Worldwide Golf April 2013

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MAJOR MOVER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Lee Westwood moved to America to better his Major chances but how is he settling in to the new way of life as he prepares for the Masters?

E A S T ’ S

er’s got his distance control back an d Rory ‘s conďŹ dence with his clubs is on the up but this year it could be anyo ne’s!

THE MASTERS PREVIEW

OH yes, oh yes, it’s Masters time We all feel it again and there’s them not a buzz in where the season and us. Not just because it’s the ďŹ rst Major golf quite like this one. a Who’s Who of really moves into top gear. of the year and Not just the place game we all love. about every bona ďŹ de legend just because the list of past winners is relatively small And not just because the super- ever to play this beautifully ďŹ eld guarantee frustrating tough qualifying bewitching in players of the criteria and its quality and highest calibe r creativity. But same venue every because the returnplaying golf that is at times year since its inception in have iconic image 1934 means that of this great event to the eye more vividly s of the picture book settin golfers and golf g that is Augus than those of fans alike ta etched into any other course their mind’s in the world.

The perfectly manicured fairwa azaleas; Magn ys and maze-like olia Rae’s Creek; Amen Lane; the old plantation clubhogreens; pine trees and bloom ing Corner; caddie use; the Crow’s tee‌ s in white boiler Nest; The Big Oak Tree; suits; Jack, Arnie and Player on the ďŹ rst Yes, this is more than just a Major . This is the Maste rs.

PLUS

PETE COWEN TAKES A LOOK AT MICKSELSON’S SWING

OďŹƒcial Publication of The Emirates Golf Federation & The Arab Golf Federation

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INTRODUCTION

Worldwide Golf Executive Editor Since 1999

Player Gary

The 9-time Major Champion and 9-time Senior Major Champion who has witnessed and been a part of some of the most historic and memorable ggolfingg occasions reflects on thee game todayy

I mentioned in my column last month that there are professionals around the world who can drive the ball well over 400 yards. We’ll soon be seeing big, strong golf Tour athletes regularly hitting it 400 yards plus. It wasn’t that long ago when we thought that 300 yards would be beyond the reach of even the most powerful of the Tour players. Nowadays, it’s commonplace for the big-hitters to get it over 300 yards.

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ITH the 77th Masters Tournament capturing everyone’s imagination right now the attention has shifted away from the incident of Rory McIlroy walking off the PGA National course at the Honda Classic in Palm Beach, complaining of a wisdom tooth problem, having hit his second shot into the water to go to 7-over on Day Two. At least Rory had the good grace to apologise for his actions, saying: “I regret what I did. It was not good for the tournament, not good for the kids and the fans who were out there watching me – it was not the right thing to do. No matter how badly I was playing I should have stayed out there. I should have taken my drop, chipped it on the green and tried to make five and play my hardest on the back nine, even if I shot 85.

“I’ve got to remember that I started to play golf because I love the game and I know I should go out there and enjoy myself. I’ve been putting too much pressure on myself and I need to put the smile back on my face.”

It’s never good to walk off the golf course but we tend to forget that Rory is still only 23 years old and a lot has happened in his career over the last few seasons. He’s got to learn to live with the pressure and I’m sure he will.

But he’s quite right not to blame his golf clubs for his drop in form. Since doing the treble last season of winning the DP World Tour Championship, The Race to Dubai and the US PGA Tour Money List and changing his clubs he effectively missed the cut in his following three events, starting with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, where

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he and Tiger Woods both failed to make it to the weekend. It can take time to adjust to different golf clubs and different golf balls but it’s not a serious problem for a player of Rory’s talent.

He showed at Doral that he’s beginning to find his form with a final round sevenunder 65 to raise him up to a share of eighth place. I’m sure he’ll soon be playing like the World No.1 he is. It would be good to see him get back on track before the Masters to show the world just how good he can be. That would put a smile on his and everybody’s face. With Tiger Woods winning the WGC-Cadillac Championship in style it could be an intriguing battle between Rory and Tiger at the top of the World Ranking.

Talking about new golf clubs I’m amazed at these new X-hot Callaway clubs.

They are magnificent. They send the ball so far it’s absolutely scary. It’s frightening.

They’re a huge help to the amateurs but for the Tour players they can create enormous problems for the future of the game. I really don’t know where it will all end.

I mentioned in my Column last month that there are professionals around the world who can drive the ball well over 400 yards. We’ll soon be seeing big, strong golf Tour athletes regularly hitting it 400 yards plus. It wasn’t that long ago when we thought that 300 yards would be beyond the reach of even the most powerful of the Tour players. Nowadays, it’s commonplace for the big-hitters to get it over 300 yards.

Hitting the ball those distances is not compatible with the golf courses around the world that stage the big events. They weren’t designed to accommodate 300 yards-plus tee shots and 250 yard iron

Nicolas Colsaerts (above) is leading the driving distance stats on the US PGA Tour with an average of 308 yards. That average takes into consideration every drive he hits and Nicolas sometimes uses a three wood or an iron instead of a driver!

shots. We’ll soon see Tour players built like LeBron James treating the first hole on the Old Course at St Andrews in The Open like a par-3 and carrying the green.

The other downside of the new technology is that some players will be leaving the driver in the bag for fear of hitting the ball too far. So the spectators will be denied the pleasure of seeing some of the big-hitters booming the ball off the tee. Tiger Woods has played tournaments in the last few seasons where he didn’t once use his driver throughout the four days of a Tour event.

I’ve said it for many years now but it’s getting to the point where it’s almost too late for the governing bodies to act to limit the distances the ball will travel.

Many great golf courses that host Tour events have had to take the tee boxes backwards to create extra length and reposition bunkers to make them a threat but there’s only so far they can go without changing the whole character of the course completely.

At the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral Nicolas Colsaerts cut the corner off the dogleg left 362 yards par-4 16th hole with a tee shot that carried 346 yards, bounced once and ended up at the back of the green. Bubba Watson and Sergio Garcia also took the same direct route and carried their tee shots 324 yards.

The bunkers positioned to catch the conventional drive were totally redundant.

Where will it all end?

The R&A and the USGA have come out against the long-handled anchored putter, perhaps they will also take steps to prevent the ball travelling any further than it already does. Q

CONTENTS MY MASTERS SHOUT IS SCOTT THE first Major of 2013 is just around the corner and it’s the big one that always gets everyone talking. Each year pundits pore over the form guide, analysing past performances and statistics to justify their picks. But the great thing with this game is – anything can happen, particularly at the Masters.

Tiger Woods, back on top of the World Ranking, will no doubt start as favourite and after winning three tournaments in the last two months – and six times in 19 starts – it’s hard to argue with the logic in that. He’s regained his distance control and his razor sharp short game finally looks to be back as well. In wrapping up his 17th WGC and his seventh Cadillac Championship victory Woods took just 100 putts over the four rounds – that’s fewer than at any other event in his career. The return of his distance control with his irons has seen him bag more birdies this season but he’s still not killing off tournaments as ruthlessly as the Tiger of old. He stumbled over the line with two bogeys in the last three holes in the Cadillac and Ricky Fowler’s late collapse at Bay Hill made that win much easier than it might have been.

One thing’s for sure, if he’s leading after three rounds at Augusta you’d be mad not to back him – he’s converted an astonishing 53 third round leads and 21 of his last 22!

One player who was looking good at Bay Hill was runner-up Justin Rose and it was the Englishman’s swing that influenced Tiger to work with Justin’s coach Sean Foley. Rose maintains such consistent angles in his swing that even his bad shots are respectable. That’s why he’s always going to be knocking on the door come Sunday and if he can close out those short putts I think he’ll be the highest placed European at the Masters.

Rory will be many people’s favourite and you can’t beat battling it out with the world’s best over the weekend to prepare you for the first Major of the year. His final round 65 at Doral showed his confidence with his new Nike clubs is there and he looked far more comfortable than at any point this year. But he should have played a few more competitive rounds before Augusta to build on that momentum.

I’ve not gone with Tiger, Rory or Justin at Augusta, even though they’ll be up there. I’m going with Adam Scott. Let’s put what happened at The Open last year aside and look at his form going into the Masters. He’s leading the par- 5 scoring averages on the US PGA Tour and that’s the key to getting fitted with the Green Jacket. The one thing that could upset my pick is for one of the many fearless rookie PGA Tour players to rock up and take the spoils – wondering what all the fuss was about.

Alex Gallemore Editor

FEATURES

30 MAJOR MOVER

Q Lee Westwood speaks exclusively to Worldwide Golf about the US move he hopes will seal his Major dream.

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MASTERS PREVIEW Q A look ahead to Augusta as we run the rule over the likely candidates for the Green Jacket.

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TRAVIS WILSON Q The veteran caddie talks about life on the bag of the new Women’s World No.1.

ISSUE No. 147, APRIL, 2013 Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd +44 1663 719926 Published in Dubai by: Prografix, PO Box 24677, Dubai, UAE (Tel) +9714 340 3785

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

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THE STARTER

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COMPETITION

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/ZMO 6WZUIV /IZa 8TIaMZ IVL 8M\M +W_MV air their views on the state of the game.

Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore Executive Editor: Gary Player Editor: Alex Gallemore Publisher: Mike Gallemore Senior Editor: Richard Bevan

Worldwide Golf readers test the latest fairway-busting drivers.

Editors: Todd Staszko, James Reeves, Tabitha Florence Playing Editor: Joel Neale Design Manager: Joanna Eardley Technical Manager: Mark Collinge

Advertising & Marketing Director: Rasha Siriani rasha@wspdubai.com

Joel Neale catches up with UAE Junior Team coach Jason Froggatt and team member Ahmed Skaik.

STYLE

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0WTTa_WWL )Ě&#x2030;TQ[\MZ *QTT 5]ZZIa \PM 5K4IZMV 58 Ě&#x2030; + IVL 48/) [\IZ 5WZOIV 8ZM[[MT IZM all under the spotlight.

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

Editorial Panel: Gary Player, Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Todd Staszko www.wwgolf.biz

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THE STARTER

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VIEW FROM THE FIRST TEE 1ST AUGUSTA NATIONAL (TEA OLIVE) PAR 4 – 445 YARDS

FEW of us who love the game of golf will ever get the chance to too see this spine-tingling view in the flesh – the one that greets players as they stand on the first tee at Augusta National.

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t’s the starting point from which the greatest golfers in the history of the game have plotted their way towards the famous Green Jacket to cement their legacy forever. From Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson and Sam Snead to Arnold Palmer (pictured), Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson through to Seve, Langer, Faldo and then Woods… the biggest names in the game have won the Masters and that’s why when players tee it up at Tea Olive, the heart skips that little bit faster.

Unlike the other Majors which rotate venues, the familiarity of Augusta – the sights, smells and sounds – breeds an even greater sense of excitement as players set out to follow in these hallowed footsteps for one of greatest prizes in golf. It’s the first Major of the season and it’s when things start getting really serious, so settling the nerves is paramount as players look for a good tee shot down this long par 4. An elevated tee, next to the famous Oak Tree at the back of the clubhouse, plays to a fairly narrow fairway with a slight dogleg right.

There’s a big nasty fairway bunker to the right that needs to be avoided but the big bombers can carry this with a drive of 320 yards. The second shot is brutal, playing onto a very tricky elevated, multi-tiered green, with another huge bunker front left waiting to swallow up any wayward approaches. It’s really tough to get the ball close to the pin and par is a great score for players to open their Masters challenge.

1932

The Augusta National course was designed by famous architect Alister Mackenzie in collaboration with the legendary Bobby Jones (pictured in action above) who would hit shots from different spots to help Mackenzie (pictured right of Jones) calibrate the layout.

THE Golf Club formally opened in January 1933 whereupon Jones and co-founder Clifford Roberts immediately started talking about hosting an event in order to promote membership and improve Augusta National’s financial stability. The first ‘Augusta National Invitation Tournament’ was held in March 1934. Sadly, Mackenzie never got to witness it having passed away two months earlier. Prior to the second staging of the event the following year the decision was made to switch the nines, with the original front nine becoming what is now the back nine and vice versa. The tournament officially became known as ‘the Masters’ in 1939 with the name having been used unofficially for several years. www.wwgolf.biz

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THE STARTER

Top 10 Masters Moments

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Jack Nicklaus was written off as a spent force when he arrived at Augusta for the 1986 Masters aged 46. It was six years since he’d won his 17th Major at the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club and two years since his last Tour victory of any description. Asked if he thought Nicklaus could win the Masters that year, Tom Kite, one of the stars of the day, said, ‘I don’t think he can win any tournament.’

Opening rounds of 74 and 71 seemed to confirm that theory but the Golden Bear showed his enduring class with a third round 69 to move to within four strokes of leaders Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros before a scintillating final round of 65, which included a back nine of 30 saw him edge Kite and Norman by one. The image of Jack raising his putter to the air as his decisive 18-foot birdie putt on 17 drops is, in our opinion, the standout Masters moment in the history of the event.

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In 1997 a 21-year-old named Tiger Woods signalled his arrival on the world stage in astonishing fashion, winning his first Major by a whopping 12 shots and setting records for the youngest winner, biggest winning margin and lowest aggregate score (270). Golf would never be the same again.

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In 1978 Gary Player was 42 and seven shots behind Hubert Green going into the final round. His last Major victory, the eighth of his career had come four years earlier at The Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes and his final Grand Slam triumph was to prove the most unlikely and spectacular of them all. Playing alongside a 21-year-old Seve Ballesteros The Black Knight shot an outrageous back nine of 30 and birdied seven of the last 10 holes, including a 15-footer at the last, to win by one.

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In 1980 Seve Ballesteros became the first European and at 23 years and four days old, the youngest ever winner of the Masters (Tiger Woods later broke the record in 1997) when he claimed the first of two Green Jackets by four strokes from Gibby Gilbert and Jack Newton.

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Tiger Woods was leading by one in 2005 when he pitched his second shot on the par 3 16th well above the hole before golf fans around the world watched the ball trickle slowly down towards the hole and then teeter for an eternity on the edge of the cup before dropping in. He bogeyed the next two holes and fell into a play-off with Chris DiMarco, which he won to collect his fourth Green Jacket.

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Phil Mickelson finally shed his ‘nearly man’ tag in 2004 when, in his 13th year on the US PGA Tour, he claimed his first Major in his 12th appearance at the M asters.

After a storming back nine of 31 he became only the fourth player in Masters history to win the title with the final putt when he sank an 18-footer on the 72nd hole to edge out Ernie Els by one.

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The most famous shot ever made at the Masters happened in 1935 when Gene Sarazen holed a four-wood approach from 235 yards out for an albatross on the par-five 15th hole.

Greg Norman, six shots clear of the field after the third round, is left heartbroken after a final round meltdown sees him close with a 78 as the ultra-consistent Sir Nick Faldo shoots 67 to win by five shots in 1996.

Sandy Lyle in 1988 played one of the most iconic shots in Masters history when he struck a perfect seven iron out of a fairway bunker on the 18th which landed just a few feet from the pin to set up a winning birdie for a one stroke win over Mark Calcavecchia.

In 1942 Byron Nelson triumphed in an 18-hole play-off considered one of the best of all time, beating Ben Hogan 69-70.

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THE STARTER

SANDY’S SUBLIME MOMENT IN THE SAND The Scotsman recounts the unforgettable shot that won him the second of his two Majors at the 1988 Masters.

“I was just trying to hold it together. I’d had a bit of a letdown at the 11th and 12th holes, losing the lead to Mark Calcavecchia, and then failed to make birdies on both of the back nine’s par 5s, the 13th and 15th, when I’d had good chances but didn’t convert them.

I was getting a little desperate by then. I thought, ‘Well that’s it, you’ve had your chance at 13 and 15 and you’ve not taken it.’ With the 16th, 17th and 18th coming up I thought if I could finish them in par I’d be doing quite nicely but little did I know I’d make a good putt on 16 from behind the hole for birdie and then the one on 18 that everyone remembers.”

– Sandy Lyle

Lyle is in the fairway bunker off the tee on 18 “Seven iron was the chosen weapon which was going to land probably past the pin, which it did, remarkably well. It landed past the pin by about six or seven yards and stayed on the bank there for what seemed like minutes.

I was waiting for some sort of reaction from the crowd but nothing was happening and I thought, ‘Well it’s probably gone big at the back of the green somewhere.’ But then the crowd got more and more excited so I thought, ‘Well this is looking really good now.’ I imagined that the ball had run up cozy to about a foot from the hole and I could just walk up to the green, pull the pin out, tap it in and keep moving! But that wasn’t the case – I still had a fairly long putt to make but luckily I managed to knock it in.”

