Dubai World Championship Golf behind the Scenes

[dubai_phil]

For those that maybe interested and for those I know it will annoy, I'll try and do a bit of a report on what goes on behind the scenes for the European Tour's big $15million weekend. 59 players due to compete, Casey is out injured and Darren Clarke lest at home as he missed one putt.

 

The Earth course is brand new - it will look sensational on the telly. What you won't see is the army of little chappies still swarming over the place fixing big holes in things, banging nails and putting paint on. 10 days ago it didn't even have an access road it was a dirt track.

 

There is no clubhouse, they have probably one of the world's poshest Portacabins. You approach the course through a mixture of desert, holes in the ground that will probably never be built upon and just a mess. No matter which road you take for the drive from downtown Dubai you have Road Works, lots of them. (Salisbury is closer to Southampton than the course is to Dubai). Depending on the hole, it is just some post apocalypse wasteland or, around the signature holes, villas being rapidly painted to look good on TV.

 

Having said that the course is astonishing. Standing by some of the Tee Boxes you just cannot imagine where you can hit the ball without getting into trouble. It is long, VERY long, it has a par 3, 245yards into the wind. Watching the pro-am today one of the hackers just walked up and said - your 'avin' a larf, couldn't get close with his Driver! The 18th is just evil - a longish Par 5 but with a river zig-zagging right down the middle of the fairway - which of course is sloped so even the perfect drive just rolls straight in. That will be dramatic! The course is very wide and the rough is very short - Lee Westwood was moaning - should be tougher, more like the US Open. If you sneeze on a green over your ball it will run for about 20 yards...

The desert scrub areas along each fairway have been covered in Red Wood chips, making it visually attractive but the ball will fly all over the place if you get into trouble.

 

185 journalists, 50 Press photographers, 300 volunteer crowd Marshalls, 150 volunteer schoolkid scorers, it is a massive logistics operation. 50,000 people registered online for the tickets, and it is a very spectator friendly course with some good viewing areas, unlike the Desert Classic, The 18th green will have a great atmosphere on Sunday.

 

Facilities for spectators have been well planned, picnic areas and they even have sofas and bean bags dotted around the course, as well as buggy lifts for many of the elder spectators.

 

Any down sides? Not yet, BUT like many other big events over here, everything gets done at the last moment in a rush. So we expect to see advertising boards falling down in the middle of important putts, the TV screens will probably only start working after play finishes, the beer drinkers will never find their cars in the car parks and the taxi queues will be awful (although there are shuttle buses to many city pubs), oh and the woodchips are the perfect breeding ground for nasty little biting insects Not only do they bite but the darned thing bleeds straight after. Couple of the older lady marshalls were taken to first aid looking like they'd been dragged through barbed wire

 

The biggest problem is going to be the fact that it is a BIG course. The spectators will walk 8km to watch a round, with a lot of up and down hills and uneven terrain. What's more, it is FECKING hot, the humidity is high today and forecast to stay that way. I'm used to the heat but even I found it hard going out there today.

 

Any tips? obviously the top 4 battling for the big bucks will be the focus, but I was with Harrington today. Every drive, dead centre of the fairway, every approach about 4 feet from the flag. he was relaxed, giving golf lessons, telling tales and posing for photos and autographs with the few spectators that make it during a work day.

 

He plays as well as he did today and stays relaxed, good each way bet for the top five.

 

I'll pop back and bore many over the next few days, there is so much that we don't normally see on the telly (like the commentary box is actually about 1km from the course, they sit in a little "portacabin" and apart from the roving guys or the interviews they only ever see the course when they walk it during the practice rounds). 50 weeks of the year in hotels and never actually seeing a shot played live.

[swannymere]

It's still only a pastime and not a sport though isn't it? I mean the only reason for it to exist is so middle-aged, middle-management types can say they participate in a sport, right? Good luck to them, if only darts and snooker had as much cash involved.

[ericofarabia]

Facilities for spectators have been well planned, picnic areas and they even have sofas and bean bags dotted around the course, as well as buggy lifts for many of the elder spectators.

 

The biggest problem is going to be the fact that it is a BIG course. The spectators will walk 8km to watch a round, with a lot of up and down hills and uneven terrain. What's more, it is FECKING hot, the humidity is high today and forecast to stay that way. I'm used to the heat but even I found it hard going out there today.

.

 

Maybe Matt won't be too disappointed at not making the cut after all, but nice to see they took precautions in case he did

[Nineteen Canteen]

It's still only a pastime and not a sport though isn't it? I mean the only reason for it to exist is so middle-aged, middle-management types can say they participate in a sport, right? Good luck to them, if only darts and snooker had as much cash involved.

 

I agree but it actually goes a lot deeper than that. Does your local darts or snooker venue have a 'club captain'? How many under priviliged kids or those from an ethnic background do we see take up golf in this country? There was a documentary about competitive Dads on the TV recently and there are plenty of a good many white kids from middle class backgrounds wasting their weekends playing golf with their like minded Dads and Mums chatting up the postman for attention.

 

Why does DP think we'll be interested in the minutae of a golf tournament including the staffing arrangements and place to eat a sandwich? Doesn't that sum up the mentality of golf and majority of those who play it as a kind of superiority complex. Interesting DP mentions a networking day on the golf course in America. Classic situation that excludes immediately those who don't play and reduces the amout of toadying to the 'big man' for those who attend.

 

Many years ago I attended what use to be called an 'offsite' in my company at the time. We had a networking/rest day in which the far majority of senior directors and their underlings, of which I could be classed as and probably lower!, went to play golf. I would rather be looking for another job than play golf so after breakfast sat in the lounge with 2 other like minded and worried souls when the MD joined us. Guess who had the more productive day as we sat chatted and drank and networked in our jeans and t-shirts.

