Worldwide Golf The Middle East’s No.1 Golf Magazine
SUMMER 2016, ISSUE 183
GARY PLAYER
PETE COWEN
OLYMPICS SHOULD BE AN AMATEUR EVENT
STENSON’S OPEN WAS NO SURPRISE
GREG NORMAN
HOW I LOST GRAND SLAM
TIPS
ELIMINATE THOSE
Chubby
Chandler
THE STAR MANAGER
SLICED TEE SHOTS MASTER THE
DOWNHILL BUNKER
SHOT LOCK & SINK MORE PUTTS WITH
ROCK SET THE WRISTS AND FEEL THE
PRESSURE GEAR
8 MILLION OPTIONS TO CUSTOMISE YOUR
FOOTJOYS
READ HOW THE FORMER TOUR PROFESSIONAL SET UP ONE OF THE GAME’S TOP MANAGEMENT COMPANIES
Worldwide Golf is the Official Media partner to The European Tour in the Middle East and the official magazine of the Emirates Golf Federation
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LOCK AND ROCK!
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Worldwide Golf Columnist
THANKS FOR THE MEMORY
By Gary Player, Worldwide Golf Executive Editor since 1999
W
HEN Phil Mickelson’s putt lipped out on the 18th green on the first day of The Open at Royal Troon, denying him a record round of 62 in a Major, I was disappointed for Phil but excited to see him back in contention again in a Major championship.
Yet who would have thought that Phil’s 8-under 63 would be the introduction to one of the most exciting Open Championships in its 145-year history. For Henrik Stenson to close out his first Major with a 63 was a fitting climax to a fascinating four days and an astonishing two days of almost match-play golf, after it became a two-horse race by Saturday afternoon. It was a privilege to watch Henrik and Phil go toeto-toe with each other with the lead changing hands as one eagle or birdie eclipsed another. I think it also eclipsed the Duel in the Sun of Watson and Nicklaus. Henrik had posted eight top-fives in the Majors, including runner-up to Phil at Muirfield in 2013, and has been a model professional in a career that has seen him win all over the world. I thought it was Henrik’s time but I don’t think anyone had expected the drama of his three-shot win. My congratulations to Henrik and to Phil for putting on such a magnificent display. What a pleasure it was to see them play in the true spirit of the game and act as gentlemen once it was all over. The winner of The Open Championship is proclaimed Champion Golfer of the Year and for very good reason. The Open is the toughest tournament to win in world golf. Links golf is the ultimate challenge. It’s how golf was meant to be played. Today’s leading golfers rely so much on their yardage books, measuring their shot with total precision but to play links golf successfully you need to rely more on judgement and instinct and learn to take the rough with the smooth. You’ve got to make allowances for the adversity you face with unfortunate bounces and gusting winds. If you find yourself in a difficult bunker and there’s no direct line to the flagstick, then do the sensible thing and play out sideways away from the hole. It’s where the real skill comes in. There was a lot of talk about the severity of the wind at Royal Troon but compared with the conditions at many Open Championships, it was not much more than a strong breeze. I can remember playing in The Open at Turnberry when I had to take driver on three successive shots to make the green on a par-4. Often it was all you could do to stay on your feet.
OLYMPICS SHOULD BE FOR AMATEURS I’M DISAPPOINTED with the number of golfers pulling out of the Olympics and for their comments on the Games. When you consider the
amount of work that has gone into the campaign to win recognition for golf to be included it’s a poor reflection of the game of golf. At a time when so many countries are in turmoil and facing times of recession, too many professional golfers are more concerned with playing for million dollar prize-funds than earning honours for their country at the Olympics. A lot of dedicated people put in a great deal of time and effort to get golf back into the Olympics after an absence of 112 years. There’s a very good argument to be made for the amateurs to be representing their countries at the Games.
MY QUEST IS TO HAVE RAISED $100 MILLION BY 2025 This year’s Gary Player Invitational at Wentworth brought together some of the finest names in golf to raise money for The Player Foundation to support Depaul in London, our chosen beneficiary. It is one of my favourite times of the year. We managed to get 12 Major winners together to celebrate our theme of Golf and Giving. To host events like these all over the world is very special and dear to my heart. This year we have six events around the globe supporting underprivileged children, having kicked off the series in Abu Dhabi at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. We can’t wait to continue our global series this year in New York, China and South Africa. My quest is to have raised $100 million by 2025.
Summer 2016
CONTENTS
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40
23
26 30 60
Cover feature: Chubby Chandler
WWG sits down with Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, Group Chief Executive Officer at International Sports Management and manager of Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke, Louis Oosthuizen and many established and emerging stars to find out what goes on behind the scenes at one of the busiest golf management companies in Europe.
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Pete Cowen Column
Henrik Stenson’s swing coach offers his thoughts on the Swede’s breakthrough Major win, saying ‘He just killed the rest of the field with the quality of his game.’
David Howell Column
The European Tour stalwart had a steady showing in The Open (T22) and gives us his lowdown as he watched the closing stages with his fellow professionals in the Players Lounge at Royal Troon.
Greg Norman Column
The Great White Shark, himself a two-time Open Champion, looks back on the 30th anniversary of his ‘Saturday Slam.’
Tour News
All the latest happenings across the European and Challenge Tour as the Race to Dubai and the Road to Oman begin to heat up. Chief Marshal at the DP World Tour Championship, Jenni Hoskins, calls for volunteers for this year’s grand finale and the Luckiest Ball competition is launched.
European Tour Destination
Following WWG’s series on European Tour Properties and Destinations this month’s focus is on the glorious Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort***** in southern France.
Local Pro Luke on the Road to Mongomo
UAE-based PGA Pro Luke Joy has his eys on the $150,000 prize fund at this year’s 3e Actuaries Open in Equatorial Guinea. Regional qualifying takes place at Al Badia GC in September for an an all-expenses paid place in the field and a shot at the big dollars in West Africa.
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George Horan
WWG speaks to Dubai Duty Free former President George Horan, one of the UAE’s most popular and respected club golfers as he ends his 33-year association with the company and heads for retirement.
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Summer 2016
CONTENTS
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The Starter – Olympic Special
Get set for golf’s return to the Olympic Games with our look at the Gil Hanse-designed course, designed specially for the Games and beyond, and the hotest stars who will be going for gold.
GEAR
46
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Custom-fitting made easier at the eGolf Megastore in Dubai.
Customised Footjoys
Over eight million combinations of designs are on offer from FootJoy’s custom-made shoes.
69 79
Arabian Golf
All the latest news from the leading golf clubs in the Middle East.
STYLE
The Bentley Bentayga is the featured car this month; Olympic rowing legend Sir Matthew Pinsent on his love of the links and Matt Fitzpatrick reveals his Favourite Five golf courses worldwide.
INSTRUCTION
51
PETE COWEN’S BUNKER TIPS
Master PGA Professional Pete Cowen demonstrates the difficult downhill bunker escape shot.
LOCK AND ROCK
Say goodbye to manipulation during the putting stroke with this simple technique from Stephen Deane at Emirates Golf Club.
ELIMINATE THE SLICE
Put an end to sliced tee shots with a drill that will make you hit it longer and straighter by Michael Jamieson at The Address Montgomerie Dubai.
SET YOUR WRISTS AND FEEL THE PRESSURE
Build power in your swing with this drill by Mark Jones at Yas Links Golf Club.
TRAINED BRAIN
Improve your mental performance with Martin Robinson of Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
Editor’s Letter
By Alex Gallemore
Time to build on Henrik and Phil’s Golfing Extravaganza
H
ENRIK STENSON’S epic victory at The Open at Royal Troon outshone Tom Watson’s winning Duel in the Sun against Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry in 1977, with Mickelson and Stenson writing their memorable battle into the history books. The two protagonists produced golf of the highest quality as they slugged it out toe-to-toe in the most dramatic fashion The Open has ever seen. As they exchanged birdies for eagles over a riveting final 18 holes golf fans were treated to a grand finale of colossal proportions. Yet, while we were entertained by such a classic of golfing magnificence the underlying truth is that the future of the game is on rocky ground and the thirst for money could become its downfall. The Open Championship has always attracted meteoric crowds, as the general public in Britain and Ireland flock to the legendary links in their droves. This year Royal Troon was far from packed when it came to crowd numbers - and it was noticeable on television. Was it the weather that kept people away? Not really! Was it the quality of the leaderboard? Definitely not! Was it the cost of a day ticket being £80? Quite probably! So if you were to take your wife and two over16s children for the day it would have cost you £320 plus travel, food and drinks. That’s half the price of a small family holiday. We talk about promoting foot golf, speed golf, 9-hole golf, all sorts of golfing formats to make the game shorter, more engaging and entertaining – plus a variety of ways to entice juniors into the sport. Maybe the answer is to just keep things simple. Until recently golf has grown and people have watched and taken up the game with ease. So there is nothing wrong with the sport. In fact, with the sky-high standard of professional golf right now it’s more interesting and entertaining to watch than ever before. The job of the USGA and the R&A is to grow the game. So when they sign huge TV deals for their championships why not reduce the spectator entry fee to an affordable rate for adults. Even reduce the prize fund if needs be. The multi-millionaire professionals are not going to opt out of the event for banking £1 million instead of £1.5 million. These top flight players are
after Major titles more than major cash, so why do tournaments keep fixating on boasting about increased prize money. Surely the events would gain more kudos for boasting about reduced ticket prices and for the players to perform in front of larger, younger crowds. Sky Sports offer free entry on Thursday to all their customers at the British Masters and in doing so attract a huge number of non-golfers to the event. The DP World Tour Championship offer free tickets to spectators at the European Tour grand final at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November and considering the event is mainly appealing to golfers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi the crowds rival that of any other event on the Tour. Making the professional game more accessible to families and children is just one part of growing the game. The other, once more, comes down to money. Every golf club in the world is run like a business (or should be) and its main goal each year is to make a profit. In the past, outside the full paying adult membership you had junior and student rates. These would be on average 10% or less of the full membership rate – and this is how golf was made available to the masses. So you could have watched Seve Ballesteros with your Dad play out of the car park at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1979 and be encapsulated by his charisma, and the following weekend join your local golf club without cashing in all your birthday and Christmas money. It’s sad to say that many of these junior and student memberships have faded away and when you consider that more golf courses in the United States are closing each year instead of opening, it’s easy to understand why. It’s a trend that has been gathering pace for the past decade. As golf clubs panic through diminishing memberships they slash the green fee rates, create pay and play rounds and remove joining fees to chase any form of income, but by that stage the damage has been done. Juniors growing into adult members have always been the backbone of many great clubs at all levels and it’s a formula that needs to be reviewed. There is money in the game but the powers behind it need to invest funds back into the system before it’s too late. n
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ISSUE No.183 SUMMER, 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, Ashraf Ahmed. Production/Design Editor: Thameem Rayyan. Editorial Panel: Gary Player, Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Todd Staszko. Photography: Getty Images, Joanna Eardley Photography June 2009 SSN 1- 46805671 Approval UAE National Media Council: Ref.816 30/5/2007 Trade Licence No. 1/104375/15280
Printed by: Raidy, Dubai Worldwide Golf specifies that post-press changes may occur to any information given in this publication and takes no responsibility for goods or services advertised.
The Course
The Olympic Golf Course Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A
FTER an absence of more than a century from the Olympic Games, golf is making its return this summer in Rio, Brazil, which will enhance and promote the sport in a country that is renowned for football. The Olympic Golf Course is located at Reserva da Marapendi in Barra da Tijuca and has been designed by American golf course architect, Gil Hanse, who was responsible for the renovations and restorations at gems like Los Angeles C.C., Brookline, Fishers Island and Quaker Ridge. He also designed the Trump International course in Dubai. Rio initially had just two golf courses but they were both deemed below standard for the top players, which is why the Olympic Golf Course was built. However, it wasn’t an easy project. There was a major threat that the course wouldn’t be completed in time for the Games, after missing some critical deadlines. No earthmoving had begun by summer 2014 and it was feared that the greens wouldn’t have enough time to age and get up to Olympic standards, but the cynics were proven wrong. The course, which will become the city’s first public golf course after the Games, received outstanding praise and recognition when it was tested in March by nine Brazilian golfers who took part in the Aquece Rio Golf Challenge. The International Golf Federation (IGF) President, Peter Dawson, was amazed with the standard of the course. He said: "It’s been a long haul to get where we are but at long last we’ve got a terrific golf course that’s going to ensure golf will have a successful turn in the Olympic Games.” The 7,350 yard course has been compared to the iconic St Andrews Old Course because of the wide fairways and 'Linksy' feel. The track is expected to be a challenge for the Olympic stars when the wind levels increase and the greens firm up. It can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators, which depicts the size of the venue built entirely through private funding because after the Games it will become a top-level competition venue and attraction for the public as the sport grows and prospers in South America. n
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GOLF AT THE GAMES S
O FAR, 2016 has delivered some memorable storylines and there is more to come as golf makes its return to the Olympic Games this year for the first time in over a century. It was back in 2009 that the International Olympic Committee decided to bring golf back to the Olympics for the first time since 1904 and it’s inclusion for the Rio games this summer has caused some major re-shuffling in scheduling across the game’s Tours, with The Open Championship and the US PGA Championship on the men’s schedule just two weeks apart when under normal circumstances there would be at least a one-month gap. Open Champion Henrik Stenson headlines the men’s field as the latest Major champion after his historic breakthrough at Royal Troon and he will be up against another of 2016’s first-time Major winners in Masters champion Danny Willett. In addition, the likes of two-time Major winners Martin Kaymer and Bubba Watson will be going for gold for Germany and the United States respectively while Justin Rose, the 2013 US Open winner, will be representing Team GB along with Willett – but will he be going head-to-head in a quest for personal glory? Women’s World No.1 Lydia Ko clinched her second Major at the ANA Inspiration in April and Canada’s rising star Brooke Henderson won her first Major at the Women’s PGA Championship in June and both will be going all out for Olympic gold. Sadly for the Games there will be some noticeable absentees with the top four ranked male golfers all declining to take part.
The Top-Ranked Qualifiers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Bubba Watson USA Henrik Stenson SWE Rickie Fowler USA Danny Willett GBR Justin Rose GBR Sergio Garcia ESP Patrick Reed USA Matt Kuchar USA Rafa Cabrera Bello ESP Byeong Hun An KOR Thongchai Jaidee THA Danny Lee NZL Emiliano Grillo ARG David Lingmerth SWE Soren Kjeldsen DEN
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Lydia Ko NZL Brooke HendersonCAN Inbee Park KOR Lexi Thompson USA Sei Young Kim KOR Amy Yang KOR Ariya Jutanugarn THA In Gee Chun KOR Stacy Lewis USA Anna Nordqvist SWE Shanshan Feng CHN Minjee Lee AUS Gerina Piller USA Suzann Pettersen NOR Harukyo Nomura JPN
The Format The competition format will be 72 holes of individual stroke play for both men and women (four rounds over four consecutive days) and the field size will be 60 athletes in both fields. Scores are cumulative from round to round with all competitors playing 72 holes. There is no 36-hole cut and the golfer with the lowest aggregate score will win the gold medal with silver and bronze for those finishing second and third. In preparing for golf’s return to the Olympic Games, it was agreed that it would not be appropriate to experiment on format. The professional golfers playing on the Tours were canvassed for their opinions and they were in favour of the tried-and-trusted format of stroke-play as the preferred option.
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WHAT THE TOP STARS SAY:
Lydia Ko
Henrik Stenson
“The chance to represent your country and be around the other athletes that are there will be such a cool and unique experience. It would be unlike anything else I’ve ever played or participated in. The whole experience, it’s something that no one can ever take away from you.”
“I think after a pretty long career it would be pretty cool to have an Olympic medal hanging next to some of the nice trophies I have at home.”
New Zealand
Patrick Reed
Sweden
United States “I got the e-mail and phone call, went through some things and I’m all in. I can’t wait to go and play for the USA and have some fun.”
Justin Rose Great Britain
“I don’t think you can compare Majors to the Olympics. If I could fast forward 10 years I would like my career to read ‘Justin Rose: multi-Major champion and Olympic gold medalist’. I think it’ll have that niche category and it will be potentially read that way. It’s going to be right there alongside Major Championships but not compared to them. It’s a competition that is held once every four years, so it’s unique and special.”
The Field The list of competitors is finalised using the Official World Golf Rankings. The top-15 ranked players are eligible, with a limit of four players from a given country. Beyond the top 15, players will be eligible based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top-15.
Bubba Watson United States
“I can’t wait. My wife played professional basketball and she missed out on the Olympics because of a knee injury the one time she had a chance to make the team. So for me, it’s an amazing sporting event that I get to be inside the ropes at. I get to see some of the athletes I’ve always wanted to see. I get to go to some of the events I’ve always wanted to watch and then I get to play in it.”
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Stacy Lewis United States
“If you look at it from an opportunity standpoint, an Olympic medal is so special because you only get the chance to win one every four years. In that same time period, we’ve got 20 opportunities to win a Major title before the chance to win another Olympic medal comes around.”
