Mike Perry and Samantha Hill will compete in Matchplay Championship Grand Final at The Els Club, Dubai

In glorious weather conditions, the pairing of Mike Perry and Samantha Hill from Isle of Purbeck has advanced to the Matchplay Championship Grand Final in Dubai next month, after scoring 38 stableford points in the hotly contested Mixed Pairs event at the South Regional Final hosted by Marriott St.Pierre in South Wales. Beating off thousands of other competitors from across the UK & Ireland, the pair has won the right to compete in the concluding event of the UK’s largest amateur golf tournament, the Matchplay Championship.

Having reached the final stage of their very own ‘Race to Dubai,’ the pair will be flown out to the Emirate, where they will enjoy 7 nights of luxury accommodation at the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel and 3 days competition at the world-renowned Els Club. Filmed exclusively by Sky Sports cameras, the pair will have the chance to shine in front of a TV audience usually reserved for the world’s best players.

“Our Matchplay Championship experience has been fantastic from the very first round. The Regional Final, with photographers and the Sky Sports cameras was amazing and we’re thrilled to have qualified for the Grand Final in Dubai,” commented Mike Perry, a 9 handicapper. “Every pair has won 5 matches to get to this stage, so we knew we would have to play well to get through. We’re really looking forward to the opportunity of bringing the Matchplay Championship trophy back to Isle of Purbeck.”

“It’s been a great day here at Marriott St.Pierre and we have seen some tremendous golf from the players involved,” commented John Woosey, Managing Director of the JRW Group, which organises the Matchplay Championship. “Playing in front of the Sky Sports cameras is a great experience with Mike and Samantha certainly rising to the occasion. We’re excited about seeing them compete in the Grand Final, as they’ve proved today that they have what it takes to win it.”

With the North and South Regional’s now complete, 36 golfers have booked their place in the Grand Final, being hosted at the world-renowned Els Club, Dubai, from 7th-14th May. However entries for the 2011/2012 Matchplay Championship are now open, including a brand-new Men’s Singles event. For further information please visit www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk