Race to Dubai

[Tongo]

Unfortunately the days of the European Tour being mainly played in Europe have gone. In fact European Tour is almost a misnomer as a higher percentage of the events are now outside of Europe!

But the reasons are obvious. Look back 25 years when almost every event was on European soil and the likes of Seve, Faldo, Woosnam, Torrance, Langer etc etc played most of their year in Europe with only the odd event in the States outside of the majors. Now its the other way around. The advent of the WGC events in the late nineties arguably began the gradual change.

But look at the effect that playing in the States has had on European success. Post Jacklin winning the US Open in 1970 it was almost unheard of for European players to be challenging for the US Open and the USPGA. (Save for the odd challenge) It surely cant be a coincidence that greater exposure to the US Tour has been a contributory factor in the likes of Kaymer, Rose, McIlroy and McDowell winning those majors. Not the only factor. But it surely has had an influence.

The European tour has had to diversify. It probably was more enjoyable when they rocked up at Valderrama to conclude the season but those days have gone and Monty was probably the last European superstar to ply his trade almost solely on the European Tour.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I did'nt say play at the end of November. Can you not remember the Order of merit playing to it's conclusion in Europe? It's only moved to November to facilitate playing in Dubai. The top players are still no more interested, preferring USA. They all play only the minimum to qualify for big payday.

When should it end ?

November is a natural end of the season

 

[MarkE]

When should it end ?

November is a natural end of the season

Why November? No reason the season can't finish in late September with the new season starting the following week (make Dubai the season opener). They never had a problem stageing a full season when it was the Order of merit. If Dubai was to pull the plug on the cash, they would be no other reason to have such a late season finish.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Why November? No reason the season can't finish in late September with the new season starting the following week (make Dubai the season opener). They never had a problem stageing a full season when it was the Order of merit. If Dubai was to pull the plug on the cash, they would be no other reason to have such a late season finish.

It needs to be later to avoid a clash with the PGA Tour's FedEx cup.

On a purely sporting basis I don't see any problem with having it in Dubai. The weather's great at this time of year which is better for the players and spectators.

From a political standpoint, there's a bigger issue which is whether or not major international events should be hosted by oppressive regimes. But that ship has sailed with all the sporting bodies quite happy to turn a blind eye to anything in return for enough cash.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I enjoyed watching it this weekend, and wishing I was there. It looked gorgeous, the weather and the course. I would far rather that than watch players wrapped up and hacking around a links course in freezing conditions with the wind howling. Top course, the players like the location so they will turn up. It ticks the boxes.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Why November? No reason the season can't finish in late September with the new season starting the following week (make Dubai the season opener). They never had a problem stageing a full season when it was the Order of merit. If Dubai was to pull the plug on the cash, they would be no other reason to have such a late season finish.

Because it then clashes with the fed ex and also changed the qualifying for the RC as well

Golf is an all year round sport now for the professionals

 

[MarkE]

It looked gorgeous, the weather and the course. I would far rather that than watch players wrapped up and hacking around a links course in freezing conditions with the wind howling. Top course, the players like the location so they will turn up. It ticks the boxes.

I love watching golf in the sun as much as the next man.
But I can watch the PGA every week for golf in sunnier climes. Like it or not the weather plays a big part in golf, especially the UK. Look at The Open, whenever the weather is benign it's more often than not a bit of a letdown. Links courses especially need inclement weather to sort out the men from the boys and that's the sort of challenge the ET should finish on.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

MarkE - but then realistically it would have to finish at the Dunhill Links tournament because after that we don't have the light or weather. You are losing a month or more out of the season and commercially that is not acceptable. The ET have enough of a battle keeping their best players from going to America without causing self inflicted problems. The calendar and weather alone dictates the UK is not suitable for this end of year finale.

 

[Tongo]

Even in the formative years of the European Tour the season tended to end in somewhere like Italy, Spain or Portugal before the season ending event eventually settled in at Valderrama for the Volvo Masters for many years.

The only couple of exceptions were the Dunlop Masters in the eraly years but that was only a couple of years and normally in early October.

It appears that there never has been a season ending event played on some windswept links course in inhospitable conditions. It is a European Tour afterall not just a UK tour.

The tour has a responsibility to look after its members and rocking up in low temperatures and appalling conditions just to stage a masochistic "test" in October and November isn't really looking after its members.

Yes, poor conditions do occur at the Open but that isn't the reason why it is staged at a links course or in a month that is traditionally the middle of summer.

 

[MarkE]

The only point I was really making is that I believe the ET finale should be held in Europe. Obviously it's not going to be on a freezing links in November but there are plenty of continental courses. Just my opinion of course.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Anyone else notice that 35 players won more than a million Euros.
Sure beats my biggest cheque as a pro of £39-10shillings.:lol:

 

[patricks148]

Anyone else notice that 35 players won more than a million Euros.
Sure beats my biggest cheque as a pro of £39-10shillings.:lol:

And PL's £2.50 in the alliance