STARTER WORLD No.1 JASON MAY CALL IT A DAY AT 40 LAST YEAR’S US PGA Champion Jason Day says he will re-evaluate his career once he turns 40 and decide whether to continue playing. "When I get to 40, I would like to see where I'm at in my career because I might want to say, ‘you know what, I'm done’,” said Day, 28. "I'm just happy with everything, and I'm going to go off on my merry way and I'll probably never pick up a golf club ever again."
MORE HEARTACHE FOR TIGER WOODS FANS
THOUGH it was far from definitive, Tiger Woods has suggested what many have expected for months – that he is unlikely to play competitive golf in 2016. In an interview during the final round of the Quicken Loans National, Woods, who is the tournament host, said that he’s playing golf at home but that he needs more time to prepare for a comeback to play on Tour. “I still need to get stronger,” he said, “I need to recover faster, and that’s going to take time.”
STENSON'S CADDIE LOSES BET – QUITS SMOKING HENRIK Stenson's caddie Gareth Lord might be regretting a little wager he placed around two years ago that he would give up smoking if the Swede won a Major. "I knew he felt pretty good because we were going down the seventh in the final round at Royal Troon and he looks and me and says 'you better enjoy that cigarette'," laughed Lord after Stenson clinched The Open.
LANG BREAKS THROUGH FOR MAIDEN MAJOR Brittany Lang bounced back from a second round 75 to capture her first Major championship at the Women's US Open at CordeValle Golf Club. Lang clinched a play-off win over Sweden's Anna Norqvist after the European Solheim Cup star was assessed to have committed a penalty for grounding her club in a bunker.
DAY TO REMEMBER FOR DEBUTANT JON RAHM
SPANIARD Jon Rahm made an unforgettable start to his professional career when he shot a seven-underpar 64 in the opening round of the Quicken Loans National, on his US PGA Tour debut. Rahm, who was the world's top-ranked amateur, was in complete control during a bogey-free round that featured seven birdies. Rahm finished third in the tournament and gave a clear indication of his talent. It looks like the youngster has a huge future ahead of him.
BADDELEY SEALS FIRST WIN IN ALMOST SIX YEARS Australia's Aaron Baddeley put the disappoinment of failing to earn a berth in this year's Open Championship by winning his first US PGA Tour title in five-and-a-half-years (February 2011) with a play-off victory over Si Woo Kim at the Barbasol Championship. Baddeley sank a 24-foot putt to win and then broke into a dance off the green, threw his club away and tossed has cap after sealing what was his fourth title on American soil. "I think you could tell by my reaction how much it meant to me," he smiled afterwards.
Q U O T E S
O F
T H E
“The wind was down off the right and I hit a seven iron to hold it up. When it was in midair I thought ‘CAR’ but didn’t say anything as I thought it might be a curse. It pitched just short and then it disappeared! I tried to get in the car and it was locked!” – Richie Ramsay after winning a BMW M760Li xDrive after his ace at the BMW International Open.
“Golf is the perfect game. It's the only one sport where you’re responsible for everything that happens. The ball’s sitting there, you have a club in your hand, you have to move that ball a specific distance and a specific direction. It’s just you and the ball.” – Actor Samuel L. Jackson on his love of golf.
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M O N T H “I've won more tournaments than anybody, more Majors than anybody in that period of time. So I should be one of the favourites for most events. Does that affect me? No, not at all. It's a compliment." – Bernhard Langer, who is happy to take the heat that comes along every time he tees it up.
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TEEN SENSATION GARCIA STEALS THE SHOW
Spin Back
August 1999
WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT SERGIO:
W
HILE a 23-year-old Tiger Woods was trying to prove his dominant 1997 Masters victory wasn’t a stroke of luck, a 19-year-old Sergio Garcia was attempting to show he was every bit as much of a prodigy as Woods in the 1999 US PGA Championship at Medinah CC on the outskirts of Chicago. The young Spaniard had a riveting duel with Woods over the last nine holes but eventually lost by a shot to the American. There were a number of electrifying moments in Sunday’s back nine that golf fans will find hard to forget. One instance was the mischievous glare that Garcia gave Woods after making a sensational birdie putt at the par-3 13th, which looked to be the beginning of El Nino's comeback. "It wasn't - I don't know how to say - it wasn't a bad thing," Garcia said afterward in his slightly broken English. "I mean, I did it with good feelings, not hoping he would make a triple bogey or whatever. I was kind of telling him, if you want to win, you have to play well." Then, as the tension was rising, Garcia entertained the crowd and broke even more of a sweat, when he frantically chased after a ball to see it land, when faced with a tough shot against a tree on the 16th hole. The most memorable part of his antics was Garcia’s scissor-kick jump that elevated him to get a better view of the green, and then he pantomimed to the crowd the pitter-patter of his heart. Evaluating Sunday's events, Garcia said: "It was really fun, most of all. It was joy, it was pressure, it was, I will tell you, the best day of my life." As for the tree, sadly the massive red oak no longer guards the fairway. The Sergio Tree became too hollowed out over the years, forcing the club to remove it during a $3 million-course renovation.
TIGER WOODS:
"I couldn't come in the clubhouse the way I wanted to. Sergio was playing well. He has a tremendous amount of fight.You can see it the way he plays, just the way he walks around the golf course. To come out of it on top took everything out of me. I just tried to hold him off and did the best I could.”
PHIL MICKELSON:
"I've gained a lot of respect for him this week, and not only as a player. Let me tell you a story: In the second round I played the front nine in four over, and on the 10th tee he came up to me kind of shyly and asked, 'Do you mind if I say something?' I said go right ahead. He said, 'C'mon, let's go have some fun on the back side.' I thought that was pretty cool."
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Worldwide Golf Columnist
HENRIK’S WIN WAS JUST ABOUT TIME By Pete Cowen, PGA Master Professional
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T didn’t come as any surprise to me when Henrik won The Open. He was brilliant. It was a bit like when he won the DP World Tour Championship for the first time. He just killed the rest of the field with the quality of his game. He’d been steadily getting better and better on the driving range in the days leading up to Day One at Royal Troon. The death of his friend Mike Gerbich, who was a long-time friend and member at Emirates Golf Club, hit Henrik really hard. The loss of Mike really was the driving force behind his performance and Henrik really meant it when he kissed the Claret Jug and said, ‘Mike, this one’s for you.’ It was an emotional moment. Henrik was more focussed on what he needed to do and it was part of how he was able to dismiss the distractions. We chatted about Mike on the range at Troon and I said to Henrik, ‘I think you might have him with you today.’ Mike was a good guy and he and Henrik were great friends. Mike was the life and soul of Emirates Golf Club for many years.
Mike gave Henrik the focus to win Mike moved to Phoenix, Arizona, but he made sure he was present at any of the tournaments Henrik played in the USA within travelling distance. Sadly, Mike died on the Tuesday before The Open so he never got to see Henrik’s first Major win. Henrik has produced some unbelievable shots on the range throughout the season but he’s just lacked the motivation to take his form onto the golf course. Henrik’s caddie Gareth Lord and I were certain he would win the U.S. Open but he just didn’t perform anything like the way he had played in practice. He was striking the ball as well, if not better, than we’d ever seen him hit the ball. The good thing about Henrik winning The Open was that the best ball striker won the Championship, just like Dustin Johnson deserved to win the U.S. Open. The other aspect of Henrik’s win is that the best golfer in the world is going to the Olympics to represent Sweden. That’s a great boost for the Games with so many leading golfers dropping out. I played in The Open at Turnberry in 1977 when Tom Watson beat Jack Nicklaus and everyone said that was the best Open of all
time – but the 2016 Open at Royal Troon will be recognised well into the future as the best ever. Henrik really was outstanding. He delivered the full package. His shot making was exceptional and his putting was near perfect and Henrik’s putting coach, Phil Kenyon, can take a lot of credit for that. I think this first Major for Henrik will be like the proverbial bus. You wait for ages for the bus to come along and then a whole bunch of them arrive together. I can see the same thing happening. His ball striking and his all-round game could stay with him for the next five years. He’s as fit as he’s ever been and I can see him staying that way. He’s been hitting the driver more than he had been doing for quite a while – probably four or five times per round, which is a good sign. He’s now hitting driver when he needs to hit driver which is exactly what he should be doing for that extra bit of distance. His caddy, Lordy, was frightened to death on the 18th when he took his driver out of his bag. He said you can’t reach that bunker even with your driver, it’s 310 yards. Instead he bombed it straight towards the trap and it stopped just about a foot-and-a half short. When he knocked that final birdie putt in for a 63 it was just as though he was saying to himself, ‘Well I might as well make this and join the record club for lowest round in a Major.’ I spoke to him after The Open and he said to me: “I knew Mickelson wasn’t going to go away and on the 14th I decided to myself, ‘I’ve got to win this – so I just pressed the pedal down and went for it." It’s a great occasion for the game of golf but the one downside from such a great event is the ever-increasing cost of entry for the spectators. We are going to witness falling crowds at the big tournaments if the organisers continue to ignore the fact that ordinary golf fans just can’t afford these sort of prices. They can just as easily watch it on television, or at their local golf club, or in the pub, or at home – and the outcome will be smaller and smaller crowds resulting in a total loss of atmosphere. n
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Worldwide Golf Columnist
MORE PLAYERS CAN WIN MAJORS By David Howell, European Tour Professional
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T WOULD be remiss of me to talk about anything other than Henrik Stenson, his Open Championship victory and the battle with Phil Mickelson. Finally, we have a Sunday finish to rival the 1977 Duel in the Sun. Surely, the show that Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus put on all those years ago just a few miles up the coast has been equalled. I was sitting in the players’ lounge at Royal Troon on Sunday, having completed my 72 holes in a creditable one over par, with a few of the other players watching events unfold. Stenson’s bogey at the first, Mickelson’s blistering start, it looked likely to be an epic battle from first hole to last. What unfolded was, perhaps, one of the greatest rounds of golf ever played. To win a Major Championship it would be easy to think that the golf would always be of the very highest quality but it’s not always that way. Sometimes guys crumble under the intense pressure, sometimes the course just doesn’t allow players to put on a show, but this time Troon was the perfect canvas for the two leading lights to show the world just what sort of a masterpiece they could create.
Open Spectacle Last year at St Andrews we had a bunfight on Sunday with 20 players in the mix for the title. Exciting stuff in many ways but I think anyone who likes golf would agree that the spectacle we saw this year between two of the most popular players in the game was unlike anything we have seen in living memory. As a player I pick up on certain shots and moments that beggar belief. Henrik’s putt on 15 from 50 feet, on slow greens with the wind in his face, was the sort of a putt that would be so easy to leave three feet short. That’s what nerves do to mere mortals. But no, Henrik holed it at perfect pace right into the middle. Then Phil nails a three wood to eagle distance on 16, keeping the pressure right back on Henrik. What a great shot that was. How did Henrik respond? With a perfect pitch from the fescue to four feet, and not a dent was made in his lead. The shot of the day for me was the 5-iron from Stenson to 16. A towering shot, nailed dead straight, at the most important moment of his golfing life to 8 feet. If this isn’t the shot of his life then goodness only knows what is. It was the shot dreams are made of. Surely, it sealed the deal. Phil missed the green. Then for him to hit a poor pitch - it seemed all over didn’t it? Not on this day though. Just to keep us on the edge of our seats
for a little longer Phil makes his and Henrik misses. It’s still game on, two shots in it, with one to play. Out comes the famous threewood. It has been in Henrik’s bag for a decade. It helped him out of his slump, it helped him rebuild his family’s life after the crook Alan Stanton stole most of his money, and now it was about to help him win his first Major, surely. Many years ago on sunburned fairways Greg Norman hit his persimmon driver 312 yards into a fairway bunker up the right side, costing him his chance to hold the Claret Jug. No fear of that happening this time. In a left to right breeze on fairways green after the Scottish rain it wasn’t within reach. When the chips are down use your favourite club. That was a sensible plan – and it worked. Just 24 inches between glory or despair, perhaps, as Henrik’s three-wood stopped just short of the bunker. The best drive of his life got what it deserved, a perfect lie from a perfect distance. This was the drive that sealed victory in my eyes, but only after having played the most perfect round of golf you might every get to see.
First Major Swede It was a long wait for the first Swede to win a Major, Parnevic came close, Fasth came second, too, some might recall, but in the end it was left to Scandinavia’s finest ever golfer, in his 40th year, holing one last 15-foot birdie putt, in front of a glorious crowd, with even a hint of sunshine poking through the clouds, to finally get his name on the the Claret Jug. Henrik Stenson, I thank you for my afternoon’s viewing. It was golf as it should be played, made worthy by Phil Mickelson’s remarkable performance. They lapped the field, leaving us all in their wake. If you’re going to win The Open this is the way you would dream of doing it. Normally dreams are just that, but for the 2016 Open Champion it became reality. I wonder if in years to come he might look back and wonder if was all a dream, but the name Stenson is engraved on the oldest trophy of all to remind us that perhaps we all witnessed the greatest game ever played. n
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RAS AL KHAIMAH RISES TO THE CHALLENGE The European Challenge Tour, where it all began for golfing greats like Justin Rose and Ian Poulter, is about to get a new star. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is proud to host the emirate’s first ever PGA Tournament.
26th – 29th October, 2016 Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE For more information, please contact events@raktda.com www.raktda.com
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Worldwide Golf Columnist
30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE SATURDAY SLAM By Greg Noman
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HREE decades have passed since what was dubbed the “Saturday Slam” and I have spent some time reflecting on the memories of that year. As the 1986 golf season approached, I was 31 years-old, married with two children, and far short of my golf and business goals. I approached the year with renewed vigour and increased my playing schedule to start running hard – harder than usual. My participation in more than 30 tournaments yielded eleven victories that year, including, at one point, six in a row. What 1986 was remembered most for, however, was that I led all four Major championships after 54 holes – a feat that has not since been repeated.
Here are some of my memories from the 1986 Majors that I will never forget: 1986 Masters: Shark vs. Bear: Jack Nicklaus shot a back nine 29 on Sunday to beat me to the Green Jacket. I remember each of those nine holes so vividly and I can still hear the roars from the crowd following Jack. When playing partner Nick Price and I were putting on the 14th green, there were only a handful of people watching us. No one really knew who I was at the time and Jack was on all counts the fans’ favourite. When I got to 15, I could see Jack putting on 17. I remember glancing over and seeing him there. That image is engrained in my mind. By the time we got to 17, I started to get a crowd as I had birdied four holes in a row and only needed par to tie for the lead. Although I didn’t take home the green jacket, I discovered that day that my maturity level had reached the point it must be to win a Major championship. Even when I bogeyed the last hole, I didn’t bogey it out of nervousness.
U.S. Open at Shinnecock: I don’t remember this tournament for the golf, rather for my infamous run-in with a heckler in the gallery. I had just taken a 6 on the par-4 13th and lost a three-stroke lead to Lee Trevino, who birdied the hole. As I addressed the ball on the 14th tee box, someone started shouting at me. I didn’t flinch, and drove the ball solid, straight down the middle of the fairway. That’s when the Australian in me came out. I searched for the heckler in the crowd, spotted him, and stepped over the rope. He wasn’t smiling or laughing anymore. I told him if he wanted to say something to me, he could find me in the car park after the round. He didn’t. Out of 17,000 people, there were only about 100 or so who thought they
could say whatever they wanted to say. But they ruin the day for the golfers and for the gallery, because no one wants to stand next to a guy behaving like that. Looking back, maybe I didn’t show enough cool and calm, but I’m not the kind of guy who can hold it in. PGA Championship at Inverness: Two words - Bob Tway. I honestly never thought I would lose. I remember Bob hitting the front right bunker and thinking that if I played conservatively, away from the flag and under the hole, the championship was as good as mine. My shot landed flaghigh left, 20 feet from the pin. Next thing I know, Bob Tway holes out from the bunker - the most miraculous shot of his life.
Open Championship at Turnberry: The brutal weather conditions really stand out to me from that tournament. But I took advantage of my driving capabilities and played really aggressively. During my practice round, I saw that the course setup and conditions would play to my strengths, so I had an established game plan from the second I set foot on the course. I’ve never cried on a golf course before, but walking down the 18th in the final round at Turnberry, I was fighting to hold back the tears after my second shot. When I hit my approach, the spectators went crazy. That’s the dominant recollection I have of winning the 115th Open Championship on the famous Ailsa course. The people. Walking down the 18th was, in a word, overwhelming. After coming agonisingly close at the Masters and U.S. Open, the frustrations of the previous Majors were washed away. It was only when I had that wonderful old loving Claret Jug in my hands that I convinced myself I had truly and irrevocably won. But the true reward is the emotion of the moment - the emotions of the spectators, of my friends, of the other players like Jack Nicklaus and Fuzzy Zoeller and many more, and all the other people who got wrapped up in it just as much as I did. The emotion, to me, was one the greatest parts of winning The Open because I had never before experienced it to that degree.