– Sandy Lyle

1940 APRIL MASTERS

THIS MONTH IN HISTORY The Masters is played in April for the first time in 1940. Having been inaugurated by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts six years earlier the tournament is initially played in March but moves to the first week in April in 1940 as Jimmy Demaret beats Lloyd Mangrum by four strokes.

Bobby Jones (right) with Jimmy Demaret at the 1940 Masters presentation. www.wwgolf.biz

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OFFICIAL 2013 RACE TO DUBAI THE 2013 RACE TO DUBAI RANKING  AS AT MARCH 25, 2013 Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

Name

Nationality

Richard STERNE Charl SCHWARTZEL Sergio GARCIA Scott JAMIESON Graeme MCDOWELL Louis OOSTHUIZEN Jamie DONALDSON Kiradech APHIBARNRAT Thorbjørn OLESEN Ian POULTER Thomas AIKEN Chris WOOD Stephen GALLACHER Darren FICHARDT Justin ROSE George COETZEE Branden GRACE Alexander NOREN Ricardo SANTOS Steve WEBSTER Padraig HARRINGTON Thongchai JAIDEE Peter HANSON Gonzalo FDEZ-CASTAÑO Martin KAYMER Dawie VAN DER WALT Matteo MANASSERO Rafa CABRERA-BELLO Edoardo MOLINARI Marcus FRASER Garth MULROY Nicolas COLSAERTS David HOWELL Grégory BOURDY Felipe AGUILAR Gaganjeet BHULLAR Kristoffer BROBERG Andy SULLIVAN Danny WILLETT Anders HANSEN Tim CLARK Lee WESTWOOD Victor DUBUISSON Rory McILROY Shane LOWRY Wen-chong LIANG Marcel SIEM Tommy FLEETWOOD Paul LAWRIE Julien QUESNE

RSA RSA ESP SCO NIR RSA WAL THA DEN ENG RSA ENG SCO RSA ENG RSA RSA SWE POR ENG IRL THA SWE ESP GER RSA ITA ESP ITA AUS RSA BEL ENG FRA CHI IND SWE ENG ENG DEN RSA ENG FRA NIR IRL CHN GER ENG SCO FRA

No. of events 6 5 4 8 2 5 5 2 6 2 9 6 6 9 4 7 8 6 8 8 5 7 4 5 4 1 7 7 6 6 8 3 8 9 6 3 8 9 6 5 3 3 5 3 4 3 6 8 5 7

Prizemoney

Pos

€607,803 €593,015 €572,344 €525,497 €521,517 €489,645 €455,067 €440,410 €433,918 €428,521 €410,919 €409,664 €409,388 €407,044 €394,999 €371,037 €311,363 €310,212 €284,050 €272,028 €269,954 €263,708 €248,638 €245,203 €242,091 €237,750 €236,691 €233,939 €233,604 €224,566 €223,467 €223,012 €221,828 €213,695 €206,693 €200,000 €197,979 €195,216 €179,424 €176,777 €172,208 €166,002 €165,307 €158,580 €152,362 €147,096 €146,936 €146,410 €145,294 €143,790

51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

Name Ernie ELS Jaco VAN ZYL Francesco MOLINARI Henrik STENSON Jbe KRUGER Lorenzo GAGLI Jeev Milkha SINGH Luke DONALD David DRYSDALE Keith HORNE Carl PETTERSSON Maximilian KIEFFER Peter LAWRIE Björn ÅKESSON Pablo LARRAZÁBAL Joost LUITEN Richie RAMSAY David HORSEY Robert ROCK Peter UIHLEIN Thomas BJÖRN Mark FOSTER Seuk-hyun BAEK Bernd WIESBERGER David LYNN Justin WALTERS Paul CASEY Adilson DA SILVA Morten Ørum MADSEN Eduardo DE LA RIVA Lee SLATTERY Simon KHAN Jorge CAMPILLO Anthony WALL Prom MEESAWAT Mikko ILONEN Raphaël JACQUELIN Gary LOCKERBIE Tjaart VAN DER WALT Peter WHITEFORD James KINGSTON Emiliano GRILLO Ricardo GONZALEZ Ignacio GARRIDO Magnus A CARLSSON Trevor FISHER JNR Scott HEND Marc WARREN Robert-Jan DERKSEN Matthew NIXON

Nationality

No. of events

Prizemoney

RSA RSA ITA SWE RSA ITA IND ENG SCO RSA SWE GER IRL SWE ESP NED SCO ENG ENG USA DEN ENG KOR AUT ENG RSA ENG BRA DEN ESP ENG ENG ESP ENG THA FIN FRA ENG RSA SCO RSA ARG ARG ESP SWE RSA AUS SCO NED ENG

5 7 4 5 9 9 7 3 1 8 2 8 8 6 8 6 4 8 7 4 5 6 2 6 2 7 4 6 5 5 7 5 10 3 5 5 5 7 5 9 5 9 6 9 5 5 2 8 6 6

€140,820 €138,842 €136,515 €127,822 €126,309 €118,379 €117,463 €117,297 €115,972 €113,815 €112,739 €112,538 €110,191 €102,392 €102,253 €100,129 €99,338 €97,271 €96,069 €93,204 €92,253 €90,274 €88,304 €88,167 €83,181 €82,226 €79,496 €77,094 €75,368 €73,939 €72,487 €71,942 €71,335 €70,888 €67,901 €65,832 €65,607 €63,980 €62,070 €61,161 €57,621 €56,840 €55,740 €55,465 €55,365 €55,235 €54,000 €53,955 €52,858 €50,845

E X P L A N AT I O N O F T H E E U R O P E A N T O U R R A C E T O D U B A I 2 0 1 3 The Race to Dubai is a season-long competition spanning a minimum of 45 tournaments in 24 countries and all five continents on The 2013 European Tour International Schedule. The Race to Dubai winner receives The Harry Vardon Trophy (first awarded in 1937), and a seven year European Tour Card exemption. The winner of The Race to Dubai will secure Category 1 Membership of The European Tour similar to the winners of The Open Championship, the US Open, the US PGA Championship and the Masters Tournament. The Bonus Pool will count as Official Money on the final Race to Dubai standings.

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GARY PLAYER I

with Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Charl Schwartzel, the ’M really looking forward to the Masters in a 2011 Masters winner, 2008 Masters winner Trevor couple of weeks’ time. This must be one of the Immelman, Richard Sterne, Brandon Grace and most intriguing Masters for many years and it’s George Coetzee all in contention. almost impossible to predict the winner. Mind you I would never venture to say who I thought would win the Masters.

Apart from the fact that there are a host of players R&A and USGA STAND STRONG who have the ability to win the title, there is also ‘The I’M proud of the R&A and the USGA for sticking to Masters Factor’ that has to be taken into account. their guns with their proposed prohibition of longThere’s something magical about the Masters. It’s a handled anchored putters – and I’m equally proud of tournament like no other. It has a special atmosphere The European Tour for backing them. that is quite unique. Players seem to raise their game The R&A and the USGA are responsible for when they get to Augusta, which means that their formulating and administering the Rules of Golf form in the weeks before the tournament is no guide and their role in the game should be respected by whatsoever. everyone involved.

It’s hard to define why the ambience is so different I’m shocked at the response of the US PGA Tour and but it certainly has an amazing effect on the players. some of their members who believe that it should They seem to rise to the occasion. When the bell rings be up to the individual player to decide what putter at Augusta you come out fighting. he uses and not the Rules of the governing bodies of Standing on the first tee at Augusta on Day One golf. you suddenly feel your spirits lift. I remember playing Whichever way you want to look at it, the fact in the 1978 Masters. Prior to Augusta I’d been playing Tom Watson, the 1977 Masters champion, pictured is the same – using an anchored putter takes the at Greensboro and one of the newspapers carried an with Gary Player at the 1978 Masters presentation, wrist action and the nerves out of the game and after helping Gary on with the Green Jacket. article headlined: ‘Gary Player is a Fading Star.’ diminishes the necessity of mind control. It’s a Watson, Green and Funseth shared second place.

My form had not been particularly good on the tragedy that some of the players cannot accept the run-up to the first Major of the season but the moment the bell rang and importance the mind plays in golf.

I hit my first shot I came out fighting. I managed to beat Hubert Green, I’ve seen all sorts of statistics about whether players using longTom Watson and Rod Funseth by a single shot. It was my third Masters handled anchored putters hole more putts than they did by using a title which came 17 years after my first Green Jacket. I don’t know what conventional putter. What is fundamentally wrong is that the anchored that newspaper’s interpretation of a ‘Fading Star’ was but this so-called long stick is the biggest helper there is to those players who don’t have ‘fading star’ was shining bright, I set them alight, and I could tell them I the nerve and mind control to putt consistently. was quite right – Mohammed Ali couldn’t have put it any better.

Jack (Nicklaus) was a perfect example of a sportsman able to up his game when it mattered most. He was a superstar who had that special CAN I SHOOT 20 BELOW MY AGE IN SWITZERLAND ingredient. He could hit the ball all over the place on the driving range I’M looking forward to playing the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open in before a big tournament and then go and shoot the lights out when the Switzerland in July on the European Senior Tour. I’m aiming on shooting real action started. I often saw him do that. You can’t define what it is that below my age by 20 and beating the 15 I achieved last year. I guess it’s gives a player that special ‘IT’ but Jack had ‘IT.’ true that the older I get, the easier it becomes. Golf Club Bad Ragaz is in a When I won the second of my three Open Championships, at spectacular setting in the Swiss Alps and it will be good to meet up with Carnoustie in 1968, I was missing something in my game. The night so many good friends on the Senior Tour. before the tournament I was out on the driving range until ten in the I appreciate that tournament sponsorship is tight for all the tours these evening hitting balls when suddenly something clicked and I was back in days but I don’t think that prospective sponsors of the Senior Tours are control. fully aware of the enormous benefits they receive by supporting a Senior When the bell went the next day at the start of the first round I came event. out fighting, determined to win another Open and another Major – and I The standard of play is almost as high as the regular tours and Senior beat my good friends Jack Nicklaus and Bob Charles by two shots. That’s Tour players are much more amenable than players on the regular Tours all down to the ‘IT’ factor. and they certainly know how to look after the sponsors. The Senior At this month’s Masters, obviously, I’d love to see last year’s winner players are happy to play in the Pro-Ams and have a laugh and a joke Bubba Watson helping one of the South Africans put on the Green Jacket with the sponsors, help them with their game and generally create an on April 14. It would be ironic if the winner is Louis Oosthuizen, who enjoyable, memorable atmosphere for them. lost to Bubba on the second extra hole of a sudden-death play-off at They’ll have breakfast and dinner with them and make the whole last year’s tournament with Watson’s amazing ‘banana’ rescue shot onto experience a special occasion. If I wanted to look after my customers and the green. We’ve got a strong contingent of South Africans competing clients I’d certainly choose to sponsor a Senior event.

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South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel led the way by winning the Masters in 2011 and the number of world class players in the field this year has never been stronger.

At this month’s Masters, obviously, I’d love to see last year’s winner Bubba Watson helping one of the South Africans put on the Green Jacket on April 14. It would be ironic if the winner is Louis Oosthuizen, who lost to Bubba on the second extra hole of a sudden-death play-off at last year’s tournament with that amazing ‘banana’ rescue shot onto the green.

HELPING HAND BACK HOME

VOLVO SHOWCASE ONE OF MY GREATEST DESIGNS

IT’S an exciting time for me at home on the farm in South Africa at the moment. The horses are doing well and there are a lot of new developments going on. I had a wonderful experience last month when a young man came to see me on his way back home from playing in a tournament at Fancourt.

He was distraught with his game, having shot a final round 78. He spent the entire day with me. I helped him with his game and I changed his golf swing and his attitude. He played in a tournament the following week and he earned 1.2million rand in prizemoney. He couldn’t have been more pleased. He rang me to tell me what had happened and his father also rang me to thank me for what I had done to help. I got a real kick out of that.

THRACIAN CLIFFS Golf and Beach Resort at Kavarna, Bulgaria, will be an excellent venue for this year’s Volvo World Match Play Championship on May 16-19.

I have a soft spot for the World Match Play, having won the Championship five times in the 1960s and ‘70s when it was played at the Wentworth Club in Surrey – my home from home in England. That set the record until Ernie Els went on to win it seven times.

Thracian Cliffs is one of the finest golf courses I have designed. It’s in a magnificent, spectacular setting overlooking the Black Sea and an event as prestigious as the Volvo World Match Play Championship will certainly put the Resort on the world golf map. Q

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GREG NORMAN L

AST month, I had the pleasure of travelling to China to announce my role as the Advisory Coach for the China Golf Association as part of their bid to have China represented at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

In many ways, the invitation for me to play this role is the culmination of my 35 year career in golf. Not only am I able to draw from my experiences as a Touring Professional, but also my experience in junior development.

My golf foundation in Australia dates back to the late 1980s and my more recent development of the Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy here in the United States has given me a great deal of experience.

Like many things, the gestation period on this partnership has taken some time, but the conversations with Minister Xaio Tian and Zhang Xiaoning of the China Golf Association really started to take shape last September when I met with them to discuss China’s National Golf Team and their current development programme.

As we all know, China is fully committed to the Olympic movement and their commitment to golf is equally impressive.

In a relatively short period of time, they’ve made great strides, but in my initial meetings, we both identified some areas for improvement, in particular with hands-on, practical Tournament experience. As part

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of my role, I’ll be evaluating and improving upon their programmes and dropping in several instructors from the United States and Australia. I’ve been given the latitude to make some meaningful contributions, which I look forward to.

Not many people fully understand the criteria for Olympic qualification. In fact, the International Olympic Committee will be voting on the final criteria towards the end of this year. But, in essence, it’s an individual competition, over 72 holes, with qualifiers coming off the World Ranking.

The field size for both the men’s and women’s competition will be 60, starting with the top 15 players in the world, with no more than two or three from any one country.

While this qualifying system is being finetuned, I think it does a good job of featuring the best players in the world, together with geographic diversity. At present, China is on the bubble with one qualifier for the men’s competition. Interestingly enough, China has

greater depth for the women’s competition.

Over the next year or two I’ll be working with the China National Team on a broadbased programme, but as the Olympic criteria becomes better defined and we see what players show the greatest potential for qualifying through the World Ranking, I will then shift gears to work more closely with the players who have the best chance of qualifying.

Of course, all of this is a strong endorsement for China as an emerging golf market. As I’ve said, the East may well take over the West, which we’ve already witnessed in recent years on the LPGA Tour. As an industry, it’s important that we nurture emerging markets for our sport and I’m one of many who see this as a wonderful opportunity to grow the game of golf. I’m honoured to have been given this opportunity to play a small role in the creation of what I’m sure will be a very sustainable and vibrant golf market.

Not many people fully understand the criteria for Olympic qualification.

In fact, the International Olympic Committee will be voting on the final criteria towards the end of this year. But, in essence, it’s an individual competition, over 72 holes, with qualifiers coming off the World Ranking.

It’s hard to believe that Tiger last put on the Green Jacket in 2005.

But his form leading into the Masters shows he’s focused on getting his hands on another.

2004 Masters champion Phil Mickelson helps Tiger on with his fourth Green Jacket in 2005.

Given Tiger’s victory there (Doral), and his victory earlier this year at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, you would have to count him as an early favourite to win The Masters. I also like Phil Mickelson and Brandt Snedeker’s chances as they both have incredible short games and have both shown good form this year.

AS the second week in April fast approaches, I can’t wait for the first Major of the year. I’m heading to Augusta where I will be working with some of my corporate partners for a few days and I look forward to spending some time there.

This year has already produced some great winners on the US PGA Tour, including Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson and Brandt Snedeker. So far, every event on the US PGA Tour up through the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship at Doral has been won by an American.

Given Tiger’s victory there, and his win earlier this year at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, you would have to count him as an early favourite to win the Masters. I also like Phil Mickelson and Brandt Snedeker’s chances as they both have incredible short games and they have both shown good form so far this year.

If Rory can carry the momentum of his final round 65 at Doral through to his next start at the Houston Open and he plays well

there, then he jumps right back into the picture and we may see our first non-American winner on the US PGA Tour this year. While Rory hasn’t quite gotten off to the start he would like, his closing round in the WGC-Cadillac Championship indicates to me that his game might be peaking at just the right time. And as we all know, that is the key to winning Majors.

