Leisurecorp to sponsor Dubai Ladies Masters Challenge match

The Challenge Match will feature the top six players competing in the Dubai Ladies Masters, including Annika Sorenstam, arguably the greatest female golfer and defending champion, who is making her last competitive appearance in the Euro 500,000 before she 'steps away' from the game.

Leisurecorp has always been on the forefront of projecting Dubai as the golfing hotbed of the region, if not the world. The Dubai World company has partnered with The European Tour to create The Race to Dubai, a season-long competition which replaces The European Tour Order of Merit and has already created a tremendous buzz in the golfing world.

Players are ranked during the season according to their earnings from all events and the top 60 players in The Race to Dubai will qualify to compete in the season's finale - the Dubai World Championship - where a galaxy of superstars from The European Tour will descend on the Greg Norman-designed Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates to compete in the world's richest golf tournament.

Mohamed Juma Buamaim , vice-chairman and CEO of 'golf in DUBAi,' said: "We are fortunate to have such a wonderful family of partners. Jumeirah Golf Estates is destined to become one of the finest residential golfing destinations in the world.

"Leisurecorp's work in the promotion of Dubai is internationally recognized and we are delighted to have them once again on board for what we believe will be a superb event," he added, referring to the Dubai Ladies Masters.

"I wish Alan Rogers, David Spencer and their team all the success as The Race to Dubai is destined to mark the beginning of a new era in raising the standard of entertainment for golf fans and putting Dubai at the heart of world golf," he said.

David Spencer, CEO - Golf for Leisurecorp, said: "The partnership between Leisurecorp and The European Tour is a big step forward in the development of the game; The Race to Dubai provides a tantalising prospect for the world's finest players in their quest for a staggering $10m prize fund and their bid top qualify for the Dubai World Championship, where a further $10m is up for grabs in one of the most important sporting events ever to be staged in the emirate.

"The development of golf has always been an essential ingredient in the growth of Dubai as a destination for international investment and tourism. We believe that golf in DUBAi plays an important role in the development and promotion of the game in our city. We have, and we will continue to support their excellent efforts. We are proud to be associated with them."

'golf in DUBAi' is backed by Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the main partner and Emirates-NBD, MasterCard, Jumeirah Hotels, Emirates airline, BMW, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Gulf News, Omega and CNN as partners in its drive to showcase the emirate's vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.