Co-sanctioning tours visit Ayla to finalise format for ‘world first’ Jordan Mixed Open

Preparations for the inaugural Jordan Mixed Open presented by Ayla continued apace, as representatives of the European Tour and Ladies European Tour recently touched down in Aqaba, Jordan.

Simon Higginbottom, tournament director and Davide Lantos, the LET’s director of tournament operations met on site at Ayla Golf Club to survey the golf course and confirm the finer details of the format of play for the world’s first co-sanctioned, mixed gender event.

Their objective was to ensure a level playing field for all competitors in the field of 123, consisting of 40 members of each tour and one leading amateur from the men’s ladies’ and over-50’s games.

The first-of-its-kind strokeplay event, which will reward one overall champion while reserving special praise for the leading players from the other two tours, will take place between April 4 and 6, 2019.

The site visit confirmed that the 54 holestrokeplay event will be played from, in most cases, three different teeing grounds per hole. Careful attention will be paid not only to the length of course, but also to the angle of play, where possible, ensuring bunker and water hazards impact all three tours in the same way.