Rafa Cabrera Bello took time out from his busy schedule to visit Jumeirah Golf Estates this week, to host an exclusive meeting with members of the Arabic media.
The 32 year old Spaniard is currently third in the Race to Dubai after a string of excellent results so far this year, and he is guaranteed to be at the season-ending US$8million DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 17-20.
Cabrera Bello entertained guests by speaking about his life as a professional golfer and his love of Dubai before answering questions along with Abdulazziz Bukhatir, Executive Director, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Adel Zarouni, Vice Chairman Emirates Golf Federation, and Khaled Mubarak Al Shamsi, Secretary General, Emirates Golf Federation.
Also present were Yousuf Khazim, CEO Jumeirah Golf Estates, and Ismail Sharif, the ‘Forefather of UAE Golf’, who is a seven times UAE national champion.
Bukhatir said: “Rafa has been a welcome regular visitor to the European Tour Performance Institute since we opened the facility and we’re delighted that players of his calibre are able to benefit from the facilities here to practise before key tournaments on the European Tour.
“We look forward to welcoming Rafa and the other leading players in the Race to Dubai back here for the DP World Tour Championship in November.
“We’re equally pleased that local golfers, including our UAE national team, also regularly take advantage of our practice facility to improve their game.”
The event was part of a new drive by the European Tour to raise interest in the game of golf among Arab nationals in the region and to increase the profile of the Race to Dubai and its grand final event, the DP World Tour Championship, which is sanctioned by the Emirates Golf Federation and supported by Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Tourism.
Last year’s tournament attracted 65,000 spectators as Rory McIlroy won the DP World Tour Championship - beating Andy Sullivan by one shot - and with it the Race to Dubai crown.
Sharif said: “I think it’s great that the European Tour is reaching out to the Arabic media to try to increase the profile of golf among Arab nationals. The Race to Dubai and the DP World Tour Championship has proved hugely popular and has helped put Dubai on the map as one of the key golfing destinations in the world.
“The next step is to increase interest in the sport among local Arab nationals which is starting to happen and events like this definitely help.”
The European Tour website has launched a new dedicated Arabic language section, which attracts eight million users, as well as created a brand new Arabic logo for the Race to Dubai – the season-long competition spanning 45 tournaments in 26 destinations and across five continents, culminating in the DP World Tour Championship.
Bukhatir said: “Rafa has been a welcome regular visitor to the European Tour Performance Institute since we opened the facility and we’re delighted that players of his calibre are able to benefit from the facilities here to practise before key tournaments on the European Tour.
“We look forward to welcoming Rafa and the other leading players in the Race to Dubai back here for the DP World Tour Championship in November.
“We’re equally pleased that local golfers, including our UAE national team, also regularly take advantage of our practice facility to improve their game.”
The event was part of a new drive by the European Tour to raise interest in the game of golf among Arab nationals in the region and to increase the profile of the Race to Dubai and its grand final event, the DP World Tour Championship, which is sanctioned by the Emirates Golf Federation and supported by Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Tourism.
Last year’s tournament attracted 65,000 spectators as Rory McIlroy won the DP World Tour Championship - beating Andy Sullivan by one shot - and with it the Race to Dubai crown.
Sharif said: “I think it’s great that the European Tour is reaching out to the Arabic media to try to increase the profile of golf among Arab nationals. The Race to Dubai and the DP World Tour Championship has proved hugely popular and has helped put Dubai on the map as one of the key golfing destinations in the world.
“The next step is to increase interest in the sport among local Arab nationals which is starting to happen and events like this definitely help.”
The European Tour website has launched a new dedicated Arabic language section, which attracts eight million users, as well as created a brand new Arabic logo for the Race to Dubai – the season-long competition spanning 45 tournaments in 26 destinations and across five continents, culminating in the DP World Tour Championship.