 

Swanny you hit the nail on the head. Sport for me is an activity that requires you to work up a sweat and does not IMO encompass the 'sport for all' philosophy. It's a disgrace its in the Olympics and I suppose they will be letting Polo in next although that takes the pompous exclusivity to another level but one that many golf clubs no doubt aspire.

 

I may have used this quote before but it makes me smile when I hear it. Golf is to sport what masturbation is to sex. Neither are as good as the real thing IMO. I can only hope DP isn't at St Andrews next year - we will be getting a marquee count and a report of the billiard like service of the practice areas accessed only if you are wearing cashmere socks and take yourself far more seriously than you should.

[saint_stevo]

It's still only a pastime and not a sport though isn't it? I mean the only reason for it to exist is so middle-aged, middle-management types can say they participate in a sport, right? Good luck to them, if only darts and snooker had as much cash involved.

 

Its a sport. so STFU

[swannymere]

Its a sport. so STFU

 

Now that's not very nice:(

[Nineteen Canteen]

Its a sport. so STFU

 

Now that's a typical attitude of a golfer. I don't like your opinion so we will make up rules to keep you out or just talk over you. If Golf is a sport then so should Scrabble, tiddlywinks, Su Doku, Darts, Snooker, Pool, Shove Ha'penny, Ten Pin Bowling and any other pastime you can do well into your old age and never concern yourself with nutrition, fitness conditioning, sweating or troubling yourself with visits to sports shops unless you want to keep up the illusion Golf is a sport. It's a game but so is Chess.

 

Imagine athletes in track and field or footballers or rugby players etc etc never exerting themselves physically and competing in their chinos once they have convinced the club captain and the pitch and image police they are not jeans.

 

Golf is the most ridiculous past time and waste of time on the planet and I would bet a golf club is open to a higher proportion of single, divorced or unhappily married men than anywhere else on the planet. I maybe wrong but I have many acquantainces and of those couple whose husbands plays golf there are major issues and tension within the relationship.

 

Nowadays, if we are asked out to dinner I simply ask them if they play golf and if so I just say we can't attend as I have to get up at 7am for an important Su Doku that I must do without fail every Saturday morning and sod the family. Strangely enough they completely understand.

[benjii]

19C - your fixation with golf is quite funny.

[saint_stevo]

Now that's a typical attitude of a golfer. I don't like your opinion so we will make up rules to keep you out or just talk over you. If Golf is a sport then so should Scrabble, tiddlywinks, Su Doku, Darts, Snooker, Pool, Shove Ha'penny, Ten Pin Bowling and any other pastime you can do well into your old age and never concern yourself with nutrition, fitness conditioning, sweating or troubling yourself with visits to sports shops unless you want to keep up the illusion Golf is a sport. It's a game but so is Chess.

 

Imagine athletes in track and field or footballers or rugby players etc etc never exerting themselves physically and competing in their chinos once they have convinced the club captain and the pitch and image police they are not jeans.

 

Golf is the most ridiculous past time and waste of time on the planet and I would bet a golf club is open to a higher proportion of single, divorced or unhappily married men than anywhere else on the planet. I maybe wrong but I have many acquantainces and of those couple whose husbands plays golf there are major issues and tension within the relationship.

 

Nowadays, if we are asked out to dinner I simply ask them if they play golf and if so I just say we can't attend as I have to get up at 7am for an important Su Doku that I must do without fail every Saturday morning and sod the family. Strangely enough they completely understand.

 

You can play most sports into an old age, you just wouldn't be very good. You must have a very sheltered view of golf if you think its for fat old men, maybe some time ago it was a sport where the pro's weren't in the best of shape, but these days those at the top of the game are athletes. Most spend as long, maybe longer in the gym working out than they do practising with a club and bucket of balls. Just because it is non-contact does not de-value it in anyway. Ignorance.

 

Your's is the typical attitude of someone not able to master the sport at a first attempt and a lack of an open mind. What exactly makes it the most ridiculous past time and waste of time on the planet as you so ignorantly put it? And yes you are wrong, maybe its just the people you are acquainted with are generally sad, single and unhappy. And of course, the reason for 99% of divorces is the man in the relationship's hunger for a round of golf on the weekend. Your sweeping generalisations don't surprise me. Your an A-class moron and should keep your naive, generalistic opinion to yourself, or maybe run it past the mrs, she is obviously glutton for punishment.

[Nineteen Canteen]

You can play most sports into an old age, you just wouldn't be very good. You must have a very sheltered view of golf if you think its for fat old men, maybe some time ago it was a sport where the pro's weren't in the best of shape, but these days those at the top of the game are athletes. Most spend as long, maybe longer in the gym working out than they do practising with a club and bucket of balls. Just because it is non-contact does not de-value it in anyway. Ignorance.

 

Your's is the typical attitude of someone not able to master the sport at a first attempt and a lack of an open mind. What exactly makes it the most ridiculous past time and waste of time on the planet as you so ignorantly put it? And yes you are wrong, maybe its just the people you are acquainted with are generally sad, single and unhappy. And of course, the reason for 99% of divorces is the man in the relationship's hunger for a round of golf on the weekend. Your sweeping generalisations don't surprise me. Your an A-class moron and should keep your naive, generalistic opinion to yourself, or maybe run it past the mrs, she is obviously glutton for punishment.

 

I know what you mean about fitness, we can't get into our local gym these days for the amount of golfers in there working out. Must admit I wouldn't mind taking on Colin Montgomerie, John Daley, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood in a 4m run over any golf course of their choosing to see who wins blimey I 'd even take on Tiger who must be 15 years my junior but can still play his sport with a major injury - does that happen in Tennis and they sit down a lot to have a rest?

