An International Herald Tribune article offers some thoughts on the development of golf in Dubai, the ‘brashest of the Gulf States':Here is a taster of the Tribune article:
“European tour officials have settled on a place with an even milder climate this time of year and much more cash flow. That would be Dubai, the brashest of the Gulf states that keep reeling in international sporting events or, failing that, creating them from scratch.”
“A few weeks of slumping oil prices are hardly enough to reverse the trend, but then Dubai, with reserves that are inferior to those of some of its large and small neighbors, has long been busy diversifying its economy away from energy.”
“It already has a star-stocked golf tournament called the Dubai Desert Classic and close ties with Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, who both have been hired to design courses in the emirate. Now, it will have an even better-stocked tournament with much more sporting significance, as it will be the season-ending event of a five-continent circuit dubbed - what else? - "The Race to Dubai." (What would the sports world do without branding consultants?)”
“The top 60 players in the European Tour standings will take part in the Dubai World Championship in November 2009, a tournament that will have $10 million in prize money and divide another $10 million in bonus pool money among the top 15 finishers in the season standings.”
To read the entire article:
Christopher Clarey, In Spain, Grim News and Changing Times, IHT, 31 October 2008.
Dr Geoff Pound
Image: Seve Ballesteros of Spain