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LOCAL GOLFERS SET FOR LUCKIEST BALL ON EARTH 2016
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EPTEMBER will see the launch of the eagerly awaited DP World Tour Championship ‘Luckiest Ball on Earth’ competition which will see local golfers competing for a ‘money can’t buy’ golfing experience with the stars of the European Tour. A record 22 qualifying events will take place at 21 golf clubs across the UAE with the winner of each event taking their place in a Grand Final at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Sunday 23 October. Two members of the UAE National Golf Team will also be invited through the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) to compete in the Grand Final, making a total of 24 players. The winner of that event will be awarded a once in a lifetime opportunity to play alongside the likes of defending champion and double reigning Race to Dubai winner, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, in the Rolex sponsored ProAm which takes place on the Earth course two days before the Race to Dubai’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship gets underway from Thursday 17 November to Sunday 20 November. “We are thrilled that more than 1,000 golfers from all over the UAE will take part in a record 22 events this September to be in with a chance to play with one of the top players on the European Tour,” said Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International, Dubai Office. “Our Luckiest Ball on Earth competition is proving to be a bigger and more spirited spectacle every year and we wish the participants the best of luck as they chase that coveted place in the DP World Tour Championship Pro-Am. Our thanks and appreciation go to all of the clubs as well as to the Emirates Golf Federation for its continued
support of the Luckiest Ball on Earth.” The DP World Tour Championship sees the top 60 players on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai competing for a prize fund of US$8 million plus a Bonus Pool of US$5 million split between the top 10 on the rankings following the conclusion of the tournament. Now in its sixth year, the Luckiest Ball on Earth competition has proven to be a hit with the UAE’s amateur golfers since the initiative was first launched in 2011. The annual competition is open to all golfers aged 18 or over who hold an Official Club Handicap recognised by the EGF (maximum 28 for men and 36 for ladies). Arabian Ranches Golf Club member Kevin Barrett of Northern Ireland won the inaugural Luckiest Ball on Earth competition and played alongside Ryder Cup icon Edoardo Molinari in the Pro-Am before Italy’s Ornella Parigi of Saadiyat Beach Golf Club became the first female winner in 2012 and lined up with Australia’s Marcus Fraser. In 2013, former Dubai Creek Lady Captain Maureen Platt saw off all comers to earn a place alongside Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen in the Pro-Am while in 2014 Dipesh Makwana came out on top against almost 1000 hopefuls to be teamed up with Race to Dubai runner-up Danny Willett. Last year, Jairaj Gorsia was victorious and was given an unforgettable experience in the ProAm playing with England’s James Morrison. General admission tickets for the DP World Tour Championship are free of charge and can be obtained by registering online at www. DPWorldTourChampionship.com. Those who register will also be placed into a prize draw with the chance to win a pair of VIP Hospitality tickets for the Championship Chalet.
REGISTER NOW AND WIN VIP TICKETS!
Register for your FREE season pass at www.DPWorldTourChampionship.com
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2016 LUCKIEST BALL ON EARTH QUALIFYING EVENTS – VENUES AND DATES: VENUE Al Zorah Golf Club Al Dhafra Golf Club Arabian Ranches Golf Club Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club Al Badia Golf Club Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Abu Dhabi Golf Club Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Yas Links The Address Montgomerie Dubai Al Ghazal Golf Club Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club Emirates Golf Club – Men The Track Meydan Abu Dhabi City Golf Club The Els Club Jumeirah Golf Estates Al Hamra Golf Club Tower Links Golf Club
EMIRATE Ajman Abu Dhabi Dubai Sharjah
DATE 2 September 2 September 2 September 2 September
Dubai Dubai
2 September 3 September
Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Dubai
3 September 9 September 9 September 16 September
Abu Dhabi Al Ain
16 September 23 September
Dubai Dubai Abu Dhabi Dubai Dubai Ras Al Khaimah Ras Al Khaimah Dubai
23 September 23 September 23 September 23 September 24 September 24 September
Emirates Golf Club – Ladies Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa Dubai Sharjah Wanderers Sharjah Golf Club
24 September 26 September 29 September 30 September
TO BUY HOSPITALITY TICKETS CONTACT:
HOSPITALITY@DPWTC.COM or call +971 (0) 4340 0066
Tour News
JENNI'S VOLUNTEERS GO GLOBAL
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HE happy band of volunteers who assemble at Jumeirah Golf Estates each November to help make the DP World Tour Championship such an overwhelming, ongoing success are going global. So says Chief Marshal, Jenni Hoskins, who is responsible for gathering and managing her army of marshals for the European Tour endof-season Grand Finale. “It’s been a gradual progression and it’s noticeable that the vast majority of our volunteers come from all over the world and make the event a reunion of old friends,” says Jenni, who has been involved with the Tournament and the volunteers since the inaugural Grand Final back in 2009, and in charge as Chief Marshal since 2011. TEAMWORK The Championship is contested by the leading 60 players on the European Tour who compete for the title of European Number One and winner of the year-long Race to Dubai. The tournament has earned the reputation for being one of the best run and enjoyable events on the Tour. The atmosphere throughout the four days of the Championship is always friendly and enjoyable and the volunteers can take much of the credit for that. “We all work as a team,” says Jenni. “I’ve got great confidence in them all. They love to meet up with old friends again at the Championship each year but they take great pride in doing such a vital job in a variety of roles from crowd management to player movement to scoring and many more. I’ve noticed over recent years
that more and more of our regular volunteers make a special effort to come to Dubai for the DP World Tour Championship week, whether they are here to visit family or friends or just to play their part in the tournament and make an occasion out of it. INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR “They come from all corners of the world, from the United States and Canada, from Australia, all around Europe, South Africa, Asia, and they’re coming in increasing numbers. I think the word has certainly got around that the event is such a great, fun experience and, to be honest, that brings a benefit to us because those volunteers from overseas don’t have any other commitments – so they can commit fully to our cause. Unfortunately, some of the people who live and work in Dubai, who are so eager to come and marshal, find that by the time of the Tournament, because of modern life being so busy, their work commitments are too high and it is too difficult for them to take time off to marshal at the last minute. “We really care for and look after the volunteers well, which is one reason why they keep coming back. It’s such a lovely tournament and gets more popular as time goes on. The event has grown a great deal since the first tournament back in 2009. From day one the Championship has always had a superb atmosphere. It’s family friendly as well. It’s a combination of many things that work well together. “Everyone is there to have a good time
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and they do. There’s a lot of hard work put into staging a successful tournament of the magnitude of the DP World Tour Championship and sometimes that work goes unnoticed; but as long as anyone who joins our Team works diligently with commitment both in front of and behind the scenes with a smile on their face, then they will leave with a huge degree of job satisfaction having contributed their best efforts to this very exciting event. “I aim to get a team of 300 together, to allow for changes in work commitments, last minute family events or traumas, illness, etc which, on average, amounts up to roughly 50 volunteers throughout the whole recruitment campaign, but the positive is that I am always aware of the current situation through great mutual communication. I keep in constant touch with the volunteers during the year and build it up as we get closer to tournament time. “Being a volunteer is a great way to be involved and get the best out of the Tournament, and enjoy the action close up. I need volunteers who are able to interact well with both caddies and officials in order to instill confidence in their ability to do a great job, at the same time as guiding spectators in an orderly manner whilst allowing them to have fun and enjoy the experience, too.
“I’m in the process of contacting my regular, loyal volunteers now, so if you are interested in becoming a member of our worldwide team, please get in touch with me as soon as you can on”: jengolfdxb@hotmail.com
COUNTDOWN TO THE 2016 NBO GOLF CLASSIC GRAND FINAL IS ON
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s the halfway point of the 2016 European Challenge Tour season approaches, the countdown now truly begins for this season’s NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, which takes place at the stunning Greg Norman-designed Almouj Golf in Muscat, Oman. After two successive years as the penultimate stop on the Challenge Tour schedule, the event was elevated last year to become the final stage of the season-long Road to Oman which this year marks the culmination of a 28 tournament campaign, taking in 22 different countries. With the top 15 players on the Road to Oman Rankings, following the conclusion of the 2016 NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, promoted to play on the European Tour Schedule the following season, the stakes couldn’t be higher and a good result in Muscat can be truly life changing, as was proved last year...
Joachim B. Hansen The talented Dane was 33rd in the Road to Oman Rankings with two events left to play on last season’s Challenge Tour before a third place finish at the Foshan Open in China was followed by taking the runner-up spot at Almouj Golf. Those results helped him earn his European Tour card for the 2016 season, taking him up to a position of fifth place on the final Rankings.
Callum Shinkwin The Englishman was in 18th place on the Road to Oman prior to last year’s NBO Golf Classic Grand Final and in need of a good result in order to take his coveted top 15 place. He pulled it out of the bag when it mattered most with a share of third place that propelled him up to 13th on the Rankings. The 23 year old has been in excellent form of late on the European Tour, taking a share of ninth place at the 100th Open de France and a share of eighth place at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
Ricardo Gouveia Although already assured of a place in the top 15 prior to last year’s NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia finished off the season in style by winning the event to claim the €64,000 first prize and top the 2016 Road to Oman Rankings. Gouveia is still finding his feet on the European Tour but he has already produced some strong results, with three top 20 finishes, including a tie for seventh at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Jeff Winther: He was 17th in the Road to Oman Rankings when he stood on the first tee in the opening round of last year’s NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, having got himself in the mix with a seventh place finish in the Foshan Open. But the Dane still had work to do and he finished his campaign with a flourish by taking a share of third place in Oman to move into the all-important top 15 and earn his invite to the Graduation Ball. He’s found it tough going on the European Tour so far this season but showed his potential when he took the runner-up spot at the Tshwane Open.
Brandon Stone The South African is enjoying a wonderful rookie season on the European Tour, having claimed his maiden title on home soil at The BMW SA Open hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni. He also finished runner-up at the Shenzhen International, took top 10s at the Tshwane Open and the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and a top five at the 100th Open de France. His assured performances have been enough to secure him a spot in the prestigious seasonending DP World Tour Championship, open only to the top 60 players on the Race to Dubai rankings. It would have been a different story had Stone not ended his 2015 Challenge Tour season with a sixth place finish at the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final. He was outside the hallowed top 15 on the Road to Oman Rankings in 19th place prior to that Almouj result but his final push in Muscat helped him rise to 14th place in the Rankings.
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Road to Oman Movers and Shakers Jordan L. Smith the man to catch on the Road to Oman
With almost half of the season already in the books, this year’s Road to Oman is starting to take shape as the European Challenge Tour’s finest battle it out in their quest for a European Tour card for the 2017 season.
The top 15 placed players on the season-long Road to Oman ranking at the conclusion of the campaign earn playing status on the top Tour next year and current leader Jordan L. Smith looks a dead cert with 75,694 points already gained from his 10 events played so far. That tally would have seen him finish 22nd on last year’s final ranking, and with plenty of points left to play for, a few more strong performances should see Smith comfortably over the line this year. The Englishman has been in impressive form all season. An early win at the Red Sea Egyptian Challenge Presented by Hassan Allam Properties earned him 28,800 points and recent top-five finishes at the D+D REAL Czech Challenge and the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts have solidified his place at the top of the table.
Frenchman Matthieu Pavon took an early lead on the Road to Oman but a final round 75 at the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts saw him fall back into a share of 15th place and he was overtaken on the ranking by Smith. The 23-year-old had made a superb start to the campaign with backto-back runner-up finishes and with no missed cuts so far he will be hoping for a strong second half of the season. Taking the spoils at the KPMG Trophy in Belgium was Sweden’s Simon Forsstrom (pictured left) while the following week at the Najeti Open in France, Jose-Filipe Lima emerged victorious. With those triumphs both players moved into the top 20 on the Road to Oman. France’s Damien Perrier was the victor at the D+D REAL Czech Challenge after four rounds in the 60s gave him a 24-under total and a one-stroke victory over compatriot Adrien Saddier. Perrier’s win vaulted him into the top ten on the Road to Oman and a share of third place at the recent SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge takes him to fourth place on the ranking, well set for the remainder of the campaign.
England’s James Heath was the winner in the Scottish Highlands at the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts and he moved into the top ten on the ranking while Bernd Ritthammer collected his first win at the Made in Denmark Challenge – Presented by Ejner Hessel. Germany’s Alexander Knappe gave his chances a timely boost with a narrow one-stroke win at the Swiss Challenge presented by Association Suisse de Golf. “This gives me a huge boost for the rest of the season as I was on a medical exemption but now I will be a category one player so I can now play in everything, which is perfect,” smiled Knappe. “I think it can give me a good chance of winning again going forward for the rest of the season.” Indeed, Knappe made the most of his good form with a third place finishes at the KMPG Trophy and the Made in Denmark Challenge – Presented by Ejner Hessel, and with that he finds himself seventh on the ranking with eight events played.
Espen Kofstad picked up his first win of the season at the D+D REAL Slovakia Challenge to move up to fifth place on the Road to Oman. The Norwegian downed Romain Langasque in a play-off to clinch the title and with it he earned himself a spot representing his country in the Olympic Games. Meanwhile Adrien Saddier made a big move on the Road to Oman with victory at the Fred Olsen Challenge de Espana. The Frenchman now sits in tenth place on the ranking after eight events.
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www.europeantourproperties.com
Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort*****
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ERRE Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort***** is part of the exclusive European Tour Properties network of world class golf venues. Located only 45 minutes from Nice International Airport and close to the French Riviera, this luxurious resort is the ideal destination from which to explore the South of France. Nestled in the hills of Provence and spread across a 750-acre luxury resort, Terre Blanche offers a five-star Leading Hotel of the World, two Championship golf courses, a luxurious spa and an outstanding golf academy offering the latest technology and analysis equipment and which has been awarded European Tour Performance Institute status. Set in the style of a Provençal village, the hotel offers 115 Suites and Villas, each with a private terrace and a unique view over the surrounding landscape. The hotel infinity pool overlooks the resort with a breathtaking panorama of the countryside and its picturesque hilltop villages. Four restaurants, including a Michelinstar dining experience, the multi-award winning Spa and a high quality children’s club completes the off-course offering. Designed by former Ryder Cup player, Dave Thomas, the two Championship courses – Le Château and Le Riou – both offer interesting challenges. Recognised as one of the best courses in Continental Europe, Le Château is a 6,616 metres, par 72 and is renowned for its spectacular water features, challenging ravines, expansive greens, and large white-sand bunkers. Le Riou, reserved for members and hotel guests, is a challenging par 72, 6,005-metre course and features expansive views over the surrounding medieval villages of Provence. The course combines steep, winding fairways with elaborate greens to create a challenging yet fun golfing experience. 4
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LE GOLF NATIONAL FRANCE
GOLF CLUB ST.LEON-ROT GERMANY
LINNA GOLF FINLAND
MAXX ROYAL BELEK GOLF RESORT TURKEY
THE DUTCH THE NETHERLANDS
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DIAMOND COUNTRY CLUB AUSTRIA
BLACK MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB & RESORT THAILAND
ESTONIAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB ESTONIA
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MOUNT JULIET ESTATE IRELAND
KUNSÄNGEN GOLF CLUB SWEDEN
JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
ALBATROSS GOLF RESORT CZECH REPUBLIC
LIGHTHOUSE GOLF & SPA RESORT BULGARIA
BOM SUCESSO PORTUGAL
SAUJANA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB MALAYSIA
TROIA RESORT PORTUGAL
LONDON GOLF CLUB UNITED KINGDOM
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TERRE BLANCHE HOTEL SPA GOLF RESORT***** FRANCE
Destination Under Development ROSSINGTON HALL UNITED KINGDOM
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SINCE ITS CREATION, TERRE BLANCHE HOTEL SPA GOLF RESORT***** HAS ACCUMULATED MANY AWARDS AND ACCOLADES, INCLUDING: • Best Luxury Golf Resort France, World Luxury Hotel Awards 2015 • Best Golf Hotel in France, World Golf Awards 2014 • Best Luxury Resort Spa in France, World Luxury Spa Awards 2014 • Continental Europe Top 100 Golf Courses 2013-2014, Golf World (UK) • Golf Resort of the Year in Europe 2013, International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO)
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Explore our locations europeantourproperties.com Image: Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort *****
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Terre Blanche Spa The Terre Blanche Spa nestles in the heart of a typical Provençal garden. Its soothing and intimate environment extends over 3,200m² and offers all the tranquillity needed to relax and unwind. This peaceful haven provides high-quality facilities, from saunas, steam rooms and relaxation rooms to laconium and the magnificent indoor lap pool and outdoor vitality pool.
