Worldwide Golf December 2015

Worldwide Golf

December 2015, issue 176

Thee Middle East’s No.1 Golf Magazine

TRAVEL TRAVEL GLENDOWER CLUB, GOLF CLUB, JJOHANNESBURG OHANNESBURG EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT IIRON RON INVASION U IHLEIN GETS A UIHLEIN GETS TITLEIST FITTING TTOUR OUR NEWS NEWS CHALLENGE C HALLENGE TTOUR OUR RETURNS TTO O THE UAE

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THE SPANISH SP PANISH S SIBLINGS SIB BLING GS GO O HEAD TO HEAD HEA AD IN DUBAI

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

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Watch the L SIBLING SHORT GAME SHOWDOWN EMMA VS RAFA CABRERA-BELLO

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December 2015

CONTENTS Features

26 32 66 93 96 98

ON COURSE WITH THE CABRERA-BELLOS WWG talks exclusively to European Tour star Rafa Cabrera-Bello and his sister Emma as their short-game skills are put to the test at the ETPI at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Keith Pelley

The new European Tour Chief Executive, Keith Pelley, reflects on his first three months in charge and lays out his vision for the future.

Hannah Dodds

The Dubai Eye radio presenter talks to WWG about how moving to the emirate has re-kindled her love for golf.

Off Course

Former World Footballer of the Year Luis Figo professes his love for golf – and he’s a fan of Matthew Fitzpatrick having watched the young Englishman’s breakthrough win at the British Masters.

Driving Range

The chance to win Dubai Duty Free’s latest Luxury Car prize is a Bentley Continental GT.

Destination: Johannesburg

With four daily direct flights between Dubai and Johannesburg, WWG takes an in-depth look at the host of this year’s BMW South African Open – Glendower Golf Club.

Worldwide GOLF 10

December 2015

CONTENTS Regulars Starter 18 The Golf news from here, there and everywhere.

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Columnist

73

Arabian Golf

David Howell shoots the breeze about the latest goings on in the world game.

WWG samples the course at the new Al Zorah Golf Club, plus all the latest news from the leading golf clubs in the region.

Tour News 36 Rory does the Dubai Double

Rory McIlroy emerges winner of both the DPWTC and The Race to Dubai, and how charity was a big winner in Dubai and analysis of the dramatic climax to the Road to Oman.

47

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World Round-Ups

Reports, quotes and results from the recent events on The European Tour and the US PGA Tour.

Gear Invasion 61 Iron GolfHouse test the Cobra

Instruction Cowen 53 Pete World-renowned coach Pete Cowen makes chipping seem simple with this easyto-follow explanation of the basics.

Fly-Z, Callaway Apex, TaylorMade PSi and the Mizuno JPX-EZ Forged.

65

Peter Uihlein gets ďŹ tted

69

Win TaylorMade Kalea ladies’ driver

European Tour star Peter Uihlein gets ďŹ tted with a new 3-wood by the Titleist Custom Fitting specialists at the DP World Tour.

Get your hands on the latest Ladies Driver by entering our competition.

56

School’s in

58

The Perfect Environment

Al Badia Golf Club’s School of Golf was launched in March. WWG gets the lowdown on its progress and achievements.

The Dubai Golf Academy at Emirates Golf Club is on hand to offer students a perfect environment for improving all aspects of their game.

Worldwide GOLF 12

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December 2015

Editor’s Letter

ISSUE No. 176, DECEMBER, 2015 Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd

Are players creating a global tour?

A

s Rory tapped in his winning putt to secure the DP World Tour Championship and the 2015 Race to Dubai, a week that bagged him a cool $3million, The European Tour pros were gearing up to kick start the 2016 season in South Africa just four days after the season finale at Jumeriah Golf Esates.

For the golf critics who say the players have it easy and it’s a dream job to play all over the world for millions, just try playing five rounds in five days and do the same in a different country the next week. OK, it will be fun to start off with but it will not be long before the body starts to ache and the hunger to play starts to fade. Especially when you sometimes have to get up at 04:00 to be game-ready for your 07:00 tee time.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great living if you are at the top but it’s an individual professional sport where there is no place to hide behind your team-mates. Then you have the added pressure of balancing the books as the overheads to play a 25-tournament season add up to more the $250,000.

So players need to make sure they plan their annual schedule accordingly. To make ends meet many players have to play as many events as possible and big names also need to work out which events will carry the most Official World Ranking points and their sponsor committments.

This leads me on to why Henrik Stenson didn’t perform at the DP World Tour Championship. The defending champion was looking to make it three in a row but he played all of the events in The European Tour’s final series, which included two in China, and when he arrived in Dubai he was running

on empty. This was brought to everyone’s attention after his opening round of 77 and no matter how hard he tried he just couldn’t get anything going. He was hungry to win but there was nothing left in the tank, as was the case with a few other big name players who had endured an intense season. Shane Lowry finished fifth three shots behind Stenson in 2014 but this year’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational champion finished 48th. Last year’s runner-up Justin Rose was another who uncharacteristically failed to string four solid rounds together.

For 2016 The European Tour has reshuffled the Final Series to just three events – the Turkish Airlines Open, the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Many of the big name European Tour pros playing both tours will need to have their eyes on Ryder Cup points and make sure they fullfil their contracted number of events in order to reach the DP World Tour Championship in form.

This could also mean that more US PGA Tour players like Patrick Reed might opt to play both tours. Outside the World Golf Championships and the Majors they would only have to play a further five tournaments to be eligible to take up European Tour membership. Could we see the likes of Spieth and Fowler playing on both Tours just like Rory and Henrik?

I think this is the way the game will be with the leading players hosting their national opens in the same way Rory heads up the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation. Interesting times ahead...

Alex Gallemore Worldwide GOLF 14

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, Scott Grayston Production/Design Editor: Thameem Rayyan Editorial Panel: Gary Player, Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Todd Staszko Photography: Getty Images, Joanna Eardley June 2009 SSN 1- 46805671 Approval UAE National Media Council: Ref.816 30/5/2007 Trade Licence No. 1/104375/15280

Printed by: Raidy, Dubai 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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The Course

Gary Player CC at Sun City, South Africa

Nedbank joins the Final Series

T

he Nedbank Golf Challenge has been played at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City since 1981 and became a fully-fledged European Tour event in 2013.

Next year the event will be played twice and both will count towards the 2016 Race to Dubai. The tournament will be the second and second-to-last event on the 2016 European Tour schedule as it takes its place in the newly re-shuffled Final Series.

Since its inception in 2013, the Final Series has comprised four tournaments, but from next year the WGC-HSBC Champions will no longer be included.

Instead, the tournament will join the WGC-Cadillac Championship and the WGC-Dell Match Play Championship as part of the regular Race to Dubai season.

That move means the 2016 Final Series will begin with the $7million Turkish Airlines Open from November 3-6, followed by the $7million Nedbank Golf Challenge from November 10-13, before The Race to Dubai once again concludes with the $8million DP World Tour Championship, at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, from November 17-20.

The past-winners list of the Nedbank at Sun City reads like a Who’s Who of Golf, with the likes of Johnny Miller, Ray Floyd, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Price, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam and Ernie Els amongst the roll of honour.

Recent winners including Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood.

The course, designed by Gary Player, is one of the most famous in South Africa thanks to the history of the Nedbank Challenge and is also one of the longest, measuring a total of 7,831 yards when the pros tee it up.

Worldwide GOLF 18

STARTER

Worldwide GOLF 19

Good Year Inbee Park (pictured left) completed four fifths of the Grand Slam thanks to her first career win at the Women’s British Open. The South Korean has seven Majors to her name in total.

STARTER

Jason Day (pictured right) finally realised his potential with his recordbreaking US PGA Championship victory.

The Presidents Cup The biennial battle was exciting for the first time in almost a decade, going down to the wire after a change to the scoring format.

LYDIA KO WINS SUCCESSIVE RACE TO THE CME GLOBE TITLES

Lydia Ko, 18, ended her season on a high for the second consecutive year with victory in the $1m Race to the CME Globe title. Ko finished in a share of seventh in the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship on the LPGA Tour and finished top of the race ahead of Inbee Park and Lexi Thompson. Ko, who became the youngest winner of a Major in September at the Evian Championship, said: “Every emotion went through me – I’m happy the season is over and I can relax now.” American Cristie Kerr won the tournament with a 17-under-par score.

PETER SENIOR WINS THE AUSSIE MASTERS Senior golfer Peter Senior, 56, won the Australian Masters for the third time in his career with a two-stroke win over American amateur Bryson DeChambeau.

Phil Mickelson dropped out of the top 25 in the world for the first time since 1995. A share of second place at Augusta was one of his only three top tens.

FALDO WARNS SPIETH ABOUT OVER-TINKERING

SIX-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo has said Jordan Spieth needs to avoid looking to change things in his game if he is to remain World No.1 for the foreseeable future. "I've been there, when you're playing well you're always looking for more but all you really want to do is just maintain things as they are,” said Faldo. “If you're playing good enough to compete against everyone and your game is good enough to beat the best in the world ... I wouldn't go and look to over-tinker with it. That's what many plaers have done before, thinking 'I've got this good, I want to keep going', but maintaining it is a tough enough game as it is."

SCHOFIELD DISAPPOINTED IN CASEY DECISION Adam Scott The Australian’s last season with an anchored broomhandle putter yielded no wins. He recently finished 70th at the WGC-HSBC Champions.

Suzann Pettersen Will she ever be able to shake off her role in ‘Gimme Gate’ at the Solheim Cup?

Bad Year

Former Head of The European Tour Ken Schofield has expressed his disappointment in Paul Casey’s decision to not take up European Tour membership for 2016 and exclude himself from qualifying for the Ryder Cup. “I’ve known Paul since his Walker Cup days before the turn of the century and was with him when he turned professional,” said Schofield. “Clearly I’m disappointed in his decision to revoke his European Tour membership and I have some difficulty in thinking it’s 100 per cent family related.

It’s been reported that Justin Rose believes that Casey is still hurting after being left out of the 2010 Ryder Cup by Colin Montgomerie.

“But I want Paul to channel any disappointment he might have and look to 2018 and The Ryder Cup in Paris. Justin was also left off the 2010 team and has gone on to be a Major champion and a huge part of future Ryder Cup successes. Paul is young enough and good enough. I hope he can put his lingering thoughts to one side and come back and help the European Ryder Cup cause.”

Q U OT E S OF T HE MONTH "Winning a gold medal has got to be up there now in my mind with winning a Major championship. I think this year we're going to approach the Olympics as a fifth Major, and prepare as if it is and I'm going to go down there to try and take care of business."

– Jordan Spieth on the importance of Golf at the Olympics next summer.

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"Honestly, this PGA Tour wraparound season sucks. It does, seriously. It's aggravating to have to play this much… It's just golf after golf after golf. Ain't no time for hunting and fishing, man."

– Former Ryder Cup star Boo Weekley underlines his priorities.

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The European Stars' Christmas Wish lists

THE 2015 golf season has come to an end and the players can now turn their attention to Christmas as they start to relax and spend time with their families and friends. Worldwide Golf spoke to some of the leading players on The European Tour to see what is top of their Christmas Wish List.

David Howell “I only want one thing but I doubt I’ll get it – I would like ‘The Amateurs’ by John Niven.

I believe it’s a great book. I also need the time to read it!”

Luke Donald “Pretty simple for me. I have three young girls so I want to see them with a smile on their faces and I hope they stay healthy for the rest of their lives.”

Henrik Stenson “One extra week until next season starts.”

Justin Rose “I have really got into golf course design this year and have really begun to research it. I've put a couple of books about that onto my Christmas list. Pretty boring I know!”

Tommy Fleetwood “A girlfriend would be a nice Christmas present."

Danny Willett “All you want is a nice dinner, a nice glass of something, and to have your family and friends around you. That’s all you really want. When you’re travelling 50 weeks of the year you want to get home, put your feet up and take the dog for a walk – just the normal things that bring you back down to earth and that you love doing.”

Joost Luiten “I haven’t really thought about it but a nice meal with my friends and a couple of drinks would be a good Christmas present for me.”

Lee Westwood “I’d be happy with a new pair of underpants and socks, or an orange perhaps. That would do me.”

Thomas Pieters “A driver that goes straight every time. That would be nice!”

Pablo Larrazabal “I just want my family, friends and I to be healthy. I want the world to be safer because it’s not in the best mood these days. I want everyone to be happy and enjoy golf.”

Worldwide GOLF 23

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GOLF... IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR

THE CABRE

C

OMPETITIVE SIBLINGS ARE COMMONPLACE IN HOUSEHOLDS AROUND THE WORLD BUT IT’S NOT OFTEN YOU HEAR ABOUT A FAMILY THAT ARE ALL EXCEPTIONALLYY TALENTED IN THE SAME SPORT. RAFA CABRERA-BELLO SHOT TO FAME IN THE UAE AND AROUND THE WORLD FOLLOWING HIS DUUBBAI AI DAZZLING VICTORY IN THE 2012 OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC BUT WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE AREN’T AWARE OF IS THAT HIS SISTER EMMA, AND BROTHER MIGUEL, ARE ALSO HUGELY TALENTED PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS. MIGUEL PLIES HIS TRADE ON THE PRO GOLF TOUR WHILE EMMA IS AN OCCASIONAL COMPETITOR ON THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR AND SHE’LL MAKE HER RETURN TO EMIRATES GOLF CLUB, SCENE OF BIG BROTHER RAFA’S SENSATIONAL VICTORY, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2011 TO COMPETE IN THE OMEGA DUBAI LADIES MASTERS. WORLDWIDE GOLF’S RICK BEVAN CAUGHT UP WITH RAFA AND EMMA AT THE EUROPEAN TOUR PERFORMANCE INSTITUTE BEFORE PITTING THEM AGAINST EACH OTHER IN OUR ‘SIBLING SHORT GAME SHOWDOWN’. YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE VIDEO ON WORLDWIDE.GOLF OR IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION.

Worldwide GOLF 26

COVER STORY RAFA AND EMMA CABRERA-BELLO

RA-BELLOS

Worldwide GOLF 27

COVER STORY RAFA AND EMMA CABRERA-BELLO

1. BUNKER TEST RAFA 1:0 EMMA The short game challenge at the ETPI begins with a ‘Nearest the Pin’ bunker test!

2. CHIPPING CHALLENGE RAFA 2:0 EMMA

Worldwide Golf: So who was the first to pick up the clubs in the Cabrera-Bello family?

Rafa Cabrera-Bello: We all started playing at roughly the same time. I was six, Emma was four and my little brother Miguel was three. My uncle came to our house one day with a golf club and a plastic ball so we practiced a few swings in the back yard. Everyone thinks it’s easier than it actually is so our dad started taking us all to the golf course.

Emma Cabrera-Bello: I don’t recall when I first started because we were so young.

We do have some fun videos at home where we are swinging a golf club and completely missing the ball.

The clips are totally locked up! Golf is something that we did together from the start.

WWG: You’ve played some events on the Ladies European Tour. Has Rafa’s European Tour career been a source of inspiration for you?

Emma: Absolutely. My best example is when Rafa won in Austria. I was playing at the LPGA Q-School and I shot the best round of the day after watching him win. It made it even more special because my younger brother Miguel was caddying for me on the day.

“I ALWAYS LOVE TO WATCH HIM, ESPECIALLY WHEN HE IS PLAYING WELL! IF HE’S ON TV, IT MEANS HE IS PLAYING WELL. IF NOT I’M CONSTANTLY CHECKING HIS UPDATES ON MY PHONE.”

WWG: Were you competitive against your brothers or was it just friendly fun?

Emma: Our dad invented a game that we would play most afternoons where we would play for pins. Each day he would collect pins then give one pin to each of us.

Rafa: He invented a quick handicap system so we all had an equal chance of winning. He would allocate variable shots out of the blue to challenge whoever was playing better to make the competition fair but competitive. It was very enjoyable and there was a healthy competition between us.

Rafa chips to within inches of the pin from the edge of the green to increase his lead.

This is not the start that Emma wanted...

we got into our teens. We’d have a tab going between us and I could be losing to Rafa but there was still time to come out on top!

WWG: Emma, did you take great pride in getting the better of your brothers?

Emma: The competition started kicking in when

Worldwide GOLF 29

WWG: You said you enjoy watching Rafa playing and always try to make time to do it even if you’re travelling?

Emma: Yes, I always love to watch him, especially when he is playing well!

If he’s on TV, it means he is playing well. If not I’m constantly checking his updates on my phone.

Some of my friends say it’s boring watching golf but when you are invested in the person you are watching you get to see and feel all the tension.

WWG: What are the most admirable parts of Rafa’s game?

Emma: Rafa is a well-rounded player. He can pull off any shot he needs to at any given moment, which is his great strength. He is usually very consistent and puts himself into contention most of the time. This can only be done if your whole game is working well. ▶

– Emma Cabrera-Bello

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COVER STORY RAFA AND EMMA CABRERA-BELLO

3. RAFA PUTT-OFF 3:3 EMMA With Rafa two ahead, Emma had it all to do in the putt-off worth three points.

She held her nerve to sink all three putts, when Rafa only buried one. We have a tie!

“IT WAS AN AMAZING WEEK. I SHOT NINE-UNDER ON THE FIRST DAY. I WAS LEADING FROM THE OFF. I FELT I WAS IN CONTENTION WHICH I ENJOY BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT ALL YOUR SHOTS MATTER AND THAT EVERYONE IS PAYING ATTENTION TO ALL YOUR MOVES.”

– Rafa Cabrera-Bello

WWG: What are the most admirable parts of Emma’s game, Rafa?

Rafa: Emma always plays with an open mind and enjoys the game. She handles pressure extremely well and plays golf the way it should be played which is fantastic.

WWG: Is there an added pressure on Emma and Miguel in that they play professional golf but have more financial challenges such as arranging things like accommodation and flights compared to the elite category that you are in, Rafa?

Rafa: That is just the way golf works. People look at me when I’m on TV and think we are doing great and have an unbelievable lifestyle and they are right. However, this is not the normality. We are very fortunate to be among the elite golfers. Other professional golfers have a completely different lifestyle. The good thing about golf is that nobody can kick you out of where you deserve to be. It’s all down to merit.

WWG: Do you find it a challenge planning which tournaments you would like to play, Emma, and organising the trip?

Emma: Anything backstage that you don’t see on TV is a whole lot of work. Regardless of what tour you are playing, everybody is waking up in a morning and coming down to the golf course to practice their routines. It’s the same if you are on the mini tour but obviously the prizemoney is much lower. Backstage is similar but it’s the front stage that’s paradoxical.

WWG: You’ve studied for a Business degree at the same time as playing golf, Emma. Was that part of a plan to have something to fall back

on away from the game or is it just a passion of yours?

Emma: I am very passionate about golf and have a desire to have a CV that talks about 360 degrees golf. This would involve playing golf, organising events, coaching, marketing and manufacturing in different aspects of the game. That’s what I’m building right now.

Men have long-lasting professional careers in golf that span to around 15 years and more, whereas women only have around eight years

WATCH THE VIDEO AT ‘WORLDWIDE.GOLF’ on average. I always think that if you want a different career after golf, you should learn something new, then if you love golf you can apply what you learn to the sport.

WWG: Last time you played in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters in 2011, Rafa did something spectacular on that same golf course at the start of 2012. You’ll always be known for that victory in the Dubai Desert Classic in this part of the world Rafa, so have you got any tips for Emma ahead of this year’s tournament at Emirates Golf Club?

Worldwide GOLF 31

Rafa: Maybe I can give her a couple of tips.

However, her game is good and she knows the course very well, too. I will offer my help to her but her game plan is already great.

WWG: Can you run us through that famous victory, Rafa, and what it meant to you in your career?

Rafa: It was an amazing week. I shot nine-under on the first day so I was leading from the off. I felt I was in contention which I enjoy because it means that all your shots matter and that everyone is paying attention to all your moves. I was playing great and feeling very comfortable after a decent streak of results prior to the event. Having the chance to win and taking risks like I did on the 16th that came off was unbelievable. To go ahead of Lee Westwood and Stephen Gallacher in the final group and win the tournament was amazing. It catapulted me up the World Rankings and opened the door for me to enter the Majors. It feels like it happened a while ago now so I’m keen to repeat the feat in another tournament.

WWG: How nice would it be to do a Cabrera-Bello double at Emirates Golf Club?

Emma: That would be brilliant. To be honest, I’m not playing full-time anymore so it will be difficult to happen but I’ll try my best and see how well I play. You never know, golf is a magical thing and it’s a course I know extremely well. It was so enjoyable watching Rafa win there. I know the course and was so nervous when Rafa ended up on the right on the 16th. I couldn’t see the hole but he saw it.

Then the putt he made on the 17th was superb.

I was jumping around in my room when he sank it. What a memorable moment. Q

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FEATURE KEITH PELLY

KEITH PELLEY

THE EUROPEAN TOUR’S NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE, KEITH PELLEY, REFLECTS ON HIS FIRST THREE MONTHS IN CHARGE AND LAYS OUT HIS VISION FOR THE FUTURE • • • • •

The European Tour will offer a ‘viable alternative’ to the PGA Tour within three to five years. * There will be a ‘Players First’ philosophy and an expansion of the Tour’s current Player Relations Department. * Banishing slow play will be a priority. * The Final Series will become three events next year, featuring the existing Turkish Airlines Open and the DP World Tour Championship in addition to the Nedbank Golf Challenge for the first time.

Membership criteria will be reduced to five events, excluding the Majors and the WGCs.

I

t’s been a whirlwind three months, absolutely full-on. Often when you come in as a CEO, you look to reflect and understand all facets of the business before you move towards executing your plans. But we became operational on day one.

On day two Keith Waters (The European Tour’s Chief Operating Officer) and I headed to Singapore to meet some of the Asian Tour players and we are certainly fully engaged in the joint vision partnership between The European Tour and the Asian Tour.

I got very involved in the Bridgestone Invitational decision on my fifth day and obviously dealt with the situation that Rory McIlroy had in terms of not playing 13 events due to his injury. So there have been a number of things that I’ve needed to look at.

But, having said that, I’ve still had a tremendous amount of time to reflect, to speak to a number of stakeholders, sponsors and players, all of whom have been fantastic. I’ve been dealing with athletes for the last 25 years, and I’ve never had such a great experience dealing with professional athletes as I’ve had in the last three months.

The players’ willingness to be part of something special and to grow The European Tour is not only incredibly rewarding and energising, it also allows us to see the opportunity that exists for us.

PLAYERS FIRST First and foremost, we are going to be different. There is no question about that. We

are in the midst of structuring our overall Tour to reflect a ‘Players First’ philosophy. That is something that will be absolutely critical for us.

We have a Player Relations Department that will expand and will report directly to me. It will have a number of different participants who will speak different languages because we play in 27 different countries. We are a European Tour in name, but we are a global tour in practice. As a result, our Player Relations Department will reflect our membership.

SLOW PLAY I’ve had a chance to talk to a number of players at all levels and one of the things that keeps coming up is slow play. We are going to be the leaders in dealing with that. I cannot tell you what that means from a concrete perspective right now but I’ve had significant dialogue with Martin Slumbers in St Andrews and the R&A are in total agreement that this is something we need to deal with.

A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE PGA TOUR I do believe there seems to be a bit of an obsession in the media regarding who is not playing in our tournaments week in week out, as opposed to who is playing. But I understand it.

I’ve been in the media for close on 30 years and this would be the question that I’m asking – how do you get more players to play on The European Tour?

The answer is very simple. We need to provide a viable alternative to the PGA Tour for our elite, medium and lower-ranked players. End of story.

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▶

“

“

Within three to five years we will definitely have a viable alternative, so that a 17, 18, 19-year-old doesn’t necessarily need to go to America to be able to make as much money as he possibly can.

We need to be too important to be dismissed by our sponsors, by our stakeholders or by our players. It doesn’t get anymore simple than that.

What that means is we are going to have to increase our prize purses. That means that we are going to have to focus on our diversity.

We play in unbelievable places across the world like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Turkey, Paris and Switzerland – and I could go through all of them as we play in 27 different countries in four regions of the world.

Diversity is most certainly one of the greatest strengths we have and we need to capitalise on that. But at the same time, we need to raise prize purses, increase playing opportunities and give our elite players an opportunity for a viable option to the PGA Tour.

That won’t happen overnight and it’s not necessarily going to happen in 2016. But you’ll start to see it happen in 2017 and come to fruition in 2018. Within three to five years we will definitely have a viable alternative, so that a 17, 18, 19-year-old doesn’t necessarily need to go to America to be able to make as much money as he possibly can.

RESTRUCTURING THE FINAL SERIES I can tell you that one of the strengths of The European Tour, and one of the reasons why we’re as healthy as we are and why we have a position and an opportunity for me to focus on growth, is because of the work of our Chief Operating Officer, Keith Waters.

Keith’s institutional knowledge is terrific. He is absolutely brilliant, and he is the one who has brought the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa to the table as part of our Final Series. It will move from a field of 30 to 72 players in 2016.

Keith has been an absolute delight for me to work with, and has brought me up to speed so quickly. I still have a lot to learn and will continue to learn from him.

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA Again, there has been a lot of conversation about this and quite honestly, as somebody who has been in the media for so long. I love the speculation.

However, after significant dialogue and conversations with many of our players, we have made a decision to move from 13 tournaments to five, excluding the four Majors and the four World Golf Championships.

One of the reasons we did that was to help some of the players who have been entrenched in the US. It certainly came to the forefront after what transpired in Hong Kong with Ian Poulter, with him having to race around to play there to ensure that he got those 13 events in.

This change will allow our players to schedule more efficiently at the beginning of the year, so they know exactly how they are

European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley enjoys a rare break from work by taking part in the Pro-Am for the British Masters supported by Sky Sports.

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FEATURE KEITH PELLY

Keith Pelley presents Rory McIlroy with the trophy after the Northern Irishman won last month’s DP World Tour Championship, wrapping up The Race to Dubai in the process.

going to maintain their membership. Finally, in summary, I can tell you that we are going to be aggressive. We are going to make changes. We are going to experiment with format changes.

We are going to increase prize purses at all levels, and we are going to provide greater playing opportunities for members at all levels.

I knew there was a great opportunity coming

here, but it’s a greater opportunity than I originally thought. We have a diversity, a worldclass brand and a world-class Tour. We can build on that diversity with our greatest assets – the players.

So I do believe we have significant opportunity to grow. It won’t happen overnight.

But it will happen.

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Keith Pelley is joined

by Rory McIlroy and Dubai Duty Free’s Colm McLoughlin to launch a ticket promotion for the DDF Irish Open during the DP World Tour Championship.

Tour News McIlroy at the double ... again

R

ory McIlroy wrapped up his second ‘Dubai Double’ in four years as he saw off the challenge of England’s Andy Sullivan to win the DP World Tour Championship by one shot and with it the season-long Race to Dubai title.

McIlroy went into the final day trailing Sullivan, who was cheered every step of the way by the vociferous ‘Sully Army’, by one stroke and quickly slipped three behind as the Englishman got off to a flying start.

But the Ulsterman was relentless in his pursuit of a title that would guarantee retaining his Race to Dubai crown. He duly produced a virtuoso performance in a final round six under 66, to finish on 21 under par 267, which was enough to reel in Sullivan whose four under 68 left him just one shot adrift.

“It’s a fantastic way to finish the season – winning my second DP World Tour Championship and my third Race to Dubai in four years,” said McIlroy. “I didn’t think Andy was ever going to miss.

Every time I holed a birdie, he matched it. He’s a terrific performer and I had to give it everything I'd got to win.

“He played phenomenal golf all week but then you don’t win three times in a season without being a great player. I got to the turn in three-under yet I wasn’t making up any ground. The birdies on the 14th and 15th were definitely a turning point and I managed to get myself out of a hole with the bogey on 17.”

World-Class Performer

Described by McIlroy as “the best bogey of my career”, the bogey-four after finding water on the par-three 17th came courtesy of draining a 35ft putt that ensured him a one-shot lead going up the last. For Sullivan, it was a case of ‘hopes dashed’ and proof he was playing against one of the best in the world.

“Being the class performer Rory is, I had to birdie 14 and 15 just stay with him and parring both left me with just that little bit too much to do,” smiled Sullivan. “On the 17th, I thought I had a chance. But Rory got a good read on my first putt and I turned to my caddie and said: "I expect him to hole this." That's just the quality Rory is and the world-class performer he is.”

For Sullivan, second place earned him the largest cheque of his career (US$888,880) and a career-best overall placing of eighth in The Race to Dubai.

“Maybe one shot better and I’d have taken him to a play-off,” Sullivan added.

“But it was an awesome day and I gave it everything on the front nine. I just couldn't quite get the putts to drop on the back nine.

Just to go head-to-head with Rory was absolutely awesome and something that will remain in my memory for a long time.”

Latest Victory

McIlroy’s latest victory – his 12th on The European Tour – continued his love affair with Dubai, the city where he won his first European Tour title at the Desert Classic back in 2009 and where he won the same title at the start of this year.

After picking up more than US$2.5 million in prize-money and Bonus Pool earnings, the European Number One will enjoy a well earned eight-week break before picking up his clubs again in Dubai in January.

“My aim was to come here to win The Race to Dubai title and try and win this tournament again,” he said.

“The money doesn't motivate me the way trophies do. I'm not saying that money's not important. It obviously is.

But there are more things important to me and one is collecting trophies,

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putting tournaments on my resume – and fortunately I was able to do that this week.”

Danny Willett, McIlroy’s main rival for The Race to Dubai crown going into the final event of the season, made an early charge before the Englishman bogeyed two of his last three holes to drop to 13 under and take a share of fourth. South Africa’s Branden Grace closed with a 67, securing third on his own at 15 under.

One of the shots of the day came from Italy’s Francesco Molinari who provided the only hole-in-one of the week when he aced his seven-iron tee shot on the par-three sixth – the 46th and last hole-in-one of The 2015 European Tour season. It helped the Italian to a round of four under 68 and a tie for fourth place alongside Willett, Byeong Hun An, Emiliano Grillo, Charl Schwartzel and Matthew Fitzpatrick on 13 under par 271.

The 2015 DP World Tour Championship witnessed a record 65,280 people flocking to Jumeirah Golf Estates to enjoy what has become one of best loved sporting and social events on the calendar.

AM-AM PLAYERS ENJOY GOLF GAMEBOOK EXPERIENCE

DANNY WILLETT PROVES A REGULAR ON THE CHOPPER

P

layers and VIPs at the DP World Tour Championship were flying high, courtesy of Bell Helicopter, who were running flights in their luxurious Bell 429 between Atlantis, The Palm (where the competitors were staying) and Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Many players enjoyed taking a trip at various points throughout the week but there was one who just kept coming back for more….

Race to Dubai runner-up Danny Willett.

“It was a nice touch by The European Tour and Bell Helicopter to have that amazing helicopter available at the event,” said Willett. “If something like that’s there you take advantage, don’t you!

He certainly did…and why not?

ACE MOLINARI HEADING FOR ATLANTIS Italy’s Francesco Molinari is heading for an ‘all expenses paid’ two nights' stay at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai after making a sensational hole-in-one on the par three sixth hole during the final round of the DP World Tour Championship.

“It was a really great shot. I hit my ball straight at it,” said the Italian, who went on to sign for a 68 and finish the tournament in a tie for fourth place on 13 under par 275. “Obviously 99.9 per cent of the time it doesn’t go in but this one went straight in.

“It was a good judgement because we changed our club selection just before I hit the shot, switching from a 6 to a 7 iron, so it was a great moment to finish the season with an ace.

“It’s a great prize - two nights at Atlantis, The Palm - so I’m sure the family will be happy and we’ll try to use it as soon as possible.”

Charity wins big at DP World Tour Championship There was plenty of world-class golf on display at last month’s seasonending showdown with a constant flow of birdies and eagles pouring in on each day of the tournament, which was great news for the official charities of the tournament, including Friends of Cancer Patients.

More than US$50,000 was raised in a wonderful initiative driven by title sponsor DP World, The European Tour, the Tour Players Foundation and Jumeirah Golf Estates, known as the ‘Birdie Pledge’. At the conclusion of the tournament the final birdie count was 1,000, of which winner Rory McIlroy contributed 26, and the eagle count was 17 – including a holein-one by Italy’s Francesco Molinari, taking the total raised to $51,700.

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The European Tour Am-Am saw amateur players treated to the experience of competing on the championship-set up Earth course the day after the conclusion of the DP World Tour Championship.

The morning shotgun saw a tie between the teams from Emirates and Atlantis, The Palm, while the afternoon contest saw the team from BMW emerge triumphant.

Adding to the banter on the day was the fact that the players were using the Golf Gamebook live scoring app to not only keep track of who was making moves up the leaderboard, but to socially interact with each other, too, using the ‘Game Feed’ function.

The free app, which also features GPS course mapping, has been downloaded nearly 900,000 times across the globe, making it the fastest growing golf community in the world, and more than three million rounds of golf have been played by its users.

You can download the Golf GameBook app for free or use GameBook’s free online services available at www. golfgamebook.com.

CONGRATULATIONS TO RORY MCILROY, WINNER OF THE 2015 DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP, DUBAI

The European Tour and its players would like to thank DP World, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Emirates, BMW, Rolex, sponsors and all the government entities including Centre of Ambulance Services, Dubai Civil Aviation, Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Police, Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Tourism, Emirates *ROI )HGHUDWLRQ (QYLURQPHQWDO +HDOWK 6DIHW\ ò 7UDNKHHV ,PPLJUDWLRQ 2τFH DQG WKH 5RDGV DQG 7UDτF Authority (RTA) for making the 2015 DP World Tour Championship a success.

Tour News IVOR ROBSON ‘OFF THE TEE’ AFTER 41 YEARS

T

he final day of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates provided a fitting stage for one of the game’s best loved figures to take his final bow when Ivor Robson, the ‘Voice of Golf’, retired after 41 years as Official Starter to The European Tour and The Open.

A career that began at Carnoustie in 1975 and has seen the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tiger Woods welcomed onto the first tee in inimitable fashion, finally came to an end when the final pair of Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan took their tee shots to begin round four of The European Tour’s seasonending climax in Dubai.

“It’s just been wonderful, you don’t realise that the years go by so quickly,” said Robson who was presented with a plaque by European

Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley, Chairman David Williams and Chief Operating Officer Keith Waters before Henrik Stenson and a group of players who had gathered to witness the historic farewell of a true icon of the game gave him a specially commissioned oil painting by local artist Mark Robinson.

“These guys are just super, they’re a credit to the game, and you mustn’t forget the caddies either because they’re so unique – they could all have their own TV programmes, they’re just naturally funny, but professional with it.

“I’ve been out on the tee all this time and the banter we’ve had is just unbelievable – they’re a great bunch of guys

out there. I’m going to miss it, everything about it. Just being part of a team – a very successful team to help keep the events running smoothly has been a great honour.

