World Number Three, Ernie Els, will be hunting a record third Dubai Desert Classic victory when the 16th staging of the event is held at the superb Emirates Golf Club from March 3-6, 2005.
The popular South African – winner of the Desert Classic in 1994 and 2002 – remains the only man to have lifted the trophy on more than one occasion and the news that he has his sights set on a third title has been warmly welcomed by event organisers.
“Dubai has become one of the most popular sporting venues in the world with many star names lining up to play here, “ said HE Mohammed Ali Alabbar, Chairman of the Dubai Desert Classic Executive Committee, Organisers and Promoters of the event.
“But as sports fans ourselves we always get a thrill when the real superstars of the game agree to play in Dubai and there are few bigger names in golf than Ernie Els. I’’m delighted he has again agreed to join us as he is a great friend of the Desert Classic as well as one of the best players in the world.”
The confirmed appearance of Els means the Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL)-sponsored tournament will again mean high demand from the public when tickets go on sale from January 1, 2005.
A hugely popular player with the galleries, Els will head to Dubai after a season which saw him go close to adding to his three Major Championships.
The holder of the Majlis Course record of 61 – which he record on his way to victory in 1994 - Els is certainly no stranger to Dubai. In addition to his love for the Emirates Golf Club, he is also putting his distinctive design style on the Emirate’’s golfing landscape with 'The Dunes' course located in the prestigious Victory Heights golf residential development, which is a part of Dubai Sports City.
Besides DUBAL as the main sponsor of the Desert Classic, CNN International, The World by Al Nakheel, Arabian Ranches by Emaar and Samsung as co-sponsors, other sponsors include: Emirates as official airline and Hole In One Sponsor; official caterer, hotel and challenge match sponsor Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa; Official Bank National Bank of Dubai; official courtesy car BMW; and event newspaper Gulf News.