 

Since when is athletics a contact sport? Last time I watched the Triple Jump I didn't see Phillips Idowu get taken out on his run up by Jonathan Edwards or when Coe and Ovett tried to kick each other off the track in their great races. Mind you that Rebecca Adlington and Steve Redgrave they really got stuck into the opposition. Have I made my point? Who said anything about non-contact activities not being a sport? Most of those that I would class as a sport do require a bit of a sweat to be any good and not just general fitness to help them on a ridiculous 4m stroll hitting a little white ball around with some sticks that you have put into a bag with wheels and asked some lowly person to drag it around for you because you don't have the physical fitness to do all that and hit the little ball into a little hole surrounded by immaculate little lawns.

 

The Scots only invented it because Hans Christen Anderson lacked the imagination to come up with something so far fetched.

 

Benjii, it's not so much a fixation just a dislike that a game so exclusive and so far removed from the Greeks original idea of the Olympics is now been allowed in. Also, throughout my working life and I'm sure like many others I have had to put with 'golf days' used as excuse for others to 'network' when really its an excuse for a day out and a skive from the coal face and opportunity to grease your way up the boss's pole. Lucky for me I worked for two MD's for the most part of my career who loathed golf as much as I did and they were both women. Golfers lost out there because staying in the office was a distinct advantage for me and the eventual Mrs Canteen.

 

When golf becomes a game of equal opportunity and rids itself of its old fussy class heirarchy image then maybe my view will change but IMO it does more to keep the riff raff out than develop young talent unlike other genuine sports that require athletic prowess. By that I mean one who excels and works hard at physical sports, exercises and requires both mental, nutrional and physical conditioning to therefore absolute peak to maintain performance and be able to compete in their chosen sport just like Tiger and John Daley and Tom Watson a near 60 year old competing against all those gym enthusiasts.

 

Do you remember the old Superstars programme? If they held them today with a golfer in the line up do you think today's golfing athlete could hold his own with representatives from Football, Rugby, Boxing, Judo, Track and Field, Swimming or even Motor racing which although I enjoy is no more a sport than golf is IMO. (sorry Ponty, just an opinion)

 

Having a different view than your's Stevo doesn't make me a moron and sorry I generalise at times but if you would like me to go into more detail let me know and I'll write you a book. I can only comment from my own experience, observations and thoughts. I'm clearly wrong as those morons on the IOC have voted Golf in and remember I didn't coin the phrase 'golf widow'.

 

And Finally, perhaps Wodehouse sums it up perfectly why Golf is so pathetic as follows:

 

' The least thing upset him on the links. He missed short putts because of the uproar of the butterflies in the adjoining meadows.'

 

I hope Dubai Phil doesn't take cucumber sandwiches and a packet of crisps to his recommended picnic areas. BTW are the bunkers made of grass in Dubai?

[Ponty]

Motor racing which although I enjoy is no more a sport than golf is IMO. (sorry Ponty, just an opinion)

 

 

F1 drivers are among the fittest guys on the planet. Jenson Button regularly enters and does well in triathlons. Mark Webber is a pro level cyclist. The list goes on. Believe me, for stamina especially, these guys would give any footballer a hard time.

[norwaysaint]

Ponty's right.

 

I drive a car (I'm only an amatuer, but take part keenly) and it keeps me in great shape. Anyone who says driving isn't a sport clearly hasn't ever been out on a road. Believe me there are thousand of amatuer drivers out there taking part in driving and some of these guys are in the gym every day and in great shape. Some of the people I've met who drive could also play football or cycle to a very high level.

 

Only an idiot would suggest that driving isn't a sport and they should get out there and have a go for themselves sometime.

[Hatch]

made me laugh.

[swannymere]

made me laugh.

 

I've wet myself

[dubai_phil]

Good golf out there today. Ernie Els played like a plank, those of you who took my tip of each way on Harrington look like you'll get a run for your money.

 

McIlroy didn't do anything spectactular and looked well out of it at one point but a nice run of birdies sets him up for the head to head with Westwood.

 

Some quirky bits, We had one spectator with our group feint in the heat, they were taken off to Med centre and admitted to hospital, as was one of the Marshalls. It was punishingly hot and humid, and in their infinite wisdom the organisers decided to focus on an on course "Chill Out Lounge" and one "integrated serving centre, which meant that it was next to impossible for the public to get any water or Isotonic drinks.

 

Of course, the European Tour regs state "no cameras allowed on the course" but to save cost, the organisers here decided not to put up any warning notices, assuming that the muppets who live down here would miraculously understand the rules, so flash bulbs and clicks all around the course. If it wasn't for the fact that so much money is at stake it would be funny.

[Ponty]

Ponty's right.

 

I drive a car (I'm only an amatuer, but take part keenly) and it keeps me in great shape. Anyone who says driving isn't a sport clearly hasn't ever been out on a road. Believe me there are thousand of amatuer drivers out there taking part in driving and some of these guys are in the gym every day and in great shape. Some of the people I've met who drive could also play football or cycle to a very high level.

 

Only an idiot would suggest that driving isn't a sport and they should get out there and have a go for themselves sometime.

 

Lol, spazz. Everyone knows you don't have cars in Norway, only skidoos.

[Kadeem Hardison]

I play golf professionally and even I don't consider it a sport.

[dubai_phil]

Considering that WWE is considered a sport rather than formation dancing, and that Golf & Cricket are games, perhaps we should have a new section so that games can be discussed

[Nineteen Canteen]

Good golf out there today. Ernie Els played like a plank, those of you who took my tip of each way on Harrington look like you'll get a run for your money.

 

McIlroy didn't do anything spectactular and looked well out of it at one point but a nice run of birdies sets him up for the head to head with Westwood.

