Worldwide Golf November 2021

T H E M I D D L E E A S T ’ S N O .1 G O L F M A G A Z I N E

EST

1999

Worldwide Golf

NOVEMBER

2021

CHARLEY HULL

DANNY WILLETT

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME AND ROLLING CARS IN HER GARDEN

MASTERS CHAMP HAS HIS MOJO BACK AND WHY HE WOULD NEVER SELL HIS PUTTER

t t a MPATRICK

FITZ $3MILLION

FEATURE

FOCUS

H IS S IG IN S D R O C E R D L AND WOR

BILLY HORSCHEL GUNNING FOR HISTORIC RACE TO DUBAI WIN

KIPP POPERT

OVERCOMING CEREBRAL PALSY TO BECOME WORLD NUMBER ONE

Worldwide Golf is the Official Media partner to the European Tour in the Middle East and the official magazine of the Emirates Golf Federation

HTS

+ SWING CATALYST STUDIO + PURPOSEFUL PUTTING PRACTICE + BRYSON’S SWING BY PETE COWEN

EXECUTIVE EDITOR SINCE 1999

GARY PLAYER

Bowing the left wrist is an accident waiting to happen

I

SEE and hear many coaches and commentators focusing on the ‘bowed’ left wrist in the swing with today’s players.

This is not a new technique. Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino played with a bowed left wrist. It was the main contributor to Arnold’s back issues and countless others who have played with a bowed left wrist. You need to remember that Arnold was one of the greatest golfers, but all his Majors came in a six-year window. The issue of playing with the left wrist bowed is that it puts too much pressure on the back as the lower body cannot turn fast enough and the pressure through impact is placed on the back.

Lee, on the other hand, was very open at address and the pressure generated wasn’t the same, but he did have to aim 100 yards left off the tee.

Players these days appear to focus too much on distance and quickly forget their natural talent. The best example of this are the one-time Major winners who win and then go on to change their swing with a new coach. This is something I have never understood. If you are good enough to win a Major why change the swing that has just beaten the best players in the world? It’s crazy.

Ben Hogan would turn in his grave if he could see some of the swings that are being taught today. If players want to emulate one of the greatest swings of all time just admire Hogan’s and forget that bowed left wrist.

I had to adapt my game and make sure I was physically as fit and as strong as possible, to take on the likes of Jack Nicklaus.

Both Jack and Arnold used to tell me that lifting weights was

“PLANTING MORE TREES WILL GET PLAYERS THINKING TWICE ABOUT REACHING FOR THEIR DRIVER ALL THE TIME”

detrimental to the golf swing. It really wasn’t until Tiger came onto the scene before many Tour players started to appreciate the benefits of a structured gym programme. Today, players spend as much time in the gym as they do on the course. Bryson has showcased just how you can build your body through exercise to improve speed and power but Jack Nicklaus in his prime, with modern day equipment, would be matching him off the tee for distance.

People are amazed by the distance players hit the ball these days, but Jack won a long drive championship back in the 1960s with a drive of 341 yards. That was with a persimmon driver head and a balata ball. He won a money clip at that event, and he still uses it to this day. Imagine the numbers if he had a long drive club and a modern ball!

The game is now showbusiness and distance is being used to excite audiences around the world. The problem with that is the impact it is having on the environment. Cutting down trees to make courses longer should be made illegal as it is not necessary.

In fact, more trees should be planted on courses to make them more challenging and push the big hitters to think twice about reaching for the driver.

How to save courses

The best courses in the world are tree-lined. Augusta and Royal Melbourne should be examples of how nature can be used to get players away from this bomb and gouge approach to the game. Driving the ball further than your opponent is an asset but not a necessity. You cannot win in this game, no matter how far you drive the ball if you can’t putt and your mind isn’t strong.

Many are impressed by how far Bryson hits the ball but he’s also a great putter.

On the topic of great putters. I was riveted to this year’s Solheim Cup. The ladies are just phenomenal putters and the way they behaved in victory and loss was not only a joy to watch, but how the spirit of the game should be played. Like the men, they have all worked hard in the gym and it showed on the course. All this effort hasn’t gone unnoticed as new sponsors like Aramco have come onboard to support ladies professional golf and it’s great to see.

It is not all about the young guns this month. I was delighted to see my friend Bernhard Langer win again at 61 years of age at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic on the Champions Tour. He only needs three more victories to tie Hale Irwin’s record of 45 wins and considering Bernhard not only leads the Order of Merit but also the scoring average statistics, it is just a matter of time.

Bernhard has already surpassed Hale’s $27 million career earnings by more than $4 million and that figure will just continue to grow. ■

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CONTENTS 20

MATT FITZPATRICK Will the ‘baby faced assassin’ seal a third DP World Tour Championship title?

FEATURES 24 DANNY WILLETT

The Sheffielder is looking to ride the momentum of his recent exploits to tame the DP World Tour Championship’s Earth course once again

28 BILLY HORSCHEL The American sets his sights on the Race to Dubai title after a stellar 2021 season.

24

32

28

34

32 KIPP POPERT The EDGA Hero Open champion shares his great ambition and the obstacles he had to conquer as a disabled golfer.

34 CHARLEY HULL The Ladies European Tour star reflects on the Tour’s resurgence and her time in Saudi Arabia.

DAVID HOWELL

PETE COWEN

Getting back on track It has been wonderful to play in front of crowds again, especially when it was at the Home of Golf.

Danny Willett’s win at St. Andrews will have given his DP World Tour Championship hopes a huge boost.

Can I get the magnificent seven on Earth?

43

Starting with Westwood’s win in 2009, my players have won the DP World Tour Championship six times.

So, I must be doing something right.

Though seven would be even better!

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41

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CONTENTS 46

SWING Pete Cowen runs the rule over the most talked about swing in golf and reveals the key to the awesome power Bryson Dechambeau unleashses.

38

50

MYGOLF Michael Zhao is aiming to disrupt the UAE golf scene with his new indoor simulator and social lounge businesses.

52 SWING CATALYST The Pete Cowen Academy at Dubai Creek’s latest innovative software is a gamechanger.

54

INSTRUCTION Malcolm Young, PGA Specialist Professional at The Track Meydan, shows us a great drill for more consistent putting.

56

WORLDWIDE GOLF SOCIETY SHOWDOWN Our inaugural event at Al Hamra served up a lot of laughs and some great golf.

TRUMP SCRATCH LEAGUE The UAE Scratch League’s current champions aiming to defend their title.

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64 NATALII GUPTA The first female Scratch League competitor discloses her favourite golfer, clubhouse and more!

EDITOR’S LETTER

THE 1993 EUROPEAN MASTERS AT CRANS-SUR-SIERRE WHERE SEVE PULLED OFF THE SHOT OF THE CENTURY.

REWARD THE MAGICIANS AND THE POWER HITTERS

W

hen two golf friends who had the fortune of playing in this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links called me to say they have driven two greens each at St. Andrews you would assume they are on Tour. You couldn’t be further from the truth. Both, who will remain anonymous, are weekend golfers and just love to pound the ball off the tee. When I asked what they shot, neither of them were concerned about their scorecard, as they had just driven two greens at the Home of Golf, so job done in their eyes!

This just sums up the divide that is being created right now with golf fans. The purests of the game will always admire a shot that has been shaped to work the ball into a challenging pin position. From the tee, you appreciate the strategic drive that sets up the approach shot that enables the player to craft a birdie where many previously struggled to make par. Then you have team power. Where you become entertained as you would watching Eddie Hall and Thor Hafthor Bjornsson go head-to-head in a strongman competition. You equally have more chance of deadlifting 500kg as you are driving the ball 340 yards like Bryson, but both are a spectacle and display of human strength.

Every Christmas in the UK I would watch two things religiously. The Queen’s speech and secondly the World’s Strongest Man. As I got older, the entertainment of watching epic feats of strength became boring and the Bake Off Christmas special would become its replacement!

The same is happening in golf right now. I really enjoyed the likes of Bryson hammering it down the fairways and over the lakes at Bay Hill. But given the choice of going to watch Seve in his prime or Bryson, the Car Park Champion would win hands down.

I you heard Billy Foster, who was on the bag at the time,

recite the story of when Seve won at Crans-sur-Sierre in 1993 and pulled off what many would claim to be the shot of the century, you might start to shift camps.

Bryson’s demonstration of power at this year’s World Long Drive Champhionship was praise worthy for sure. But not as entertaining as watching Seve take on a shot that involved feathering a wedge over an eight foot wall and through a hole in the trees no larger than a dinner plate, while still clearing a swimming pool and four to 80 foot pine trees that guarded the green. He then lit up the galleries around the hole by chipping in his next shot to win the tournament by a single stroke.

His ability to dazzle golf fans worldwide with magical shots would attract huge crowds who just wanted a glipse of creative brilliance . Golf is now an entertainment industry so why not find a formula that unites both camps? Play events on courses where players have that risk and reward option, or even a joker hole that plays to their strength. Holes that entice the bigger hitters to take on the green, like the 17th at TPC Scottsdale, where if you stray off line, you will more than likely be asking your caddy for another ball. Then a hole that is just 77 yards long surrounded by pot bunkers and a green that isn’t far from being crazy golf.

I watch Tour golf all the time and I can’t remember the last time I saw a player lose a ball. Ok, the John Daly tin cup moment doesn’t count but you get want I mean.

The game is on the brink of a major shake up to tackle the dramatic fall in TV viewing figures and its ageing demographic.

Unless things are made more entertaining for the kids tuning in for the first time, the longevity of golf is periously in danger of being downgraded.

Alex Gallemo�e

ISSUE No.240 NOVEMBER 2021 • Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd • Published in Dubai by: Prografix • PO Box 24677 • Dubai, UAE (Tel) +9714 340 3785 Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore • Executive Editor: Gary Player • Editor: Alex Gallemore (alex@wspglobal.com) Publisher: Mike Gallemore (mike@wspglobal.com) • General Manager Dubai: Richard Bevan (rick@wspglobal.com) • Editors: Todd Staszko, Ashraf Ahmed • Production/Design Editor: Thameem Rayyan • Editorial Panel: Gary Player, Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Todd Staszko • Photography: Getty Images • June 2009 SSN 1- 46805671 • Approval UAE National Media Council: Ref.816 30/5/2007 Trade Licence No. 1/104375/15280 • Worldwide Golf specifies that post-press changes may occur to any information given in this publication and takes no responsibility for goods or services advertised.

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Printed by: Raidy, Dubai Distributed by: Al Nisr Distribution LLC, PO Box 6519, Dubai, UAE

THE COURSE

Yas Links, Abu Dhabi

THE NEW HOME OF THE ABU DHABI HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP

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STARTER

T

he worst kept secret on the UAE golf scene was revealed to the world last month, when it was announced that the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship was to begin a new era by moving to Yas Links for the 2022 event, taking place January 2023, after 16 years at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Designed by renowned course architect Kyle Phillips, mastermind of the iconic Kingsbarns in Scotland, Yas Links consistently ranks near the top of global polls and it’s easy to see why.

Situated on the thriving tourist and leisure hub of Yas Island, Yas Links was the first true links course in the Middle East and is surely one of the most visually stunning tracks in the world.

Extending to 7,450 yards with five tee positions at every hole, Yas Links was over three years in construction and capped using over 2 million cubic metres of sand dredged from the shimmering Arabian Gulf which it sits alongside.

Wide, rolling fairways accentuated by pot bunkers and undulating greens with testing run off areas present a stern challenge, while stunning sea views from both course and clubhouse make playing Yas Links a truly memorable experience.

“As one of our Rolex Series events, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and Yas Links offer our players and fans an experience like no other,” said European Tour CEO Keith Pelley. “Yas Island is synonymous with major sporting events in the United Arab Emirates and we are delighted our first Rolex Series tournament of the year will be highlighted on the global stage.”

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THE RACE IS ON AT THE DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

T

he 13th edition of the DP World Tour Championship is almost upon us and we couldn’t be more excited. After the long fallow spell of spectator-less events during the height of the pandemic, in the UAE at least, the green shoots of recovery are well underway.

Last month’s Dubai Moonlight Classic at Emirates Golf Club saw fans return to top flight golf in the region for the first time and when the top 50 stars on the European Tour’s Race to

Dubai descend upon Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 18-21 to lock swords in the season-finale, they’ll be out in force again to provide the magic ingredient that we’ve so sorely missed.

With US$3 million from a bumper US$9 million purse on offer for the winner, and a further $1 million for topping the Race to Dubai, the stakes are high and the quest for supremacy will be as captivating as it gets.

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ONES TO WATCH Matt Fitzpatrick

Collin Morikawa

Defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick comes into the tournament in top form, having secured a three-stroke victory at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters. Comfortably sitting in the top 10 in the Race to Dubai Rankings (fifth at the time of going to press), the Englishman will fancy his chances over the Earth course having also triumphed there in 2016.

Collin Morikawa has been on an ever-increasing upward trajectory since joining the PGA Tour in 2019. He hit the headlines with his 2020 US PGA Championship victory at Harding Park in San Francisco and he’s barely left them since. A second Major followed this year at The Open at Royal St Georges to add to the World Golf Championships title he scooped at The Concession in February before an unbeaten showing in his

Jon Rahm

One of the few players capable of usurping Morikawa in the quest for Race to Dubai supremacy is the man who is currently ahead of him in the top spot of the World Ranking, Spain’s Jon Rahm. The Spaniard is a two-time winner over the Earth course (2019, 2017) with his triumph two years ago also seeing him get his hands on the Harry Vardon Trophy for topping the season-rankings.

This year has been the standout season of an already glittering career, as the 26 year old got his hands on his first Major at the US Open Torrey Pines and rising to the top of the World Ranking before emerging from Europe’s Ryder Cup mauling in September as one of the shining lights of

Ryder Cup debut reaffirmed his position as golf’s new superstar.

The World No.2 is leading the Race to Dubai and after finishing in a share of 10th on his DP World Tour Championship debut last year, he’ll know he has the game to get his hands on the title this time around.

Such a feat would see him claim the Race to Dubai title and a $4 million pay-out to boot

Billy Horschel

Padraig Harrington’s team with a 3-1-1- record. Rahm loves the Earth course and the fans in Dubai love him just as much so expect him to be in the fight again this year.

Billy Horschel is one of the stars of the PGA Tour who has ventured further afield this season and been rewarded in fine style.

Currently sitting second behind Morikawa in the Race to Dubai, Horschel added to his WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play with a spectacular win at the BMW PGA Championship. Making his debut this year, he’s yet to show his mettle over the Earth course.

He’s not the biggest hitter out there but he currently leads the European Tour season rankings in Greens in Regulation and with accurate approach play

The Course Standing at 7,675 yards, the Earth course is long and the common conception is that it favours big hitters. But that’s only true to a point. There have certainly been some big hitting past winners – Jon Rahm and Rory McIroy with two victories a piece for example.

But accuracy and the ability to hit the ball into the correct areas of the notoriously tricky greens and then putt well are the key attributes needed to conquer Greg Norman’s creation. Matt Fitzpatrick, while no slouch, is not regarded as one of the longest hitters, but he led the driving accuracy and putting stats at Jumeirah Golf Estates last year which proved decisive in his second DP World Tour Championship triumph.

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an absolute must on the Greg Norman designed track, he could find himself quite at home in Dubai.

HONOURS LIST 2009

Lee Westwood

The Englishman claimed an emphatic sixstroke victory in the inaugural DP World Tour Championship, then known as the Dubai World Championship, to end the season as European No.1 for the second time.

It’s as good as I’ve ever played, especially under this pressure. It gives me so much confidence and it’s definitely the biggest moment of my career.”

Robert Karlsson

2010

The Swede was crowned champion after sinking back-to-back birdies against Ian Poulter to win a dramatic play-off over the Earth course. It remains the only time the tournament has gone to extra holes.

It’s a fantastic field and obviously when we have all of the best players in Europe together, the way it looks now, it’s going to be a great field. So, to win here is fantastic.”

2013

Stenson became the first man to win the Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup in the same year with a stunning six-shot victory over Ian Poulter at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

It has been a dream season. I played so well this week. I knew the guys would try to catch me, especially Ian who never gives up. I wanted to stay ahead of him and I managed to do that.”

Henrik Stenson

2011

The Spaniard holed a monster eagle putt on the 72nd hole to add the DP World Tour Championship crown to his Dubai Desert Classic title he won earlier in the season.

I was trying to enjoy the moment, and fight until the end. At least if you don’t win the title, you’re going to be close, and that’s something positive.”

2014

The Swede retained his title the year thanks to back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18 to win by two strokes from Rory McIlroy, Victor Dubuisson and Justin Rose.

I had a couple of close calls this year to get my win and it was not to be. It’s been close but eventually you get something if you stick around and I surely did that.”

2015 Alvaro Quiros

Henrik Stenson

Rory McIlroy

The Northern Irishman collected a second DP World Tour Championship and a third Race to Dubai title in four years after securing a one-stroke victory over Andy Sullivan in the European Tour finale.

To be European No. 1 for the third time in four years, that was a goal of mine at the start of the year. It was a goal of mine in the middle of the year and it was definitely a goal coming into these last few weeks.”

2012

A rampant McIlroy went on a birdie blitz coming home on the Earth course as he picked up five consecutive shots on his last five holes to seal a fifth European Tour win.

Coming here with the European Tour’s Race to Dubai wrapped up, I wanted to win the tournament trophy too and that’s what I’ve done. It’s a great way to finish a great season.”

The big-hitting Spaniard, who was named Rookie of the Year before the tournament, picked up a second Rolex Series event of the season in Dubai after winning the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open earlier in the year.

When you accomplish something in life, it’s always a great feeling. When you do something that you had in mind but wasn’t a goal for the end of the year, you accomplished something that was years down the road, is just such an incredible feeling.

Danny Willett

2018

The Englishman ended a 953 day trophy drought in thrilling fashion with a two-stroke victory after superbly saving par at the 72nd hole, where his ball had made its way to the edge of the wadi.

Winning’s a rarity on tour, really. I’m pleased to have won the tournaments that I’ve won over the last few years. But this, coming back after everything that’s happened, is going to go down in the history books for myself as one of the most pleasing.’’

2019

Jon Rahm

Jon Rahm birdied the final hole to win the tournament by one stroke from Tommy Fleetwood, and in doing so, became the first Spaniard to win the Race to Dubai title after Seve Ballesteros.

Seve was such an idol for us. To put my name there, it’s hard to believe. I can’t believe some of the things I have accomplished.”

Matt Fitzpatrick Rory McIlroy

2017

Jon Rahm

2016

The Englishman picked up his first DP World Tour Championship trophy in 2016 after playing a spectacular shot from a greenside bunker at the last before sinking a breaking putt from four feet for a one-stroke triumph over Tyrrell Hatton.

This gives me confidence to push even further and further. Everything has just happened so fast. The 18th green was the most nervous I’ve been over a four-foot putt, ever, in my career. You need to pull it off and fortunately, so far so good. It won’t always work out that way.”

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Matt Fitzpatrick

2020

In a year where fans weren’t allowed to attend for the first time due to the covid-19 pandemic, Fitzpatrick secured a second win at the event with a one-shot triumph over Race to Dubai champion Lee Westwood.

You can play poorly and win and sometimes you can play amazing and lose. To me, this is a week in all honesty I felt I’m playing really well and I managed to convert it.”

STATPACK -25 DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

4

$3

Four players have won the DP World Tour Championship on more than one occasion. Henrik Stenson became the first man to do it after winning back-to-back in 2013/14 before Rory McIlroy picked up his second title in 2015 after winning his first in 2012. Jon Rahm joined the club with wins in 2017/19 while Matt Fitzpatrick claimed the double with a win last year after triumphing in 2016.

MILLION

The season-ending event has boasted the richest prize in tournament golf since 2019 with the champion receiving a whopping US$3 million, an increase of 125% from the US$1.33 million won by Danny Willett in 2018.

No player from outside Europe has won the fourth and final Rolex Series event of the year. Three Englishman, two Swedes, two Spaniards and one Northern Irishman complete the list of winners.

12,000

The tournament record score posted by Henrik Stenson in 2013. The Swede’s victory saw him earn his eighth European Tour title and first Race to Dubai crown, and his final approach shot of the final round was so good it was rewarded with a plaque from the very spot he hit the club on the 18th fairway.

The number of Race to Dubai points on offer at Jumeirah Golf Estates, which is the highest amount available on the calendar. The Major championships each have 10,000 points up for grabs while the three other Rolex Series events offer 8,000.

12 Lee Westwood is the only player to play all 12 editions of the tournament, but looks set to miss out for the first time this year as he currently sits outside the top 100 on the Race to Dubai.

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62 The course record on the Earth course, which was set by Justin Rose in 2012. The Englishman’s blistering 10-under par 62 on the final day of the tournament was two strokes better than the previous best.

953

The amount of days between Danny Willett’s Masters triumph in 2016 and his return to the winner’s circle at the 2018 DP World Tour Championship.

SIGHTS

FITZPATRICK HAS HAT-TRICK IN HIS

WITH his recent win under his belt Matt Fitzpatrick will be teeing it up at this year’s DP World Tour Championship with just one goal in mind – to become the first player to win the European Tour’s season-ending crown jewel event three times. He would also be the second player, alongside Henrik Stenson, to successfully defend the title. Having first lifted the trophy in 2016, he will be a firm favourite going into the Championship. The Earth course certainly suits his eye, considering he wasn’t in the best of form coming into the event last year, Matt still managed to top the leaderboard and bank nearly 2.5 million euros.

We caught up with the Matt shortly after his win in Spain to not only find out the secret of winning the DP World Tour Championship but his thoughts on The Ryder Cup and where the next wave of talent will come from for Europe.

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MATT FITZPATRICK Worldwide Golf: We spoke to your caddie Billy Foster last month and he said Valderrama is one of the most challenging courses in golf - a true player’s layout. What did it mean to not just win the tournament last week but to achieve it on that challenging track?

Valderrama has always been renowned as one of the top courses in Europe with many similarities to the Earth course at JGE. It’s right up my street although it can really test you, just like the Earth course, especially mentally.

What did you learn from this year’s Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits and how did that contribute to your win in Spain?

I played well at The Ryder Cup and I felt that if I could take that into my next tournament I would have a good chance of competing for the title – and fortunately I was right.

What is it like having Billy on your bag, as very few caddies have his experience over the courses on both the European Tour and PGA Tour? Does it help he’s also from Yorkshire?

Being from Yorkshire it’s a definitely a big help! We have the same sense of humour so when you’re spending a lot of time with your caddy you need to get on well together. He’s also one of the best caddies in the world, so it’s a great match for me as a player!

Your brother, Alex, is playing well this season - do you pass on advice and help him in any way? How do your games differ?

He’s certainly very different to me in terms of his game and how he approaches it. I’ll pass on the odd thing here and there about practice and stats, but he has his own way of doing things and that’s great. I want him to be his own person.

Do you think the next wave of European talent will all come via the American college system and why?

I think it’s more than likely. It’s a proven place for top amateurs to level up their game to the standard of the professional ranks. You’ve just got look at the players who’ve come through the system to realise how strong it is. College teams nowadays are so professional, from nutrition down to their dayto-day practice. There’s no wonder it’s producing the best players who come out on Tour and win so early on in their careers.

The top amateurs from the UAE also look to further their education and golf in American Colleges.

What advice would you give them and how did you manage the emotional switch from home in the North of England to the sunny climes of the USA? It’s not easy. I certainly know from my own experience! I had opportunities that popped up that I couldn’t turn down, but my brother, for instance, has stayed nearly four years and has loved every minute of it. I think it’s important to find a good group of mates who you can relax and spend some downtime with.

You need a release sometimes from all the school work and golf. If you’ve got a good group of friends, you’ll be fine.

How has the pandemic affected your game over the past two years?

I believe that when I first came back out after the lockdown in 2020 I’d lost so much distance, strength and power due to all the inactivity. You can still obviously do loads of training at home but the lack of reps hurt me a little. It took me a couple of months to get that back to where I needed it to be.

The DP World Tour Championship was the biggest win of your career so far, but what did that victory mean to you, considering the quality of the field and

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A

GIFT

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MATT FITZPATRICK

on a course that many players believe are advantageous to ‘bombers’.

It’s always nice to win an event, no matter who’s playing or where it is. The Earth course is good for my game. I putt well on the greens and I obviously have great memories of the place from my win there in 2016. Cconditions like that can play a bigger part than you think.

What’s the key to going low round the Earth course and what holes get you thinking the most?

You have to be in good positions off the tee and putt well. It can test all parts of your game which is what makes it pretty fair. It’s certainly my sort of golf course.

Mike Walker and Pete Cowen have been crucial members of your team, but how have they helped you become the player you are today?

Yeah, they’ve helped me massively.

The technical work I’ve done with Mike, specifically over the years, has helped me develop so much. It’s also nice to speak to people like Mike and Pete who have so much experience in the game. From a mentoring standpoint they have also played a huge part.

Your father is a regular at Pete’s range in Rotherham. Do you spend much time there when you are both in the UK? What other things do you enjoy doing when you make it back to Sheffield?

If I’m back in Sheffield for a few days or more I’m likely to pop up to the range. Usually, Pete is there sweeping the drive! It’s always been a great place to go and practice and Pete has done a great job of keeping it as good as it is.

I usually just go and see my mates, play golf, try and catch up with some of the Sheffield United boys.

MATT FITZPATRICK HOLDS THE HAVEMEYER TROPHY WITH HIS BROTHER ALEX, WHO WAS HIS CADDIE, AFTER WINNING THE 2013 U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP.

QUICK FIRE: FAVOURITE JAMES BOND FILM? CASINO ROYALE LAST FRIEND YOU LOST TO ON COURSE? NOT SURE IT’S HAPPENED PERSON WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST? MY FRIEND MATT CIVIL FAVOURITE COMPUTER GAME? FIFA IF YOU COULD MAKE ONE WISH WHAT WOULD IT BE? WIN A MAJOR BEST CAR YOU HAVE OWNED? TESLA A CLUB IN YOUR BAG YOU WOULD NEVER REPLACE? PUTTER FAVOURITE ROLEX? DAYTONA

The shaft length has been regulated to 46 from 48 inches? Do you think this will make any difference and what other changes would you like to see implemented to improve the speed of play and the game as a whole?

I don’t think it will make any difference, really.

I don’t know of anyone who plays a driver over 46 inches – only smaller time windows for players will speed up play. Each hole already has set amounts of time it needs to be played.

If that is reduced players will be punished more often for not staying within the guide lines.

Best tip you would give amateurs when you play with them in pro-ams?

Concentrate on trying to hole as many fivefoot putts as possible. For any amateur it’s guaranteed to save shots off your score.

How often do you change your clubs and do you tinker during the season with different set ups?

I’ve been tinkering quite a lot with my irons recently, as I’m trying to make improvements with my approach play. Driver, putter and wedges definitely do not change too much. I am not really a tinkerer, if I find something I like and it works, I tend to stick with it for a while. ■

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DANNY WILLETT

2016 DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC CHAMPION

70 65 65 69 -19

THE

DUBAI DESERT MASTER

Danny Willett is one of a select few players to have won two European Tour events in Dubai on two different courses. He first won the Dubai Desert Classic in 2016 at Emirates Golf Club and went on to win the Masters Tournament at Augusta National the same year. At the end of 2018 he tamed the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates to win the highly-prized DP World Tour Championship.

W

inning a Major for the first time has created a curse for many great players, in having climbed that emotional mountain they struggle to find their mojo again. It appeared after adding the green jacket to his wardrobe the ever-confident Willett was battling to get back in the groove. In 2018, Danny was suffering from a few injury niggles and only placed inside the top 10 on three occasions from 21 starts.

But that was all about to change at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, when he shot four sub-70 rounds, to win the European Tour’s flagship event by two shots from Patrick Reed and Matthew Wallace. The win was a huge boost both for this confidence and his bank balance after collecting the $1.3 million first prize.

Since then, he has gone on to prove you can never write him off, even when the form book doesn’t predict a top ten finish for the former world amateur number one, he manages to silence the golfing critics.

In 2019 he carded another four rounds in the 60s to win the historic BMW Championship by three shots from Jon Rahm. So, as we focus on this year’s DP World Tour Championship, would you bet against him? Probably not, as he lifted more silverware at last month’s Alfred Dunhill Championship at St. Andrews and guess what? Once again he carded four sub-70 rounds to hold off Tyrrell Hatton and Joakim Lagergren.

Worldwide Golf met with Danny fresh from his recent holiday to discuss why he plays so well in Dubai and the disappointment of missing out on making The Ryder Cup team.

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2018 DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER

67 67 68 68 -18

2019 BMW PGA CHAMPION

2021 ALFRED DUNHIILL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER

68 65 68 67 -20

67 69 66 68 -18

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QUICK BREW QUESTIONS Hardest golf hole in Dubai you have played?

Fourth on the Earth course Best restaurant in Dubai?

Indigo Last car you bought?

Porsche GT3 Last film you watched?

Moneyball Best Liverpool football player, ever?

Fowler Score the winner in a Champions League final for Liverpool or win the Open Championship?

Open Championship Last time you mowed a lawn?

A long time ago!

Not many have won on the Earth and Majlis courses, why does Dubai appear to bring the best out in your game?

I’m not sure what it is about those courses, as they’re both so very different. I’m a big believer that people play well when they’re having a good week off the course and Dubai has been a great place for me and the family to take a break. This has certainly helped me play well. I like the two courses and they set up nicely for my game but all-in-all I’ve enjoyed great weeks both on and off the course.

Your win at the 2018 DP World Tour Championship was a huge moment in your career but, apart from the victory, what did it mean to you?

The win at the DP World Championship was huge in terms of what I’d gone through since Augusta. It was great to win against such a strong field and in the manner in which I performed down the stretch. It really did my confidence the world of good and it came just at the right time.

How do the Majlis and Earth courses play differently to one another?

The Majlis has many more doglegs and tricky challenges visually off the tee, and smaller greens, though I know they have made a few changes this year. The Earth course is much more straight in front of you from the tee with big sloping greens.

With more events scheduled in the Middle East at the start and end of the season, would you ever contemplate basing yourself out here?

I enjoy coming to play a few events out here but with a young family being based in the UK and America it’s much easier in terms of travelling to events, plus the fact that it’s where all my friends and family are.

You’ve been with Callaway for some time but how important is it for you to stay with the same manufacturer?

I’ve been with Callaway for eight years now and I believe I have built a great relationship with them. I don’t like to mess around too much with equipment once I’m happy with it. For me, it’s all about performance and ability to shot shape, so I’d rather spend my time working on my skills rather than trying loads of new things.

When was the last time you bought a club and is there one you would never get rid of?

I honestly can’t remember the last time I bought one. It was probably a long time ago. My Odyssey 1 Wide that I won Augusta with will stay with me forever.

How did it feel to miss this year’s Ryder Cup and was that a driving force behind your victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship?

I didn’t like being sat at home watching Europe get beat. The USA had a great team and will continue to have great teams for a while, so it was good motivation to be back on the team in Italy.

You always find a way to win big when least expected, how does your mindset change?

I’m not sure my mindset ever changes. I just know that when I’m practicing and playing well I can win anywhere and against anyone. I’ve been very fortunate to win such great events.

Growing up playing in rainy Rotherham must seem like a lifetime ago but how did those days help shape you into the Major champion you are today?

I think that growing up in Yorkshire I was lucky to have so many great players around me to play

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against and great coaches nearby. So, I used that as much as I could and worked as hard as I could and eventually it paid off by having a dream come true.

Who has been the most influential person in your career and in what way?

It is still my parents. My mum and dad worked incredibly hard for many years raising four boys, with both working full time, while managing to find the time to drive us to football and golf at the weekends. They remortgaged our house to pay for my travel expenses. All of this just out of love, never knowing what I was going to achieve.

I think that level of complete selflessness has really helped me now that I’m a husband and a father. It has also helped me to keep a huge perspective on it all.

You have had the fortune of playing with Tiger but is there any other golfer you wish you could have played with and why?

I never got to play with Seve but to see him work the golf ball and to see his short game up close would have been something special.

How would you speed up play?

I’m not really sure these days. The game is hard and, unfortunately, it takes time to play some of the difficult courses, some more so than others.

Referees on every hole would help massively, but then it’s 18 refs at every venue which is madness.

Is distance off the tee an issue on Tour or is it just how the game has developed?

It’s not an issue. If you have the ability to hit it far then that is one of your strengths. It’s like saying that someone with a good short game needs penalising by having a max loft on a wedge or something. I think it’s impressive to see what the human body can do. ■

Billy Horschel

HISTORY

MAKER I

t’s been quite a year for Billy Horschel, with the 34-year-old arriving in Dubai this month for his maiden DP World Tour Championship well and truly in the hunt for the Race to Dubai title. If he were to the top the season-long Rankings, he would become the first American to do so.

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BILLY HORSCHEL

he 2014 FedEx Cup champion started the season strongly with victory at the WGC – Dell Technologies Match Play, before playing in the abrdn Scottish Open and Alfred Links Dunhill Championship for the first time. Sandwiched between those two appearances was a triumphant outing at the Rolex Series’ BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, a place Horschel immediately fell in love with after making his first professional start there outside of the PGA Tour in 2019.

“I absolutely loved playing there in 2019,” said Horschel. “I grew up watching the tournament on TV. It was the first week of the school holidays and I was up early watching it and absolutely loved what I saw from the course to the crowds and just the history of the event.

“I’d always wanted to get over to Wentworth and play, and I was planning on getting over earlier than 2019, but it just didn’t happen.

Then when I played in 2019, it was everything it promised to be and more. It was just a blast.”

That would just be the start of his love affair. Having missed the 2020 edition due to travel restrictions, Horschel returned this year firing on all cylinders with rounds of 70, 65, 69 and 65 earning him first title on European soil, while becoming just the second American to lift the coveted trophy after Arnold Palmer in 1975.

“I was speechless

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after that win, which is very, very rare,” he said.

“The crowds were absolutely unbelievable and they supported me when I came over in 2019 and they supported me this year.

“In my mind, the tournament is equivalent to The PLAYERS Championship. That is a great event on the PGA TOUR and I live there and would love to lift that one, but winning the European Tour’s flagship event made me a very happy man.”

The amount of support Horschel received from the galleries might have something to do with the football team he supports. The sixtime PGA Tour winner debuted a claret and blue bag in honour of his beloved West Ham at The Open Championship earlier this year, and it quickly won him a number of ‘Irons’ fans across the world.

“So during my sophomore year of college I moved into a new apartment and the cable wasn’t going to be hooked up for a couple of days,” he explained, “so we went to Best Buy and bought a couple of DVDs, one of those DVDs was Green Street.

“I loved the movie, I loved Charlie Hunnam as an actor and the film is about the firms at Millwall and West Ham, from there I started following them.

“When I played at Wentworth in 2019, obviously people knew me as a golfer and everything.

But I think when an American comes over to UK and is supporting a football club, and it’s West Ham, when it =

I’d always wanted to get over to Wentworth and play, and I was planning on getting over earlier than 2019, but it just didn’t happen.

