Worldwide Golf March 2016

Worldwide Golf The Middle East’s No.1 Golf Magazine

DRIVERS TESTED

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MARCH 2016, ISSUE 179

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A place in the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth with Emirates Airline

FEATURES

STENSON DECHAMBEAU MCILROY GROS

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ROCKETING UP THE WORLD RANKING BUT KEEPING HIS FEET ON EUROPEAN GROUND

Willett

INSTRUCTION

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

Watch this month’s videos Find out what is the difference between the TaylorMade M1 driver and the M2

4 4 Dechambeau has all his clubs the same length but watch the video to find out why.

Rory McIlroy talks about his passion for music but what band would be like to join?

Joost Luiten tells you his top 5 courses and why

4

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Bob vokey releases the SM6 wedges but how do they differ from the SM5?

Cobra King F6 takes on the Callaway XR16 driver. Watch the test with the Golf House team.

Rafa-Cabrera Bello explains how the pros handle pressure

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Challenge tour graduate Sebastien Gros talks about what it is like to tee it up on The European Tour

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Danny Willet plays an XR Driver in competition. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

WORLDWIDE GOLF EXECUTIVE EDITOR SINCE 1999

GARY PLAYER

Keep Fit and be Happy 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.

I

t was an exciting occasion to play at Saadiyat Beach because it’s a special golf course to me. I love Abu Dhabi and this Gary Player Invitational was raising money for young people with special needs with the proceeds going towards building a sports centre for them.

At the same time we want to promote tourism to Abu Dhabi because it’s a special place. It has so much to offer and a lot of people don’t realise that. Some of the best architecture is here and the friendliness of the people is something that people should experience.

To have a diverse mixture of young golf professionals and lady professionals in the field raising money alongside the amateurs and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, it all added up to being a very special day all round.

Our Gary Player Invitationals are the biggest individual pro-ams in the world. We’ve raised over $60 million since its inception. My ambition before I die is to raise that figure to $100 million.

Off the back tees it’s a real test of

golf. It would stand up against any course in the world. From the forward tees it’s a much easier course for amateurs but it’s still an enjoyable challenge. It’s a paradise to see these holes running alongside the ocean and I would love to see it host a professional tournament. The worldwide coverage it would receive would be awesome. Maybe one day soon this spectacular golf course will host the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and showcase Abu Dhabi to the world.

Our Gary Player Invitational was a memorable occasion and it was good to see so many happy faces among the players and spectators. I’ve always found that the secret of enjoying a happy life is to be happy and to have love in your heart which will give you peace in your body.

Exercising is key to enjoying life.

You’ve got to exercise your body.

Everyone should go on a treadmill for 10 minutes a day or take a good walk.

That’s all. Eat properly and don’t overeat. Have breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a

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pauper. You don’t put petrol in your car when you park it at night, and it’s the same with your body. Don’t fill it with fuel before you park your body to sleep.

Obesity kills more people in the world than all the wars put together. Now, you’ve got to do all you can to avoid diabetes. Diabetes is making a rapid move. Governments and schools need to get involved and lead the fight against it. Diabetes comes from a lack of exercise and a lack of eating correctly. Unfortunately it’s a massive undertaking.

So a sports centre for Abu Dhabi is massively important for young people to get away from Diabetes and encourage them to exercise and improve their lives.

Age is purely a number. I’m 80 years old and I’m already planning what I’m going to be doing in the next 20 years. I still work out four days a week depending on my travel schedule and I maintain 1,300 sit ups and crunches. I hit the treadmill at maximum. I exercise every part of my body and I also exercise my mind. That’s the secret to a happy life. Q

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March 2016

CONTENTS Features

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Henrik Stenson

Two-time DP World Tour Champion and Ryder Cup star Henrik Stenson talks exclusively to Worldwide Golf about his No.1 goal for 2016 – winning a first Major title.

Cover Feature: Danny Willett

The Omega Dubai Desert Classic Champion talks about his journey so far on Tour and how staying grounded is the key to his success.

Sebastien Gros

Worldwide Golf chats to Challenge Tour graduate Sebastien Gros on the range at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic as he looks to make his mark at the highest level.

Bryson DeChambeau

Meet the 22-year-old American amateur who made a splash during the Middle East Swing with his vintage look, impressive displays and engaging media appearances.

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STYLE

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WIN TITLEIST BALLS FOR A YEAR

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The soundtrack to Rory McIlroy’s life outside the ropes; Ford unveil their latest GT supercar and Joost Luiten’s top five golf courses.

Enter on line at worldwide.golf to win

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JIMMY WALKER

March 2016

CONTENTS Regulars Starter 12 The This month our focus turns to the historic Delhi Golf

Instruction

Club, home of the Hero Indian Open.

63

Arabian Golf

All the latest news from the leading golf clubs in the region as the EGF Ladies celebrate a gold medal at the GCC Championships in Bahrain.

Tour News Senior Invitational Pro-Am takes off 18 Sharjah WWG talks to Des Smyth, Ronan Rafferty and Paul Broadhurst ahead of the Sharjah Senior Invitational Pro-Am presented by Shurooq later this month.

Gear face-off 39 Driver Jason Ashley and Scott Sullivan test the new Cobra King F6 and the Callaway XR 16 drivers.

43

Back to Nature with PING

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Titleist’s new SM6 wedges

46

Mental test: Pro Golf IQ

48

TaylorMade go head-to-head

51

UnderArmour with Matt Fitzpatrick

The all-new PING G driver goes under the microscope and Louis Oosthuizen gives his verdict.

Brendan O’Leary, Custom fit specialist for Titleist in Dubai, introduces the new SM6 wedges.

WWG takes the Pro Golf IQ challenge.

We look at the new TaylorMade M2 and M1 drivers.

The reigning British Masters champion Matt Fitzpatrick professes his love for UnderArmour, one of the world’s fastest growing sports brands.

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Rafa’s mental focuss

54

Wedgeology

56

Pitch Perfect

59

Loop out of the bunker

60

Pete Cowen’s 15 minute workout

Rafa Cabrera-Bello offers his suggestions on how to handle pressure on the course.

Make your practice pay off with Martin Robinson, Director of Instruction at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

Bryan Smith, PGA Golf Professional at Emirates Golf Club shows us a drill that could make your pitching perfect.

Fraser Mclaughlan, Head Teaching Professional at Al Ain Equeestrian, Shooting and Golf Club explains how opening your stance can lead to better results from the greenside bunker.

Master PGA Professional Pete Cowen on how 15 minutes of the correct work on your golf swing every day will help you become a better golfer.

INSIDE THE ROPES

DAVID HOWELL

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The answers to speeding up the pace of the game could be right under our nose.

I

F there is one subject that keeps on rearing its ugly head in golf, it’s the scourge of slow play. No other subject seems to come up more often than the issue of rounds taking too long.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Sunday morning at the local golf club or, more interestingly, on the professional tours around the world.

The European Tour has just embarked on another push to speed up play, one that all the players are delighted to embrace.

But before we get to that I’d like to take a minute (or say 50 seconds in the sprit of things) to set out some context on this ongoing debate.

When I first started playing golf as a junior at Broome Manor Golf Club, an intensely competitive club in Swindon, medal rounds would often take nearly five hours for a three-ball. Not because people weren’t very bothered how long it took but because by trying your hardest, playing to all the rules correctly and holing out everything takes time when the average score is in the mid eighties.

I also played at Swindon Golf Club in the winter months – foursomes only, match play, in the cold. We would take three hours at most – thank Heaven for winter golf. The difference, quite simply, was the format. One is quick, the other is slow. It’s as straightforward as that.

Unfortunately, a two-tee start system with 156 players is not a quick format and 4hrs 20mins is the absolute minimum time we can take. But on a 7,500 yard course, often designed with buggies in mind, with crowds and the occasional ruling to contend with, 4hrs 35mins is the time we are allowed.

It’s not fast, and often times can gravitate to around 4hrs 50mins. It’s a long time for a sporting activity I grant you, but the facts are that this is the game we all love, it’s a game that takes a long time to play in the format that we play on Tour.

Try to take the opportunity at a Tour event to walk with an early group in a two-ball, which is our weekend preference, and I would be amazed if you thought we played slowly. We reckon 3hrs 35mins is a good time to get round on the courses we play, which, in my mind, proves the point that it’s the number of players who start that is the biggest problem.

With that said, The European Tour’s new initiative seems to be working and good on our officials for coming up with the new format. Simply put, we are now being timed whether we are in position or not. If any player takes an inordinate amount of time over any shot at any time we are now being given a monitoring penalty. Incur two of these penalties throughout the entire season and you rack up a €2,000 fine, which is then doubled for subsequent penalties.

Jordan Spieth picked up one of these penalties in the first week of the new system, proving that our officials are not afraid of implementing the rule even for the highest-ranked players.

Consequently, times have come down an average of five minutes

per round. That’s not enough to change the nature of the game, but it’s a significant improvement none the less. As our former CEO Ken Schofield once said during a meeting I attended, golf is not a race, but we should, indeed, do our best to play speedily, without rushing. I believe the fans want to watch a player do brilliant things within a sensible time, not to do average things too quickly.

Not being ready is the biggest problem that we, as players, often see. There is no reason that the second or third players to play should not be ready to hit their ball as soon as it is their turn, and the officials are certainly clamping down harshly on players in these circumstances.

There are aspects of the game I have noticed that could significantly speed things up. Making sure the caddies are always up alongside their players is one item. It may be a tough ask with a heavy golf bag to carry, but this could be seen as a prerequisite of being a professional caddy. Also the honour system definitely has a detrimental effect on the length of rounds.

I know from experience how easily this could be changed, whilst still keeping a sense of order about things. In Abu Dhabi this year my group was first out and after a fog delay we had an hour and a half to play nine holes to save ourselves an early morning start, to finish the following day. We didn’t quite make it, I hasten to add, but we got through the quickest eight holes I have ever played on Tour.

What did we do? Well, we simply changed the honour system to one where the first person to hole out hits off first on the next tee. This had two implications: Firstly, the player who holed out first could stand to the side of the green nearest the next tee, thus saving around 20 seconds. Secondly, instead of watching his partners putt out he can already start to prepare for his tee shot, check his yardage book and give some thought to his game plan.

Many professionals might argue that teeing off second or third is an advantage that they wouldn’t wish to give up. But, using that logic, who was it who decided that playing the previous hole in a lower order than your partners should bring with it a perceived disadvantage of teeing off first next? The more I think of it, changing the honour system makes absolute sense. Apart from saving valuable time it is actually a far more fair way of teeing off.

So if the desire for quicker rounds in tournament golf is really important, my suggestion might well be worth considering. That, in itself, would definitely speed up weekend amateur golf, and in today’s ever quickening world, when golf seems to take too long for people’s appetite, then anything that helps to speed up the game should be embraced.

Playing ‘Ready Golf’ as it’s called would help enormously at club level, and if we in the professional game are as influential on the amateur game as people say, then maybe leading the way is what we should do. Q

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ISSUE No. 179, MARCH, 2016.

Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd. Published in Dubai by: Prografix, PO Box 24677, Dubai, UAE. (Tel) +9714 340 3785.

Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore.

Executive Editor: Gary Player.

Editor: Alex Gallemore. alex@wspglobal.com.

Publisher: Mike Gallemore. mike@wspglobal.com General Manager Dubai: Richard Bevan: rick@wspglobal.com Editors: Todd Staszko, Scott Grayston.

Production/Design Editor: Thameem Rayyan.

Editorial Panel: Gary Player, Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Todd Staszko Photography: Getty Images, Joanna Eardley.

June 2009 SSN 1- 46805671 Approval UAE National Media Council: Ref.816 30/5/2007 Trade Licence No. 1/104375/15280

Printed by: Raidy, Dubai Worldwide Golf specifies that postpress changes may occur to any information given in this publication and takes no responsibility for goods or services advertised.

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The Course

Delhi Golf Club Home of the Hero Indian Open

O

ne of the premier golf clubs in India in the heart of New Delhi, the Delhi Golf Club plays host to The European Tour’s Hero Indian OpenlaterthismonthwhereIndia’stop ranked player Anirban Lahiri defends his title.

Over 300 different species of birds can be found on the grounds, which was salvaged from an industrial concrete make-over during Delhi’s rapid expansion after the Prime Minister intervened in 1951.

The course was subsequently relaid and an oasis in the hustle and bustle of one of the busiest cities in the world was born.

The course has hosted the Indian Open on 28 occasions since its inaugural staging in 1964, while the club is now comprised of the 18 hole championship course and the shorter 9 hole Peacock Course – the latter coming into being when the 18-hole layout was re-designed by Peter Thomson in 1976-77.

Alongside Lahiri in the field will be three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington, while past winners of the event (before it became cosanctioned by The European Tour) include Thongchai Jaidee and fivetime Open Champion and course designer Peter Thompson.

The event also gave a young Payne Stewart his first professional victory back in 1981, just one year before he joined the US PGA Tour. Q

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STARTER

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STARTER SORENSTAM WANTS SOLHEIM CAPTAINCY

RECORD-BREAKING WEEK AT ‘THE GREENEST SHOW ON GRASS’ THE Waste Management Phoenix Open broke its own record as the best-attended tournament in the world as 201,003 people entered the site for the third round this year.

The previous record was set in 2014 with 189,722 paying spectators.The event is also the most environmentally friendly as it is the first professional tournament to have zero levels of waste.It is powered by on-site solar panels,wind geothermal technology,biogas and biomass. There is nothing on site that cannot be recycled and with 6,000 recycling bins(nobinsforgeneralwaste)it’simpossible not to be eco-friendly.

Stat of the month: The final round average of the Farmers Insurance Open was 77.9, making it the second-toughest final round on the US PGA Tour (non major) in 25 years.

DID YOU KNOW? Eight of Charl Schwartzel’s 11 European Tour titles have been won in the four months from November through February.

Q U O T E S “I would have loved to have had a duel with Tiger in a Major – and I still would. Hopefully, if he can get healthy,I'd like to have a crack at him down the stretch in a Major. I would love that, just once.” – Rory McIlroy on a potential back-nine Major duel with Tiger Woods.

LADIES legend Annika Sorenstam has thrown her hat into the ring for Solheim Cup Captaincy next year in Des Moines, Iowa in the USA. The Hall of Famer is Europe’s most decorated Solheim Cup player and has served as Assistant Captain for the last three editions of the biennial competition between the USA and Europe. “I would love to be the European Solheim Cup Captain and 2017 has been my goal for years,” said the ten-time Major winner.

OLD COURSE TO HOST SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

THE Old Course at St. Andrews will host the Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex for the first time, in 2018. “There have been many great championships held at St. Andrews over the years, and it is entirely fitting that the Senior Open should be played at the Home of Golf in 2018,” said Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A.

FURYK OUT UNTIL MAY

JIM Furyk will not make his first outing on Tour until May and hopes to be fit and firing for the US Open in June after undergoing surgery to fix a nagging wrist injury. Furyk hasn’t played on the Tour since withdrawing from the Deutsche Bank Championship in September and in the meantime his long-time caddie Mike ‘Fluff’ Cowan will carry the bag of young Korean Si Woo Kim.

SPANISH OPEN MOVES TO VALDERRAMA THE European Tour have announced that the Open de España, one of the longest-running events on the calendar, will this year be hosted by Valderrama Golf Club in Andalucia. The former Ryder Cup venue will welcome Spain’s national Open for the first time from April 14-17 and the event is given an extra boost by being hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation. “I am delighted to have this involvement with the Real Club Valderrama Open de España hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation,” said Spain’s No.1 player.

O F

T H E

“When you can’t make those short putts, that’s just the end-of-your-career stuff. I just want to enjoy the game again. That’s what I said to my wife: I want to enjoy it. I don’t care if I never win again but I need to enjoy it, otherwise I might as well do something else.” – Ernie Els on rediscovering his touch on the greens after a few ‘yippy’ moments last year.

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M O N T H “It’s been a long week, a lot of emotion and a lot of people to share this amazing victory with, especially given how much New Zealand golf has been a support to me and my career,” – Lydia Ko after winning her home Open on the day when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch.

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2005

2015

Harrington knows the ancient secret...

Spin Back

March 2005, 2015

W

hile there are many ups and downs throughout a professional golfer's career out on tour as a top golfer, the ageing process, it seems, is yet to catch up with the likeable Padraig Harrington. Ten years removed from his breakthrough US PGA Tour win at the 2005 Honda Classic and seven years since his last win on either The European Tour or the US PGA Tour, the Irishman returned to the testing PGA National layout in Florida to win the event for the second time in his career last March – and he barely looks a day older!

The three-time Major winner was the talk of European Golf after winning back-to-back Opens and the US PGA Championship in a devastating spell, but had fallen on difficult times trying to maintain that level of performance in the ensuing years. “I was putting so much pressure on myself to get it right and to live up to my mental focus, say, of 2008, that, you know, I just couldn’t live up to it,” said Harrington after last year’s play-off win over rookie Daniel Berger. “When I get in contention I can hit the shots. The problem has been that when I’m starting the week, middle of the road shots, easy shots, I’m just not hitting them. When I’ve got tough shots I can hit them.”

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TOUR NEWS

WIN Ryder Cup Stars Shine in Sharjah

THE European Tour and Senior Tour players featuring in the Sharjah Senior Invitational Pro-Am presented by Shurooq promise to make the event one of the most enjoyable days in the UAE golfing calendar. Ireland’s Des Smyth, England’s Paul Broadhurst and Ulsterman Ronan Rafferty, along with Yorkshireman Malcolm Mackenzie, can look back on a lifetime of memories as stalwarts of The Tour. Smyth, Broadhurst and Rafferty all played in the inaugural Dubai Desert Classic in 1989, won by former Ryder Cup player and Captain Mark James, and have been frequent visitors to the Middle East for many years. Smyth, Broadhurst and Rafferty all played in The Ryder Cup and Mackenzie won the 2002 Open de France at le Golf National near Paris, which will host The Ryder Cup in 2018. WORLDWIDE GOLF talked to Smyth, Broadhurst and Rafferty about their experiences on the Tours and why the Senior Pro-Am will be so much fun.

Worldwide Golf: Do you think the friendly atmosphere of the European Senior Tour is what makes the ProAms and tournaments more engaging for spectators and sponsors?

DES SMYTH: Yes, I certainly do. I believe it’s mainly because the players have had long and successful careers and understand the importance of engaging with everybody in the event.

PAUL BROADHURST: There is definitely a more relaxed, yet still ultra-competitive feel to the Senior Tour. The easy-going atmosphere allows the players to converse and interact with the Pro-Am amateurs, sponsors and spectators, which is perhaps not seen as much on the main tour, and this all adds to the enjoyment of the event.

RONAN RAFFERTY: Everything is more light-hearted on the Senior Tour. Most of my golfing buddies are just normal amateurs in the Pro-Ams, so it’s another fun day for me. I want them to enjoy the occasion and hit as many good shots on the day as they can. If the people outside the ropes see you having fun with your team-mates, they feel like they can join in too and have a chat and join in the banter. Most of them would love to be playing, too!

WWG: What is it that makes The Ryder Cup one of the biggest sporting events on the world calendar and what was your most memorable moment?

DES SMYTH: It’s a combination of team golf, international golf, and the sheer excitement that catches the imagination of the supporters. There are too many to pick one, but the moment the players never forget is their first ever tee shot in the Ryder Cup – which, in my case, came at The Greenbrier, West Virginia in 1979, playing in the opening day Foursomes with Ken Brown against Hale Irwin and Tom Kite. It was also a wonderful honour to be an Assistant Captain to Paul McGinley and be part of Paul’s team at The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in 2014. The atmosphere was as you can imagine – fantastic. As the title of the position conveys I assisted Paul in gathering information, helping him with his decision-making and as a supportive role to the Captain. It worked so well as the

16.5-11.5 victory showed. We had an exceptional team of players who gelled together brilliantly on the week.

RONAN RAFFERTY: I agree, it’s the atmosphere!

There’s nothing like it. As Des says, the sheer tension of standing on the first tee listening to the noise and feeding off the crowd’s excitement is quite emotional.

I remember the buzz on the first tee in the 1989 Ryder Cup at The Belfry when Europe drew 14-14 to retain the Cup. I have never been more nervous in all my life.

It was the real game-changer of my career! Winning my singles match against Mark Calcaveccia was incredible. The moment it was over and I realised I had won the match, was the biggest pressure-release ever!

Captain Tony Jacklin handed me quite a responsibility and instructed me to ‘just go out and win the point!’ He had great faith in me and put me out at Number 4 in the singles list, the match behind Jose Maria Olazabal and Payne Stewart. We had a great game. There was only one hole in it the whole way round. We were allsquare playing the last. I hit a good drive and put Mark under pressure. He hit two shots into the water and immediately conceded the game. The noise when he shook my hand was incredible. The sheer relief was unbelievable!

WWG: Could there ever be a Senior team event played on the same lines as the Ryder Cup? DES SMYTH: The possibility has been talked about for some time but it has never materialised.

PAUL BROADHURST: There has been talk of a Senior Ryder Cup-style match and I would hope that this may happen in the near future. There are so many legends of the game still competing on the Senior Tours that I think it would be a great spectacle and it would certainly appeal to golf fans of all ages.

RONAN RAFFERTY: Yes, I think there would be great interest among players and sponsors. There are still some great names playing – and we are of the age group that people remember. The other advantage is that the Seniors competing would interact a lot more with the galleries and make it an even more enjoyable occasion for the fans.

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Des Smyth

Ronan Rafferty

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TOUR NEWS PAUL BROADHURST: The fact that the Ryder Cup is a team event and normally golf is such an individual sport, manages to create an unbelievable atmosphere among the teams and the spectators, which then makes for compulsive viewing both at the event and on television. I also think there is a David and Goliath mentality when Europe takes on the USA, although the roles have been reversed in recent years. The rivalry between the two elements of fans certainly creates a compelling atmosphere at the tournament. Winning both of my matches are my standout moments of my Ryder Cup in 1991 at Kiawah Island.

Partnering the then World No1 and reigning Masters Champion Ian Woosnam in defeating Paul Azinger and Hale Irwin in the second day Fourballs was incredible for me as a rookie. To contribute something to the team is a special feeling. I went on to beat Mark O’Meara in the singles 3 and 1. It was a tough day for scoring. It was very windy and the greens were really firm. I made par on the first six holes to lead 3-up and maintained that advantage until the 15th. I stood on the 17th tee 2-up and then watched Mark hit his tee shot into the water and followed it in again with his third shot. So I was mightily relieved when Mark waved his white handkerchief in surrender, especially as my tee shot was plugged in the left trap. Game over, thank goodness.

WWG: Why has the Middle East become such a popular golfing destination and a crucial region for The European Tour?

DES SMYTH: First of all, the weather conditions are conducive to golf tournaments. Secondly, I feel golf is a great way of promoting the Middle East. Thirdly, access to the region is so easy, from Europe especially.

PAUL BROADHURST: I have always loved coming to play in the Middle East. The courses are fantastic, the weather is great, the hotels are wonderful and the people are so friendly. The UAE is the perfect destination for golf and one that all the players love to visit. It’s no surprise that The European Tour start off the season with three great events in the Middle East and finish it with the spectacular climax, the DP World Tour Championship.

RONAN RAFFERTY: Well, of course the weather helps! But also the way the courses are run! In the Middle East the staff have a ‘can do’ attitude which helps a lot. People like to be helped! The European Tour have vast experience in running popular tournaments for the players and spectators alike – very much as you have seen during the Middle East Swing recently. The Tour has certainly put the Middle East on the world golfing map and will continue to do so.

WWG: What was the greatest shot in your career?

DES SMYTH: My 3-iron to the 17th green at St.Andrews in the final of the Dunhill Cup.

Paul Broadhurst pictured with Ian Woosnam at the 1991 Ryder Cup

PAUL BROADHURST: I holed a 3 wood for an albatross 2 on the third hole in the German Masters in Cologne. There is now a plaque on the fairway to commemorate this achievement.

PAUL BROADHURST: We all love playing in the Middle East events and having the chance to play Senior golf here is a fantastic opportunity for me and for all of the players.

RONAN RAFFERTY: I have two shots – my driver and approach to the 18th at Valderrama to win the Volvo Masters in 1989. It was the accumulation of a great year with victories also in the Italian Open and the Scandinavian Enterprise Open to top the Order of Merit on The European Tour.

RONAN RAFFERTY: The Seniors Tour is a different Tour altogether from any other. It’s a lot more ‘friendly’ and it’s certainly not as intense.

Players are more inclined to sit and have a chat after they’ve played as they don’t have to be back out on the range hitting so many balls after their round. Having played many times in the Middle East, I know from experience that the game out here is a lot more ‘social’ than it is in other countries. Our European Senior Tour lends itself perfectly to this attitude.

WWG: What is your best golfing tip?

DES SMYTH: The quickest way to improve your scoring is to practice your short game.

PAUL BROADHURST: When putting, try to focus on the front edge of the ball, (nearest to the hole), but right in the centre. Then try to hit through this point. It keeps the head still and allows the ball to start on its intended line.

RONAN RAFFERTY: Like Des, I’d say practice your short game! You always see lots of amateurs driving balls on the range with an empty putting/ chipping green beside them. The short game is half the game folks – don’t forget it.

WWG: Do you think the region could host other European Senior Tour events?

DES SMYTH: Yes, I think Senior golf certainly works well, particularly with sponsors in the region.

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WWG: What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in your career?

PAUL BROADHURST: I was four shots behind with eight holes to play in the 2005 Portuguese Open when a local Portuguese man, probably in his 80s, came up to me on the 11th tee and in broken English told me that I would win the tournament.

After I did win the event, he ran up to me like an 18 year old and pointed at me saying, ‘I told you…I told you!’ I’ve never met him again – unfortunately.

RONAN RAFFERTY: Mostly people accidentally hitting themselves with a golf club or a ball. I’ve done it myself in a pro-am. I’ve even seen a guy hit the ball backwards from the middle of the fairway. He hit it into a bump in front of him and it came straight back over his head. We were all rolling around the fairway in laughter but he was not amused.

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WORDS: SCOTT GRAYSTON

OLF IS BEING REVOLUTIONISED BY A NEW ERA OF PLAYERS AND EXECUTIVES, BUT THERE IS ONE MAN WHO INTENDS TO KEEP THE YOUNG STARS ON THEIR TOES AND REACH SOME LONG-AWAITED MILESTONES IN 2016 – THE YEAR HE TURNS 40.

HENRIK STENSON HAS ACHIEVED SO MUCH IN THE GAME, WINNING 17 PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AND TOPPING THE RACE TO DUBAI IN 2013, THE SAME YEAR HE WON THE FEDEX CUP IN THE US. YET A MAJOR TITLE REMAINS ELUSIVE, WHICH SEEMS ALMOST UNFATHOMABLE GIVEN THE WORLD NO. 6’S UNDOUBTED PEDIGREE. STENSON, THE GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES, ENJOYED A SUCCESSFUL 2015, ALTHOUGH, BUT FOR A SERIES OF NEAR-MISSES, IT COULD HAVE MADE BEEN EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE. HE FINISHED RUNNER-UP SIX TIMES ON THE PGA AND EUROPEAN TOUR BEFORE UNDERGOING KNEE SURGERY AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

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FEATURE HENRIK STENSON

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FEATURE HENRIK STENSON

Stenson scored three points out of four at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Although he is yet to reach full fitness, the Swede has hit the ground running in 2016, with three top-six finishes in as many tournaments on European Tour. His tied-third at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship was achieved weeks after surgery.

Stenson is confident his early season form will continue to improve as he aims to create history in a huge year for golf, but he knows it’s not going to be easy.

“The competition gets harder every season because players have a more aggressive mindset these days,” he said. “The young guns want to knock the older guys off the shelf and this in return motivates myself and the guys that have been around for a while to keep in shape and work hard to keep them at bay.”

Since moving to Orlando, Florida four years ago, Stenson competes regularly against the new ‘Big Three’ and co on the PGA Tour, although the presence of World No.1 Jordan Spieth and eventual winner Rickie Fowler in Abu Dhabi proves the new breed of US stars will no longer confine themselves to Stateside tournaments.

“What we’re seeing is the next generation of American golfers that are keen on travelling worldwide,” he said. “Some of the older players were put off in the past but the younger guys are definitely keen to travel.

“It’s great that Spieth and the other Americans are taking part in European Tour tournaments because it makes the standard improve and increases the competition for the players.”

Stenson has tasted life on both Tours and appreciates them both for diverse reasons.

“It’s often easier for the players to manage on the PGA Tour because you stay in the same country rather than going all over the

world,” he explained. “But I love the element of travelling you do on The European Tour because you get to see different cultures and try out new things.

“I loved being brought up on The European Tour and seeing different parts of the world that I’d never thought I would get to visit.”

Stenson, who reached No.2 in the world in 2014, believes the element of unity that comes from travelling together gives The European Ryder Cup team the upper hand when they face USA. Europe are aiming to win a fourth successive Ryder Cup at Hazeltine,

The young guns want to knock the older guys off the shelf and this in return motivates myself and the guys that have been around for a while to keep in shape and work hard to keep them at bay.”

Minnesota in September, and Stenson, who is expected to make his fourth appearance in the competition, is sure to play a key role for the team.

“The camaraderie is a small edge that Europe benefits from in The Ryder Cup,” said Stenson.

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“We travel more together as players than the US do. On The European Tour there might only be two or three different accommodations for events so everybody will be together for things like dinner, whereas in the US there will be 30 different accommodations and 100 restaurants to choose from.

“Most of the players will travel with their families and won’t meet up that much with the other players. This is one of the reasons why the European side has a little bit more solidarity.”

NEW GENERATION Stenson realises the exigent task ahead for the Darren Clarke-led side as Europe aim to win an eighth title in nine editions.

Boasting five of the world’s top 10 players – and 11 of the top 20 – while enjoying home advantage, Team USA will present their biggest challenge in recent years.

“We are seeing a new generation of American players come through that will make their Ryder Cup team strong for years to come, while Europe hasn’t made that generation shift yet,” he said.

“I think Europe could struggle for a few years before we establish our next generation of players on the big stage. It’s going to be a tough event this year. I think the Americans are really up for it so it’s going to take some good golfing to beat them.”

Some of Stenson’s fondest memories have been created at The Ryder Cup, like the exuberant celebrations at The K Club in 2006 after he sunk the winning putt in a 18.59.5 rout, and his flawless partnership with Orlando neighbour, Justin Rose, in 2014.

After missing out on two Ryder Cups, in 2010 and 2012, the 39 year old knows

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FEATURE CRAIG SLATTERY

The Swede formed a formidable partnership with Justin Rose, the pair winning all three of their matches together. the thrill of competing is something he does not want to be overlooked for again.

“I would rather play and lose in a Ryder Cup than not be involved at all because it’s such a great week together with all the other players,” he said.

“Being part of the team with all the families is so much fun. The fans are always amazing and you can actually hear them even more when you’re playing in the States because it’s a much smaller, but a louder group of supporters travel over.

“The last Ryder Cup at Gleneagles was fantastic. Justin Rose and I formed a really good partnership and we played some excellent golf together so hopefully we can team up again this year. It’s such an incredible week.”

CHARACTER The supreme partnership of Stenson and Rose played together in the opening match on both mornings in 2014 at Gleneagles.

This is testament to their character, experience and ability to handle pressure on the big stage. The tense drama and excitement in Scotland was a uniquely surreal feeling that the Swede will struggle to forget.

“I had goosebumps all over,” he revealed. “When we were walking through the tunnel it was electric.

I can only imagine it’s like a player coming out of the tunnel in a UEFA Champions League Final. What a feeling. It’s the most fun I've ever had on the golf course and it always gives me memories that will last for a lifetime.”

The Ryder Cup is only one huge team event Stenson is relishing this year. He believes the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics will give him the chance to promote golf in Sweden and be part of an event that he never thought would be possible.

“To participate and be part of such a prestigious event will be

unbelievable,” Stenson said. “I’ve never been to an Olympic Games so I can’t wait to be hopefully be part of one. To win a gold medal for Sweden would be massive back home.

“I see a lot of football, ice hockey and skiing in Sweden but the general public doesn’t watch that much golf so winning a gold medal could make a huge difference to the importance and the popularity of the sport there.”

Double DP World Tour Championship wins along with the Dubai Desert Classic and the Qatar Masters are among Stenson's European Tour highlights. He's also claimed mighty scalps such as the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and the Players Championship in the US. But there’s one thing missing from Stenson’s trophy cabinet that he's on a mission to get his hands on. He's been on the cusp of Major triumph, but has never completed the task on the biggest stages of all.

HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT Since 2008, he has finished in the top four in sevens Majors.

His closest was at the 2013 Open Championship when he was runnerup to Phil Mickelson and he'd dearly love to go one better this year.

