There were ups and downs, twists and turns, highs and lows a plenty and the key factor for such enthralling action is the exceptional golf course on which the drama was played out.
Peter Harradine’s design is a classic risk and reward golf course on which good golf will profit but errant shots will be unrelentingly punished, especially when the wind gets up, and it received high praise this week during a tournament that was broadcast around the world to 518 million households.
Frenchman Gregory Havret, who finished tied fourth, said, “It’s a tough course. The greens are really firm and quick but it helps to make some good scores if you are feeling it.”
Englishman Aaron Rai, who ended the week in a share of 19th place, said, “The course itself is very good. There are some tricky holes but there are some opportunities if you drive it well and have some good approach play.”
South Africa’s Erik Van Rooyen added: “It’s quite a tricky course and my first time I’m here so it’s really fun out there. If you don’t play within yourself the ball can get away from you. The course is in really good shape.”
Harradine, whose company has designed over 200 courses around the world, said: “Congratulations to, Eddie Pepperell, all at Doha Golf Club, Commercial Bank and the European Tour for the 21st edition of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. The design of the Doha Golf Club course is still one of my favourite projects. It very much used the natural rugged land and is one of the few golf courses that has not relied on the sustainability of real estate on its boundaries.
“I especially am delighted that the golf course has stood up to the test of time with the game of golf changing so much in the 20 years since it opened with the length by some of the best players in golf through modern equipment and so many more of the players now being elite athletes. The golf course nines were reversed by the European Tour for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and the golf club has now followed that for the other 51 weeks of the year. The change to the golf course is adding a mere 12 yards by adding a couple of new tees on three holes. It is virtually as it was in 1998 and is virtually as it was when Andrew Coltart (Scotland) won the inaugural Qatar Masters.”