The Play

YAS ACRES GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

First up on early Friday evening is the UAE’s newest arrival on the golfing scene. Yas Acres Golf & Country Club opened last year to a great reception from local golfers and visitors from abroad, and it continues to grow in popularity, having been added to Viya Golf’s growing portfolio of clubs across the UAE.

The nine/18-hole set-up is perfect for experienced golfers, budding youngsters, weekend warriors and those who just like to relax and let the others do the hard work.

The par-36 track will test golfers with long holes, spanning 130 acres, across challenging contours and a low ridgeline that runs through the centre of the course. Some massive bunkers add to the experience and, while the fairways are generous, water is in play on four of the holes to keep you on your toes.

On top on the fully floodlit Fry/Straka-designed nine-hole course — stretching from 2,554 yards to a challenging 3,700 yards from five different tee boxes — Yas Acres has a lot more to offer in the heart of Yas Island.

Away from the course, golfers of all levels can work on their game at the world-class floodlit practice facilities, including two chipping greens, with practice bunkers, USGA-approved putting greens — and the longest driving range in the UAE.

The club also offers a gymnasium, padel tennis, swimming pool, plus three restaurants with views over the course.

Yas Links Abu Dhabi

Saturday’s tournament will be a day to remember regardless of your score as competitiors will follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s greatest golfers at the famous Yas Links. This is a true links golf course, located on the western shores of Yas Island with views of the Arabian Gulf and is home to the DP World Tour Rolex Series Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Designed by American Kyle Phillips of Kingsbarns, Scotland, fame, Yas Links forms the heart of the island’s massive entertainment complex.

As the name suggestions, Phillips fashioned this as a warm-weather links, using two million cubic yards of sand dredged from an adjacent marina to create the shape and contours of the masterpiece, before covering everything with salttolerant Paspalum turf.

Amateurs lucky enough to call the UAE home and international visitors in the know have been smitten for years with one of the region’s most popular tracks, which has been home to the HSBC Championship since 2022, when it switched from Abu Dhabi Golf Club after 16 editions. Being a links set-up, the course offers new challenges with the famous Arabian Gulf breezes wafting in over the mangroves and the undulating layout.

Beware the stunningly difficult three-hole closing stretch which has been the scene of many amateur-hour meltdowns.

The Stay

Crowne Plaza

Friday night will be spent in style at one of Abu Dhabi’s most stylish hotels — the What’s On award-winning Crowne Plaza on Yas Island. Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s top destination island, the hotel resort overlooks Yas Links and has its own private Cyan Beach on the shores of the Arabian Gulf — perfect for sundowners and beautiful sunsets.

As well as all the entertainment venues on the hotel’s doorstep — including F1 racetrack, Ferrari World, Warner Bros and Yas Waterworld, Yas Mall is also only a stone’s throw away for those in need of retail therapy. For Golf Digest Middle East Play & Stay non-golfers who fancy the luxury life without straying too far, the hotel offers an outdoor pool, fitness centre, kids club, dining outlets and a shisha garden. Non-golfing guests can continue to use facilities on Saturday, with late-check-out available.

Divisions And Eligibility

The winners of each division (Div. A 0-14 HCP, Div. B 15-24 HCP and Best Gross) will claim the prizes and bragging rights, plus additional prizes on offer from our sponsors.

To be eligible for any of the prizes, an official EGF handicap/recognised handicap is required, and players under 21 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

The Pricing

The Golf Digest Middle East Play & Stay in partnership with Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is priced at AED 1,295 for two people and includes one spot in each round. The second guest can also tee it up for an additional AED 150 (Yas Acres) and AED 290 (Yas Links). Spots in this staycation, unlike any other, are expected to sell fast, so jump online to secure your room now.

Itinerary

FRIDAY JUNE 9

2.00pm Check-in at Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

3.45pm Transportation to Yas Acres

4.00pm Welcome drink, practice and player briefing

5.00pm Nine-hole shotgun start (individual stableford format)

7.15pm Transportation back to Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi - Yas Island

8.30pm Evening brunch at Stills

11.30pm Close

SATURDAY JUNE 10

From 6.00am Breakfast at Jing Asia — Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

11.15am Transportation to Yas Links

11.30am Welcome drink, practice and player briefing

1.00pm 18-hole shotgun start (individual stableford format)

6.00pm Prize-giving

8.00pm Close