6 minute read
All Set For Another Classic
HERO DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC RETURNS FOR 34TH EDITION, WITH THRILLS ON AND OFF THE COURSE
BY MATT SMITH
All set for another Classic
For those who were lucky enough
to be at Emirates Golf Club last February, you still had to peer through the rapidly darkening dusk to catch a glimpse of Viktor Hovland posing with the Coff ee Pot trophy after his epic victory completed another entry in the fascinating history of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
It was worth the trouble to mark the ‘I-was-there’ moment, when the young Norwegian made the most of Rory McIlroy’s disastrous dunk into the water on 18 to then deny veteran underdog Richard Bland a famous underdog tale in the playoff .
While the then 48-year-old Englishman’s story never unfolded, Norwegian Hovland’s epic triumph was still more than worthy of its place in the annals of a tournament that returns to the Majlis Course from January 2629 for its 34th edition.
The DP World Tour Rolex Series event is now worth a record $9 million in prize money, and the stars are assembling once more as they aim to become the next hero in the Dubai Desert Classic saga that goes all the way back to 1989 and Mark James’ thrilling win over Peter O’Malley.
Many superstars have since written their own tales in the event’s history, including Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Fred Couples, Jose Maria Olazábal, Mark O’Meara, Tiger Woods, Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Sergio Garcia and Bryson DeChambeau, and there is no little stardust on show to thrill the fans this time around.
World No. 1 McIlroy is back searching for a third title, while the big guns are all out to stop him, including the likes of Lee Westwood, Francesco Molinari, Tommy Fleetwood, Henrik Stenson, Shane Lowry, Patrick Reed, Thomas Pieters and Tyrrell Hatton.
“It is hard to believe the tournament is now more than 30 years old,” Simon Corkill, Dubai Desert Classic Executive Tournament Director, told Golf Digest Middle East. “From those early days, and much like Dubai itself, we have seen growth beyond our wildest expectations. The hard work and dedication of an incredible number of people have got us to this point, and it is our duty to ensure we develop, nurture and grow in the years to come.”
One of the biggest developments in the build-up to the latest edition of the Middle East’s oldest tournament happened off the course as Hero MotoCorp were recently announced as title partner, rapidly following the motorcycle manufacturer’s sponsoring of the inaugural team matchplay Hero Cup in Abu Dhabi, and extending a partnership between Hero and the DP World Tour that began in 2015 at the Hero Indian Open.
“We continue to have a long-term partnership with the DP World Tour, and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is an extension of this engagement,” said Dr Pawan Munjal, Chairman & CEO, Hero MotoCorp. “We are delighted to be associated with this iconic event as part of the traditional Desert Swing. It surely promises to be an exciting start to the season, and we look forward to seeing world-class golf on display.”
As the tournament brings together global stars to put on a performance to remember, there will be plenty of off -course entertainment and culinary treats for the fans eager to grab a slice of history in the making.
There will be plenty on off er to keep visitors of all ages engaged throughout the weekend, including live music, wide-ranging food and drink options, a dedicated kids’ day, plus the inaugural Junior Dubai Desert Classic gets going on January 21 and 22 to get the festival started.
Continuing on from the success of the 2022 edition, the 2023 tournament again is free entry to the general public, while there are a range of luxury hospitality packages also available at the Dallah Lounge and Sky Deck for those wishing to watch the action in style.
Plus there is the return of the bigger and better Tournament Town, designed to delight the youngest of fans as well as the young at heart.
Also, Emirates Golf Club on-site restaurant Jones the Grocer is hosting a Picnic Lunch with a golf twist each day, where diners can watch all the action while snacking al fresco on salads, sandwiches, cheese and charcuterie, fruit platters, sweets, barbecue treats and drinks.
LEFT: Rory McIlroy was on course for a third Dubai Desert Classic title at Emirates Golf Club last year until he found the water on the 18th hole
OPPOSITE PAGE:
Viktor Hovland held his nerve as darkness fell in Dubai to claim the 2022 DDC title, defeating Richard Bland in a playoff
DESERT CLASSIC SCHEDULE
Jan 21 Saturday
Junior Dubai Desert Classic
Jan 22 Sunday
Junior Dubai Desert Classic
Jan 23 Monday
Official practice day
Jan 24 Tuesday
Jan 25 Wednesday
Jan 26 Thursday — First Round
Jan 27 Friday — Second Round
Jan 28 Saturday — Third Round
Jan 29 Sunday — Final Round
Getting There As parking spaces are limited, spectators are urged to take the metro to Al Khail Metro Station, where you will be delivered to Emirates Golf Club’s doorstep. Park and ride options are also available throughout the ciy to take you to the venue.
Tournament Town On top of the ever-popular food trucks, Tournament Town has a whole lot more to offer all weekend,with plenty of entertainment and activities including bouncy castles, arts and crafts, mascots and much more. And the party will continue long after sunset with live music on stage to keep you on your dancing toes.
There will certainly be the thrills and spills on the course as some of the world’s top golfers battle it out to follow in the footsteps of greats such as Ballesteros, Montgomerie, Couples, Els, Woods all the way through to more recent superstars such as McIlroy, DeChambeau and Hovland, to get their hands of the famous Coffee Pot trophy.
For the kids (and the big kids) there will be plenty of action away from the fairways too as, throughout the weekend, there will be a variety of acts across the venue including bubble artists, stilt walkers, children’s entertainers, magicians, graffiti artists and musicians.
There are also complimentary workshops with a sustainability vibe on Saturday and Sunday, including the opportunity to make your own seed ball to take home and plant, DIY workshops and an urban farming workshop.
On Kids’ Day (Friday) make sure you get down early as the first 500 kids through the gates receive a free Baskin Robbins ice-cream, along with face painting, plus three special performances of an Alice in Wonderland show throughout the day.
All in all, there will certainly be yet another Classic story to remember.