Then when I played in 2019, it was everything it promised to be and more. It was just a Billy Horschel blast.”

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Billy Horschel of the United States of America pictured with West Ham United players Declan Rice and Mark Noble during Day Four of The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club on September 12, 2021 in Virginia Water, England.

could have been easy to pick Man-United or would jump up. I actually have two goals now Man City, it gets you respect. for the rest of this year, one of them is to win “To pick West Ham, and to have a story the Race to Dubai and that’s the big one for behind it; the fans were loving it. It’s taken it me. to another level. They see that I’m not just a “But Fooch, my caddie, said he wanted me regular American. I understand things over to be top 20 in the world by the end of the year there, what goes on, and they sort of adopted before we won the BMW PGA Championship. me as maybe a little bit of a stepson.”

“He changed his mind after I jumped up Whether the West Ham bag makes to 18th with the win, and he’s moved the the trip over to Dubai remains to finishing line to see if we can get to the top 10 be seen, but in the world by end of the Horschel will year. forever be blowing “But the obvious goal for “I actually have two bubbles if he were to lift me, the big one for is to win goals now for the rest the Harry Vardon Trophy the Race to Dubai – be the of this year, one of come November 21. first American to do that.

With 12,000 Race to That’s a special thing to do, them is to win the Race Dubai points up for grabs as it was becoming the first to Dubai and that’s the at Jumeirah Golf Estates, American to win a Rolex big one for me. But the trophy could, Series event and being the Fooch, my caddie, said mathematically, go to a second American to win at host of players in the Wentworth. he wanted me to be top upper echelons of the “I’ve had some really 20 in the world by the Rankings with a win nice weeks this year to end of the year before at the DP World Tour accomplish some of those Championship. But things that may not have we won the BMW PGA Horschel is sitting been goals, but you find out Championship.” pretty in second that you’re in elite company, place on the Race a rare air with some people.

Billy Horschel to Dubai, just The race to be crowned over 200 points Europe’s No.1 is obviously behind compatriot Collin Morikawa, going to come down to that week in Dubai, and with both men aiming to become the it will go to whoever plays the best out of a first player from the US to finish the bunch of guys at the top of the Rankings.” season as European No.1 Could this finally be the year that we see an “At the beginning of this year, the American sit at the summit of the Rankings Race to Dubai, I’ll be honest, wasn’t one after the Dubai finale for the first time in of my goals,” he said. “But after history? You wouldn’t put it past Horschel or playing well in the WGC events Morikawa, but with fans back at the DP World and playing decent in the Majors, Tour Championship this year, Horschel will it became one of those goals, be hoping there’s a few from East London to especially after I was in the help him get over the line as he looks to join top five going to Wentworth, an elite club of players who have won both the knowing if I had a good week, I FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai. ■

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Kipp Popert

OVERCOMING ALONGSIDE the battle for supremacy in the Race to Dubai and the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeriah Golf Estates this month, the world’s finest Golfers of Determination will lock swords in the 36-hole EDGA Dubai Finale, the seasonending event on the EDGA European Tour.

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KIPP POPERT

A

mong the elite field will be World No.1 Kipp Popert, who surged to the top of the WR4G and secured his place at Jumeirah Golf Estates in the process courtesy of a stunning victory at the EDGA Hero Open at Fairmont St Andrews where he shot a bogey-free final round of 66 to win by ten strokes.

We caught up with the 23 year-old Englishman, who suffers from cerebral palsy affecting his lower body, ahead of his debut in the EDGA Dubai Final.

about that being in 2028, which is a bit of a way off now but that’s a massive goal of mine. If we can get it into the Paralympics it’ll be showcased on TV, and if I can play on the European Tour and be a competitor worldwide that would do a lot for people with disabilities because I never had anyone that played golf with a disability to look up to.

WWG: Give us an idea of how challenging it was growing up with cerebral palsy.

KP: It’s challenging to most people looking from the outside in but to me it’s what I have always grown up with. It has been tough but I like the challenge, it means that when I win an event it means even more to me because I know how hard I had to work. There were years where in school I’d have to have an operation in the summer and then I needed a four or five month break as it would take me about six months to recover from the operation. One of my major operations was done on my 16th birthday as I needed it to be done so bad, I just finished my GCSEs and I was in the hospital bed for the summer. For me it’s what I had to go through and it’s just normal I guess. I used to enjoy the challenge of being on a certain level, having an operation done and then having to work even harder to get to that level again.

Worldwide Golf: Amazing victory at the EDGA Hero Open, how does it feel to be World No.1?

Kipp Popert: It’s pretty surreal, it hasn’t really sunk in yet but it’s a good title to have, but it doesn’t change anything, I’ll still work as hard as I did.

WWG: How important do you think this EDGA European Tour has been in elevating the level and the profile of disabled golf around the world?

KP: I didn’t hear or know about disability golf until I watched it on Sky Sports in the UK when they were playing in Scotland, Adem Wahbi was on TV, so I looked into it and that’s how I got started. I’m sure that will happen for a lot more people, hopefully.

WWG: What’s it like teeing it up on the same courses as the stars of the European Tour?

KP: It’s brilliant! I’m getting early experience of playing tough courses and playing to the pin positions the Tour pros play, so I think that has been the biggest challenge. It’s a learning experience. I’m getting much better at it and I want to take my game to the next level.

WWG: Give us your thoughts on how much you’re looking forward to this EDGA European Tour Dubai Finale?

KP: I’m looking forward to it so much I came four weeks early! It should be good, playing in a nice weather and playing on a course that I’ve seen on TV, it should be good fun.

It’s challenging to most people looking from the outside in but to me it’s what I have always grown up with.

It has been tough but I like the challenge, it means that when I win an event it means even more to me because I know how hard I had to work.

WWG: What are your thoughts on the Jumeirah Golf Estate’s Earth course and Dubai as a golfing destination?

KP: It’s just lovely, it’s always lovely weather, I haven’t got used to the heat but I’m slowly getting there. The Jumeirah Golf Estates complex is amazing, the facilities here are brilliant and both courses are second to none.

WWG: Your parents are doctors, how much of a driving force have they been in helping you to firstly overcome the disability and pushing you towards following your dreams?

KP: I don’t normally get emotional but my parents mean the world to me, they have allowed me to just do whatever I’ve wanted to do. They’ve never asked me to go to the golf course, I’d just want to.

My dad would drop me there at 6am before going to work in the summer and he’d pick up me up at 7pm. Once he did forget, he picked me at 11pm and there were thunderstorms! I was sleeping on the driving range! (laughs). But my mum and dad have been massive for me, I think everyone would be lucky to have parents like that so I’m very fortunate and I really appreciate them.

The EDGA Dubai Finale takes place on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Friday 19 and Saturday 20, November.

WWG: You’ve already achieved quite a lot in what has been a short career, what would it mean to take the title here in Jumeirah Golf Estates?

KP: It would mean a lot, and I’ll just do what I do every day - work towards my long term goals and hopefully pick up a few trophies along the way.

WWG: With that in mind, what’s your ultimate ambition in the game?

KP: I think it’s to achieve my potential.

Growing up, with all the operations I’ve had, for me to have that self belief when I was in hospital beds is a strong thing. My ultimate ambition is to be on the European Tour playing and competing with the best in the world.

I don’t know what trophies I’ll win but hopefully I’ll pick up a few.

WWG: Would you like to see disabled golf part of the Paralympics one day?

KP: Yes absolutely, they said

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The

CHARLEY HULL

SOLHEIM STARLET

CHARLEY HULL has become one of the anchors of the highly successful European Solheim Cup team in recent years yet her journey to become a professional golfer was not driven by fame and fortune, but a passion for the game and a love of competition. Having said that, in her eight years on Tour she has gone on to win almost $4.5 million in prize money and collected five professional victories, with the latest coming last month at the Aramco Team Series in New York. We caught up with the 2013 Ladies European Tour Rookie of the Year two days prior to her victory in New York to find out how she got into the sport and why the ladies’ game is evolving due to a new wave of sponsors.

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CHARLEY HULL

What was the appeal of golf when you were a youngster?

My dad got me into playing golf when I was around two years old. I used to go with him when he played and I just went along to enjoy it and have fun. There were quite a few juniors on the course, but they were all boys. I actually preferred that because they hit the ball really hard. That encouraged me to hit it firm to keep up with them, in terms of distance. We would just have a lot of fun.

Do you still find golf exciting?

It’s still good fun for me. I like being under that kind of pressure, coming down the last few holes when you’ve got a chance to win. That’s really exhilarating. It’s hard to describe to someone who hasn’t been in that situation. It gets your adrenaline going.

How hard has it been to make a living on Tour?

The purses are much bigger on the LPGA Tour and they are going up and up, which is really good. Golf in Europe is nowhere near as lucrative as it is in America and Asia, so it’s tough for the prize funds to be high because not as many people watch it. It’s hard sometimes to see some girls struggle in Europe, but they still love the game.

Are you a petrolhead?

No, I’m useless with cars. I used to have a cage buggy that could roll over. I drove that around my garden and could reach 60mph and do donuts. But the gardener didn’t like it because I was leaving big holes in the ground.

Favourite Golf Course on Tour: Mission Hills in Palm Springs where the ANA Championship was held.

Unfortunately, next year is the last time that event will be played there.

Best course in the Middle East: The Majlis at Emirates Golf Club.

Favourite Holiday Destination: It has to be Dubai. I’ll be heading there at the beginning of December with my friends and family. The restaurants are good, it’s always sunny and we can go out and enjoy the water. This time around I’m leaving my clubs at home, we’re only going for four days.

Do you follow any other sports?

I like watching football and tennis.

Wimbledon is one of my favourite events to watch and attend. I love going there and having the strawberries and cream – and Pimms!

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When you were starting out the money wasn’t that enticing, so what actually made you turn professional?

I was brought up watching Seve and Tiger so I didn’t really do it for the money, I played because it was fun and I enjoyed it.

I like being out in the fresh air on the golf course. It’s good for you mentally. When I was 15 I finished second in a professional as an amateur aged 15, and could have won €30,000. I came away thinking: ‘I’m an amateur and I finished second, so if I could turn professional, I would have earned that much more money’. Back then I didn’t understand the situation, and even before that I didn’t play for money. But it was never money that got me into the game. I think that if you teach a child to play golf because of the money, you’re giving them the wrong mindset. They should play the game for the love of it. You’ve only got one life, so go and do something you enjoy.

I came over to America to compete in the bigger tournaments and against higher ranked players. Obviously, it is great to be playing for larger prize funds but that was not the main attraction.

The LET nearly went under a few years back, but now, with the support of the LPGA, they have turned it around and it’s starting to look stronger.

Events like the Aramco Series have brought not just money but something new, while raising awareness of the ladies’ game, which is brilliant. We played the first-ever women’s event in Saudi Arabia last year and apparently there are quite a few more girls over there now who have taken up golf. So that has created a huge impact in the Kingdom.

What was it like playing in Saudi?

I enjoyed going there. I am respectful, going to any country around the world but the food was great, the people were so welcoming, and I thought it was a very well-run golf event. We were allowed to wear t-shirts, but we weren’t allowed to have our legs on show, which I don’t mind because the climate was hot and I didn’t get a tan on my legs. Which meant I didn’t have to put any sun cream on.

How did you find Royal Greens Course?

I think the holes 15 and 16 along the water were beautiful. It was a challenging course and a good test of golf, especially towards the end when the wind got up. On one of the practice days I hit a wedge into the par-3 16th, and then during one day of the tournament I hit a 5-iron, that is how much the wind comes into effect.

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CHARLEY HULL

CHARLEY TAKES ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR STARS DURING THE HERO CHALLENGE AT LIVERPOOL WATERS’ PRINCES DOCK PRIOR TO THE 2019 BRITISH MASTERS

Did you go out an explore Saudi Arabia at all?

Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance because the rules were very strict during the Covid-19 pandemic. We were lucky to be able to play the event because of everything that was going on globally. It was the same as any LET or LPGA Tour event played last year - you had to be in a strict bubble. But, hopefully, this year we will get to go out and enjoy the scenery.

How are you finding travelling at the moment?

Things are easing up a little bit, especially in the UK, but it can get a bit of a slog. It’s not too bad in the USA, as you don’t have to wear face coverings and we don’t have to test on the LPGA Tour, which is so much easier than it was this time last year.

How do you adapt your game to playing in varying events in different countries like Korea, Saudi Arabia and America?

In different parts of America the ball can behave differently. Recently in New Jersey the ball was going a club shorter, but down the road in Atlantic City it was going my usual distance. So, it’s not necessarily different countries, it’s conditions like the weather, but because I’ve been on Tour so long I think I’m getting used to it by now.

Are you a Trackman fan?

No, I had one for a couple of years but I didn’t like it. On the range, I would be relaxed, but on the course, when the adrenaline kicks in those TrackMan numbers became irrelevant. I don’t use a yardage book when playing, either, I get my caddy to tell me the distance to the front and to the pin, and what lies behind.

What about green books?

It slows people down. I think reading greens

is an art and the books should be banned. It’s part of the game. If you’re not a good green reader, you can go on the putting green for a couple of hours and you can understand the way the ball breaks and get the feel for it, and you can learn how to read the greens. It’s an art form.

Bryson DeChambeau is currently moving the needle in the men’s game with his pure strength. How can the Ladies Tours come up with something different and exciting?

I’m not too sure to be honest. I do like watching Bryson and seeing how far he can hit it, but I get quite bored watching men’s golf these days. I’d much rather watch the older players in the 80s and 90s when they used to really draw and fade the ball. These days, players hit it so far that they’re not really having to move the ball much. I feel like the ladies do play a little bit more old school.

It would be interesting to see how everyone would get on if we were only allowed to hit blades – take all those rescue clubs out! I’d like to see how they got on.

Could you beat Bryson from within 100 yards?

I think the men are better, and they have better short games. Someone told me why, but I can’t exactly remember. It’s certain shots around the greens. They have longer leavers and add more spin. With women being normally shorter, they can’t hit the same type of shot, which I can understand. But I believe we hit it straighter than the men!

How instrumental was Catriona as Captain at this year’s Solheim Cup? I think Catriona Matthew was a brilliant Captain. She didn’t get too involved, she just got straight to the point and let us follow our own routines. I think that’s very important

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– why come to a team event and change everyone’s week-to-week routine? She was fantastic, probably the best Captain I’d ever had, and so was Liselotte Neumann as well, when we won in 2013. That was my first Solheim Cup. I would 100% per cent say I’m not a team player, and I don’t enjoy team golf.

But, everyone gelled this year, as the result showed.

How do you relax with such a full-on schedule?

I like going to the gym a lot, shopping and long dog walks. I have a white German shepherd dog called Bella, and she’s got a cute and mischievous character but I think that’s because I’m always away. I’m also a big foodie, so I like going to different places and trying out new restaurants.

How do you treat yourself?

I like clothes and fashion, so that sort of thing. Georgia Hall and myself went shopping recently and we got matching Prada hats, bags and shoes. You can’t beat a bit of retail therapy with your friends!

IT’S

NOT JUST GOLF

MyGolf

T

HERE’S a new kid on the block and he’s looking to disrupt the UAE golf scene with his 1,500 square metre MyGolf indoor simulator, dining and social hub business, set to open at the end of the year in Dubai.

Michael Zhao is a sharp-witted tech entrepreneur who has already rolled out a string of successful enterprises in his native Hong Kong and the USA. Having relocated to Dubai a year ago, the former Wall Street trader spied a gap in the market for the kind of full-scale indoor golf facility that is hugely popular in cities throughout Asia. Buoyed by the success of Topgolf in showcasing the appetite for a different kind of golf facility, which has socialising and entertainment at its heart, he put his bold vision for MyGolf into action.

“MyGolf is like a combination of Topgolf and Arts Club/Capital Club and as close to a real golf course playing experience as you can get,” says Zhao who founded the IDCM, global crypto exchange in 2017 and VGpay, an integrated crypto payment processing and wallet business, as well as a successful asset management, investment and financial

service platform.

“It’s a modern social and leisure platform that fosters genuine relationships within the community and brings together members from all walks of life through a shared passion for sports and entertainment.

“As Dubai’s first premium indoor golf and entertainment lounge, it aims to be the ultimate neighbourhood ‘go-to’ place to foster or expand your social network, meeting other golfers in a fun and enjoyable ambiance.

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MyGolf Dubai It welcomes all levels from novices to pros and features top notch equipment, gourmet dining, entertainment, private events spaces and VVIP rooms.”

Although there is already a deluge of golf businesses operating throughout the UAE, Zhao believes MyGolf will differ from anything currently on offer in the Emirates.

“We’re a different animal compared to other golf businesses locally,” says the 38-year old.

“We’re offering four experiences under one roof – sports, leisure, entertainment and social networking.

“Our technology partner Golfzon makes it possible for people to enjoy a near-to-real experience while playing on simulators.

“At MyGolf the simulator provides golfers with a mesmerising HD experience that is meticulously designed with every inch of the golf course taken into consideration.

The software boasts over 190+ world-famous golf courses, including St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, Kiawah Island, Harbour Town, PGA National and more.”

Unlike many golf simulators or driving ranges, the bays at MyGolf Michael Zhao will recreate the CEO and founder of different kinds of MyGolf Dubai lies and slopes players would encounter out on the course.

“We have omni-directional swing plates that match your exact lie up to 15 degrees,” says Zhao. “There are also multi-surface hitting mats which replicate fairway, rough and bunker in order to simulate real playing conditions and you can even auto set your tee height!”

Coaching and club fittings will also form a key element of the MyGolf offering and as an indoor facility, not dictated by to suit their game. Further down the line we’ll seasonal temperatures, there will be a huge launch a lot more non-traditional golf related level flexibility and range in terms of when services as well aiming to better serve our customers can be accommodated. members’ leisure and entertainment needs.”

“We will have our MyGolf Academy and our While MyGolf will be open to the general coaches are all PGA pros who are experienced public, with each of the 15 simulator and with teaching either private lessons or in bays charged out by the hour, there will be group settings,” says Zhao. “It’s always at our VIP rooms as well as the opportunity to join heart that, for people to enjoy something in a private member’s club and access special the long run, they should know-how to do it events, priveleges and benefits. F&B will also right and we think the Golfzon technology be a key element of the experience. and the academy at MyGolf will offer Dubai “We have a carefully curated menu residents and visitors a great way of doing featuring gourmet food and signature drinks, that while having lots of fun at the same time. a big area for dining as well as a big stage “We’ll also have a bespoke club fitting for events,” says Zhao. “It will soon become service where customers can try out the a popular place to socialise in and the latest latest products and get them specially fitted addition to Dubai’s unique social scene.

We’re a different animal compared to other golf businesses locally. We’re offering four experiences under one roof – sports, leisure, entertainment and social networking.

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“It’s also the perfect venue to host events of all different scales with large open spaces as well as smaller private rooms.”

Zhao is clearly a man with a plan whose track record in business indicates that when he sets his mind to something, he generally succeeds. Which is great news for golf lovers in the UAE as MyGolf promises to be a grand slam addition to the sports and entertainment scene in Dubai.

For more information visit: www.mygolfdubai.com info@mygolfdubai.com +971523315885

Upgrade your view with the 18th Fan Experience 18 – 21 November 2021

Watch the action unfold on the 18th Green and make it a day to remember on the Earth Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates. The 18th Fan Experience ticket offers exclusive access to a preferential viewing area around the 18th Green as well as the Clubhouse terrace. Fans can enjoy the final shots of the day as the worlds best golfers seal their fate on the 18th Green.

Earth Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates

Limited tickets available, Thursday to Sunday.

AED 180 per day.

Tickets available at dpwtc.com @dpwtc #dpwtc

COLUMN

PETE COWEN To have six winners since 2009 - means I must be doing something right WESTWOOD - 2009

STENSON - 2013 & 2014

WILLETT - 2018

FITZPATRICK - 2016 & 2020

DP World Tour Championship has always been great for my players It would be great if one of my lads manages to lift the trophy on Sunday at Jumeirah Golf Estates to make it the magnificent seven victories – fingers crossed!

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ell, last month was a good one for us. Danny Willett won the Alfred Dunhill Championship and Matt Fitzpatrick was victorious at Valderrama. Danny is great player and knows how to get the job done, even when he’s not hitting it 100 per cent. Most players only think they can win when all the stars align in their game. Great players just know what is needed to get over the line and adjust to how they are performing.

I was not surprised either to see Matt win in Spain. He had a great Ryder Cup and even though he lost in the singles, he had seven birdies on that final day. I messaged him straight away to congratulate him and said that if the Tour was to play on challenging courses like Valderrama every week he would be World No.1. Matt is a class act, and you just need to see where he’s been positioned on the Official World Golf Ranking for the past six years to know the calibre of golfer he is. He’s not one for shouting from the roof tops and promoting himself.

Down to earth

He just goes about his business quietly and gets the job done. Matt has a great team around him. With Billy on the bag; Mike Walker keeping an eye on his swing; Phil Kenyon looking after his putting; Ted Brady managing him; Matt Roberts keeping him fit and strong; Steve Robinson managing the performance aspects of his game but most importantly myself, the ‘chairman’ who sits back and just

admires what is going on! Another player from Sheffield that might hit the headlines soon is Lee Westwood who I expect to be the next European Ryder Cup Captain. The 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy will be tough for the Europeans, as there are only a few trees and the only defence against the Americans will be growing the rough to different lengths. But Bryson Dechambeau proved at the 2020 US Open at Winged Foot that when you drive the ball that far, you can gouge a wedge out of the deepest rough and still take on pins.

Europe have always won on tricky tree lined courses such as Valderrama and more recently Le Golf National in Paris. So why on earth the course in Italy wasn’t designed in such a way to give home advantage I just don’t know.

Course design is key to distance

On the topic of length, the recent shaft length ruling from 48 to 46 inches is just a joke. Players have tried the 48 inch shaft over the years but you just lose too much control and unless you are hitting it 350 yards like Bryson there is no real advantage. Bryson has experimented with the 48 but plays a 46, so who is the new ruling being aimed at? All the big hitters will not be affected by the ruling, so they will keep on hitting the ball just as far.

Course designers have the answer to distance. It’s not the manufacturers that need to be scrutinised. When you have players that can hit it 350 to nearly 400 yards you need a course designed to make sure when they hit it

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offline it stays offline and the player picks up a two shot penalty. Just take the seventh hole at Valderrama. You just need to hit it slightly offline to the right and it will probably go out of bounds and miss it left and you are chipping out of the trees. When did you last see a tournament when I player took a provisional off the tee or lost a ball?

Rewind

The game in general needs to turn the clock back in many ways. We have far too many exempt players these days. It needs to return to just 60 exempts for each event and the rest must fight it out in Monday qualifying. In America they have less exempt players, and it allows more players the chance to shine, plus it would generate money for the tour.

Just look at Corey Connors on the PGA Tour.

He came through Monday qualifying on the PGA Tour and now he’s 35th in the world. So last month when I was saying the European talent will probably come out of the American college system, like Jon Rahm and Matt Fitzpatrick, the Monday qualifying route would give Europe’s young talent another way to rise to the top. Otherwise they would have gone unmissed, due to lack of opportunity. The current system protects too many players who should really be giving the chance to the youngsters. That is how it was in my day, and it made players hungrier but also kept the dream alive for so many that just wanted a chance to prove themselves. ■

Thurs 11 – Sun 14 November 2021

Fire Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates

Register for free tickets at ticketmaster.ae

#avivdubaichampionship @avivclinicsarabia

COLUMN

LEAD SINGER OF THE VAMPS, BRAD SIMPSON PLAYS HIS THIRD SHOT ON THE 17TH HOLE DURING DAY FOUR OF THE ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE OLD COURSE, ST.ANDREWS.

