The European Tour returns this week to the Arabian Gulf for back-to-back tournaments in a part of the world where the notion of professional tournament golf, played on lush green, perfectly manicured fairways, would have been viewed as fanciful by some and dismissed as ridiculous by many just 20 years ago.
However, as the first Full Field event on The 2004 European Tour International Schedule gets under way at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, with two of the leading three players in the world - Tiger Woods and Ernie Els - competing in the Dubai Desert Classic, no-one can dispute the ingenuity which has brought wonderful golf to the Gulf.
This week in Dubai and next week, just a few hundred miles north-west across the Gulf in Qatar, where the seventh Qatar Masters takes place at the spectacular Doha Golf Club, European Tour Members will compete for a total of $3,500,000 (€2,813,283). The impossible is now very much reality.
The history of the Dubai Desert Classic goes back to 1986 when HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, approved the innovative concept of developing a green oasis in the desert. Just two years later, the Emirates Golf Club was opened and, shortly afterwards, the idea of establishing a world class tournament at a clearly world class facility was conceived.
At the same time, The European Tour was actively seeking an opening to spread its wings - bearing in mind this was several years before the first co-sanctioned tournament in Asia, Australia or South Africa - and the combination of a warm climate and state of the art facilities, allied to a magnificent Karl Litten-designed course, acted as the catalyst for the Tour to come on board in the 1989 Karl Litten Desert Classic, named in honour of the designer.
Ken Schofield, The European Tour's Executive Director, identified an opportunity to expand the horizons of the Tour at a time of year when playing conditions in northern Europe were not conducive to tournament play.
"The priority around that time was to begin filling the early part of the Schedule with good, regular golf tournaments on quality courses. In this we are eternally grateful to the Dubai Government and Dubai Aluminium Company (DUBAL) for their vision and support over the years.
"Travelling to Dubai in 1989 and 1990 for the first and second seasons of the event was a unique experience and everyone associated with the Tour was, and continues to be, deeply impressed by the facilities, which are second to none. The efficiency of the organisation, a world-acclaimed golf course, an ideal climate and the commitment of everyone at the Dubai Desert Classic, have deservedly earned the event widespread respect.
"This year sees the 15th edition of the Dubai Desert Classic and, notwithstanding the unfortunate cancellation in 1991 due to the first Gulf War, the Dubai Desert Classic has received the highest praise from our Members and we look forward to the tournament continuing to thrive in this unique corner of the Gulf."
Mark James of England was the inaugural champion in 1989, with Ireland's Eamonn Darcy winning the re-titled Emirates Airline Desert Classic in 1990. From 1992 onwards, the tournament has been known as the Dubai Desert Classic and, with the exception of 1999 and 2000 when it moved to the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, has been played at Litten's verdant oasis in the desert - the Emirates Golf Club.
Prize money has risen from €385,000 (£275,000) in 1989 to €1,607,590 (£1,076,715) this week, during a period of prosperity of the Dubai Desert Classic in which Els (1994 and 2002) has become the only multiple winner. Els, the current Volvo Order of Merit champion, holds the Emirates course record of 61, 11 under par, which he shot in the first round on his way to victory in 1994.
By 1998, at a time when the boundaries of The European Tour were already extending to Asia, Australia and South Africa, Schofield concluded an agreement with the State of Qatar for the inaugural Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club in March, following on immediately from that year's Dubai Desert Classic.
Now the Tour could offer a genuine 'Gulf Swing' of two top class tournaments in early Spring and Schofield added: "We were delighted when The European Tour went from one to two tournaments in the Gulf. Before going to Qatar we were led to believe that Doha was a magnificent facility and we were not disappointed.
"The reality is that for the first quarter of the year we have to play outside Europe. It should always be remembered that we travel as a Tour by invitation and our Tour Members appreciate that, in Dubai and Qatar, they have two exceptional locations. The climate in Qatar is similar to Dubai and, therefore, well nigh perfect for golf."
Scotland's Andrew Coltart captured the first Qatar Masters in 1998, winning €141,400 (£101,006) from a total prize fund of €840,000 (£600,000). Prize money has now increased to €1,205,693 (£807,536) in 2004, ensuring that the Tour Membership does not lack opportunity and incentive before the European summer season kicks into gear.
