Swing Image Golf Magazine by MaxMedia

G o l f & L i f e s t y l e M a g a z i n e • I s s u e 7 • N o v e m b e r - J a n u a ry 2 0 0 9

Greg Norman Aviation Nick Faldo Course Design Faldo Series Emirates A380 Hotel in the Sky Tin Mine Golf & Country Club Necker Island Sir Richard Branson’s private island Sunseeker Predator 108 Superhawk 43 Simon Yates Racing Cars Black Mountain Golf Club Justin Rose Swing Drills

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NICK FALDO The Faldo Series was launched in 1996 essentially in an effort to give something back to the game that had given me so much throughout my career. 12 EMIRATES A380

When talking about the A380, it’s probably best to dismiss all conventional expectations you may have about air travel. The Emirates’ A380 is an entirely different experience... 20 TIN MINE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Winding its way through a truly dramatic 800 acres of a former tin mine site in the heart of Thailand, Red Mountain is surely one of Asia’s most exciting new courses. 26 SIR RICHARD BRANSONS PRIVATE ISLAND

Perhaps one of the most idyllic places on earth. Located in the British Virgin Islands you can hire the Island exclusively for up to 28 guests. 34 GREG NORMAN AVIATION

I Average about 600 hours or about 25 full days in the air each year. I figure that from the time I first turned professional in 1976 until now, I’ve put in more than 8 million air miles. 42 SIMON YATES It is difficult to choose between a golf tournament and a car race when they run on the same weekend, but at the end of the day golf is my job and this must come first. 58 JUSTIN ROSE Building a better golf swing

Editor Sean Harrison www.swingimage.co.uk Asia Office Phuket Golf Studio 22/11 Sirirad Road, Kathu, Phuket, Thailand 83150 Art & Design MaxMedia Tel: +66 (0) 822 717 424 Photography Mark Newcombe - Visions in golf - www.visionsingolf.com Getty Images - www.gettyimages.com Advertising UK - Patrick Atkinson patrick@swingimage.co.uk +44 7770 884 886 ASIA - MaxMedia Tel: +66 (0) 822 717 424 sean@swingimage.co.uk Printed by Bangkok Post - Allied Printers 136 Na Ranong, Klongtoey, Bangkok Tel: +66 (0) 2240 3700 Email: kanyalats@bangkokpost.co.th Web: www.bangkokpost.co.th Distribution Lifestyle Solutions Co. Ltd. www.lifestylesolutions-phuket.com

All of the articles and photographs published in this magazine are the property of Swing Image and any reproduction in any form is prohibited unless written permission is given by the publisher. While we make every effort possible at Swing Image to ensure that everything printed is correct, we cannot be held responsible if factual errors occur.

2008 European Tour Order of Merit winner Justin Rose demonstrates swing drills that have helped him improve the lines of his swing. 10

Published by Swing Image Ltd. 1 Kensington Residence, Cope Place, Kensington, London W8 6ED

Editor’s Letter Having enjoyed many visits to Dubai on golfing vacations I am not surprised, to see the area flourish as a golfing focal point. November 2009 will see the inaugural Dubai World Championship played at Jumeirah Golf Estates, with spectator numbers expected to be somewhere between 60,000 and 75,000. The tournament changed its name from The Order of Merit to The Race of Dubai and it will also have a prize fund of $10m.When it was announced that the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates was to hold the final round of the PGA European Tour, the announcement went global and put the emirate firmly on the golfing map. The Desert Classic will be held at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai (29 January -1 February 2009). Top ranking players will compete in the tournament, attracting thousands of spectators. In December 2008, the course is also home to the Dubai Ladies Masters, a major tournament on the Ladies touring circuit. With so much real estate and tourism linked with golf, it

is easy to see why tournaments televised worldwide are important. A large event promotes a course and a region’s golfing credentials. Plus, it brings in keen golfers who not only want to watch the worlds best players in action but also, at some point, to play the course for themselves. Also, The European Tour is to establish an International Headquarters at Jumeirah Golf Estates which will act as a focal point for the Tour’s tournament schedule around the globe. It will include purpose-built facilities such as a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a physiotherapy service. It will also have the best practice facilities to enable its European Tour players to work on their game throughout the year. Many of the world’s most recognised golf professionals, such as Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Colin Montgomerie, are choosing to open courses in Dubai, thus helping the emirate to reinforce its position as one of the most favoured golfing destinations. Last year 800,000 British tourists visited the emirate and Dubai Tourism expects that figure to double over the next three years.

Sean Harrison

Jumeirah Golf Estates - Dubai. 11

NICK FALDO Since its launch in 1996 Faldo Design has grown into one of the leading golf course design companies in the industry. With more than 50 projects in every corner of the globe, Faldo Designâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impressive portfolio reflects the adaptability and passion by which the six-time Major winner made his name on the golf course.

Nick has also created the Faldo Series to help nurture the next generation of champions. The Faldo Series Asia followed and tournaments now take place in over 15 countries throughout the UK, Europe, South America and Asia.

FALDO SERIES

When and how did you come up with the idea for the Faldo Series? The Faldo Series was launched in 1996 essentially in an effort to give something back to the game that had given me so much throughout my career. With the backing of the European Tour,The R&A and the PGA we wanted to create an initiative that could help to bridge the gap between amateur and professional golf.

Since its launch in 1997 you have produced players such as Nick Dougherty and Oliver Fisher as well as many others. Did you realise at the outset how much talent there was to be cultivated? I think we were always aware of the fact that there was talent out there. What we hoped to do was to identify and then nurture that talent by offering these young golfers a combination of competition, with tournaments at some of the best golf clubs in the UK, and education, through expert advice on every area of the modern game.

The Faldo Series Asia seems to be developing well? The Faldo Series Asia has been a great success. We’re only in our third season and with the support of Mission Hills, The R&A and UBS we already have 13 tournaments in 10 countries throughout the region.

Is there a young British player at the moment who you can see winning a Major and maybe going on to win six like yourself? There are plenty! I believe that we have the potential to learn more from our near misses than from our wins and there are a number of British players that are beginning to put themselves in that position. Those experiences will stand them in great stead for the future. FALDO DESIGN

Was it always your ambition to get involved with golf course design? I’d always been interested in design and I love the great outdoors – as a boy, before I’d set my heart on becoming a golfer, two of the jobs that I’d wanted to have were furniture design and working for the forestry commission. In the early 90s some course design opportunities came along 14 20 swingimage

INTERVIEW - SEAN HARRISON Images Courtesy - Faldo Enterprises

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and I jumped at the chance to cut my teeth, as it were, and genuinely enjoyed the challenge of it.

What and where are you new projects? We have projects in every habitable continent of the world now and have projects in various stages of design or construction in places as far afield as Brazil, Canada, Iceland, Egypt and Ireland. We’re about to open a very exciting course in the Dominican Republic, called Roco Ki and have recently opened two in Asia: the Angkor Golf Resort, in Cambodia and Lakeview in Kunming, in South West China.

Which course would you rate as your favourite design? Of our own courses they are all very special to me as a designer in their own way and each project has its own distinct, individual appeal. One of the things that I like most about the job is the variety that it offers. It has never been a case of signing my name over to a project and then turning up for the opening. I want to be involved with every stage of the process and, for that reason, I’m proud of everything that we’ve achieved at Faldo Design.

Are there any differences in your course designs now to when you first started? I’ve never wanted to develop any one particular style – in fact, I think it’s counter-productive to try and impose a certain design style upon a site. In my view, a site should be dictating the style to you, rather than the other way round. With that in mind, I’d say that all of my courses have their own unique differences.

How many course designs have you completed around the globe? We currently have 23 completed courses with a similar number either in design or under construction.

How difficult is it to juggle time spent visiting and designing courses with your other commitments? It’s a challenge, but I’ve never been one for sitting back and taking it easy. I’d rather be on the move, rather be busy.

Where do you see Faldo Design in the future? I’d just like to see the company continue to grow and continue to design exceptional, extraordinary golf courses. I certainly think that we’ve got the strength and variety within our current portfolio to allow for that.

You have received outstanding feedback regarding your TV work with CBS and the Golf Channel. Do you enjoy broadcasting? I love it; it’s a new career for me and one that I enjoy very much. There’s a great atmosphere around the teams at both CBS and the Golf Channel and I feel that I’ve now had the chance to get my feet under the commentary desk at both networks.

Can you see yourself staying in broadcasting indefinitely? I think I’ll be happy to stay on as long as there’s still a demand for my opinions out there. 17

Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Revelstoke Mountain Resort now offers the longest liftserviced vertical descent in North America at 5,620 feet.

Nick Faldo visits the site at Faldo Design’s first project in Western Canada – Revelstoke Mountain Resort, an 18-hole resort golf course that will sit at the heart of a pioneering luxury ski-resort nestled in the mountains of British Columbia. Faldo commented: “I’m extremely excited about the prospect of working at Revelstoke Mountain Resort and was pleasantly surprised by the scope of the land that we’ve been given to work on. This is a stunning project in terms of aesthetic quality; set amidst towering cedar trees and meandering creeks, the mountain views will form the perfect backdrop for an inspiring round of golf. Our layout will incorporate strategic features that take full advantage of the varied topography and natural characteristics of the site. All in all, we hope to offer a golfing experience that will combine breathtaking views with engaging and tactical golf and are confident that we can help to raise the bar in terms of the courses that are on offer in this part of the world.” Opening last winter to international acclaim, Revelstoke Mountain Resort now offers the longest liftserviced vertical descent in North America at 5,620 feet. In addition, Hawkair Aviation begins scheduled service four times a week between Calgary and Revelstoke this December. The Revelstoke Mountain Resort course will sit at the base of the mountain adjacent to the village base and the Nelsen Lodge condominiums. Offering spectacular views of the Columbia River and the Monashee Mountains, the valley location will ensure a long playing season from mid-April to October. Crews will break ground in spring 2009. Paul Skelton, president of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, added: “The development of the resort’s golf course will take the resort from an exceptional winter experience to the ultimate year-round recreational destination. We have created a pure skiing and riding experience that has captured the world’s attention. With Nick Faldo’s understanding of golf and his record for excellence, we will deliver that level of excitement on the golf course.” This new project will sit perfectly within the six-time Major winner’s expanding portfolio of golf courses across the world. In the Americas alone, Faldo Design is working on courses as far afield as Nova Scotia, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. For information on Faldo Design visit www.nickfaldo.com 19

The Emirates A380 a premium hotel in the sky

Your business trip is underway and what better way to revive your senses than take a long, hot shower. Individually wrapped amenities give that personal, comforting feeling that we all appreciate away from home, and an attendant is never far away to make sure the facilities you use feel like you’re the only person using them. Refreshed, you step out of the Shower Spa and head to the bar where an enticing selection of beverages awaits. Now you can really unwind. Sinking into the leather lounge seats and exchanging views with other international business people, the setting has all the hallmarks of an exquisite, meticulously run 5-star resort. The only difference is you’re at 43,000 feet. Welcome to the Emirates’ A380. It’s been eight years in the making, but it’s been more than worth the wait. Venture on board and you’ll see why. Immediately, you’re overcome by the sense of space.This is a gargantuan aircraft and every inch of space has been carefully designed to give our passengers the best experience in the sky. This is nothing short of an airborne hotel and the 24 cabin crew, donning their new look uniform, will be more than happy to tell you all about it. The Emirates’ A380 revolutionises air travel and offers a level of comfort and space never seen before on a commercial airliner. Spread over two levels, the whole of the upper deck is dedicated to Premium Class passengers. Towards the front, 14 flat-bed, massage-equipped Private Suites. Remote 21

controlled doors, a work desk, an electrically controlled mini-bar and the most advanced in-flight entertainment system available to travellers are all part of this luxury sanctuary eight miles up. But the First Class feature that will be the talk of the travel industry, the media and travellers around the world is the On Board Shower Spa, brought to you by the airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premium spa brand, Timeless Spa. Emirates promised some special surprises with its A380 and this is one of them - a real sprinkling of home comforts above the clouds. Stroll into Business Class and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find a new generation of intelligent seating, designed to ensure all seats have aisle access. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a cleverly designed table that never gets in your way, a seat that slickly becomes a fully-flat bed and laptop stowage for when you want to switch from work to fun, and enjoy the award winning ice entertainment system, available to all onboard. 23

Above : the first class bar Left Top: Private first class suite Left: Economy class

You may expect Economy to be forgotten inside this superjumbo. Nothing could be further from the truth. More generous seats, wider aisles , gourmet chef-prepared meals and the Emirates’ personal touch mean passengers could be mistaken for thinking they’ve settled in the wrong cabin class. For such a colossal aircraft, there’s another surprise - the quietness. Its GP7200 engines, manufactured by the Engine Alliance, are as quiet as engines get. More help to passengers wanting a good night’s sleep and a great deal more peaceful for those on the ground. When talking about the A380, it’s probably best to dismiss all conventional expectations you may have about air travel. The Emirates’ A380 is an entirely different experience...

Tin Mine Golf & Country Club

As I drive up to the clubhouse entrance, I experience a truly magnificent feeling. Complete and utter privacy in an oasis immune to the headaches and troubles of my reality. The lush green fairways clashing against the red mountainous backdrop is a sight Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m certain I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget anytime soon.

It is clear to the naked eye that a great deal of care has been taken with the construction, with attempts made to avoid destroying the existing natural vegetation that now surround every hole. The effort was well worth it as it also attracts local wildlife that can be seen or heard whilst strolling along.

View from the 1st tee.

The Clubhouse The recipe combines a clubhouse that meets international standards amid a state of the art golf course that has been created with an eye for preserving nature and a philosophy of being at one with its surrounding environment. The clubhouse facilities include a snazzy pro shop with all of the top brands the golfing world has to offer, as well as warm and friendly staff waiting to help me pick out a piece of memorabilia. A superbly designed terrace restaurant serving 5-star cuisine and broadcasting live sports on well positioned screens, adds to the atmosphere around the clubhouse.The terrace sets the mood for a splendid experience with its views overlooking the 18th hole that winds its way down a ravine, making its way to the green. What a grand finishing hole for both players and spectators. For those golfing travellers who do not wish to lug their

clubs half way around the world, the pro shop offers top brand rental clubs from Nike, Taylormade, Ping to Cobra and all the different shaft flexibilities and weights available. They even rent golf shoes! After a round, golfers can relax in the refreshingly modern, yet calming locker room that blends architecture and functionality to precision. Red Mountain Golf Club also offers competitively priced corporate event rooms and since the soft opening in March, have held numerous events from some of the Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading companies such as Kasikorn Bank, Honda, Isuzu and Siam Cement Group. This global trend is well recognised a positive way to express thanks and appreciation to clients at a 5-star golfing venue. Possibly another reason the golf industry is continuing to experience growth in these troubled times. The Course In the midst of such a mixture of great golf holes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult

View from the 9th tee looking towards the clubhouse.

to pick just one to elaborate on… however, the Par-5, 2ndhole is a great testament to course management and can set you back early in your round if played recklessly. Standing on the tee-box, golfers are faced with an uphill drive without any sight of the green, let alone the hole. The fairway dog-legs sharply to the right hiding the green behind a mountain, hence anyone wishing to hit the green in two will need to position themselves on the left hand side of the fairway. The 8th is a downhill “risk and reward” Par-4 which is reachable to the long hitters, yet any slight miss-hit will flirt with the water hazards on the left or right, consequently an easy lay-up seems to be the percentage play. Demanding both length and accuracy the Par-3, 14th, has water winding along the right side of the hole, from tee to green, with a wide, yet shallow, green that insists only a quality strike will land the ball safely on the putting surface. I could go on and on about more of Red Mountain’s 30

spectacular holes as it’s so uncommon to find a course with no two holes alike, yet the one that remains full of charisma and character. With this said, I must mention the course designer of Red Mountain, Mr Jonathan Morrow, as it took Jon a painstaking 3 years to complete his masterpiece of a golf course, resulting in such beauty and pure splendor. It is clear to the naked eye that a great deal of care has been taken with the construction, with attempts made to avoid destroying the existing natural vegetation that now surround every hole. The effort was well worth it as it also attracts local wildlife that can be seen or heard whilst strolling along. Golfers may also notice that the native plants and trees are labeled with their correct Latin name, which again shows the amount of time and care that has gone into this project. IGolf is one of the world’s leading environmental sus-

tainability organizations, originating from Switzerland, that promotes eco solutions on golf courses by using organic materials to reducing waste. Red Mountain and Loch Palm golf clubs are both members of IGOLF and continue to work closely in finding new ways of reducing their impact on the environment. Looking forward Red Mountain is the latest 18-hole golf course to be created in Phuket. Designed and created adjacent to the existing Loch Palm course, they share an interesting fact with both sitting on land which was one of Phuketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tin mines in times gone by. With this in mind, it makes sense to name the upcoming community â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Tin Mine Golf & Country Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Both courses are branded under the MBK umbrella, along with their 5-star hotels and other major investments

around Thailand, such as the world renowned shopping paradise MBK center. Future plans look bright for the area with preparation already starting for the Red Mountain Hotel, which is planned to be situated along the course grounds. The company research shows there is a demand for golfers who wish to stay literally on the golf course during their time in Phuket. Conceptual design plans include; conference rooms, an executive lounge, spa and fitness center, villas, a sports complex and a community mall, all included within the gates of this world class community. With all this available on their doorstep, why would golfers wish to stay anywhere else?

for information on corporate golf days visit www.redmountainphuket.com

RED MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB - PHUKET 119 Moo 4 Vichitsongkram Rd.,Kathu, Phuket Tel : 66(0)76 322 000-1 Fax : 66(0)76 322 009 E-mail Contact : info@lochpalm.com Web: www.redmountainphuket.com 33

Necker Island - Sir Richard Bransonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s private island

Necker Island is situated in the British Virgin Islands, a stunning and unspoilt area of the Caribbean. At 74 acres, the island sits in turquoise waters surrounded by coral reefs and fringed with beautiful white sandy beaches. Necker is accessible via San Juan (Puerto Rico) or St. Thomas followed by a connecting flight to Beef Island, Tortola. From Beef Island, Necker Island staff will collect guests for a 30 minute boat ride to the island. Necker can also be reached by helicopter from Tortola, Virgin Gorda, St. Thomas, San Juan and many other neighbouring islands. Necker Island can accommodate up to 28 people in The Great House and five individual Bali houses. The Great House is perched at the top of the hill overlooking the island with one-of-a-kind Balinese style furnishings and art. It is home to nine guest rooms including the Master Suite, each with terrace views overlooking neighboring islands and the ocean. The spacious Master Suite has its own Jacuzzi and a large terrace with panoramic sea views.

Necker Island

Five additional Balinese style houses provide the remaining guest accommodation. Guests staying at the Bali Houses are issued with buggies (golf carts) to get about the island! Prices for the private use of Necker Island depend on the dates the guests wish to stay.All prices in US dollars. In 2008 rates start from $47,000 per night for up to 28 guests If guests don’t want to hire the island privately, individual rooms can be booked during Celebration Weeks. In 2008 rates start from $23,500 per couple per week.

The rates include accommodation, all food and beverages including fine Champagne, tax and really nice staff! Things to do…are also included! • Dip into one of our 2 freshwater pools • Have a drink at the swim-up bar in the beach pool • Challenge a friend to a game on the snooker table • Work out in the gym • Suit up and get wet! We have kayaks, water skiing, wakeboarding, snorkelling, kite surfing, and more – as well as full time Watersports instructors • Have a hit of tennis – there are 2 courts • Hanging out in the hammock • Sample the extensive video, book and music libraries Necker Island can arrange pretty much anything that is available in the British Virgin Islands using its friendly local partners. That includes half or full day deep sea fishing trips and excursions to other islands in the BVIs. If guests fancy some shopping or sightseeing, Necker can arrange for 38

www.virginlimitededition.com a helicopter to take you outside the BVIs to places such as San Juan. Please note that due to conservation of precious coral reefs, jet-skiing is not permitted in the BVIs. What’s the food like at Necker Island? Fine food is the highlight of any guests stay.The wonderful chefs prepare food that Necker Island has become famous for, and it is up to guests whether they want to dine on lobster and caviar or a Sunday roast! Dining can be formal or informal, inside or outside, themed or traditional or a mixture of everything!

Necker Island

Did you know? Guests can get up close and personal with the stars using Necker’s telescope. The skies are so clear in the Caribbean that guests can have a perfect view of The North Star - the brightest star in our skies. he team at Necker Island supports the ‘Heaven’s Angels’ campaign. Heaven’s Angels was set up by the charity T Virgin Unite to raise money to put health-workers on motorbikes.The aim is to help these medical personnel to reach thousands of people in sub-Saharan Africa who could otherwise die from preventable and treatable diseases. These bikes also deliver other goods and services to generate additional revenue streams that keep them on the road. In aid of this initiative, Necker Island devised a complete Heaven’s Angels treatment range whereby a contribution from all treatments from that range helps to raise money. 39

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GREG NORMAN

Flight

Fascinated with

42 66 swingimage

Greg Norman has always been fascinated with aircraft. Recently, Swing Image Editor, Sean Harrison, asked Greg about his passion for aviation. Have you been fascinated with aviation since childhood? Yes. My love of aviation goes back to my childhood in Australia, when jets and the thought of becoming a pilot obsessed me. I assembled dozens of model airplanes and had them tethered all over my room, and at night I’d lie in my bed and imagine my future as a fighter pilot. I tried collecting stamps and had a few other hobbies, but it was flight, especially fighter jets, that really fascinated me. What age were you when you learned to fly? I first started to fly in my early 30’s, typically flying in the left seat of the helicopter or the right seat of the business jet I was operating at the time. Did you ever have the ambition to become a pilot, rather than a golf professional? When I was younger, I remember going to local air shows when I lived in Townsville, Australia, and admiring the skill of the pilots who flew the F111’s. Later, at Townsville Grammar School, I joined the air cadets with the idea that eventually I’d become a pilot for the Royal Australian Air Force. I was just enamored with flying and I wanted to do Mach-1 with 60 million dollar jets sitting underneath the seat of my pants. At the end of the day I decided not to do that, went off for about 18 months, and decided just to play golf. That is where I am today. One of your first endorsements in 1976 was with Qantas. Do you still use them? Given that I have owned my own aircraft for the past fifteen years, you might think that my Qantas relationship would have dissolved, but the company continues to utilise me, more as a spokesperson for Australia than for the airline itself. In fact, I recently flew from Sydney to Los Angeles on Qantas and the experience could not have been better, from the service to the pilots to the flight attendants. When did you purchase your first jet and did you lease aircraft previous that? Originally I leased planes to fly from event to event, but then a blown engine during a flight in 1990 forced me to make an emergency landing in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Let me tell you, there were some harrowing moments before we touched down, and I decided right then to buy my own plane.

Is the Helicopter used more for the course design? Like my G550, my Bell 407 is a business tool. I utilize it more for short haul trips within the state of Florida. It is used for a mix of Golf Course Design, trips to Orlando for sessions with my coach and other business activities in Florida such as the Merrill Lynch Shootout, my PGA Tour event in Naples, Florida, the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, etc.

o you fly the Helicopter D yourself most of the time?

