A Yorkshireman Takes The Spoils

It's great to see a fellow Yorkshireman excel.  Today, Matt Fitzpatrick, a young man born in Sheffield, aged just 22, took home a cool £1 million, increasing his season's earnings to just over £3 million!  And to think that he is still growing and he is still learning!  Apparently, his younger brother is showing all the signs of being a better golfer so a Fitzpatrick domination of the next few years looks a distinct possibility.
It was an exciting finish to a great tournament and of course we also saw Henrik Stenson take home an additional suitcase full of cash, something he has done from Dubai on more than one occasion, for winning the "Race to Dubai".  The Earth Course just seems to suit his game.
My final scoring duties today were for a three ball, something that has never happened previously in this tournament and implemented only because of the dense fog predicted by the weatherman here in the desert.  He was wrong!  It was as usual, a blue sky, sun filled morning without a sign of bad visibility and for the first time this week, I was early out onto the course.  It does mean that you get golfers who have no chance of winning but it also means that you don't get big crowds, you get round the course quicker and most important of all, I got lunch for the first time this week!!  The medallions of beef went down a treat and I was able to eat leisurely while watching the better golfers thrash it out in the heat of the day.
Yet again I was blessed with a great scoreboard carrier, in today's case, Shiv, who comfortably met the standard of Oliver, Jasper and Eric and if I am back next year, I would quite happily work with all four of them again.  Incidentally, not only are the students great, the teachers are pretty impressive as well and a special mention and thanks to Andy, Emma who has such a lovely smile and Laura who comes from Bingley so there's absolutely nowt wrong wi that lass!
The Skipton crew acquitted themselves in fine style as expected.  Will they be back next year?  We shall see.  Of course Paul, our very own "helicopter hero", carries this innate ability to make me cry with laughter whenever I am in his company and this week has been no exception, particularly when for breakfast he fancied fresh fruit ladled with lovely natural yoghurt.  In Paul's case, what he understood to be yoghurt was actually cream cheese so in his brief spell here, he has been able to invent a new and never before tried, breakfast treat!  I have encouraged both him and his wife Amanda into a scoring role next year but on reflection, I fear for what comedic disasters might occur if he gets hold of the computer and the radio!  On the other hand it could be genuinely hilarious so go for it Paul.
So I sit with my delightful hosts, Chris and Ellen, writing my final dispatch before the drive to Abu Dhabi and planned flight home.  Actually, they are not hosts, they are family and it has been a joy to spend time with them this week.  Ellen's mum comes out for her first visit later this week and dad, Barry won't be out until next February so I have been a very privileged first visitor and I thank them both for that.
Finally, I wrap this particular Blog up with the competition results and like all competition results, the judges have the final say and in this case, that's me!  I'm not giving the prize to the people who got it right!  Sorry.  I'm giving it to the person who made me laugh out loud and that is Skipton Member, David Cairns who reported the golfer that he recognised in Photos 1-10 was Alistair Coy!!!  A bottle of fizz coming your way David.
So that's it for another Blog.  If you have enjoyed it thank you for reading and if you haven't enjoyed it, well, still, thank you for reading.  Spread the word about volunteering to anybody you think would enjoy it. This is one great tournament to work on if you are a volunteer virgin like I was and by all means feel free to e-mail me on alistaircoy@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Today at the 18th

Shiv.  Yet another great scoreboard colleague

Matt Fitzpatrick - DP World Tour Champion 

Tyrell Hatton - The Runner Up

Henrik Stenson - Race to Dubai Champion 

Alan - another brilliant and funny volunteer

Not sure if this was Tracey Emin or Damien Hirst in my bathroom!  Innovative!

