All summer long, clubs the length and breadth of the country will be staging qualifying events for The Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship presented by The Daily Telegraph. Just look at the list, there has to be one near you.

Each one of those tournaments represents an opportunity – and the beauty of it is that you can take as many of these opportunities as you like in the hope of securing one of the slots in the Abu Dhabi grand finale.

The Junior Golf Championship is the best tournament in the world for Under-18 golfers of all abilities; high handicapper or plus

handicapper, there is a place for everyone. Of course, the main prize is that of securing one of the coveted spots in the final, where you will jet off to Abu Dhabi for a week in which you will experience a wonderful combination of exotic and luxurious surroundings with fantastic competition.

With the intense competition, media interest and high temperatures, it is a taste of what life could be like on the tour. Indeed, many of our past champions have gone on to play on the respective tours, including Justin Rose, Andrew Coltart, Oliver Fisher, Mhari McKay, Sophie Walker and Melissa Reid, to name but a few.

However, the great thing about the Championship is that you don’t

have to be good enough to represent your country, in fact, you don’t even have to be good enough to represent your club; all you need is a handicap and some competitive spirit.

There will be around 1,000 local qualifying events taking place, so check on our website for up-and-coming competitions or call the Championship hotline to find a qualifying event near you.

These tournaments are great fun, not only for the winners but for everyone; because as well as the chance to get to the Abu Dhabi f inal there is also a gift for each competitor, plus a selection of other fantastic prizes to be won. The Championship has something for everyone and there is nothing to be lost by entering; so what are you waiting for?

Junior golfers – come one and all

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Abu Dhabi Tourism AuthorityAbu Dhabi, the largest of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates, is a destination committed to golfing excellence. Already home to the magnificent Abu Dhabi Golf Club - host of the annual PGA European-Tour-backed Abu Dhabi Golf Championship – the emirate’s golfing proposition is expanding.

Soon the destination will host the Arabian Gulf’s only ‘ocean’ course with several beach-front homes, designed by golfing legend Gary Player. This will be one of two courses – the other will be a unique tidal course – on its emerging Saadiyat Island destination.

In the emirate’s second city, Al Ain, golfers can play an existing nine-hole, all-grass course which is being expanded to 18 holes.

And as the emirate moves to expand its golfing influence, it is also looking to build local talent by supporting international and local competitions to spread its following.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club Abu Dhabi Golf Club presents itself as one of the most luxurious golf resort experiences within the Middle East, in full management with the renowned worldwide golf resort management organisations of excellence, Troon Golf. 15 minutes from the city centre and just 10 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Abu Dhabi Golf Club is perfectly located for domestic and international guests.

An oasis of tranquility carved out of the desert, Abu Dhabi Golf Club features 27 Championship holes of golf, over 162 hectares of land. The course features an undulating terrain meandering through pockets of palms and ornamental trees, shrubs with seven spectacular saltwater lakes.Situated majestically overlooking the golf course is the impressive clubhouse, built in the shape of a falcon with its wings outstretched, peering over the 18th green. As you look across the lakes from the far end of the course, the clubhouse dominates the scene. www.adgolfclub.com

Troon GolfTroon Golf is the world’s leading golf management, development and marketing company overseeing operations in more than 26 countries, including the prestigious Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

During its 18-year history, Troon Golf has earned a reputation for delivering Championship golf course conditions, personalised member service, outstanding food and beverage experiences and world-class retail offerings at its facilities.

As the company continues its worldwide expansion, its commitment to exceed expectations and spread the Troon Golf Experience will never change. The millions of golfers who have ‘voted with their spikes’ in favour of Troon Golf-managed facilities serve as the true indicator of the company’s position in the golf industry.

Shangri-La Hotel Located on a private beach overlooking the strait that separates Abu Dhabi Island from the mainland, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, consists of 214 luxurious rooms and suites all with balconies. Rooms are equipped with broadband, LCD television and DVD players. The Qaryat Al Beri complex also houses six luxury themed villas, all with four bedrooms, as well as Shangri-La Residences – 161 beautifully appointed serviced apartments, from studios to four bedroom units. Health and leisure facilities are plentiful with Shangri-La’s signature stand-alone CHI Spa offering blissful treatments and a sanctuary in which to relax. The complex also boasts five outdoor pools, a health club, The Souk at Qaryat Al Beri and a 1km beach.

Etihad AirwaysEtihad Airways is the national airline of the UAE and the world’s fastest-growing carrier, based in Abu Dhabi, the hub that links more than 50 destinations.

Etihad flies brand new, custom-designed aircraft from the UK – daily from Manchester and three times daily from Heathrow. There are three classes of travel, Coral Economy, Pearl Business Class and Diamond First Class, all of which are industry leading with video-on-demand offered in every seat and award-winning food and wines for each guest.