“There have been a number of highlights. I’ve announced all the greats: Nicklaus, Palmer, Player. Bobby Locke, Sam Snead, Roberto De Vincenzo – all these players I’ve announced, it’s amazing isn’t it?

"You can’t help but mention the great Seve of course – without him we wouldn’t be in as fortunate position on The European Tour as we are today because he did so much for golf.”

After a career that has seen Robson take his position on the opening tee of some

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of the finest courses in the world, the famous announcer felt that Dubai, and the DP World Tour Championship, was a fitting place to call it a day.

“The attention to detail is incredible – the sponsors here think of everything,” he said. “It’s the end of the year so the players are in a nice frame of mind. They’ve had a busy year and what a lovely event this is to finish with.

“If I had to choose an event to finish with it would be this one. I’ve been made to feel so welcome, it means a lot to me.”

What does Ivor plan to do now that he’ll have more free time in his life?

“I’m going to have a gap year!” he declared. Q

Tour News

P

ortugal’s Ricardo Gouveia produced a spectacular finish to a sensational season to win the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final at Almouj Golf, Muscat, last month, topping the Road to Oman Rankings in the process to become European Challenge Tour Number One. The 23-year old went into the season-ending finale narrowly ahead of his good friend Sebastien Gros at the top of the Rankings and finished the season like a true champion.

Gouveia bounced back from a bogey after missing a short putt on the ninth to set the Greg Normandesigned course alight down the back nine with five birdies in a row from the 12th for a seven-under 65 for a 13-under-par winning total of 275, one stroke clear of Denmark’s Joachim B. Hansen.

Seal Victory

“I have no words to describe how I’m feeling right now,” said Gouveia, who played a delightful chip out of a greenside bunker at the last and followed up with an assured five footer for par to seal the victory.

“I got my rhythm back in the middle of the round and the putter was really hot on the back nine. I holed a lot of putts, including probably the most important one on 18 to secure the win.”

The NBO event, having been the penultimate tournament on the European Challenge Tour Schedule in 2013 and 2014, had earned it's promotion to the season-ending Grand Final, open only to the top 45 players.

It also marked the rebranding of the season-long prize money contest to the ‘Road to Oman’. As well as playing for a sizeable prize fund of €375,000, with €64,000 for the winner, the top 15 players on

00 | WorldwideGolf - May 2014

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GOUVEIA DOES THE ‘OMAN DOUBLE’ AT THE NBO GOLF CLASSIC GRAND FINAL team have been amazing. They’re all so the Rankings after the NBO Golf Classic welcoming and friendly. I played with Grand Final were awarded their cards to Humayun Kabir, (General Manager, play on next season’s European Tour.

Wholesale Banking NBO) in the pro-am Although Gouveia entered the and he’s a great guy who loves golf. It’s tournament already assured of great to have people like that behind this promotion, he admitted that he was wonderful tournament. proud to become the first ever winner “I’d also like to thanks his His Highness of the ‘Oman Double’ after enjoying a Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said for wonderful week of traditional Omani supporting such an amazing event, hospitality in Muscat. plus all the players, who have talked “It’s great to close out both trophies – the Road to Oman and the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final – that was my goal for the week so I’m proud to have achieved it,” said – David Williams, Chairman of The European Tour Gouveia who also received a €30,000 Bonus for topping about how great it’s beenand also the the Rankings to take his prize money total for the season to a record €251,591. sponsors, especially NBO and Oman Air, without whom this wouldn’t have been “I think the Road to Oman has been a possible.” great success and this is the best venue Gouveia’s victory was the highlight of we visit all year. It’s the best course, the best welcome and the best set up. I really a day of intense drama at Almouj. With 15 European Tour cards up for grabs, a like coming here. birdie here or a bogey there could be the "The weather’s always perfect and it difference between elation and deflation. makes great sense for the Grand Final Runner-up Hansen, who held a fiveto be here and I’m glad it’s going to be way share of the lead heading into the staying at Almouj for at least the next final round, closed with a silky five-under few years. The National Bank of Oman

67 for a 12-under-par total to take fifth place on the final Road to Oman Rankings having been 17th heading into the tournament. Denmark’s Jeff Winther fired a closing round of six-under 66 to finish the tournament in a share of third place at 11-under-par to leap from 18th into the ‘Golden 15’ at 11th place.

England’s Callum Shinkwin joined Winther and Spain’s Nacho Elvira in third place to rocket from 23rd to 13th in the Rankings while South Africa’s Branden Stone finished a shot further back in sixth place after signing for a 68 to move from 19th to 14th on the Road to Oman.

Meanwhile, there was heartache for Ryan Fox, John Hahn, Daniel Im and Haydn Porteous who all dropped out of the top 15 to miss out on their European Tour cards.

David Williams, Chairman of The European Tour, who was in Muscat to watch the thrilling conclusion to the Challenge Tour season, said: “We see tournaments around the world and I have to say this was an exceptionally run, exceptionally hosted and exceptionally played tournament. You should be proud of yourself Oman.” Q

"We see tournaments around the world and I have to say this was an exceptionally run, exceptionally hosted and exceptionally played tournament. You should be proud of yourself Oman.”

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Tee times available from 7:30am

Tour News EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR RETURNS TO THE UAE

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Nick Tarratt, Director, European Tour International, Dubai Office shakes hands with Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, on conclusion of thr tournament agreement.

he inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge will see the European Challenge Tour, sponsored

by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, return to the United Arab Emirates in 2016. The event will be hosted at Al Hamra Golf Club from Wednesday 26 to Saturday 29 October.

This is the first time a professional golf tournament, which will be one of the top sporting events in the UAE next year, is being hosted in Ras Al Khaimah.

The tournament, with a prize fund of $350,000 up for grabs, will be sanctioned locally by the Emirates Golf Federation.

It will take up a key position in the 2016 schedule as the Challenge Tour’s penultimate event, the week before the season-ending climax, the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final in Oman.

Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said, “Hosting the European Challenge Tour is part of our commitment to golf tourism in the emirate and highlights the importance we are placing on the sport in 2016 and beyond.

"The world-class golf course at Al Hamra Golf Club is the ideal location for such a prestigious event, and we look forward to welcoming golf enthusiasts from around the world to the tournament.”

A field of a minimum of 85 Challenge Tour players plus a further 20 sponsors’ invitations of professionals and amateurs via the participating Federations can include Arab Nationals and expatriates with an appropriate handicap.

This will be the Challenge Tour players’ final opportunity to secure a place in the season-ending Grand Final at Almouj Golf, in Muscat, Oman, open only to the top 45 Challenge Tour players on the Road to Oman Rankings.

Nick Tarratt, Director, European Tour International, Dubai office, commented:

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“The launch of a Challenge Tour event in Ras Al Khaimah will provide the Al Hamra golf course with the opportunity to showcase the club, resort and emirate through our ‘play where the pros play’ mantra to a worldwide audience via our television and global media platforms.”

The Challenge Tour is ‘Where Heroes Are Made’ – the European Tour’s development tour and where the likes of Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Jamie Donaldson, Stephen Gallacher, Ian Poulter, Thomas Bjørn, Bernd Wiesberger and Branden Grace have all graduated to become stars on the big stage.

The par 72 Championship 18-hole golf course, designed by Peter Harradine and measuring 7,325 yards, meanders around four inter-connected open water lagoons, merging seamlessly with the water of the Arabian Gulf.

The announcement signals a welcome return to the UAE for the Challenge Tour following in the footsteps of the Challenge Tour Grand Final which was held in Dubai in 2013 and 2014.

The addition of the Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge to the Challenge Tour schedule means that there will now be seven significant European Tour golf initiatives on the Middle East golf calendar, along with: the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship; the Commercialbank Qatar Masters; the Omega Dubai Desert Classic; the DP World Tour Championship, the Abu Dhabi Invitational and the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final. Q

Tour News MCB Tour Championship Where: Constance Belle Mare Plage, Poste de Flacq, Mauritius When: December 11 – 13, 2015 What: The European Senior Tour Finale

E

nglishman Paul Wesselingh is once again the defending champion at the European Senior Tour Finale in Mauritius, having won the event back-to-back in 2013 and 2014. Wesselingh defeated compatriot and former Ryder Cup player Barry Lane on the sixth hole of sudden death at the Legends Course last year and he’ll be hoping to make it a rare hat-trick of victories in the same event on the European Senior Tour.

The tournament began in 2009 when it was played in December that year as the start of the 2010 season.

In 2011 the tournament counted twice towards the Order of Merit when it became the season-ending Tour Championship, with Amercan Tom Lehman victorious in the tournament’s new role as the climax to the campaign. The biggest name in this year's field is Colin Montgomerie and he will take home the John Jacobs Trophy for topping the Order of Merit having put together an unassailable lead. Montgomerie has already amassed €624,543 for the season - the highest in the history of the Senior Tour, comfortably beating Carl Mason’s previous 2007 benchmark of €412,376.

Last year Montgomerie became only the second former European Tour Number One to repeat the feat on the Senior Tour, matching the achievement of another former Ryder Cup captain, Ian Woosnam, in 2008.

“It’s quite a tricky course. You walk around and think it is 68 or 67 stuff, and yet there is a natural breeze from the ocean, and you have to position the ball well, so your course management skills are tested. Scoring is higher because of that, and the greens are grainy and small. It's a challenging golf course, one you feel you should score on but you don’t necessarily do that. The MCB Tour Championship is a big week for the Senior Tour and we have one of the best fields of the season. The leading 60 players from the year are here, and rightly so, as it is a truly great tournament.”

– Colin Montgomerie

Tournament History: Season 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

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Winner Paul WESSELINGH Paul WESSELINGH David FROST Tom LEHMAN David FROST Kevin SPURGEON

Purse €420,000 €400,000 €400,000 €400,000 €280,000 €230,000

Tour News

WORLD ROUNDUPS

Date: October 15-18 Event: Frys.com Open Venue: Silverado Country Club, Napa, California Winner’s Cheque: $1,080,000

Date: October 22-25 Event: Hong Kong Open Venue: Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, Hong Kong Winner’s Cheque: €289,948

GRILLO OUTLASTS NA FOR FIRST US WIN

ROSE RISES IN HONG KONG

Emiliano Grillo defeated Kevin Na in a playoff to win the US PGA Tour’s season-opening Frys.com Open at the Silverado Country Club in California. After draining a clutch 25-foot putt on the 72nd hole to make the play-off with Na, the 23-year-old Argentine sunk a 9-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole for his maiden US PGA Tour win in his first start as a member of the Tour – and a place in next year’s Masters at Augusta.

Justin Rose sealed his eighth European Tour title with a narrow victory over Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard at the Hong Kong Open. On what was a dramatic final day at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Rose carded a solid round of 68 to win by a single shot over Bjerregaard after the two players had easily outplayed the rest of the field.

“You say Masters, I can’t believe it. There are no words to explain this. This is the greatest moment of my life golf-wise.”

“When you separate yourself from the field like we did, it's probably a tough one for Lucas to lose. Although, he didn't lose it. We both of us played incredibly well and broke away from the rest of the field.”

Pos. Name 1 2 3

Country

Emiliano Grillo ARG Kevin Na USA Tyrone Van Aswegen RSA

-15 -15 -14

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

Pos. Name

68 71 65 69 68 71 64 70 69 68 69 68

273 273 274

1 2 3

Country

Justin Rose ENG Lucas Bjerregaard DEN Matthew Fitzpatrick ENG

-17 -16 -11

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

65 66 64 68 66 66 63 69 67 67 66 69

263 264 269

Date: October 29 – November 01 Event: Turkish Airlines Open Venue: The Montgomerie Maxx Royal, Antalya, Turkey Winner’s Cheque: €1,027,669

Date: October 22-125 Event: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Venue: TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada Winner’s Cheque: $ 1,152,000

TURKISH DELIGHT AGAIN FOR DUBUISSON

KAUFMAN A CUT ABOVE THE REST IN LAS VEGAS

Smylie Kaufman won his maiden US PGA Tour title in grand style by firing a final round of 10 under par 61 to take the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open by one shot from six players. The American made seven birdies and an eagle in his final 11 holes and waited more than two hours to see if anyone could match his score of 16 under par.

The European Tour’s Final Series got off to thrilling start as Victor Dubuisson claimed his second career Turkish Airlines Open title at The Montgomerie Maxx Royal in Antalya. The Frenchman fired a final round 66 which included birdies on three of his last four holes to deny South Africa’s Jaco Van Zyl a wire-to-wire maiden victory.

"I was hitting it so good the last few days and just wanted to give myself a chance and post a number – and that's what it came down to. I dodged a lot of bullets coming down the stretch with guys coming up behind”

“I love this place. The way I played today was just great. Sometimes you feel like your game is never going to come back and this week I realised that my whole game was here.”

Pos. Name 1 2 2

Smylie Kaufman Patton Kizzire Cameron Tringale

Country USA USA USA

-16 -15 -15

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

Pos. Name

67 72 68 61 65 69 72 63 68 65 70 66

268 269 269

1 2 3

Victor Dubuisson Jaco Van Zyl K. Aphibarnrat

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Country FRA RSA THA

-22 -21 -20

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

69 64 67 66 61 69 70 67 67 68 66 67

266 267 268

Tour News

WORLD ROUNDUPS

Date: October 29- November 01 Event: CIMB Classic Venue: Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Winner’s Cheque: $1,260,000

Date: November 05- 08 Event: Sanderson Farms Championship Venue: Country Club of Jackson, Jackson, Mississippi Winner’s Cheque: : $1,260,000

THOMAS RECORDS FIRST WIN IN STYLE IN MALAYSIA

MALNATI SECURES MAIDEN WIN IN MONDAY FINISH IN MISSISSIPPI

“I still can't believe what happened. I made that par to clinch the title. I don't care how I got it done but it just feels awesome."

“It was kind of surreal. I can't really say what I was feeling I'm not a big stats guy but I'll enjoy looking at my stats because I bet I hit a lot of greens, particularly over the last two rounds. I'm definitely happy with my performance this week.”

Justin Thomas claimed his first US PGA Tour title with a final round of 6-under 66 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club to win by one stroke from Adam Scott and win the CIMB Classic. The 22-year-old survived some nervy moments down the closing stretch but managed to close out his maiden win with a 6-foot par putt on the final hole to finish on a tournament record 26-under 262 total.

Pos. Name 1 2 3

Justin Thomas Adam Scott Brenden Steele

Country USA AUS USA

R1 R2 R3 R4 -26 -25 -24

68 61 67 66 68 66 66 63 67 63 66 68

Total 262 263 264

Peter Malnati continued the trend of first time winners on the US PGA Tour this season as he secured his maiden win at the Sanderson Farms Championship. The 28-year-old shot 69-66-68 and a closing round of 5-under 67 for 270 to rise above a crowded leaderboard and win by one shot over William McGirt and David Toms.

Pos. Name 1 2 2

Peter Malnati William McGirt David Toms

Country USA USA USA

R1 R2 R3 R4 -18 -17 -17

69 6 68 67 71 66 66 68 67 69 66 69

Total 270 271 271

Date: November 05 - 08 Event: WGC-HSBC Champions Venue: Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, China Winner’s Cheque: € 1,264,450

SUPER KNOX RECORDS MAIDEN TOUR WIN AT WGC-HSBC CHAMPIONS Scotland’s Russell Knox sealed his maiden European Tour title with a two-stroke victory over Kevin Kisner at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in Shanghai. After entering the final round in a share of the lead, Knox carded a solid final round 68 at the Sheshan International Golf Club to finish at 20 under and become the first Scotsman to win a WGC event. With Danny Willett shooting a closing 62 and Kisner and Ross Fisher hot on his heels, Knox came alive on the back nine and gave himself a two shot lead thanks to birdies on the tenth and eleventh holes. His sixth birdie of the day on 16 was enough to ensure that he would canter to his first ever European Tour victory two holes later.

Pos. Name 1 2 3 3

Russell Knox Kevin Kisner Ross Fisher Danny Willett

Country SCO USA ENG ENG

-20 -18 -17 -17

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

67 64 69 65

268 270 271 271

65 66 69 74

68 70 65 70

68 70 68 62

“I always kind of thought I was going to win a big one for some reason, as my first victory. I've been close a few times before but this is going to take a long time to sink in. Winning at any level is the hardest thing you can do, and especially because I've never won a big tournament like this. It was tough but I just kept holing putts – golf is so much easier when that happens."

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Tour News

WORLD ROUNDUPS

Date: November 12 - 15 Event: BMW Masters Venue: Lake Malaren Golf Club, Shanghai, China Winner’s Cheque: € 1,070,334

BROBERG OUTLASTS REED AT LAKE MALAREN TO STEAL BMW MASTERS The penultimate leg of The Final Series saw Sweden’s Kristoffer Broberg come from behind to claim his maiden European title in dramatic fashion as he defeated Patrick Reed on the first hole of a playoff at the BMW Masters. Broberg went into the final round at the Lake Malaren Golf Club three shots off the pace and carded a front nine of 33 to take a share of the lead. Reed, on the other hand, held a one-shot lead as he teed it up on 17 but an expensive bogey there led to him being tied with Broberg on 17 under par after regulation.

Byeong Hun An, Lucas Bjerregaard, Thongchai Jaidee and Henrik Stenson finished in a share of third place on 16-under 272.

Pos. Name 1 2 3 3 3 3

Kristoffer Broberg Patrick Reed Byeong Hun An Lucas Bjerregaard Thongchai Jaidee Henrik Stenson

Country SWE USA KOR DEN THA SWE

-17 -17 -16 -16 -16 -16

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

69 71 65 66 67 68

271 271 272 272 272 272

70 69 71 66 68 71

64 64 66 70 66 65

68 67 70 70 71 68

Date: November 19 - 22 Event: The RSM Classic Venue: Sea Island Resort, Sea Island, Georgia Winner’s Cheque: $1,026,000

Date: November 12- 15 Event: OHL Classics at Mayakoba Venue: El Camaleon Golf Club, Playa del Carmen, Mexico Winner’s Cheque: $1,116,000

McDOWELL PREVAILS IN THREE-WAY PLAYOFF AT OHL CLASSIC

Graeme McDowell defeated Russell Knox and Jason Bohn in a threeman playoff at the OHL Classic in Mexico to seal his first win since the 2014 Open de France. The Northern Irishman fired a five under par round of 66 in the final round to finish on 18 under par, tied with Knox and Bohn. He then hit a perfect 5-iron to within three feet of the pin on the first play-off hole to give himself an easy putt to secure the win.

"I hit as good a 5-iron as I could hit. You go through a year like this and you think, 'am I finished? Am I not good enough?' You ask yourself all the questions.”

Pos. Name 1 2 2

Graeme McDowell Russell Knox Jason Bohn

Country NIR SCO USA

-18 -18 -18

“This is a dream come true. I've worked so hard all my life for this moment. I didn't trust myself a few weeks ago and I was beginning to think I could never win on The Tour. Right now I'm just happy to beat such great players – this really means a lot to me."

KISNER BREAKS THROUGH IN STYLE

Kevin Kisner clinched his first US PGA Tour title at The RSM Classic when back-to-back weekend rounds of 64-64 gave him a six-stroke victory over Kevin Chappell. Kisner had posted four runner-up finishes on Tour in his previous 19 starts and was in top form, leading the field with the most birdies, fewest bogeys and fewest putts per GIR.

“I think all those close calls taught me to never give up and keep grinding. If I play the way I have since April, I feel like I’ll become a top 20 player.”

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

Pos. Name

67 63 70 66 70 65 65 66 70 63 65 68

266 266 266

1 2 3

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Kevin Kisner Kevin Chappell Graeme McDowell

Country USA USA NIR

-22 -16 -15

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

65 67 64 64 66 65 68 67 67 68 65 67

260 266 267

Instruction The Principles of Chipping

By Peter Cowen, PGA Master Professional Peter Cowen has worked closely with the likes of Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett over the years and is one of the world’s elite teaching professionals. His latest exclusive Worldwide Golf tutorial teaches readers the fundamentals behind chipping, which is part of the game that separates the standard from the sublime.

Quality of Strike The quality of strike is everything when you’re chipping. One of the biggest problems I see when teaching is that players position themselves too far away from the ball and they get too much rotation with the arms and hands, which prevents them from getting any down-force on the ball.

This also affects the timing of the shot.

Rotation and manipulation constantly fight against natural forces, and this is where the problem lies when it comes to consistency.

The repetition of a movement allowing natural forces to move freely is what you are looking to achieve.

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Golf’s Best Kept Secret!

“One golf course that is close to my heart is Almouj Golf, The Wave in Muscat (Oman). It’s one of the finest golf courses I have designed anywhere in the world…”

Greg Norman “The best course and event among the 27-Challenge Tour venues.”

European Challenge Tour Players “Almouj is a Jewel”, “Fantastic!”, “Breathtaking!”, “An amazing Golf Course”, “I don’t play golf but I love the place.”

Trip Advisor Review Titles “Best Course in the Middle East; I live in Dubai so have played all the Dubai and Abu Dhabi courses too, but this course has now become my favourite…”

Trip Advisor Review

For more information, visit www.almoujgolf.com For reservations, call: +968 2200 5990 or Email: golf@almoujgolf.com THE GOLF COURSE

•

THE ACADEMY

•

5 STAR FACILITIES

Instruction

The Principles of Chipping

By Pete Cowen, PGA MasterProfessional

Natural Forces

Bad Lie

If you lift any club out of your bag and drop it, it will fall to the floor and return to a vertical position. Therefore, the same principles should apply when you swing a club back. This becomes an issue for players if your club is parallel to the target point as it will fall behind. This affects the strike, as the player naturally returns the club and manipulates their hands to try and address the problem. Once your hands move, your swing path, clubface and rotation becomes unnatural. This means you lose control of the flight, spin and direction of the shot.

If you’re in a bad lie you should have the heel slightly off the ground with the toe pointing slightly downwards.

This will give you a much higher percentage of a clean strike and not trapping the ground between the clubface and the ball. Your shots may go lower, but it will eliminate the misscues that are easily made when you are attempting to be too delicate around the greens.

How to address the problem

The closer you get to the natural force position, keeping the club vertically consistent in the swing, you will have more control when chipping. If you are struggling with your chipping, you should get much closer to the ball and let your arms extend to a full length so you have a constant from your shoulder position to your clubface. Then, when you swing you should just let the club fall so you strike the same point every time. Let natural forces help you play the shot.

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INSTRUCTION

THE PERFECT

ENVIRONMENT

T

he Dubai Golf Academy understands the importance of exposing its students to an optimal learning environment to achieve the desired result of long-term improvement.

The theory of standing on the range hitting thousands of balls will work to a certain point, but research proves practice in isolation like this will limit the student’s ability to achieve long-term improvement. This practice needs to be in the environment you want to improve – out on the golf course.

Last Minute Online Tee Time Bookings with Dubai Golf Worldwide GOLF 56

CORRELATED PRACTICE/LEARNING: INDUCIVE TO LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT

TE

CH

L TA

NI

EN

CA

L

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We are fortunate that The Dubai Golf Academy at Emirates Golf Club encourages its students to practice on the golf course as much as possible.

We have the benefit of a 9 hole Academy course offering easy access for our students and instructional team.

With two 18 hole championship courses available, members can also benefit from early morning nine hole practice sessions and less time on the range.

It is also important that your advisor, whether this be your technical, physical or psychological professional, analyses your strengths

GOLF COURSE

and weaknesses whilst in the environment (on the course). The body can and does react differently in its playing environment and it is important to gauge this reaction for desired longterm improvement.

The Dubai Golf Academy follows this structure and it has proven extremely successful for our students.

Our team analyse and diagnose what the student needs on the golf course and uses the driving range, gym and treatment rooms as pit stops for success.

They understand the golf course; the correct environment is where true improvement needs to occur.

Left to right: David Poole, Physical Training Coach, David Baines, Physiotherapist at Bespoke Wellness, Torsten Kanzmeier, Mental Performance Coach, Stephen Deane, Head Professional/Technical Coach at Emirates Golf Club, Reiss Adams, Sports Therapist at Bespoke Wellness, Andy Meech, Head of Sport and Leisure at Emirates Golf Club.

PHYSICAL

ISOLATED PRACTICE/LEARNING: NOT INDUCIVE TO LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT GOLF COURSE

MENTAL

TECHNICAL

PHYSICAL

For more information on how the team at Emirates Golf Club can optimise your performance, please contact Head Professional Stephen Deane on sdeane@dubaigolf.com to find out more. Let your journey to long term development begin.

Book online up to seven days in advance and enjoy the best available rates on green fees on the Dubai Creek championship course and Faldo course at Emirates Golf Club.

#DGlastminute

www.dubaigolf.com

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INSTRUCTION

SCHOOL’S IN AT AL BADIA GOLF CLUB BY INTERCONTINENTAL DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY

W

orldwide Golf caught up with the coaches from the School of Golf at Al Badia Golf Club by InterContinental Dubai Festival City to see what’s happening and to check out some of the new additions to their coaching services.

Back in March this year Al Badia Golf Club launched its new Academy, the ‘School of Golf’, and with it came a variety of new coaching options and services as well as exciting new technology unique to the MENA region.

“It’s been an exciting year,” Senior Golf Professional, Gavin Sutherland says. “The focus for the team has been to develop a variety of coaching programmes that not only improve the student’s technique but offer an holistic programme that develops them as self sufficient golfers, which ultimately is more fun and engaging.

“We find with this approach our students really do immerse themselves in the game and we see quicker, more sustainable improvements. Driving participation and promoting the game throughout the region is one of our main priorities for golfers of all levels and

abilities with coaching programmes for Al Badia members and guests, junior golfers, lady golfers, and new golfers all the way up to elite professionals.

“We feel as golf professionals we have a responsibility to grow the game and give back to our community.

“As a result of this we have also taken on inclusion projects to children with learning difficulties from local schools such as the Dubai Autism Centre and the Al Knoor Centre. This has been an amazing experience and just shows how special our game is.”

The new School of Golf programmes include ‘The Junior School of Golf’, designed around the modern school curriculum. Students participate in Maths, History and Geography lessons in outdoor classrooms that envelope the student into the world of golf.

“A Maths class may involve a scoring-based chipping challenge and Geography could include negotiating sloping lies. Students receive a Junior uniform and a homework folder full of fun golf-based activities as well

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School of

golf AL BADIA GOLF CLUB BY INTERCONTINENTAL DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY

as excursions to all the premier local tournaments all of which immerse them into the game. Introducing anything new is always difficult, however the response from everyone involved has been fantastic,” says Sutherland.

Another new initiative this year is ‘The Ladies Coaching’ / TLC classes, available three days per week for 100AED per class, including a coffee as well as the option of nine holes for an additional 200AED. The classes have become a proven hit.

The School of Golf can also boast about some of its newest and ‘unique to the region’ devices and teaching tools.

The team of four professionals at Al Badia Golf Club offer over 40 years of coaching experience covering all facets of the game. Coaches are on hand seven days a week and lessons are available in English, Korean, Spanish and German.

GOLF BIODYNAMICS The Golf BioDynamics Ultimate System is the latest addition to the coaching service and is one of the most accurate 3D measurement devices in the region. Senior Golf Professional, Gavin Sutherland is one of only a handful of GBD specialists in the world and has conducted 3D analysis with many touring professionals and elite amateur teams, including Keegan Bradley, Jamie Lovemark, Greg Norman and Alexis Thompson as well as the German, Danish, Singapore and Swedish National Amateur Teams. The device is made

up of numerous electromagnetic sensors that measure the full spectrum of threedimensional movement to the nearest degree and millimetre.

Being able to measure exactly how the golf club swings allows for a more accurate diagnosis of a golfer’s swing, helping the coach to implement the most direct pathway to improvement for the student.

Capable of providing real time audible feedback the ultimate system allows the student to instantly feel the correct movement and speed-up the learning process.

CALLAWAY PERFORMANCE LAB

FLIGHTSCOPE Xi TOUR Also new to the School of Golf is the Flightscope Xi Tour radar, capable of accurately measuring the impact factors between the golf club and ball. As well as tracking the ball in its flight the device allows the coach to see what exactly occurs at the point of impact. One of its new features is the skill-testing capabilities that will measure your total performance over a variety of different factors.

TAYLORMADE PERFORMANCE LAB Unique to the region, the TMPL has been a part of the School of Golf since the golf club opened and can provide a variety of coaching options for students of all levels. Club fitting assessments to Biomechanical analys in the Taylormade Performance Lab can improve your game on all levels.

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The new fitting centre utilises a GC2 Launch Monitor and simulator that can be used for correctly fitting clubs over all major brands including, Callaway, TaylorMade, Srixon, Cleveland and Mizuno. The Performance Centre is also used for indoor coaching where students can fine-turn their techniques, conduct a club gapping session to ensure all the desired yardages are correct or play a round on over 30 courses worldwide to help practice their course management.

To find out more about the new School of Golf, contact the professionals at Al Badia Golf Club by InterContinental today.

GEAR

IRON INVASION I

COBRA FLY-Z | CALLAWAY APEX | TAYLORMADE PSi | MIZUNO JPX-EZ FORGED UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

ron play is one of the most crucial aspects of the game when it comes to achieving lower scores and Cobra, Callaway, TaylorMade and Mizuno have all recently released new iron ranges that feature the latest technology to help improve your distance, feel and accuracy. Jason Ashley and Sean Grobler are both Custom-

Fit Specialists for Golf House and they were intrigued to see what the differences were between these irons and their predecessors.

Worldwide Golf met with the pair at The Address Montgomerie, Dubai, to test out the new products and see how the numbers stacked up on the TrackMan.

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*($5

WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf WorldwideGolf

SEAN GROBLER, GOLF HOUSE CUSTOM FIT SPECIALIST

JASON ASHLEY: How did the Cobra Fly-Z feel and look?

SEAN GROBLER: The Cobra was really good. It felt explosive and quick off the face.

It was a lighter club that didn’t really suit my setup so I couldn’t get the desired dispersion that I would have liked, but from a standard point of view, it was great.

For a player that’s looking for a slightly more forgiving club but doesn’t want too much of a thick top line, it’s ideal.

JASON ASHLEY: How did the Callaway Apex feel to hit?

SEAN GROBLER: The Apex Forged iron now has the speedclub face technology that is a great touch. It felt really good. For a more advanced player looking for a forgiving club, this is the pinnacle that

you can get for performance.

JASON ASHLEY: What are your views of the TaylorMade PSi? SEAN GROBLER: It looked a little bit chunky but the feel was excellent. The impact I made on the ball was exceptional and it felt like it came off the face at a quick rate.

TaylorMade have produced real quality with this iron.

JASON ASHLEY: Finally, you played with the Mizuno JPXEZ Forged, what are your thoughts about this iron?

SEAN GROBLER: The Mizuno was very enjoyable to hit. It was very forgiving and I felt like I had more control in terms of distance. It looks a bit chunky, but I still thought it was a great club.

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CALLAWAY APEX COBRA FLY-Z MIZUNO JPX-EZ TAYLORMADE PSi

CLUB SPEED (mph)

BALL SPEED (mph)

LAUNCH ANGLE (deg)

SPIN RATE (rpm)

CARRY (Yards)

TOTAL (Yards)

CLUB SPEED (mph)

BALL SPEED (mph)

LAUNCH ANGLE (deg)

SPIN RATE (rpm)

CARRY (Yards)

TOTAL (Yards)

CLUB SPEED (mph)

BALL SPEED (mph)

LAUNCH ANGLE (deg)

SPIN RATE (rpm)

CARRY (Yards)

TOTAL (Yards)

CLUB SPEED (mph)

BALL SPEED (mph)

LAUNCH ANGLE (deg)

SPIN RATE (rpm)

CARRY (Yards)

TOTAL (Yards)

93.7 91.2

92.8 92.9

128.5

128.9 128.9 127.2

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS REVEAL? JASON ASHLEY: Sean swings the club really quickly. To make the test fair, I just put stock-standard shafts in all the irons that were a bit light for him which affected his accuracy. However we got a fair reflection of the forgiveness and distance of the clubs. Looking at the numbers they were all fairly similar.

The Apex came out with the furthest with a 177 carry average, PSi was 174 and both the Fly-Z and Mizuno came out with 175. Overall, the new technology has improved the clubs in both distance and

15

15.5

16.9 15.3

5949 6027

6007

6035

177.6

175.3

185.2 182.1

175.3 182.3 174.0

feel. The speed club face has given the new Callaway Apex more power than the old Apex. The PSi strikes the ball much better and cleaner than its predecessor.

Mizuno make great products and that hasn’t changed with the EZ-Forged as it feels fantastic to hit. The Fly-Z, for a club that’s more forgiving, strikes a ball remarkably well off the face for such a light shaft.

All in all, these are all brilliant irons that are difficult to compare but they will definitely leave you with shorter putts if they were added to your bag.

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182.5

JASON ASHLEY,

Golf House custom fit specialist, The Address Montgomerie, Dubai

*($5

UIHLEIN GETS FITTED! T

itleist Ambassador Peter Uihlein took some time out during last month’s DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates to visit the Titleist Trial and Merchandise area in the Championship Village where 716 Irons and 816 Hybrids could be tested in all different specifications.

The American revealed to the fitting team that he was having a slight struggle with his 3 wood so the guys got him fitted and set up with a new one.

It goes to show that even the best players in the world need to double check their club specs in order to make sure they have the right configuration.

Peter explained to the team he was struggling with his launch angle after working on some new swing changes with Pete Cowen but also noted it was spinning too much.

After being assessed, the team fitted Peter with a 915F and changed his shaft which led to an instant improvement in launch and spin.

Brendan O’Leary, Custom Fit Specialist for Titleist, said: “Fitting Peter highlighted even more that most golfers need to make sure their equipment is fitted to their individual game. I have a passion for fitting and improving players so when you get chance to work with top players like Peter you really get a buzz from helping them. What we did with Peter was just help improve his launch conditions (bringing the launch angle up) and lower his spin rate, which resulted in much more distance and consistency from the great club head speed which Peter generates.”

Stuart Taylor, PGA Professional, Prosports International, said: “Offering the chance to trial the new Titleist 716 iron range and 816 hybrid at the DP World Tour Championship has highlighted the importance of educating golfers to get fitted. Getting the correct product in golfers’ hands will no doubt improve their consistency.”

Brendan O’Leary Custom Fit Specialist for Titleist

To book your fitting in at the nearest Titleist Fitting Centre please contact: stuart@prosports.ae

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/2&$/ 6&(1(

DODDS HAS HER ‘EYE’ ON GOLF PROGRESSION Many of you will be familiar with Emma Dodds as the voice of sport on Dubai Eye 103.8. The Scot moved to Dubai to take up her position as Head of Sport at the Arabian Radio Network almost two years ago and decided that, with so many world-class courses on her doorstep, and perfect conditions for nine months of the year, it was the ideal opportunity to reacquaint herself with a game she first dabbled with as a 10 year old in her golfobsessed homeland. Inspired by Karsten Solheim, creator of the women’s version of the Ryder Cup, she gravitated towards Ping clubs and has been an avid fan ever since.

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W

orldwide Golf caught up with Emma during the DP World Tour Championship to talk women’s golf and how Annika inspired her career!

Worldwide Golf: Coming from Scotland would you say it’s difficult or intimidating for women to take up the game in the UAE? Emma Dodds: I wouldn’t say it’s difficult, we’re spoilt for choice with courses and I know a lot of clubs offer women-only classes if you don’t want to go with private lessons. Golf is probably one of the most accessible sports in Dubai, it’s just a case of getting out there and playing.

I think the only intimidating factor is the amount of very good golfers here in the region. I don’t like getting in their way, but am growing in confidence and learning to hold my ground!

WWG: How has the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters encouraged ladies of all ages to get involved with the sport?

ED: Ladies golf has evolved over the years and it’s progressed from being what was generally viewed as an ‘older’ person’s sport to having younger, athletic women out there on the course.

We’re seeing the likes of Charlie Hull and Melissa Reid coming here and winning, while also having great personalities away from the game to offer more rounded coverage of golfers.

Having a tournament here in Dubai, to run alongside the men’s tour which has become so successful in the region, is great for awareness and allowing fans to watch the players first hand.

WWG: Who has been your favourite LPGA star to interview and why?

ED: Annika Sorenstam. Without doubt my favourite female golfer of all time. She was the first person I saw being interviewed while on work experience as a 14-year-old and is largely responsible for my love of golf and being a sports broadcaster! She basically rewrote the record books, won so many awards and changed the way golf was played and, to a larger extent, covered. Laura Davis is up there too, again for the work she’s done in bringing ladies’ golf to where it is now.

comfortable with Ping, although my play may not always do their clubs justice!

WWG: What do you like about Ping clubs?

ED: Ping have always championed improving women’s golf and that is certainly something that has attracted me to their products. Like most manufacturers, they operate at the forefront of technological advancements and their continuous development seems to suit my game. The custom fitting is an ideal solution for making sure I have the best clubs for my style of play.

WWG: Have you tried any of the new models on the market?

ED: At the moment I use the G30 range, but I tried out the Rhapsody series a few weeks ago and they felt very good. They’re engineered to maximise distance and forgiveness, so could be my next move.

WWG: What’s your favourite club in the bag?

ED: At a push I think I’d say my seven iron. It’s my go-to for most shots and has been required to pull off the near impossible at times! I couldn’t do without it.

WWG:What’s the strongest part of your game?

ED: I’ve been told I have a very natural swing, particularly off the tee. While there are little areas I have to focus on, I hit the ball best when I step up and don’t really think about it. Again, from feedback from instructors, I also transfer power well through my swing, so can also achieve a reasonable distance.

WWG: What do you struggle with?

ED: Aim and short game! While I can get the distance, occasionally the line can be slightly off. My putting is pretty decent, but I need to work on my pitching and chipping to get into a good position on the green.

WWG: What would you do to get more ladies to take up the game in the UAE? ED: Offer open days and more social events around golf. A lot of females I know, who’ve never played, find the whole package of playing golf slightly overwhelming – dress code, equipment, rules etc.

If they could just turn up and have a short beginner clinic I’m sure many will be bitten by the bug and take it further.

WWG: What is your favourite course to play in the region and why?

ED: I have a few, it depends on how I’m playing! The Earth course is exceptional, but still a bit too difficult for me to enjoy myself on. Fire at Jumeirah Golf Estates is superb, as it the Address Montgomerie, which is challenging in its own right. My apartment looks out on to the courses at Emirates Golf Club, so it’s very handy for me to play night golf on the Faldo, while I also really enjoy playing at Al Badia after first watching the Challenge Tour tournament there in 2014.

WWG: How long have you played golf for and what made you want to learn?

ED: I’ve played golf on and off since I was about 10. My dad first took me along with him and taught me the basics. The issue was, he’s left handed and taught me with his clubs! So when I finally got my hands on a right handed club during lessons at school, it all felt a lot more natural. I never managed to play as often as I’d like though because of the weather in the UK. I don’t like rain, which meant I could only play around a month a year. Now in Dubai I have no excuse and have taken it up much more seriously.

WWG: Have you always preferred to play Ping, is it the Karsten Solheim connection?

ED: Yes I have and probably, subconsciously, a big part of that has been down to the Solheim Cup. As an avid fan of the tournament, my parents bought me a set of Ping clubs as a 14 year old and there’s been no looking back. In golf a lot of your game is psychological, but it’s also down to the equipment and the technology advances. I’ve always felt

WWG: Who’s been teaching you what do you like about their coaching?

ED: I’ve had some lessons at the ETPI at Jumeirah Golf Estates, mainly with Mathew Parker. He’s an extremely good coach, he shows great patience and a very relaxed temperament.

I’m very impatient and he’s a calming influence when I need direction. We’ve come a long way… but there’s still much more to do.

Worldwide GOLF 67

&203(7,7,21

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Worldwide GOLF Columnist

David Howell

Dubai perfect for season finale

The DP World Tour Championship has grown year-on-year since its inception and is always a highlight of the year for those players lucky enough to qualify.

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HE DP World Tour Championship has grown to become a remarkable tournament. The galleries seem to grow year on year creating a real buzz throughout the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Unfortunately, my tee times were early every day, which was a great shame because the atmosphere seemed to grow as the day went on.

It goes without saying that if I had played better I wouldn’t have been teeing off at 7:20am! There’s such a nice feel about coming back to the same event at the end of the season.

It used to be a similar case with Valderrama in Spain which hosted The European Tour’s season-ending event for over 15 years.

With the tournament moving to Dubai and with title sponsors DP World coming on board in the last few years, it has really helped the climax to The European Tour season to become the phenomenal occasion it is today, attracting the strongest top-60 field that The Tour has to offer.

It’s an exciting time for The European Tour right now with the enthusiastic Keith Pelley on board as the new Chief Executive Officer.

The Tour is in talks with The Asian Tour so we will see where that ends. We have some of the best players in the world who play on our dynamic Tour and Keith Pelley, and Chief Operating Officer, Keith Waters, certainly seem to be the team to take us forward.

Looking rosy Things are looking rosy for the next couple of years with all the plans that are being put into place. It’s imperative that we don’t lose our top players to a world schedule or the US PGA Tour schedule. We want players to want to play on our Tour so it’s great to see the likes of American Patrick Reed competing in The Final Series and the DP World Tour Championship.

Dubai is a fantastic place to finish the

season. The players really enjoy coming down here and playing on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The course is always in immaculate condition to play on. It’s not the most challenging course in the world so it can become a bit of a birdie fest – but that’s not a bad thing.

None of the players want to be grinding against an arduous course in tough conditions at the end of a long hard season. In that respect it’s a shame I’ve not set this tournament alight in the three years I have competed here!

It’s a nice, peaceful atmosphere in the

It’s an exciting time for The European Tour right now with the enthusiastic Keith Pelley on board as the new Chief Executive Officer.

We have some of the best players in the world who play on our dynamic Tour and Keith Pelley and Keith Waters seem to be the team to take us forward.

UAE. It almost feels like a home from home for me. In fact, it was home to me and my family when I made my base in Dubai for a number of years.

The DP World Tour Championship attracts many people who aren’t even golf fans because there’s so much on offer aside from the tournament itself.

I’m confident that this event would help encourage people to take up the sport because of all the activities available to the spectators and their families who turn up – not forgetting the event is free for all who attend.

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Consistency It’s been a season of two halves for me. During the first half I had two or three chances to win but didn’t manage to take them. However, it’s a positive that I got myself into these positions.

It’s frustrating that I didn’t win anything but I finished 26th on The Race to Dubai and that represents one of my better years in the last decade. I started the year at around 150th in the world and now I am just inside the top 100 so it’s been a good year in that respect.

I can certainly build on this year for the forthcoming season with added confidence and consistency.

There have been a lot of positives I can take out of this year and in this game you have to use the positives to your advantage and dismiss the negatives.

Tough times for some We often talk about the success in golf but you have to remember that there is a darker side of the game.

All golfers have to live with a healthy amount of fear throughout their season because there’s a chance you can drop down the rankings and even lose your Tour playing card if you take your eye of the ball.

There is always a fine line between success and failure. As soon as you start taking this game for granted, you do it at your own peril. One of the difficult things in golf is keeping your motivation for a long time in your career.

If you lose that impetus, you are on a slippery slope in your career. I’m thankful that I’m still as driven and as enthusiastic about the game as I was 20 years ago.

Farewell to Ivor Robson I'D like to mention the retirement of The European Tour's Starter, Ivor Robson, who called ‘On The Tee’ for the the final time for the final pair, Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan on the fist tee at the DP World Tour Championship.

Ivor is an icon of the game and The Tour and I was pleased to be among the players who turned up on the first tee to bid him a fond farewell. Q

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NEWS FROM THE LEADING CLUBS IN THE REGION

By Mohamed Suleman

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“I

n the days running up to my date with Al Zorah, it was a case of great expectations. I’d seen the pictures in Worldwide Golf and read about the mangrove swamps moving around dramatically as the tide created its own unique characteristics. I was aware that the brand new par-72 Nicklaus Design course managed by Troon Golf measures 7,169 yards off the Championship tees while off the Gold tees it’s a more manageable 6,522 yards. The place, I was aware, has a touch of magic about it. I was eager to review the region’s newest layout and find out for myself.

“

A

L ZORAH Golf Club in Ajman is the latest glittering jewel in the crown of the UAE golf scene. With the course set to open for public play on December 10, Worldwide Golf’s Mohamed Suleman played the Al Zorah course on a windy Wednesday afternoon. Here’s his impression of Ajman’s first ever golf course.

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A L ZORAH GOLF CL UB

Among the most distinctive features of the course are the recess areas that have been carved around the mangroves to allow them to fill with water when the tide comes in, creating water hazards. However, they become empty when the tide is out, which enables you to play out of them as if you’re playing from a wet bunker.

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Mohamed Suleman on the tee at Al Zorah Golf Club.

HE first thing that struck me when I arrived at Al Zorah Golf Club was the stunning natural environment I found myself surrounded by. It was like stepping into another world. It’s precisely this mystical atmosphere that makes Al Zorah unique.

My ambitious tee-shot on the brilliantly designed risk-reward par four third found the water just short of the fairway, sending several members of Al Zorah’s 58 species of birdlife into flight. Apart from the wildlife, it’s the everchanging landscape and environment that sets this place apart. Al Zorah genuinely becomes a completely different challenge, depending on what time of day you play it.

The golf course is nestled among one million square metres or more of native mangroves that Ajman is renowned for. When you’re out on the course, you’re literally surrounded by them.

Among the most distinctive features of the course are the recess areas that have been carved around the mangroves to allow them to fill with water when the tide comes in, creating water hazards. However, they become empty when the tide is out, which enables you to play out of them as if you’re playing from a wet bunker.

Unfortunately for me the tide was in when I played my tee shot on 18, and so its destination was a watery grave! The marshals informed me that had I been playing the hole two hours earlier,

Worldwide GOLF 74

I would have easily been able to climb down and have a shot at getting up-and-down from the recess. As they say…timing is everything in golf!

I’ve played every golf course in the UAE and I can safely say that I’ve never played out of bunkers as pure as the ones at Al Zorah.

Blindingly white and incredibly soft, these traps made from silica sand from Saudi Arabia, took me back to my childhood days of building sandcastles on the beach!

I’m no maestro when it comes to playing from the sand but I felt I could trust how the ball would come out from the greenside and fairway bunkers.

Snow-white bunkers

The snow-white sand looks pretty but, from a player’s perspective, it’s very reassuring when you know you can take a full swing and splash the ball out of a bunker.

Although the greens were still a work in progress, it was abundantly clear that they will play like any classic Troon putting surface – fast and very true.

Once you decipher the line, you can back yourself to hit it without second guessing.

If there’s one thing that Al Zorah doesn’t lack, it’s character. Every golf course has its own unique personality and this beauty is certainly something special.

From the mercurial mangrove recesses and the

“This is golf the way nature intended it to be played. It’s certainly different from any other course I’ve played. I found it a memorable challenge. Maybe there is a magical atmosphere in being so close to nature. Whatever it is, I’d recommend the Al Zorah experience to any golfer.” – Mohamed Suleman intricate series of boardwalks linking the holes, to the plethora of birds that you come across all around the course, Al Zorah Golf Club stands out from the crowd.

Another striking feature is there are island tee-boxes on five holes. Standing over the ball, you feel a wonderful sense that it’s just you and the golf course out there and nothing else.

In more ways than one, it’s just so typically ‘Al Zorah’ to have a tough, long par three, with the mangrove recesses well and truly in play all along the right side of the fairway, as the finishing hole.

The penultimate hole is a generous par five, making it a classic birdie opportunity but the 18th hole makes for a truly exciting grandstand finish.

Overall, Al Zorah is a very fair golf course.

Players of all abilities can expect to be rewarded for smart course management while at the same time, not be punished too severely for the odd bad shot.

The rough around the edge of the fairways is cut generously short, so your errant drives won’t cost you too dearly.

That’s not to say it’s a pushover of a golf course. Not by a long shot. But if you’re constantly wayward and have a inconsistent short game, you could end up posting some big numbers.

I enjoyed the most fruitful run of play in my

round from holes 4-8, where I managed to string together four straight pars and a birdie.

This stretch of holes provides a really good chance for some low-scoring and I expect it will see a lot of birdies and eagles.

Better players than me won’t think twice about going for the green on the short par four seventh, which plays a shade over 350 yards off the championship tees with the wind usually helping from the behind.

Challenging back nine

But it’s early on in the back nine that Al Zorah really starts to bare its teeth. While there are stretches of holes where you can fill your boots, there are also times when it’s best to humbly put your head down, respect the course, and be satisfied with a steady par.

Holes 11, 12 and 13 provide a true test of a golfer’s ability. Hole 11, which plays as stroke index one, is a monstrous par five which brings the mangrove recesses into play with your second and third shots. Anything slightly left or short will be swallowed up by the recess area and depending on what time of the day it is, you can could either be in the drink or have a tricky shot at redemption.

Less said the better about how I stumbled aimlessly through those few holes.

All-in-all, if you take advantage of the scoring opportunities the course has to offer and

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don’t take on too many hit and hope shots on the more enticing but difficult holes, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t walk off with a respectable score.

Regardless of how good you may think you are you have to take notice of the wind and act accordingly. It can be swirling and howling and it wants to throw you right off course.

Like most seaside golf courses, Al Zorah becomes a completely different proposition when the wind starts to blow. It was somewhat windy when I started, although not too troublesome, but by the end of the back nine, it certainly began to be a serious factor.

Par fours suddenly felt like par fives and at times par fives seemed impossible to reach even in three. But on the holes that played downwind, it was a different story. I felt like Rory McIlroy whipping out my gap wedge to play a 130-yard approach shot on the par-four sixth!

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or someone who has only recently made a decision that may haunt you forever by taking up the sport, Al Zorah has something for everyone.

This is golf the way nature intended it to be played. It’s certainly different from any other course I’ve played. I found it a memorable challenge. Maybe there is a magical atmosphere in being so close to nature.

Whatever it is, I’d recommend the Al Zorah experience to any golfer. Q

ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB

THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING

LLeeann SSuttles ttll andd AAndy d TTyson are hhumbled bl d tto bbe serving i th the h membership b hhi off AAb Abu b Dh Dhabi h bbi GGolflff ClClub. lb

I

f you had to identify two members who exemplify everything that is great about Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Leeann Suttles and Andy Tyson would inevitably feature among the chief suspects.

It’s no surprise then to discover the duo will represent the membership of the famed European Tour venue over the next year, having proudly ascended to the club’s captaincy thrones.

As Abu Dhabi Golf Club General Manager Paul Booth notes appreciatively, Paromita Mukherjee and John Albertson III leave big soft-spiked shoes to fill as outgoing Ladies’ and Men’s Club Captain respectively. But Suttles, a 22-handicapper who calls the small town of Ding Dong in the Lone Star State of Texas home, and 9-handicapper Tyson, who arrived in the UAE from Kendal in England’s Lake District 12 years ago, are clearly up for the challenge.

As a relatively late convert to the charms of the Royal & Ancient game, Suttles has understandably identified growing Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s ladies membership – the Tuesday club is at a regular 37 players and counting – as a key remit during her 12-month term.

Indeed, Suttles unapologetically presents herself as a pin-up girl for those trying to arrest golf’s global participation slide.

Suttles and husband Stephen accepted an invite to play night golf on Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s floodlit 9-hole course four years ago and instantly “fell in love with it”. The bug has spread quickly, to the point where the couple’s four-month-old twin grandchildren will be presented with putters at Christmas for when they are older. As Suttles has learned, it is never too soon to start loving golf.

MARK YOUR DIARY

DECEMBER 12

“The game should really be trying to encourage ladies of my age because we are the ones who will encourage our children, our husbands and our grandchildren to play,” Suttles says. “We are more settled at this point in life, as middle-aged ladies,and that’s when we influence our families.”

While grateful for Mukherjee’s influence in challenging her to improve her game, Suttles also knows that a relaxed, welcoming environment is important to entice more women to a sport often dismissed as stuffy and conservative. That has rarely been the case at Abu Dhabi Golf Club and won’t suddenly become so on Suttles’ watch, even though she is mindful of embracing golf’s etiquette at the appropriate time.