My two dark horses to win would be Adam Scott and Charl Schwartzel. Adam came so close last year at The Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes and I firmly believe that he is ready to take the next step and win his first Major. I believe it’s just a matter of time.

Charl has been playing much better recently and he has proven that he can win at Augusta so he has a level of comfort there. As I have said before, the Masters is special, it’s just pure golf. There are no corporate tents. It’s not a commercial event and the golf course is hallowed ground. As usual, it should shape up to be a very exciting tournament. Q

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PETE COWEN A lot of people ask me why certain smaller guys can hit the ball further than some bigger, more muscular players. Rory McIlroy can hit the ball a long way but he’s only 11 stone or more wet through and around 5 ft 9 inches tall. It depends entirely how a player uses his muscle mass. A muscle can be very quick for a little guy and not as quick for a bigger player.

W

ITH almost all my players now playing in the States I’m having to spend more and more time over there working with them. Sadly, there aren’t enough big tournaments in Europe at the moment to entice the players to come over here to play. Yet if I were a player I’d be playing on The European Tour because it’s a lot easier to get into the top 50 in the World Ranking by playing The European Tour than playing the US PGA Tour.

The other downside for the Europeans is that because the Americans have played on the US PGA Tour year in, year out, they know the golf courses like the back of their hand. That gives them a big advantage over our boys. Our guys haven’t learned their way round many of the courses and it might take them a couple of years or so before they get to know the courses well enough to be able to compete on equal terms with the Americans.

The competition on the US PGA Tour is fierce.

They’ve got so many good players coming to the fore that it’s tougher than ever for our boys to win in the States. Like it or not, the US PGA Tour has got prominence over The European Tour right now.

I fully appreciate why the big name European players have moved to the States. It’s where all the action is. I’d do the same as my players have done and move to America but my wife wouldn’t hear of it. I was offered a good position over in the States many years ago but the family wouldn’t move. That was the end of it. I know when I can win but I wasn’t going to win that argument.

I’ve been working with GMAC and he played really well at Doral but his putting let him down.

He told me he’d have won it if his putting had been better. He missed out on the money and the World Ranking points. That double bogey six at the last was very costly for him, although he did the right thing

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in going for birdie, which would have given him a share of second place with Steve Stricker. There’s more to be gained by going for birdie than by settling for bogey. In the end he had to take a tie for third place and a big drop in money and Ranking points.

A lot of people ask me why certain smaller guys can hit the ball further than some bigger, more muscular players. Obviously, a lot of players are hitting the ball further than ever before but not all of them can work it as well as they should.

Rory McIlroy can hit the ball a long way but he’s only around 11 stone or more wet through and about 5 ft 9 inches tall. It depends entirely how a player uses his muscle mass. A muscle can be very quick for a little guy and not as quick for a bigger player.

It’s a bit like a boxer. It’s not the fact that he can punch harder because he’s got huge muscle mass it’s because his muscles can move faster, delivering more power. It’s the same with golfers.

They can hit the ball further simply because their muscles can move quicker and the speed gets greater and greater. It’s all to do with the physiology. The speed of the muscle mass is what matters, not the muscle mass itself.

THE MASTERS I’ve always believed that the secret of a player’s success at the Masters is to play to your strengths. You don’t have to be a big hitter and turn all the par-5s into par-4s to succeed. When Mike Weir won the Masters in 2003 he laid up on all the par-5s and wherever he thought it necessary.

He put his trust in his wedge play.

You’ve got to understand exactly what your strengths are and play to them to do well at Augusta National. If you can do that you’ve got a chance of being in contention.

If you hit it well and putt well then you’ll do all right. Great chippers always seem to succeed at Augusta. If you look back at the Masters winners over the past 30 years or so you won’t find one who’s not a good chipper - they’re all good chippers.

I’ve been working with GMAC and he played really well at Doral but his putting let him down. He told me he’d have won it if his putting had been better. He missed out on the money and the World Ranking points. That double bogey six at the last was very costly for him, although he did the right thing in going for birdie, which would have given him a share of second place with Steve Stricker. There’s more to be gained by going for birdie than by settling for bogey.

As far as who is going to win this month’s Masters, Rory McIlroy won’t be far away. You’ve got to remember, he’s only played a handful of tournaments so far this season and it takes playing competitive golf to get you tournament sharp.

In Rory’s case he’s also got to get confident with his new equipment. It can take a while. Some players get a result straight away, others take a little longer. If you don’t get confident with your new clubs immediately the Press are always going to say you’re not playing well because you’ve got a problem with your equipment change. It’s not the equipment that’s the problem, it’s getting the confidence of using it. If Rory can shoot 65 round Doral, as he did in the final round, then he knows there really can’t be much wrong with getting used to his new equipment.

After my players, one guy I’d like to see win the Masters is Adam Scott. He deserves it. He was runner-up with fellow Australian Jason Day behind Charl Schwartzel in the 2011 Masters. He’s leading the par5 stats on the US PGA Tour and I think he’s got a really good chance this time. Geoff Ogilvie is another Aussie who is showing some good form and could be an outside chance.

Charl is playing well, too, but I expect the favourite has to be Tiger Woods, along with Steve Stricker, who is limiting the number of tournaments he plays.

I had four players in the top 12 at last year’s Masters – Louis Oosthuizen, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood – and they’ve all got a good chance of winning, although Lee is no longer one of my boys. Louis is good enough to win any

tournament. But right now he’s got a lot on his plate. He and his wife have got two youngsters and another child is on the way. He’s decided to spend more time in the United States and they’ve just moved into a house in West Palm Beach. It’s difficult when you’ve got so much going on off the course to keep your focus on the course.

Apart from the big names it could be a lesser known US PGA Tour player who walks away in the Green Jacket. There are so many upand-coming players who are making their mark. They’re fearless and they won’t be frightened by the aura of Augusta. Don’t be surprised if you’ve never even heard of this year’s Masters winner.

One of the least desirable aspects of our game is that so many guys follow the money. Sometimes they can’t see the bigger picture. They tend to go where the money takes them.

If a player I’m coaching tells me he’s just in it for the money that’s one thing. If a player tells me they want to be the best in the world that’s something else. Some players just can’t resist the opportunity to go for big money tournaments instead of thinking of the progression and improvement of their career. Certainly, their management companies are not going to persuade their players to turn it down.

Management companies take 20 per cent of their players’ earnings so, obviously, they’re going to encourage them to go where the money is. But money isn’t everything in this game. If a player is able to concentrate on becoming a better player long-term then he’s more likely to succeed than a player who can only see the short-term financial gains. Overall, it’s the player who wants to be the best who usually ends up winning the most money anyway. Q

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Major change

Exclusive

LEE WESTWOOD talks exclusively to Richard Bevan about his move to the United States which he hopes will pay dividends in his search for that long overdue Major title starting with this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Masters Tournament.

AS a down to earth no-nonsense Englishman Lee Westwood isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t someone youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d traditionally associate with change.

He knows what he likes and he likes what he knows. If it ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t broke, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fix it. You get the pictureâ&#x20AC;Ś FOR practically his entire professional career Lee has been guided by the larger than life Chubby Chandler and his International Sports Management company. The responsibility of honing his much-admired swing had long been the task of Pete Cowen. While increasingly outrageous sums of money dangled in front of them many of his peers have jumped ship from one equipment manufacturer to another, but Westy has steadfastly stayed loyal to Ping since day one.

Such consistency has served him well as 37 international tournament victories, two European money list titles, eight Ryder Cup appearances and a six month stint as World No.1 bear testament to his long-term success.

Sure, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had his dark periods. After ending Colin Montgomerieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seven-year reign at the top of the European Tour Order of Merit in 2000, Westwood suďŹ&#x20AC;ered a two-year slump of epic proportions, dropping outside the top 200 in the World Rankings. Then, after a mini-revival, there was another dip in 2004

and 2006, before he turned it around again and rose to win the inaugural Race to Dubai and DP World Tour Championship in 2009, before knocking Tiger Woods oďŹ&#x20AC; the top of the World Ranking the following year. But whenever times have been tough, rather than making dramatic changes, Westwood has taken solace from the familiarity of those everpresents in his career. Whether it be words of comfort and encouragement from Chubby, back to swing basics with Pete or the support of his family and friends in Worksop, Lee has gained strength from having this same solid, dependable and trusted team of people around him.

So it came as something of a surprise to many in the game when the 39-year-old opted to up sticks and move with wife Laurae and kids Sam and Poppy, to Palm Beach in Florida. Despite achieving more than most golfers of his generation Westwood is yet to claim the Major his talent so richly deserves.

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had several near misses and the next ďŹ ve years are crucial for a player very much into his prime. So the move is geared towards putting that right. He ďŹ nished runner-up in the Masters two years ago and with the beneďŹ t of a full winter practicing in the sun at Old Palm Beach Golf Club under his belt, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relishing a return to Augusta this month.

WWG: How are you enjoying living in the states and how has the move beneďŹ ted your game?

LW: To be honest, the entire family is loving it, particularly as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re guaranteed mostly excellent weather for pretty much the whole year. The thing Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve benefitted most from is being able to practice whenever I want and not to have to don eight layers of clothing before going out.

WWG: What prompted you to move after so long in the UK? LW: It was one of those things weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been thinking about for quite some time.

Eventually, it just seemed the right move at the right time for all of us so we made the commitment and we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t looked back since. I knew that it was the right move for my career and once I knew the family were on board with it, too, it was full steam ahead.

WWG: While the move will obviously beneďŹ t you on American courses is there a danger of it hampering you on European and links courses?

LW: I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think so. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve played on European Tour courses all over the world long enough and often enough. As Seve

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Lee Westwood WWG: How does the Masters differ from the other US Majors and is it one you feel your game is suited to?

LW: I think my game suits most courses, but Augusta is unique. It’s such a special place and a much more undulating course than you normally find in America.

The greens are also very tricky, especially if you’re on the wrong side of the flag. It does test every aspect of your game.

WWG: Does the ‘best player never to have won a Major’ tag create extra pressure for you when you tee it up in a Major or is it something you pay no attention to?

LW: It’s something I don’t think too much about and I know there are plenty of contenders for that title anyway. There’s always pressure whatever the event so it’s important not to make too much of the ones that have a Major title to them. You just hope to have your best game with you and let the rest take care of itself.

WWG: Where does your win at the inaugural Dubai World Championship rate among your career achievements?

LW: It was a very special tournament and an extra special win given that it sealed everything on The Race to Dubai.

I have many happy memories of Dubai and that was probably the biggest.

Lee pictured with his wife, Laurae, and children Sam and Poppy during the Par 3 Contest prior to the 2011 Masters. once said: ‘A golfer has to be able to play on any course, eat at any table and sleep in any bed.’

although I’m a big Knicks fan, I like watching all the best players.

WWG: You’re a down to earth Englishman, how do you find the ‘super polite’ customer service in the US – do you like it or does it get on your nerves?

LW: I haven’t found anything that’s got on my nerves too much so far and the service in America is second to none.

There isn’t much in Palm Beach you can’t get.

WWG: How is your game feeling at the moment ahead of the Masters and are you confident? Have you been working on anything in particular?

LW: I’m relatively happy with the way I’m swinging so it’s just a case of keeping everything up to speed. The better weather has definitely helped my short game so hopefully everything will come together as we head for Augusta.

WWG: Ian Poulter has settled into the American way of life quite well as far as following local sports teams etc – have you and your kids done the same?

LW: I’ve followed a variety of American sport for many years and not just since I’ve moved to America. Basketball is probably my favourite US sport and

WWG: What is the key to success at the Masters and how do you prepare your game for that tournament?

LW: The key to Augusta is much the same as anywhere else – keep it in the fairway and find the greens and hope your short game is up to it because you definitely need a good short game at Augusta.

After a solid season in 1996 _PQKP aQMTL[ PQ[ ÅZ[\ -]ZWXMIV Tour title Westwood makes his Masters debut in 1997 and ÅVQ[PM[ I ZM[XMK\IJTM \QML \P

1997 Despite ending Colin Montgomerie’s seven-year reign at the top of the Order of Merit with six victories on The European Tour, Westy struggles at Augusta and misses the cut.

2000

WWG: Rory McIlroy’s move to Nike has attracted a great deal of attention lately, why have you stuck with Ping for so long when so many of the big name players have switched manufacturers?

LW: Ping have been very good to me throughout my career. I like their product and I’ve never seen any reason to switch.

Lee Westwood takes on the daunting challenge of the18th tee shot at Augusta National during the practice round at the Masters Tournament last year.

WWG: What advice can you give amateurs who are struggling for distance off the tee?

LW: Concentrate more on swinging smoothly than trying to knock the case off the ball and you’ll be surprised how much further you hit it.

WWG: What do you miss most about not living in the UK? LW: My parents, cricket and the Daily Mail crossword.

Misses the Masters after taking a break from the game following the birth of son Samuel Bevan.

2001 Having fallen down the World Ranking, eventually dropping outside the top 200, Westy is ineligible for the Masters.

2003

Posts his best result in the tournament by taking the runner-up spot, three shots behind winner Phil Mickelson.

2010

2010

Finishes two shots back from winner Bubba Watson and runner-up Louis Oosthuizen in a share of third place. www.wwgolf.biz

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THE MASTERS PREVIEW OH yes, it’s april and it’s Masters time again. There’s no bigger buzz in golf quite like this one. We all feel it – players and fans alike. Not just because it’s the first Major of the year and the time and place where the season really moves into top gear. Not just because the list of past winners is a Who’s Who of just about every bona fide legend ever to play this beautifully frustrating game we all love. Not just because the supertough qualifying criteria and relatively small field guarantee players of the highest calibre playing golf that is, at times, bewitching in its quality and creativity. But because the return of this great event to the same venue every year since its inception in 1934 means that golfers and golf fans alike have iconic images of the picture book setting that is Augusta National etched into their mind’s eye more vividly than those of any other course in the world. The perfectly manicured fairways and maze-like greens; tall Georgia pine trees and blooming azaleas; Magnolia Lane; the old plantation clubhouse; the Crow’s Nest; The Big Oak Tree; Rae’s Creek; Amen Corner; caddies in white boiler suits; The Big Three – Jack, Arnie and Player on the first tee…

Yes, this is more than just a Major. This is the Masters.

THE MASTERS PREVIEW

Who’d look good in green?

THE common notion is that in order to triumph on Augusta National’s 7,435 yards you have to be a big hitter and while there are some notable exceptions to that view – Larry Mize, Gary Player, Mark O’Meara, José Maria Olazábal, Mike Weir, Zach Johnson – it’s true that the vast majority of Masters Champions have been able to pack a hearty punch off the tee. But with ludicrously quick, tricky, multi-tiered greens and some devilish pin positions, a top notch short game is what really counts and while a longer drive will leave players a better chance of a birdie with a shorter iron onto the dance floor cute course management is also required if players are to get the better of this teasing risk and reward course. As Rory McIlroy found out in 2011 Augusta will eat you up if you push too hard at the wrong time.

TIGER WOODS

THERE’S no denying it – he’s got the smile back on his face, helped in no small part by a certain Olympic champion skier no doubt, and with victories on the sprawling layouts of Torrey Pines and Doral’s Blue Monster already under his belt this season the World No.2 is back in business and perfectly poised for an assault on his fifth Green Jacket and his first since 2005.

Q Pros: Woods is that rare breed who has great length off the tee and a sublime short game to go with it, which is why he’s won this tournament more than any other player in the modern era and is second, along with Arnold Palmer, only to the great Jack Nicklaus (six) in the all time victories list with four.

Q Cons: He’s not won a Major since 2008 and despite having memories from 14 previous Grand Slam wins to help him through, the pressure could derail the former World No.1 if things start getting tough.

RORY McILROY

His performance in the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral and in particular his scintillating closing round of 65 that fired him into the top 10 hinted that the first green shoots of recovery were starting to show in his game as he comes to terms with the pressure of being World No.1 and golf’s new super-power as well his multi-million dollar equipment switch.

Q Pros: Like Woods, his power and short game precision as well as his shot shaping are perfectly suited to Augusta and he showed in 2011, for 54 holes at least, that he has the eye to plot his way around the course perfectly.

