A historic fortnight for Golf in the UAE

Well, it certainly has been a big few weeks for Golf in the UAE.

If you do not live here the culmination of the Race to Dubai was probably on your Golf radar. Yet again the event delivered another storyline at the end of the European Tour season.
For the 3rd year running there were more twists and turns ending with a historic Golfing achievement. All in all great news for Golf in UAE, the European Tour, and the sponsors.
The actual event was billed as Rory v Donald to win the money list but that failed to materialize for Rory. Donald plugged away and almost won the final event in the calendar. The Englishmen came away top money earner on both sides of the Atlantic, an astonishing feat and it was a pleasure to be there and witness his achievement.
Donald in the press area after was his cool, collected and humble self. He talked honestly about how the journey had evolved and what he had done. Coming across very approachable, he had time for anyone who wanted to speak to him. There was no surrounding entourage and there was no ego, which all added to a refreshing change. Donald was happy to pose for some more images for the selected press and I managed to get a few pics of my own and grab a couple of words with him on the gantry after the crowds disappeared.
You cannot forget the actual winner of the final event Alvaro Quiros who battled with a resurgent Paul Lawrie on the last round right up until the last hole. The cheeky Spaniard was his usual wisecracking self after but his limelight was a little stolen by Donald’s achievement. Alvaro knew and respected that the moment was special in a gentleman’s way. He now owns a Dubai double after his win at the Desert Classic earlier in the year, an amazing feat which got a little lost in all the madness.

The DP World Tour Championship Dubai
There was also another important moment in the Race to Dubai future. After the first 3 events, the time was up for either the extension of the deal or for a change of direction. It was duly announced at a press conference that it stays at Jumeirah Golf Estates for another 3 years with a possible extension.

The main change was the name of the final event to allow the main sponsor DP World to get involved.
This was great news for UAE Golf and Dubai but there has still got to be some work to move the whole JGE project forward in these tough financial times. Most Golfers in the UAE will be very happy though.

UAE Golf Team Double Gold Medal
While the back to back tournaments were being played in Dubai, (DWC and Ladies Masters) the UAE Golf Team were out in Doha at the Arab Games. The team gave a superb performance and managed to win team and individual Gold Medals. We would like to give the boys a pat on the back for their achievements which is a real boost for UAE Golf on all levels.

Ladies Master also creates Golfing History
The Omega Ladies Dubai Masters finished Saturday and produced another historic Golfing feat. This time it was from young American teenager Alexis Thompson who blew the supposedly good field away to become the youngest ever tour event winner on both sides of the Atlantic. She finished several shots ahead of the field and looked every inch a superstar with a calm, mature, confident scoring performance of a seasoned pro twice her age. Let’s see if she moves on and capitalizes from her experience here, in the press conference after she said she will be back to defend her title next year as she enjoyed the event so much. I bet she did!

Well, all in all, a truly remarkable UAE Golf fortnight and it is not over yet! The desert swing is coming in early 2012 with the Classic and Abu Dhabi likely to be superb outings. The field in Abu Dhabi is top class and throw in Tiger in Abu Dhabi for the first time, it is going to be a captivating event.

I have written it before and will state it again. There is something about Golf Events held here in the UAE that more than often produce dramatic, thrilling and entertaining climaxes. The way the players are welcomed by the country has to have a part to play in creating this. They all say how much they love playing here and relax which takes-off the shackles. As a golf fan, what more could you ask for?

Paul