The 75th Augusta Masters approaches but how is UAE Golf trying to become Major

On the day that the anticipated 75th Augusta Masters is about to start and Golfing fans around the globe gather around their TV’s, I was thinking how lucky we are in the UAE to have so many high class Golf events.

If you were not aware, in total there are now 4 Golfing events in the UAE itself; The Dubai World Championship, HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, Omega Dubai Desert Classic and not forgetting the ladies with the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. Actually you can also throw into this mix the 2 other events, which are very close by in Qatar and now Bahrain, which make up the rest of the “Desert Swing”.

As you can see, living here being a golf fan you are truly spoilt for such a small region.

Of course none of them are Major’s and you cannot compare them to the Augusta Masters, but in their own way each of the events is Major.

The Dubai World Championship:

Now in its third year at the Jumeirah Golf Estates superb Earth Golf Course this Championship which brings together the top 60 European order of merit in a season ending shoot out has been in my view a major success, not without its issues. The crowds came out in huge numbers for this event and they challenged the already established Classic’s stature as the best crowd puller. It is the last outing at the Earth Course this year as the 3 year contract is up, where will it go next ?…..Abu Dhabi?

Omega Dubai Desert Classic:

A ground breaking event at the time of its inauguration 21 years ago in Dubai. Who would have thought a major European Tour event in the desert in the Arabic world? Now the event is truly established as one on the calendar to watch and visit with the Majlis Course looking better and better each time.

HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship:

The now 5 year old Championship is going from strength to strength. HSBC have now thrown their weight behind the sponsorship of the event giving a bigger platform for growth. If you can imagine Abu Dhabi in 5 – 10 years+ with its planned growth, this event when 15 years old could be really huge!

Omega Dubai Ladies Masters:

After the success of the Classic, Golf in Dubai launched this event for the Ladies European Tour on the same course and venue. Bringing a ladies golfing event here to these shores was a bold move and the event is now a really big pull for all the best players on the tour. Speaking to staff from the LET and some of the players, they absolutely love coming to Dubai for the Golf and hospitality.

As I have stated several times on this website in the past, if you can get out here to any of these events as a spectator, please make it a definite mark on your bucket list. The relaxed atmosphere and with the players being so approachable it’s different class if you eat and breathe golf!

Going back to the Augusta Masters, I have not managed to see them all due to various reasons (mainly timing). Being from the UK, the coverage started later and it was not always practical to watch. One of my own personal favorite memories was trying to stay up late in 1988 with my parents. I was peeking through the door slot from outside the room at the TV as Sandy Lyle was on the 18th.  My parents heard me and after giving me a few harsh worlds for not going to bed for school, said come in to watch. I then saw My Lyle hit his now infamous bunker shot onto the 18th and claim the green jacket, a truly awesome moment and it has always has stuck with me.

Living in the UAE, we are 3 or 4 hours in front of the UK. So the tournament will be on even later. I am hoping to catch some of it on TV and I am really looking forward to this Masters and to see if one of the Europeans, who are in top form, can take the crown. Will Mickelson retain the title? Can Tiger bring back his game? Or will it be an outsider coming out of the pack with their own story? So many potential stories to unfold, we shall see…

UAE Golf Online Editor – Paul