George O’Grady CBE, Chief Executive of The European Tour, will highlight the importance of the United Arab Emirates and the wider Middle East region to the future growth of golf at the forthcoming KPMG Golf Business Forum, taking place from April 17-19, 2011, at the Park Hyatt Dubai, UAE.
O’Grady will present an important address entitled ‘The Opportunities for Golf in the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC)’ at the conference, firmly established as the leading golf industry event for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMA) as well as the emerging markets.
With the GCC’s high-end courses continuing to outperform the market in terms of rounds and revenues, despite the ongoing global economic downturn, O’Grady will explain the influential role the Middle East plays – past, present and future – for The European Tour and the wider golf business.
O’Grady’s speech will pave the way for a live on-stage discussion – chaired by CNN’s Don Riddell – that will assess the current state of play and future opportunities for golf in the GCC.
The UAE, and wider region, has established a major presence on The European Tour, most notably through the prestigious, $45 million Race to Dubai that culminates in the Dubai World Championship – and O’Grady will discuss their impact on, and significance for, the world of golf.
Other issues O’Grady will draw out include the development of the game at grass-roots level in the Middle East – through the showcase of European Tour events – and the provision of playing opportunities for all players that are rated among the very best on the Tour.
He will also analyse the benefits European Tour players have brought to the region, in terms of course design and use of its courses as a preferred pre-season practice destination.
For more information about the Golf Business Forum and to register visitwww.golfbusinessforum.com.
