Worldwide Golf Summer 2015 Issue

The Middle East’s No.1 Golf Magazine

Worldwide

EST.1999

SUMMER 2015 ISBN 978-9948-15-427-3

97 8994 81 5427 3

Johnson Clubs

Zach

keeps his cool to land his second Major at the ‘Home of Golf’ CHRIS WOOD

The tallest player on Tour bounces back from injury and talks exclusively about the fun things he’d like to do .. but can’t!

TESTED

Mickelson adds his touch to the latest wedges from Callaway ... groovey!

SCOTLAND’S GOLF COAST

East Lothian boasts the highest concentration of Championship links courses in the world – with 22 must-play courses.

Arabian Golf

DAVE PELTZ

The Latest News From The Leading Clubs In The Region Official Media Partner to the European Tour and the Challenge Tour in the Middle East

Legendary coach and author of the iconic‘Short Game Bible’heads for Abu Dhabi to pass on his knowlesge.

PLUS: ANDRÉS INIESTA GETS A LESSON FROM JUSTIN ROSE

Official magazine of the EGF & the Arab Golf Federation

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ST. ANDREWS IN THE BLOOD

THOMAS MURDOCH INTERVIEW

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GARY PLAYER – EXECUTIVE EDITOR SINCE 1999

Did Spieth get his prep right?

Gary Player – The 9-time Major Champion and 9-time Senior Major Champion who has witnessed and been a part of some of the most historic and memorable golfing occasions, reflects on the game today.

W

HAT a wonderful finish we had to the 144th Open Championship at the Home of Golf, St. Andrews.

My congratulations go to Zach Johnson for outlasting Louis Oousthuizen and Mark Leishman in the four hole play-off.

Although the galleries were cheering Louis on to win his second Open at St. Andrews to add to his Open victory on the Old Course five years ago, there must have been hundreds of thousands fans back in the United States who were celebrating along with Johnson, who won the 2007 Masters Tournament.

My sympathy goes to Jordan Spieth and Jason Day who both missed the play-off by just a single shot. Jason played so well and you could see the disappointment etched on his face on the 18th when his birdie putt didn’t make it into the hole. It was an emotional moment for him.

Jason had come so close to winning the Masters and the US Open at Chambers Bay and he’d worked so hard to try and win The Open.

Nobody has a better swing than Jason Day. He’s been very unfortunate. Sadly, nobody remembers who finishes second, apart from his wife and his dog,

but I believe Jason will win a Major before very long. I came second on Tour 17 times in my career and I was runner-up in seven Majors and I can tell you that it’s the worst feeling in the world.

Jordan Spieth is a wonderful young man with a huge talent. I admire what he did in staying loyal to the sponsors and playing the John Deere Classic in Illinois, instead of heading for Scotland to prepare for The Open. I’m convinced that had he given himself more of a chance he would have won The Open.

Grand Slam

Having taken The Masters and then the US Open the World No.2 was halfway to completing the Grand Slam in the same season.

That sort of record-breaking opportunity doesn’t come along very often – it’s a once in a lifetime chance and it’s such a shame that he didn’t pay more attention to his preparation.

Phil Mickelson showed the way in winning the Scottish Open on the links of Castle Stuart at Inverness two years ago before heading for Muirfield and winning The Open. He spoke about the importance of honing his links skills in a competitive tournament like the Scottish Open to get in the groove

Worldwide GOLF 04

for his Open attempt. Many Americans followed his lead and took part in the Scottish Open the previous week at Gullane Golf Club, adjacent to Muirfield on Scotland’s Golf Coast. It was American Rickie Fowler who emerged victorious and announced that his links experience meant he was now ready to take on St Andrews.

Jordan flew into Scotland on a charter flight on the Monday morning of The Open week, having played only once previously on the Old Course. I believe that didn’t give him enough time to acclimatise and prepare.

Ben Hogan used to head for The Open a month before the event to prepare properly. Many great players have travelled to play in The Open just a day or two before teeing off but that’s a rare occurrence. Apart from the links experience you also have to take account of the jet-lag. It’s a medical fact that jet-lag has a serious affect on you which only time can repair.

Nevertheless, the 21 year old Texan has a fantastic career ahead of him and when Rory McIlroy gets back into action it will be interesting to see how Spieth, Day and all the other leading youngsters fare against each other. n

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Andrés Iniesta

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SCOTLAND’S GOLF COAST

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Starter Ivor Robson announces Dustin Johnson on the tee at the 144th Open Championship for the last time.

I nearly got it right ... just got the wrong Johnson

F

or the past 16 years I’ve covered the Scottish Open but this year I did something new – I took my clubs to Gullane to find out what Scotland’s Golf Coast was all about. During the Scottish Open I caught up with Branden Grace who said that The Renaissance Club was outstanding and in top class condition.

Other players I bumped into during the week commented on how great the neighbouring courses at Archerfield Links were. When top-flight Tour players claim a course to be in great condition, they mean it’s fit to host a championship. So these tracks were a must-play for sure.

I started my epic three days of golf at The Renaissance Club and Branden was spot on. It’s a bespoke club with a joining fee of £75,000, aimed understandably at the wealthy international golfer. Everything was first class but fitted into a relaxed setting, which encourages you to feel at home – practice as much as you want, play when you like and even wear jeans in the clubhouse if you so chose. We will be carrying a full club and course review in September’s issue so I don’t want to reveal too much. Except I’ve never played a course with an infinity par 3 – followed by one of the most breathtaking holes I’ve ever seen, let alone played. A definite golfer’s bucket list course.

The following day we drove down the road to Craigelaw Golf Club, a traditional Scottish Links

at just over 6,000 yards off the men’s tees but blustery conditions soon made a 380 yard par 4 a drive and a long iron. Then you had the challenge of figuring out how to stop the ball downwind. All of a sudden you couldn’t play a Middle East highball flight and soon adapted to the knockdown bump and runs from 150 yards in. It was the perfect warm up for those who need to adjust to a new style of playing without getting beaten up on a 7,000 yard modern day championship course.

Perfect Stage With just one day to go before heading over to St. Andrews for The Open Championship we planned to get in 36 holes at Archerfield Links.

First up was the Fidra Course. The front nine reminded me of Woburn or Wentworth, with trees lining both sides of the fairways with links styled bunkers guarding the large manicured greens.

The wind didn’t come into play due to the shelter from the trees and you could just focus on the greens and pin placements. The back nine was a completely different ball game. The trees thinned out and the course opened up into a traditional links layout. Now you had to concentrate on both the wind and the pins – a great course and the perfect stage for this year’s Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open. In the afternoon I managed to steer it round the more challenging Dirleton Links. With large contoured run-offs, undulating greens and those dreaded

Alex Gallemore, Editor Worldwide GOLF 10

gorse bushes, this was a serious test of every club in the bag. The pros over at St. Andrews would have struggled to break par.

Three days of mastering the elements and the links made me appreciate what the players at The Open were going through. Normally, 150 yards would be a full wedge or an easy 9 iron for these guys, so when you see the likes of Adam Scott knocking down a 7-iron to hold it into the wind at that distance, the robotic hit to a number style of player wasn’t going get their name etched on the Claret Jug this year.

I nearly called this year’s winner. I said Johnson would win. Unfortunately, I got the wrong Johnson. I believed that Dustin would have been able to power it through the wind where others would struggle and, downwind, challenge the greens off the tee. How wrong I was – just a shame it wasn’t played over two rounds. He’s one of the most talented players in the game but for some reason he can’t hold it together over the weekend. For many of us that’s normal!

The 2015 Open was also the last time we would see past winners Tom Watson and Sir Nick Faldo in action. But for me it was equally sad to think we would no longer hear the voice of Ivor Robson welcoming the players onto the tee. After 41 years as the Starter for The European Tour he’s hanging up the microphone with his last event being the season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates. n

The

COURSE Whistling Straits Tough sandy links on the banks of Lake Michigan THE Straits course at Whistling Straits, designed by Pete Dye, is one of the most demanding in the United States – but that shouldn't concern the best of the best when the strongest Major field of the year gathers for Glory’s Last Shot at the US PGA Championship in August.

First opened in 1998, Whistling Straits was built in the mold of the classic links of Great Britain. However, unlike the rolling dunes of courses like Royal Birkdale and Turnberry, which follow the natural landscape to comprise 18 holes, Whistling Straits needed to shift and manoeuvre more than a million cubic yards of earth to turn the former flat military base into a stunning golf property, capable of hosting Major events.

Eight of the holes run alongside the shoreline of the lake while the vast expanse of water can be seen from various points on all 18 holes. Over 1,000 bunkers are dotted around the course but the majority of them don’t come into play unless you snap hook it 200 yards.

The Straits first hosted a Major in 2004 when Vijay Singh triumphed in a play-off over Chris DiMarco and Justin Leonard to win his second US PGA Championship and his third Major title overall.

Three years later the US Senior Open pitched up at Whistling Straits and Brad Bryant took the honours with a three-stroke win.

Then, in 2010, Germany's Martin Kaymer outlasted Amercan Bubba Watson in extra holes to clinch his maiden Major at the US PGA Championship.

In addition to this year’s final Major of the season, the course will welcome the world to Wisconsin when it has the honour of hosting the 46th staging of the Ryder Cup in 2020.

Expect more 'War on the Shore' type headlines feom Kiawa Island back in 1991 to emerge during that titanic trans-Atlantic battle.

The course’s reputation for being a stiff but fair test in a stunning setting has elevated it to one of the great golf courses in the world.

Worldwide GOLF 12

STARTER

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DEBUTANT CHUN WINS US WOMEN’S OPEN

The par-6 15th hole at the D+D Slovakia Challenge is the longest hole in European Tour history at a mammoth 783 yards (716 metres). Spain' s Borja Virto Astudillo won the tournament by one shot. The 15th hole played as the easiest hole on the course throughout the tournament. which was held on July 9-12.

The previous longest hole in European pro golf was a 705 yards par-5 at the 2010 Ecco Tour Championship in Germany.

SOUTH KOREA’S In Gee Chun became the first player to win the US Women's Open on debut since Birdie Kim in 2005, as she birdied four of her last seven holes to rally for a one-stroke victory at this year’s US Women’s Open at t Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania. The 20-year old Chun fired a stunning 4-under par 66 in the final round to record her fifth victory of the year. Meanwhile, Paul Fusco, caddie of Kim Sei-Young was expelled from the event by USGA officials after he was found photographing course set-up documents prior to the event.

ALLEN SECURES FIRST TITLE AT ISPS HANDA LADIES EUROPEAN MASTERS

THREE The number of play-offs Kevin Kisner has been in so far this season. He’s lost all three, the most recent of which came at the Greenbrier Classic. Kisner joined Steve Elkington (1992), Sergio Garcia (2008), Bill Hass (2011) and Webb Simpson (2011) as the only US PGA Tour players to have been involved in three play-offs during a season. The difference between Kisner and the others? They all won at least one of their three play-offs.

-2

Only scores of 2-under par and better made the cut at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club on Scotland's Golf Coast – the lowest cut score on The European Tour season so far.

The rarest bird in golf – there have been just four albatrosses on The European Tour so far this season.

BETH Allen carded a superb final round 67 to overturn a five shot deficit and claim her first professional title, at the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters.

The American trailed overnight leader Caroline Masson by five shots going into the final round at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club but sunk five birdies on the front nine to set the pace.

STARTER IVOR ROBSON RETIRING

SINCE 1975 The Open Championship’s tee-times have been called by one voice – Ivor Robson’s. But this year’s Championship marked the last time his soft lilt will be heard announcing the players on the first tee at The Open, ending a 41-year stint as the tournament’s starter. “I feel you can’t go on forever and if you’re going to step off there’s no better place to do it than St Andrews,” smiled Robson.

JEFF MAGGERT PIPS MONTGOMERIE FOR US SENIOR OPEN GLORY

4

THE 2015 US Senior Open Championship saw Jeff Maggert prevail by two shots over defending champion Colin Montgomerie.

The win was Maggert’s second Senior Major title of the year after he secured his maiden Senior Major championship at the Regions Tradition in May.

DANNY LEE'S COSTLY MENTAL BLUNDER FRESH off his maiden US PGA Tour win a week earlier, Danny Lee was left to rue a mental lapse during the final round of the John Deere Classic which cost him a place in the ensuing playoff between Tom Gillis and eventual winner

Jordan Spieth. The New Zealander incurred a one-shot penalty after inexplicably lifting, cleaning and placing his ball on the fourth fairway. He went on to bogey the hole and ended up missing a place in the playoff by a single shot.

Worldwide GOLF 15

STARTER WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID ABOUT THE GREENS AT THIS YEAR’S US OPEN AT CHAMBERS BAY… “They are not the best that I’ve ever putted on” – Rory McIlroy “A championship of the calibre of the US Open deserves better quality green surfaces” - Sergio Garcia “It’s like outdoor bingo” – Justin Rose “The greens are borderline laughable. It’s like putting on broccoli” – Henrik Stenson “They were simply the worst, most disgraceful surfaces I have ever seen on any Tour in all the years I have played. The US Open deserves better than that.” – Ian Poulter “I think a lot of the players, and I'm one of them, have lost some respect for the USGA and this championship this year for the greens.” – Billy Horschel

EXTREME GOLF GOLF isn’t usually talked of as being one of the more dangerous sports around.

However, things were a little different at this year’s US Open Championship at Chambers Bay, Washington State.

The layout’s hilly terrain meant that some players had trouble getting a firm footing around the course’s unique sandy and grass dunes. Tiger Woods was the highest profile player to lose his footing as he slipped after hitting a shot from a slope during the second round.

The injuries began on the eve of the first round when Damian Moore, who caddies for Stephen Gallacher, sprained his right ankle during a practice round.

Moore was helped off the course on a stretcher and would play no further part in the tournament, leaving Gallacher to use the services of local caddie Rick Harris.

Henrik Stenson’s caddie Gareth Lord (pictured inset) also took a tumble on the 16th tee box and ended up needing a splint on his left wrist.

“It’s tricky out there. You’ve got to be careful,” Stenson said. “You see that yellow grass laying down? It’s dangerous.”

According to reports, several spectators sustained injuries in 2010 when the US Amateur Championship was held at the same venue. In a bid to control the number is injuries at the event, the USGA limited spectator exposure at this year’s US Open.

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DAVIES MISSES HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

LAURA DAVIES fell foul of a delayed trans-atlantic flight and missed her induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame at St Andrews.

The Englishwoman was competing at the US Women's Open in Pennsylvania with the ceremony scheduled for the following day.

Ever the competitor, the 51-yearold made the cut and finished in 47th place but after her 10.0pm overnight flight from nearby Philadelphia Airport was delayed and then cancelled she was forced to miss her induction at St. Andrews.

Several fellow Hall of Famers voice their complaints, with Karrie Webb tweeting: 'Today I'm deeply embarrassed to be a Hall of Fame member. More effort should have been made to ensure Laura Davies made it to her own induction!"

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RACE TO DUBAI JUST GOT RICHER WITH ENHANCED BONUS SCHEME EUROPEAN Tour players are set to receive a further boost after the announcement that The 2015 Race to Dubai Bonus Pool has been significantly increased through the implementation of an additional bonus scheme.

Prize money across the board on the 2015 schedule has increased by 18.5% on the 2014 total to almost €170 million – and this latest news means that the Race to Dubai’s Bonus Pool could be increased by almost 30% this November.

The additional prize money – for the players who finish in the top 15 of The Race to Dubai at the conclusion of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates – will be available as an incentive to those players who play in three out of the four Final Series events.

If this criteria is met, the money awarded will be calculated as a percentage of the money earned already by the player through the existing US$5 million Bonus Pool.

ADDITIONAL BONUS It will also take the form of a sliding scale – with the winner of The Race to Dubai earning an additional US$625,000 (representing 50% of US$1.25 million) down to the player in 15th place earning an additional US$10,000 (representing 10% of US$100,000).

If all players in the top 15 play three out of four of the Final Series events, the additional bonus outlay will be US$1,365,500, meaning the total reward available for the Final Series, including prize money and Bonus Pool, will be US$36,865,500.

Because of this new incentive, the Bonus Pool will no longer be treated as Official Money and, unlike last year, will not be added to the final Race to Dubai Rankings.

One other change to this year’s Final Series is the fact that the four tournaments – the Turkish Airlines Open from October 29 – November 1, the WGCHSBC Champions from November 5-8, the BMW Masters from November 12-15, and the DP World Tour Championship

EVENTUAL CHAMPION HENRIK STENSON TEES OFF ON THE 16TH AT LAST YEAR'S DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

from November 19-22 – will now all feature enhanced Race to Dubai points breakdowns totalling 8,000,000 points, with the winner receiving 1,333,330 points.

This is an adjustment from the 10,000,000 points on offer for these tournaments at the end of the 2014 season (where the winners received 1,666,660 points) and helps bring all four events more in line with the regular season tournaments on The 2015 European Tour International Schedule where every euro earned is worth one point.

Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy for The European Tour (pictured above) said: “We are delighted to announce this important addition to the Bonus Pool for this season’s Race to Dubai in addition to the points adjustment for the Final Series, both of which have the support of The European Tour membership, through the auspices of the Tournament Committee.

“They also have the full backing of the four sponsors involved in our Final Series and I would like to put on record the sincere thanks of The European Tour to Turkish Airlines, HSBC, BMW and DP World, whose support and commitment to the Tour and the Final Series is greatly appreciated.”

THE 2015 RACE TO DUBAI BONUS POOL + ADDITIONAL BONUS SCHEME Race to Dubai Ranking

Additional Bonus % for playing in 3 out of Additional 4 of the Final Series Bonus events 15% 25,500

Bonus (US$)

Additional Bonus % for playing in 3 out of 4 of the Final Series events

Additional Bonus

Race to Dubai Ranking

Bonus (US$)

1

1,250,000

50%

625,000

9

170,000

2

800,000

25%

200,000

10

150,000

15%

22,500

3

530,000

25%

132,500

11

140,000

10%

14,000

4

400,000

25%

100,000

12

130,000

10%

13,000

5

350,000

25%

87,500

13

120,000

10%

12,000

6

300,000

15%

45,000

14

110,000

10%

11,000

7

250,000

15%

37,500

15

100,000

10%

10,000

8

200,000

15%

30,000 TOTAL (US$)

5,000,000

TOTAL (US$)

1,365,500

Worldwide GOLF 18

Tour News

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AMATEUR GOLFERS SET FOR 2015 LUCKIEST BALL ON EARTH SERIES THE hotly anticipated ‘Luckiest Ball on Earth’ competition gets underway in September giving local golfers a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to play alongside some of the biggest names in golf. A total of 21 qualifying events will take place at 20 golf clubs across the UAE with the winner of each event taking their place in a Grand Final which will be held on the Fire course at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Sunday 25 October.

Additionally, three members of the UAE National Golf Team will be invited through the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) to compete in the Grand Final, making a total of 24 players.

The victor of that event will be handed a dream ticket to compete alongside the likes of defending champion Henrik Stenson and European and World Number One Rory McIlroy in the Rolex sponsored Pro-Am which takes place on the Earth course two days before The Race to Dubai’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai gets underway on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from Thursday 19 November to Sunday 22November.

CREAM OF THE EUROPEAN TOUR “We are excited that almost 1,000 golfers from all over the UAE will take part in 21 events this September to be in with a chance to play with one of the top 60 golfers on The European Tour,” said Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International, Dubai Office.

“Our Luckiest Ball on Earth competition gets bigger and more competitive each year and we wish them the best of luck as they chase that covered place in the DP World Tour Championship Pro-Am. Our thanks and appreciation go to all of the clubs as well as to the Emirates Golf Federation for its continued support of the Luckiest Ball on Earth.”

The Pro-Am gives a lucky few amateur golfers the chance to rub shoulders with the cream of The European Tour and as well as Stenson and McIlroy, the likes of Major champions Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer and Louis Oosthuizen who have already confirmed their spots in this year’s tournament.

Now in its fifth year, the Luckiest Ball on Earth competition has gone from strength-tostrength since the initiative was first launched in 2011. The annual competition is open to all golfers aged 18 or over who hold an Official Club Handicap recognised by the EGF (maximum 28 for men and 36 for ladies).

Arabian Ranches Golf Club member Kevin

2014 LUCKIEST BALL ON EARTH WINNER DIPESH MAKWANA (SECOND FROM LEFT) LINES UP ON THE 10TH OF THE EARTH COURSE WITH HIS PRO-AM TEAM INCLUDING EUROPEAN TOUR PROFESSIONAL DANNY WILLETT (PURPLE SHIRT)

"OUR LUCKIEST BALL ON EARTH COMPETITION GETS BIGGER AND MORE COMPETITIVE EACH YEAR." Nick Tarratt Barrett of Northern Ireland won the inaugural Luckiest Ball on Earth competition and played alongside Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari in the Pro-Am before Italy’s Ornella Parigi of Saadiyat Beach Golf Club became the first female winner in 2012 and lined up with Australia’s Marcus Fraser. In 2013, former Dubai Creek Lady Captain Maureen Platt saw off all comers to earn a place alongside Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen in the Pro-Am while last year Dipesh Makwana had an experience he’ll never forget playing alongside England’s Danny Willett after triumphing ahead of over 800 hopefuls.

“When you enter a competition like the Luckiest Ball on Earth you don't go in expecting to win, but to enjoy a round of golf,” said Dipesh.

“Winning over two legs was a surprise and who knew that the smallest trophy I have ever won would turn out to be the biggest, most memorable, prize!

“The whole day of the Pro-Am was surreal - being treated like a Tour pro, arriving and sharing the locker rooms with all the guys you see on TV, also being next to them on the driving range warming up.

“Danny Willett was very accommodating to the three amateurs playing alongside him, including me. He helped us to relax and was quite funny.

Danny also shared some tips and gave us an insight into life on The European Tour.

I’m really looking forward to playing in this year’s competition and another crack at making the Pro-Am.” General admission tickets for the DP World Tour Championship are free of charge and can be obtained by registering online at www.DPWorldTourChampionship.com.

Those who register will also be placed into a prize draw with the chance to win a pair of VIP Hospitality tickets for the Championship Chalet.

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DIPESH IN ACTION AT LAST YEAR'S PRO-AM

VENUE

EMIRATE

DATE

1 Al Dhafra Golf Club

Abu Dhabi

4 September

2 Arabian Ranches Golf Club

Dubai

4 September

3 Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club

Sharjah

4 September

4 Dubai Creek Golf Club & Yacht Club

Dubai

5 September

5 Jumeirah Golf Estates

Dubai

5 September

6 The Track Meydan

Dubai

5 September

7 Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

Abu Dhabi

10 September

8 The Address Montgomerie Dubai

Dubai

12 September

9 Al Badia Golf Club

Dubai

18 September

10 Al Ghazal Golf Club

Abu Dhabi

18 September

11 Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa

Dubai

24 September

12 Abu Dhabi City Golf Club

Abu Dhabi

25 September

13 Abu Dhabi Golf Club

Abu Dhabi

14 Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club Al Ain

25 September 25 September

15 Emirates Golf Club - Men

Dubai

25 September

16 Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club

Sharjah

25 September

17 Al Hamra Golf Club

Ras Al Khaima 26 September

18 The Els Club

Dubai

19 Tower Links Golf Club

Ras Al Khaima 26 September

20 Yas Links

Abu Dhabi

26 September

21 Emirates Golf Club - Ladies

Dubai

28 September

26 September

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TURF LOVE

GRAEME MacNiven, from The European Tour’s Agronomy Department, visited Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai recently to meet with JGE’s Agronomy Manager Mark Tupling and check on the preparations of the Earth course upon which the stars of The European Tour will contest the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in November.

Here Graeme talks exclusively to Worldwide Golf, in his own words, about the work he and Mark do to ensure the course is in the best possible condition when the tournament comes around.

“Mark and I agreed many years ago that what we are trying to achieve is ‘100%’ – we also agreed that we are more than likely not going to achieve that but at the same time we’re not going to achieve 100% if we are only aiming for 95%. So we take note of every single thing we see in the run-in to the event no matter how small.

“People regularly ask ‘How far in advance do preparations start?’ My visits throughout the year normally occur in June, August and October.

However, in all honesty, preparations start sometimes even before the previous year’s event begins. I arrive on the Tuesday before event week nine days before the first round – and whilst we have our hit list for that day in order to present the course in the best condition possible, we have a second list on our buggy with us on which we list things that we can improve on in the run-in to next year’s event. After each event we have a document noting what was done and what we could improve upon next time around.

“It sounds like after a few years of making notes it should be pretty easy, but unlike many logistical aspects of 'Tournament Operations’ we are subjected to the whims of Mother Nature. Often we are plagued with differentiating weather patterns, varying levels of humidity and high night time temperatures – any combination of which could result in bouts of plant or soil-born diseases. So in some aspects, although we are – on paper –better prepared, the goalposts are constantly moving.

“Mark and I have been given a target green speed for the event of 12’6” - 12’10" – that is only a 3% margin of error so it’s quite a small target to hit. Mark’s fine tuned maintenance regime ensures firm and smooth surfaces. In our game smooth equals fast – every time a golf ball jumps, bumps or deviates from its line it loses pace so the smoother we can make its passage, the longer the roll. The greens on the Earth course are now so smooth that we don’t need to inflict any unnecessary stress on them (such as extremely low heights of cut) in order to get speed. Last year we were running at 12’6” from the Friday before the event started, so the guys get the real-feel of the greens right from the first putt they hit. As any Superintendent will tell you it is relatively easy to secure any amount of uncontrolled speed on a green but holding a requested speed consistently for 12 days shows the man in charge is a true professional who knows his trade – and his greens –inside out. That is very much the case with Mark Tupling.

"Mark and I are obviously in contact throughout the entire year and not only when I visit three times a year. We agree on many aspects of turf management as well as sharing the same philosophy when preparing a golf course for the best players on Earth – as they say 'diligence is the mother of good fortune'.

“All in all, the golf course is ticking over nicely and in as good as position as it ever was at this testing time of the year.”

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GRAEME MACNIVEN AT JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

GRAEME AND MARK TUPLIN IN 'PLANNING MODE' AT JGE

Tour News

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GET INVOLVED IN THE DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF fans in the Middle East and around the world are once again being given a chance to play a crucial role in The European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

The year-long Race to Dubai will reach its climax when the top 60 players in the rankings shoot it out at Jumeirah Golf Estates from Thursday November 19 to Sunday November 22 to decide who will win the prestigious tournament trophy and who will be crowned European Number One. Since the inaugural event in 2009 the DP World Tour Championship has become regarded as one of the most prestigious and well-run tournaments on The European Tour and while the likes of reigning champion Henrik Stenson, and 2014 Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy take all the glory, it’s the tireless work that goes on behind the scenes that makes it the high quality spectacle it is.

England's Jenni Hoskins has acted as Chief Marshal since 2011 and her job is to assemble and manage a team of volunteers, both from the local region and around the world, to undertake a variety of vital jobs during the week of the tournament.

“Every year, we say the event cannot get any better, but it does!” said Hoskins. “My Team are so committed from beginning to end and

JENNI HOSKINS AND HER TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS AT LAST YEAR'S EVENT WITH 2014 DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER HENRIK STENSON

it is very important for me to ensure they achieve maximum satisfaction out of their contribution to the success of this Grand Finale to The European Tour.

"Volunteers are willing to travel from all parts of the globe to experience and be part of this wonderful event - including Canada and the US, Australia, Europe, the UK, South Africa, Asia...almost everywhere.

Volunteers are assigned a variety of roles: assisting with crowd management, player movement and scoring, both on the course and for the TV crews positioned around the Earth course and Hoskins believes it is a unique way to experience a world-class golf event.

“I love to watch new friendships slowly being made throughout the week, with all the volunteers supporting each other in their one aim - to ensure the success of the DP World

Tour Championship.

"I’ve already started to contact my loyal and regular volunteers who return year after year, together with those who joined me for the first time last year and who have been contacting me already to make sure I don't forget them! It’s always a good feeling to have new volunteers approach me, as this brings added energy and enthusiasm to this exciting event - so if anyone is interested in sharing their passion for golf and wants to be part of a great team, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me soon!"

If you want to play a part in one of the world's biggest golfing occasions, at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, November 19-22, contact Jenni by email at: jengolfdxb@hotmail.com

GOUVEIA PULLS AHEAD ON THE ROAD TO OMAN

LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN MAKES RACE TO DUBAI CHARGE AT ST. ANDREWS

The battle to be crowned European Challenge Tour No.1 is heating up with Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia hitting a rich run of form at just the right time to skyrocket to the top of the Road to Oman Rankings with €84,194 in prize money (at the time of going to press). His ascent to the top was thanks largely to a convincing victory at the AEGEAN Airlines Challenge Tour by Hartl Resort followed by a runner-up finish at the D+D Real Slovakia Challenge in July.

Borja Virto Astudillo sealed his debut Challenge Tour title in Slovakia in grand style by chipping in for birdie on the last hole of regulation to win the tournament by a single stroke over Gouveia. The Spaniard, who came through Qualifying School last year, took home a healthy cheque for €26,400 and moved to 12th place on the Road to Oman Rankings with €38,185 in prize money.

Sebastien Gros lies in second on the Rankings with place with €67,958 while Nacho Elvira is third with €58,396. All of the top three are already assured in the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final which will take place at the stunning Almouj Golf, The Wave in Muscat from November 4-7. Only the top 45 players on the Road to Oman Rankings will be eligible to play and as well as competing for the prestigious title, the top 15 players on the Rankings after the conclusion of play will also be promoted to play on next season’s European Tour.

DESPITE missing out on a second Claret Jug, Louis Oosthuizen pushed himself closer to Rory McIlroy’s lead at the top of The Race to Dubai thanks to his runner-up finish at The Open Championship at St. Andrews. American Zach Johnson prevailed at the Home of Golf ahead of Oosthuizen and Australia’s Marc Leishman in a four-hole play-off but the South African, who won The Open the last time it was held at St. Andrews in 2010, closed the gap on The Race to Dubai to 421,175 points behind McIlroy.

There were big points earned by Danny Willett, Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia, all of whom finished in a share of sixth place at The Open. Willett, who was second on The Race to Dubai before play, gained ground on the absent McIlroy with his finish – his best ever in a Major – but was overtaken by Oosthuizen to drop into third place. As a result the Englishman sits 551,536 points clear of fourth placed Bernd Wiesberger on The Race to Dubai.

Rose moved up one place to sixth on the ranking while Garcia has virtually guaranteed his spot in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, moving up to 28th from 46th place with 665,774 points. Historically, over 500,000 points has secured players a place in the European Tour’s season ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, which this year will be held between Thursday 19 and Sunday 23 November 2015.

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Tour News Date: May 28 – 31 Event: AT&T Byron Nelson Venue: TPC Four Seasons Resort, Irving, Texas Winner’s Cheque: $1,278,000

Date: June 4 – 7 Event: Nordea Masters Venue: PGA Sweden National, Malmao, Sweden Winner’s Cheque: €250,000

BOWDITCH GOES ON A HOT STREAK

NOREN DOUBLES UP IN SWEDEN

Australia’s Steven Bowditch fired a five-under-par 64 in the final round to win the AT&T Byron Nelson by four shots over the all-US trio of Scott Pinckney, Jimmy Walker and Charley Hoffman.

The win, which was the 31-year-old’s second US PGA Tour triumph, included a blistering opening round of 62.

Alex Noren won the Nordea Masters for the second time in his career as he carded a composed final round of 71 in difficult conditions to triumph by four shots over Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen.

The Swede, who won 2011 Nordea Masters, began this season on a medical exemption after he was treated for tendinitis in both his wrists last year. His win on home soil was his fourth on the European Tour.

“I wasn’t really at ease. My insides were moving a mile a minute. On the surface I'm sure I looked in control. It's a great feeling to be here with the trophy.”

“I’m so pleased. Now I can relax a bit because it was probably the toughest weekend in terms of wind I’ve ever felt.”

Pos. Name 1 Steve Bowditch T2 Charley Hoffman T2 Jimmy Walker

Country AUS USA USA

-18 -14 -14

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

Pos. Name

62 68 65 64 69 65 64 65 64 66 67 66

259 263 263

1 2 T

Alex Noren Søren Kjeldsen Jens Dantorp

Country SWE DEN SWE

-12 -8 -6

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

70 68 67 71 72 69 68 71 67 68 73 74

276 280 282

Date: June 4 – 7 Event: The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Venue: Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio Winner’s Cheque: $1,116,600

Date: June 11 – 14 Event: Lyoness Open Powered by Greenfinity Venue: Diamond Country Club, Atzenbrugg, Austria Winner’s Cheque: €250,000

LINGMERTH STEPS IN TO DENY ROSE

WOOD TRIUMPHS IN AUSTRIA

Sweden’s David Lingmerth defeated Justin Rose in the third hole of a sudden death play-off to seal his maiden US PGA Tour win at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide.

Rose started the final round three shots clear of Lingmerth but in the end it was the Swede who overturned the deficit with a final round 69 before sealing the deal in the play-off.

Chris Wood claimed his second European Tour title at the Lyoness Open Powered by Greenfinity as he prevailed by two shots over Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello.

The Englishman started the final day five strokes adrift of the lead but fired a flawless round of 67 to win for the first time since he secured his maiden European Tour title in 2013.

“I’ve been in a few play-offs. You win some, you lose some but I didn’t feel that it was my turn to lose this time.”

“People will probably look at the result and think it was fairly straightforward but I needed to play well today and for a few other things to go my way and thankfully it all came together for me.”

Pos. Name 1 David Lingmerth 2 Justin Rose T3 Jordan Spieth

Country SWE ENG USA

-15 -15 -13

00 | WorldwideGolf - May 2014

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

Pos. Name

67 65 72 69 68 67 66 72 68 70 72 65

273 273 275

1 2 3

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Country

Chris Wood ENG Rafa Cabrera-Bello ESP Robert Dinwiddie ENG

-15 -13 -10

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

67 69 70 67 69 68 66 72 67 73 70 68

273 275 278

WORLD ROUNDUPS Date: June 11 – 14 Event: FedEx St. Jude Classic Venue: TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee Winner’s Cheque: $1,080,000

Date: June 18 – 21 Event: The US Open Championship Venue: Chambers Bay Golf Club, University Place, Washington Winner’s Cheque: $1,800,000

GOMEZ CLINCHES MAIDEN VICTORY

HISTORIC SPIETH STEALS THE US OPEN

Argentina's Fabián Gómez recorded his maiden PGA Tour title in convincing fashion as he won the FedEx St. Jude Classic by four shots from England’s Greg Owen.

The final round began with Gómez and Owen tied for the lead but in the end it the 36-year-old Argentine who carded a four under par 66 to secure a memorable first victory on Tour.

“In the final round I tried to keep playing the same way I played the last three days.

I tried to keep my mind blank and just enjoy the round.”

Pos. Name 1 Fabian Gomex 2 Greg Owen T3 Phil Mickelson

Country ARG ENG USA

-13 -9 -8

A dramatic final day at Chambers Bay ended with Dustin Johnson three-putting on the last green to hand Jordan Spieth the 2015 US Open and his second major title of the season.

The 21-year-old’s historic achievement meant that he became the youngest player to win the US Open since Bobby Jones in 1923.

“It’s cool to be able to have two legs of the grand slam now, and to conquer golf’s hardest test – the US Open is the hardest layout in all of golf.”

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

Pos. Name

66 68 67 66 64 70 67 70 68 69 70 65

267 271 272

1 Jordan Spieth T2 Louis Oosthuizen T2 Dustin Johnson

Country USA RSA USA

-5 -4 -4

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

68 67 71 69 77 66 66 67 65 71 70 70

275 276 276

Date: June 25 – 28 Event: BMW International Open Venue: Golfclub München Eichenried, Munich, Germany Winner’s Cheque: €300,000

Date: June 25 – 28 Event: Travelers Championship Venue: TPC River Highlands. Cromwell, Connecticut Winner’s Cheque: $1,152,000

LARRAZÁBAL PIPS STENSON TO WIN

BRILLIANT BUBBA TAKES THE TITLE

Pablo Larrazábal sealed his fourth European Tour title and his second BMW International Open win in style as he prevailed by a single shot over Henrik Stenson in Munich.

The Spaniard fired a flawless final round 66 after Stenson had put himself firmly in contention with an equally impressive closing round of 65.

Bubba Watson drained an 8-foot birdie putt on the second hole of a sudden death play-off to outlast Paul Casey and win the Travelers Championship for the second time in his career.

The big-hitting lefty sealed his eighth US PGA Tour win and improved his play-off record to 5-1. Watson’s first win on Tour had also come at the Travelers Championship in 2010.

“I knew that I was in a good position, and I knew that I had to start very fast. I had to start with a few birdies in the first few holes, and I started very well.”

“I proved to myself in 2010 that I could win under pressure in a play-off. I knew that if I kept my head down and kept doing what I needed to do, I could still have a chance to win and that’s what I did.”

Pos. Name 1 2 3

Pablo Larrazábal Henrik Stenson Chris Paisley

Country ESP SWE ENG

-17 -16 -15

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

Pos. Name

70 66 69 66 67 71 69 65 69 67 66 71

271 272 273

1 2 3

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Bubba Watson Paul Casey Brian Harman

Country USA ENG USA

-16 -16 -15

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

62 67 68 67 67 68 64 65 66 65 65 69

264 264 265

Tour News Date: July 2 – 5 Event: Alstom Open de France Venue: Le Golf National, Paris, France Winner’s Cheque: €500,000

Date: July 2 – 5 Event: The Greenbrier Classic Venue: The Old White TPC, White Sulphur Springs, West Virgina Winner’s Cheque: $1,206,000

WIESBERGER THE VICTOR IN PARIS

LEE BAGS MAIDEN TOUR WIN IN PLAY-OFF

A final round 65 gave Bern Wiesberger his third European Tour title at the Alstom Open de France as he entered the winner’s circles for the first time since winning twice in 2012. The Austrian started the final day three shots off the pace and but ended the championship winning by the same margin from England’s James Morrison.

New Zealand’s Danny Lee overcame David Hearn, Kevin Kisner and Robert Streb in a play-off to win The Greenbrier Classic and secure his maiden US PGA Tour title.

The 24-year-old came out on top after the second extra hole after all four players finished regulation play on 13 under par.

“It’s been a great first half of the year for me so far. I’ve had a lot of great success but just couldn’t pull it quite off. To stand here right now with the trophy is pretty sweet.”

“It’s my fourth time playing here and I’ve liked it every single year. All I can say is 'wow' -– it feels amazing to be a winner. I've been close a lot of times this year and I finally did it.”

Pos. Name 1 2 3

Bernd Wiesberger James Morrison Jaco Van Zyl

Country AUT ENG RSA

-13 -10 -8

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

Pos. Name

68 72 66 65 71 68 68 67 68 71 64 73

271 274 276

1 Danny Lee T2 David Hearn T2 Kevin Kisner

Country NZL CAN USA

-13 -13 -13

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

63 69 68 67 68 64 68 67 67 69 67 64

267 267 267

Date: July 9-12 Event: Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Venue: Gullane Golf Club, East Lothian, Scotland Winner’s Cheque: £540,000

Date: July 9-12 Event: John Deere Classic Venue: TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois Winner’s Cheque: $846,000

FOWLER EDGES A THRILLING FINALE

SUPER SPIETH PLOUGHS ON

Rickie Fowler carded a birdie on the last to seal a thrilling win over Raphael Jacquelin and fellow countryman Matt Kuchar at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

After Kuchar had set the clubhouse target on 11 under par thanks to a closing round of 68, Fowler roared back to steal the win on the last with a beautifully played wedge shot to two feet on the closing hole.

Jordan Spieth’s dream season continued as he defeated Tom Gillis in a sudden death play-off to win the John Deere Classic for the second time in three years.

The 21-year-old sealed his fourth US PGA Tour win of 2015 with a par on the second play-off hole after Gillis put his approach shot in the water. Spieth set-up the win with a career best 10-under 61 in the third round.

“I had heard good things about Gullane. The Scottish crowd appreciate good shots.

I really enjoyed playing in front of them.”

Pos. Name

Country

1 Rickie Fowler USA T2 Raphael Jacquelin FRA T2 Matt Kuchar USA

-12 -11 -11

00 | WorldwideGolf - May 2014

“I came here for a reason, and we accomplished that reason, and certainly have some momentum going into The Open Championship.”

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

Pos. Name

66 68 66 68 68 67 64 70 66 68 67 68

268 269 269

1 Jordan Spieth 2 Tom Gillis T3 Zack Johnson

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Country USA USA USA

-20 -20 -19

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

71 64 61 68 66 65 69 64 66 68 66 65

264 264 265

HOSPITALITY ON THE 18TH The DP World Tour Championship hosts the top 60 golfers on The European Tour in the final tournament of the 2015 Race to Dubai. Book now for the best view on Earth. 10% early booking discount available until 31 August, 2015.

For tickets call +971 (0) 567 359 852 or email HOSPITALITY@DPWTC.COM

Overlooking the 18th green of the magnificent Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the exclusive Hospitality Pavilion offers an unrivalled setting to watch the action unfold.

Guests enjoy first-class catering in a relaxed environment in the comfort of the Pavilion or outside on the shaded viewing terrace.

Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea and a Full Bar is available as well as a ‘Grab & Go’ option to take refreshments onto the course.

www.DPWorldTourChampionship.com

144TH THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

T

HE Auld Claret Jug has a new name etched upon its famous base after a thrilling 144th Open Championship at St. Andrews.

American Zach Johnson clinched his second Major in impressive fashion after dashing the hopes of former champion Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman with some clinical putting in their four hole play-off.

Johnson, who can add the Home of Golf to Augusta National as famous venues where he has prevailed, drained superb birdie putts on the opening two holes of the play-off, and when Oosthuizen’s birdie putt on

the final hole slid by he was crowned the winner.

The South African was aiming to follow in Tiger Woods’ footsteps as a winner of two successive Opens at St. Andrews having won back in 2010, but fell at the final hurdle. For Leishman, his first taste of Major glory must wait, but he is happy just to be in the hunt once again, back playing after his wife was diagnosed with toxic shock syndrome and only given a 5 per cent chance of survival upon diagnosis in April. While her rehabilitation continues at home, Leishman’s good and bad days on the course are put firmly into perspective.

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Open ÿĂĂth

The

Championship

Zach Johnson is the Champion Golfer of the year

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144TH THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Zach Johnson “To have my name on the trophy is surreal. The key to this week has been patience and perseverance, without question, and in the play-off in particular. I can’t play any better than I did. I just stayed in it, waited for the opportunities and made a few putts.”

Marc Leishman “I’ve just finished second in the Open. Yeah, I could have won it, but my perspective is quite good at the moment. I can go home tomorrow and hug my wife and the boys and celebrate a little bit. It would have been nice to have a claret jug to drink out of to celebrate, but I’ll find something else.”

Louis Oosthuizen “I think I did really well getting in the play-off. I had four threeputts. It’s never nice to lose a play-off. I’ve had the experience in 2012 at Augusta. You feel like you’ve got a really good chance of winning rather than doing it during the tournament or in the fourth round. But I’ll take a lot out of this week. I can’t wait for The Open to come back to St. Andrews.”