Q Cons: Woeful start to the season – two missed cuts and a mid-tournament walk-off prior to Doral means the jury is still out on whether he’s comfortable with his game. The bright light of the spotlight could burn him especially with the spectre of his collapse two years ago lurking in the shadows.

JUSTIN ROSE

Rose is playing the best golf of his career right now and looks to have picked up where he left off last season, with some great results already under his belt on both The European Tour and US PGA Tour. He’s fully deserving of his World No.5 ranking having finally established himself as the world-class performer we all thought he’d become last year. He’s never missed a cut in the Masters and was eighth last year, with his best result a fifth place finish in 2007.

Q Pros: He’s got the ability to do well at Augusta and his performance at last year’s Ryder Cup proved he also now has the confidence and ‘big game’ temperament’ to withstand the pressure cooker.

Q Con: Not really been tested in the heat of the battle for a Major on Sunday and it remains to be seen if his putting will hold up.

LUKE DONALD

An unrivalled short game makes up for Donald’s lack of length at Augusta, as does his wonderful golfing brain, although he needs to be in the finest fettle as he’ll be playing longer irons into the lightening quick greens making it tougher to hold the ball on the dance floor. The lack of a Major on the former World No.1’s CV is as baffling to him as it is to everyone else but surely it’s just a matter of time before he puts that right?

Q Pros: He’s Mr. Calm under pressure and has the short game to contend with Augusta’s difficult greens.

Q Cons: Oddly enough, Donald hasn’t ever really contended on the final day of a Major and the Masters tournament can see even the coolest players wilt under the pressure. Also Luke’s lack of length off the tee could count against him if his short game isn’t 100 per cent accurate..

FIVE STAR QUALITY The four par-5s at Augusta are crucial to a player’s chances of donning the Green Jacket come Sunday. Bobby Jones and Alistair McKenzie designed the 575-yard second, the 570-yard eighth, the 510-yard 13th and the 530-yard 15th as classic risk-reward holes. The opportunity for birdie is there on all of them but if you push too hard, they can eat you up.

“Augusta National definitely has the best risk-reward of any set of par-5 holes,” said four-time winner Tiger Woods. “There’s no other group of par-5s where you can make a three or, just as easily, a seven.”

The ability to outsmart their opponents on these holes has proved a decisive feature of a startling number of Masters champions. In the 70 tournaments from which statistics are available the winner has led the par-5 scoring table on 18 occasions and been in the top five 27 times, including last year’s champion, Bubba Watson, who shared third place on the long holes with nine birdies over the four rounds. Only 10 times has the victor finished outside the top 15 on the par-5s.

BRANDT SNEDEKER

His career has been on an upward trajectory since winning the US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Award in 2007. Pulled up trees last year, winning the Farmers Insurance Open and the Tour Championship to win the FedExCup. Started in the same vein this season, winning at Pebble Beach and racking up three top threes before a rib injury forced him to take a five-week lay-off. Was the undisputed ‘hottest player on Tour’ in the US before Woods stole the title in his absence.

Q Pros: Probably the best putter in the world right now which will be crucial at Augusta, especially for someone who isn’t the longest off the tee and will be playing longer irons into the greens.

Q Cons: In the two previous occasions that he’s been in contention heading into Sunday at a Major he’s failed to deliver when it counts, shooting a 77 in the 2008 Masters and a 74 in last year’s Open Championship.

ADAM SCOTT

Probably the most consistent player the world in the Majors over the past couple of years and one of the bigger hitters on Tour, Augusta was the first place Scott really contended on a Grand Slam Sunday when he signed for a 67 in 2011 but then watched as Charl Schwartzel birdied the last four holes to win by two. Famously had The Open Championship in his grasp last year until a horrific collapse handed it to Ernie Els. Scott’s short game is looking strong, helped by his controversial use of the anchored long-handled putter, and he’s in good form with two top 10s including a share of third place at Doral where he shot 68-64 over the weekend.

Q Pros: One of the best score builders in the game, his excellent course management will be crucial at Augusta. He’s also leading the par-5 scoring charts on Tour this year, which as our stat boffins have shown, could be the key to victory.

Q Cons: As Rory knows all too well, Augusta is no place to be when in contention on Sunday if there’s even the slightest doubt in your mind as the demons of last year’s Open Championship meltdown could prove too strong.

PHIL MICKELSON

Big Phil and Augusta go together like bacon and egg. It was the scene of his long-overdue first Major triumph in 2004 and he looked mighty comfortable slipping into two more Green Jackets since then (2006, 2010). He knows how to play the course, he’s got the creativity and vision to get out of trouble (remember that audacious shot from the trees in 2010?) and his legendary short game is tailor-made for this tournament. Lefty’s in great form with a tied thrid finish at Doral and victory in Phoenix already under his belt.

Q Pros: Augusta is his home away from home and he’s cracked the code of how to succeed there. As for his short game…need we say more?

Q Cons: He does have a habit of going from the sublime to the ridiculous – they don’t call him Phil The Thrill for nothing and inconsistency could prove his Achilles heel again.

LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN

Probably only second to Rory McIlroy as the most naturally gifted player of the current crop of rising superstars in the world game, Louis produced one of the classic Masters moments with the first albatross ever recorded on the second hole in last year’s final round. Would have been the man of the moment had it not been for winner Bubba Watson’s flabbergasting antics in the play-off.

Q Pros: Showed he’s got the game and the temperament for the biggest of stages by winning The 2010 Open Championship at a canter before narrowly missing out at Augusta last year to a moment of Bubba brilliance.

Q Cons: Like Westwood he’s recently moved his young family to the US and has plenty of distractions around his game at the moment which has been reflected by some patchy form since winning the Volvo Golf Champions in January.

Available throughout the GCC. Contact your nearest Golf Shop. www.prosports.ae

TOP TIPS

PHIL MICKELSON I love the Masters because…

“It’s the most exciting week of the year. It’s what I’ve dreamed of ever since I was a kid. It gives us players something to strive for – an event that we’re excited just to be in the field. Augusta National is a course that I’ve just come to love and appreciate and a course where I’ve played some of my best golf at. It’s a golf course that I feel I don’t have to be perfect on and can still salvage pars and even make some birdies. It requires the ability to decide when to go for it and when not to. There are opportunities on every hole to make birdie and there are opportunities to make double or worse. Being able to pick your spots on which holes to attack and which holes to play to a certain spot where you can get up and down and make par is I think the biggest part of winning the Masters.”

Alan White Worldwide Golf Reader Tip: Luke Donald is going about this season under the radar but I think he’s coming into some good form so he’s who I’m hoping will break his Major duck.

Outsider choice. The South Africans are playing well so I’ll go for George Coetzee.

Mark Chapleski Area Managing Director/ Vice-President Troon Golf Middle East Tip: Phil Mickelson. He is playing well, and putting better. Butch has him ready.

Outside choice. I’d like to see Fred Couples up there in one of the last 3 groups on Sunday.

Christopher May Dubai Golf Chief Executive Officer Tip: Tiger’s confidence is returning and it is almost 5 years since his last Major win,which is a long time for a player of Tiger’s ability… the law of averages says he has to win one again soon!

Outside choice. Ian Poulter has a good record at Augusta and confidence is never an issue!

Wayne Johnson Director of Instruction PGA, Jumeirah Golf Estates Tip: Tiger Woods…in form and really understands how to play well and win at Augusta.

Outside choice. Thorbjorn Olessen – long, good short game and fearless!

Chris White General Manager Yas Links / Aldar Golf Tip: Snedeker – seems to be the all-round package. Back from 5 week layoff due to injury but recent winner of ATT at Pebble.

Tied 19th last year, tied 15th 2011 – Fed ExCup winner and due a Green Jacket.

The Green Jacket THE tradition of the Green Jacket began in 1937 when members of Augusta National Golf Club were encouraged to wear them so that spectators at the early Masters Tournaments could easily recognise the players. The jackets soon became a symbol of membership at the exclusive club but it wasn’t until Sam Snead won the first of his three Masters titles in 1949 that the tradition of presenting the Green Jacket to the winner began. Champions are allowed to take the jacket home for the first year after their victory, after which it must be returned to the club for them to wear whenever they visit. Organisers have several jackets of different sizes ready in anticipation of the winner on the Sunday and after close of play, measurements of the champion are rushed to the pro-shop where one is made to their exact specifications.

Outside choice. Branden Grace – first Masters, an exciting talent who would love to follow in Schwartzel and Immelmen’s footsteps.

D. J. Flanders General Manager, The Royal Golf Club, Bahrain Tip: Justin Rose has three top ten finishes already this year; never missed a cut at Augusta and has finished in the top 10 the last two years.

Outside choice. Fred Couples. He’s has also finished in the top 20 the last three years at The Masters.

Caddies Who Carry the Can

TRAVIS WILSON

TRAVIS WILSON has got to be one of the most laid back, easy-going caddies in the game. His modest personality belies the fact that he has helped his ‘player’ Stacy Lewis all the way to the No.1 spot on the LPGA Tour with recent victories at the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore and the LPGA Founders Cup in Arizona. His efforts brought him the well deserved accolade of HSBC Women’s Champions Caddy of the Year and there could not have been a more popular winner. Lewis, a four-time winner on the LPGA Tour in the 2012 season and the only American and non-Asian player after Cristie Kerr to top the World Ranking, commented: “I think Travis is a pretty good caddie and when you find a good one you just don’t let him go.”

Mike Gallemore talks to the likeable Travis about his bizarre introduction into becoming a caddie and the remarkable success he has enjoyed since.

WWG: How did you first get into golf?

TW: I started playing at our local course at Perry County CC, in Ohio, when I was 8 years old. My whole family played golf and I thought that everybody else in the world did, too! I still live only a few miles from there now. Just about everyone in the family played. My grandfather, Joe Wilson, taught me so much about the game. My father, Dave, and uncle, Mike, were both good players who won multiple club championships, along with my mother, Toni.

WWG: Did you have any desires to be a professional golfer when you were growing up?

TW: Not really – I knew that wasn’t going to happen. Playing in college was the highest I went. A handicap of around 12 or maybe a bit better was the lowest I got. I can shoot even par when I get off the road and play a round with my buddies every now and then but I never really track the handicap. I just play for fun.

WWG: How did you get into caddying?

TW: It was through my mother’s sister, Tammie Green, who played professionally on the Tour. It was kind of weird. I took off for a summer break after my first year at college and she needed someone to fill in as a bagman for a week. It was only meant to be one week. We drove up to New York and met with her coach and she told me what I had to do out there. I’d caddied for my dad and stuff like that but only for fun it wasn’t at the same level.

WWG: How did it work out, caddying in a Tour event?

TW: At the tournament I learned a few things about her swing from her coach – basic sort of set up stuff. Then my aunt said: ‘I’ve gotta go get some yardage books, just hang around here by the putting green.’ She comes back out

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and I’ve got the putter out, smashing balls across the green. She said, ‘What are you trying to do, get me fined on your first day as a caddie?’ I said, ‘Ah, well, I was just seeing how fast the greens are rolling!’ Somehow we ended up finishing seventh in that event.

WWG: Where did you go from there?

TW: After the tournament her usual caddie wasn’t happy about getting the week off so he quit. Tammie said she needed a caddie for the following week in Michigan so I said, ‘Yeah I guess I can do that one, too!’ We came in second there. She was desperate to get another caddie for the LPGA Championship (a Major) that was coming up but she couldn’t find one. So I did that, too, and we finished fourth. She asked me to do the next week in Rochester as well - and we won! It kind of just went from there.

WWG: Was it then that you were resigned to becoming a full time caddie?

TW: When we’d won I’d pretty much got the grass between my toes at that point. I really didn’t understand it all but it just kind of happened. I remember coming up the 18th about to win that first tournament. I must have had a pretty serious look on my face and my aunt said, ‘Hey, smile and enjoy this, it doesn’t happen every week!’ I guess at the age of 20 I was kind of naïve. In my head I was thinking, ‘Well you’ve won this week, why doesn’t it happen every week – it should!’ I thought it was easy! Fourteen of the first 18 starts we had were top 10s. It wasn’t because I was a great caddie. It was because she was a great a player. It was because I was so new to being a caddie, it made her concentrate more on what she was doing in the process of hitting shots.

WWG: What sort of caddie-player relationship did you have with your aunt?

TW: It was a very natural, easy-going relationship. We knew from day one we could always count on one another. When I first started as her caddie she had to think more! I reckon that’s what made it click – that and the fact that we were very close. We were really tight growing up. She was the youngest of my aunts and uncles and I was the oldest of the grandkids so we were only like 11 years apart.

She used to babysit me and I remember really looking forward to her coming back to the farm because my family all live within about two miles of each other. Tammie taught me so much about pro golf and how to play tournaments. I managed to get two educations – college and caddying.

WWG: Did she acknowledge the role you played in that early success?

TW: Yes, of course. But I was just out there carrying the bag and cracking jokes – I didn’t really do a whole lot. I mean, I could read putts OK – I remember doing that right from the start – but I didn’t do that much. Whatever I did definitely worked. We were together 12 years and to be with someone for that long is saying something.

WWG: Did you look for another player after your Aunt retired?

TW: When Tammie finished, I worked for Kelli Kuehne and Rachel Hetherington for a couple of years. It was an eye-opener because with Tammie, we never really practiced that much – she had been out there for about six or seven years before I came along. She knew the courses, and we’d play practice rounds sometimes but basically we just got out there and played it then went home. It wasn’t a big deal. After she retired, I had to learn how to work practice rounds and try to prepare my players for the upcoming tournament. I was kind of used to showing up Monday, walking the course and meeting an hour before the Pro-Am on Wednesday. You have to adapt the way you work to each player because they’re all different and they all require different things from you. There was one time I was caddying for this girl and she said, ‘I need someone to pump me up and be like a cheerleader for me.’ I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ I couldn’t really adapt to that one!

WWG: How long have you been with Stacy?

TW: I met Stacy when she was an amateur. Her dad used to caddie for her. We both came from Ohio and when we saw each other at an event we used to chat about stuff like that. I said if she ever needed any help, she should give me a shout and her agent did. This is our fifth year.

Since she turned pro I’m the only caddie she’s had. She’s funny about that fact! She had a few events at the end of 2008 and we had a top 10 in the second week out. I could really see a lot of game there.

WWG: You’ve obviously struck up a good relationship to still be together?

TW: Yeah, we get along really well. We see a lot of the same shots, and agree on strategies very easily. When she first came out, she was a little bit shy but she’s changed so much, even with stuff like giving interviews and speeches and that sort of thing she’d struggle with. But like

anything she does, she worked hard to get better and she’s really good at it now. I’m really proud of the way she has progressed both personally and professionally. She’s an amazing person with an amazing talent and a great future.

WWG: What were your other players like before Stacy?

TW: Rachel Hetherington is an Australian and pretty laid back like me so she gradually fitted in with what I was used to. But she was on the verge of getting married and starting a family so it was in a period where I was looking for the next job. Some of my friends had moved over to the men’s tour and I was considering some openings there for me until I got the call. I figured I could help Stacy more than a guy purely because I knew the courses and that she was going to play so much better. As a rookie coming out on Tour, it’s such a big transformation because you’re used to playing your home course at college and some shorter tourneys. Whereas on Tour it’s week in and week out, and it’s quite a big change for the players.

WWG: The Asian players have dominated the LPGA Tour in recent years. How do you feel about Stacy flying the flag for the US players at the top of the World Ranking?

TW: I’m proud of her, of course. Stacy is a great ambassador for the game, a model of what hard work and determination can do. Give credit to the Asian players for changing the game. When they came on the scene in the mid-to-late 1990s their practice and work ethic really was quite rare in the existing crop of players. It certainly made everybody start working harder. I guess the same thing happened in the men’s game when Tiger Woods came along. Everybody realised they needed to get into better physical condition in order to compete. That was happening at the same time in the ladies game and it kind of changed the face of golf. It made people appreciate they needed to up their game.

WWG: What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen at a golf tournament?

TW: I see funny stuff all the time. Just the other day in a pro-am there was a segway tour going on in the desert around the 17th and I saw

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Caddies Who Carry the Can somebody wipe out. There’s always something going on. I saw an amazing shot by an amateur who was teeing off on an elevated tee. He topped his drive down this bank and the ball actually ended up in a bird house! I once saw a guy shank it and the ball hit a cart tyre and went whizzing back over his left ear! Going back to my first week, during a practice round I was told to keep an eye on the bag and don’t let anyone mess around with the clubs or bag. I had to go to the bathroom and when I came out there was an older gentlemen lifting up the bag and checking out the irons. Somewhat surprised, I said, ‘Can I help you?’ He said, ‘I’m just checking out the clubs.’ I thought, ‘I’ve got a job to do and here’s this guy messing around with the clubs, great!’ It turned out that the guy was the astronaut Neil Armstrong.

WWG: What’s been the best moment of your career so far?

TW: Last year one of my best friends out on Tour, Adam Woodward, was caddying for Sun Young Yoo when she won the Kraft Nabisco Championship, and I was standing on the bridge and watched him jump in the water.

That came a year after he’d watched me do the same thing when Stacy won the same tournament, so that was a good moment.

Being on the bag for Stacy when she won it was a great moment, too. I passed on the same advice to her that my aunt Tammie had given to me during at that first win I had with her.

Stacy was looking kind of annoyed as she walked up the 18th as she wasn’t happy with her approach shot. I caught up with her and said, ‘Hey, pick your head up and put a smile on your face and enjoy it because this doesn’t happen to everybody.’ She always mentions that in interviews. Sometimes you’ve got to take them out of that moment when they’re nervous. Celebrating Stacy’s victory in the LPGA

Founders Cup last month that took her to No.1 in the world was definitely a high point.

WWG: What are your recollections of Stacy’s Major win?

TW: It was a funny old week because I hadn’t been in that position for a while either. Walking up 13 I was thinking, ‘How am I going to jump in the lake? What kind of dive am I going to do?’

Within three more steps I grabbed hold of myself and said, ‘Don’t even think about that, pull yourself in and do what you do, and just take it shot by shot – you’ve got to do all the little things right to make the victory happen.’ I knew all that from previous experience yet I let myself get away for a few seconds – but I pulled myself back in and we got it over the line.

WWG: You’re a pretty laid back character, but do you ever get nervous at those crunch moments?

TW: Not really. I think that’s a kind of a good attribute to have because the player would feed off it if they knew I was nervous. I used to get nervous just being in front of big crowds when I first started at the age of 20. But now I think the cooler I can be under pressure, the better it is because it feeds into the player. The beauty of being a caddie is that it’s not me who has to putt!

WWG: How important is it to have a sense of humour and a thick skin if you’re a caddie?

TW: It’s weird but in the 12 years I worked for Tammie, we had only two arguments and in the five years I’ve worked for Stacy we’ve had none. I know it’s rare because I watch the other guys getting their ears chewed off every other hole! If we make a mistake we’ll talk about it and reason it out. Instead of going the other way and unravelling it all, she learns from it.

Jump for joy: Travis Wilson (far left), Stacy Lewis (second from left), Stacy’s sister Janet Lewis (C), mother Carol Lewis (second from right) and father Dale Lewis take the traditional jump into the pond after Lewis won the Kraft Nabisco Championship in 2011.

She’s one of those people who would be successful whatever she did because she continually learns from her mistakes. It’s scary what she’s capable of achieving.

WWG: How good do you think Stacy can be?

TW: Well, she’s World No.1 but I don’t think there’s any limit. She just keeps on learning and working on her game, which I think is an impressive attribute. She’s so grounded, too, so she’s not going to get caught up in all the hype. She’s not going to change. She’ll find a way of coping with all her success. I’ve got no worries about that for a second. She’s not like the typical player who has come out at age 18, who’s been pushed into the game too quickly.

Stacy stayed at college and got two degrees – finance and accounting – so she’s good with numbers and stuff like that. She’s non-typical.

She’s logical in everything she does and she can reason things out – which is rare for a golfer!

WWG: Who would be in your dream fourball?

TW: Just some of my friends from home, to just play and have a couple of beers on the course.

WWG: What do you like most about being a caddie?

TW: The camaraderie that exists with the other caddies. We’re a pretty tight group. It’s a little different on the LPGA Tour than on the other tours. We all travel together and we all know each other. I went to the bar the other night for a beer and there were 25 other caddies all standing at the bar chatting – I don’t think it’s like that on other tours. The LPGA has more of a family-type atmosphere. Everybody knows everybody else’s business and if someone needs something, the others are quick to help out. One of the girls was having trouble with her putting the other day and I saw one of her competitors helping her after the round – that’s what it’s like. If it ever changes I’ll be disappointed. They’re a great bunch of people.

The travel element has changed a lot since I first started. Back then we pretty much played solely in the US and Canada but now we’re all over the world so it’s pretty cool to get out there and see all these places first hand. Stacy is now sponsored by Omega so I’m looking forward to going to the UAE towards the end of the year for the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club. Q

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INSTRUCTION

Q Learn to work with your scoring data to help you in-point the areas that need work and lower your score.

Q Master the knockdown shot and enjoy controling the ball in blustry conditions.

Brought to you by

To watch Leeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s video tips go to Facebook/WorldwideGolf and go to the video section.

VIDEO TIPS

ONTHE RANGEWITH

LEE WESTWOOD

Arguably one of the best ball strikers in the game Lee talks you through hitting better drives and working out the correct yardages.

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Swing

THE ACADEMY AT EMIRATES GOLF CLUB in Association with PETE COWEN

FREE-FLOWING PHIL MICKELSON 1

2

3

7

8

9

PETE COWEN

PGA MASTER PROFESSIONAL and coach to the stars, such as McDowell, Harrington, Kaymer, Stenson ... if Pete doesn’t know it, it isn’t worth knowing!

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Phil Mickelson has worked hard with Butch Harmon over the years to shorten his swing but he will always be an arm-dominant player as you will see in this sequence.

His powers of recovery are second to none, as he’s one of the best manipulators of the ball and just a joy for the crowds to watch. Phil is brilliant at what he does and you can’t knock someone who’s won as many Majors and tournmants as he has.

1. Phil’s posture is fine but a little strong in the left side, which means he needs to rotate his upper body hard. This can been seen cleary in frame 2. where he’s trying to maintain width.

The body rotaion means he’s very late in setting his wrists which can been seen in frames 3. and even in frame 4. he’s still not set his wrists hard.

The over-rotation of the body stops in frame 5. and then he sets his wrists, which causes the overswing.

Pete Cowen checks out the swing that won the 2010 Masters 4

5

6

10

11

12

4. The wrists haven’t been set and there’s a lot of body movement.

5.The body movement means he loses control in his shoulders as he over-turns the body.

6. Here he pulls hard with the body in the change of direction. This causes his left arm to fall out of position which you can see in frames 6. to 8. As a result, the left armis in what we call a stuck position .

9. Phil is a great manipulator of the club which can be seen in this frame. Here the left arm and shoulder are chasing down the line. The best players are brilliant at doing this and you don’t get any better than Phil.

left hip should be lower down to match the shoulder angle.

10. The hips are clearly too level and shoulders too angled in this frame which means he’s crushing his lower back. I know this through my own experince and have suffered a bad back by doing just the same move in the swing. Instead, the

Being late in setting his wrists Phil generates his distance through arm speed. He pulls the arms down hard and throws them at the ball. He’s a big guy and he’s always managed to make this work for him.

11 In the followthrough his body stops and his arms continue, as it will always be an arm-dominant swing.

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47

INSTRUCTION Stephen Deane Head Academy Professional ofessional The Academy at Emirates GOLF CLUB

Control The Turn!

With driver in hand it’s very tempting to over rotate the shoulders in an effort to hit that big drive as shown in picture right.

From this position you can see my left shoulder has become way to high resulting in a loss of posture and club head control. My weight has shifted to the right but my upper and lower half have swayed away from the ball rather than rotate. This action requires a lot of unnecessary movement resulting in a less efficient swing and a major loss of speed and power.

Improve your game with The Academy at Emirates Golf Club

BY- Bryan Smyth, Golf Professional at Emirates Golf Club

This image shows a controlled turn. My left shoulder is lower than the right as we reach the top, therefore good posture and club head control is maintained. You can see my lower half is much quieter and my entire body has stayed more with the ball rather than swaying unnecessary away. From here simplicity and efficiency are maximized with less wasted movement. My shoulders have loaded nicely, ready to drive down and around into a powerful impact position.

Follow this simple tip and watch your drives not only fly further but consistently straighter. Ş $MG@MBD XNTQ F@LD VHSG @ Q@MFD NE KDRRNM O@BJ@FDR Ş 2THS@AKD ENQ @KK KDUDKR NE FNKEDQR EQNL BGHKCQDM @FDC ENTQ SN @CTKSR Ş +D@QM EQNL NTQ SD@L NE DWODQHDMBDC FNKE OQNEDRRHNM@KR /KD@RD BNMS@BS NQ DL@HK DLHQ@SDR@B@CDLX CTA@HFNKE BNL VVV CTA@HFNKE BNL

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Precision constructed from proprietary

M:SPEC lightweight leather by Pittards of England, this cutting-edge shoe has been designed to deliver a full range of motion, while getting the golfer as close to the ground as possible.

A host of technologies include an MP:627 last that allows for a generous forefoot shape so toes can easily spread and maintain grip, a ProTekt toe guard which provides additional abrasion resistance in key wear areas and an industry-ďŹ rst Laser Thin Duramax rubber compound that acts as a low-proďŹ le and a highly ďŹ&#x201A;exible conduit from ground to feet.

The shoes also feature an exclusive new Stealth cleat by Softspikes that when

Colours: White/Black; White/Lime; White/Orange, Black/ Charcoal & White/Charcoal (cleated); White/White; White/Navy; Charcoal/ Black; White/Silver as well as a mesh version in Blue/ Grey (spikeless).

attached delivers the ultimate in low-proďŹ le performance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;M:PROJECT is an exciting new category for FootJoy and the result of years of indepth testing and research to deliver an incredibly lightweight and athletic shoe that gives golfers maximum feel and ďŹ&#x201A;exibility when they step out onto the golf course,â&#x20AC;? commented Russell Lawes, European Marketing Manager for FootJoy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With an array of contemporary colour options and both a cleated and spikeless version, feedback from retailers has been extremely encouraging towards what I believe will be a game-changing golf shoe.â&#x20AC;? www.wwgolf.biz

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TOP GEAR THE CALLAWAY X HOT DRIVER OFFERS LIGHTER WEIGHT AND OPTIMISED CG WITH ULTRA THIN WALL CASTING TECHNOLOGY, FAST BALL SPEED FOR MAXIMUM DISTANCE WITH SPEED FRAME FACE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A COMBINATION OF VFT AND HYPERBOLIC FACE TECHNOLOGY, CREATING A LARGER SWEET SPOT AND MAXIMISING BALL SPEED.

CALLAWAY

XHot and XHot Pro

ADD EXTRA BANG

MOST major equipment companies oďŹ&#x20AC;er at least two drivers in their new product lineups. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usually a larger, more forgiving model aimed at average golfers and a more compact model with lower-spin characteristics for players who have more swing speed.

Along with Callawayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RAZR Fit Xtreme driver, Callaway has released the X Hot and X Hot Tour drivers for this season which take individualisation a step further. Not only was each head made speciďŹ cally for a certain type of player but each loft was engineered with a speciďŹ c player in mind as well.

The X Hot is the most forgiving driver of the pair.

At 460cc, it is 20cc larger than the Pro version. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also 14 grams lighter than the Pro, which could allow slower swing-speed players to increase

clubhead speed. Dr. Alan Hocknell, Vice President of R&D for Callaway, said data from Callawayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ t bays across the country showed that most golfers who need more loft also need more draw bias, which is why the X Hot and X Hot Pro drivers have a centre of gravity that moves toward the heel as the lofts increase, helping golfers square the club at impact.

That draw bias is more severe in the X Hot driver line than it is in the X Hot Pro drivers, which are aimed at players who need less help squaring up the clubface.

The X Hot Pro driver features a smaller head (440cc), with a deeper face that helps golfers reduce the spin on their tee shots. Unlike the X Hot, the X Hot Pro driver does not have any alignment markings on the crown, providing a clean dark grey matt ďŹ nish.

CALLAWAY

HEX HOT

BALL TECHNOLOGY HOTS UP BRING on the heat with every swing. HEX Hot provides all-out distance with scorching hot ball speeds and re-engineered HEX Aerodynamics. Its 3-piece construction features a Trionomer Cover thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s built for maximized speed and low driver spin. Its Tech Mantle converts energy into distance to help the ball ďŹ&#x201A;y oďŹ&#x20AC; the clubface. HEX Hot redeďŹ nes the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;LONGâ&#x20AC;?.

The mantle is designed to help the golf ball jump oďŹ&#x20AC; the face and convert the impact energy for more distance. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly resilient and built to be the perfect intermediate layer between the high technology core and the resilient Trionomer Cover.

The Trionomer Cover is a unique cover blend of three ionomers that maximizes ball speed and promotes low driver spin for longer, straighter drives.

Callawayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proprietary surface pattern has been re-engineered to produce even better low-speed lift for more distance while maintaining the stable, penetrating ball ďŹ&#x201A;ight thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a trademark of HEX Aerodynamics.

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GOLF PRIDE

ADD COLOUR TO YOUR GAME

NEW RANGE OF NIION GRIPS THE Niion line blends striking fluorescent colours with innovative new textures and unique patterns to deliver unmatched feel and moisture channelling performance, and is sure to set golfers apart from the rest of their foursomes.

Niion features five uniquely vibrant colour combinations (Blue/Neon Yellow, Bright Orange/White, Lime Green/White, White/Neon Green and Bright Yellow/Blue) all constructed from a firm, tacky rubber compound mpound suitable sui for both serious and reational players. In fact, Niion ha recreational has the

distinction of being Golf Pride’s firmest and most durable all rubber grip, thanks to the proprietary newly developed rubber curing process used in its production.

The new line also utilises an advanced tri-texture surface pattern to deliver superb traction and all-weather control.

In addition, the proprietary Hexagon technology pattern provides increased stability and torsion control throughout the swing, leading to one of Golf Pride’s most responsive and easy to control grips ever produced.

TITLEIST

913 HHybrid b id

MORE FAIRWAY DISTANCE THE Titleist 913H hybrid takes over from the popular 910H model, and is designed to offer longer distances with outstanding ground contact and ball flight.

A slightly more rounded 117cc (112cc in the 27 degree model) head shape has been designed by Titleist to offer a more appealing view at address. Additionally, the SureFit hosel, allowing independant loft and lie adjustments, is lighter and more tapered than before, which allows more weight to be redistributed to create an optimal centre of gravity, creating higher ball speeds with less spin.

The entire range of 913H clubs, offering lofts of 17, 19, 21, 24 and 27, have been designed individually to deliver the proper distance and forgiveness. Progressive loft, centre of gravity and offset designs mean that each club will be specifically suited to the shot it is required to hit.

The shafts offered with the Titleist 913H will include the Fujikura HB, along with 5 stock shafts: Mitsubishi White (D) and Blue (S), Aldila RIP Alpha and RIP Phenom and the Bassara W shaft.

Titleist have developed a lower spinning 913Hd model, but for now that model is for Tour players only.

BUSHNELL

RANGE FINDER V3 TOUR

DIAL IN THE EXACT YARDAGE WITH its new ergonomic design and its award-winning PinSeeker with JOLT Technology, the Tour V3 sets the standard for being the complete laser rangefinder package – design, performance and feel. It features Bushnell’s patented Slope Technology that provides the golfer with compensated swing yardage depending on the degree of incline or decline. www.wwgolf.biz

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in association with

TIME TO UNLEASH THE ‘BIG DOGS’

Golf House is the leading golf retailer in the Middle East

TESTPILOTS THE recent line-up of fairway-busting drivers has got everyone talking, as the leading manufacturers continue to push the research and development limits to give both the touring pros and club golfers more control and length.

The materials used in construction haven’t changed but ty in which the user can adjust the individual setting.

Making sure the shaft and loft are paired to your swing characteristics and data is half the battle to better control and distance. Once that process has been done, you can work on the face alignment to counteract any unwanted hooks or slices. But, taking all the science and engineering aside you still can’t beat good old looks and feel f e. The

computer might say a certain one is for you but if it’s hard on the eye and feels lifeless at impact you will struggle to part with your hard earned cash.

This is where the big names battle for your a ection. In this test we’ve taken the hottest drivers on Tour that are also geared for the retail market and put them in the capable hands of our test pilots, a group of amateur golfers with the same desires – more distance and more control.

The testers are regular golfers and solid ball strickers but it was interesting to hear their feedback on each club, which proves that we are not all the same and that tastes do di er.

