Britain’s largest amateur golf tournament, the Matchplay Championship, announced this week it will be hosting its 2010-11 grand final at The Els Club, Dubai.

The venue is a major coup for the prestigious tournament which was launched in 2003 giving all golfers the chance to win a trip of a lifetime and have their progress followed by the Sky Sports cameras, all for an entry fee of just £20 per person.

“We’re delighted to be able host the 2010-11 Matchplay Championship at such a superb course as The Els Club. It makes the tournament even more attractive for keen golfers everywhere,” said John Woosey, Managing Director of The Golfers Club which promotes the Matchplay Championship.

Entries are now open for the 2010-11 tournament which take place on May 7-14, 2011, at the stunning course designed by Ernie Els, winner of a record seven World Matchplay titles.

They have until June 30 to enter and will then take part in regional qualifier rounds before a North and South regional final. In all 36 finalists will make it to the Dubai Grand Final, staying at the sumptuous Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel.

Each finalist will be given international flights to Dubai, a practice fourball round of golf, seven nights’ accommodation at the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel and a lavish prize-giving gala dinner.

There are three categories which are: Men’s pairs with a CONGU active handicap and Mixed pairs with a CONGU active handicap. There is also a third category for Men’s pairs with a non-active CONGU handicap which enables golfers who are not members of a golf club to enter the event.

Headline sponsors of the event are Direct Golf UK, Rewards4Golf.com and Golf Monthly and the tournament, as well as the regional finals, will be covered by Sky Sports and the Daily Telegraph.

”It’s  not every day as an amateur golfer that you’ll find yourself and your partner walking up the 18^th with the Sky Sports cameras on you!” added John.

The 2009-10 Matchplay Championship attracted a record number of entries with golfers from across the UK and Ireland competing.

The North and South regional finals take place in March and April this year with a grand final at Taba Heights Golf Resort in Egypt from May 8.

To enter the Matchplay Championship for 2010-11 or to find out more information, log onto www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk.