Scotland excited over return of MENA Golf Tour

KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)

When Zane Scotland reflects on the rebirth of the MENA Golf Tour, it comes with the weight of experience and nostalgia. The Englishman, who carved his name in the circuit’s history as the most successful player with 10 titles, is the only one with a life membership card for the Tour.

The MENA Tour started in 2011 but hit a roadblock for a season in 2018 and then a strategic move to align with Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf ended up backfiring and resulting in a absence for two seasons. No wonder a third restart, announced last week, has Scotland sensing a welcome opportunity – not just for himself but for the region’s emerging talent.

“From what I gather, whatever tournament, wherever it happens, there will be a guaranteed prize money of $100,000,” he told while speaking exclusively to Aletihad.  

Director of an indoor golf venue at a Dubai hotel, he remembers the early days when the purse was half that amount or irregular at times; this represents not only progress but also a much-needed show of commitment to developmental golf. “Anything guaranteed in development golf is a good start,” he added.

While the tie-up with LIV Golf in 2022 briefly injected life and visibility, the partnership fizzled almost as quickly as it began. Players like Scotland were left disappointed but not surprised. “There was real excitement around what it could be, but it seems like it didn’t work out. People thought we wouldn’t see a comeback,” he admitted. 

That makes this latest revival, backed by commissioner Keith Waters and other stakeholders, a moment of cautious optimism. For Scotland personally, getting back in to competition mode is assured, but how far will he go in participation depended on the schedule.

The MENA Tour will have 12 events on its comeback, and the newly appointed Waters told Aletihad earlier that planning is underway to get the schedule drawn up such that it keeps travel to a minimum and also contributes to reduced carbon emissions, which is just what the doctor ordered for Scotland.

Now based in the region, he says he is on the lookout for the new calendar. “It has definitely sparked some excitement. If the schedule is helpful and convenient, I would love to play some tournaments,” he said, while wondering about the status of his lifetime membership.

Despite its short history, the MENA Tour can boast that it gave rise to someone like Robert MacIntyre, who won a title in Kuwait on his second start in his pro career and is now second in the Ryder Cup rankings. There is also the young Rayhan Thomas, who is now studying and playing in the United States. Dubai-based Tommy Fleetwood’s stepson Oscar Craig is also eyeing the MENA Tour very keenly.

Scotland agrees the big names can contribute to the development of local players. “It’s great when big names come and play. We’re there to serve the golfing population here and provide a platform for local golfers,” he said. “It might take a few years, but hopefully we’ll see golfers from the UAE also turn pro.”

“If a local golfer has come up and asked for some advice, we’d always try and share experience. Without the local golfers doing well and enjoying it, it doesn’t happen.”

While Scotland is wary of the scheduling, as and when it happens, he has fond memories of playing in places like Morocco and Thailand. Closer to home, the Dubai Creek Golf Club is his favourite, having won two of his 10 titles there. 

Keeping events clustered within the Gulf, he suggested, would not only make it easier for players to commit but also align with the sustainability push to reduce unnecessary travel. Places like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman would also make sense for the participating golfers, he concluded.