Dubai-based caddie Max Zechmann dies of heart attack during play

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Dubai-based caddie Max Zechmann dies of heart attack during play
Photo via Facebook/Max Zechmann

Dubai - Although he was attended to by paramedics and later taken to hospital, Zechmann was later pronounced dead.

By James Jose

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Published: Wed 7 Dec 2016, 8:06 PM

Last updated: Wed 7 Dec 2016, 11:06 PM

A little over two hours, after the first three-ball had teed off from the par-4 405-yard first hole of the Majlis course, the leaderboard at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters froze.
News had just filtered in that Dubai-based veteran caddie Maximilian Zechmann had died of a heart attack on the 13th fairway. The 56-year-old was caddying for Frenchwoman Anne-Lise Caudal when he collapsed.
Although he was attended to by paramedics and later taken to hospital, Zechmann was later pronounced dead.
The 108-women field was left shocked and gutted by what had happened and sport, quite rightly so, took a backseat. Play for the day at the Emirates Golf Club was suspended as a mark of respect.
Anne-Lise Caudal was lost for words and was consoled by Ladies European Tour Tournament Director Michael Wood.
Scottish golfer Carly Booth, who was grouped with Caudal as well as Blair O'Neal saw it unfold from close quarters.
And the 24-year-old Booth, took to twitter and said it was a "horrendous experience."
"Tough start today for our group to experience something so horrendous. Thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Max #sadday," Booth tweeted.
Meanwhile, 33-year-old American Blair O'Neal also took to twitter by saying it puts life into perspective.
"At a loss for words. The tragedy that happened today in our group really puts life into perspective. My heart goes out to the family #ripMax," tweeted O'Neal.
At the Majlis Course, Order of Merit winner Beth Allen said that suspending play was the right thing to do.
 "I 100 per cent agree with the decision that was made out of respect for him and his family. I don't think anybody has any qualms about it. Hopefully, we will have some ribbons to wear tomorrow," said Allen.
Frenchwoman Alexandra Farret Vilatte said it was a tough feeling. "I think it's the right decision and everybody is very sad for this man. It's a tough feeling," Villatte said.
England's Felicity Johnson said: "Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. The Tour did a great job of handling it."
Meanwhile, American Paige Spiranac put things into perspective by saying there's more to life than just a good or bad round. 
"Praying for the family and friends of the caddie. It just shows you that there's so much more to life than a good or bad round," tweeted Spiranac.
Tributes also poured in from the men's European Tour with 2018 Europe Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn tweeting: "Dreadful news out of dubai this morning. Thoughts are with loved ones and everyone involved. RIP."
No one would have imagined of a tragedy like this on a golf course but this isn't the first time it has happened in professional golf. Two years ago, Zimbabwean caddie 52-year-old Ian MacGregor died on the ninth fairway while caddying for Scotland's Alastair Forsyth at the Madeira Islands Open.
It surely must have been a traumatic for Caudal but she hasn't withdrawn from the tournament and will carry on to celebrate Zechmann's life.
 

 Second tragedy at Emirates Golf ClubThis isn't the first time that tragedy has struck at the Emirates Golf Club. Back in January last year, Indian national Ashok Bakshi died of a cardiac arrest ahead of the afternoon pro-am of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. The 75-year-old, a founding member and past captain of the Emirates Golf Club, was warming up on the driving range when he collapsed on the practice range.
He was immediately attended to by The European Tour's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Roger Hawkes, as well as paramedics and after initially stabilising his condition, Bakshi was airlifted to the Rashid Hospital for further treatment. But he unfortunately passed away at the Hospital. The afternoon's pro-am was cancelled and the organisers decided to close the golf course as a mark of respect to Bakshi.
james@khaleejtimes.com
 


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