This Is A Close One

The 2016 DPWTC is boiling up to producing a great finish and what's the betting that tomorrow there will be a play-off?  It certainly looks that way to me although the competition is already, a day before ending, scheduled to provide something different in the form of the players going out in three balls for the first time since its inception.
The reason is that fog is anticipated in the morning and a delayed start expected.  It was foggy this morning when I drove to the course and a fifty minute delay to start of play was implemented.  This is actually a little worrying bearing in mind that I have to drive to Abu Dhabi tomorrow evening for my 0200 flight back to the UK, well remembering the trauma of two years ago when I was chauffeured at warp speed to Abu Dhabi by a recently arrived Indian taxi driver and in the thickest of pea soupers!! The trauma of that night remains indelibly with me and the only consolation about tomorrow is that at least it is me in control.
Today was the first opportunity to meet up with all my friends from the golf club who were on early report and a photo is attached below recording the occasion.  To be honest, they all looked a little pale with the exception of Amanda and I questioned whether or not this was the result of a heavy night!  It was slightly more than this because some of them were actually in shock, having dined last night at the Burj Al Arab, one of the only seven star hotels in the world.  Prior to dining, they partook of a drink in the Sky Bar in the same building.  The collective bill for six eating out was 4969 Dirhams.  Doesn't sound much but actually it amounted to the grand total of £1,141!!!  Some highlights were £16 for a Peroni, £80 for a bottle of Sav Blanc and £12 for a coffee.  Phew!  I'm so glad to be staying with Ellen and Chris rather than my very rich golfing friends.  Tonight, they are dining at the exclusive Nobu so I'm looking forward to that bill in the morning.  Tee hee.
I had a great pairing today in Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, the former scoring particularly well and ending up in the top ten with a great chance of winning the competition.  I was mightily impressed by his happy, smiling disposition which lasted the whole of the round.  Tommy has moved comfortably today up my list of favourite golfers and Shane had already progressed into the Premier League in view of what he did earlier this week.
It was hot, hot, hot today with high humidity to go with it.  Actually quite unpleasant at  times, particularly, if like my charge, Eric, you were carrying a scaffolding pole with a scorecard on top!  My luck continued and to date I have been blessed with the creme de la creme of scoreboard carriers.  Like Oliver and Jasper, Eric cleared the high bar, so much so that he had updated the scores even before the golfers had made them!  Clearly he had psychic powers and so tomorrow, I am going to ask Eric for next weekend's winning lottery numbers!  Photo of the mystic and psychic Eric below.  I really am worried for tomorrow's appointee but whether or not they are up to the standard achieved to date, my Blog will report them as the best yet.  It has been a joy to work with such great youngsters who are a credit to their teachers, their school and of course their parents.
So it's the last day tomorrow, I'm out early so I won't be scoring for the champion but at least I will be able to eat the lunch provided for volunteers, something I haven't achieved over the past three days because of my late starts with the higher echelons of the leaderboard.
Tomorrow as well, the story of the yoghurt and the cream cheese unless tonight's Nobu experience provides valuable copy!

The dreaded bill !  Aaaagghhh...