DAVID HOWELL It has been a month of highs and lows.

Getting back on track

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HE Alfred Dunhill Links Championship got life back to normal on the European Tour for a strong October schedule, including a three-week Spanish swing of events. First up, though, in Scotland the Auld Grey Toon lived up to its name for once, bringing some horrific conditions for once to the tournament that brings celebrities, businessmen and sporting personalities together.

Danny Willett started off a run of really good victories with a superb win at the Old Course having survived atrocious conditions over the four days. A year blighted by injury, and covid and all sorts of off-course drama had left the former Masters Champion surviving one of his worst years to date as a pro. But time and again Danny bounces back with big victories, reminding us all of what a talent he is when things are rolling his way. This could easily be the springboard to a rise up the rankings once again, and remember, Danny has unfinished business with The Ryder Cup, I wouldn’t put it past him to make the next team in Italy, having missed out at Whistling Straits.

Madrid hosted the Spanish Open at Club De Campo in the heart of the city and it was heartening to see John Rahm attempting to win his national open for the third time. The crowds came out in droves to see the World No.1 chase down the title but his Spanish compatriots also turned up in force, too. Another player who had fallen from his peak this year was Rafa Cabrera Bello. Strangely enough I spoke to his father on the first tee in Gran Canaria earlier this year and he told me his son had been trying to hit the ball further and things hadn’t worked out too well.

I always thought Rafa’s strength was his straight-hitting but you can’t have both things at once. That’s the way the game works, I’m afraid.

So, it was tremendous to see another former Ryder Cup player take the spoils on an exciting Sunday afternoon in Madrid, on a course that required accuracy instead of distance. Horses

for courses they say don’t they.

Valderamma, Europe’s most frustratingly brilliant venue, if I can describe the course accordingly, hosted another great addition of the Estrella Damm Andalucia Masters. John Rahm joined us again, proving that Valderamma cares not for reputations, just accurately hit golf shots. By missing the cut to the dismay of the fans, yet to the delight of many one of our Ryder Cup players, Matthew Fitzpatrick, fresh from the disappointment of the result at Whistling Straits showed his class once again. Hitting fairways and greens is Matthew’s strong-point, and when the examination requires just that, it was no surprise to see the man from Sheffield win convincingly at one of our premier venues.

Travel the World

Finally, on we moved to Mallorca and Santa Ponsa 1 - a last minute event put on at breakneck speed by all concerned. What a beautiful Island Mallorca really is, and as a European when we hear of Magaluf we think of too much drink and too much noise, and frankly too many Brits enjoying both of the former. I have to say it clouded my judgement. It’s one of the great advantages about being on Tour, getting to see the world as we work.

Magaluf itself, is situated on as nice a beach as you will find anywhere, and, sure enough, there are plenty of places to party. But move one beach along the coastline and it’s calmer, then another and it’s calmer still, and on and on you can go seemingly forever. There is simply something to suit everyone.

We ended up staying six miles away in Peguera, a classic beach-side resort, more popular with families from Europe. I highly recommend it for a few days relaxing, which we did after playing all four days for once at Santa Ponsa. Sometimes on Tour, someone wins the tournament who everyone is pleased about the outcome, and Jeff Winter would be one of those guys. Jeff with his young family in support for the week, finally stepped into the winners’ circle.

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As Richard Boxall once said, in terms of winning: “Jeff is an accident waiting to happen,” and so it was, in front of an intimate but vocal gallery the great Dane held off Spaniards Pep Anglers and Jorge Campillo to seal a tight one-shot victory.

Even with the local lads falling just short It was smiles all around, with a feel-good victory to end the month.

Soon enough we will head to pastures further afield once more, and the Middle East once again becomes the focal point of the world of golf. The welcome addition of the AVIV Championship on the Fire Course at JGE will host the final event of the regular season, before the season’s best takes on the challenge of the Earth Course for the prestigious DP World Tour Championship. After a long COVID-riddled season we will once again crown Europe’s champion golfer. Last year the drama was incredible with Lee Westwood running out the winner by the smallest of margins. They say ‘every shot counts.’ Well, if ever that saying was to prove correct, last year’s nail-biter was the case in point.

There is no doubt that Dubai and its neighbouring countries and Emirates are our home-from- home, with quality weather and outstanding courses to boot, we European Tour players are always delighted to set foot in the Middle East, and with Ras al Khaimah coming on board next year for the first time and upgrading the Dubai Desert Classic to a Rolex event, our partners in the UAE have become more precious than ever.

Finally, on a terribly sad note, one of our own, former Tour player Fredrik Anderson Hed, winner of the Italian Open in 2010, passed away from cancer leaving his wife and young children behind. Sometimes life seems to make no sense at all. Frederik was another player who was well liked throughout the Tour, and for good reason.

He was a kind and thoughtful man, and a dedicated professional. He will be sadly missed, and my thoughts, of course, go to his family. RIP Frederick. ■

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POW Worldwide GOLF 46

WER

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU

It came as no surprise to see Bryson DeChambeau had the longest driving average on the PGA Tour this season, averaging 323.7 yards and his longest recorded at 414 yards. He also became the first PGA Tour player to make it into the quarter-finals of the 2021 World Long Drive Championship in Las Vegas where he recorded the fastest ball speed in his career of 219mph.

As we have all come to see over the course of this year, and at the Ryder Cup, his power off the tee has provided a huge advantage. Despite ranking 178th in driving accuracy Bryson still managed to record the most eagles in the year and had the fourth best scoring average of 69.728.

The recent shaft length ruling from 48 to 46 inches will be ineffective in terms of winding back the bigger hitters, as Bryson already uses the shorter shaft for more control.

The modern game, both professional and amateur, plays into the hands of the big hitters. In this section, Master PGA Professional, Pete Cowen, examines Bryson’s swing and explains why it is not just one of the most powerful swings in the game but technically one of the best.

Worldwide GOLF 47

T

his swing sequence was taken back in 2018 in Dubai before Bryson started to hit the gym and bulk up, but the positions from back then are still very similar, as he’s managed to maintain good balance.



In the first frame, Bryson has a consistent set up, which means his arms and shaft length stay very consistent at address.

He also has good balance posture with no stressing at adress. Even though there is a slight stretch in the arms and shaft.



In frame two he maintains the stretch in the arms and shaft, making his abs and chest work hard in the take away.



Bryson continues to stretch the arms and shaft. Though there is very little movement in the hips, the core and chest are moving, while the shoulders are working on a fairly level turn.



In frame four you can now see the hips starting to get involved.



The massive stretch is clear to see in frame five and though it is not a classical position, you can see the body strength starting to build up.



Things start to look more traditional in frame six. He is starting to cock the wrists and the right elbow is beginning to fold.



The right elbow continues to that great high right arm position.



At the top, the clubface is pretty neutral relative to everything else. Even though this is a static positon, it is very athletic and you can see just how strong he is.



He has a great transition. The legs holding the body in position and the right arm is coming down correctly. You can see the straight line between the right arm and the shaft, while the left arm is beginning to move across the body.



Following on, the left arm has moved right across and in front. The right elbow is starting to drop on to the right hip and the right angle between the right bicep and forearm is a classic position. Though you would say it is slightly above plane, if you look at the shaft relative to the ball.



Bryson then squares the club up with his body turn. His hips and chest open with the right arm in position.



Finally, he continues to open but not flip the club on the through swing. The legs have fired correctly, with the right shoulder down and the left shoulder up to a balanced finish.

GOOD BALANCE POSTURE

STARTING TO STRETCH

WRIST COCK

LEFT ARM IN FRONT

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LEGS FIRED CORRECTLY

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU

QUIET HIPS

HIGH RIGHT ARM

HIPS INVOLVED

LEGS AND CORE STRENGTH

HANDS NOT FLIPPED

STRENGTH!

RIGHT ELBOW TO RIGHT HIP

BALANCED FINISH

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ACADEMY BY

LONG PUTT

21-30 feet putt

MEDIUM PUTT

11-20 feet putt

SHORT PUTT 3-10 feet putt

PUTTING PRACTICE WITH PURPOSE

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utting is the one area of golf that we can practice and get the exact same feedback as we get on the course, yet typically, we see golfers spend less time practicing this part of their game. A great way to develop your practice over time is with a simple but effective nine-hole practice game.

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BY

MALCOLM YOUNG

PGA SPECIALIST PROFESSIONAL THE TRACK MEYDAN

malc_younggolf

INSTRUCTION

The focus of the game is based on a few simple principles that will stand up to the test of the course and help you become a better putter with feedback to keep refining your skills.

To establish your game the principles are as follows:

1 2 3 Treat it like a game, bring a scorecard and a pencil to mark your score

Play with one ball and bring a marker to mark every putt the same as the course

Follow your full routine of green reading, marking the ball, practice stroke on every putt

3 putts from 21-30 feet E.g. 22ft, 26ft, 30ft

3 putts from 11-20 feet E.g. 12ft, 15ft, 18ft

3 putts from 3-10 feet E.g. 4ft, 6ft, 8ft

Place another marker two thirds down your line where you expect the ball to run.

To set up the course follow a simple plan of short, medium then long putts so you’re never playing the same distance group consecutively.

This gives an even spread of short, mid and longer range putts to challenge you which, mixed in with uphill, downhill and side slopes, should create an equal challenge to what you face on the course and help you prepare for better results on the course. To practice your green reading skills take a ball marker or phantom hole placing it two thirds down your line where you expect the ball to run through on its route to the hole, this will help you see how well you can gauge the curve on each putt and whether you can hit your intended lines.

For extra feedback over time note down the factors that you see during the game with a focus on the following: SPEED CONTROL: Note if the putts were short, long or good distance when not holed.

READ QUALITY : Note down if the ball was missed on the low side or too high.

By building this picture up over a period of practice sessions you will see your patterns and be able to structure the rest of your practice around these results addressing specific performance issues.

To book your lesson with Malcolm or one of the other talented PGA Professionals at The Track, Meydan Golf visit meydangolf.com, call +971 4 381 3733 or email: info@meydangolf.com Worldwide GOLF 51

START LINE : Note down if you felt you hit your intended start line on each putt.

With this structure of practice you will start to see the patterns in your putting and in time with the right focus, practice and coaching you should see your putting skills improve and achieve lower scores.

LOOK OUT FOR THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf Worldwide.Golf

SWING CATALYST

ANALYSIS ON ANOTHER LEVEL

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Swing Catalyst

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t the Peter Cowen Academy swing studio at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club a growing number of golfers are discovering and benefitting from a new innovative holistic method of game improvement.

The process is powered by a clever piece of video analysis software called Swing Catalyst which goes far beyond most other methods of swing analysis in that it can sense where the pressure points are in your swing mechanics. This allows the talented team of PGA pros and qualified golf fitness instructors at the academy to create a bespoke programme which helps golfers make the most of their physical limitations or attributes and helps them build a swing which suits them.

We caught up with PGA pro and personal trainer Matthew Brookes to find out more.

Worldwide Golf: What makes Swing Catalyst different than other swing analysis/shot tracing software?

Matthew Brookes: What makes Swing Catalyst different to other products out in the market is that it reads both forces and pressure in the golf swing which is really important for every single golf shot, and these two things can’t be physically seen with the eye or the camera.

WWG: What are the general physical differences you see between different golfers?

MB: We see everyone is very different, the human body is very messy, everyone is different, no two people would swing the same and from skeletal measurements and TPI physical screening assessments it makes it very clear that everyone is very different and no one should swing the same.

WWG: What other analysis does the Swing Catalyst do?

