Ross Bain, a former European Tour player, is one of the best-known golfers who will compete on the new Mena Tour. He finished in the top 40 at the British Open in 2007 and now plays on the Asian Tour. The Scot, whose family moved to Dubai when he was five, is hoping to play in all four tournaments. "I can't wait for the tour to start because there's some real talent out there," said Bain, 35, who is also an ambassador for Golf in Dubai. "I can tell from interaction with the players that they are all excited about coming over and playing on the tour." One is Andreas Wieser, who will travel to the tour from Bahrain.
MENA TOUR: THE FACTS
Who can play: The Tour is open to professional and amateur golfers from any part of the world.
Tournaments sites and dates: Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in Abu Dhabi, Monday-Wednesday; Tower Links Golf in Ras Al Khaimah, October 3-5; Al Badia Golf Club in Dubai, October 10-12; Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club, October 17-19.
Prize money: US$225,000 (Dh826,000) for the four
tournaments combined, with
a minimum of $50,000 per tournament.
Also at stake: The top three professionals and the leading amateur from the Order of Merit will receive invitations to compete in the 2012 Dubai Desert Classic and, possibly, other European Tour events in the region.
Format: 54-hole stroke play for the first three tournaments. The leading 60 players after three events will qualify for the final tournament.