The pale faced Skipton Crew with honorary Skipton member, Guy

The Marshals Facility

Eric - he definitely has psychic powers

Today's scorecard

Mark and his son Jordan.  You make great friends volunteering

A view down the first hole

A Day of Enjoyment

I find myself in a very interesting situation tonight as I review again my earlier thoughts of calling the 2016 DP World Tour Championship my swan song.  The reason?  A brilliant and enjoyable day on the fairways of the Earth Course scoring for what was far and away the best pairing of the day - Sergio Garcia and Joost Luiten.
It's only when you walk 18 holes inside the ropes with Sergio and witness his interaction with the crowd that you realise why he is held in such affection by the worldwide golfing public.  His attitude and demeanour today were an example to everyone who plays the game professionally.  Perhaps it's because he enjoyed another terrific day, shooting -5 to take him to joint top of the leaderboard  at -9 with Francesco Molinari and putting himself in a great position to take top prize this weekend.
His round wasn't without its testing situations including one where he had to take a penalty shot and from a near impossible position, struck the ball to about fifteen feet and sank the putt for par.  The crowd really did go wild!
Talking of crowds, Sergio and Joost attracted the biggest gallery of the day and the noise that erupted when they walked in front of the 17th Grandstand - affectionately known here as "The Left Bank" - was overwhelming.  "The Left Bank" by the way is where most of the drinking is done during this championship and of course today being Friday, this was the start of weekend here!
To be fair to Joost, he played his part as well today shooting 69 to take his weekend starting point to -7 and it was good to see him and Sergio chatting throughout the round and clearly enjoying the competitive aspect but also each other's company.
I also need to mention my own companion today in the form of Jasper, a strapping young man of just 17 years who was as tall, if not taller than me!  When introduced to him, I questioned "why are you sending a teacher out with me rather than a pupil?"  He's going to be a big lad when fully grown and like Oliver yesterday, he did another sterling job for me and the tournament organisers.  Thanks Jasper if you ever get to read this Blog.  I do feel a touch of sympathy for my companion tomorrow because the two boys have set the bar very high but I would be very surprised if tomorrow's volunteer doesn't clear it in style.
Tomorrow I am going out earlier than the past two days and at this stage as I post tonight's output, it would appear that Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood might have the pleasure of my company.  If you have been reading my daily updates, you will already realise that Shane has a very high approval rating from me.  Tommy on the other hand has still to earn his but I don't think that's a problem because we had quite a chat about rugby league the other day.  It's a code I have always enjoyed watching and overnight I will be studying Wigan rugby league in some considerable detail just in case the topic comes up again.
Finally tonight, it's competition time.  Whilst most golf fans will know the Rory McIlroys, Sergio Garcias and Henrik Stensons of this world, there are lots of less well known competitors in Dubai and tonight the test is to name the golfers photographed with me below.  If I get more than one correct answer, they will be placed in a hat and the winner will be drawn by my better half when I return home.  The prize will be something very fresh and fizzy to drink and no it won't be lemonade!!  Send your answers in order to alistaircoy@gmail.com together with comments saying how much you are enjoying the Blog and that my writing reminds you of Charles Dickens or similar literary genius and long time idol of mine, Ernie Wise!  Ps - it's only a joke about the comments but the competition is very serious.
Happy reading and happy competing.

Today's scoresheet.  Brilliance shown by Sergio and Joost

Jasper - my colleague for the day

Golfer number 1.  Who is he?

Golfer number 2?

Golfer number 3?

Golfer number 4?

Golfers 5, 6 and 7?

Golfer number 8?

Golfer number 9?

Finally, golfer number 10?

Company for tomorrow - Tommy Fleetwood.

Now It Gets Serious!