Yes, I fly my helicopter, but never solo, always with my senior flight officer in the right seat. What plane do you now own/ use and do you use it mostly for pleasure or travelling to your Golf Course Design projects? The Gulfstream G-550 I have now is the seventh jet Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve owned in the last fifteen years. I travel about forty weeks a year. Because of the intense schedule I keep, I could not possibly accomplish what I do without my jet. It is a vital business tool that allows me to further develop Great White Shark Enterprises. Do you have players at tour events hitching a ride? In the early days, I was one of perhaps only a handful of golfers that operated their own aircraft, and subsequently, yes, I had a lot of players hitching rides from tour stop to tour stop, which I was all too happy to accommodate. Today, with both the fractional jet programs and the increasing purses on the Tour, you see more golfers operating their own aircraft, and as such, it is not as prevalent today. How many crew do you have in your flight team? I now have a full-time flight department operating both my Gulfstream and my Bell 407 helicopter. I have two pilots, an engineer and two other pilots on standby for my long haul trips. My plane does 6,500 nautical miles nonstop, so when I go on global trips, Florida to

Australia for example, I station a pilot at the first stop. He would travel two days ahead of time. We stop for fuel then keep going straight through to Australia, about 2224 hours of flying, which is a drain on anyone’s body, the pilots’ and my own. You are spending a lot of time travelling to Dubai now with your new designs there. How do you see golf in Dubai developing now? I have been a regular visitor to Dubai for nearly two decades, and my company has been closely monitoring the city for a number of years. The scope of development and the speed at which projects are completed is truly remarkable. Dubai has an entrepreneurial edge and its geographical position places it right at the heart of international commerce. A combination of a progressive approach to business and an excellent location means that golf is bound to thrive and I’ve been fortunate to be involved in the development of Jumeirah Golf Estates which, on completion, will be one of the world’s leading golf communities. I like to think that our work at Jumeirah Golf Estates will set a new standard for the design and development of sustainable and environmentally friendly courses. Due to this, Dubai truly represents a new way forward for international golf.

ith all your business commitments W and travelling to golf events, how many hours a week do you spend flying?

I average about 600 hours, or about 25 full days, in the air each year. I figure that from the time I first turned professional in 1976 until now, I’ve put in more than eight million air miles. Without my jet and my helicopter, I couldn’t do what I do. It would be utterly impossible.

s a passenger, do you work when you A are flying?

Absolutely, some of my most productive meetings both internal and external take place aboard the aircraft. The aircraft also provides me with an opportunity to catch up on my day-to-day work load, and as such, it is extremely efficient.

ow many passengers do you normally H have on a trip?

That’s a good question, I think on average I have three or four passengers on the aircraft.

Finally, from a British point of view, in the early eighties you were always dashing off to catch Concorde. What was your reaction when the Concorde was sadly grounded? Do you think there was any way she could have been kept in service and do you think there will ever be an opportunity to have an aircraft like that again?

As an aviation enthusiast, I loved crossing the Atlantic on the Concorde. I became very good friends with one of the chief pilots for the British Airways Concorde Program. I believe supersonic travel will most likely return to the private sector ahead of the public sector. I am aware of several manufacturers who are currently experimenting with the idea. With the advent of fractional programs such as Net Jet, I think there is room in their inventory for a supersonic jet program, which provides the operators the flexibility to lease different types of aircraft. 47

The Norman Clubhouse 48

Jumeirah Golf Estates, the premier residential golf community in Dubai, has announced the first concrete pouring at its Norman Clubhouse, another milestone in the progress of the development. The Norman Clubhouse, designed by and named after golf legend Greg Norman, will serve the Fire and Earth courses upon completion ahead of the first Dubai World Championship in November 2009.

Work on the foundations of the clubhouse, which at 131,000 square feet will be one of the largest in the Middle East, was completed in April, ahead of the concreting which started recently. This progress follows another recent announcement that Greg Norman’s Earth course has been chosen as the host venue for the richest tournament in world golf, the inaugural Dubai World Championship, in November 2009. A landmark of elegance and style, the Mediterraneaninfluenced Norman Clubhouse will offer a range of options for both formal and casual dining, a Wellness Centre with a variety of massage and spa treatments, a Sports Centre, a nearby Tennis Academy, two tennis courts and a coaching facility, and The European Tour Centre of Excellence with adjoining Golf Academy. This important milestone was recognized by David Spencer, Chief Executive, Golf at Leisurecorp, the owner of Jumeirah Golf Estates. He said: “This is a big course, with a big tournament and a big designer, in Greg Norman. It deserves a big clubhouse – and that’s what it’s getting. This is going to be a stunning facility, somewhere which will attract golfers and non-golfers alike. “I visit the site every few days and it’s been exciting to see the foundations take shape. Now, with the first concrete pour, we’re seeing an important milestone. “Greg has designed the best golf courses in the Middle East here at Jumeirah Golf Estates, along with the best homes, at his Fireside by Greg Norman development. He’s now adding the best clubhouse to that roll of honour and, as always,

we thank him for his time, his commitment and his talent.” The Norman Clubhouse will be complemented by an ultramodern practice facility and state-of-the-art European Tour Centre of Excellence and Golf Academy. The Golf Academy will offer personalized instruction, with low instructor-to-student ratios, using the latest technology and training knowledge to deliver real improvements to every part of the student’s game. The Clubhouse’s Sports Centre will cater for a variety of leisure activities, featuring a fully-equipped gymnasium, swimming pools, exercise studio, yoga and pilates studio, a leisure-focused lagoon, a lounge area and a Spa and Wellness Centre with several treatment rooms. Dining and entertainment options will include The Golf Brasserie, The Cellar private dining, The Swing Juice and Health Bar, a Tiki Bar serving the lagoon pools, an events lawn for up to 400 people, a terrace dining area, and a rooftop bar and BBQ terrace. Another feature of the Norman Clubhouse will be a stunning rock waterfall backdrop to the 18th greens of both the Fire and Earth courses. Jumeirah Golf Estates has brought together the world’s leading golf and course design superstars, to create Dubai’s premier residential golfing community. Greg Norman, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and “the father of modern golf course design”, Pete Dye, are working on creating one of the world’s most distinctive golf developments. The four courses - Fire, Earth,Water, and Wind – will be surrounded by the most desirable residential communities in Dubai. 49

With breathtaking top speeds of over 40 knots and a 450-mile range for extended cruising.

The Predator 108 encapsulates Sunseeker’s belief in high-octane performance, staying power and sheer indulgent luxury. Streamlined good looks, hallmark curves and a hydraulic gangway to welcome you, all indicate the level of appointment that awaits you when you board this powerful Predator. The 108 is designed to indulge, coming equipped with every deluxe ‘must-have’ for maximum fun on board. A freshwater spa tub, with convenient cool chest nearby, forms the centerpiece of the large foredeck sunbathing area. In the expansive aft cockpit, a wet-bar with cool box, icemaker and griddle make socializing a pleasure. The teak-laid bathing platform, complemented by a swim-shower, offers convenient access to the water for both swimmers and watercraft, and there is a garaging for a tender. With its glazed hard-top sunroof, the capacious main saloon is flooded with light, and big windows offer fabulous views.There is ample seating for family and friends, a separate dining area and walk-in bar, all exquisitely finished. For maximum privacy and convenience, there is a separate aft staircase to the spacious, fully-equipped galley and self-contained four berth crew accommodation, enabling crew to move around without disturbing you. On the accommodation deck, there are two layout options depending on whether you require a lower saloon. If not, this space can be incorporated to upgrade the master stateroom and create a huge master suite. Both layouts give you three roomy en-suite guest cabins – one VIP stateroom and two twins – all generously appointed. The most important decision to make about the Predator 108 is between twin shaft drives or triple Arneson surface drives.Whatever your preference, you’re guaranteed gratifying power and superb manoeuvrability from this dynamic Sunseeker. 50

108 Predator 108

The helm station of the Predator 108 is as impressive in performance as it is in looks.

The deck saloon of the Predator 108 has all the luxuries of a floating 5-star hotel.

52 52 swingimage

swingimage 5353

Superhawk 43

5454 swingimage

The perfect fusion of sheer glamour and gratifying power.The Superhawk 43 exemplifies the passion and romance of the racing cruiser in Sunseeker’s inimitable style. The Superhawk 43 is unmistakably a race-bred machine.The sleek prow, stepped hull and streamlined profile promise an immense performance, while the aerodynamic windscreen, classic radar hoop and muscular physique exude effortless elegance. Three powerful engine options and a choice of stern or surface drives let you set the pace and achieve an exhilarating top speed of 50 knots. Reviving the heyday of high performance, the Superhawk 43 offers endless thrills and excitement. The double helm seat provides excellent visibility, letting you feel the wind on your face as you push the Superhawk to the limit. As you’d expect from a top-flight sports boat, the stunning helm station has a traditional wood-rimmed steering wheel and the helm console features a walnut burr fascia. Every inch of the Superhawk is equally stylish and designed for pleasure. Behind the helm position, there’s space to share drinks, with comfortable seating and a fold-out table complemented by a wet-bar and ice chest. Twin sunbathers give your guests space to stretch out while providing storage underneath, and the teak-laid bathing platform makes swimming from the boat a breeze. Clever ergonomics below deck have created a spacious saloon and forward double berth, plus a luxurious shower room and well-equipped galley. But the Superhawk 43 offers more than a private retreat. The upholstered dining seating can be converted to an additional double berth, so you can share the boat with guests on stopovers and long weekends. swingimage 5555

For more information on luxury yacht sales and charters, please contact:

Craig Murphy

Paul Stamp

Managing Director

Sales Executive

Max-Marine Asia E: craigm@max-marine-asia.com T: 0819 700 583

Max-Marine Asia E: pauls@max-marine-asia.com T: 0878 960 996

more than just a label.

Nick Faldo understands that designing a golf course is more than simply applying a designer label, which is why he uses a more tailored approach. Developing relationships, on site visits and working on every stage of the process ensures that a Nick Faldo designed golf course is exactly what you would expect; a golf course designed by Nick Faldo. Inside leg measurement not required.

nickfaldo.com/design

SIMON YATES

DRIVE FOR SHOW! Scotish golfer, Simon Yates, has found another sport which will fulfil his desire and obsession for speed. A Scottish ski champion and Great Britain Internationalist as a teenager, Simon moved to Asia in 1995 to compete on the Asian Tour where he has amassed $2.0 Million in prize money. He has won twice and had twelve second place finishes. He has also won a Lexus car for a hole in one, shot a course record 61 in the Hong Kong Open and shot the most number of birdies on Tour in 1999 and 2003, with 232 and 239 respectively. Simon, who now lives in Hua Hin,Thailand, has recently found his passion for car racing in Asia where he has won several races. What led you to car racing and when did you start? Two years ago a Thai friend of mine, who is one of the top drivers in Thailand, asked me if I would like to join the racing scene. From a young age I have always had the need for speed, after being a ski racer since the age of six, so I thought it would be a good challenge and a new exciting sport to try. How is your time split between golf on the European and Asian Tours and your racing? You can always find time to do other things other than golf. For me it is nice to get away from the golf and do something totally different. Is it difficult to set out your schedule, especially when an important golf event clashes with a race? It is difficult to choose between a golf tournament and a racing event when they run on the same dates, but at the end of the day golf is my job and this must come first. The first race of the season in the Honda series was the same weekend as the BMW Asian Open, so obviously I missed the car race! Last year you raced the Toyota Vios in the ‘One Make Race’. What car are you racing now? Last year I raced the Toyota One Make (Vios) and had a great season, winning the Championship which was a nice experience. In this series the cars are all the same so basically it is down to drivers’ ability. This year I am racing in two series - the Toyota Yaris series and the Honda Civic Series. I pretty much just turn up for the weekend and race as I don’t really have the time to test the car. 59

What are the specifications of the Honda? The Honda is a standard 140bhp road car. Honda changed the ECU box (Electronic Control Unit), which controls the whole car and gives it some more power, the gearbox to a centre differential for better road holding, the exhaust system for extra power, the brake system for better braking and much later braking, the springs and shocks for much better road holding and a roll cage for safety aspects. Would you class car racing as an expensive hobby? Car racing is probably one of the most expensive hobbies, as we are all there for the fun, adrenline factor and not for the prize money which is very small! How do you compare the Honda car with the Toyota? The Honda and Toyota cars are fairly similar to drive as they are both front wheel drive and are fairly light cars. The 60

Hondaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accelleration is a little quicker due to having more power, but it is a heavier car too. The road holding is very similar and it is quite scary how quick these little cars go round corners! How have the races gone for you so far this season? The Honda series has gone very well and I finished first in Chiang-Mai. Last weekend I finished fifth in Pattaya which wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bad, considering that I was carrying 20kgs extra as a weight penalty for winning the race in Chiang Mai. The top 3 on the Podium have to add weight to make the next race closer, which makes it more fun for the spectators. I would rather forget the start to the season in the Toyota Yaris series. In the first race someone slammed me from behind and took me out of the race. In the second race I actually didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t start because in the second practice session I clipped the edge of some tyres at a corner causing the car to flip over and roll 5 times! I was fine except for a stiff neck, but the car needed a new frame as it was badly bent. If there was not a roll cage in the car it would have been flattened!

You must suffer the heat sometimes inside the car, especially when racing in Asia in temperatures of over 100 degrees?

You live in Hua-Hin, Thailand. Are there any places near to you where you can take the car for some practice?

Yes, it can be very exhausting racing in temperatures around 100 degrees. Remember there is no air-con and you are wearing a racing suit which is fire proof and a fire mask under your helmet which can be very steamy. You then come out of the pits which are in the shade, wait 10 minutes on the grid (baking in the sun!) whilst waiting for your warm up lap before the lights go to red then green. Before I go out I pour a bottle of water over my head to cool down and while I am sitting on the grid for 10 minutes I get my mechanics to pour half a bottle of ice cold water inside my race suit and down my back to give me a wake up call and at the same time refresh me.

Living in Thailand is really good especially when the road rules are not the same as the UK. Yes, driving in the UK is very boring as there are rules that you must stick to and that is why there are not nearly as many road crashes as there are here, but on the other hand I like the rules here! Are there any? Over the years I have had fast cars in Thailand and my driving skills have improved on the normal roads. I actually use my race car from last year on the normal road and drive it up to the golf course everyday which can be fun!

Have you ever been involved in or seen any crashes?

At golf events last year you were teeing it up with Retief Goosen and Vijay Singh. How can you compare this with sitting on the grid starting a race?

I have seen crashes on the track but fortunately no serious ones. I know some fans who go to car racing to see crashes, but it is never nice to see people get hurt.

It is very difficult to compare golf and racing driving. I actually quite enjoy playing with big stars like Vijay and Retief as you can always learn from them, watching what they do and how 61

they conduct themselves on the course. It is similiar on the race track when practising. If I have a better driver in front of me I stay behind him to watch the lines he takes and try to learn where he takes the corners faster than I do and where I can pick up on him. Every sport is a learning game and we can always inprove. How do you compare the buzz of winning a race with winning on the golf tour? You get a great buzz from winning anything in life. My best feeling was when I finished third in my second ever race. I was very proud of myself as I was a new comer to this sport. The next race which I won was another proud moment as I was thinking to myself that all these guys that I had just beaten had a lot of racing experience karting from a young age. Now it is still good but not as good as the first time. In golf it is a similiar feeling because a win is a win. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter which sport and I am sure most peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first win is one of there biggest memories. You have mentioned before you would love to race the Porsche in the GT Cup. How can you move towards this in the future? It would be my dream to race the Porsche in the Porsche GT Cup cars around Asia, but you would need a sponsor to do that. As most people know, racing is a very expensive sport and when you start travelling to other countries it 62

becomes more expensive. I will stay in Thailand at the moment and see what happens later. Do you know of any other golfers on the tour that race cars? I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know of any other golfers who race cars but I do know that Richard Green, who plays on the European Tour, has a fully race prepared Porsche GT Cup car which he has fun in when he has the time to go out in it.There is certainly a different adrenaline kick from racing compared to golf! You have had some good fortune when it comes to cars. Tell us about the hole in one you had at the Lexus Open and the prize? In 1997 I was playing in the Lexus Open in Thailand and they had a Lexus GS 300 as a prize for a hole in one on the 16th

Simon enjoys winning on the race track as much as on the golf course.

