Freddie Schmeisser, Head of Championships, DP World Tour Middle East.

Gulf Today, Sports Reporter

Freddie Schmeisser, Head of Championships, DP World Tour Middle East, recalls some of the tournament’s significant milestones ahead of this year’s 15th anniversary edition, which takes place from November 16-19th at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

Schmeisser tells Gulf Today about what attendees can expect from the event, the growing importance of sustainability within golf and his hopes for the future of the sport in the UAE.

A: The DP World Tour Championship has created many memorable moments over the years. On the course, I will never forget Justin Rose’s famous putt on the 18th green in 2012, and the drama of 2021 with Rory McIlroy hitting the flag on the 15th hole but ending up in the bunker and ending his chances of another win on the Earth course. Away from the course, since 2009 the partnership between DP World and the European Tour has laid the foundations for the evolution of the tour and golf more widely, from grassroots to the top professional game, and including the renaming of the season-ending tournament to the DP World Tour Championship in 2012. Becoming a Rolex Series event in 2017 further elevated the Championship to establish it as one of the most exciting and renowned golf tournaments in the world. But for me, I would say my favourite memory is how our team came together in 2021 to deliver a successful tournament amongst strict Covid-19 regulations. I will never forget the camaraderie and passion of the team, supporting each other during a difficult time to deliver such a memorable event.

A: This year’s event marks the 15th anniversary of the DP World Tour Championship, and we are looking forward to welcoming golf fans and all those looking to enjoy an unforgettable experience. Each year brings an incredible atmosphere which is largely due to the fantastic mix of people who come to this celebration of golf at the end of the season. In addition to watching the top 50 players in the Race to Dubai Rankings, there will be an array of exciting activities, including free golf lessons, kid’s areas, trick-shot shows and sports activations, as well as premium hospitality and food and beverage options. This, coupled with the fabulous weather we usually enjoy, creates a relaxed and joyful vibe amongst the presence of the best golfers on the DP World Tour. We are delighted to be once again hosting the G4D Tour Series Finale during the championship on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 November, which will see the world’s best golfers with disabilities take the final step in competing to become champion.

A: Technology is one of the fastest growing areas in the DP World Tour Championship operation; we have gone completely paper free for the past 3 years, utilising digital event programmes, tickets, screens and scorecards around the venue by which live event information is communicated throughout. We also provide free WiFi, meaning attendees can use their phones to access the DP World Tour app at any time to stay up to speed with the action and even use a new player locator feature enabling you to find and watch your favourite player or players on the course. A new addition to the offering is a new nearest to the pin game on the DP World Tour app, enabling both fans onsite and at home to predict which player will hit the ball closest to the pin just seconds before the actual shot is hit. All of this exciting tech enables us to create a slick and immersive fan experience for everyone to enjoy. Beyond the Championship, the players themselves have also become increasingly more digitally focused, using devices such as a Toptracer to see distances, spin rates, swing speed, angles of attack and more.

A: We are committed to making this year’s DP World Tour Championship the most sustainable edition yet and are excited to be implementing new innovations to achieve this. Building on our efforts from previous years, we are delighted to have transitioned to 100% green power solutions for this year’s Earth Lounge hospitality suite on the 16th hole. The Lounge will be fully powered by solar panels and hydrogen generators, resulting in a remarkable 100% reduction in CO2 emissions – a first of its kind in the Middle East and an exciting addition to the Championship, particularly ahead of COP28 taking place later this year. More broadly, once again we will be working with our official waste management company, Averda, to recycle 75% of all event waste, an element that can pose huge challenges in the region. We are continuing with our ban on plastic bottles for the third year running.

Our dedication to sustainability continues to be a priority and is something we will only achieve by uniting efforts. Collectively we hope to inspire and innovate with other events in the Middle East, to help shift the needle to reach net zero in the sports and event space.

A: Golf is a sport for everyone, regardless of age and gender. Despite common misconception, it is one of the most inclusive sports in the world and is incredibly accessible in the UAE. The Emirates Golf Federation continues to promote a healthy active lifestyle through the game, as do many of the clubs and societies based here. Not only does it teach both children and adults coordination and body control, it also teaches life lessons – most notably that practice makes perfect, and patience as well as smart preparation will have a positive impact on results. The game continues to grow in popularity here and recent results of the Emirates National team and the growth in the junior ranks show the upward trajectory the sport is on. We can’t wait to see UAE nationals playing on the DP World Tour and hopefully one day at the DP World Tour Championship!