MB:The Swing Catalyst does everything!

Every golf shot you do is affected or can be tweaked by the Swing Catalyst software and technology such as putting, chipping or even shot shaping can be very important to look into in terms of how you interact with the ground.

WWG: Once you’ve completed this analysis, what is the follow up action your coaches take as far as helping each player reach their potential goes?

MB: There are three types of golfer: A front leg player, a central pressure player and a

rear leg player. Depending on the sports and activities you have done in the past depends which category you will perform best in! For example: If you are a front leg player you will perform better if you do not shift too much of your weight and pressure to the rear leg in the backswing. Without the insight given to us by the Swing Catalyst technology we would not know this and you could have instead been wasting many practice hours unnecessarily shifting too much weight into your rear side in the backswing. Once we know a player’s physical bias, we provide coaching and gym work that helps them to make the most of their own body and natural swing mechanics.

If you’d like to find out more about what could be hindering you and your golf game head down to Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club for your FREE screening and assessment. +971 4 205 4666 Golf.academy@hyatt.com www.dubaicreekresort.com

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WORLDWIDE GOLF SOCIETY SHOWDOWN Golf, gaffs…lots of laughs!

A

sold-out field of 104 golfers gathered at the stunning Al Hamra Golf Club last month to contest the inaugural Worldwide Golf Society Showdown and after a day of fun, frolics and a smattering of good golf, it was the Shank Addicts team of Ajay Shah, Avani Shah, Sudir Vohra and Salim Sheikh who took home the trophy with an impressive 95 Stableford points.

“The Worldwide Golf Society Showdown held at the fantastic Al Hamra course was a memorable event for the Shank Addicts Golf Society of Dubai,” said Vohra who played on one of several teams brought up to Ras Al Khaimah from Dubai by captain Joseph Andrade who showed tremendous support for the event. “I wish to thank Rick Bevan of Worldwide Golf and Craeg Deery of Al Hamra Golf Club for organising an unbelievable weekend that had all major UAE golfing societies fielding their top teams. The event finished with a fabulous evening of music and entertainment and I’m sure all the golfers had

a wonderful time at Al Hamra.”

While there was undeniably a lot of questionable golf on display, fuelled in no small part by the complimentary on-course refreshments supplied by MyGolf Dubai, the podium teams all somehow managed to produce the goods and the Abu Dhabi Golf Society team of Patrick O’Neil, Alan Cocker, Mark Collinson and Paul Cochlin came home a very close second on 94 points.

“A huge thank you to the team at Worldwide Golf for the recent event at the Al Hamra Golf Club,” said O’Neil. “Everything from the wonderful hotel stay to the organisation of the golf day itself was top notch and the members of ADGS are already looking forward to the next one!”

Some fabulous prizes were laid on by Official Hotel Partner Hilton, with the winning team receiving vouchers for a one-night stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Marjan Island and unlimited weekend golf at Al Hamra, while the runners-up received a one-night stay at

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the newly opened Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island. The third placed team of Anthony Louis, Kunal Sethi, Kirtan Desai and Vikram, Malhotra (90 points), also representing Shank Addicts, received a voucher for the Islanders Brunch at DoubleTree by Hilton.

MyGolf Dubai presented all players with a goody bag packed with items such a Tour sized golf towel and a free 1-hour session at the soon-to-open indoor golf simulator facility in Dubai. They also sponsored a Nearest the pin competition on the 11th with a free golf lesson going to Steve Ramsden of the Smokin’ Tees. More on-course prizes were provided

by Hilton with Reena Sethi of Shank Addicts winning an Islanders Brunch for four for Nearest the Pin on hole 4 and Clive Parsons of Like Big Putts smashing the Longest Drive on hole 18 and Beach and Pool access with lunch for four at the DoubleTree by Hilton.

Societies and teams from around the UAE threw their support behind this first edition of the Worldwide Golf Society Showdown

WORLDWIDE GOLF SOCIETY SHOWDOWN

The winning Shank Addicts team of Ajay Shah, Avani Shah, Sudir Vohra and Salim Sheikh are pictured with Michael Zhao of MyGolf Dubai and Rick Bevan of Worldwide Golf.

PHOTO GALLERY “A huge thank you to the team at Worldwide Golf for the recent event at the Al Hamra Golf Club. Everything from the wonderful hotel stay to the organisation of the golf day itself was top notch and the members of ADGS are already looking forward to the next one!”

Patrick O’Neil Abu Dhabi Golf Society with Eagles Sports & Social Club, Emirates Gentlemans’ Golf Society, Jebel Ali Golf Society (JAGS), Sport2Business and the Al Puza Golf Society all out in force while the only all-female team was fielded by the hugely popular Desert Rose Golfing Society. Up and coming society The Dingers gave the more established teams a run for their money and definitely supplied more than their fair share of laughs while standalone teams such as the KPL All Stars, Par Tee and The Bogeymen all enjoyed the day’s entertainment – some more than others!

After play, it was back to the Bay Sports Bar for more refreshments provided by Al Hamra and then onto the luxurious comforts of the DoubleTree by Hilton to sleep off what had been an intensely enjoyable and memorable day.

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s

TOP TRUMPS With the UAE Scratch League underway, the spotlight falls this month on the defending champions, as we caught up with Trump’s team captain Graeme Eglintine, to see how the squad is shaping up and the challenges he faces balancing the schedules.

L

ike most successful captains, managing a golf team normally comes at the expense of our own game and that’s certainly the case as Graeme explains: “I’d normally play all year round, but I haven’t played that much over the last month or so. I’ve been getting the team to play against themselves to get them ready for the new season whilst trying different pairing combinations. So, I’ve been watching and following them, rather than playing myself.”

The Trump squad has great strength in depth with nearly all of the team being plus handicap players so the pressure is on Graeme and the team to retain the title.

“When you have that wealth of talent, you can only try and better what you did last year,” added Graeme. “That’s the mentality of the team. The goal is to better what the Creek have done as they have won it six times, including five times on the trot.

We beat them in last year’s final, it was a tough battle with two good teams going head to head but we edged it and had great support. We want to try and create something at the club with a team that can do that again over the next ten years or so. The way to do it is to keep competition for places high and to bring the younger players through by getting them used to playing with experienced and high calibre players at an early age.”

Role Models

In terms of role models for the younger players, Trump are spoilt for choice. Josh Hill; Toby Bishop; Arjan Gupta, Viggo Sorensen, Craig Vance and Steve Kelbrick are just some of the stars Graeme can call upon to guide and mentor the junior players in the club.

“We brought in a young guy this year, called Dominic Morton, he’s 15, a scratch golfer and very, very talented,” Graeme

GRAEME EGLINTINE

explains. “For the last two months he’s been playing with the likes of Josh, Toby, and Craig in the inter team matches. So, he’s getting used to playing at the highest standard. Eventually some of those players will move on and you have to have more golfers coming through.

“The exciting thing is, that by doing that with Dom, there are four or five more young talented players at the club and they’ve seen that there is a process in place where you can make the step up and they’ve responded. They’re constantly out practicing and playing together. In preperation for next year we’ve already started to include some of them in the team practice matches, so they feel involved and know that next year they could be in Dom’s position’.

Talent

Having all the talent doesn’t necessarily make a good team, as we have witnessed in other team sports. The key to success, especially in match play is getting players to understand each other’s game, not just their strengths but also their weaknesses. This is where captains have their work cut out.

“Being a stroke play golfer does not cross over to match play,” Graeme added. “This year we realised we needed to create strong pairings and have eight or nine different combinations that you can call on, because at some point during the season some players will be unavailable. Having players like Viggo, Toby, Arjun and Josh for example is great but they will not be available all the

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time due to other tournament commitments, so having an in-depth squad and plenty pairing combinations is the key to retaining the title.”

Ladies First

Trump has also become the first club to bring a lady golfer, Natalii Gupta, into their squad to compete in the UAE Scratch League. Something Graeme and the club are extremely proud of accomplishing for the local golf scene. But as Graeme explains it was far from straightforward: “When we got the rules, it clearly said that it had to be eight male golfers that would represent the club. So first on the agenda for me was to change that to just ‘eight golfers’. So I put a case study together for it, using examples of

different tournaments where males played against females.

“We see Natalii all the time at the club and she plays off the gold tees, against the likes of Josh, Toby and Arjun, and she can hold her own against them so she’s good enough to play against other Scratch Team golfers in the UAE. But she simply couldn’t, purely because she was female. We spoke internally at the club and we agreed that it didn’t seem right. Particularly because there isn’t a Ladies Scratch League where she could play against the same level of player.

“We saw no reason why, if she was playing off the same tees as the men, what impact that would have on anything. So we just thought it was time that we put it to the EGF and the Scratch League committee and see

what their thoughts were.

Breakthrough

“In recent years the EGF have been trying to be more inclusive and modernise the game and it was agreed this season that women could compete in the Dubai Trophy. So the precedent was there. We put the case to them, and we’re delighted that every club and not a single person had a concern about it.

They all thought it was a brilliant idea. For me, it’s a simple case of if you’re good enough you should be able to play at that level regardless of your sex and age!

“Trump is a relatively new club in Dubai and we want to create something special at the club with a one team mentality between the staff, members and scratch team and

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a real sense of pride and belonging. We introduced a Scratch team and Staff vs members competition which we hold two or three times a year with the aim being to get the members involved and behind the Scratch Team.

“To have the clubs and the members support and access to some of the best facilities in the UAE is a huge benefit not just to the team but also the club, as we are starting to attract more talented younger players as they want to be part of what were trying to do and achieve.

“I cant explain how extremely proud I am to have been asked to be the captain this year and will give it everything i’ve got to establish us as a top team in the region and to help the team win the title again this year."■

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ARABIAN GOLF AL AIN EQUESTRIAN, SHOOTING & GOLF CLUB

EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

Wetsby dominates in October Handicap Day

Ryan Westby claimed first place in October Handicap Day’s Division A with an excellent total score of 65, Tiaan Labuschagne finished second with a total net score of 69 while Kenny King’s total 72 net score brought him to third place.

Larry Benson came on top in Division B with an excellent total net score of 64, Leon Herselman took second place and posted with a total net score of 67, while Peter Abbott claimed third place via countback over Tara King as they both returned with the same total net score of 73.

Melanie Sheldon took top spot in Division C where she finished with the best score of the day after carding 63 total net score, Dave Steel ended the round in second place with a total net score of 68, while Chris Wood finished third after carding a total net score of 71.

Team Babec edges nail biting Mixed Season Opener The overall winners of the Mixed Season Opener were John Babec, Craig Tredenick, Christopher Foll and Micky Brigg who carded a net 51 (BB3), in second place on the same score was Avani Shah, Ajay Shah, PT Jain and Nishith Patel with a net 51 and in third place after a better back nine countback was the team of Luiz Bertuol, NoemyBertuol, Alex Rodrigez and Nischa Rodriguez who shot a net 54.

Palao team’s victorious in Ladies Season Opener The team of Monica Palao, Gemma Blanco, Maria Petre and Sabine Choudry clinched the Ladies Season Opener at the Majlis with a net 60, in second place with a net 62 (BB9) came the team of Marta Biswas, Shiba Wahid, Atsumi Aoto and Agneta Ekstrand while the team of Anne Gely Bouigue, Nischa Rodriguez, Steva Fornazaric and Marie Benson took third place with a net 62.

Luthra lifts Mike Gerbich Cup

Rodriguez on top in Ladies Monthly Medal

Dave’s nerves of Steel catapult him to the top

The overall winner of the Ladies Monthly Medal’s Silver ‘’A’’ Division (0-14) was Nischa Rodriguez with a net 71, Maura Duggan was the runner up with net 72 (BB9) while in third place went to Ingrid Lind with a net 72.

In Silver “B” Division (15-23) Sabine Choudry was victorious with a net 67, in second palce was Avani Shah with a net 74 (BB9) and Jennifer Bang came in third with a net 74.

