POWERPLAY GOLF®

In PowerPlay Golf®, a 9-hole format which takes half the time of a normal round of golf, golfers choose to aim for one of two flags on the green – a White Flag and a Black Flag. Players score extra points for birdies or better when playing to the Black (or ‘PowerPlay’) Flag, thereby creating extra pressure. Golfers can go online after their game, registering to earn PowerPlay Golf® Dollars, climbing World Rankings and competing in user-generated PowerPlay Golf® Leagues both locally and around the world. The format is known for its ‘risk and reward’ ethos, and for the levels of excitement which it creates. PowerPlay Golf®’s made-for-TV ‘PowerPlay Shootout’ format, which offers a complete golf tournament in less than two and a half hours, offers global broadcasters the opportunity to televise golf in a more compressed time-frame, thus increasing golfing TV audiences.

DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC VENUES ADOPT POWERPLAY GOLF® 
Two-flag game now at Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

After the thrilling conclusion to this year’s inaugural Race To Dubai, another exciting development in golf is coming to the region, with two world-class golf facilities in Dubai confirming their intention to become Official Venues for PowerPlay Golf® – the two-flag, nine-hole golfing format which has attracted comparisons with Twenty20 Cricket.

Dubai Golf, owners and operators of Emirates Golf Club – the current home of the Dubai Desert Classic – and the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club – which has twice hosted the tournament – announces today that it will be adopting PowerPlay Golf® in 2010.

With a total of three championship-standard 18-hole layouts, plus two floodlit 9-hole par-3 courses, the clubs offer some of the world’s most spectacular golf. Dubai Golf has plans to run PowerPlay Golf® events for members, visitors and corporate guests at both venues.

PowerPlay Golf® is sending multiple sets of flags to Dubai, so club organisers there can run simultaneous events. Plans are afoot to turn the Faldo-designed Par 3 course at the Emirates Golf Club, potentially, into a permanent PowerPlay Golf ‘Super Venue’, where the two flags will fly on the greens all year round.

“We were attracted by reports of PowerPlay Golf® in play at other golf courses in the Middle East,” said Julian Danby, Commercial Manager at Dubai Golf. “And we were also interested in how PowerPlay Golf® offers a wide range of online and digital options for both golfers and clubs.

“We look forward to staging PowerPlay Golf® events at our prestige venues next year.”

PowerPlay Golf® co-founder David Piggins commented: “To deliver a global programme of televised PowerPlay Golf® events, as is our plan, you need prestigious golf clubs to showcase the format and to provide exciting venues where Tour pros can compete in events such as the future PowerPlay Golf® World Series.

“The championship golf courses at the Emirates and Dubai Creek regularly feature in World Top 100 lists, and we are delighted that these world-class venues will be playing PowerPlay Golf® in 2010 and beyond.

“We are looking forward to working with Dubai Golf to maximise the benefits which we believe PowerPlay Golf® can bring to their business.

PowerPlay Golf® is a trademark of PowerPlay Golf Holdings Limited.