Bizgolf November 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

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HOLES AT NOOSA SPRINGS

FEATURE :

GEC OPEN 2018 APPROACHES FINALE

QUALIFYING ROUNDS HELD AT EGYPT, BHUBANESWAR, BENGALURU, MUMBAI, DUBAI AND PAKISTAN

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Open to the public, Noosa Springs is a luxury boutique-style resort with a stunning 18-hole championship golf course, excellent leisure facilities, award-winning restaurant and function facilities and world class spa situated in the heart of Noosa Heads/ 12

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NOVEMBER 2018 VOLUME 02 ISSUE 02

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COVER STORY

18 Holes At Noosa Springs

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GEAR UP

No Caddy No Worry Best golf GPS watch 2018 A golf GPS

20 GOLFSCAPES

watch helps you improve your game by keeping you informed which in turn

APlay under the midnight sun – or top of the world

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Leica introduces limited edition M10-P rangefinder

MORE GOLF

10 SOCIAL MEDIA

Life’s Great for Willett

31 GEC OPEN

GEC Open 2018 continues engaging global leadership

28 SPOTLIGHT

Breaking Through the Clutter

38 TEE TIME

R&A | USGA Belgium make history in Melbourne with World Cup win

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 EDITOR’S NOTE

GEC Open 2018 world final is rescheduled GEC Open 2018 world final - Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup that was earlier scheduled to be held on December 12 & 13 is now rescheduled to be held in the fourth week of February 2019.

The Global golf tour hosted another nine national qualifying rounds in Egypt, India, Dubai, Thailand, and Pakistan. More than 1100 avid golfers and industry stalwarts participated in these golf days and became part of the GEC Ecosystem. Several other countries were set to host their debut qualifying rounds in the end of November and early December – adding another 18-20 players to the roster of the world final. For now, these rounds are postponed to be held in late December and early January.

Another 24 winners have reserved their berths in the world final – Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup –to be played at Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Flip a few pages are read all about them in our special feature on the GEC Open 2018.

In this issue, our cover story of the month features Australia’s Noosa Springs Golf Courses located in Noosa Heads of Queensland. The Spotlight of the month features an article by Gregg Patterson, highlighting the need for an “oddball” in club management.

Golfscapes features truly unique destinations off the beaten path.

Update yourself with newsworthy stories from the world of professional golf and Golf industry in Tee Time and Business News. Remember to check out the lifestyle page to make a statement off the course!

PUBLISHER & MANAGING DIRECTOR TUSHAR SAHOO CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER BHARATH ARVIND MANAGING EDITOR VINEET MANN vineet@gecmediagroup.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT NIKITA SHARMA nikita@gecmediagroup.com

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 SOCIAL MEDIA

GOLF FOR EVERYONE

TRENDING LEE WESTWOOD STILL GOT IT

LIFE’S GREAT FOR WILLETT

JASON DAY WINS IN QUAIL HOLLOW MONGOOSE GOLF CHALLENGE

LANGER WINS SEASON AWARD

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Individuals Golfers registering in the GEC Open 2017 can purchase OneLight with the proceeds going to a charity of their choice. They can choose to donate the light as well.

Visit gecopen.com/csr for more details Contact: info@gecmediagroup.com

Corporates OneLight is available for bulk purchase for corporates who want to give the gift of light as part of their own CSR programs.

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 COVER STORY

GEC OPEN VENUE OF THE MONTH

H LES 18

AT NOOSA SPRINGS

BY: VINEET MANN

Q

ueensland, the Sunshine State, is Australia’s most popular holiday destination. Golden beaches, reef-fringed tropical islands, fantastic surf breaks, World Heritage-listed rainforests, rivers, reefs, and waterfalls are just some of Queensland’s natural jewels. And all of these sun-soaked settings offer a multitude of outdoor adventures. The dazzling Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef offer superb diving and snorkeling. Fraser Island is a favorite

for four-wheel-driving with its dunes and dingoes, and the ravishing wilderness areas along the Queensland coast are excellent for hiking, biking, boating, and fishing.

For a change of pace, Queensland’s capital, Brisbane, delivers big-city attractions with a small-town feel. South of Brisbane, lies the glitzy Gold Coast with its hedonism and high rises. Traveling north along the coast from the capital, visitors will discover a string of holiday resorts, from sleepy beach

towns and rainforest villages to picturesque Port Douglas, and the tropical tourist-magnet of Cairns.

Queensland is situated in the northeast of Australia – occupying an area of more than 700,000 square miles – and its population of around four and a half million is concentrated along the Pacific coastline.

Queenslanders, like all Australians, love their sport and swimming is one of the most popular – evidenced by the fact that swim-

COVER STORY NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

mers from the Sunshine State won all six of Australia’s gold medals at the Beijing 2008 summer Olympics.

Golf Queensland was formed in 2007 following the merging of the Queensland Golf Union and Women’s Golf Queensland so that all the state’s male and female golfers in around 270 clubs are now organized within nineteen district associations which are governed by the one unified authority.

As you might expect from Greg Norman, Queensland’s favorite golfing son, he has

designed some top modern tracks around the state capital of Brisbane, including Brookwater, Glades, Pelican Waters, and Grand. Another course that merits attention is the 18-hole layout at Royal Queensland, an old Carnegie Clark design that Michael Clayton has recently overhauled.

Open to the public, Noosa Springs is a luxury boutique-style resort with a stunning 18-hole championship golf course, excellent leisure facilities, award-winning restaurant and function facilities and world

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class spa situated in the heart of Noosa Heads.

Designed by Graham Papworth, the golf course promises to enthrall players of all levels with its natural aesthetic beauty and its remarkable design with spring-fed lakes, native flora plus resident koalas, kangaroos, and birdlife. Surrounded by picturesque Lake Weyba and Noosa National Park it provides a relaxing haven, only three minutes from Hastings Street and famous beaches.

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 COVER STORY

FACILITIES

Reside comfortably in Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort spacious apartments and enjoy a range of premium facilities right on your doorstep. Challenge yourself on one of Australia’s best resort golf courses, play tennis, workout or take a group class at the fitness center, indulge in a spa treatment, bask by our 25 meters heated swimming pool and enjoy casual and fine dining at the award-winning Relish Restaurant.

A range of sport, leisure and children’s offers are also available to visitors so that everyone can feel comfortable here.

GASTRONOMY Relish Restaurant is open to the public every day; Relish is one of Noosa’s best lunch venues overlooking the resort’s superb championship golf course. It’s open for breakfast (buffet) and lunch daily; and dinner Wednesday to Saturday.

Dine al fresco on the clubhouse terrace and drink in the spectacular golf course vista or enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of the restaurant interior, bar and lounge areas. The a la carte menu features modern Australian cuisine with Asian and Mediterranean flavors. The menu changes with the seasons, making the most of the freshest local and regional Australian produce.

Fun Fact Noosa Springs is home to an award-winning world-class Spa offering a full range of wellness programmes and spa treatments.

COVER STORY NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

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GOLF COURSE Graham Papworth writes: Noosa Springs was created in the mid-1990s and carved out of marginal land adjoining Lake Weyba, behind the township of Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. It now forms the centerpiece of a very sought after residential estate which includes a superb clubhouse, resort and day spa.

The 6,189-metre par 72 layout is a very strategic design with some heroic carry options while providing alternative lines of play for the less adventurous. It challenges all standards of player to put a good score together yet remains fun to play when taking the safer route to the flag and the playing surfaces are always very well presented.

There are several good holes on both nines and no two holes are alike, on the outward nine the pocket of land which is home to the 5th, 6th and 7th holes is isolated from any surrounding development and has attained its own “Amen Corner” reputation. The 329-meter 5th is drivable across the water and while there are many other playing options the least risky tee shot results in the most challenging second shot bringing water beyond the green into play.

The 6th is a straightforward 356-meter par four however the tee shot needs to be placed on the right side of the fairway near a trap to play an approach down the length of the green which drops away steeply on the sides and rear.

At 415 meters and often into a wind, the 7th has the number 1 index, and to anyone but the scratch golfer, it makes sense to play it as a short par five to reduce the risk of finding the water that stretches down the right side and the full length of the hole.

Coming home, the 14th is only a 329-meter par four but uphill to a blind putting surface and some traps to negotiate makes it the fourth most difficult hole on the course. After which you turn downhill to play the 524-meter par five with great incentive to try and carry the creek crossing the fairway at a good drive length and thus be in a position to place your second short and just left of the green for the ideal pitch approach.

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 COVER STORY

Hole #1 Par 4 | 365 m (Championship Tees)

Hole #2 Par 4 | 339 m

Hole #3 Par 5 | 481 m

Hole #4 Par 3 | 141 m

This dog-leg left par 4 has trouble spots to avoid on both sides. Drive down the right side of the fairway to help avoid the bunkers up on the left – this will give you a clear view of the generous green.

