Competitors gather from all over the UK to battle it out for The Matchplay Championship crown

The Matchplay Championship, one of Europe’s largest amateur golf tournaments, will crown its new winners next week as competitors from across the UK and Ireland assemble at The Els Club, Dubai for the 3-day Grand Final showdown from the 10 – 12th May. After entering the tournament for just £25 at www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk, a diverse array of golfers will stake their claim for the title, having booked their place in the field by virtue of their success in the Matchplay qualifying rounds and Regional Final last month. With Sky Sports filming the action throughout the week they will have the chance to shine in front of a TV audience usually reserved for the world’s best players.

“There have been some unbelievable performances to get this far, including the team of Army Captains John Donaldson and Jon Sheard, who as recently as last year where out in Afghanistan,” commented John Woosey, Managing Director of the JRW Group, which promotes the Matchplay Championship. “With so much to play for this really could be a fairytale ending for one of the teams, and it will be interesting to see who can handle the pressure of playing in a televised Grand Final at one of the world’s best golf courses.”

Notable teams include the husband and wife pairing of David and Tracy Morris, who return to the Grand Final after finishing 3rd in last years’ Mixed Pairs event. They will be joined by fellow Collingtree Park members Andy Castell and Andy Billson, who claimed victory at the South Regional Final at Marriott St. Pierre. Graham Young and his son Patrick, a Bradford Golf Union player, have made the final by virtue of their success at the North Regional, played at their home club Marriott Hollins Hall. Scotland’s Robert Brown and Brian Williamson make the trip to the Grand Final for the first time, as do Stuart James and Craig Sullivan of Wales, both of whom have done so without the benefit of a home match in the qualifying stages.

In total 36 players will tee up in the final, enjoying 7 night’s luxurious accommodation at the Marriott Dubai Harbour Hotel and 3 rounds of competitive golf at the prestigious Els Club, designed by golfing legend Ernie Els.

First launched in 2003, the tournament has introduced a NEW Men’s Singles event for 2011/2012.