DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- A founding member of the golf club hosting this week's Dubai Desert Classic has died after suffering cardiac arrest while warming up on the driving range before the pro-am for the European Tour event.
The European Tour says in a statement the course at the Emirates Golf Club was closed Wednesday following the death of Ashok Bakshi, who collapsed on the practice range and was transferred by air ambulance to a local hospital after being treated by the tour's chief medical officer. Bakshi died after receiving further treatment in the hospital.
The pro-am was canceled.
The tour says Bakshi, who was a former captain of the club, was a "hugely popular figure throughout the golfing community in Dubai."
The tournament begins Thursday.