Cairo’s Mirage City Golf Course has been named as the host venue for the 2010 Egyptian Open which joins the European Challenge Tour schedule for the first time from October 20-23.
With $250,000 in prize-money at stake, the Egyptian Open is in prime a prime slot on the Challenge Tour schedule as the last event before the Apulla San Domenico Grand Final in Italy the following week.
The Challenge Tour’s first visit to Cairo and Egypt is expected to attract a strong field, with players looking to secure their place in the 45 man field for the season finale in Italy.
Ayman Hussein, Chairman of the Egyptian Golf Federation, said: “Following the success of the event in 2009 and the support we received from the Challenge Tour, we are proud that the Egyptian Open has achieved full European Challenge Tour status and is now part of the official Order of Merit.
“As well as around 80 players from the European Challenge Tour, around a third of the field will be made up of local and regional invites and qualifiers. This is important to us at the Egyptian Golf Federation as the event has a tradition for being a showcase of the best in Egyptian golf as well as the region.”
Home-based players looking to rub shoulders with the likes of last year’s champion Steven Tiley and the cream of the European Challenge Tour will have the opportunity of securing their places in a number of events staged between now and the tournament itself.
As well as the Closed Championship of Egypt, the Egyptian Amateur Open and the Red Sea Amateur Open, players can qualify from their standings in the Egyptian PGA rankings with amateurs having to be of three handicap or less to be eligible.
Hussein added: “It is especially exciting for us is to have allocated the top five spots in the 54-hole Egyptian Amateur Open to be held September 30 - October 2 at Katameya Heights Golf and Tennis Resort to qualify to play in the 2010 Egyptian Open.
“We are encouraging all amateurs in the region, whether Arab Nationals or expats, to enter this Egyptian Amateur Open which, we believe, will add significant kudos and credibility to the Egyptian golf calendar. We are also in the process of inviting representatives from the Golf Associations of the Arab Golf Federation to the 2010 Egyptian Amateur Open.”
Nick Tarratt, Director of The European Tour International Dubai Office, said: “We were impressed with the way the event was staged last year and received very positive feedback from all of the players who took part. The fact that Egypt will be the last chance of qualification for the 45 places available at the end-of-season Grand Final in Italy means Cairo will command a strong field.”