 

Some quirky bits, We had one spectator with our group feint in the heat, they were taken off to Med centre and admitted to hospital, as was one of the Marshalls. It was punishingly hot and humid, and in their infinite wisdom the organisers decided to focus on an on course "Chill Out Lounge" and one "integrated serving centre, which meant that it was next to impossible for the public to get any water or Isotonic drinks.

 

Of course, the European Tour regs state "no cameras allowed on the course" but to save cost, the organisers here decided not to put up any warning notices, assuming that the muppets who live down here would miraculously understand the rules, so flash bulbs and clicks all around the course. If it wasn't for the fact that so much money is at stake it would be funny.

 

Cameras and butterflies they have it tough those golfers. BTW I think it is very funny or maybe just a tad sad. Does the European Tour Regs state that all crunchy food will be confiscated and anyone in the possession of an apple will be banned for life. I suspect the drinks were restricted because of all you muppets who live down there were making slurpy noises and talking about the excellent picnicing facilities.

 

Ponty, I take it back about the F1 drivers but when they competed in Superstars back in the 70's they were alway last. I wouldn't mind seeing a Button vs Harrington Triathlon.

[dubai_phil]

Cameras and butterflies they have it tough those golfers. BTW I think it is very funny or maybe just a tad sad. Does the European Tour Regs state that all crunchy food will be confiscated and anyone in the possession of an apple will be banned for life. I suspect the drinks were restricted because of all you muppets who live down there were making slurpy noises and talking about the excellent picnicing facilities.

 

Ponty, I take it back about the F1 drivers but when they competed in Superstars back in the 70's they were alway last. I wouldn't mind seeing a Button vs Harrington Triathlon.

 

You'd be surprised, it would be alot closer than you think even though JB has done a Triathlon, think they'd be close in a Marathon though.

 

I was listening to Harrington on Tuesday at the Pro Am, he spends an average of 4 hours in the gym 5 days a week, and when in a sensible climate aims to do around 5 miles road work a day.

 

He believes that his poorer performances this year were because he had eased up on the routine to spend time working on his technical game.

 

Tiger set the benchmark for that some years ago. JB would undoubtedly win the swimming side as the only time golfers get the chance to get into water is on the occassions their colleagues throw them into lakes.

 

What you never see in the UK are the 80 or so normal guys like Scott Corckett who runs the Press office who earn journeyman salaries, get crap from egotistical media from obscure countries and yet only gets home about 4 weeks a year when the Tour is outside England.

 

There is a backbone of ordinary people who spend their lives working in hot and stuffy tents 5 days a week and living in 3 star hotels, simply because they love "The Game".

 

Most of them never actually get to see ANY of the golf.

 

There are also some amazing professionals who have made their mark, one is David Cannon who works for Getty Images.

 

His income depends on the quality of what shots he takes on the golf course.

 

Apart from being one of the nicest people you could hope to meet, he copes with "local" idiots from local papers at every venue who have never seen a golf ball before and makes the effort to help and coach them. Partly to keep them from getting in the way but also because of professional pride. Look him up on Getty Images or Google.

 

Sure he'd probably struglle to beat MLT in a game of tiddlywinks let alone a triathlon, yet he walks an average of 16kms a day carrying around 40lbs of camera equipment, and in 31C and 87% humidity today he was still as nsprightly as Bambi.

 

The pros are the money making and taking machine, but he is one of the legends of golf behind the scenes that very few people would have ever heard of.

 

Sure many won't care, but I'm sure the likes of the photographers at SMS would love to get to be half as good as he has made himself in their chosen sport.

[Nineteen Canteen]

You'd be surprised, it would be alot closer than you think even though JB has done a Triathlon, think they'd be close in a Marathon though.

 

I was listening to Harrington on Tuesday at the Pro Am, he spends an average of 4 hours in the gym 5 days a week, and when in a sensible climate aims to do around 5 miles road work a day.

 

He believes that his poorer performances this year were because he had eased up on the routine to spend time working on his technical game.

 

Tiger set the benchmark for that some years ago. JB would undoubtedly win the swimming side as the only time golfers get the chance to get into water is on the occassions their colleagues throw them into lakes.

 

What you never see in the UK are the 80 or so normal guys like Scott Corckett who runs the Press office who earn journeyman salaries, get crap from egotistical media from obscure countries and yet only gets home about 4 weeks a year when the Tour is outside England.

 

There is a backbone of ordinary people who spend their lives working in hot and stuffy tents 5 days a week and living in 3 star hotels, simply because they love "The Game".

 

Most of them never actually get to see ANY of the golf.

 

There are also some amazing professionals who have made their mark, one is David Cannon who works for Getty Images.

 

His income depends on the quality of what shots he takes on the golf course.

 

Apart from being one of the nicest people you could hope to meet, he copes with "local" idiots from local papers at every venue who have never seen a golf ball before and makes the effort to help and coach them. Partly to keep them from getting in the way but also because of professional pride. Look him up on Getty Images or Google.

 

Sure he'd probably struglle to beat MLT in a game of tiddlywinks let alone a triathlon, yet he walks an average of 16kms a day carrying around 40lbs of camera equipment, and in 31C and 87% humidity today he was still as nsprightly as Bambi.

 

The pros are the money making and taking machine, but he is one of the legends of golf behind the scenes that very few people would have ever heard of.

 

Sure many won't care, but I'm sure the likes of the photographers at SMS would love to get to be half as good as he has made himself in their chosen sport.

 

As a piece of self-parody is this post without equal?

 

Poor 'oridinary' people staying in 3 star hotels because they love the game. I know some ordinary people who would stay in the tent for a 2 week holiday or just to have roof over their heads.

 

Help the Heros of the European Tour anybody? We have no idea in the Uk how hard it is for them. Phil you must be on the wind up.

[swannymere]

19C - Get over yourself, it was only a bit of fun and not meant to be taken seriously.