All the fun days have gone!  Game face on!  And that's just me!  How do the Pro's feel??
Yes, today the competition starts in earnest.  No cameras.  No banter with Professionals or Caddies.  Keep your mouth shut and concentrate.  Much effort needed for that, particularly when some observers, wife included, allege I am in first stage dementia!!  Bloody hell, I'm only 63!  Still, someone retains faith in me, notably Jenni Hoskins, Chief Marshal at the DPWTC and I vow, before venturing out, not to let her down.
It's funny how the relaxed atmosphere of the past couple of days disappears (have a look at the Mannequin Challenge from yesterday to see relaxed) particularly when you roll up to the European Tour's Scorer hut to collect your two-way radio, handheld computer, clipboard and in my case, Group 24 scorecard.  Group 24 by the way consisted of Martin Kaymer and Andy Sullivan, a pairing guaranteed to generate watchers and I wasn't wrong!
The heart rate perhaps increases marginally in the Scorer's hut but I'm pretty certain a heart rate monitor would record a distinct jump when you arrive at the first tee.
Prior to that short walk of course, you collect your colleague for the round which in my case was a delightful young schoolboy called Oliver.  Delightful should be in big, bold letters because that's exactly what he was, both on our initial meeting and throughout the 4+ hours that we spent together.  Brilliant attitude, superb awareness of everything required, despite being a non-golfer and for a change, someone who actually reacted to what I asked them to do!  I would happily have him as my partner for the next three days particularly as he never complained about the monstrosity which is the walking scoreboard.  More on that later.
We didn't get off to a good start though because after a somewhat unnerving occasion last year with Rory McIlroy and calls for Referees, the same damned thing happened today, only this time it came after the very first shot from Martin Kaymer!This after he had been disturbed by a spectator taking a picture, the most cardinal of sins around any tee bed!!  Yes, I was asked to call for a Referee, the call was acknowledged but the Referee didn't arrive being otherwise disposed on another fairway!  The players knew the Rule anyway but the consequence of that photo attempt was that Martin double bogeyed the first!  Not the start to put you in a good frame of mind.
Both players struggled throughout their respective rounds with Kaymer finishing at -1 but Sullivan at +4!  That score is hard for players of this quality to accept but such is the bizarre nature of golf that tomorrow they could both come out and shoot six under.  I hope that they do.
 Before signing off for the day, I need to come back to the mobile scoreboards that these young kids have to carry on and off for at least four hours!  They are a form of torture because they appear to consist of the heaviest materials available which could inflict pain on young people.  In the case of Oliver, he finished his day's efforts with blisters on both hands and if anybody from the European Tour or the DPWTC should happen to read this post, can I please make a plea that for next year, these be replaced by something a little bit more modern and less like an instrument of torture.  It needn't be a costly exercise and I bet if you asked the players, they would happily pick up the tab for replacement.  Actually, having seen the damage and pain inflicted I'd even contribute myself!  Rant over.
Following on from yesterday's Volunteer's Tale, today simply reaffirmed why I love working on this Championship and why I encourage other people to give volunteering a go.
Tomorrow, I am out with Group 27 which should consist of Sergio Garcia and Joost Luiten.  If these two play like they have today, then those of you with Sky Sports might even see me on tv.
By the way, if anybody reading my output feels they know fellow golfers or indeed anyone who might be interested, then please send them the following link - www.alindubai.blogspot.com  Also feel free to make any comments on my experiences by clicking on the box at the bottom of each post.

Superb young colleague today.  Nice one Oliver.  Thanks for great support.

 An Eerie Looking Practice Ground Very Early This Morning

Dubai 103.8 Broadcasting Live Every Day From The DPWTC

The Badge That Counts

Who Needs a Computer When You Have Paper!

A Tough Day at the Office Today for Andy Sullivan

Chris Wood Makes Me Feel Short!

