The Middle East's No.1 Golf Magazine
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JUNE 2015 ISBN 978-9948-15-427-3
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Martin Exclusive interview with the defending US Open Champion
DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH OPEN
RORY McILROY PRAISES THE ‘INCREDIBLE’ GLOBAL EXPOSURE SAYING THE EVENT ‘EXCEEDED ALL EXPECTATIONS’
GARY PLAYER BUNKER TIPS One of the best bunker players p y of all time passes on his knowledge of mastering the traps
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GARY PLAYER – EXECUTIVE EDITOR SINCE 1999
Sponsorship is the Key to Success
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.
PICTURED at the top of the page with Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Champion Søren Kjeldsen: Dubai Duty Free’s Salah Tahlak, Senior Vice PresidentCorporate Communications; Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman; George Horan, President; Sinead El Sibai, Vice PresidentMarketing.
I
’D LIKE to congratulate Rory McIlroy on the overwhelming success of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation at Royal County Down Golf Club. It was a big disappointment for Rory in missing the cut but there were a number of world class players who didn’t make it through to the weekend. The important aspect of the event was the huge benefit it brought to the Rory Foundation and the worldwide exposure the tournament gained, with the support of Dubai Duty Free, in raising funds for children. For the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open to finish with a three-way play-off in one of the strongest fields on The Tour is testament to just how tough the course is and the narrow margin between winning and losing. Congratulations to Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen, in securing his first Tour victory for six years. I can vouch for the fact that Royal County Down is one of the toughest links courses there is. I remember playing the Senior Open Championship there with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer in 2001. Jack tied for third just three shots off the winner, Ian Stanley, who triumphed in a play-off with Bob Charles. I finished in a share of 15th place but I felt much more at home on the links at Turnberry in Scotland where I won two Senior Opens, in 1998 and 1990, and at Royal Portrush where I won my third Senior Open in 1997. The connection of Rory’s Foundation and the Dubai Duty Free Foundation created the ideal relationship which helped bring together a world-class field. With so many of the best players in the
global game supporting the event it was little wonder that it was such a popular and successful Championship. I’ve spoken many times in my Column in Worldwide Golf about sponsorship being the life blood of professional tournament golf. In April, playing on the US Champions Tour, I finished second partnering my old friend and rival, Jack Nicklaus, in the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri, where we picked up $34,000 apiece. That was more than I earned in winning my first two Masters Tournaments in 1961 and 1974 combined! When Rickie Fowler won the Players Championship recently he collected more money than I earned in my lifetime on Tour. But I don’t begrudge the players the prize money that they’re playing for today, I say good luck to them, although I do find it amazing that there are a number of Tour players who have become millionaires without ever winning a tournament.I mention this to underline just how crucial sponsors are to the professional game. Without them there wouldn’t be professional golf tours. It was a significant step for Dubai Duty Free to become the title sponsor of the Irish Open, providing a huge boost for the event in exposure and prize money. We can’t do enough for sponsors of golf events. The players need to compete in the tournaments, whenever they can, particularly their ‘home’ events. It was good to see so many leading Irish players in the field at Royal County Down. The players also need to take part in the sponsors’ pro-ams and go out of their way to talk to the sponsors
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and their guests and make them feel welcome and comfortable playing with the pros. The players should also always attend the tournament dinner. The sponsors have got to justify to their companies and themselves that they are getting value for their sponsorship money and it’s vital that everyone involved in the event does all they can to produce a feelgood factor for the sponsors. I’m really looking forward to welcoming everyone to our ‘Union of Golf and Giving’ at the Berenberg Gary Player Invitational at Wentworth Club on July 20. Our main sponsors again are Berenberg Bank, who are celebrating their 425th anniversary. Callaway, Rolex, SAP, NetJets and Lavazza are also supporting us. The tournament beneficiary is Depaul UK, a charity that helps homeless, disadvantaged, and vulnerable youth throughout the UK. The tournament features an allstar field, including Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Fred Couples, Mark O’Meara, Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance and Tour players Zach Johnson, Hunter Mahan, Jason Dufner, Charl Schwartzel, Marc Leishman, Suzann Pettersen, Charley Hull, Amy Bouldon, Carly Booth, Melissa Reid, Annabel Dimmock, Henni Zuel, Kelsey McDonald, Danielle Montgomery, Georgia Hall and Olivia Cowen. Last year the event raised more than £180,000 for underprivileged children. The Gary Player Invitational series has raised more than $60 million for children’s charities worldwide. We are in a privileged position to raise money for charities through golf – it’s one of the greatest gifts our sport can give. Q
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The Perfect Partnership
T
HE combination of a leading golfer promoting a Tour event certainly isn’t a new concept. Legends of the game like Gary Player and Arnold Palmer have been doing it successfully for most of their careers and have raised millions of dollars for charity in the process. Yet the coming together of Rory McIlroy and his charitable Foundation with Dubai Duty Free has had a magical effect in resurrecting the Irish Open and elevating the tournament to one of the most popular events on The European Tour. It’s sad that it didn’t have a happy ending for Rory but he’s the sort of mercurial character who could quickly put the disappointment of missing the cut as defending champion of the BMW PGA Championship and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in successive weeks, behind him and go out and win the US Open at Chambers Bay. Dubai Duty Free have demonstrated for many years how to make the most out of sports sponsorship in Dubai, England and Ireland and through their support and involvement have taken those events to world class status. The Irish Open had been going along quietly for many years without making any great impact but when Rory came along with his Foundation as beneficiaries, the event started to make its mark and when Dubai Duty Free, with support sponsors DTCI, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Emirates Airline, the tournament suddenly took off.
World Class
World Class players rallied to the call from the World No.1, many in the hope that Rory would reciprocate by supporting their golf events, creating the strongest field the tournament has ever seen.Fortunately, the close relationship between Rory and his Foundation and Colm McLoughlin and Dubai Duty Free and their Foundation was a marriage made in heaven. The synergy between the two, where charity is the end game, was simply irresistible. Congratulations to Søren Kjeldsen in winning the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. He did it the hard way after a final round struggle and got lucky with a couple of putts – noticeably the winning putt in the play-off which took a 360 degree trip around the lip before dropping into the cup. We caught up with Ben An at the beginning
Søren Kjeldsen receives the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Trophy from Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman, Colm McLoughlin. of the week of the BMW PGA Championship. We were all delighted at Worldwide Golf at his wonderful victory. It wasn’t just the fact that he won The European Tour’s flagship event by a massive six shots it was more the manner in which he won it that was so impressive. Even when Ben was tearing up the course on the back nine at Wentworth he continued to play the percentages. He knew he didn’t need to go for broke. He ignored the opportunities to showboat with some spectacular shots. If the wise play was to lay-up, then that’s what he did. When we first met Ben at the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic at Almouj Golf The Wave in Muscat in 2013 we were amazed at his maturity
Alex Gallemore, Editor Worldwide GOLF 12
and what a nice guy he is. He had the good sense not to immediately turn professional after winning the United States Amateur and instead, having failed to make it through Q-School for the US PGA Tour, he was content to learn his trade on the European Challenge Tour. When he graduated to The European Tour for this season he hit the ground running and I think he’s likely to keep up that momentum as the season progresses. With so many big names turning out for the BMW PGA Championship and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open it was little surprise to me that Ben An and Kjeldsen were victorious, considering the huge depth of talent there is on The European Tour. Q
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Charity
The Real
Winner I
T MAY NOT have been the result the hordes of Northern Ireland spectators at Royal County Down yearned for but it was certainly dramatic and Lady Luck was on Dane Søren Kjeldsen’s side as he twice rattled the cup on the 18th green to become the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open champion. But the real winner was the Rory Foundation.
Worldwide GOLF 17
RORY SUCCEEDED IN GETTING MANY OF HIS BIG NAME PALS INVOLVED SUCH AS AMERICA’S RICKIE FOWLER (LEFT)
Kjeldsen came into the week without a win in six years on The European Tour but found himself at the top of the leaderboard at 7-under-par after three steady rounds over the tough links – which were made even harder by spells of gusting winds and driving rain that permeated the week. Although his lead was eroded just two holes into the final round he remained in contention and despite shooting a 76 he just managed to sneak his par putt in on the last, via a nervy wobble around the cup, to finish on 2-under-par, level with Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger and Englishman Eddie Pepperell to take it into a play-off. On the first extra hole – the par-5 18th – Kjeldsen rose to the occasion and after a drive which found the heart of the fairway he launched a superb 3-wood to the green which set up a two-putt birdie and a first win since the 2009 Open de Andalucía. The winning putt again wiped its feet on the way down causing a sharp intake of breath from the packed gallery and a wry, relieved smile from the new champion as it dropped. “Three weeks ago I was 112th in The Race to Dubai and my game was not in good shape,” said Kjeldsen.”With turning 40 (a fortnight ago) you wonder was that it? Now I am standing here and it’s pretty remarkable really.” McIlroy took his disappointment at missing the cut with good grace,
having also missed the cut defending his title at the BMW PGA Championship the week before, saying: “I’d been very excited at the start of the week having assembled such a great world class field on a world class golf course. “Everyone enjoyed going to the Rory Foundation’s Daisy Lodge and getting Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler on stage and have Riverdance performing for us. It was a great way to start the week. MANY POSITIVES “I didn’t quite know what putting a golf tournament together entailed until I got involved. My name is in front of it but it’s down to a lot more people than just me. I hadn’t been enjoying the tournament as much as I could in previous years but when The European Tour got involved we thought it was the perfect way to kick start the Foundation. “I was more disappointed for the fans at missing the cut – it’s the third year in a row that I’ve missed the cut in the tournament. I felt like I played better on the Friday but I’d just given myself too much to do after that 80 on Thursday. It’s not a golf course where you can chase. “But for all of that, there are so many positives we can take out of the tournament both for the event and for the Foundation with all the people we are helping. The Dubai Duty Free Irish
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SØREN IS CONGRATULATED BY BERND WIESBERGER AND EDDIE PEPPERELL AFTER WINNING THE PLAY-OFF
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COLM MCLOUGHLIN - EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN DUBAI DUTY FREE - PRESENTS KJELDSEN WITH THE WINNER’S TROPHY
Open is now back to what it should be. “From a Foundation perspective one of the biggest things we’ve done is to give it global exposure. The number of countries all over the world that have seen the tournament this week had shown them what we are trying to achieve with the Foundation. The support we have had from sponsors, fans, volunteers and Royal County Down has been incredible. It has exceeded all expectations. I’m proud to be associated with what has been an incredible event.
MCILROY TEES IT UP ON THE 17TH - IT WASN’T TO BE HIS WEEK
“RORY HAS DONE A REMARKABLE JOB IN ATTRACTING THE TOP GOLFERS TO PLAY IN THIS YEAR’S DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH OPEN AND BRINGING HIS FOUNDATION INTO THE MIX HAS BEEN A GREAT INITIATIVE.”– COLM MCLOUGHLIN
LONGER RELATIONSHIP “To bring the tournament to Northern Ireland and see the number of people who came out to support it has been amazing. I’d like to thank Dubai Duty Free and the supporting sponsors for getting on board – and I’d like to congratulate Søren – he’s a very worthy winner. “I’ve got a good relationship with Colm McLoughlin and Dubai Duty Free. I’ve got a long-standing history with Dubai. I’ve got to know Colm over the years just by playing tournaments in the UAE. I went to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh last year and we talked about the tournament. With our Foundation being involved it aligned very well with their charitable Foundation. It just seemed like a good fit. It’s bumped up the prize fund to 2.5million euros. “I’m absolutely delighted that Colm and Dubai Duty Free have come on board. They have a great sponsorship history in the Middle East and in Ireland and England, and the association really gives the tournament that bit of extra kudos. I have got to know Colm really well recently and I hope this is the beginning of a much longer relationship with the Irish Open and the Rory Foundation. “Any initiative or coming together to benefit the lives of young people can only be a good
Worldwide GOLF 21
thing. The other important thing for me is that I can learn a lot from Colm and his extensive experience doing charitable work. “We all hope the relationship is a long one. Growing the sponsorship is something we are all very keen to do, and it would be really exciting to take what we are doing at the Irish Open at Royal County Down to future Irish Opens. It would great if we could use this year’s Irish Open as a template we could continue going forward. “Colm and I had the most relaxed and easy conversation this week talking about golf, sponsorship and charitable works. I think Colm really did like the idea of me joining my Foundation with the Irish Open and was happy to get behind us. Colm has such a wealth of experience that I was really delighted to learn as much as I could from him.” McLoughlin was equally impressed by Rory’s efforts with the tournament: “Rory has done a remarkable job in attracting the top golfers to play in this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and bringing his Foundation into the mix has been a great initiative,” said Colm. “We visited the Daisy Lodge just before the tournament started at an evening hosted by the Rory Foundation and were able to see at first hand the great projects that his Foundation has supported. “We will obviously review our experience here this week at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and assess everything. We have enjoyed working with the Rory Foundation and The European Tour on this event and the Royal County Down Golf Course is certainly one of the most spectacular courses I have ever seen.” Rory can now look forward to a couple of weeks off before heading to Chambers Bay in the Pacific Northwest of America for the US Open to, hopefully, add another Major to his collection. n
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DP WORLD TEES UP ANOTHER 5 YEARS AS SPONSOR OF DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP DUBAI is set to remain at the epicentre of golf on The European Tour for the foreseeable future after global port operator DP World announced last month that it will continue to be the title sponsor of the DP World Tour Championship, the seasonending tournament of The Race to Dubai, for at least another five years. The move reinforces Dubai’s position as a major trading, business and tourism destination. The agreement, which will run until at least the 2020 season, will see DP World support the US$8million tournament, in addition to the
company’s existing sponsorship of European Tour events in India, Hong Kong, China, Turkey and at the BMW PGA Championship in England. DP World Chairman, HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said: “The DP World Tour Championship is an event of enormous significance for Dubai and the UAE and reinforces our position on the calendar of international sport and as a centre for tourism and trade.The extension of our title sponsorship dovetails with Dubai’s hosting of Expo 2020, an event which will see the world come to the Emirate and further enhance the goal of attracting 20 million tourists per year.
"The extension of our title sponsorship dovetails with Dubai’s hosting of Expo 2020, an event which will see the world come to the Emirate and further enhance the goal of attracting 20 million tourists per year," – DP World Chairman, H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem
“We are delighted to be again involved as the event offers us a great opportunity to connect with the world, our customers and our partners through one of the most popular sports. We look forward to continuing our association as a global business, and as a barometer of world trade, with a global sport.” George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “The support DP World has shown The European Tour has been evident right from the start of The Race to Dubai and the strength of their ongoing commitment is further evidenced with today’s announcement. “We thank His Excellency
DP World isn’t the only long-time supporter of the event to have signed on the dotted line: n Jumeirah Golf Estates, Host Venue until 2017. n Emirates, Official Airline until 2017. n BMW, Official Car until 2017. n Rolex, Official Timekeeper until 2017. n Atlantis, The Palm, Official Hotel until 2017. n 7DAYS, Official Newspaper until 2017.
Worldwide WorldwideGOLF GOLF 2222
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Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem for his personal vision and we look forward to working with him and all his staff as we continue to make the DP World Tour Championship a fitting end to The European Tour season.” The DP World Tour Championship – which will celebrate its seventh staging this year on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November– is already recognised globally as one of golf’s premier tournaments. Its Roll of Honour reads like a Who’s Who of the game itself – Lee Westwood (2009), Robert Karlsson (2010), Alvaro Quiros
(2011), Rory McIlroy (2012), and Henrik Stenson (2013 & 2014) – and this year’s tournament will see the top 60 players on The Race to Dubai once again battle for a share of the US$8 million tournament prize fund, with the winner taking home US$1.3 million. In addition, the leading 15 players on The Race to Dubai at the end of the tournament will share the US$5 million Bonus Pool, with the eventual European Tour Number One pocketing US$1.25 million. Over 55,000 spectators attended the 2014 DP World Tour Championship, a third of whom were international visitors.
Below (left to right): DP World CEO Mohammed Sharaf, 2014 DP World Tour Championship winner Henrik Stenson, DP World Chairman H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem and European Tour Chief Executive George O'Grady.
THE RACE TO DUBAI HEATS UP AFTER THE BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Byeong-Hun An’s stunning maiden victory at the BMW PGA Championship sees him leapfrog from 37th to third place in The Race to Dubai rankings. He sits behind Rory McIlroy and Danny
Willet while Thongchai Jaidee and Miguel Angel Jiménez’s joint runnerup finish at Wentworth means they move to sixth and seventh place respectively.
Worldwide WorldwideGOLF GOLF 2323
The global television reach exceeded 450 million people via 40 broadcasters worldwide delivering a cumulative global TV equivalency of US$259million. In 2013, the DP World Tour Championship delivered a US$44million gross economic benefit to Dubai according to independent market research agency Repucom. The DP World Tour Championship has also raised more than US$250,000 during the previous six tournaments to support local UAE charities, the Special Needs Foundation Group and Friends of Cancer Patients. n
See the latest 2015 Race to Dubai rankings scan here:
Tour News MAX ORRIN EYES RETURN TO OMAN AFTER DENMARK VICTORY ENGLISHMAN Max Orrin rocketed into the top ten in the Road to Oman Rankings courtesy of a stellar win in tough conditions at the Made in Denmark Challenge last month. The 21-year-old, who won his maiden Challenge Tour title at last year’s National Bank of Oman Golf Classic (below), once again served notice that he is very much a star in the making by closing with a gutsy level-par 71 to win by one from Scotland’s Andrew McArthur as howling winds blew most of
the players off course. “That was about as tough as I have played in – it was pretty brutal out there at times,” said Orrin who finished one over par 285 for the tournament to claim the €27,200 winner’s cheque. Orrin has put himself in strong contention for a return to the spectacular Almouj Golf, The Wave, Muscat – the scene of his two-stroke victory in the 2014 National Bank of Oman Golf Classic which first put him in the Challenge Tour spotlight. The event has since been elevated to become the seasonending finale known as the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final where the top 45 players in the newly coined Road to Oman Rankings will battle it out for one of 15 coveted cards for next season’s European Tour and Orrin revealed that he’ll be doing everything in his power to ensure a return to the Sultanate as he looks to take the next step in his career next season. “To get a win so early in the season is a big positive as well,” he said. “It gives me a great chance to go and get my European Tour card through the Challenge Tour so I’ll probably be focussing on that for the rest of the season. “Because it’s only the fourth tournament of the season and I have got myself up towards the top of the Rankings early, it feels like I can have a great run at making my card so, hopefully, the wins and top fives can keep coming.”
Elvira one win from promotion - Road to Oman round-up Nacho Elvira is one win away from an immediate promotion to The European Tour after the Spaniard collected his second win of the Challenge Tour season at the Karnten Golf Open in Austria last month. Elvira (pictured right) experienced graduation from the Challenge Tour in 2013 but narrowly lost his card on The European Tour last year after finishing 121st on The Race to Dubai. Now he is in pole position at the top of the Road to Oman, thanks to an early win at the Challenge de Madrid on home soil and his win in Austria. A third win would bring an immediate step up to The European Tour. Sweden's Jens Fahrbring moved up to second place behind Elvira on the Road to Oman with victory at the D+D Real Czech Challenge.
EGF Board Members awarded JGE Membership H.H. Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) and the remaining EGF Board Members were presented with Honorary Memberships at Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE) last month as an appreciation for the contribution to JGE and to United Arab Emirates (UAE) Golf. “To be here and presented with Honorary Membership is a true privilege. We at the EGF and the UAE National Golf Teams are extremely excited to work with JGE and the ETPI to develop the game of golf in the UAE. This is one of the best facilities in the world and we hope that this golf club will transform golf in this country for many years to come”, said Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the EGF.
UAE to host the Nomura Cup at Yas Links The Emirates Golf Federation has announced that the UAE has been selected to host the 2015 Nomura Cup, also known as the Asia Pacific Amateur Golf Team Championship. The Amateur Team Championship is considered the world’s second largest Amateur Team event behind The Eisenhower Trophy. Yas Links, widely regarded as one of the region’s finest golf courses has been chosen to host the four-day team strokeplay event from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th October 2015. The event is open to 152 amateurs representing their country from the Asia Pacific Region, comprising 38 eligible countries. Chairman of The Emirates Golf Federation, His Excellency Fahim Al Qassimi, commented: “This is the first time the tournament has been held in the Middle East and it is a major achievement for both the UAE and The Emirates Golf Federation to be awarded
Worldwide GOLF 24
the honour of hosting this event.” Chris White, General Manager of Yas Links added: “The Board of the Emirates Golf Federation have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to be considered as hosts for such a prestigious event and for Yas Links to be preferred to host the tournament is a credit to the design and reputation of the region’s only true links course.” The Nomura Cup, first played in 1963, has seen many future champions play in the event, including D.H. Lee and Kyung Tae Kim from Korea, Hideki Matsuyama from Japan, Geoff Ogilvy, Marcus Fraser and Brett Rumford from Australia, Shiv Kapur from India and Tim Wilkinson from New Zealand . With the ever increasing talent of young global golfers there is no doubt that the future stars of the professional game will get to play this year’s Nomura Cup as competitive amateurs.
Tour News Date: Apr 29 – May 3 Event: World Golf Championships – Cadillac Match Play Venue: TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, California Winner’s Cheque: $1,570,000
Date: May 7 – 10 Event: AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open Venue: Heritage Golf Club, Domaine de Bel Ombre, Mauritius Winner’s Cheque: €166,660
McILROY TAKES THE WGC MATCH PLAY
COOL COETZEE THE VICTOR IN MAURITIUS
World Number One Rory McIlroy gifted himself an early birthday present he as put on a spectacular performance to win the 2015 WGC – Cadillac Match Play. McIlroy, whose birthday was the day after the tournament defeated Paul Casey in the quarterfinals, Jim Furyk in the semis, and then prevailed over Gary Woodland 4 & 2 in the final to seal his second World Golf Championships victory.
“I played really solid golf. I have got on a nice little run in match play. I got a lot of confidence from the way I played in the Ryder Cup last year and just followed it on through into this.” Pos. Name 1 2 3
Rory McIlroy Gary Woodland Dany Willett
South Africa’s George Coetzee clinched his second European Tour victory of the season as he defeated Thorbjørn Olesen at the second extra hole of a play-off at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. Having already won the Tshwane Open at his home course of Pretoria GC earlier this season, Coetzee was in sizzling form as he sunk a birdie putt on the second hole to down Olesen and seal his third career European Tour triumph.
