren Clarke, the 2016 European Ryder Cup captain and patron of the Mena Tour, said: “The Mena region is an increasingly important market for the game with a lot of fresh talent coming up.
“With each tour event carrying world ranking points, the momentum will only pick up pace,” he added.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