“Becoming Ladies Club Captain is an honour. It’s a big responsibility and it’s not always easy… you can’t please everyone. I love my ladies group though, it’s always very welcoming,” Suttles said.

“One of the fantastic things is the people you meet from different countries. I played with a lovely lady from Ecuador recently, for example. That’s something you are not necessarily exposed to in your home country.

“There are only two Americans in the group so I’m looking forward to things like hosting a Turkey Shoot [format] tournament and a Thanksgiving dinner to share a little bit of my culture.”

Like Suttles, Tyson never imagined the “huge honour” of becoming Club Captain when he joined Abu Dhabi Golf Club seven years ago. The Director of Construction Services at Aecom is looking forward to acting as a conduit between the members and management at regular meetings and

Lockheed Martin Members’ Worldwide GOLF Monthly Stableford, Tee times

76

also enjoys the ambassadorial side of the role; Tyson recently played with an elderly German couple holidaying at Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s adjoining Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa. There is also the 11th Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship to look forward to, especially now world No.1 Jordan Spieth and newly crowned Race to Dubai Champion Rory McIlroy are confirmed starters.

“We’ve got the European Tour event here in January so the course is in beautiful condition, as it always is,” Tyson, 51, said.

“But to me this is much more than just a golf course. It is an actual community club with a wonderful atmosphere, great facilities and F&B, the whole package. It’s one of the things I really love about this place. We’re down there three or four days a week and bring guests here all the time…it’s like a second home really.”

Tyson’s wife Lina, a 10-handicapper, and the couple’s 10-year-old son David make sure of that.

“Bringing young players into the club through initiatives like the Future Falcons programme is a wonderful thing. Our son has been playing for seven years – we actually got him a set of clubs for his first birthday and has started playing with us now in some of the member competitions, especially the night golf events.

“Not everything is perfect, it never will be.

But I’m looking forward to any opportunity to make the club better, even in small ways. This really is an honour the club has bestowed on me.”

In the case of Tyson and Suttles, the feeling is most definitely mutual.

DECEMBER 17

The Etihad Airways Night Flight, 6.30pm shotgun

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TEE OFF THE FESTIVE SEASON

“Y community “Your i club” l b” iis the h place l ffor golf,lf gastronomici ddelights li h andd even the chance to win some precious gold during “The 12 Festive Days”.

A

bu Dhabi Golf Club has Christmas all wrapped up after unveiling its charity-inspired “The 12 Festive Days” campaign.

The famed European Tour venue is the place for the whole family to rediscover the true spirit of the festive season from December 13 -24, all the while benefitting the children and young adults at The Future Centre for Special Needs Abu Dhabi.

“The 12 Festive Days” will resonate with lady members and guests looking for a familyfriendly outing given that “Five Gold Rings” – kindly donated by Sarkys Jewelry Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi – are up for grabs in an alluring play on the classic Christmas carol, The 12 Days of Christmas.

Cherished Christmas movies will be screened under the stars each night while Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s Food and Beverage team serve up a selection of tasty, season specific treats. A Christmas-themed golf tournament is planned for December 20 and just four days later the kids will be mesmerised by the visit of Santa Claus.

The festive feast doesn’t stop there. Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s new Executive Chef, Manfred Koeck, has produced a sumptuous Festive Brunch menu for December 25 with all the trimmings - for just AED 195pp (food only) or AED 395pp including house beverages for members and guests.

For those who fancy spending the special day at home but without all the preparation stress, Abu Dhabi Golf Club has a Turkey Takeaway option from AED 699. ‘Tis the season of giving and the Troon Golf-managed Abu Dhabi Golf Club are getting in the spirit in more ways than one.

Entry to each of the “The 12 Festive Days” is just AED 50 per person (members are

DECEMBER 19

complimentary and under 3s go free/entry includes a festive cookie) with AED 20 from every ticket sold being donated to The Future Centre for Special Needs Abu Dhabi.

For just AED 50 (adults) and AED 20 (children) from December 19-24, members and guests can also “dip and win” in one of three Barasti Tubs - one for adults and one each for girls and boys - for the chance to win fantastic prizes from Mumzworld.com and Sarkys Jewelry, Marina Mall Abu Dhabi.

A portion of the proceeds will also be gifted to The Future Centre for Special Needs Abu Dhabi.

The roll-call of family-favourite movies start on December 13 with Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas and Jingle All the Way – two days after Abu Dhabi Golf Club welcomes in the festive season with the lighting of its club tree on December 11 from 6pm in Café 28.

There will be two movies each night – baby friendly 6pm and 8pm screenings – on a big screen under the stars next to Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s swimming pool. Simply follow the scent of burning frankincense and the trail of happy families.

Moviegoers will enjoy festive season treats, ranging from traditional Yorkshire Puddings with beef filling to orange cinnamon meringues, mince pies and candy canes at different, pay-as-you-go food and beverage stations.

Talking of generation-influencing movies, two real-life stars from the animated blockbuster Frozen - Ana and Elsa – will be on hand to meet children on December 19.

On December 24, Santa Claus will arrive via a special “sleigh”, but not before Abu Dhabi Golf Club has found a suitable candidate to be the jolly man in red via a social media campaign.

Members’ Monthly Medal, Tee Times

Worldwide GOLF 77

Candidates for the “Do you have the ‘S’ Factor?” campaign are encouraged to audition for this one-off post by posting a short video to Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ abudhabigolfclub.

The job description seeks a character “generous and jolly by nature with the ability to inspire young people”. The role comes with a company car, or more specifically a top of the range Abu Dhabi Golf Club buggy decorated red. And the salary? In keeping with the spirit of the season, Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s jolly new Santa will donate this to The Future Centre for Special Needs Abu Dhabi.

To apply, “like” Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/ abudhabigolfclub and post a short audition video that must include “Dear Abu Dhabi Golf Club, I wish to support The Future Centre for Special Needs Abu Dhabi. I believe I have the ‘S’ Factor because…”

Applicants must also nominate a friend they believe also possesses the ‘S’ Factor.

Those looking for a special gift for the golfer in the family need search no further than Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s Golf Shop which offers a wide range of the latest golf equipment and merchandise.

The friendly staff will even wrap gifts brought into the club for a small fee.

“Our ‘The 12 Festive days’ shapes up as a really special climax to a memorable year and we are thrilled it will make a difference to the children and young adults at The Future Centre for Special Needs Abu Dhabi well beyond December 25,” Abu Dhabi Golf Club General Manager Paul Booth said.

For more information on the “12 Festive Days” campaign, visit www.adgolfclub.com and www.facebook.com/abudhabigolfclub.

DECEMBER 20

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P79 ARABIANGOLF ▶

E M IRATES GOLF F EDER ATION

DP WORLD SUPPORT FOR THE UAE NATIONAL TEAM AND LOCAL AMATEURS GROWS WITH EUROPEAN TOUR PERFORMANCE INSTITUTE INITIATIVE DP World once again showed its commitment Tour players use the Jumeirah Golf Estates ETPI preparation for the Nomura Cup played at Yas to developing the game of golf at UAE National facilities and tap into the Frenchman’s expertise in Links, Abu Dhabi, in October. grassroots level in the United Arab Emirates by preparation for the season-ending NBO Golf Classic “It was great to visit our sister ETPI in Dubai,” said supporting the visit of Jean-Jacques Rivet, the Grand Final in Oman.

Rivet. “Like our facility in Terre Blanche, the facilities Head of Biomechanics and Sports Performance Yousuf Kazim, CEO of Jumeirah Golf Estates, said: here are really state-of-the-art and amateur golfers from The European Tour Performance Institute “It has been a great week and we have enjoyed in the UAE, as well as the professionals who visit (ETPI) in Terre Blanche, France, to work with the having the European Challenge Tour players, the here, are really fortunate to have a place like this to UAE National Teams at the facility in Dubai. members of the ICAEW, Jean-Jacques Rivet, and come and develop their game.

The swing biomechanics expert will give the team of course, the UAE National Team here. We are “The Director of Instruction, Mark Gregsonguidance that will optimise their skills at Jumeirah very proud of our world class facilities and it is our Walters and his team at the ETPI are very gifted Golf Estates’ ETPI, which coaches and I enjoy working with them is one of only two of the and passing on some of our swing Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World, said: state-of-the-art facilities in biomechanics techniques.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be able to support this fantastic the world, along with Terre UAE National Team Head Coach Greg initiative which offers us the chance to play a part in the Blanche.

Holmes is delighted that his team were development of our UAE National Golf Teams. The growth of the Sultan Ahmed Bin given the chance to work with Rivet game in the region is extremely important to us and giving our Sulayem, Chairman of again, saying: “The team improved a lot local golfers access to a facility as admired as the European DP World, said: “We’re from the trip to the Terre Blanche ETPI. Tour Performance Institute offers them the opportunity to absolutely delighted Just using the body and the ground reach their fullest potential.” to be able to support properly definitely benefitted them and this fantastic initiative helped control their swings. which offers us the chance to play a part in the intention that local and international golfers of “We had a great 10 days with Jean-Jacques and development of our UAE National Golf Teams. all standards and international golf federations it’s fantastic that the team had the chance to work The growth of the game in the region is extremely and associations use the Jumeirah Golf Estates with him again.” important to us and giving our local golfers access European Tour Performance Institute, so it is more The Emirates Golf Federation thanked DP World to a facility as admired as the European Tour than appropriate that the UAE National Golf Teams for its support in this initiative in assisting to Performance Institute offers them the opportunity have access to the facility. With this initiative increase the standard of the game at amateur level to reach their fullest potential. I have no doubt that we hope to play our part in producing the golf in the region. the knowledge and expertise of Jean-Jacques Rivet superstars of tomorrow.”

Secretary General Khaled Mubarak commented: will be invaluable to our players.”

Rivet enjoyed working with the players again, “We’re very grateful for the support that DP World Rivet’s visit was part of a week-long programme having already hosted them at the facility in France have given over the years in helping to develop the which has also seen 21 European Challenge where they trained for 10 days in September in game of golf in the UAE. “People are obviously aware of their title Top row L-R: Julian Small (Jumeirah Golf Estates), Khaled Mubarak (Emirates Golf Federation), Mark Gregson-Walters (ETPI, JGE) sponsorship of the DP World Tour Championship, Yousuf Kazim (JGE), Jean-Jacques Rivet (ETPI, Terre Blanche), Neal Graham (JGE) and Eirik Hooper (DP World).

The European Tour’s season-ending climax which Bottom row: David Condon (EGF), Nick Tarratt (European Tour) and Greg Holmes (EGF) with three UAE National Team Members. features some of the top professionals in the game.

“But their sponsorship extends far beyond the professional game and this is the latest in a long line of initiatives DP World have supported with the aim of helping our local amateur golfers to improve.”

L-R: Khaled Mubarak (Emirates Golf Federation), Yousuf Kazim (Jumeirah Golf Estates), David Condon (Emirates Golf Federation), UAE National Golf Team Member and Jean-Jacques Rivet

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P81 ARABIANGOLF ▶

D UBAI CREEK GOL F C LUB AKASH KUMAR CLINCHES THE INDIAN INDEPENDENCE CUP A Superb score of 36 Stableford points

DCGYC saw Akash Kumar win the 19th edition

NAIR BROTHERS ON FORM IN DUBAI DUTY FREE JUNIOR MEDAL Dhruv Nair won November’s Dubai Duty

DCGYC Free Junior Medal with an excellent score of 31. Kabir Nanda and Rishi Nair also posted impressive scores of 33.5 and 34, to finish first and second in the Boy’s Division. The winner from the Girls Division was Eshna Bhargava, with a score of 37. Eshna also won October’s medal in the Girls Division. Fardeen Meeran produced a superb score of 39 to pick up the Best Gross prize.

Meanwhile, Rishi Nair won October’s edition of the Dubai Duty Free Junior Medal with a superb net score of 30.5 while Kabir Nanda won the Boy’s Division with a score of 32.5, one shot clear of Samuel D’Souza.

Vikaan Sharma produced a score of 27 to take home the Junior Development Programme (JDP) prize. Dhruv Nair produced a superb three under par score of 32 to pick up the Best Gross prize.

of the Indian Independence Cup last month with a one-point win over fellow Dubai Creek member Aarkesh Bhatia and Emirates Golf Club member Nelly Amarnani.

With Kumar taking the overall prize a countback was needed between Bhatia and Amarnani to see who took the honours in Division ‘A’. Thanks to a stronger finish it was Bhatia who prevailed with Amarnani settling for second place. Anish Bhatia took third place on 34 points.In Division ‘B’ Kuttan Malattiri stormed to a three-shot win with 33 points ahead of Joseph Andrade who, in turn, took second place on a countback ahead of Nigel Pinto.

EARL AND AYBAR QUALIFY FOR DAMAN INTERNATIONAL PAIRS FINAL DCGYC SIMON Earl and Richard Aybar won

their place in the Daman Investmenrs International Pairs Final with a countback win over two teams. The scoring was good on the day and Earl and Aybar’s strong finish saw them take the top spot ahead of the duos of Anish Bhatia and Swati Singh and Ashok Sindu and Vaibhav Jain (who finished second and third respectfully) after all three teams scored 39 points.

DESAI STEALS THE LIMELIGHT Aashaka Desai stole the show at the

DCGYC Mashreq Medal Championship with an emphatic score of six under par net 65. Desai, who is 16 and plays off five, produced one of the lowest ever scores recorded from the red tees at Dubai Creek after she signed for a gross one under 70.

In the men’s Division A, Anish Bhatia won by one ahead of Mark Jolliffe thanks to a three under par 68 while in Division B, Ashok Kumar’s 69 was good enough to beat Paul Khoo by four strokes. Miki Mirza shot a 73 to win the best gross prize while Mansour Khodjasteh won the Senior Division after carding 78. Swati Singh clinched the Ladies Division with a score of 73.

HUGE WIN FOR WAIMER AT LADIES MONTHLY MEDAL DCGYC Kuson Waimer, after finishing third last

month, scored a superb net two under par 69 to claim a 3 shot victory over fellow Dubai Creek member, Maureen Platt in the Big Brands Ladies Monthly Medal. In third place, a further one shot back, was Vijaya Brahmachary. Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club’s Lady Captain, Harini White, also managed to claim a major prize, winning the best gross after an excellent round of 91.

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EMIR AT E S G O LF C LU B

ASTOUNDING ARIAS TRIUMPHANT AT LADIES BIG BRANDS NOVEMBER MEDAL

In the Silver A Division (handicap 0-14) Maria Victoria Arias claimed first place with an excellent seven under par net 65. Runner up was Viv Caley, who scored a respectable level par net 72. Mimi Hosking claiming the prize for best gross after signing for a 78.

The Silver B Division (handicap 15-23) was also won with a fine score of 6-under par net 66 by Thea Hendrickx. The runner up after a countback of the last six holes was Sue Hopwood, who posted a one under par net 71.

EGC

left to right: Michael Major (Golf Operations Intern), Joeseph Ghossub (Men’s Captain), Aashaka Desai, Harini White (Lady Captain) and Stephen Hubner (Director of Golf).

from left to right is, Joe Rogan (Director of Al Habtoor Motors), Kuttan Malattiri (Winner of Division B), Akash Kumar (Indian Independence Golf Cup 2015 Winner), Aarkesh Bhatia (Winner of Division A) and Neil Wilford (Regional Sales Manager of Bentley).

The winner of the Bronze Division (handicap 24-42) with net 74 was Kiyono Taniuchi.

P82 ARABIAN GOLF ▶

E MIRATES GOLF C LUB

BILLINGS CAPTAINS TEAM TO VICTORY IN OLD MUTUAL INTERNATIONAL CRICKET INVITATIONAL The Professional Cricketers Association and Emirates Golf Club members competed in the Old Mutual International Cricket Invitational over the Faldo course.

Sam Billings captained his victorious team which included Emirates Golf Club members Marcus Wallman, Tony Azoulay and Ashley Anderson. They combined perfectly to fire a 14-under par tally of 58. The England Management were represented in the runners-up team with Trevor Bayliss, James Jackson, Chris Jones and Euan McIntosh also recording a 14-under par total but relegated to second after a countback.

On a day of low scoring, three teams carded rounds of 59 but it was the fourball of Emirates club captain Walid Al Attar, Anish Malattiri, Rakesh Shah and bowling coach Ottis Gibson who took third place following a better back nine.

EGC

13 UNDER PAR PERFORMANCE SEALS MIDCOM DIWALI SCRAMBLE Brendan Dolan (Old Mutual International), Eoin Morgan (England One Day Captain) and Walid Al Attar (Emirates GC Captain)

SUCCESSFUL DEFENCE FOR CAROLYN THOMPSON

CAROLYN Thompson clinched a second consecutive Ladies Seniors Championship thanks to a gross 83 over the Majlis course which gave her a two-stroke victory over Jenny Ayres. Taking third place with an 86 was past Lady Captain Mitsuko Emmerson while in the Stableford competition Mieke Slotboom scored 37 points to win by two ahead of Annette Carstanjen.

EGC

LADIES PINK BALL COMPETITION RAISES AED45,000 FOR BREST FRIENDS CHARITY The winners of the Pink Ball with an excellent score of 50 Stableford points were the team of Ingrid Sjodoff, Maria Petre, Cecilia Fransson and Agneta Ekstrand.

Separately, there was a combined score category where the teams totalled their pink ball score with their team betterball score. The winners were Shiba Wahid, Kate Turner and Vijaya Brahmachary, a great effort by the three-player team

EGC

VICTORY FOR VICE CAPTAIN VIPEN Congratulations to Vice Captain Vipen Sethi on winning the Gents Seniors Club Championship.