“It is great to get another victory on The European Tour and obviously it counts towards my Sunshine Tour ranking as well, so I’m pleased with that, too.” Pos. Name
Country
1 2 3
NIR USA ENG
Country
George Coetzee RSA Thornbjorn Olesen DEN Mardan Mamat SIN
-13 -13 -12
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
70 67 65 69 65 68 70 68 69 69 67 67
271 271 272
Date: May 7 - 10 Event: The Players Championship Venue: TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida Winner’s Cheque: $1,800,000
Date: May 14 – 17 Event: Open de España Venue: Real Club de Golf El Prat, Barcelona, Spain Winner’s Cheque: €250,000
FOWLER ON TOP AT THE PLAYERS
NO PAIN IN SPAIN FOR MORRISON
On a riveting final day at the Players Championship at Sawgrass, Rickie Fowler defeated Sergio Garcia and Kevin Kisner in a play-off to seal his second US PGA Tour win. After all three players finished on 12-under par, it was Fowler who emerged on top in what was the first three-hole aggregate play-off in the event's history.
England’s James Morrison put in a superb performance to seal a comfortable four shot victory at the Open de España. Morrison went into the final round tied with David Howell but a gutsy performance in difficult conditions saw him finish clear of Miguel Angel Jiménez, Edouard España, Francesco Molinari and Howell.
“This will definitely give me momentum going into the US Open and makes me feel confident about being in this situation and taking care of business.”
“It feels amazing. It’s been five years and I’ve had a lot of chances between then and now to win and haven’t done it but I drew on all my experience and got over the line.”
Pos. Name 1 Rickie Fowler T2 Sergio Garcia T2 Kevin Kisner
Country USA ESP USA
-12 -12 -12
00 | WorldwideGolf - May 2014
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
Pos. Name
69 69 71 67 69 72 67 68 73 67 67 69
276 276 276
1 James Morrison T2 Edouard España T2 David Howell
Worldwide GOLF 26
Country ENG FRA ENG
-10 -6 -6
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
70 71 68 69 68 69 76 69 71 69 69 73
278 282 282
WORLD ROUNDUPS Date: May 21 – 24 Event: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Venue: Colonial Country Club Course - Fort Worth, Texas Winner’s Cheque: $1,170,000
Date: May 14 - 17 Event: Wells Fargo Championship Venue: Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina Winner’s Cheque: $1,278,000
McILROY CRUISES TO QUAIL HOLLOW TITLE RORY McIlroy eased to victory at the Wells Fargo Championship with a seven-stroke win over the American pair of Patrick Rodgers and Webb Simpson. McIlroy opened with rounds of 70-67 and stormed clear with a sensational third round 61. A final round 69 sealed his second win in the event following his US PGA Tour breakthrough on the same track in 2010.
"I feel like as the best player in the world I want to go at it every week and, not so much prove it, but just show that. I'm a more controlled player these days. I've learned how to finish things off.” Pos. Name 1 Rory McIlroy T2 Patrick Rodgers T2 Webb Simpson
Country NIR USA USA
-21 -14 -14
KIRK EDGES TO COLONIAL WIN Chris Kirk won his fourth US PGA Tour title as he carded a 4-under-par 66 on the final day to win the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial by just one shot over three players. Kirk finished the tournament on 12 under par, one clear of Jason Bohn, Brandt Snedeker and Masters champion Jordan Spieth. Leading on the 18th, Kirk made up for an errant tee shot by sinking a clutch seven-foot par putt to ensure he finished finished the job with a win.
“I was as nervous as I’ve ever been today for sure, those up-and-downs on the last couple of holes and especially making that putt on 18 was pretty sweet.”
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
Pos. Name
70 67 61 69 68 68 70 68 67 67 68 72
267 274 274
1 Chris Kirk T2 Jason Bohn T2 Jordan Spieth
Country USA USA USA
-12 -11 -11
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
68 69 65 66 69 69 68 63 64 73 67 65
268 269 269
Date: May 21 – 24 Event: BMW PGA Championship Venue: Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey, England Winner’s Cheque: €833,330
BEN AN'S THE MAN AT WENTWORTH Byeong-hun An, known to his friends as Ben An, produced an inspired performance which culminated in a seven-under-par final round 65 at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth to seal his maiden European Tour title in record-breaking style. The 23-year-old South Korean, who graduated from the Challenge Tour last year, finished The Tour’s flagship event on 21-under-par a new tournament record – to prevail by six shots over the veteran pair of Miguel Angel Jiménez and Thongchai Jaidee. In winning, An became the first Asian-born player to win the event and is the first player to win in their debut in the tournament since Ross Drummond in 2004.
“It’s going to be life changing. This is the flagship event on The European Tour and there are a lot of benefits. I played really well today and had all the confidence going into the last couple of holes.”
Pos. Name 1 Byeong-hun An T2 Miguel A. Jiménez T2 Thongchai Jaidee
Worldwide GOLF 27
Country KOR ESP THA
-21 -15 -15
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
71 64 67 65 70 66 68 69 68 70 68 67
267 273 273
The
COURSE Chambers Bay GC A contemporary links by the Puget Sound
L
OCATED in the Pacific Northwest, an area of the United States renowned for its incredible collection of broad trees, like the giant sequoia, the pacific dogwood and the striking redwood, Chambers Bay Golf Club, host of this year’s US Open, has just one tree on its grounds – a Douglas fir – which sits behind the 15th green. Near Tacoma, south of Seattle, this modern day links hosts the US Open for the first time, having successfully held the 2010 US Amateur when Peter Uihlein was victorious. Its main characteristics are its vast putting surfaces, lack of trees, striking bunkering and wandering tee boxes. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr and opened for play in 2007. The land was formerly a quarry and was a spot where off-roaders and dirt-bikers saw plenty of action before it became a golf course. It’s a far cry from the tried and tested template of narrow fairways, lush, ankle-deep rough and grass mowed towards the tee to hinder roll, and this year the USGA Executive Director Mike Davis has outlined several eyebrow-raising plans for the second Major of the season.
Studies the golf course “I would contend that there is no way a player would have success at Chambers Bay unless he really studies the golf course and learns it,” Davis said. “The idea of coming in and playing two practice rounds and having your caddie just walk it and using your yardage book - that person’s done. He will not win the US Open. In effect, Davis has ruled out almost 50% of the field who will qualify for the event just 11 days before the opening round. Davis isn’t done there. Holes 1 and 18 will change par during the tournament because the huge tee boxes give the organisers plenty of options – and they obviously feel the need to use them. One day the 1st might be a tough 496-yard par-4, the next it could be a 598-yard par5. Can anyone prepare their yardage book for that? The par-3 ninth could play either as a 230-yard uphill shot or a dramatically downhill shot to a well-guarded green. The teeing options, which are almost on opposite sides of the green, effectively make the ninth two different holes in one. Expect plenty of head scratching as decisions are made on tee boxes and rounds that are completed in excess of five hours. It looks like this year’s US Open is going to be one of those golf tournaments that you can’t take your eyes off and is sure to generate more column inches than any other tournament this year.
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“We can put tee markers where we want. And in some cases we may end up putting tee markers on slight slopes." - Mike Davis
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PREVIEW
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH US OPEN DEFENDING CHAMPION
WWG: What will you be doing in terms of preparation to help you get back to your best form in time for the US Open? Martin Kaymer: Actually I’m working constantly on every factor of my game so it’s hard to go into details. I believe that a good all-round game is a key factor for winning. I have the feeling that everything is coming together nicely now, and I hope I will be in very good form for the US Open.
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Kaymer Martin
Stepping up to his Major defence
F
OLLOWING up on last season’s epic double of PLAYERS Championship and US Open victories was never going to be easy but it would be fair to say that two-time Major champion and Ryder Cup star Martin Kaymer has suffered something of ‘post party comedown’ so far this year. His best performances were at the beginning of the season here in the Middle East where he bagged third place at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship (an event he’s won a record three times) and tied fourth at the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic. He had looked to be heading for a fourth Abu Dhabi title before blowing a 10-shot final round lead as Frenchman Gary Stal sneaked in and stole the glory. A loss of form followed but things have been looking up lately with an encouraging performance at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth (tied 18th) and, as he tells RICHARD BEVAN in this exclusive interview, he’s raring to go into the defence of his US Open title as he looks to plunder the links of Chambers Bay for more silverware this month with a little help from his secret weapon…sushi!
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MARTIN KAYMER EXCLUSIVE
LEFT: Martin Kaymer holds the US Open trophy with is brother Philip; ABOVE, Kaymer plays out of a bunker at the 2015 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship; INSET, a disapointed Kaymer after his 10-shot lead slipped away with a final round 75; BELOW: Kaymer takes time to practice at the European Tour Performance Institute at Jumeirah Golf Estates in January.
WORLDWIDE GOLF: Most players will have no prior knowledge of Chambers Bay, yet Mike Davis of the USGA says that there’s no way a player could have success there unless they really study and learn the course – how are you planning to overcome that challenge? Martin Kaymer: Chambers Bay looks like a great golf course, unique as a links layout, but I’m aware of its tough conditions and I’m going to prepare as well as I possibly can. I’m aiming to arrive two days before the first practice round and a full five days before round one to get a feeling for the course. WWG: This is the first time the US Open has been played on a course like Chambers Bay – links style, with an undulating layout and different routes to the hole. What are your thoughts on that and how will it fit your game? Martin Kaymer: It’s a links golf course and it’s going to play very fast. Maybe that’s going to be an advantage for me, but you always need to look out for the British players, because they’re more used to links courses than any other nationality. I hope the weather will, hopefully, be better than in Great Britain! Personally, I’m really looking forward to playing there.
Major tournaments – do you have any particular mental technique that you follow? How do you stay so calm and what’s the key to producing the goods under pressure? Martin Kaymer: Tough question, because I don’t have a particular technique. Maybe it’s just part of my personality. I can’t really describe why, but in big moments I’ll breathe in and say to myself: “I did this a hundred times in practice, I can do this now!” It’s worked out a few times for me, and hopefully I can keep going on like that. WWG: Do you ever have trouble sleeping the night before a huge round in a Major and how do you keep your mind off the enormity of what is going to happen the next day? Martin Kaymer: Last year I was nervous the night before the final round on Sunday, to be honest. I was watching the replay of the day and I got a little bit nervous, but my brother Philip kept telling me to calm down and then switched off the TV. Still, that Sunday was the toughest challenge of my career but I’m glad I was able to come through it and win the trophy.
WWG: Do you have a set routine that you like to follow in the evenings during a Major tournament? What would a typical evening be and does it change if you’re in contention? Martin Kaymer: Not really! Last year when I won I went for sushi several times during the week. But it has nothing to do with superstition or anything like that. It’s just that sushi is very healthy food and it’s not too heavy. Maybe we’ll find a good sushi joint this year again?
WWG: Obviously last year was always going to be a tough act to follow and I know you prefer to concentrate on improving in the ‘here and now’ rather than trying to match past achievements but what do think is the main difference in where your game is at right now from that golden period last year? Martin Kaymer: All in all I’m feeling good, even if my game still needs to be sharpened a little bit. But there is some time left before Chambers Bay. I will try to be prepared as well as possible for the US Open and I’m looking forward to playing there.
WWG: You’re renowned for showing nerves of steel in the big events – be it the Ryder Cup or
WWG: Would it be fair to say that the best form you’ve shown this year was here in the Middle
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East, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and why do you seem so much at home here? Martin Kaymer: Yes, I started the year with some good results in the Middle East and probably had my best weeks so far in 2015. I always enjoy playing there. The people are very friendly, the tournaments are very well organised and I’m happy to come back every year. WWG: Would you like to see even more events in this part of the world? Martin Kaymer: Why not! But I also think that there’s a good balance between America, Europe, Asia and other continents at the moment. WWG: You probably don’t want to be reminded of what happened in Abu Dhabi but did that have any lasting effect on you psychologically that fed into your subsequent form? Martin Kaymer: No, I’m absolutely okay with it. Of course, I would have loved to win, but I don’t want to call it a bad experience. It was still a great week and I learned so much about myself that week. There have been many situations that were more difficult or more important in my career, so I know it has nothing to do with my game. WWG: Golf is a game where you lose far more than you win – how difficult is it to move on from big setbacks and how do you manage that? Martin Kaymer: It’s part of the game for all of us, but in the end there is no better feeling than winning a tournament. It’s impossible to win every tournament, obviously, but it’s important that you always aim for the win – what else do we compete for? The good thing is, even if you had a frustrating and disappointing week, there’s always a new tournament and the next goal to aim for. You just have to keep your focus and your motivation. n
RISING STAR
T
HE CAREER PATH OF SOUTH KOREA’S BYEONG HUN AN, OR BEN AS HE’S AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN ON TOUR, IS ON A CLEAR UPWARD TRAJECTORY. WHILE MANY EXPECTED INSTANT FIREWORKS WHEN HE BECAME THE YOUNGEST EVER WINNER OF THE US AMATEUR IN 2009 AT THE AGE OF 17, AN JOINED THE EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR IN 2012 IN PREPARATION FOR MAKING IT ONTO THE EUROPEAN TOUR. THE 23-YEAR-OLD’S GRADUAL COMPREHENSIVE GRADUATION PAID OFF IN STUNNING FASHION WITH A SIX-STROKE VICTORY AT THE BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP LAST MONTH.
Brilliant Ben’s Ascent BYEONG HUN AN talks exclusively to TODD STASZKO
EVEN PRIOR to his remarkable breakthrough at The European Tour’s Flagship event, Ben An was the leading Challenge Tour graduate on The Race to Dubai following his a strong start to his rookie campaign. “Almost every week out here is new and exciting to me,” smiled An after a practice round and a first look at the West Course ahead of the BMW PGA Championship. “After Wentworth and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open I’ve got more big tournaments ahead, like the French Open and the Scottish Open, then later the four Final Series events and, if I can keep playing well and qualify, the DP World Tour Championship.” Now, after a record-breaking six-shot win, he’s already booked his place at the season-ending showcase in Dubai, and if his early season form is anything to go by he could well be a contender there, too. Ben made his European Tour debut at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa last December, finishing 22nd, just a few weeks after his Challenge Tour graduation. After a short festive break, Ben picked up where he left off, taking a share of 12th place at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in January. A tied fifth place finish followed at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and he signed off on a superb Middle East Swing with a share of 13th place at the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic. While seasoned veterans of The Tour might have been surprised to see a new name towards the top of the leaderboard in the three Middle East Swing events, it came as no surprise to Ben, who had played well towards the latter end of 2014 on the Challenge Tour
and had won the Rolex Trophy earlier in the year. “I had already pretty much qualified for The 2015 European Tour when I came to the Middle East for the last two events of last year’s Challenge Tour,” says Ben. “I played really well in the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic (tied for 5th) and then at the Dubai Festival City Grand Final (4th). I just carried that wave of momentum through to The European Tour and my performances in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai gave me a huge boost. “I proved to myself that I can compete in such big events. The courses are obviously
be daunting in the wind, though – it totally changes the course. “The overall organisation of the event was first class and the hospitality was excellent. In one way I’m happy that I don’t have to go back there because it means I’m now playing on The European Tour, but on the other hand I’m sad because I enjoyed it so much. “I’d definitely like to go back there and maybe one day in the future it will host a European Tour event. I think it’s a good fit to be the final event of the Challenge Tour season. It’s a good test for everyone and a really well-run tournament. “Back in 2009 when I won the US Amateur I wasn’t really sure where my career would go. I continued as an amateur and made the semifinals of the US Amateur again the following year before turning pro. “I live in the USA, having moved over there as a youngster and after turning Professional in 2011 I didn’t quite make it to Q-School for the US PGA Tour. It was then that I thought that the Challenge Tour would be a good option for me. “I wasn’t in any rush. I just tried to play well and improve and prepare myself for The European Tour. I played for three years on the Challenge Tour and it was a lot of fun. I’m glad I did it. I look at it as being similar to the path that both Peter Uihlein and Brooks Koepka took and their progress has been textbook – they’ve both won in Europe so, hopefully, I’d hoped it wouldn’t be too long before I follow them as a winner.” No sooner were the words out out of his mouth, just three days after our interview, Ben was on his way towards winning one of the most prestigious trophies in the game. Q
“There are a lot of good players on The European Tour. But I feel that the experience I gained from playing on the Challenge Tour has helped me a lot. It’s helped me prepare for the ‘big’ Tour. Now I feel really comfortable out here.” different to the ones I played on the Challenge Tour and the fields are a lot deeper. There are a lot of good players on The European Tour. But I feel that the experience I gained from playing on the Challenge Tour has helped me a lot. It’s helped me prepare for the ‘big’ Tour. Now I feel really comfortable out here.” Ben is a big fan of the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic and was pleased to hear it is now the season-ending Grand Final on the Challenge Tour, even though he won’t be there to compete in the tournament this year. “The NBO Golf Classic was a great event. I finished sixth there in 2013 and fifth last year so I have nothing but good memories of the tournament and the people there. The Wave course can play really tough if the wind picks up but there are some birdie holes. It can
V
Ben’s Career Timeline
V
2010 Makes his Masters debut
V
V
V
2009 Wins the US Amateur
2014 Wins on European Challenge Tour
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2015 His European Tour rookie season
2015 Wins at Wentworth
Byeong Hun An is an ambassador for global logistics provider GAC. For more information visit www.gac.com
Driver
Titleist 915D3, 8.5° Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana Blueboard 70X
Fairway Wood
Titeist 915F. 13.5° Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana Whiteboard
Hybrid
Titleist 915HD 17.5° Shaft: Project X
Irons (3-9)
Titleist 714 MB forged
Wedges
Titleist SM5 - 48° & 54° Titleist vokey prototype 60° (T-Grind)
Putter
Scotty Cameron Newport 2
Ball
2015 Titleist Pro V1X
“I wasn’t expecting this. I didn’t know that a win was this close. It came all of a sudden. I’ve been playing well all year but I never thought I would win this event. It was great to go into the last hole with a six-shot lead and I love the fact that I’ve become the first Asian to win this event. It’s great.” – Ben An after winning the BMW PGA
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INSTRUCTION GARY PLAYER, with nine Majors, nine Senior Majors and 163 tournament victories worldwide over a remarkable global career spanning six decades is a legend of the game. The Black Knight, pictured left with the Claret Jug after winning the second of his three Open Championships, at Carnoustie, is also renowned as the finest exponent of bunker play in golf. Here he talks about the secret of success as a sandman and the importance of confidence and commitment.
Gary Player reveals his secret of how to successfully negotiate the most difficult of bunkers through…
Confidence and Commitment CONFIDENCE is one of the most important lessons one can learn about bunkers. It’s not something I can teach – that’s down to you. But I can help you prepare for the moment when your game hinges on the perfect bunker shot. So many golfers would rather their ball be buried in rough than sitting cleanly on the sand. When their ball lands in a bunker, which it inevitably will do at some point during their round, a great number of golfers approach it with trepidation. They’ll clamber down into the sand, and keep their eyes on the pin. As a
result, they fail to take in the state of the sand or the run of the green. Then they stab at the ball and end up burying their sand wedge deep into the sand. That’s the wrong way to do it and results in ending up with a stroke too many in a game where one stroke can make all the difference. For this reason, golfers need to learn how to approach bunkers with confidence and positivity. To do this, you need to start with the fundamentals of sand play, and practice over and over until you are certain that bunkers will no longer be the bane of your game.
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INSTRUCTION
LET’S START by considering a standard 10-yard shot from a greenside bunker. The ball is lying cleanly on top of firm sand, and the weather conditions are clear. This is the shot to start with when learning the basic fundamentals of bunker play: BEFORE YOU JUMP feet-first into the sand, assess the situation. Look at the green and determine your line. Consider the slope of the green – will your ball find itself going uphill, downhill, or neither – and include in your evaluation the break of the green. Look at the grass around the hole. Remember that more balls have rolled in on the side where the grass is most worn. CONSIDER THE SITUATION and make sure that you think positively at the same time. Your goal is to hole that bunker shot. You aren’t trying to simply escape from the bunker. A ball that scorches past the hole because you chopped at it, isn’t going to help your score in the long run. NEXT, YOU MUST ANALYSE THE SAND. Sure, the shot we’re considering to make seems like the easiest escape shot you may get in a bunker, but it’s still important to analyse each bunker shot from every angle. So many factors influence the resultant shot, and the prepared golfer knows he must consider each one.
START WITH THE CONDITIONS. How much sand are you standing on? What type of sand is it? If you’re not playing on your home course, then think of the conditions in relation to it. Does your home course have more sand in the bunkers than the one you’re currently in? If this bunker has less sand, which is harder or more packed than that of your home course’s bunkers, then make sure you hit an easier shot. This prevents the club from bouncing on the harder surface – and an easier hit stops the ball from flying over the green. On the other hand, remember that the opposite also applies. More sand calls for a longer swing that allows for a greater build-up of force.
RATHER THAN FOCUSING on the full swing, keep your attention on your wrists. You need the right takeaway to make the shot work.
RESEARCH THE SAND to find out the effects that the type of sand may have on your shot. The kind of sand you are most likely to encounter are limestone, river, coral and silica. Now look at the slope. Is your ball in the bunker on an uphill or a downhill slope? Where are your feet positioned in relation to the ball? A ball lying on a downslope comes out low, so determine the height of the front of the lip of the bunker and how close the ball is to it. Visualise the shot. Where on the green should it land that most guarantees that it will roll into the hole? Picture the swing in your mind. Take a practice shot outside of the bunker or inside if you need to get a feel for the shot.
For most bunker shots, keep the clubface open. What this means is that you’ll use the same grip as most shots, but the bottom edge of the clubhead will not be perpendicular to the shot’s line. Instead, you will rotate the club slightly clockwise so that the edge faces to the right of your target.
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The shot we’re considering doesn’t require that you change your swing much from what you use with a medium iron. The only difference is that you need an earlier wrist cock and a slower rhythm. REMEMBER, you don’t need to be fancy with your shot, so ... n No wrist breaks with a flourish; n No pulling the club across your body. n Keep the club inside the line of your feet and shoulders – swing as you know how to swing.
Why should you make this change? Changing the angle of the clubface increases your sand wedge’s potential loft and allows your club to slide more cleanly through the sand. Remember, for this shot, sand is going to be between your clubface and the ball. You need enough loft and a clean enough shot to carry your ball out of the bunker.
