Dubai Desert Classic
The Dubai Desert Classic, first played in 1989, is the torchbearer of professional golf in the Middle East.
The history of the tournament, now referred to as a 'jewel in the crown of early season European PGA Tour events', goes back to 1986 when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai approved an innovative concept of developing a grass golf course in the desert.
Just two years later, Emirates Golf Club was opened and shortly afterwards, the idea of stepping even further ahead by establishing a world-class golf tournament was conceived.
The 'Desert Miracle', as the Majlis course designed by Karl Litten is known, opened in March 1988 with dignitaries and royalty from the Middle East, Near East and the Sub-Continent attending an opening Challenge Match.
This match featured East v. West, with professionals Howard Clark and Sam Torrance representing the West, and Graham Marsh and Rodger Davis the East. At this time, discussions were under way to stage a major tour event as part of the PGA European Tour. Within weeks, an agreement was reached and the Dubai Desert Classic opened the 1989 Tour calendar year.
Mark James won the inaugural edition of the event and took home 41,660 Euros for his efforts compared to 329,760 Euros that Henrik Stenson won in 2007. In the second year, Eamonn Darcy won the Emirates Airline Desert Classic, as the Dubai Desert Classic was known at that time.
In 1991 – the year when Seve Ballesteros won the tournament – the name settled to Dubai Desert Classic and it has been the case ever since.
The Dubai Desert Classic is held annually and belongs to the people of Dubai. It is recognised as one of the finest sporting events in the Middle East and Dubai has become a unique destination on the PGA European Tour.
The Dubai Desert Classic provides worldwide, regional and local exposure for the city of Dubai in general, and sponsors in particular, creating interest for people to visit Dubai and, therefore, continuing the evolution of Dubai and its people.
No one has won back-to-back Dubai Desert Classic titles although Ernie Els has the unique distinction of winning three times (1994, 2002 and 2005) and the South African also holds the course record of 61 he posted in 1994.
In 2006, Tiger Woods added his name to the impressive list of winners, which also includes Mark O'Meara (2004), Colin Montgomerie (1996), Thomas Björn (2001) and David Howell (1999).
Billed as the richest professional golfing event in the region, the $2.4 million Dubai Desert Classic also marks the grand finale to the 'Desert Swing' of the European Tour, which travels to Abu Dhabi and Doha in the region before returning to Dubai for the 'Major of the Middle East'.
|
|
|