HotelPlanner Tour facing seven-week break as Middle East conflict pushes UAE events into autumn
Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club. Picture via www.alzorahgolfclub.ae
HotelPlanner Tour players will be looking to make hay in this week’s DP World PGTI Open in India after a decision was made to move two events scheduled for the UAE next month to the back end of the season.
Given the ongoing situation in the Middle East, the decision has been made to reschedule the RAKBANK UAE Challenge to September 24-27 with the Abu Dhabi Challenge now running from October 1-4.
These tournaments will now follow straight after the Open de Portugal and directly before back-to-back events in China, the HotelPlanner Tour said in a statement.
As a result, players will have nearly seven weeks off before the HotelPlanner Tour resumes with the Italian Challenge Open from May 7-10.
“This change in the schedule prioritises the safety of all members, whilst also ensuring that playing opportunities are maximised, with 29 tournaments still on the Road to Mallorca schedule,” the HotelPlanner Tour said in its statement.
“Whilst the two tournaments have been rescheduled, this is an evolving situation that we will continue to monitor very closely.”
The HotelPlanner tour had planned to sanction last week’s Indorama Ventures Open Golf Championship in India.
But due to significant travel disruptions affecting staff and players caused by the war in the Middle East, the Professional Golf Tour of India decided to withdraw the HotelPlanner Tour sanction from this event.
The tournament was staged but sanctioned solely by the Professional Golf Tour of India.
There are three Irishmen in action at Classic Golf & Country Club, 60km south west of New Delhi, this week.
Mark Power is out in the first group at 6:50 am with Conor Purcell (7:50) and Gary Hurley (12:20) also in action.
There is no change to the venues for the two UAE events.
The RAKBANK UAE Challenge will remain at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club and the Abu Dhabi Challenge at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.