Callaway GolfCallaway Golf has led the transformation of the game of golf and become one of the most trusted equipment manufacturers in the world.

Through an unwavering commitment to innovation and technology Callaway Golf creates products designed to make every golfer a better golfer, whether they are a seasoned professional playing for a living or an avid recreational golfer.

Callaway’s commitment to the sport, from the very highest level through to beginners taking up the sport for the first time, is fundamental to its long-term growth. Its team of Staff Tour Professionals is underpinned with a wealth of young talent, including Englishmen Oliver Wilson and Nick Dougherty and Spaniard Alvaro Quiros. Callaway also sees the development of events like the Junior Golf Championship as a vital link in the search for new golfing talent in the UK. Such events breed the next generation of tour professionals – the very golfers Callaway wants to support and help grow into future worldwide stars and ambassadors for the game.

SetantaSetanta Golf is the home of the PGA TOUR and is the UK’s only dedicated golf channel. It’s the best place to catch up on live golf, tuition, classic golf moments and lots more. Shows like The Big Break and Show me the Golf also bring a lighter side to the game. For more information on Setanta Golf and their schedule of PGA TOUR events, visit www.setanta.com

The R&ABased in St Andrews, The R&A is golf’s governing body and organiser of The Open Championship, golf’s oldest Major. The R&A is committed to working for golf and operates with the consent of 136 organisations from the amateur and professional game and on behalf of over 30 million golfers in 123 countries across Europe, Africa, the Asia-Pacific and the Americas. Using funds generated by The Open Championship, The R&A promotes golf development, rules education and best practice for sustainable golf course management throughout the world. Emphasis is placed on both the encouragement of junior golf and the development of

the game in emerging golfing nations through coaching, improved practice facilities and the provision of more public courses.

EGUThe English Golf Union (EGU) is the governing body for amateur golf in England looking after the interests of more than 1,900 golf clubs and 720,000 club members.

Its many development initiatives encourage juniors and adults to start playing golf and then to continue to enjoy and improve their game. The EGU’s coaching teams recognise and develop elite players, such as Paul Casey, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood and many others, through their amateur careers, who then advance to become some of the world’s leading professional golfers.

The EGU is proud to support clubs and their members at the heart of grass roots golf. After all, grass roots golf is where the quest to be the world’s best starts, as the past four winners of this event will confirm, having all benefited from EGU coaching programmes.

AheadAhead is the Official Clothing Sponsor of the Junior Golf Championship, it is one of the World’s leading Golf apparel and headwear suppliers. Formed some 12 years ago we have fast become a one-stop-shop for many of the World’s leading Golf Resorts including Emirates GC, Dubai Creek, Abu Dhabi GC, Mission Hills, Loch Lomond, Auchterlonies (St Andrews), Ballybunion, The K Club, Pebble Beach and Pinehurst to name but a few. Endorsed by such World stars as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Retief Goosen and Jim Furyk, Ahead is also major suppliers to the Ryder Cup, US Open and Presidents Cup.

Ahead’s ability to offer a multiple of custom logo appliqués, separates it from the competition as in addition to the headwear and apparel mentioned we also have a comprehensive custom metal/leather accessory business and tournament/event gift box offering. So whatever your budget feel free to contact Ahead Inc on 0044 (0) 1245 322212 or visit www.aheadweb.com for more information.

2008 Champion Stiggy Hodgson holes the winning putt at Abu Dhabi Golf Club

For further information on the 2009 Championship, visit www.telegraph.co.uk/abudhabijuniorgolf or call 02392 233 798

OPEN COMPETITIONS FROM JUNE 06, 2009COUNTY CLUB DATE B/G

SUTHERLAND BRORA 06-06 BG DEVON THE SIDMOUTH 14-06 BG SUFFOLK SECKFORD 14-06 BG KENT PRINCE’S 01-07 BGLINCOLNSHIRE STOKE ROCHFORD 08-07 B YORKSHIRE NORTH OAKDALE 19-07 BG KENT ROYAL CINQUE PORTS 23-07 BG LINCOLNSHIRE STOKE ROCHFORD 23-07 G BERKSHIRE EAST BERKSHIRE 05-08 BG LEICESTERSHIRE MELTON MOWBRAY 05-08 BG DENBIGHSHIRE RHUDDLAN 10-08 BG FLINTSHIRE HOLYWELL 14-08 BGHERTFORDSHIRE BISHOP’S STORTFORD 17-08 BGLINCOLNSHIRE BURGHLEY PARK 19-08 BGCUMBRIA WORKINGTON 21-08 BGTYNE & WEAR WEARSIDE 31-08 BG

Competition Key:- B- Boys, G – Girls.

For the latest list of competitions please visit www.telegraph.co.uk/abudhabijuniorgolf

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