The MENA (Middle East & North Africa) Golf Tour, the open golf tournament for professionals and amateurs, has decided to bring the tour to Europe this year.The MENA Golf Tour breaks new ground, teeing off the 2016 schedule with the inaugural Qualifying School to be held at Almenara Golf Club in the Spanish resort Sotogrande in the Cadiz province in February 13th to 16th and Sotogrande Masters at La Reserva Golf Club in April from 3th to 6th .
This tour, an initiative of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, was created in 2011 and is backed by the Arab Golf Federation and R&A; it is considered one of the best tournaments for professionals and amateurs worldwide playing alongside each other. Until now this tournament had always been held on courses in the Middle East and Africa, but for its sixth edition this year it has been decided to expand the tournament to European courses, and Sotogrande has been chosen as the destination.
The MENA Golf Tour is open to all professionals and amateurs worldwide and aims to develop and highlight players’ skills while building their golf careers.
“This year we have a very strong schedule, which is almost double in size in comparison to last year when we had 11 events. The rise in number of events is an apt reflection of the healthy growth of the tour over years,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour. “It’s great to see many new countries come forward and support the tour”.
Marc Topiol, Sotogrande CEO, said ¨We are pleased to give the support to those who share our vision. Placing our renowned courses as host venues, we promote golf among professionals and amateurs to play alongside each other showing new players´ skills´´.
MENA Golf Tour Qalifyng School
The tournament kicks off with the “MENA Golf Tour Qualifying School”, known as Q-School, which will take place from 13 to 16 February at the Almenara Golf Club.
In a first for the tour, the Q-School, conforming to the guidelines set forth by the game’s apex body, will pave the way for the MENA Golf Tour to become eligible for Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) status.
Open to all professionals and amateurs, the 54-hole Q-School will be held in two stages. The first stage,
on February 14-15, will see players compete over 36 holes of stroke play when the half-way cut will be
made, narrowing down the field for the final stage 18-hole competition to be played the following day.
MENA national amateur golfers must have a handicap of 4.4 or less to participate. International amateurs
are required to have a handicap of 1.4 or less.
The top 60 players from the final qualifying round will be eligible for Category-7 membership of the MENA
Golf Tour for the 2016 season which will have close to 20 events, covering new destinations in Kuwait,
Egypt, Spain, Thailand and South Africa.
The top 12 players from the Q-School will share a prize fund of $13,000 with the winner walking away with
a cheque for $3,000 while the top 15 will also receive complimentary MenaGolf Tour membership for 2016.
About MENA Golf Tour
An initiative of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, the MENA Golf Tour was created in 2011 with the
aim of developing golf in the region. It is affiliated to R&A, the worldwide golf governing body based in the
home of golf, St Andrews, and the Arab Golf Federation. www.menagolftour.com
About Sotogrande
Located in Costa de la Luz, in the Andalusian province of Cadiz, Sotogrande is one of the most discreet
premium life and style destinations in Europe. Spanning 20 square km from the Mediterranean Sea to the
foothills of the Sierra Almenara, Sotogrande transmits the authenticity of its founders´ original vision 54
years ago, as a captivating location, a unique fusion of Andalusian culture and history with its outstanding
natural beauty.