A deluge of rain overnight on Friday and high winds throughout Saturday forced the tournament to its first Monday finish since 1988 at Royal Lytham.

“To be that close on our biggest stage and come up short, how many chances do you get? It’s tough to swallow. I made a lot of the right decisions down the stretch and certainly closed plenty of tournaments out, and this just wasn’t one of those.

It’s hard to do that every single time. I won’t beat myself up too bad because I do understand that.”

– Spieth

24 – Jordan Spieth made the most birdies during the week

Tiger Woods

The former World No.1 and two-time winner of The Open at St. Andrews in 2000 and 2005, Tiger Woods missed consecutive cuts in Majors for the first time in his career after shooting rounds of 76-75 for a 7-over total.

“Next time it comes around, hopefully I play a little bit better than I did the last two times. I only made three birdies in two days. That’s not very good. When The Open comes back to St. Andrews in a few years I’ll probably have less hair then and hopefully a little better game.”

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AMATEUR BATTLE 17th the toughest

Arguably the hee m most ost famous hol hole on the course, the 17th ‘Road Hole’ was also the toughest with an average score of 4.655 over the week. There were only nine birdies (including one from Faldo) and just 203 pars to 217 bogeys. The 17th also saw 47 double bogeys or worse. Only Billy Horschel birdied the 17th during the final round.

9

Longest Drive average: Gary Woodland – 345 yards (round 2) FAIRWAYS HIT: T1 T1 T3 T3 T3

Thomas Aiken Cameron Tringale Graham DeLaet Zach Johnson Webb Simpson

56/64 56/64 55/64 55/64 55/64

87.5% 87.5% 85.9% 85.9% 85.9%

Sergio Garcia collected his ninth top-ten finish in The Open Championship. He is now 0/68 in Major appearances.

JOHNSON ENJOYED THE 18TH

BROOKS BAGS AN ACE

1 18 Daniel Brooks struck the first hole in one at a St. Andrews Open since 1990 and a first in any Open since 2012 when he aces the 166 yard 11th during the second round.

28

Runner-up Marc Leishman led the Putts per Round stats with an average of 28. Champion Johnson averaged 29 along with six other players.

Champion Zach Johnson birdied the 18th hole in all four rounds in regulation.

Jordan Niebrugge, 21 (USA) (67-73-67-70 – 277)

6

“I would rank it the top accomplishment I’ve had so far: the Silver Medal in a major championship, especially at St Andrews, is definitely a dream come true.”

Niebrugge plays collegiate golf at Oklahoma State Univeristy – the same school that Rickie Fowler graduated from – and made his Masters debut this year after winning the 2014 US Amateur Public Links Championship.

Oliver Schniederjans, 22 (USA) (70-72-70-67 – 279)

12

“You have to learn how to handle so much, stay organised, and then you go around and you travel and you play some very difficult courses set up very difficult.”

Schniederjans became just the third U.S. amateur in the last 50 years to make the cut at the US Open and Open Championship - the last two were Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Legendary Farewell

Tom Watson: “I didn’t know how I was going to feel walking across the bridge but I do know that I looked up in the sky and knew there were a lot of people watching, not just right here, a lot of loved ones. Right from the start of the round, the fans were so appreciative and their applause made me feel very humble. Now all I feel is joy. There’s no reason to be sad. I played a game for a living and played it pretty well at times.”

Sir Nick Faldo: “The goal was to stand on the bridge and get the picture. I knew I was going to bust out my old Pringle that I had on at Muirfield for my first Open in ‘87. I was just trying to say, ‘Thank you, St Andrews’. This was my 100th major. I didn’t know that till this week. I’m very grateful it came to an end here. I’m done now.”

Ashley Chesters, 25 (ENG) (71-72-67-69 – 279)

12

“I’ve played well this week so I’m really happy.”

Chesters plans to turn professional after this year’s Walker Cup in September. His mother and father, Gina and Nigel, were friends with Sandy Lyle in their junior days.

Paul Dunne, 22 (IRE) (69-69-66-78 – 282)

30

“I never really settled into the round. I’ve always struggled in the rain a bit but that’s not an excuse I should just get used to the conditions a bit more. My golf wasn’t there, hopefully it’ll be there in the future.

The Irishman had a share of the lead heading into the final round but shot a 78 to fall back.

He was the first amateur to hold the 54-hole lead at The Open in 88 years.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Chris

Wood Dubai in his sights

A

S LAST year’s European Tour season came to a climax Chris Wood had plenty to look forward to. He was 52nd in The Race to Dubai after top tens at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and the Portugal Masters in October and with the lucrative Final Series and the DP World Tour Championship on the horizon he was set for one last push before the winter break. But then disaster struck.

A broken bone in his wrist sustained in a fall playing tennis meant he missed the final six events of 2014 and he didn’t play competitively again until March this year.

He returned to action a little rusty, but after two missed cuts he finished third in Morocco and fourth in the BMW PGA Championship – where he aced the 14th and won a spanking new BMW i8. A couple of weeks later he found himself back in the winner’s circle in Austria at the Lyoness Open. Here CHRIS WOOD talks exclusively to Todd Staszko about his 2015 campaign so far and why he can’t wait to get back to Dubai and compete in the DP World Tour Championship.

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EXCLUSIVE CHRIS WOOD

LEFT: Chris Wood accepts his winner’s cheque for his second European Tour title at the Lyoness Open.

W

HEN Chris Wood finally did make his first appearance of 2015 at the Africa Open in March he was understandably apprehensive about how his year would pan out after such a long layoff through injury.

“Honestly, when I made my first start of the season my immediate goal was to make sure I was able to retain my card again for next year,” says Wood. “I’d missed the first three months of the season and being away from the game for five months is a long time. I’d missed the Desert Swing and a few other big events at the start of the year. I found myself playing some of the smaller events to ease my way back in.”

The plan worked, and with his triumph in Austria – his second win on Tour, following his breakthrough at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in 2013 – he virtually cemented his place in this year’s DP World Tour Championship, a tournament he’s looking forward to getting back to after missing out last November.

“There are always steps throughout the season where you tick off your achievements: Make your card for next year; get inside the top 60 to get into the DP World Tour Championship; then the top 30, and so on. After coming back from a serious injury like I had, I was more concerned about how I would play, so to get a win in the ninth or tenth event back was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.

“What The European Tour have done for our end of season is great. The Tour would be far worse off without the Middle East events. At the start of the season when we come out we have three fantastic weeks in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai and then at the end of the season, the DP World Tour Championship is a reward for a long, hard campaign.

The Middle East climate is absolutely perfect during those events. I know that the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates has grown on every single player who has played it as the years have gone by.

“I practice at the European Tour Performance Institute at JGE when I’m out there at various times during the season and they look after us well. It’s a great spot to be and the tournament grows in stature and popularity every year.”

What is even more remarkable about Wood’s quick recovery from injury is that he made a change in coach in mid-May, splitting with Paul Mitchell, who had been by his side for 15 years, and enlisting the help of Mike Walker, one of Pete Cowen’s colleagues.

“It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” says Wood, “but sometimes you have to make decisions like that because our careers are so results orientated. It had to be done.

“It was really, really difficult. Mike has had a good track record with players recently and we’ve

clicked really quickly. That’s a credit to the work that myself and Paul had done in the past. Mike has suggested one or two things, simplified some stuff and it’s worked for me. Both me and Paul had come to a point where we thought it might be the right time to have a break.” The change of personnel certainly came at the right time for Wood, but there’s no telling if current coach Mike or former coach Paul might be responsible for the resulting prize of Wood’s hole-in-one at Wentworth.

“I haven’t yet received the i8 from BMW but I’m not quite sure what to do with it,” says Wood.

“As I’m sure everyone saw, due to my height, it was a bit of a struggle for me to get in and out of the car,” he smiles. “Funnily enough, one of my sponsors had offered me his i8 to use at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, the week after the BMW PGA Championship.

“I was driving it around Northern Ireland and everyone thought it was the one I’d won for my ace at Wentworth. It’s an unbelievable car.”

ABOVE LEFT: Wood on his way to his first Tour victory, at the 2013 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. ABOVE RIGHT: Wood poses with his new car after winning a BMW i8 for a hole-in-one at the 14th at the BMW PGA Championship. INSET RIGHT: Wood acknowledges the crowd after his superb ace at Wentworth.

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EXCLUSIVE CHRIS WOOD While Wood’s return to form has given him renewed belief on Tour, it wasn’t quite enough to earn him his place in the field for The Open, meaning he, like injury-hit World No.1 Rory McIlroy, will have watched events at St Andrews unfold from the comfort of his home.

“It seems like we golfers should be wrapped in cotton wool during our weeks off,” says Wood, in the wake of Rory McIlroy injuring his ankle playing football. “Having said that, it’s such a strange job being a professional golfer.

“Obviously, Rory, when he’s on the course he’s contending to win every event he plays. Away from the course, with all the attention from the media and working with sponsors and everything, it’s an intense lifestyle. So you need time with your mates to have a bit of a blow out and do something else. What happened to Rory is just bad luck.

“I’d still love to play football with my mates but I can’t because I’m so injury prone. I can’t blame Rory for wanting to have a kick-about. That’s why I gave tennis a go. On the face of it, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll injure yourself playing tennis but somehow I managed to do it.

“A lot of guys go skiing and skydiving and that sort of thing and get away with it. Although there have been one or two mishaps in recent years – both Paul Casey and Miguel Angel Jiménez suffered injuries on the slopes. It’s just one of those things.

“I used to do quite a lot of mountain biking because there are a lot of great trails around Bristol, where I live, but since my last couple of injuries I’ve realised that if I come off my bike I’m in danger of breaking a collarbone or something equally unfortunate and I can’t afford for that to happen. Mind you, if I could, I’d still love to play

football. again” Indeed, Wood was a hot footballing prospect in his youth but a serious injury to his knee put paid to any hopes of him ever playing for his beloved Bristol City.

“I’m perfectly happy being a winner on The European Tour and at the moment I’d rather be playing golf and winning tournaments than banging in the goals at Ashton Gate. The club have been in the doldrums in recent years but we’re slowly on the way back up, having been promoted to the Championship last season.”

While things are looking rosier for his football team, out on Tour things are also looking up for Wood and he’s happy to be back playing well again with all his injury troubles behind him.

“There are loads of great events coming up during the remainder of the season and I’ve currently got my sights set on the KLM Open in Holland. The golf course is a fantastic inland linksy-type of course.

“I’ve got an ulterior motive for wanting to win the tournament – I’m good friends with Joost Luiten and I’d love to take his national title off him!” n

CHRIS WOOD FACTFILE: Won the Silver Medal as the leading amateur in The 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

Finished third at The 2009 Open and was European Tour Rookie of Year.

Won his first European Tour title at the 2013 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

He’s one of the tallest players on The European Tour at 6’ 6”.

LEFT: Chris Wood pictured at the European Tour Performance Institure at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. “I practice there at various times during the season and they look after us well.It’s a great spot to be,” he says.

Chris Wood is an ambassador for global logistics provider GAC. For more information visit www.gac.com

Chris Woods’ Tip: How to sink that crucial, winning putt FLASHBACK to 2013 and Wood needed to make a 12-footer for eagle on the final hole to win his inaugural title in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. He duly delivered, leaving Sergio Garcia and George Coetzee to share second place. Here he has some advice for club golfers on how to hole those crucial putts.

“The first thing you’ve got to remember is that your livelihood doesn’t depend on it if you’re putting for the monthly medal. That might take some pressure off. I think having a routine is the key as it’s something you can rely on. A lot of amateurs I see don’t have a set routine. Just something simple like two practice strokes and then rolling the putt will do. That will go a long way in helping calm the nerves.”

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Night Golf at Emirates Golf Club.

Don’t let the summer sun get in the way of enjoying a round of golf. On the Faldo course at Emirates Golf Club you can enjoy the atmospheric experience of playing golf any night of the week. Tee times on Dubai’s only fully floodlit 18 hole course are available until 9.55pm on weekdays and 7.55pm at weekends.

Play 9 holes this summer for AED 280 per player, AED 230 per EGF member or 18 holes for AED 450 per player, AED 365 per EGF member.

To book your round, call +971 4 417 9800, email ereservations@dubaigolf.com or visit dubaigolf.com

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INSTRUCTION

HOW TO BEAT THE WIND BY STAYING LOW PRE SEASON PERFORMANCE TRAINING GET STRAIGHT WITH YOUR DRIVING -

PLAYING IN WIND IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST SKILLS IN GOLF BUT AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB PROFESSIONAL ROSS MCARTHUR CAN SHOW US HOW IT’S DONE.

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38 40 42

INSTRUCTION

PUNCH THE WIND

by Ross McArthur, PGA Professional, Al Hamra Golf Club

W

ITH the Open Championship recently over at St. Andrews, a shot that you will have seen many of the pros play in windy links conditions is a punch shot. By incorporating a few changes to our normal stance and swing, the punch shot is played with the intent of lowering the golf ball’s trajectory in flight.

The most common reason for keeping the ball low is to lessen the effects of a strong wind on the ball when it is in flight. If you are hitting into a headwind or even a crosswind and the ball spins a lot, you’ll find that the wind will have a much greater effect on the ball due to the wind being stronger the higher up from the ground it is.

If you can master a punch shot, you’ll achieve better control and accuracy when the wind is playing havoc.

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1

Take a stronger club than you would normally use from the distance you are playing. If you are 150 yards out and would typically use 7-iron, take a 6-iron or even a 5-iron for a punch shot.

Remember to always take into account the strength of the wind.

2

Set up with the ball further back in your stance than on a normal swing. Look to have the position two inches or so further back than normal.

3 4

6

Now make a relatively smooth backswing with limited weight shift – the key to a punch shot is that it is mostly a hands and arms swing.

Take the club back to about three-quarters of your normal backswing.

Make sure your hands are ahead of the golf ball at address and at impact.

Put about 60-percent of your weight on your leading foot.

7

Swing smoothly, accelerating through impact, and try to feel like you are ‘trapping’ the ball between the club face and the turf.

8

Your follow through will be curtailed here or shortened to keep the loft down and the clubface square at impact.

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INSTRUCTION

Pre Season Performance Training

by Alastair Brown, Senior Golf Professional at Emirates Golf Club

I

t’s easy to slack off during the summer months when the heat is reaching ridiculous levels and you don’t have any tournaments to prepare for.

However, testing your game while you practice is extremely important so that you can identify your strengths and weaknesses.

If you only practice to your strengths, you could well prevent yourself from becoming a well rounded golfer.

Here are three ways that we help ourselves and our students develop during the summer at the Dubai Golf Academy at Emirates Golf Club in Association with Peter Cowen.

Trackman Combine Test WATCH THE VIDEO HERE! Subscribe to youtube.com/WorldwideGolf like us on facebook.com/WorldwideGolf

A Trackman combine test involves you hitting 60 shots to a range of different distances with the aim of recognising your strengths and weaknesses. On completion of this test, you will have a complete breakdown of how you scored at each distance, as well as a total score which will be uploaded to a world leaderboard so you can see where you rank. You can also see where your skill level is against people of your age group, handicap range, country or gender.

Night Golf at Emirates Golf Club

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Skills Testing

During the season we have daily skills tests for our globally recognised Dubai Golf Junior Programme, which gets the younger golfers all excited about how they perform personally. It also encourages them to be competitive with their fellow juniors.

This helps produce great results in the Dubai Golf Junior Series Tournaments that run exclusively for our students throughout their season.

For the adults we also run skills tests that cover all areas of the short game as well as the full swing. We have a range set up where the target is always the flag, but the room for error allowance widens as the distance you have to hit increases. Your results gain a personal practice handicap and identifies where you need to focus your game.

Club Gapping

Tour Players will often do this to ensure correct distance spacing between each of their clubs. Using Trackman, you hit a series of shots with every club in your bag to determine your distance for each club.

This is most important as it gives you a TRUE reading of how far you actually hit the ball with each club, allowing you to make more confident decisions when it comes to club choice on the course.

We can also find any discrepancies with some of your clubs. So, for example, if your 7 and 6 iron fly similar distances, we can take them to our Custom Fitting centre and modify them to get that best overall performance.

IF you want to start the next golfing season in your best form, come on over and join us for more fulfilling practice sessions that will ensure you’re all set once the cooler weather rolls in and you can hit the ground running.

Don’t let summer get in the way of enjoying a round of golf. Tee times on the fully floodlit 18 hole Faldo course are available until 9.55pm on weekdays and 7.55pm at weekends.

To book your round, call +971 4 417 9800 or email ereservations@dubaigolf.com dubaigolf.com

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INSTRUCTION

DRIVE FOR SHOW W

E all know the importance of driving the ball well. The best golfers in the world are not only long, but they also hit it very straight. Below are some tips on how to get the most out of your driver.

The set up is a vital part of any shot, but especially when it comes to hitting your driver.

I have a slightly wider shoulder width stance, giving me a solid base to work from. The two red alignment sticks are placed on the turf, one parallel to the target and one perpendicular through it.

This is very good for alignment and helps with ball position. With the driver, I want the ball forward in my stance, just inside the left heel. The body angle is to the right which allows for a shallow angle of attack.

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As I start my backswing, the width is maintained, keeping a good shape between my shoulders, arms and the shaft.

My lower body has remained quiet to this point.

TIM BACKHOUSE

Teaching Professional, ETPI Jumeirah Golf Estates.

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In this picture, the club is attacking the ball from a shallow angle.

My head is behind the ball, my right arm tucked into the body and the left arm still straight. The shallower the angle of attack the better it is with the driver as it launches the ball higher with less spin.

At the top of my backswing the clubface is parallel to the left arm and the shaft is parallel to the target which are important when it comes to hitting straight shots. Also, as you can see the width is kept in the left arm.

Just after impact, the width is still maintained and the arms have released past the body. A lot of golfers ‘spin out of the shot,’ meaning that their body goes too fast and the arms don’t catch up. More often than not, this results in a dreaded slice.

The final picture shows a very balanced finish with my body turned fully through on to the left side. Notice how I am not stretched up too high, which is another common fault in amateur golfers.

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GEAR

CALLAWAY’S new Mack Daddy 2 PM Grind Wedges were designed by Phil Mickelson alongside Callaway’s Chief Club Designer Roger Cleveland.

Their aim was to help golfers get the most out of the lob wedge.

There’s probably no one better or more creative in the game with a wedge than Phil.

But until recently he had relied on his old trusty Ping Eye2 lob wedge to pull off some of those unbelieveable shots around the green.

Phil likes to open up the clubface with the wedge

and the high toe of the Ping enabled him to generate more spin, especially on those open faced shots.

“When you open a wedge up around the greens, you decrease the size of the face,” says Roger Cleveland. “By increasing the height of the toe, we put back some of the hitting area.”

Phil approached Roger Cleveland to discuss how Callaway could improve on the design – and the Mack Daddy 2 PM Grind was formulated.

The result was a wedge with a high-toe design which created a larger hitting area,

especially when golfers open the clubface to hit delicate shots around the green.

Its higher centre of gravity also launches the ball slightly lower and with more spin. So it’s ideal for those soft landing floated lob shots. It’s also ideal if you are looking to flight the ball lower with plenty of grip.

Lofts and bouce options are: 56o-10, 58o-13, 60o-10 and 64o-10.

Shaft: KBS’s Tour-V (wedge flex)

Four Green Holes?

Weight was removed from the back of the wedge to accommodate its larger clubhead shape.

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GEAR

Jason Ashley, Golf House custom fit specialist, The Address Montgomerie, Dubai We’re having a look at the new Callaway Phil Mickelson Grind Wedges. Here a few key elements of this fantastic golf club.: ●

●

●

●

●

●

First, there’s a very interesting-looking design to this wedge. Phil has had a lot of input in terms of what he did with Roger Cleveland on this, so he’s asked for a couple of specific things.

One of the key design features of this club is an extremely high toe on the club. One of the reasons that Phil asked for this is specifically for thick rough and also for bunker play.

When you’re opening up the face, generally cutting cross the ball, you will tend to get higher strikes on the toe for some of these shots. That’s going to specifically help the club stay a more open through the thicker rough.

One of the new features of the club is that you can see the grooves are coming up a lot higher and much more towards the toe. So we can see a 39 per cent increase in groove space on the face. This is also helping with the friction, leading to more spin.

We’re also seeing the four weight-ports at the back of the club.

What these little guys do is distribute the weight of the club from the bottom of the club to the higher end of the toe.

We also see a similar grind to what we had with the U design on the first Mac Daddy and from there a leading edge that really helps us to slide under the ball, especially with those bunker and flop shots.

This club is very much designed to provide versatility around the greens. It’s going to come in a variety of lofts.

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Shaun Grobler, Golf House Custom Fit Specialist, Al Badia Golf Club The first thing I picked up on is when you put the club down it shows a really full face.

Personally, it gives me a lot of confidence in the way it sits. A lot of players, especially amateurs, like to get technical when they play a flop shot, which makes their game a little bit more interesting. So when you address the shot, it just sits perfectly for the precise stroke you want to play.

We hit a couple of pitch shots and ‘feel-wise’ and ‘weight-wise’ this club swings back so comfortably. It goes through the stroke very comfortably and it gives a really pleasing soft feel.

On top of that, the spin control is just so simple. It spins a lot so you can play any shot from a knockdown to a near full-swing and control it really well.

Chipping isn’t the strongest part of my game but with this club I found I was able to be more aggressive with my stroke. You don’t always have to play a chip and run because it will spin.