This par 5 will require some concentration off the tee. With water, all the way up the left, a long drive down the right side of the fairway will put you in a great position to slide around the dog-leg. Do this, and you are rewarded with a clear run to a large green. Watch out for the green side bunkers.

Accuracy is vital for this tee shot. A hazard to the right and thick scrub to the left makes hitting the fairway essential. A fairway wood off the tee should leave you with a short to mid iron to the green, which slopes from back to front. Enjoy the view across Lake Weyba as you two-putt for par.

What a hole. Shortest par 3, but don’t be fooled. Choose the correct club or find yourself in the water, as the lake almost encircles the green

COVER STORY NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

Hole #5 Par 4 | 329 m

This is Noosa Springs signature hole – a short par 4 but not one for the faint-hearted. Very big hitters can drive across the lake to the green, while for the rest of us, positioning is crucial to negotiate the sharp dog-leg.

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Hole #6 Par 4 | 356 m

Off the tee, you will see water down the right and thick trees down the left, so you guessed it, you need to hit straight. Check your yardage as the short left bunker makes the green look closer than it is.

Hole #8 Par 3 | 176 m

This is a 176-metre par 3. The green is large and slopes gently from back to front. If you do come up short, there is some forgiveness at the front, but miss the green to the right or left and you will have some work to do to get up and down.

Hole #7 Par 4 | 415 m

The most challenging par 4 at Noosa Springs stretches 415 meters from the men’s championship tee. Your tee shot needs to be long if you are to reach the green in two. But be careful of the water all the way up the right-hand side.

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 COVER STORY

Hole #9 Par 5 | 487 m

This par 5 requires a tee shot just left of center to miss the fairway bunkers. This will give you a clear shot up the fairway to a landing zone which is also protected by a fairway bunker, leaving a pitch and a couple of putts for par.

Hole #11 Par 4 | 303 m

This is the shortest par 4 on the course at 303 meters and some players have been know to drive the green. The smart play is to hit about 200 meters off the tee which will leave only 100 meters to go. Beware of the many fairway and greenside bunkers.

Hole #10 Par 4 | 359 m

This hole has a slight dog-leg right that requires some thought off the tee: maybe a fairway wood for safety, as there is an out of bounds down on the right-hand side – the fairway bunkers are tough to carry so only big hitters should try. You won’t be able to hit a long second shot as the out of bounds wraps around the back of the green.

Hole #12 Par 4 | 406 m

Check out the views from the tee but be careful of a potential cross-wind on your drive. Many drives down the right end up in the hazardous zone of the cart path. This long par 4 has a small left-hand dog-leg. A par is a good score here.

Hole #13 Par 3 | 162 m

This 162-metre par 3 requires an excellent mid to long iron tee shot.

If the flag is at the front, coming up short is OK. If the flag is at the back, the green side bunkers come into play.

COVER STORY NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

Hole #14 Par 4 | 329 m

A tricky tee shot. If you are short and right, you will need to negotiate a blind shot over or around the trees, so left of center is the way to go. Your second shot is uphill and usually into the wind – this may require one or two more clubs than you think.

Hole #16 Par 3 | 197 m

This is a tough and long par 3 — the large greenside bunkers on the right guard the green well. The green is very deep, so hit an extra club if the pin is at the back of the green.

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Hole #15 Par 5 | 524 m

The longest hole at Noosa Springs – carrying the creek off the tee is a little harder than it looks and takes three good shots to hit this green in regulation. All bunkers on this hole are well placed so avoiding them will be a challenge.

Hole #17 Par 4 | 340 m

Water, water, everywhere. A straight drive is a must on this short dog-leg left. The green is protected by water on the left and greenside bunkers on the right. Not a long hole but lose your concentration, and you may lose your ball.

Hole #18 Par 5 | 471 m

This is one of the most beautiful finishing holes in Queensland. A slight fade off the tee will find the fairway every time. Longer hitters will have to avoid the second fairway bunker. With trees on both sides of the fairway, accuracy is a must. The green is significant, but well protected by bunkers. If you made par, you played it well.

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 GOLFSCAPES

THE R O A D LE S S T R AV E LLE D APlay under the midnight sun – or top of the world SOMETIMES you want to head off the beaten track and go somewhere entirely different like Norway - home to some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. With awe-inspiring mountains, enormous fjords and quaint fishing towns filled with brightly colored houses, this part of Scandinavia is the ultimate location for an adventurous holiday.

The Lofoten islands in the northern region are sparsely populated and traveling there isn’t cheap. However, Lofoten links make the journey seem more than worthwhile. This unique course winds its way among jagged mountains and along the rocky coastline.

This is also one of the few places in the world where you can experience playing golf under the midnight sun. From late May until the end of July, the sun doesn’t set at all.

Make sure you combine your visit to this unforgettable course with a trip to the vibrant city of Tromso: one of the best places in the

world to see the Northern lights.

Witnessing this magical light display should be on every traveler’s bucket list.

Bulgaria is another lesser­known destination for a brilliant golfing break. The Gary Player­designed Thracian Cliffs is just a 40-minute drive from the city of Varna.

With an extraordinary clifftop location overlooking the Black Sea, your round will be inundated with photo opportunities. Host to the Volvo Matchplay in 2013, the five-star suites are a comfortable and spacious base for exploring this picturesque part of the country.

Winding through hills of olive groves and with stunning sea views, the Dunes and Bay courses at Costa Navarino in Greece are two further treats for golfers.

With two five-star deluxe hotels and over 20 dining options, the unspoiled coastal area of Messinia is ideal for diving, hiking, and sea

kayaking. If you prefer mountains to beaches, Crans Sur Sierre in the Swiss Alps is the place to go to enjoy golf and other outdoor pursuits.

Set on a plateau at 1500 meters with the towering peaks of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc in the distance, the setting will take your breath away. Host to the Omega European Masters, the nearby courses of Sierre, Sian and Leuk are also worth a visit.

The small town of Crans­Montana has the brilliant atmosphere of a cozy ski resort. Here you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants in which to spend your evenings, plus an excellent selection of luxury spas.

GOLFSCAPES

NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 GOLFSCAPES

GOLF COURSES LOFOTEN LINKS NORWAY | Stay at Lofoten Links Lodges

THRACIAN CLIFFS GOLF & BEACH RESORTS

BULGARIA | Play at Thracian Cliffs, Black Sea Rama or Lighthouse

Highlights: This visually stunning course is an unrivaled experience, the unique setting of the islands of Northern Norway. Ideal for a summer golf break and a must visit. Choose between golf in the midnight sun or golf under the Northern Lights The course is set out by the seaside with the ocean as a water hazard on several holes and sandy beaches as natural bunkers on others. The signature hole arrives early at the 140-meter 2nd, where the two-tiered green sits on a little rocky outcrop, fronted by a solitary pot bunker.

On the back nine, the 430-meter 16th is the longest and toughest par four on the course. After a blind tee shot from the back markers, the hole then plays downhill, with the fairway narrowing considerably as it heads towards the inlet where the long, exposed green is sited.

Did you know: Lofoten Golf Links has evolved from an original six-hole layout, to nine, and is now an 18-hole course. The course design has been a collaborative effort between course owner Frode Hov (whose family has lived on the island of Gimsøy since the sixteenth century) and Swedish-based English architect Jeremy Turner. | Lofoten Links is managed and operated by Troon Golf, a world leader in upscale golf course management.

Price: 3 nights, B&B, 3 rounds of golf from US$ 600

Highlights: A Gary Player-designed golf course and host of the Volvo Matchplay 2013. Thracian Cliffs is a must play and one to tick off the list due to the incredible layout and setting for an unforgettable experience.

The course is routed, hole after hole, along the cliffs on magical land of the once powerful Thracian kingdoms. The setting is pure theatre, and Gary Player is quite rightly enthusiastic about the site.

“You will not find another golf course like this anywhere on the planet” commented the Black Knight. “Pebble Beach is renowned as the best site, and I would say Thracian Cliffs is twice as good as Pebble Beach.”

Price: 5 nights, B&B, 3 rounds of golf from US $ 510 7 nights, B&B, 5 rounds of golf from US $760 Includes airport transfers and welcome dinner

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THE WESTIN RESORT COSTA NAVARINO 5* GREECE I Play at The Dunes & The Bay

CRANS SUR SIERRE GOLF CLUB

SWITZERLAND | Stay at Art De Vivre Hotel & Spa 4*

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Highlights: Voted European Golf Resort of the Year 2017, Costa Navarino boasts two luxurious hotels and two championship courses - The Dunes and the Bay - designed by Bernhard Langer and Robert Trent Jones II respectively.

The impressive seaside Dunes Course is the first signature-designed golf course in Greece, set in a diverse natural landscape with spectacular sea and river views. Measuring 6,581 yards, this awardwinning18-hole course has been designed to provide an exciting challenge to all golfers in an enchanting environment of lush olive groves, undulating greens, and wide fairways.