THE resort’s state-of-the-art facilities are considered by many to be Terre Blanche’s pièce de résistance. In addition to the fivestar hotel, exceptional dining facilities, spa and Championship golf courses, the resort also features the acclaimed Albatros Golf Performance Centre. The Albatros Golf Performance Centre – the first such facility to receive European Tour Performance Institute status – was opened in 2010, and offers a variety of game improvement programmes. These include video analysis using TrackMan software, bespoke drills from qualified instructors, personalised tuition, looking at all aspects of the game, and club fitting. These unique training facilities are overseen by Jean-Jacques Rivet, the highly respected Head of Biomechanics
and Sport Performance, and the ETPI’s leading biomechanics expert for the future development of ETPI facilities across the world. Rivet is assisted by the acclaimed teaching professional Alain Alberti, Head Coach of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, and together this dynamic duo, along with their team at Terre Blanche, have created something unique in the golfing world for both professionals and amateurs to enjoy. On-site technicians provide a full repair and fitting service, ensuring members and guests alike have top-of-the-range equipment available as and when they require it. The Biomecaswing Centre Managed by Jean-Jacques Rivet, biomechanist and accomplished athlete, the Biomecaswing method combines the
Worldwide GOLF 33
scientific knowledge of biomechanics with modern technology. It enables golfers of all levels to improve the performance and understanding of their golf swing in order to quickly bring their game up to the level they desire. Optimise Potential Taking into account the morphology and personal abilities of each golfer, this system can analyse posture, mobility, balance and intensity of each movement to help golfers adapt and optimise their potential. The concept is based on more than 10 years’ experience in helping to optimise athletic movements on the professional golf tours as well as in many other sports. A selection of specific programmes is also available at the Spa. n
TOUR NEWS Date: May 26 – 29 Event: DEAN & DELUCA Invitational Venue: Colonial CC, Fort Worth, Texas Winner’s Cheque: $1,206,000
Date: May 26 – 29 Event: BMW PGA Championship Venue: Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey, England Winner’s Cheque: €833,330
SPIETH SHAKES OFF MASTERS WOE
WOOD MOVES ONTO RYDER CUP RADAR England’s Chris Wood produced a superb performance to clinch the biggest win of his career at the BMW PGA Championship and move within touching distance of securing a Ryder Cup debut. Wood carded a closing 69 at Wentworth to finish nine under par, one clear of Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg, whose excellent 65 included a hole-in-one on the second.
"It's hard to win on Tour. I did not look at a leaderboard all day but when you are making lots of birdies on a tricky day you know you are there or thereabouts." Pos. Name 1 2 3
Chris Wood Rikard Karlberg Danny Willet
Country ENG SWE ENG
-9 -8 -7
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
72 70 68 69 69 74 72 65 66 68 76 71
279 280 281
Jordan Spieth made an emphatic statement with his back nine finish at the DEAN & DELUCA Invitational to earn his first US PGA Tour win in his home state of Texas. Spieth opened with nine straight pars and then tore through the back nine with six birdies and just one bogey to post a final round 65 and finish at 17 under, three clear of Harris English.
"In my third tournament after Augusta, to come back and close this one out the way we did is really, really special. This day will be one of the most important that I've ever had on the golf course." Pos. Name 1 Jordan Spieth 2 Harris English T3 Ryan Palmer
Country USA USA USA
-17 -14 -13
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
67 66 65 65 67 69 64 66 66 67 66 68
263 266 267
Date: June 02 – 05 Event: the Memorial Tournament Venue: Muirfield Village, Dublin, Ohio Winner’s Cheque: $1,530,000
Date: June 02 – 05 Event: Nordea Masters Venue: Bro Hof Slott GC, Stockholm, Sweden Winner’s Cheque: €250,000
McGIRT BREAKS THROUGH
FITZPATRICK CLAIMS SECOND TITLE Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick claimed his second European Tour title at the Nordea Masters by three shots. In a brilliant display, the 21-year-old from Sheffield began the day with a five-shot advantage and held his nerve to card a final round of 71. Four shots clear as he played the 18th, Fitzpatrick could afford to finish with a bogey as he triumphed by three from Denmark's Lasse Jensen with Nicolas Colsaerts third.
William McGirt won for the first time on the US PGA Tour with a playoff victory over Jon Curran at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio. It was the American’s 165th start on Tour and after a fine bogey-free round he dispatched of Curran on the second extra hole with a superb upand-down from behind the green.
"I felt like this was the round where I'd been under the most pressure so I'm absolutely delighted. I think this is the best I've played."
"It was a hard day, I’ve always been one to kind of keep my head down and do what I do, I would practice for hours and hours. It's been years of practice and getting your nose bloodied and learning from it.”
Pos. Name
Pos. Name
1 2 3
Country
Matthew Fitzpatrick ENG Lasse Jensen DEN Nicolas Colsaerts BEL
-16 -13 -12
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
68 65 68 71 72 69 66 68 70 66 70 70
272 275 276
1 2 3
Worldwide GOLF 34
William McGirt Jon Curran Dustin Johnson
Country USA USA USA
-15 -15 -14
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
70 68 64 71 68 67 68 70 64 71 68 71
273 273 274
WORLD ROUNDUPS Date: June 09 – 12 Event: Lyoness Open powered by Sporthilfe Cashback Card Venue: Diamond CC, Atzenbrugg, Austria Winner’s Cheque: €166,660
Date: June 09 – 12 Event: FedEx St. Jude Classic Venue: TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee Winner’s Cheque: $1,116,000
WU EMERGES VICTORIOUS IN AUSTRIA
BERGER SERVES UP A THREE-SHOT WIN
China's Ashun Wu picked up his second European Tour title after a rollercoaster final round at the Lyoness Open. The 30-year-old carded a closing 69 at the Diamond Country Club to finish 13 under par, one shot ahead of playing partner Adrian Otaegui, with England's Richard McEvoy a shot further behind. Wu held a one-shot lead heading down the last and after he made par he watched as Otaegui’s birdie attempt to pull level narrowly missed.
Daniel Berger overcame a slow start to the final round before pulling away for a three-stroke victory at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis. The 23-year-old, who is the son of former tennis professional Jay Berger, served up a three-under-par 67 to clinch his first US PGA Tour title. He finished at 13-under 267 at TPC Southwind, with Phil Mickelson (67), Brooks Koepka (66) and Steve Stricker (67) all in a share of second place.
"It was a very exciting finish and I still cannot believe it, but my playing partners were really good today and the scores were very close."
"It's the greatest feeling. You work so hard to get here and to finally be able to lift the trophy up - I'm just thrilled to win this tournament."
Pos. Name
Pos. Name
1 2 3
Ashun Wu Adrian Otaegui Richard McEvoy
Country CHN ESP ENG
-13 -12 -11
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
69 72 65 69 64 76 67 69 71 69 68 69
275 276 277
1 Daniel Berger 2 Brooks Koepka T2 Steve Stricker
Country USA USA USA
-13 -10 -10
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
67 64 69 67 70 65 69 66 66 71 66 67
267 270 270
Date: June 23 – 26 Event: Quicken Loans National Venue: Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Maryland Winner’s Cheque: $1,242,000
Date: June 23 – 26 Event: BMW International Open Venue: Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof, Pulheim, Germany Winner’s Cheque: €333,330
HURLEY CLINCHES HOME-TOWN WIN
STENSON ENDS LONG WAIT FOR WIN Henrik Stenson picked up his first win since the 2014 DP World Tour Championship with a three-stroke victory over Darren Fichardt at the BMW International Open. Stenson, who won the event back in 2006 and was runner-up in 2014, carded a one under par 71 to sign for a 17 under par tally and collect his tenth European Tour title.
Billy Hurley III secured his first title on the US PGA Tour with a superb three stroke win over Vijay Singh at the Quicken Loans National, played at the Congressional CC which is just a few miles from his home town. With family and friends in attendance, Hurley III closed out confidently ahead of veterans Singh and Ernie Els, despite not finishing higher than 41st in his previous 11 events.
“I felt like I was starting to make a bit of a mess of it and then I came back and made some birdies on the par 5s – I made some good putts closing out.”
“I knew I had a lead but I also knew it wasn't very much. I think this has been the culmination of the last six months or so. Every day I’ve been working hard on my game and to win here – you couldn’t script it any better for my first Tour win.”
Pos. Name
Pos. Name
1 Henrik Stenon T2 Darren Fichardt T2 Thorbjørn Olesen
Country SWE RSA DEN
-17 -14 -14
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
68 65 67 71 68 69 68 69 67 67 67 73
271 274 274
1 2 3
Billy Hurley III Vijay Singh Jon Rahm
Worldwide GOLF 35
Country USA FJI ESP
-17 -14 -13
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
66 65 67 69 68 66 71 65 64 67 70 70
267 270 271
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TOUR NEWS
WORLD ROUNDUPS Date: June 30 – July 3 Event: WGC-Bridgestone Invitational Venue: Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio Winner’s Cheque: $1,620,000
Date: June 30 – July 3 Event: 100th Open de France Venue: Le Golf National, Paris, France Winner’s Cheque: €583,330
JOHNSON NIPS IN TO WIN
JAIDEE IN CONTROL FOR EIGHTH WIN Thongchai Jaidee shot superb weekend rounds of 68-68 to win the 100th staging of the Open de France by four strokes from Italy’s Francesco Molinari, with Rory McIlroy one stroke further back. The 46-year-old became the event’s oldest winner and was barely tested on a final day when the chasing pack failed to put him under pressure.
“This is a fantastic golf course. I’ve been here many, many times and this is a special week for me. I had my family here and I’m really happy to have won.” Pos. Name 1 2 3
Country
Thongchai Jaidee THA Francesco Molinari ITA Rory McIlroy NIR
-11 -7 -6
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
67 70 68 68 68 71 72 66 71 66 70 71
273 277 278
Dustin Johnson quickly built on his US Open triumph to make it backto-back wins with victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational after a late-round collapse from World No.1 Jason Day. The Australian began the final round with the lead but followed a bogey on 15 with a double bogey on 16 to fall back and allow Johnson to step in.
“I’m definitely a little more relaxed out there on the golf course, especially coming down the stretch. Today I felt I was in a really good place, really calm, collected, just focusing on what I was doing. Just playing golf.” Pos. Name 1 Dustin Johnson 2 Scott Piercy T3 Jordan Spieth
Country USA USA USA
-6 -5 -3
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
69 73 66 66 69 69 67 70 68 71 71 67
274 275 277
Date: July 7 – 10 Event: Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Venue: Castle Stuart Golf Links, Inverness, Scotland Winner’s Cheque: €644,196
NOREN IN SCOTTISH DREAMLAND ALEX Noren sealed his fifth European Tour title in impressive fashion with a one-stroke win over Tyrrell Hatton at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart. All four of the Swede’s previous wins had come after he held the 54 hole lead and he maintained that record despite being briefly caught – but never overtaken – on a dramatic final day. New Zealand’s Danny Lee – a late addition to the field after the cancellation of the US PGA Tour’s Greenbrier Classic – birdied hole 10 to move into a share of the lead alongside Noren. Hatton also joined the lead with a birdie on 12 but Noren followed him on the same green to move ahead once again. A birdie on 15 moved him ahead and Hatton couldn’t gain any further ground until the last hole when it was too late. Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts needed just 30 strokes to complete the back nine and his 6-under-par final round saw him move into third place.
“This is by far my biggest win. The number of great players that are here and on a course like this in Scotland – it's what I dreamt of growing up.” Pos. Name 1 2 3
Alex Noren Tyrrell Hatton Nicolas Colsaerts
Worldwide GOLF 37
Country SWE ENG BEL
-14 -13 -12
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
70 66 68 70 70 70 66 69 74 70 66 66
274 275 276
DJ SURVIVES A SCARE TO WIN AT OAKMONT DUSTIN JOHNSON held on to win his first Major at the US Open at Oakmont despite playing the last seven holes with the possibility of a penalty hanging over his head. Johnson was initially cleared of any wrong doing after his ball moved while addressing his putt on the fifth green. However, on the 12th tee he was approached by USGA officials and it was decided that the footage of his earlier actions would be reviewed after the round. The American’s play did not appear to have been affected by the incident as he closed out with
a 68 – which was then changed to a 69 after officials penalised him for moving the ball – for a 276 total and a three shot win. The USGA’s actions were unanimously criticised by leading golfers as events unfolded, which led to the USGA having to apologise for the manner in which they handled the situation. Overnight leader Shane Lowry shot a 76 to fall back into a share of second place alongside Americans Jim Furyk and Scott Piercy. Furyk was runner-up the last time the tournament was held at Oakmont in 2007.
“When I was notified of the potential ruling it didn’t affect the way I played. If anything, I credit Dustin for playing the way he played on the way in, having that hanging over him, because I probably would have wanted to know straightaway, if it was me.” – Shane Lowry
“We strongly believe we got the ruling right, we just didn’t apply it in the proper timing and sequence. And that’s where, as I say, I think we made a big bogey.” - Mike Davis, USGA Executive Director
“It means the world to me. It’s Father’s Day and it’s my birthday in a couple days so it couldn’t have come at a better time and with my brother being on the bag – he’s also my best friend. To have somebody you really enjoy being out there with you, definitely makes things a lot better.”
Dustin’s Oakmont stats: Driving Distance: 316.75 Driving Accuracy: 64% Greens in Regulation: 76% Total birdies: 11 Total bogeys: 5
With this win Johnson became the first player since Payne Stewart to finish runnerup at an event and then win it the following year. Stewart was second in 1998 before winning in 1999 at Pinehurst.
Worldwide GOLF 39
FEATURE
ANDRE W CHUBBY CHANDLER
FINDING Worldwide GOLF 40
GOLF’S
‘X’
FACTOR
ANDREW CHUBBY CHANDLER IS ONE OF GOLF’S ‘LARGER THAN LIFE’ CHARACTERS. AFTER PLAYING ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR FOR 15 YEARS HE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT HE DIDN’T HAVE THE FOCUS AND DEDICATION TO BECOME A LEADING PLAYER. SO INSTEAD OF BEING A PLAYER HE DECIDED TO MANAGE PLAYERS AND FORMED HIS OWN COMPANY, ISM. HE ENJOYED INITIAL SUCCESS BUT WHEN HE WAS INTRODUCED TO DARREN CLARKE HE SAID, “WHEN I PLAYED GOLF WITH DARREN FOR THE FIRST TIME, I KNEW WE HAD A BUSINESS.” SUBSEQUENTLY, LEE WESTWOOD JOINED ISM ALONG WITH LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN, CHARL SCHWARTZEL, RORY McILROY, DAVID HOWELL, PAUL McGINLEY, ERNIE ELS AND MANY MORE LEADING PLAYERS. NOW A NEW GENERATION HAVE ‘TAKEN OUR COMPANY BACK TO WHERE IT WAS BEFORE’ SAYS CHANDLER, WITH THE SUCCESS OF BYEONG HUN AN, MATT FITZPATRICK AND CURRENT MASTERS CHAMPION, DANNY WILLETT. HERE, CHUBBY TELLS IT AS IT IS IN HIS OWN INIMITABLE STYLE.
Worldwide GOLF 41
FEATURE
ANDRE W CHUBBY CHANDLER
CHA NDLER BACK IN HIS EURO P E A N T O U R D AY S . Worldwide Golf: You’re a Lancastrian born and bred and renowned for having a no-nonsense approach to life. Is that partly down to your upbringing or all down to your personality? Chubby Chandler: I was born in Southport, close to Birkdale, and moved to Timperley near Manchester when I was about six months old and then moved to Horwich when I was 18 months old. I spent the next 25 and a half years there. I guess people from Bolton are probably fairly straight. Although Sam Allardyce is a Brummie he spent a lot of time in Bolton and I think I’m not too far away from what he’s like. I grew up thinking it was easier to be straight-talking than fluffy. WWG: Where did you play your first round of golf and what attracted you to the game? CC: Bolton Municipal with my dad. I started playing when I was about 12, and had a four iron. I caddied for my dad to earn a bit of cash. I was happy to play golf on my own, whereas I needed a few pals to play cricket. I was a good cricketer but golf took over when I was about 15. WWG: You turned pro in 1974 to play on the European Tour and made your debut at the Italian Open, where you were to finish a career-best 3rd
C H A N D L ER W I TH LEE W ESTW O O D , W H O B EC AM E W O R LD N U M B ER O N E W I TH I SM . in 1986. You retired from tournament golf after 15 years to go into player management. Did you decide you had gone as far as possible as a player? CC: I figured that the young guys were improving quicker than I was and I never had the necessary focus and dedication to be a really top player, although I probably had the talent to be a top player. I got an opportunity in 1989 from a friend of mine who wanted to sponsor me and I decided he would be better off sponsoring somebody else, so I went and found that somebody else. WWG: You started your sports management company in 1989 with a small office at Mere Golf Club. How big a step was that and how did you get the company off the ground? CC: I got a lot of advice form the late Stephen Boler who owned Mere and sponsored me in the late 1970s and early 1980s. When he bought Mere in 1984 I became the tournament pro there and my idea was to sell 10 lots of five per cent of the company and keep 50 per cent myself because all I knew was sponsorship. He advised me to go to the NatWest Small Businesses people and get myself a
£10,000 overdraft and that was enough to get us started – even though Mr Boler was charging me £5,000 a year rent for 100 square feet! We stayed at Mere until 1997 when we’d outgrown it. WWG: Among the first golfers you signed up were Derek Cooper, Denis Durnian, Phil Harrison and Carl Mason, who went on to become the most successful European Senior Tour golfer of all time. How did it work? CC: It was a little bit like managing my great mates who I played with on the European Tour but there weren’t many alternatives. When we sent two or three guys out with new logos we became flavour of the month quite quickly. But all that changed in August 1990 when I got a call from Dougie Heather, an Irish international golfer and lawyer. All the kids went to him for advice and he wanted me to go over and talk to a young guy about whether he should turn pro or not, not about managing him. That young guy happened to be Darren Clarke and he was the first golfer I managed who wasn’t someone I’d played golf with. The first day I did play with him, at Mere, I knew we had a business. WWG: Your ISM took off in the 1990s. Westwood joined and has gone on to win 21 titles spending time as World No.1; South Africans Louis Oosthuizen won The 2010 Open, Charl Schwartzel won the 2011 Masters; Rory McIlroy won the 2011 US Open, Ernie Els won four Majors. ISM was flying but how had you achieved such success? CC: The business grew because the guys who signed with us became very good players, such as Andrew Coltart, Paul McGinley, Lee, Darren, David Howell, Simon Dyson and we became accustomed to having a lot of guys winning tournaments and regularly playing in The Ryder Cup.
CHANDLER WIT H DARREN C L A R K E AT T H E V IC T O R IO U S 2 0 0 6 RY D ER C LU P AT TH E K C LU B .
Worldwide GOLF 42
WWG: You’ve sparked so many success stories but how did you come to unearth so many future champions and recognise their talent at an early stage of their careers – it wasn’t just luck? CC: We were very lucky with the players we signed. Not only were we fortunate to have a lot of very good golfers but they were all good people and the good people attracted more good people and success bred success. It’s a little bit like what’s happening right now.
CHUBBY’S
CLASS OF 2016
Thriston Lawrence - The two-time SA Amateur champion made his professional debut at the Scottish Hydro Challenge in June 2014 and picked up his first win in the Ras Al Khaimah Classic on the MENA Tour in November 2015. Finishing sixth at the Tour Championship the following week, Thriston, 19, comfortably won the MENA Tour’s Order of Merit for 2015. He has played three European Tour tournaments so far this year, including the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
CHANDLER AND L OUIS OOST H U IZ E N WIT H T H E C L A R E T J U G A F T E R W I N N I N G TH E O PEN I N 2010. WWG: You’ve got some great young players making their mark on the world stage, such as Matthew Fitzpatrick and Ben An. How does it feel to have a new generation of champions in the ISM stable? CC: It’s a very exciting time for us. We’ve had our ups and downs over the years. People leave for their own reasons. Rory wanted to go in a different direction. Charl thought there were better things elsewhere, so did Branden Grace. When Stuart Cage left in early 2014 I decided I needed to focus on trying to help some of the talented young players in Europe become the next Lee and Darren. So I spent much more of my time during 2014 to 2016 back on the European Tour with the young players
CHANDLER AND WESTWOOD WITH THE DUBAI DOUBLE.
coming through. As bizarre as it sounds, we pinned our hopes on a young Danny Willett and a very young Matt Fitzpatrick. Ben was slightly quieter, playing on the Challenge Tour but last May he became part of that winning group and they have put our company back where it was before. WWG: Danny is the latest of your Major winners to burst through with his Masters triumph. What did you see in him as a player in his late twenties? CC: His career was delayed by having to take two years off with a bad back but when you talk to Danny you realise there’s a huge belief inside him and a huge natural confidence. As soon as I sat down and talked with him I realised we were dealing with someone slightly different, and I could say the same for Matt and Ben. The young players of today are hugely organised, driven and dedicated and, oh yes, talented. WWG: You’re launching your Class of 2016 youngsters into the international arena but how sure can you be that one day soon you’ll be celebrating five more success stories? CC: You can’t be sure of anything in this business. Growing up on Tour is a very difficult thing and some guys find the transition, not just from amateur to pro but from lad to young man, to man, quite a a tough time to adjust to. The Class of 2016 we’ve created is to help them mature, not just as players but as people as well. There’s no guarantee that any of the five of them will become world-class players but we‘re going to give them the chance if they work hard and do the right things.
Worldwide GOLF 43
Haydn McCullen – The Manchester-based youngster secured his first win as a professional at September’s HotelPlanner.com Championship on the EuroPro Tour. Haydn won the prestigious McEvoy Trophy in 2014, having become the first player to win both Lancashire’s county and boys’ championships in the same season in 2013.
Billy Spooner – the 18-year-old from Lincolnshire turned professional at the start of the year, having represented his country throughout his teenage years. He played for England U16 against Spain, Wales and Scotland in 2012 and went on to play for England in the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters.
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FEATURE
ANDRE W CHUBBY CHANDLER
‘The future of golf is looking really good at the moment because the young players give so much back to the fans and to the media .’
CHUBBY’S
WIN N IN G T E A M: C H AN D LER W I TH M ASTER S W I N N ER D A N N Y WIL L E T T, LO U I S M ARTI N AN D M ARTI N H AR D Y.
CLASS OF 2016
– ANDREW CHUBBY CHANDLER
WWG: You’ve had so many highs with magical Major wins and Ryder Cup heroics but which moments do you remember most? CC: Royal St George’s in 2011, obviously when Darren won The Open. Also the Indonesian Masters in 2011. Lee won the tournament on his birthday to go back to world number one and Bolton beat Arsenal in the FA Cup on the same day – so I certainly also remember that day. Danny’s Masters win was huge and probably the other big thing was Lee and Darren’s Ryder Cup debut in 1997. WWG: You and Lee have a leg or two in a few horses. Is this just a diversion from golf or a lifelong hobby? CC: It’s a hobby for both of us and it’s been a huge amount of fun over the years. WWG: You’ve also had great success in managing world-class cricket stars like Andrew Flintoff and Neil Fairbrother, who now works for ISM. How did you come to diversify the business? CC: In 1998 we went into cricket and were very fortunate that Andrew Flintoff was our first client so we started right at the top and with the help of Neil Fairbrother and former England Captain, Michael Vaughan, we’ve managed to stay there. Cricket is a great love of mine. To be involved in cricket at the highest level is brilliant and it’s given us so many proud moments. WWG: You’ve had numerous milestone highs in your career but were there any lows along the way? CC: Certainly, but too many to mention! WWG: You have always championed and supported the European Tour cause but although the Tour and the US PGA Tour create a full schedule throughout the year is there still a danger that the Americans could achieve their own World Tour?
CC: In the future there will be a World Tour, but not with the Americans owning a World Tour. It may be under the guise of the European Tour and it will encompass tournaments all over the world. WWG: The clash of fixtures between the two Tours and the fact that Rickie Fowler declined to defend his title at the AAM Scottish Open shows that there is little co-operation between the two Tours – will this relationship always be a problem? CC: It’s really interesting that the new European Tour Chief Executive, Keith Pelley, is a guy wh’s got a lot of energy and is prepared to take on the US PGA Tour to a certain degree. It’s healthy for the game that the European Tour will be a viable alternative and give the European players more opportunities to play big tournaments outside America.
Garrick Porteous – At 26, Garrick is the most senior member of the Class of 2016. The 2013 British Amateur champion has established himself inside the top 500 in the world and finished second at the Red Sea Egyptian Challenge Presented by Hassan Allam Properties in April. He will focus on the Challenge Tour this year.
WWG: Do you think the future of world golf is healthy with so many good youngsters coming through and will the closer relationships between the European Tour and the Asian Tour work out? CC: The future of golf is looking really good at the moment because the young players give so much back to the fans and to the media. People like Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy all have something to say, as opposed to some of the earlier generations who didn’t. They’re tending to make the game look more fun and enjoyable again by having a chat on the course and there are a good few more smiles out there – and if they can play a bit quicker it will be cool. WWG: You’ve done so much to promote young talent so are you looking forward to a bright future for the five youngsters in your ‘Class of 2016’? CC: It’s a case of giving them the right advice and incentives, such as: good habits, hard work, working on the right lines, treating sponsors correctly and understanding the media and PR part of golf. We can give them all the help and support they need – the rest is up to them. ■
Worldwide GOLF 45
Jack McDonald – Having wrapped up his amateur career by winning two-and-a-half points from a possible three in Great Britain and Ireland’s Walker Cup win over the United States last year, Jack, 23, turned professional in March. As well as a host of individual titles, Jack helped Scotland win the European Nations Cup and Europe take the Palmer Cup in 2014. After his role in Scotland’s European Men’s Team Championship victory last year, he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Gordon Cosh by playing in the successful Walker Cup team at Royal Lytham & St Annes last September.
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eGolf MEGASTORE
eGolf
Megastore in Dubai recently expanded its already considerable in-store offering to introduce a comprehensive custom-fit service. The store, which, since opening last year, has made a big splash among golf lovers in the region with the huge range of brands it stocks, now allows customers to select from a colossal variety of shaft, grip and head options in order to create the perfect custom set up for their game. On hand to offer expert advice are Sam Pain, PGA Professional and PXG Fitter, and Jason Ashley, Senior Custom Fitter. The Worldwide Golf team headed down to the megastore based in Al Quoz to find out more.
Worldwide Golf: Tell us about your latest instore offering? Sam Pain: We’ve just launched our new Custom-Fit service and we’ve got over 105 different steel and graphite shafts for customers to choose from. It’s easy to organise a fitting session. You ring up and book an appointment with myself or our newest Custom Fitter, Jason Ashley, who has just joined us from The Montgomerie, and we will make sure you have the best clubs to suit your game. We’ve got tons of shaft options for the public to test out. We stock the likes of Fujikura, Mitsubishi Rayon, Graphite Design, Oban, KBS, Aerotech and Accra. We have on-the-spot capability to put any of these shafts onto any head, giving the customer complete control over their ftting.
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WWG: And you’ve even got a couple of simulator hitting bays, complete with Flightscope, so that customers can try the clubs out SP: Yes, customers can come into the megastore and test out the shafts and heads on our indoor simulators. We allow them to test any shaft from our shaft matrix with whatever head they want and we’ll fit them from there. WWG: The thing that really sets eGolf Megastore apart is the huge range of brands you stock, tell us what you have on offer? SP: As well as stocking all the main manufacturers like Titleist, Ping, TaylorMade, Nike and Callaway, we’ve also introduced some niche brands to our line. Customers have the choice of buying brands like Epon and Miura, which are high-end forged Japanese brands. There’s a huge amount of interest in these which is great. We also have Ben Hogan irons available following a seven-year global absence from the brand. Our latest introduction is Parsons Extreme Golf (PXG) products into the store. It’s a new brand that was launched in America just over a year ago that is making a huge impact on the PGA Tour at the moment. Big stars like Charl Schwartzel have recently switched to PXG clubs, where he joins existing PXG staffers Zach Johnson, Billy Horschel, Ryan Moore, Charles Howell III and more. We’re proud to be the UAE’s sole certified PXG fitter and retailer.
IF YOU WANT TO BOOK A CUSTOM-FIT SESSION, POP INTO THE STORE IN AL QUOZ, DUBAI OR GIVE THEM A CALL ON: + 971 (0) 4 338 5770 ADDRESS: 46 26TH ST, AL QUOZ, DUBAI
Left to right: Senior Custom Fitter, Jason Ashley; eGolf Megastore owner, Dean Cheesley and PGA Professional / PXG Fitter, Sam Pain.
Jason Ashley demonstrates some of the putter options on offer.
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GEAR
SUPPORT YOUR COUNTRY WITH CUSTOMISABLE SHOES
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ith the Olympics and the Ryder Cup approaching, there’s never been a more ideal time for a golfer to support their nation, even when playing out on the course. FootJoy offer over eight million combinations of designs for your golfing footwear. There’s a staggering amount of choice and you’ll never have as many options from which to design your own bespoke shoes to help you stand out from the pack. Whether you choose to create a pair of MyJoys in the colours of your home nation’s flag or you go for something completely different, you can be sure that you’ll look the business as well as enjoying the unrivalled comfort that FootJoy delivers. Here’s hoping the golf game is up to the same standard!
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Log onto www.myjoys.co.uk to select your custom options and then send your results to your local pro shop who will place your order.
Instruction HOW TO HIT A DOWNSLOPE BUNKER SHOT by PETE COWEN
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he mistake many people make with this challenging shot is trying to get the ball up with their body. What you have got to do is set your centre of balance and weight to the front side towards the slope (i.e. your left side if you are right handed). What I then do is turn my left toe and knee towards the flag. A good bunker player will open the club and turn the loft down into the sand and come out leaning forwards. It’s important to use as much lodft as possible before turning the club. You need to make sure you are hitting into the slope, and are not trying to help the ball up. You won’t get the ball very high to start with but as you practice more you will get consistent results from an extremely difficult lie.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: Hit down the slope and lean on the front side.
WHAT YOU SHOULDN’T DO: Try and help the ball up by leaning back.
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INSTRUCTION
LOCK AND ROCK! by STEPHEN DEANE
Head Professional, Emirates Golf Club
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utting is one area of the game everyone can improve. It’s a fine balance between technique, feel and green reading that once merged creates the best putters. It’s a unique part of the game with many nuances but this month we’ll discuss a technique called ‘Lock and Rock!’
Summer Packages with The Dubai Golf Academy at Emirates Golf Club Worldwide GOLF 52
1. LOCK IT!
Very simply we want to try and eliminate any putter head manipulation caused by the hands and arms. An easy way to do this is to lock the wrists down into a stable position. To create this try and point your thumbs directly down/vertically at the ground whilst holding the putter.
WHAT YOU’LL NOTICE IS THE FOLLOWING: • The shaft angle now matches your forearms. • You’ll sense the heel of the putter sits off the surface. • The putter grip/handle moves more into the palm/lifeline of both hands. • Most importantly you’ll develop a sense of stability through the wrists. Basically you’ve moved the putter into a more vertical pendulum-like position, which will allow the putter head to move on a straighter, more constant line back and through the ball.
2. ROCK IT!
Now that the wrists have been locked down creating your pendulum shaft angle, it’s time to roll the ball home by ROCKING the shoulders. You’ll instantly sense that your shoulder muscles have been activated or engaged due to the LOCK IT process.
Try this the next time your on the golf course or practice green.
For more information, please contact The Dubai Golf Academy at Emirates Golf Club on +971 4 417 9845 or email
Remember LOCK and ROCK!
emiratesacademy@dubaigolf.com
Naturally you’ll now move the putter back and through with the shoulders and the temptation to add some manipulation with the hands and arms will be dramatically reduced.
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• Enhance your game with a range of summer lesson packages • Prices start from AED 250 • Available until 17th September 2016 Please call +971 4 417 9845, email emiratesacademy@dubaigolf.com or visit www.dubaigolf.com
#EGCsummergolf
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INSTRUCTION
MICHAEL JAMIESON Director of Instruction
The Address Montgomerie Dubai
‘ELIMINATE THOSE SLICED SHOTS OFF THE TEE’ T
ired of slicing the golf ball off the tee? Tired of being the shortest hitter in your fourball? Around 85 percent of amateur golfers slice the golf ball. It’s time to bring those stats down... A slice shot will start left of your target and curve back well to the right of your chosen target for a right handed golfer. The driver is the least lofted club in your bag. Therefore it will only promote more unwanted side spin.
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One of the most common swing faults attributed to the slice, is the ‘Over the Top’ movement from the top of the back swing. The upper body/shoulders dominate the start of the downswing movement throwing the club above the plane angle of the swing resulting in an ‘Out-to-In’ swing path. Once the club is travelling to the left of the target, for a right handed golfer the ball can go left or right depending on where your clubface is pointing at impact, either way you’re having to manipulate your clubface.
TRY THIS DRILL TO HIT STRAIGHTER AND LONGER TEE SHOTS.
Make several practice swings on the range before hitting some shots. Think, upper body on the backswing and lower body on the downswing.
Get to the top of your backswing, feel your hips bump laterally towards the target before you rotate your lower body. This will encourage the club to stay below the plane angle of the swing resulting in an ‘In-to-Out’ swing path
For a slicer this will feel the opposite to what you naturally want to do to correct your slice, however trust it. With the club now travelling to the right of your target your hands will soon start to square your clubface resulting in much longer, straighter tee shots.
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INSTRUCTION
MARK JONES
PGA Teaching Professional, Yas Links, Abu Dhabi
SET YOUR WRISTS AND FEEL THE PRESSURE
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aking a good strike with your irons is key to success on the course. Too many players come to me struggling with thinned or ground first strikes or just generally lacking power. Creating the correct angles with your wrists in your downswing is how you can add leverage to your swing and build power. This will also allow you to attack the ball from the correct angle creating a solid strike. This is also an important part of pitching and will transfer well into your short game.