On to the flop shots, straight of the bat I could feel that the extended toe really does make the club sit perfectly for a high lofted shot. The design will generally help players cut down that mishit with the toe of the club.

Out of the bunkers, I would go as far as to say that it’s almost like ‘cheating’!

I’m not the greatest bunker player but I felt there was just a little bit more bounce with the thicker sole and it just glides through the sand so effortlessly.

CONCLUSION All-in-all, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using this wedge and I’ve put it straight into my bag. I think Roger Cleveland’s got a really good club going here.

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A Good Fit For Your Game.

The new Rhapsody driver, fairway woods and hybrid/iron set are engineered to help women hit the ball higher, farther and straighter. Three highly forgiving putter options will improve your results on the greens, too. Technology meets style to help you play better and enjoy the time you spend golfing with family and friends.

Get fit for yours, in golf shops now.

RHAPSODY TECHNOLOGY: CUSTOM-ENGINEERED FOR WOMEN’S SWING DYNAMICS. ©2015 PING

GEAR

G30 HYBRIDS

By SAM TAYLOR, ProSports International

T

O compliment the No.1 selling Ping G30 drivers and fairway woods, Ping also has a great range of hybrids designed to increase distance and provide more forgiveness.

The No.1 selling G30 hybrids have been cast from 17-4 stainless steel, and Ping even gives it a unique heat treatment.

They’ve made the face a uniform thickness to allow for more bending, which they can only do by applying the strongest heat treatment they can to the 17-4 steel. What this really means is that it effectively makes the 17-4 steel into a high-strength steel.

DID YOU KNOW? BUBBA WATSON IS ONE OF THE LONGEST DRIVERS OF THE GOLF BALL CURRENTLY PLAYING ON THE US PGA TOUR. HERE’S HOW BUBBA SETS UP HIS G30:

• • • • • • •

Ping G30.

9º head set to 8.25º.

44.50” length.

Grafalloy Bi-Matrix-X flex shaft tipped by 0.50.

D4 Swing weight.

3g toe weight.

Midsize grip with up to 10 layers of tape.

The engineers at Ping state that the face of the G30 hybrids flex enough to increase the Characteristic Time (CT) by 20 points, which basically translates to more ball speed. This is going to help every golfer to hit the ball those vital extra yards when trying to carry it onto the green or over some of the large hazards here in the Middle East!

To increase forgiveness and help create a higher initial launch angle, Ping designed the G30 hybrids with a pair of internal weight pads. The new internal weights have been positioned in the heel and toe areas and they lower the club’s Centre of Gravity (CG). This change in weight positioning has helped to increase the G30 hybrid’s Moment Of Inertia (MOI), which in turn will make it more forgiving for those off-centre strikes.

Ping have made another update to the internal weighting of the G30 Hybrid designed to change the CG position progressively in each loft option. The stronger-lofted clubs have a deeper and lower CG to make it easier for golfers to hit the ball high, while the higher-lofted models have a more-forward CG that reduces spin. This addition to the G30 Hybrid allows each loft option to blend in with a player’s current set of irons, which will really help with a player’s gapping.

The hosel axis has been moved a little forward when compared to the G25 which makes the face profile look similar the G30 fairway wood, in that it’s been made a little more squared off. The heel and the toe have both been brought up so it has just a little bit more of a square look to it.

The G30 hybrid is available in 2H (17 degree), 3H (19 degree), 4H (22 degree), 5H (26 degree) and 6H (30 degree) versions.

Unlike the drivers and fairway woods in the G30 line, the hybrids do not have an adjustable hosel. All the G30 products are available in retail stores across the region, so contact your Professional or a member of staff in your retail store.

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Corporate golf days available Please call 04 425 1000 or visit www.elsclubdubai.com

The Els Club Dubai

@TheELSCLUBDUBAI

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GEAR

FANTASTIC FAIRWAY

WOODS The introduction of the Titleist 915 Fairway Woods has been a game changer.

New technology has not only allowed for reduced spin off the fairway and tee shots, it has also helped keep the ball-speed up on off-centre strikes.

TRADITIONAL PEAR PROFILE (160CC) HEAD SIZE FULL PEAR PROFILE (175CC) HEAD SIZE

Workable and forgiving, the 915Fd provides versatility and shot control – again, from both tee and fairway.

The compact profile delivers a slightly lower launch and spin compared to the F, with no draw bias.

On the 915 Fd head versus the previous 913 model, on average the 915 Fd head offers 150 rpm lower spin reduction gains of up to 500rpm lower spin. This can result in up to 9 yards MORE carry distance.

Long, straight and forgiving, the 915F delivers great overall performance from tee and turf. The larger profile provides confidence and a slightly higher flight versus the Fd, with no draw bias.

On average, the new 915 F head offers 200rpm lower spin reduction gains of up to 750rpm lower spin than the previous 913 model. This can result in up to 11 yards MORE carry distance on a well struck shot.

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GEAR

ACTIVE RECOIL CHANNEL The forward positioned channel of the club delivers distance from both the tee and turf through higher speed and lower spin.

• More consistent spin and speed across the face allowing for forgiveness on off-centre hits, while maintaining ball speed.

• The club is deep, long, and forward positioned to maximize effectiveness.

• A more forward ARC position in the fairway woods controls spin.

The forward position directly behind the face substantially helps reduce spin rate.

SURE FIT HEAD SETTINGS

ULTRA THIN FACE The high-speed face insert is designed to increase ball speed. The face is uniformly thin across, allowing for consistently high ball speeds, even on mishits. When pitted against the previously successful 913 Model, we’re seeing an increased ball speed from the tee of up to 1.5 MPH and from the turf of up to 2.5 MPH on average.

SUREFIT TOUR HOSEL

Sixteen unique loft and lie combinations deliver the most precisely fit product you can achieve. This allows improving the clubface at impact to match a player’s path and to optimise launch and strike conditions.

915 SHAFT OPTIONS

The 915 range offers tour shafts as standard with no extra charge. The new range offers the Diamana shafts in Red, Blue and White and the highly soughtafter Rogue Black and Rogue Silver as standard.

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Jordan Spieth used the new 915 F fairway en-route to winning his second Major of the year at the US Open.

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Worldwide GOLF Columnist

Gary Player

Short play-offs are unfair

Major championships are too important in a player’s career that they should be settled in sudden-death or a four-hole aggregate play-off.

I

T is strange that golf has a different set of rules to so many other sports and it’s also odd that the leading players in other sports seem to dominate the game more than in golf. Take tennis as an example.

If you look at the recent Wimbledon Championships you can almost guarantee to see, year after year, the same familiar faces contesting the semi-finals and the final - Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal. Long outsiders are pretty rare.

When they play the tournament they will all be playing in pretty much the same conditions.

Compare Wimbledon with The Open.

Around 156 players in the original field at St. Andrews and any one of 30 to 40 players could have won the Championship.

The players at The Open also faced totally different conditions depending on what their tee-times were.

There was an instance when Dustin Johnson was putting for birdie when the wind suddenly blew and he ended up with a bogey. That two-shot swing could make all the difference between winning or losing the Championship. The last chapter of The Open story was almost like tossing a coin.

Throughout my career I’ve never been in favour of play-offs. I believe the US Open have got it right in having an 18-hole playoff. Thankfully, they haven’t had one since Tiger Woods won in 2008 against Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines. I can remember beating Kel Nagle in an 18-hole play-off to

win the US Open at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis in 1965. The following year Billy Casper defeated Arnold Palmer in an 18hole play-off at Olympic.

There’s just something about an 18-hole play-off that makes you feel you’ve been beaten fair and square. You’ve had a fair chance to win and you haven’t taken it.

I always think of other sports like

With so many players with the power off the tee to take the bunkers out of play it was only the wind and rain that they had to combat. But for three players to score 15-under par, two players on 14-under and four on 13-under, despite the extreme weather, the Old Course holds no dangers for today’s leading Tour players. horseracing and boxing. If they had a deadheat in the English Epsom Derby they don’t send the horses and jockeys off again over four furlongs to decide the winner, they share the first prize equally.

In boxing, where you’ve got both boxers level on equal points at the end of the bout, they don’t ask them to fight it out over four more rounds to determine the winner. They share the fight. Obviously, different sports have different rules. It’s

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an important moment in a golfer’s life to win The Open or any of the Majors. So it shouldn’t be decided by a four hole play-off or a sudden-death play-off. The rules are the rules and you have to abide by them.

But if you lose after an extra 18 holes you know you’ve had your fair chance.

Having witnessed at first-hand what I feared would happen at St. Andrews my prediction that many of the fairway bunkers would be purely ornamental was certainly the case.

With so many players with the power off the tee to take the bunkers out of play it was only the wind and rain that they had to combat. But for three players to score 15-under par, with two players on 14-under and four on 13-under, despite the extreme weather, the Old Course holds no dangers for today’s leading Tour players.

It won’t be too long before the big-hitters will be driving some of the par-4s unless the powers that be, finally decide to limit the distance the ball will travel.

St. Andrews has always been one of my favourite courses but I hate to see it used as cannon-fodder. We need to act now to save our precious courses – and save a fortune in course extensions and alterations in the process.

The Scottish golf fans are indeed among the best and most knowledgeable in the world but there is always someone in the galleries who likes to shout, ‘In the hole’ or ‘you’re the man.’

It seemed so out of place at St. Andrews on that final Monday but, at least, it was only a lone cry. n

Worldwide GOLF Columnist

David Howell

How it was meant to be played Pllaying on the links of the AAM Scottish Open on Scotland’s Golf Coast and in the144th Open Championship at St Andrews has been a great pleasure

H

AVING finished on four-under par with a total of 284 for a share of 49th place in the 144th Open Championship, my 25th Major Championship appearance, I have enjoyed two weeks of Scottish links golf in all its glory – and competed at St Andrews in one of the most remarkable 5-day Opens ever played.

The weather always plays an integral leading role in links golf but the weather that took The Open into a fifth day was something else. Congratulations to Zach Johnson on his play-off victory and well done to all the players who endured the wind and rain – and then calm - to produce a fascinating Open, where almost anyone among the leaders could have won.

With a top ten finish in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open the week before, the last two weeks have put me in 20th place on The Race to Dubai, which I’ve got to be pleased with.

The Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club had a good ring to it when it was announced as the new venue, and that’s exactly how things panned out. The venue the week before The Open is always a tricky one to get right in many ways. Some guys just do not wish to play the week before a Major and nothing will change that. Yet going to a classic links course was an obvious decision for both The Tour and the sponsors, Aberdeen Asset Management, who wished to put their mark on the event after taking over the sponsorship rights from Barclays.

Strangely, Loch Lomond seemed to suit the previous sponsors just as a traditional links venue seems to fit in so well with the image of Aberdeen Asset Management.

The trick, however, is to get the right test, one that is strong enough to challenge the players, help them prepare for the following week’s Open Championship, whilst not being so tough that it beats the players up. In Gullane they found the perfect mix. With beautiful views and some changes in gradient, unusual as that is

for a links course, the composite course we played in the heart of one of Scotland’s most famous golfing towns was spot on. Offering a guarantee of some coastal winds, it was indeed an excellent choice.

The tournament now benefits greatly from having so many American players coming over to get into the feel of playing links golf once again. It was fortunate for the international status of the event that two of the US PGA Tour’s star men forged their way to the top of the leaderboard. Matt Kucher found himself in pole position with just a few holes to play but a sublime finish, something that is becoming his calling card I might add, from Rickie Fowler was enough to seal a one-shot victory

In these parts, everyone plays golf, or at least it seems that way. I’ve been around for a few years now and I have never had so many people wish me well for tomorrow’s round than I did sitting on North Berwick’s beach one afternoon. Even the ice cream man paused from serving a vanilla cone to say “nice 68 today David.” over Raphael Jacquelin and his Amercian counterpart. Three birdies in the last four holes of the tournament was impressive.

His wedge shot to the last to get his nose in front was pure class. Jacquelin’s effort from 110 yards in an attempt to force a playoff was just inches away from perfection. But a tap-in birdie to seal joint second was still a great effort from the Frenchman. The undeniable Champion, however, was Fowler, deservedly so. I’m sure there won’t be many who would begrudge the likeable American another top quality title.

One of the great joys about playing golf in Scotland is the crowds. They are just so

Worldwide GOLF 57

knowledgeable. Only a shot worthy of applause is rewarded, yet their appreciation of the players’ efforts always extends to a warm welcome onto each green and tee.

The Scottish galleries create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the world. It’s not the loudest applause for sure, but you just get the feeling that these people really do know their golf. Who could ask for any more than that?

Away from the Gullane course most of the players stayed in North Berwick. What a cracking seaside town it is - two great beaches, quaint back streets full of coffee houses and a tremendous golf course stuck right in the middle of the town. For me there is something special about a course that has an 18th hole with a run-off area that feeds right down onto the High Street - just the way golf should be. Golf designed by the people, for the people, that’s the impression you get when playing in Scotland - and I love it.

In these parts, everyone plays golf, or at least it seems that way. I’ve been around for a few years now and I have never had so many people wish me well for tomorrow’s round than I did sitting on North Berwick’s beach one afternoon. Even the ice cream man paused from serving a vanilla cone to say “nice 68 today David.”

I haven’t played North Berwick but it looks like a great course – one of the 22 courses on Scotland’s Golf Coast, which claims to have the highest concentration of Championship links courses in the world.

The Renaissance is outstanding, Gullane has three excellent courses, Archerfield, who host the forthcoming The Prostate Cancer Scottish Senior Open, has two exceptional courses, and if you happen to know someone who knows someone then Muirfield awaits you, too. With the delights of Edinburgh just a 40 minute drive away, or even better, a couple of stops on the train away, I can’t think of anywhere better for a golfing holiday, so long as fine weather is not a pre-requisite. n

Worldwide GOLF Columnist

Pete Cowen

Always aim to imprprove There are good coaches and there are great coaches. The stand out factor is the drive to keep on learning - not just the swing but also the physical challenges.

W

HAT an amazing finish to the 144th Open Championship. After five days of on-off wind, rain, sunshine and finally calm conditions it was all down to the survival of the fittest – and, as always, a spot of good fortune.

Louis Oosthuizen came agonizingly close to winning his second Open at St Andrews but Zack Johnson kept his nerve and won it fair and square.

Back in Dubai I was pleased to see the appointment of Mark Gregson-Walters to Director of Instruction at Jumeirah Golf Estates. I first met Mark in Dubai many years ago when I had the Academy, before Emirates GC took it back over.

Mark has been at Emirates GC for much of the time since then, operating under his own steam, but he has also worked alongside me at times and we’ve always chatted to each other about golf.

Mark always wants to get better. He always wants to improve. That’s what you’ve got to do as a coach – keep learning and keep getting better and keep improving your pupils’ game.

My philosophy is – every time I get up in the morning I’ve got to try and find a better way of doing things. Mark’s got that same sort of mindset. He’s got the ethos of ‘I want to learn,’ which is what a good golf coach needs to have.

Some time ago we tried to set up a school golf programme in the International Schools with Jay and Dino and the Varkey family but, sadly, it never materialised. Mark was really keen on the idea and it would have been a great thing to do for the youngsters.

It would have put golf on the school curriculum and the kids would have improved massively. He’s been doing just that with his Grass Roots Golf in recent years, along with some junior coaching.

“It’s important to try and encourage kids to enjoy golf, even though it’s a difficult task.

Kids these days want instant improvement – that’s why a lot turn to computer games

where they can get better in a day. You can’t get better in a day in golf, or in any sport. But if a child is sports-minded and is prepared to work hard to get where they want, then the coaches have got to encourage more kids to try and emulate that.

Being based at the ETPI at JGE I think Mark will get asked for his opinion from the Tour pros, either during the week of the DP World Tour Championship or in advance of it. He’ll find a few players calling in there ahead of going to places like China so I’m sure he’ll be busy.

Being a good coach comes about from developing youngsters who go on to become great players. That’s how I did it. Although I was

Coaching is not merely all about technique, it’s physiology as well. So you’ve got to understand that when you’re teaching somebody, they might not physically be able to do what you ask of them, so you’ve got to adapt and work your way around it. the best ‘quick fix’ coach in my area – I could fix most people with one lesson and that’s why I was so busy. But in the background I was always working on a development programme with kids. That took about four or five years to set up, but we’ve produced the youngest-ever winner of the English Amateur Champion – Ian Garbutt in 1990 – and young Iain Pyman who won the Amateur Championship at Portrush in 1993. So what we we’re doing with the youngsters in the Development Programme is coming to fruition.

Coaching is not merely all about technique, it’s physiology as well. So you’ve got to understand that when you’re teaching somebody, they might not physically be able to do what you ask of them, so you’ve got to adapt and work your way around it. Knowledge

Worldwide GOLF 58

of muscle structure and how your muscles work is paramount.

People say you need rhythm to play golf and you need good timing. Those kind of phrases are banded about but the unfortunate thing is that rhythm and timing and routine are all indivisibly linked.

It’s a bit like dancing. If your routine is good at dancing and you get better and better, the timing and rhythm comes as a consequence of that. You don’t just ‘get’ timing and rhythm without the routine and practice.

It’s the same with golf. If you teach a proper routine – and I mean a thorough routine of the body action and the arm and club movement – then you can improve massively. You’ll have good mechanics, rather than just good hand-eye coordination. Most golfers have good handeye coordination yet they can find it one day and lose it the next. Good mechanics tend to stay with you a lot longer.

Most people have a pattern that they have developed. I’ll relate it to waking. If you walk with your feet positioned at ten to two, and that’s your natural pattern, and you’re not likely to injure yourself walking.

But if someone said to you, ‘right, I want you to walk twinkle-toed.’ If you then walked for miles twinkled-toed, when your regular pattern is ten to two, you would injure yourself.

So ask yourself, ‘Why do I walk at ten to two?’ It might be something to do with your glutes or your adductors.

So in order to adapt to walking twinkledtoed, you’ve got to do it the right way. With golf, you’ve got to want to do it and want to learn to teach doing it the right way.

You’ve got to use your skill as a coach to recognise your pupil’s natural pattern and work within the confines of that to create an improvement.

It’s certainly not as easy as it looks, being a coach. n

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ArabianGOLF NEWS FROM THE LEADING CLUBS IN THE REGION

UAE NATIONAL TEAM GET BIOMECHANICS TRAINING AT JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES T

HE United Arab Emirates National Golf Team received a private biomechanics training session at the Jumeirah Golf Estates European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI) from two top instructors on The European Tour.

In partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), the ETPI at Jumeirah Golf Estates invited two UAE National Team players, Rashid Hamood and Khalid Yousuf, and the UAE National Team coaching staff to take part in a cutting-edge training session

led by Jean-Jacques (JJ) Rivet, Head of Biomechanics & Sports Performance, and Rob Hillman, Director of European Tour Physio Unit.

Biomechanics training optimises a golfer’s game by taking into account the body type and personal ability of the player. The system then analyses posture, mobility, balance, and the intensity of each movement in the golf swing to change certain aspects of the swing in order to optimise their game.

P62 ARABIANGOLF

LEFT TO RIGHT: ROB HILLMAN, MATHEW PARKER, KHALID YOUSUF, RASHID HAMOOD, TIM BACKHOUSE, JEANJACQUES (JJ) RIVET, DAVID CONDON AND ROBERT FIALA AT THE ETPI AT JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES.

“Biomechanics training has helped top coaches and players explore a new direction in golf swing enhancement which is injury free,” said Rivet, who is renowned worldwide for his knowledge on how the human body moves during athletic activities, especially during the golf swing.

“The biggest tip that these players can take away from the session is understanding that everybody is able to optimise their game at their maximum efficiency.

Each player’s physiological ability to repeat a swing that can create their own specific trajectory will in turn create a more consistent golfer.”

Hamood and Yousuf both said that they had benefited from the three-hour session which included an extensive full-body fitness examination and consultation as well as a stint hitting balls under the watchful eye of Rivet.

“It was great working with the ETPI coaches today,” said Hamood.

“Their knowledge gave me good insight into the mechanics of my swing and also gave me good direction in areas that need improvement.”

David Condon, UAE National Team Performance Coach, said the session was beneficial for the players to understand the relationship between physical fitness and their performance on the golf course.

“It was great for our players to correlate what was happening from

their physical assessment and see how that played out with the data from the force plates,” he said.

“They now can start to work on their physical fitness to improve on the data that came from the analysis. Ultimately, this will improve all factors of their ball flight. We look forward to continuing working with the ETPI at Jumeirah Golf Estates.”

JGE-ETPI Teaching Professional Tim Backhouse said the training session was a great opportunity to utilise the ETPI’s impressive practice facilities and move the players in the right direction.

“As a team, we looked to develop movements that they were capable of, with their possible physical limitations and also ‘habits’ that the player has developed over years of playing,” Backhouse said.

“We were able to do this by using video analysis, launch monitors, and force plates to try and maximise their ball flight and ultimately hopefully improve their scores.

“It was a pleasure to work alongside JJ and Rob on Rashid and Khalid’s golf game and we look to continue and strengthen the relationship between the ETPI and the EGF.” With the mercury showing no signs of coming down, the UAE National Team will continue training indoors throughout the summer months as they prepare to reach new heights in the upcoming season.

KHALID YOUSUF HAS A HIT UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYES OF JJ RIVET.

PHYSIOTHERAPIST ROB HILLMAN PUTS RASHID HAMOOD THROUGH HIS PACES.

P64 ARABIANGOLF

SNEAK PREVIEW: AL ZORAH GOLF RESORT

THE UAE’S LATEST GOLFING GEM Words: Richard Bevan

W

ATCH this space as there will soon be a new jewel in the crown of the UAE golf scene in the form of the spectacular Al Zorah Golf Resort in Ajman.