YOUR GOAL is to allow the clubface to slide smoothly through the sand. An open clubface gathers less sand as you swing. This is why you hold your sand wedge in a more open position, with the clubface more laid back than you would normally hold it. The club should slide through the sand at a depth of half an inch. As a result, the ball flies higher and clears the lip of the sand. PRACTICE! I would like to emphasise the importance of practice. The degree to which the clubface is open determines the height, spin, and distance of the shot. You will get more height and spin and less distance the more open you hold your clubface. Practice these shots and determine for yourself how different degrees of open-ness affects your shots. FOR A STANDARD SHOT, you should begin with a square position. The toe of the club should then be rotated about an inch and a half, or 15 degrees, from this initial perpendicular position. Check to make sure you are able to see most of the clubface. DIG YOUR FEET INTO THE SAND to ensure a solid stance and grip your club an inch from the top of the shaft. This makes up for the lower centre of gravity you achieve by planting your feet in the sand. When you set up your shot, make sure you don’t let your club touch the sand. You don’t want to learn
how to properly approach a bunker shot and then have to take a stroke for a penalty, now do you? BECAUSE THE CLUBFACE IS OPEN, you cannot set up square with your target line. Your stance has to be open as well. Turn your body to the right, with the line of your hips, feet, and shoulders pointing to the left of your target. When you swing, your club will sweep across and back through your target line. WHEN YOU PLANT your feet firmly into the sand, stand with your feet slightly further apart than with your usual shot. You need to avoid a narrow stance. Placing your feet close together increases the body’s chance of swaying, which decreases your chance of hitting consistent shots. POSITION the ball just inside your left heel. Then brace your right foot. The outside edge of this foot should be higher than the inside, helping you stay more firmly planted on your feet.
WATCH THE VIDEO
SHIFT the majority of your weight to your left foot. Don’t lean entirely on that side – maybe 60 percent. Bring the head of your club to hover above the sand behind the ball with about one and a half inches between them. Here is where your clubface will enter the sand. Focus your attention on a point about two inches beyond the ball right before you swing. This is where your clubhead will emerge from the sand. NOW SWING. This swing should be slower than your normal swing and with an earlier wrist cock. This swing should involve your arms and hands mainly, without requiring a body coil or much of the sway that comes with transferring weight. I can’t tell you how much strength this swing requires – that’s for you to determine with the right amount of practice and hard work.
WATCH GARY PLAYER’S GREENSIDE BUNKER VIDEO TIP Subscribe to www.youtube.com/WorldwideGolf Or like us on www.facebook.com/WorldwideGolf
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INSTRUCTION
LOSE THE SLICE & GAIN DISTANCE
T
wo of the most common questions I receive are, ‘How do I hit the ball further?’ and ‘How can I stop slicing the ball?’ Looking at the picture in the lower circle on the opposite page, you can see a very common fault that results in a slice and hence, a loss in distance. In addition to the clubface being massively open, it is also moving across the ball in an ‘out-to-in’ motion.
.
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Working on this simple drill will help you to change the swing path and clubface angles so it looks more like the upper circled image. It is impossible to get the ball to start right of the stick and end up left of it with an open clubface or an ‘out-to-in’ swing path so we need to have the feeling of swinging ‘in-to-out.’ We also want the right arm to feel as if it is rotating over the left arm through impact. • First of all, place an alignment stick about five yards ahead of you in line with the target. The aim of this drill is to get the ball to start right of the stick and shape back to the left of it. • Set up square to the target or even slightly to the right. • As you swing, the sensation we are looking for is an ‘in-to-out’ movement as the arrows show on the pictures.
• As you can see above, the ball starts slightly right of the target and the right arm has rotated over the left resulting in a slightly closed clubface. The ball curves from right to left in the air. The more you exaggerate this, the better, as you won’t have to think about it as much on the course. • Below is the finish position. As you can see I am fully turned through the shot with a very balanced position
WATCH TIM SHOW YOU HOW IT’S DONE! Subscribe to youtube.com/WorldwideGolf Like us on facebook.com/WorldwideGolf
TIM BACKHOUSE
Teaching Professional, ETPI Jumeirah Golf Estates.
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INSTRUCTION
THE ONE INCH DRIVE I
EFFICIENCY IS THE KEY TO POWER
’m privileged to work alongside an extremely talented and professional team here at the Emirates Academy and last month’s issue with Head Professional Stephen Deane is testament to that. Often I will be asked about important moves in the golf swing such as, ‘How do I start the downswing?’ Or, ‘Should my hips move first?’ Stephen’s drill is a fantastic way to work on creating the correct moves. The fact is, there are many important moves in the golf swing and the question I often ask is, How do we trigger those moves? what part of my body enables those moves and what part of my body hinders those moves. The key is to create a golf swing with only one controling element. Turning the muscles on and loading the shoulders correctly in the backswing will enable better movement on the downswing. OVER the last few years I have been fascinated by martial arts and the close link it shares with golf. My particular interest is toward Muay Tai –how power originates and how efficiently it is delivered in the movement. These are high priorities when it comes to both martial arts and golf. Efficiency is key and so I like to give my students an analogy of Bruce Lee and how he used to deliver so much force. Bruce Lee became extremely well known for his one-inch punch. This is how we should approach the power needed in the golf swing. Power does not come from simply rotating more in the backswing or trying to move those hips in the through swing. Rather, we need to understand where the force originates from and how to maximise that force through efficient moves. If we think of a simple punch from a person with limited technique, we would generally see the movement of their body, with the arm towards the target. This would reduce the ability to correctly use the forces from the ground or deliver accuracy. Bruce Lee, however, applied his muscles to move his body. An interesting study by a Dr. Ed Roberts, from the Department of Medicine at Imperial College London, found that there are distinctive features of the brain structure of people who apply this practice. The same move can be seen from many golfers with what we refer to as lateral movement. Engaging the muscles to fire the right way moves the body, resulting in a far more accurate and powerful swing.
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TWO common errors are rotating away from the ball in the backswing and turning the hips too early in the downswing. In the pictures below, take note of the white sticks that are placed on either side of my hips. As you can see, the above row of images shows an incorrect lateral movement away from the ball. This, in many cases, originates through incorrect information, i.e. to rotate during the backswing. The preferred thought would be to work a coil or helix motion around and up from the ground. It is from this position that forces can then be applied into the ground which will move the body through the correct positions. Turning the hips from the top of the backswing would move the body into a poor position where the club would be left behind the body and would therefore have to be dragged through the impact area, which would lead to a flash of speed at the ball from the wrists. This move looks fast but is very inefficient in delivering power or a consistent ball flight.
JONATHAN CRADDOCK Emirates Academy, PGA Professional
The same principles are true when it comes to exercising. When working out, try to initiate the movement from the particular muscle group you are trying to recruit. Begin to think in patterns as opposed to singular muscles. There are many different ways to work out but you’ll be surprised how much we rely on moving the body first instead of efficiently firing the muscles from the start to initiate the move.
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For more information on how to develop this further and build solid mechanics please watch the attached video link and get in contact with PGA Professional Jonathan Craddock at jcraddock@dubaigolf.com.
• Enhance your game with a range of summer lesson packages • Prices start from AED 250 • Available between 1st June and 14th September 2015
For bookings, please call +971 4 417 9845 or email emiratesacademy@dubaigolf.com www.dubaigolf.com
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5/11/15 4:14 PM
GAINING DISTANCE, CONTROL AND ACCURACY. WITHOUT SACRIFICE. Engineering clubs “Without Sacrifice” requires true innovation from our engineers and researchers. This philosophy is best represented in the G30, our newest game-changing technology.
G30 HYBRID G30 FAIRWAY G30 IRON
High launching, soft landing.
Faster face, greater distance.
Built for distance and control.
G30
STANDARD Optimised to fit most golfers. The preferred choice of PING professionals around the world.
SF TEC™
STRAIGHT-FLIGHT TECHNOLOGY Weight closer to the heel and a lighter swingweight produce a right-to-left shot bend.
©2015 PING P.O. BOX 82000 PHOENIX, AZ 85071
LS TEC™
LOW-SPIN TECHNOLOGY Provides low, stable spin and forgiveness for golfers with faster swing speeds.
GEAR SECTION
GEAR
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Callaway Bertha Mini 1.5 Callaway Chrome Soft
Teed up, this is a better option for players than Callaway’s typical 3-wood. It has higher MOI from a 235cc head that’s 35% larger than the XR model, and a shape that gives you confidence over the ball.
A NEW APPROACH
It produces a high ball speed, courtesy of a Forged Hyper Speed Face Cup, a Forged Composite crown, and the cambered Warbird Sole makes it easy to hit. You’re getting all the best features of a driver in the framework of a larger fairway wood.
CALLAWAY’S LATEST AWARD-WINNING BALL, THE CHROME SOFT, HAS PUT A NEW SPIN ON BALL DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT AS EXPLAINED BY DAVE BARTELS, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF GOLF BALL R&D CALLAWAY
Depending on how you want to play it, the Bertha Mini 1.5 gives you plenty of options: A replacement driver; a longer alternative off the tee than a 3-wood, or a club that’s playable off the fairway. To maximise these options, Callaway has put in an OptiFit Hosel to tune it to your settings. You can choose from 8 different combinations for your loft (-1, S, +1, +2) and lie angle (Draw or Neutral) configurations.
WWG: What’s so different about the ‘Soft Fast Core’? DAVE BARTELS: The Soft Fast Core has a unique recipe that creates a very low compression without sacrificing ball speed. When cores compress they deform in shape and lose energy. Whatever energy remains is converted into ball speed as it regains its shape. The Soft Fast Core minimalises this energy loss and regains its shape quickly to help the ball spring off the club face. WWG: How does it retain its length and be super soft? DAVE BARTELS: The physics are counter-intuitive, but the more Chrome Soft compresses with your longer clubs, the less spin it can generate. Since it’s a very soft 65-compression ball, all golfers are going to be able to compress the ball on the clubface. Now, because we incorporate the Soft Fast Core the ball is able to retain most of its energy and the result is longer distance while still feeling extremely soft. WWG: What are the most noticeable things about Chrome Soft?
TESTED
MINI CANNONS
If your 3-wood still lacks the punch required, you don’t have to unleash the big dog and risk getting bitten – go half way! by Alex Gallemore
LAST MONTH we looked at the latest 3-woods that delivered off the tee and from the deck, but TaylorMade and now Callaway have pumped things up with the introduction of the latest mini drivers. This isn’t a new craze because the trusted 2-wood has been around for decades – a slightly shorter, more lofted ‘driver’ was a safer option for players looking for a little more accuracy while sacrificing some distance. TaylorMade relaunched this way of thinking with the SLDR mini driver but it didn’t take off, with many amateurs unhappy with the lack of
forgiveness in the face. Just like the SLDR driver, if you happened to find the sweetspot, the ball went driver distance – even off the fairway. But it needed to be more forgiving. So the current Aeroburner Mini Driver stepped up to the plate. The first thing to note is its head. It’s large enough to inspire confidence on the tee and not too large to be off-putting from the deck. Available in 12-16 degree lofts, it’s extremely forgiving and has been a regular fixture in my bag this season. The carry distance is, on average, 7 yards longer than my driver and 20% more accurate but just
DAVE BARTELS: The Soft Fast Core is going to help all golfers compress the ball with every club in their bag. This is going to lead to lower spin, great ball flight and longer distances with all your clubs. With your wedges and shorter shots around the green, thanks to the extremely soft urethane cover, you’re going to get Tour-level control with incredibly soft feel.
TaylorMade Aeroburner Mini Driver
Like the AeroBurner driver, the Mini features a cavity that protrudes deep into the face, creating a larger sweetspot, more face flex and reduced spin. A speed pocket insert also helps ensure unwanted mud, grit and other debris doesn’t find its way into the speed pocket.
The new TaylorMade Mini Aeroburner features a 43.5” shaft, a 253cc clubhead, a little more loft than a traditional driver and is 90cc bigger than the Aeroburner Fairway. To create more clubhead speed and distance the AeroBurner Mini is built with a new aerodynamic shape with a raised centre in the crown section as well as a fin on the hosel that allows the club to move through the air more quickly. The head that is smaller by 207cc compared to the driver, can move through the air a touch faster to deliver an increased clubhead and ball speed.
11 yards shorter in overall distance. The only downside is the lack of adjustability in the loft and lie angles. Enter Callaway, who have come to the fore with the Big Bertha Mini 1.5 driver. Having seen the success of mini Aeroburner they have obviously seen where it sits in the market from a demand point of view and made it more adjustable. Like the 3-wood test, we needed to see how these two mini drivers perfomed both off the tee and from the fairway. The guys from ProGolf were out with the TrackMan. From the results, you can see why these two clubs have been such a big hit.
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The key to the Mini Aeroburner’s accuracy is the 43.5 inch Matrix shaft that is 2.25 inches shorter than the AeroBurner driver. This will boost most players’ confidence, as most amateurs will miss the sweetspot on a driver face more than they find it. By striking the Mini Aeroburner with improved consistency from the centre you could hit it longer and more accurately than your current driver. Plus, you will find it easier to hit off the deck!
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Latest mini driver test
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Callaway’s do it all ball
GEAR
Both inserts are updated with the Ping True Roll groove which was introduced last season in their Karsten TR range. The grooves are deeper in the middle of the insert and shallower near the edges of the insert. The idea behind the variable depth groove is to change the speed that the ball comes off the face. The deeper groove in the centre of the face insert reduces the speed of the putts, while putts hit more towards the heel or the toe of the putter will come off a little quicker. In essence, the insert has allowed Ping to create a putter with a more consistent roll for golfers who struggle to consistently hit putts out of the middle every time. This brilliant bit of innovation can make the difference between making more of those all important clutch putts and missing them.
Putting With Cadence TR HAT if you could improve the consistency of your putting stroke just by changing the weight of your putter head? The team at Ping had been asking the same question, which led them to create the Ping Cadence TR putter. This putter enabled Ping to use two different inserts in order to allow golfers to choose between a standard or heavy version in each of their new Cadence TR range. Ping are able to vary the weight of each putter by using two different materials to make the inserts, one is aluminum and the other is steel. The two different weights are indicated by the color of the insert with the blue aluminum indicating the standard weight putter, with the black steel indicating the heavier one. The black insert has allowed Ping to increase the weight of their putters between 25g to 33g depending on the putter model.
AVERAGE PUTTING TEMPO The initial idea came from what Ping refers to as “average putting tempo”, which is the amount of time it takes for a golfer to make a backswing with their putter, divided by the amount of time it takes them to make their forward swing to impact with the ball. Ping were able to collate information from around 7 million golfers worldwide through their iPing putting app. and learned that the tempo was mostly affected by each golfer’s backswing time. According to Ping the average tempo for a putting stroke is between 1.8 and 2.2 minutes, which accounts for roughly 35% of golfers. To make it easier to understand, a golfer with a quicker than average putting stroke is likely to benefit from using the lighter blue insert. A golfer with a slow tempo putting stroke should benefit from using the heavier black insert. But what if you are in that 35% bracket with an average stroke?
DID YOU I
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Ping Cadence putters
You will still be able to use the different weight putters to improve you game. The lighter putters help golfers who struggle on distance control with their long putts, while the heavier putter will help a golfer to make more of those tricky short putts. DELIGHTFUL DESIGNS Each of the eight models in the Cadence line has a black PVD finish and white alignment lines. In addition to some classic shapes, there are four new designs (Anser W, B65; Tomcat C; Rustler) and a counterbalanced option, the Anser 2 CB .Players with straight strokes should try the B65 and Tomcat C. The Anser W, Anser 2 and Anser 2 CB are for slight arch strokes while the Shea H is for strong arch strokes. The Rustler and Ketsch putters come with different shaft bends that Ping states will make them ideal for straight, slight arch and strong arch strokes.
WHICH WEDGE?
Ping have also introduced an updated grip to go with their new range. The Cadence TR has a PP58 Midsize grip which is intended to keep the hands steady through your putts to increase the consistency of your strike. Traditionalweight putters are identified by a blue PP58 Midsize grip, and the heavy putters have a black PP58 Midsize grip.
By SAM TAYLOR, ProSports International
W
WHEN SELECTING WEDGES, DON’T JUST THINK OF FULL SHOTS.
KNOW?
N THE 1970s, Karsten Solheim was looking for a unique way to thank and reward professionals for using a PING putter en route to victory. He decided to commemorate each victory by creating two gold-plated replicas of the winning putter. One he gave to the champion and the other he kept at the company’s Phoenix, Arizona, headquarters. Both were engraved with the professional’s name and the name of the tournament he or she won. There are now more than 2,800 putters in what is referred to as “The Gold Putter Vault”. New putters are added to the collection almost weekly. So the next time you see a PING putter in the hands of a champion on TV, know that the PING Gold Putter Vault will be making room for a new addition.
iPing App. cradles are available across the UAE, the app. itself is free to download and is a great tool to help improve your putting.
golfers with more ways to hit it close and shoot lower scores. SM5 wedges allow you to get the right fit for your technique. When it comes to wedge play, consistent wedge shots are the key to lower scores. Vokey recommends 4 – 6o of loft between your wedges which will lead to distance gaps of 12 – 15 yards. Ideally, most players will benefit from carrying four wedges, which leads to tighter yardage gaps and more full shots.
A NEUTRAL is a player who tends to interact a little bit with the turf, but doesn’t take a chunky divot. RECOMMENDATIONS: A neutral wedge player should look at getting mid-bounce wedges for firm turf conditions and high bounce wedges for soft turf.
LOW BO UN CE
Gear_Jun15.indd 56-57
Which Vokey wedge fits your game?
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MID BO UN CE
46 °
HIGH BOU NCE
46 .0 8 F
48 °
IT IS important to ensure that you have the versatility in your wedges to not only play full shots, but also to play the numerous shot types around the greens. Vokey offers the most extensive range of bounce and grind options in the industry to help accommodate for this. Models are appropriately slotted into low, mid and high bounce categories to fit all swing types, shot making styles and turf conditions. Bounce keeps the club from digging, allowing it to glide through the turf or sand, which helps you execute better shots in a variety of conditions.
48 .0 8 F
50 °
50 .0 8 F5
52 °
52 .0 8 F5
54 ° 56 °
54 .10 M
54 .14 F
56 .10 S
56 .10 M
56 .14 F
58 .0 4 L5
8.07 S
60 °
60 .0 4 L6
0. 07 S
62 °
0.12 F 2.12 F
54 .10 S
58 °
58 .0 8 M5 60 .0 8 M
8.11K 60 .11 K
62 .0 8 T
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Selecting the right bounce is determined by two factors: SWING TYPE and TURF CONDITIONS. SWING TYPE is the primary consideration. THESE ARE AVAILABLE IN THREE STYLISH FINISHES
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DETERMINE THE SHOTS YOU WILL PLAY WITH EACH WEDGE BEFORE SETTLING ON THR RIGHT OPTION.
SM5 Bounce & Grind Matrix LOFT
A DIGGER is a player with a steep angle of attack into the ball who will more often than not take a lot of the turf at impact. RECOMMENDATIONS: For soft to normal turf conditions, we advise a high-bounce option. However, when it comes to firm turf conditions, we advise wedges with mid bounce.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE Subscribe to Youtube.com/WorldwideGolf Like us on Facebook.com/WorldwideGolf
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IF YOU PLAY FLOP SHOTS THESE NEED TO BE CONSIDERED AS WELL.
UTILISE THE NUMEROUS BOUNCE AND GRIND OPTIONS TO FIND THE BEST WEDGES FOR BUNKER PLAY.
HAVE YOU got the correct wedges in your bag for all the conditions and lies you could encounter on a golf course? Two thirds of shots in a round come from 125 yards or less and so it goes without saying that taking advantage of these shots will lead to better results. The importance of selecting the right club for the right shot is imperative. Vokey Design Spin Milled 5 (SM5) wedges deliver more spin and more types of shots, providing
By STUART TAYLOR, PGA Professional, ProSports International
A SLIDER is a player who tends to take fewer divots and has a shallow angle of attack into the ball. RECOMMENDATIONS: A slider should use mid-bounce wedges for soft turf conditions and low-bounce wedges for firm turf conditions.
WORK ON CHIPPING SHOTS TO IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE BOUNCE AND GRIND FOR YOUR TECHNIQUE.
S
M
K
T
L
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GEAR
Callaway Bertha Mini 1.5 Teed up, this is a better option for players than Callaway’s typical 3-wood. It has higher MOI from a 235cc head that’s 35% larger than the XR model, and a shape that gives you confidence over the ball. It produces a high ball speed, courtesy of a Forged Hyper Speed Face Cup, a Forged Composite crown, and the cambered Warbird Sole makes it easy to hit. You’re getting all the best features of a driver in the framework of a larger fairway wood. Depending on how you want to play it, the Bertha Mini 1.5 gives you plenty of options: A replacement driver; a longer alternative off the tee than a 3-wood, or a club that’s playable off the fairway. To maximise these options, Callaway has put in an OptiFit Hosel to tune it to your settings. You can choose from 8 different combinations for your loft (-1, S, +1, +2) and lie angle (Draw or Neutral) configurations.
TESTED
MINI CANNONS
If your 3-wood still lacks the punch required, you don’t have to unleash the big dog and risk getting bitten – go half way! by Alex Gallemore
LAST MONTH we looked at the latest 3-woods that delivered off the tee and from the deck, but TaylorMade and now Callaway have pumped things up with the introduction of the latest mini drivers. This isn’t a new craze because the trusted 2-wood has been around for decades – a slightly shorter, more lofted ‘driver’ was a safer option for players looking for a little more accuracy while sacrificing some distance. TaylorMade relaunched this way of thinking with the SLDR mini driver but it didn’t take off, with many amateurs unhappy with the lack of
forgiveness in the face. Just like the SLDR driver, if you happened to find the sweetspot, the ball went driver distance – even off the fairway. But it needed to be more forgiving. So the current Aeroburner Mini Driver stepped up to the plate. The first thing to note is its head. It’s large enough to inspire confidence on the tee and not too large to be off-putting from the deck. Available in 12-16 degree lofts, it’s extremely forgiving and has been a regular fixture in my bag this season. The carry distance is, on average, 7 yards longer than my driver and 20% more accurate but just
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TaylorMade Aeroburner Mini Driver
Like the AeroBurner driver, the Mini features a cavity that protrudes deep into the face, creating a larger sweetspot, more face flex and reduced spin. A speed pocket insert also helps ensure unwanted mud, grit and other debris doesn’t find its way into the speed pocket.
The new TaylorMade Mini Aeroburner features a 43.5” shaft, a 253cc clubhead, a little more loft than a traditional driver and is 90cc bigger than the Aeroburner Fairway. To create more clubhead speed and distance the AeroBurner Mini is built with a new aerodynamic shape with a raised centre in the crown section as well as a fin on the hosel that allows the club to move through the air more quickly. The head that is smaller by 207cc compared to the driver, can move through the air a touch faster to deliver an increased clubhead and ball speed.
11 yards shorter in overall distance. The only downside is the lack of adjustability in the loft and lie angles. Enter Callaway, who have come to the fore with the Big Bertha Mini 1.5 driver. Having seen the success of mini Aeroburner they have obviously seen where it sits in the market from a demand point of view and made it more adjustable. Like the 3-wood test, we needed to see how these two mini drivers perfomed both off the tee and from the fairway. The guys from ProGolf were out with the TrackMan. From the results, you can see why these two clubs have been such a big hit.
The key to the Mini Aeroburner’s accuracy is the 43.5 inch Matrix shaft that is 2.25 inches shorter than the AeroBurner driver. This will boost most players’ confidence, as most amateurs will miss the sweetspot on a driver face more than they find it. By striking the Mini Aeroburner with improved consistency from the centre you could hit it longer and more accurately than your current driver. Plus, you will find it easier to hit off the deck!
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Enjoy this summer!
The Ultimate Summer Golf Access Pass UAE Residents EGF/AHV VIP Card Holders
Couple AED 2,499 AED 2,299
Individual AED1,399 AED1,299
For 4 months of golf from 1st June to 30th September
Includes: • Unlimited access to the championship course, with AED 70 for 18 hole and AED 40 for 9 hole. • Floodlit Golf • Use of practice facilities & Academy Par 3 Course. Plus 1 hour of golf coaching for individual Pass Holder or 2 hours for Couples Pass Holders to be used as you wish • Preferred rates on additional golf lessons and tournament fees Early Birds Offer: Sign up in May to receive a complimentary 18 Hole Green Fee Voucher plus 25% discount on all additional games in May. Terms & Conditions: • 7 days advance booking • Early Bird Green Fee Voucher: 2 x Couples Pass holder v/1 x Individual Pass Holder • This promotion expires on 1st October including unused lessons
Summer Green Fees 1st June – 30th September Midweek (Sunday – Thursday) Visitor EGF Member
18 Holes AED 275 18 Holes AED 225
9 holes AED 150 9 Holes AED 125
Weekend (Friday / Saturday & Public Holidays) Visitor EGF Member
18 Holes AED 295 18 Holes AED 250
9 Holes AED 175 9 Holes AED 150
(Rates are inclusive of shared golf cart with GPS and 1 pyramid of range balls prior to play)
/ alhamragolfclub
GEAR
Scott Sullivan General Manager ProGolf International
CALLAWAY MINI DRIVER FROM THE FAIRWAY CLUB SPEED MPH
BALL SPEED MPH
109.3 159.8
LAUNCH ANGLE Deg
TAYLORMADE AEROBURNER MINI OFF THE FAIRWAY
SPIN RATE RPM
CARRY Yards
TOTAL Yards
SMASH FACTOR
SPIN RATE RPM
CARRY Yards
TOTAL Yards
SMASH FACTOR
7.6 3135 251.2 277.6 1.46
CALLAWAY MINI DRIVER OFF THE TEE CLUB SPEED MPH
BALL SPEED MPH
108.7 160.7
LAUNCH ANGLE Deg
CLUB SPEED MPH
107.2 158.3
LAUNCH ANGLE Deg
SPIN RATE RPM
CARRY Yards
TOTAL Yards
SMASH FACTOR
8.2 3271 252.9 276.9 1.48
TAYLORMADE AEROBURNER MINI OFF THE TEE
9.1 2926 260.8 286.0 1.48
SCOTT’S MINI DRIVER TEST FEEDBACK
Jason Ashley, Custom Fit Specialist at Golf House,with Scott Sillivan getting set for the mini driver test at The Address Montgomerie Dubai.
BALL SPEED MPH
CLUB SPEED MPH
BALL SPEED MPH
106.6 157.9
LAUNCH ANGLE Deg
SPIN RATE RPM
CARRY Yards
TOTAL Yards
SMASH FACTOR
9.7 3813 254.5 274.7 1.48
JASON”S TEST CONCLUSION
WE GAVE the TaylorMade AeroBurner Mini and the new Callaway Big Bertha Mini 1.5 a spin on the Trackman with Jason Ashley at The Address Montgomerie Dubai and we came out with some remarkable results. From a personal point of view, after hitting shots off the tee and off the deck with each club, I had a few observations. At address the AeroBurner felt a little shut to me and I thought I was going to hit a little left but that wasn’t the case – I hit it quite straight. The Callaway Big Bertha on the other hand felt more square at address. The shaft felt a little bit more flexy in the AeroBurner and I think I hit it a little bit higher than the Callaway. The shaft on the Callaway felt a bit stiffer for me and other than that, both clubs felt like they really perfomed and were easy to hit off the tee and from the deck, as the TrackMan stats showed. What was remarkable that for a ‘bigger fairway wood – smaller driver’ sort of golf club, they were both really easy to hit and to have clubs that can achieve 280 yards from a fairway is just madness. Not so long ago Tour players were averaging that off the tee.
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JUST LOOKING at both clubs on the range and on the TrackMan there were a couple of elements that I was surprised by. Both were set at 14 degrees of loft with a standard stiff shaft but the Callaway had the edge on ball speed and a slightly stronger flight. It could be attributed to the improved aerodynamics or the 360 Cup Technology in the Callaway head or it could even be as simple as the AeroBurner looking slightly closed and Scott felt that he couldn’t go after it as much, for fear of losing it left. The Big Bertha might have the edge on distance but that’s not what all these clubs are about. The AeroBurner was incredibly straight. I thought that the shaft might be a little bit too soft but Scott hit it really straight. I was pleasantly surprised by how easily Scott was able to hit both clubs off the deck – I was very impressed indeed. In fact, the clubspeed was faster off the deck than off the tee – we never saw that one coming. Off the fairway the AeroBurner Mini had the edge and the Big Bertha Mini was the better performer off the tee. So a pretty fair match up.
GEAR
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Callaway Chrome Soft
A NEW APPROACH CALLAWAY’S LATEST AWARD-WINNING BALL, THE CHROME SOFT, HAS PUT A NEW SPIN ON BALL DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT AS EXPLAINED BY DAVE BARTELS, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF GOLF BALL R&D CALLAWAY WWG: What’s so different about the ‘Soft Fast Core’? DAVE BARTELS: The Soft Fast Core has a unique recipe that creates a very low compression without sacrificing ball speed. When cores compress they deform in shape and lose energy. Whatever energy remains is converted into ball speed as it regains its shape. The Soft Fast Core minimalises this energy loss and regains its shape quickly to help the ball spring off the club face. WWG: How does it retain its length and be super soft? DAVE BARTELS: The physics are counter-intuitive, but the more Chrome Soft compresses with your longer clubs, the less spin it can generate. Since it’s a very soft 65-compression ball, all golfers are going to be able to compress the ball on the clubface. Now, because we incorporate the Soft Fast Core the ball is able to retain most of its energy and the result is longer distance while still feeling extremely soft. WWG: What are the most noticeable things about Chrome Soft? DAVE BARTELS: The Soft Fast Core is going to help all golfers compress the ball with every club in their bag. This is going to lead to lower spin, great ball flight and longer distances with all your clubs. With your wedges and shorter shots around the green, thanks to the extremely soft urethane cover, you’re going to get Tour-level control with incredibly soft feel.
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GEAR
TeaTalk Jason Ashley and Scott Sullivan discuss how the Callaway Chrome Soft is being received in the local market along with their own feedback Scott Sullivan: We have something here that we’re both very excited about and that’s the new Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls. Jason, I don’t know about you but it’s been a long time since we felt like kids opening up a pack of balls. It’s certainly been a long time for me – since 2000-2001, when the Pro V1 and Pro V1 X came out, that changed golf balls in a big way and the way it changed the ball industry. With the Chrome Soft we have something that has the potential to do the same. The stats show it. The feedback we get from people shows it and I personally think it’s fantastic. Jason Ashley: One of the key things is just looking at the amount of buzz around this golf balll. I think it’s not just the hype and buzz but it’s warranted in the fact that people are seeing great results with it. From a technical perspective, the changes we see in the ball is firstly the compression. We haven’t seen such low compression for the better players in quite a while. So we’re seeing the soft fast core playing a big part in that. We won’t get too technical but the compression is a little bit lower, so we’re seeing a benefit from handicap ranges and slower swing speeds that Callaway originally designed this ball for, all the way through to guys who are testing on Tour which is a remarkable range in ability. JA: We’ve already seen some players, here at The Montgomerie Dubai and with our fitter at Al Badia, who have extremely fast clubhead speeds, gaining 10-12 yards with the Chrome
Soft. But, there’ are also players with much slower swing speeds who have gained nearly half a club extra with the ball. From a short game perspective what I like about it is that it’s very consistent in what it does. Often times with a lot of golf balls you’ll feel like you’ve played a really good chip shot and you know you have a little bit of spin on it, but it just seems to skid. I don’t see this happening with this ball. The reaction around the greens and the response of the ball is very consistent. SS: We talk about the soft core and I think definitely at first, high handicappers, better players, and just about everyone can actually compress a golf ball especially off their irons. With a driver you’re going to swing it faster and get a bit more compression but most golfers don’t compress the golf ball with their irons. Here we have a golf ball, on the data we’ve seen around the world, give players an additional 6-10 yards. I haven’t seen another golf ball do that since 2000 and I think this has the potential for really changing the industry. The one thing I do find with Callaway golf balls, especially in windy conditions, is the X Pattern which makes this ball fantastic in the wind. As you said, around the greens it’s consistent. That’s what Phil Mickelson said as well about the consistency of his chips, whether it be the low spinner or the high floater, they’re all coming out exactly the same. This breeds confidence in a ball, which is important to any golfer.
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JA: From running through all the actual text and data it’s pretty interesting to see how right they’ve got the ball in every single area. Driver low spin, fast ball speed, you’d think it’s counterintuitive when you think about it but it still does the same thing. With the irons, we’re getting a neat spin pattern and the ball flight is great, plus the ball speed is incredible. We’re getting the same response around the green. My only concern in the beginning was with the 40-50 yard shot, that it might not spin as much, but all the reactions from the players and the data tells us that it performs just as well from those distances. SS: Putting can be very interesting depending on what ball you’re playing with. For me, it was a shock hitting such a soft golf ball for a change. It took me a few rounds to get used to it and now I don’t want to take it out of the bag! JA: I’m not the best putter in the world but initially it took a little bit of time getting used to it – but now I love it. From a feel perspective, it’s awesome once you get used to it. The balls before this have been harder, so it takes a while to get used to it but once you get comfortable, it’s an incredible feel. SS: Sound and feel go hand in hand. To feel it so soft off the face matches with the sound of it being so soft, you’re almost surprised and then after holing a few putts you can’t keep the smile off your face!
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Putting With Cadence TR By SAM TAYLOR, ProSports International
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HAT if you could improve the consistency of your putting stroke just by changing the weight of your putter head? The team at Ping had been asking the same question, which led them to create the Ping Cadence TR putter. This putter enabled Ping to use two different inserts in order to allow golfers to choose between a standard or heavy version in each of their new Cadence TR range. Ping are able to vary the weight of each putter by using two different materials to make the inserts, one is aluminum and the other is steel. The two different weights are indicated by the color of the insert with the blue aluminum indicating the standard weight putter, with the black steel indicating the heavier one. The black insert has allowed Ping to increase the weight of their putters between 25g to 33g depending on the putter model.
AVERAGE PUTTING TEMPO The initial idea came from what Ping refers to as “average putting tempo”, which is the amount of time it takes for a golfer to make a backswing with their putter, divided by the amount of time it takes them to make their forward swing to impact with the ball. Ping were able to collate information from around 7 million golfers worldwide through their iPing putting app. and learned that the tempo was mostly affected by each golfer’s backswing time. According to Ping the average tempo for a putting stroke is between 1.8 and 2.2 minutes, which accounts for roughly 35% of golfers. To make it easier to understand, a golfer with a quicker than average putting stroke is likely to benefit from using the lighter blue insert. A golfer with a slow tempo putting stroke should benefit from using the heavier black insert. But what if you are in that 35% bracket with an average stroke?
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You will still be able to use the different weight putters to improve you game. The lighter putters help golfers who struggle on distance control with their long putts, while the heavier putter will help a golfer to make more of those tricky short putts. DELIGHTFUL DESIGNS Each of the eight models in the Cadence line has a black PVD finish and white alignment lines. In addition to some classic shapes, there are four new designs (Anser W, B65; Tomcat C; Rustler) and a counterbalanced option, the Anser 2 CB .Players with straight strokes should try the B65 and Tomcat C. The Anser W, Anser 2 and Anser 2 CB are for slight arch strokes while the Shea H is for strong arch strokes. The Rustler and Ketsch putters come with different shaft bends that Ping states will make them ideal for straight, slight arch and strong arch strokes.
Both inserts are updated with the Ping True Roll groove which was introduced last season in their Karsten TR range. The grooves are deeper in the middle of the insert and shallower near the edges of the insert. The idea behind the variable depth groove is to change the speed that the ball comes off the face. The deeper groove in the centre of the face insert reduces the speed of the putts, while putts hit more towards the heel or the toe of the putter will come off a little quicker. In essence, the insert has allowed Ping to create a putter with a more consistent roll for golfers who struggle to consistently hit putts out of the middle every time. This brilliant bit of innovation can make the difference between making more of those all important clutch putts and missing them.
Ping have also introduced an updated grip to go with their new range. The Cadence TR has a PP58 Midsize grip which is intended to keep the hands steady through your putts to increase the consistency of your strike. Traditionalweight putters are identified by a blue PP58 Midsize grip, and the heavy putters have a black PP58 Midsize grip.
DID YOU
KNOW?
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N THE 1970s, Karsten Solheim was looking for a unique way to thank and reward professionals for using a PING putter en route to victory. He decided to commemorate each victory by creating two gold-plated replicas of the winning putter. One he gave to the champion and the other he kept at the company’s Phoenix, Arizona, headquarters. Both were engraved with the professional’s name and the name of the tournament he or she won. There are now more than 2,800 putters in what is referred to as “The Gold Putter Vault”. New putters are added to the collection almost weekly. So the next time you see a PING putter in the hands of a champion on TV, know that the PING Gold Putter Vault will be making room for a new addition.
iPing App. cradles are available across the UAE, the app. itself is free to download and is a great tool to help improve your putting.
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*($5
WHICH WEDGE?
HAVE YOU got the correct wedges in your bag for all the conditions and lies you could encounter on a golf course? Two thirds of shots in a round come from 125 yards or less and so it goes without saying that taking advantage of these shots will lead to better results. The importance of selecting the right club for the right shot is imperative. Vokey Design Spin Milled 5 (SM5) wedges deliver more spin and more types of shots, providing
golfers with more ways to hit it close and shoot lower scores. SM5 wedges allow you to get the right fit for your technique. When it comes to wedge play, consistent wedge shots are the key to lower scores. Vokey recommends 4 – 6 degrees of loft between your wedges which will lead to distance gaps of 12 – 15 yards. Ideally, most players will benefit from carrying four wedges, which leads to tighter yardage gaps and more full shots.
By STUART TAYLOR, PGA Professional, ProSports International
A SLIDER is a player who tends to take fewer divots and has a shallow angle of attack into the ball. RECOMMENDATIONS: A slider should use mid-bounce wedges for soft turf conditions and low-bounce wedges for firm turf conditions.
A NEUTRAL is a player who tends to interact a little bit with the turf, but doesn’t take a chunky divot. RECOMMENDATIONS: A neutral wedge player should look at getting mid-bounce wedges for firm turf conditions and high bounce wedges for soft turf.
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A DIGGER is a player with a steep angle of attack into the ball who will more often than not take a lot of the turf at impact. RECOMMENDATIONS: For soft to normal turf conditions, we advise a high-bounce option. However, when it comes to firm turf conditions, we advise wedges with mid bounce.
WHEN SELECTING WEDGES, DON’T JUST THINK OF FULL SHOTS.
WORK ON CHIPPING SHOTS TO IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE BOUNCE AND GRIND FOR YOUR TECHNIQUE.
IF YOU PLAY FLOP SHOTS THESE NEED TO BE CONSIDERED AS WELL.
UTILISE THE NUMEROUS BOUNCE AND GRIND OPTIONS TO FIND THE BEST WEDGES FOR BUNKER PLAY.
DETERMINE THE SHOTS YOU WILL PLAY WITH EACH WEDGE BEFORE SETTLING ON THR RIGHT OPTION.
SM5 Bounce & Grind Matrix LOFT
LOW BO UN CE
MID BO UN CE
HIGH BOU NCE
46 °
46 .0 8 F
48 °
48 .0 8 F
50 °
50 .0 8 F5
0.12 F
52 °
52 .0 8 F5
2.12 F
54 °
54 .10 S
54 .10 M
54 .14 F
56 °
56 .10 S
56 .10 M
56 .14 F
58 °
58 .0 4 L5
8.07 S
58 .0 8 M5
8.11K
60 °
60 .0 4 L6
0. 07 S
60 .0 8 M
60 .11 K
62 °
IT IS important to ensure that you have the versatility in your wedges to not only play full shots, but also to play the numerous shot types around the greens. Vokey offers the most extensive range of bounce and grind options in the industry to help accommodate for this. Models are appropriately slotted into low, mid and high bounce categories to fit all swing types, shot making styles and turf conditions. Bounce keeps the club from digging, allowing it to glide through the turf or sand, which helps you execute better shots in a variety of conditions.
62 .0 8 T
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Selecting the right bounce is determined by two factors: SWING TYPE and TURF CONDITIONS. SWING TYPE is the primary consideration. THESE ARE AVAILABLE IN THREE STYLISH FINISHES
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Golf Clubs Fly-Z Family Ad WWG 178x206mm.indd 1
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Worldwide GOLF Columnist
Greg Norman
What to Expect from Chambers Bay This year’s US Open is set to be another enthralling Major battle and I’m providing live commentary for FOX Sports in the United States.
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made my inaugural trip to Chambers Bay in April for the FOX Sports U.S. Open preview with my colleagues Holly Sonders, Joe Buck and Brad Faxon. We all played the course for the first time and had sit-down interviews with USGA Executive Director Mike Davis and President Tom O’Toole Jr. as well as course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. to get some real insight on this relatively unknown course. This is the first time a U.S. Open will be hosted in the Pacific Northwest and it doesn’t disappoint. Opened in 2007, the RTJ Jr.-design is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece with some of the most unique architecture I have ever seen. Chambers Bay was made for TV and will provide a dramatic visual showing. My first impression was just the massive scale of it, spanning nearly 1,000 acres. Chambers Bay has incredible elevation changes, wide fairways and massive green complexes, with major undulations. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world. It’s going to take a player more than two rounds to understand this track. The links-style course is the most physically different of any U.S. Open course in history, built on sand and covered by fine fescue, which will make for a particularly difficult challenge for American golfers who aren’t used to this style of golf. To be honest, nobody has ever seen a links course with this type of vertical terrain. The first word that came to mind after my
round with Mike Davis was “flexibility.” The USGA has so much variety in the way that they set the course up and each hole will play so differently for each golfer. Take No. 16, for example, where you might have guys who make an eagle and you might have guys making an 8. Expect a lot of dramatic shots.
Links-style golf is characterised by huge undulations, firm and fast ground conditions, ample sand with deep and plentiful bunkers, wild fescue grass and extreme weather conditions. A one-dimensional player won’t do well here. It favours a complete player who can visualise and execute the shots he needs to. Chambers Bay will test every aspect of a player’s game where well-executed shots will be rewarded and poorly-executed shots will be heavily penalised. The U.S. Open, by principal, is here to test the greatest players in the world. Chambers Bay is nothing short of a physical and mental Everest. The golfers who will succeed will be those who study the slopes and angles and learn the hidden influences of the fairways and greens, and can be versatile enough to adapt to the
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changes that can be made to the course from day to day. It’s going to take steely mental toughness to fight off the negative thoughts. Per usual, I have been asked for my U.S. Open predictions, but I don’t want to give any this time. The reason being is that the course diversity on set-up is so unpredictable. The USGA Executive Committee would like this to be a truly open U.S. Open, where any style of player could have an opportunity to win. This is my hope as well. However, given Rory’s recent play and how he is swinging the club (the best I have seen in his career,) he has to be the favourite. The rest, standby for an incredible U.S. Open! I have designed and played on classic links courses around the world and find them to be both visually and mentally stimulating, challenging even the best players. Links-style golf is characterised by huge undulations, firm and fast ground conditions, ample sand with deep and plentiful bunkers, wild fescue grass and extreme weather conditions. Cold, wind and rain are often a part of the links golf experience. The most successful players on these unique layouts are those who are resilient and creative. Although challenging, everyone should take the opportunity to play links golf at some point in their life. It’s golf in its truest form, showcasing spectacular architecture and stunning aesthetics, which provide for a real appreciation of the game. Watch out for Chambers Bay! Q
Worldwide GOLF Columnist
Gary Player
Summer of Success Ahead
The US Open is being played on a links course in the Pacific Northwest for the first time – it’s going to be fascinating to see who comes out on top
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T IS unfortunate that Rory McIlroy is still being criticised by so-called ‘experts’ for ‘over-training’ and spending too much time in the gym working out with heavy weights. Those ‘experts’ have probably never exercised in their life and have likely never seen a gym. Unfortunately, it’s always the case, that if you’re the World No.1 in any sport, people think you’re automatically a target for the critics just because you are No.1. It’s the way life is. I remember once saying to my future mother-in-law, ‘If I were to become the best player in the world then everyone would love me.’ She told me that it’s just not possible that everyone would love me. I’ve since become well aware of that fact. Oscar Wilde once said: “No good deed goes unpunished.” How true that is. Another telling phrase is: “Why does he hate me – what have I done for him lately?” You’ve just got to take it on the chin and get on with your life. Rory is the best player in the world right now without a doubt. He deserves all the success he’s enjoying. He’s a wonderful young man. On or off the course he’s always well turned out, as is Justin Rose. They are always dressed immaculately and their manners are impeccable. They’re a credit to golf and just the sort of role models the game needs. It was a shame Rory missed the cut as defending champion at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, one week after the highs of winning at Quail Hollow in the United States – but we all have our bad days on the course.
50th Anniversary I’M LOOKING forward to going to the 115th US Open Championship at Chambers Bay golf Course at Tacoma in the Pacific Northwest later this month to celebrate the 50th anniversary of achieving my career
Grand Slam of winning all four Majors, at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, back in 1965. It will be something of a rare occasion for the players competing on a links-style course in the United States. I’m delighted to hear that Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in Abu Dhabi are also celebrating the 50th anniversary of my Grand Slam, when I became only the third player, behind Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan, to capture all four Majors, to coincide with the 5th anniversary of Saadiyat Beach GC. Under the title of ‘Gary Player Grand Slam 50 for 50 Rewind’ the promotion begins in the week leading up to this month’s US
You’ve got to accept that you’re going to get some bad bounces but you’re also going to have some fortunate bounces. It’s always a good test for any golfer. When you look back over the years some of the greatest moments in the game have come on links courses. Open. For 50 days the deal will see GCC amateurs who book the best available daily rate online at ‘sbgolfclub.ae,’ rewarded with an AED 50 F&B voucher and an AED Golf Shop credit, as well as being able to replay Gary Player’s masterpiece for just AED 50 on the same day. The arrangement, with online rates starting from AED 250, is available from June 21 to August 1, seven days a week.
Love Links Golf I LOVE LINKS GOLF. It’s going back to nature. You’ve got to take the rough with the smooth on the links and you’ve got to learn to love
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it. You can play in a morning when it’s blowing a gale and then the guys who play in the afternoon are playing in perfect, calm conditions. You certainly need a different mindset to handle it. It’s like taking an examination. You might not like it initially but you’ve got to do it. If you don’t like it, don’t play it. But why would you turn down the chance of playing for a million dollar first prize? That would certainly help you learn to love the links. You’ve got get to like it because you’re trying to make a living out of it. You’ve got to accept that you’re going to get some bad bounces but you’re also going to have some fortunate bounces. It’s always a good test for any golfer. When you look back over the years some of the greatest moments in the game have come on links courses. I won six Open Championships on British links courses – three on the regular Tour and three on the Senior Tour – so I guess that’s worth remembering. Christy O’Connor was one of the best links players I ever saw. He was the best bad weather player I’ve seen. If he had been a better putter he would have won a great many Majors. Christy O’Connor Jnr wasn’t a bad links player either, winning the Senior Open Championship at Royal Portrush in 1999 and repeating the feat in 2000 at Royal County Down. I’m looking forward to seeing how the players cope with the demands of Chambers Bay this month and it will be the second time this year that a player will be looking to complete the Grand Slam. In April Rory McIlroy had the first of many opportunities to win all four Majors – he only needs The Masters to complete the set – and this month Phil Mickelson has his second attempt to win all four at the US Open. I hope the month of June will be a great month for golf – and maybe we’ll see Rory McIlroy add another Major win to his CV. Q
Worldwide GOLF Columnist
David Howell
Golf is a great leveller
The sport we know and love is hard and we all have our good and bad days playing the ancient game – that’s what makes it such a wonderful spectacle.
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WENTY-ONE under par, a new scoring record, winning by a six stroke margin – all stats you might expect to hear next to the name of the world’s best player Rory Mcilroy at this year’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. The thing is, however, Rory missed the cut, and those stats belong to Byeong Hun An, 2015 champion extraordinaire. Only in golf does this happen with any regularity, and that, ladies and gentleman, is what makes it such an intriguing game in my opinion. On any given day, on any golf course across the globe, there is someone playing their best ever round, while there is someone playing their worst round, too. This gives us all hope and it’s what brings us back onto the course again and again. There’s something about the West Course at Wentworth that produces big surprises and the occasional curious winner of The European Tour’s flagship event. I’m proud to be included in that list, having won the BMW PGA Championship in 2006. It’s certainly a tough ask. The course requires every player to hit the ball into the same spot on almost every hole. It’s a course that requires accuracy over power. In fact, power is almost irrelevant, which, in this modern era, is a rarity. It presents a different challenge to most other and much like the TPC Course at Sawgrass, this layout doesn’t always fit the eye of the world’s highest ranked golfers. Don’t, for one minute, think this takes anything away from Byeong Hun An. His was a remarkable performance. Last year he was playing on the Challenge Tour and so far this season he has only missed one cut in 12 appearances, and has had three top ten finishes. So he was a man with growing confidence as he stood on the 1st tee ready to play the most important round of his life. Confidence is one thing, shooting a final round 65 to win the BMW PGA Championship is quite another. It may remain the best round of golf he will ever play in such circumstances, and if it doesn’t then many other big titles will surely come his way. I hear so much talk of interest in golf waning, participation in the game falling, of
rounds that take too long and a whole variety of negativities but watching the event at Wentworth take shape and witnessing the enormous interest it generated, it makes me think that in Britain at least things are far from gloom and doom. Around 15,000 people turned out to watch the Wednesday celebrity pro-am, and considerably more on each day of the tournament. The event has gone from strength to strength in recent years and I say well done to The European Tour for creating such buzz around the event and to BMW for bringing a certain style to the proceedings. It’s a very effective partnership. To my dismay I once again had the weekend off at Wentworth, coming on the back of a second place finish in the Spanish Open it was not the result I expected. A birdie-free Thursday left me too much to do
The turn-out for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open made it one of the strongest on The European Tour. For the tournament to produce a three-way play-off with Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen emerging victorious was a fitting finale to a fascinating Championship. and even a late rally couldn’t squeeze me in for the weekend. It was a surprise to see so many leading players miss the cut, including World Number One Rory McIlroy. The following week, at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open it was a repeat performance on another tough course. Again, many of the stars on show didn’t make the weekend. I narrowly missed the cut but there were many leading players who couldn’t get the better of the Royal County Down links, including Rory, who showed great class in taking the disappointment in his stride. Not all the guys make the effort to support these big European Tour events, which is a shame for when all our top players do play together our tournaments are every bit as
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strong as anywhere in the world. Granted, it’s tough playing on both sides of the pond, and you can’t play everywhere, but the turn-out for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open made it one of the strongest on The European Tour. For the tournament to produce a three-way play-off with Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen emerging victorious was a fitting finale to a fascinating Championship. One tournament I feel everyone European Tour player should play is the BMW PGA Championship. Everything about the event deserves the best possible field and anything less is a slight let down in my mind. For those who decided to stay away I hope they reflect that it was a poor decision and one they won’t make again. I spoke earlier about the celebrity proam - what a fun day. Last year I played with three rugby legends, and this year with a supermodel and a couple of pop stars. Most interesting of all is how big the crowds are on this pre-tournament outing. We always hear about the power and draw of celebrities and the pro-am at Wentworth is positive proof. The crowds came out in their droves to see the famous faces have a crack at the West Course. The players love meeting the stars of both the screen and the sports field and the celebrities seem to enjoy it, too. I hope to see it at more tournaments in the years to come. Seeing a member of One Direction enjoying a game of golf can only lead to more and more youngsters realising that cool people play golf, too. That can only be a great thing for the game. Talking of cool people, Miguel Angel Jimenez is up to his old tricks again with two holes in one in two weeks and second place in defence of his Spanish Open title - whoever said golf has lost all its characters? Two great tournaments, back-to-back, with two surprise, yet well deserved champions in Ben An and Soren Kjeldsen, among a galaxy of stars, only serves to prove the great strength in depth The European Tour has to offer. With Martin Kaymer defending his U.S. Open title at Chambers Bay in a couple of weeks, let’s hope we get a European Champion. Q
Worldwide GOLF Columnist
Pete Cowen
Highs and Lows
There are many highs and lows in professional golf
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y stable of players takes me all around the world throughout the year and it was great to be at a proper links course for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open last month. With links golf you’ve always got to take whatever the weather throws at you – cold and windy is a natural part of seaside golf. I was happy that Padraig Harrington was back in action at Royal County Down Golf Club after a pulled muscle at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth forced him to withdraw. It’s a fine line between working hard in the gym to safeguard against injury and overdoing it – Padraig did his injury in the gym. He pulled a tricep muscle, which straightens the arm in the swing, so it’s an important part of the body, particularly for a pro golfer. At the BMW PGA Championship my lads did OK. My colleague Mike Walker has recently taken on Chris Wood, who was previously one of my boys, and I’m pleased to say he’s doing a really good job with him. Chris is a nice kid. He had been away from the game for a good while through injury, but came back with a bang at Wentworth. He finished in fourth place and his ace at the par-three 14th earned him a fabulous BMW i8, worth £100,000plus. Having seen the car, there was no chance of Chris handing the keys over to Mike. Tommy Fleetwood did really well in fits and starts for his sixth place finish. It was nice to see him make a rare albatross and then later an eagle, for a nice pair of birds in his third round of seven-under-par! He was disappointed with his level par final round but to come sixth in The European Tour’s flagship event is no mean feat for the youngster. The new BMW PGA Champion Byeong-
Hun An looks a good prospect. I think some South Korean players will start to come through more and more because they have the right dedicated work ethic. He’s shown that it’s not just the Korean ladies who can succeed at the top level. In terms of young, emerging Asians there’s nobody better than Hideki Matsuyama. He does all the right work in the gym and when you watch him he just gets better and better. His short game is fast becoming one of his strengths and he’s improving his all-round game all the time. If he keeps progressing at this
It’s hard work being out on the road so much but I enjoy spending time with the players and it’s rewarding to see them play well. Henrik has already walked the Chambers Bay course and reckons it’s wide open. sort of rate he’ll be the first Japanese player to win a Major. I’ve been working on and off with him for the past two years. I basically give him the information he needs and he takes it on board, interprets it and works really hard on it. He’s doing everything right so it’s good to see how quickly he’s climbing up the ladder. He only turned professional in 2013 and he’s already a winner on the US PGA Tour, having won last year’s Memorial Tournament. He was also fifth in the Masters Tournament earlier this year. I’m smack in the middle of a nine-week run of tournaments which will come to an end at the US Open at Chambers Bay in the Pacific Northwest. I’m working with Henrik Stenson and Graeme McDowell ahead of
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the season’s second Major. It’s hard work being out on the road so much but I enjoy spending time with the players and it’s rewarding to see them play well. Henrik has already walked the Chambers Bay course and reckons it’s wide open. It’s a bombers links-style paradise, so look out for big-hitters like Dustin Johnson or Bubba Watson to do well. They’re both accurate long-hitters with a good short game. Peter Uihlein won the US Amateur at Chambers Bay when the tournament was held there in 2010 but he missed out at the UK Qualifier at Walton Heath, as did Padraig and Matt Fitzpatrick.
New Man, New Plan KEITH PELLEY, the new Chief Executive at The European Tour, was president of a media conglomerate in Canada and he orchestrated the largest sports rights deal in Canadian history, so he’ll be looking to bring some of that experience to The Tour. Over on the US PGA Tour they make a heck of a lot of money through worldwide and domestic TV deals. But it’s hard for The European Tour because when many of the big name European players play in Europe, they’re only doing the basic minimum of 13 events to be a European Tour Member and that includes four Majors and four World Golf Championships events – of which six are in America – which leaves them requiring just five other events to make up the 13 tournaments. Patrick Reed joined The European Tour for this season but had to withdraw from the tournaments at Wentworth and Royal County Down, citing a death in the family for his non-appearance, but then played in the Crown Playa Invitational on US PGA Tour, so I’m not really sure what’s going on there…although I can guess. Q
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Congratulations EGF Order of Merit Winners
Rayhaan Thomas
Men's Champion 2014-2015 EGF Order of Merit Season
Anastasia Bakal
Ladies Net and Gross Champion 2014-2015 EGF Order of Merit Season
Rayhaan Thomas - Mens' Champion Aarkesh Bhatia - Boys' Gross Champion Kim Chiang - Ladies' Champion Zubin Chandra - Boys' Net Champion Tiago Lobo - Juniors' Champion Chantal El Chaib - Girls' Gross Champion 2015 EGF Order of Merit Championship Chloe Trinh - Girls' Net Champion 2014 - 2015 EGF Order of Merit Season
2014 - 2015 Emirates Golf Federation Order of Merit Winners
Emirates Golf Federation New Membership is now just
AED 600
Discounted Individual Membership Fee
AED 1,050
Discounted Couple Membership Fee
An official USGA handicap recognized worldwide Ability to enter to play in club events and competitions requiring an official handicap An online handicap management system - Golferscard.ae Discounted green fees at UAE Golf Clubs Membership Benefits Program with special offers from partners of the EGFGolfer's Insurance Insider volunteer opportunities and special ticket offers at Professional Golf Tournaents held in the UAE
www.egfgolf.com
info@egfgolf.com
ArabianGOLF NEWS FROM THE LEADING CLUBS IN THE REGION
TERRIFIC THOMAS ENDS EGF ORDER OF MERIT SEASON ON A HIGH
Kim Chiang and Tiago Lobo also record convincing wins in seasonending Emirates Golf Federation OOM Championship at The Els Club. Written by Mohamed Suleman
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HE 2015 Emirates Golf Federation Order of Merit season came to a close with the EGF OoM Championship at The Els Club and it was only fitting that Rayhan Thomas, who had already emphatically sealed the Men’s Division Order of Merit, took home the winner’s trophy in the season’s final event. Thomas (pictured right with his two trophies) was dominant throughout the tournament, carding an even par 72 in the first round and a 4-over-par 76 in the second to finish seven strokes in front of runner-up Zi Hao Su. In the Ladies Division it was Kim Chiang who followed up her opening round of 76 with a recordbreaking 4-under-par 67 on the final day to take the Ladies’ crown by four shots over Anastasia Bakal. Tiago Lobo was the star in the junior’s side of things, taking home the winner’s medal after firing two rounds of 73 to romp to victory by eight strokes over Dhruv Nair.
EGF ORDER OF MERIT RESULTS
The Emirates Golf Federation Order Of Merit Men’s Division was played in a demanding gross format and composed of 13 events, the first of which was held in October and the last in April. Each event was a two-day, 36-hole tournament
and rightfully proved to be a stern test of the consistency and skill of the participants. In the end, it was Thomas who emerged as the clear-cut winner in the Men’s Division as he notched up 192 gross points over the eight events he competed in to take the top spot. Thomas’ impressive achievement included a memorable win at the 26th Omega Emirates Amateur Open to go along with four second-place results as he finished well ahead of the Division’s runner-up Sidney De Souza. “It was a great season for me. I played consistently throughout and I think that was the key,” said Thomas. “I made sure I went out and played well and didn’t produce any terrible rounds so I’m happy I was able to maintain my consistency.” Adel Zarouni, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, said that the EGF was privileged to host the Order of Merit and thanked all the players and clubs for making the season a success. “We are very proud to host the Order of Merit,” Zarouni said. “Every year we have increased the number of participants and this year we added two different divisions to expand the field. “We’d like to thank all the players who participated and all the clubs that hosted the tournaments and, hopefully, next year we’ll have an even bigger and better season.”
2015 EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION ORDER OF MERIT RESULTS EGF OOM MEN’S DIVISION MEN’S GROSS CATEGORY
EGF OOM LADIES DIVISION GROSS CATEGORY
EGF OOM JUNIOR DIVISION
NET CATEGORY
BOYS DIVISION GROSS CATEGORY
GIRLS DIVISION
NET CATEGORY
GROSS CATEGORY
NET CATEGORY
Rayhan Thomas
192
Anastasia Bakal
221
Anastasia Bakal
171
Aarkesh Bhatia
190.25
Zubin Chandra
135.6
Chantal El Chaib
161
Chloe Trinh
198.5
Sidney De Souza
129
Kim Chiang
206
Kim Chiang
120.3
Tiago Lobo
187.5
Arjun Gupta
135.3
Aashaka Desai
151
Chantal El Chaib
149.3
Winner
Runner-up
P68 ARABIANGOLF
COACHING THE NEXT GENERATION W
HEN Mark Gregson-Walters arrived in Dubai 17 years ago from the UK, he could count the number of golf courses in the UAE on one hand. Since then, he’s been a part of the explosive growth of the game in a region that now breathes golf. His passion for teaching led him to form Grass Roots Golf, a highly successful junior programme aimed at giving children in Dubai the chance to play golf. Worldwide Golf caught up with Mark at Emirates Golf Club, where he coaches, to talk about life in Dubai and what needs to be done to ensure that the future of the game is in good hands.
MARK GREGSON-WALTERS
WORLDWIDE GOLF: What the was golf scene like in the region when you came to Dubai 17 years ago? MARK GREGSON-WALTERS: When I arrived in 1998 there were three grass golf courses in Dubai. I’ve had the pleasure of watching that number grow to 19 courses in the UAE and it’s incredible how we now have some amazing world class facilities for people to enjoy. WWG: Why did you decide to set up Grass Roots Golf? MGW: As a coach in Dubai I felt that there was no path in place for children to go to in a situation, where there was no golf played in the child’s family, to competing in junior tournaments. This is preventative to increasing the number of golfers in Dubai. So we began a programme to bridge the stages together to help increase the number of children playing golf. Grass Roots Golf goes into schools as an after school activity, or as part of their curriculum, taking them onto the Driving Range to learn how to play golf before progressing to become a squad player for their school. We hold five inter-school tournaments each year as school team events. This is a great environment for young children to learn and has delivered social and performance junior golfers.
WWG: What needs to be done to encourage more children in the UAE to take up the game? MGW: Golf to be part of the schools’ curriculum would be fantastic. This is the first part of the process to developing golf into the culture. There are so many skills to learn from the game and
simply experiencing a term playing golf will stay with children forever.
WWG: What was it like to work with Pete Cowen and what did you learn?
MGW: Thomas Bjorn introduced me to Peter Cowen in 1999. I was asked to keep my eye on swing changes being implemented by Pete while he was away. Pete Cowen has an incredible knowledge of the golf swing and at the same time he is humble enough to keep looking for easier and more effective ways to perform - he is an innovator in swing mechanics. I’ve learned that principals don’t change and are key to success. Methods can change but they must be built around principals.
stocking junior equipment have a size chart made by US Kids which identifies the best size clubs for your child. This is available in most countries.
WWG: How do you get your child started in the game in the UAE if you can’t afford a club membership? MGW: Through Grass Roots Golf. Its important to begin in the surroundings that your child enjoys and is very reasonable priced. The EGF is the governing body of golf in the UAE and there is a small fee for membership that will allow a more developed golfer the opportunity to attain an official handicap and play in junior open tournaments held across the UAE.
WWG: What is your connection with Callaway and Golf House?
WWG: What is the best advice for a parent looking
MGW: I’ve tied up with leading golf brand Callaway
to get their child into the sport?
and Golf House. Callaway’s attention to developing golf equipment to make the game more fun for social players and the efforts they have made to give performance players an edge, has really impressed me over the past couple of years and I’m pleased to be associated. Anything that makes you enjoy this game more is something to talk about!
MGW: Younger children are still learning movement skills so a programme needs to include physical play as well as competition games as teams. Grass Roots Golf U.A.E. was devised precisely for this stage. Adolescents tend to thrive off team and individual competition with their peers for fun so there is a change in the programme. Remember, it’s a sport and sport needs to be fun. Take a programme that will support the reason for playing and they will want to play the game.
WWG: How important is equipment for juniors and what should they look for?
MGW: Golf equipment that is too heavy or too big can be a hindrance to development. Most shops
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KIDS JUST LOVE TO HAVE FUN I
BELIEVE that while equipping the the kids with the right equipment and technical aspects of the game, it’s equally important to let them have a good time on the driving range and on the golf course. Here are two easy and fun drills I like to do with my students that allows them to think critically as golfers while having a blast at the same time.
SLALOM PUTTING
THIS is a fantastic fun drill. You can use sticks as we have used here or you can use buckets. What’s great is you can have children design their own courses so that their imagination gets working. Overall, this drill focuses on thought, strategy and feel with their putting. All they have to do is work their way to the hole by putting from one stick to the other until they reach the hole. The goal is to get close enough to two-putt at each stage of the slalom.
SHOTS THROUGH BRANCHES AND OVER TREES Obstacles are fantastic when it comes to keeping children occupied. What we’re doing here is getting them to hit the ball towards the flag but through the branches of a conveniently shaped tree. This makes them use their imagination in addition to thinking about flight and club selection. To top it off we’d then go on to hitting shots over the tree, which helps explosive speed and commitment to the shot.
SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB
GARY PLAYER’S GRAND SLAM 50 FOR 50 REWIND Replay Saadiyat Beach Golf Club for AED 50 this summer – and cash in on 100 dirhams in F&B and pro-shop vouchers.
S
aadiyat Beach Golf Club have unveiled one of the summer’s most compelling green fee deals to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Gary Player’s career grand slam-sealing U.S. Open victory. Player, whose beachfront design on Saadiyat Island is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, beat Australian legend Kel Nagel in an 18-hole Monday play-off to win America’s treasured national championship in 1965 at Bellerive Country Club at St. Louis, Missouri. This month’s 115th U.S. Open at Chambers Bay marks a half century since Player became just the third player behind Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan to capture all four Major titles. To celebrate the occasion, Saadiyat Beach GC will launch its “Gary Player Grand Slam 50 for 50 Rewind” promotion in the week leading up to this month’s U.S. Open. For 50 days the deal will see golfers who book the best available daily rate online at ‘sbgolfclub.ae’ rewarded with an AED 50 F&B voucher and an AED 50 Golf Shop credit, as well as being able to replay Player’s masterpiece for just AED 50 on the same day. The deal, with online rates starting from AED 250, is available from June 21 to August 1, seven days a week. Saadiyat Beach GC Director of Club Operations, Scott McCaw, says the promotion is a fitting tribute to Player and all fans of the Black Knight’s UAE design. “We’re extremely proud to have Gary Player’s world renowned design signature on our course and wanted to salute the legendary ‘Black Knight’ on his momentous anniversary,” McCaw said. “The Gary Player Grand Slam 50 for 50 Rewind is an opportunity for golfers across
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JUNE 5
Members’ Monthly Medal
the GCC to celebrate Gary’s achievement in the perfect way, by enjoying his masterpiece on Saadiyat Island.” Player held a three stroke lead over Nagle heading into the final round in 1965 but finished tied on 282, two over, forcing a Monday play-off where he triumphed 71 to Nagle’s 74. Just 29 at the time, the nine-time South African Major champion became the first foreign-born winner of the U.S. Open in 38 years, following Scotland’s Tommy Armour in 1927. “I remember vividly wanting to become the third player to achieve the Grand Slam behind Gene Sarazan and Ben Hogan, and also beating my good friend Jack Nicklaus to the accomplishment!” Player told Worldwide Golf. “Jack was kind enough to encourage me to visit Bellerive in St. Louis earlier than I had planned. The preparation paid off, as even though I was not considered a long hitter, I won on the longest course in US Open history to that point. I was particularly proud to be the first International player to win the Grand Slam, a distinction that stands today. “ Player played the mutual appreciation game, praising the team at Saadiyat Beach GC for its care and nurturing of his beloved Abu Dhabi design. “Saadiyat is one of the most exciting projects I’ve ever worked on as a designer. The whole of Saadiyat Island is an enormous undertaking, and being a part of that makes me feel that we are part of a ground-breaking development. And yes, the golf course itself has gone from strength to strength over the last five years. It is an incredible setting, and Troon is doing a fine job taking care of it. To take advantage of the Gary Player Grand Slam 50 for 50 Rewind promotion, visit www.sbgolfclub.ae
EVERY WEDNESDAY
Sushi @ Seven – the best Sushi & Sashimi Buffett in Abu Dhabi, 7pm till late, from AED 120
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: +971 (0) 2 557 8000
info@sbgolfclub.ae
SAADIYAT BEACH GC NOTEPAD DIAMOND ROCK STARS
▶
Pro You Didn’t Know – Martin Robinson
Saadiyat Beach
SBGC Golf Club’s
MIND GAMES A
s Saadiyat Beach Golf Club’s Head Teaching Professional, Martin Robinson is well positioned to knock even the ropiest of golf swings into shape but his knowledge is far from limited to the technical aspects of the game. The 29-year-old Englishman has devoted the past eight years to the mental side of the Royal and Ancient game and is now an NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Master Practitioner and Mental Performance Coach with the UK-based company Trained Brain. This holistic approach to coaching – building an efficient and powerful golf swing, a tidy short game and a winning mindset – allows golfers of all levels to maximise their potential. Robinson, who holds regular mental performance training sessions for groups and individuals at Saadiyat Beach’s Golf Academy, was invited to the Philippines to share his knowledge with the country’s national junior team and spent many years helping English professional Ian Keenan. Keenan was good enough to play the 2012 Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St. Annes and is now manager of a number of promising players including Byeong Hun An who won the European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last month. So what tips does Robinson have for
players who regularly see red mist envelope their rounds? “One of the things I always say is that when McIlroy and Woods are at the peak of their powers, they hit somewhere between 60-70 percent of fairways and greens. So if they are missing on average 35 percent of the time, every other golfer has to accept they are going to miss at least 35 percent,” said Robinson who did his PGA training at Caldy Golf Club in his beloved Liverpool and enjoyed stints at the Royal Golf Club, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi GC before joining Saadiyat Beach GC two years ago. “For a lot of amateurs, when they hit one bad shot, the wheels come off. They stand over a shot and have a disaster movie running through their head. It’s all about having a clear intent, a more assertive state of mind. Having control of your breathing and body language are also so important to the mental side of the game.” And what about the one physical aspect of the game you would share with the average weekend warrior? “That would be to use the body to hit the ball correctly, using the lower body and core. A lot of amateurs are very static and use their hands and arms way too much.”
