Special book celebrating 25 years of the Dubai Desert Classic launched

A spellbinding portrait of the Dubai Desert Classic weaving together the rich tapestry of a tournament, fondly referred to as the “Major of the Middle East,’ was released on Wednesday ahead of the 26th edition of the tournament that gets under way on Thursday.

The lavishly illustrated coffee table book by world renowned photo journalist, David Cannon, and Rodney Bogg, who has served on the tournament committee for many years, traces the history of the European Tour event from the day the idea was conceived to the final putt made by Stephen Gallacher marking the climax of the 25 years of the ‘Classic celebrations’ in 2014.

Like the giant silver coffee pot which serves as one of golf’s most valued treasures for players, this 258-page coffee table book takes a trip down memory lane, recounting wonderful anecdotes and original quotes from some of the world’s leading stars who have become part of Dubai’s sporting folkore.

Many great names in world golf have won the Dubai Desert Classic as its profile assumes a grander profile with time. The roll of honour includes seven Major Champions, who between them have won 32 championships.

The cover photo captures a unique gathering of all former champions from Mark James, the winner of the inaugural tournament in 1989, to Gallacher who iced the cake last year with back-to-back victories, a first for the longest-running European Tour event in region. The only winner missing was 1992 champion, the late Seve Ballesteros, but the presence of his son, Javier, kept the ‘Seve spirit’ alive at Emirates Golf Club.

Produced by Tournament Publisher Motivate Publishing, the book features spectacular photography by Cannon, the only journalist to have covered all 25 editions of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in addition to photographing his 100th men’s Major at the US PGA Championship in 2014.

“The book will invoke some wonderful memories for a lot of people. I hope that it will inspire many more fans to come and watch the world’s greatest golfers performing on one of the finest golfing stages over the next 25 years of the Dubai Desert Classic,” wrote Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, in a foreward to the book.

The book is geared not only to those who are interested in the Dubai Desert Classic, but anyone who enjoys Dubai’s history and it’s meteoric rise as a preeminent global destination.

“Twenty-five years is along time, and the Dubai Desert Classic has come a long way since those halcyon days of the late 1980s,” says Bogg.

“I am confident that under the continued management of Mohamed Juma Buamaim and his excellent team at golf in DUBAi, and with the ongoing support of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the tournament will still be going strong – just bigger and better – 25 years from now.”

A doyen of sports photography, Cannon was delighted to present an exquisite selection of his photographic works. “I think the growth of the tournament mirrors the dramatic strides made by Dubai in becoming the sporting capital of the region and I have tried to capture that essence in my photographs.

“I’m just as proud as anyone to be part of this incredible golf journey in Dubai and I am sure the book will appeal to all those who love golf – and love Dubai.”

PIC CAPTION: Ian Fairservice, group managing director of Motivate Publishing, Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, Stephen Gallacher, defending Omega Dubai Desert Classic champion, David Cannon and Rodney Bogg at the launching ceremony of the book at Emirates Golf Club