This Nicklaus Design, managed by Troon Golf, will be a different proposition to any other course in the region and will form the centrepiece of the ambitious Al Zorah Resort development project which promises to put Ajman firmly on the global and inbound tourist map.

I first visited the course site in July 2014 when it was little more than a series of dirt mounds surrounded by great swathes of mangrove. Fast forward 12 months and the vision that project manager Mike Knudsen outlined to me during that initial visit has been realised, almost to the letter – thanks in no small part to the refreshing lack of interference from the Al Zorah owners.

“We couldn’t have asked for better people to work for,” says Mike. “No reasonable request we’ve made has been turned down and we’ve largely been left alone to get on with the job, which is why the end result reflects the original plans so closely. The support from Al Zorah CEO, Imad Dana has been invaluable in this process.”

Set around 1km back from the planned 1.6km stretch of Al Zorah beachfront, the par-72 18-hole championship layout, featuring luscious wide rolling fairways and large multi-tiered greens, has been cleverly designed, in true resort course style, to be playable and enjoyable by golfers of all abilities. It’s also an ever-changing landscape and environment which becomes a completely different challenge depending on what time of day you play it.

“I’m a high handicapper myself but I love the game and don’t want to be patronised by a golf course,” says Mike. “I might play off a different tee to the better guys but I want to play the same greens as them. We’ve created the putting surfaces so that the pin placement can have a dramatic effect on their difficulty. The wind here also circles 360 degrees throughout the day so it can affect how you play the course differently depending on what time of day it is.”

The signature feature of this eco-friendly masterpiece is the native mangroves that Ajman is famous for. The course is nestled among over 1 million square metres of them and they’re home to more than 58 species of birds. If you’re on course

at the right time you’ll even see flocks of flamingos feeding. In what is perhaps the most unusual and unique feature of this course, recess areas have been carved around the mangroves which fill with water when the tide comes in, creating water hazards, and empty when the tide is out meaning they can be played out of. These recess areas are connected by a series of decked walkways that traverse the entire course and will eventually lead all the way to the shoreline, meaning hotel guests will be able to get a get a buggy right up to the course.

“Without a doubt the highlight of course is the mangroves, and how the golf course interfaces with them,” says Mike. “They’re basically parallel to the golf course but we have walkways that go into those mangrove areas. Instead of the course just leading up to the edge of them we’ve brought the native environment into play. With the tidal flow areas we’ve created on the golf course, the actual area of mangrove habitat has increased from its original footprint.

“Some holes play into the wind at one time of the day, and with it at another time. Between the wind and the mangroves Mother Nature is really part of design of this golf course. There’s also no real estate directly on the edge of the course - we deliberately set it back so that golfers are exposed to the elements and can enjoy the course in its purest form.”

As we said, watch this space for more on the UAE’s latest golfing gem.

AL ZORAH PROJECT MANAGER MIKE KNUDSEN

HOW THE SITE LOOKED DURING OUR FIRST VISIT BACK IN SUMMER 2014

THE AL ZORAH MASTERPLAN

IN FOCUS: MARK GREGSON-WALTERS

E M

XPERIENCE IS VERYTHING

ark Gregson-Walters is one of the pioneers of golf in the UAE, having arrived from the North West of England in 1998 years ago, to join the team of teaching pros at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. His wealth of experience will be a huge asset to the team at Jumeirah Golf Estates when he takes up the position of Director of Instruction at the state of the art European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI) in August.

WORLDWIDE GOLF: When and why did you first come to Dubai and where were you before then?

MARK GREGSON-WALTERS: I’m from Rossendale, Lancashire, where my love for golf grew. I realised early on in the game that I especially loved the reward I got from coaching. With a thirst to develop and learn I was prepared to move abroad to give my carrier that opportunity. I came here 17 years ago.

WWG: You worked closely with Pete Cowen, who is universally regarded by the players as one of the best coaches in the business – how has that influenced your career?

MG-W: I met Pete in 1999 and instantly found a common structure to coaching that I related to. Since then Peter has been both my mentor and friend. He was the first coach at the top level to really successfully incorporate physical training to enhance the technical development of players. Watching how he has turned Tour pros ranked outside the top 100 into top 10 players is truly remarkable. Pete is a true innovator in coaching and this has led me to look at constantly developing my knowledge in a similar way.

WWG: How pleased were you at being appointed Director of Instruction at JGE ETPI? MG-W: I’m very excited about the position. I’ve had plenty of hands-on experience working as a team around Tour players, amateurs with performance goals as well as struggling club members looking for answers. I love working with teams with a common goal insight. The European Tour Performance Institute at JGE can offer coaching and answers to everyone.

WWG: Many Tour players regard the ETPI as the best practice facility there is – how do you feel about the facility and how important is it for Dubai to have such an excellent practice centre?

MG-W: The ETPI facility has been designed and installed with all the latest equipment to support the highest level of performance training. You can develop an aspiring player correctly or you can problem-solve accurately any issues the players may have. The great

thing about the facility is that it’s equipped to support any training that is diagnosed. With the facility attracting an international worldclass standard of golfer, both amateur and professional, it clearly shows the benchmark that local players need to work towards if they want to be successful. As a result, this will lift the expected standard of golf in the region.

WWG: Do you have any plans you would like to put into practice at JGE? MG-W: Having a truly state-of-the-art facility means we can deliver information in the simplest and clearest way possible. You would be amazed at times with all this technology how little a Tour player wants to know. It’s a need to know basis, which so many amateur golfers can relate to. We have a team who not only have great experience and knowledge but will digest the information and deliver the simple point you require. With coaching, quantifiable results are a benchmark of success rather than technical information that’s just reeled off.

WWG: Who are you favourite Tour players and what would be your ideal fourball?

MG-W: There are so many great players and characters on The European Tour these days it’s hard to pick a favourite. There are so many different reasons for being fond of certain players or why I admire players. My ideal fourball would definitely have three of the many golfers I’ve met who live in Dubai. They

know that golf is all about making the most of things and sharing the quality time we have together in a fun way.

WWG: Do you have any other hobbies or pastimes other than golf?

MG-W: I love watching so many sports as a past-time - football, tennis, cycling, rugby, cricket. I like most sports that require fitness. I love to keep learning.

WWG: If you could change one of the rules of golf what would it be?

MG-W: I think you should get relief from divots on fairways. I don’t think you should be penalised for hitting the ball to the same spot that someone else previously played to.

WWG: What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen on a golf course?

MG-W: I once caddied for a friend at Western Gailes Golf Club in Ayrshire in final qualifying for The Open being held that year at nearby Royal Troon. In the practice round, as we were waiting to play, I watched a player trying to hit the green of a par-4 with his second shot into the face of a strong wind. His caddy offered advice and club selection twice to no avail.

After the professional missed the target, the player tossed the club and a ball to his caddy who proceeded to hit it 5 feet from the pin.

He then calmly put the club back in the bag and continued to the green, leaving his player bewildered by the whole incident.

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IN FOCUS: THOMAS MURDOCH

St. ANDREWS IN THE

BLOOD F

OR Thomas Murdoch, the Sales & Marketing Manager at The Els Club, watching this year’s Open Championship must have brought about a strong sense of nostalgia. Murdoch, who is a self-proclaimed ‘St. Andrews boy,’ spoke to Worldwide Golf about growing up at the Home of Golf, what it’s like when The Open is in town, and how he bumped into the Woods family on the street one summer’s day.

WORLDWIDE GOLF: How did you end up here in Dubai?

THOMAS MURDOCH: I came to Dubai after I was given an opportunity to work for Troon Golf at The Els Club. It didn’t take me much time or thought to accept the job! I pretty much dropped everything and came out here.

The general management of golf here in Dubai makes it such an exciting business. Then, of course, there’s the bonuses – you get to see all the players and get to go to all the tournaments.

You seldom get to play golf though, which is unfortunate!

WWG: Briefly tell us about your role at The Els Club.

TM: I look after the Sales and Marketing Department here at The Els Club. That’s the sales and marketing for the golf course itself, the membership, the Butch Harmon School of Golf and, of course, our food and beverage outlets as well.

WWG: You’re from St. Andrews – describe to us what the town is like.

TM: St. Andrews is a very special town and I’m proud to be a St. Andrews boy through and

through! I played all my university golf there, my first golf club was there, my parents live there, I went to school there and I still have a house there.

It’s an amazing place in every aspect.

The town itself is brilliant. It’s small but it’s historic. St. Andrews is a university town, it’s also a massive tourist town and, of course, there are seven amazing golf courses there.

Overall, it’s just a fun place. I love the fact that I’m from St.Andrews and although I don’t get to go home often, I always make sure I try and meet up with my friends, play some golf, enjoy the beaches, enjoy the castle – I love it and I’m very privileged to hail from there.

Career-wise it allowed me that extra access into golf and helped me to pursue my dream.

People ask me, how many times have you played the Old Course, and I guess it must be more than a thousand times but I still get nervous standing on the first tee! ‘What if I hit miles left out of bounds? What if I block out to the beach?’

These thoughts go through your head and it’s a nerve-wracking experience – but it’s fun. It doesn’t matter how many times I play that golf course – it’s just so much fun.

There’s no better feeling than making birdie on 18 – hopefully when there’s someone watching, as they tend to clap!

WWG: For those who haven’t experienced it, tell us what it’s like when The Open is in town.

TM: It’s a massive affair. Usually someone retires so there’s always a player waving on the bridge.

It was unbelievable back in 2005 when Jack Nickalus retired and Tiger won by a mile. The crowds were packed and it was just beautiful.

There’s none of this American-style play either – they actually have to play links golf. It’s just an

exciting atmosphere every time The Open rolls in to town.

WWG: What are some special memories you hold from your days at St. Andrews?

TM: From a personal perspective it was the first time I broke par on the Old Course. I was 16 and it was during the Club Championship. I had to birdie the last to shoot 1-under and I did it.

Another was meeting Tiger Woods for the first time. It was in 2000 and I was on the ‘Scores,’ which is a street just behind the clubhouse. I was heading towards a friend’s house and I bumped into this older lady with a big hat who happened to be Tiger’s mum!

So I started having a chat with her and next thing you know Tiger comes around the corner and he’s like “What’s going on here?” and I go like “Mr. Woods, what an absolute pleasure!” We had a great chat and I wished him well for the tournament and off he went. He ended up winning later that week over David Duval – it was totally surreal.

WWG: Tell us something about The Old Course that not everyone knows.

TM: I could tell you a few stories about the caddies but I won’t do that! Not a lot of people may know this, but regarding the 18th green on the Old Course, Tom Morris personally considered it his finest piece of work.

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NOMURA CUP

EXCITEMENT BUILDING FOR THE NOMURA CUP I

NTEREST is gathering pace in the forthcoming, prestigious 26th Nomura Cup to be played at Yas Links, Abu Dhabi, on Thursday, October 22 to Sunday, October 25.

It is a considerable honour for the Emirates Golf Federation to be chosen to host the prestigious Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Team Championship known as the Nomura Cup, which is held every two years within the Asia-Pacific region. This fourday tournament, conducted by the AsiaPacific Golf Confederation, is the world’s biggest men’s amateur team event next to the Eisenhower Trophy, the World Amateur Team Championships.

The Nomura Cup, named after Shun Nomura, the former Vice-President of the Japan Golf Association who donated the Cup, is a 72-hole, four-round strokeplay team event, with each team comprising four players. Over the four days the total of each player’s 18-hole round constitutes the score for the team and the team with the lowest total over the four days’ play wins the Nomura Cup. The tournament began in 1963 and since then the Australian team has dominated the event. The Aussies

successfully defended their title in the previous running of the event in 2013 at Santiburi Country Club at Koh Samui, Thailand, with a final round 201 for a four round total of 828 and a nine-stroke victory over Korea. Thailand, who hosted the event, came in third with China in fourth place.

It was the Australians’ tenth victory in the Nomura Cup and they have fielded a number of amateurs in the Championship who have progressed to become successful Tour players.

In the 2013 Nomura Cup the UAE Team put in a spirited performance to finish 22nd out of the 26 teams that competed with a four round team total of 983.

Khaled Yousuf was the team’s top scorer shooting 80-78-77-77 for a creditable four round total of 312. Abdalla Al Musharakh and Hassan Al Musharakh scored 339 and 332 respectively with Saeed Malik totalling 354. The top three rounds of the four team members for each of the four days’ play constituted the teams’ total score.

The three-player Qatar team finished in 23rd place with the Bahrain team finishing in 18th place.

SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB

MEET SAADIYAT BEACH GC’S FASTEST MEMBER He may still prefer roaring down the back straight of a motor-racing circuit at 300km/h but a 30-footer for birdie also stokes the competitive juices that flame within former F1 star Heikki Kovalainen.

H

EIKKI Kovalainen was gearing up to the 2009 Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Kuala Lumpur’s Sepang International Circuit when his personal trainer suggested a trip to a nearby driving range. In roughly the same time it took his then McLaren to accelerate from 0-100kmh, the flying Finn was hooked on a sport played at a much more sedate pace.

Fast-forward six years to the present day and Kovalainen has whittled his handicap down to 4.6, just 0.3 of a stroke off his lowest mark.

The 33-year-old and his wife Catherine, a promising new-comer to the Royal and Ancient game herself, have called Abu Dhabi home for two years and love the safe lifestyle afforded them in the UAE captial. That lifestyle includes as much golf at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, where Kovalainen has been a member since 2014, as his current motor-racing commitments allow.

Worldwide Golf caught up with the former Renault, McLaren, Team Lotus, Caterham F1 and Lotus F1 driver to talk about his golfing passion just before he jetted off to Thailand for the third round of the Japanese Super GT Championship late last month.

WORLDWIDE GOLF: What is it that attracts you to golf?

HEIKKI KOVALAINEN: There’s never two similar days and the challenge of trying to understand why one day the swing feels easy and other days totally different, even if you’re trying not to change anything!

WWG: So, if your friends had to describe your

MARK YOUR DIARY

swing, what would they say?

HK: I’ve never asked really but probably they’d comment on my tempo being nice and steady.

WWG: We bet, given your sporting pedigree, that you’re pretty competitive whenever you tee it up?

HK: Very competitive! I never really play golf just for fun. I’m always counting my shots and aiming as low as possible.

WWG: Is it a pastime that allows you to switch off from the stress of motor-racing and was that part of the attraction for taking the game up?

HK: Not really. I never felt I needed to get out of the F1 scene and switch off. Just the difficulty of the game is what attracts me.

“the par 5 15th hole is the toughest at saadiyat beach gc in my opinion.”

WWG: What’s more nerve-wracking? The grid of a F1 race or the first tee of a big celebrity event?

HK: I’m not too nervous about either situation but with my tee shot I cannot guarantee I won’t hit anyone whereas with a race car, I’m more confident of being in control.

WWG: What’s your career best round?

HK: It’s a 73 at Saadiyat Beach and 74 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club from the back tees. Both those days I was hitting solid shots and it highlights

AUGUST 7

Members’ Monthly Medal

my biggest weakness which is ball striking. I think I play quite well generally but when I have a bad striking day, I’m making too many misses to recover them all.

WWG: Does your wife Catherine play?

HK: Yes she does and although she’s still a 31 handicapper, we can play close Stableford matches. She’s got a great swing naturally so she’ll improve quite rapidly I suspect.

WWG: What is the best part of your game?

HK: From 140 yards to about 40 yards I think I’m pretty good but off the tee and very close to the green I need to improve.

WWG: And if you were offered lessons by the team at SBGC, what part of your game would you work on first?

HK: I’d work on my long shots and probably my long irons if I had to choose between irons or fairway woods.

WWG: Which is your favourite hole at Saadiyat Beach GC? And the toughest?

HK: The second hole is my favourite. I’ve made quite a few eagles there with at good drive, 5 wood and a putt. The par 5 15th is the toughest in my opinion. The tee shot doesn’t fit my favorite tee shot which is a low fade as the bunker at the back comes in to play and with a shorter teeshot, I need a very short lay up before the water as I cannot reach the green in two. So the third shot is often a long iron with water all the way down the right. That means I often miss the green left and getting up and down from there is very difficult.

WWG: What do you enjoy about being a club member at SBGC? HK: The staff are extremely friendly and professional and the course is always in great condition.

WWG: You easily topped the lap times in the inaugural Le Saadiyat Rallye last year racing 270cc

AUGUST 15

Saadiyat Summer Open, 1.30pm shotgun

SaadiyatBeachGolfClub

SaadiyatBeach

SaadiyatBeachGolfClub

www.sbgolfclub.ae

WWG: The Japanese love their golf. Any insider tips on where to tee it up in Japan?

HK: I haven’t played much at all in Japan yet, but one interesting course was the Mount Fuji Golf Club right next to the mountain.

WWG: How often do you think about your sole F1 win at the 2008 Hungarian GP? HK: Not often at all to be honest. It’s so long ago I barely remember it anymore!

info@sbgolfclub.ae

SAADIYAT BEACH GC NOTEPAD SUMMER BUNDLES

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in the Japanese Super GT Championship. Tell us more about this series?

HK: It’s a Japanese version of the DTM series which runs in Germany – car manufacturers are involved and the cars are very quick touring cars and the competition is international although the series is fully Japanese.

: +971 (0) 2 557 8000

SBGC Saadiyat Beach GC’s

Summer Bundles, which allow golfers to purchase between 5 and 20 rounds, is an unbeatable way to enjoy a memberlike experience at Gary Player’s only UAE design this summer. From as little as AED 1375 (5 rounds mid week), the deal offers a 12-day booking window, shared cart and use of practice facilities for the card holder. However, the rounds are 100% transferable between guests. Offer valid until September 30.

Email: golfreservations@sbgolfclub.ae or call 02 558 8990

HEIKKI KOVALAINEN

WWG: What does your future hold from a driving/ future career standpoint?

HK: I’m fully focused on making some good results in Japan with Toyota/Lexus and building good relationships there. Not sure what else the future will bring otherwise.

WWG: Nigel Mansell, a noteworthy golfer himself, recently said Lewis Hamilton has the ability to challenge Michael Schumacher’s record seven F1 titles. What’s your take?

HK: I’m sure Lewis has the ability, as have some other drivers. But to win seven titles requires you to be in the right place at the right time as in F1 you need the right car each year to be successful.

So we’ll see if Mercedes can produce the same level of performance year after year.

karts around the buggy paths on the back nine at SBGC. Sounds like fun, even for a F1 driver?

HK: It was fun and something I’ve never done before on the golf course! It’s part of the appeal of being a member. I enjoy all the different events they organise, like the different music events in front of the clubhouse.

WWG: You must have played some amazing courses around the world? If we prompted you for your top three courses?

HK: I haven’t played that many different golf courses actually. Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club was nice and Black Mountain in Thailand as well. Otherwise Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach are right up there.

WWG: Hamilton has two titles in the bag and looks set to make it three at the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP. Or are we jumping the gun here?

HK: I think it’s too early as Rosberg has shown he’s up for the challenge but certainly Lewis has a good momentum on his side now and is looking probably the most likely one to win it…but I’d wait a few more races before betting on it!

WWG: What about other sports?

HK: I grew up in Finland so ice hockey is another sport I follow. I love the NHL in particular.

WWG: Who’s the best F1/motor-racing golfer?

HK: I’m not sure about some new drivers in F1 but of the older ones, I have the lowest handicap I think.

WWG: Your last F1 GP was in 2013 as a stand-in for Kimi Raikkonen. Do you miss it?

HK: I’ve moved on from F1 so not missing it at all. I’m fully focused on my new challenges with Toyota and Lexus in Japan.

WWG: You are racing now for Lexus Team SARD

AUGUST 21

Members’ Monthly Stableford

SBGC The entry deadline for this year’s Saadiyat

Beach GC Summer Open has been set for four days before the August 15 event but organisers urge early registration due to the popularity of the tournament. The 18-hole strokeplay championship is open to members (AED 150), EGF/UAE Residents (AED 450), Non-members (AED 500) and juniors (golfers 15 and under/AED 275).

Email: events@sbgolfclub.com or call +971 (0)2 557 8000 for an entry form.

GOLF ACADEMY Let the Saadiyat

SBGC Beach Golf Academy team take your game to the next level with their special AED 3000 Summer Lesson Special. Included are 10 x 45 minute lessons incorporating the latest swing analysis technology, a nine hole playing lesson, three 9-hole green fees (Sunday-Thursday) plus two invitations to SBGC’s Academy short game evenings.

Email mrobinson@sbgolfclub.ae or call 02 557 8000.

PAY AS YOU PLAY

SBGC Tight for time? With Saadiyat Beach GC’s

“Pay per hole” promotion, sneak in as many holes as your schedule and the setting sun will allow for just AED 20 per hole Sunday to Thursday and AED 25 on weekends and public holidays. Offer valid from 5pm between August 16-September 12.

WWG: What about a bucket-list golf experience?

HK: Definitely Augusta National! I’ve been there once with Ian Poulter watching and the course was looking very nice.

WWG: Who is your favourite golfer?

HK: I’m a big fan of Jack Nicklaus even though he’s a bit ahead of my time. He was very competitive always and often very good under pressure.

SAADIYAT SUMMER OPEN

Email info@sbgolfclub.ae or call 02 557 8000

HEIKKI KOVALAINEN’S F1 CAREER DOB: First/last race: Teams:

October 19, 1981 2007 Australian GP (10th)/2013 Brazilian GP (14th) INGRenault (2007), Vodafone McLaren Mercedes (2008-2009), Lotus Racing (2010), Team Lotus (2011), Caterham F1 (2012),Lotus F1 (2013)

1 105 4 2 1

WIN (2008 HUNGARIAN GP)

CAREER F1 POINTS

POLE POSITION

PODIUMS

FASTEST LAP TIMES

EVERY THURSDAY

SALLOUM CELEBRATES 4th OF JULY Tala Salloum had her driver working nicely

SBGC en-route to winning Saadiyat Beach GC’s 4th of July tournament. Salloum claimed the longest drive prize on her way to 36 Stableford points, four clear of Debbie Betts. Sheldon Ritchie’s 46 points saw him win the men’s title by the same margin from Christian Gartner.

