Dubai: Last night I was invited to a Slync.io private dinner at a new venue at JA The Resort. There was the Dallah Trophy in attendance as well as fellow pros Bernd Wiesberger (Aut) and Erik Van Rooyen (RSA). It would be very special to lift it up on Sunday evening for the second time. Now that would be among some elite company.
It is good news for us players that it has been upgraded to a Rolex Series Event and with a new title sponsor in Slync.io, in my opinion, the tournament, with the refreshed Majlis golf course, is back where it belongs in its status on the global stage.
It was nice to see my name on the trophy and I had to remind a few attending that I was the only champion attending! Is it really 10 years since that victory?
The function included the ‘great and the good’ of golf and it is exciting to see them all in Dubai and the UAE, which must now be one of the most important and significant territories here in the Middle East, in the world of golf and so well located for global travel.
The evening included the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am draw for the Slync.io teams and it was fun to mix with all the guests including the Chairman and CEO of Slync.io Chris Kirchner.
Love in Dubai
I will go to the gym tonight, as usual, and spend a quiet evening at home with my wife, Sofia, and our kids. Everyone may not be aware that I first met my wife here in Dubai at a previous Dubai Desert Classic Champion’s Dinner.
Sofia used to work for the DP World Tour Middle East Office, so we both remember fondly of all our times at both the Dubai Desert Classic and the DP World Tour Championship.
I feel strong and fit ready for the next four days, especially following last week’s fine performance at Yas Links, less than an hour down the road. This week is one of my favourite tournaments and venues of the entire year. I have great memories of winning in Dubai and, of course, my last win in my home Open in Spain just last year.
Tomorrow (Thursday) my tee time is at 8.20am off Tee 10 in Match 19, and I am paired with Takumi Kanaya (Japan) and fellow Dubai-resident Guido Migliozzi (It).
Good luck to one and all for tomorrow’s first round.
See you all soon.
— Rafa Cabrera-Bello is Spanish professional golfer who plays on the European Tour and is also a past champion in the Dubai Desert Classic.