Alex Noren - The Current Form Player

Thorbjorn Olesen - This Golfer is a Pure Delight

Joost Luiten - One of my Charges for Friday

A Volunteer's Tale

After the enjoyment of working on yesterday's Pro-Am, I returned to my home for the week and started to reflect on the volunteer's role at the DP World Tour Championship.  After reflecting for quite some time, a skill most of us Yorkshire men don't possess, I  decided to write a post encouraging new recruits, specifically for this end of season tournament.
By way of introduction, I first came out here in November 2009 when the financial world was collapsing around us, hell and damnation were beckoning and I made the decision to retire early.  It was an easy decision and one I have never regretted, specifically because of the world of opportunity it opened.  One of those opportunities was to apply to be a volunteer at the inaugural "Race to Dubai" Championship on the newly created, Greg Norman designed, Earth Course.  I was very late with my application but the then Chief Marshal, Buddy Marin quickly replied saying "come on over and we'll find a job for you".  It was the start of a love affair with this particular event, an affair that is now in its 8th year.  Buddy is now one of the Rules officials on this and other Middle Eastern events and it's great to catch up with him every year in Dubai.
Like me and lots of other volunteers, he now flies in to Dubai to fulfil his role in the tournament and while it's far removed from marshalling, scoring or buggy driving, it is a reflection of the accessibility of this event to non-locals who add massively to the volunteer pool that is required in order to continue making it the success that it has been from Day one.  I know Jenni Hoskins, the current and longstanding Chief Marshal, is always delighted to receive enquiries from outside the United Arab Emirates because these volunteers arrive at The Earth Course without the constraints of working locally and the inherent problems that can bring!
Many of the current volunteers plan their holidays around the competition and there is no requirement to work a specific number of days.  Some might work just one day whilst others, like myself, commit to the whole week.  It's a personal choice which Jenni tries extremely hard to accommodate.
My own enthusiasm has obviously rubbed off on fellow members of Skipton Golf Club because as you will have already noted, five of us are here as volunteers.  For two of them, Paul and Amanda, this will be their third visit and certainly, both of them share my love of working on the competition.  Having done it once, it does become addictive.
So all you golf fans like us, why not give it some thought for 2017?  I'm pretty certain that if you dip your toe in the water just once, then you will find yourself doing it time and time again!
Wednesday is the only day when volunteers are not really needed although I offer my services anyway and I always end up with tales to tell of interaction with golfers and caddies and a huge smile on my face at the end of the day.  Today was no exception to those of past years.
It didn't start well though when an Irish family of five stopped me to ask, "what time does the Pro-Am start"?  "24 hours ago" I replied only to see their faces crumple with disappointment.  I tried to reassure them that if they hung around, they would see plenty of golfing stars but my words offered little consolation and off they disappeared leaving me feeling sad for them but what a turn of events then came!
The first person to ask for a ride to the 10th tee was Irishman Shane Lowry and his caddy and as I came around the corner with my passengers, I saw the family a way up the path.  I turned round, outlined the story to Shane and asked if he would say hello to them.  Not a problem he said in that wonderful Irish manner and the first photo in today's Blog was the result.  The photo says it all and I am very grateful to Shane for making that fellow Irish family, the happiest people on the course today.
This is just an example of what can happen as a volunteer so any readers, please do give it some serious thought for the future.
As with every day on The Earth Course, today as been full of great moments, too numerous to mention.  Tomorrow, the DPWTC turns serious and The a Professionals get their game faces on!  For me, it's a return to scoring and I will be walking down the fairways in the company of Andy Sullivan and Martin Kaymer.  Bring it on!

A Happy Family Thanks To Shane Lowry

Beef!  He has a fantastic attitude

Henrik is just super cool

Danny Willet - this year's Green Jacket winner

Soren Kjeldsen - one of the nicest people you would ever meet

With Shane Lowry yesterday

With the best golfing coach in the world - Pete Cowen

The Calm Before The Storm!

As I write this, my fellow Skipton members will be making their way to Manchester Airport for their overnight flight to Dubai.  Does the DP World Tour Championship know what is heading its way?  Well it is about to find out.
Actually all my friends who are on the way to work on this amazing tournament should really have been here for today's Pro-Am which gives all the volunteers who are here on the Tuesday, a chance to work for these golfing gods in a truly relaxed and laid back atmosphere.  It is a really terrific day to be volunteering in any role and I have spent the whole day in my six seater golf cart, in the morning ferrying the Professionals and their amateur playing partners from the 9th green to the 10th tee, a not inconsiderable distance in the desert heat.  In the afternoon, we had a change and my role together with Jim, my new found cart driving mate for the day was to take the teams from the 18th green to the 1st tee.
For the uninitiated amongst you, Pro-Ams usually take the form of a "shotgun" start where 18 teams tee off at the same time on each of the different holes.  At the DPWTC it becomes slightly more complicated because there are far more than 18 teams participating in both the morning and the afternoon sessions, such is the popularity of this end of season finale.  The knock on effect of 24 teams playing on just 18 holes is an inevitable lengthening of the time it takes to play and the consequence of this was 5 hour plus rounds in both the morning and afternoon session which saw the final competitors finish the round as the sun disappeared beneath the horizon!
It's testing for the Professionals but giving the privilege of rank amateurs, the chance to play with Europe's top 60 stars is an opportunity too good to be missed.  In fact Pro-Ams have become a staple of most tournaments now played worldwide.
Back to my role and clearly with only two golf carts to choose from, the Professional had a 50/50 chance of getting me as their chauffeur!  As well as being great golfers, they clearly have long memories as those that had my services last year appeared to be still scarred by the memory and chose Jim's as the chariot of choice!
Sorry, poetic licence reigned for a moment there as I think the true split was half and half and without exception, every single player that I was able to interact with was a pure delight.  My recent trip to the Ryder Cup provided a distinct advantage epitomised in the reaction of Sergio Garcia who wanted to know what I thought of the experience.  How cool was I to talk about his historic final day match with Phil Mickleson which I had watched in person!  Similarly, complimenting Rafa Cabrerra Bello on his outstanding debut performance at Hazeltine led to a lovely embrace and a great photo!  Incidentally, the one person I did chauffeur today from the Ryder Cup team but never mentioned the event was Lee Westwood.  Discretion prevailed but actually he was terrific and remains one of my true golfing idols and the photo with Lee was the last that I got today as the sun was going down.
Having now attended this event for the last few years and enjoyed every single moment, I am starting to think it has run its course and that I should open the opportunities I have been given to some other golfing fanatic.  Perhaps one less verbose than me might be an appropriate choice.
I sign off tonight by giving full kudos and credit to today's Pros.  Without exception they have all been fantastic and I am grateful to them for some of the wonderful photos I now hold as a record of this trip.
Tomorrow is a more leisurely practice day at The Earth Course but the Skipton Mafia are coming!  Take cover Dubai!

I love Sergio!

Lee remains one of my golfing idols

The only thing missing is a chauffeur's hat!

Rafa.  What a superb guy

I think Rory is terrified by me!  He's great though

It's great to see Padraig back

Oh and Ronan too!

The Joy of Blue Skies

I wasn't able to get directly to Dubai with my carrier of choice, British Airways but I was able to get on their flight to Abu Dhabi. This was a treat for me because I had never previously flown on a 787 and I was surprised just how quiet this aircraft, powered by Rolls Royce engines, really is. Geek moment over!

Fully rested after a night's sleep in the Premier Inn at Abu Dhabi (yes I lead the high life) I collected my hire car from Avis for the one hour drive North under beautiful blue skies. 

Every time I come to Dubai, I am overwhelmed at the building work and the tower cranes in evidence. I am also amazed at the continuously increasing levels of traffic which at times test the patience of the locals beyond extreme!  Mind you the thing that amazed me the most today was passing a flat bed truck with a camel for cargo!!  If only I could have got the photo. 

I am lucky to be staying with Chris and Ellen,  a recently married young couple who have moved out to Dubai for a couple of years. I have known Ellen since she was a babe in arms and her mum and dad have been some of our closest friends for longer than I care to remember.  Their apartment is lovely and it is so convenient for my week's work on this golf tournament.  Mind you, negotiating the roadworks to get to it is my worst nightmare and in three efforts this afternoon, I went wrong every time!  Good job I left my heart rate monitor at home!

I am writing this from the course as the meeting for Scorers and TV personnel is scheduled for 5pm.  Not too worrisome for me being so experienced at this scoring malarkey!!  I really wish I hadn't said that in case it comes back to haunt me! 

I have already had a wander around the course which looks in immaculate condition and also watched some of the Professionals going through their various practice routines.  Watching them really crystallises why in my case I play off a moderate 12 handicap!  The difference is in the way they practice and I felt quite privileged today to watch Alex Noren and his putting coach work for at least two hours honing his putting stroke.  This is the man who yesterday won the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa pocketing a cool £903,000 taking his earnings this year to £2.6 million!  Would you believe that only two years ago his total purse for the season was just £5,000.  Incredible but perhaps understandable when you see his work ethic.

Of course the practice routine for me and many other golfers is ensuring that you are able to fasten your golf shoes whilst running to the first tee and at the same time avoiding falling flat on your face.  The after round practice for me, usually involves bacon sandwiches and tea.  I'm never going to improve.
A few photos today to set the scene from Dubai with the Pro-Am scheduled for a Tuesday.  The forecast for the week is fantastic although today at 35 degrees, it was a tad warm.

They are all European tour players on the The Earth Course

The Race to Dubai.  Millions of Euros to play for!

The 10th tee

Looking towards the 18th green

Alex Noren - The 2.6 Million Pound Man

Home for the next 6 days