Golf: Matt Hazell’s Dubai high challenge (From Gazette & Herald)

Golf: Matt Hazell’s Dubai high challenge

9:35am Saturday 8th September 2012 in Sport By Tony Kelly, Deputy sports editor

GOLFING life could not be more sweet for Matt Hazell as he anticipates a Dubai dream come true.

The construction worker is through to the grand final of the League To Dubai, a competition for amateurs which follows the Race To Dubai end to the professional European Tour.

Hazell’s achievement in reaching the grand final was confirmed after winning the regional round at the Carrick course at Loch Lomond Golf Club, where he totalled 35 stableford points.

And the Malton & Norton Golf Club member of 14 years, who lives in the same Welham Road where the club is based, has another slice of North Yorkshire to thank for his all-expenses paid December date.

Hazell revealed how he had benefited from lessons from Heworth GC head professional Fraser Kelley, whom he knows from his Malton & Norton where Kelley was on the staff.

“He helped to give me a better mindset. He’s a great teacher,” said the 44-year-old, who plays off nine.

His December sojourn to Dubai and a four-day stay at the Radisson Blue hotel, plus the tournament at the Nick Faldo-designed Emirates course, is not his first visit to the hot-bed of golf.

Hazell explained how he has been to the Gulf state several times to watch the professionals at the Race To Dubai finale to the European calendar.

Now he hopes to be among the pace-setters for the main prize.