Tenth DP World Tour Championship Beckons
As Jumeirah Golf Estates prepares to welcome 60 of the world’s top golfers, 65,000 spectators and more than 200 global press to the tenth edition of the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai between Thursday 15 and Sunday 18 November, DP World, the European Tour and Jumeirah Golf Estates reveal some crucial numbers behind one the world’s most prestigious tournaments.
- 585,000 spectators have attended the DP World Tour Championship since the inaugural event in 2009.
- US$70.5 million in prize money has been awarded since 2009 plus an additional US$50 million in Bonus Pool funds, this year the prize fund is US$8 million with a futher US$5 million will be shared between the top 10 players in the Race to Dubai Rankings.
- 2,700 kids have been introduced to golf through the DP World supported Emirates Golf Federation Arabic Schools Initiative.
- 30 players from the programme have gained selection for the UAE National Team Foundation Squad and 3 players from the initiative have qualified to represent the UAE at the Junior Arab Golf Championship in Morocco.
- 25 under par is the lowest score at the DP World Tour Championship (Henrik Stenson, 2013)
- 22 is the youngest age of any champion (Matt Fitzpatrick, 2016)
- 5 Major championships have been won by DP World Tour Championship winners (Rory McIlroy 4, Henrik Stenson 1).
- 2 players have won the event twice. They are Rory McIlroy (2012, 2015) and Henrik Stenson (2013, 2014).
- 1,845 hours of tournament TV coverage shot by 138 TV crew will be beamed into 486 million homes around the world.
- The tournament offers seating on the first, ninth, 17th and 18th holes brings the total number of grandstand seats to 1,832.
- Excluding the media there are 2,000 staff working during the event in the following areas: 500 Catering, 10 First Aid, 350 Marshals and Safety Volunteers, 100 Car Parking and Ticket Control, 50 Cleaning Staff, 100 Scoreboard students from GEMS Wellington International School will provide scoring support, 300 Tentage, Grandstands, Electrics, Interior, Floral and support services, 115 Hotel and Clubhouse Staff, 10 Police, 10 Merchandise volunteer staff, 70 Jumeirah Golf Estates’ groundskeepers
- Nearly 21,000 VIP guests will enjoy the spacious 2,475 m2 hospitality pavilion with breakfast, lunch and tea, the best view on Earth overlooking the 18thhole and the Jumeirah Golf Estates Clubhouse.
- Over 200 chefs are preparing to serve over 15,000 meals to players, spectators and tournament staff throughout the week.
- Over 1,490 rehydration drinks will be drunk by the players during the course of the tournament week
- Over 1,700 pieces of fruit where taken from the 1st & 10th tee by the players and their caddies last year during tournament week
- 14 Dubai-favourites are building pop-up restaurants and bars in the Championship Village including NKD Pizza and Baskin Robbins.
- 1,335,372 shots have been taken since the start of the 2018 European Tour season by the 68 nationalities represented by on the Tour.
Abdulaziz Bukhatir, Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Executive Director Corporate Services said: “It’s a privilege to host this exciting tournament. This is the tenth year and we’re looking forward to another great week.
“We believe we have created an unrivalled sport and lifestyle community for our residents and hosting the DP World Tour Championship gives us a wonderful opportunity to showcase our development to the thousands of spectators who visit the event and the millions more watching around the world.
“This tournament is great for Dubai in general as it really puts the emirate’s footprint on the world map.”
Daniel van Otterdijk, SVP Group Communications, DP World said: “We are proud of our 10-year flagship association with the DP World Tour Championship, a world-class tournament that has played a significant part in putting Dubai firmly at the centre of the international sporting world.
“Through the DP World Tour Championship we are committed to playing our part in opening up the sport to new audiences no matter where they are from or what their background is. We are looking forward to welcoming thousands of fans to what is set to be one of the biggest golf spectacles in the region.”
Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International – Dubai Office said “With the top 60 players in the Race to Dubai competing in the European Tour’s US$8 million season-ending event this week, the eyes of golf fans around the globe will be focused on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Since the inaugural event in 2009 the DP World Tour Championship has become one of world golf’s true flagship events and with the help of our wonderful sponsors and exemplary host venue, the 65,000 fans who come through the gates can expect not only top-quality golf, but a five-star spectator experience for all the family.”