DUBAi Open at the Els Club lauded as '100% a success'

The inaugural DUBAi Open at The Els Club, has been hailed as "100 per cent a success" by the club's General Manager Chris Brown.
The tournament reached a thrilling conclusion on Sunday afternoon when India's Arjun Atwal secured a one shot victory over South Korea's Wang Jeung-hun in what was the finale to the 2014 Asian Tour season.
And reflecting on the event, Brown was unequivocal in his view of how things went during the week.
"It was 100 per cent a success," he said. "The feedback from the players regarding the course condition has been outstanding and I feel satisfaction and pride.
"I am satisfied that the event went extremely well and proud of the team, the golf club and Troon Golf for producing such a great and spectacular event.
"To have Arjun Atwal as our DUBAi Open champion this year, having been a very successful PGA Tour player in the past, and to have players like Darren Clarke, as well as some of the best players on the Asian Tour and a few young superstars coming through from the European Tour, players like Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick, has helped make this a fantastic event.
"We have always had plans to do something professional golf tournament-wise, so to finally have one under our belt is extremely satisfying for the whole club and for Dubai Sports City." And Brown said the success of the event meant the prospect of a repeat in 2015 was very much on the cards, pending agreement from all the relevant parties.
"There is an option in there for us to host this (tournament next year)," he said.
"I think we need to take stock of where we are from all the stakeholders, from golf in DUBAi and the Asian Tour, from our ownership group and from ourselves, The Els Club management, and just see where we go for next year.
"But I would like to think the DUBAi Open will be back at The Els Club," he added.
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, the Vice-Chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, echoed Brown's assessment of the success of the tournament. "I am very proud," he said. "They (Dubai Sports City and The Els Club) have done a great job." Mohamed Juma Buamaim added he would also like to consider the possibility of adding The Els Club to the list of courses to stage a MENA Golf Tour event in 2015.
"If they give me the course for a MENA (Golf) Tour (event), I will do one next year, no problem. I will be very happy," he added.
Source: WAM