hole. In the second round I walked onto the tee and looked at the pin position. It was 7 yards on, just over the bunker, and my actual words were ‘”what a stupid pin position”.The hole was 176 yards long so I was wondering whether to hit a soft 7 iron, or a hard 8 iron. I decided to hit the hard 8 for extra height and the ball took off just left of the pin, drifted back with the wind and landed directly in line with the pin. As I could not see the hole, I looked at the guys standing on the next tee to get some reaction from them. As there was none I presumed the ball wasn’t even that close. Walking up close to the green there was no sign of the ball, so I thought that the ball might have plugged in the face of the bunker. Whilst looking in the bunker for the ball I saw a pitch mark 6 feet ahead, right in line with the pin. I suddenly had a feeling that the ball had gone in. I gingerly walked up

to the hole and there was the ball lying in the bottom of the cup. That was certainly a different experience. On the next tee I could hardly hold the club as my hands were shaking with excitement and the adrenaline was pumping through my body. We noticed The Toyota you had last year, sponsored by Black Mountain Golf Club, is now parked up at their clubhouse, very clean with no dents. Any offers? I am actually using this car on the road now (only to the golf course and back to my condo) and enjoying it thoughoughly. Sometimes I drive it as if I am on the track but don’t tell anyone!! 63

Set in an idyllic peaceful, tranquil surrounding, where valley meets mountain range, Black Mountain Golf Club is a course ready to please visually as well as being exciting for both the experienced and the average golfer. 64

Black Mountain Golf Club The course is located just 10 kilometers from the Royal seaside resort town of Hua Hin in Thailand.This well known resort town is fast becoming the choice retirement spot for local Thais and expatriates alike with its proximity to major cities and increasing quality facilities. Hua Hin is also home to many wonderful five-star hotels as well as six golf courses. Black Mountain is now the 7th and due to its quality and beauty is destined to become one of the most famous and most popular. After opening its links to the public in mid 2007 with rave reviews from everyone that played it, Black Mountain is now one of the first choices for golfers in the area and has recently hosted its first tournament. 66

The Course The Black Mountain golf course is positioned in a valley below the striking views of the regions â&#x20AC;&#x153;Black Mountainsâ&#x20AC;?, which are so named because of the large black rocks set into their slopes. These settings provide a unique and beautiful backdrop to many of the courses feature holes. The aim of the designer, Phil Ryan of the Pacific Coast Design company based in Melbourne, Australia, was to create a golf course that looks as natural as possible and to maintain many of the natural features of the site including the natural creeks that run throughout the course and the natural rock formations that have been used as design features on many of the holes. Many of the original trees have been kept in

Hua-hin place with plantings of new ones made to frame many of the holes. As well as the natural surroundings, the designers were focused on creating a course that could be a test for the top golfers in the world but also very playable and enjoyable to the local golfers that play here week in week out. All the holes provide the golfer with a safe route, but for the more adventurous player there is a higher risk option with a potential for greater reward. The design offers generous fairways for the shorter hitter while rewarding accuracy for the longer hitter with narrowing as the holes progress. The greens are large 67

with a variety of pin positions with different degrees of difficulty with many of the greens well protected by sculptured bunkers. Much thought went into the choice of grass, and it was decided to use seashore paspalum for the tees, fairways and rough.This grass gives a great playing surface and a beautiful emerald green color. It was decided to use tifeagle bermuda grass on the greens. This hybrid bermuda grass is now recognized as the best putting surface in tropical areas.

The clubhouse No expense has been spared to make the golf course a standout in the area and the same is true of the clubhouse facilities. The strategically placed clubhouse gives stunning panoramic views of the whole golf course. Facilities within the clubhouse include fine dining in the restaurant, a well-stocked pro-shop and high-standard locker room facilities. The restaurant is on the top floor of the clubhouse and makes the most of the wonderful views overlooking the golf course and the mountains. The menu is created to satisfy all tastes, with everything from breakfast through to dinner with homemade bread to classic Thai dishes, salad, pasta, dessert and European specialty dishes. The salmon is imported from Norway and the beef is imported from Australia and New Zealand, to be sure of highest quality. Also on offer are the highest quality wines, whiskey, cognac, champagne and cigars. The aim is to offer high quality food and service at a reasonable prices. Many golfers dine at the restaurant following their game and the restaurant also has a growing reputation with local residents as well.

Villas & Condos The construction of villas and condominiums on the Black Mountain site is progressing quickly. The residences are being built in direct connection to the Golf Course with many sitting along the picturesque fairways. Only quality materials have been carefully selected by the specialist designers with their long experience in the construction industry here in Thailand. In total, 15 villas and 75 condominiums are being constructed with all providing the type of style and comfort expected from a first class development such as this. 68

Willard Wigan MBE Born in 1957 in Birmingham,Willard Wigan began his artistic life at a tender age. Suffering from dyslexia and learning difficulties, he struggled at school and found solace in creating art of such minute proportions it couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be seen with the naked eye and therefore couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be criticised.

England rugby star, Jonny Wilkinson slots the world cup winning drop goal through the eye of a needle!

Only seen when placed under the microscope and magnified 500 times. In one piece, Henry VIII and his six wives stand side by side within the eye of a needle.

“It really began when I was just five years old,” says Willard. “I started making houses for ants because I thought they needed somewhere to live. Then I made them shoes and hats. It was a fantasy world I escaped to where my dyslexia didn’t hold me back and my teachers couldn’t criticise me. And that’s how my career as a micro-sculptor began.” From that day to this, Willard’s celebrated micro-sculptures have become more and more minute so that they are only visible through a microscope – some are only three times the size of a blood cell. Each piece commonly sits within the eye of a needle, or on a pin head.

Some of the most renowned pieces in the Willard Wigan collection, which was purchased by former Davis Cup captain turned entrepreneur, David Lloyd, in May 2007 for an undisclosed sum, are Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston, and Yellow Brick Road: The Wizard of Oz.

Willard Wigan is no ordinary sculptor. He describes himself as a “micro-miniaturist”, and all of his most significant pieces - over 40 years’ worth of painstaking carving, chipping and painting - could fit comfortably together inside a single matchbox. 71

• L ooking at Wigan’s sculptures is an amazing experience. The first time you see the microscope transform what appears to be a dot of nothingness in the eye of a needle, into a minuscule model of the World cup or a sports celebrity.

The personal sacrifice involved in creating such wondrous, yet scarcely believable, pieces is inconceivable to most. Willard enters a meditative state in which his heartbeat is slowed, allowing him to reduce hand tremors and sculpt between pulse beats. Even the reverberation caused by traffic outside can affect Willard’s work and he often retreats to the peace and quiet of Jersey or works through the night when there is minimal disruption. Discussing his latest and most challenging project – the iconic Lloyd’s of London building – Willard says it was yet another labour of love. “The Lloyd’s building is so intricate architecturally that it was the biggest challenge I’ve faced to date. To make the cranes on the roof I caught dust particles in the air and sculpted them. It took me four months to complete and I was physically exhausted but hugely elated by the end.” Willard Wigan’s work has been described as “the eighth wonder of the world” and he has just received his MBE for services to art. Unsurprisingly his life is also attracting significant attention from the literary and film industries alike, each eager to secure Willard’s life story.

• To the naked eye, Wigan’s works is all but invisible. Only seen when placed under the microscope and magnified 500 times. In one piece, Henry VIII and his six wives stand side by side within the eye of a needle. • Wigan creates his sculptures in an isolated studio in Jersey, far removed from the public eye or potentially disastrous traffic vibrations, using tiny home-made tools. Working between heartbeats, or else the pulse in the finger will cause a mistake. He can grind down a piece of tungsten to make a little hook which can grip the material, or shove a fragment of broken diamond into the tip of a needle to make a micro scalpel blade.” • The work only really comes to life once it is painted, a process for which Wigan uses “a hair plucked from the head of a housefly and thinned-down oils. It doesn’t matter how much money they offer me, it’s impossible to enjoy it. The only pleasure is in finishing the work, and in watching other people look at it.” ____________________________________________________ Willards first Asian tour in Hong Kong is scheduled for January 2009. For more information contact: +66 899 346 890 or info@davidlloydgroup.com 72

P E R F O R M A N C E.

ÂŠ 2 0 0 8 MacGregor Golf Company. All R ights R eserved. Greg N orman and the Greg N orman Collection logo are registered trademarks of Great White S hark E nterprises I nc. G R E G N O R M A N C O L L E C T I O N . C O M

L U X U R Y.