The Bay Course at Costa Navarino Golf is one of Greece’s well-rated championship courses. This tree-lined and open parkland layout should not disappoint, with many attractive features and several excellent holes to enjoy. Plenty of golfing challenge and usually good upkeep contribute to the appeal of this well-crafted and pleasantly testing design — one to include on your playlist if you are in the area.

Price: 5 nights, B&B, 3 rounds of golf from US $ 850 7 nights, B&B, 4 rounds of golf from US $ 1200 Includes buggies and golf transfers

Highlights: Home of the Omega European Masters, this Seve Ballesteros golf course is set in one of the most majestic locations in world golf, towering 1,5OOm above the Rhone Valley with views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc If golf was meant to be played in spectacular settings, then you’ll find nowhere better than Crans-sur-Sierre.

Perched at 5,000 feet above sea-level, in Switzerland’s Valais region, you are not just continually looking at stunning high Alpine scenery, you are part of it. The championship Severiano Ballesteros layout carries the great man’s name following the design improvements he made to this immensely scenic course. It is a layout that can test the best in the game, while still giving a thrilling golf experience to the aspiring amateur. The holes will reasonably challenge you, sometimes a little bit tight between the tree-lined fairways, at other times reveling in the openness of the summer pasture environment. In winter, skiers whizz down the fairways at speed, but from late-Spring to early-Autumn the sound of the club on the ball is all that is heard on this wonderfully natural alpine layout.

Price: 3 nights, B&B, 3 rounds of golf from US $ 600 4 nights, B&B, 4 rounds of golf from US $ 850

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 GOLFSCAPES

GASTRONOMY NORWAY

The climatic conditions and landscape of Norway lend themselves to a particularly distinctive flavor in meats, fruits, and wild berries. Norwegian vegetables, fruit, and berries such as Chinese cabbage, apples, cherries, and strawberries are in great demand in many countries due to their high quality. The long coastline yields plenty of fish such as fresh trout and salmon. Fresh fish is prepared in a variety of ways, though it is commonly served poached as steaks.

Another fish that is popular all over the country is cod.

Bass Oslo Grab a seat at the bar or in the dining room, which is decorated with exposed tiles, concrete walls, designer lamps, and iconic artwork. Choose four or five of the menu’s reasonably priced small dishes per person to share with the table. The service team — so relaxed that you can’t tell them apart from the guests — presents the modern bistro style dishes on rustic handmade plates. Try the beef tartare, raw scallop with mango pulled beef with radishes or salsify with Gruyere.

Grådi This corner restaurant has made the surrounding Tøyen neighborhood more welcoming. The name means “greedy,” and maybe a tongue-incheek reference to the affordability of the food.

The relaxed but knowledgeable staff will bring you lunch, snacks, small plates, or brunch, depending on the hour. The menu features Norwegian comfort food based on quality produce with a mix of Nordic and other more distant influences. Order the fish sticks with remoulade; braised ox cheek with lingonberries; barley risotto with local cheese and wild mushrooms; or the pork, duck, or potato sausages accompanied by traditional condiments.

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BULGARIA

The Southeastern European country of Bulgaria has always been a crossroads between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. As such, Bulgaria’s traditional foods have been influenced by the surrounding region, sharing many dishes and flavors with Turkish, Middle Eastern, Italian, and Greek cuisines. Traditional recipes often feature Bulgarian feta cheese or sirene; meat, especially grilled lamb, pork, or veal; fresh vegetables; and yogurt.

Sevastokrator The shaded terrace of this hotel-restaurant peers over some of the finest forest views in Arbanasi. Service is prompt, the decor has traditional wooden furnishings and crimson tablecloths, and the menu has a sumptuous selection: grills, pizzas and beautifully executed ‘stone kebabs,’ where juicy mushrooms, cabbage, and pork are muddled together on a hot plate.

Niko’las: The menu boasts a ‘taste of the Balkans with an Asian twist,’ which undersells the amazing food on offer here. Expect the likes of smoked trout topped with beetroot, goat cheese, and poached pear, or grilled sea bass with Bulgarian caviar.

The open kitchen allows direct interaction with the chefs. The wood-clad walls are warm without being folksy. Reservations recommended.

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SWITZERLAND

As soon as we speak of Swiss specialties, all our senses awaken. Our taste buds immediately recall the unrivaled taste of raclette and cheese fondue.

Imagine your winter evenings in Switzerland warmed by the tasting of Valais cheese with potatoes. Similarly for the Swiss fondue Romande with the enticing smell of its Gruyère. You will be seduced! Very fond of potatoes, the Swiss devour them in all forms. The alplermagronen presents it, for example, in the form of a creamy gratin with macaroni and onions. The potato is sometimes served in the form of a pancake pan-fried in butter and mixed with cheese. This is the case with the delicious Rösti.

Haus Hiltl

Le Chat-Botté, (Puss in Boots)

Dine out in the world’s first vegetarian restaurant in Zurich. The Haus Hiltl dates back to 1898, when it was snappily named the “Vegetarian Home and Abstinence Café”. Back in those early days, vegetarians were derogatorily called “grazers,” and the café was nicknamed “the root bunker” by locals.

Today you can sample a wide range of vegetarian options at the buffet which offers over 100 dishes with influences from around the world. A must-try is the Hiltl Tartar, a signature dish made with okara, eggplant, and spices.

They also have a wide range of vegan-friendly desserts that will make your mouth water, all for a decent price.

This restaurant can be found in the Hotel Beau-Rivage in Geneva. On the hotel’s terraces, which offer panoramic views of Lake Geneva, you can indulge in gastronomic tastings and contemporary seasonal French cuisine.

If you are feeling particularly extravagant (tables start at 250CHF per person) you can reserve the Chef’s Table, and have a special menu designed for you and your party by Dominique Gauthier, Le Chat-Botté’s Michelin starred chef.

GREECE

Greek cuisine, rich in authentic flavors and aromas represents an age-old cultural unity. It has a history of around 4,000 years, with special characteristics based on pure and unique quality goods of the Greek land. It was Archestratos who wrote the first cookbook in history (330 B.C.).

Spondi

Estiatorio Milos Athens

Thanks to its two Michelin starred food, Spondi has become a point of reference not only for Athenian gastronomes but for those throughout Europe.

The head chef serves a menu that changes according to the seasons and his creative imagination. The food is artful and packed with exquisite flavors, and touched by a hint of exoticism.

The fish served to diners is line-caught by a group of local fishermen, delivered daily and seasoned with authentic, clean and simple ingredients.

The beautiful green veranda offers a wonderful summer oasis from the bustling city. For the discerning traveler, Milos offers a beautifully decorated private dining area, or for a true Milos culinary delight, a chef’s table can be booked for that perfect dining experience.

MOVIE REVIEW NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

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Not To Be

Missed

The Legend of Bagger Vance Release date: November 3, 2000 Starring: Will Smith, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron

Director Robert Redford shows his age — and we mean this in the best possible way — with this old-fashioned movie in which the virtues of honor and sportsmanship are made vibrant and real. Redford and screenwriter Jeremy Leven take these themes from Steven Pressfield’s novel and make them seem natural in the course of everyday life. The elegance and grace with which they do it help balance out the film’s considerable shortcomings.

In Depression-era Savannah, local golf hero and WWI veteran Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon) is suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome and a dose of survivor guilt. Junuh escaped a battlefield massacre by sheer chance, and as a result, he’s lost his swing. How he gets his groove back is the spine of what amounts to a retelling of The Bhagavad Gita, the Hindu scripture in which Lord Krishna assumes human form to serve and instruct a warrior. Here, the human form is that of genial golf caddy Bagger Vance (Will Smith, whose charm and timing help dissipate the Uncle Remus stereotype inherent in such a character). The battlefield becomes a golf tournament, pitting Junuh against two real-life legends: Epitome-of-decency Bobby Jones (Joel Gretsch, a veritable Arrow Shirt ad come to life) and hedonist-with-a-heart Walter Hagen (the evergreat Bruce McGill).

Michael Ballhaus’ golden cinematography imbues the proceedings with a heavenly sheen that’s entirely appropriate since this overly familiar story of a young man’s fall from and return to grace needs mythic, larger-than-life resonance to remain compelling.

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

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Breaking Through the Clutter

These managers and clubs have broken through the “Clutter of Competents”. They do what they do well, and they do it with a bit of oddball. The managers are secure.

The waiting lists are long. The Staff, members, and fellow managers take note and respond---Three cheers!!!

Break on through and three cheers for those who do!!!

I

like clubs and managers who do “good” a little differently. They stick out in my memory, leap to the surface, make me smile, force their way into conversation when I’m talking “club.” In an ever more competitive business, filled with ever more competent managers and clubs, these oddball characters have broken through The Clutter of Competents.

I love them. So do the members.