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Firstly, try pre-setting the wrists at set up as seen on the left. This will give you the correct wrist angles and allow you to feel the pressure needed during your swing. Nick Faldo was quoted saying: “The pre-set drill is the first drill I ever did on the range and I practiced it seven days a week either at home or on the range.” Set your wrists into the position (left), ensuring that the club is parallel to the ground, then from here all you need to do is wind up and turn to the top of your swing and you will be in a great position.
Once you have practiced this you can then look at your downswing. We’ve all heard the terms casting and scooping and both of these swing characteristics involve a loss of wrist angles in your downswing. What we really want is for you to imagine that you’re standing waist deep in water and the first part of the club to enter the water when swinging the club down is the grip end. If you bring the club down and the club head enters the water first, you’re casting and releasing the club too early in your downswing, leading to a loss of power and inconsistent strikes. Keeping this angle during your downswing will result in a stronger impact and an increase in distance.
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INSTRUCTION
TRAINED BRAIN
IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL PERFORMANCE
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ou cannot be a successful golfer without devoting an enormous amount of time and effort on the technical and physical aspects of the game, and I indeed spend the majority of my time working with players on perfecting these aspects. However, the mental game is the glue that makes your golf game come together
DEALING WITH IMPERFECTION
One thing that affects many golfers adversely is how they deal with bad shots, which are statistically inevitable. Every year, PGA Tour average for fairways hit is 61.3%, for greens in regulation it is 64.1%, and for scrambling it is 57.4%. This revealing set of statistics tells us that even the best players hit less than perfect shots between 30 – 40% of the time. For varying levels of amateur golfer it is ludicrous to lose the plot after one errant tee shot, or a missed green. I’ve
and is the difference between taking your best game out onto the golf course and leaving it on the range. Often when the outcome matters the most, it is your mental performance which can hold you back, not your swing. Therefore let’s discuss three simple shifts in mindset that can help you reach your full potential.
seen numerous great rounds ruined by the player because he gets derailed by the occasional poor shot, and his performance spirals downwards thereafter. You only have to look at a Major championship to see how well the professionals often react to poor shots. Using the statistics to gain a level of acceptance before you even step on the first tee will ensure that you don’t get weighed down by the bad shots and are able to keep imagining the good shots.
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Martin Robinson is the Director of Instruction at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, and is also an NLP Master Practitioner and an affiliated coach with leading UK based Mental Coaching Company, Trained Brain.
IMAGERY
Jack Nicklaus wrote that he never hits a shot without seeing a perfect colour movie of it in his head before he settles into the ball. Controlling the images that play constantly in your mind is a key factor in executing the good shots more often. Consider watching a horror movie in the cinema, it often makes you feel uncomfortable and agitated. In contrast, watch a feel-good movie or a sporting triumph and you walk out a little taller and more motivated. Well the same thing happens when we play movies in our mind. If you are standing on the tee playing out a disaster movie of what could possibly go wrong, you are creating the worst circumstances so it’s hard to feel confident and therefore perform well. If you are able to see what you want to do with absolute clarity and precise focus, then the action will flow a lot easier. That is not to say that if you imagine the perfect shot, that it will automatically happen, because it won’t, but how many times have we hit shots when all we could see before it was the negative outcome, that is certainly not the best way to perform. There is even evidence showing that the shot will take a bias towards the last place you look before you swing, so try to ensure that you always pick a precise target, and have clarity about how the ball will get there, even how it will react when landing, and you will find it harder to focus on the bad stuff.
PHYSIOLOGY
There is an inextricable link between you physiology and your brain, the body reacts first and the brain second, and in some cases the opposite. Your heart rate is extremely changeable during a round of golf. Under any form of stress or anxiety our heart rate will increase followed by our rate of breathing, left unchallenged this can increase muscular tension and impair your decision making. This can be very harmful on the golf course. As golf is a closed skill like shooting a free throw in basketball or kicking a rugby goal we need to pay attention to the physical routine that we go through before the act, which should involve a moment
of pause and deep breathing, a long exhalation will help your muscles relax and clear your mind allowing you to perform the skill at a similar physical level to how you do in practice. Body language is hugely important to be mindful of. For instance, we are biologically more likely to think of problems or concerns whilst our eyes and head are looking downwards, this is typical of a golfer who has just had a bad three putt on the green and is left thinking of the past. Keeping your head up, walking tall and noticing the world around you will facilitate you staying mentally in the present – this is where peak performance lives.
Henrik Stenson (r) showed exceptional body language on his way to winning at Royal Troon.
Improving your mental game can be just as challenging as improving your physical game, but don’t ignore it, try just a few subtle shifts in your thinking and notice the scores start coming together in no time. Martin offers a three part Trained Brain coaching package at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and conducts evening seminars.
DON’T BREAK A SWEAT THIS SUMMER AT SAADIYAT…
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This summer the Golf Academy at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club has another dimension with the addition of the Titleist Swing and Fitting Studio. The room is fully integrated with Video Analysis and TrackMan Radar, providing instant feedback, including flight of the golf ball on the screen and highly accurate swing and ball flight information. Martin says: “The studio is a massive addition for us as we are able to give extremely valuable and detailed lessons, fittings and practice time, all in the comfort of AC with a selection of cold beverages on hand.” You can evade the heat whilst improving your game if you head down to Saadiyat.
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FEATURE
R OAD TO MONGOMO
PRE S IDENT OBIANG NGUEMA MB A S O G O ( C E N T R E ) A N D T H E F IR ST LAD Y PO SE W I TH TH E PLAYER S AN D STAFF AT TH E O PEN I N G C ER EM O N Y
LUK E J OY JOINS T HE GREE N K E E P IN G S TA F F F O R A S E L F IE
N I G ER I A’ S O D O H AN D R EW O C H E W I N S TH E 2015 3E ACT UARI ES OPEN
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LUKE BLAZES RO AD TO MONGOMO UAE BASED PRO GOLFER LUKE JOY RECOUNTS THE DELIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE HE HAD PLAYING IN THE 3E ACTUARIES OPEN IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA LAST YEAR AND REVEALS WHY HE’S ENCOURAGING LOCAL PROS TO FOLLOW HIS LEAD BY COMPETING IN A REGIONAL QUALIFIER AT AL BADIA GOLF CLUB IN DUBAI ON SEPTEMBER 22 FOR A CHANCE TO WIN AN ALL-EXPENSES PAID TRIP TO AFRICA THIS YEAR WHERE A PRIZE FUND OF US$150,000 IS UP FOR GRABS.
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hen UAE-based professional golfer Luke Joy received an invite to play in an event in Equatorial Guinea called the 3e Actuaries Open he had no idea what to expect. But with nothing else on his schedule during the second week of December he decided, with a mixture of apprehension and excitement, to accept and off he went on a golfing adventure into the unknown on the ‘Road to Mongomo’. “The invite actually came through the Asian Tour,” says Luke who is attached to Yas Links in Abu Dhabi and splits his playing time between the Mena Tour, the Asian Tour and some mini-tours in the UK such as the EuroPro. “They said they had a very limited number of spots for an event in Equatorial Guinea in December and gave details for the tournament including the prize fund, which was US$70,000. I didn’t particularly have a great season last year and I’d been working on a few new things in my game that I wanted to try out before I went back to Asian Tour Qualifying School so I thought, ‘you know what, let’s just go for it.’ It was as much about wanting to experience something new as anything else. “But when I sent the email back saying I’d be interested they had already filled the places. I then got an email from the organisers saying that
they’d be happy to give me an invite if I would blog about my experience.” Having accepted the invite, the 28 year old from Dorset in England set off on his journey with more than a little trepidation. “I had no clue what I was getting myself into,” he says. “But everything was taken care of – flights, hotel etc, so I reasoned that even if I missed the cut, I would have lost only time, not money. But as it turned out, the whole experience was amazing. “I flew into the capital city, Malabo and they had laid on a private chartered jet to fly myself and the other international players to Mongomo. Olawale Opayinka, who is the CEO of 3e Actuaries and the tournament host, met us at the airport and smoothed everything out for us with the officials there. “So we were flown on this private jet to the Presidential airfield in Mongomo!” Even after such a promising start to his Equatorial Guinea adventure Luke and his fellow pros still had no idea what to expect in terms of accommodation but again, the tournament organisers had a pleasant surprise in store. “It could have been a shack with a straw roof for all I knew. I know that sounds terribly stereotypical!” says Luke. “But we were taken by bus to the five star Grand Hotel Djibloho
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which is what I can only describe as one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at in my life – and I spend a lot of time in the UAE so I know what a luxury hotel looks like! It was wonderful.” So far, so good, but there was still the small matter of playing a professional golf event in a country with little tradition in the sport. When the players arrived they found out that a very special guest was going to be getting proceedings underway. “The event was played on the Presidential Golf Course in Mongomo and they wanted to have it blessed by the President himself which is a really big thing for the future of the tournament,” says Luke. “The opening ceremony was just eye opening. Once the town found out that the President was going to be coming, literally everybody descended on the golf course. There went from being around one hundred people and dignitaries to over 5,000 people walking up the first fairway.” Most of the people, including hundreds of children, had never been to a golf tournament before and had no real knowledge of the sport, so this was a real first and Luke was thrilled at the impact the experience had on them. “We had 6,500 range balls that some of the guys from the UK brought over because they didn’t have enough at the facility,” says the Englishman.
W O R D S : R I C H A R D B E VA N
UA E T R A I L O N T H E
FEATURE
R OAD TO MONGOMO
FLY ING IN ST YL E ON A PRIVAT E J E T !
“I flew into the capital city, Malabo and they had laid on a private chartered jet to fly myself and the other international players to Mongomo.” - Luke Joy “Within about 15 minutes of everyone in the town arriving, we’d lost about 6,400 of them! “They’d never seen a golf ball before. The kids started throwing them at each other until they figured out that they hurt, so then they started throwing them in the lake, but then realised they didn’t float…so they started pocketing them! “At first we thought, ‘we’ve got to stop them’ but then we realised it was much more important that they were being introduced to golf and were enjoying themselves. A few of the pros put on a display, hitting balls on the range and everyone was intrigued. Then when I was walking down the first fairway after teeing off the following day, I looked to my right where the driving range was and a couple of little kids had got some two by four pieces of wood and they were using them to hit the remaining golf balls. It was fantastic – they’d never even seen a golf ball until the day before. I thought, ‘this is what it’s all about’, it was a great moment and the whole trip would have been worthwhile just for that.” It turned out to be a great week for Luke both off and on the golf course. The elements of his game that he’d been working on game together nicely and he shot 4 under par to take a share of fourth place. “I played quite well and had a good tournament,” says the 2014 Dubai Open winner who hopes to have a crack at European Tour Q-School later this year. “The golf course was fantastic. When we arrived there no one had played on it since the tournament the year before, when only around 20 players played. Not one person.
L U K E ME E T S TH E PR ESI D EN T “There were weeds growing everywhere and the greens were slow, but when we got to the first round, the difference was like night and day. “The greenkeepers, with the help of some advice from some of the guys who came over, worked like crazy to get it ready for tournament play. They had all the latest and greatest greenkeeping equipment and with a bit of help they learned how to use it properly and what they needed to do. There were guys out there weeding all day long. It went from being basically a rough patch of grass to them unveiling this awesome golf course for the tournament. It’s a fantastic design – really good holes, a solid finish, and really good fun to play. In a few years’ time it will be even better, it just needs time to bed and for people to walk on it. But it’s a good solid test of golf.” Luke enjoyed the experience so much that he’s urging his fellow pros in the UAE to follow his lead this year. A regional qualifier, being hosted at Al Badia Golf Club in Dubai on September 22, will see five places up for grabs in the 2016 3e Actuaries Open for the top five finishers. The qualifiers will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Equatorial Guinea for the tournament, which takes place December 8 to 1, where they will compete for a whopping prize fund of US$150,000 with no halfway cut. The event is themed ‘Road to Mongomo’ and aims to be among the biggest golf events in subSaharan Africa outside South Africa by 2020. “It’s almost a no-brainer,” says Luke. “You get the chance to test your game against the other guys from the UAE in the qualifier and the reward for that will be an all-expenses paid trip to a really interesting part of Africa to play in an event with a massive prize fund. You’re not going to get the chance to play for US$150,000 in most parts of world in December. “It’s just a fantastic opportunity for pros who
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A G I FT FO R TH E C H I LD R EN W H O L I T UP T HE TO U R N AM EN T AFTER D I SC O VER I NG GOL F FO R TH E FI R ST TI M E are working their way up the ladder, or those that have support from their clubs – PGA Pros within the region – to have a really good time and play some competitive golf at a time in the year when there’s generally a bit of a competitive drought for most players. “At the Presidential Course, you play in the jungle – half of the course is in the jungle – and there aren’t many places in the world that you can say you’ve played golf on a course like that! “It’s a really unique and interesting life experience, something most pros won’t ever get the opportunity to do and I’d highly recommend the experience to anyone.”
To register your interest for the Road to Mongomo UAE Qualifier presented by Worldwide Golf, taking place at Al Badia Golf on September 22 please contact: Luke.Plumb@ihg.com or editor@worldwidegolfme.com Tel: +971 (0)4 601 0101 (Al Badia GC) / Tel: +971 (0) 4 340 3785 (Worldwide Golf) Entry fee is AED 195. All entrants must be registered professionals. Follow Luke’s blog at: www.lukejoygolf.com
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
ROAD TO MONGOMO
UAE QUALIFIER Presented by Worldwide Golf Date: Thursday September 22, 2016 Venue: Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai Time: 1pm shotgun
CALLING ALL UAE PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS! Here’s your chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to Equatorial Guinea to compete in the 2016 3e Actuaries Open taking place at the Presidential Golf Course in Mongomo December 8-11, 2016, for a prize fund of US$150,000. The top five finishers from the UAE qualifier will be flown to Equatorial Guinea in December and put up in the five star Grand Hotel Djibloho for the tournament week. To register your interest for the road to Mongomo UAE qualifier presented by Worldwide Golf, taking place at Al Badia Golf on September 22 please contact: luke.plumb@ihg.com or editor@worldwidegolfme.com Tel: +971 (0)4 601 0101 (Al Badia GC) / Tel: +971 (0) 4 340 3785 (Worldwide Golf) Entry fee is AED 195. All entrants must be registered professionals.
FOND FAREWELL: George Horan delivers an emotional speech at last month’s Dubai Duty Free President’s Cup at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club with his wife, Carmel, and sons David (left) and Brian, held to honour the retirement of the former DDF President .
GEORGE’S FITTING FAREWELL GEORGE HORAN’S RETIREMENT LAST MONTH AS PRESIDENT OF DUBAI DUTY FREE AFTER 33 YEARS WAS HONOURED BY 48 ENTHUSIASTIC GOLFERS WHO TURNED OUT IN FORCE TO COMPETE IN THE DUBAI DUTY FREE PRESIDENT’S CUP AT DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB. FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES FROM AROUND THE WORLD PLAYED A TEXAS SCRAMBLE TO CELEBRATE THE ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER OF ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR AND RESPECTED PERSONALITIES IN THE UAE. COMMENTING ON THE TOURNAMENT, COLM MCLOUGHLIN, EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF DUBAI DUTY FREE, SAID: “WE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL TO HONOUR GEORGE AND TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT IN A FITTING WAY. LAST WEEK MARKED ALL OF THE OFFICIAL FAREWELLS AND ONCE THEY WERE CONCLUDED, WE THOUGHT THAT GEORGE WOULD ENJOY A GOLF TOURNAMENT FOR THOSE HE WORKED WITH OVER THE YEARS. GEORGE IS A KEEN SPORTSMAN AND GOLF IS ONE OF HIS FAVOURITE SPORTS, HAVING SERVED AS CAPTAIN OF THE DUBAI IRISH GOLF SOCIETY AND THE DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB.”
WWG: You came to Dubai in 1983 and you’ve played an integral part of the Dubai Duty Free success story, and you’ve also witnessed the remarkable growth of golf in the UAE. How did it all come about did you ever envisage what would happen over the next 33 years? George Horan: I was part of the original team from Shannon, led by Colm McLoughlin, that went to Dubai at the request of the Dubai Government to set up a duty free operation. We had six months in which to do that, so it was a big task and we were very aware of that. Dubai was such an eye-opener for all of us and I certainly had never experienced anything like it before. We
arrived in the middle of the summer heat and it never seemed to cool down! There was a great vibe about the city even then and I remember feeling that things were happening to move Dubai forward, although I never imagined that it would grow so quickly in becoming a major business and trade hub. We were excited at the prospect of opening up a new duty free at Dubai International Airport. At that time, there were around 3 million passengers using the airport and only about 250,000 people living in Dubai, compared to more than 80 million passengers in 2016 and a population over 4 million. Dubai Duty Free opened on 20th December 1983
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and in the first year our sales were US$20 million. This year sales will be close to US$2 billion. So a lot has changed in that time and I am very proud to have been with Dubai Duty Free all of that time and to have seen such massive change and growth. I am very glad that I was asked to stay on in Dubai, and to work alongside Colm McLoughlin and John Sutcliffe. I am extremely glad that my wife Carmel and sons Brian and David joined me in Dubai and we made a great life here. WWG: Where was home for you originally in Ireland and where and how did you become interested in golf?
