Dovizioso yet to show real pace as MotoGp gears up for opener page 18

thursday, March 7, 2019 stars ready to show their magic at DGC High salt content in water 14 former Ryder Cup supply had threatened players to challenge Doha Club’s course younger lot of golfers Raajiv Tripathi DOHA

at Commercial Bank Designed by Peter Harradine, one of the 2019 world’s leading golf course architects, the 7,374-yard Doha Golf Club course layout faced a serious ‘salty’ threat before efforts were mounted on war- footing to negate the menace and get the fa- cility ready in time for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2019. Ranald McNeill, the DGC Golf Course Superintendent, and his deputy Laxmanan pressed a 48-man Ranald McNeill (left) and Laxmanan: team into the damage Great effort on DGC course. control measures and it took efforts and pain of more than three months before the venue could be prepared tournament ready. For more than two years, the water that was being sup- Thomas Bjorn of Denmark tees off on the first hole during the pro am ahead of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club on Wednesday. plied for sprinkling the massive course contained high amount of salt, which had affected the fairways and greens, Tribune News Network time Ryder Cup star, with both vid Howell (2004, 2006) have tricky because of the windy causing patches. DOHA his appearances in the biennial all donned European colours in Last year’s Ryder Cup in conditions but I really enjoy And for this year’s tournament, the problem got even event coming in the same years the past. Paris is still fresh in the the challenge.” worse as the salt content increased in the water supply. With No fewer than 14 former Ryder he won the Commercial Bank World Number 76 Pieters minds of most European golf The Peter Harradine lay- the West Bay and Losail area being developed for the upcom- Cup players will sprinkle their Qatar Masters - 1999 and 2012. has made a solid start to the sea- fans and the man who mas- out also holds fond memories ing 2020 FIFA , more water plants have been cre- magic on the fairways of Doha The former Open Champion son, finishing inside the top 30 for graduate ated and probably, the water supply got affected due to extra Golf Club this year as a world- will be joined by his Scottish in his first five events, including terminded Europe’s 17.5 - Erik Van Rooyen, who en- demand for the water. class field gets ready for action compatriot Stephen Gallacher a share of sixth place last week 10.5 defeat of the United joyed a fine rookie campaign McNeill, who returned to Qatar for his second stint before at the 22nd staging of the Com- who is no stranger to winning at the Open, and he be- States, captain Thomas on the European Tour in 18 months, discussed the problem with his team and they de- mercial Bank Qatar Masters in the Middle East with lieves there’s more to come Bjørn, returns to Qatar for 2018. ployed various measures like blocking supply from one side which commences on Thurs- two victories at the this week in Qatar. the 15th time, having won “I played really well over and using the other one after desalinating the water again, day. “My game has the event in 2011. the first two rounds here fertilizers to boost the grass growth and phased grass cutting. Last year’s Ryder Cup in to his name. Gallacher been feeling really last year but struggled at the “We’re are happy with the way the course had been fi- Paris is still fresh in the minds played in the victori- good for a long time weekend so I’d like to change nally developed for this year’s tournament. The preparations of most European golf fans and ous 2014 Ryder Cup now,” said the Bel- One of the most popular that this year and continue to had been fantastic. But we had areas on the fairways and the man who masterminded Team on home soil at gian. “I’m playing stops on Tour, the field for this play well for all four rounds,” greens that got affected badly due to high salt content in wa- Europe’s 17.5 - 10.5 defeat of the Gleneagles. tournaments again week’s Commercial Bank Qa- said the South African. “It’s a ter. Then we addressed the problems with various steps and United States, captain Thomas , Andy and getting my con- tar Masters is also full of young golf course where you’ve got to now the course is looking beautiful and firm. Bjørn, returns to Qatar for the Sullivan and fidence back is the stars hoping to add the iconic hit a lot of drivers, which suits “The course is about 25 years old with good layout. If 15th time, having won the event Thomas Pieters main thing. I haven’t Trophy to their silverware col- my game, so I’m really looking windy, the course becomes very challenging. There is pre- in 2011. all represented had a bad tournament lection. England’s Jordan Smith forward to teeing off on Thurs- diction of the wind picking up on the first two days of the Bjørn, who appeared in Team Europe three yet, but last week is the finished sixth in Doha on his de- day. I love playing out here in tournament. Let us see how the players are able to tackle it,” three Ryder Cups, played in years ago at Hazeltine first time I’ve contended but two years ago and is looking the Middle East and Qatar is al- added McNeill. the very first edition of the Qa- National while the likes in a long time and it felt to bounce back after missing the ways a great destination on the Laxmanan, who has been working in DGC for 24 years, tar Masters back in 1998, and of Victor Dubuisson great. Winning the cut last year. European Tour calendar.” said, “The problem was not so big in 2017 and 2018 but this