The stars of the European Challenge Tour are in Dubai this week making use of the world class facilities at the Jumeirah Golf Estates European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI) as they prepare for a final push on the 2015 Road to Oman Rankings ahead of next week’s season-ending NBO Golf Classic Grand Final at Almouj Golf, The Wave, Muscat.
A field of 21 players, including Road to Oman Rankings leader Ricardo Gouveia, Borja Virto Astudillo, Gary Boyd, Jens Fahrbring and Rhys Davies will compete on Fire course in the ICAEW Challenge Tour Pro-Am on Wednesday October 28.
Additionally they will be able to make use of the ETPI and benefit from some expert advice from swing biomechanics expert Jean-Jacques Rivet, who will also be passing on some of his knowledge to Director of Instruction Mark Gregson-Walters and his team at the ETPI.
Rivet is based at the only other European Tour Performance Institute in Terre Blanche, France, and recently hosted the UAE National Team on a week-long training camp.
He said: “I will be biomechanically screening the Challenge Tour players and working with them throughout the week and at the same time sharing the techniques we use at Terre Blanche – and on The European Tour – with Mark Gregson-Walters and his team at the ETPI.
“We’ve worked with The European Tour frequently over the years but this will be the first time we’ve worked with the next generation of stars from the Challenge Tour so I’m very much looking forward what promises to be a great programme with these excellent players and coaches.”
Gregson-Walters added: “I’m looking forward to working closer with Jean-Jacques and keen to learn the biomechanics techniques that he has pioneered.”
Wednesday’s Pro-Am will also make for a unique experience for the members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), and Michael Armstrong FCA, Regional Director of ICAEW Middle East, Africa and South Asia, is delighted his company are part of such a prestigious event.
“This initiative will give our members an opportunity to come together in a slightly different setting, away from the office,” he said.
“At the same time they will be playing along some of the best golfers. We want to ensure that our members’ experience is always of the best quality. We look forward to the tournament and wish all the contenders the best of luck!”
Julian Small, Managing Director, Club Operations, Jumeirah Golf Estates, said: “We’re delighted to welcome this wonderful field of Challenge Tour players to Jumeirah Golf Estates for what promises to be a fantastic event.
“We’re very proud of our European Tour Performance Institute and we hope the players will benefit from preparing for next week’s season-ending NBO Golf Classic Grand Final with us.
“We’re also delighted to have Jean-Jacques Rivet here this week, his knowledge and expertise in the field of biomechanics will prove invaluable, both to the players and to our ETPI team.”
Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International Dubai Office, concluded: “This initiative will be an incredibly positive experience for all involved and will give the players a chance to utilise some of the best facilities in the world as well as benefiting from Jean-Jacques Rivet’s expertise as they prepare for next week’s season-ending NBO Golf Classic Grand Final.”