[dubai_phil]

Here's an interesting snippet, that may explain "what the ladies see in him".

 

According to the "scuttlebut" (ie a highly placed source in the media). Sergio Garcia plays Commando.

 

Now, I don't know which is more disconcerting, the fact that next time he's on tv you will know that fact, OR the fact that somehow, people in the Media got to KNOW about it.

 

Anyway, luckily he is a long way down the leaderboard so I won't be spending much effort around him in the next few days

[dubai_phil]

As a piece of self-parody is this post without equal?

 

Poor 'oridinary' people staying in 3 star hotels because they love the game. I know some ordinary people who would stay in the tent for a 2 week holiday or just to have roof over their heads.

 

Help the Heros of the European Tour anybody? We have no idea in the Uk how hard it is for them. Phil you must be on the wind up.

 

Shame you've never seen how the real world works and suffers.

 

Maybe you should spend a day in one of the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria or Lebanon to see that you knowing some suffering souls in the UK have it lucky. Or you could have worked at a charity restaurant in Karachi for Heroin addicts for an evening.

 

Perhaps rather than tell us about the disadvantaged that you hang around with you could have used your typing skills to have shown these people how to fill in a Social Security application.

 

And of course, you will never have taken a pay cut to do work that you love, it's referred to as a calling, not as an attitude, but the L word is probably one four letter word that has never been directed at you.

[ericofarabia]

19C - your fixation with golf is quite funny.

 

I reckon it is because both MLT and Phil love it :cool:

[Nineteen Canteen]

19C - Get over yourself, it was only a bit of fun and not meant to be taken seriously.

 

Shame you've never seen how the real world works and suffers.

 

Maybe you should spend a day in one of the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria or Lebanon to see that you knowing some suffering souls in the UK have it lucky. Or you could have worked at a charity restaurant in Karachi for Heroin addicts for an evening.

 

Perhaps rather than tell us about the disadvantaged that you hang around with you could have used your typing skills to have shown these people how to fill in a Social Security application.

 

And of course, you will never have taken a pay cut to do work that you love, it's referred to as a calling, not as an attitude, but the L word is probably one four letter word that has never been directed at you.

 

Phil, thanks for making some wild assumptions about how travelled I am but in any event we don't need to travel these days as the plight of the third world is beamed into our living room.

 

It's not always a simple case of filling in a social security form and bigots like yourself more in love with golf than even themselves would fail to appreciate that herion addicts; victims of serial child abuse be it by parents or in 'social' care; people in grim dog eat/fight dog existence in communal accommodation, can be just as frightening and horrific wherever you are in the world.

 

You have no idea Phil about me and not only have I taken a pay cut I do it voluntarily but I wouldn't do that to support the staging of a golf tournament and the insult of staying in a 3 star hotel.

 

Refugee camps be they Syria or Calais; Romainian Orphanages, Social Care or Deported to a 'better life' in Australia; a Glasweigian scheme or Chicago project, the gravity and underlying issues are the same whether you have experienced these things first hand or not. Perhaps some of that false wealth on the European Tour could be redistributed to your favourite resturants in Pakistan or to help those heros who are trying to help a country address it's drug producing problem.

 

People ask why I have an issue with golf? Well as a game although I think its a bit silly I don't have an issue with it. My problem lies with it's bigotted under belly and the way it protects itself against those people you suggest I help out with thier social security forms. I wonder Phil who you think are the real scum - the self interested Surrey golf club captain or the 16year old girl living on the streets, uneducated, sexually abused since she was 10 and barely making enough from desperate tricks with desperate punters to feed her 'Karachi Resturant' habit. If only she knew all she had to do was fill in a form...

 

Swanny, what were you saying? Disappointing it wasn't self parody but there we go.

[Nineteen Canteen]

I reckon it is because both MLT and Phil love it :cool:

 

Well it is an ideal game for MLT to play after being dogged with the 'lazy' tag all his life. As for Phil I sense he just enjoys living the stereotype but it is getting boring now. There is a golf tournament in Dubai, great, enjoy it, and save us from the logistics reports and let us know who won on Sunday.

 

Lets face it there is not that many golfers on here discussing with Phil the merits of the staffing levels and their desperate working and 3 star living conditions or the quality of the picnic area and drink stations and some flustered looking bloke walking around with a camera, anon.

 

Blimey reports on how golfers perform is tedious but this??

[miserableoldgit]

Well it is an ideal game for MLT to play after being dogged with the 'lazy' tag all his life. As for Phil I sense he just enjoys living the stereotype but it is getting boring now. There is a golf tournament in Dubai, great, enjoy it, and save us from the logistics reports and let us know who won on Sunday.

 

Lets face it there is not that many golfers on here discussing with Phil the merits of the staffing levels and their desperate working and 3 star living conditions or the quality of the picnic area and drink stations and some flustered looking bloke walking around with a camera, anon.

 

Blimey reports on how golfers perform is tedious but this??

Hmmm.. A touch of "Pot" and "Kettle" I think.

[Scummer]

Blimey reports on how golfers perform is tedious but this??

 

You do realise that you've actually made more posts on this thread than Dubai Phil has, yes?

[Nineteen Canteen]

You do realise that you've actually made more posts on this thread than Dubai Phil has, yes?

 

I'll take your word for it but goes to show how interesting you are finding the golf reports.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Hmmm.. A touch of "Pot" and "Kettle" I think.

 

I accept I may be boring but what steretype am I living MOG. Must admit when I wrote that comment I thought someone will pick me up and you were on the shortlist in a friendly thinking kind of way.

[RonManager]

I accept I may be boring but what steretype am I living MOG. Must admit when I wrote that comment I thought someone will pick me up and you were on the shortlist in a friendly thinking kind of way.

