Catriona and Laura team up in Dubai greensomes

FROM THE KHALEEJ TIMES WEBSITE
Michelle Wie, who many believe has the potential to be the Tiger Woods of women’s golf, will headline a sizzling star-cast for the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters Challenge Match to be played at the Emirates Golf Club’s Par-3 course on Monday.
The young American superstar is paired with fellow Solheim Cup player Christina Kim in the traditional curtain-raiser to the euro 500,000 season-ending event of the Ladies European Tour.
Sponsored by Jumeirah Golf Estates, the Challenge Match features eight marquee players who will battle it out for honours in the greensomes format — in which players play alternate shots with the same ball — over a nine-hole, par-27 course, measuring 1,239 yards from blue tees.
Four-time major winner Laura Davies will team up with 2009 Ricoh Women's British Open champion Catriona Matthew while Sophie Gustafson, who is closing in on the European Player of the Year award, joins the rising Swede sensation, Anna Nordqvist, in leading the Swedish challenge.
World number 13 In Kyung Kim and defending Omega Dubai Ladies Masters champion Anja Monke complete the pairings for the Challenge Match which provides the fans a rare opportunity to watch their favourite stars up close and personal in the run up to the main tournament.
“The eight players have been selected for the challenge match on the basis of their rankings and, of course, for their star value on the tour,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman of golf in DUBAi, the promoters and organisers of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
“We would like to encourage more and more golf fans to come to the Emirates Golf Club and cheer the leading professional lady golfers who would be competing in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. Of the eight players, four are making their first visit to Dubai. They are: Michelle Wie, Christina Kim, Anna Nordqvist and In Kyung Kim.
“All the fans will have easy access to the course as there is no entry fee for the entire week of the tournament. We have made elaborate arrangements to ensure that fans enjoy the proceedings on all four days of the tournament. A giant TV screen will be installed in the ‘public village’ for them to catch up the live action,” he said.
“Different food and beverage outlets, charity putt competitions and free golf clinics will further add to the carnival-like atmosphere at the village,” Buamaim said, adding: “We thank Jumeirah Golf Estates for their sponsorship to the Challenge Match, an opening tournament which is always enjoyed by all.”
The Challenge Match greensomes pairings:
Michelle Wie (US) and Christina Kim (US)
Laura Davies (England) and Catriona Matthew (Scotland)
Sophie Gustafson (Sweden) and Anna Nordqvist (Sweden)
In Kyung Kim (US) and Anja Monke (Germany)