“I’d probably take a Major before an Olympic Gold,”he said. “It still would be extremely special to win an Olympic Gold because you’d be the first one to do it so it would be a historic achievement. However, no Swedish player has ever won a Major so that would be momentous as well and something I've been after for a while.”

Given the early season signs while still recovering from injury, there is no reason why 2016 cannot be the year Stenson gatecrashes the ‘Big Three’ party to finally get his hands on that all-important Major title. Even if it’s not this year, he'll happily settle for Ryder Cup victory and Olympic Gold! Q

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RECORD BREAKER

When he reached No. 5 in the world, he became the highest ranked Swede ever, beating Jesper Parnevik’s record.

He went on to reach No.2.

FAVOURITE RYDER CUP MEMORY "The celebrations at The K Club were amazing because we won the Ryder Cup quite comfortably and I had this big green wig on that I traded my cap for with one of the Irish fans.

Later on David Howell managed to lose this wig so he still owes me for it now! It was a brilliant night."

TYPICAL PRACTICE DAY FOR THE SWEDE • •

Drop the kids off at school Go to the range for five or six hours where I’ll practice all aspects of my game.

• Finish off with a gym session for just over an hour or so in the afternoon.

This game will not give you anything for free so you have to put the time and effort in.

HENRIK’S FANTASY FOUR-BALL • Gary Player • Jack Nicklaus • Arnold Palmer It would be amazing to play a round with these legends.

WWG: Since working with Callaway, how have the new models been able to improve your scoring?

DW: The XR16 driver and woods have been in the bag for a few weeks now and it’s all about the feel and the performance. They’re just another improvement to my game and I’m really grateful to Callaway.

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FEATURE DANNY WILLETT

Willett wants more

DANNY WILLETT came up the hard way in reaching the heights of becoming No.13 on the Official World Golf Ranking. In 2007 he represented Europe in the Walker Cup and was ranked No.1 amateur in Europe that same year before graduating through Qualifying School and turning professional in 2008. His first European Tour win came at the BMW International Open in Germany in 2012 and his second was at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa at the start of the 2015 season. Now, fresh off the best year of his career when he finished in a share of fourth place in the DP World Tour Championship and his superb victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, Worldwide Golf talks to the confident Yorkshireman about his plans for the year ahead and how keeping things sensible makes sure he remains well grounded.

Worldwide Golf: Since winning the NedBank Golf Challenge in South Africa in December 2014, the first tournament of the 2015 season, and going on to enjoy your most successful campaign so far, your game and confidence just keeps on growing. What do you put this down to?

DANNY WILLETT: There’s not one specific thing that I could put it down to really. My back is good now and I’m feeling fit - and that has played a big part in my progress. It’s a combination of a lot of things coming together but I’m hoping that this is just a start to my success. Like winning the Nedbank last season, victory in Dubai is a great way to begin the year.

WWG: Coming from Sheffield, how useful is it to have Pete Cowen and Mike Walker on the range with you during tournament week?

DW: It’s great working with them and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me but at the same time it’s not vital to have them there on the spot all the time at the tournaments I play. They’re close enough to go and see them when I’m at home or I can speak to them on the phone whenever I need to.

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WWG: Your 2015 campaign ended with you finishing runner-up to Rory McIlroy in The Race to Dubai, sharing fourth place at the DP World Tour Championship, and last month you went three better by winning the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in style but how do you value the tournaments in the Middle East?

DW: I love playing out in the Middle East. The Desert Swing is a great way to start the year - it’s really important to all the players on The Tour and it’s ideal that the season reaches its climax at the DP World Tour Championship.

All four events are really big tournaments and it’s brilliant that the region gives so much support to golf. They’re great weeks that everyone looks forward to. I was ecstatic in winning the Desert Classic. You just can’t buy that feeling when you’re coming down the back nine then the back three in contention of a big golf tournament. It’s something you can’t pay for in life – you’ve just got to earn it.

It was extra special to win in that fashion and being able to produce the goods when the pressure is on.

WWG: At the age of 28 and picking up some serious prize money have you treated yourself to anything that was out of reach in the early days? You seemed quite at home in that Bell helicopter at the DP World Tour Championship.

DW: That daily helicopter flight from Jumeirah Golf Estates to the hotel and back was mega – what a way to travel! But no, not really. I’ve not splashed out on anything outrageous and I think I’ve kept things pretty sensible really.

WWG: Now 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking what are your goals for 2016 - Ryder Cup, Olympics and Majors?

DW: I’ve not set myself any real goals other than wanting to keep progressing. You mention the Ryder Cup and the Olympics and they’re both big occasions that are happening this year, as well as the Majors. But I just want to keep improving and putting myself in good positions. If I do that, everything else should just look after itself. It’s been good to get off to a quick start. It gives me some home time with Nicki’s birth and it’s good to be well up there in the World Rankings for Rio and for The Ryder Cup. It also means my schedule eases off.

WWG: Turning pro when you were playing off plus 5 is impressive but do you believe that any amateurs looking to make it on Tour need to have a similar handicap at their home course?

DW: Everyone is different really and people progress at different rates but that certainly seems to have worked for me.

WWG: Who was your golfing idol when you were growing up and why?

DW: It would have to be Tiger Woods. Because he’s Tiger isn’t he?”

WWG: If you could change any shot you’ve ever played what would it be and why?

DW: Honestly, I really don’t think like that.

There’s nothing that I would change

WWG: You had your first top ten in a Major at The Open last year, would you say that The Open represents your best chance of winning your first Major and is Royal Troon in your sights?

DW: Again, it’s just not how my mind works.

It’s great that I’ll be pitching up at all four Majors this year believing that I can contend in every tournament I play. Last year was a good experience for me at The Masters and at The Open but I’m confident I’ll be ready to do even better this time around.

WWG: You are currently the fourth highest ranked European on the World Ranking behind McIlroy, Stenson and Rose who are all Ryder Cup stalwarts. Do you feel like you are ready

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to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup later this year should you qualify?

DW: If I make The Ryder Cup team it would be something I’d be really excited about. I’ve always loved match play and a few of us got a valuable taste of head-to-head golf and playing in a team environment at the EurAsia Cup in January. From start to finish it was brilliant and I’d definitely feel that I was ready if I were called upon for Hazeltine. Playing with Andy Sullivan and Matt Fitzpatrick was good fun. There was a lot of banter flying around all week and I think that over the next few years we’re going to be the ones who willbe trying to beat each other.

It’s tough out there and there’s such a miniscule difference between winning and losing. Some days you get lucky, some days you don’t.

FEATURE DANNY WILLETT

DANNY WILLETT proudly holds the trophy at Emirates Golf Club after winning the 2016 Omega Dubai Desert Classic in fine style by one shot from Andy Sullivan and Raffa Cabrera-Bello.

DANNY WILLETT and wife NICKI are all smiles after his victory and soon they will be celebrating the birth of their first child. “Obviously, it’s going to be a big change to both of our lives and neither me nor Nicki can wait for the big day. It’s really exciting for both of us.”

WWG: Which football club do you support ort and what sort of music do you most enjoy?

DW: Liverpool FC and absolutely all sorts of music! h WWG: You’ve been flying back and forth to get home with the imminent arrival of your baby – is this something that will ill change your life and your lifestyle? ge to DW: Obviously, it’s going to be a big change both of our lives and neither me nor my wife, Nicki, can wait for the big day. It’s really exciting for us both.

WWG: With Matt Fitzpatrick’s career taking off and now yours, Sheffield can boast two world

cla golfers – does it help to be class part of the ISM success story?

DW: I wouldn’t put it quite like that. Chubby (Chandler) has definitely helped me and there are some great people at ISM. It’s really good to see Fitzy doing what he’s doing and he’s certainly got a brilliant a future ahead of him. fut WWG: It’s a boost to The European Tour that you have decided not take up a US PGA Tour card – are you pleased with the way The European Tour is progressing, particularly with the strengthening of its relationship with the Asian Tour.

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DW: There are certainly some good things happening with The European Tour at the moment, definitely. European Tour Golf is young right now but it’s strong. We’ve got a really thirsty group of lads competing.

The Americans have gone through the transition of young players coming through the ranks and I think The European Tour is going through that same process. The young British lads like myself are just going to keep progressing and I can see it being very competitive for the next few years. I still want to play on the US PGA Tour at some stage in the future but it probably just came a year or two too early for me. I’m happy to say it’s good to know that what I’m doing now is working well and I’m pleased with my schedule. Q

Sebastien Gros:

Making the Grade WITH two wins on the Challenge Tour last year big things are expected of softly spoken Frenchman Sebastien Gros. The 26-year-old only turned professional in 2 and heŎs now enMoying his Źrst season on The (uropean Tour after his graduation. W25/'WI'( G2/F caught up with the affable rookie as he prepared for his debut in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic last month.

“IT’S BEEN a crazy start to life on The

European Tour for me,” smiles the laid-back Gros on the driving range at Emirates Golf Club. “The tournaments in South Africa at the start the season were perfect and then the three in a row in the Desert Swing are wonderful events and I’ve been really enjoying it – and if you’re not playing well you can have a nice weekend off!”

Gros will need his happy-go-lucky approach to life on the top tier if he is to maintain his card for next year as his results have been mixed so far. In his first event he finished fourth at the Alfred Dunhill Championship after a sensational third round 63 at Leopard Creek. However, he didn’t make the weekend on the Desert Swing events, despite encouraging second rounds of 68 in Qatar and 69 in Dubai.

“The main difference between the Challenge Tour and The European Tour is the courses,” he says. “They are prepared to another level that we are not used to on the Challenge Tour. There are maybe two or three tournaments that were set up like European Tour ones, but so far this season I haven’t produced my ‘A’ game so it’s tough to compare when you’re not playing that well.

“One thing that’s noticeable is that the players are undesrstandably better than on the Challenge Tour. I think when great players who graduate from the Challenge Tour have a great week – like I did at

Leopard Creek and the likes of Brandon Stone and Haydn Porteous winning two events in South Africa – these things highlight that the Challenge Tour players are not that far from the level of The European Tour.

“The standard of organisation and the courses on the Challenge Tour are getting closer to the levels set by The European Tour. It’s getting to the stage where the bigger events on the Challenge Tour are starting to look like a main Tour event.

“For example, when you see the big grandstands around the greens in Foshan in China and the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final in Oman, it’s showing us how the main Tour is.

Impressive

“Having said that, when you get here, you see that The European Tour is very impressive – the facilities are at the next level. This can upset your focus a little, but you’ve just got to remember, it’s still only a game of golf, it’s still 18 holes every day.”

Gros collected 73,650 Race to Dubai points for his fourth place finish at Leopard Creek and while he currently sits in 52nd place on The Race at the time of writing he will need a few more top fives as the season progresses if he is to maintain his position.

“I’m not really a goals kind of guy. I feel that

if you reach you goals it can limit you in some way,” he says. “I’m just trying to improve every day – that’s something that I’ve found is good for me. You can always say that for someone who has graduated from the Challenge to The European Tour his goal is to keep his card. I just want to play well. Then getting into the top 60 and the Final Series will follow. If I have many weeks where I have four good rounds, I’ll be very happy.”

Capacity

Gros certainly has the capacity to put four good rounds together. On last year’s Challenge Tour he won the Najeti Open Presented by Neuflize OBC in his homeland with rounds of 68-66-67-69 and his second title came courtesy of a 68-67-70-69 scorecard at the Kazakhstan Open.

That second title confirmed his status as a European Tour player for 2016 and after seeing out the season in second place on the Road to Oman he’s keen to enjoy life on the elite stage.

“Places like Dubai are amazing,” says Gros. “Emirates Golf Club is amazing – and I must have used that word about 50 times when I played the course in practice. If the rest of the places we go on Tour are this good then it’s going to be a fun year.” Q

David Williams, Chairman of The European Tour, His Highness Sayyid Shihab Bin Tariq Al Said (centre), Advisor to His Majesty The Sultan Qaboos Bin Said congratulate Sebastian Gros of France on graduating to The European Tour after the final round of the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final at Almouj Golf, Muscat last November.

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FEATURE SEBASTIEN GROS

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WWG: You majored in physics at college, do you consider yourself to be a ‘golfing scientist’ with your progressive ideas about the game?

BD: I’m an experimentalist.

I love tinkering and figuring things out. I enjoy doing it with golf. My clubs are all set up at the same length (37.5 inches), KBS C Taper Lite (115 grams) and the grips are 118 grams. The only difference between the clubs is the loft so I can get the extra yardage that is needed. Every club has the same 7-iron head with the same lie angle, same bounce, but just has different loft. This allows me to keep the same posture and make the same swing, on the same plane, regardless of the situation.

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FEATURE BRYSON DECHAMBEAU

MEET THE

‘EXPERIMENTALIST’ WORDS: RICHARD BEVAN

ONE OF THE SHINING LIGHTS OF LAST MONTH’S ‘DESERT SWING’ WAS UNDOUBTEDLY REIGNING NCAA AND US AMATEUR CHAMPION BRYSON DECHAMBEAU. THE COCKSURE 22 YEAR OLD AMERICAN CAPTURED THE MIDDLE EAST GOLFING COMMUNITY’S IMAGINATION WITH HIS DISTINCTIVE ‘BEN HOGAN-STYLE’ ON-COURSE GET UP, ENGAGING MEDIA APPEARANCES, AND, ABOVE ALL, HIGHLY IMPRESSIVE GOLF. DESCRIBING HIMSELF AS AN ‘EXPERIMENTALIST’, THE SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY (SMU) PHYSICS MAJOR HAS CUT ALL OF HIS IRONS TO THE SAME LENGTH TO ENABLE A CONSISTENT SWING PLANE. IT’S AN INTERESTING IDEA THAT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE, BUT IT CERTAINLY SEEMS TO WORK FOR HIM. HE LED AFTER THE OPENING ROUND IN ABU DHABI, OUTSCORED THE PROS IN THE ONE-DAY ABU DHABI INVITATIONAL, AND FINISHED IN THE TOP 20 AT THE DESERT CLASSIC. WITH A DEBUT OUTING AT THE MASTERS ON THE HORIZON FOLLOWED

BY ENTRY INTO THE PROFESSIONAL RANKS, DECHAMBEAU’S STAR LOOKS SET TO SHINE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

Worldwide Golf: You created quite a stir in the last few weeks when you’ve been in the Middle East, how has the whole experience been so far for you?

Bryson de Chambeau: The European Tour has been incredible in giving me these exemptions and getting me here. The hospitality and generosity has been amazing in the Middle East. I’m really looking forward to coming back here for years to come.

WWG: What have you made of the golf courses that you have encountered in the UAE? BD: They are astonishing. They remind me of Palm Springs in California because of the desert style kind of golf and the palm trees.

The courses remind me of home so it’s nice.

WWG: You played the Abu Dhabi Invitational at Yas Links and fired a round-of-the-day 65 against golf’s elite. However, you couldn’t claim the prize money because of your amateur status. Are you thinking about turning pro anytime soon?

BD: $25,000 (Dhs92,000) is good prizemoney for the event but it’s not worth me giving up The Masters exemption to do it! I think there’s more of an upside about staying amateur right now.

It was fun to the play in that tournament with Emirati professional Ahmed Al Musharrekh because he was super supportive and everything was working on the course.

WWG: You’re eligible to play in three Majors this year if you retain your amateur status. Are you planning to play all three?

BD: As of right now, I’m only planning on playing in The Masters and I’ll turn pro after that just because it gives me the maximum amount of possibilities to get my US PGA Tour card for the next year.

WWG: You’ve clearly shown you can hold your own against the top golfers. Is there maybe a sense that experience will enable you to string four great rounds together consistently?

BD: It’s like anything in life. Practice is the most crucial factor to success. I’m getting better and better every single day. I don’t get nervous about playing out here because it’s just a numbers game and you’re playing a golf course and having a fun. Whether you shoot a 78 or a 64, it is what it is. You’ve just got to make sure

you learn from it and get better every single day.

WWG: The European Tour have taken a huge liking to you as a character and a player. Would you be tempted to follow the likes of Brooks Koepka and play more on this Tour when you do turn pro?

BD: It’s definitely a possibility. I look forward to playing in Dubai, the UAE and the Middle East for many years to come.

WWG: By being an experimentalist, do you think it will work in the long term?

BD: Yes but nobody has been successful with it! In the late 1980s, Tommy Armour Golf pushed a set of irons called E.Q.L., based on the idea of a single swing. These clubs were built to 6-iron length but the set never gained real traction. I think that now I’m playing with clubs in this style and doing well, we could see more people using this method in the future.