Turn over the page to see how they got on and how the big brands designed their clubs in the battle to be the ‘top dog.’

Callaway XHOT $$407/ AED 1495

PING NG G 25 $538/AED 1975

TTa ylorMade TaylorMade R1 $503/ AED 1845

tleist Titleist 9133 D2 $598/ 598/ ED 2195 AED

Callaway RAZR XTREME $543/AED 1995

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TEST PILOTS: DRIVERS

Distance, feel and forgiveness with off-centre strikes. What more can you want?

Some found the club too light and the matt grey head was far from exciting.

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913D2 TECHNOLOGY ACUSHNET’S engineers created the face using a Forged Variable Thickness Insert with a central thick portion combined with thinner, variable tapered thickness. The new forged face is 2 grams lighter than previous models and increases ball speeds on off-centre hits by up to 2mph. There is an 11% increase in the maximum ball speed area versus the 910 driver.

Very long, amazing feel and workability for the lower handicap players. Classic looks.

Some generated too much spin and found the club too dark and plain. Not the easiest to set up.

CALLAWAY A

TECHNOLOGY THE hot new face technology promotes more consistent distance and forgiveness. By decoupling the face from the clubhead, Callaway’s R&D team were able to boost ball speed off the face without impacting the clubhead or sacrificing optimum trajectory.

The Speed Frame Face saves weight and transfers energy to the ball more efficiently by optimising stiffness and stress over the entire face.

TAYLORMADE

TITLEIST

CALLLAWAY CALLAWAY A

X HOT

Golf House is the leading golf retailer in the Middle East

R1 TECHNOLOGY THE TaylorMade R1 driver can be tuned 168 different ways, including 12 loft settings and 7 face-angle settings, designed to allow you to find the perfect fit to optimise distance and accuracy. A key aspect of the adjustability in the R1 is that loft and face angle can now be adjusted independently of one another.

Razr Xtreme TECHNOLOGY BILLED as the longest fully adjustable driver the company has ever tested the face of the driver features a new Speed Frame Face that optimises stiffness and stress distribution across the face. By removing weight on the crown, the R&D team were able to lower the Centre of Gravity (CG) on the club to further promote higher ball speeds and less spin.

Very forgiving and easy to adjust the wide range of settings. Workability and solid strike.

Traditional look, great distance and 440cc head inspires shot making. Easy to adjust and set up.

Too much choice and the graphic on the head wasn’t to everyone’s liking.

More of a Tour driver than a game improver. Low spin and launch means it’s geared towards the players with high ball and swing speeds.

Worldwide Golf would like to thanks The Address Montgomerie Dubai for use of the facilities for the driver test.

www.themontgomerie.com

TEST PILOTS’ VERDICT NAME: Gavin Reed HANDICAP: 14 CURRENT DRIVER: TaylorMade R9 OPTION: They are all great clubs but I’d have to go with the Callaway XHot. It’s a little longer than the R1 and I manage to carry the ball farther than any of the clubs on test. It’s also the best value for money.

PING

NAME: Peter Stapleton HANDICAP: 12 CURRENT DRIVER: TaylorMade R11 OPTION: I’m a big fan of it’s flexibility and how simple it is to set up. If it’s a windy day I can just crank the loft down and know how the club will perform. It’s ideal for playing at the Creek.

G25 TECHNOLOGY THE Ping G25 driver has a 460cc head with a larger profile design. The ultra-thin crown and aerodynamic design redistributes weight along the perimeter of the clubhead, moving the CG (Centre of Gravity) farther back and lower than any previous Ping driver. This new CG position increases the club’s MOI (Moment of Interia) and makes it extremely forgiving.

Very, very long! Strong ball flight – it’s just a rocket launcher. Easy adjustments.

Some found it too bland to look at and the clubface didn’t give as much feedback and feel as some of the others.

NAME: Duayne De Waal HANDICAP: 7 CURRENT DRIVER: TaylorMade RBZ OPTION: I was torn between this and the 913, but the G25 is just so long! The carry and overall distance is noticably longer than the rest and it’s just so well balanced.

NAME: Kaamil Hussain HANDICAP: 10 CURRENT DRIVER: Titleist 910 D2 - 9.5o Stiff OPTION: The R1 is the most consistent and even when I don’t strike it right the distance is still good. It has a strong ball flight and it looks amazing. I just love the white clubhead and the decals just finish it off.

NAME: Vaughn Reed HANDICAP: 8 CURRENT DRIVER: Cobra AMP OPTION: Being left handed I couldn’t test all the clubs on the he day. I was instantly drawn to the Callaways by their looks but ut the Razr Xtreme was too hard alhough the design was one of thee best.

But the XHot had it all. I’d be tempted to swap my Cobra for one.

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FINDING THE RIGHT SET UP

GET FITTED

RICHARD TEMPLE, Titleist European Golf Club Product and Fitting Manager, talks about the importance of getting your clubs properly fitted and explains some of the mumbo jumbo terminology associated with your weapons of choice.

WWG: With the driver limited to 460cc by the R&A would you say that driver technology is at the limit or is there plenty of scope left?

RT: Driver technology has by no means reached its limit and we will no doubt continue to see advancement in this product category. Titleist continues to deliver significant improvements with each new generation of driver product.

The new 913 driver is a great example of how we are able to continually innovate and develop our designs to deliver more performance for the golfer. The 913 offers more speed across a wider area of the face than its predecessor, the 910, as well as its enhanced distance through an improved rear weight screw that delivers optimum launch and spin characteristics.

WWG: Matching your shaft and loft is an essential pairing – so how does your system help the customer achieve the best results, considering the vast range of shafts on the market?

RT: Titleist 913 metals feature patented SureFit Tour hosel technology which is designed to allow the club fitter to deliver a truly precise fit – we like to call it our ‘Tour van in a hosel’. SureFit Tour allows the fitter to easily interchange heads and shafts to help identify the most appropriate combination tter to for the player. This technology also allows the fitter independently adjust the loft and lie of each 9133 clubhead. Loft can be adjusted to tune launch, spin and trajectory whilst lie can be adjusted to tune ball flight for more, or less, fade or draw.

Simply put, the SureFit Tour hosel allows a fitter to dial in the precise 913 specification to deliverr optimum performance for the player.

WWG: What do Centre of Gravity (CG), COR and elate to Moment of Inertia mean and how do they relate and benefit the club golfer? n within RT: Adjusting the centre of gravity (CG) position he launch the driver head will have a profound effect on the ew 913 driver conditions offered by that clubhead. With the new we have made significant improvements to the CG location by ore weight low utilising a new rear weight screw that places more ptimum launch and deep within the driver head. The result is optimum and spin conditions for longer distance.

COR is effectively a measurement of how fastt the ball comes g that is regulated off the clubface and this is obviously something

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b the rules of golf. Titleist, like all other equipment by manufacturers, has been conforming to this rule since its inception and if we look at the centre of the driver face it has already attained the maximum COR allowable under the Rules of Golf. With that said, one of the key developments in the 913 drivers is a new forged fa insert which delivers more speed over a larger area of face the face. In essence, the COR value is closer to the maximum acros a larger area, which makes the driver significantly across longer on off-centre hits.

Moment Mome of Inertia (MOI) in relation to golf club design is generally used to convey the stability of the golf club. Drivers with MO properties are generally more stable in promoting higher MOI a straighte straighter ball flight but, as a result, they offer less workability ma which maybe a disadvantage for those who like to shape the ball.

9 Both 913D2 and 913D3 drivers are very forgiving on off-centre hits thanks thank to the aforementioned forged face insert, but each has

ALAN WHITE, our Titleist 913 Facebook winner, spent some quality time with the Titleist club fitting team at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club: WWG: After absorbing all the data, what were you needing to adjust?

AW: Lowering the spin rate was a big factor that caused me to lose distance and the shaft needed to be a bit lighter also.

WWG: From the basic starting point how did you change the spec of the club to improve both performance and consistency?

AW: Went from a 10.5 to a 9.5 degree head to achieve more consistency.

WWG: What did you find was the best characteristic of the 913?

AW: It faces up to the ball well and feels very comfortable all the way through the swing.

WWG: What were you using before and how does it compare to your new 913?

AW: I was using a Ping G20 which I still think is a good club but the performance of the 913 just feels that much better.

different MOI properties that deliver varying performance characteristics. The 460cc 913D2 has the higher MOI to provide greater stability and an inherent draw bias, whilst the smaller 445cc profile of the 913D3 delivers a more neutral set-up for greater workability.

WWG: What’s the best advice in terms of club fitting for a midhandicapper amateur looking to add more distance off the tee?

RT: Whilst it’s true to say that technical and physical improvements are ways for amateur players to gain more distance, there can also be significant distance gains achieved by having a proper driver fitting.

If you are playing a driver which does not compliment your technique and that doesn’t offer you the appropriate launch conditions, you are unlikely to be maximising your distance potential. However, a driver fitting not only has the potential to offer distance gains but also improvements in ball flight, consistency and accuracy. When we fit a player, regardless of ability, we are looking for the complete package and a driver that will offer improvements in all of these areas.

WWG: How does the process of fitting a Titleist driver for a club golfer differ from fitting a Titleist staff player, such as Adam Scott?

RT: The process of fitting a Titleist Ambassador for a driver is largely the same as that which can be experienced by the club golfer. The ultimate goal of the fitting remains unchanged – finding a driver which will provide the player with optimum performance. In addition, there is no difference between the 913 driver heads you see on Tour versus those available at retail so SureFit Tour technology is utilised in exactly the same fashion for both the Tour player and the club golfer. We firmly believe that every player, regardless of ability, will benefit greatly from a driver fitting.

WWG: What’s around the corner for the Titleist driver? Anything revolutionary?

The future for the Titleist driver is one of further development and continued innovation. Our goal with any new product introduction is to deliver a product that is truly better than the last, and this goal will continue to drive us to design products that push performance to the next level.

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Wynn Patrick

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LOCAL NEWS

ARABIANGOLF

April’s selection of local news 67 68 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 78 79 79

JOEL NEALE COLUMN THE TRACK, MEYDAN INTERNATIONAL PAIRS UAE MENA TOUR SHARJAH GOLF & SHOOTING CLUB ‘PIC ‘ GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE SHARJAH EMIRATES GOLF CLUB THE ELS CLUB DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB AL BADIA GOLF CLUB JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES AL AIN EQUESTRIAN SHOOTING & GOLF CLUB ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB THE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE DUBAI

80 81 83 83 84 85 85 86 87 87 88 88 89

ABU DHABI CITY GOLF CLUB YAS LINKS GOLF CLUB ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB TOWER LINKS GOLF CLUB AL GHAZAL GOLF CLUB MUSCAT HILLS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB ALMOUJ GOLF, THE WAVE, MUSCAT, OMAN THE ROYAL GOLF CLUB BAHRAIN DOHA GOLF CLUB BANYAN GOLF CLUB DIRAB GOLF CLUB

HARRADINE WINS THE INAUGURAL MEYDAN GOLF MEN’S OPEN MICHAEL Harradine clinched the first ever Meydan Golf Men’s Open title at The Track but he insists he did not have an advantage in the competition because the course was designed by his father, Peter.

“It was designed by the company in collaboration with Meydan, but I don’t think it helped me,” smied Harradine, who is a third generation golfer in a family synonymous with the sport following his grandfather, Donald, who launched the Harradine Golf company in 1929 and his father Peter who is one of the most respected course architects in golf.

Michael, whose win in the Meydan Open means he now tops the Emirates Golf Federation Order of Merit, has only played The Track twice, but had built up some knowledge of the course during its construction. He admits, however, that familiarity may have lulled him into a false sense of security.

“I thought it would be easier than it was because I walked around it plenty of times when it was being built,” he said.

“I remember thinking that the fairways were wide and it wouldn’t be too much of a challenge, so I was surprised how tough it was. If I’m honest, I didn’t think I’d win, because I played fairly poorly. Fortunately, everyone had a shocker.”

Harradine carded a gross 156 over two rounds but won by a remarkable seven strokes from Craig Forrest with Ricky Dominguez third with a 164 total.

“I was eight over after the first round and then four over after the second so I didn’t think I’d even be in the top three,” laughed Harradine.

In the net category Nicolas Reincke topped the pile with a superb two-day score of 148 which saw him complete a huge 15-stroke win over Alban Des Brest. There were two Nerest the Pin competitions – one during each round – and they were won by Alistair Purves and overall winner Harradine on days one and two respectively.

Mahmood Skaik is pictured with EGF Board Member Darwish Al Qubaisi after his victory.

MAHMOOD SKAIK WRAPS UP THE AJYAL CHAMPIONSHIP MAHMOOD Skaik was crowned the overal winner of the Emirates Golf Federation’s Ajyal Golf Championship after he won Division ‘A’ of the fifth and final event of the series at Yas Links.

Taking the spoils in Division ‘B’ was Ahmed Al Marzouqi, while the Girl’s Division winner on the night was Tara Al Marzouqi.

RECORDBREAKING RESULTS IN BMW GOLF CUP

Michael Harradine celebrates becoming the first winner of the Meydan Golf Men’s Open last month.

LAST month saw some of the UAE’s best amateur golfers battle it out in the two qualifying rounds and one national final round of the world renowned 2013 BMW Golf Cup International.

The UAE edition was organised

by AGMC, the BMW Group importer in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.

Held at three different Golf clubs in Dubai – the Els Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Creek Golf &Yacht Club – a total of 100 players participated in the 18-hole Individual Stableford events.

Shahin Khojasteh took the spoils in the Men’s Category ‘A’ and he also achieved a hole-in-one on at the Els Club on his way to victory, while taking the Ladies Category was Naema Maya.

Both winners were duly flown out to South Africa to take part in the BMW World Final and after three rounds Khojasteh finished in a share of 30th place while Maya finished in a share of 20th.

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LOCAL NEWS

MENA GOLF TOUR

ZANE SCOTLAND WINS MENA TOUR OPENER IN RABAT ZANE Scotland got his 2013 MENA Tour campaign off to a flying start with a superb wire-to-wire victory in the season-opening Royal Dar Es Salam Open in Morocco last month.

The Englishman closed with an excellent 4-under-par 69 to finish with a 10-under-par total and a five-stroke victory over home favourite Younes El Hassani. Welshman Stephen Dodd shared the overnight lead with Scotland but fell away, carding a 3-over-par final round to finish in a share of third place on 3-under alongside Ian Keenan of England and Kenya’s Greg Snow. Scotland’s win means he’s now won the opening event on each of the three Mena Tour seasons to date.

“I entered the tournament with no expectations in terms of results since it was my first competitive event after the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. I played with a free mind and that probably was the key to my success,” said Scotland. “I knew I had won the opening tournament in both previous editions of the MENA Tour but I tried not to think about it when I teed off in the morning. The thinking was to remain relaxed and that did the trick. “Obviously, I’m pretty delighted with my efforts and hope to keep the momentum going.”

Much was expected of Dodd, but the three-time winner on the European Tour failed to find the

Zane Scotland is pictured with Saeed Muhayer, Al Ketbi of UAE Consulate in Rabat, Mustapha Zine, Chairman of the Moroccan Golf Federation, Bouftas, President of Royal Golf Dar Es Salam and Mohamed Juma Buamaim, Chairman of the MENA Golf Tour. rhythm he showed a day earlier when he shot a second-round 68. “I played badly, it’s as simple as that,” said Dodd. “I drove badly and putted even worse.

Nothing clicked for me. This is golf, you can have days like this when anything can happen.”

Morocco’s El Hassani was pleased with his runner-up finish which was his best ever finish on the MENA Tour. “I think I played really well and could have

scored even better but I made some mistakes out there,” he said, after carding a 1-under 72 in the final round.

The home nation had more reason to celebrate as young Ahmed Marjan took home the best amateur title thanks to his 1-under-par 218 total – an impressive effort which saw him card a top-10 finish in a Tour event for the first time.

DODD BOUNCES BACK TO WIN IN MOHAMMEDIA REIGNING Mena Tour Champion Stephen Dodd bounced back after a poor final round performance in the opening event of the season to win the Royal Golf D’Anfa Open in Mohammedia with a play-off victory over the English pair of Zane Scotland and Ian Keenan.

The Welshman, who won three times on The European Tour, rolled in a 10-footer for birdie on the first extra hole to seal a wire-to-wire victory.

