Every tournament I go to I try to spot something unique “one of a kind” experience to learn and pass on. Going to UAE Abu Dhabi for the second edition of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open at Saadiyat Golf club was without exception another great journey.

It started On Monday when I took out, to my favorite Abu Dhabi French cuisine “Le Beaujolais”, 35nd Birthday, 2015 Lacoste Open Champion, Céline Herbin.  On Wenesday it was 82nd Birthday Gary Player encouraging to donate 82 USD to his charity. I did donate… > https://garyplayer.com/the-player-foundation/how-you-can-donate/

On Thursday it was cut day at -1, this must have been one of the lowest of the LadiesEuropeanTour and remind us that as on the mens side the ladies level is getting stronger and stronger…

However, my biggest surprise of the week came from the stardom of some of the Caddies. As the Winner Aditi Ashok was caddying by her successful father, Minea BlomQvist who finish T17 was Caddying by Finnish F1 Champion Heikki Kovalainen > http://ladieseuropeantour.com/f1-driver-to-caddie-for-minea-blomqvist/ and Swedish Camilla Lennarth 3rd who by LPGA Multiple Champion Sophie Gustafson > https://www.golfdigest.com/story/sophie-gustafson-why-i-hung-up-my-spikes-to-become-a-caddie

At last, I do not want to miss the emotional retirement gathering of my Swiss country Player/Olympian Fabienne In Albon. As Camilla Lennarth in 2015, I had the opportunity to teach Fabienne back in 2000 and I wish her great success in future life > http://ladieseuropeantour.com/farewell-fabsi/

Until next time Stéphane Barras #IamCaddiePlayer

> more about FBM week > http://ladieseuropeantour.com/aditi-ashok-wins-fatima-bint-mubarak-ladies-open/

Do you seriously think that a caddie would skip a $10M no cut WGC event?

After I notified ETCA caddies via our Group Telegram I was available as stand-in for the week, because Brett Rumford didn't qualify, someone responded to me personally: > "Frankly speaking your.....is ridiculous." Do you seriously think that a caddie would skip a $10M no cut WGC  event????".

My Sunday flight from LHR was delayed &,having missed my connection, I was put up in a Frankfurt hotel. At 0245 I received a call from Poom Saksansin's Manager Pimporne asking if I could caddie for Poom Saksansin (a happy Thai 1st reserve). She advised me he wouldn't be @ the course until 0300 Thurs or 0900 depending on when his Visa could be collected from Bangkok!! She'd be requesting a late tee off & this was 1000.

Not the ideal preparation for a 24year old, who'd arrived 0300, playing Sheshan the first time & meeting "Ronnie"  shortly before teeing off. I'd done my usual meticulous course preparation & equally detailed plan for Round1 & Poom listened attentively.  Played with Peter Uihlein (eventually finished 5th) & Liang Wenchong (finished 38th) & were 61st with a solid 73.

Thursday night was Caddies Party & Annual Awards. I was shell shocked to win the Mathematical/Course Boffin award & you can only imagine my pride winning with my exalted peers, the World top players, coaches, administrators, referees & the rest of our travelling "circus" cheering my success & resulting from 20years of attention to detail & support for 87 players to date!!

Round2 Poom had overcome tiredness & moved up to 38th with a solid -2 (70).

Round3 was moving day with Adam Hadwin (around 25th PGA Tour who struggled for 79) & guess who caddied in the opposite "corner".... as we moved up the field to 15th?... yes, Mr "Ridiculous. This opportunity wasn't to be missed & he was stuffed by 5 shots as Poom shot a bogey free 68 (one of only 4 68s) & I shook the hand of my "opponent" & said "that's why I'm out here!". Did he apologise? Did he hell!

Round4 Poom  played with Kiradech Aphirbarntat (also Thailand) & Charles Howell 111. An unfortunate double @ 11 when Poom went in the hole's only bush & then missed from 6ft pin high after a great recovery shot from 148yds lost us momentum, but a strong finish ensured an honorable 24th place. Poom's an only "child" & you can only imagine the pleasure his father (coach) & mother got following their son all 4 rounds.

Poom only dropped shots on 7 holes and finished 12th on Driving Accuracy in windy conditions amongst virtually all the World top players. This was a massive leap forward & has propelled him to 8th in the Asian Tour OOM.... and my decision to go was TOTALLY JUSTIFIED!!

John Roberts alias "Ronnie"

More > http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2017/tournamentid=2017088/news/newsid=335514.html

Andalucia Valderrama Masters Malaga, Spain

Next time you Fly land to Malaga Spain make sure that before you head south to play exclusif/tought Valderrama and more 120 Andalusia golf courses you take the time to visit Malaga Historical city just 15 minutes TrainLine from Airport. The Airport Train 1,80 euro last stop ticket will drop you down town Malaga next to the port > Pompidou Center and 20 more historical sites. A 500 meters walk and you will head to Picasso birth home just one street from my current hotel on "San Juan de Letran". As me, stay 24 hours and have time to see what need to be seen... and will not regret it! > http://www.malagaturismo.com/es

My 24 hours Malaga "Cultural Holiday" also mark the end of my 2017 regular European Tour season assisting/monitoring/observing and more things I do (many does not see what I actually see) when I am out there.... This season was particulary intense as the 5 "Rolex Series" 7 millions purse made the "fortune" of some and the "misery" of others not to mention the "Access" list and more who will keep his "Graal" 2018 "TOURCard" knowing that this season was by far the highest historical points require to get it! 

During my Valderrama Masters week I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with Back to Back French Open Winner Jean-François Remesy now playing as a Senior. His golf enthousiasm and knowledge is some of a kind especially around the greens.  We also watched the last few holes of "King" of Valderram Sergio's winning his sixth Spanish soil Title. Glad for Sergio (Friend1) also a member of my home club Crans-sur-Sierre and our PGA of Switzerland....  Looks like his marriage has giving him his best year.... The Power of Love! > http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2017/tournamentid=2017086/news/newsid=335007.html

At last, I do not want to forget that our "CaddiePlayer" Friends Tim & Gaganjeet just won in Macao! So glad for them as they are dear to me. > http://www.asiantour.com/2017/10/22/brilliant-bhullar-hits-the-lucky-numbers-again-macaoopen/   

Until next time > #IamCaddiePlayer in Malaga, Stéphane

 Check my Photos from Malaga > https://www.facebook.com/pg/caddieplayer/photos/?ref=page_internal

What a week it was! My Last RolexSeries 2017 > I could write a book about it... Maybe I will, but until then I can only  testify to all Caddies doubting about the Age of Veteran Caddie John Roberts "Ronnie"  yes he was born in #1946 :-) (I checked his ID)

Until next time > #IamCaddiePlayer Stéphane on my way to Valderama

Full report from European Tour > http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2017/tournamentid=2017084/news/newsid=334436.html