The Desert Swing is over and it’s been another dramatic Golfing journey

Looking back to the hot summer months of 2011, I remember looking forward to the main Golf events coming to the UAE. Well, that time has been and gone seemingly quickly, which brings me to add a few thoughts and look back on what has just happened through the Desert Swing.

There is no doubt that currently there is a major spotlight on Golf in the UAE and surrounding region. With the “Desert Swing” being as prominent as ever, that light has shone brightly once again in the last couple of months. In fact, could it have been any brighter?

Go back to Luke Donald’s amazing achievement at the Dubai World Championship last December at the Earth Course. It was truly a pleasure to be there and witness the Englishman’s achievement.
Not forgetting Alvaro Quiros who won the actual event and completed a Dubai Double in the same year playing some awesome desert power Golf.
Personally, I am looking forward to the next couple of years at Jumeirah, it is a cracking event and a privilege to have witnessed the launch and inception, I hope they build on what they have done so far.

“The Desert Swing”

The Abu Dhabi Championship came along with a stellar field including Tiger. ADTA has done a superb marketing job on this and the presented layout is getting better and better. The crowds are on the up and this event goes from strength to strength. Underdog Robert Rock came out on top. He was a surprise winner but definitely a worthy one.
Sandwiched between the UAE events was the Qatar Masters, where a resurgent Paul Lawrie (who played well at the DWC) brought his “A” Game to snatch a win in windswept Doha. This event is still attracting a good field of players and I think I should try and get to the next one in some format.

Last week the Omega Dubai Desert Classic closed the Desert Swing. It was a mixed field this year, not all the players can play all 3 events in the swing and they do pick and choose. But whatever you say, the established “Classic” yet again produced another great golfing spectacle that went down to the final hole. The little-known Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello won on the final hole avoiding a 3-way playoff which looked a certainty rounding off the Swing.

So we had 2 new names on the winners’ podium in both the UAE Desert Swing events, Robert Rock and Rafael Cabrera-Bello. I think it is good to see some new faces holding up the trophies and beating the so-called worlds best. Competition is healthy for any top class sport and hopefully, it will only make everyone work harder.
It certainly has been a Golfing festival in the region and I cannot wait until next time, get yourself out here for at least one of the events if you can. If you are a golf nut, it’s a must.

Another GCC Golf Event?
On another final note, there have also been some rumors of another European Tour event being sanctioned in the region. I do not think there is nothing solid yet or if it will be in the UAE. I wonder if Oman may come into the fold, they have a new course opening soon in the shape of Almouj The Wave which is managed by Dubai Golf coincidentally.

Until next time
Paul