WWG: Have you set any goals for when you turn pro?

BD: No I haven’t set any goals but I aim to play to the best of my ability in every shot and every moment at whatever tournament I play. That’s what I try to do and do my best. Where that takes me, I have no idea…

Bryson de Chambeau recieves his award for being the leading amateur at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club, finishing in the top 20.

Worldwide GOLF 37

WIN A SET OF TAYLORMADE IRONS

Play 18 holes between Sunday – Thursday during the month of March and go into the draw to win a custom fit session with our PGA Teaching Professional, Martin Dewhurst. The winner will be rewarded with a brand new set of TaylorMade irons.

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Gear CO B R A KIN G F6 DR IVER V S CA LLAWAY XR 16 DRI VER

ADJUSTABILITY VS SPEED

The best drivers need to give the player: speed, power and forgiveness and the new Cobra King F6 and Callaway XR 16 have implemented these crucial characteristics. Scott Sullivan, General Manager of ProGolf International, teamed up again with Jason Ashley, the Custom-fit Specialist for Golf House, to test out and compare the two drivers at The Address Montgomerie, Dubai. With the assistance of TrackMan, they were able to analyse and assess how the drivers compare and if the new technology actually makes and Jason’s much difference to the shots. Let’s find out what Scott an clubs. thoughts were after hitting numerous shots with the two cl

COBRA KING F6

CALLAWAY XR 16

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*($5

Jason Ashley: Can you tell us about some of the new features that Cobra has introduced with the F6?

Scott Sullivan: There’s some really cool features in this new Cobra driver. There is a unique dual position weight port that will drop the ball flight and will reduce the spin rate if you have it at the front. If you have the weight port at the back the trajectory and spin will be increased.

Therefore you can personalise your drives with this technology.

On the face of the Cobra there is the Speed Channel. This increases ball speeds on off-centred hits and makes the club more forgiving. The SmartPad technology makes the ball still look square at address when adjusting the lie angle. In addition, there is the MyFly8 adjustable hosel, which allows you to adjust the loft.

I really enjoyed hitting this club and certainly recgonised two different ball flights with the help of the adjustability settings available.

WWG: What new features does the Callaway XR 16 Driver have Jason?

JA: The XR 16 is distinctive in the sense that it’s really high in the Moment of Inertia and

SCOTT SULLIVAN RIPS ONE WITH THE CALLAWAY XR 16

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C A L L A W AY X R 16

has a stable back-end of the golf club but also is very aerodynamic. The input of Boeing has created this sleek head shape that has a mass amount of club-head speed due to the next generation R-MOTO face. The good thing about this new Callaway driver is that it doesn’t lose any forgiveness with the added speed which is why it is dubbed, ‘Fast meets Forgiveness’. Callaway has maintained the features it has used in other drivers like the OptiFit Hosel and cup-face design.

From what we’ve seen today and the numbers, the technology is working well for both clubs.

WWG: What did the results suggest?

JA: Overall, there wasn’t a massive difference between the two drivers. When we flipped the port on the Cobra we saw a huge difference in spin and ball flight. The ball speeds are quite similar. The XR driver had a 2mph increase in clubhead speed but the Cobra went a tiny bit further with an average of 300.3 yards.

SS: Both the clubs looked, felt and performed brilliantly.

If you are looking for a driver with forgiveness and ball speed go for the Cobra but if you want a faster, aerodynamic tee-shot, the Callaway could be the club for you.

Both drivers are available at all GolfHouse outlets in Dubai. If you want some custom-fitting from Jason, you can visit either the Montgomerie, Al Badia or Arabian Ranches Golf Club fitting centre, so you can get the best out of your game.

C O B RA KI N G F6 CLUB 1

CLUB 2

CLUB SPEED (mph)

CLUB SPEED (mph)

BALL SPEED (mph)

BALL SPEED (mph)

LAUNCH ANGLE (deg)

LAUNCH ANGLE (deg)

SPIN RATE (rpm)

SPIN RATE (rpm)

CARRY (Yards)

CARRY (Yards)

TOTAL (Yards)

TOTAL (Yards)

SMASH FACTOR

SMASH FACTOR

107.9 161.7 12.0 2136 272.9 300.3 1.50

109.2 162.0 12.5 2342 275.9 299.5 1.48

WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf WorldwideGolf

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*($5

BACK TO NATURE WITH THE NEW G DRIVER

By SAM TAYLOR, ProSports International

F

ollowing on from the success of the G30 Driver, the research and development team at PING have once again revolutionised golf club design to come up with a fantastic product – the all new G Driver. Having tested the product with both professionals and consumers from the region, the feedback has been outstanding. It is also being received well by Tour professionals worldwide, with both Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen putting the new driver in the bag immediately.

In developing the new G driver the engineers at PING were inspired by nature in their journey to make the game of golf more enjoyable. By using a technique known as biomimicry, an approach to innovation that follows nature’s time tested patterns, they developed ‘Dragonfly Technology’.

This design allowed the engineers to remove 8 grams from the crown of the club while creating an intricate and stable structure, much like the wings of a Dragonfly. These weight savings allowed PING to execute one of the greatest challenges in Driver design, positioning the centre of gravity lower and further back in the club than ever before without sacrificing other performance attributes. By doing this

the MOI of the driver has been raised to unequalled levels, making it pings most consistent and forgiving driver ever.

PING have also set out to make the G Driver more aerodynamic by introducing VORTEC Technology to stabilize the turbulent airflow that exists behind the club head. By carrying out extensive wind tunnel testing PING were able to confirm that the Vortec technology’s influence on reducing drag. When this is combined with the improved Turbulator technology there is a 37% decrease in drag at impact. This allows for measurable gains in club head speeds for golfers of all abilities while further stabilizing the head.

•

•

• •

Variable thickness T9S Face is precisely machined to create a thin ultra hot hitting surface for faster ball speeds.

As with previous PING Drivers the G can be fitted for your game, offering loft adjustments of 1 degree.

Available in Standard, SF Tec (Straight Flight) or LS Tec (Low Spin).

The new Alta shaft is 5 grams lighter allowing increased club head speed and distance.

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Louis Oosthuizen “THE NEW G SERIES FROM PING IS REALLY GOOD GEAR. I CAN SHAPE THE G DRIVER BOTH WAYS AND FEEL REALLY COMFORTABLE WITH IT SO I’M VERY HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS. AFTER FOUR SHOTS IT WENT STRAIGHT INTO MY BAG.”

*($5

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ALL SMILES WITH INTRODUCTION OF

TITLEIST SM6 WEDGES

By Brendan O’Leary, Custom fit specialist for Titleist in Dubai

T

HE innovative Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled 6 wedges have established a new performance standard by improving in three key areas of wedge play: distance gapping, shot versatility and spin control.

Already the most played wedge model on the PGA Tour, Vokey SM6 wedges provide precise distance control, enhanced shot versatility, maximum spin and superior feel through the following key technologies: - PROGRESSIVE CENTRE OF GRAVITY (CG) - SM6 SOLE GRINDS - NEW PROPRIETARY SPIN MILLED TX4 GROOVES AND FACE TEXTURE In specialty wedges, the centre of gravity is not aligned with the sweet spot, leading to an inconsistency in distance gapping. With SM6, Vokey has realigned the CG to better match with the sweet spot of each wedge ensuring increased speed and consistent distance control.

• LOW LOFT (46º-52º) SM6 models feature a low CG that increases ball speed on average by 1.5mph (3-5 yards). This low CG position provides a precisely aligned progression from a typical iron set. It is visible technology, highlighted by a thinner topline and raised lower section.

• MID LOFTS (54º & 56º) feature a mid CG position, precisely aligned between the low lofts and high lofts, that provides precise distance gapping and exceptional feel.

• HIGH LOFTS (58º-62º) feature a high CG position that produces tighter distance dispersion, improved trajectory control and better feel. The high CG position is precisely aligned with the impact position of high lofted wedges, higher on the face.

It is visible technology, highlighted by a raised upper section.

Another aspect of the technology in the SM6 that Vokey worked on is the TX4 grooves. TX4 grooves utilise a parallel face texture that

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creates a sharper, more consistent groove edge and thus improved spin of around 200 RPM •

All five SM6 grinds (L, M, S, F, K) are currently in play across the worldwide professional tours. Each grind is a direct result of Bob’s experience fitting tour players, PGA professionals and amateurs of all skill levels for more than 20 years.

VOKEY DESIGN SM6 AVAILABLE LOFTS 4 6° - 6 2° (R H / LH )

TECHNOLOGY TO PERFORM

AVAILABLE FINISHES

NE W S PI N MI LLE D 6 WEDGES ES TA BLI S H A NE W P ER F OR M ANCE S TA NDA RD BY I MP ROV ING IN THE THRE E KE Y A RE AS O F W EDGE PL AY: P RECI S E DI S TA NCE GAPPING, SHOT VE RSAT I LI T Y A ND MAXIM UM SPIN.

JET B LAC K TO U R C H R OM E ST EEL G R EY

GET FITTED FOR MAXIMUM

BENEFIT FROM YOUR WEDGES - GET THE RIGHT GRIND AND BOUNCE ANGLE FOR THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SHOTS YOU PLAY. If you’re playing on a course that’s a bit sandy and the grass isn’t very deep, the ball will pop up so you need a wedge that has a larger bounce angle. Whereas if you’re playing somewhere like Yas Links where the turf is more solid and you want to nip the ball off the ground, you’ll have a wedge fitted that has less bounce and a little bit less grind.

JAMES EVANS:

GAVIN MOYNIHAN

The new groove system on the SM6 definitely helped with the ball flight and allowed me to get some spin on my shots.

The wedge felt exceptional to hit and I could control my distance easier, which is ideal for any golfer.

I noticed the flight was different with the new SM6 wedges. They come in much lower with a bit more spin which is great. Sometimes I found my SM5 going a little too high which wasn’t great for me into the wind, but now with SM6, I have much more control on these shots. I used the S grind about two years ago but changed to the M recently because I find it is more playable for all types of conditions. I’m looking forward to adding the SM6 into my bag.

MEMBER AT: ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB HANDICAP: 15

TWO-TIME WALKER CUP PLAYER

Worldwide GOLF 45

*($5

GOING

MENTAL! We Tried it: Pro Golf IQ

By RICHARD FELLNER

I

’ve tried more than my fair share of so called ‘revolutionary’ golf products, but this one could very well be the most genuine “game changer” of them all.

As a lifelong golf addict, I’ve taken hundreds of lessons by dozens of professionals, read thousands of instructional articles and watched countless videos and DVDs on swing mechanics and techniques.

But despite all of that instruction over the 40+ years (or maybe even BECAUSE of it all) my handicap (and the consistency of my game) has gone up-and-down like a jumping bean on a trampoline.

The one thing that I’ve seriously lacked over all of those years, I’ve realised, is a proactive focus on the mental aspect of the game. Sure, I’ve read lots of articles and a few books on the subject of Mental golf, but to apply it all on a practical basis is another matter altogether.

And these days, like many of you out there, my extremely limited practise time is often relegated to “left brain” aspects like working on swing mechanics at the range.

But we all know that swing mechanics is simply not enough. To succeed in golf, we need that mental edge.

Some of golf’s greatest players and professionals have spoken about how golf is 80% or even 90% mental. The great Bobby Jones famously said that: “Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course — the distance between your ears.”

One of the more insightful quotes, however, comes from the great Moe Norman in one of his YouTube Videos: “What a sad thing in the world that we are not taught the main thing in this world, it is between the ears. We are taught too much mechanics. Not enough about motor skills, manual dexterity, imagination, orientation,

administration, enthusiasm, alert attitude of indifference, a strong disciplined response, progression of power, extension of the circle, the deltoid muscle on your left shoulder, the elasticity of your body, the axis of your spine, your left brain, your right brain, your kinaesthetic mind, your body mind…all this has something to do with golf.”

So when Pro Golf IQ approached me to do a review of their Mental Training product for Worldwide Golf, I was keenly interested. This type of programme is used by professional golfers across the planet, so I felt it was time for me, as a current 10-handicapper, try and take the next step in my game.

The nagging sceptic in me, however, wondered: Does a mental-training audio programme like this actually work? More importantly, would it work for me?

The answer to both questions, I found, is a resounding yes.

The Pro Golf IQ programme consists of a series of five audio sessions (as well as an introductory video, and some booster/enforcer sessions on Driving, Pitching and Putting).

You simply download them to your computer/ ipod/device) and listen to one session three times a week in the comfort of your home. The system (which uses a unique process called Inter-hemispheric Synchronic Mediation (ISM) plus several other key techniques) teaches you how to get both the left AND right sides of your brain working together, while also helping you create ‘quiet time’ in your mind; which is critical to playing like a pro.

The sessions themselves are extremely easy to follow. You simply lie back, relax and let your imagination do the work. The beginning of each session helps get you into a deep state of total body (and mind) relaxation.

Through a series of deep breathing exercises,

Worldwide GOLF 46

mental imagery, and subconscious cues and tones, you soon find yourself in a deep (almost hypnotic) state. It is here where your mind is most open to suggestion, imagery and mental training.

Once you’re deeply relaxed, you begin to learn about using left brain/right brain techniques on the course. The left hemisphere of your brain, for example, is used for gathering all the analytical information for your shot (i.e. yardage, wind, elevation changes, swing strength/power needed, etc), while your right hemisphere (the creative/ artistic side) is then used to gather the necessary resources to execute the shot (i.e. using your motor skills, reactive movements, etc).

The audio sessions in Pro Golf IQ teach you how—via a series of “warm brain/cool brain” visualisation exercises —to clearly activate each hemisphere of your brain in order, prior to your shot. This “balanced brain” technique

allows you to then switch everything off for a split second while you execute your swing (and thus eliminate the usual chatter in your head during the swing!). As you progress through the sessions, you gain more insights, techniques and training for the different shots and situations you’ll encounter on the course.

So, how did this work for me?

Armed with a few early sessions under my belt (or, skull?), I took to the course. On the very first tee, following a few of my newly-learned breathing and visualisation techniques, I noticed an immediate difference. Gone was the usual first-hole “cluttered brain” and muscle tension. I was calm, relaxed and in a near Zenlike state. My tee shot launched straight down the middle; thus beginning one of the most stress-free rounds of golf in recent memory.

Throughout my round, I found myself playing some of my finest golf in years. Instead of the usual “scrambling struggle” of recent rounds, I instead felt, for the most part, in total control of my game. And best of all, without all of the usual swing-thoughts sapping my energy, I finished my round feeling more energetic than usual. (Note that I had not adjusted any other aspect of my game—the only difference was my mental sessions with Pro Golf IQ.) And this wasn’t just a one-off. Subsequent rounds (and audio sessions) have found me reclaiming some of the form that I felt had abandoned me long ago. I’ve now been playing in “The Zone” more often than not.

In short, this system has done exactly what it promised, and has completely changed my game, just like it has done for thousands of other golfers worldwide. I can honestly say that this program is making a massive difference in my game. ]

WORLDWIDE GOLF READERS GET A MASSIVE DISCOUNT OFF THE REGULAR $495 RRP. JUST GO TO THE SPECIAL WEBSITE LINK TO GET THE FULL SUITE OF PRO GOLF IQ PROGRAMS FOR JUST $194 (USD) www.progolfiq.com/worldwidegolf

ProGolfIQ - Tried, Tested, and... It Works Pro Golf IQ is a powerful mind-coaching program providing concentration, focus and confidence on EVERY shot.

This 5-week visual & audio course gets you thinking the same way as the Pros - used in the comfort of your very own home.

Start today - download as mp3

“I can honestly say that this program is making a difference to my game” Richard Fellner - Noted Golfing Writer

A powerful supplementary session which turboboosts everything learned from the main program

Provides you with a positive mind-set to accurately target and get closer to the pin

Reinforces the relaxation techniques to ensure tee shots land in the perfect position on the fairway

Focuses on using your new mind skills to eliminate distractions and sink more putts

Plus! - these 4 supplementary lessons will take your game to the next level.

Worldwide Golf Readers’ Special Offer Get the full suite of Pro Golf IQ Programs (normally $495) for just $194. Limited time only. goWorldwide to www.progolfiq.com/worldwidegolf GOLF 47

Save 60% Limited time

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TAYLORMADE GOES

HEAD TO HEAD

T

aylorMade has recently launched the M2 driver which is designed to give golfers more forgiveness. It doesn’t have as much adjustability as the M1 but it is aimed at players with higher handicaps.