Scotland pushed his birdie putt inches wide and had to settle for a par while Keenan, who closed with a brilliant 66 – the tournament’s best score – to get into the playoff, left his approach too short and ended up with a bogey.

“It feels nice to get the job done,” said Dodd, who finished regulation play on 6-under level alongside Keenan and Scotland.

Starting the day three shots ahead, Dodd failed

Winner Stephen Dodd is pictured with Fettah Mohamed, President of Royal Golf D’Anfa-Mohammedia, Mustapha Zine, Chairman of the Moroccan Golf Federation, Abderrahmane Boufetas, President of Dar Es Salam Golf Club and Mohamed Juma Buamaim, Chairman of MENA Golf Tour.

to keep his momentum going and squandered his advantage by the 12th hole when Scotland drew level with him.

Keenan, who was five shots off the pace going into the final round, made a stunning charge up the leaderboard when he eagled the 16th to get into contention. Keenan then set the clubhouse lead on 6-under and both Dodd and Scotland came home in pars to leave a three-way tie at the top.

“Obviously, I can’t complain after winning the tournament,” said the Dodd, who fell away the week before to finish third behind Scotland in Rabat. “The course was in great condition despite some inclement weather. There are plenty of good players on the tour who are potential winners so I am returning home with some fond memories of Morocco.”

Scotland’s Duncan Stewart closed with back-to-back 70s to finish fourth on 3-under 213, one shot ahead of Wales’ Matthew Dearden while Morocco’s Ahmed Marjan comfortably kept up his dominance in the Amateur Division with rounds of 73, 73 and 70. “I am really pleased with my performance over last three days,” said Marjan. “I struck the ball beautifully and rolled in some nice putt. It feels great to win back-to-back titles in my the Amateur Division.” www.wwgolf.biz

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CONTACT: Tel : +971 6 548 7777 E-mail: info@golfandshootingshj.com

SHARJAH GOLF AND SHOOTING CLUB www.golfandshootingshj.com

Sharjah-Golf-Shooting-Club

SGSC CELEBRATES ITS 5TH ANNIVERSARY IN STYLE Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club’s golf course crossed its five-year milestone on March 1st and the day was celebrated in unique style.

Almost 100 golfers, comprising of mostly current and former members, participated in an event which included nine holes of team golf, shooting, archery, a quiz on the first five years of golf at SGSC, a three-stage skills test and a crazy golf event!

The day was more about the occasion and the company than the competition but the 20 teams made their way from event to event with winners announced for the six disciplines as well as the overall winner.

The Jean Pierre Simon team (named after SGSC’s next Men’s Club Captain) proved eventual winners and they were represented by Peter Gutteridge, James Brown, Rory Thomson, Arun Tuli and Gil Nam Yang. Worldwide Golf Editor Alex Gallemore and his team-mates got in on the action by

winning....the crazy golf event!

The main event of the evening was undoubtedly the dinner attended by His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, SGSC Chairman, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Thani, Mel and Jacqui Stewart, SGSC’s first Golf Club Captains and Golf Course designer Peter Harradine.

Sheikh Mohammed was the first official to address the 100 plus delegation as he commented on the combined efforts of so many people over the last seven years that made the SGSC Golf Course a reality.

Sheikh Mohammed and his father Sheikh Abdullah then presented long service awards to eight SGSC staff members who have been at the club for over five years before then presenting the 23 people who have been Members over the five years with their new Silver Membership status.

Their final act was to the present Golf Club Captains Mel and Jacqui Stewart

H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani (L) and H. E. Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani (R) present the Stewart Trophy to Mel and Jacqui Stewart. with their Gold Membership status and to also present to the couple the Captain’s Day trophy which will be played for, for the first time in May and will be forever named the Stewart Trophy.

The two Captains then presented the day’s awards before Golf Course designer Peter Harradine ended proceedings with his own subtle views

on golf, golf in the UAE, the history of golf in the UAE and in particular the history of the golf course at SGSC. Director of Golf Martin Duff closed proceedings by thanking everyone for their support of the club on the day, over the past five years and for making this special pioneering club what it has become today and will become tomorrow.

BOYLAN AND GILLIAM TOO STRONG IN SOCIAL PETER Boylan and his close friend Anthony Gilliam proved the best partnership at the BMW Members and Guests Social held last month as they came out on top with a great net score of 65.1.

Salim Shaikh and Omer Safi scooped the prize for the best front 9, which was played over the Texas Scramble format, as their net 33.6 was good enough to win by one

stroke. The back nine better-ball medal was a much tighter affair as two teams were tied in first place on net 30.

Coming out on top after a countback were long-standing Sharjah members Vivien Verma and Sanjoy Das. The day also included Longest Drive and Nearest The Pin awards which went to Simon Mmutle and Ove Pedersen respectively.

AKHTAR EDGES OUT DAS

THOMSON IN CHARGE ENGLISHMAN Rory Thomson shot a net 31 at the recent Centro Sharjah midweek medal to win by one from G.N Yang and Ajit Bagga.

A countback was needed to separate second and third place and the play-off went the way of the Korean as Yang took 72

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the runner-up spot.

Fellow Korean member Y.D Kim continued his great form to produce an extremely steady nine holes of 3-under net 33 and claim the Division ‘1’ prize.

PAKISTANI ace Imran Akhtar picked up last month’s ERL Stableford by the smallest of margins after he overcame Sanjoy Das in a scorecard countback after both had posted 41 points for their rounds.

A fabulous round of golf saw Akhtar par an incredible 16 holes – a great effort and after a long stint on the academy the hard work has finally paid off. Das was disappointed not to topple Akhtar in what would have been his first win individually on Sharjah soil, however he managed to pick up the prize for winning Division ‘1’.

The Division ‘2’ prize went to hard-working Korean golfer J.J Kim who finished one clear of

Peter Gaskin with a haul of 40 points.

The gross prize went to Ian Plant after he downed Hassan Yazdi on a countback after both players finished with a gross 32 Stableford points.

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DUBAI EXPUTTS AND MASSIN 1 TO FACE OFF IN FINAL THE Dubai ExPutts are set to defend their Professional Investment Consultants Golf Society League title on April 20th after they won a truly epic semi final against The Indian Expat Golf Society last month.

The two societies finished with a win each after the regulation matches. Vivien Verma and Praveen Sharma won their match 5&4 while Mark Edwards and Mark Cunningham mounted a historic comeback from 3-down with six to play to win on the final hole.

The tied match meant Captains Phil Sharpe and Vivien Verma had to nominate two players from either side to play-off. Phil Sharpe nominated Mark Cunningham and Mark Edwards, who clearly had momentum, while Verma selected himself and A. E. Ravi over his earlier partner Sharma.

The play-off proved to be the longest in the event’s history as seven extra holes were required to decide a winner. Dozens of spectators watched as the first and second holes were halved in pars.

The third hole was then halved in birdies from the talented pair before holes 4, 5 and 6 were again halved in par. Finally, on the seventh hole, it was the Dubai Exputts who

prevailed with a tap-in par after Ravi’s lengthy par save attempt missed.

Both teams and their captains were exhausted but thrilled with the excitement as play finished at around 7pm under the floodlights.

Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club Golf Professional Joe Marshal, who was officiating for the event, said: “That was a thrilling evening’s golf. Seven holes of sudden death golf is almost

unheard of – you could see how much it meant to all the players when the winning putt was sunk.

They all deserve full credit as the event was played in the best of spirits and in the fairest of manners.”

In the other semi final MasSin 1 overcame Rimausinga also by the narrowest of margins. One up and all square results meant MasSin 1 have the chance to follow in their compatriots MasSin 2’s footsteps and

place their name on the converted trophy. The Dubai Exputts 1 and the Indian Expats had both safely navigated through their quarter-final matches with the Dubai Irish Golf Society and the Sharjah Golfing Buddies respectively while the Massin 1 team downed the Sport360 team and Rimusinga clinched their quarter-final tie with the Al Naboodah Golf Society to progress to the semi-finals.

KASHWANI STEALS THE SHOW AT RECENT JDP MEET MANSOUR Kashwani scooped the prize in the youngsters tournament at last month’s Junior Development Programme meeting after beating off eight of his young counterparts.

The Academy Course’s 5-hole tournament winners were Frazer Hall (nine years and older) and Maxwell Hill (eight years and under) as both players posted rounds of 20 strokes.

The elder and more experienced juniors had to wait until the evening to get their turn and over 30 juniors were out in force to try and lay their hands on the winning

trophy played over four holes on the Championship Course. With four different teeing grounds staggered based on the golfer’s driving distances the competition was to be as fair as possible.

Coming out on top was Welsh whiz-kid Max Hibbert who held his nerve with some impressive short game shots to post a score of 21 and defeat young German Alex Beisenwenger on a countback.

Australian all-round sports girl Genevieve Hall finished in third spot with Dominic Manning picking up fourth place for the second consecutive session. www.wwgolf.biz

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SAUNDERS TRIUMPHS IN OMEGA EMIRATES AMATEUR OPEN MICHAEL Saunders from Dartford Golf Club in England put in a fine display to triumph in the Omega Emirates Amateur Open by a four-shot margin.

Saunders shared the overnight lead with Ashley Rees (East Sussex National) after they both fired a gross 74 (2-over-par) over the Faldo course.

Their closest rivals going in to the final round over the Majlis were Bal Arnaud (Rinkven Golf Club, Belguim), Sami Hajri (Yas Links GC) and Ryan Riley (EGF) who were all on the 3-over-par mark.

Saunders handled the pressure of the final round well as he made nine straight pars and he started the inward half with a birdie on the par five 10th.

He suffered his first dropped shots on the difficult 12th and the 16th holes but by the 16th his challengers had faded and he found himself with a healthy lead going in to the final two holes. He finished in style with a terrific

birdie on the famous closing hole to claim the prestigious title with a 4-overpar total. Rounds of 74 and 74 gave him a final score of 148 and he followed in the footsteps of European Tour winners Michael Hoey and Peter Hanson as champions of this event.

Sam Towler, representing Woburn Golf Club, followed his opening 79 with a much-improved 74 to claim second place while one of the stories of the final round involved 12-year old Jakub Hrinda from Doha GC as he produced the best round of the championship with a level par 72 to claim third place overall on 10-overpar.

The best net score of the championship went to Bal Arnaud (Royal GC, Bahrain) after he signed for rounds of 72 and 76 and a two-stroke victory over Mark Davin (Ashton On Mersey GC, England) with Bilel Belaid (Abu Dhabi) taking third place.

Left to right: Christopher D’abreo (Group Manager Rivoli Group), Jacklyn Quadras (Marketing & PR Manager Omega), Michael Saunders (Champion) and Club Captain Moshe Kohli.

“As one of the most highly anticipated golf events of the year that attracts the top amateur players from across the world we are delighted to have been associated with this tournament at Emirates Golf Club,” said OMEGA Vice President and International Sales Director Raynald Aeschlimann. “We are confident that

Ladies Club Champion Cathrine Clark receives her prize from the Lady Captain, Glynis Hendry.

CATHRINE CLARK WINS THE LADIES CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP IN FINE STYLE AFTER two rounds of tense competition over first the Faldo and then the Majlis course, Cathrine Clark sealed the 2013 Ladies Club Championship thanks to a gross total of 165 (86, 79).

The competition was hotting up as players made their way down the stretch on the final day but Clark forced her way up the leaderboard with a superb birdie, par, birdie, par finish to win by four strokes ahead of Najla Bartette.

Taking third place with consistent rounds of 74

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85 over both courses was Rosemary Turlik.

The Net prizes were divided into Divisions and finishing top of the Silver Division (0-20 hcp) was Veronica Elias with a net 146 (64, 79) while the Bronze Division was clinched by Gillian Black with a 147 total (76, 71).

As in previous years a prize is given to the player who makes the most improvement over the two days and taking the honour this year was Sandra Chia who improved her score by 22 shots.

the event will continue to grow in stature over the years on the international golf scene.

“Having been title sponsors for the OMEGA Dubai Ladies Masters and OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic, it is befitting for us to now be supporting the largest amateur open in the region with 123 competitors.”

CHIA AND FORMAS SEAL TRIP TO WENTWORTH SANDRA Chia and David Formas produced a stunning score of 58.4 over the Majlis course to triumph in the Wentworth Invitational event and win a prize that includes rounds of golf on the West, East and Edinburgh courses at Wentworth Club in England.

It was the sixth edition of the popular mixed members event and over 108 players took to the course with their eyes on the prize. Chia and Formas were comfortable winners ahead of Ashish Nanda and Shravan Khanna who fired a net 60.1 for second place.

Nina Larm and Pentti Tahvanainen claimed third place with a 61.3 and along with Nanda and Khanna won club house hospitality at The European Tour’s flagship event – the BMW Championship in May courtesy of Wentworth Club.

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Overall winner Chris Hutchinson receives her prize from the Lady Captain, Glynis Hendry.

HUTCHINSON CLAIMS THE LADIES BLIND HOLES Farhad Irani (Head of Retail Banking Group), Moshe Kohli (Club Captain), Connor Keegan (Champion) and Caetano Fernandes (Head of Mashreq Gold).

KEEGAN FIRES LOW TO WIN THE MARCH MEDAL CONNOR Keegan recorded the best gross and best net scores of the day to win the second event of the Mashreq Medal Championship in association with BMW. The youngster, who plays off 5, carded a superb gross 73 over the Majlis for a net 68 and clinch the title.

Mathys Oberholster continued his excellent run of form with a 3-under par net 69 to take the runner-up spot in Division ‘A’, followed by Nawaf Fawaz with a 71.

be a total of 22 monthly medals across the two Dubai Golf managed clubs. During the months of July and August there will also be joint medals where by Dubai Creek members compete against Emirates members and vice versa. Both clubs will run separate Order of Merits and the top 36 players in both Order of Merits will win a place in the Grand Final.

Amr Salem is leading the Emirates Golf Club Order of Merit following two events with a tally of 147 points, seven clear of Connor Keegan.

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Kish Bandopadhyay returned his best effort in a monthly medal to triumph in Division ‘B’ (hcp 11-20) with a 2-under tally of 70, one clear of Haris Michaelidis with Iain Everingham third on 72. Amr Salem won Division ‘C’ (hcp 21-34) with a 2-under par 70.

Mashreq Bank is the title sponsor for the 2013 Monthly Medals Series that will be held across both Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

Over a 12-month period there will

A RECENT ‘Blind Holes’ event was played over the Faldo course by Lady members at EGC and after competitors completed their 18 holes the 12 holes from which players’ scores were take were revealed.

With points accumulated on holes 1,3,4,6,8,9,10,12,14,16,17,18 added together to form a total it was Chris Hutchinson who took the spoils with a haul of 32 points.

In the Silver Division (hcp 0-23) Mimi Hoskin took the honours with a card play-off over Annette Carstnajen with both players locked on 27 points.

Sue Hopwood sealed the Bronze Division (hcp 24-42) with a score of 25 points.

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TUFAIL DEFENDS HER LADIES OPEN CROWN SANA Tufail dealt with high winds and quick greens in consummate fashion as she recorded a gross 70 to easily retain her Els Club Ladies Open title last month.

Along with winning the title for the third time in her short career, Tufail also went home with the Nearest the Pin prize on hole 4 and the Longest Drive challenge on hole 13.

In the Net prizes Julia Alheoud took the spoils with a net 70, one clear of Monina Gudaca with Anastacia Bakal third on 72. www.wwgolf.biz

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PAST CAPTAIN THANKED AT LADIES MEDAL

Anastasia Bakal is pictured with Dubai Creek Lady Captain Maureen Platt.

BAKAL SEALS THE CREEK LADIES AMATEUR OPEN TEENAGER Anastasia Bakal took the spoils in the 2013 Dubai Creek Ladies Amateur Open sponsored

by ProSports recently thanks to a superb gross 6-over-par 77 to deny the two-time defending champion Sana Tufail a hat-trick of titles “I’m delighted to have won such a prestigious EGF Order of Merit title,” smiled Bakal after lifting the trophy. “I would like to thank Dubai Creek for putting on such a great event and all of the players who took part.

“In addition, thanks to my playing partners today for all of their support

that helped me secure the win.” Tufail, winner in 2011 and 2012, had to settle for second place, two shots back on 79.

Yuko Tsukiori came out on top in the Silver Division thanks to a fantastic net 67 while Serifa D’Souza finished with a level-par 71 to take second spot.

D’Souza shot a gross 79 and missed out on second place in the overall prize to Tufail who defeated her on a countback.

