Dubai pro-am cancelled after death of former club captain

emiratesgolfclub - Cropped

The pro-am event of the Dubai Desert Classic has been cancelled after Ashok Bakshi, a past captain of the Emirates Golf Club, died of a suspected heart attack.

Traditionally the pro-am takes place on the Wednesday before the Dubai Desert Classic - a European Tour tournament - is due to start the following day. 

However, the Tour confirmed on an official statement that the event will not take place as a mark of respect.

Bakshi received medical treatment after collapsing as he warmed up on the practice range, but later died in hospital.

"The afternoon pro-am of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic was cancelled following the tragic death of Ashok Bakshi, a founding member and past captain of the Emirates Golf Club, who suffered a cardiac arrest while warming up for the pro-am on the driving range at the Emirates Golf Club," read the Tour's statement.

"Mr Bakshi collapsed on the practice range early this afternoon, and was immediately attended to by The European Tour's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Roger Hawkes, as well as the local paramedic team from the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Service who are based at the Emirates Golf Club during the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

"After initial stabilisation on the practice range, Mr Bakshi was transferred by air ambulance to the Rashid Hospital, where he had further treatment but unfortunately passed away.

"The European Tour, in conjunction with tournament promoter golf in Dubai and the Emirates Golf Club, took the decision to close the golf course, as well as all golfing facilities at the Emirates Golf Club, as a mark of respect to Mr Bakshi, who was a hugely popular figure throughout the golfing community in Dubai." 

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