Oddball is as oddball does. We’ve all met oddball managers who do “good” a little differently. One that I know dresses like a funeral director, laughs easily and often and has “Director of Fun” on his business card. He sports a full beard in an industry devoid of facial hair. And the members love him, pay him a bundle, and pray he never leaves. Another runs a prestigious southern club country club, bicycles to work in the morning and leads the club’s spinning class in the afternoon. And the

members love him, pay him a bundle, and pray he never leaves. These are oddball characters who do what they do really, really well. They’ve broken through the “Clutter of Competents”. You’ll remember them if you meet them. They’re different. And they’re winners.

Oddball is as oddball does. We’ve all met oddball clubs who do “good” a little differently. One historic, tradition-driven city club I know, a club considered by all to be a truly private “retreat for the elite,” is deeply engaged in the local community and runs four youth centers in the inner city.

Hanging in its oak-paneled dining room are contemporary paintings that leap at you with energy and adventure---oddball stuff if you’re a traditional city club. Another prestigious city club I’ve recently visited decided to swim against the tide, buck the trend toward casual dress and go “more formal” throughout the clubhouse---something we, in the family club business, consider deeply oddball. I remember with fondness a high octane country club that hosts front page big-time golf tournaments and entertains the players in a magnificent one-of-akind clubhouse right out of the Arabian Nights---something most contemporary club architects would consider oddball.

In a world filled with “competents” these Competents With Character stands out.

You’ll remember them if you visit. They’re different. And they’re winners.

The Clutter of Competents There are lots of clubs and managers “out there” who do what they do well. The clubhouse is clean, the food is decent, and the bills get paid on time. They’re a long way from oddball, but they’re certainly competent. Call them The Competents.

There was a time not so long ago when competence was enough. The Competents stood head and shoulders above the competition because the competition was still in its infancy.

But times have changed. The Clutter of Competents is with us.

CMAA, higher education, Board Room Magazine, and The National Club Association have made competence “ground zero.”

Everyone expects the food to be good, the finances to be solid, the clubhouse to be maintained, the litigation settled, the legislation understood, the insurance renewed, and the grass to grow — routine stuff.

Which has created a “Clutter of Competents” in the marketplace, the incompetent managers and clubs have been crushed by the Competents. The defeated have become car salesmen, and their clubs have been purchased by developers, turned into housing, paved over for parking. The Competents now dominate the landscape.

And with that, an opportunity has arisen. In the land of The Competents, the Competent Oddball is king. The Competent Oddball becomes Competent by being

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 SPOTLIGHT

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gregg Patterson became the General Manager of The Beach Club, Santa Monica, California in 1982 and went on to work there 34 glorious years. He paved the way for next generation in 2016 to move on to his next adventure as a full-time speaker and writer with his new company “Tribal Magic!!!”

In acknowledgment of his efforts as an educator in both the universities and the corporate world, he was awarded the ‘2002 Gary Player Private Club Educator of the Year Award’ by BoardRoom magazine, the ‘Club Executive of the Year by the Club Management Association of America’ in 2015, the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award by the Asian Pacific Hospitality Summit’ in 2015 and the ‘2015 Board Room magazine Award of Dedication’ for his timeless, energetic and dedicated service to the private club industry.

“really good” at the basics. Then they become Oddballs by doing what they do a little differently. With a bit of flair. With a little humor. With some quirky stuff thrown into flavor the soup — Oddball Competents.

Competence combined with oddball make for a powerful combo.

Time to do Oddball.

Principles of Oddball Do it well. Do it differently. Do it oddball.

And remember the Rules of Oddball.

Oddball is remembered. In a world of “the same” those who do “good” differently will be remembered. Oddballs Know that Competence is Job One: Oddballs know the business of clubs. They’re competent.

Oddballs without competence get fired.

Clubs without competence become shop-

ping centers.

Oddball isn’t for everybody. Some people and some clubs simply aren’t made to “do oddball.” Accept the fact and do “you” well. Let the others get the glory and bank the big bucks.

You can’t be the oddball you’re not.

When it comes to Oddball, you can’t imitate your way to success. Wearing another’s Oddball Jacket will get you into hot water fast. Find your inner oddball and be true to yourself.

Oddball is risky---same is safe.

Everyone has different risk parameters. If you need the job to pay the mortgage, fund alimony payments or post bond for your brother in law, you’ve got different “risk parameters” than the character who earns seven figures, lives off his inheritance,

drives a Yugo and banks the rest. If keeping your job is Job One, best to keep your Oddball Factor low.

Oddballs build a Goodwill Bank Account---First!!! It’s easier to do oddball if members love you and the club is booming.

Prove that you’re good, show them the love, build the goodwill bank account. Time then to “do oddball.”

Lots of Little Oddballs does an Oddball Make. Oddballs hit singles. Home runs are “high risk.” Oddballs build the Oddball Culture one step at a time.

Everybody has Oddball Closets. Members need oddball whether they admit it or not. Captains of the industry will ride the mechanical bull. Mammas will do musical chairs. Open the closet and let the Oddball out.

Oddball needs Facilitation and Debrief.

Want to generate oddball ideas? Tap into your club’s collective intelligence. Talk lots to committees and staff. Ask questions.

Provoke controversy. Oddballs know how to energize conversation and get people talking Oddball.

Oddballs need fans in high places.

Oddballs need a safety net before doing oddball. They need support from some “big guns”---the President, or the Board or the House Committee. Oddballs need to smother oddball if the safety net is missing.

Oddball don’t imitate their way to excellence. Oddballs have imagination. They think up new ideas that are uniquely their own. Imitation does not an Oddball make.

Oddballs invent the stuff that others steal.

Oddball push the envelope, cross the line and get bruised. No pain, no gain. Oddballs try new ideas knowing that most new ideas fail. New ideas generate controversy.

Oddballs discover “the line they shouldn’t have crossed” by crossing it on a regular basis. They collect data points, redefine “the line” and lick their wounds.

Oddball Laugh Lots---win or lose.

Oddballs laugh lots. “We do it differently and well—ho ho!!!” “We flopped with that idea---ho ho!!!” “We got spanked by the bridge players for that…ha ha!!!” Laughing makes the whole Oddball Adventure worthwhile.

Time to Do Oddball The Competents are out there waiting to take your job and steal your members. Its dog eats dog. Oddball is a cudgel you can use to beat back the competition.

Do “club” good. Do it differently. Break on through the “Clutter of Competents.”

They’ll remember you.

CORPORATE GOLF NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

GEC OPEN 2018 APPROACHES FINALE

Qualifying rounds held at Egypt, Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Dubai and Pakistan After tournaments in Canada, Indonesia (Jakarta & Bali), Kenya, Assam, Botswana, and South Africa, the global golf tour wrapped up golf days in a number of countries as the GEC Open 2018 national qualifying rounds approaches the finish line.

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 CORPORATE GOLF

EGYPT In the last week of October, the prestigious Katameya Dunes golf course at The Westin Resort in Cairo, Egypt hosted the GEC Open qualifying round.

The tournament was played in the Stableford format in two h’cap divisions amongst the crème-de-la- crème of Egyptian amateur golf fraternity- 0 to 13.4 and 13.5 to 54. Over 60 avid golfers gathered in a familiar setting on a major occasion to compete for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The schedule through the day was competitive yet fun-filled round of round of golf complemented with networking lunches

and gala dinner.

One winner each from the two categories was selected to represent Egypt in the World Final. Ronny Farag playing off a five handicap scored 35 points to emerge victorious in the first handicap category. Hamid Lofti competing off a 20 handicap carded 30 points to book his world final berth in the second category.

The Duo bags an all-expense paid trip to Dubai for the World Finals where they will battle it out with champions from other countries for global bragging rights.

PAKISTAN Over a 130 players featured in the inaugural edition of GEC Open Pakistan Golf Tournament 2019 at the Defence Authority Country and Golf Club.

Corporate players from all over Pakistan registered to participate in the biggest corporate golf team event of the country organized in association with Loco Services, a license holder of three International corporate golf series, putting efforts towards the promotion of corporate golf in Pakistan.

Played in a Stableford format with ¾ handicap allowance, Syed Raza Ali and Umair Khizar returned the best scores of the tournament and became the first two players to qualify for the World Final in Dubai from Pakistan.

Wing Commander (retd) I N Khokhar (Chairman GEC Open Pakistan) commented: “Pakistan’s corporate golfers have a lot of potential and we have seen Pakistani players securing top positions in corporate golf events in the past few years. Congratulations to the winners.

It was heartening to see a successful National Final of GEC Open Pakistan; we feel proud to promote golf in Pakistan”.

The world finalists enjoy a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to compete under national colors and ply their craft at two

world-class venues – Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Besides this, the winner’s package includes return airfare, luxury accommodation, venue transfers, Gala dinners, etc. Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup provides amateur and club golfers with a unique opportunity to experience the thrill and excitement akin to a professional player.

GEC Open 2018 is poised to host 54 qualifying rounds in 34 countries making it one of the biggest corporate golf tournament all around the world.

