Colin Montgomerie to lead speakers at GolfEx Dubai 2007

Montgomerie, eight times European Order of Merit winner, will make his debut at GolfEx Dubai 2007 when he addresses the global golf summit.

Although the former Dubai Desert Classic champion has yet to confirm his topic of choice, Montgomerie's opinions of the game have always been colourful and a full house is expected when he takes to the stage on day two of the conference.

Having Montgomerie - who ended the 2006 campaign in ninth place on the money list after the Volvo Masters - agree to deliver a speech at GolfEx Dubai is a major boost for an event that is back on the regional sporting calendar for event organisers and promoters, the Dubai-based company Driving Force, after a hugely-successful debut in 2006.

'Last year, we managed to attract a field of the best speakers in the industry,' said Driving Force Managing Director, Neil Hamp-Adams. 'In 2007, I believe we will have an even stronger panel and the news that Colin Montgomerie has already confirmed his presence is a great boost for GolfEx Dubai.

'Colin has been at the forefront of the PGA European Tour for more than 15 years and is recognised as one of Europe's finest ever golfers. I'm sure delegates will be keen to hear what he has to say about the future of the industry.'

The man known to golf fans worldwide simply as Monty has strong links with Dubai not only from his many trips to the Dubai Desert Classic but also because of The Montgomerie Dubai course, a venue he co-designed. Montgomerie's ties with Dubai are further strengthened with his ambassador role with Golf in Dubai.

A symbolic figure in European golf, Monty is a Ryder Cup talisman and once again led the Team Europe charge during this year's stunning performance at the K Club. He is also playing a strong role supporting the 2014 Scottish Ryder Cup bid.

As an individual, the Scot has won somewhere around the world at least once every season since 1993 and continued that run last season when he won UBS Hong Kong Open. Monty's similarly stellar accomplishments in golf course design around the world have also won him accolades by the golfing community, as has his golf academy at Turnberry in Scotland - one of the world's greatest golf destinations.

'I've been visiting Dubai for many years now and know it as a world-class golfing destination,' he said. 'Obviously I know The Montgomerie Dubai as if it is my home course but all the courses in the emirate are of the highest international standard and I always enjoy returning.'

Although primarily a conference, GolfEx Dubai 2007 will also host a trade exhibition and gala dinner to enable the golfing world to share knowledge, broker business deals, network with the leading figures and experts in the industry in order to drive the game into the future.