Matthew Allanson, School of Golf Coach and TaylorMade Certified Master Fitter at Al Badia Golf Club by Intercontinental, met up with Nathan Fisher from TaylorMade adidas Golf to test out the M Family Drivers. This was an interesting test because it was incidentally the first time Fisher had tried out the M2 so he was intrigued to see how the stats compared with the help of the new FlightScope Xi Tour.

To make the test fair, the same shaft was used for both drivers, which had been previously custom-fitted for Nathan.

MATTHEW ALLANSON: How did the M2 feel to hit Nathan?

NATHAN FISHER: It felt fantastic. I noticed a significant difference in the feel between the M1 and the M2 because of the way I set up the M1 with the weight forward whereas the weight is fixed back on the M2. Both the clubs look identical at address position with a super smart carbon crown.

MA: Did you notice any difference between the ball flight between the two?

NF: Not really. Both drivers had a nice launch angle that looked good from the tee. I naturally hit a slight fade so you saw that on both drivers but that was about it.

MA: You could tell this from the data we

Worldwide GOLF 48

captured on the FlightScope. The numbers were very similar between the two clubs, and it was important for me to know the desired flight when adjusting the clubs to suit you.

Interestingly the spin was a factor caused possibly by the subtle launch changes, but in terms of ball flight they were almost identical in shape.

MATTHEW ALLANSON (L) AND NATHAN FISHER (R) PUT TAYLORMADE TO THE TEST.

DIFFERENT DRIVER- SAME FACE.

3D SHOT PLOT

TAYLORMADE M1

TAYLORMADE M1 TAYLORMADE M2

TAYLORMADE M2

GROUPING

Q TAYLORMADE M1

Q TAYLORMADE M2

DISTANCE AND TRAJECTORY

CLUB SPEED (mph)

BALL SPEED (mph)

LAUNCH ANGLE (deg)

SPIN RATE (rpm)

CARRY (Yards)

TOTAL (Yards)

SMASH FACTOR

CLUB SPEED (mph)

BALL SPEED (mph)

LAUNCH ANGLE (deg)

SPIN RATE (rpm)

CARRY (Yards)

TOTAL (Yards)

SMASH FACTOR

116.5 117.0

173.6 174.0

NF: How much further was the M1 going?

MA: Surprisingly, it was only travelling five yards further, although every yard counts!

Players will often look to see how fast they are swinging and not how fast the ball is coming off the face. It is in fact the ball speed which effects the distance the ball travels, with every gain in 1 mph ball speed equating to around 2.5 yards in distance. I would like to think with more time toying with the clubs we could find greater gains in performance.

MA: If you were trying to describe the difference between the M1 and M2, what would you say Nathan?

NF: The M1 was the first driver from the M

10.0 9.6

2736 2010

279.8 290.6 274.6 285.8

family to come out. The M2 has just been released to compliment the M family. The M1 gives the golfer so many options when it comes to adjustability. There is the T-Track System that allows you to relocate the COG of the golf club resulting in changes to spin and consequent ball flights. Combine this with loft adjustments of +2* to -2* on the club, and you can significantly effect the performance of this golf club.

The centre of gravity has been moved a lot further back in the M2. What this does is increase the Moment of Inertia. From moving this weight back, the driver has now created a sweet spot that is actually 80% higher than its predecessor – the AeroBurner.

Worldwide GOLF 49

Q TAYLORMADE M1 Q TAYLORMADE M2

1.49 1.49

The M1 is aimed for mid to low handicapper, whereas the M2 is aimed at a mid to higher handicapper, that said both should not be discounted from a trial. In fact, a number of TaylorMade Staff Players put the M2 into play for the recent Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

What’s nice now with the M2 is the addition of loft adjustability, offering a whole new realm of personalisation to the golfer, something previously lacking in the AeroBurner.

Both the drivers are amazing and will be sure to deliver when fitted correctly, optimal driving performance. The adjustability is what these clubs are designed for so it’s important that you get custom-fitted so you get the most out of your driver.

*($5

UNDER ARMOUR FOR MATT

A PERFECT FIT

“I’m a big fan of all the gear if I’m honest. Maybe it’s just circumstances but I always wear white on a Sunday so it would probably be that.” MATT FITZPATRICK

U

nder Armour is one of the world’s fastest growing sports brands. Launched from the garage of CEO Kevin Plank, the combination of the clothing’s stylish look and intelligent moisture-wicking fabric became an instant hit with athletes from a wide range of sports. A relatively new entrant into the golf market, the brand is following the same rapid trajectory, helped in no small part by having young stars like Jordan Spieth and Matt Fitzpatrick as ambassadors. Worldwide Golf spoke to Matt about the brand’s surging popularity.

Worldwide Golf: What attracted you to the Under Armour brand?

Matt Fitzpatrick: It’s a combination of things really.

They supported me a lot during my amateur days and I think they’re the best so it’s worked out really well. I think the Under Armour gear looks great and I really enjoy wearing it.

WWG: The brand is famous for the cooling, water-wicking technology in its non-golf clothing – is there the same advanced ‘intelligent fabric’ used in the golf gear and do you feel it gives you any help/advantage on

the course or is it simply about the look of the clothing?

MF: Yes there is and it makes a difference. Some of the tournaments we play are in really humid conditions and it definitely works. When you’re out there in that for five or six hours you’re grateful for anything that helps.

WWG: The brand is still very new in golf but it’s popularity is skyrocketing, just as it did in other sports – how big a role do the likes of Jordan and other brand ambassadors like yourself play in that?

MF: It’s no accident that they’ve lined themselves up with some of the younger guys and Jordan’s success can only have helped. As you say, it’s certainly working.

WWG: It’s a very young, modern brand, what is the company like to deal with?

MF: They’ve been brilliant every step of the way and I can’t thank them enough for their support. As I said before, I’ve been lucky that it goes hand in hand with them being the best around!

WWG: Jordan Spieth helps design and test some

Worldwide GOLF 51

of the clothing – are you involved in that and if not, is it something that’d interest you in the future?

MF: I haven’t been so far but I think it would be a pretty cool thing to get into in the future!

WWG: What are your favourite Under Armour pieces?

MF: I’m a big fan of all the gear if I’m honest.

Maybe it’s just circumstances but I always wear white on a Sunday so it would probably be something white!

WWG: The life of a modern Tour player is about much more than just the golf – do you enjoy the other aspects, such as being a brand ambassador etc or is it something you tolerate as you know it goes with the territory?

MF: Of course. I’m proud to have been with Under Armour for as long as I have and I believe in what they do so I’m happy to talk about it. eGolf Megastore has the UAE’s biggest golf apparel selection of Under Armour apparel 5770-338-4 971+ Tel: +971 4-338-5770 Unit 1, Mansoor Building, Street 26, Al Quoz 4 www.egolfmegastore.ae

Instruction

By Rafa Cabrera-Bello, European Tour Professional

HOW TO HANDLE PRESSURE YOU have to stop thinking about things that you cannot control and focus on the task in hand – on what you have to do.

If you’re really nervous it might help to talk yourself through your routine. In a way, it’s trying to get you not to think of a specific subject, by thinking about something else – and focussing on your routine is a good way around that.

In my experience, I find it easy to start looking at the leaderboard when I’m in contention and thinking ahead; I think about making a good score – and in doing that I lose focus on the task in hand.

So you’ve just got to focus on the next shot you have to hit and once you’ve hit the ball you start that process all over again. By doing that you can keep your concentration on the moment.

Click

Worldwide GOLF 53

INSTRUCTION

RAFA CABRERA-BELLO

INSTRUCTION

WEDGEOLOGY T

HE PHRASE WEDGEOLOGY IS COINED FROM THE WORDS ‘WEDGE’ (SLANG FOR MONEY) AND ‘OLOGY’ (THE STUDY OF SOMETHING).

IT IS THE STUDY OF MAKING YOUR PRACTICE PAY OFF. FOLLOW MY 3 STEP APPROACH TO TURN YOUR WEDGE PLAY INTO YOUR BIGGEST STRENGTH.

MARTIN ROBINSON Director of Instruction at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Trained Brain Mental Coach..

1) TECHNIQUE There are many areas of the technique that help to create consistent and accurate wedge play but one of the most important points is to get the body, arms and hands working together. A great drill for this is to put a towel or a headcover under each arm and hit some medium pitch shots. It will keep your arms and hands passive and create smooth acceleration through impact. Many poor wedge players swing their arms independently from the body and become flicky with the hands, causing fat and thin shots. If you make this incorrect movement whilst using the headcover it will fall away.

Practice keeping the covers tight to your body to greatly improve your ball striking.

Click

Worldwide GOLF 54

2) DISTANCE CONTROL

To shave shots off your score you have to be able to hit different distances on demand. As much as I encourage players to not get tied up with too many swing thoughts, having a good system of dialing in your distances is important. Try altering the length of your backswing by imagining that your left arm (for right handed golfers) is a hand on a clockface. Finishing the backswing at 8, 9 10 and 11 o’clock will give you four different distances with the same club. This will only work well, however, if you make a smooth accelerating movement through to the finish. The follow through should travel at least as far as the back swing. If it doesn’t you will be decelerating which will result in inconsistency of strike and distance.

3) PRACTICE SMARTER

WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf WorldwideGolf

Worldwide GOLF 55

Smart practice should always involve three key elements: it is quantifiable, it makes you feel pressure and it helps develop your skill at an unconscious level.

There are many games that you can come up with, but this one ticks all the boxes.

You need to lay out six clubs or sticks starting 20 yards away from you as shown in the diagram, creating five boxes. Try to record your attempts to progress up and down the ladder by landing in each box. It is a great way to develop your feel with your wedges, which will give you much more confidence on the course.

INSTRUCTION

Perfect Pitching TR

SPEED

So You Want To Play Golf …?

Worldwide GOLF 56

ORY

PERFECT PITCHING BEGINS BY CONTROLLING THESE THREE KEY ELEMENTS.

ECT

STR

E

AJ

IK

by Bryan Smyth, PGA Golf Professional, Emirates Golf Club

Perfect pitching begins by having control of three key elements: strike, trajectory and speed. To achieve full control of these elements your downswing sequence is vital in creating the correct arc to and through the shot. The two downswing movements we typically see at The Dubai Golf Academy at Emirates Golf Club are (a) dragging the club down creating a steep, digging action through impact and (b) releasing the club too early causing a shallow, scooping action through impact. With either of these movements it is very difďŹ cult to consistently control strike, trajectory and speed of the ball.

PITCHING DRILL TRY THIS SIGNATURE PETER COWEN PITCHING DRILL TO HELP YOU LEARN AND FEEL THE CORRECT DELIVERY OF THE CLUBHEAD AND IMPROVE YOUR CONTROL OF THE THREE KEY ELEMENTS OF PERFECT PITCHING.

1

2 3

SWAP YOUR HANDS – FOR A RIGHT HANDED GOLFER, POSITION YOUR RIGHT HAND ON TOP WITH THE THUMB OFF THE GRIP AND YOUR LEFT HAND BELOW WITH YOUR THUMB ON THE GRIP. TAKE YOUR PITCHING SETUP – MID-WIDTH STANCE, BALL CENTRED AND BODY WEIGHT FAVORING YOUR FORWARD LEG. SET YOUR BACKSWING POSTION WITH THE CORRECT ANGLES.

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BEGIN YOUR DOWNSWING WITH YOUR ARMS AND HANDS MOVING DOWN ALLOWING THE CLUBHEAD TO SWING OUT ONTO THE CORRECT DOWNSWING ARC.

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ALLOW YOUR BODY TO OPEN UP NATURALLY BY MATCHING THE SPEED OF THE CLUB WHEN YOUR ARMS AND HANDS ARRIVE BACK UNDER YOUR CHEST.

This is a challenging drill that will give you immediate feedback on how you deliver your clubhead to the ball and therefore what level of control you have over strike, trajectory and speed. If you can execute 10 solid shots in a row using this drill then you have control of your downswing delivery. If however, you are struggling to successfully execute the drill then please call us at the Dubai Golf Academy at Emirates Golf Club and we will be delighted to help you perfect your pitching technique.

Ĺž 3GD B@CDLXĹ—R MDV RHFM@STQD ADFHMMDQRĹ— FQNTO OQNFQ@LLD Ĺž G@MCR NM @OOQN@BG SN FNKE VGHBG FDSR XNT OK@XHMF NM SGD BNTQRD CTQHMF XNTQ ĆĽQRS KDRRNM Ĺž %NTQ W LHMTSD KDRRNMR ROQD@C @BQNRR NMD VDDJ Ĺž $# For information, please call +971 4 417 9845 or email emiratesacademy@dubaigolf.com www.dubaigolf.com

Worldwide GOLF 57

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INSTRUCTION

LOOP YOUR WAY OUT OF

THE BUNKER Fraser Mclaughlan, Head Teaching Professional at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club

T

here have been a number of different techniques trending regarding bunker play over the past few years. The most recent is the square-to-closed stance method. In my opinion, the following variation of the more traditional method is more userfriendly to the average club golfer.

When I was a kid, setting up with an open stance and cutting across the ball with an out-to-in swing path was the standard procedure for a close range bunker shot. The problem with this method is the angle of attack is very steep which in turn causes the club to dig too deep into the sand. Back then, sand wedges like the PING Eye 2 design had very large amounts of bounce unlike some of the more modern, sharper wedges. This meant the steeper method was easier to apply but it can be amended to suit today’s club technology.

TRY THIS VARIATION WHICH SHOULD HELP YOUR BUNKER PLAY

Take the club back along the line of your feet but try and reroute the downswing towards the target in a loop. This method will shallow the downswing so the club will skim through the sand rather than get buried in it.

When performed properly you should be able to hit the sand anywhere from 1-4 inches behind the ball. The shallow angle of attack will make sure of this.

Open your feet stance and shoulders left of the target and push the ball slightly left in your stance.

LINE OF BACKSWING LINE OF DOWNSWING TARGET LINE FEET LINE

Click

WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf N

WorldwideGolf

Worldwide GOLF 59

THE STEEPER METHOD REQUIRES THE CLUB TO ENTER THE SAND ABOUT ½ INCH EVERY TIME TO PRODUCE ANY KIND OF CONSISTENT RESULT.

INSTRUCTION

Pete Cowen Master PGA Professional

TAKE FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY TO IMPROVE YOUR GAME TIME is precious for us all and I’d like to recommend a short practice drill that will help everybody improve their golf game – and it takes just 15 minutes every day.

Simply put, golf is all about consistency of movement and repetition. So what you’ve got to do is reps – repeat and repeat and repeat the same action, time and time again.

Why only 15 minutes, you may ask. Well that’s because every golf swing from start to finish takes approximately 1.5 seconds and in a round of golf, you only hit 40 full shots (if you’re a decent player). So 40 multiplied by 1.5 is 60 seconds.

You may have been out on the golf course for 4 or 5 hours but you’ve actually only done one minute or so of work with your golf swing. When I ask you how many good shots you’ve hit, most people say, ‘around 5 or 6 really good shots and the rest were not so good. So that equates to around 7-10 seconds good work and the rest not-go-good work, so there’s not much improvement there.

Now, hypothetically, if you were to then head to the driving range and hit 400 shots (10 minutes’ of shots) and do half good and half bad so that’s five minutes good work and five minutes bad work – it’s roughly cancelled each other out. You’ve not go much better for doing that.

So that’s 1 minute on the course, ten on the range. That’s 11 minutes.

Add another 4 minutes and do the exercises correctly for 15 minutes (without looking at the result) and time and time again you will get the repetition you want.

It’s a little bit like a dance routine.

You have to know your steps to become better at dancing. In golf you have to know your movements to get better. So you’ve got to learn the movements and then the golf club becomes almost part of you.

So the most important thing is to find the correct movement, and then repeat it and repeat it and repeat it. Only then will you get the consistency you’re looking for – and that’s what we want. You’ll only get consistency by producing constants.

Constantly producing the correct exercises will result in the correct results. Take advice from your local golf club teaching pro and find your right swing – then practice the movement for 15 minutes each day.

Worldwide GOLF 60

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ArabianGOLF NEWS FROM THE LEADING CLUBS IN THE REGION

UAE LADIES TEAM STRIKE GOLD IN BAHRAIN The UAE Ladies team celebrated their first ever gold medal after winning the 2016 Ladies & Junior GCC Golf Championship in Bahrain last month.