 

IMO you are the stereotypical intelligent, provocative poster all chatroom sites like these require to make them interesting and worthwhile.

[miserableoldgit]

I accept I may be boring but what steretype am I living MOG. Must admit when I wrote that comment I thought someone will pick me up and you were on the shortlist in a friendly thinking kind of way.

 

IMO you are the stereotypical intelligent, provocative poster all chatroom sites like these require to make them interesting and worthwhile.

There`s your answer 19C. I would, however, add the word "deliberately" before "provocative".

[ericofarabia]

IMO you are the stereotypical intelligent, provocative poster all chatroom sites like these require to make them interesting and worthwhile.

 

:^o

[dubai_phil]

A good day today, probably getting on for about 12,000 people watching the golf.

 

It's an unusual tournament, as you have two different battles going on, the tournament itself, and the battle between McIlroy & Westwood.

 

My tip, Harrington had a really great round until he came to Oh FFS (the 18th) where he hit two perfect shots that both landed back in the water, but he is still in there fighting.

 

McIlroy did what all amateur golfers have done in their time and flubbed a chip, ending up taking a bogey, carried the temper tantrum onto the next, drive into a bush and 3 putted for another bogey. Earlier he had an amazing Eagle 3 at the 6th with a tap in. That leaves Westwood in the lead, and in the words of his Caddy, he is REALLY focused at the moment, really wants and believes he can do it this weekend.

 

As the day went on the atmosphere grew, you could hear roars coming in from around the course as Westwood, Harrington and McIlroy made birdies or saved par. Ernie had another day to forget and is now running dead last.

 

Rory's Dad, what a nice guy. How many of us have driven the kids to their "chosen" sports practice week in week out. How many "nutters" have you seen at kiddie sports forcing their lad (who clearly has no talent) so that they can bask in the glory of their son's achievements.Rory's Dad, well loads of stories about how he did the driving around, and yet he walks around the course chatting happily with anyone who recognises him and all through that he has this simple joy. He really cannot believe what he has "created".

He is truly amazed at the little 8 year old kids who all shout out how they have taken up golf becasue of Rory.

He is a really nice and humble bloke who walks around amazed by but also proud of his kid.

 

Magic moment of the day, sitting with some of the Getty photographers, Howard Clarke (Sky Commentator) was chatting to him and they were discussing the way the tension was building up....

 

Photographer says - You know what, I reckon we've seen more entertainment out there in one day than they'd see in a whole season at Fratton Park.....

 

Priceless

[Nineteen Canteen]

A good day today, probably getting on for about 12,000 people watching the golf.

 

It's an unusual tournament, as you have two different battles going on, the tournament itself, and the battle between McIlroy & Westwood.

 

My tip, Harrington had a really great round until he came to Oh FFS (the 18th) where he hit two perfect shots that both landed back in the water, but he is still in there fighting.

 

McIlroy did what all amateur golfers have done in their time and flubbed a chip, ending up taking a bogey, carried the temper tantrum onto the next, drive into a bush and 3 putted for another bogey. Earlier he had an amazing Eagle 3 at the 6th with a tap in. That leaves Westwood in the lead, and in the words of his Caddy, he is REALLY focused at the moment, really wants and believes he can do it this weekend.

 

As the day went on the atmosphere grew, you could hear roars coming in from around the course as Westwood, Harrington and McIlroy made birdies or saved par. Ernie had another day to forget and is now running dead last.

 

Rory's Dad, what a nice guy. How many of us have driven the kids to their "chosen" sports practice week in week out. How many "nutters" have you seen at kiddie sports forcing their lad (who clearly has no talent) so that they can bask in the glory of their son's achievements.Rory's Dad, well loads of stories about how he did the driving around, and yet he walks around the course chatting happily with anyone who recognises him and all through that he has this simple joy. He really cannot believe what he has "created".

He is truly amazed at the little 8 year old kids who all shout out how they have taken up golf becasue of Rory.

He is a really nice and humble bloke who walks around amazed by but also proud of his kid.

 

Magic moment of the day, sitting with some of the Getty photographers, Howard Clarke (Sky Commentator) was chatting to him and they were discussing the way the tension was building up....

 

Photographer says - You know what, I reckon we've seen more entertainment out there in one day than they'd see in a whole season at Fratton Park.....

 

Priceless

 

Did Tiger Woods Dad recogniose his son's golfing talent when he forced him to start swinging a club at 2 and thereby allegedly conditioning his life accordingly. There is a fine line between nutter and support your son's dream as oppose your own. 'Rory's dad I am sure can afford to relax now but I wonder if that was always the case. Or shall we talk about Mr Williams and his daughters - sh1t look at the tme must dash.

[dubai_phil]

Did Tiger Woods Dad recogniose his son's golfing talent when he forced him to start swinging a club at 2 and thereby allegedly conditioning his life accordingly. There is a fine line between nutter and support your son's dream as oppose your own. 'Rory's dad I am sure can afford to relax now but I wonder if that was always the case. Or shall we talk about Mr Williams and his daughters - sh1t look at the tme must dash.

 

The one difference is that Tiger's Dad mainly stayed off the course and popped out surrounded by security. Rory's Dad walks around and talks to anyone who asks him a question. Anyone who has read the "story" will actually realise he was the "encouraging" father rather than the go back and try again you idiot father

[dubai_phil]

Good day today, talk about watching a grown man cry.

 

McIlroy plays well, gets himself into contention by being aggressive. And then the inexperience of youth steps in, all the Press are nodding wisely "The Inexperience of Youth" he keeps attacking the really hard holes, pops it into the water and never recovers, he drops 3 shots in 3 holes and Westwood is away and odds on to win the full 1.6 mil quid tomorrow. Rory's caddy had the look of a man who just watched his 10% - 160k disappear in smoke in the space of 20 minutes.