The Bronze Division was won by Roma Khanna with a net 71 while runner up was Marie Benson with a net 77.

SHARJAH GOLF AND SHOOTING CLUB

Dave Steel was the standout player in the October Roll Up event after carding 21in Division B, while Herbert Locke came in second after a countback.

Mark Grant, Todd Stelck and Stuart Bell had the same score of 19 points, Grant came on top with a better countback on the final three holes over Stelck who clinched second place on countback on the last six holes over Bell.

Herbert has a “Locke” in Thursday Night Social

Herbert Locke dominated in the October Windmill Cellar Thursday Social to card an excellent score of 22 points, the highest of the event and also put him on top Division B while Melanie Sheldon took second place with 20 points and Richard Hillard finished third with a score of 19 points.

Nic Poisat took the top spot in Division A with a score of 21 points while Fazli Khaliq took second place on a countback on the last three holes over Johan Schoonraad who had to settle for third place, with both of them returning a score of 19 points.

Kabir Luthra was the overall winner of the Mike Gerbich Cup with 41 points while Mustafa Khan claimed second place with 40 points, in third place was Martin Kirby with 37 points (BB6).

In the A Division (0-15), the winner was Ian Scott with 36 points, while Darryl Cox was the runner up with 34 points.

In the B Division (16-24), Sekhar Reddy was victorious with 37 points- and the runner up was Chris Stanford with 33 points.

Butt victorious in Orient Travel Monthly Medal

Craig clinches Captain’s Season Opener Tim Craig came out on top in the Captain’s Season Opener competition after scoring an impressive 40 points while Mohammad Firdaus claimed second place with 39 Stableford points and third place went to Amir Inam with 38 points.

O’Callaghan wins DIMOS Unitechnik Monthly Stableford Sean O’Callaghan claimed top spot at the DIMOS Unitechnik Monthly Stableford with a great score of 40 Stableford points.

Ramli Sulaiman was victorious in Division A after scoring 30 points while Division B was won by Sultan Qazi on a brilliant score of 39 points.

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Sami Butt put together and excellent round of golf to win the Orient Travel Monthly Medal with a net score of 73 on countback while SGSC Director of Golf Sam McLaren took the runners up spot and Sunny Ramadas took home third place.

Khan and co stroll to victory

The team of Asim Khan, Waseem Rahmany, Marghoob Khan and Maruf Khan claimed a whopping 98 points, which saw them win Radisson Blu Ajman Midweek 18H Special by a massive 13 point lead.

With a score of 45 on the front nine the team of Sam McLaren, Francisco Giles, Nicolas Rene and Oliver Cristostomo topped the front nine leaderboard while the team of Jacq Thomassian, Jay Thapa, Boung Kwon You & Jin Hyun Park claimed best back nine with a score of 43.

VENUES

LE GOLF NATIONAL PARIS, FRANCE DIAMOND COUNTRY CLUB VIENNA, AUSTRIA PGA CATALUNYA RESORT BARCELONA, SPAIN JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES LIGHTHOUSE GOLF & SPA RESORT CAPE KALIAKRA, BULGARIA SAUJANA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA LONDON GOLF CLUB LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM TERRE BLANCHE HOTEL SPA GOLF RESORT***** PROVENCE, FRANCE GOLF CLUB ST. LEON-ROT HEIDELBERG, GERMANY THE DUTCH AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS BLACK MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB & RESORT HUA HIN, THAILAND ALBATROSS GOLF RESORT PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC BOM SUCESSO OBIDOS, PORTUGAL CONSTANCE BELLE MARE PLAGE POSTE DE FLACQ, MAURITIUS

DUBAI GOLF

TRA

MARCO SIMONE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB ROME, ITALY VERDURA RESORT SICILY, ITALY FINCA CORTESIN HOTEL GOLF & SPA MARBELLA, SPAIN VILLAVERDE HOTEL & RESORT VENICE, ITALY QUINTA DO LAGO ALGARVE, PORTUGAL LINNA GOLF HÄMEENLINNA, FINLAND GOLF SON MUNTANER PALMA, SPAIN TBILISI HILLS TBILISI, GEORGIA ESTONIAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB TALLINN, ESTONIA PIRIN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB SOFIA, BULGARIA CONSTANCE LEMURIA PRASLIN, SEYCHELLES DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB DUBAI, UAE EMIRATES GOLF CLUB DUBAI, UAE GENZON GOLF CLUB SHENZHEN, CHINA

UNDER DEVELOPMENT:

ROSSINGTON HALL DONCASTER, UNITED KINGDOM SPARBEN GOLF RESORT BORDEAUX, FRANCE

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DUBAI

W

AVEL

ith the travel restrictions easing, Dubai once more will be on the golfing hot list for players looking to exchange winter conditions for glorious championship courses under the sun. Dubai’s global golfing attraction is not a recent thing and when you consider it first staged a European Tour event back in 1989, it’s hardly surprising to see it become the European Tour’s home-from-home. This month we look at the three Dubai golf clubs to have all staged European Tour events and become ‘essential plays’ for the tourist golfer.

Jumeriah Golf Estates

Home to the DP World Tour Championship, Jumeriah Golf Estates boasts two challenging courses. The Earth course, well-known for hosting the European Tour’s season ending Rolex Series event and the Fire course, which will be staging the AVIV Dubai Championship from November 11-14. Both designed by Greg Norman and designed to test the best golfers in the world in different ways.

The Earth course This sharply defined, sculptured course inspired by the great parklands of Europe and North America, paints a magnificent pastiche of ora, rolling terrain and rushing water. These natural components also provide differing angles and changing perspectives from each tee.

The Fire course Fire is a tough and, needless to say, a fiery challenge for golfers of all abilities. Thanks to the undulating topography and stunning natural features, each tee has a unique perspective, increasing both interest and challenge. Tee placements offer variety, with length, direction and elevation constantly changing throughout the course. Strong bunkering has been carefully placed to catch wayward strokes, forcing players to concentrate carefully on tee shot placement Set across 1,119 hectares of lush green landscape, the development is an unrivalled destination offering attractive investment opportunities and world-class amenities. With 700 families and more than 1,835 homes, Jumeirah Golf Estates currently comprises of 16 unique communities, which overlook both courses. Each individually designed villa, apartment and townhouse is more than a residence; it is an ideal home in its own right.

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A NET WORK OF WORLD CL A SS GOLF VENUE S

Play. Stay. Live.

Austria Diamond Country Club, Vienna

Bulgaria Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort, Cape Kaliakra Pirin Golf & Country Club, Bansko

China Genzon Golf Club, Shenzhen

Czech Republic Albatross Golf Resort, Prague

Estonia Estonian Golf & Country Club, Tallinn

Finland Linna Golf, Hameenlinna

France Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort, Provence Le Golf National, Paris Sparben Golf Resort, Bordeaux

Portugal Georgia Tbilisi Hills, Tbilisi

Germany Golf Club St. Leon-Rot, Heidelberg

Italy Villaverde Hotel & Resort, Venice Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome Verdura Resort, Sicily

Malaysia Saujana Golf & Country Club, Kuala Lumpur

Mauritius Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius

The Netherlands The Dutch, Amsterdam

europeantourdestinations.com @EuropeanTourETD

Bom Sucesso, Óbidos Quinta do Lago, Algarve

Seychelles Constance Lemuria, Praslin

Spain PGA Catalunya Resort, Barcelona Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa, Marbella Golf Son Muntaner, Mallorca

Thailand Black Mountain Golf Club & Resort, Hua Hin

United Kingdom Rossington Hall, Yorkshire London Golf Club, London

United Arab Emirates Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Emirates Golf Club, Dubai Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Dubai

GOLF TRAVEL

Emirates Golf Club

Arguably the most well-known golf club in the UAE and Middle East. Over the past three decades some of the greatest golfers of the modern era have teed it up on the legendary Majlis Course to compete in the Dubai Desert Classic, which has now become a Rolex Series event.

Majlis Course The flagship course is a challenging par 72, 7,301-yard layout. Designed by Florida-based course architect Karl Litten, the original 18 holes were built in and around the dunes of a beautiful site on the edge of the city of Dubai, donated by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on whose instructions the desert flora was maintained in its natural state.

The Majlis, the first grass course in the Middle East, takes its name from the Arabic word for ‘meeting place’. One of the most prominent features on the course is the Majlis building itself positioned between the 8th and 9th holes and has been a Dubai landmark since 1988.

The Faldo Course Open day and night, Emirates Golf Club’s second championship golf course, which opened in 1996, was named ‘The Wadi’, taken from the Arabic word for ‘valley’.

Redesigned in 2005 by golf legend and six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo, the course now combines a stunning visual design with the nuances and challenges of any championship course in just the right measure, providing visitors an exceptionally enjoyable golfing experience.

The new course was re-named ‘The Faldo’ when it re-opened in October 2006. A par-72, the course has proved to be as popular as its predecessor and lures players to the challenge of its 7,052 yards day or night thanks to incorporated LED floodlights throughout the course. Now home to the Ladies European Tour Moonlight Classic and the only professional event to be held under lights in 2021.

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club The Championship Course The par 71 course measures 7,009 yards is a memorable journey from the first tee to the 18th green. The club hosted the Dubai Desert Classic in 1999, won by our own David Howell, and in 2000 by Jose Caceres. The only times the event has ever be played away from the Majlis course.

The superbly manicured fairways are undulating, demarcated by mounds, date and palm trees, and most other times by water. Apart from the Creek, which comes into play on at least four holes, several artificial lakes add to the beauty and difficulty of various other holes.

The Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club course sets up for a thrilling finale to a round with its two par 4 closing holes. The 17th and 18th have the Creek guarding the entire left side of the fairway. While the 17th can still be conquered with some smart play, the 18th requires mandatory cerebral involvement on every shot. There is water on the left and a long bunker on the right, beyond which is water again. A good drive will still leave you with a long iron into the tiered and sloping green, which is guarded at the front and right by a body of water.

Par 3 Course The 9-hole Par 3 course at Dubai Creek Golf Academy is ideal for beginners to test their skills before taking on the championship course, for the more experienced players to improve their short game, and even for just an enjoyable round of social golf after sunset. The Par 3 course is floodlit and open from 7am- 10pm every day.

Mini Golf The #minigolfdubai Course has been carefully designed to provide a testing and fun challenge to golfers of all ages and abilities. The holes have been shaped to capture some of the character of the championship course presenting some challenging shots.

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IN THE BAG

NATALII

GUPTA

What does it mean to be able to compete against the men in the Scratch League?

It’s pretty cool to have the opportunity to be a part of the scratch team and compete against the best players from different clubs. It’s a different challenge, I enjoy both mentally and golf wise.

Best advice for girls getting into the game in the UAE? Play golf 24/7, there’s some great facilities in the country Who was your role model and why?

Tiger Woods, I love how he dominated the game. He’s mentally the toughest person I know of and I think that’s an incredible attribute.

Will you look to turn professional and go the US college route?

Yes

Driver:

Callaway Rogue 9.5 degree Evenflow Riptide 50 R

Woods:

Callaway Mavrik 3 15 degree Evenflow Riptide 60 R 3H 18° Catalyst 65R 5H 23° Catalyst 65 R

Irons:

PW- 5 Callaway Mavrik KBS 90

Wedges:

Callaway Jaws 52,56, 60 Fujikura

Putter:

Scotty Cameron Select Newport

Favourite club in the bag?

Recently, my 3 wood

SPOTLIGHT Favourite course in UAE? Earth or Majlis, I’d be leaning towards Majlis. They’re both very fun and challenging golf courses.

Favourite Clubhouse?

Emirates Golf Club.

Hardest hole in the UAE? 18th at Dubai Creek.

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Who would make up your dream four ball? Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Nelly Korda and myself.

Bryson or Brooks?

Bryson!

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