Shurooq, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, has partnered with the European Senior Tour to host the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters presented by Shurooq at the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club from 2017 to 2019, becoming the fifth current European Tour initiative in the United Arab Emirates.The inaugural 54-hole event, sanctioned by the Emirates Golf Federation (and supported by Sharjah Sports Council and the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority), will take place at the Peter Harradine-designed course from March 16 to 18, 2017, forming part of the European Senior Tour Order of Merit, with a sizeable prize fund of US$450,000 on offer. H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulla Al Thani, Deputy Chairman, Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, said: “Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club is truly delighted to be hosting such a high profile and truly international sporting event. This initiative has been in the pipeline for three or four years now and it is thrilling to finally announce the event and for us to play such a big part in putting the Emirate of Sharjah well and truly on the global map.”
Al Thani added: “Our club itself also justifies its place on such a stage as we get an opportunity to showcase our unique range of facilities which, beyond a world class fully floodlit golf course and state of the art academy, include; indoor shooting ranges, a paintball park, four gymnasiums, archery, tennis, basketball courts, swimming pools and spas. We are all truly excited and are confident the event will be thoroughly enjoyed by the thousands of people who visit us over the course of the week as well as the millions that watch it on television worldwide.”The three-year agreement, which promises to see some of golf’s most enduring talents grace the United Arab Emirates will mark the fourth time the European Senior Tour has visited the Middle East following events in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.H.E Marwan Jassim Al Sarkal, Chief Executive Officer, Shurooq, believes that the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters will provide the perfect platform to showcase the Emirate’s merits as an investment, tourism, sport and business destination.
He said: “Shurooq’s partnership with the European Senior Tour to present the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters is in line with our strategy and vision to promote Sharjah as one of the most diverse investment cities in the world. Our objective through this grand event is to continue in promoting Sharjah’s facilities, services and tourism as a key destination for hosting some of the world’s most luxurious and bespoke sporting events of their kind. The Sharjah Senior Golf Masters serves as a key opportunity for international players, sponsors and international companies involved in the tournament to visit and explore Sharjah’s magnificent tourism destinations, culture, heritage and unique architecture.”Al Sarkal added: “Golf is one of the most popular and luxurious sports in the UAE. Many international companies are investing in the golf industry and choosing the UAE as their top choice to host world-renowned golf tournaments. The UAE leads the Middle East in high-end investments in the sports industry and it shows no signs of slowing down. We are confident that the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters will open doors for world-renowned sporting associations and tournament organisers to invest in Sharjah as a key destination to host their respective events.”Today’s announcement is marked with a curtain-raising Pro-Am event, the Sharjah Senior Invitational Pro-Am presented by Shurooqand supported by Emirates, BMW and the Sheraton Sharjah.
The Pro-Am features three former Ryder Cup stars in the form of Des Smyth, Ronan Rafferty and Paul Broadhurst. The trio are all regular competitors on the European Senior Tour and each has witnessed the phenomenal boom in golf in the Middle East over the past three decades having competed in the inaugural Dubai Desert Classic back in 1989. Also in the field is Malcolm Mackenzie, who claimed the Open de France in 2002 at the venue where the 2018 Ryder Cup will take place, Le Golf National. Irishman Smyth, an eight-time European Tour winner who represented Europe in both the 1979 and 1981 Ryder Cup, said: “It’s wonderful to see how much the UAE, and the game of golf has developed since I first started coming here. The whole region is thriving and it’s become a real hub for international golf. It is fantastic news that Sharjah is going to join the stable of world-class golf events hosted in the UAE and all the players on the European Senior Tour will really enjoy coming to this wonderful destination.
”The European Senior Tour is “Where Legends Live On”, and is open to players over the age of 50. Ithas provided a platform for some of golf’s biggest stars to go on enjoying golden moments and delighting fans well into their twilight years since it began life in 1992. The legendary Gary Player matched his nine Majors on the regular tours with nine Senior Majors, while eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie is currently replicating that dominance on the European Senior Tour having topped the Order of Merit for the last two seasons, racking up three Major championships in the process. Andy Stubbs, Managing Director, European Senior Tour, said: “We’re delighted to announce the Sharjah Senior Masters presented by Shurooq. It is a tri-party agreement between Shurooq (underwriting sponsors), Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club (the host venue) and The European Senior Tour (sanctioning body) and we thank all parties for their hard work and passion in making this project possible.”
