DUBAI, UAE, 7 February 2003 — With defending champion Ernie Els playing at the top of his form, it’s all systems go as the Emirates Golf Club prepares to host the world’s best players at the 14th Dubai Desert Classic from March 6-9.
Mike Stewart, Tournament Director of the PGA European Tour who recently made his second and final fact-finding mission to the UAE in preparation for the £1.2 million tournament said, “Everyone connected with the European Tour is really excited at the prospect of returning to Dubai for this year’s Dubai Desert Classic which promises to be yet another great tournament at Emirates Golf Club,”.
“The course is in great shape and everything is going to schedule. It is possibly the strongest line up in the history of the tournament and the Dubai Desert Classic Executive Committee and the sponsors should be congratulated for their efforts.” With Ernie Els winning in Melbourne yesterday (Sunday) for the fourth time in his last five tournaments – and Tiger Woods adding Dubai to their playing schedules for 2003, the Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL)-sponsored tournament looks set to be a favourite with spectators and sponsors alike.
HE Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Vice Chairman of DUBAL and Chairman of the Executive Committee said: “We’ve been working hard on the Dubai Desert Classic for almost a year now and we see no reason to stop our preparations.
We believe in being constructive not destructive and are maintaining our build up to the tournament as normal.
One young man hoping to make an impression on the great and the good of the world game is Spanish amateur Alejandro Larrazabal who gains an invitation to the Dubai Desert Classic thanks to his victory in the 2002 British Amateur Championship.
The 22-year-old student from Coastal Carolina University Captured in Conway, South Carolina, defeated Martin Sell in the 36-hole final at the links of Royal Porthcawl to become the third Spanish player to win the amateur crown. He is certainly in good company – the other two are Jose Maria Olazabal (1984) and Sergio Garcia (1998).
“I have no words to describe my feelings — the trophy was for the whole of Spain,” said Larrazabal who hails from Barcelona and has now put his professional plans on ice as winning the amateur title also meant invitations to the 2002 Open at Muirfield and this year’s Masters at Augusta. “I had planned to go for my tour card last autumn but I can’t miss the chance to play at Augusta so I’ll put my pro plan on hold.” In addition to main sponsors DUBAL, other Dubai Desert Classic sponsors include official carrier and Hole-In-One sponsor Emirates Airline; official caterer, hotel and challenge match sponsor Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa; co-sponsors and Pro Am sponsors Arabian Ranches by Emaar; co-sponsors The Palm; official courtesy car BMW. (Alan Ewens)