Vipen picked up birdies at the fourth and 11th to help post a gross score of 77 on the Majlis Course to secure a two shot victory.

Charlie Stricklin was runner-up with a gross 79.

Also on the same score was Nigel Thompson who settled for third place following a countback.

Naveed Manazir took top honours in the Over 60s category with a gross 84, whilst Iain Everingham was the net winner with a score of two under par 70. Net runner up was Eric Koeman who scored a net 71 and Suresh Shewakramani finished third with a net 72.

EGC

Tom Luig, Gokul Mani, Suresh Shewakramani and Kunal Nijhaven teamed up together to score an impressive 59 to win the annual Midcom Diwali Scramble. It was a great effort by the team to post a 13 under par total. Only one stroke adrift and claiming the runner-up spot after a card countback with a team score of 60 were the young fourso of Suvansh Arora, Ashish Arora, Bradley Moguire and Tatyana Moguire. In third place after the card countback were Keith Prosser, Darren Cole, Fran Cole and Ian Scott who also posted a team score of 60.

EGC

who scored 146 points. The runnersup and only two points adrift were Meg Clerc, Katrine Karlsson, Ninu Smith and Avani Shah who totalled 144 points. In third place with a total score of 141 points was Rekha Bandopadhyay, Jenny Ayres, Gillian Doig and Nancy Wingate.

The ladies raised a huge AED45,000 for the Brest Friends Charity in association with the Al Jalila Foundation.

NOEMY AND LUIZ BERTUOL RECORD SCORE WINS DAMON PAIRS QUALIFIER The team of Noemy and Luiz Bertuol recorded a new record score for a Daman Internationals Pairs qualifier as they racked up an excellent score of 46 points.

The three teams behind them on 42 points must have all felt a bit aggrieved, knowing that their score would have won the day before at Dubai Creek, but they were all there at the prizegiving to sportingly congratulate a very popular duo.

After a series of countbacks, the team of Qamar Rasheed and Rajinder Razdan took the runners-up spot, with Ghanhyam and Arjun Manghnani in third.

EGC

BACK TO BACK MEDAL WINS FOR ASHOK

Congratulations to Ashok Ahuja, winner of the October edition of the Mashreq Medal, adding this to his September victory. Three players tied on a score of four under par net 68, but Ashok sealed the victory with a great back nine.

In the A Division (Handicap 0-10), the winner with a four under par net 68 was Jignesh Sangani, followed by Tej Chhabra with a one under par net 71 and in third place, with a level par net 72, was Nigel Thompson.

In the B Division (Handicap 11-20) again Ashok Ahuja was victorious thanks to his 4 under par net 68. Craig Dunn secured second place with a two under par net 70. A further one shot adrift with a one under par 71 was Jesper Kjaedgaard. Also with a fine net score of four under par 68 was Lalu Mahtani who won the C Division (Handicap 21-28).

EGC

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T H E ADDRESS MO NTG O MER IE DUB A I ZABRODIN AND USHAKOV CLINCH PARMIGIANI PAIRS Valerie Zabrodin and Nikolai

TAMD Ushakov played some

outstanding golf to finish on 46 points and win the Parmigiani Pairs title. The team of Darren Schofield and Ok Young Cho took second place with a score of 45 points and Cedric Fevre and Gary Hull finished third on 44 points.

DONALDSON PUTS IN DRIVEN PERFORMANCE AT AUDI INDIVIDUAL STABLEFORD The Audi Individual Stableford

TAMD Men’s A division was decided

on a countback with three players finishing on 36 points. Richard Donaldson’s better countback secured the honours, with Masoud Sobati finishing second and Joon Eun taking third place. The Men’s B Division was won by Ken Newn with an excellent score of 40 points.

Valeriy Zabrodin finished second on 38 points and Wei Dong in third on 37 points. Vera Bondarenko won the Ladies Division with 35 points, followed by Joumana Petridis on 34 points and Ok Young Cho in third on 32 points.

MASOUD SOBATI SEALS ECCO MONTHLY MEDAL Masoud Sobati’s gross score

TAMD of 76 was enough to win the

Men’s Gross Division of the Ecco Monthly Medal.

Cedric Fevre was runner-up with a gross score of 80. The Ladies division was won by Ok Young Cho on 85 gross with Carol Burns in second place on 92 gross. James Haupt took victory in the Men’s Net A division

with a 71 net, followed closely behind in second place by Darren Schofield on 72 net. The Men’s Net B Division was won by Peter Samuel on 70 net, with Damien Murray on 73 net in second place.

The Ladies Net Division was clinched by Patricia Christie on 70 net with Vera Bondarenko three shots behind in second.

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A L GHAZAL GOLF CL UB

BREYTENBACHS WIN THRILLING DAMAN QUALIFIER A close finish at this year’s

AGGC Daman Investments

International Pairs was witnessed at Al Ghazal as a countback was needed to separate the winners.

With the team of Jacob and Lizette Breytenbach and last year’s winners Maddie Fourie and Ron Schuman both locked on 41 points it came down to a countback with the Breytenbachs coming out on top thanks to their stronger finish.

A countback was also needed to decide third place with Peter McManus and James Holloway edging out Hervey Jefferson and Alastair Park after both teams finished on 38 points.

Club Captain Olav Tuoma

Summerson booked their place in the UAE final with a superb score of 42 points in the Daman Investments International Pairs.

On a fine but blustery day, any score in excess of 40 points was always going to be up there in contention, so it was disappointing for Patrick

Rory Young, Golf Operations Manager, pictured with winners Jacob and Lizette Breytenbach.

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GUEST TIM VARANGIS TAKES ETIHAD OPEN The Division A Handicap

tight in the Yas Links Etihad Open with three players finishing on 40 points.

First place was awarded and happily received by Yas Links guest, Tim Varangis who took his title on the last nine holes. This put Alan Cooke in a tight second place standing as he finished his round with a better last

CAPTAIN OLAV TUOMA AND DAVE SUMMERSON SWEEP TO DAMON PAIRS VICTORY SWGC and playing partner Dave

YA S LINKS GOL F C LUB

YLGC Category (0-14 Hcp) was very

S H A R JA H WA N D E R E R S G O LF C LU B

three holes. This enabled Donovan McGrah to take a respectable third place spot.

Stephanie Wilson, secured first place in Divison B (15-36 Hcp) with a fine 39 points. No stranger to the leaderboard, Bak Seng Tan, finished with a notable 38 points which allowed Brian Wilson to grasp third place with a score of 37 points.

Flower and Doug Cameron that their 41 points only took them into second place, two points ahead of the perennial figures of Bob Driver and Damian Murphy who came home in third place on 39 points.

The winners will now go forward to the UAE Final of the Daman vestments International Pairs on March 10, 2016.

P85 ARABIANGOLF ▶

S H ARJ AH GOLF & S HOOTING CL UB DIRECTOR DUFF CLAIMS THE CENTRO

AL NAIMI AND RUDDY CROWNED AIRARABIA MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONS

DIRECTOR of Golf at Sharjah Golf and Shooting

SGSC Club, Martin Duff, claimed his first title of the

year in the Centro Sharjah by Rotana Midweek Medal, supported by Mekar, recently by shooting a nine hole score of 37 gross. Duff got off to a slow start with a double bogey but rallied to take the title. In Division ‘A’ Namir Al Naimi took the spoils with a 37, three clear of Yohannes Tesfa.

NAMIR Al Naimi and Golf

SGSC Events Manager Mark Ruddy took the spoils in their respective net and gross divisions of the Airarabia Summer MatchPlay with some excellent displays.

Al Naimi steadily made his way through the group stages and then defeated Golden Kim in the final, while Ruddy disposed of three members and two of the club’s Professionals on his way to a glorious victory.

“It’s great to get a chance to play in the summer with some members and professionals,” said Al Naimi.

“Picking up my first win in a club event is nice and we are all looking

TAJFAR WINS BACK-TO-BACK TRULY ASIA MEDALS SGSC KAMYAR Tajfar clinched

Namir Al Naimi and Mark Ruddy pictured with their Airarabia Matchplay prizes.

forward to the Winter version of the event.” The gross plate division saw Rory Thomson take the title over Ryan Taylor in a match that went the whole distance, with Rory winning 1-up.

SGSC WELCOMES NEW CAPTAINS WILLIAM AND THE new Men’s and Ladies SGSC Captains, William Neilson and Jacqui Stewart, were welcomed into office in late October with a special tournament held in their honour.

South African Roy Holmes came out on top with a haul of 40 Stableford points from his gross 75 with second

place going to Abdul Moiz Khan two points further back.

Third place went to Chandra Shekhar with a 36-point haul while in the team event the quartet of Arun Tuli, Anil Shukia, Praveen Sharma and Jaydeep Sarkar topped the pile with an excellent score of 94 points.

back-to-back Malaysia Truly Asia Monthly Medals in October and November after two fine displays.

Tajfar signed for an excellent net 65 to win October’s edition and just a few weeks later found himself in the winner’s circle again thanks to a net 70.

The 11-year-old didn’t start November’s competition well but a superb back nine of 29 saw him shoot up the leaderboard and take both the overall and the afternoon prizes.

The morning winner was Jaydeep Sarkar with a 73 which included five net birdies and a net eagle on the par-5, 15th. One behind was Ryan Taylor while Ove Pederson took third place with a 75. Naimir Al Naimi took

the morning’s gross prize with an 81.

With the afternoon prize going to overall winner Tajfar, the runner-up spot went to S.S. Son with a 74 with his close friend Y.D. Kim in third place with a 76. The afternoon gross prize went to Sinar Suraj with a 79.

SCOTT BAINES’ EAGLES SEAL WIN SGSC REGULAR guest Scott Baines claimed his

second title at SGSC in the Centro Sharjah

by Rotana Midweek Medal supported by Mekar recently with an excellent nine-hole score of net 30.

A net eagle on the opening hole got Baines off to a great start and two further net eagles and two net birdies saw him romp to an easy victory. Korean friends No Ma Yeou and Hyuck Bang both carded a net 36 to take the titles in their respective divisions.

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AL AIN EQUESTRIAN SHOOTING & GOLF CLUB

ENGLAND’S SCOTT CAMPBELL WINS MENA TOUR FINAL EVENT AS THRISTON LAWRENCE TAKES ORDER OF MERIT TITLE SCOTT Campbell held his

AESGC nerve to win the MENA Golf Tour’s season-ending event as South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence walked away with the Order of Merit title.

Starting the day one shot in front, England’s Campbell closed with a two-under 69 to finish at 15-under for his maiden win since turning professional three years ago.

South Africa’s Tyler Hogarty, who returned a 65 – the day’s best score – joined England’s Craig Hinton in a share of second place as another Englishman, Stuart Archibald,

settled for fourth on 11-under.

South Africa’s Lawrence carded a 70 to finish in a tie for sixth on sixunder which was good enough for him to win the Order of Merit title with $27,679 (over Dhs.100,000) in earnings during the season, ahead of Spain’s Gabriel Canizares of Spain with $20,379).

England’s James Allan comfortably kept up his dominance in the Amateur Division, closing with a 70 to end the tournament at 10-under, well ahead of India’s Rayhan Thomas who finished at three over.

P86 ARABIAN GOLF ▶

AL AIN EQUESTRIAN SHOOTING & GOLF CLUB

GROSSKOPFT TAKES HERTZ LADIES OPEN

HOCKINGS ON FIRE DANIEL Hockings clinched

AESGC the top spot in Division ‘A’ at

AESGC MADELEEN Grosskopft

clinched the 2015 Hertz Ladies Open last month after powering home with 37 shots on the back nine to seal a comfortable three-stroke victory over Aashaka Desai and Kim Chiang. A countback was needed to settle the Net Division as both Glory Xavier and Yu Kun Cao scored a 66 and after the cards were compared it was Xavier who came out on top thanks to her back nine of 38. Taking third place with a net 70 was junior Sakura Kawakami.

the recent Hertz Thursday Social with a Stableford haul of 21 points over nine holes. Eric Smith took second place with 19 points followed

by Ishmon Hester one point further back.

David Miles scored 19 points to top the pile in Division ‘B’ alongside Dave Mitchell and took the win by virtue of a countback with Kenny Franklin third on 18 points.

Sharon Cotgrave won Division ‘C’ with 18 points, one ahead of Hye Sook Jee, who took second outright on a countback ahead of Neville Bakker.

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UAE PGA

CHAUDHRY SEALS HIS FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON AESGC WAJAHAT Chaudry secured

his first win of the season with a net 67 in Division ‘A’ of last month’s Medal.

Past Captain Larry Benson returned a 69 to take second place with Tommy Cotgrave third with a 70. In the Scratch Section Robert Horridge stole the show with a 72 while in Division

‘B’ David Miles sneaked home with a 68, one clear of Jose Miguel Santos and Phil Miller, who took second and third place respectively after Santos’ s stronger back nine.

Andrew Muirhead took Division ‘C’ with a 66 ahead of Leon Herselman while Lady Captain Charmaine Bakker shot a 71 to take third place.

SCHEEPERS CROWNED SENIOR CHAMPION Edwin Scheepers produced

AESGC rounds of 71 and 66 to win the second AESGC Senior Open on 30th31st October on a countback after a dramatic final day.

Scheepers and Serge Morisette were the only players to break par on both days from a field of 34 competitors.

After the pair had tied on 137 it was Scheepers who came out on top thanks to his secon round 66 to Morissette’s round of 67.

David Miles took third place outright having followed a 72 with a 67 while Paul Van Heyningen and Paul Ashford finished fourth and

Edwin Scheepers collects his prize.

fifth repesctively.Graham Birnie was the overall gross winner thanks to rounds of 77 and 74 with second place going to Sergio De Souza ahead of third-placed Alan Whatling on a countback.

MILLS MEN COME OUT ON TOP IN TIGHT DUBAI CREEK UAE PGA PRO-AM Three teams tied at the top

UAEPGA with a score of -12 in the

Dubai Creek UAE PGA Pro-Am, with the scores being determined by a countback from the back 9.

Dubai Creek Golf Professional, Cennydd Mills, and his team of Owain Mills, Khalifa Al Masaood and Graham Pascal, eventually emerged victorious.

Mills and his team thought they had managed to get to the magical -13, after Pascal made a gross birdie on their final hole. However, his +2 handicap and high stroke index of their final hole meant his birdie turned into a net par.

The team finishing in second place was that of another Dubai Creek Golf Professional, Jack Woods, and his team consisting of the Dubai Creek Lady Captain, Harina White,

and fellow members Mini Philip and Kuson Waimer. A dream team it seems, after their second Pro-Am success in as many weeks.

In third place were ProSports’ Brenden O’Leary and his team of Paul Aboucharca, Hisham Shammas and Michael Sharrah.

The individual professional’s scores were also tightly contested.

The winning professionals could not be separated – both Simon Payne, of Tower Links Golf Club, and Gavin Sutherland, of Al Badia Golf Club, shot a faultless round of level par (71).

They were closely followed by Dubai Creek’s, Cennydd Mills (71), Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club’s, Purna Sharma (73), Martin Duff (74) and finally in 6th place, Emirates Golf Club’s, Stephen Deane (75).

P89 ARABIANGOLF CONARES GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE G.O.D.S AND VIKINGS LEAD THE WAY AFTER THREE ROUNDS THE G.O.D.S and the Vikings will head into the New Year break with healthy leads at the top of the Conares league and BMW League respectively after two wins out of two in the third round of fixtures of the Conares Golf Society League.

Thanks to victories against the Happy Hookers,

Conares League G.O.D.S Golf Society Dubai Exputts 1 South African Golf Society etyy D.I.G.S Happy Hookers

the G.O.D.S have 12 points and sit three points clear of Dubai Exputts 1 and the South African Golf Society (who both did not have fixtures in Round 2) while the D.I.G.S and Happy Hookers share last place on three points.

Meanwhile, the newly-formed Vikings also

Played

Won

Lost

Tied

Points

6 4 4 4 6

4 3 3 1 1

2 1 1 3 5

0 0 0 0 0

12 9 9 3 3

BMW League Vikings Golf Society GOATS Golf Society G.T.I Golf Society Lampell The Kegs Dubai

have 12 points and they are five points clear of the GOATS after two wins against the KEGS who occupy last place.

The Vikings have taken the initiative to lead while the GOATS, G.T.I and Lampell societies all have fixtures in hand to claw back the deficit.

Played

Won

Lost

Tied

Points

6 4 4 4 6

4 2 2 1 1

2 1 2 2 5

0 1 0 1 0

12 7 6 4 3

SOCIETIES OFF THE MARK IN SNTTA AND WWG LEAGUES All teams in both the SNTTA Travel and Worldwide Golf Leagues have now collected some valuable points ahead of the New Year break in the Conares Golf Society League.

Leading the charge in the SNTTA League are Asean, Gulf Rock and Dubai ExPutts 2, with them all having two victories to date for a haul of six points.

Kingspan and MustdashDubai are only one win behind on three points each. The SNTTA Travel League Asean Dubai ExPutts 2 Gulf Rock Kingspan Mustdashdubai

highlights in the second fixtures was the performance from Dubai ExPutts 2, who claimed two victories against Kingspan while Gulf Rock and MustdashDubai enjoyed a fascinating duel with both sides claiming a win for their cause. Asean enjoyed a rest week and, thankfully for them, no team leaped over them into top spot.

