Last updated: July 26, 2023

Event Overview

1.1 The Corporate SME Open 2023 (hereinafter referred to as "the Event") is a golf tournament and evening event scheduled to be held at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on December 14th, 2023. The tournament will host two-person teams, both male and female, who are key stakeholders in small or medium-sized enterprises, competing in a Pairs Texas Scramble Format on the Earth Course. This event aims to serve as a platform for promoting and fostering connections among small, medium, and large enterprises within the UAE. The evening segment warmly welcomes guests of participants, sponsors, and partners as per their allocated invitations. All attendees must pre-register with the event organizers. For purchasing additional guest invitations, please contact linked19h@omaemirates.com for more details.

Registration & Eligibility

2.1 Applicants for the SME Entry Package must meet the criteria of a Small and Medium Enterprise set by DUBAI SME, an agency of the Department for Economic Development, as detailed in Figure (1) below.

(Figure 1, DUBAI SME)

2.2 Individuals attending the evening event as players or guests must be affiliated with the represented company in a capacity such as employees, investors, shareholders, customers, partners, or suppliers. Proof of such an affiliation may be required.

2.3 An official company email address must be shared either during the registration process or separately via email to linked19h@omaemirates.com to confirm your company's participation.

2.4 To be eligible for overall prizes, both players must have an active handicap issued by the Emirates Golf Federation or another recognized governing body. Participants should be prepared to provide proof of this handicap. Golf professionals are welcome; however, a handicap will be decided by the tournament committee (Linked19H).

2.5 Entries must be submitted via the official Corporate SME Open 2023 portal on golfgenius.com before the closing deadline.

Tournament Rules

3.1 The Event will be conducted in a Pairs Texas Scramble format involving two-person teams. Both players on each team will tee off on every hole, after which they will decide on their preferred drive. Both players will then continue to play from this selected location, repeating this process until the ball is holed out. Each player must contribute a minimum of 6 tee shots during the round. Scoring will be based on the Strokeplay format with the aim being to achieve the lowest score possible. Prizes will be awarded for the best gross and net team scores.

3.2 All scoring will be conducted through the "Golf Genius" application, where gross scores should be entered. It is the responsibility of all players in the group to verbally confirm their scores before submission. Once scores are submitted, they cannot be amended. We recommend cross-checking within the group using a scorecard for verification.

3.3 The team's handicap is determined by combining 35% of the lower-handicapped player's course handicap with 15% of the higher-handicapped player's course handicap. The golf genius software will handle all the necessary calculations, including converting the handicap index to the course handicap. In the case of decimals, the software will round up if it's .5 or higher and down if it's below .5. The maximum allowed combined handicap is 28, and any team exceeding this limit will play with a handicap of 28.

3.4 Professional golfers are welcome to compete in the tournament, provided they are appropriately associated with the registered Small and Medium Enterprise (SME). The event organizers, Linked19H, will determine a fair handicap for these players.

3.5 In the event of a tie, tied teams will participate in a sudden-death playoff on hole 18 until a winner is determined. If daylight is limited, a card playoff will be conducted based on the order of better back 9, better back 6, better back 3, and better last 1 (hole 18).

3.6 All players are expected to uphold the integrity of the game. Any instance of misleading conduct should be reported to the organizing committee immediately. If you are unable to contact a marshal or official to resolve a situation, we recommend playing 2 balls and recording two scores for post-evaluation, if possible.

3.7 Play is governed by the current R&A Rules of Golf, local rules, and special event rules. Local rules and special event rules will be provided to all players before the start of play. Questions regarding the rules of golf, local rules, special event rules, and scoring will be resolved by a Linked19H (Event organizer) or a Tournament representative of Jumeirah Golf Estates (Host venue). Their decision will be final.

For more information about the R&A Rules of Golf, please click here. For more information about Golf Genius scoring, please click here.

Prizes

4.1 Prizes will only be awarded to eligible winners present at the evening ceremony.

4.2 Players unable to attend the ceremony should notify the organizing committee in advance, who will decide if the prize can be claimed at a later date or if it will be forfeited.

4.3 Entry criteria apply to raffle prizes and other evening competitions. Unlike the main tournament, no active official handicap is required for these; only the described affiliation criteria and attendance needs to be met.

Registration Fees & Cancellation

5.1 Registrations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration requires payment of fees, which serves as your license to attend the Event. The organizers reserve the right to revoke this license and deny entry if participants violate any Terms & Conditions or the golf course's code of conduct.

5.2 Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. All sales are final, and no refunds will be provided unless specifically mentioned in the cancellation policy.

5.3 For cancellations made 30 days before the Event, a full refund will be provided. Cancellations within 30 days of the Event will be at the discretion of the organizers. If your spot can be filled from the waitlist, the organizers may consider providing a refund, but this is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Participant Obligations and Acknowledgments

6.1 Participants are obliged to provide true, accurate, complete, and current information about themselves, including details about their handicap and other related information.

