Last year’s Staysure Tour Order of Merit winner Clark Dennis is hoping to kick-start his campaign with anot­her enjoyable week when the 2018 season gets underway at the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters presented by Shurooq at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club from March 8 – 10.

Dennis, who hails from Texas in the United States, made his Senior debut in Sharjah last year after successfully navigating through Q School and went on to win two titles and capped an impressive rookie season by taking the Order of Merit title.

“The whole week was great,” said Dennis, reflecting on last year’s inaugural tournament in Sharjah where he finished in a share of 19th place on 3-under-par. “It was really interesting to begin the season playing a nine hole golf course and I think the Tour and the staff there did a fantastic job in setting it up for a tournament. It’s a very good golf course with some interesting holes and I think it’s a good venue.”

“Last year I was only in the UAE for the week of the tournament but I did manage to do my fair share of sightseeing on the days I wasn’t playing. I went and saw the BurjKhalifa and it was fascinating, really to think that the whole place was built out of nothing in the desert, it’s quite an accomplishment. It was my first ever trip out to the Middle East and thankfully it’s not my last.”

The American has had plenty of opportunity to fine tune his game in the run up to the event and will be ready to hit the ground running when play gets under way in a few weeks’ time.

“In the past few weeks I’ve played a pro-am in Mexico and I’ve been to Florida so I’ve had some warm-weather golf already this year to get some practise in. I’m going to be ready to go in Sharjah.”

“I think my goals for this year are the same – to prepare well and play every tournament like I’m trying to win. I think most guys out on Tour do that. I think the best thing I can do is to try and replicate the things I did last year. You never know if you can achieve what you want to – every year and every week is different – but I’m looking forward to it.”

His Excellency Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), state entity sponsoring and co-organisng the prestigious senior golf tournament, said:“Some of the big names slated to participate this year have competed in golf courses all over the world, each attaining a unique memory behind their experiences. Sharjah has long been one of these distinctive destinations for several golf players, and especially for the senior golf masters. We see these types of tournaments as key opportunities for us to give tourists, visitors and golf enthusiasts a taste of authenticity, nature and culture when practicing a prestigious sport such as golf in Sharjah.”