The last three holes of the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai will be recreated and fans around the world will be able to play the Metaverse Challenge on the Oculus app.
Feel like you can take on Rory McIlroy and best him on the demanding final stretch of the Earth Course while sitting in the comfort of your London home? If you’re armed with 14 clubs and VR glasses, you can do just that.
The DP World Tour, formerly known as the European Tour before Dubai-based DP World became its main sponsor, is known for introducing innovations to the real, old game. In the past, it has introduced format innovations like Golf Sixes and mixed events, and technological innovations like the shot clock.
Now he will take golf into the metaverse when the season finale DP World Tour Championship is played in Dubai.
The tour has teamed up with Golf5 eClub, a leading virtual reality golf game, to launch a new tournament in the metaverse to coincide with the $10 million championship, to be played on Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course from 17-20 of November.
Called the ‘DP World Tour Championship Metaverse Challenge’, it will be open to all GOLF5 eClub members and will be available to play from November 10-25.
Keith Pelley, CEO of the European Tour Group, said: “Golf lends itself perfectly to VR gaming and we are determined to lead the way in bringing top-tier professional golf to the metaverse.
“The team at AAA Game Studios have done an incredible job recreating the last three holes of the Earth Course in what is a truly immersive and realistic experience that will allow fans to engage with golf and the DP World Tour Championship in new ways.” .
Players will compete against each other in a new virtual reality simulation of the last three holes of the Greg Norman designed golf course, including the much talked about par 5 18th hole with the falaj (stream) dividing the fairway, and the iconic Golf. Hole 17 par 3 with island green.
This is the same course where the world’s leading players such as McIlroy, Jon Rahm and reigning US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick will showcase their skills in the real world.
The virtual reality game has been developed by AAA Game Studios and can be downloaded through the Oculus app. Spectators attending the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai will also have the opportunity to take part in the competition in a dedicated play area in the Spectator Village.
Daniel van Otterdijk, Director of Communications at DP World, added: “At DP World we are exploring how the metaverse can help meet real-world supply chain challenges, so it’s great to see virtual reality technology as well. integrates into golf and DP World. Tour Championship. We want to be at the forefront of world-class technology and innovation, so to see this challenge launched by the DP World Tour during one of the biggest weeks on the golf calendar is extremely exciting.”
Antonio Marin, Founder and CEO of AAA Games Studios, said: “Our vision is to build this partnership with the DP World Tour into years to come and ensure fans get to play some of the biggest events on the golf calendar. We at GOLF5 pride ourselves on being the home of authentic golf in the metaverse and are excited for fans to be able to play the course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.”
