[G]od [O]nly [L]oves [F]ools

So,

Went to Qatar last week ostensibly for work, however, I spent most of my time at the Doha Golf club watching the Commercialbank Qatar Masters.

Interesting tour is the EPGA. I actually found that I enjoy watching it more than the PGA. You get much closer to the players, they are more acceptable to autograph seekers, and they actually take the time to speak with you. The paranoids on the PGA tour, (read Americans) think that everyone is out to get them, or a piece of them. Sad really. The fans, like fans everywhere, pay for those enormous winnings someway or another.

Now, the Qatar Masters, presented by Commercialbank, doesn’t even charge admission to the event!! Can you imagine??

Anyhow, I spent a very agreeable 4 days there. Missed Friday’s round, but did see the Pro-Am, and all the rest of the rounds. Watched Adam Scott shoot 61 (course record) on Sunday to come from behind and win by 3 strokes. Gorgeous round, and history made.

Apart from that, here’s what transpired.

On Wed., I was wandering down the range and bumped into Michael Campbell. Shorter than on TV, and way more tanned. Very nice person to talk to though, and he signed my hat. Proceeded to wander and spent a short period of time watching Luke Donald hit shot after shot perfectly. Frustrating really, but I did learn something from him, Lee Westwood and Sergio. They all set up their iron shots to the hosel end as opposed to the middle or the toe. Something that I will try next week when I am in the dome.

So, finished with Luke, (no signature as he was in the middle of his practice) and started back to the 9th lounge when who should I see but Miguel Angel. Dressed nattily in his street clothes and talking with some of his fellow pros about this and that. Have to add as an aside, there seems to be a ton of camaraderie and good sportsmanship over on the Euro tour. Good to see actually.

Back to MAJ. I motioned to him with a signing action, and he beckoned me on to the driving range. On the good side of the ropes, FINALLY!!!!

I asked how he was, and how his round was, and also how many stogies he smoked today. He chatted a bit, signed another hat, we had a laugh, I wished him all the best, and off I went. A happy golf fan.

Also met David Probyn sitting on a golf cart. No, didn’t expect you to know who he is. Just the tournament director for the EPGA. Powerful man. And also bloody nice.

So, Sunday comes and I am poking around and this is what went on.

Watched Luke again, and got his autograph before he started his practice. Watched Lee Westwood for a while, but didn’t get a signature. No worries, I figure I earned more respect that way for not interrupting.

Got Nick Dougherty to sign, and had a chance to chat with him about football later on when he was going to the chipping green and the first tee.

Saw Fanny (Henrik Stenson, Nick Faldo) and got her to sign, and then got Henrik. talked to him a bit about Sweden and Dubai. Nice guy. Also apologised that I got Fanny to sign first, but he smiled and made a joke.

Watching Sergio hit for a while, and then out of the corner of my eye I see burberry clothing. Who but Adam Scott? So, I slowly made my way out onto the pathway and asked him nicely if he would sign. He said sure and did so. We chatted a bit about clothes and clubs, I showed him my 1eyeron belt which he liked, and then I told him about the request from BC. Sorry man, no picture. Didn’t have my camera. However, he is coming for dinner next week.

So, what other name can I drop? Colin of course and he remembered me from the Skins. Yes he did. And, he loved Canada and is coming back to the Skins this year out west. Phillip Archer. Stephen Dodd. Rory McIlroy. Sergio after his round. Showed him the belt and he said to say hi to Alistair. Hi Alistair.

Apart from that, it was fun. I firmly believe that Adam won because he signed for me that morning, and I am sticking to it.

So, there you have it GOLF fans. That was my little adventure in the desert and in the world of the men who actually play the game like it should be.

Till then,

Keep it in the short grass,

Boomer