The 16th Dubai Desert Classic, to be held over the Emirates Golf Club’’s Majlis Course from March 3-6, 2005, will be the richest in the tournament’’s history with prize-money of $2.2 million at stake.
News that the four-day tournament will have a record prize-fund came as main sponsors Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL) underlined their support for The European Tour event for the 15th consecutive year.
M. A. Al Ghurair, Managing Director of main sponsors Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL) said: “At DUBAL, we are again delighted to be the main sponsors for the Dubai Desert Classic. It’’s a role we have enjoyed since 1990 and one we firmly believe helps promote the name of Dubai Aluminium to a world-wide audience as well as to our key market audiences.”
Over the years, the Dubai Desert Classic has grown from a fledgling tournament in one of the game’’s most unusual venues to become a prime event on the burgeoning European Tour and a ‘must-play’’ for many of golf’’s biggest names.
“We are particularly proud that our support of the Dubai Desert Classic has helped raise Dubai’’s profile in the world golfing community,” added Al Ghurair
Today, the name of Dubai is synonymous with golfing facilities par excellence – and a great deal of the city’’s popularity as a golfing destination is down to the success of the Desert Classic.
“In recent years, the prize-money fund has increased by more than 35% which underlines our commitment to the sport in this part of the world,” said Al Ghurair. “The Dubai Desert Classic will continue to attract the big names such as Ernie Els and we will be announcing many more of the stars who are lined up for 2005 over the coming weeks.”
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.