FEATURE GEORGE HORAN
GH: Home was in Ennis, Co. Clare, on the West coast. Carmel and myself owned a shop there. We had to work very hard as I was also working for Shannon Duty Free during that time, so I didn’t have too much time for golf. My primary interest was in wild-fowling and hurling, Ireland’s National Game, so I played very little golf prior coming to Dubai. WWG: When did you first come to Dubai and did you ever imagine that the UAE would be your home for so many years? GH: I first visited Dubai in the summer of 1983 and thought I would be here for a maximum of six months. It certainly wasn’t my plan to stay longer as I had
left Carmel and our two sons in Ireland. But when the offer came to stay on I could see the opportunities of living and working in Dubai. I have never regretted that decision and I know that my family feel the same way. WWG: Golf was in its infancy when you arrived in Dubai. Where did you play golf in those early days? GH: Golf was very much in its infancy. We used to play at the Dubai Country Club at that time, which was a sand course, and we carried around a piece of astroturf to play if the ball was on the ‘perceived fairway.’ Then you had to brush the sand back into place as you went along. It’s
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strange to think of it now, but we made it work. Now, of course, Dubai is famous for its numerous first class golf courses and we are spoilt for choice of where to play either day and even at night. WWG: You’ve been a member of the Creek and Emirates for many years but with so many courses to choose from what is it about those courses that has retained your allegiance? GH: The Emirates Golf course was the first proper golf club to open in Dubai back in 1988 and it was very exciting. Over the years it has been home to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, so it has retained its status as a world class golf
course and I enjoy playing there. The Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club opened a few years later and again, it is world class. It was also close to where I lived in Garhoud. I now live on the golf course, so it’s very convenient to drop by either for a game of golf, or just for a bite to eat and a catch up with my friends. WWG: You’ve been honoured by being appointed Club Captain at the Creek – how did you enjoy that experience? GH: I enjoyed it very much and hope that I played my part as a good Club Captain who encouraged members, especially younger members, to play at their Club and to socialise there as well, as that is very important to the atmosphere of the clubhouse. Colm was also a former Captain of the Creek and also the Emirates Golf Club. WWG: Did you ever imagine that from the Dubai Country Club sand course, the 9-hole course at Jebel Ali and Emirates Golf Club there would now be so many top class courses in Dubai and the UAE? GH: When we saw the Emirates Golf Club being built that was very exciting but it seemed way out of town at that time, so we were hoping for some more courses closer to our side of the city and that happened, of course, with the Dubai Creek. We are very fortunate to have such a great choice of top courses regardless of where you live in Dubai. WWG: Apart from Emirates and the Creek which other golf courses do you like to play in the UAE? GH: I think I have played all of the golf courses in Dubai as a result of our Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup and other tournaments that we sponsor, including
OLD FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES FOR 33 YEARS: Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free and retiring DDF President George Horan at the Presidents Cup.
those organised by the Dubai Irish Golf Society (DIGS) for which we sponsor the annual St. Patrick’s Day tournament in memory of Mark Fahy, who was a good friend of ours in Dubai. WWG: You’ve played with almost the same group of friends for so many years – Colm McLoughlin, Ara Nakhnikian, Bharat Godkindi and Michael McGinley – how have you managed to put up with them all for so many years? GH: That’s a good question, but I’m sure they could ask the same question about playing with me. But as long as I continue to win the money I’m happy to keep on going…only joking. We’re a pretty fairly matched group and easygoing company, and that is what a round of golf should be all about. WWG: You have played in numerous Pro-Ams over the years – which were the most enjoyable? GH: I have been very lucky to play in many Pro-Ams, particularly for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the DP
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World Tour Championship, which feature the top golfers. It can be a bit daunting to play with the leading players, but generally you find that they are very down to earth and they go out of their way to put you at ease. We always enjoy playing with Paul McGinley at the Pro-Ams where possible, including at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Royal County Down last year, which was spectacular. WWG: You have been an integral part of the success story of Dubai from an international business perspective, what do you think has created that success? GH: Well, Dubai Duty Free has certainly been part of the success story of Dubai and that success is due in no small part to the support we have received over the years by the Government of Dubai and, in particular, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free. My own boss, Colm McLoughlin, has been the driving force of Dubai Duty Free and I feel very lucky
EXCLUSIVE FEATURE GEORGE HORAN
to have worked with Colm so closely over the years and to have maintained a close friendship with him and his wife Breeda, from the very beginning. WWG: Apart from the local support Dubai Duty Free has given to various sports in the region through horseracing, the Dubai Tennis Championship and the various professional and amateur golf tournaments, DDF has reached out globally to take the brand around the world to include the DDF Irish Derby and the DDF Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation. Do you see this expansive strategy continuing for DDF? GH: We are constantly asked to support major sporting events around the world, but there is only so much that we can undertake both financially and in terms of manpower. Our horseracing in the UK has been very successful and gives us a good return on investment and helps raise the profile of our company and of Dubai itself, as a result. We took over the title sponsorship of the Irish Derby in 2008 and have really tried to elevate the event to a weekend Festival of sport and entertainment and that has worked well over the years. In a similar way we are now title sponsors of the Irish Open, Hosted by the Rory Foundation, and we have enjoyed the collaboration that we have with the European Tour, who we find very inclusive, and with the Rory Foundation, who like ourselves are committed to supporting this tournament for the next couple of years.
LIFELONG FRIENDS: George Horan and wife Carmel with Colm McLoughlin and wife Breeda at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.
WWG: Having devoted most of your working life to DDF will you miss the regime of a daily working pattern or are you looking forward to spending more time on the golf course and doing many of the things you didn’t get time to do before your retirement? GH: I think it is going to take time for Carmel and myself to get into a routine outside of Dubai Duty Free, which has been such a large part of our lives over 33 years, which is a lifetime. Our plan is to spend our time between Dubai, where our son David and Collette live, and the UK where our son Brian and his wife Niamh live with our two grandchildren, Sorcha and Cillian. We will also visit
GOLFING PARTNERS AT THE 2015 DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH OPEN PRO-AM AT ROYAL COUNTY DOWN: George Horan, 2014 Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley, Colm McLoughlin and son Niall.
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Ireland where we both have family and friends. So, in between the travelling I am hoping to get in a few wild-fowling shoots and a few rounds of golf, that will keep me busy. WWG: What’s the funniest thing you have seen happen on the golf course? GH: It’s either funny or embarrassing or both, but a few years ago I was playing golf at Dubai Creek with a friend of ours from one of the banks and unbeknown to us he drove the golf buggy into the lake on Hole No. 10, not a pleasant sight, resulting in the loss of my mobile phone and the keys of my car. His story was, “the brakes failed.” n
ARABIAN GOLF News from the leading clubs in the region
Jumeirah Golf Estates
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ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS ▶
E M I RATES GOLF CL UB DILEEP KUMAR WINS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS DILEEP Kumar fired a superb net 67 to win the Men’s Emirates Tournament of Champions, played over the Majlis course. Finishing two strokes back as the only other player to break 70 was Robert Underwood, while the Best Gross on the day came from reigning Club Champion Ed Hesson with a 73.
DUGGAN CLINCHES SEASON FINALE MAURA Duggan was victorious in the Ladies Tournament of Champions after a 5-under par net 67 which sealed a one-stroke win over Jenny Isles. The Best Gross on the day went to Veronique Rossett with a 76 while in addition to the tournament a Stableford competition was held with Mieke Slotboom coming out on top with 42 points. The silver division (handicap 0-17) was won by Arathi Appaiah with 38 points while a haul of 40 points saw Katrine Karlsson win the bronze division (handicap 18+).
FRAN COLE CRUISES TO VICTORY IN SERIES OPENER FRAN Cole scored an impressive 41 points to win the Dubai Golf Summer Series opener by three shots from Amresh Sangani. The Best Gross score of the day was won by Max Burrow as he carded a one under par 71 which included birdies on holes 10, 11 and 13.
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D UB A I CREEK GOL F C LUB
AMATEURS BREAK THE HEX THE team amateurs defeated the professionals for the first time in nine years to win the Dubai Golf Trophy. For only the third time in the event’s 17 year history the amateurs sealed the deal with a convincing 19.5 – 12.5 score. It was an inspiring performance for the amateurs as all 16 players contributed at least one point to their team’s cause. The glory moment was left to Matthew Baxter as he cinched a 2-up win to get them to 17 points and into an unassailable position.
PANTING ON FIRE WARREN Panting fired an excellent 3-under-par 68 to come out on top in the recent OMA Emirates Medal while Ashok Sindhu took the spoils in Division ‘A’. Sindhu was tied with Clive Burrows with a 69 at the end of play in their Division but was later crowned the winner after a card countback. The best gross on the day went to Adonis Nasr with a 77 while in the Senior Division David Gowans shot a 70 for his fourth successive victory in the event. The Ladies Division saw Paula Savage crowned the winner with a 70.
DUBAI DUTY FREE’S SALUTE TO PRESIDENT GEORGE HORAN A TOTAL of 48 enthusiastic players turned out to compete in the Dubai Duty Free President’s Cup, which marked the retirement of George Horan, former President of Dubai Duty Free, who was with the company for 33 years. With an outstanding Texas Scramble Stroke Play score of 54 the first prize went to the team of David Freeborn, David Spillane, Ian Walton and George Kasparis. The team of Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, Mike Kinloch, David Milicann and Marco Carstanjen, who on many other days may have taken the winning prize, finished in second place after a fine score of 59. Commenting on the tournament, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice
Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, said: “We wanted to do something special to honour George and to mark his retirement in a fitting way. Last week marked all of the official farewells and once they were concluded, we thought that George would enjoy a golf tournament for those he worked with over the years. “George is a keen sportsman himself and golf is one of his favourite sports, having served as Captain of the Dubai Irish Golf Society and the Dubai Creek Golf Club. Thanks to our Marketing team at Dubai Duty Free and to the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club for organizing this memorable event.”
DUBAI CREEK CLINCH THIRD SUCCESSIVE SCRATCH LEAGUE TITLE THE Dubai Creek scratch team overcame their Jumeirah Golf Estates counterparts to win the UAE Scratch League for the third year in a row. After an away first leg the DCGYC team took a convincing lead into their home second leg and they took full advantage of their local knowledge to seal an overall 6-2 victory. Leading 3.5 – 0.5 after the opening fixture, DCGYC clinched the second leg 2.5 – 1.5 to seal the win with Miki Mirza and Rayhan Thomas securing an emphatic 6&5 victory in their match to set the team on their way.
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DUBAI CREEK GOLF CLUB
YOUNG STAR MAISEY IN RED HOT FORM TWELVE-year-old Dylan Maisey won this year’s Titleist Red Hot Open with a superb score of 46 Stableford points. Travelling from Qatar to take part, Maisey’s victory made the trip worthwhile and gave his parents plenty to smile about. Winning the Men’s Division with a haul of 42 points was Qamar Rasheed, one point clear of Arshad Khan, while in the Ladies Division Kavita Sehmi clinched a comfortable seven point win over H.C. Kim with 39 points. Markus Nielsen topped the Junior Division with 42 points with Rishi Nair second on 39 points
ONUONGA AND PHILLIPS WIN BETTERBALL STABLEFORD In the Men’s Division, John Onuonga and Mark Phillips were the champions after finishing with 45 points. Ed McDonald won on a countback as Ian Stuart finished runner-up.
Meanwhile, in the Mixed and Ladies Division Jamie & Emma Rooms finished with 47 points to take home the title from second-placed Elli Oschmann and Anne Hainey who shot 46 points.
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EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION UAE NATIONAL JUNIOR AND LADY SQUADS SET FOR GERMANY SUMMER CAMP SIX Ladies and eight boys from the UAE National Junior and Ladies Teams will escape the heat of the UAE and travel to Golf & Country Club Fleesensse in Germany for some summer training. The players will play over 10 rounds of golf while working on course management and tournament preparation. The Junior and Ladies teams will be
training for the upcoming Arab Golf Championships and GGC Golf Championships that will start in October. Traveling with the squads are National Team Head Coach Greg Holmes, Performance Coach David Condon, and EGF Secretary General and Team Manager Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi.
YOUNG AMATEURS BREAK RECORDS AT EGF TIAGO Lobo from Abu Dhabi Golf Club was the champion of the Men’s Division in the EGF’s Order of Merit Championship with a total of even-par 144 at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The 18-year-old shot rounds of 73-71 to win ahead of Christofer Rahm. In the Ladies Division Kim Chiang from Arabian Ranches successfully defended the title with round of 66-79 ahead of Anastasia Bakal from the Els Club. Home player Zubair Firdaaus clinched the Junior Division with a mammoth 12-stroke win ahead of Aryaan Kumar after a superb 5-under-par 139 total.
The UAE National Junior and Ladies Teams at the 2015 Arab Golf Championship in Al Ain.
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AL BADIA GOLF CLUB
GRADUATION CEREMONY ENJOYED BY ALL
GREEN KEEPERS REVENGE IS HUGE SUCCESS
AROUND 70 juniors attended the Graduation Ceremony with their parents to mark a successful end to the season. Jack Birrell won Most Dedicated and Improved Golfer of the Year awards after a sensational year that consisted of him winning tournaments all around the region and also carding his first ever holein-one. Junior Development Programme Improvers of the Year were Feres Essafi and Diara Deepak Ramesh.
JULLY KANG CAN
THE team of Tom Kelly, Graeme McCann, Andrew Laird and Kieran Galvin came out on top in the fun Green Keepers Revenge tournament with a fantastic score of 58.8 Net. Following closely on their heels was the team of Ramon Navea, Dan Lopez, Nestor Labis and Phil Rae who were just pipped at the post after scoring 59.1 Net. In third spot were the team of Chris Vasey, Nick McCormack, Ian Harper and Gareth Hughes with 59.6. THE recent Rivoli Medal saw some fantastic scoring throughout the divisions with Jully Kang, a pupil at ‘The School of Golf’ taking the Overall Net honours. Kang scored a career-best gross 76 for a superb net 66 to win while Steve Kelshaw was the Gross winner with a steady 76. In the Men’s Division ‘A’ Graeme Sears shot a 73 to win while James Kang topped the pile in Division ‘B’, also with a 73. Liz Batson came out on top in the Ladies Division with a 74.
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ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS SHARJAH GOLF AND SHOOTING CLUB
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YAS LINKS ABU DHABI
FISHER’S BIG CATCH
IRELAND RISES TO WIN ETIHAD OPEN
NATHAN Fisher sealed the 7th staging of the Ramadan Open Golf Championship Supported by Centro Sharjah by Rotana after compiling 36 points. Sinar Suraj won Division ‘A’ with 35 points while in Division ‘B’ Paul Jubson also scored 35 to top the pile ahead of Claus Larson. SGSC Scratch Team Captain Mike Robson took home the bragging rights over his scratch team counterparts as he edged home with 31 gross Stableford points while M.Y. Chou clinched the Ladies Division with 29 points.
HONOURS BOARD FILLING UP
CRAIG Ireland scored an excellent 41 points to take the honours in Division ‘A’ of the Etihad Open recently. Abdullah Al Marzooqi finished one point behind for second place while in Division ‘B’ Sang Bae Lee clinched the top spot on 38 points, two clear of Teresa Sheepwash.
BARWELL STRIKES GOLD IN AUDI MEDAL DAVID Barwell clinched the gross title in the recent Audi Medal with a composed round of 78. In Division ‘A’ Andy Thorpe shot a net 70 to win by four strokes from Charles Katsuyoshi while in Division ‘B’ Jacob Hall came out on top with an 88, three clear of Alex Hambleton.
ALLISON VICTORIOUS IN RAMADAN OPEN JACK Allison clinched this year’s Ramadan Open with an excellent haul of 37 Stableford points for a one-point victory. Taking second place outright was Mike Bulliman after he defeated Steven Hunt on a countback thanks to his stronger back nine.
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ABU DHABI CITY GOLF CLUB KHAN CLINCHES THE BIG ONE SALMAN Khan ran away with the 2016 Singles Match Play Championship with a superb 5&4 victory over Mark McDonagh in the final. Khan, a 16-handicapper, overcame his 7-handicap opponent to clinch one of the biggest events on the calendar. Meanwhile, the club has upgraded both its floodlight and clubhouse facilities over the summer. “The difference is remarkable,” said General Manager Rhian Lobo. “The lights are especially clear so you can track your ball in the night sky. It certainly helps the golfer escape the sun during the summer months.” More than 200 guests attended the re-opening of the clubhouse after it was closed for three months for refurbishment.
IT was a day when the student became the master as Imran Akhtar defeated his teacher Scott Graham in the Air Arabia Match Play final. Graham was delighted with his pupil’s performance as Akhtar carded a 1-under gross for the final ten holes. Sanjoy Das finished in third place after a play-off win over Joe Marshall, while Mark Ruddy teamed up with the incoming Vice Captain Mukti Rai to claim the pairs net with a 3-up win over Ian Delahunt and Joe Marshall. In the Gross Singles Nathan Fisher won his first gross title by beating Scratch League vice Captain Sunny Ramadas 2&1.
