After breaking ground on the old Faldo driving range at Emirates Golf Club in early December 2018 with a June 2020 end date initially targeted, COVID-19 came along and complicated everything. Officials pivoted to an October opening and now say December is a definite for the first Topgolf facility in the Middle East and Asia. There is even a #ForRealThisTime hashtag accompanying the official social media push.

Topgolf Entertainment Group confirmed December in a media release heavy on hype (who isn’t exited!) but lacking the most critical detail. Not to worry. The official launch date is only a matter of days from being revealed once the three-level, 90-bay climate-controlled facility is given its final building certification.  In the meantime, enjoy this snazzy PR video to get you in the mood.

It’s Official ? #ForRealThisTime pic.twitter.com/RoWvzv4gCK

— Topgolf Dubai (@TopgolfDubai) November 12, 2020

Yes, we are officially counting down the days until the UAE becomes the fifth country outside the U.S. to open a Topgolf facility. The wait will be worth it.

“Friends and families can enjoy the high-tech game in some friendly competition along with great music, a chef-driven menu, hand-crafted beverages and more,” the release said.

“The venue will also showcase big-screen TVs, a miniature golf course, a retail shop, three luxury VIP suites, and dynamic social event spaces – ideal for year-round celebrations for the whole family, corporate groups and friends.”

RELATED: A Beginner’s Guide to Topgolf

Dubai Golf, who manage Emirates Golf Club, have teased the market with social media posts of construction, the latest earier this month.

Eye spy… We see turf ? pic.twitter.com/bEfd7I5vbH

— Topgolf Dubai (@TopgolfDubai) November 9, 2020

Construction Progress!! ?

All the poles are up! Who’s excited? ? pic.twitter.com/fHYlsYRhWW

— Topgolf Dubai (@TopgolfDubai) November 1, 2020

“Located in Emirates Hills with a stunning rooftop terrace offering spectacular views over the marina and city skyline, Topgolf Dubai is the only entertainment venue of its kind in the region,” the release continued.

“Through the premium experience of play, food and music, Topgolf Dubai will inspire residents and visitors of Dubai to come together for playful competition no matter the occasion.”

Topgolf Dubai, Emirates Golf Club, opening December 2020, Sunday to Wednesday, 10am to 5pm, Dhs130 per hour, per bay, 5pm to 2am, Dhs180 per hour, per bay.

RELATED: A Beginner’s Guide to Topgolf

The post Topgolf Dubai finally set to open appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Abu Dhabi and Dubai are to host online tournaments on golf’s first ‘eSports Tour’ just launched by the European Tour.

The European eTour is will see gamers compete in virtual events on the sidelines of six European Tour tournaments. Played on the World Golf Tour (WGT) by Top Golf platform, the series will debut at January’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and culminate at the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November.

A partnership with DreamHack and Topgolf Entertainment Group, WGT has been trumpeted as golf’s “most photorealistic gaming experience” and is already played by 20 million players worldwide.

The world’s best golf esports players will attempt to qualify for the live onsite events via an online tournament. Eight players will then compete onsite at European Tour events in a 9-hole knockout matchplay format, initially in two round-robin groups, before straight knockout semi-finals and final.

The five tournament winners, along with three wildcards qualifiers, will then contest the season-ending finale at the European Tour’s own season-ending Race to Dubai decider at  JGE from November 19-22, 2020.

The European Tour held its first esports event earlier this year at the 2019 Made in Denmark. The success of that tournament led to the development of this series of one-day events across the 2020 calendar, said Rufus Hack, the European Tour’s Chief Content Officer.

“The launch of the European eTour underlines the European Tour’s commitment to innovation and we believe this is an exciting opportunity for us to be leaders in a market that has huge growth potential,” said Hack.

“The esports industry allows the European Tour to engage with our existing audience in a different way and attract new fans outside of our traditional demographic through our broadcast and digital platforms. Our inaugural event in Denmark earlier this year gave a glimpse into the popularity of esports and we are looking forward to launching golf’s first esports Tour in 2020.”

The esports industry is one of the fastest-growing media sectors with an audience of more than 380 million enthusiasts worldwide which is forecasted to surpass 1.6 billion by 2022. A majority of esports fans are in the 18-34 age demographic.

The post European eTour events for gamers to be staged in Abu Dhabi and Dubai appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.