Road to Egypt begins

8:00am Sunday 18th May 2008

GOLFERS from Bromsgrove and Droitwich are being invited to enter one of Europe's biggest amateur competitions - where they can qualify to play in the grand final at a luxury beach resort in Egypt.

The prestigious Matchplay Championship pits pairs of club golfers from across the country against other pairs in a series of matchplay rounds with the winners qualifying for regional finals and, ultimately, the grand final in one of the world's most exotic golfing locations.

This year's finalists have just returned home after playing out the grand final in glorious sunshine at the renowned Marriot Taba Heights beach resort in Egypt.

Pairs have until June 30 to sign up for the 2008/09 competition before the first round matches get underway in July and the road to Egypt begins.

The grand final takes place over three days between May 9 and 16, 2009, at the Taba Heights Resort.

When they are not on the championship golf course, finalists will have the chance to take trips from the hotel to the Pyramids or Petra in Jordan, or walk the few yards across the sands to the Red Sea where a host of water sports are available.

John Woosey, managing director of The Golfer's Club which promotes the Matchplay Championship, said: "We are looking forward to the 2008/09 event being our biggest ever.

"The Matchplay Championship not only offers players a tremendously exciting and competitive tournament of golf but, for just £20, the chance to play in one of the most stunning golfing locations on the planet.

"With such fantastic competitive golf, the chance to play different courses and a stunning prize on offer, there really is no reason not to enter."

Golfers can sign up to the tournament online by visiting www.matchplaychampionship.com