The team, consisting of Dr. Rabab Al Haj, Reema Al Heloo, and Tara Al Marzooqi, top scored with a tally of 559 in the best-twofrom-three format and they capped their brilliant week with all of them collecting medals in the individual category.

Al Heloo fired rounds of 93-100-87 for a championship total of 280 to take the top spot, one stroke clear of Al Haj with Al Marzooqi third with a 291 tally.

“My short game – especially from the bunker – was working well for me this week,” said Al Heloo. “This is my biggest victory, and it feels special to win a GCC event. It’s great knowing that my coaches, family, and country are proud of me.”

National Team Coach Greg Holmes was proud of the team’s performance: “I am honored to be apart of this historic victory,” he said. “The Ladies have worked extremely hard and thoroughly deserve the Gold, as well as the clean sweep in the Individual Category. I hope that this is a reflection and a catalyst for the growth in talent for the ladies’ game. We are looking forward to many more successful outings.”

The UAE Junior (15 & Under) National Team finished in 4th Place for the championship with a team total of 444. Winning the gold medal was home nation Bahrain with Qatar second and Saudi Arabia third.

Leading the way and finishing in seventh place in the individual category for the UAE was Rashed Al Emadi with rounds of 91-9698 for a total of 285. Obaid Al Heloo finished ninth on the individual table with Khalid Al Mutawa 11th.

HAMOOD DEFEATS YOUSUF FOR PRESIDENTS CUP CROWN Rashid Hamood clinched one of the biggest wins of his career after a tense play-off victory over Khalid Yousuf at the Presidents Cup at Abu Dhabi Golf Club last month.

Staged for the fourth time and sponsored

by HSBC, the Presidents Cup continues to grow from strength to strength with the award ceremony graced with the presence of HH Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Social Development, along with other dignitaries, including EGF board members.

Hamood signed for a two-round tally of 155 after he followed an 82 with an impressive 73 but it wasn’t enough to take

the title outright after Yousuf forced a playoff with a gutsy birdie on the 36th hole.

However, that was as good as it got for Yousuf as an errant drive on the first playoff hole forced him to play out sideways and Hamood made a birdie to take the title.

“It’s an honour to win the Presidents Cup,” smiled Hamood. “To win this event that brings the entire National golfing community together means a lot to me.

“This is important because it has a strong impact on the development of UAE golf. I really stuck to my game plan this weekend.

I was struggling the first round but bounced back and finished strong. I felt confident

with my putter all weekend and made some clutch putts.”

Yousuf, who was last year’s champion, had to settle for second place with third place going to Abdulla Al Qubasis who shot rounds of 79-80 to finish four strokes back.

The Overall Net winner for the event was Saeed Al Balooshi with a score of 138 while the Ladies champion was Tara Al Marzooqi with a 199 total.

The Ladies Net winner was Alia Al Emadi with a score of 153 while in the Junior Division Rashid Al Emadi stole the show with a winning total of 185, well clear of second-placed Khaled Al Mutawa.

ArabianGOLF P65

STENSON DELIVERS BEST DAY ON EARTH

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ucky golf fans and members of Jumeirah Golf Estates were treated to an unforgettable day when Brand Ambassador and two-time DP World Tour Championship winner, Henrik Stenson, came to town.

The ‘Henrik Stenson Day’ kicked off with a Master Class Clinic from the Swede who gave his captivated guests tips and guidance on how to improve their golf game. The 39 year old entertained the crowd with his wit and down-to-earth persona, whilst teaching them a trick or two at the same time.

The golfers then did some preparation on the driving

range before taking on the home of the DP World Tour Championship – the Earth course. The highlight of the 18-hole Team Competition was a challenge shot on the iconic par-three 17th ‘island’ hole where players got to tee it up with Stenson. And what an experience it was for all.

A wonderful day concluded with a delicious buffet and a Q&A session with one of Europe’s finest golfers as he shared stories from The Ryder Cup and his array of career victories. All in all, it was an unforgettable occasion and a sterling effort from both Jumeirah Golf Estates and Stenson.

THE DAY’S ACTION

11.45 am

Masterclass Clinic with henrik stenson

12.45 pm

18 Holes Team Competition, Henrik Stenson Challenge Shot NAME: NATIONALITY: HANDICAP: MEMBER OF: What an amazing day. Jumeirah Golf Estates put on a great event with excellent food and the Earth course was in brilliant condition. I think everyone had a fun day including myself. It’s a fantastic practice facility here for any Tour player with the European Tour Performance Institute. I always spend a great deal of time here when the ‘Desert Swing’ is on. It’s a great place to begin the season and get the preparation in. In addition, it always brings back some amazing memories here with me being triumphant in the DP World Tour Championship in both 2013 and 2014.

HENRIK STENSON

KARI STENMAN FINNISH 10.8 JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES SINCE 2011

I had so much fun at the Henrik Stenson Golf Day. It’s always amazing to see a quality player like Henrik in action and learn some tips from him. Even though he is from Sweden and I’m from Finland, I still had a brilliant day! The man is a true legend of the sport.

5.30pm to 7.30pm BBQ and Prize Presentation on the Fire Terrace followed by a Q&A session with Henrik Stenson.

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ArabianGOLF P69

All about Michael

THERE’S A NEW MAN IN TOWN AT ARABIAN RANCHES MICHAEL NEIDER is hoping to use his vast experience and golfing knowhow to the benefit of Arabian Ranches Golf Club where he’s taken the reigns as the new Director of Golf. Worldwide Golf met the friendly American to find out about his career and what he’s looking to bring to the table in the UAE golfing community.

WORLDWIDE GOLF: How did you get into a career in golf?

MICHAEL NEIDER: Well I started playing golf when I was 12 years old. It’s pretty much the only thing I know!

Ever since I started playing I was working at the place too. I began as a caddie when I was 12 and worked my way up. I now find myself in Dubai after years of experience at an array of golf clubs in America.

WWG: Have you ever visited the Middle East before?

MN: No. You won’t believe it but this is actually the first time I have left the U.S!

WWG: What have your first impressions been so far of Dubai?

MN: Dubai is a huge city. The last town I lived in there was a population of about 3,500. There’s more people than that in my apartment!

WWG: Has Arabian Ranches Golf Club lived up to your expectations?

MN: Yes, absolutely. The Ranches Golf Club is fantastic. It’s a beautiful golf course with a neat Links-style

layout that you don’t see very often in America. We don’t have the sandy type of soil in the U.S except out in Arizona or certain parts of California.

It’s interesting having to play off these types of surfaces because I’m used to playing off much softer ground.

WWG: What difference have you noticed in the clientele in Dubai than America?

MN: Most of the golfers out here in the UAE seem like they have played the game for a long time and are serious about the sport. I wasn’t sure what to expect and what the major demographics would be but they certainly seem more serious than the abundance of social golfers that you will find in America.

WWG: What are you hoping to improve at Arabian Ranches Golf Club?

MN: Our team aims to elevate the service standards here at Arabian Ranches and try and grow the club in a new way. I understand they have had a couple of challenges over the past two years but we are getting

past all that and we are trying to take the golf club into a new era. We want to improve the club so it’s at a level that’s on the same calibre with the best clubs in the region.

WWG: What features of Arabian Ranches make the golf club stand out?

MN: I think the golf course itself really stands out. It is almost a hidden gem out here that is unique to the area in terms of its layout. We need people to experience this golf course because once they play it, they’ll fall in love with it.

WWG: Are you going to implement any ideas from golf clubs you have worked at in America?

MN: Yeah possibly. I’m taking lots of notes so I can compare how the club is run to the model I use back home. I have a really good sounding board here with Troon Golf so we can evaluate together and figure out a game plan that will make the service rise to the desired standards. I want this golf club to feel like you are a member, even if you’re not.

Michael is originally from Madison, Wisconsin and has graduated from Arizona State University with an honours degree in Agribusiness, specialising in Professional Golf Management. Upon graduation, Michael immediately dove into the golf industry working as an Assistant Golf Professional at Cress Creek Country Club in Naperville Illinois. Michael continued to develop his craft refining hospitality and golf operational skills at a fellow Troon property Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler, AZ. In 2012, Michael took on the position of Associate Golf Professional at The Peninsula Golf & Country Club in Millsboro, Deleware. After one season he was elevated to Head Golf Professional and was there for an additional three seasons.

He is a PGA of America Class ‘A’ Professional .

MY GOLF BALL HAS TO DO EVERYTHING. AND IT DOES.

IT HAS TO BE LONG OFF THE TEE. JORDAN SPIETH

IT HAS TO STOP ON A DIME. I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO FLIGHT IT.

IT HAS TO HAVE SOFT FEEL.

JAKE FINN AMATEUR

RICKIE FOWLER

ADAM SCOTT

IT HAS TO BE DURABLE.

LYNN CASSADY AMATEUR AZAHARA MUNOZ

MICHAEL WATSON AMATEUR

I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO FLIGHT IT.

IT HAS TO BE CONSISTENT.

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ArabianGOLF P71

Fun for all the family as Qatar International Golf Club celebrates National Sport Day

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Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, tries her hand at golf.

T WAS fun for all the family at the Qatar 20 minute golf Instruction was available throughout International Golf Club (QIGC) National Sport the day with the QIGC’s PGA-certified Director of Day last month. As a vital part of its ongoing Instruction. community outreach initiatives QIGC hosted Omar, aged 13, who took part in the golfing hundreds of children with their parents at Oxygen activities said: “I thought this was fun and very Park in Education City. Under the banner of ‘golf challenging. I didn’t know how much fun golf was edutainment’ adults and juniors enjoyed themselves until today. It’s definitely something I would love to do testing their golfing skills through a range of fun more of and learn about the game” and educational golf formats.

Local Qatari, Shahad Ali Al-Sobai, aged 7, was one The aim of the initiative was to encourage people of many youngsters who thought the game of golf of all age groups to try the game of golf in a relaxed was only for adults. “I never thought I could play Golf. environment in line with the I always thought it was a hard project’s commitment to game and only for adults but growing golf participation and today I was very happy that I encouraging an active and had the chance to have a go healthy lifestyle. at playing the game. I enjoyed Her Highness Sheikha Moza it a lot and would love to learn bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Golf.” The activities marked Qatar Foundation for Education, the ongoing roll-out of the Science and Community QIGC’s community outreach Development (QF), HE Sheikh programme which aims to Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani introduce golf into the local (President of the Qatar Olympic community and grow the Committee (QOC)) and HE game. The project has already Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al introduced its schools initiative, – Mohammed Al Naimi, Thani also took part in the the Pearl Coaching Programme, Deputy General Manager, QIGC activities. which aims to get golf clubs into It was fun and games as the hands of more than 2,000 families tried to swing a golf club, aiming for huge young people across the nation. targets placed around the golf club’s inflatable SNAG The QIGC will be conducting road shows at some castle where points and prizes were up for grabs for of the most popular venues and public spaces within the most accurate shots.

Qatar, to raise awareness of golf with the ultimate goal Footgolf was also on offer at the QIGC area as a of getting youngsters into the game. fun way to introduce the principles of golf. For those Deputy General Manager of the QIGC, Mohammed looking to take their skills to the next level, personal Al Naimi, said: “We are passionate at Qatar International Golf Club in bringing the game to as many people in Qatar as we can. We want everyone to feel that they can participate in the sport and make it as accessible as possible. It was great to see so many kids at Oxygen Park on National Sport Day embracing the golf activities and having lots of fun, with many guests swinging golf clubs for the first time!”

The QIGC is a landmark project for Qatar and the world of golf, offering a revolutionary and holistic approach to growing the game. The cutting edge facility has been designed to support every member of society, regardless of age or ability, from complete beginners to the world’s leading professionals.

“We are passionate at Qatar International Golf Club in bringing the game to as many people in Qatar as we can.”

Passionate

Qatar International Golf Club is a landmark project for Qatar and the world of golf, offering a revolutionary and holistic approach to growing th game by focussing on accessibility and fun. It brings together a range of short game formats, state-of-the-art learning and practice facilities and an 18-hole championship course, 6-hole championship course and 9-hole par-3 course to support every level of golfer from complete beginner to seasoned professional.

QIGC will be a facility that emcompasses the lifespan of a golfer. Designed by by two-time Major Champion José Maria Olazábal the facility endeeavours to take every golfer on a journey starting at the golf-themed Family Park with adventure golf activity to introduce the sport at entry level, right through to the Championship 18 holes course. Qatar International Golf Club will become one of Qatar’s premiere leisure destinations for all the family to enjoy, and a globally renowned facility for golfers around the world. Q

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J U M E I R A H G O LF E STAT E S

GNATT CROWNED CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

James Gnatt emerged victorious in the annual Club Championship as he finished with a two-day total of 148 to take top spot by two strokes from Mark Hay. Robyn Kadyan was the Handicap Cup winner for his effort of gross 144.

In the ladies section it was Ali Williams who emerged as the Club Champion for her effort of 212 while Dory Gantt took home the Ladies Handicap Cup with a score of 143.

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ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB LAUNCHES INDOOR STUDIO

Arabian Ranches Golf Club has launched a

ARGC dedicated Trackman Indoor Studio at The

MUIRHEAD MARCHES TO LADIES AMATEUR OPEN GLORY Alison Muirhead was crowned the 2016 Ladies Amateur Open Champion thanks to a fine score of gross 75 on the Earth course. Daeun Jung finished runner-up with a steady round of 80 while Sahana Paravantavida claimed third place for her 83.

In the net division it was Kate Bibby who signed for a net 69 to finish five strokes clear of Debbie Murray with Hamda Al Suwadi carding a net 76 to take third spot.

JGE

THOMAS THE MAN IN AMATEUR OPEN

Rayhan Thomas dominated the BMW AGMC 2016 Men’s Amateur Open, going wire to wire to claim yet another convincing victory in the two-day event.

Thomas’ tournament total of gross 138 was six strokes better than runner-up Bilbo Perrot while third place went Dubai Creek member Miki Mirza for his effort of 151.

In the Net Division it was Anthony Oram who came out on top, winning in a countback over David Storey after both players finished on net 148.

JGE

Academy to allow golf enthusiasts to fine-tune their game in air-conditioned comfort.

Designed and executed over the past year, the Trackman Indoor Studio offers state-of-the-art facility that enables avid golfers to perfect their skills through advanced technology features.

Set over an area of about 60 sq m, the Indoor Studio’s highlight is the Trackman Launch Monitor that uses high-speed USB3 video cameras to provide accurate swing analysis using the V1 digital coaching software.

The studio also has the E6 golf software simulating over 80 worldwide courses including MORAIS THE MAN IN CENTURION renowned tournament venues such as St Andrews CLUB STABLEFORD and Pebble Beach Valderama, among others.

David Morais won International Membership The Indoor Studio is also equipped with KVest 3 TEC to the new Centurion Club in London after D Anaylsis which gives a 3D rendered movement his effort of 37 points saw him capture the recent of the body during the swing to assist physical Centurion Club Stableford tournament. motion and the golfers’ range of motion.

Second place went to Paul Moir while third spot Also available is Mizuno Swing DNA, advanced was taken by Alex MacDonald. software that allows to accurately match shafts to Overall, the Els Club came out on top over Abu player swing characteristics, and thus ensure they Dhabi Golf Club by a scoreline of 288 to 285 to win have the best equipment for improving their game. the UAE Centurion Challenge. The top eight scores from each club were combined to come up with an overall winner.

WALKER WINS INDIVIDUAL MATCH-PLAY

Michael Walker emerged victorious in the recent Individual Match Play Tournament as he prevailed over Jeff Ogden in a 36-hole thriller.

TEC

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SUPER SWEDES TAKE THE LADIES NATIONS CUP The Swedish duo of Fransson and Ingrid Sjodoff were unstoppable as they secured the Ladies Nations Cup with a fantastic tally of 51 Stableford points.

Fiona Munro and Antonia Ludvigson from Switzerland finished second on 47 points while the Indian pair of Anvita Kapoor and Rajni Sud took home third place with 45 points.

EGC

YADAV AND CO. TRIUMPH IN MIDNIGHT MADNESS The team of Rahul Yadav, Achal Ghai, Gurinderjit Singh and Ghanshyam Mannghnani clinched the inaugural Midnight Madness Championship sponsored by Midcom with a cumulative tally of 136 Stableford points.

Two points adrift in second place was the group of Bipin Bhatia, Sushant Malik, Dilip Tripathi and IPS Singh while Tobias Parkin, Max Burrow, Edoardo Galeppini and Edward Fearn secured third spot.