SUMMER ON SAADIYAT STAY & PLAY The region’s most luxurious Stay & Play deal

SBGC is back with Saadiyat Beach GC again joining forces with the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

Enjoy 18 holes and bed and breakfast at the five star St. Regis, with its 9km’s of pristine beachfront, from AED 1195 (double room) midweek and AED 1275 at weekends. Offer valid till September 14.

Email: golfreservations@sbgolfclub.ae or call 02 558 8990

Southern Sun Saadiyat Sundowner, 4-5pm

SEPT 12

Beat the Pros

ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB

PELZ ABU DHABI BOUND Short game guru Dave Pelz will hold the first of his renowned Scoring Game Schools at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in November

H

e once worked as a senior scientist for NASA, has penned a New York Times best seller and has developed the games of no fewer than nine major champions, wedge wizard Phil Mickelson among them. Now short game guru Dave Pelz is bringing his world-renowned Dave Pelz Scoring Game School to Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

The famed American tutor, named as one of the 25 most influential golf coaches of the 20th century, has chosen the host venue of The European Tour’s prestigious Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship as the new UAE home of his coaching schools.

Abu Dhabi GC will host the first of Pelz’s comprehensive three-day clinics from November 5-7, with prices starting from US$2,500. The clinics represent the premier Dave Pelz-designed golf instruction experience, incorporating video and feedback devices as well as the latest Pelz research designed to help golfers play all the shots on and around the green with confidence and consistency. Much more than a simple “golf lesson”, the schools are a globally proven way for amateurs to lower their handicaps.

Utilising Abu Dhabi GC’s practice facility, The Golf Institute by Troon Golf, players taking part in the Scoring Game Schools will be based in a fun and inspiring destination to practice their short shot techniques before heading out on to the Peter Harradine-designed National course to put the practice in to play.

“We are delighted to have been selected as the new UAE home of the Dave Pelz Scoring Game Schools,” said Abu Dhabi GC General Manager Paul Booth.

“To have such a renowned golf coach choose us is testament to the dedication of so many and its extremely pleasing to the see the team’s hard work come to fruition. We look forward to welcoming all participants to Abu Dhabi GC this year, and for

MARK YOUR DIARY

AUGUST 8

many years to come, as our relationship with the leader in short game tuition grows.”

Regarded as one of the world’s finest coaches, Dave Pelz has dedicated more than 35 years to studying the game. Founding his namesake golf school and clinics in 1982, Pelz’s Short Game Bible was a New York Times “national best-seller” in 1999. He continues his research at the Pelz Golf Institute in Spicewood, Texas.

“Abu Dhabi is a fantastic location for our schools, with Abu Dhabi Golf Club representing the perfect host thanks to their immaculate practice and training facilities, which are an essential element in the nurturing of short-game technique,” said Pelz.

LOCKHEED MARTIN Members’ Stableford

“With the added benefit of guaranteed sun on our backs, coupled with its reputation for excellence in keeping with Troon Golf’s standards and stunning accommodation on-site, I have no doubt that creating a school at Abu Dhabi GC is the right choice for my pupils to improve their games.”

Further schools are planned later this year and in early 2016.

For more information visit www.pelzgolf.com, send an email to customerservice@pelzgolf.com or call 800-833-7370.

SHORT GAME GURU DAVE PELZ

AUGUST 15

Members’ Monthly Medal

AbuDhabiGolfClub

ADGolfClub

AbuDhabiGolfClub

www.adgolfclub.com

+971 (0)2 558 8990

golfreservation@adgolfclub.com

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A B U D H A B I G C N O T E PA D

SUMMER BUNDLES ADGC Abu Dhabi GC’s Summer

Bundles, which allow golfers to purchase between 5 and 20 rounds, is an unbeatable way to enjoy a member-like experience at the home of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship this summer.

From as little as AED 1375 (5 rounds midweek), the deal offers a 12-day booking window, shared cart and use of practice facilities for the card holder. However, the rounds are 100% transferable between guests. Offer valid until September 14.

Email membership@adglfclub.com or call 02 558 8990

AMBASSADOR BOOTH PROMOTED It’s been a memorable couple of months for the new man at the helm of Abu Dhabi Golf Club

P

aul Booth’s stock continues to rise. Fresh from becoming the first non-American named as Troon Golf’s Global Ambassador of the Year, the 40-year-old Englishman has been promoted by Troon Middle East.

Booth is now General Manager of Abu Dhabi Golf Club, having been elevated from his previous position of Director of Club Operations.

It continues a meteoric rise within the Troon network for the fatherof-two who began as a “Troonie” in the Middle East when he started as Golf Operations Manager at Abu Dhabi GC in February 2007. He was later promoted to Head Golf Professional and in March 2009 made the 30 minute drive west to Saadiyat Beach Golf Club where he became a key member of the club’s pre-opening team as Director of Golf. He remained at the Gary Player-designed course, most recently as Director of Club Operations, until February when he returned to Abu Dhabi GC, playing musical chairs with now Saadiyat Director of Club Operations, Scott McCaw. Booth’s ability to nurture talent and champion the next generation of leaders was praised by Mark Chapleski, Troon Golf Middle East Area Managing Director/Senior Vice President, when he was anointed Troon Ambassador of the Year. Booth’s innovative approach to the day-today management of a golf club, one the most traditional of sporting institutions, also led to the global recognition.

That futuristic approach is about to come to the fore again at Abu Dhabi GC in October with Booth set to oversee the first of what he hopes will become an on-going series of high profile concerts. Two world class acts are due to be named shortly for the opening Green Grooves gig.

As much as he loves golf’s traditions, Booth knows the game cannot stand still if it is to attract a new generation of players. And he knows the way those youngsters are lured out onto the course doesn’t necessarily have to be via the physical act of swinging a club, at least not initially.

“One of the goals of the concert is to get footfall through the facility, but also to get the younger generation looking at a golf club and thinking, ‘this is pretty cool’,” said Booth. “The goal is to get them in, maybe not to play golf initially, but hopefully develop them into new golfers through a slightly different angle because it is a fact that golf is on a global decline.

“We’ve got to look at the younger generation and how we can invigorate those guys and girls to get them interested in the game.”

Booth is also counting down to the 11th Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in January. It will be his first time at the helm of the club for the annual European Tour Desert Swing opener which consistently lures one of the strongest early season fields in world golf.

AUGUST 27

The Etihad Airways Night Flight, 6.30pm shotgun, Non-members AED 300

STAY & PLAY WITH THE WESTIN ABU DHABI GOLF RESORT & SPA ADGC Abu Dhabi Golf Club and the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa

have teamed again to reinforce the club’s reputation as the UAE’s No.1 stay and play destination. From as little as AED 475 per person, enjoy a round at the European Tour venue (or Saadiyat Beach GC) and a deluxe room at the Westin. The unbeatable deal includes breakfast and 20% discounts on all Heavenly Spa by Westin treatments and on F&B at the hotel and Abu Dhabi GC. www.westinabudhabigolfresort.com or call +971 (0)2 616 9995

FALCON EXPRESS

Bring your driver but leave

ADGC the driving to Abu Dhabi

GC this summer. Golfers in Dubai and Al Ain can play the Peter Harradine-designed European Tour venue from AED 425 any Saturday till September 31 and enjoy complimentary return transfers in an ADGC Infinity Club Car. Tee times (minimum four ball) are limited and the collection point and drop off will be to one point in either Dubai or Al Ain. Email golfreservation@adgolfclub.com or call +971 (0)2 558 8990.

UNLIMITED RANGE USE Get your game into shape for winter with unlimited range use

ADGC for just AED 50 per visit, Sunday to Thursday, until September 14. info@adgolfclub.com or call +971 (0)2 558 8990.

GOLF INSTITUTE BY TROON

Receive a complimentary

ADGC 9-hole playing lesson

with one of Abu Dhabi GC’s professionals when you book a Merlin package (from AED 2760) through the Abu Dhabi Golf Institute by Troon Golf. The package includes nine private development lessons, two months membership to the academy and use of practice facilities, plus video swing analysis. Members’ receive a 15% discount. info@adgolfclub.com or call +971 (0)2 558 8990.

EVERY THURS, FRI, SAT

Liquid Night Golf, Unlimited house beverages during your 9-Hole round from 5pm; Members AED 100, Non-Members AED 250.

P74 ARABIANGOLF ▶

A L HAMRA GOLF CL UB JAKE MAKI-PETAJA AND DAVID THOMAS SEE SEASON END SUCCESS JAKE Maki-Petaja and David Thomas

AHGC finished off their season in the best

possible way by topping their respective divisions in the final fixture of the season.

Prolific winner Maki-Petaja carded a solid round of 79 to top the gross division by one shot

over John Kiddie, while third place went to Dave Faulkner for his 81.

The net division saw David Thomas conjure up a fantastic round of net 68 to take the division by two shots from Ma Li Min while Angelo Kondes finished in third spot.

GARY HWANG TAKES RENOVATION CHALLENGE AHGC GARY Hwang bagged a personal best of 42

Stableford points to triumph over a strong field at the Renovation Challenge at Al Hamra Golf Club.

Hwang won by two points over runner-up Beth Kiddie while Angelo Kondes took third place with 37 points.

BUXMANN AND SKOROBOGATKO DOMINATE RAK SUMMER OPEN

TEAM KIDDIE TAKE SUMMER SCRAMBLE

AHGC THE annual RAK Summer Open saw Johan

THE father and daughter duo of John and Beth

AHGC Kiddie took this year’s Summer Scramble with

an impressive score of 68.8 in the two-person Texas Scramble tournament.

Second place went to the pairing of Angelo and Rae Kondes for their round of 69.4 while the Mike Dunn and Annie Robin duo took third place.

A L B A D I A G O LF C LU B

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Buxmann and Dmitry Skorobogatko claim top honours in both of their respective divisions in what was the biggest RAK Summer Open ever. The popular summer fixture saw 92 competitors kick start their summer season in a two day 36-hole individual stroke play event over the Tower Links and Al Hamra courses.

In the end it was Johan Buxmann who triumphed in Division A with 75 points over the two days, while Maxine Wellhoefer came in second with 74 points. Division B was won by Dmitry Skorobogatko for his tally of 77 points with the runner-up spot going to Michael Wolff for his tally of 75 points.

SYLVAIN DENIS AND CO. TAKE AL MANZAR SCRAMBLE THE team of Sylvain Denis, Stewart Adams,

ABGC Tariq Ali and Jenny Kim recorded a score of

net 55.7 to take home the Al Manzar Scramble Championship at Al Badia Golf Club. Runner-up spot went to the trio of Gareth Hughes, Bill Taylor and Lise Slane, while third place was taken by the team consisting of Club Captains Colin and Liz accompanied by son Jack and husband Paul.

FABULOUS FITCHETS CROWNED PAIRS SCRAMBLE CHAMPS ABGC THE father-son duo of George and Fiz

Fitchet were crowned the Pairs Scramble Champions for 2015 after they put up a net score of 62.4 to narrowly prevail over runners-up Tariq Ali and Jenny Kim.

DCGYC

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D O HA GOLF CLUB

DOHA MEMBERS PREVAIL OVER CLUB STAFF

A NEWLY added scramble event at Doha Golf DGC Club saw the members of Doha Golf Club defeat the club’s staff in what proved to be an exciting addition to the event’s calendar.

The members notched up a gross score of 62 to easily prevail over the DGC team at an event that was exceptionally well received by one and all.

SUBLIME STRANDEMO WIN PRETECT MONTHLY MUG GUY Strandemo notched up an impressive

DGC 43 points to win the recent June Pretect

Monthly Mug at Doha Golf Club. His total ensured victory over his second placed playing partner Randy Holt by four points.

In Flight B it was Gary Mond who secured top spot after recording a huge 43 points to win by

three points from Cheol Yong Shin. Gareth Thomas took the top spot in Flight C with a score of 40 points with Ewan Cameron coming in second on a countback with 38 points.

The Ladies flight was won by Dong Hyang Lee with a score of 40 points.

JOY FOR JAIN IN MEGARME SUMMER LEAGUE STABLEFORD

PRATYUSH Jain emerged victorious in

DGC Flight A of the Megarme Summer League

THE second event of the series was played DGC in the bogey format and saw Dong Yoon Kim winning Flight A with a score of +5 with Ian McInerney taking second place on +3.

Flight B was won by Carsten Hansen on a countback from Ellis Liversige with a score of +4 while Takeshi Kumaki won Flight C also with a score of +4.

The ladies flight was won by Dong Hyang Lee for her score of +5.

MATHIESEN WINS MEGARME SUMMER LEAGUE MEDAL JUNIOR golfer Mikkel Mathiesen shot a one

DGC under par gross 71 to secure the recent

Megarme Summer League Medal event held at Doha Golf Club. His score of net 68 secured a two shot win over second placed Ed Edwards.

In Flight B it was Nobuo Ishii who emerged victorious after his net 67 saw him prevail by a stroke over runner-up Bruce Chalmers.

Syed Ishaman took the top prize in Flight C for his total of net 67 which was enough to win by two shots over runner-up Olson Fernandes. The Ladies Division was won by Dong Hwang Lee with a net 73.

ARABI A N R A N C H E S G O LF C LU B STEVE BENNETT AND DIETHER ROELEN ROAR IN RAMADAN

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KIM MASTERS COURSE TO WIN BOGEY TOURNAMENT

Stableford event, winning via a countback over three players, including his brother Arnav.

In Flight B it was Alan Bassnett who scored a huge 43 points to win by three points from Marc Norris, while Flight C saw Toshiyuki Ito score 43 points to narrowly beat Jung Hun Jo. The Ladies Flight was won by junior member Nada Mir for her total of 42 points.

ARGC STEVE Bennett and Diether Roelen played

SAYER, McKELVEY CROWNED RIVOLI MONTHLY MEDAL CHAMPIONS JAMES Sayer returned a one over par gross

ARGC 73 to win the June Monthly Medal sponsored

by Rivoli winning by three shots from Jorn Nielsen with third place going to Steve Bennett.

The best net round of the day in the Men’s division belonged to Division A Champion Peter Boland who posted a net 68 to win by one from Alain Delacourte.

Men’s Division B was a runaway victory for Roland Roth as the Champion posted a net 69 to win by six shots from John Onuonga.

The Ladies Division saw Adele McKelvey continuing her good run of form posting a gross 78 to take the honours. The Ladies Net division saw Siba Shakib post a net 64 to win by a massive 11 shots from her nearest competitor, Ailsa Campbell.

some superb golf to emerge on top of their respective divisions at the Ramadan Golf Challenge played at Arabian Ranches Golf Club.

Division A (hcp 0 – 12) was played in a strokeplay format and in the end it was Bennet who shot a net 70 to win by one shot from runner-up Tim Collins and the hird placed Terry Vaughan.

Division B (hcp 13 – 36) was fought out in a Stableford format where Diether Roelen posted 35 points to win via a countback over Nicola Breeze and Sheila Alban, who had to settle for runner-up and third place respectively.

P77 ARABIANGOLF ▶

R O YAL GOLF CLUB BAHR A IN AL HAKAM WINS EURO MOTORS BMW QUALIFIER Bahraini Fahad Al Hakam won the

RGC June qualifier of the 2015 Euro

Motors BMW Monthly Medal Series at the Royal Golf Club with a fantastic net score of 69 with Ronan Armstrong taking second place with a score of net 72.

Matthew Deakin narrowly clinched top spot in division two with a net score of 75 while former Lady Captain Hanne Hansen was a close runner-up on net 76.

In the third division Araceli Deakin took first place on net 71. Araceli also won the ladies net category.

HAMAD MUBARAK CROWNED ROYAL GOLF CLUB SCRATCH CHAMPION Hamad Mubarak was crowned the

RGC Royal Golf Club’s Scratch Champion for 2015 after beating off a strong challenge from last year’s champion, Sam Hobday. Hobday had a four shot lead after the first round of the annual tournament and led the field through the majority of the final day but a birdie on the last by Mubarak was just enough for him to steal the title on a countback after both players achieved a two round gross total of 149.

Third place went to Abdulla Al Hakam as he prevailed on a countback over his son Sultan Al Hakam.

DEAKINS TAKE BBBF CORPORATE GOLF DAY RGC With a team net score of 56.8, the Deakin family, consisting of

husband and wife Matthew and Araceli Deakin, son Daniel and daughter Gabriel Deakin clinched first place in style at the 2015 BBBFBBA Corporate Golf Day at the Royal Golf Club. The event was the first golf tournament organised by the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) and saw over 100 competitors taking part in the Texas Scramble competition.

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YA S LINKS GOLF CL UB

TERRIFIC TUFAIL TAKES AUDI MEDAL

Sana Tufail recorded

YLGC an impressive gross

score of 74 to win the Audi Medal at Yas Links Golf Club.

Greg Cox took top spot in Category A (hcp 0-12) for his score of net 77 while Aart Lehmkuhl secured second place with a net 78.

Ghassan Zoabi took the top spot in Category B (hcp 13-28) as he finished with a fantastic net 75 to prevail over runner-up Khaled Tlais.

NIMMO & BRADLEY WIN ECCO CHALLENGE PAIRS BETTERBALL The Members ECCO

YLGC Challenge at Yas

Links saw the dynamic duo of Stuart Nimmo and Randy Bradley notch up an impressive tally of 45 points to win by four points over Steve Burnell and Brian McClure. Damien Ward and Ian Haywood finished in third place with 37 points.

IAN HAYWOOD STEALS ETIHAD OPEN FROM STUART NIMMO YLGC The ever-popular Etihad Open

Stableford saw Ian Haywood take the top spot in Division A (hcp 0-14) after racking up an impressive tally of 40 points to win by a point from Stuart Nimmo.

In Division B (hcp 15-36) it was Khaled Tlais who emerged on top for his tally of 39 points.

Lora Al Marzooqi took second place with a notable 38 points while John Sommers secured third place.

P78 ARABIANGOLF ▶

D UBAI CREEK G O LF CL UB DUBAI CREEK DEFEND UAE MEN’S SCRATCH LEAGUE TITLE THE second and final leg of the 2015 UAE

DCGYC Men’s Scratch League saw defending

champions Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club successfully defend their title by trouncing Arabian Ranches Golf Club in a one-sided finale.

Taking a 3-1 lead from the first leg held at Arabian Ranches, the Dubai Creek lads were simply unstoppable as they won all four of their matches on the final day to record a resounding 7-1 victory.

GEORGE CHIDIAC STARS IN JUNE MASHREQ MEDAL

DUFFY AND FEARN DUO TAKE OMA EMIRATES CREEK PAIRS

GEORGE Chidiac carded a fantastic net

DCGYC 68 to claim top spot in the June Mashreq Medal Championship at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Finishing just two behind Chidiac was Glory Xavier, who came second in the overall championship and was the victor in the Ladies Division with a net 69.

Top spot in the Men’s Division A category went to Michael Nielsen who produced an impressive score of net 70 to edge out fellow competitor Jamal Saab by one stroke. In the Men’s B Division it was Club Captain Joseph Ghossoub who claimed first place with a well crafted net 70 which left Robert Platt to finish runner-up in Division B. George Varghese picked up his first victory of the series, winning the Seniors Division with a net score of 76 while Dino Varkey marked his return to the Mashreq Medal with a gross score of 74 to give him the best gross score of the day.

At the halfway stage of the season-long Mashreq Medal Championship, it is Dubai Creek’s Mark Dennehy who leads the way in the order of merit standings for the second month in a row.

GHAZI STARS IN OPENING DUBAI GOLF SUMMER SERIES EVENT THE first of four fixtures of the 2015 Dubai

DCGYC Golf Summer Series at Dubai Creek Golf &

Yacht Club saw Ghazi Aurangzeb card 44 points to claim top honours in the opening event. Finishing closely behind him in second place with 42 points was Emirates Golf Club lady member Sandra Chia.

The best gross prize went to Dubai Creek member Max Burrow who made a solid gross score of 31 points.

THE third installment of the OMA Emirates

DCGYC Creek Pairs at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht

GHAI AND JIT SINGH QUALIFY FOR DAMAN PAIRS WORLD FINAL THE Daman Investments UAE

DCGYC International Pairs reached a fitting

Club saw the duo of Kate Duffy and Edward Fearn score 45 Stableford points to take the day’s top prize.

Ishwar Jodha and Dhruv Chopra finished in second place with a score of 43 points while Mohammed Al Musharrekh and Hassan Dahabiyeh were able to claim third place for their tally of 42 points.

Director of Golf Stephen Hubner said: “This has turned into a really great event. I would like to thank our sponsors OMA Emirates, Ascots and Chapels and Jaermann&Stübi for their support and for proviving such fantastic prizes.”

climax at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club with the team of Achal Ghai and Gurinder Jit Singh from Emirates Golf Club winning the all-expensespaid trip to the Hotel Denia Marriott La Sella Golf Resort & Spa on Spain’s Costa Blanca in October where they will represent their club and the UAE in the World Final.

