Amateur Golfers offered a chamce to play at the DP World Tour Championship

The hotly anticipated ‘Luckiest Ball on Earth’ competition gets underway in September giving local golfers a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to play alongside some of the biggest names in golf. A total of 21 qualifying events will take place at 20 golf clubs across the UAE with the winner of each event taking their place in a Grand Final which will be held on the Fire course at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Sunday 25 October.

Additionally, three members of the UAE National Golf Team will be invited through the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) to compete in the Grand Final, making a total of 24 players.

The victor of that event will be handed a dream ticket to compete alongside the likes of defending champion Henrik Stenson and European and World Number One Rory McIlroy in the Rolex sponsored Pro-Am which takes place on the Earth course two days before The Race to Dubai’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai gets underway on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from Thursday 19 November to Sunday 22 November.

“We are excited that almost 1,000 golfers from all over the UAE will take part in 21 events this September to be in with a chance to play with one of the top 60 golfers on The European Tour,” said Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International, Dubai Office.

“Our Luckiest Ball on Earth competition gets bigger and more competitive each year and we wish them the best of luck as they chase that covered place in the DP World Tour Championship Pro-Am. Our thanks and appreciation go to all of the clubs as well as to the Emirates Golf Federation for its continued support of the Luckiest Ball on Earth.”

The DP World Tour Championship sees the top 60 players on The European Tour’s Race to Dubai competing for a prize fund of US$8 million with a Bonus Pool of US$5 million split between the top 15 finishers on The Race to Dubai following the conclusion of the tournament. An additional bonus outlay of US$1,365,500 will be on offer to be split between any of the top 15 finishers on The Race to Dubai who compete in three of the four Final Series events – the Turkish Airlines Open, WGC-HSBC Champions, BMW Masters and DP World Tour Championship.

The Pro-Am gives a lucky few amateur golfers the chance to rub shoulders with the cream of The European Tour and as well as Stenson and McIlroy, the likes of Major champions Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer and Louis Oosthuizen who have already confirmed their spots in this year’s tournament.

Now in its fifth year, the Luckiest Ball on Earth competition has gone from strength-to-strength since the initiative was first launched in 2011. The annual competition is open to all golfers aged 18 or over who hold an Official Club Handicap recognised by the EGF (maximum 28 for men and 36 for ladies).

Arabian Ranches Golf Club member Kevin Barrett of Northern Ireland won the inaugural Luckiest Ball on Earth competition and played alongside Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari in the Pro-Am before Italy’s Ornella Parigi of Saadiyat Beach Golf Club became the first female winner in 2012 and lined up with Australia’s Marcus Fraser. In 2013, former Dubai Creek Lady Captain Maureen Platt saw off all comers to earn a place alongside Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen in the Pro-Am while last year Dipesh Makwana had an experience he’ll never forget playing alongside England’s Danny Willett after triumphing ahead of nearly 1000 hopefuls.

“When you enter a competition like the Luckiest Ball on Earth you don't go in expecting to win, but to enjoy a round of golf,” said Dipesh. “Winning over two legs was a surprise and who knew that the smallest trophy I have ever won would turn out to be the biggest, most memorable, prize!

“The whole day of the Pro-Am was surreal - being treated like a Tour pro, arriving and sharing the locker rooms with all the guys you see on TV, also being next to them on the driving range warming up.

“Danny Willett was very accommodating to the three amateurs playing alongside him, including me. He helped us to relax and was quite funny. Danny also shared some tips and gave us an insight into life on The European Tour.
“I’m really looking forward to playing in this year’s competition and another crack at making the Pro-Am.”

General admission tickets for the DP World Tour Championship are free of charge and can be obtained by registering online at www.DPWorldTourChampionship.com.  Those who register will also be placed into a prize draw with the chance to win a pair of VIP Hospitality tickets for the Championship Chalet.

For more information and dates, visit and www.DPWorldTourChampionship.com.