EGC

NAIR NABS DDF JUNIOR MEDAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Rishi Nair won the recent Dubai Duty Free

DCGYC Junior Medal Championship with a superb

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net score of 33.5. The best gross score of the day went to Jai Bhalla for his round of 38 while Aarnav Nath was crowned the boy’s winner with a ninehole total of 34. The girl’s division was won in a countback by Anushka Bhargava after she finished with a net score of 37.5.

BRILLIANT BARWELL BAGS THE AUDI MEDAL

YVES GOES LOW TO WIN

YLGC The recent Audi Medal at Yas Links saw David

DCGYC A superb round of four-under-par net 67

Barwell conquer Category ‘A’ (hcp 0-12) thanks to a round of net 76 which saw him finish two strokes clear of Alan Sheepwash.

Denis Jenkinson emerged on top in Category ‘B’ (hcp 13-28) in a countback over runner-up Teresa Sheepwash after both players signed for a round of net 74.

Damien Ward finished the tournament with the best gross score as he posted a fantastic round of 82.

was enough for Yves Aboukhaled to win the February OMA EMIRATES Medal Championship by two shots over fellow Dubai Creek member Vivek Sharma.

In Division ‘ A’ it was Mark Dennehy who edged out Alok Pant in countback after both competitors produced net scores of one-over-par 72.

Vivek Sharma claimed top honours in Division ‘B’ with Arshad Waheed taking the runner-up spot after finishing five shots behind Sharma.

The best gross score of the day went to scratch golfer Aarkesh Bhatia for his effort of two-over-par 73 while Stephen Clarke emerged on top in the Seniors Division, carding a one-under-par net score of 70.

Beatrice Galeppini fired a round of a net 69 to win the Ladies Division.

SUPER SELVARAJ SEALS ETIHAD OPEN YLGC Junior member Jonathan Selvaraj shone

MCCLURE AND WARD WIN THE ECCO CHALLENGE

YLGC Brian McClure and Damien Ward combined

to post 41 points to win the ECCO Pairs Betterball Challenge by a single point over Aart Lehmkuhl and Alastair Crombie.

Alan and Teresa Sheepwash took third place for their effort of 37 points.

in the recent Yas Links Etihad Open as he scored 36 points to take top spot in the Division ‘A’ Category (hcp 0-14).

Chris Connorton finished in second place with 35 points while third spot went to Steve Foster for his effort of 33 points.

In the Division ‘B’ Category (hcp 15+) it was Denis Jenkinson who secured victory with 36 points.

Ghassan Zoabi was runner-up on 34 points while third place went to Khaled Tlais for his tally of 33 points.

ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB AbuDhabiGolfClub

ADGolfClub

AbuDhabiGolfClub

+971 (0)2 885 3555

www.adgolfclub.com

golfreservation@adgolfclub.ae

IT’S FORE YOU! EXPERIENCE GOLF THE ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB WAY

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bu Dhabi Golf Club is launching an all-new ‘Experience Day’ to engage the Abu Dhabi community and increase grassroots participation in the game.

On Friday 18 March, the inaugural ‘Experience Day’, supported by Hacker and Rolf Benz, will offer citizens complimentary golf clinics with the expert team of inhouse professionals. Golfers will be able to measure up their swing with custom club fittings by world-renowned manufacturers including TaylorMade, Callaway, PING and Titleist.

In addition, the ‘Experience Day’ will feature various activities for kids of all ages including face painting, bouncy castles and SNAG® Golf – a fun and family-friendly developmental form of the game which is perfect for any individual ‘starting new at golf’.

THE EXPERIENCE DAY IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE CHILDREN TO GOLF.

“As part of our commitment to the multinational Abu Dhabi community that has supported the Club for so many years, our new Experience Day concept will be completely free to attend and open to everyone,” said General Manager Paul Booth.

“The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship has helped to etch the identity of Abu Dhabi Golf Club into the consciousness of residents across the UAE – we want to elevate that awareness to the next level. We’ve conceived the Experience Days as a fun day out for

the whole family and our hope is that the experience leaves an indelible mark on our community and provides kids and adults with an accessible entry point into the game.

We want to encourage professional golf fans to become amateur golf players.”

The first ‘Experience Day’ at Abu Dhabi Golf Club runs from 9am to 4pm on Friday 18 March, 2016.

For more information, visit www.adgolfclub.com, call +971 2 885 3555, email info@adgolfclub.ae or follow Abu Dhabi Golf Club on Facebook.

Heraty comes out on top in Abu Dhabi ADGC welcomes Yeany Tan Men’s Open 2016 champion to teaching set up

J

oe Heraty put in a marvelous display at Abu Dhabi Golf Club last month to be named the 2016 Abu Dhabi Men’s Open Champion.

Heraty, who competed on the MENA and Asian Tour last year, shot rounds of 69 and 74 to finish with a 1-under-par total of 143.

This was phenomenal score considering the 78 competitors were teeing off the black tees and were using the same pin positions as the likes of Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler had in the prestigious Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

Heraty knows the course well because he was an intern at the club last year for outside golf operations. He was delighted with the victory and the recovery he showed in the final day of the Titleist-sponsored tournament. “It was a great feeling winning this event,” Heraty said. “On the first day I really hit the ball well, found a lot of greens in regulation and the putter was working nicely.

“However, I didn’t get off to the best of starts the following day. This changed when I sunk an eagle on the eighth and a birdie on the 11th which put me in a nice position coming into the closing holes, then obviously the birdie on the last was a great way to finish.”

“The course was in fantastic condition, and having the HSBC Championship Sunday pin positions for the final day was really challenging - but a lot of fun.”

There was a three-hour fog delay on the opening day of the tournament which meant the event was made into a shotgun start, rather than a two-tee start. This didn’t prevent the tournament

MARK YOUR DIARY

MAR 4

Junior Competition

MAR 12

I

JOE HERATY HOLDS THE TROPHY WITH PRIDE.

from being a huge success.

Moonwo Jo was the Gross Champion with consistent scores of 75 and 74, that left him with a total of 149. He edged the victory from Christohfer Rahm and Stephne Loftus, who both also shot 149 but lost out to Jo on a countback.

Corey Spring was the Net winner with a score of 144 after rounds of 70 and 74.

Sun Jin Hwang and Andrew Smolak just missed out on Spring’s award after both shooting 147.

Paul Booth, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Golf Club, was thrilled with the event. “It was amazing hosting an event of this calibre again at Abu Dhabi Golf Club,” he said.

“Congratulations to all the winners especially Joe Heraty, who showed exceptional talent on the final day to be triumphant in the tournament. I would like to thank Titleist for providing all the fantastic prizes and sponsoring the tournament. We look forward to hosting the event again next year.”

Lockheed Martin Members Stableford

MAR 18

Junior Competition

n great news for golfers of all levels Abu Dhabi Golf Club has recruited a highly-qualified coach who has experience teaching in both America and Asia.

Yeany Tan joins the Golf Institute at the Troon managed Abu Dhabi Golf Club bringing with her the best of the East and West through her vast amount of experience overseas.

In the USA, she taught in the Jim McLean Golf School in Trump National Doral Miami.

Whilst she was there, she was handpicked by Jim McLean to be his teaching assistant and help him train some of the top professionals.

More recently, she was teaching at the Troon managed golf club, The Els Club, Teluk Datai, Langkawi, which is the premier golf club in Malaysia.

With her experience working in different cultures with varied clientele, Yeany is able to tailor her instruction to each student. She is also skilled in developing programmes for golf schools and junior golf camps for players of all

MAR 19

Members Medal

MAR 24

YEANY TAN HAS A VAST AMOUNT OF COACHING EXPERTISE.

levels. Yeany is an LPGA Teaching Professional as well as a Jim McLean Certified Instructor.

Yeany’s teaching philosophy revolves around improving and mastering the four key areas of your golf game such as the long game, short game, course management and mental game.

Her goal is to help you understand and improve your overall golf game as well as keeping the sport fun.

Enquire at the Club to book a lesson with Yeany and take your game to the next level. Call Yeany to book your lesson package on 056 983 0511 or email ytan@adgolfclub.ae.

The Etihad Airways Night Flight 6:30pm Shotgun Start

MAR 26

International Trophy 1:00pm Shotgun Start

P77 ARABIANGOLF CONARES GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE

PLAY-OFFS LOOM LARGE FOR SOCIETIES Dubai Exputts 2 and SGSG completed their run of fixtures games in the SNTTA and Worldwide Golf Leagues with the rest of the societies having one more game to claim points.

Leading the charge in the SNTTA League is Asean golf society thanks to their maximum haul of points from their first six games. Dubai Exputts sit on 15 points but Gulf Rock, who are six points back have an opportunity to reduce SNTTA Travel League

the gap in their next outing.

Kingspan and Mustdashdubai will play the final fixture of the league against each other to decide who ends the campaign with the wooden spoon.

Over in the Worldwide Golf League Sport2Business and Naboodah SGB have sealed their place in the play-offs with a healthy lead over third placed Indian Expats.

Played

Won

Lost

Tied

Points

Worldwide Golf League

Played

Won

Lost

Tied

Points

6 8 6 6 6

6 5 3 1 1

0 3 3 5 5

0 0 0 0 0

18 15 9 3 3

Sports2Business Naboodah SGB Indian Expats Sharjah Golf Members (F) Woestyn Boere Hackers

6 6 6 8 6

4 4 2 2 2

1 2 2 5 4

1 0 2 1 0

13 12 8 7 6

Asean Dubai ExPutts 2(F) Gulf Rock Kingspan Mustdashdubai

Above right: The Asean players celebrate their unbeaten record.

Right: Players from the Indian Expats and SGSC Members smile for a photo before teeing off.

Far right: The Woestyn Boere Hackers prepare to face off against the Naboodah SGB.

▶

SH A R JA H G O L F & SH OOT IN G CL U B ANMAR’S SEALS MIDWEEK MEDAL SGSC Member Anmar Khalid captured his first

title of the year after shooting a net 31 to emerge victorious in the recent Centro Sharjah by Rotana Midweek Medal supported by Mekar.

Division One was taken by Tony Bang for his score of 37 with Namir al Naimi taking the runnerup spot.

In Division Two it was Max Hibert’s 35 points that gave him a narrow victory over his father Gary.

CASTRO AND WOLF MAKE THE ULTIMATE PAIR The sixth edition

SGSC of the Ultimate

Pairs Championship saw German Castro and Michael Wolf prevail by four shots over the runner-up duo of Joe Moosa and Ben Mulvaney.

Third place went to Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club’s very own pairing of Arun Tuli and Halim Husin.

ANMAR CAPTURES CORAL BEACH ON COUNT BACK

Anmar Khalid claimed yet another victory

SGSC as he won the recent Coral Beach Resort

Midweek Nine-Hole Bogey, defeating the course two-up.

Runner-up went to Ravish Parekh who was also the Division ‘B’ champion while the Division One honors went to Namir Al Naimi.

P78 ARABIAN GOLF ▶

S H ARJ AH GOL F & SHO O TING C LUB SCRATCH LEAGUE DUO CLAIM BMW SOCIAL

The scratch partnership of Mike Robson and

SGSC Adam Smith stormed to victory in the recent BMW Member and Guest Social at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, winning by five shots ahead of Ennore Paoli and Halim Husin.

S.P WONG CLAIMS TITLE WITH IMPRESSIVE HAUL SGSC S.P Wong was crowned the winner of the

HANS THE HERO AT MONTHLY MEDAL Hans Ettengruber card a net 72 to win the

SGSC recent Orient Travel – Malaysia Truly Asia

Monthly Medal by two strokes from Y.D Kim. Third place went to Imran Akhtar with a 75.

Unitechnik Monthly Stableford after he signed for an impressive 45 points to a secure a five point victory over Roy Holmes, who in turn took the spoils in Division ‘A’.

The honors in Division ‘B’ went to John Anderson for his tally of 40 points while Adam Smith took the leading gross award for his tally of 36.

▶

T OW ER LINKS G O LF CL UB RAHM NABS THE MEN’S OPEN Christopher Rahm secured

TLGC victory in the RAK Maritime City Men’s Open as he signed for a two-day total of 147. Ryan Hunter was runnerup with a net total of 149 while Ben David took third place.

In the Net Division it was Owen Gilbert who came out on top with a 134 tally with Jihad Azzam taking second spot and Fadi Azzam securing third place.

MAGICAL MUSTAPHA PUTS ON MASTERCLASS TLGC Ahmad Mustapha posted

18 Stableford points to secure victory in the recent weekly social competition at

PICTURE PERFECT PARKS CONTINUE TO DOMINATE J.I. and Jiho Park continued

TLGC to dominate the weekly social

FISHER FINDS HIS FORM TLGC Derek Fisher signed for an

even par 36 to be crowned the champion of the recent ninehole Medal Social. Jiho Park

posted a net 33 to take second place while Robbie Cunningham took third spot for his effort of net 34.

events, chalking up another fine win in the two-player scramble after combining to shoot 22 Stableford points.

Andy Cormack and Andy Lewis took home second spot with 21 points with Ajay and Anupma Kotwal securing third plac, one point further back.

Tower Links. Anupma Kotwal finished in second place while Gerry Gibson took home third spot.

P81 ARABIANGOLF ▶

A L HAM RA GOL F C LUB STEWARTS STEAL THE EXTREME PAIRS

WILLS WINS FIRST MAJOR IN TIGHT FINISH

AHGC Brian

AHGC Gary Wills

and Terri Stewart dovetailed beautifully to win the inaugural two-day Al Hamra Extreme Pairs event. Runner-up went to the pair of Shawqi Sajwani and Ben Mulvaney while Angelo and Rae Kondes took home third place.

claimed his first Al Hamra major title by winning the Tombstone Classic over Mags Feenie in what was a nail-biting finish. Andy Spavin finished in third place to take the final prize of the day.

▶

AL AIN EQUESTRIAN SHOOTING & GOLF CLUB SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM TAKES THE INTERNATIONAL CUP The South African team

AESGC of Ben Muwane, Konrad Ketter, Nicholas Mymas and Ghazi Aurangzeb carded a superb combined score of net 132 to emerge victorious in the

International Cup hosted by AEGSC. The South Korean contingent finished in second place just one shot back while team USA took home third spot with a final tally of net 134.

NAPOLI AND STANTON STAR IN THURSDAY SOCIAL Ray Stanton came out on

AESGC top in Division ‘A’ in the Hertz Thursday Social thanks to a superb score of 20 points. Second place went to Ian Horbury who finished with a tally of 18 points while Ronan Barrett secured third place, one point further back. In Division ‘B’ it was Joe Napoli who bagged 22 points to not

only win his Division but also record the best score of the field. David Miles took second place while Ian Mines had to settle for third spot.

Omar El Gayard was the victor in Division ‘C’, signing for 18 points to finish ahead of runner-up David Kerr and Ronan Barrett who secured third place.

HARDEN THE BEST BEGINNER Brad AESGC Harden won a recent edition of the Hertz Beginners competitions with a nine-hole total of net 25.

AESGC

KAWAKAMI WINS BY FIVE Sakura Kawakami finished with an

AESGC impressive tally of 43 points to win Division ‘A’ at the recent Handicap Day by five clear points over Jim Muirhead In Division ‘B’ it was Joe Napoli who topped the leaderboard with an excellent score of 44 points while Richard Kelly took second spot after finishing just one point back.

Konstantin Varga secured Division ‘C’ with a score of 39 points followed in second place by Mary Cunniffe who had 38 points.

P83 ARABIANGOLF ▶

T HE ROYAL GOL F C LUB MUBARAK WINS SIXTH ROUND OF AUDI QUATTRO CUP SERIES Bahrain national member Hamad

TRGC Mubarak won the sixth round of the Audi quattro Cup qualifying series at the Royal Golf Club recently with a score of 33 Stableford points. Naeem Ullah Khan finished two points back in second place while Matthew Deakin was a close third with 30 points.

ROYAL GOLF CLUB WELCOMES WILLIAM EVANS AS NEW DIRECTOR OF AGRONOMY The Royal Golf Club has welcomed William Evans

TRGC as its new Director of Agronomy.

The Irishman has over 15 years of experience in the agronomy and landscape industries, most recently as Golf Agronomy and Landscape Manager at The Allegria golf course in Cairo, Egypt.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead in

Bahrain and to building upon the achievements of my predecessor,” Evans said. “My team will continue on with the course improvement plans already in place, which will showcase both golf courses to the best possible standards as well as ensuring that the long term development of the courses is economical and environmentally sustainable.”