 

Well played today to Ross McGowan as well coped very well with big crowds and the pressure of being in contention. Only a couple of months ago he was in danger of losing his playing card.

 

One snippet today, MLT played The Els course on the Sunday after the "dinner evening" he shot 6 birdies.

[benjii]

The people from the wrong end of the world's social slider can sleep easy knowing that 19C is railing against golf for them.

[Nineteen Canteen]

The people from the wrong end of the world's social slider can sleep easy knowing that 19C is railing against golf for them.

 

Don't forget I'm also here to give reason to Phil's efforts. If I hadn't started posting this would be a one man ego trip written and read by one man. Whereabouts is this golfing game taking place anyway?

 

MLT hit 6 birdies, wow! Get Solent Uni to give him a Doctorate in Sport for such achievement and on the Eels course. Still he doesn't say how many times he hit the ball out.

[dubai_phil]

Watching golf on telly these days, they have all these stats and computer graphics running.

 

Was interesting to see that at work last few days. The whole Drive distance thing is interesting, the players drive off the tee and then this little chap jogs off up the course pulling a tape measure....

 

Was how I thought it must work. Actually, they have a whole army of spotters on the course, armed with what looks like a surveyor's pole. That holds a GPS. They walk out to each ball, mark it with the GPS and radio in to a control room. They then enter the data into a computer.

 

Along with stickmen, they have a whole bunch of little blokes with radio sets who then report back along the lines of "Number 27, Hole 4, Westwood to putt first birdie, McGowan birdie".

 

Then, you have your on course commentators, Howard Clarke, Ken Brown, Julian Tutt. They talk in hushed tones telling you how much break the putts have as if they are standing on the green itself. Actually, they have a notebook with the details of each hole, and are fed the information back from the computer centre. They are normally standing under a tree somewhere on the fairway. On a few of the holes here they cannot actually even see the green and the putts.

 

That computer graphic that shows the flight of the ball and the angles of ascent and descent actually needs 4 blokes working on computers to create. They stuck them into a little space under a bush with their laptops getting pasted with dust as the muppets stagger past froom the bar to the bathrooms.

 

"The powers that be" are very unhappy today with the idiot who came up with the idea to place the bar alongside the 17th Green. Global tv coverage included shots of exceedingly drunk and obnoxious tw*ts, singing loud and abusive songs including some about Poulter and shouting out so the world could see what "big and clever men they were. Oh dear, just the image a Muslim country wished to portray.

 

Westwood will win it today unless he has a total brainf@rt. The media havbe it about right, he has found a way to get into some form of total concentration zone. He finished his round last night but was the only player back out on the practice range where he spent at least an hour with his coach

[Johnny Bognor]

MLT hit 6 birdies, wow! Get Solent Uni to give him a Doctorate in Sport for such achievement and on the Eels course. Still he doesn't say how many times he hit the ball out.

 

Lowe was good at shooting birdies (well, ducks actually). Should he get a doctorate?

[saint_stevo]

westy gonna win at a canter it seems

[Hatch]

Nice bit of pocket money for Westwood

[dubai_phil]

Nice bit of pocket money for Westwood

 

And his Caddy Billy Foster and his manager Chubby Chandler (Chubby is the "Agent" for all the top three players in the tournament), his grin was wider than the Cheshire Cat.

 

The nice bit in what, to be honest was a "Victory Procession" for Lee, was the grin and look of disbelief on Ross McGowan's face, just a few weeks ago, he was on the verge of losing his playing card and was considering giving up golf. He then had the round of a lifetime to shoot 60 at the Madrid Masters, hung on to win and suddenly he was in the Race to Dubai.

 

Today, while never really challenging, he played really good golf and picked up a huge cheque for a man who was almost broke in September.

 

Rory McIlroy, obviously that kid will be massive, he fecked it up down here, even to the extent of smashing his club through an ad hoarding on the 7th. The "red mist" had obviously stayed overnight, but after that something magical happened, he realised, WTF, who cares?

 

As a result, at the end, as Westwood sank his 1.6mil pound putt, Rory was actually the first person to reach him and gave him a huge hug.

 

Later, his Dad mentioned that he actually thought it was the best thing that could have happened and it was as if a huge weight of expectation had been lifted from his shoulders. In fact Rory was running round hugging anyone he could find (I sent one of our cute chick volunteers his way his Dad got a glare from Mrs Mum after he laughed when she asked for his autograph & I quipped "actually forget the signature just give her your mobile number" (oops)

 

A few comedy moments, around the 18th as the assembled media all leapt up to get into position for the winning putt, but funniest of all was your on the spot reporter who, finally after it was all over took out his own point and shoot and YIPPEE I was the ONLY person to get the photo of Lee & Rory "embracing" and I sold my first ever photo to the News media (for the HIGHLY valuable sum of 6 bottles of Heineken).

 

A few other anecdotes exclusively for TSW readers, "Freddie" Flintoff's rehabilitation from his knee surgery is going really well, (he followed Lee around all week and the two are having a small party this evening down at Atlantis). For England fans, despite managing to get around the course every day, play golf three times a week, it is sad to report he doesn't think his knee will be ready for the one dayers in Bangladesh (yeah right).

 

It was a really good tournament that ran out of excitement on the last day simply because Lee was just too good, however anyone who has ever watched or tried to play golf has to simply stand in awe of what Westwood did down here. Lee even turned up wearing a "Red Shirt" on the last day (it's a Tiger thing), but the thing is he didn't play like Tiger (who sprays it everywhere) he actually just kept hitting the ball straight down the middle, wonderful display of controlled golf.

