|
 |
News |
 |
|
| |
Email this article | 
Print This Page |
| |
Dubai Desert Classic a big hit |
| |
2/9/2006 7:48:04 AM |
| |
DUBAI — The 17th edition of the Dubai Desert Classic, featuring an impressive star-cast led by world number one Tiger Woods, turned out to be a big hit with golfing fans from all over the world.
Over nine million hits from all over the world were recorded on the official web site of the Dubai Desert Classic — a new milestone for the European PGA Tour event, promoted and organised by Golf in Dubai.
The record hits clearly showed Tiger Woods’ exploits may be standard television fare worldwide, but despite the over-exposure, they do not pall. And the same goes with players of the calibre of Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and new sensation Henrik Stenson… to name a few.
Fans from the United States led the way with over 5.9 million hits, followed in that order by the UAE (555,555), Great Britain (414,118), Canada (389,044) and Australia (395,700).
Hits were recorded from almost every country with the final figures — 9,122,005 hits — showing a whopping 186 per cent increase in the web traffic from last year’s numbers of 3,189,295.
Even the attendance at the Emirates Golf Club was pretty impressive. As many as 47,133 fans turned up during the Classic week — again a record, beating the previous best of 41,231 in 2004.
Friday recorded the best turn out with 12,430 people coming the venue while on Sunday 12,185 watched the proceedings which produced an amazing finish with Woods, making his third appearance in Dubai, beating defending champion Ernie Els in a one-hole playoff after the South African found the water.
“We are really delighted with the overwhelming success of the tournament. I would like to thank all the players for producing such an exciting fare to make the event a memorable affair,” said Mohammed Buamim, vice-chairman of Golf in Dubai, the promoters and organisers of the event.
“This year we had one of the best fields in the 17-year history of the tournament with three of top 10 ranked players competing for a record $2.4 million prize fund.
“Millions of people who watched the proceedings on TV and all those who turned up at the Emirates Golf Club couldn’t have asked for such a great finish. A remarkable rise in TV ratings, web site hits, ticket sale...all present a good advertisement not only for the tournament, but also for the city of Dubai, now a golfer’s paradise,” added Buamim.
|
| |
|
| |
khaleejtimes.com |
news |
| |
Email this article |
Print
This Page
|
|
 |
| |
|
| Upcoming Events |
 |
|
| Upcoming Sports |
 |
|
| Featured Links |
| |
|
|
|
