Par For The Course: Crowd has matured with Desert Classic

Ernie Els winning eagle putt at this year's Dubai Desert Classic not only capped one of the finest finishes to the Classic in its history but closed a tournament which I would regard as the best tournament to date where spectators adhered to and respected the rules in and around the course.

There was no need this year for the honourable starter Bob Connor to chase any spectator who forgot to turn off his mobile around the first tee or the amusing Mr. Varri on the 10th tee hushing any wandering spectator, who forgot they were so close to the course while entering from the Wadi driving range.

In fact the comments received by the top "stars" and fellow professionals alike praised a crowd that has matured with the tournament and at the end of the day does so much to raise the stature of the event even further.

Attendance figures at this year's Classic were only marginally down from those in 2004 and even without Tiger, the UAE's golfing population poured out in droves on the Friday, recording the tournament's largest single-day attendance to date.

Last year saw too many volunteers turn up to collect their shirt and cap and not actually turn up on the day or even turn up, collect your ticket and then disappear into the crowd, but thankfully this year saw a well organised and dedicated team controlling huge crowds at the 18th for even Colin Montgomerie (No offence Colin).

But some of the unsung heroes of the week were the army of Red shirts from Dubai College.

The boys and girls from the college do a tremendous job under the leadership of Alan Davidson every year with very little training.

The first complaint regarding the tournament actually came to the office only a couple of days ago when a lady called in to complain about the new Ryder Cup's Captain's language on the course and a "star" professional who chose to respond to a call of nature on the 12th hole as opposed to using the player's on-course washroom!

Maybe things did go a lot smoother than we thought if this is all we have to deal with for next year.

But as another chapter closes in the history of the tournament the Majlis course once again produces a finish that provides us with great excitement.