Indian expat Ganesh Mangathil, who shaped the face of UAE’s premier tournaments, gets a superstar sendoff from world number two, who waited to honor his career.
DUBAI: In the world of professional golf, the spotlight rarely leaves the stars on the green. But this week, a man who worked behind the scenes for three decades to make those tournaments shine stepped into a heartfelt spotlight of his own. Ganesh Mangathil, the publishing and branding manager at Dubai Golf, received a surprise and emotional farewell from world number two Rory McIlroy as he retired after 32 years of service.
The touching moment, captured on video by the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, shows McIlroy embracing a visibly moved Mangathil and personally presenting him with a long-service award—a silver dallah (traditional Arabic coffee pot).
“I was literally crying,” Mangathil told Khaleej Times. “Can you imagine one of the best players in the world waiting for you? He said he wanted to stay back and meet me.”
A Friendship Forged on the Fairway
The bond between the superstar athlete and the tournament organizer spans nearly two decades. “I have known Rory since he was 14 or 15,” Mangathil recalled. “He personally thanked me for my contributions. What more could I want?” In the video, McIlroy can be heard saying he felt “very lucky” to be able to hand Mangathil his memento.
The Architect of Tournament Branding
Mangathil’s journey in Dubai began unexpectedly in 1994 after a friend’s invitation led to a quick interview and a job at Dubai Golf. Initially in finance, he soon pioneered the publishing and branding division, a role he held for 27 years. His team was responsible for the visual identity of iconic events like the Dubai Desert Classic, ensuring every sponsorship board, backdrop, and camera angle was flawless for a global broadcast audience.
“Putting up sponsorship boards on a golf course has a science,” he explained, detailing the precision required to satisfy international sponsors monitoring their on-screen exposure. His dedication was absolute; he famously never took a sick day, sometimes working from 5 a.m. to midnight to ensure perfection, even cleaning boards soiled by morning mist.
A Career of Quiet Impact
Beyond branding, Mangathil contributed to thousands of corporate tournaments and 50 Mena tours across the GCC. Among his cherished memories is a personal golf cart tour with Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who later offered to take a photo with him—a moment Mangathil holds dear.
As he steps into retirement, the man who made tournaments look perfect for others now has a simple plan: to be a fan. His first wish is to attend the Augusta Masters and finally watch Rory McIlroy play—without a single board or backdrop to worry about.
United Arab Emirates Dirham Exchange Rate
