Donna Benton’s vision drives evolution of the region’s premier development circuit 

The eagerly anticipated relaunch of the MENA Golf Tour is set to reshape the future of golf in the region, powered by bold investment and visionary leadership from renowned Dubai-based entrepreneur Donna Benton, the founder of the global lifestyle platform the Entertainer. Benton, who is also an investor in the forward-thinking Sunset Hospitality Group, has emerged as the principal investor in the Middle East’s only Official World Golf Ranking–accredited development tour. Known for her innovative spirit and refined business acumen, Benton brings a proven track record of driving success across industries, positioning her as a key leader to elevate the MENA Golf Tour to new heights.

Benton, whose Entertainer app revolutionised lifestyle savings across the GCC and beyond, is channeling her entrepreneurial prowess to position the MENA Golf Tour as the ultimate launchpad for rising stars in professional golf. With enhanced prize purses, groundbreaking player-centric policies such as 48-hour payment of winnings, and streamlined pathways to elite tours, the revamped Tour places the needs of players firmly at its core.

“I’m passionate about creating opportunities for people to achieve their dreams, and that’s exactly what the MENA Golf Tour is designed to do,” said Benton, who is no stranger to the world of golf and currently supports DP World Tour player Richard Mansell through sponsorship via the Entertainer. “Young golfers deserve fair rewards, rapid payouts, and a Tour that genuinely prioritises their success. Coupled with the efficiency and strategic capability of the Middle East as a region, the foundation is in place to build something truly extraordinary.”

The transformative impact of the MENA Golf Tour has been further underscored this weekend by South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, a former MENA Golf Tour participant, who claimed his second OMEGA European Masters title, and his fifth overall DP World Tour victory.  

Keith Waters, an eminent figure in golf and the Tour’s newly-appointed Chairman and Commissioner, acknowledged Lawrence’s triumph as emblematic of the Tour’s significance in the development of professional athletes.  

“Thriston is the perfect example of what the MENA Golf Tour can do for aspiring professionals,” said Waters, who previously held the position of Chief Operating Officer at the DP World Tour. “He gained valuable experience here, took that onto the DP World Tour, and is now a multiple winner at the very highest level. Our aim is to create more success stories like his.”

The revamped MENA Golf Tour will launch a dynamic 12-event schedule later this year, featuring a Qualifying School along with tournaments hosted across the Middle East and Europe. Players will benefit from direct pathways for progression onto the prestigious HotelPlanner Tour and DP World Tour Qualifying School, consolidating the MENA Golf Tour’s status as an essential component of the global professional golf ecosystem.

“The Entertainer proved that when you champion accessibility and deliver value, the entire ecosystem thrives,” said Benton. “The same principle applies here: put players first, pay them promptly, give them the platform to shine – and watch as the sport flourishes throughout this region.”

Additional announcements detailing venues, dates, and entry specifications will be shared in the coming weeks.