Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: Troon-managed Al Hamra Golf Club will pull out all the stops to ensure that the third of five consecutive events in the region is a success and merits the US$2 million prize purse up for grabs.

The inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital will be played at Al Hamra (February 3-6) and will form part of a five-week ‘Middle East Swing’ during the early stages of the 2022 European Tour season.

The tournament will take place after back-to-back Rolex Series events in the UAE, including the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic.

“The beginning of 2022 is an immensely exciting period for Troon International with a series of European Tour events taking place at Troon-managed venues,” said Mark Chapleski, President of Troon International, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

He added: “The Peter Harradine-designed course at Al Hamra Golf Club will be a fitting challenge to those playing in the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital.

“Since coming under the management of Troon International in 2018, Al Hamra has gone from strength to strength. The fact that we have been selected to host such a significant event underlines the impact our talented team has had on this facility.

“In addition, the international recognition that this tournament brings will deliver visibility to a broad audience and showcase the fantastic experience that Al Hamra Golf Club provides.”

Based in the northern most Emirate in the UAE, Al Hamra Golf Club has risen to prominence thanks to the course’s renowned condition and welcoming winter climate.

Al Hamra Golf Club continues to welcome visitors and golfers from all over the world, with the 18-hole course situated within a series of inter-linked water features and set against a desert landscape.

“We are delighted to be working with all of the key stakeholders, the European Tour, Phoenix Capital, RAKTDA, Al Hamra, and Marjan, to showcase the wonderful Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah,” said Paul Booth, General Manager of Al Hamra Golf Club, a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“The long-term strategic goal is to make the Ras Al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital a steadfast tournament on an expanding Middle East Swing. These are exciting times for Al Hamra Golf Club and Ras Al Khaimah,” added Booth.

Al Hamra Golf Club previously hosted the European Challenge Tour over three consecutive years (2016-2018). It was the venue for the Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge in 2016 and 2017, before hosting the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final as the final stop on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah in 2018.

During the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final, Spaniard Adri Arnaus finished one shot clear of France’s Victor Perez, with the pair ending the season in second and third position on the 2018 Challenge Tour rankings behind Denmark’s Joachim B. Hansen. All three players are now firmly established on the European Tour.