Par For the Course: Time to streamline the golf day concept

As 'corporate' Dubai has expanded so fast over the past few years, so has the busy schedule of corporate days and tournaments that get underway shortly.

So many companies use golf as an ideal way of entertaining their clients, boosting business relationships and indeed promoting themselves to the increasing golfing population.

Those companies who have held annual golf days for many years have certainly had to re-assess their days by altering the format and style to try and ensure a different experience for their guests.

At the same time to ensure their guests continue to support their day avoiding the other tempting invitations for the same day.

But as the companies invest a lot of time and money in a golf day, the question and that keeps getting asked by many hosts is; how do we get golfers to stay behind and enjoy the hospitality?

It is a very difficult situation especially as the Dubai social scene is as busy as the golfing calendar, hence often a game of golf is followed by a quick shower and getaway from the course leaving the host with a handful of player's.

Expecting golfers to wait for a prize presentation two hours after a game of golf is a lot to expect.

But on the other side of the coin if you accept an invitation, the common courtesies should be shown throughout the day even if it means being at the 'after-golf' function for a courtesy thank you to the host before leaving. The post 'no-show' in corporate days is just as rude as the post 'no-show' in local tournaments. You often hear "I haven't won the prize so I'm off" which for the sponsor who has invested a lot of money and time in providing golfer's an opportunity to play a quality course, good food, quality giveaways and prizes a bad feeling all-round."

There is no real answer for keeping players back for prize presentations but the more golfers do neglect supporting prize presentation those sponsor's will in time dry up leaving no choice but to cancel their support.

Tournament players in the UAE are certainly blessed with great courses, a tournament schedule that offers so much and prizes that are at the envy of many golfing nations.

Prizes are certainly one of the topics that the UGA are constantly on the lookout for trying to keep them in line with the rules of amateur status.

For many new tournament organisers and indeed corporate, days the idea of attracting a field or even a response is unfortunately by making the prizes so attractive by value.

Having big, expensive prizes does also bring the other side of golf into the equation that nobody wants.

"You only appreciate what you've had when it's gone" is very true statement and can be associated with many of the great golf corporate days and tournaments today.

When you accept an invitation this season make sure you support them whole-heartedly before they have gone.