The Mole is glad to hear that the European Tour will be continuing the Race to Dubai next year. There were fears that the effects of the world financial crisis might have been too costly to overcome, having already left the Tour with reduced bonus prize money this year. But, it seems that there are still sponsors out there, although admittedly not as many, and as generous, as before.

The season will kick off with the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek on 10 December. This will be followed by the South African Open at Pearl Valley on 17 December. Another bonus for South African golfers is that the Africa Open has been added to the 2010 European Tour International Schedule, which means that we’ll probably get to see some bigger names hanging around for the tail end of the Sunshine Tour season.

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “We are delighted that with the support of our partners in Dubai we can confirm the way forward for The Race to Dubai prior to the inaugural competition concluding in the United Arab Emirates next month.

“The Race to Dubai has brought a new dimension to our season and we are confident that by continuing to globalise the game it will grow in stature with the best golfers in the world being given the opportunity to compete in an exciting and dynamic season-long competition.”

THE RACE TO DUBAI ON THE 2010 EUROPEAN TOUR INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULE

2009

Dec 10-13 Alfred Dunhill Championship Leopard Creek CC, Malelane, South Africa
17-20 South African Open Championship Pearl Valley Golf Estates, Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa

2010

Jan 7-10 Africa Open East London GC, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
14-17 Joburg Open Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC, Johannesburg, South Africa
21-24 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, UAE
28- 31 The Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy Doha GC, Doha, Qatar

Feb 4-7 Dubai Desert Classic Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE