The former chief executive of the R&A, golf's governing body, has been appointed as a consultant and will explore fresh opportunities in the United Arab Emirates city.

Dubai has already established itself as a major player in the golf world having hosted tournaments such as the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the DP World Tour Championship, the climax of the European Tour's Race to Dubai.

Dawson, also the former secretary of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, will work across the industry with various stakeholders with a view to making a series of recommendations to the Dubai Government.

"In my roles at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and the International Golf Federation I have been committed to growing golf around the world and I welcome the opportunity to assist the expansion of the game in Dubai," he said.

"Dubai has a strong pedigree in golf and I believe there is a real opportunity to develop its fantastic golf offering even further.

"This is a truly exciting project and I much look forward to getting started."

As President of the IGF, Dawson has been involved with preparations for the sport's reintroduction to the Olympic programme at Rio 2016, 112 years after it last featured at the Games.

His appointment in Dubai comes following a recent Deloitte report which highlighted golf as a key contributor to the city's sports economy.

He has been signed up by Falcon and Associates, who are working on behalf of Dubai's leadership.

His Excellency Mohammed Al Shaibani, chief executive and executive director of Investment Corporation Dubai, said: "Building on golf’s strong domestic growth in the real estate and leisure sector, this strategic appointment marks another step forward for the continued development of the game and the long-term benefit of Dubai.

"With a view to expanding the reach and expertise of Dubai in a sector that has already shown its potential to contribute significantly to the growth of the Emirate and its economy, we will also reinforce Dubai’s position as a world leading golf destination.”



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