“For a lot of amateurs, when they hit one bad shot, the wheels come off. They stand over a shot and have a disaster movie running through their head. It’s all about having a clear intent…”
JUNE 19
Members’ Monthly Stableford
To book a lesson with Martin Robinson or any one of the SBGC Golf Academy team, call +971 (0)2 557 8000 or e-mail mrobinson@sbgolfclub.ae
CORPORATE GOLF DAY?
growing international reputation has been further enhanced by two coveted award wins. The Troon Golfmanaged Abu Dhabi club was accredited with “Diamond” status during the 2015 IAGTO Excellence Awards at the 4th annual Asia Golf Tourism Convention in Indonesia. Just days after that triumph in Jakarta, Saadiyat Beach GC was awarded the International Social Media Rockstar Award at the annual 2015 Troon Golf Leadership conference in Arizona. IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) is the global trade organisation for the golf tourism industry, with more than 2,300 members comprising accredited golf tour operators, golf resorts, hotels, golf courses and golf travel writers. The Diamond accreditation assesses all aspects of a golf club with Saadiyat Beach GC coming out on top in areas such as on and offcourse amenities, value for money, successful professional trade relationships and visitor access.
ST. REGIS STAY & PLAY The
SBGC region’s
most luxurious Stay & Play deal is back with Saadiyat Beach Golf Club again joining forces with the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. Enjoy 18 holes on the Gary Player-designed championship oasis and bed and breakfast at the five star St. Regis, with its 9km of pristine beachfront, from AED 1195 (double room) midweek and AED 1275 at weekends. Offer valid till September 14. Email reservations.saadiyat@stregis.com or call +971 (0)2 498 8000
SOUTHERN SUN SUNDOWNER Finish the hectic
SBGC work week with
the Southern Sun Saadiyat Sundowner, a 9-hole twilight (tee times from 4-5pm) competition with prizes from Southern Sun Abu Dhabi and Srixon and a post-tournament BBQ. Entry is just AED 250 for EGF members and UAE residents. Email: events@sbgolfclub.ae or call +971 (0)2 557 8000
RAMADAN DELIGHTS
SBGC Treat the family to a traditional Iftar
during the Holy month of Ramadan in Hawksbill Restaurant. The deal, including Ramadan juices and soft drinks, starts from AED 120 per person and is available on Friday, Saturday and Sundays. Email: fb@sbgolfclub.ae or call +971 (0)2 499 8107
Book 16 or more players and get a complimentary video to impress your guests. Email Adam at aruegg@troongolf.com
ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB
Mr AMBASSADOR
New Abu Dhabi Golf Club General Manager Paul Booth rose above more than 10,000 associates from 250 high-end courses and resorts around the world to be named Troon Golf’s Global Ambassador of the Year
P
aul Booth has come a long way from his days as an impressionable young PGA trainee and retail assistant at Belton Woods Hotel & Country Club in Lincolnshire. It was 1992 and a hint of the exciting career taking shape before his eyes came the following summer when he worked at Belton Woods’ sister club, The Belfry, during the 1993 Ryder Cup. Tom Watson’s Team USA pipped Bernard Gallacher’s Europeans 15-13, but it was an incredible buzz for Booth nonetheless and has made the recent reverse in Ryder Cup fortunes all the sweeter. Fast-forward 23 years and the now 40-year-old father-of-two, a diehard Reading Football Club fan, finds himself at the helm of another famed European Tour venue, Abu Dhabi Golf Club. It’s Booth’s second stint at the Peter Harradinedesigned 27-holer after he served as Head Golf Professional there from February 2007 until March 2009 before taking a 30 minute drive west to become a key member of the pre-opening team at Saadiyat Beach GC. Booth remained Director of Operations at Saadiyat Beach until February when he played musical chairs with his Abu Dhabi counterpart Scott McCaw, and the last of those six years has just been recognised by Troon Golf who anointed Booth “Global Ambassador of the Year” at its recent 25th anniversary leadership conference in Arizona. Mark Chapleski, Troon’s Middle East Area Managing Director/Senior Vice President, takes up the story: “Paul joined the Troon family at Saadiyat Beach GC, jumping in with both feet at every opportunity, being proactive and innovative…he has risen through the ranks due to his infectious enthusiasm,” Chapleski said. “One of Paul’s best attributes is his ability to nurture talent and champion the next generation of leaders. He thoroughly deserves this award.” With that said, Worldwide Golf sat down with Booth to discuss his success, management style, plans for Abu Dhabi GC and, given there was simply no way to avoid it, his beloved Reading FC.
MARK YOUR DIARY
JUNE13
It’s very nice to win any award working with Troon Golf. It’s a massive company with 250 high quality resorts around the world and to be recognised on any scale, let alone individually, is a great achievement. I think I’m the first nonAmerican to win it but it’s really more down to a team effort. I was kind of hoping the team would get recognised for innovation with the go-karting and music events (at Saadiyat Beach GC)…I certainly didn’t expect to get recognised with one of the individual awards. One of Troon Golf’s best policies is empowerment and I certainly judge myself on how many people I can get to Director of Golf, GM positions within Troon. I think that’s been evident with Karl Whitehead (who worked under Booth at Saadiyat Beach GC) who is now Director of Golf/GM at The Montgomerie. He actually received Golf Professional of the Year at the conference and I think he blurted out ‘Thank you to Paul Booth for all that he’s done for me,” which is the real reward for me. Franco Botha (also ex Saadiyat Beach GC) has just transferred to The Els Club, Dubai as Golf Operations Manager which is also very satisfying. One of the key goals for the team at Abu Dhabi GC is to drive different revenue streams. We’ve had one big (non golf) event in March and we’re looking at another one in October as well with the goal of getting footfall through the facility, but also to get the younger generation looking at a golf club and thinking, “this is pretty cool”. 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. The millennials, they want instant gratification, IPads and PlayStations or whatever it is. It’s about trying to get them out playing a game that is relatively hard, takes 4½ hours to play and the younger generation are saying, “really, where
Lockheed Martin Members’ Monthly Stableford (Tee times 7-8am & 1pm-1.40pm)
JUNE20
Beat the Pros (2pm Shotgun)
is the fun in that?” So if we can get them here and they think “this is cool”, something slightly different, you never know, we might get some traction and get the youngsters playing. My first golf memory is of watching Seve Ballesteros at Wentworth in the World Matchplay in 1989. We were there all day, it was Ian Woosnam, Seve, Sir Nick Faldo and Ronan Rafferty. I went with my younger brother and we had a great day walking around with them. We actually got invited to the prize presentation and Sir Nick Faldo spent a couple of minutes talking to us…we were just awestruck by him and Ballesteros. Seve is probably a lot of my generation’s golfing hero. He probably didn’t play the game technically correct, he was all over the place, but I think that was half of the inspiration of watching someone like Seve play. Ryder Cup or the Olympics? It’s a tough one, but one of my very best friends, Mark Marsden, hated golf, couldn’t stand it. So I’ve made him watch the Ryder Cup one year and I’ve left day two to go to work and when I get home he’s literally standing on the sofa, cheering on the European team. And he’s gone on to, I wouldn’t say become a great golfer, but he enjoys it and he’s got all his circle of friends into it. So I’ve got a non-golfer, who hated golf, and he is playing golf regularly. That’s one of my favourite golf stories. Seve Ballesteros, Graeme Murty and Angelina Jolie would make up my dream fourball. Murty was Reading’s captain who got us promoted to the Premier League. At Saadiyat and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (now AD City GC), 100 percent everyone knows I’m a Reading fan and they will all know here eventually (laughs). When Reading got promoted to the Premiership the first time in 2005-06 I actually made it “National Reading Day” and anyone who booked a lesson that day got free lessons.
JUNE25
The Etihad Airways Night Flight, 9 Holes (6.30pm Shotgun. Members AED 75, Non-Members AED 300)
AbuDhabiGolfClub
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A B U D H A B I G C N O T E PA D ALBERTSON’S EAGLE WINS NEPAL CHARITY GOLF DAY ADGC An eagle three
finish on the 18th hole proved decisive for Club Captain John Albertson III as Abu Dhabi Golf Club raised in excess of AED 30,000 for earthquake victims during its Nepal Charity Golf Day. Taking advantage of teeing off from the ladies red tees, the big-hitting American hit driver, 5-iron to within six feet and duly rolled in the putt for five stableford points. The sensational finish saw Albertson III and his partner Jim Mulvehill sign for a betterball Stableford score of 52 points to win by three from Darren Abel and Stephen Louis.
STAY & PLAY WITH WESTIN ABU DHABI GOLF RESORT & SPA
LOBO’S LATE SURGE IGNITES GRAND PGA TOUR PLAN BBrazilian raziilian tteen een eyes UUSS af after fter a
ADGC Abu Dhabi Golf Club and the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa
have teamed up 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. Visit www.westinabudhabigolfresort.com or call +971 (0)2 616 999
FARRELL’S FINE FORM
ADGC Anna Farrell capped a fortnight to remember
weekend to remember.
TIAGO LOBO. PHOTO COURTESY EGF
I
f it takes small steps to arrive at a great destination then Tiago Lobo, to use the modern day parlance, is clearly trending in the right direction. The Brazilian teen with US PGA Tour aspirations ignited the weekend of his career when he clinched Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s scratch men’s matchplay title on May 21. Lobo left it late in the final against American Chris Rossmeisl which was brought forward two days to allow the scratch-handicapper to tee it up in the EGF’s junior Order of Merit championship the next day, an event he would go on to win by eight strokes after carding back-toback 73s at The Els Club, Dubai. The 17-year-old was never better than all-square in the Abu Dhabi GC decider and found himself on the ropes at two down with two to play. But a steady par to three-handicapper Rossmeisl’s sandy bogey on 17 and a driver, five-wood, two-putt birdie on 18 forced the final to sudden death. Both players split the first fairway to start overtime impressively before Rossmeisl left his 100 yard approach 25 feet shy of the pin and speed his birdie attempt four foot past the cup. Lobo, meantime, hit a crisp wedge to 15 feet to leave a slippery down hiller for birdie and duly drained the left to right slider to seal the title in style. The memorable weekend was all the more impressive, given the year-12 The British School of Al Khubairat student was in the midst of sitting his SAT exams. There is more study on the horizon with Lobo eyeing a golf scholarship at a US university after completing his final year of secondary school. “A pro career is definitely the goal,” Lobo said. “University should give me a lot of experience to make it onto the US PGA Tour eventually. This year I’ve got five tournaments in the UK over the summer, including the Scottish Boys and Faldo Series, and then in December I’m looking to go to the US to check out some universities. “Arizona State is the No.1 for golf but we’ll see where it goes. I’m looking at studying either business or English.” Meanwhile, Australian 12-handicapper Corey Spring toppled John Garrett 3&1 in the men’s handicap matchplay final despite having to give his English opponent three shots. The club’s foursomes matchplay final was a one-sided affair with Lina Tyson and Young Souk Choi beating Ali Fassa and Garrett 7-up.
JUNE 26
June 26 – Members’ Monthly Medal (Tee times 7am-8.10am & 1pm-1.40pm)
when she won the Lockheed Martin members’ monthly Stableford with an impressive six net birdies en-route to 37 points. The 34-handicapper’s four point victory over Wanni Jefferson came just a week after she won ADGC’s monthly medal for May, her net 70 edging Kirstin Schwinghammer by a stroke. In the men’s monthly Stableford, Andy Clemson (39 points) won division A (0-14 handicap) by a point from Mark Laws while a countback was needed to separate division B (15+ handicap) winner, Club Captain John Albertson III, and runner-up Paul Spinks.
SPINKS GETS HIS WINGS Paul Spinks may have had to settle for
ADGC second place in the monthly Stableford, but there was ample consolation for the now 12-handicapper in the May edition of the Etihad Airways Night Flight. The Englishman’s 23 Stableford points edged Kamal Belaid by two and saw him collect 25,000 Etihad Air Miles. Spinks also spanked the night’s longest drive, a belter that netted him an additional 10,000 Etihad Air Miles.
TWO ACES IN ONE DAY ADGC Neil Heywood (pictured) scored
the first of two holes-in-one on the same say at Abu Dhabi GC. Heywood aced the 12th hole with a 7 iron during his lasthole matchplay semifinal loss to Corey Spring while later, on April 16, Kevin Tormey binned a wedge on the 148 yard 21st hole in an Abu Dhabi Golf Society event.
FALCON EXPRESS Bring your driver but leave the
ADGC driving to Abu Dhabi GC this
summer. Golfers in Dubai and Al Ain can play the famed Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship venue from AED 425 any Saturday in the month of June and enjoy complimentary return transfers in an ADGC Infinity Club Car. Tee times (minimum fourball) 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.
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 ▶
RAS AL HAMRA G O LF CL UB, MUSCAT, O M A N
His Excellency Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi, Oman Minister for Tourism (centre) is pictured at the prize-presentation ceremony alongside (left to right) Gary Battersby, overall champion Susanne Solberg, Ayze Kazdal and Ray Prescott.
SUSANNE WINS THE GRAND FINAL RACE IN STYLE THE 2015 Race to Ras Al Hamra
RAHGC completed its ultimate stage
score of 40 points. Just one point further back, Ayse Kazdal took second place on a countback from Tim Maddern, who had to settle for third, and it took another countback to decide fourth and fifth places as Gary Battersby claimed fourth with Harpreet Singh fifth after both had finished on 38 points. At the end of an outstanding and enjoyable day’s play there was an awards dinner to officially open Ras Al Hamra Golf Club, Muscat. Presentations to the champion 40 points and the prizewinners were given by 39 points Raoul Restucci PDO MD, and Ras 39 points Al Hamra Golf Club Captain Ray 38 points Prescott.
on Friday 17th April with 66 golfers participating in the grand final at Ras Al Hamra Golf Club, Muscat, Oman – and it was Club Member Susanne Solberg who finished ahead of the field in the style of a true champion. Only three points separated the top 11 finishers in the grand final as the Results: 66 competitors, who had qualified through 1st: Susanne Solberg the three sectional 2nd: Ayse Kazdal qualifying events 3rd: Tim Maddern held at Ghala Golf 4th: Gary Battersby Club, Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club 5th: Harpreet Singh 38 points Charity Presentation and Almouj Golf, The The evening concluded with the Wave, Muscat, took presentation of 15,130 OMR (more than part in the end of season tournament to $39,000) donated to the Oman Cancer determine who would have the honour of Association and their Dar Al Hanan being crowned the Race to Ras Al Hamra Residences. Champion. A huge thank you was made by Raoul Exceptional Scores Restucci to all participants, Troon Golf The tournament marked the official (The Els Club Dubai, Saadiyat Beach opening of the now grass Ras Al Hamra Golf Club and Abu Dhabi Golf Club) and Golf Club on the shores of the Gulf of Omantel for donating the raffle prizes, Oman and there were some exceptional and to the title sponsor, Petroleum scores throughout the day with the Development Oman, for their generous qualifiers enjoying the facilities of the contributions to Dar Al Hanan. newly opened Golf Club for the very first The event was attended by His time. Excellency Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al It was a hard-fought final and after Rumhy, Oman Minister of Oil and Gas and numerous countbacks the result was Chairman of the Petroleum Development announced that Ras Al Hamra Golf Club Board and also His Excellency Ahmed member, Susanne Solberg, had finished bin Nasser Al Mahrizi, Oman Minister for first over the line with an exceptional Tourism.
His Excellency Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, Oman Minister of Oil and Gas and Chairman of the Petroleum Development Board, presents a cheque for 15,130 OMR ($39,000) to the Hon. Yuthar Mohammed Al Rawahy, Founder and Chairperson of the Oman Cancer Association.
A
fter play at the awards dinner to officially open Ras Al Hamra Golf Club, presentations were made by Raoul Restucci PDO MD and RAHGC Captain Ray Prescott. The evening concluded with a cheque for 15,130 OMR ($39,000) being handed to the Oman Cancer Association and their Dar Al Hanan Residences (above). A huge thank you went to all the participants, to Troon Golf (The Els Club Dubai, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Abu Dhabi Golf Club) and to Omantel for supplying the raffle prizes, and to the title sponsor Petroleum Development Oman for such generous contributions to Dar Al Hanan.
P76 ARABIANGOLF R A S AL HAMRA GOL F C LUB , MUS C AT, O M A N
TURNING BROWNS TO GREENS T
HE transformation in turning browns to greens was completed last month and celebrated in style with the grand final of the Race to Ras Al Hamra to officially mark the opening of the new grass Golf Club. The original sand course at Ras Al Hamra in Muscat, set in spectacular surroundings on the shores of the Gulf of Oman was created around 45 years ago. When Petroleum Development Oman began work 18 months ago to turn the course from a sand to a grass course it was envisaged as an 18-hole layout. But with only 27 hectares to work with, the final design by Australian architect Graham Marsh was an ingenious 9-hole facility that could also be played as 18. Now the ‘greens’ of the old sand course, where the actual greens were really browns – a mixture of compacted sand and oil – and the designated ‘fairways’ were negotiated by hitting your ball off an astroturf-style matt, the tees, fairways and greens really are green.
Clever Placement
It’s a desert-style course with clever placement of multiple tees with large double greens. With its alternative locations it’s a par 71 layout which can vary in length from 5,400 to 6,400 yards over 18 holes. It’s also the first golf course in Oman to be completely floodlit! Many of the original trees were preserved from the Ras al Hamra redevelopment project and replanted alongside native plants and shrubs to enhance the 14 hectares of golf landscape. There are 15 greens and 13 tee
complexes. The 1st and 10th holes share the same tees and fairway, playing into a double green, the right side being the 1st and the left side being the 10th. The 7th/16th comprise a par-3 that has one single green and one flag. From the 7th tee complex it plays 159 yards, but from the 16th tee complex it plays 210 yards. The layout is unique. In the summer heat very little golf is played during the daytime but the floodlights enable golfers to hone their skills in the cooler evenings.
Semi-Private
The golf course is semi-private and mostly for PDO members and guests. Currently, there are about180 members and with more than 3,000 workers within PDO the number is expected to rise. The course is grassed exclusively with Platinum TE Paspalum and besides the small fresh water feature lake on the 7th hole there are no irrigation lakes on the course. Water storage simply comprises of a 3,000m3 tank. The irrigation system is wall-to-wall Rain Bird, based in Muscat. With the addition of Ras Al Hamra Golf Club, Muscat can now boast four grass golf courses, all with their own unique character. Ras Al Hamra has certainly made the most of its attributes and with such diverse courses like the Greg Norman-designed links-style coastal layout of Almouj Golf The Wave, Muscat; Ghala Golf Course, which was recently redesigned from a sand to a grass course; and Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club, Muscat, can justifiably claim their place as a world-class golfing destination.
It’s a desert-style course with clever placement of multiple tees with large double greens. With its alternative locations it’s a par 71 layout which can vary in length from 5,400 to 6,400 yards over 18 holes. It’s also the first golf course in Oman to be completely floodlit!
1980
RAOUL RESTUCCI, MD of Petroleum Development Oman, introduces the prizegiving and thanks all the participants and sponsors at the awards dinner at the Race to Al Hamra Golf Club Grand Final to celebrate the official opening of the Club.
2015
The new Ras Al Hamra Golf Club grass course.
1990
The original sand course showing the circular ‘brown’ greens.
The sand course with its numerous trees and shrubs and the new road.
P78 ARABIANGOLF G HALA GOLF CLUB, MUSCAT, O MAN
Ghala Golf Club Celebrates a New Beginning
A
NEW BEGINNING has begun at the former Ghala Valley Golf Club. The re-branding of the club, now known as The Ghala Golf Club, introduced a new chapter for Golf in Oman with the completion of its state-of-the-art Clubhouse. The new extended clubhouse overlooks the 18th, 16th and 9th holes, and is enhanced by a spectacular water feature. Members can relax in the comfortable outdoor decking area whilst watching golfers finishing their rounds and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere. The upstairs area provides an elevated view of the golf course with its picturesque surroundings. These are just a few of the many changes. The Ghala Valley Golf Club was renowned for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere and nothing has been lost in retaining the charm within the new Ghala Golf Club. The history of the old club has been carefully preserved by restoring the memorabilia throughout the club. The
clubhouse was very popular with the members and the ambience that was created within the golf club had given it a unique atmosphere, which remains a feature of Ghala Golf Club.
New Clubhouse
The new clubhouse was officially opened on 31 January 2015 by His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, with the Ghala Golf Club Chairman, His Highness Sayyid Taimur bin As’ad Al Said (pictured below right). The clubhouse was opened in conjunction with the Kais Golf Classic, a tournament honouring the late Sayyid Kais bin Tariq Al Said. The transformation of the clubhouse is evident from the moment you enter the building. The entrance reinforces the Ghala Golf Club atmosphere with its light and airy colouring and spacious walkway, which provide a wonderful view straight to the golf course. The history of the golf club is there for all to see through the tournament trophies on display as you pass through to the Members and restaurant area.
Pro-Shop: The Pro-Shop stocks all the standard popular brands including Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist and Mizuno to name but a few. The Pro-Shop finish matches the interior of the clubhouse and includes a seating area for the players to discuss their round. Members Area: Golfers and visitors are assured a warm welcome from the moment they enter the Members Area. The 121,000 M2 indoor area consist of the bar service area, casual and formal seating arrangements, activities area and Members rest room. The indoor area is fully air-conditioned with access to all the international sporting events on the large screen or projector. The outside decking area overlooks the 18th hole and the 16th tee box. The decking wraps around the indoor area, giving Members a perfect view of the golf course. The water feature accentuates the peacefulness of the building, adding to the overall ambience of the clubhouse. The locker rooms are located near the entrance of the clubhouse. The professional
finishing touches to the lockers can be seen in both the male and female areas. The lockers are large enough to allow for change bags and suits and smaller lockers are also available. Showers are located in the locker rooms with complimentary towels provided for all players. Downstairs Restaurant Area: The restaurant overlooks the lawn and entertainment area and the 9th, 18th and 16th holes. The area is largely extended from the previous restaurant space with a more open design, allowing for natural sunlight. The current area can comfortably seat 90 people indoors while the outside decking area can accommodate an additional 60 people. Upstairs Seating Area: The restaurant extends upstairs to the viewing deck, which affords a bird’s eye view of the golf course from an elevated position. The area shapes around the clubhouse with glass barriers to allow undisturbed views of the layout. Players can relax overlooking the course in the open air viewing deck while watching the players finish, with the backdrop of a
dramatic and colourfull Omani sunset. The upstairs seating area can comfortably seat 90 people. Also on the second floor are the management offices, boardroom, conference and breakout room. The mutli-purpose conference room overlooks the driving range and the back 9 holes of the golf course. The room can be adjusted as per request. It’s perfect for any kind of private function and fully equipped for any occasion. The breakout room is located next door for catching up with private work or networking with others. Wifi is available throughout the clubhouse. THE GHALA GOLF CLUB has set a new standard of golf club architecture in Oman. The next aim is to put the final touches to the existing golf course to tie together the final vision of Ghala Golf Club, a truly unique golf club facility in the Sultanate of Oman. n
P80 ARABIANGOLF ▶
YAS LINKS GOLF CLUB SEAN EWING AND LORA AL MARZOOQI STAR AT THE SENIOR OPEN YLGC SEAN Ewing took top honours at this year’s Yas
CROMBIE AND LLOYD TAKE YAS LINKS CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS YAS Links Golf Club’s annual two-day
YLGC 36-hole strokeplay flagship event saw Alastair Crombie and Leslie Lloyd prevail over all others as they won the overall prizes in their respective divisions. Crombie’s two-day gross score of 157 was enough for him to be crowned the Men’s Club Champion (pictured above right with the
Links Senior Open as he carded an impressive gross score of 76 to win the overall prize and in the Ladies’ division Lora Al Marzooqi finished on top with her gross score of 94 (both pictured below with their trophies). Ali Cherad carded a net 70 to take first place in the men’s net division as he finished one shot ahead of runner-up Paul Stenhouse. In the ladies division it was Leslie Lloyd who took top spot with a score of net 74 while Josefina Ratto finished runner-up for her round of 80.
trophy) while Lloyd’s total of 194 was good enough for her to claim the title of Ladies Club Champion (pictures above left). Daniel Griffiths won the men’s top net prize while Kevin Jun took the runner-up spot. In the ladies section it was Teresa Sheepwash who took top honours in the net division with Natalie Wilson finishing runner-up.
WATLING AND SHIANG OVERALL WINNERS IN ETIHAD OPEN YLGC WITH an accumulated tally of 215 points,
Alan Whatling took the overall Etihad Open Stableford winner’s trophy for Division A (hcp 0-14) while the top prize in Division B (hcp 15+) went to Wong Ming Shiang for her total score of 238 points. On the final day of play it was Mike Langan who took first place in Division A with a superb tally of 41 points while Andrea Hartley was top in Division B for her 42 points.
WILSON AND CO. MAKE MERRY AT CHARITY SCRAMBLE WITH a tally of 65.8 points, the
YLGC team of Bryan Wilson, Ian Haywood,
ALASTAIR CROMBIE TAKES AUDI MEDAL YLGC ALASTAIR Crombie carded an impressive gross 72
to finish as the Audi Medal’s Best Gross Winner recently. Manny Ostojic took top spot in Category A (hcp 0-12) with a net 71 while William Royce finished close behind to secure his second place standing with a notable net 72. In Category B (hcp 13-28) it was Li Ping who took the top spot as she finished with a fantastic score of net 61 while Abdulla Al Marzooqi finished a distant second on net 72.
DCGYC
SHARJAH GOLF & SHOOTING CLUB FANTASTIC FISHER COMES TO THE PARTY
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Damien Ward and Adrian Creed won the Yas Links Captain’s Day Charity Scramble. The day is designed for members and partners to come together and raise money for the Club Captain’s charity of choice, which was The Make a Wish Foundation this year. Runner-up went to the team of Brian McClure, Steve Brunell, Thomas Kunt and Lee Bakerfield while third place was taken by Ahmed Al Menhali, Hassan al Suwaidi, Takao Matsutani and Matthew Hollis.
SOUTH
SGSC Africa’s Nathan Fisher recently won his third Malaysia Truly Asia Club Championship at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. With memories of his victories in 2012 and 2013 fresh in his mind, Fisher came from behind to claim the title in a thrilling play-off over Charlie Wilcox who had led the tournament after day one.
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S H ARJ AH GOLF & S HOOTING CL UB ALEX TIVI TAKES CENTRO IN 4-WAY COUNTBACK
STEWART AND MANNING 10-UNDER TO WIN BMW
ALEX Tivi posted a net score of
SGSC 32 to claim the recent Centro
THE BMW Members and
SGSC Guest Social saw the new
GEORGE LIU CLAIMS FINAL WINTER TITLE IN ORIENT TRAVEL MONTHLY MEDAL
partnership of Mel Stewart and Adrian Manning storm through the field to card a stunning score of ten under par to take the top prize. Runners-up were the the scratch duo of Sinar Suraj and Hassan Yazdi for their superb five under par 31 net which included five gross birdies.
HOLMES AND WILCOX MALAYSIA-BOUND AFTER ORDER OF MERIT SUCESS SGSC THE Malaysia Truly Asia
Sharjah by Rotana Midweek Medal supported by Mekar in thrilling fashion as he prevailed in a card countback over three players to take the top prize. In Division 2 it was Patrick Green who emerged on top while the runner-up spot went to W.J. Kim. Ravi AE collected the top prize in Division 1 with 35 points while Vinod Arya took the runner-up spot.
Order of Merit ended with Roy Holmes taking the top spot in the net division and Charlie Wilcox winning the gross division. The two will enjoy an all expenses paid trip to the World Amateur Inter Team Golf Championship in Kuala Lumpur in August which includes flights, all transits, full board stay at a fourstar hotel and four rounds of golf at some of Malaysia’s finest courses.
THE final round of the Orient
SGSC Travel – Malaysia Truly Asia
Monthly Medal saw George Liu win via a countback over Chandan Vaidya after both golfers posted a score of net 72. Third spot went to Lady Vice Captain Jacqui Stewart for her score of net 73 while the gross prize went to scratch golfer Charlie Wilcox for her round of 78.
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R OYAL GOLF C LUB BAHR A IN YAQOOB WINS THE EURO MOTORS BMW QUALIFIER
BAHRAINI Nasser Yaqoob triumphed
RGC in a card countback over Rob Lane
to win the May qualifier of the 2015 Euro Motors BMW Monthly Medal Series. Both players carded rounds of net 72 but in the end it was Yaqoob who came out on top courtesy of a better inward half. Shaker Hubail clinched top spot in division two of the popular Members’ series with a net score of 70 while 2015 Club Captain Badea Esbai was runner up on 73. In the third division it was Tony Meakin who took first place with a score of net 73 with Michael Brightmore finishing second with 75. Dena Wales won the ladies best net score category with a score of 70. All seven players will progress onto the Euro Motors BMW Grand Final which will take place at the Royal Golf Club in December.
JAMIE BOWEN WINS FIRST 2015 VOLVO WORLD GOLF CHALLENGE QUALIFIER THE Volvo World Golf Challenge got
RGC off to a strong start in Bahrain with a full field of players competing at the Royal Golf Club in the first qualifier of the series. In the end it was Jamie Bowen who won the first qualifier with a score of 39 points followed by Jason Leighton in the runnersup spot with 38. David Wales took third place with 33 points.
YASEEN LE FALHER WINS BY SEVEN TO BE CROWNED BAHRAIN JUNIOR OPEN CHAMPION YASEEN Le Falher became Bahrain’s 2015 Junior Open
RGC Champion after winning the two-day event with impressive gross scores of 73 and 67 to finish with a total of 140. Charles T. Kint was runner-up with a total of 147 and Saud Al Sharif came a close third with 148.
FOOTGOLF KICKS OFF IN BAHRAIN RGC FOOTGOLF, the latest
sports craze that is taking the world by storm, has arrived in Bahrain. This unconventional game combines both football and golf – more football than golf – with players kicking a football around the golf course with
the aim of getting it into giantsized cups (holes) in as few kicks as possible. FootGolf is ideal for families or for groups of friends to participate in and kicks off at the Royal Golf Club every Sunday evening with ‘tee’ times available from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Leisure Without Limits Enjoy Summer Special Deals on:
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P83 ARABIANGOLF ▶
ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB
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T OW ER LINKS G O LF CL UB THEO BUYS STABLEFORD WIN TLGC THEO BUYS shot an impressive 21
Stableford points to win the weekly Social Stableford by a point over Graham Farrington and Robbie C.
FARRINGTON FIRST PAST THE POST TLGC GRAHAM Farrington and Manilyn
Buxmann both posted +3 in the Individual Bogey format of the weekly social but in the end it was Farrington who prevailed in a card play-off to take top honours while Jiho Park took third spot.
THE annual team
ARGC event between
the Captains Team led by Emma Rooms and Simon McDonald and the Vice Captains Team led by Graeme Wallace and Rebecca Ward finished with a narrow one-point victory for the Vice Captains’ side. Stellar performances in the Vice Captains Team came from Ed Atack who carded 37 Stableford points and Vice Lady Captain Anne Hainey with 37 points as the deputy skippers took an 18-17 victory.
HENDERSON TAKES MASTERS IN ASSOCIATION WITH FIT REPUBLIK
GEORGE AND MANILYN SEAL THE PORTS TROPHY
MIKE Henderson posted an impressive
ARGC score of net 68 to win the ARGC Masters
THERE was some fine scoring on display
TLGC in the annual Ports Trophy last month
and coming out on top was defending champion George Llewellyn in the Men’s section while Manilyn Buxmann clinched the Ladies title. Llewellyn won with a 40-point Stableford haul, two clear of Robert Glensk and Ryan Glynn while Buxmann’s score of 37 points was good enough for a seven-point win over Sue Baron. The Men’s Division ‘B’ title went to Ahmad Mustapha with a one-point win over Paul Harrison.
VICE CAPTAINS TEAM RETAIN TITLE
in association with FIT REPUBLIK by virtue of a countback over Jamie Rooms and Scott Sigsworth. Karen Evans finished in fourth place with a net 71.
ALISTAIR CLAIMS MAIDEN VICTORY TLGC ALISTAIR Barker scorched around the back
nine in 21 Stableford points to claim his maiden victory in Tower Links’ Social Stableford. Manilyn Buxmann took second place with 20 points while Yuki Pellerine finished in third spot.
RAMAGE, BREEZE, OSCHMANN AND LIVINGSTON WIN CAPTAIN’S DAY THE team of Eddie Ramage, Nicola Breeze,
ARGC Ellie Oschmann and Randy Livingston
BOUNTIFUL BETTERBALL FOR JOHAN AND MANILYN BUXMANN JOHAN and Manilyn Buxmann recorded a fine victory in the Social Two-Player Betterball
TLGC Stableford competition as they posted a very solid 25 points to seal the victory by two points over Ahmad Mustapha and Faddy Azzam. Wes Hughes and Robbie Cunningham finished in third after a card countback.
returned a collective score of 125 Stableford points to win the joint Captains Day of Emma Rooms and Simon McDonald at Arabian Ranches Golf Club. They won by seven points from the grouping of Peter Boland, Scott Sigsworth, Markus Hacker and Grant Collins while Adele McKelvey, Rebecca Ward, Ailsa Campbell and Colette Doughty finished third.
P84 ARABIANGOLF ▶
E MIRATES GOLF CL UB UAE PROFESSIONALS RETAIN DUBAI GOLF TROPHY
AWESOME ANASTASIA WINS EMIRATES LADIES OPEN
THE professionals of
EGC the UAE continued their
ANASTASIA Bakal from the Els Club
EGC was crowned the Emirates Ladies
Amateur Open Champion after scoring a fantastic one over par 73 on the Majlis course. Her nearest competitor and runner-up with a five over par 77 was Kim Chiang from the Arabian Ranches Golf Club while Emirates Golf Club Junior Alison Muirhead was a further two shots adrift as she posted a gross 79 to claim third place. It was a clean sweep for the ladies of Emirates Golf Club in the net category as Mariana Kyrkiris claimed first place by three strokes with an excellent 5-under par score of 67 while Josie Tracey and Selma Kehoe were tied with scores of 2under par 70 with Josie securing second place and Selma claiming third place.
dominance of the Dubai Golf Trophy as they defeated the best amateurs in the region for the eighth consecutive year. After securing a 10-6 overnight advantage at the end of the opening day, the professionals overcome a valiant comeback from the amateurs on the final day to seal the tournament 18.5 - 13.5. Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge fifth qualifier winners: Westley Burke and Eoin O’Gardy.
WESTLEY BURKE AND EOIN O’GARDY TAKE FIFTH QUALIFIER OF 17th XEROX CORPORATE GOLF CHALLENGE XEROX Corporate Golf Challenge
EGC (XCGC) 2015 held its fifth qualifying round at Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course and in the end it was Westley Burke and Eoin O’Gardy of ‘team Space Maker’ who emerged as the winners with a score of 44. Runners-up were the duo of Ashok Kumar and Salem Bin Dasmal from ‘team Kumar/ Dasmal’ while Anand Kapoor and Akash Kumar took third place. Joining the top three teams at the grand final, to be played in Ras Al Khaimah later this year, are fourth placed Edoardo Galeppini and Michael Nielsen from ‘team Cigisped/Rickmers’ and ‘team Oncourse Golf’s’ Steve Rutter and Peter Zachrisson.
SELMA SECURES MONTHLY MEDAL VICTORY SELMA Kehoe won her
EGC first medal competition as she scored a superb 5under par net 67 to secure the Monthly Medal sponsored by JW Marriot Marquis Dubai. Kehone was closely followed in the Silver ‘A’ Division (hcp 0-14) by runner-up Viv Caley who scored a 4-under par net 68. The Silver ‘B’ division (hcp 1523) was closely contested with Jenny Isles and Maureen Platt tied with scores of 3-under par net 69 but in the end it was the back nine holes of Jenny that proved good enough for her to secure first place with Maureen finishing second. Kiyono Taniuchi took home the top prize in the Bronze Division (hcp 24-42) with a 4-
under par net 68 while Carolyn Thompson was the winner of the lowest gross prize for scoring 79 on the tough Majlis course.
AL MUSHARREKH, KUMAR VICTORIOUS AT INDIAN GOLF EVENT EGC MOHAMMED Al Musharrekh and Ashok
Kumar saw off a strong field to capture the Indian Golfers Society’s season-ending tournament at Emirates Golf Club. The deadly duo rattled up a brilliant 47 points, beating their closest rivals, Antoin Breen and Shane O’Neil, on a countback as the team of Anil Shivanna and Anil Adnani settled for third, a further point adrift.
Dubai Duty Free’s Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications, Salah Tahlak and Sinead El Sibai, Vice PresidentMarketing, presenting the trophy to Omar Thabit, winner of the DDF UAE Nationals Cup 2015.
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OMAR THABIT TRIUMPHS IN 21ST DDF UAE NATIONALS CUP
D UBAI C R E E K G O LF C LU B
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THE 21st staging of the Dubai Duty Free
EGC UAE Nationals Cup saw Omar Thabit clinch
Prize-winners of the Indian Golfers Society’s seasonending event with George Duncan of Bentley Emirates.
VICE CAPTAINS PREVAIL AT CREEK CUP 2015
the top prize with 37 points over the Faldo course at Emirates Golf Club. Thabit’s one-under par tally was just enough to hold off the challenge of Abdulla Al Marzooqi, who was one shot back on 36 points while a card countback decided third place overall with Faisal Al Sayegh producing a better back nine within his 34-point tally. The gross competition was also keenly contested and in the end it was Ahmed Skaik and Hassan Musharrekh who both signed for scores of 79 but Skaik’s better inward nine gave him the trophy for top gross on the day.
DCGYC THE 2015 edition of the annual Creek
Cup saw the Vice Captain’s team headed by Patrick Morrow and Vanessa North prevail over the Captain’s team led by Joseph Ghossoub and Harini White through a final score-line of 7 ½ - 4 ½. In the history of the event, the Captain’s team are yet to taste victory and will have to wait another year to set the record straight.
ARGHANDIWAL TAKES DUBAI DUTY FREE JUNIOR MEDAL CHAMPIONSHIP THE fourth edition of the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Junior Medal Championship at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club saw Aboutorab Arghandiwal card a superb 2-under par 33 to claim top honours. Kabir Nanda also finished with a score of 33 which earned him top spot in the Boys’ Division while Dhruv Nair finished as the division’s runner-up with a score of 34.5.
Eshna Bhargava won the battle against her sister and was the Girls’ winner on the day after a round of 39. Josh Hill was the best gross performer as he shot a 1-over par 36. Jasmin Micoyco (Asst. Manager Projects & Events, Dubai Duty Free), Abutorab Arghandiwal (Champion), Stephen Hubner (Director of Golf, Dubai Creek) at the presentation.
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D UBAI CREEK G O LF CL UB
GEORGE HORAN JOINS HIS PARTNERS IN THE ACES CLUB DCGYC GEORGE HORAN, President of Dubai Duty
Pictured from left to right: Rashid Hamood, Golf Experience Assistant Manager; Dwaipayan Nath (Winner); Ashok Kumar (Winner); Harini White, Ladies Club Captain; Joseph Ghossoub, Men’s Club Captain; Swati Singh (Winner), Dhruv Nair (Winner), Stephen Hubner, Director of Golf.
SINGH, KUMAR, NAIR AND NATH TAKE INAUGURAL CAPTAIN’S TROPHY DCGYC THE Inaugural Captain’s Trophy at Dubai Creek
Golf & Yacht Club saw the team of Swati Singh, Ashok Kumar, Dhruv Nair and Dwaipayan Nath romp to victory with an impressive total of 95 Stableford points. Glory Xavier, Vivian Verma, Dinesh Sharma and Manu Mehrotra finished in second place with 85 points while the team of Vinay Mehra, Abdul Meeran, Arshad Waheed and Tauseef Khan took third place with 81 points.
DUBAI CREEK RETAIN PRO-AM TITLE DCGYC THE annual Dubai Golf Pro Am event, the
popularly termed ‘Clash of the Titans’ between Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, saw Dubai Creek make full use of home advantage as they won by a narrow margin of 4 – 3 to retain the title they so memorably won at the Emirates last time around.
Free, followed in the illustrious footprints of Michael (three- aces-in-five-days) McGinley in holing a lifetime first ace on the par-3, 14th at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club last month, playing in his weekly fourball with ProSports International’s Ara Nakhnikian, Dubai Duty Free Executive ViceChairman Colm McLoughlin and Ace McGinley. “On reflection, I have to say it really was an exciting moment,” said George, a former Club Captain of the Creek, as are Colm and Ara. “It has taken me 18 years playing at the Creek to get a hole-in-one. I’m normally satisfied to make the green in one on the 14th rather than going for the hole. I always use the same club, my trusty 9 wood, to play the par-3, and it finally paid off.” George was one of the team of ten along with Colm, from Aer Rianta, based at Shannon Airport on the West Coast of Ireland, who came to Dubai in 1983 to set up Dubai Duty Free. “I know that Colm has had aces during his golfing career and, of course, Michael is famous for his three aces within six days feat in March, so I least I’ve gone one up on Ara. Although I don’t expect to sink another hole-in-one any day soon.”
THAT’S MY BALL: George Horan, President of Dubai Duty Free, kneels after his hole-in-one at the par-3, 14th hole, as Colm McLoughlin, Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice-Chairman, ProSports International’s Ara Nakhnikian, and Ace Michael McGinley join in the celebrations.
KUMAR PREVAILS IN MASHREQ MEDAL DCGYC THE May edition of the 2015 Mashreq Medal
Harini White (Lady Captain), Ashok Kumar (Champion), Joseph Ghossoub (Club Captain), Stephen Hubner (Director of Golf).
Championship saw Ashok Kumar claim top honours with a 4-under par net 67 to finish three shots ahead of Richard Kiddell and Mark Dennehy. The Men’s ‘B’ Division was closely contested as as Aziz Al Hakim finished with a level par 71, just one shot ahead of runner-up Tauseef Khan. Michael McGinley’s near faultless 1-over par round of 72 landed the Best Gross prize. Mansour Khodjasteh finished with a level par 71 to claim the Senior Division while Kristi Sealey produced a superb display to take the Ladies Division with an impressive 2-under par 69.
ANIL AND JAIRAJ TAKE 23rd INDIAN INVITATIONAL THE 23rd Indian Invitational Golf Day was
DCGYC won by Anil Shivanna and Jairaj Rodham who scored an impressive 45 points to finish one point ahead of Bhupesh Sharma and Sameer Joshi. A further point adrift were the pairing of Anand Lakhiani and Nelly Amarnani, who scored 43 points to claim third place. Prior to play there
SEAN COOPER SHINES IN JUNIORS SERIES SEAN Cooper was the star in
DCGYC final round of the Dubai Golf
Junior Series at the Dubai Creek Par Three course as he returned a 1-over par score of 28 to secure victory in the Black Level by three shots from Mark Baxter. Cooper’s performance also saw him crowned the overall winner of the Black Level. The Purple Level competition was won by Sam Mullane who carded a 28 to prevail by a single shot over Aarnav Nath while Jamie Camero secured her second victory of the series by carding a 31 to take the Blue Level by a shot over Aaryesh Gangan. The Yellow Level competition was won by Lewis McIver with Thomas Lynagh clinching second place while the White Level tournament was once again dominated by Mousa Shana’ah
was a respectful tribute to the late Ashok Bakshi, the popular and highly respected past Captain and one of the founding members of Emirates Golf Club, who died warming up for the Pro-Am of the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic and a person who had contributed greatly to the development of the Indian Invitational Golf Day.