YOUSEF IS RAMADAN STABLEFORD CHAMP YOUSEF Al Ali clinched this year’s Ramadan Stableford Series after scoring 18 points in the final event to reach a 95-point total. Finishing just one point back was Rashed Al Jarwan with Tony Bang in third place.
BANG IN FORM TONY Bang clinched the honours in the 2nd Orient Travel – Malaysia Truly Asia Monthly Stableford recently with a scored of 36 points. In the morning event Rory Thomson was the winner also with 36 points, while in the gross catergory Nathan Fisher and Sinar Suraj took a share of the spoils.
AKTHAR THE COMEBACK KING IMRAN Akhtar produced just 15 points on his front nine but battled back with 23 points on the inward half to win the recent Unitechnik Monthly Stableford. In Division ‘A’ Mutki Rai came out on top with a score of 38 points while the same score was good enough for Conor O’Leary to take the title in Division ‘B’. Both the gross and nearest the pin prizes went to the Nathan Fisher (36).
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ROBSON & SMITH EASE TO VICTORY THE scratch partnership of Mike Robson and Adam Smith signed for an excellent 61.9 to win the BMW Member Guest Social recently, well clear of Sinar Suraj and SGSC Director of Golf Martin Duff who finished with 65.8. Other pairings to collect prizes were Vivian Verma and Sanjoy Das, Mukti Rai and John Anderson, Roger Ledeboer and Ian Wilson and Paul Nightingale and Nathan Fisher.
ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS ▶
DOHA GOLF CLUB
CAPTAIN/PRO TEAM VICTORIOUS AGAIN
SARGENT IN COMMAND
THE Captain/Pro vs Members Match for June saw Captain Steve Ford and Professional Jordan Massey challenged by the team of Gary Mond and Ed Edwards. The captain came flying out of the gate with birdies on each of the first three holes, quickly building a three hole lead. The challenging team rallied to stage a fightback over the coming holes, started by a net birdie at hole 5 from Edwards and they pulled closer on hole 8 after Ford found the water. However, some solid play saw their three-shot lead return and despite a late fightback they closed out a1-up win on the 18th green.
BEN Sargent clinched the DGC ‘US Open’ title over the Championship course with an impressive net 65 from a respectable gross 87. Consistency proved the key for Sargent as he carded nines of 43 and 44 for his gross tally and an easy net victory. Coming out on top in Division ‘A’ was Stuart Kennedy with a net 67, two shots clear of Robbie Kirkwood while in Division ‘B’ John Craig topped the pile with a 67 for a one-point win over Simon Rowlands.
TAN TAKES THE MUG HICKSON ON TOP IN PRIMEPOWER MEDAL SIMON Hickson clinched the inaugural Primepower sponsored medal recently with a countback win over Mikkel Mathiesen after both players had shot a net 69. In Division ‘B’ Stephen Clark emerged victorious with a countback win over Bruce Chalmers while Naoki Hanada’s net 72 proved enough for first place in Division ‘C’. A countback was also needed in the Ladies Division as Melanie Thomas came out on top against Christine Dufailly after they both signed for a 72.
JACKY Tan downed Ed Edwards on a countback to win Division ‘A’ in the recent Megarme Mug. Both Tan and Edwards finished with 40 points on the day but a stronger back nine performance earned Tan the victory. The ladies division saw Teresa Gow emerge victorious ahead of Alexandra Lochhead, also on a countback.
COOKE CLINCHES ROUND ONE MARK John Cooke took control in Division ‘A’ of the first event of the Summer League with a score of 40 Stableford points, one clear of Andrew Glyde. Eugene Bautista scored 40 points to top the pile in ‘Division ‘B’ with David McAllister finishing second on 39 points.
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ROYAL GOLF CLUB McNAMARA ON TOP JASON McNamara narrowly won the June edition round of the 2016 Dadabhai Travel Order of Merit Series with a countback win over Ronan Armstrong after the pair both signed for 75s. Barry Hobday took home the net prize with a 69 while Hanne Hansen was crowned the ladies gross winner for the second consecutive month with an 87, ahead of Dena Wales. Armstrong leads the Order of Merit in both gross and net categories while Hansen is the leading lady on the gross ranking and Debbie Lane leads the net ranking.
ROYAL GOLF CLUB TO DEVELOP FUTURE STARS THE Bahrain National Golf Team, supported by the Royal Golf Club and Bahrain Golf Association, will continue their youth development project, working closely with a group of elite players who have aspirations to represent their national team at home and
abroad. All the players will develop their whole golf game under the guidance of the Royal Golf Club’s PGA professional staff. Each player is screened in the modern teaching studios and individual golf and physical development schedules are available.
AL HAKAM WINS PORSCHE EVENT BAHRAINI National Team player Sultan Al Hakam cruised to victory in the fourth monthly Porsche Golf Cup Series tournament with a gross score of 70, four shots clear of fellow National Team member Nasser Yaqoob. Carter Alexander also enjoyed an easy victory in the net section with a score of 65, well clear of Rob Lane who shot a 71. Mohammed Al Sayed continues to top both the gross and net rankings of the series after four rounds with scores of 322 and 306 respectively, while Barry Hobday continues to hold second place in both categories with scores of 331 and 307 respectively.
MAJID AND AL GOSAIBI CLAIM XEROX CORPORATE GOLF CHALLENGE’S 5TH ROUND IN BAHRAIN YOUSEF Majid and Sattam Al Gosaibi from team ‘Foregolf’ were the winners at the fifth qualifying round of the Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge at the Royal Golf Club with a superb score of 43. The pair didn’t have it all their own way as Keith Watson and Declan Lee of team ‘REZ Hygiene’ also scored
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43 points but a stronger finish was enough to see them crowned worthy winners. Chrysler’s Nearest the Pin on hole 2 was won by Declan Lee, Select Property Group’s hole 7 Nearest the Pin by Mathew Deakin and the deVere Acuma’s Nearest the Pin on hole 16 went to Abdulla Al Hujji.
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ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS ▶
AL MOUJ GOLF CLUB
ARCHER AND CASEY COME OUT ON TOP TWO of the lowest handicappers of all the players in the field, Lynn Casey (+2) and Berty Archer (6) duly came out on top of the recent Mercedez-Benz Member Guest Tournament with a Stableford tally of 43 points. Three teams tied for second place and coming out on top after a countback were Dave Henderson and Mike Reed, thanks to their stronger back six.
DREAMLAND GOLF CLUB GREAT TURNOUT AT BAKU CITY CIRCUIT SCRAMBLE A FIELD of 72 players took part in the Official Baku City Circuit monthly Scramble. Held to mark the occasion of Azerbaijan hosting the inaugural European Grand Prix, the leading team received a winner’s medal along with race tickets and gift bags to commemorate the event. The Champions for the day were Steven Parkes, John Weston, Nick Hore and Ben Stansbury with a Gross 70 – 61.4 net. In second place with a score of 70 gross – 62.9 net were the team of Gavin Mackenzie, Robert O’Donoghue, John Quinn and Gerard McKenna . With a team score of 71 gross – 63 net taking third place were the team of Alan Burns, Daniel Lee, Dean McEwan and Stuart King.
Left to right: Bulent Ozerdim, Commercial Director for Baku City Circuit, pictured with winners Steven Parkes, , Nick Hore, Ben Stansbury, and John Weston.
Picture left to right: Scott Donaldson; Alisdair Still; Fairmont Flame Tower General Manager Pascal Leprou; Les Tulleth and Adam MacDonald.
RED HOT DISPLAY AT THE FAIRMONT FLAME TOWER – SCRAMBLE
Pictured left to right: Turkish Airlines Sky Chef, Winner Martin Doherty and Seyfullah Ilyas, General Manager of Turkish Airlines Baku.
DREAM ROUND FOR MARTIN DOCHERTY IN TURKISH AIRLINES WORLD GOLF CUP – AZERBAIJAN QUALIFIER DREAMLAND Golf Club member Martin Docherty is set to progress to the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup Grand Final in Antalya to represent Azerbaijan this November after winning the qualifing tournament. Docherty claimed top honours in the individual competition with 44 Stableford points. “Its been a great day for me, I am very proud to represent Azerbaijan and Dreamland Golf Club in the final and I’m looking forward to it already,” he said.
Fellow member, Grant Watson was runner-up, while Do Seong Kim was third and Steven Black and Susan Drummond won the Nearest-the-Pin prizes. “We would like to congratulate everyone who took part in the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup qualifier at Dreamland Golf Club,” said Seyfullah Ilyas, General Manager for Turkish Airlines Baku. “It was a brilliant day and well done to our winner, Martin – we look forward to seeing you in Antalya in soon.”
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THE team of Les Tulleth, Alisdair Still, Scott Donaldson and Adam MacDonald put in a fine performance to win the “Fairmont Flame” trophy with a gross score of 66 – 58.5 net. Coming in second with a 65 gross – 58.8 net, were Frank Wilson, Ewan Drummond, Eric Brown and Paul Winkle, while in third place with a 68 gross – 59.6 net, were Greg Boyle, John Quinn, Dan Lewis and David Lawson. The Fairmont Flame Tower in Baku put up a player’s gift and some fantastic prizes with the victorious team receiving vouchers for overnight stays at the hotel. In true Fairmont style, on course refreshments and snacks were served by the team to add that luxurious touch to the proceedings.
HOLE IN ONE’S AT DREAMLAND Congratulations go to Gamze Galles and Frank Wilson, two players who have started the hole-in -one honours boards at Dreamland Golf Club for holes-in-one at the seventh and 11th respectively. The only Par 3 not to be aced now is the fourth hole.
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STYLE&TRAVEL
ON COURSE WITH AN
OLYMPIC LEGEND Richard Bevan catches up with four-times Olympic rowing gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent who, since returing from the sport in 2004 has had more time to spend working on his golf game. The towering Englishman reveals that he’s as competitive as ever, especially when playing against his old rowing partner...
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STAR SPOTTING –SIR MATTHEW PINSENT 79 DRIVING RANGE 82 ‘FAVOURITE FIVE’: MATTHEW FITZPATRICK 84
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S TA R S POT T I N G
FROM OAR TO FORE! I
t’s difficult to name many sportsmen that have achieved as much in their career than British rower Sir Matthew Pinsent. Alongside his hero and close friend, Sir Steve Redgrave, his triumphant finish as part of the coxless four at the 2000 Sydney Olympics was voted as Britain’s Greatest Sporting Moment by a number of UK newspapers. Four years later in Athens, Pinsent cemented his place in the history books when another victory placed him in an elite group of only five athletes to gain four consecutive Olympic Golds. Since hanging up his oars in 2004, the 45 year old has been working for the BBC as a Sports Broadcaster. Outside of rowing, he loves to get out onto the golf course as much as possible and loves nothing more than trying to get one up on a certain athlete that introduced him to the game. Worldwide Golf: When did you start getting into golf Matthew? Matthew Pinsent: I started playing golf around the time that I started rowing with Steve Redgrave in the late ‘90s and that is when it really took off. So I have now been playing golf for two decades and I am moving in the right direction… just! But you need time to practice and with young children it can be difficult. WWG: You mentioned Sir Steve Redgrave and you had such a wonderful partnership with him. We have interviewed him a few times and he loves his golf too doesn’t he? MP: Yeah he’s a huge fan of golf. He is actually the one who introduced me to the game and now I have got a lower handicap than him, which annoys him immensely! WWG: What’s your current handicap? MP: 12 WWG: If you have to pick one part of your game that is the strongest, what would you say? MP: My chipping is actually good, and my long irons are what I struggle with the most and is my weakness. WWG: Which golfers on Tour have physical qualities that would be suited to rowing? MP: Not many of them. You need levers for rowing to
help you to stroke, and long levers are a mechanism for things to go wrong in golf! Probably the tallest guys you are looking at. Someone like Vijay Singh or Ernie Els would be good. WWG: What would your dream fourball be and why? MP: I will put Ernie in there, he is good company and he has a good swing to copy. I will have Steve (Redgrave) as well because it is always good to take some money off somebody when you are playing golf. It would also be great to have one of the finest golfers in this generation playing so I’d pick Rory McIlroy as well.
ACHIEVEMENTS
OLYMPIC GAMES • 2004 – Gold, Coxless Four (with James Cracknell, Steve Williams, Ed Coode) • 2000 – Gold, Coxless Four (with James Cracknell, Tim Foster, Steve Redgrave) • 1996 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Steve Redgrave) • 1992 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Steve Redgrave) WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP • 2003 – 4th, Coxless Pair (with James Cracknell) • 2002 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with James Cracknell) • 2001 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with James Cracknell) • 2001 – Gold, Coxed Pair (with James Cracknell, Neil Chugani) • 1999 – Gold, Coxless Four (with James Cracknell, Ed Coode, Steve Redgrave) • 1998 – Gold, Coxless Four (with James Cracknell, Tim Foster, Steve Redgrave) • 1997 – Gold, Coxless Four (with James Cracknell, Tim Foster, Steve Redgrave) • 1995 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Steve Redgrave) • 1994 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Steve Redgrave) • 1993 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Steve Redgrave) • 1991 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Steve Redgrave) • 1990 – Bronze, Coxless Pair (with Steve Redgrave) • 1989 – Bronze, Coxed Four (with Terry Dillon, Steve Turner, Gavin Stewart, Vaughan Thomas) JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS • 1988 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Tim Foster) • 1987 – 4th, Eight
Worldwide GOLF 81
BENTLEY BENTAYGA HERE at last is the Bentley Bentayga, the first in a new category of super-lux SUVs that will counter-punch Range Rover’s established credentials and off-road prowess with even greater levels of passenger pomp. Forthcoming Bentayga rivals include the Lamborghini Urus and the Rolls-Royce SUV, rumoured to be called Cullinan, but for the moment Bentley has this edge of the motoring world to itself.
Heavy Weight Perfomer Tipping the scales at 2422kg you would expect the Bentley Bentayga to handle like a barge but thanks to the Bentley Dynamic Ride (BDR) active body control suspension system it handles like its lightweight rivals. With electrically-controlled active anti-roll bars, powered by a supplementary 48v electrical system, these are a lot faster-acting than conventional hydraulic active anti-roll bars, and in combination with air suspension and adaptive dampers deliver a brilliant blend of handling and ride quality – adjustable through a choice of Sport, Comfort, Bentley and Custom drive mode settings. As a result, the Bentayga is a proper driver’s car, fast and involving. We’ve seen this blend before with the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, BMW X6M and Range Rover Sport SVR, but they can’t compete with the Bentayga which offers unrivalled luxury, ride and a top speed of 187mph.
Is it really that fast? Powered by a re-engineered 6.0-litre W12 producing 600bhp and 664lb ft of torque, and helped by a remarkably slippery drag coefficient of 0.24, a relatively small frontal area and low-riding suspension, the relentless turbine-like urge continues beyond 150mph. It isn’t as excitingly vocal as some of its competitors, but Bentley says this is a conscious decision, because its cars are not bought by ‘rich hooligans’ and cannot be so black and white. Zero to 62mph in 4.1sec underlines the potential, the customised driving modes allow more adventurous drivers to tailor their experience, and manhole cover-sized steel brakes are testament to the amount of fun you can have; a carbon-ceramic upgrade will no doubt be an option.
Option pack
You can have an All Terrain kit for £4,250, which includes topview cameras and underbody protection, plus four more driving programmes: snow and grass, dirt and gravel, mud and trail, and sand. More sensibly, the Touring pack adds adaptive cruise control, night vision, lane assist and head-up display for £5,900, and the City Specification park assist, provides pedestrian warning, traffic sign recognition and rear cross traffic alert for £3925. For money-is-no-object clients there is special paint, bespoke leather and a high-end sound system, a £21,000 Mulliner picnic hamper and £110,000 Breitling Tourbillion clock (just four of these will be made every year). ENGINE
6.0Litre W12
0-62 MPH
4.1
POWER
approx. secs.
600bhp Worldwide GOLF 82
D R I V I N G RA N G E
Worldwide GOLF 83
TO P 5 CO U R S E S
‘FAVOURITE FIVE’ with Matthew Fitzpatrick
5
Turnberry (UK)
3
St Andrews (Scotland)
1
Harbour Town Golf Links (USA)
I love playing Links golf there. It has great scenery and lots of good holes.
The history on that course is special and it is always fun to walk over the bridge on the 18th.
4
2
My favourite course by a mile. It suits my game nicely and the area itself is a pretty special place.
Worldwide GOLF 84
AGE: 21 FROM: SHEFFIELD, UK TURNED PROFESSIONAL: 2014 PROFESSIONAL TOUR WINS: 2
Indian Creek (USA)
It’s always really enjoyable to play and there’s some drivable par 4s which makes things a little bit more exciting.
Augusta National (USA))
I think everyone knows how special this place is.
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