so, too, did fellow past cham- (2014), Nicolas Col- World Cup last year “I always enjoy coming to With 144 players blending year, it created a big headache for us. We managed to come pion and Ryder Cup star Robert saerts (2012), Pe- was different - in an Doha Golf Club,” said Smith. an intriguing mix of youth and up with solutions and rolled the course quite hard to make Karlsson. The tall Swede won ter Hanson (2010, individual tourna- “The first year I played here I experience, this year’s Commer- it playable. the Mother of Pearl trophy in 2012), Edoardo ment I hadn’t been had a really good performance cial Bank Qatar Masters, taking “The players are also praising the course saying that this 2010, two years after he made Molinari (2010), in contention and but unfortunately I missed place from Thursday to Sunday, year’s surface is much better than a couple of previous years. his second Ryder Cup appear- Ross Fisher it was frustrating. I the cut last year so hopefully I is set to be another memorable We had to put in a lot of efforts. We are glad that we could ance at Valhalla. (2010), Oliver Wil- hope I can keep this can make that right this time addition to the tournament’s overcome the problem and get it in the best shape,” he added. Paul Lawrie is another two- son (2008) and Da- feeling going.” around. I love the course; it’s storied 22-year history. QIC Group, CBQM cherish Qatar Duty Free official partner of CBQM 2019 Tribune News Network DOHA Hole-In-One a distinctive partnership The award-winning retailer is Qatar Duty Free (QDF) is also a sponsor of the Hole in Tribune News Network underwriting footprint across an official partner of the Com- One competition, with a Doha the globe. Besides owning sub- mercial Bank Qatar (CBQ) $155,000 voucher sidiaries in the MENA region Masters Golf tournament redeemable at QDF. Qatar Insurance Group, the – Oman, Kuwait and a branch 2019, taking place at the Doha leading insurer in the MENA in the UAE, the Group also Golf Club from March 7-10. region has partnered with owns a reinsurance subsidi- The tournament will see right here in Doha.” Commercial Bank Qatar Mas- ary, Qatar Re and a specialty 144 world-class professional Qatar Duty Free is also ters to be the official tourna- reinsurance and insurance en- golfers compete in the tourna- a proud sponsor of the Qa- ment insurer for the region’s tity, Antares. ment, including 2018 Ryder tar ExxonMobil Open 2019 premier golf tournament. QIC, Commenting on the Cup Captain Thomas Bjorn, Tournament and the Qatar along with its subsidiaries Qa- group’s strategic partnership, two-time Qatar Masters win- screening of the tournament, professionals from around the Total Open Women’s Tennis tar Re and Antares, is proud to Ali Fadala, Senior Deputy ner Paul Lawrie, as well as visitors will have a chance to world come together in Qatar Tournament 2019. QDF has support the tournament for 12 Group President & CEO of QIC two of Qatar’s most promising win a selection of luxury prod- to compete in this tournament, sponsored the Commercial consecutive years. Group remarked, “As the offi- players, Saleh al Kaabi and Ja- ucts from QDF brands and which is very much in align- Bank Golf Masters since 2009 Founded in 1964, Qatar cial tournament insurer of this ham al Kuwari. boutiques at Hamad Interna- ment with the county’s 2030 and this year has extended its Insurance Company (QIC) year’s Commercial Bank Qa- Qatar Duty Free is also the tional Airport, including the vision to become a premier sponsorship to include the an- was the first domestic in- tar Masters Golf Tournament, official sponsor of the Hole in recently-opened Qatar Air- sports destination and host of nual TFWA Golf Tournament surer of Qatar. Today QIC Senior Deputy Group President & QIC Group has once again One competition, which will ways Travel Boutique. major global sporting events. at the TFWA World Exhibition is a dominant insurer in the CEO of QIC Group Ali Fadala demonstrated its continued award its winner a $155,000 Qatar Duty Free Senior “At Qatar Duty Free, we be- & Conference in Cannes. region and is regarded as the commitment to local sport- USD voucher to be redeemed Vice President, Bruce Bow- lieve in offering travellers the This exciting event will largest insurer in MENA re- strength and sustainable per- ing events. The Group with its at Qatar Duty Free. man, said: “We are delighted very finest experience, from welcome more than 3,000 gion in terms of profitability, formance. subsidiaries Qatar Re and An- QDF will offer visitors a to continue our longstanding the moment they tee off to duty free and travel retail assets and market capitaliza- Implementing its diversi- tares’ are delighted to renew chance to test their golf skills partnership with the Com- the moment they head home. brands and 500 international tion. QIC’s consistent rating fication strategy of expanding this long-term partnership at the QDF-themed booth lo- mercial Bank Qatar Masters, We wish the participants a exhibitors, reaching more of A/Stable from Standard & beyond the borders of Qatar, and raise Qatar’s global profile cated in the entertainment one of the most highly antici- successful tournament, and than 2,000 key executives Poor’s and A(Excellent) from QIC Group today has been in support of Qatar National village. Together with pho- pated events on Qatar’s sport- look forward to enjoying this from major retail brands and A.M. Best affirms QIC’s core successful in establishing its Vision 2030.” to opportunities and a live ing calendar. The finest golfing world-class sporting event duty free retailers.