The European Tour's Desert Swing gets underway next week at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and it'll definitely be one to watch for a whole slew of reasons.Many of the much-hyped young guns of golf will be in contention, including Rory McIlroy, Camilo Villegas, and Anthony Kim. Sergio Garcia will start his 2010 season in Abu Dhabi, and you can also look for exciting players like Alvaro Quiros and the Molinari Brothers.
In addition to the above mentioned stars there'll be a couple of golfers you may not be familiar with. Two of the Arab world's most winning young players are set to make their Abu Dhabi debuts next week as well.Twenty-three-year-old Othman Al Mulla has played in European Tour events before, in Dubai and Qatar, and has won a number of amateur tournaments across the Gulf. He's from Saudi Arabia. Ahmad Al Musharrakh is from the UAE and recently completed a third post-grad year at the IMG Leadbetter Golf Academy. In mid-December he won the DSCA Open in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The young men are both part of a Youth Golf Development Program being promoted by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
Here in the US, there are lots of misconceptions about the people and culture of the Middle East and I think it's great to see Middle Eastern players on an international stage.
We hear a lot about golf in the Arabian gulf. A number of Top golfer and top golf architects have done projects there and sometimes it seems like half the players on the European Tour have homes there, but so far little (nothing) about local golfers. It's good to see that's beginning to happen.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I just don't see Arabs as golfers. The game doesn't go with the Arab personality.
ReplyDeleteWell Mr. Anonymous, it might be said that the game doesn't go with most personalities no matter what the country or region. I don't know about you but the majority of people I know, American people, don't have "golf personalities". The game and its culture is changing though, as it must, and within a couple of generations, I think it will be played and enjoyed by a much more diverse and global audience. I'll be looking forward to seeing these men (and women from Arabia) in Rio in 2016.
ReplyDeleteThese guys are cute. I love the argyle sweater. :o)
ReplyDeleteWhat they've done in the desert in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is really impressive. I just hope it's sustainable.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, thegolfshark -- it's nice to hear about the locals for a change!
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Joy Price
Hole In One International
well i guess when a-rabs lose interest in blowing up free thinkers or beating women in the streets they may pick up with the most backward thinkers in sports - perhaps they will soon invest in augusta - they seem to have a lot in common with the lords of that place - hatred of diversity, male domination and tons of $$$$. holy shit --- i smell conspiracy!
ReplyDeleteWell anonymous, it seems you have the hatred of diversity you're accusing those a-rabs of, but you clearly don't have their $$. Obviously the closest you've ever got to Dubai or the Middle East is fox news, and I agree with Ash, they look hot in argyle!
ReplyDeleteWhat they have done in the desert in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is really impressive. I just hope it's sustainable.Golf is the so interesting game. Abu dhabi tourism
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