The 14th edition of the tournament and final Rolex Series event of the year is on a mission to make golf accessible to all through a series of free initiatives and workshops
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: When the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai swings open its doors from November 15-20 at Jumeriah Golf Estates, offering a series of free interactive golf activities for anyone with an interest in the game, as part of its mission to make golf more inclusive.
The final Rolex Series event of the 2022 DP World Tour season will host a Community Day on Friday November 18, inviting schools, junior golfers from Emirates Golf Federation and Dubai Golf Juniors, and people of determination to experience behind-the-scenes tours, first-hand introduction to golf clinics, and trick shot shows.
To further deliver on its pledge to open the game up to young people, the DP World Tour will deliver its Golf Futures programme, aiming to introduce careers within the golf industry to those who may not have considered it before.
The DP World Tour will visit schools in Dubai, including Safa Community School and GEMS First Point School, where students will experience a Golf Futures in-school golf careers session followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the DP World Tour Championship. They will be joined on the exclusive tour by a cohort from Dunecrest American School, and entertainment will be provided by the Golf Trick Shot Boys, among other fun activities.
Tom Phillips, Head of Middle East for the DP World Tour, said:
“We believe golf to be the most inclusive sport of all and the professional game is recognizing its responsibility to make sure that players of all abilities and from all backgrounds are able to take part in a sport we all love, and which offers so many benefits. The DP World Tour has shone the spotlight on golf for the disabled through the G4D Tour and continues to expand its outreach through dedicated community, ladies and family days, as well as free golf clinics for children and non-golfers.”
Towards a more inclusive game
The DP World Tour has reinforced its commitment to inclusivity with its G4D (Golf for the Disabled) Tour, which will see the world’s eight leading people of determination golfers come together at the DP World Tour Championship to compete in the season finale in Dubai. The G4D golfers will play on the same course as the top 50 leading DP World Tour professionals participating in the tournament on Friday November 18 and Saturday November 19.
The new-look G4D Tour has included six tournaments so far this season with the finale played this week at the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on the famous Earth Course. The Tour provides a transformational package of support for EDGA (the European Disabled Golf Association), which has hosted a number of further events across the year.
EDGA is a not-for-profit volunteer-based association of the National Golf Federations from 34 countries worldwide. EDGA focuses on boosting awareness of the inclusive nature of golf, developing capacity within the golf industry, and providing opportunities for golfers with a disability throughout the player pathway.
Tony Bennett, President of EDGA, said: “The exposure the G4D Tour is providing to golf for the disabled, and some of its leading players is vital to raise awareness that golf is a viable sporting option for individuals with a broad range of impairments.
The cascade effect created by the spotlight that The DP World Tour has shone on golf for the disabled is being felt globally, and new grassroots initiatives and more opportunities are springing up every day. We have the opportunity to be the most inclusive sport of all, and golf is responding to make sure that players of all abilities and backgrounds can take part in a sport we all love, which offers so many benefits.”
An exciting collaboration taking place this year is with Heroes of Hope, a non-profit sports academy for people of determination in the UAE. It will see eight athletes aged from six to 20 years old, all golf beginners, teaming up with the Jumeirah Golf Estates pros for a series of one-hour golf lessons, with the final session being delivered by G4D professional golfer and PGA of America coach Chris Biggins on Wednesday November 16.
