A product of the Emirates Golf Federation’s National Junior Development Program, the 10-year-old hit the first of a series of ceremonial tee shots on Monday ahead of the 10th DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 15-18 – all off the Earth course’s 10th tee.

Jassmy’s older brother Rashid Essam Al Jassmy was next on the tee. The siblings are both in contention for a place in the UAE under-15s team for the upcoming Arab Golf Championships in Morocco after honing their games in the DP World supported EGF Arabic Schools Initiative which has seen nearly 4500 juniors introduced to golf since the end of 2015.

H.E. Sheikh Fahim took the next shot followed by representatives of each of the event’s key sponsors. The longest drive of the day  – a booming 293.4 metres – was produced by Stuart Pain, Business Development Manager from Atlantis, The Palm, the tournaents official hotel. The straightest drive was  achieved by 15-year-old EGF Junior Shahad Saeed Al Suwaidi.

DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, represented at JGE by the global port operator’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Mohammed Al Muallem, said: “The essence of our business is to help make a better future for everyone. In the context of golf this means opening up the sport to new audiences and helping to support the next generation of players.”

“Our 10-year partnership with the European Tour has ensured funding goes back into the grassroots of the game locally, so it is amazing to see such a talented group of youngsters – who have all benefited from our involvement in the sport – teeing off today.”

A global television audience of 500 million will watch the DP World Tour Championship which pits the top 60 players on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings in a 72-hole finale.

Here’s the current top 10 standings following the Sky Sports British Masters won by Eddie Pepperell.

Top 10 Race to Dubai Rankings:

1. Francesco MOLINARI (ITA) 4,635,909 points
2. Tommy FLEETWOOD (ENG) 3,221,947
3. Patrick REED (USA) 3,057,948
4. Rory MCILROY (NIR) 2,760,666
5. Alex NOREN (SWE) 2,729,724
6. Thorbjørn OLESEN (DEN) 2,485,020
7. Eddie PEPPERELL (ENG) 2,478,435
8. Tyrrell HATTON (ENG) 2,309,724
9. Jon RAHM (ESP) 2,161,574
10. Russell KNOX (SCO) 2,054,929

JGE CEO Yousuf Kazim said: “The DP World Tour Championship is the highlight of our annual calendar. Not only does it bring the biggest names in golf to our spectacular course, but it allows us to create an annual experience that brings the wider community in the UAE together.

“Each year we try to be more innovative in our approach, adding new attractions to the Village, the kids zone and the outlets that ensure the tournament becomes an unforgettable day out for everyone who visits.”

The post Golf’s future signal one month to the 10th Race to Dubai decider appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.