S T Y L E.

OCEÂNICO’S ALL STAR The South Africa team win the unique charity shootout over England and Ireland that takes centre stage at the new Oceânico Amendoeira Golf Resort. For more information please contact David Silvers at the Professional Sports Group on +44 1276 858930 (email David@profsports.com) 74

Oceânico Group, the leader in the golf, property and leisure markets in Portugal, welcomed some of Europe’s finest players to take part in a unique charity shootout that saw England take on teams from Ireland and South Africa in a greensomes stroke play competition contested over 3 holes on each of the Oceânico Faldo and Oceânico O’Connor course at the new Amendoeira Golf Resort. The 36-hole resort was officially opened recently and to continue the celebrations, Oceânico touring pro Darren Clarke teamed up with young star Rory McIlroy (Ireland) to take on Lee Westwood and David Howell (England), as well as last weeks Madrid Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel and James Kingston (South Africa). The event began on the opening hole of the O’Connor course with many of the new members and property owners, as well as television crews and journalists coming out to watch some of the biggest names in the game. As always, Clarke was on top form with plenty of banter; he

Darren Clarke

CHARITY

SHOOTOUT needled Westwood with comments of ‘holiday golf’ following his less than precise iron shots in the opening holes - most likely down to Westwood’s 10 day break prior to this week. Westwood, never one to back down from such banter, mocked Clarke’s exclusion from this year’s Ryder Cup with jibes of ‘it’s been a while since you will have played any team golf!’ The South African team finished on a score of 3 under par winning by two shots from Ireland, leaving the England team trailing on level par. The shootout was played in great spirits and resulted in the South African team receiving a cheque for €8,000. The pair donated the funds to their own chosen charities, focusing on helping abused children in South Africa; Schwartzel opting to support the Kosmos Foster Care Homes and Kingston to Ladies and Lords. Runners-up Clarke and McIlroy collected €3,000 Euros for the Darren Clarke Foundation and Northern Ireland Hospice Care Horizon for Children, with Westwood and Howell

Lee Westwood raised €1,000 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Education for the Children. “This was a great event for us to be involved in and to raise this amount money for charity is fantastic. It was a little bit of a different format to what we are used to, but it was good fun and was no doubt entertaining for the crowds and the TV cameras. This is an important week for me as the Algarve has become something of a second home. The new courses here are in great condition, as is the Victoria course down the road. We are all looking forward to competing this week and hopefully I can be in the mix come the final round on Sunday,” said Clarke. The official opening of the Amendoeira Golf resort came ahead of the Portugal Masters which was again hosted by the critically acclaimed Oceânico Victoria golf course, designed by Arnold Palmer, for the second consecutive year. For further information on Oceânico Golf, log-on to www.oceanicogolf.com. 75

The Autumn/Winter 2008 Collection 76

Stockist information visit: www.ianpoulterdesign.com

The Autumn/Winter 2008 Collection

The Autumn / Winter 2008 Collection is elegant, fashionable and wearable, both on and off the golf course. This new collection reflects the IJP (Ian James Poulter, the company’s logo) ethos of being high quality, high performance, chic and undeniably exciting. With a warm colour palette of hot red, camel, aubergine, emerald green and plush blue the range is created to be both eminently practical and equally stylish. Ian has a very active hand in the design, creation and garment testing of the collection, focusing on breaking new boundaries between fashion and golf; each garment is unique and distinctive to let the wearer reflect their own style and personality.

World famous for his distinctive trousers, it is only appropriate that the Autumn / Winter collection continues the Ian Poulter Design tradition of ‘leading from the legs’. As well as the famous limited edition tartan bootleg trousers, contemporary classics such as the corduroy casual trouser and the new hounds tooth wide leg trousers (pictured with matching trilby hat and striking black pin tucked performance shirt) are a sure hit. Outfits are created around the trousers and the shirts, jumpers, belts and caps all coordinate accordingly. IJP is proud to announce that Ian Poulter tartans are now all registered with Scottish Tartan Authority and carry the coat of arms ‘Weave Truth with Trust’. Yet again, with their new collection, Ian Poulter Design has successfully fused functionality with fashion.

Stockist information visit: www.ianpoulterdesign.com

Ian Poulter Waterproof Suit

Ian Poulter would not wear a waterproof until this. It is not just a brilliant piece of technology, it is also incredibly stylish. Until now, waterproof clothing has been solely focused on function rather than fashion. However, the design features of the new IJP (Ian James Poulter, the company logo) waterproof suit means that the fit is tailored to the individual shape of the wearer, making the lines incredibly elegant and not billowing at the waist. The focus on the fit does not detract from the fact that both the jacket and the trousers are durable, innovative and high-tech garments. The suit is 100% waterproof, windproof and breathable. What makes the jacket stand out from others is the tailored rather than gathered waistband, making movement easier and the fit spectacular. For comfort there is fleece lining in the collar, the front facing area and the sleeves. The front zip guard, the sealed seams and the light weight lining keep you dry while not weighing you down. The waterproof trousers also boast original features including stretch lining in the knee for additional movement and a tailored waistband with belt loops. Every detail has been thought of down to making the back pockets zips slightly deeper and wider to ensure the player can easily fit in both their card and their glove. A tough test run was the Open Championship 2008 at Royal Birkdale,where dreadful weather conditions made life very difficult for the world’s top golfers. The suit protected Ian from howling wind and rain, helping him get ahead of the pack and finish 2nd in the tournament.

Stockist information visit: www.ianpoulterdesign.com

Key Features • Two Year Guarantee • 100% Windproof and waterproof • Stretch for freedom of movement

• Breathable • Technical zips / guards • Lightweight • Part fleece lined for comfort • Sealed seams • Tailored waistbands

The Autumn/Winter 2008 Collection 80

Stockist information visit: www.ianpoulterdesign.com

“If I feel good about my clothes, I feel good about my game – it’s very like that satisfaction you have when driving away in a freshly cleaned car, it just seems to run that little bit better.”

Ian Poulter

Justin Rose Building a better Golf Swing

THE SET UP

HALFWAY BACK

Stand up tall and bend from the hips to create a distinct spine angle.

By the time my left arm reaches the horizontal, I expect to see a full wrist cock ‘setting’ the club up on its end. The shaft bisects my right shoulder, which confirms my swing is on a good plane.

MOVE-AWAY

Fully set, club on plane

Clubhead outside the hands, but inside the ball-to-target line.

A good swing can be regarded as a chainreaction, with one good move leading on to another. Hence the importance of getting off to a good start. The key is that the arms, hands and the club work together to trace a natural path away from the ball. Looking from this angle (above), the clubhead can be seen to remain just outside the hands (even though it is travelling inside the ball-totarget line) the first few feet it moves back. This is what you should be looking for. You don’t ever want the club to get too ‘deep’ and too far inside the ball-to-target line too early. 82

When I video my swing, the one position I look at most closely is here, at the halfwayback or ‘9 o’clock position’. Specifically, by the time my left arm is horizontal with the ground, I like to see my wrists fully ‘loaded’ and (looking down-the-line) I want to see my hands right here, in the middle of my chest (i.e. not too ‘deep’ or inside the line, and not outside my body). If you compare it with the original shaft angle at address, you can see that the process of setting the wrists causes the shaft to steepen fractionally as the club swings up. This is perfectly OK, as it encourages the desired shallowing of the plane on the way back down. So why not simplify your backswing, using this 9 o’clock position as your key checkpoint. As you develop the technique to set the clubshaft at a 90-degree angle to your left arm, so you will enjoy the powerful sensation of being ‘loaded’ up as you complete your turn to the top - energy you can then release in the downswing.

If you can achieve this fully ‘set’ halfway-back position, turning against the resistance of your right knee and thigh...

AT THE TOP ...completing a full shoulder turn rewards you with a compact and ‘loaded’ backswing position.

