Plans are well advanced for the 2002 Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club from March 7-10, and the club’’s General Manager, Mohamed Juma Bu Amim, is confident that the 13th edition of the tournament will again live up to its billing as a ‘Classic’’.
On a visit to The European Tour’’s Headquarters at Wentworth Club last week, he allayed fears of problems in the Gulf by commenting: “I want to stress that Dubai is not at war with anyone and our planning is well under way. The Gulf is operating as normal, the courses are busy. As far as we are concerned, it’’s business as usual.
“International golf is continuing in Dubai along with our course preparation, which has involved the relaying of all 18 greens to bring them back to their original size and surface. We have also lengthened the 16th hole, so everyone can see that we are working towards another wonderful tournament in March.”
Ken Schofield, Executive Director of The European Tour, added: “We appreciate the fact that Mohamed Juma Bu Amim and Nick Tarratt, Tournament Manager and General Manager of the United Arab Emirates Golf Association, took the trouble to come to see us with a reassurance that the Dubai Desert Classic will take place in 2002.
“This is particularly comforting as we look at this tournament as the centrepiece of our early-season schedule. The events of September 11 were unquestionably tragic, and while nothing can be guaranteed, we can only stress that our job is not to cancel tournaments; it is to promote them or to help promote them.”
The Emirates Golf Club is as “good as ever” according to The European Tour’’s Senior Tournament Director, Mike Stewart, who visited the Emirates for one of his customary pre-tournament progress meetings.
“The Majlis course is in absolutely fantastic condition,” he said. “The new 16th tee will challenge the best players on the tour, while the greens are back to their original size and specifications. The course is almost there and we are still five months away from the tournament.”
Stewart added:. “Obviously the players look forward to the Majors, but when they are planning their early season calendars they always work their dates around Dubai. The players enjoy being here, they are treated very well both on and off the course, and the weather and hospitality are second to none. When you also consider that the organisation is first-class, it makes my job a whole lot easier.”