In the Worldwide Golf League, Sport 2 Business sit at the top of the pile on seven

Played

Won

Lost

Tied

Points

2 4 4 4 2

2 2 2 1 1

0 2 2 3 1

0 0 0 0 0

6 6 6 3 3

Worldwide Golf League Sports2Business Woestyn Boere Hackers Indian Expats Naboodah SGB Sharjah Golf Members

points after two wins, one tie and one loss from their opening four matches.

They had their chances against the Indian Expats but had to settle for a tie in the match between Fathi Al Busaidy and Darren Batt and the Indian Expats’ Verma and Sanjoy Das. Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club Team took on the Woestyn Boere Hackers with the WBH team managing to shade both games to strengthen their standing in the league table.

Played

Won

Lost

Tied

Points

4 4 2 2 4

2 2 1 1 1

1 2 0 1 3

1 0 1 0 0

7 6 4 3 3

P90 ARABIAN GOLF ▶

A L HAMRA GOLF C LUB RAHM CROWNED RAK MEN’S OPEN CHAMP

ANNIE ROBIN RIDES HER LUCK

Christofer Rahm won the 10th edition of the Ras Al

Annie Robin won the Luckiest Ball AHGC tournament despite carding a nine on her closing hole. Robin was in fine form and despite her wobble at the finish line she still signed for a net 69 to win by two from Eric Engelbrecht. The Gross winner on the day was Craig McGuire with a 79, seven clear of Callum Bird.

AHGC Khaimah Men’s Amateur Open with an impressive four shot victory.

Rahm found himself two strokes behind leader Ryan Hunter after round one, but came out firing on day two to storm clear and win comfortably. A further one stroke behind Hunter in third place was Tiago Lobo who produced rounds of 74 and 75 for a 149 total.

In the Net Division, Dhruv Nair took the spoils following a countback win over Subhjit Biswas and Mark Washburn.

PIKE PICKS UP FIRST MEDAL WIN New member

AHGC Jos Pike

VISITOR MURPHY’S MAGICAL HARRADINE CUP VICTORY Visitor Paul Murphy produced a blistering

AHGC round of 43 points to claim the 2015

Harradine Cup, a major fixture in Al Hamra’s event calendar. The runners-up privilege went to Marty Brown, after he produced a solid round of 39 points.

Claiming the last of the podium prizes was Al Hamra Member John Feenie on 38 points.

AL MOU J G O LF-M U S C AT O M A N

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T O W ER LINK G O LF CL UB

recorded his first competition victory in the November Monthly Medal after carding 84. This score was enough to finish three clear of runner-up Mike Dunn. Order of Merit leader John Kiddie experienced his first slip of the season as he failed to pick up any points, although he still has a comfortable early lead. The net division saw Colin Gray claim the accolades with a two under 70. This was good enough to beat close friend Rob Foy who put together a solid round of 73.

TENZIN TSARONG TAKES THE 2015 BLACK TEE CHALLENGE AMG THE Championship Course at Almouj Golf

South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence with His Highness Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Darren Clarke and Mohamed Juma Buamaim, Chairman of the MENA Tour.

SOUTH AFRICA’S LAWRENCE TAKES RAK CLASSIC BY FOUR SHOTS Thriston Lawrence won his maiden MENA

AHGC Tour title, clinching the Ras Al Khaimah

Classic by four strokes. The 18 year old prodigy showed great strength of character in getting the job done as he closed with a 69 to finish on 12 under par, playing the back nine at four under.

The 2016 European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke finished in a four-way tie for second, along with Tyler Hogarty, also of South Africa, Gabriel Canizares of Spain and Michael Downes of England

was pushed to its full length of 7,310 yards for the third running of the annual Black Tee Challenge. This year the event moved from its previous time slot earlier in the season to take advantage of the preparation work in the run-up to the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final Challenge Tour event.

Coming out on top after an epic final round battle was Tenzin Tsarong with a score of 161, one stroke ahead of Jeff Campbell.

Tsarong and Campbell were playing in the final group alongside Kevin D’Amours with both Campbell and Tsarong leading after an opening round 80 with D’Amours one stroke further back.

Campbell got off to a slow start and a triple bogey at the turn handing Tsarong a two stroke lead. However, Campbell recovered and by the time the duo reached the final hole their scores were tied with D’Amours out of contention.

Campbell found trouble with his second shot and failed to get on the green in regulation. His double bogey opened the door for Tsarong and his chip and two-putts for bogey sealed the victory.

Past winner Azaan Al Rumhy added a second round 83 to his opening 81 to post a 164 total while Sachin Bawa and Lynn Casey posted a two-round total of 167.

Tsarong’s winning score of 161 was a stroke lower than the winning score from 2014 Champion Aaron O’Hara and two strokes lower than Azaan Al Ruhmy in 2013.

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T H E ROYAL GO LF CL UB ABDULAZIZ AHMED WINS THIRD AND FINAL BAHRAIN QUALIFIER TRGC ABDULAZIZ Ahmed narrowly won the third

and final Bahrain qualifying competition of the 2015 Bahrain Volvo World Golf Challenge with a haul of 38 Stableford points with a countback win over Keith Watson.

In third place, one stroke back, was Reinhold Lutz, while the Nearest the Pin prizes on holes 7 and 12 went to Rob Lane and Ali Al Kowari respectively.

Winner Abdulaziz Ahmed with Trevor Fletcher of Motorcity

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S A H A R A G C K U WA I T

LAMBROS AND PETERSON SECURE WIN IN XEROX CORPORATE GOLF CHALLENGE’S KUWAIT QUALIFIER

LANE TAKES ROUND 3 OF THE AUDI QUATTRO CUP SERIES TRGC ROB Lane won the third round of the Audi

Quattro qualifying series with 38 Stableford points and now tops the series leaderboard with a total of 105 points.

Naeem Ullah Khan finished second with 36 points while Mohamed Al Sayed took third place with a haul of 35 points.

More than 50 competitors turned out for the tournament which was open to both members and visitors with valid handicap certificates. The Audi quattro Cup Series will be played out over a total of nine rounds at the Royal Golf Club, with participants accumulating Stableford points over the series. After the final round, the two players with the most Stableford points from 8 out of 9 rounds will be selected to represent Bahrain as one of the 60 teams competing in the World Finals.

AUDI TO SPONSOR 13TH ANNUAL NATIONAL DAY TOURNAMENT This month’s National Day Tournament will

TRGC be sponsored by Audi Bahrain as the event

THINK PINK BAHRAIN MARKS MILESTONE 10TH CHARITY GOLF DAY DESPITE extremely hot and humid weather,

TRGC the tenth annual Think Pink Bahrain Charity Golf Day was a huge success once again and coming out on top in the Ladies 18 hole event was the team of Hanne Hansen, Dena Wales, Robin Bugeja and Debbie Lane with a score of 54 points.

The duo of Kavitha Pantnulu and Johanna Hassett narrowly took second place with 51 points on a countback ahead of the team of Hilde Kwik, Jan Watson, Anne Timmers and Sara Axtell.

The trio of Diana Vidrine, Guiliana Love and Linda Reith came first in the Ladies 9 hole competition on the par 3 Mini Monty course with 33 points while in the Men’s 9 hole event the team of Rob Lane, Nils Berge, Dave Garbutt and Ben Elsworth top scored with a net 28.2

D IRAB G O LF C LU B

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continues to grow year on year.

The tournament, which was created to foster unity and friendship between Bahrainis and expatriate residents of the island, is scheduled for December 16-17, as a 36-hole tournament which will be played as two-player scramble on day 1 and twoplayer better-ball on day 2.

SK Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge has

MYRES-SULLIVAN CLINCH FIRST EMIRATES NBD OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT Neil Myres won his second Texas Scramble

DGC event in less than two months, partnering this

Steven Hill (left), General Manager of Behbehani Brothers and Stephen Havrilla, General Manager of The Royal GC.

time with fellow American Andrew Sullivan to win the inaugural staging of the Emirates NBD Open Golf Tournament 2015.

Three teams shot 62s with the three handicap pair of Dean Lewis and Paul Stanton taking the runner-up spot. In third place were Adam Danahue and Eddie Salinas followed by Eyad Marzuq and Gamal Abdulqadir in fourth spot. Lewis and Stanton owned the low gross of the day, 65, thanks to seven birdies in a bogeyless round (33-32).

concluded its 13th qualifying round at Kuwait’s Sahara Golf & Country Club with George Lambros and Dave Peterson emerging victorious.

Joon Ho Bae and Ki Won Yoo took second place, while Wael Al Welayti and Fadia Emadi came in third. All three teams finished the qualifying round with a score of 43, and the winners were decided by countback.

The top three teams from the Kuwait qualifier join other finalists in the Grand Final which will be held at Ras Al Khaimah at the end of 2015.

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STAR SPOTTING: LUIS FIGO DRIVING RANGE: 2016 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT V8 EMIRATES TRAVEL - GLENDOWER GOLF CLUB TEE TIMES

football legend

Luis Figo cheers on europe’s best at the DP World Tour Championship Richard Bevan speaks exclusively to the former ‘world Player of the year’ about his passion for golf and how he became good friends with talented youngster matthew fitzpatrick.

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FIGO AND FITZPATRICK

BEST BUDS

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ast month’s DP World Tour Championship received a special visitor in the form of legendary Portuguese footballer Luis Figo who was at the tournament to cheer on his friend Matthew Fitzpatrick.

The pair struck up an unlikely friendship following the 21 year old Englishman’s sensational victory at Woburn Golf Club in the British Masters supported by Sky Sports in October after Figo sent a congratulatory ‘Tweet’ and they’ve stayed in touch ever since.

When the 43 year old former Barcelona and Real Madrid superstar found he was going to be in Dubai during The Race to Dubai’s season finale he jumped at the chance to visit Jumeirah Golf Estates to support Matt.

“I’m very pleased I got a chance to watch some of this great tournament as I’ve been a huge fan of golf since I retired from football,” said Figo, a 10-handicapper. “I was glad I

WORLDWIDE GOLF: When did your interest in golf begin?

LUIS FIGO: Since I retired from football I began to get really interested in golf. I started to play and practice with two friends of mine and it’s now become a big passion of mine.

WWG: What’s your favourite golf course in Dubai?

LF: I’ve only played on the Dubai Creek course and that was a fantastic experience.

Dubai has perfect

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got the chance to follow Matt.

We met a few months ago and it just happened that I had to be in Dubai for work at the same time as he was playing in the DP World Tour Championship, so it was a coincidence – but one that I’m very glad about!”

Having such an esteemed fan following him around the Earth course certainly didn’t overawe Fitzpatrick, the youngest player in the field, as he rattled off five birdies and an eagle en-route to an impressive third round of four under par 68 before going on to finish the tournament in a tie for fourth place on 13 under.

“It was great to have Luis there to support me and really nice of him to come and watch,” said Fitzpatrick who shot 68-69-6870 at the event. “I spoke to him on Twitter and he mentioned that he was in Dubai so I thought it would be nice to offer him the chance to come and watch. I think he really enjoyed his day.”

conditions for golf. Amazing golf courses and brilliant weather make it the ideal place to play the sport.

WWG: What’s the strongest area of your game?

LF: The area that I think I am the strongest in is my putting but everything else needs a lot of work on. …and the weakest?

LF: My drives were bad at the beginning but now I am getting better. However, I still have to improve!

SEDUCTIVELY SLEEK 2016 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT V8 Bentley first introduced the Continental GT in 2003 with a second generation arriving in 2011. In just over a decade the car has transformed the company into a major global player and the updates in the 2016 range from 2015 are slight, but noticeable. At the front, the bodywork around the headlights is smoother, creating a sleeker look and the lower air intakes now span the entire width of the car.

The interior hasn’t had much of a make-over. The stitching and finely trimmed wood are finished to an exceptionally high standard and the soft leather is the finest available. The cabin is quiet at speed, but not so sound-proofed that you can’t hear the roar of the engine.

POWER For 2016, the V8 models are powered by the same 4.0-litre, twin-turbo unit as before, making 500 hp and 487 lb-ft in standard guise, and a healthy 521 hp and 502 lb-ft with the S kit.

However, sliding the engine under the Continental GT’s hood has really affected the car and the way it drives. It may not be as powerful as the 6.0 litre engine in the W12, but the V8 is more compact, so it can be better positioned in the chassis to lower the centre of gravity, making transmission feel quicker.

The GT V8 is 55 pounds lighter than the W12, and all that weight comes out of the car’s front end, making the steering smoother.

PRICE The entire Continental range is slightly more expensive this year, but in terms of personalisation there are almost limitless options. Bespoke alterations for the interior are seemingly infinite, while there is a choice of 117 paint colours.

The starting price for a Continental GT V8 is AED 767,040.

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P98 ARABIAN GOLF

Glendower Golf Club Home to the 105th South African Open

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HE 105th staging of the South African Open Championship will take place next month at the stunning Glendower Golf Club in the north east corner of Johannesburg.

The second-oldest national Open in the world this year sees BMW come on board as a new title sponsor with English hot-shot Andy Sullivan set to defend the title he won 12 months ago. The course boasts kikuyu grass fairways with 64 bunkers (27 on the front nine and 37 on the back nine) and water hazards on 11 of the 18 holes. A challenging but classic par 72, Glendower is one of the must-play tracks not only in Johannesburg, but the whole of South Africa. The course underwent some major changes in the 1980s with all 18 greens re-shaped and re-built, new tee positions added, water features cleared and extended. These changes modernised the facility without losing any of its classic appeal. In order to preserve the birdslife and wildlife that are found on the course the club was proclaimed a Nature Reserve in 1973.

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“It’s one of the best courses I’ve ever played, very visual, really well bunkered and extremely well set up. We don’t get to play on many traditional courses any more and I was delighted with Glendower.�

Paul McGinley – after playing in the 2013 SA Open Championship at Glendower GC.

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Glendower golf club, Johannesburg, South Africa

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outh Africa has been the birthplace of some of the greatest players the game has ever seen. From legends such as Bobby Locke and Gary Player through to modern-day Major champions Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Trevor Immelman, these great champions cut their teeth on some of the most outstanding golf courses in the world. Johannesburg, or Joburg for short, has a rich history, which was built on the19th century gold rush. People from all over the world came looking for a piece of the action when the precious metal was discovered here and it’s legacy as one of the most vibrant cities in Africa has been growing ever since.

Gary Player has won the South Africa Open a record 13 times. Bobby Locke triumphed 9 times and Sid Brews won it 8 times. George Fotheringham was victorious five times between 1908 and 1914 and Ernie Els also is a five-time champion.

Since the South Africa Open Championship became part of The European Tour in 1997, South Africans have won the event 12 of the 18 times since being co-sanctioned. This represents the most number of victories in a single European Tour event for South Africa.

Glendower Golf Club staged the Championship the first time the event was co-sanctioned with The European Tour in 1997 and was won by Vijay Singh.

Where to Stay in Johannesburg: The Oasis Boutique Hotel With easy access to the major highways the Oasis Boutique Hotel offers 5* accommodation in the north of the city and is ranked the No.4 guest house in the Greater Johannesburg area on TripAdvisor. The stars of the property are the stunning gardens with cascading rock pools while two chefs are on hand seven days a week to cook up a selection of delicious lunch and evening meals.

The Michelangelo Hotel A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, The Michelangelo Hotel is set in the heart of the Sandton business and leisure district and boasts world-class facilities and unrivalled service. The hotel overlooks the historic Nelson Mandela Square and inside there is the superb Piccolo Mondo restaurant and a rooftop health and fitness centre.

54 on Bath 54 on Bath is a sophisticated home from home that provides the ideal base for anyone travelling to Johannesburg. Luxury Suites boast private lounges and spacious en-suite bathrooms while fine wine and fine dining are on offer at the Level 4 restaurant.

Bob’s Bunk House Located just a short walk from Glendower GC, Bob’s Bunk House is a haven for travellers and backpackers looking for a warm and friendly atmosphere. One of the most popular hostel and guest houses in the city, Bob’s has been welcoming people from all over the world since 1999 and offers plenty of room and a hearty welcome from owners Bob and Joan.

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AUDEMARS PIGUET AMBASSADORS ENJOY OUT IN FORCE AT THE ELS CLUB A

n illustrious group of ambassadors for luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet enjoyed a great day with invited guests at the 2nd annual Audemars Piguet Invitational at The Els Club.

The AP crew of Darren Clarke, Victor Dubuisson, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Peter Uihlein, Lee Westwood, Bernd Wiesberger and Danny Willett all enjoyed a day of golf and good times in Dubai with 21 year old rising star Matthew Fitzpatrick invited to join them in the field.

During the event AP CEO François-Henry Bennahmias unveiled the new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in Yellow Gold, with one of only 50 of the limited edition pieces made, being presented to Ryder Cup Captain Clarke.

“Yellow gold is coming back in again and AP offer the Perpetual Calendar in a yellow gold that is a different tone to normal yellow gold, which is really nice,” said Clarke.

“The amount of work that goes into creating something so small and intricate is amazing. I’m a huge watch collector and a huge fan of AP. I have lots of their watches, but this one is a bit special. I feel fortunate to get one of only 50 of them...there’s only 49 left now!”

Clarke, who will lead the European Ryder Cup team at Hazeltine National Golf Club in 2016, went on to state his belief that the biennial event could one day come to Dubai.

“The Ryder Cup goes to countries who have supported The European Tour for a long time, and Dubai is doing that,” he said, “so I am sure in the future The Tour will look favourably upon hosting golf’s biggest event here.”

ROYAL OAK PERPETUAL CALENDAR

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