A class act attracts record crowd

The Dubai Desert Classic, held from January 30 to February 4 at Emirates Golf Club, attracted a record crowd.

When Henrik Stenson held aloft the huge Dubai Desert Classic trophy against the lively backdrop of the lake guarding the 18th green on Sunday evening, he became the first Swede ever to win the $2.4 million (about Dh8.83 million) European Tour event in the 18-year history of the tournament.

That wasn't the only first for the tournament which attracted the strongest field spearheaded by world number one Tiger Woods, world number five Ernie Els, legendary Greg Norman and Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Jeev Milkha Singh among other superstars.

Promoted and organised by golf in Dubai, the tournament also turned out to be a big hit with golfing fans from all over the world.

More than 6.5 million hits from all over the world were
recorded on the official website of the Dubai Desert Classic. The record hits clearly showed the exploits of the world's leading golfers may be a standard television fare worldwide, but despite the over-exposure, they do not pall.

Even the attendance at the Emirates Golf Club produced a new record; as many as 55,606 fans turned up during the Classic week, beating the previous best of 49,633 in 2006.

The final day on Sunday, February 4, recorded the best turnout with 13,412 people coming to the venue to watch the proceedings despite a sandstorm which picked up steam later in the afternoon. Stenson held off the strong challenge from Els, Woods, Niclas Fasth and Ross Fisher before carving a tense one-shot victory.

Eagles and birdies were recorded in heaps much to the delight of the spectators on the Majlis course, described by almost all in the strong 120-field as in "fantastic shape".

A total of 22 eagles, 1,374 birdies, 4,338 pars, 888 bogeys and 69 double bogeys were carded during the four-day tournament. The closing 564-yard, par-five 18th hole alone produced seven eagles while a maximum of 167 birdies were scored on the 549-yard, par-5, tenth.

The 485-yard, par-4, sixth turned out to be the most difficult hole as it produced 115 bogeys while the par-4 ninth saw a maximum of 13 bogeys. That's just for the records.

"We are really delighted with the overwhelming success of the tournament. I would like to thank all the players for producing such an exciting fare to make the event a memorable affair," said Mohammad Buamaim, vice-chairman of golf in Dubai.

"Millions of people who watched the proceedings on TV and all those who turned up at the Emirates Golf Club couldn't have asked for such a great finish. A remarkable rise in TV ratings, website hits, ticket sale... all present a good advertisement not only for the tournament, but also for the city of Dubai, now a golfer's paradise," added Buamaim.