Gulf golfers hunting classic date with Tiger

As well as 28 professionals working within the burgeoning Middle East golf industry, 15 of the region's top scratch - or better - amateurs will have their eyes on a dream date at the $2.4 million tournament to be staged over the club's Majlis Course from February 2-5.

And with a star-studded field including three of the world's top five players - namely Tiger Woods, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els - it's a massive prize on offer courtesy of tournament sponsors Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL).

Among the regular faces tackling two rounds of the 7,264-yard, par 72 Majlis Course are Gary Constable from Tower Links, Ras Al Khaimah, Emirates Golf Club's Director of Golf Andrew Whitelaw and last year's runner-up Ernie Rellon, representing the Abu Dhabi Golf Club By Sheraton.

"Getting a sponsor's invite to take part in the Dubai Desert Classic itself is a great opportunity for the professional and amateur qualifier," said Mohamed Buamim vice chairman of event organisers Golf in DUBAI (GiD).

"There is always a great atmosphere on the day with the result usually going all the way down to the wire. We are extremely grateful to DUBAL for these invites and I know that whoever wins through on the day will certainly deserve their place alongside players such as world number one Tiger Woods and our reigning champion Ernie Els."

Of the 15 amateurs entered for the qualifying tournament, several key names stand out. Once again a strong Bahraini contingent will tackle the Majlis with both last year's amateur winner Nasser Yacoob Saleh and the man he beat by four shots Sultan Abdullah Sultan in a strong line-up.

But, as in the professional qualifier, competition is likely to be fierce with Abu Dhabi-based big hitter Alex Charawani, former winning qualifier Hamed Mubarak and Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club's Vikram Judge all eyeing a place in the Desert Classic.

Besides DUBAL as the main sponsor of the Desert Classic, CNN International, Dubai Waterfront by Nakheel, Emaar and Samsung as co-sponsors, other sponsors include: Emirates as official airline and Hole In One Sponsor; official caterer, hotel and challenge match sponsor Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa; Official Bank National Bank of Dubai; official courtesy car BMW; and event newspaper Gulf News.