About Shurooq :
The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), the driving force behind the transformation of Sharjah, is the United Arab Emirates’ third largest Emirate after Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Guided by the heritage and traditions of Sharjah and inspired by innovation, (Shurooq) is committed to enhancing Sharjah’s appeal as an investment, tourism, and business destination.An independent government body based in Al Qasba, Sharjah, (Shurooq) was established by Emiri Decree No. 2 of 2009, issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The Authority is chaired by Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi and led by HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal as CEO.(Shurooq) aims to further develop Sharjah’s social, cultural, environmental and economic sector, while preserving its distinct Arab and Islamic identity. The Authority seeks to create new investment opportunities within the Emirate and encourage investments, by adopting the best standards in providing world-class services to attract investors.
The Authority’s key mission is to evaluate and follow up on investment related infrastructure projects and overcome obstacles facing investment related activities in Sharjah, as well as offering facilities and incentives that aim to attract more investors to the Emirate. As an independent government entity, (Shurooq) has been empowered to work with investors across different sectors to launch tailor-made investment and development opportunities that are aligned with the strategic objectives of Sharjah, while diversifying the Emirate’s economy.(Shurooq) is responsible for establishing and developing new infrastructure projects, modernising already existing projects, and setting up special investment zones. Furthermore, the Authority’s mandate includes suggesting and drawing up investment-related legislation and contributing to investment projects, in addition to signing and concluding partnership agreements and memoranda of understanding with investment bodies and leading organisations both within and outside the Emirate, in a bid to increase the investment flows and economic activities within the Emirate. At the same time, (Shurooq) focuses on building Sharjah’s economic structure within the framework of sustainable development and environmental friendliness, in line with international standards.
Through setting up a comprehensive information centre that highlights investment opportunities, (Shurooq) has facilitated development targets with other bodies and organisations. The Authority has set up special investment zones and suggested investment-related laws to further facilitate these endeavours. This includes enhancing integration with government and private organisations to ensure achievement of short, medium and long-term goals as well as encouraging free circulation of information and data between legal, tourism, and economic bodies. (Shurooq) believes in the principles of transparency, the exchange of information, and support experiences.Capitalising on Sharjah’s burgeoning tourism investment sector, (Shurooq) has developed, and is continuing to enhance a range of world-class tourism and leisure projects. (Shurooq’s) portfolio entails a unique mixed-use developments – combining retail, cultural attractions, and F&B.
(Shurooq’s) projects include AlQasba, the Al Majaz Waterfront, the heritage and leisure restoration project the Heart of Sharjah, Kalba Eco-tourism project, Al Jabal Resort - The ChediKhorfakkan, winner of the “Commercial Interior Design Awards 2015”, in addition to Al Montazah Amusement and Water Park, and the Al Bait hotel project, winner of the “Commercial Interior Design Awards 2015” and is the first authentically Emirati hotel development in the UAE. (Shurooq’s) most recent projects include the Mleiha Archaeological Center, which combines archaeological sites and eco-tourism, and the Al Noor Island.
In recognition of its overall accomplishments, (Shurooq) had received a number of awards and accolades, including:
Top Investment Promotion Agency – Best to Invest Award 2015
FDI Agency of the year MENA region. Global Banking and Finance Awards 2014
FDI Agency of the year MENA region. Global Banking and Finance Awards 2013
About Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club:
Located on the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (Exit 311) a mere 15 minutes from Dubai, Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club (SGSC) provides first class facilities for Golf, Rifle and Pistol Shooting, Indoor and Outdoor Paintball games, a Signature Spa for both ladies and gentlemen "Altitude The Spa", two State of the art Gym's (one mixed and one for ladies only), a CrossFit Gym, three restaurants, a conference centre and recreational facilities.The Club opened its doors in November 2005, under the auspices of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and has been growing ever since.
About the European Senior Tour:
Many of the pioneering champions, whose ambitions in the last three decades of the 20th century led to the creation of The European Tour, are now enthusiastically developing the European Senior Tour with equal success. Included in that number are several past Ryder Cup players, Major Champions and countless winners on The European Tour.From a starting point of only one significant over 50s event - the PGA Seniors Championship – the 2015 European Senior Tour comprised a schedule of 12 tournaments throughout Europe and beyond, as the boundaries of the game continue to be reshaped.The introduction, in 1987, of the Senior Open Championship and a Neil Coles victory over five former Open champions, led two years later to more than 60 professionals calling for a European Senior Tour to be formally structured. In 2003, the Senior Open Championship was officially recognised as a "Senior Major", incorporated into the European Senior Tour and US Champions Tour schedules.Swift progress through the nineties produced one of the most impressive success stories in the 20th century's final decade of sport. Tournaments were staged in eight countries and on three different continents, while a Qualifying School is employed to identify each season’s new intake.The Senior Tour Committee comprises David J Russell (Chairman), Steve Cipa, Marc Farry, Anders Forsbrand, Mark James, Barry Lane, Miguel Ángel Martín, Mark Mouland, Andrew Murray, Andrew Oldcorn, Andrew Sherborne and Gary Wolstenholme MBE.