Daniel Van Otterdijk Archives - Golf Digest Middle East

DP World’s Danny van Otterdijk calls for truce between European Tour, PGA Tour and LIV Golf

Matt Smith — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 08:12:08 +0000

DP World Chief Communications Officer Danny van Otterdijk has called for a truce between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf, as the former European Tour seeks a resolution to its drawn-out feud and seeks to block players who have signed up for the new series from competing in its events.

The PGA Tour has already banned the likes of Phil Mickelson and Brookes Koepka from teeing up in its competitions, but a UK arbitration hearing is ongoing, with LIV Golfers such as Patrick Reed and Ian Poulter continuing to contend in events such as the recent Hero Dubai Desert Classic in the UAE.

Daniel van Otterdijk. DP World

Van Otterdijk insists communication is ongoing between DP World and LIV Golf, and he is optimistic of a peaceful resolution.

“Our friends at LIV Golf, we have great contact with them as the game grows in the region,” Van Otterdijk told Golf Digest Middle East at the recent Desert Classic, where world No. 1 Rory McIlroy edged out rival Reed for the crown during a stormy competition.

“All that needs to get sorted out in the coming months and we will leave that to the governing bodies to sort it out.

“But we have a great relationship with our friends at LIV Golf and we are continually talking with them. We do think it will be sorted out.

“I personally think that what LIV Golf has done is bring the game of golf back to the conversation. More people are now asking: ‘What is golf all about?’ ‘What is this new different tour platform going to do?’

“Some like it, some do not, and that is fine, but at least it has people talking about golf again.

“I did worry that after Tiger [Woods], he is obviously not playing as much as he used to and eventually he will stop, so what is next? Rory is doing a great job in carrying the baton, but who comes next? What LIV Golf has done is bring the conversation back to golf again, and people are interested.

“We think that, like the game of cricket [incorporating the IPL and world leagues]and what other sporting bodies have done, sensibility will prevail and people will talk, and integrating the schedules will prevail. That is only good for the game of golf.”

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Calling all gamers: DP World Tour launches eTour competition with live final in Dubai ahead of DP World Tour Championship

Matt Smith — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 11:55:25 +0000

By Matt Smith
Golf gamers get ready.

The DP World Tour has launched an eTour competition in partnership with World Golf Tour by Topgolf and esports specialists DreamHack, culminating in a live grand final hosted at DP World’s Flow Pavilion in Expo City, Dubai in November.

The competition will open to players across the globe on August 31, with four stages set on Wolf Creek Golf Course in Nevada.

The four stages are:

Open Qualification: Taking place online on WGT and starting on August 31 until October 16.
The Bracket: The top 128 players in Open Qualifying will be eligible to play in The Bracket, which takes place over four days, from October 20-23. This consists of eight individual brackets of 16 players each, who will play a knockout format to determine the winner of their bracket.
The Shootout: A one-round tournament to determine the final four players, taking place in the week commencing October 24.
The Global Final: The final four players will go head-to-head in a live final on November 16 at the DP World Flow Pavilion at Expo City Dubai to crown the 2022 DP World eTour winner. This is the same week as the season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The competition is the latest collaboration between the European Tour group, Topgolf Entertainment Group and DreamHack Sports Games. In 2020 the organisations joined forces to launch the European eTour on the WGT platform, which saw more than 750,000 entries and five million rounds played in its first two seasons.

WGT is an established leader in online golf competitions and has currently been downloaded by over 30 million users worldwide. It offers the most photo-realistic golf gaming experience, giving players the opportunity to virtually play some of the most famous championship golf courses.

Richard Bunn, Managing Director of European Tour Productions, said: “The esports industry allows the DP World Tour to engage with our existing audience in a different way and attract new fans through our broadcast and digital platforms. After working together with WGT by Topgolf and DreamHack Sports Games before on the European eTour, we knew they were the perfect partners to help introduce a new DP World Tour branded competition to our fans. The final promises to be a spectacular event, taking place at the impressive Flow Pavilion in Dubai, that includes an 8K screen which is a stunning backdrop for the best WGT gamers to compete for the chance to be the DP World eTour Champion.”

Daniel van Otterdijk, Chief Communications Officer, DP World, added: “We’re delighted to be able to host the grand final here in Dubai, in what will be a spectacular showdown. Dubai is not only one of the most prominent sports capitals of the world, but also a hub of world-class technology and innovation. Our DP World Flow Pavilion in Expo City, which is dedicated to logistical and technological excellence, is a fitting setting to bring the DP World eTour to a close this November.”

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DP World renews investment in the development of junior Emirati talent

Kent Gray — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 06:54:18 +0000

Daniel Van Otterdijk (back row, fifth from left), DP World’s SVP Group Communications, with aspiring young EGF talent.

By Kent Gray
The Emirates Golf Federation’s (EGF) lofty, long-term goal is to produce an Emirati player capable of performing at golf’s highest level. The game’s regional governing body has clearly convinced DP World of its commendable vision.

The Dubai-headquartered, global ports operator has just renewed its partnership with the EGF, ensuring investment in grassroots programmes and talent development will continue into a fourth year.

Check out the video announcing the sponsorship extension which sees DP World’s global partnership with the European Tour channelled into a number of EGF programs:

European Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter, who recently inked a deal with DP World that will see him help the game development push, hailed the announcement.

Wanted to share some of the great work currently being done by DP World to grow golf in the UAE….This is something I am really proud to be a part of and I can’t wait to get over there in November to support some of the young golfers! #DPWTC @DPWorldUAE @EuropeanTour pic.twitter.com/5khs36FyCO

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) August 5, 2019

DP World’s support has seen more than 6,000 students from 22 schools have been exposed to “golf tasters” at eight clubs across five emirates as part of an EGF-Ministry of Education (MoE) initiative. More than 300 aspiring players have been provided with ongoing training and coaching.

“One of the main objectives of our golf platform is to encourage people from all over the country to get involved in the game,” said Daniel Van Otterdijk, DP World’s SVP Group Communications.

“We want to continue to inspire people, through both the DP World Tour Championship and these grassroots initiatives, to become more mindful of their own health and wellness. I’ve seen first hand how much impact our partnership with the EGF has. It is fantastic to watch children of all ages, abilities and genders out there playing and enjoying a sport that means so much to DP World.”

EGF Operations Manager Robert Fiala thanked DP World for its support which helps the governing body fund a development pathway including in-school golf tasters, weekly training lessons at golf clubs, a foundation squad with competition experience and a national squad which has sent players to events such as the Youth Olympics, Asian Games, World Amateur Team Championships as well as the Pan Arab and GCC Golf Championships.

“The EGF has not only introduced young players to the game, but it has enabled them to grow as people, learn important life skills and develop discipline and values. We are immensely proud of our programs and our people and we know that none of this would be possible without the support we get from DP World and our other strategic partners.”

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