Engaging over 3700 corporate leaders and industry stakeholders, the GEC Open is a unique blend of sporting excellence and networking opportunities for partners and players alike.

A 36-hole tournament, DCGWC will be played over two days at Jumeirah Golf Estate and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club in February next year where national winners from 34 countries will compete to be crowned global champions. Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup provides amateur and club golfers with a unique opportunity to experience the thrill and excitement akin to a professional player.

“Egypt is an important stop on the GEC Open global golf tour, and this is the second time we are hosting the qualifying round at Katameya Dunes.

The event was thoroughly enjoyed by all participants, and I would like to congratulate the host club and its management for their support and organizing such a fantastic event. I am glad to welcome the Canadian amateurs in the global GEC Ecosystem. We look forward to hosting the winners at the world final.”

TUSHAR SAHOO, FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, GEC OPEN.

CORPORATE GOLF NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

BHUBANESWAR

The temple city of Bhubaneswar played host to the GEC Open, in association with OMA Emirates Bhubaneswar leg of the Indian swing of the global tournament. This was the 2nd consecutive edition of the event played at Bhubaneswar Golf Club in the heart of the city. A two-day golfing extravaganza where Ladies, Men, and Veterans compete in their categories competing for a variety of prizes. The most important of them all, an all-expense paid trip to Dubai to compete under national colors in the world final – Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup was played in a combined handicap class of 0-24 where best Nett winners booked their berths to the Middle East.

The championship belonged to Shashi Prakash Dwivedi who carded the best score of the two days tournament with 38 stable ford points. He was playing off a 21 handicap and managed 23 and 15 points respectively on the front and back nine. The second place belonged to Col. A.C. Behera who scored 16 points on the front nine and 20 on the back nine for a combined total of 36 points playing off a 24 handicap.

Other prizes included Closest to the Pin, Longest drive, Best ladies in two categories, and best gross winner. The event was organized amongst the crème-de-la- crème of amateur golf fraternity in Bhubaneswar and nearby cities. Over 80 industry big-wigs came together for a competitive yet funfilled round of golf complemented with a networking luncheon

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 CORPORATE GOLF

CORPORATE GOLF NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

MUMBAI

The elusive par-65 golf course of the Willingdon Sports Club played host to over 130 corporate and amateur golfers on November 10, 2018.

Played in a Stableford format, the event provided equal opportunities to golfers from all skill levels to compete for the world-final berths. With the grand prize on the line, GEC Open Mumbai saw fierce competition among some of the best golfers from the Western India region. The competitive aspect of the tournament was complemented with ample networking opportunities for personal and professional camaraderie.

Manish Sinha, a member of Bombay Presidency Golf Course, carded the best score of the day with 41 points playing off a handicap of 16.

The second place belonged to former cricketer Ajit Agarkar who scored 40 points off a nine handicap. Rahul Sood won the closest to the pin competition.

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 CORPORATE GOLF

BENGALURU

After hugely successful golf days in Assam and Bhubaneswar, the seven-city Indian tour of the GEC Open 2018 amateur series moved further south with the Bengaluru edition played at Bangalore Golf Club on November 9, 2018.

Over 120 amateur golfers from the crème –dela-crème of the corporate golfing community from the region. The tournament was played in Stableford format in Open and Nett categories amongst other individual hole competitions.

A total of four winners qualified from the Bengaluru leg. In the open category, Krishna Prasad grabbed the top spot with 38 points edging Nehal V on the count back who has identical total points. In the Nett categories, Neeharika Thangam emerged victorious with 44 points while Shahid Mohsin finished runner-up with 43 points.

K Shashidhar Reddy won the longest drive competition with a 280-yard drive. Darshan L bagged the closest to pin contest as his ball was left just 5.5 ft from the flag while Straightest drive belonged to Nilesh Kumar Singh.

CORPORATE GOLF NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

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DUBAI

About GEC Open: GEC Open made its debut in 2014 with just one golf round in Dubai. In 2015 and 2016, the event grew in popularity and was played in six and eight countries respectively connecting over 1100 corporates in the GEC ecosystem. Since then, GEC Open has matured into a global platform for networking, forging everlasting friendships and business relations. The 2017 edition held 29 golf rounds in 18 countries reaching over 2400 corporate leaders under the aegis of 800+ global organizations!

Website: www.gecopen.com

GEC Open in Dubai hosted two qualifying rounds at Trump International Golf Club and Address Montgomerie.

At Trump International, Over 50 avid golfers representing a wide array of industries that contribute massively to the Dubai’s economy came together for a day of competitive golf and networking opportunities.

The tournament was played in Stableford format in two handicap divisions for the Nett winners and as well as in Gross division.

Jim Gordan (18 Handicap), Chris Nelson (20), Glen Emsile (5) and Dean Stothard (11) secured their berths in the world final as they finished top in their individual divisions playing exciting golf.

At Address Montgomerie, the competition was played among 60+ corporate golfers of the region in Stableford format in a dingle best Nett category.

Darren Schofield, Deepak Jain, Hughes Besnier and Joumana Petridis carded the best scores of the day and emerged winners to claim entry into the world final – Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup. The event came to a close with a lavish prize distribution ceremony and networking luncheon.

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 TEE TIME

AFRICAN MAJOR

Westwood back in the winner’s circle at Sun City Lee Westwood produced a stunning closing 64 to win his first Rolex Series title at the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted

by Gary Player. The Englishman entered the final day at Gary Player Country Club three shots behind long-time leader Sergio Garcia but an eagle on the second put him at the top of the leaderboard and set up an enthralling three-way battle between those two and local favourite Louis Oosthuizen.

The heavyweight trio went blow-for-blow on one of the most entertaining afternoons of the season and it was former World Number One Westwood who birdied five of his last eight holes to get to 15 under and prevail over his Major Championship winning rivals. Westwood’s triumph is his third at

Gary Player Country Club after the Sunshine Tour’s Dimension Data Pro-Am in 2000 and this event in 2010 and 2011 before it joined the European Tour International Schedule. The 45 year old’s last victory came at the 2014 Maybank Malaysian Open and he was fighting back the tears after taking his tally to a remarkable 24 on the European Tour and 43 worldwide.

Lee Westwood: “Pretty emotional. A little bit relieved.

Still got it, I guess. Just nice to do it again under pressure and win against a couple of quality players at the end there, Sergio and Louis were my two nearest challengers. To hit the shots I hit down the stretch, it was just nice to prove it to yourself every now and again.

EUROPEAN TOUR

Rose returns to top of the World with Turkish triumph Justin Rose defeated Li Haotong in a play-off to defend the first title of his illustrious career at the Turkish Airlines Open, the sixth Rolex Series event of the 2018 season, and returned to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking in the process. The Englishman also became the first player to successfully defend a Rolex Series title as he overcame China’s Li with a par on the first extra hole following a thrilling final day battle at Regnum Carya Golf and Spa Resort.

Rose started the day three shots behind Li but led by two with four to play as he produced the kind of consistent display that helped him record six top ten finishes in the 2018 Race to Dubai before arriving in Turkey this week. An incredible eagle on the 15th moved Li back level but Rose duly replied with a birdie at the 16th to move to the front again. A couple of bogeys coming in, though, paired with Li’s dropped shot on the final hole, meant they finished tied at the top

on 17 under. A three-putt from Li on the first trip back up the par four 18th hole then handed Rose his 11th European Tour win, and moved him into third place in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented

by Rolex, as he joined his 2018 Ryder Cup team mates Jon Rahm and Alex Noren as a multiple Rolex Series winner. Belgian Thomas Detry and Adrian Otaegui of Spain both signed for rounds of 65 to sit two shots behind the play-off places at 15 under par.

TEE TIME NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

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GOLF WORLD CUP

Belgium make history in Melbourne with World Cup win

CHALLENGE TOUR

Belgium held off a late challenge from hosts Australia to win the ISPS HANDA Melbourne World Cup of Golf for the first time at The Metropolitan Golf Club. Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters brought a five-shot advantage into the final foursomes but Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith cut that to just two as the huge crowds at the Sandbelt venue began to get excited about a second Australian win in five years. The Belgians held their nerve over the final three holes, however, to sign for a 68 and finish the week at 23 under, three shots ahead of Australia and Mexican pair Abraham Ancer and Roberto Diaz.

Standing on the 18th tee with a two shot lead, Detry produced one of his shots of the week as he thundered a drive down the middle of the fairway to leave his partner a short wedge to the hole. Pieters then turned on the style, planting his approach three feet from the pin to allow Detry to tap-in for birdie and seal an historic victory.

Defending champions Søren Kjeldsen and Thorbjørn Olesen closed with a 65 to finish at 17 under as a duo of European Tour Members lifted the World Cup for the eighth time in the last ten editions of the event.

Thomas Detry: “We weren’t far away in the football World Cup, so it’s pretty good to bring it back! Like Thomas said, it’s not really something you put on the list, but when it happens, you qualify for it, you play for it, you play with your best mate and it’s kind of a dream come true. There’s nothing like representing your country on the other side of the world, it’s just amazing.

