Golfing legend Greg Norman has sounded upbeat about his chances of playing in the next edition of the Dubai Desert Classic, a tournament he rates among the top eight in the world, excluding the four majors.

“Well, the percentage of my featuring in the 2008 Dubai Desert Classic is very, very high,” Norman said after unveiling his latest design masterpiece in Dubai — Rosewood by Greg Norman, the most exclusive Jumeirah Golf Estates residential community.

“I first came to Dubai in 1993 and have seen the tremendous all-round growth in Dubai. And I am excited to be part of the incredible story that is Dubai,” said the former number one who is actively involved with the Jumeirah Golf Estates. “No place in the world has this kind of vision, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit,” Norman said.

“I don’t play much competitive golf these days – may be three or four tournaments a year -- but Dubai is something special and I have been coming over here quite often in connection with my projects. So, you can say that the chances of my playing in the Dubai Desert Classic are very high,” said Norman, also known as the Great White Shark, a sobriquet he earned for his blond hair and swashbuckling style of play.

“If Dubai’s golfing scene is pretty vibrant today, it can easily be attributed to the success and popularity of the tournament like the Dubai Desert Classic. The size and the quality of the field it attracts each year amply shows the players love to come and play in Dubai.

“The Desert Classic has played a key role in catalyzing the process of spreading the name of Dubai the world over. If you ask me to rate this tournament, I think it’s among the top 12, including the four majors.

“Even the top tennis players enjoy playing in Dubai and you can ask that to Chris (Evert),” said Norman looking at the former world number one tennis player, who accompanied him to Dubai.

Norman, 51, wouldn’t like to talk about his relationship with Chris, 52, but has confirmed that they are a couple. “We like to be with each other. We enjoy each other’s company immensely,” Norman told GOLF Magazine recently.

The two-time British Open winner is also “having fun” working on his projects in Dubai. “I am enjoying tremendously the course design aspect of this project, both on the two courses – Fire and Earth – I am designing on my own and on Wind, which I am designing with Sergio Garcia and Pete Dye,” he said.

“But it’s great to allow my imagination to run free in a new direction, with the design of these stunning homes at Rosewood – a community of 66 signature-design homes,” said Norman who has held the No. 1 world ranking for 331 weeks.

“It really feels nice, if not flattering, when a player of the stature of Greg Norman talks highly of the Dubai Desert Classic and the city, in particular,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman of ‘golf in DUBAI’ – the promoters and organisers of world-class tournaments like the Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai Ladies Masters.

“His towering presence will be certainly a big boost for our tournament. Greg has always been a great friend of Dubai and his signature courses at the Jumeirah Golf Estates, I am sure, will be iconic landmarks for the city,” he added.

‘golf in DUBAI’ is backed by Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the main partner and National Bank of Dubai, Emaar, Jumeirah Hotels, Emirates airline, BMW, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Omega and CNN amongst others as partners in its drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.