Ras Al Khaimah is gearing up to host next month’s penultimate event on the 2016 European Challenge Tour at the spectacular lagoon-wrapped Al Hamra Golf Club.
Sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the Ras Al Khaimah 2016 Golf Challenge comes at the most crucial point of the season and is expected to be a big draw for local and regional golf and sporting fans.
The emirate’s largest-ever international sporting event, the Challenge is the first professional tournament to be held at the par-72, all-grass championship Al Hamra course and is the run-up to the season-ending NBO Golf Classic Grand Final in Muscat.
A relentless schedule will see a field of 105 players and would-be European Tour card holders battle for a share of the US$350,000 prize purse.
Over the four-day event spectators will get to see the future of golf in action.The Challenge Tour is noted for its sprinkling of emerging golfing superstars and in the past has been where the likes of Martin Kaymer, Justin Rose, Thomas Bjørn and Henrik Stenson have cut their professional teeth.
In among the challengers will be 34 year old UAE resident and multiple EGF Order of Merit winner Michael Harradine. Dubai-based Michael, who earned his Challenge place by winning this year’s Emirates Amateur Open, will be looking to shine on a course designed by his father, Peter.
“This is the destination’s time to shine as an emerging international golf destination which is aligned to one of our strategy pillars of building Ras Al Khaimah's activity tourism sector,” said Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.
The tournament will offer a fabulous weekend of golfing drama as the game’s hottest young guns vie for honours which could set them on course for stardom.
"Apart from the exciting tournament unfolding on fairways and greens, spectators will also get a feel for the natural beauty of the Ras Al Khaimah as this championship-style course takes them around natural lagoons.”
The inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge runs from Wednesday, October 26th - Saturday, October 29th.
“The Challenge is a strong foundation for our expanding events calendar which will encompass an increasing number of sporting and cultural activities set in the unique natural landscapes of Ras Al Khaimah,” said Mattar.
The 7,325 yard Al Hamra Golf Club is one of two 18-hole, all-grass courses in the emirate, the other being the 7,199 yards Tower Links course which meanders through a mangrove reserve.
