The annual Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa Challenge Match is the traditional curtain-raiser for the prestigious European Tour event, the Dubai Desert Classic.
The nine-hole match is played on the Resort Course in the rare format of greensomes and features six of the world’s top golfing stars. The event has been scheduled to January 31, 2006. The Dubai Desert Classic takes place from February 2 to 5, 2006.
Among those who have competed at the Challenge Match at the resort course are Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Justin Leonard, Mark O’Meara, Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood, Paul Laurie, Jose Maria Olazabal, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Ian Woosnam, Shingo Katayama, Ben Curtis and Padraig Harrington.
This exclusive event is annually preceded by a sumptuous VIP lunch in the beautiful hotel gardens and provides the perfect opportunity for companies to entertain and enjoy fantastic cuisine in stunning surroundings. Approximately 2,500 spectators, consisting of local and international golf aficionados, attend this event which has become a greatly anticipated event on the UAE social and sporting calendar.
A part of the proceeds from the Challenge Match are donated to three children’s charities in the UAE, and the event has been associated with prestigious projects like The Palm ever since Nakheel became the $1,000,000 Hole-in-One Sponsor in 2003.