Dubai Desert Classic cancelled after ex-club captain dies on range

The traditional Omega Dubai Desert Classic afternoon pro-am has been cancelled after Ashok Bakshi, a former club captain at the Emirates Golf Club, suffered a heart attack and was later pronounced dead.

Ashok Bakshi died before the Dubai Desert Classic pro-am event. He was a founding member and former club captain at the Emirates Golf Club. Courtesy Omega Dubai Desert Classic

DUBAI // One of the most well-known and respected amateur golfers in Dubai collapsed and died on Wednesday while practising for an annual pro-am tournament at the Emirates Golf Club.

Ashok Bakshi, who was in his mid-seventies, died of a heart attack after collapsing on the course’s driving range just after midday. He was a founding member and a former captain of the golf club.

He had been due to play in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am, alongside some of the world’s top players, including the world No 1 Rory McIlroy.

Mr Bakshi’s playing partner for the afternoon was due to be the French professional, Romain Wattal. The tournament was cancelled as a mark of respect.

His fellow amateur golfers spoke of their shock of their friend’s death.

Joseph Andrade, a former captain of the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht club, said he was one of the first Indian captains at the Emirates Golf Club.

“Ashok was a good friend to me and I will miss him very much. He will be remembered by everybody. He was one of the pioneers of golf clubs in Dubai and always extended a helping hand to junior players.”

After he collapsed Mr Bakshi was taken by helicopter to Rashid Hospital in Dubai where he was pronounced dead.

Another friend and amateur golfer, Amit Chhabra, said: “It really feels sad. On and off I played with him for many years and we shared a good bonding.”

He remembered how Mr Bakshi kept people around him happy. He said: “He was a very humble person and always had fine jokes.”

A spokesman for the Emirates Golf Club said: “Mr Bakshi collapsed on the practice range 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 Emirates Golf Club during this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

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

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

Bakshi was the club captain in 2002-03.