Feel the resistance from the ground up... Looking at this sequence face-on, you get some idea of the resistance in the lower body specifically the right knee and thigh. That’s the feeling I have; I am turning and coiling against the resistance in the right knee and thigh, winding my torso and co-ordinating my arm-swing. Obviously, a secure footing is vital; the one thing I am very aware of is anchoring the right foot as I turn and shift my weight both against and into my right side. Good footwork is the often overlooked element of a good swing, so as you work on winding up your backswing, pay attention to the role of the right foot in anchoring the right side, so that you create the necessary resistance. As I rotate my upper body away from the target, my weight is absorbed up the inside of my right thigh. In other words, my weight is not allowed to roll onto the outside of the right foot. Thats a power leak - so don’t allow it to happen! Coil up against a braced right thigh; feel and use that resistance.

The Baseball Drill Probably the best way to explain the sensation and illustrate the move I am looking for through the transition, at the start of the downswing, is to show you the baseball drill (right). Holding a club up at about waist height, swing back as if making a baseball action, and then ‘settle’ your lower body as you change direction; you want to get this ‘squat’ look in the legs as you start back down and your weight shifts back across to the left side. Get the hang of this move and you will create a wonderful sense of ‘lag’ as your upper body recoils in response to this lower body action.

Hold a club at waist height, and then turn your shoulders to create a swing.

As if by instinct, the arms shallow the plane of the swing and you’re all plugged in for a powerful acceleration of speed through the impact area. And that’s exactly what you are looking to achieve in the swing itself, as you see in the sequence below. From the top, I wait for the subtle move in the feet and knees, unwinding from the ground up as my left foot and left knee signal the reverse in momentum. The left knee (in fact the whole left side) is - for a split-second - pulling away from the right hip (and whole right side). That dynamic move increases the torque in my swing.

Always looking to improve the ‘lines’ of my swing I have worked hard this year on improving the ‘lines’ of my swing. We all have individual tendencies to be wary of, and mine is sometimes to get the club working too ‘deep’ behind my body on the backswing, to the extent it ends up across the line at the top. Now that it’s on a much better line, I am able to focus on the dynamics of my body action to maximise eneregy. At my best, I feel that I am able to benefit from the energy I store up in the full ‘setting’ of the wrists going back; through the transition I feel the ground through my feet and have the confidence to unwind aggressively through the ball. Feature courtesy of Golf International Magazine. www.golfinternationalmag.com 84

Compact backswing (this with a 6-iron); a full shoulder turn with a three-quarter armswing is ideal.

Remember Sam Snead? The squat look in the legs indicates a powerful transition. Left arm maintains good width.

Braced right thigh provides the resistance to the coiling motion of the upper body. Note the full wrist hinge.

Subtle weight shift back into the left side initiates the change of direction, and that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lagâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; shallows the arms and club.

Spine angle maintained as clubhead free-wheels through the ball.

European Tour Number One Justin Rose and three former Harry Vardon Trophy winners: Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie, gather at The London Golf Club for the unveiling of The European Tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new branding ahead of The European Open (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

The 2009 European Tour International Schedule The Race To Dubai is launched! The launch of The Race to Dubai at the HSBC This schedule will see Leisurecorp, the Dubai Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club in World company specialising in developments and Shanghai, China, on November 6 heralds the start investments in the sport and leisure sector and of the most momentous season in the history of with whom The European Tour have a wide-rangThe European Tour. ing partnership, host the start and finish of The 2010 European Tour International Schedule. No fewer than 53 tournaments will be played on the inaugural Race to Dubai on The 38th European Tour International Schedule which will visit 26 destinations before reaching a thrilling crescendo with The Dubai World Championship at the Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, UAE, from November 19-22, 2009. 86

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06 Nov 20 Nov 27 Nov 11 Dec 18 Dec 08 Jan 15 Jan 22 Jan 29 Jan 05 Feb 12 Feb 19 Feb 25 Feb 26 Feb 12 Mar 19 Mar 26 Mar 02 Apr 09 Apr 16 Apr 23 Apr 30 Apr 07 May 14 May 21 May 28 May 04 Jun 11 Jun 18 Jun 18 Jun 25 Jun 02 Jul 09 Jul 16 Jul 23 Jul 30 Jul 06 Aug 13 Aug 13 Aug 20 Aug 27 Aug 03 Sep 10 Sep 17 Sep 24 Sep 24 Sep 01 Oct 08 Oct 15 Oct 22 Oct 05 Nov 12 Nov 19 Nov

09 Nov HSBC Champions Sheshan International GC , Shanghai, China 23 Nov UBS Hong Kong Open Hong Kong GC, Fanling, Hong Kong 30 Nov Australian Masters Huntingdale GC, Melbourne, Australia 14 Dec Alfred Dunhill Championship Leopard Creek GC, Mpumalanga, South Africa 21 Dec South African Open Championship Pearl Valley Golf Estate, Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa 11 Jan Joburg Open Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, Johannesburg, South Africa 18 Jan The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 25 Jan Commercialbank Qatar Masters Doha GC, Doha, Qatar 01 Feb Dubai Desert Classic Emirates GC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 08 Feb Emaar-MGF Indian Masters Delhi GC, New Delhi, India 15 Feb Maybank Malaysian Open TBC, TBC 22 Feb Johnnie Walker Classic The Vines Resort & Country Club , Perth, Australia 01 Mar WGC - Accenture Match Play Ritz-Carlton GC, Dove Mountain, Marana, USA 01 Mar Indonesia Open New Kuta GC, Bali, Indonesia 15 Mar WGC-CA Championship Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Doral, Florida, USA 22 Mar Madeira Islands Open BPI - Portugal TBC, TBC 29 Mar Open de Andalucia TBC, TBC 05 Apr Estoril Open de Portugal Oitavos Dunes, Estoril, Portugal 12 Apr MASTERS TOURNAMENT Augusta National, Augusta, Georgia, USA 19 Apr Volvo China Open Beijing CBD International GC, Beijing, China 26 Apr Ballantine’s Championship Pinx GC, Jeju Island, South Korea 03 May Open de Espana TBC, TBC 10 May Italian Open TBC, TBC 17 May The Irish Open TBC, TBC 24 May BMW PGA Championship Wentworth Club, Surrey, England 31 May The European Open TBC, TBC 07 Jun The Celtic Manor Wales Open The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, Wales 14 Jun Austrian Golf Open Fontana GC,Vienna, Austria 21 Jun US OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Bethpage State Park (Black Course), Farmingdale, New York, USA 21 Jun SAINT-OMER OPEN presented by Neuflize OBC Aa Saint Omer GC, Lumbres, France 28 Jun BMW International Open Golfclub München Eichenried, Munich, Germany 05 Jul Open de France ALSTOM Le Golf National, Paris, France 12 Jul The Barclays Scottish Open Loch Lomond GC, Glasgow, Scotland 19 Jul THE 138th OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Ailsa Course, Turnberry, Ayrshire, Scotland 26 Jul SAS Masters Barsebäck G&CC, Skåne, Sweden 02 Aug Czech Golf Open Prosper Golf Resort, Celadná, Czech Republic 09 Aug WGC - Bridgestone Invitational Firestone CC, Akron, Ohio, USA 16 Aug US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Hazeltine National GC, Chaska, MN, USA 16 Aug The English Open St Mellion International Resort, Cornwall, England 23 Aug The KLM Open Kennemer G&CC, Zandvoort, Netherlands 30 Aug Johnnie Walker Championships at Gleneagles The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland 06 Sep Omega European Masters Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans, Switzerland 13 Sep Mercedes-Benz Championship Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof, Cologne, Germany 20 Sep British Masters TBC, TBC 27 Sep Canal + Open TBC, TBC 27 Sep Volvo World Match Play Championship Finca Cortesin GC, Malaga, Spain 04 Oct Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Old Course, St Andrews, Carnoustie & Kingsbarns, Fife, Scotland 11 Oct Madrid Masters Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Madrid, Spain 18 Oct Portugal Masters Oceânico Victoria Golf Course,Vilamoura, Portugal 25 Oct CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar Club de Campo del Mediterráneo, Castellón, Spain 08 Nov HSBC Champions Sheshan International GC , Shanghai, China 15 Nov UBS Hong Kong Open Hong Kong GC, Fanling, Hong Kong 22 Nov THE DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Earth Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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