▶

ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB CAMPBELL AND NIELSON VICTORIOUS IN STABLEFORD COMP Alisa Campbell was triumphant in

ARGC the Ladies Divison of the Individual Modified Stableford competition with three points. Nicola Breeze just missed out by a point.

In this format, the typical Stableford format was adjusted to 8 points for Albatross, 5 for eagle, 2 for birdie, 0 for par, -1 for bogey, and -3 for double bogey or worse.

In the Men’s Divison Jorn Nielson had a superb round to haul in 13 points and a five point victory. Jorn’s round included an impressive net eagle on hole 5 and consistent play throughout. Following Jorn were Rob Garner with 8 points and Douglass McLennan in third with 5 points.

Eddie Ramage prevailed in

ARGC the recent Rivoli Monthly

Medal by firing a solid 79 in the gross competition.

In the Ladies Division Kim Chiang took the spoils with an impressive round, closing in 73. Kim’s round secured her a ten-shot victory in the event. In the Net Divisions, three

worthy champions were crowned.

Representing the Men’s Division ‘A’, Mark Phillips returned a 72 to win.

Additionally, Nigel Fenwick shot 70, which was the lowest net round of the day, to win the Men’s Division ‘B’.

Finally, in the Ladies Division, Denise Alcock closed with a net 72 to find her way to the winner’s circle.

D O H A G O LF C LU B THOMAS THE MAN IN CENTURION CLUB GOLF DAY

▶

RAMAGE IS KING OF THE RANCHES IN RIVOLI MONTHLY MEDAL

Sean Thomas compiled

DGC a superb haul of 41

Stableford points to win International Membership at the Centurion Club on the outskirts of London. Thomas came out on top on a day which welcomed dignitaries

from the UK club with Andrew Vye in second on 39 points and Richard Bartless third one point further back. Uzma Mir topped the Ladies Division with a score of 39, six points clear of Elizabeth van der Wouden.

STYLE&TRAVEL

ON SONG WITH RORY MCILROY DREAMLAND GOLF CLUB EMIRATES SKYWARDS COMPETITION DRIVING RANGE ‘FAVOURITE FIVE’: JOOST LUITEN

ON SONG WITH

RORY MCILROY THE BOSE AMBASSADOR REVEALS HIS FAVOURITE BAND...

Click

Richard Bevan CAUGHT UP WITH THE WORLD NO.3 AT THE BOSE STORE IN DUBAI TO DISCUSS HIS LOVE OF MUSIC Worldwide GOLF 85

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S TA R S POT T I N G

PLAY ON

RORY MCILROY PLAYS SHOTS ON THE GOLF COURSE LIKE FEW OTHERS BUT HE ALSO LOVES TO PLAY MUSIC WITH THE HELP OF BOSE

W

E’VE had the pleasure of interviewing Rory McIlroy about his considerable talents on the golf course on many an occasion.

But there’s more to the man than golf.

Rors is an avid music lover and listens to his favourite tunes to pump him up before hearding out on course, to lift his spirits after a bad round or when he’s simply kicking back in between tournaments. And if he wasn’t busy winning Major championships, there’s one band he’d like to be in more than any other...

Worldwide Golf: Does music play a big part in your life?

Rory McIlroy: Music plays a huge part in my life and I think the same thing can be said about most people. Wherever you go there’s always music playing. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a shop or in a car or in the gym there’s always something on. I love to listen to music whilst I am practicing. Sometimes you don’t notice the effect music has and how popular it is but imagine how strange a world would be without it.

WWG: Do you listen to a particular style of music to get pumped up and ready for action on the golf course?

RM: Yes I do but it frequently changes. I could be in the mood for hip-hop one day, then the next day dance, then acoustic, then soft-rock.

My favourite is probably hip-hop, house or dance when I want to get in the mood for a tournament.

WWG: What about if you’ve had a bad day on the course, is there something you like to listen to that takes your mind off the performance?

RM: I would listen to something a bit more

Worldwide GOLF 87

hardcore and technoey. I would search for a playlist on Spotify and find a mix that someone’s done at something like Ultra Music Festival and plug my BOSE headphones in.

WWG: If you could be in any band, what would it be?

RM: Coldplay. I really like them because they make great music and it seems like they can go away for a couple of years unnoticed but them come back with a huge album. If you compare them to other musicians and artists, it seems like they can lead a normal life compared to the likes of Justin Bieber or One Direction. I’m close with Niall Horan from 1D and the lives they lead is unbelievable. I’m not sure if I would want to do that each and every day. It appears like Coldplay can lead a normal life but be superstars at the same time.

WWG: Do you play any instruments yourself?

RM: I played the violin for about a week in school but then gave it up. I couldn’t put the time into it that my teacher wanted me to so I decided to give it a miss.

WWG: What is Rory McIlroy’s favourite thing to do when he is not on the golf course?

RM: I love to just spend time with my friends and family because I don’t get to do it as much as I would like to.

I COULD BE IN THE MOOD FOR HIP-HOP ONE DAY, THEN THE NEXT DAY DANCE, THEN ACOUSTIC, THEN SOFT-ROCK.“

*2/) 6&(1(

BUSY START TO 2016!

By PHIL JONES

PHIL JONES, GENERAL MANAGER OF DREAMLAND GOLF CLUB IN BAKU, AZERBAIJAN, TALKS ABOUT CREATING THAT AUTHENTIC ‘CLUB’ EXPERIENCE FROM THE GET GO.

I

’m pleased to say that we have achieved our first milestone as we accept our 100th member four weeks after our 2016 membership launch. As the spirit of the club becomes apparent we have started the crucial phase of including players in this newly formed community. Our Winter Series continues to go from strength to strength with an oversubscribed January Scalini Scramble and more events coming up on the radar. Our first hole in one was recorded at par-3 17th hole by Xavier De Souza – a regular visitor who was delighted with the achievement: “It’s a testing par 3 so I’m very proud of this hole in one. It’s also my first hole in one overseas, a great personal victory. It’s always a pleasure to play at Dreamland, the course is in great condition. I’ll be back soon!”

DREAMLAND GOLF CLUB CELEBRATES ITS 100th MEMBER.

DREAMLAND GOLF ACADEMY MAKING A SPLASH

As golf is new to the country of Azerbaijan, a huge part of the development in growing the sport was the addition of the world class Academy, designed to inspire players of all levels. Our PGA professionals provide top level coaching at an intelligently-designed facility offering unique concepts include such as:

JUNIOR SPLASH ZONE AREA

There are not too many driving ranges with lakes on them, but here at Dreamland we have created a Splash Zone with colourful floating golf balls and floating lake targets. It really makes the learning experience that bit more exciting for a junior golfer. Once they see these targets even our adults are tempted to take on the challenge! With six designated bays for juniors to play from, those managing to hit their shots to the green receive a ‘I Flew the Lake’ certificate signed by the golf professionals.

aspects, rather than leaping straight onto the championship course. Not just for junior golfers, it has also become very popular with both ladies groups and local golfers. We have even started an Academy par-3 handicap system to allow beginners to learn the scoring process and, most importantly, have some competitive fun.

ACADEMY PAR 3 COURSE

IMG PERFORMANCE STUDIOS

Every Monday we turn our driving range into a par-3 course, measuring 645 metres. This short course is the perfect environment to develop our students in golf course

COLIN MONTGOMERIE ENJOYS THE CONCEPT OF THE JUNIOR SPLASH ZONE.

We offer a variety of teaching technology including: V1 Branded Academy, FlightScope, SAM Putt Lab, Skillz physical training aids and much more high-spec teaching

Worldwide GOLF 88

equipment. In a state-of-the-art teaching studio this creates an ideal and comfortable learning environment to develop technical, tactical and physical factors.

MULTI-SPORT JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

We offer a three-year junior Future Stars programme which incorporates fundamental movement coaching to increase progression for any junior from the age of five years old. Such activities include footgolf, tennis, baseball and lots of other physical activities linked into sports specific development.

MEET THE PROS

MICHAEL SWEENIE Head PGA Professional

IMPRESSIVE IMG PERFORMANCE STUDIOS.

DEVELOP YOUR A-GAME AT THE DRIVING RANGE.

Our junior Skillz equipment offers a variety of training aids for younger golfers. We also use SNAG equipment to play games with the younger children which encourages them to ‘love golf’. Each junior who enters the programme receives a workbook guide and certificate of achievement, leading them to an initial Academy par-3 handicap and then onto a 9-hole championship course handicap.

WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED SO FAR?

Since the Academy opened in September 2015 we have achieved some great results in growing the game in Azerbaijan. The student list covers over 35 different nationalities showing the diverse international culture that exists in Baku – who said that golf is not a global sport!

With our own school on site, the SABIS® SUN International School, we have introduced over 70 children through SNAG and will continue to develop the youngsters through our weekly Academy lessons.

Our junior Future Stars programme now has three classes running each weekend, with over 50 players signed up. Our Year 2 class comprises 18 juniors who have just started practicing out on the championship course.

DREAMLAND MEMBERS IN FULL FORCE.

Under the strap-line of ‘Discover Dreamland- Discover Golf’ our development of Azerbaijani adult golfers continues to generate interest. A series of ‘Welcome to Golf’ clinics and golf course tours are creating an early impression of the enjoyment of learning something new.

These concepts, from the Splash Zone to footgolf, are instrumental in changing up the usual system.

MOVING FORWARD…

In June 2016 we will host the first Junior Open competition in the country’s history with a unique 9-hole event. Through the help of our management company, IMG, we will involve many local businesses in the sponsorship and support of this event. I am sure it will be a massive success and a great story for not only golf, but sport in general in Azerbaijan.

Michael joined the team at Dreamland in February 2015 as Head PGA Professional. At his previous position as Performance Academy Manager at Trump Turnberry, one of Europe’s leading golf resorts and Open Championship venue, Michael was instrumental in developing Colin Montgomerie’s Links Golf Academy and the Turnberry Performance Academy for nearly 10 years. IMG played a huge part in bringing Michael out to Baku to lead and develop golf in Azerbaijan. Michael is a passionate golf performance coach with a focus on using a holistic coaching method to develop all levels of golfers.

His role in Scotland also included working as an SGU Development Coach and assisting the growth of junior and youth golf in Scotland. Michael is also a TPI certified fitness professional and golf coach and brings his coaching expertise to front the development of golf in Azerbaijan.

OGUZHAN KUCUK PGA Assistant Professional Oguzhan, from Istanbul, joined the team at Dreamland in June 2015 as a PGA Assistant Professional. Previously, he worked for the Turkish Golf Federation travelling the globe in assisting the development of junior golf in Turkey.

Oguzhan is currently in the second year of his UK PGA training and plays an key role in the development of junior golf in Azerbaijan.

THOSE WISHING TO EXPERIENCE DREAMLAND GOLF CLUB CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A GOLF PACKAGE INCLUDING HOTEL STAY AT THE ICONIC FAIRMONT BAKU, FLAME TOWERS. WITH FLIGHTS DAILY FROM DUBAI WITH THE NATIONAL CARRIER AZAL, AND MONDAY / THURSDAY / SATURDAY WITH FLYDUBAI, AZERBAIJAN IS A COUNTRY WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED. CONTACT: info@dreamlandgolfclub.com or Philip.Jones@dreamlandgolfclub.com for more details.

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Sign Up Now & Become an EGF Member Today!

EMIRATES www.egfgolf.com

GOLF FEDERATION Membership Benefits & Partners

• EGF – Discounted green fees at all EGF Affiliated golf clubs in the UAE. Go to www.egfgolf.com to view current rates.

• WWG – Free annual subscription to Worldwide Golf Magazine • Tee & Putt Mini Golf – All EGF Members receive 15% off on admission, up to 4 pax.

Special birthday & party packages. Contact Tee & Putt Mini Golf at info@teeandputt.com • Park Rotana – All EGF Members receive: 15% off F&B at Coopers, Teatro, and Ginger & ParlKafe restaurants 10% off ALL massage treatments at Bodylines 20% off on annual membership at Bodylines 15% off on 6 months membership at Bodylines • GolfLan – EGF Membership is included within the GolfLan membership.

For more information contact GolfLan at info@golflan.com.

• Hiltonia Beach Club Fitness and Spa - Full Membership (Unlimited use of beach, pools, gym, steam, sauna, jacuzzi, tennis) 1 Year Membership (After 20% discount): Male - AED 9,400 (from AED 11,750); Female - AED 6,500 (from AED 8,200); Couple - AED 12,800 (from AED 16,000); Children 5-7 years - AED 1,500 (AED 1,875); Children 18-20 - AED 3,960 (from AED 4,950) • HSBC – Sponsor of The Presidents Cup. • Dubai Duty Free - Sponsor and host of Dubai Duty Free UAE Nationals Cup.

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CO M P E T I T I O N

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Worldwide GOLF 91

F

ord have unveiled the all-new GT, an ultra-highperformance supercar that serves as a technology showcase for top EcoBoost® performance, aerodynamics and lightweight carbon fiber construction.

The GT hits the road in select global markets to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ford GT race cars placing 1-2-3 at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It isn’t the first time Ford have reborn the racing icon. In 2005 the new genration of GT’s rolled off the production line based on the ‘60s GT40, so named because it was only 40 inches tall.

In the past decade modern day supercars are having to conform to tight emmision laws, so the previous 5 litre supercharged V8 wasn’t going to get sign off. A twin-turbo, 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine delivering more than 600 horsepower has been selected as the power plant. Not only is it 50bhp more than the old V8 but nearly 200lbs lighter.

The engine is, of course, mounted in the middle, behind the seats to offer an ideal weight balance.

FORD GT The new look of American muscle

Aero innovation gets active Based on the same race-proven engine architecture serving Ford’s IMSA Daytona Prototype endurance racing efforts, the next-generation twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 in the GT features a wide powerband with impressive time-to-torque characteristics.

The engine demonstrates remarkable efficiency – a key attribute of its endurance racing-derived powertrain, where exceptional performance combined with efficiency is a critical competitive advantage.

Ford’s twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 raced to three wins in its first season of the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship in 2014, including a win in the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring, along with seven podiums over more than 15,000 endurance racing miles.

The GT features an all-new, port/direct dual fuel-injection setup to improve engine response, plus a low-friction roller-fingerfollower valvetrain. The twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 will be paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle for nearinstantaneous gear changes and exceptional driver control.

Aero innovation gets active Aerodynamic efficiency is at the heart of the GT design, actively reducing drag while aiding downforce and stability.

From its optimum tear-drop shape to its aircraft-inspired fuselage and visibility-enhancing curved windshield, every slope and shape is designed to minimize drag and optimize downforce.

Although each surface on the GT is functionally crafted to manage airflow, it also features fully active aerodynamic components to improve braking, handling and stability.

An active rear spoiler is keyed to both speed and driver input, reactively deploying and adjusting its height and/or pitch angle depending on conditions.

PRICE

$ 400,000 approx

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0-60 MPH

3.2

approx. secs.

POWER

600 bhp

D R I V I N G RA N G E

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CO M P E T I T I O N

Win a year’s supply of Titleist balls

To enter go to www.worldwide.golf and answer this question: Which Titleist staff player won the 2015 Open Championship at St. Andrews?

The competition is based on 6 dozen balls. Depending on the winner’s requirements the balls on offer from Titleist are: VELOCITY; DT TRUSOFT; NXT TOUR or NXT TOUR S

Worldwide GOLF 95

TO P 5 CO U R S E S

‘FAVOURITE FIVE’ with Joost Luiten 5

Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore)

3

Leopard Creek Country Club (South Africa)

It’s a beautiful golf club right on the edge of the border. It’s a very special place and an excellent golf course.

It’s a beautiful golf course right on the edge of the Kruger National Park with the Crocodile River. You get to see all the animals coming in to drink there. It’s such a unique and picturesque course.

1

AGE: 31 FROM: BLEISWIJK, NETHERLANDS TURNED PROFESSIONAL: 2006 PROFESSIONAL WINS: 7

4

Hilversumsche Golf Club (Netherlands)

2

WINSTONgolf (Germany)

This is where the KLM Open is most frequently played . I love treeline golf clubs and I think this is the best one we have got in Holland.

It’s an unbelievable Links course that you will never see anywhere in the world. The way they have designed the sand dunes there make it a beautiful and distinctive course.

Kennemer Golf & Country Club (Netherlands)

I won the KLM Open here in 2013 so it will always hold a special place in my heart.

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Zero CG refers to Zero CGna (Center of gravity aligned with the neutral axis of the driver). The Cobra KING LTD & LTD Pro Drivers feature a normalized CGna measurement of zero or below.