6.2 Participants acknowledge that Linked19H reserves the right to suspend their participation, deny access to the Event, or withhold any potential prizes if it is discovered that they have provided inaccurate, misleading, or false information about themselves or their handicap.

Sponsorship & Partnerships

7.1 Sponsorship and partnership packages are open to companies of all sizes. Companies interested in these packages should liaise with the Event organizers to discuss the details and requirements.

7.2 All agreements must be adhered to in a timely manner and in accordance with the terms set out in the personal contract agreements between Linked19H and the involved party.

Equipment

8.1 Participants are required to bring their own golf equipment, including golf clubs, balls, tees, and any other equipment required for the game. Golf clubs must conform to the specifications outlined in the R&A Equipment Standards.

8.2 Rental equipment may be available from the host venue, subject to availability and additional fees. Participants requiring rental equipment should contact the Jumeirah Golf Estates pro shop for more details.

8.3 The host venue reserves the right to impose restrictions on the use of golf carts due to weather conditions or course maintenance.

Health & Safety

9.1 Participants are expected to adhere to all safety regulations and guidelines outlined by the event organizers and the host venue. This includes, but is not limited to, wearing appropriate golf attire and footwear, using equipment in a safe manner, and following all course rules.

9.2 Any participant who fails to adhere to these safety regulations may be disqualified and removed from the event.

Liability

10.1 By registering and participating in the Event, participants agree that they are taking part in the event at their own risk and that Linked19H, the host venue, sponsors, partners, and other associated entities will not be held liable for any personal injury, loss, or damage that may occur as a result of their participation.

10.2 All personal belongings brought to the event are the responsibility of the individual participant. Linked19H will not be held responsible for any lost or stolen items.

Media & Publicity

11.1 By participating in the Corporate SME Open 2023, participants grant consent to be photographed and filmed during the event. This media may be used for promotional purposes, such as inclusion in brochures, press releases, and other print or online publications. This usage is aimed at promoting the event, future events, or company marketing campaigns.

11.2 Participants with any inquiries or concerns related to media, privacy, or publicity should direct them to the event organizers. If there are specific concerns about personal data, participants should refer to the Privacy Policy or contact Linked19H directly for assistance.

Data Privacy & Protection

12.1 By registering for the Corporate SME Open 2023, participants agree to Linked19H's Data Privacy and Protection policies and consent to the processing and sharing of personal data with third parties for event purposes.

12.2 Linked19H will handle all personal data in accordance with its privacy policies and applicable laws, taking measures to prevent unauthorized access and loss.

Force Majeure

13.1 Linked19H will not be held liable for any failure to fulfill its obligations under these Terms & Conditions due to events beyond its control, including but not limited to, acts of God, war, government action, terrorism, civil unrest, fire, explosion, flood, or natural disaster.

13.2 In the event of a force majeure event, Linked19H will endeavor to reschedule the event to a later date, subject to the host venue's availability. All registrations will be automatically transferred to the new date.

Dispute Resolution

14.1 Any disputes arising from these Terms & Conditions will be resolved in accordance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates.

14.2 By registering for the event, participants agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the United Arab Emirates for the resolution of any disputes.

Changes to Terms & Conditions

15.1 Linked19H reserves the right to change these Terms & Conditions at any time without prior notice. The most up-to-date Terms & Conditions will always be available on the event website.

15.2 It is the responsibility of the participant to regularly review these Terms & Conditions to ensure they are aware of any changes.

15.3 Continued participation in the event following changes to these Terms & Conditions signifies acceptance of the changes.

Indemnification

16.1 By participating in the Corporate SME Open 2023, each participant agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Linked19H, its parent companies, affiliates, sponsors, officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, and suppliers from and against any and all claims, actions, demands, liabilities, judgments, and settlements, including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees resulting from or alleged to result from their breach of these Terms & Conditions.

Alcohol Consumption

17.1 Alcohol will be available at the event. All participants and guests must adhere to the laws of the United Arab Emirates concerning alcohol consumption. Participants are expected to consume alcohol responsibly. Linked19H reserves the right to deny service to any participant who appears intoxicated or behaves inappropriately due to alcohol consumption.

Code of Conduct

18.1 Participants are expected to behave in a manner that is respectful and courteous to other participants, event staff, and venue staff. Linked19H reserves the right to disqualify and remove any participant whose behavior is deemed disrespectful, inappropriate, or disruptive.

Interpretation of Terms & Conditions

19.1 In the event of a dispute as to the interpretation of these Terms & Conditions, the decision of Linked19H is final and binding.

Acknowledgment of Terms & Conditions

20.1 By registering and participating in the Corporate SME Open 2023, participants acknowledge and agree that they have read, understood, and agree to abide by these Terms & Conditions.

20.2 If you have any questions about these Terms & Conditions, please contact linked19h@omaemirates.com.

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