Arnaus goes wire-to-wire on dramatic day in Ras Al Khaimah Adri Arnaus fired a three under par final round of 69 to claim a wire-to-wire victory at the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final during an enthralling last day of the season which saw 15 players graduate to the European Tour. The Spaniard had been in outstanding form all week at Al Hamra Golf Club, and after rounds of 66-69-67 he started the day with a three-shot lead as he went in search of a first Challenge Tour title after five top-five and seven top-ten finishes in his rookie campaign, prior to today.

As was the case with many of the different accolades up for grabs today, it came right down to the wire, with the 24 year old needing to birdie the 72nd hole to claim a season-ending triumph – which he did by holing a four foot putt to seal a one-stroke win over Victor Perez. Frenchman Perez was looking to make it back-toback victories on Europe’s top developmental tour after his Foshan Open win a fortnight ago – a move which would have dethroned Joachim B. Hansen as the Road to Ras Al Khaimah Number One. Despite closing with a superb five under par 67, Perez’s title charge ultimately fell short leaving Hansen to become the first Dane since Thomas Bjørn in 1995 to top the season-long Rankings.

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 TEE TIME

EUROPEAN TOUR

Willett wins again as Molinari tops Race to Dubai Danny Willett made a triumphant return to the winner’s circle as Francesco Molinari was crowned Europe’s Number One on a dramatic final day of the DP World Tour Championship,

Dubai - the eighth and final Rolex Series event of 2018.

Englishman Willett made three birdies in his last five holes to get to 18 under par, two shots clear of fellow Englishman Matt Wallace

- who did enough to take a share of the Bonus Pool, finishing in tenth place in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex - and reigning Masters Champion Patrick Reed, who took

second place in the season-long rankings.

Willett made his Major breakthrough in April 2016 with victory in the Masters Tournament but when he arrived this week at Jumeirah Golf Estates that remained his last title after battling with injury and loss of form. He missed five of his first seven cuts this season but a tie for eighth at the Italian Open ignited his campaign and two more Rolex Series top tens followed before he claimed European Tour title number six on the Earth Course with a final round 68. After a stellar season that included a first Major title at The Open, a Rolex Series victory at the BMW PGA Championship, and a record-breaking five points from five at The Ryder Cup, Molinari entered the week knowing that only a win for closest rival and great friend Tommy Fleetwood could deny him the Race to Dubai title. Despite finishing 12 shots off the lead, Fleetwood’s tie for 16th meant that Italy had its first European Number One. Defending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai champion Jon Rahm finished in a tie for fourth place at 14 under par alongside fellow Spaniard Adrian Otaegui and Dean Burmester of South Africa.

Englishman Tom Lewis and Dylan Frittelli of South Africa were a shot further back, with another Masters winner in Sergio Garcia at 12 under par alongside two-time Rolex Series winner Alex Noren and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

Meanwhile, India’s Shubhankar Sharma was confirmed as the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, after a debut season that included two European Tour titles.

JUNIOR TOUR

Sweet Success for Shahab at Faldo Series Bangladesh Championship

The agonising wait is over for Mohammed Shahab Uddin. A frequent contender with a dozen runner-up finishes to his name in recent years, Shahab finally savoured the sweet taste of success in the fifth edition of the Faldo Series Bangladesh Championship.

With rounds of 75, 70 and a closing 71 at the Kurmi-

tola Golf Club, Shahab swept to a seven-stroke victory in the ninth leg of the 2018-19 Faldo Series Asia season.

Three shots clear at the top of the leaderboard after 36 holes, Shahab, who turns 21 next week, blew away his rivals with a blistering start to the final round, racing to four-under-par through six holes, highlighted by an eagle-two at the

299-yard fifth.

From that point the outcome was never in doubt as Shahab, a member of the Bangladesh national team, coasted home, atoning for the disappointment he suffered last year when losing a suddendeath play-off. In his final year as a junior, Shahab will now have the opportunity to brush shoulders with many of the region’s most

talented youngsters in the 13th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, to be hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at Laguna Lăng Cô in Danang, Central Vietnam, in March, 2019.

Upon holing the final putt, Shahab’s relief was obvious, following a fist pump by throwing his ball into the gallery surrounding the 18th green before being mobbed by friends and well-wishers.

TEE TIME NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

Q-SCHOOL

Lombard and Cañizares share top prize as 27 graduate to European Tour

LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR

Alejandro Cañizares and Zander Lombard shared the spoils on top of the leaderboard at the conclusion of this year’s Qualifying School Final Stage as 27 players earned European Tour cards. Following six rounds at Lumine Golf Club South Africa’s Lombard and Spain’s Canizares could not be separated on 24 under par, and as is customary in the case of a tie in the event, the duo were crowned joint winners with no play-off taking place.

On a day of high drama in Tarragona several players made big moves to secure their playing privileges on the European Tour for 2019. South Africa’s Louis de Jager was the first to seal his spot in the top 25 and ties, firing a bogey-free score of 66 to progress from Q-School for the first time in five attempts. Also making late charges into the European Tour places were Italy’s Filippo Bergamaschi and Chile’s Hugo Leon. Bergamaschi birdied five of his closing eight holes to make the top 25 on the number, while Leon bagged his only birdie of the day on the 18th to also go through on the mark – which was 16 under par.

Three-time European Tour winner Marc Warren bounced back from a bogey on the 17th with a closing birdie to take the 19th card, while Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan – the only amateur to make the cut this year – also squeezed through after a final round of 72.

Former Amateur Champion Scott Gregory, who hit headlines for shooting 92 in the opening round of the U.S. Open five months ago, claimed the 12th card after coming through all three stages of Q-School this year – one of seven players to achieve the feat this season.

ANNE VAN DAM SEALS SPANISH DOUBLE Anne Van Dam from the Netherlands successfully wrapped up 2018 on the Ladies European Tour by claiming her second victory on Spanish soil this season at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España Femenino.

The powerful hitter, who won the

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Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open in Sitges two months ago, fired rounds of 68, 67, 66 and 70 for a total of 13-under-par at La Quinta Golf Resort in Benahavís, Marbella.

The 23-year-old from Arnhem had been in possession of a three-stroke lead when darkness forced play to be suspended overnight. She powered into a four-stroke lead following the completion of the third round on Sunday morning, carding three birdies in her last five holes, but then, in the final round, the 2016 and 2017 champion, Azahara Muñoz, did her best to catch her.

Muñoz gave Van Dam a scare when she closed the gap to two strokes courtesy of four birdies in six holes on the back nine, but a double bogey at the short 16th, where she lost her ball down a rocky slope beyond the green, halted her challenge. She took second place at 10-under-par after a final round 69. Scotland’s Catriona Matthew finished four strokes further back at six-under-par, one ahead of Spain’s Natalia Escuriola Martinez and Germany’s Olivia Cowan.

It was another brilliant performance from Van Dam, who finished second on the Order of Merit and collected a first prize of 45,000 euros.

SOLHEIM CUP

DAME LAURA DAVIES NAMED SOLHEIM CUP VICE CAPTAIN European Captain Catriona Matthew has completed her back room staff by naming Dame Laura Davies as a Vice Captain for The 2019 Solheim Cup at The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland, on September 13-15.

Davies brings a wealth of experience to the European team, as both the event’s leading points scorer, with 25, and as the player with the most appearances, 12. She will join Suzann Pettersen and Kathryn Imrie, the three vice captains having made a combined 21 Solheim Cup appearances over a 25-year spell from 1990 to 2015, amassing a total of 45 ½ points for Europe. Speaking ahead of the Ladies European Tour’s seasonending event, the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España, taking place at La Quinta Golf & Country Club in

Malaga from Thursday, Matthew said that selecting Britain’s most successful golfer for the role was “a no brainer.”

“She played in the first 12, won 87 times, has a wealth of experience, is still playing, knows all the players, will be great fun in the team room… I mean, it was really a no brainer!” said Matthew.

“I’m delighted to have Laura alongside me on the journey to Gleneagles. She is hugely respected by the players and has a great sense of humour, which will bring a bit of levity. Her experience speaks for itself”

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 BUSINESS NEWS

DEBUT

Hilton takes over first Scottish golf resort The Hilton brand of hotels has taken over another golf resort – and the first of its portfolio in Scotland. The Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort, the home of Scotland’s only Seve Ballesteros-designed golf course, will now be known as DoubleTree

by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort. It joins four other golf resorts, Hilton Puckrup Hall, Hilton Templepatrick Hotel and Country Club, Hilton Avisford Park and Hilton Ageas Bowl in being run by the brand.