Kwangjae Lee and Jun Seok Oh from Sharjah took the runner-up spot for their tally of 38 points as their better back nine gave them the runnersup spot ahead of Al Badia Golf Club’s Bill Taylor and Lise Slane on a countback,

DIPESH MAKWANA THE MAIN MAN IN DUBAI DUTY FREE GOLF CLUB DIPESH Makwana finished with a superb

DCGYC total of 41 Stableford points to be crowned the overall winner at the 23rd Dubai Duty Free Golf Cup. Dubai Creek member Max Burrow collected the best gross prize for his impressive round of 67 and a points total of 40 while the Men’s Division was won by Stuart Murray.

Satnam Kaur took the Ladies Division title with a superbly constructed 38 points with second place going to Dubai Creek’s Lady Captain Harini White.

Alan Salem recorded 38 points to take the fiercely contested Seniors Division title and youngster Zubin Chandra raised the standard in the Junior Division scoring a fantastic 39 points and claiming top spot.

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D UBAI CREEK GOL F C LUB SINDHY AND CO. TAKE INTER SOCIETY CHAMPIONSHIP DUBAI Creek hosted

DCGYC the thirteenth edition of its prestigious Inter-Society Championship, an annual event which was first held back in 1997.

In the end it was the Indian Golf Society Team 1 which consisted of Ashok Sindhu, Balvinder Sindhu, Suresh Shewakramani, Anand Lakhiani, Nelly Amarnani, Satwinder Sembi, Ishu Rupani and Anish Bhatia that emerged victorious with a superb winning team total of 155 points.

The Dubai Creek DOGFIGHT team of Joseph Ghossoub, Adonis Nasr,

Mark Irwin, Stephen Barker, Yves Aboukhaled, Jamal Saab, Mark Holmans and Kevin Savage made the most of their home course knowledge as they recorded 152 points to finish runner-up for the second year running.

Unable to make a successful defence of their title but still securing a podium finish with a 150 point total was the Sport 2 Business Team1 that included Russell Yeomans, Richard Aybar, Kristi Sealey, Andrew Smolak, Obe Sealey, Michael Lennon, Fathi Al Busaidy and Randall Mohammed.

CHRISTIAN KLYNGE CROWNED CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS The season-ending Tournament of EGC Champions saw a small field of 45 qualifiers from throughout the season battle it out over the Majlis course. After the dust settled it was Christian Klynge who won after scoring a fantastic net score of five under par 67.

One stroke behind was runner-up Craig Dunn who returned a net score of four under par 68 while Bhupesh Sharma’s net 70 was good enough for him to claim third place.

CATHERINE CLARK CLINCHES CHAMPIONS SEASON FINALE Cathrine Clark came out on top of a closely

The June Monthly Medal at JGE saw the in

JGE form Peter Stapleton win Division A (hcp 0 12.4) with a brilliant net score of 67 while Haiyan Mujarkech carded a net 70 to take second place.

In the Gross division it was David Storey again who came out on top with a solid 75 as he won via a countback from Simon Howells.

Division B saw Giorgio Parigi fire a net 68 to win by two strokes over runner-up John Murray, while Eugene O’Doherty secured third place with a net 72.

Michelle Walsh-Hall took the spoils in the Ladies Division as she posted a solid net 72 to win by four shots over Debbie Murray.

GOWER, HAWCZAK, MINCHIN AND DARNLEY QUALIFY FOR WORLD FINAL

EGC contested Tournament of Champions as all the ladies who had won an event throughout the season battled it out on the Majlis course in the season’s final tournament.

Clarke made thirteen gross pars on her way to a winning net score of two under par 70. She was closely followed by runner-up Carolyn Thompson and third placed Natalli Gupta who both carded net scores of one under par 71.

In addition to the Tournament of Champions, there was also a Stableford competition in which the silver division (hcp 0-23) was won by Sue Hopwood for her tally of 44 points, while the bronze division (hcp 24-42) saw Caroline Granger emerge on top with 33 points.

JU M E I R A H G O LF E STAT E S STAPLETON, STOREY STAR IN MONTHLY MEDAL

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E MIRATES GOL F C LUB

The Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates

JGE played host to the regional finals for the

ED HESSON TAKES THE HONOURS IN JUNE MASHREQ MEDAL EGC Ed Hesson scored a superb net 68 to win

the June Mashreq Medal, in association with BMW and Ruth’s Chris Dubai. After three players were tied on net 68, it was the back six holes of Hesson’s round that secured him victory over runner-up Manoj Kapur and the third placed Vikram Tah. In the A division it was Kapur who produced a better back nine score to claim first place over Tah while Pankaj Verma took third spot with a net 69.

The B Division saw Hesson secure a three-stroke victory over Kuttan Malattari with third place going to Gaurav Verma for his net 74.

Rayhan Thomas shot the lowest gross score of the day with a level par 72 which included four birdies.

UAE and GCC World Corporate Golf Challenge qualifiers and in the end it was the UAE pairing of John Gower and Roman Kawczak who qualified for the all-expenses-paid trip with an excellent score of 64 combined Stableford points.

The World Final in July will also see the first GCC team to qualify, with David Minchin and Chris Darnely all set to make history in Portugal when they tee off at the Otaivos Dunes Golf Club in Cascais.

The GCC winning score of 59 was the same as those for runners-up and third place in the UAE Final with Gareth Mordey and Aqeel Hemraj wining on a countback from Miki Merza and Sammy Eldin.

P80 ARABIANGOLF ▶

S HARJ AH GOLF & S HOOTING CL UB SIX NAMES FOR THE HONOURS BOARDS IN AIR ARABIA MATCHPLAY TITLES After a full season of hard fought

SGSC golf, the four winners of the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club Air Arabia Matchplay Championships were finally crowned.

Head Professional Joe Marshall stole the Net Singles title over junior Zubair Firdaus while the ever consistent Ricky Dominguez won his second gross title in four years by beating all time major championship record holder Hassan Yazdi in a repeat of last year’s final.

In the Pairs Net category it was Sharjah PGA

Professional Purna Sharma and member Halim Husin who sealed the title with a thrilling win over the father and son duo of Mohamed and Zubair Firdaus.

The Gross Pairs final was a battle between the duo of Mukhzar Mehmood and SGSC Head Golf Professional Joe Marshall versus Ian Plant and Professional Purna Sharma. In the end it was Mehmood and Marshall who closed out the match in convincing fashion with a 5&4 victory.

JOE FARINA TAKES UNITECKNIK TITLE WITH CLOSING EAGLE Joe Farina took the season-ending

SGSC Unitechnik Monthly Stableford at

Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club courtesy of an eagle in card countback after he and Welsh young gun Max Hibbert finished tied on 36 points. The Division A prize went to scratch team member Ramli Sulaiman for his 34 points while the best gross prize of the day went to Mike Robson.

E M I R AT E S G O LF FE D E R AT I O N

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BANG THE MAN AT SENIOR VISION CENTRE OPEN The inaugural Sharjah Golf &

SGSC Shooting Club Senior Summer Open supported by Vision Centre LLC ended with Tony Bang being crowned the champion for his impressive tally of 38 Stableford points. Alex Tivi took the runner-up spot while Sanjoy Das

finished in third place. In the gross division it was Rene Larsen who came out on top with 30 points while Satnam Kaur won the ladies division for her tally of 28 points. Chris Redley took home the Super Senior Award (age 60 and above) with 32 points.

NAMIR NABS MIDWEEK BOGEY TOURNAMENT Namir al Naimi recorded a two-up

SGSC score against the course to win

the June Coral Beach Resort Midweek Bogey at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. Al Naimi’s nines holes included one birdie, seven pars and just one dropped shot as he went on to win by two holes from his nearest challenger.

HALIM HUSIN GREETS RAMADAN WITH WIN SGSC Halim Husin took home

THOMAS AND SHARMA TAKE BMW SOCIAL Rory Thomson and Purna

SGSC Sharma carded a winning total of 64.6 to win the BMW Members and Guest Social at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. They finished in front of the runner-up duo of Ennori Paoli and Martin Duff who posted a solid round of 67.1

the June Coral Breach Resort Midweek Stableford as the Malaysian pipped Division 2 winner David Murphy in a card countback after both players finished on 20 points.

EGF SUCCESSFUL GOLF DAY CONTINUES TO BUILD ON THE NATIONAL JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM The Emirates Golf Federation

EGF (EGF) recently hosted a golf

orientation day for over 20 Emerati families at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. As apart of the EGF, the National Junior Development Program (NJDP) has a goal of identifying and developing young UAE National Golfers while building good character through the structure of the Rules of Golf.

The NJDP was in full swing as the EGF partnered with Golf DXB to produce a fun and interactive day for new juniors golfers.

Marcus Dunning and Tom Green from Golf DXB had this to say after the orientation. “We are very excited about working closely with the EGF. This will be a terrific venture as we work together to develop junior golf

across the United Arab Emirates.”

EGF Secretary General, Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, said the success of the event was a promising sign that golf is catching up fast with the Emirati community.

“Today was a great day for the EGF. We wanted to bring families and young kids together to show how much fun golf can be, while making it active. It was good to see so much support from the families and we look to build on this this day.”

With the golf season coming to an end the EGF will stay in contact with these families for possible summer camps and training sessions.

Starting in October the EGF will be reaching out to more families and schools while continuing the process of identifying UAE National Golfers.

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D I R A B G O LF & C O U N T RY C L U B

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A LM OUJ GOLF THE WAV E - O MAN TSARONG AND RIAZ TRIUMPH IN MERCEDES-BENZ MATCHPLAY The Mercedes-Benz Pairs Matchplay

AMG Championship Final for 2015 saw two-time Club Champion Tenzin Tsarong partnered by Faiz Riaz easily defeat Club Captain and Black Tee Challenge Winner Aaron O’Hara and partner Lee O’Donoghue 6&4.

Tsarong and Riaz were 5-up on the turn and ended up closing the match out in convincing fashion on the picturesque par three 14th hole.

AWESOME ANDERSON CLINCHES CHEDI MUSCAT MONTHLY MEDAL

REES-COUPET TAKE DHL CORPORATE TEXAS SCRAMBLE GOLF TITLE Gordon Rees and Jean Marc

DGCC Coupet were crowned the

champions of the DHL Corporate Texas Scramble Golf Tournament at Dirab Golf Club as the duo put on an excellent winning score of 12-under par net 60 to take the title.

Runners-up Richard Dunn and Bob Bruford finished one stroke back on 61 while the ladies pair of Susan Tessier and Hyejin Byoun took third place for their round of 63.

The Chedi Muscat Monthly Medal saw Greg Andreasen

AMG storm to the top of the leaderboard with a superb

unbeaten net 69 to take the honours in the Best Net Division.

Kevin D’Amours secured the runner-up spot with a level par net 72 while John Prescott took third place for his round of 73. The Ladies Net Division ended with Jamila Daud finishing seven shots clear of her nearest rival with a steady round of net 74. Shirley Prescott’s net 81 was enough to give her the runner-up spot.

In the hotly contested Gross Division it was Tenzin Tsarong’s gross 78 that was enough for him to win the Best Gross title over Bret Archer who managed an 81.

TENZIN TEAM CRUISES TO VICTORY IN THE CAPTAINS PUTT OUT

TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS 2015 Almouj Golf held

AMG its Tournament of Champions event where all the winners of the season’s Chedi Muscat Monthly Medals competed for the auspicious title of Champion of Champions.

In the end it was threetimes Ladies Medal winner Yvonne Welling who carded a superb round of net 72 to win the event by two shots over Tam Burns. Emma Merritt picked up the Best Ladies Net prize with a steady score of 75 while Tenzin Tsarong claimed the best gross score with an 82.

The much awaited AMG Captain’s Putt Out at Almouj Golf saw the team of Tenzin Tsarong, Nasaruddin Mohamed, Hugo Fonseca and Faiz Riaz put together a stunning net score of 57 to take the top prize.

Runner-up went to the team of 2014 Captain William Welsh, Lynn Casey, Greg Andreasen and Michele Andreasen who combined well to post a gross 5 under par round of 67 with a net total of 60.0 which narrowly

edged out the team of Emma Merritt, Tim Maddern, Sabri Al Mandhari and Paul Harthorn, who’s net score was just 0.2 higher, giving them third place.

The end of the event saw Yvonne Welling and Tenzin Tsarong being crowned the inaugural winners of the Almouj Golf Order of Merit while Greg Andreasen and Susan McInnes were announced as the Almouj Golf Captains for the 2015/16 season.

LIDMAN AND FRANK WIN FIRST SAUDI QUALIFIER FOR THE 17TH XEROX CHALLENGE The sixth qualifying round of the 17th Xerox Corporate

DGCC Golf Challenge saw Ronny Lidman and Jan Frank

emerge as the winning team with tally of 49 Stableford points. In second place were John Molony and Michael Holland with 48 points while third place went to the team of IL Joong Kim and Mi Ra Jung for their 47 points.

After each of the GCC-based qualifiers, the top two placed teams will earn a spot to play for the ultimate title in the Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge Grand Final.

JOHN HORTON AND CO. TAKE ABGR-AMEX GOLF TOURNAMENT Scott Horton captained a team of mixed nationalities

DGCC to a resounding victory in the 22nd Annual ABGR-AMEX Golf Tournament. His squad, which consisted of American Peter Sherwin, Australian Anthony Jason Palise and Sri Lankan Adrian Kishan Rosairo, returned a stellar winning score of net 50 to take the top prize.

Second place went to the British team of Simon Stoddart, Michel Christopher Stieg and Michael Christopher who won on a countback from a quartet skippered by Irishman Paul Confrey after both sides were tied on 53.

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GOLF STYLE

STAR SPOTTING OFF COURSE FASHION DRIVING RANGE TRAVEL SCOTLAND TEE TIMES

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84 87 88 90 96

ANDRÉS INiESTA

IT’S A DIFFERENT BALL GAME WORLDWIDE GOLF SPEAKS EXCLUSIVELY TO SPANISH MIDFIELD MAESTRO ANDRE INIESTA AS THE FC BARCELONA SUPERSTAR TRIES HIS HAND AT GOLF IN SARDINIA WITH A BIT OF HELP FROM NONE OTHER THAN WORLD No.8, ENGLAND’S JUSTIN ROSE.

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ANDRES INIESTA GIVES HIS NEW GOLF COACH JUSTIN ROSE A PAT.

ANDRÉS INIESTA: “I’VE ALWAYS SEEN GOLF AS A GOOD SPORT FOR ME” FOOTBALL SUPERSTAR ANDRÉS INIESTA ENJOYS A HOLIDAY GOLF LESSON IN SARDINIA WITH A RATHER USEFUL INSTRUCTOR.

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NDRÉS INIESTA couldn’t have asked for a better coach, or location, for his introduction to golf. The 31-year-old FC Barcelona superstar made a guest appearance at the Costa Smeralda Invitational last month, a new Celebrity-Am tournament that showcased the stunning Pevero Golf Club and the chic corner of northern Sardinia to the world.

Iniesta took his first ever swing under the tutelage of current World No.8, tournament host and Hublot ambassador Justin Rose on the driving range at the Robert Trent Jones Snr-designed course.

The two sporting superstars then engaged in a putting competition and football ‘keepy-upp’y challenge, both of which went,not surprisingly, totally to script. Enjoying a well-earned off-season break following the non-stop rigors

of FC Barcelona’s fixture schedule of La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League treble success, Iniesta savoured his time with Rose as he came to grips with the fundamentals of the Royal & Ancient game.

“I had a great time,” the Spanish midfielder told Worldwide Golf. “It was a real pleasure and privilege to have Justin as my coach. I enjoyed meeting him and I really enjoyed the golf lesson.”

So, does that mean golf might feature in your retirement plans whenever you decide to hang up your boots?

“I’ve always seen golf as a good sport for me…it’s very precise, with much concentration. In the future, who knows what happens, but like many other sports, it’s a sport that I’d like to play.” Iniesta might even be lured

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S TA R S POT T I N G

“I HAD A GREAT TIME. IT WAS A REAL PLEASURE AND PRIVILEGE TO HAVE JUSTIN AS MY COACH. I ENJOYED MEETING HIM AND I ENJOYED THE LESSON. I’VE BEEN COMING HERE TO COSTA SMERALDA FOR 5 YEARS. I LOVE IT. IT’S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO HOLIDAY WITH THE FAMILY AND RELAX.” ANDRÉS IN ACTION FOR FC BARCELONA IN HIS MORE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

on to the links before then, admitting the prospect of teeing it up alongside the likes of his professional peers and founding Costa Smeralda Invitational participants Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Di Matteo, Ronald de Boer, Dwight Yorke and Les Ferdinand certainly appeals to the Barcelona idol.

European Solheim Cup captain Carin Koch, cricket gods Brian Lara and Kapil Dev, double Olympic Games gold medalist Dr. Edwin Moses, Scottish actor Dougray Scott (of Mission Impossible II and Taken 3 fame), and television stars Denise van Outen (England), Rannvijay Singh (India) and Federica Fontana (Italy) also enjoyed the spectacular Pevero GC at an event that raised more than €135,000 for official charities, Autism Rocks and UNICEF Road to Awareness. ”That would be great to actually play,” Iniesta said of participating in a future Costa Smeralda Invitational. “Who knows if next year, or in the future, but Yes, I’d love to come back to this beautiful course in Pevero. The tournament has great people and seems a lot of fun.

“I’ve been coming here to Costa Smeralda for five years. I love it here. It’s a beautiful place to holiday with the family and relax.”

Rose was impressed with how quickly Iniesta took to golf and the footballer played the mutual appreciation game by complimenting the Ryder Cup star on his football juggling skills, describing his ‘keepy uppy’ prowess as “quite good”.

Conversation turned to coaching and whether Iniesta, who is reaching the twilight of his glittering playing career, might turn to management?

“Who knows. Right now I’m just thinking about the present. I’ll always want to be in football, though, as it’s my life...so maybe I will.”

For the record, KapilDev and Sky News sports presenter Sarah-Jane Mee took the men’s and women’s celebrity titles with 37 and 23 Stableford points respectively at the Costa Smeralda Invitational.

ROSE WATCHES OVER HIS STAR PUPIL ON THE RANGE

THE TABLES ARE TURNED AS ROSE DISPLAYS HIS FOOTBALL SKILLS

www.costasmeraldainvitational.com

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O F F CO U R S E F A S H I O N

TAKE IT OFF COURSE WITH ECCO

Y

ou may be familiar with them for making ergonomically designed and insanely comfortable golf shoes, showcased by the likes of Fred ’Boom Boom’ Couples, but Danish shoe brand Ecco actually do the lion’s share of their business through ’off course’ footwear, which is every bit as ’pamperous’ on your feet.

If you’re looking to get that chiselled ’man from the mountains’ look the Rugged Heritage Collection is just the ticket. Made from top quality, hard-wearing leather, they’re are as durable as they are stylish and are most definitely the sort of boots a man would wear if he were prone to fighting bears with his bare hands in the mountains.

THE ECCO FINDLAY INFUSES SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY INTO A MODERN BUSINESS DRESS BOOT. FEATURES EXCLUSIVE CALF LEATHER UPPERS AND ELASTIC ANKLE STRIPS FOR AN EASY INSTEP.

INSPIRED BY TRADITIONAL WORKMAN STYLES, THE ECCO HOLBROK MID-CUT, LACE-UP BOOTS WILL KEEP YOU COMFORTABLE NO MATTER WHAT YOU’RE DOING. LEATHERWELTED SOLES AND RICH, OILED LEATHER GIVE THE BOOTS A RUGGED, CLASSIC LOOK. THE UPPERS FEATURE HYDROMAX®-TREATED LEATHER – SO WHATEVER THE CONDITIONS OUTSIDE, YOU’LL BE FINE AND DANDY.

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STYLE, POWER AND PRACTICALITY 2015 DODGE DURANGO

THE DODGE DURANGO’S combination of uncompromised utility, advanced technology, classleading towing and driving range, confident driving dynamics plus aggressive styling made it the Dodge Charger of the SUV segment and an instant hit with its critics and drivers alike.

New for 2015, the Rallye Appearance Package brings the R/T model’s sporty monochromatic exterior and Hyper Black 20-inch aluminium wheels to the V6 equipped SXT and Limited models.

The interiors feature an all-black appearance with cloth seating on SXT and premium models, Capri leather seating on Limited models, while a dual exhaust yields an impressive 295hp and up to 9.4 L/100km (25 mpg) on the highway.

Dodge Brand’s signature Blacktop Package is now available on the 2015 Dodge Durango SXT, Limited and R/T models. The Blacktop design includes Gloss Black crosshair grille, Gloss Black badge, and Gloss Black 20-inch aluminum wheels, in addition to a monochromatic exterior appearance with unique ground effects and dual exhaust.

It all adds up to giving the Dodge Durango the sinister dark appearance that has become popular with

FUEL CONSUMPTION

25 mpg

customers and builds off the success of the 2013 Dodge Durango Blacktop.

The 2015 Dodge Durango is available in four trim levels: SXT, Limited, R/T and Citadel. Exterior colours include Billet Silver Metallic, Bright White, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Sandstone Pearl, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl (SXT, Limited and Citadel only), Granite Crystal Metallic, Maximum Steel Metallic, Redline 2 Coat Pearl (Rallye, Blacktop & R/T only), True Blue Pearl and Black Forest Green Pearl.

This beast of a vehicle also offers a host of premium features, such as high-end interiors, the latest infotainment technology and impressive powertrain options, along with the exterior design that is distinctively Dodge.

The user-friendly technology in the 2015 Dodge Durango includes a customisable standard class-exclusive 177.8mm (7-inch) digital instrument cluster, plus available 213.36mm (8.4inch) Uconnect touchscreen to help keep drivers focused on the road.

Uconnect Access 8.4 provides Dodge Durango passengers with the segment’s largest touchscreen display and next-generation mobile connectivity, convenience and multimedia features.

