Alice Cooper to play Dubai Desert Classic Challenge Match and Pro Am

Those fearful this week's Omega Dubai Desert Classic may have lost a little of its rock-star quality will be heartened by the sight in the emirate of music maestro Alice Cooper.

Admittedly, plaid slacks and knitted sweaters may not immediately spring to mind when considering a man who typically cavorts on stage with snakes and mock-human skulls, but Cooper has become something of a regular on the celebrity golf circuit.

The flamboyant singer, who shot to fame in the early 1970s and whose hits include School's Out, is known to put in almost as much time on the fairways as the cream of the European Tour, and is in town for the final leg of the Desert Swing.

Cooper will first be found showcasing his talents alongside Lee Westwood, Thomas Bjorn, Jeev Milkha Singh and Henrik Stenson on Tuesday in the pre-tournament Challenge Match, when the opener to the Classic returns to its original home at Jebel Ali Golf Resort.

Should fans seek an encore, Cooper will take residence the following day at Emirates Golf Club, the single-figure handicapper competing in the Pro Am for the first time in the competition's 24-year history.

He promises a show-stopping performance. "I love the game. It's never a bad day for me on the golf course," said Cooper. "I've hit bad shots, but I've never thrown a club."

Of course, heavy metal is usually a nocturnal beast, but Cooper, 65 next week, is said to rise every morning at 7am just to squeeze in 36 holes. "I play a different course every single day," he said.

jmcauley@thenational.ae

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