SABINE CHOUDRY AND NAEMA MAYA TAKE THE HONOURS FOR 2015 THE ladies Special K series
DCGYC came to an end with the final event being played on the Majlis course and in the end it was Sabine Choudry who was the overall winner with a fine score of 47 points. who returned a fine score of 33. The winner of the Silver Division Mousa’s younger brother, Hasham, (hcp 0-23) was Cathrine Clark who made it a great day for the Shana’ah scored 46 points while the Bronze family by clinching second place with a Division (hcp 24-42) was won by round of 40. Rajni Sud who signed for a score of 45 points. The Special K season finale also ORDER OF MERIT WINNERS brought to a close the Ladies Order of Merit for 2015, a series of eight events BLACK LEVEL: SEAN COOPER where the top ten players received points based on their performance. The PURPLE LEVEL: AARNAV NATH most consistent performer and winner of the Ladies Order of Merit was BLUE LEVEL: SETH HOPKINSON Naema Maya who collected 98 points for her efforts this season. Rosemary YELLOW LEVEL: MIRWAIS ARGHANDIWAL Turlik took second place with 66 points while Viv Caley finished in third place WHITE LEVEL: MOUSA SHANA’AH with 56 points.
P86 ARABIANGOLF ▶
A L HAMRA GOLF CL UB ANTHONY CASHIN CLINCHES THE FIRST AJMAN ACADEMY OPEN AHGC ANTHONY Cashin won a card play-off to be crowned
champion of the inaugural Ajman Academy Open at Al Hamra GC with a colossal haul of 42 points. Cashin posted an outward nine of 23 points which included three net birdies and a net eagle which saw him win on a countback over Eric Engelbrecht who had also tallied 42 points. Third place was also decided on a countback between John Feenie and Ian Midgley with both players locked on 38 points. After the cards were compared it was Feenie who prevailed to clinch this place along with a brand new Ping rescue club.
THREE OUT OF THREE FOR CHAMPION JAKE MAKI-PETAJA AHGC JAKE Maki-Petaja emerged victorious
for the third successive year in the Ras Al Khaimah Champion of Champions event while Terri Stewart won her second title following her victory in the first staging of the event in 2013. The tournament, which was conceived three years ago in a bid to find the Champion of Ras Al Khaimah as opposed to the champion of the individual clubs, sees the best talent from both Al Hamra GC and Tower Links GC fight it out over the two courses on consecutive days in a 36-hole strokeplay format. Maki-Petaja eased to victory after carding a second round 77 on his home course of
Al Hamra following a first round of 81 at Tower Links. He was three shots back from Johan Buxmann after day one but came roaring back to complete a five stroke win from Buxmann with a 158 total with Ji Park finishing third with a 169 total. Meanwhile, Stewart won the ladies prize ahead of last year’s winner Rita Engelbrecht, thanks to rounds of 85 and 86. Engelbrecht was two shots back after day one but stumbled to a second round 90 and had to settle for second place behind the joyous Stewart. The Ladies Net Division went to Manilyn Buxmann after rounds of 74 and 76 gave her a one-stroke victory ahead of Ma Li Min.
SEAN EWING WINS ST GEORGE’S DAY TROPHY AFTER CARD PLAY-OFF NEW Al Hamra member Sean Ewing clinched the
AHGC second annual St George’s Day Trophy after coming
CALLUM BIRD SOARS TO MEDAL TITLE
out on top in a three-way card play-off with Sol Sullivan and Angelo Kondes after matching scores of 71. With the three players tied, Ewing eventually came out top after having a fantastic back nine net of 35 to finish just clear of runner-up Sullivan also on 71 and one clear of third place finisher Gary Willis on 72. Angelo Kondes took the top gross prize with an 82 after just missing out on the best net, finishing one clear of runner-up Andy Prescott and his round of 83, while Alex Ashour downed Niilo Maki-Petaja by a stroke to win the Junior Division.
CALLUM Bird
AHGC continued his rich vein of form with victory in the last Monthly Medal of the season with a round of 84 and a one-stroke win over John Wilby and Brian Stewart. As a result, Bird leads the season-long Order of Merit with just one event to play while in the Net Division Steve Morte took the spoils with a 70, two shots clear of Rabab Al Haj.
BACK-TO-BACK AL HAMRA TROPHIES FOR MAGGS FEENIE MAGS Feenie made it two from two as she retained her
AHGC Al Hamra Trophy title with a score of 41 points and a
comfortable two-point victory. Feenie roared out of the blocks with a front nine 24 and came home with 17 to seal the victory ahead of three players on 39 points. John Kiddie, David Thomas and Gregg Harris all compiled the same score and after their cards were compared, Kiddie was awarded second place with the third spot going to Harris.
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A L BADIA GOLF CL UB AL BADIA DOMINATE LADIES INTERCLUB COMPETITION ABGC AL Badia Golf Club’s ladies contingent, led
by Lady Captain Liz Batson, were on fire as they made it a clean sweep in the recently held InterClub Competition final at Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club. Batson and her team finished on top of all their respective leagues, beating all of the finalists to make it a truly fruitful outing for Al Badia’s lady golfers.
AL BADIA DEFEND BANI YAS TROPHY ABGC THE members of Al Badia Golf Club put on a
stellar performance as they defeated Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club at the Bani Yas Trophy to level the overall tally in the annual event 2-2.
JUNIOR CHANG TAKES AL FUTTAIM HONDA SERIES QUALIFIER DEBBIE Chang cruised to victory in the
ABGC second qualifier of the Al Futtaim Honda
JUMEI R A H G O LF E S TAT E S
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Series. The popular Honda Series Qualifier has seen over 160 players in the first two events and at the end of the second qualifier it was the 13-yearold Chang who came out on top. The final qualifier will be played in October.
CLARK FRANCIS AND TEAM TRIUMPH AT MEMBERS AND GUEST EVENT THE team of Clark Francis, Gareth Mordey,
JGE Sam Whittaker and Shankar Majrekar scored 92 points to come out on top at the Reiss Members and Guest Championship. The triumphant four took the spoils as they won on a card countback over Jim Patla, William
Graham, Ilana Meyer and Bernadette Graham. The battle for third spot was closely fought with a countback again needed to decide the final prize winner. In the end it was the team of Andy Gray, Felix Ruoff, Matt Potts, Kathleen Keen Jones who took third spot for a better inward nine.
STOREY MAKES MERRY AT MEMBERS MONTHLY MEDAL DAVID Storey stole all the
JGE headlines at Jumeirah Golf Estates’ May Members Monthly Medal with a stunning 3-under par gross 69 to be overall winner. Storey’s impressive performance meant that he became the first JGE member to card a sub 70 round this year. Nauman Riaz finished with a solid round of net 71 to win Division
A (hcp 0 – 12) while Alexander Muirhead took the runner-up spot. Division B was won by Mick Cairns who scored a fine 68 net to finish a shot in front of Pieter Liekens Lakhdar In the Ladies Division it was Lynne Wylie and Ornella Parigi who both scored net 76 with Wylie prevailing after a countback to take top spot.
P88 ARABIANGOLF ▶
EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION
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UAE PGA TOM BUCHANAN BECOMES THE MATCHPLAY MASTER UAE PGA TOM Buchanan of Al Ain Equestrian,
Shooting and Golf Club took the 2015 UAE PGA Matchplay title at The Els Club Dubai recently after a 7&6 win over Stuart Fee of Jebel Ali Golf Resort. On what was a full day of golf, the morning session saw the semi-finals settled as Buchanan defeated Malcolm Young of Arabian Ranches while Fee defeated Fraser McLaughlin of Al Ain to set up an intriguing final. Buchanan proved too strong for Fee in the marquee match while in the third-place play-off Young prevailed over McLaughlin.
CALLUM NICOLL CLAIMS BACK TO BACK PGA STROKEPLAY TITLES
EGF PRESENTS NJDP TO AMSI SCHOOLS THE Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) travelled
EGF to three different AMSI schools recently to host
CALLUM Nicoll, the Head Pro at The Els
UAE PGA Club, romped to a second successive UAE PGA Stokeplay victory at Dubai Creek recently with a three shot victory over Tom Buchanan (Al Ain) with Matthew Naylor (Dubai Golf) third, a further stroke behind. Nicoll opened with a 69 to sit two clear of Naylor and David Gray (DG) and held off a secondround charge from Buchannan and Mark Ruddy (Sharjah GSC) to seal the win.
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THE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE DUBAI MASOUD SOBATI TOPS THE PILE MASOUD Sobati sealed the top spot
TAMD in last month’s Audi Stableford with a countback win over Nicholas Hymas in Division ‘A’ after both players returned a tally of 36 points. Third place went to Alan Robertson with 34 points while in Division ‘B’ three players tied at the top on 34 points. After a countback it was Rupprecht Queitsch who emerged victorious with Barry France second and Peter Samuel third. Agnes Claude took the spoils in the Ladies Division with a 37-point haul, two clear of Barbara McBean with Carol Burns in third place.
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AL AIN EQUESTRIAN SHOOTING & GOLF CLUB
GRIMSHAW AND BOASE SEAL LAST SPOT IN PAIRS FINAL AFTER seven months and 16 qualifying
AAESG tournaments, the field for the 2015 UAE Final of the Daman Investments International Pairs is finally complete, following one of the closest qualifiers of the season in Al Ain. Taking the spoils in humid and gusty conditions were Chris Grimshaw and Peter Boase with an exceptional score of 44 points while three teams tied on 43 points with only room for two to progress to the final. With the cards on the table it was the pairing of Neville and Charmaine Bakker who were the unlucky couple who missed out to Eric Smith and Stuart Kent and Edwin Scheepers and Frederic Rouyer. The final was held at Dubai Creek on May 29th. A report will follow in the next issue of WWG.
presentations informing local families on the National Junior Development Programme (NJDP). The NJDP hopes to identify and develop young Emirati golfers while building good character through the rules and etiquette of golf. The EGF met with school administrators and physical education teachers from the International School of Arts & Science (ISAS) and Al Mawakeb School in Al Garhoud Al Barsha to explain and start the process of bringing golf into the schools.
MOHAMMED SAEED ABDULLA ENDS THE SEASON ON A HIGH EGF THE final National Monthly Medal of the season saw
Mohammed Saeed Adbulla steal the show at Dubai Creek in one of the largest fields assembled during the series of events. With over 35 players taking part Abdulla’s score of 37 points gave him a two-point win over National Team member Ahmed Skaik with Saleh Al Ameri finishing third. Abdulla Al Musharrekh clinched the gross prize with a 3-over 74 while Mohammed Al Musharrekh won Division ‘A’ with a 33-point haul. The winner in Division ‘B’ was Faisal Al Sayegh with 35 points. During the award presentation the EGF took time out to recognize the accomplishments of the UAE National Golf Teams from 2014. Ahmed Skaik, Abdulla Al Qubaisi, and Saeed Al Balooshi were acknowledged for winning the Gold Medal in the Team Gross category for the 2014 GCC Golf Championships (18-Under Division) and Khalid Yousuf was acknowledged for winning the Silver Medal in the Individual Gross category at the 2014 Arab Golf Championship (Men’s Division). Each player received a certificate and trophy from the Ministry of General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare.
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A LMOUJ GOLF THE WAV E - O MAN Zawawi Trading Company
TERRIFIC TSARONG TAKES MONTHLY MEDAL FOR MAY
AMG (ZTC), the Authorised General Distributor for Mercedes-Benz in the Sultanate of Oman, has signed a partnership agreement with Almouj Golf The Wave, Muscat, bringing together two of the Sultanate’s premiere luxury and lifestyle icons. The partnership will drive new experiences for golfers and MercedesBenz lovers alike, as they enjoy the world-class amenities and facilities of MERCEDES-BENZ Almouj Golf.
AMG Tenzin Tsarong was simply too
OMAN PARTNERS WITH ALMOUJ GOLF
ALMOUJ GOLF ATTRACTS GLOBAL ATTENTION TO OMAN AS A GOLF TOURISM DESTINATION AT THE 4TH ASIA GOLF TOURISM CONVENTION AMG Representatives from
Almouj Golf The Wave, Muscat, attended the fourth Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) 2015 recently held in Indonesia. The representatives networked with over 200 golf industry tour buyers and members of the media from more than 30 international markets, positioning Almouj Golf as one of the top picks in the minds of golf
much to handle as he carded a fantastic gross round of 73 to win the overall prize at the May Chedi Monthly Medal. Mohammed Fauzi Adnan took the runner-up spot while third place belonged to Sabri Al Mandhari. In the Ladies Net Division it was Susan McInnes who won with a net 75 which was enough for her to finish two shots clear of former Ladies European Tour professional Lynn Casey.
tourism trade experts. “With Oman experiencing a surge of golf holiday bookings from around the world, Almouj Golf’s first participation in the event highlighted the Sultanate’s distinct tourism-related propositions, while boosting its international ranking as an upand-coming golfing destination,” said Simon Duffield, General Manager of Almouj Golf.
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A BU DHABI GOL F C LUB
JUNG BIN KIM AND YOUNG SOUK CHOI CROWNED CLUB CHAMPIONS ADGC JUNG Bin Kim and Young Souk Choi won the Men’s
and Ladies’ Club Championship titles respectively in an enthralling contest at the home of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. A field of 84 players took to the National Course for two rounds and Kim prevailed with a gutsy play-off win over Michael Feurste after both players completed 36 holes in 160 strokes. The ladies section was equally as competitive with Choi also winning a play-off after her total of 160 was matched by Paromita Mukherjee. However, in extra holes Choi proved too strong and closed out the victory. The Men’s 0-14 handicap division saw Maqsood Ahmed win with a 140 total while Mark Jenkins won the 15+ handicap division on 146. Debbie Betts was victorious in the Ladies net division with a tally of 142.
A BU DHABI CIT Y GOL F C LUB
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JUNIORS CELEBRATE A GREAT YEAR ADCGC THE top 30 children from
throughout the season gathered for the final three and eight-hole events last month and coming out on top on the day were David Rzeko with 11 shots through
Pictured left to right: Al Qubaisi, John Ewing, Emily Siegel, Mr.Farran and Rhian Lobo.
SIEGEL AND EWING CROWNED CLUB CHAMPIONS ADCGC AFTER two days of superb
play a field of 98 players was whittled down to two winners as Emily Siegel (160) and John Ewing (152) clinched the 2015 Club Championships for the men and ladies respectively.
The overall net winner was Andre Holder, while the men’s Stableford prize went to Pallav Chavan. Division ‘A’ was won by Bang Jong Tae and Division ‘B’ was claimed by Chester Makishuck, while the Ladies Net winner was Connie Rebello.
three holes and Fanyi Kong with 19 points accumulated through eight holes. Kong’s win cemented his place at the top of the season-long order of merit while the overall three-hole title went to Zainab Ahsan.
GOLF STYLE
Mike Tindall All rugby players are bandits!
CELEBRITY GOLFER - 91 TRAVEL - 95 TEE TIMES - 96
KOP THAT! Mike Tindall was part of the England rugby team that roared to victory in the 2003 World Cup in Australia – generally considered to be one of the greatest English sides in the history of the game. The outside centre, who is married to Zara Phillips, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, played his club rugby with Bath and then Gloucester, where he made a combined 289 appearances, scoring 270 points, before retiring last summer. Here Tindall reveals to Richard Bevan that since quitting the game, his love of golf has morphed into an unhealthy obsession and how all rugby players are bandits!
S TA R S POT T I N G
How did you get into golf? My golf experience started a long, long time ago. I never played when I was a kid but when I became a professional rugby player a big part of the social life was playing golf so I started when I was 18. I used to go with all the guys – pretty much every day we had we would go out and hit some balls. But now it’s on the verge of becoming an addiction, which is never a good thing! Which of your old rugby mates were the best players and were there any bandits among them? Rugby players are always bandits. They’re known as the bandits of the golfing world. They always play off 18 – if you ask any rugby player “what do you play off?” he’ll say, “18”, without a doubt. He might shoot 10-over but he’ll always say he’s off 18! So there are bandits always in rugby. I once played in a tournament with Gareth Cooper who played scrum half for Wales. He was a brilliant rugby player and a brilliant golfer. He hadn’t played golf for three years and he said, “I play off 10.” He then went round in scratch and was booed out of the clubhouse after he walked off with all the prizes!
What do you think of the golf courses and golf scene in general in Dubai? Clearly they love their golf in Dubai and the UAE and we’re always really well looked after. The courses are in great nick. The greens are very fast and I just love playing there. What are the strengths and weaknesses of your game? It’s difficult to say specifically but what I would say is that when it’s right, it’s right. But when it’s bad....it’s BAD! Who would make up your fantasy fourball? If I could play a fourball with anyone, I’d play with Samuel L. Jackson, because I think he’d be the coolest guy in the world. I’d play with Will Ferrell, because you need someone who’s going to entertain you and make you laugh. And I’d play with Tiger because everyone who loves golf wants to know what’s behind the Tiger they see on the television.
Escape to
St. Tropez Escape the heat this summer in the cool lounge at St. Tropez Bistro where you can experience our exclusive Ramadan menu. The restaurant and smoker’s lounge are open all day throughout the month.
For Inquiries: St Tropez Bistro, Mall of the Emirates. 04 3413415 reservations@sttropez.ae
www.sttropez.ae
VISIT LONDON
The Arch London, an experience to remember By Mike Gallemore nassuming is invariably the best approach in my view. The Arch London, hidden away within seven Grade II Listed Georgian Townhouses and two mews homes is certainly one of the capital’s best kept secrets. Yet Marble Arch, Hyde Park, Bond Street and Oxford Street are just a five minute walk away. Creating the right atmosphere is essential. The moment you walk through the classic columns of this unique boutique hotel the ambience of the décor and the warmth of the welcome of the staff makes you feel at home. The interior is modestly glamorous – studded leather, eye-catching artwork, marble and glass, and the video painting of iconic London scenes digitally projected. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ and Pride of Britain, The Arch has 82 bedrooms including four sumptuous suites and spacious interconnecting rooms for families or larger groups. Although my wife and I hadn’t taken our four dogs, the hotel is one of London’s few dog-friendly five star
U
hotels, with an ethos to treat pooches to the same indulgent experience as their owners. Dog walking services are also availablefor the dogs to explore the 350 acres of nearby Hyde Park. The hotel has a selection of complimentary treats which include soft drinks, water and juice in all mini bars, Jing teas, a Nespresso coffee machine, MALIN + GOETZ toiletries, wifi and daily changing exoticflavoured drinks. Classic novels can be found in the suites, while all rooms have a full Sky HD TV package, iPod docking station and internet radio with over 19,000 channels for international guests who also have free access to the hotel’s Oscar-winning movie collection. Bathrooms feature flourishes such as heated anti-steam mirrors and flatscreen TVs built into the wall above every bath. The four stunning Suites offer the ultimate contemporary boutique experience. The spectacular Wellbeck Suite has a private outdoor terrace, while the Abbey Suite has its own stylish kitchenette for longer stays. n
THE BEDROOMS are beautifully appointed in unusual designs, all light, airy and spacious with high Georgian ceilings, and luxurious furnishings. The beds are a majestic fixture, each handmade and adorned with duck down duvets and pillows.
THE MARTINI LIBRARY is a warm, opulent lounge ideal for fine cocktails or Afternoon Tea with its relaxing armchairs and period stone fireplaces. It can also be turned into a meeting room for up to 16. WHITEHALL 944 can be lit in a variety of ways to suit a boardroom style meeting for 18, a theatre style meeting for 30, a private dinner for 20, or a cocktail reception for 50. With elegant armchairs and sofas, state-of-the-art teleconference technology and stylish concealed lighting it’s ideal for a luxurious corporate gathering
HUNTER 486 RESTAURANT named after the 1950s dialing code for Marylebone, boasts a ‘Best of British’ inspired menu developed by Head Chef Gary Durrant with Henrietta Green, the award-winning food writer and broadcaster. Designed with an air of nostalgic London glamour the restaurant features gleaming leather booths, and blown glass chandeliers. The kitchen is open plan allowing guests to watch the skilled chefs at work. The bar
area, within the restaurant, has a vibrant, comfortable atmosphere. Guests will enjoy the chic surroundings as much as the fine choice of fizz, signature ‘Grace Kelly Martinis’, and flawless personal service. THE ARCH LONDON is the epitome of lavish luxury in relaxed, laid-back surroundings, with staff who are only too pleased to cater for your every need. It’s a memorable experience you won’t forget.
The Arch London, 50 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London W1H 7FD Reservations: 020 7724 4700 or www.thearchlondon.com
TEE TIMES
Jaermann&St端bi - Queen of Golf UICC For golf-loving ladies, Jaermann&St端bi has reinvented the golf watch with a mechanical golf counter: a 38 mm stainless steel case with rounded pushers and a mechanical counter for the number of strokes taken on each hole and a totalizer for the score after 18 holes have been played. This beauty comes with an A10-2 calibre automatic movement, visible through the glass back and protected by a shock absorber. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the brand created this Special Edition to support the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). Find out more on www.jaermann-stuebi.com Watch out: New shop Jaermann&St端bi shop at Dubai Creek Golf &Yacht Club is opening soon!
Audemars Piguet Millenary Woman Ladies who like the finer things in life will love the glamorous hand-wound 2015 version of the Millenary Woman from Audemars Piguet. It boasts a beautifully crafted case made of 18K rose gold combined with diamond set bezel and lugs and crown set with a pink cabochon sapphire. The imaginative white dial in charming mother-of-pearl shades, features off-centered hours and minutes dial with powder-rose gold printed Roman numerals and rose gold hands, and a small seconds sub-dial. The watch runs on manually wound 5201 calibre comprised of 157 parts including 19 jewels, providing 54hour power reserve. The Millenary Woman is worn on a gorgeous shimmering brown alligator leather strap secured with 18K rose gold tang buckle. The watch is also water resistant to 20 metres
www.audemarspiguet.com
Tissot Quickster Lugano The Swiss-made Tissot Quickster Lugano is a wonderfully understated addition to the sporty Quickster family. Still featuring the trademark uncluttered dial, a striped nautical-inspired NATO strap pays tribute to the beautiful Italian Lake Lugano. A great feature of this watch is that it offers the possibility of changing bracelets depending on the mood or the outfit with a blue base bracelet with white lines or visa-vers,a or even an all-blue version.
www.tissot.ch
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