 

You'll see his press statements in the press tomorrow, but I mentioned to his caddy, Billy that a certain Lawrie Mcmenemy had used the exact same speech that he had given Lee after the beers - namely how Lee had won 30 tournaments, including 6 in one season, how his competitors this week were nowhere near as good as he could be. Strangely, being from oop north, he didn't realise that the CPS was being called in to investigate a case of copyright infringement.

 

The gist was, Lee had to do this week, was to understand he WAS the best, intimidate the rest of the field and then ignore them.

 

Lee admitted at the conference he knew he would win when Rory said he didn't want to be paired with Lee on the last day. In the world of mind battles that is actually at the heart of golf, that was the moment it was won back on Thursday.

 

The only real excitement was whether Ross McGowan could keep his nerve and cope with the tension to come through and win a pay check that would change his life. He did, and he really couldn't believe it which was nice.

 

A great sporting week in Dubai. Next up, Michelle Wie & Laura Davies at the Dubai Ladies Masters.

 

Will pop back and see if Maria Verchenova pops back over to spend another week with us... ( now THAT is golfing talent and well worth a google)

 

Oh and finally, I feel a really really bad person. Had a beer with Davey (Chris Wood's caddy) who, as I was the only "local" around asked if I knew anywhere that the caddy's could go that was fun and had good music so as to avoid the stuffy after party.... I sent them to the Seaview Hotel ..... oops

[Nineteen Canteen]

Lowe was good at shooting birdies (well, ducks actually). Should he get a doctorate?

 

LOL

[Nineteen Canteen]

That's that then, all over. Can't wait until next year, thrillsville.

[ericofarabia]

A great sporting week in Dubai. Next up, Michelle Wie & Laura Davies at the Dubai Ladies Masters.

 

Will pop back and see if Maria Verchenova pops back over to spend another week with us... ( now THAT is golfing talent and well worth a google)

 

 

That's that then, all over. Can't wait until next year, thrillsville.

 

Don't worry, The Ladeez Masters (Mistresses :confused:) starts on 7th Dec so you won't have to wait too long after all

 

And of course before then we have The Dubai Rugby 7's. :partyman:

 

I think Phil is going to have to draft in Graham Hiley to do some ghost writing for him on here, as he won't be able to attend all the events and post event events and keep us updated as well

 

It's a tough life but somebody has to do it

[dubai_phil]

Don't worry, The Ladeez Masters (Mistresses :confused:) starts on 7th Dec so you won't have to wait too long after all

 

And of course before then we have The Dubai Rugby 7's. :partyman:

 

I think Phil is going to have to draft in Graham Hiley to do some ghost writing for him on here, as he won't be able to attend all the events and post event events and keep us updated as well

 

It's a tough life but somebody has to do it

 

Actually there's another one coming in March - Hot ITK news!

 

Yep Dubai Soccer 7's is coming, approx 300 teams. The top CL clubs are looking to bring down last year academy scholar teams as well as "Legends" teams. Hamburg appear to have signed KK. A qualifier will be held for the top Local teams, to compete with the legends. Social teams and international social teams will be allowed. Emirates airline will be giving it the full monty in terms of sponsorship and support. Should we get Saints a slot? Couldn't have done it last year, Academy were playing in CCC

 

Downside is that because so many UAE Locals love their football, there won't be any beer allowed in the stands, only in Hospitality or the International Village.

 

Back on the golf

 

Woo hoo just noticed the "crowd favourites" , EmmaCabrera-Bello and Maria Verchenova are listed to play.

 

Unfortunately, Natalie Gulbis isn't down to play this year.

 

Ladies golf, strangely is far more interesting to watch live on a golf course than the men's version, especially when they use their driver off the Tee. That whole technical stuff about upper body rotation, acceleration through the impact and the follow through has been known to cause high blood pressure (amongst the spectators)

 

That whole wobbling thing, not PC but :smt074 at least it keeps your mind off the short skirts and the bending down to pick the ball out of the hole.

 

Interestingly, was chatting to a journalist couple of years ago (there's normally only 10 spectators and one journo at the Ladies events so it wasn't difficult), he let it slip that "allegedly" something like 70% of the players on the Ladies tour "Bat for the other side" so to speak.

 

Well, from that moment onwards, the crowd numbers soared as everyone came along to watch.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Actually there's another one coming in March - Hot ITK news!

 

Yep Dubai Soccer 7's is coming, approx 300 teams. The top CL clubs are looking to bring down last year academy scholar teams as well as "Legends" teams. Hamburg appear to have signed KK. A qualifier will be held for the top Local teams, to compete with the legends. Social teams and international social teams will be allowed. Emirates airline will be giving it the full monty in terms of sponsorship and support. Should we get Saints a slot? Couldn't have done it last year, Academy were playing in CCC

 

Downside is that because so many UAE Locals love their football, there won't be any beer allowed in the stands, only in Hospitality or the International Village.

 

Back on the golf

 

Woo hoo just noticed the "crowd favourites" , EmmaCabrera-Bello and Maria Verchenova are listed to play.

 

Unfortunately, Natalie Gulbis isn't down to play this year.

 

Ladies golf, strangely is far more interesting to watch live on a golf course than the men's version, especially when they use their driver off the Tee. That whole technical stuff about upper body rotation, acceleration through the impact and the follow through has been known to cause high blood pressure (amongst the spectators)

 

That whole wobbling thing, not PC but :smt074 at least it keeps your mind off the short skirts and the bending down to pick the ball out of the hole.

 

Interestingly, was chatting to a journalist couple of years ago (there's normally only 10 spectators and one journo at the Ladies events so it wasn't difficult), he let it slip that "allegedly" something like 70% of the players on the Ladies tour "Bat for the other side" so to speak.

 

Well, from that moment onwards, the crowd numbers soared as everyone came along to watch.

 

Mark Twain was right when he said 'There ain't no way to find out why a snorer can't hear himself snore'