The resort’s 18-hole golf course was co-designed by Ballesteros and Dave Thomas and its signature hole, the

par-three 15th – created by Ballesteros and known as the Waterfall hole – requires a tee-shot from an elevated tee to a green surrounded by a 60-foot rock face. It’s not for the faint-hearted and nor are the undulating moorland greens which test one’s mettle when standing over those nervy fourfoot putts. Bill Burnett, general manager, said: “We’re pleased to officially call the hotel part of the DoubleTree by Hilton family.

The brand is globally recognized, and reiterates to guests the exceptional standards of service they should expect when they visit us.

“It was wonderful to welcome Councillor Castles here to officially open the hotel under its new name, and to have the opportunity to show him

around the hotel and introduce the team. We look forward to welcoming guests and offering them the best possible experience.”

REPORT

There are 4.2 million registered golfers in Europe KPMG’s annual survey of the state of the golf industry in Europe has found there are just under 4.2 million members of 6,900 golf clubs in the continent.

The research, conducted on 2017’s figures from national golf unions, finds that England remains the dominant market with 655,839 golf club members, a fall of nearly 40,000 from 2016.

Germany is right behind with 644,943 golfers, a rise of nearly 2,000 from the previous year.

England has 1,872 golf clubs, a drop of 35 while Germany has just 731 facilities, a drop of one.

Sweden is the next biggest market with nearly half a million golfers, followed by France, the Netherlands, Spain, Scotland, and Ireland. Overall, the European golf

market has continued to stabilize both regarding numbers of registered golfers and golf courses in operation, although some countries did record noticeable changes. Italy, for instance, saw growth in golfers of nearly 10 percent to bring their total number of golfers just below 100,000.

More than three-quarters of local golf associations indicated that the level of participation in their country in 2017 had either stabilized or increased. The remaining 24 percent of European markets still experienced some decline, including key markets such as England, Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands.

The overall participation rate for Europe has remained stable since 2015.

BUSINESS NEWS NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

INDUCTION

Vic Open joins LPGA Tour The trailblazing tournament will be jointly sanctioned by the European Tour and ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia (men’s) and

the LPGA and ALPG (women’s).

The 2019 Vic Open will be held at 13th Beach Golf Links on the Bellarine Peninsula from 7-10 February and, along with the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, will now be part of a two-week Australian swing on the premier global women’s tour. Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt was thrilled with the expansion of the LPGA relationship, with the subsequent Women’s Australian Open approaching its eighth year as a co-sanctioned event.

“The LPGA Tour has been a great boon for the national championship, and we are delighted the Vic Open will now be part of its worldwide schedule,” Pitt said.

“We’ve worked very hard with our sponsors and partners to attain the standards stipulated by the LPGA Tour when we first discussed this possibility, and for a tournament that has become revered for its progressive thinking, we are excited to take it to the next level.”

ANNOUNCEMENT

#AusPGA dates announced for 2019

The 2019 Australian PGA Championship will be played from 28 November – 1 December at RACV Royal Pines Resort on Queensland’s Gold Coast. The Australian PGA Championship will tee off a big three weeks of golf in Australia as it preceeds the Australian Open (8-11 December) and The Presidents Cup (12-15 December).

The move to the Gold Coast and RACV Royal Pines Resort in 2012, signaled a new era for the Australian PGA Championship which has evolved into an energetic, festive and celebratory week of golf which is focused on delivering an experience for fans.

“Since moving to the Gold Coast we

have found a wonderful host venue in RACV Royal Pines Resort, and we look forward to working with them to host the Australian PGA Championship again in 2019,” said Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia which owns the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

“What we have been able to achieve with the Greg Norman Medal, MyGolf Kids Day, Soniq Million Dollar Hole and now the Oakley Gold Coast Beach Club, all with the support of RACV, has taken the Australian PGA Championship to a new level of fan entertainment.

“I would also like to recognize the commitment from our partners; Tourism and Events Queensland and Gold Coast City Council for sharing our vision to create a world-class sporting event that is embraced by fans.”

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RELAUNCH

Yangtze Dunes re-opens after renovation by Aussie firm OCCM

Yangtze Dunes, the newly renovated 18 here at 36-hole Lanhai International Country Club, celebrated its grand re-opening in late October with lavish, weeklong ceremonies that drew a throng of local dignitaries and an international assembly of media, course raters and tour players.

The Yangtze Dunes course reopened to member play in June 2018, following a sweeping renovation from the Melbournebased course architects at Ogilvy, Clayton, Cocking & Mead (OCCM), who produced what many are hailing as the first proper links track on the Asian mainland. Apropos of its traditional transition, the renovated 18 reopened as a walking-only course, another rarity here, one that necessitated the removal of some 8 km of concrete cart paths. Several tour pros walked/played the course after competing the WGC-HSBC Champions event held that same week, across town, at Shanghai’s Sheshan Golf Club (whose contract to host this World Golf Championship event expired when Xander Schauffele holed out to claim the 2018 title). They made the trek at the behest of yet another tour luminary on hand for the occasion: Geoff Ogilvy, 2006 U.S. Open champion and a partner in OCCM (www. occmgolf.com).

“While certainly long enough to test the best tour players in the world, the real interest at Yangtze Dunes lies in the strategy of the holes and the great variety of shots required to score well,” said Ogilvy, who praised the club’s crack maintenance team for achieving such firm-and-fast conditions so soon after opening. “While length is certainly rewarded here, success will come only to those with the imagination to find the best way around, avoiding the worst of the hazards and leaving the best angles.

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 BUSINESS NEWS

COLLABORATION

Troon adds Cape Wickham Golf Links to its portfolio

Troon has announced its latest collaboration with Cape Wickham Golf Links, Australia’s premier golfing destination on King Island off the north-west coast of Tasmania.

The upscale golf course management, development, and Marketing Company continues to grow its presence in Australia, with a portfolio now reaching eight properties around the country.

Cape Wickham is recognized as the 24th best golf course in the world by Golf Digest in 2016 and is designed

by Mike DeVries and Darius Oliver. The stunning course offers an unforgettable round with eight holes straddling the breathtaking coastline, combining long and wide fairways with undulating greens, rugged ridges, and giant sand dunes.

“Few courses in the world interact with the ocean in the way that Cape Wickham Golf Club does, making it one of the central attractions for golf in Australia,” commented Mark Chapleski, President of Troon International.

EQUIPMENT

Callaway Golf introduces new Big Bertha irons, hybrids

The big feature on the irons is what’s been dubbed the Suspended Energy Core. That term describes a way of positioning center of gravity in the three-piece iron. The energy core part is a Metal Injection Molded (MIM) tungsten weight, which is then cased by the company’s urethane microsphere material found in the Rogue irons. The idea is the insertion of this weight units allowed Callaway to place the CG deeper with a specific shape for the tungsten and positioning with the cushioning microsphere layer.

The result allowed for a thinner Face Cup with improved

flexibility at the edges, leading to higher launch (meaning lower lofts through the set) for maximum distance.Of course, there’s healthy offset for a player who struggles to hit the ball straight, but the topline is fairly reserved for this category. The irons have a black “smoked” PVD finish to look sharp, though PVD fades fairly quickly, particularly fast for an avid golfer.

The Callaway Golf Big Bertha irons are available Jan. 18, 2019, in a 4-iron through AW set for $1,200 in a stock KBS Max 90 steel shaft or $1,3000 in Recoil ESX or Recoil ZT9 graphite shafts.

ADDITION

GARMANY GOLF PURSUES Acclaimed coach John Geiberger to create unique experiences Acclaimed golf coach John Geiberger has joined the staff of Garmany Golf, one of the world’s leading travel and hospitality companies. Geiberger named the 1997 National Collegiate Coach of the Year, will serve as Garmany Golf’s Director of Collegiate Golf and International Experiences, He will focusing on creating travel experiences for college golf teams, boosters and alumni, as well as developing fundraising opportunities.

Garmany Golf specializes in creating unforgettable global golf and travel all around the world. Garmany Golf’s knowl-

edgeable concierge team handle every detail to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for each guest from the United States to locations including Europe, New Zealand, and South Africa.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Garmany Golf to be able to help collegiate golf programs and their boosters have incredible experiences around the world,” said Bud Garmany, President of Garmany Golf. “John’s experience as a leader in college golf will be instrumental in our quest to create these experiences for collegiate golf programs throughout the country.”

BUSINESS NEWS NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

INDUCTION

SNAG Training Rolls Out In Russia SNAG’s Master Trainer Tony Howarth has had a busy start to the year, with his most recent journey to Russia for a 2-day training course at the Moscow School of Golf.

Amongst those receiving the training organized by i-KAN GC and SNAG’s Russian distributor, Intergolf, were representatives of golf clubs, professional golf trainers and teachers of physical education from Moscow and other regions. In total, seventeen people were awarded their certificates on completion

of the course. The course included understanding SNAG concepts, building SNAG courses, safety, and the important issues of the transition from SNAG to traditional golf equipment.

Head of the project, Daniil Gubarev from Intergolf stated, “The main aim of introducing SNAG into Russia is to help develop the growing interest in golf and to bring the game to a wider audience. The next course is going to be held in the autumn, and we are already looking forward to it.”

