Jumeirah Estates ready for top golfers
European Tour’s Race to Dubai season-ender starts from Thursday
Jumeirah Golf Estates is preparing to welcome 65,000 fans, 60 of the world’s top golfers and more than 200 global press to the ninth edition of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai seasonending DP World Tour Championship this weekend, November 16 to 19.
Four grandstands, seven hospitality chalets, four giant TV screens and 11 scoreboards have been under construction for the past eight weeks to ensure a first class experience for spectators. A wide range of food and beverage will also be on offer in the Championship Village, and fans can also enjoy six-hole mini golf, practice their skills around world famous landmarks in the DP World Around the World Challenge, and see trick shot artist, Paul Barrington, in action.
Throughout the US$13 million tournament, which also sees a US$5 million bonus split between the top 10 in the Race to Dubai final standings, 70 groundskeepers will attend daily to over 7,675 yards of the 18-hole Earth Course.
Big numbers
There are 99 bunkers for players to avoid and over 1,500 irrigation sprinklers to keep the course in top condition. The tournament offers seating on the first, ninth, 17th and 18th holes bringing the number of grandstand seats to 1,832.
Nearly 21,000 VIP guests will enjoy 2,475 square miles of hospitality overlooking the 18th hole, with over 200 chefs preparing to serve over 15,000 meals to players, spectators and staff throughout the week, with 31,920 forks set to used by players and officials alone. Over 1,490 rehydration drinks will be drunk by players on course, and over 1,700 pieces of fruit will be taken from the tenth tee by players and their caddies.
Volunteers will total 253, 150 will be UAE residents and 103 will be international, 173 will be men and 75 will be women, while 169 will be returning volunteers, 84 will be first timers and 18 will have helped out at all nine tournaments. There will also be 500 staff present from the European Tour, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Tour productions, including security and hostesses.
Over 100 students from GEMS Wellington International School will also provide scoring support.