Chairman says Mena Tour has shown ‘strength and popularity’

Mohamed Juma Buamaim has labelled this season’s staging of the Mena Tour the most successful yet. Ahead of the final event on the 2013 calendar, the tour’s chairman pointed to an increased strength in depth to the competition.

Stephen Dodd of Wales will finish second in the Mena Tour this season. Pawan Singh / The National

ABU DHABI // Mohamed Juma Buamaim has labelled this season’s staging of the Mena Tour the most successful yet.

Ahead of the final event on the 2013 calendar, the Mena Golf Tour Championship, the tour’s chairman pointed to an increased strength in depth to the competition.

“The fact that many events this season were oversubscribed and required us to hold pre-qualifying rounds demonstrates the strength and popularity of the tour,” he said. “The tour also saw some new winners in Tommy Mou, Lee Corfield and Sandro Piaget that not only reflects on the global-look of the field, but also the quality of players signing up for the tour.”

Zane Scotland, who has already wrapped up the Order of Merit title, will be absent from the field for this week’s event at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. He is competing in the European Tour qualifying school final stage in Spain.

But Stephen Dodd, who has secured second place, will be at Al Ain as will Ian Keenan of England and Trevor Marshall of New Zealand, who are battling for third place.

The top three professionals on the Mena Tour, along with the leading amateur, will be invited to compete in next February’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Morocco’s Mustapha El Maouas is the leading amateur going into the Tour Championship that starts Monday and finishes on Wednesday.