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NEW LAUNCH

Foresight Sports Introduces ‘Play Now Pay Later’ Scheme Golf launch monitor and simulation technology company Foresight Sports Europe has introduced a new finance option enabling new and existing customers to spread the cost of their technology investment with nothing to pay for the first 90 days. The new scheme allowing business users to ‘Play Now & Pay Later’ has been introduced to help golf professionals, clubs, fitters, and retailers install Foresight’s cutting edge technology to generate additional revenues from day one, and to continue to do so all year round.

“This scheme can help our new and existing customers kick-start their return on investment when they install any of our technology into their business,” said Foresight Sports Europe Director, Edward Doling. “Whether investing into a GCQuad, creating a custom swing studio, or installing a complete Performance Simulator, with nothing to pay for the first three months our clients can ensure they hit the ground running. We believe this new finance option makes a lot of sense from a business point of view,” he added.

CAMPAIGN

PGA’S ‘We Love Golf’ Campaign Swings Into Action At Topgolf

Topgolf and the Professional Golfers’ Associations’ We Love Golf campaign will team up this month to get the women of Hertfordshire and North West London playing golf.

The project begins with a free We Love Golf taster

session, which will take place at Topgolf Watford, on November 20. The event will be hosted by Topgolf’s team of PGA Professionals, who will be on hand to take participants through the basics, help them hit their targets, and make sure that

everyone has fun. This event will help women take the first, often most difficult, swing into golf but the team behind the event will also help direct their route into continued participation.

The We Love Golf campaign, launched by the Professional Golfers’ Association earlier this year, has identified that learning in groups is one of the key principles of retaining women’s interest in the game. As such, the women who attend the taster session at Topgolf will be offered the chance to sign

up to a series of group beginner sessions running through the winter at Aldenham Golf Club in Radlett.

“Partnerships like the one we have developed here with Topgolf and Aldenham will be at the heart of our drive to get more women playing golf,” said Robert Maxfield, chief executive of the PGA. “The We Love Golf campaign brings together the very best of the game and shows women that playing golf can be the perfect place to have fun and develop lifelong friendships.

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 GEAR UP

NO CADDY NO WORRY BEST GOLF GPS WATCH 2018

A golf GPS watch helps you improve your game by keeping you informed which in turn can help relax you, for that perfect swing you can only find when you’re in the zone. Golf watches store the data of lots of courses across the world, meaning you can get information as you play. Adding technology to your golfing gear can give you the extra edge on the course. The best golf GPS watches provide accurate information such as the yardage to certain areas of the course (green, bunkers, lakes and roughs). Not only that, they also provide real time feedback regarding your golf swing and strokes to aid your performance.

No watch right now is going to beat the Garmin Approach S60 when it comes to tech specs and features. From the color CourseView mapping that helps you to gain accurate info on yardages to PlaysLike Distance which helps you with uphill and downhill shots, there’s so much that this watch has to boast about.

SPECIFICATIONS • Battery life: 10 hours in golf mode, 10 days in watch mode • Courses: 40,000 • Waterproof: Yes

GARMIN APPROACH S60 GPS PREMIUM WATCH

PRICE: $399

WHY BUY • AutoShot game tracking • Touch Targeting provides you with precise yardages

TomTom does the basic stuff best. It automatically detects your shots so you can analyze and improve your game on the go. It keeps you in tune to the precise distances to the front and back of the TOMTOM green, and lets you know of any hazards GOLFER 2 PRICE: $300 nearby, so the ball doesn’t go for a swim. It also does a post-game analysis giving you hole by hole insight into your shot patterns.

SPECIFICATIONS • Battery life: 8 hours • Courses: 40,000 • Waterproof: Yes WHY BUY • Allows you to see your drive and iron play distance • Autoscore card to track your game as you play

GEAR UP NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

This big golf name offers the prominent features you’d expect from its dedicated golf watch. That means GPS tracking to offer green lay-up and carry distances plus hazards and dog-legs. This will also auto-recognize and track your game, so you don’t need to fill out a pesky score card. The display is big and clear so you can get what you need at a glance, leaving you to stay focused on your game.

SPECIFICATIONS • Battery life: 10-12 hours • Courses: 30,000 • Waterproof: Yes

CALLAWAY GPSY SPORT WATCH

PRICE: $130

WHY BUY • Built-in score tracker • Notifies you of hazard distances

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GARMIN APPROACH S20 GPS GOLF WATCH

PRICE: $200

In addition to helping you improve your game with the Garmin Autoshot and giving you the insight into distances on the green, it boasts an inbuilt activity tracker and hooks up to your phone to provide you with smart notifications, whether you’re on the go or on the green.

Look no further is you are looking for a great mid-range GPS golf watch.

SPECIFICATIONS • Battery life: 15 hours • Courses: 40,000 • Waterproof: Yes WHY BUY • Pair with the Garmin TruSwing to train your swing • An impressive 15-hour battery life

Thanks to a lift-to-view display you can save battery while still having info access one-handed. That means distance and hazard tracking plus a flyover view for each hole. One nice feature is a dynamic green GOLF BUDDY view. This allows you to plan your pitch from the angle of your approach shot.

WTX

If you’re getting into golf and fancy a helping hand, this Bushnell GPS golf watch will provide you with all the information you need to make sure your swing’s on par with the rest of the team. It BUSHNELL NEO ION GPS features auto course recognition and auto WATCH hole advance with PRICE: $200 accurate and easy to read distances. It’ll also clue you into nearby hazards and counts your steps so you can work out how many calories you’ve burned off round the course, and it won’t cost you the earth, either.

PRICE: $180

SPECIFICATIONS • Battery life: 8 hours • Courses: 38,000 • Waterproof: Yes

SPECIFICATIONS • Battery life: 12 hours • Courses: 35,000 • Waterproof: Yes

WHY BUY • Large color screen • Dynamic green view helps plan shots

WHY BUY • Great battery life • Autocourse recognition

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BIZGOLF NOVEMBER 2018 OFF COURSE

Lifestyle To share news on your products or updates on new launches, please email nikita@gecmediagroup.com

The very exclusive Morus LXIV Touted as the most expensive gin ever, the rare spirit is brought to the market by British brand Jam Jar Gin. The luxe spirit is distilled from the leaves of a single, ancient Mulberry tree (Morus Nigra) and takes more than two years to produce! Each leaf is handharvested and individually dried before being balanced and distilled for further processing. It is then rested to allow the flavors to combine before being prepared for aging and packaging. The gin is finally poured into hand-made porcelain jars that are embossed and polished to a diamond matt finish in white. The presentation is completed by pairing the bottle with a porcelain stirrup cup and a hand-embossed leather case.

Price: US$ 5,000+

Leica introduces limited edition M10-P rangefinder Called the Leica M10-P “Bold Gray,” the limited edition gets a coat of anthracite grey to give it stealthy appearance. According to Leica, the special coating is robust against environmental conditions. The limited edition camera is paired with a Summicron-M 1:2/35 ASPH, and both of them are wrapped in the anthracite grey coating. It features classic round lens hood for the 24-megapixel full-frame sensor along with Maestro II image processor and the quietest shutter of any Leica M in existence. The special edition comes with a leather case and straps that mirror the same grey color scheme, accented with red stitching. Limited to just 60 units worldwide.

Price: US$ 16,500

OFF COURSE NOVEMBER 2018 BIZGOLF

Hublot Classic Fusion Bronze Bucherer Blue Edition Luxury watch and jewelry brand Bucherer has partnered with Hublot to introduce a new limited edition watch as the latest piece to join the Bucherer Blue Editions collection. Called the Hublot Classic Fusion Bronze Bucherer Blue Edition, it epitomizes the brand philosophy of ‘The Art of Fusion.’ The special edition features an elaborately designed bronze case and an automatic mechanical movement and has a unique combination of precious metals and industrial materials. The watch has a diameter of 45mm and power by a mechanical HUB1112 automatic movement that offers a 42-hour power reserve and features a date display. It is paired with a blue rubber strap in combination with alligator leather adds the perfect finishing touch.

Price: US$ 19,000+

Ducati’s electric mountain bike The Italian motorcycle manufacturer has debuted a mountain bike with electric assist. Called the MIG-RR, the e-MTB was spawned out of the collaboration between Ducati and Italy’s Thok Ebikes. Although it is an offshoot of the popular MIG series produced by Thok, the e-MTB features some unique technical solutions, courtesy of the Ducati Design Center. The MIG-RR is equipped with a Shimano Steps E8000 motor that is powered by a 504 Wh battery. Amongst all the unique features on the Ducati MIG-RR, the one that stands out is the addition of differently-sized wheels – there’s a 29-inches in front, for rolling up and over obstacles, and a faster-accelerating 27.5-inches in the rear. This makes the bike a true enduro that meets the needs of even the most demanding rider.

Price: To be Announced

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