College trio light up Dubai Desert Classic

Dubai: Dubai College students and staff will have special reasons to celebrate this year's Dubai Desert Classic which will be played at the Emirates Golf Club from Tuesday to February 3.

Two of their current students - UAE national champion Khalid Yousuf and Matthew Turner - will step on the first tee on Thursday.

It will be nervy times for the duo, but Ross Bain, a former Dubai College student and now a golf in DUBAI ambassador, has seen it all, having spent a considerable time on the tour.

"You're bound to be nervous in your first big event," Stenson told Khalid, but comforted him saying: "I still get nervous at the Majors, and it shows you are ready for it."

"It takes time to get things going, but if it doesn't, well, I don't have any advice for you!" he said in lighter vein.

But the message was clear: You have to fight your own battle.

The experience of working as match scorers could well have a calming influence on both Khalid and Turner.

"It was fun keeping scores for Michael Campbell some years back," said Khalid.

"I don't think the presence of my school mates will add any pressure, but it would definitely spur me on," said Khalid, adding: "I don't mind one of our college students working as scorers, but to be frank it really doesn't matter in the end."