If watching the world’s top golfers from the sidelines isn’t enough for you, this is your chance to be part of the action.

Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is looking for 450 volunteers to support the 2016 tournament, which opens the European Tour Desert Swing from 21^st to 24^th January.

Volunteer roles for the tournament, which is hosted at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, vary from stewarding to operating the leaderboards and measuring lengths of players’ tee shots for tournament statistics.

“Would-be volunteers are enticed by the opportunity to get up close with golf’s elite including Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler,” explained Ahmed Al Qubaisi, Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s (ADSC) director of marketing and communication. “This really is a memorable experience for golf fans and engages them with a legacy community which shares great enthusiasm and friendship.”

A select number of volunteer slots are being held for Abu Dhabi students, in line with ADSC’s drive to encourage sport in the local community.

Al Qubaisi added: “It’s important the tournament becomes a solid platform from which to introduce more local people to sport and the game of golf, whilst also providing an invaluable team-working environment which is a highly transferable skill that volunteers can take back to both school and working life.”

Martin Baldock, the championship’s chief marshall, added: “Each year, we see people from all over the world taking time off work to travel and participate. In recent years there’s been a significantly higher number of Emirati volunteers who have loved the experience – a sure indicator of how the game is growing in popularity amongst the local community.”

If you’re interested in volunteering, register online at: abudhabigolfchampionship.com