PERFORMANCE

6.4s 0-60

POWER

295 bhp

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D R I V I N G RA N G E

Where to buy: Trading Enterprises (Dubai Festival City; Shk. Zayed Road; Sharjah; Ras Al Khaimah)

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Rickie Fowler’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open victory showcases...

Scotland’s Golf Coast

Archerfield Links and the Scottish Senior Open www.archerfieldgolfclub.com

FOLLOWING the success of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club the spotlight will be firmly set on the magnificent links of Archerfield, which will further enhance the reputation of Scotland’s Golf Coast by hosting the the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open from August 27-29 The Fidra Links has an atmosphere that makes you feel that it’s just you and the course out there. Golf has never been more inviting than this. Its 18 holes present a unique mixture of pine forest and fast-running links.

The Scottish Senior Open was first played in 1993 when Tommy Horton won the first of his two Scottish Senior Opens at Royal Aberdeen and Newmacher, respectively.

Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel and The Roxburghe Hotel have also hosted the Championship along with Fairmont St. Andrews, which has been home to the tournament for the past six years.

Antonio Garrido, Brian Huggett, Neil Coles, Bill Longmuir, Sam Torrance, José Rivero, Terry Gale and Barry Lane are among the former winners.

The Dirleton Links is set on coastal land that has hosted golf for over 100 years. European Tour stalwart and European Senior Tour winner D.J. Russell created the 18 holes of the Dirleton Links. It’s a challenging expression of a traditional Scottish Links course with its sweeping fairways, deep, menacing bunkers and undulating dunes.

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East Lothian Golf

COURSES

SCOTLAND’S GOLF COAST

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HEN Rickie Fowler watched his final putt drop into the hole to clinch a memorable victory in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open it signalled another seal of approval for Scotland’s Golf Coast.

Its fame is spreading fast in its bid to become one of the most popular golf tourist destinations not only in Scotland but in the world.

Having holed his third birdie over the final four holes for a one-shot win over fellow American Matt Kuchar and France’s Raphael Jaquelin, scoring 66-68-66-68 for a 12-under par total of 268, he led the praise for the Gullane composite course.

“I’m very excited to have won the Scottish Open over a truly great golf course,” said Fowler.

“The Gullane course is a true test of golf. The first time I saw it, I liked the way it fit my eye, although that’s not to say it’s an easy course by any means.

“If there’s no wind it’s very scorable, in a way, and you can go out and make birdies and have some fun. When the wind blows it’s still a fare chance for everyone.

“I liked the way the golf course is – it’s very straightforward. Visually, you can see where you’re supposed to go and not supposed to go. There’s nothing hidden about the course.

“It was in great shape and the greens were great, which gave me the confidence going in and helped me play well. I’d love to come back to Gullane. To win on such a great links course the week before The Open at St Andrews is really great timing.”

Gullane Golf Club is one of 19 golf clubs comprising the 22 courses that make up the alliance of Scotland’s Golf Coast along the 30 miles stretch of the magnificent East Lothian coast from Musselburgh, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, to Dunbar in the East.

It’s a collection of a wide variety of outstanding links and inland courses, incomparable to any golfing destination in the world.

Scotland’s Golf Coast can boast more Championship courses than anywhere else in golf, which includes Muirfield, Gullane, North Berwick Dunbar, Archerfield and The Renaissance. Gullane itself boasts three fabulous links courses with the composite Championship course for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open comprising holes 2-14 on the No.1 course, with holes 14 and 15 being replaced by holes 7 and 8 respectively of Gullane’s No.2 course.

The 7th tee on No.1 course affords one of the finest vistas in golf.

A stunning links, playable all year round, Gullane No.1 is also an Open qualifying venue and has hosted many great championships.

The course snakes across Gullane Hill from where the views of East Lothian, Edinburgh and Fife are simply spectacular. The greens, fairways and bunkers are superb and the course presents one of the best challenges in Scotland. 4 Gullane No.1 course

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Gullane Golf Club

West Links Road, Gullane, EH31 2BB; Telephone: 01620 842255; Email: bookings@gullanegolfclub.com; Website: www.gullanegolfclub.com . No.1 course: Par 71 Gents, 6548 yards; Par 74 Ladies, 5891 yards.

Gullane No.2 course (6,244 yards; Par 73 Ladies, 5,566 yards) is the favourite of many locals. It hosted the 2002 Seniors Open Amateur Championship. The course runs down Gullane Hill towards the nature reserve at Aberlady Bay. Although this links has plenty of length it’s the testing short holes that create the greatest challenge. Gullane No.3 course (Par 68 Gents, 5,252 yards; Par 69 Ladies, 4,920 yards) is shorter than its two illustrious neighbours but it’s renowned for having the best greens on the club’s courses. Crafty bunker placement and punitive rough mean imaginative shot-making and accuracy are at a premium. Many golfers remember it for the par four 7th which falls dramatically from the hill to the flats. It’s widely regarded as a fun course to play.

Dunbar Golf Club

East Links, Dunbar, EH42 1LL. Telephone: 01368 862317. Email: secretary@dunbargolfclub.com.

Website: www.dunbargolfclub.com. Par 71 Gents, 6597 yards; Par 72 Ladies, 5696 yards.

Well known for its Par four 12th hole, 460 yards by the sea with a cross wind, this is one of the best links courses in the country. Opening with two par-5s the course then hugs the coastline along a narrow strip of land within yards of the waves crashing onto the rocky shore.

Fourteen consecutive holes run along the Firth of Forth, creating a lengthy, testing exposure to the vagaries of seaside golf. An internal ‘Out-of-Bounds’ wall at the 18th provides a final test at a truly outstanding course. An Open qualifying course, Dunbar has hosted the PGA Championship, Scottish PGA and Scottish Amateur, plus many ladies events.

Dunbar Golf Club

the Bass Rock. Elevated tees and greens across the course mean that careful club selection, consistency and confidence in your iron play are vital. The short 13th is a blind tee shot to a beach-side green which can require a three iron or pitching wedge, depending on the strength and direction of the wind. Originally laid out as a 9-hole course in 1894 it was extended to an 18-hole course in 1906 although the game has been played here since the 17th century.

Haddington Golf Club

Amisfield Park, Haddington, EH41 4PT. Telephone: 01620 822727.

Email: info@haddingtongolf.co.uk. Website: www.haddingtongolf. co.uk. Par 71 Gents, 6384 yards; Par 73 Ladies, 5673 yards.

Haddington Golf Club provides an enjoyable round on a quiet, country estate. Mature trees line most holes and the River Tyne is the course’s north boundary forming the ‘Out-of-Bounds at holes 11 and 15. Lots of long holes demand accurate, reliable iron-play and alterations to the back nine mean that water hazards are now a major obstacle on the home stretch with the ponds at the 12th, 13th and 14th punishing any mistakes.

Kilspindie Golf Club

The Clubhouse, Aberlady, EH32 0QD. Telephone: 01875 870358.

Email: kilspindie@btconnect.com. Website: kilspindiegolfclub.co.uk.

Par 69 Gents, 5502yards; Par 70 Ladies, 5107 yards The 35th oldest golf club is a Scottish links retaining its original, traditional features. This medium length course is nonetheless a good test of golf and a challenge to all golfers. Several holes border the shoreline and each hole enjoys magnificent views. The 8th hole, par three overlooks Gosford Bay and demands a shot that will carry over the beach – a challenge for all golfers on a windy day.

Longniddry Golf Club Craigielaw Golf Club

Aberlady, EH32 0PY. Telephone: 01875 870800; Email: info@ craigielawgolfclub.com. Website: www.craigielawgolfclub.com.

Par 71 Gents, 6601 yards; Par 71 Ladies, 5371 yards.

Players may choose which tees to play from – red 5371 yards, blue 6001 yards or white 6601 yards.

This is one of East Lothian’s newest courses and it meets the challenging standards of its illustrious neighbours. A Championship links course designed

by Donald Steel, maintained in a similar fashion to traditional Scottish links courses such as Gullane, Muirfield and North Berwick. The Craigielaw course, practice facilities and clubhouse are perfect for visitor golf outings and corporate golf days.

With challenging greens, cavernous bunkers and spectacular views over the Firth of Forth, Gullane Hill and out towards Edinburgh and Fife, Craigielaw Golf Club is an experience not to be missed.

Craigielaw is also the venue for the Eric Grandison Golf School, where a complete range of schools is offered to suit all standards from the absolute beginner to the scratch golfer. For more information visit: www.ericgrandison-golfschool.com.

Gifford Golf Club

Edinburgh Road, Gifford, Haddington, EH41 4JE. Telephone: 01620 810267. Email: secretary@giffordgolfclub.com. Website: www. giffordgolfclub.com. Par 71 Gents, 6129 yards; Par 73 Ladies 5702 yards.

Situated on the edge of the picturesque village of Gifford, this is an outstanding 9-hole parkland course with the Lammermuir hills as its backdrop.

Its enormous, first-class greens are playable all year round and any putting weaknesses will be exposed here. For variation there are two sets of tees to the 1st/10th green and the 5th/14th. The Speedy Burn runs across the course affecting shots at four holes.

Glen Golf Club

Tantallon Terrace, North Berwick, EH39 4LE. Telephone: 01620 892726. Email: secretary@glengolfclub.co.uk.

Website: www.glengolfclub.co.uk. Par 70 Gents, 6275 yards; Par 73 Ladies, 5773 yards.

The East Links course in North Berwick combines inland turf with a seaside setting. Every hole offers the golfer a different perspective of the Firth of Forth, with spectacular views dominated by

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The Clubhouse, Links Road, Longniddry, EH32 0NL. Telephone: 01875 852141. Email: secretary@longniddrygolfclub.co.uk.

Website: www.longniddrygolfclub.co.uk . Par 68 Gents, 6260 yards; Par 73 Ladies, 5785 yards Among the courses lining the Forth estuary, Longniddry stands out for its mixture of links and parkland. The distance may not seem long but with no par 5s and eight 400 yards par 4s, this is a stiff challenge, particularly in a west wind, leaving no doubt why the course has been an Open qualifying venue. One of its memorable holes is the 5th, a relatively short dog-leg par four of 310 yards to a two-tier green. Trees line both sides of the fairway, as well as the apex of the dog-leg.

Glen Golf Club

S COT LA N D’S G O L F COA S T

Muirfield

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, Duncur Road, Gullane, EH31 2EG. Telephone: 01620 842123. Email: hceg@muirfield.org.uk. Website: www.muirfield.org.uk The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers is the oldest Club in the world. Host to The Open Championship 16 times, the course is perhaps the fairest test of a golfer’s ability to play links golf. Phil Mickelson followed up his victory in the 2013 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open a week later by winning his first Open, at Muirfield. Punishing rough awaits any errant shots but the best players will thrive. Numerous great holes, but the 10th, a 471 yard par four, is exceptional. The looped layout means that the wind differs at every hole.

Royal Musselburgh Golf Club.

Musselburgh Golf Club

Prestongrange House, Prestonpans, EH32 9RP. Telephone: 01875 810139. Email: royalmusselburgh@btinternet.com. Website: www. royalmusselburgh.co.uk . Par 73 Gents, 6254 yards.

Par 73 Ladies, 5503 yards.

Monktonhall, Musselburgh, EH21 6SA. Telephone: 0131 665 2005. Email: secretary@themusselburghgolfclub.com.

Website: www.themusselburghgolfclub.com . Par 71 Gents, 6725 yards; Par 75 Ladies, 5680 yards.

This parkland course was designed by James Braid and in contrast to many of East Lothian’s courses offers golfers views of Edinburgh and Arthur’s Seat.

The golfing challenge comes on the homeward stretch where a series of par 4s are well protected by trees. One of the oldest clubs in the world, the magnificent clubhouse has a superb collection of golfing memorabilia. The par three 14th, ‘The Gully’, penalises short tee shots with a 50 feet drop just in front of the putting surface.

This Open Championship qualifying venue is a challenging parkland course that is set to test even the best of golfers.

It nestles in a picturesque loop formed by the River Esk, overlooked by the historic village of Inveresk. In contrast to the majority of the East Lothian courses, it is densely populated by trees and is a real test of long, accurate hitting. The 18th is a tough uphill hole offering a splendid view of the magnificent art deco clubhouse.

Musselburgh Links

Balcarres Road, Musselburgh, EH21 7SB. Telephone: 0131 665 5438. Email: info@musselburgholdlinks.co.uk. Website: www. musselburgholdlinks.co.uk . Par 34 Gents, 2954 yards; Par 36 Ladies, 2734.

Musselburgh Links, The Old Course, is a 9-hole, par 34 links golf course, located in the heart of Musselburgh, surrounded by Musselburgh Racecourse. The historic golf course was an original Open Championship venue, hostingthe competition on six occasions between 1874 and 1889. Musselburgh Links is reputed to be the oldest playing golf course in the world. For a unique golfing experience, you can hire hickory golf clubs and play the game as it was in The Old Golf Course’s heyday. Further information is available from the Starter.

Whitekirk Golf & Country Club

East Links, Whitekirk, Near North Berwick, EH39 5PR. Telephone: 01620 870300. Email: countryclub@whitekirk.com.

Website: www.whitekirk.com. Par 72 Gents, 6526 yards; Par 72 Ladies, 5391 yards.

The par four 5th hole offers panoramic views of the Firth of Forth but also requires two quality shots over a hill and then a gully to reach the green. This delightful heathland course was designed by Cameron Sinclair and opened in 1995. Today it shows no signs of its youth. Indeed, Whitekirk is considered one of the finer championship courses within East Lothian. Several adjustments have been made in recent years to the rocky outcrops and grassy hollows, enhancing playability, which has led to the club hosting various events.

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Golf Clubs 1

Musselburgh Golf Club t: 0131 665 2005 e: secretary@themusselburghgolfclub.com w: www.themusselburghgolfclub.com

2

Musselburgh Links t: 0131 665 5438 e: oldlinks@enjoyleisure.com w: www.musselburgholdlinks.co.uk

3

Royal Musselburgh t: 01875 810276 e: allanalexander@royalmusselburgh.co.uk w: www.royalmusselburgh.co.uk

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Longniddry Golf Club t: 01875 852141 e: secretary@longniddrygolfclub.co.uk w: www.longniddrygolfclub.co.uk

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Craigielaw Golf Club t: 01875 870800 e: info@craigielawgolfclub.com w: www.craigielawgolfclub.com

6

Kilspindie Golf Club t: 01875 870358 e: kilspindie@btconnect.com w: www.kilspindiegolfclub.com

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Gullane Golf Club t: 01620 842255 e: bookings@gullanegolfclub.com w: www.gullanegolfclub.com

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Muirfield t: 01620 842123 e: hceg@muirfield.org.uk w: www.muirfield.org.uk

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The Renaissance Club t: 01620 850901 e: membership@trcaa.com w: www.trcaa.com

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Archerfield Links t: 01620 897050 e: mail@archerfieldgolfclub.com w: www.archerfieldgolfclub.com

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North Berwick Golf Club t: 01620 892135 e: secretary@northberwickgolfclub.com w: www.northberwickgolfclub.com

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Glen Golf Club t: 01620 892726 e: secretary@glengolfclub.co.uk w: www.glengolfclub.co.uk

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Whitekirk Golf & Country Club t: 01620 870300 e: countryclub@whitekirk.com w: www.whitekirk.com

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Winterfield t: 01368 863562 e: winterfield@enjoyleisure.com w: www.winterfieldgolfclub.info

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Dunbar Golf Club t: 01368 862317 e: secretary@dunbargolfclub.com w: www.dunbargolfclub.com

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Luffness New t: 01620 843336 e: secretary@luffnessnew.com w: www.luffnessgolf.com

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Gifford Golf Club t: 01620 810591 e: secretary@giffordgolfclub.com w: www.giffordgolfclub.com

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Haddington t: 01620 822727 e: info@haddingtongolf.co.uk w: www.haddingtongolf.co.uk

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Castle Park t: 01620 810 733 e: castleparkgolf@hotmail.com w: www.castleparkgolfclub.co.uk 10

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S COT LA N D’S G O L F COA S T

The Renaissance Club

Cowden Hill Drive, Dirleton EH39 5HS. Telephone: 01620 850901. Email: membership@trcaa.com. Website: www. trcaa.com Named best new course in Great Britain and Ireland by Golf Monthly, The Renaissance Club is one of the world’s most exclusive golf clubs and has been lauded by critics and golfing professionals as one of the most exquisite golfing venues in the world. Founded on respect for traditions of the game, acclaimed course architect Tom Doak has created a breathtaking, windswept links amidst a stunning landscape, which expertly showcases the natural features of the incredible grounds. The course is recognised as a modern masterpiece of golf course design that many aficionados and golf media insiders consider the future of links golf and a worthy descendant of its illustrious neighbours.

North Berwick Golf Club

Winterfield Golf Course

An Open qualifying venue which is one of the best and most scenic links courses in Scotland with views over the Isle of May, the islands of Fidra and Craigleith, the Bass Rock and across the Firth of Forth to Fife. The course is sprinkled with top-notch holes and rewards strategy and guile rather than power hitting. The par three15th, ‘Redan’, copied across the world, is 192 yards long with bunkers and a sloping green protecting the pin. Formed in 1832 the North Berwick GC and the West Links course is one of the most historic in Scotland. This classic seaside links has hosted many Championships, including final qualifying for The Open six times.

Winterfield’s coastal location means that the wind plays a major role. A long sequence of holes takes players out on a headland into the North Sea so an ability to manage the ball in windy conditions is essential. There are eight par 3s on the course but many are well over 200 yards long. The 1st is a very tough par three at 238 yards off the back tee, over a ravine with the Firth of Forth on your left.

Beach Road, North Berwick, EH39 4BB. Telephone: 01620 892135. Fax: 01620 893274.

Email: secretary@northberwickgolfclub.com. Website: www.northberwickgolfclub.com.

Par 71 Gents, 6458 yards; Par 74 Ladies, 5749 yards.

St Margarets, North Road, Dunbar, EH42 1AU. Telephone: 01368 863562. Email: winterfieldgc@gmail.com. Website: www.winterfieldgolfclub.info. Par 65 Gents, 5169 yards; Par 68 Ladies, 4658 yards.

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WHERE TO STAY & EAT THERE are some tremendous options in East Lothian, as befits a region steeped in golf. At the top end there is the traditional Greywalls, at Muirfield, where from the front lawn you can gaze down the 10th fairway of this famous Open Championship course. This prestigious Edwardian hotel sits in four acres of walled garden and boasts 23 en-suite rooms as well as dining on the fare of the legendary Albert Roux.

The Renaissance Club is world class in every instance, from the magnificent Tom Doak-designed course to the luxurious lodge and its exceptional cuisine. The service is outstanding and every request is delivered politely and efficiently in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. It’s an experience not to be missed.

The Macdonald Marine Hotel is similarly adjoined to North Berwick Golf Club. Overlooking the 16th green and the Firth of Forth, this excellent hotel, refurbished to its former glory, has 83 recently renovated bedrooms, an 18-metre pool and a swish spa and fitness suite. It has a warm atmosphere despite it being a large, luxurious hotel.

If you are in a group or a family, consider one of the exquisite lodges set among the pine trees at Archerfield. They are the ideal base for a short break in a stunning location.

Further inland, Maitlandfield House in Haddington is an excellent golf-friendly base.

Ducks at Aberlady is a ‘restaurant with rooms’ where the cuisine is outstanding, run

by Malcolm Duck, a very keen golfer who has even introduced some cunning, locally-invented putting games to entertain you as you take refreshment in the friendly bar and lounge after a sumptuous meal.

No matter where you choose to stay, The Nether Abbey, The Open Arms Hotel, the Lodge at Cragielaw or the Golf Inn, you are guaranteed a very warm welcome and an authentic experience whilst they will look after all your golfing needs; booking golf, transport and offering advice on courses. www.golfeastlothian.com

TEE TIMES

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 Meteorite This striking watch from Parmigiani Fleurier features a dial that takes its design cues from a meteorite and comes in a choice of two bold colours – Abyss blue or black.

With a case made from titanium this special edition Tonda 1950 is lightweight and elegant but tough at the same time. The interesting thing about Parmigiani Fleurier is that they make all of their watches’ mechanical parts themselves and, in fact, make parts for many other well-known brands, too – so you know you are getting a quality Swiss-made product. The Tonda 1950 Meteorite is water resistant to 30m and features no fewer than 29 jewels for that touch of added luxury.

www.parmigiani.ch

Jaermann & Stübi ST. Andrews Links To pay homage to its cooperation with St. Andrews Links, host course of The Open Championship, Jaermann & Stübi designed a limited series of 18 Timepieces. Each watch is dedicated to one of the 18 holes of “The Old Course” and is inscribed with the statistics of the relevant hole on the inside of the hinged cover on the back of the watch. The case is made of elegant platinum. The design reflects the history and traditions of this historical venue.

For each watch there is a cast-iron plaque like those mounted on “The Old Course”, which provides information such as the name and number of the hole and its distance.

Find out more on www.jaermann-stuebi.com or call +971 50 640 2007 Watch out: our new shop at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club is opening soon!

Omega Speedmaster Apollo 13 – Silver Snoopy Award This stylish special edition version of the classic Speedmaster was created as a tribute to the 45th anniversary of the legendary Apollo 13 mission and the Silver Award that Omega received from the astronauts upon their safe return to Earth for its contribution to the success of the mission. Reminiscent of the black and white comic strips printed in newspapers, the Speedmaster Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award features a white dial with black varnished hands, a white hand on the small seconds sub-dial, indexes with black varnished top cavities and a polished black ceramic bezel ring. There’s also a fabulous 925 silver Snoopy medallion on the caseback of this unique watch.

www.omegawatches.com

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