In the Bronze Division H.H Choi clinched the top spot with a

1-under-par net 70, one clear of Emirates Golf Club member Gillian Black.

After conducting the prize giving Dubai Creek’s Head Golf Professional, Stephen Hubner said: “It really has been a wonderful day of golf and we are delighted to welcome so many players from around the UAE and some from abroad.

“Congratulations to Anastasia on a great performance and of course our thanks go to Pro Sports International for their kind sponsorship of the giveaways and excellent prize table.”

MORROW MARCHES TO VICTORY PATRICK Morrow timed his return to form impeccably as he sealed the honours in last month’s Mashreq Medal in association with BMW with a net 67.

“I’m glad to be back in form having fallen a bit by the wayside in recent months,” smiled Morrow after collecting the trophy. “The course, tee to green, is in truly great shape and along with the perfect weather it made the win even more enjoyable.”

Rami Safadi took the Men’s Division ‘A’ title with a countback win over Mark Joliffe after both players returned a solid 1-under par net 70.

Ajay Goel also put on a great display as he clinched the Men’s Division ‘B’ title with a net 67 having lost out on a countback to Morrow for the main prize.

Vanessa North secured her second win of the series as she took the Ladies title with a level par net 71 while Ryan Riley was almost without fault as he fired a superb 76

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LAST year’s Lady Captain Mego Han was presented a trophy by current Lady Captain Maureen Platt as a token of appreciation for all the hard work Han does in and around the club throughout the year.

The competition saw regular contender Harini White take the spoils with a fine net 70 with Platt and Swati Singh finishing in second and third respectively after a countback with both players locked on 72. Najla Bartette finished one shot back in fourth place with a net 73.

After being presented her prize Harini commented: “I am happy to have won today after I played very well. I would like to thank our past Captain, Mego Han and also our new Captain, Maureen Platt for all their effort and hard work with our events.”

After conducting the prize giving Professional Craig Waddell commented: “Once again a huge thank you to all of you ladies for making these events such a success and it’s great to see them become more and more popular. A special thank you goes to Mego Han for all of the hard work that she did in her captaincy year and without her these events wouldn’t be what they are today.

“I know that Maureen will carry on that success as new Lady Captain and I look forward to seeing these events grow throughout this year.”

Head Golf Pro Stephen Hubner and Vice Captain Tejan Fadlu-Dean congratulate winner Patrick Morrow on his victory.

72 to take the best gross prize. Two juniors – Adam Savage and Rishi Nair – played extremely well and both finished with score of net 67. However, it was Nair who narrowly beat Savage on a better inward half to take the Junior Division title.

Past Lady Captain Mego Hann and new Lady Captain Maureen Platt with Dubai Creek Professional, Craig Waddell.

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BILBO’S BRILLIANCE WINS OPEN BILBO Perrot put the disappointment of finishing third at the 2012 Men’s Amateur Open behind him by going two better and winning this year’s event thanks to gross rounds of 77 and 74.

Playing off a +3 handicap, Perrot began day two in second place after his opening 74 over the Fire course, three shots behind his good friend Martin Fernandez. Conditions worsened during day two on the Earth course and Perrot’s outward tally of 40 looked to have cost him a

Shankar Majrekar is congratulated by Neal Graham, Acting General Manager Operations of Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Bilbo Perrot is crowned the BMW AGMC sponsored 2013 JGE Mens Amateur Open Champion

by Mark Bull, JGE Golf Operations Supervisor. shot at redemption. However, as Fernandez also struggled Perrot seized the initiative and played out the final five holes in 2-under-par to come home in 37 for a 151 total and win by one from Paul Moir and the up-and-coming youngster Rayhan Thomas. Fernandez dropped out of

the podium places after a costly back nine.

In the Net Division Michael Pearce took the title with rounds of 72 and 70 for a 36 hole total score of 142. Barry Cotter claimed second place, three shots back, while Daood Ali Jaffal finished third with a 147 total.

Gerald Harper is pictured with Golf Operations Supervisor Mark Bull after achieving his Hole-in-One on the Fire course.

Lucas Carletti is congratulated on his achievement by PGA Golf Professional Alasdair Danson-Webster.

Shortly after Carletti it was 84-year-old Gerald Harper’s turn to bask in the glory as he struck a fine 5-hybrid down the throat of the par-3 eighth on the

Fire course and into the hole. It pitched roughly ten yards short of the flag and trundled up to the hole before disappearing from view.

PAIR OF ACES MARCH proved to be an excellent month for the rarest shot in golf as two aces were struck – one on the Fire course and one on the Earth course.

Lucas Carletti from Argentina became the first junior to record a hole-in-one at Jumeirah Golf Estates, on the Earth course. He struck a superb 7-iron to the 13th and his ball nestled in the cup for his most memorable moment on a golf course to date

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SHANKAR COMES FROM BEHIND TO WIN JGE YAS CUP SHANKAR Majrekar saved his best for last as he compiled 37 points in the Grand Final of the JGE Yas Cup to win by three points from t ournament leader Paul Schwartz.

Schwartz held a two-point lead over Martin Fernandez while Majrekar was three back at the start of play. Under normal circumstances an effort of 31 points would have been good enough for Schwartz to etch his name on the trophy, however it wasn’t to be as Majrekar burst through the pack.

Finishing in third was Tania Gelasini as her three-round total of 89 points highlighted her consistency.

Majrekar also had the honour of taking home a Nearest the Pin prize on hole 13 while the other NTP prizes went to Nhoot Thongde, Nigel Pinto, and John Parsons on holes 4, 8 and 17 respectively.

CONTACT: Tel : +971 3 702 6400 E-mail: golf@aesgc.ae

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CUNNIFFE CLINCHES THE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP EOIN Cunniffe ran away with the Men’s Club Championship last month with a solid performance over two rounds that left the chasing pack clutching at thin air.

A fine level par 71 on day one left him eight shots clear of his nearest rivals and a 3-over-par 74 on day two saw him cruise to victory with a 145 total, nine clear of Edwin Scheepers. Scheepers’ score of 154 was matched by Jason Neese but Scheepers took second place outright after winning a countback.

The net event was equally as one sided as Eddie Garbutt shot two rounds of net 65 to win by ten from Alex Tinson with Russell Cash third. Gerard Dixon had the lead after a 64 on day one but couldn’t maintain his 78

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momentum and tumbled down the leaderboard on day two.

The Ladies Championship threatened to be another event dominated by one player as Michelle Sandford shot a 76 to lead by ten shots from Sara Donovan and Marja Kohn going into day two. However, a faltering front nine on day two saw her lead slip and by the time she teed off on the 18th her lead was just one stroke ahead of Donovan. Sandford held her nerve and clinched the title with a par with Donovan also making a par to stay in second place with Khon third.

Although Donovan missed out on the Gross prize with her fantastic second round Left to right: Michelle Sandford, Ladies Champion, Eoin Cunniffe, Men’s score of 76 for a net 65 saw her take home Champion, Shoaib Farooqui of Emirates, Eddie Garbutt, Men’s Net Championthe net trophy. and Sara Donovan, Ladies Net Champion.

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MAHMOOD AND CORGINI WALTZ TO STABLEFORD VICTORY SAQIB Mahmood and Florence Corgini were crowned Champions in their respective divisions at last month’s Ecco Individual Stableford as a field of 72 players battled it out in the third staging of the event.

Mahmood (pictured right with Golf Pro Scott Clelland) dominated the Men’s division when he posted his best score to date at Arabian Ranches as he gross 78 was worth 48 points which saw him complete a masterful nine-point win over Bryan Banner.

In the Ladies Division Corgini (pictured far right) returned a well-balanced card of 38 despite scoring no points on three holes during her round. Finishing runner-up on 35 points was Kaeren Evans.

MURPHY AND MCKELVEY SEAL THE MARCH RIVOLI MEDAL HONOURS IN PERFECT CONDITIONS

Men’s winner Ron Murphy is pictured with Lady Club Captain Anne Hainey.

Ladies winner Adele McKelvey accepts her prize from Anne Hainey.

RON Murphy returned a gross 1-under par 71 to win the March Rivoli Monthly Medal supported by Speed Cleaning but only after a narrow countback win over Max Burrow.

Murphy, one of the club’s Scratch League players, had a steady round and got the job done on a day perfect for scoring.

Having started on hole 10 he posted nines of 36 and 35 and it was his back nine of 35 that was the difference between first and second place.

“I’m happy with my performance today,

it is a special event to win,” said Murphy after his round. “My thanks go out to the sponsors for their support and congratulations to all today’s winners.”

The best net round of the day in the Men’s division belonged to Division A Champion Carl Night who posted a net 67 while Adele McKelvey pipped Kim Chiang to the title on a countback after both players signed for a gross 80.

Ladies Best Net went to Emma Rooms with a net 68 leaving Beatrice Galeppini in the runners up spot for the second consecutive event.

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PITMAN PUTS IN PEERLESS DISPLAY TO CLAIM BMW CITIZEN’S STABLEFORD PAUL Pitman scored 40 points to win last month’s BMW Citizen’s Stableford by just one point from Mike Roberts while Salil Dungawarl blew away the competition in Division ‘B’ as a haul of 44 points gave him a five-point win over Valeriy Zabrodin.

The Ladies Division ‘A’ winner was Ji Won Bae as she secured 40 points

for a two-stroke win over Jo Higgins while Sam Salem scored 45 points to win the Ladies’ Division ‘B’ by two from Jane Gray.

Kerry Fitzpatrick won both the Ladies Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin prizes while the men’s Nearest the Pin on hole 13 went to Davil Millar and Charlie Simpson boomed the men’s Longest Drive.

PHILMORE SHINES IN ECCO MEDAL PAUL Philmore won last month’s Ecco Monthly Medal after a superb gross 77 gave him a one-stroke victory over John Millar while Angela Calvert won the ladies gross prize after her 87 saw her win by one from Jo Higgins.

In the Men’s Division ‘A’ David Russell compiled a net 75 and topped the pile after a countback victory over Russell Yeomans with Richard Taylor third on 77.

The Men’s Division ‘B’ was topped by Myoung Kyu Shin with an excellent 65 for a three-stroke win over Valeriy Zabrodin with James Haupt third.

The Ladies net prize went to Elsie Bruce after she shot a 68 for a five-stroke win over Fiona Linn. www.wwgolf.biz

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MUNNERLYN SEALS THE FIRST CHIVAS MEN’S OPEN AT ABU DHABI CITY GOLF CLUB CLUB Captain Tim Munnerlyn wrapped up an historic victory in the 2013 Men’s Open last month after shooting a gross 80 to win by three shots from Sergio D’Souza, Martin Smith and Sim Kyo Lee. The event was the first staging of a Men’s Open at the Club and Munnerlyn duly stepped up to win in impressive fashion.

The Net Champion was Jamal Sahl after he recovered from a shaky start to post a gross 88 for a net 67. His score was matched by Quintana Martin, who shot a 95 for his net 67, but he had to settle for second place after losing the back nine countback with Sahl. Sahl’s superior inward tally of 31 strokes saw him take the title.

Despite missing out on the overall Net prize Martin was crowned champion of Division ‘B’ with his net 67 as he edged out Yashvant Chavan by one stroke.

In Division ‘A’ Alan Thomson shot a steady gross 86 off his 16 handicap for a net 70 to seal a one-stroke victory over Daniel Van Dyke who in turn pipped Elie Chiha to the runner-up spot on a countback.

The Scoring was tough but fair with only three Players breaking the Par of 70 all day but despite the tough but firm conditions

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Champion Tim Munnerlyn (centre) is presented with his prizes by Adam Pomeroy, Chivas representative and Account Manager (left) and ADCGC General Manager Rhian Lobo (right).

many players – some of which who were playing the couse for the first time – left with positive views. An oversubscribed field of 98 players took to the course and after play everyone was treated to a prize-giving dinner at the Pavilion Terrace.

Speaking at the prize giving ceremony, ADCGC General Manager Rhian Lobo said: “It has been a pleasure hosting you all

here today and this evening and we sincerely hope that you have enjoyed yourselves as much as we have. Our Golf Course is playing beautifully and our Greens Superintendant, Jojie Cruz, and his team deserves huge credit.

“Thanks to our sponsors GMP and Chivas for a truly memorable day and well done to Tim Munnerlyn and Jamal Sahl for being our Men’s Open inaugural winners.”

A representative from Gray Mackenzie and Partners on behalf of Chivas, Adam Pomeroy went on to say: “Today has been a very special occasion for ADCGC and Chivas are delighted to have been a part of it. We have thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many of you here at this wonderful facility, making time to enjoy each others’ company with Chivas throughout the day.”

CONTACT: Tel : +971 2 445 9600 Fax : +971 2 443 225

GOLF HOUSE TEAMS UP WITH ABU DHABI CITY GOLF CLUB PROGOLF International LLC has continued the expansion of its retail arm, Golf House, by adding the proshop at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club to its portfolio.

“Golf House is a golfer’s paradise. Whether you are a scratch golfer or someone looking to get into the game for the first time, we offer the best selection of the biggest brands in a truly unique environment,” said Scott Sullivan Progolf International’s GM. “Today’s hi-tech clubs offer more features than ever like adjustable loft and shot shape options.

Our Sponsored Pro’s at Abu Dhabi City Golf club are experts in helping golfers of all skill levels find the right gear for their game.”

The new Golf House store will carry a variety of equipment and apparel brands such as Callaway, Cobra, Taylormade, Mizuno, Cleveland, Srixon, Wilson, Puma, C&B, SWAGG, and Annika “Abu Dhabi is a growing market and one where we don’t have much retail presence,” continued Sullivan.

“Other than a small shop in Mushrif Mall,

this will be our first stand alone store in many a year.

“Our store supervisor Sandy, along with his team, and our retail manager Johan du Bruyn who is also a PGA professional will provide plenty of experience, support and knowledge to all golfers looking to better their game or in need for some friendly advice.

“Along with Abu Dhabi City GC we want to help grow the game of golf by offering custom fitting with re-shafting and repair options coming in the near future.”

With nine stores currently in the UAE, Golf House will be bringing over 15 years of golf retail experience into the Abu Dhabi region.

The deal is over a three-year span bringing many new golfing brands and experience into the region.

The new store is part of a continued growth strategy by Progolf that is bucking an industry trend of golf store closures in many parts of the world. The Dubai-based golf retailer will continue its expansion in 2013 with three planned stores across the UAE.

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BURNELL SEALS THE MARCH ETIHAD OPEN STABLEFORD

PRINCE CROWNED KING IN CADILLAC MEDAL PAUL Prince fired a net 70 and won a back-six countback with Lincoln Mardel to win last month’s Cadillac Medal. Competition was fierce and finishing third with a net 71 was John Thompson while the gross winner was Kang Ho Rho with a 79.

Second place in the gross category went to youngster Ronan Hall who shot an 85 with Ryan Hunter taking third after losing out to Hall on a countback.

Winner Stephen Paul Burnell (centre) is congratulated after his win.

STEPHEN Paul Burnell clinched the honours in Division ‘B’ of last month’s Etihad Open Stableford as his haul of 35 points gave him a two-point win over Chris Archibald.

Archibald came in with 33 points and he sealed second place outright ahead of Tiina Vuorenmaa after a countback.

Taking the honours in Division ‘A’ with a countback win was Ahmed AlMazrui as he defeated Jonathan Craig with both players locked on 39 points.

LOVES SUPREME IN ECCO CHALLENGE

Champion Paul Prince is pictured with PGA Pro Victoria Hassett.

NICK and Anita Love proved too hot to handle on a scorching day at Yas Links as they won the Ecco Challenge with a 39-point haul ahead of Willian Royce and Gareth Denninson on a card countback. www.wwgolf.biz

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CONTACT: Tel : +971 2 558 8990 E-mail: info@adgolfclub.com

ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB www.adgolfclub.com

@ADGolfClub

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HARRADINE CROWNED MEN’S OPEN CHAMPION MICHAEL Harradine held his nerve in the final round of the ninth annual Abu Dhabi Men’s Open, sponsored by Titleist, to clinch the top spot on the National Course which designed by his father, Peter Harradine.

After a steady round of 71 on the first day, Michael ‘scrambled’ through the second in 74 blows to take this year’s title with a one-shot victory from PGA professional Gary Knight.

“I played very solid on the first day but couldn’t really convert the solid play into a good score which I was slightly disappointed with,” said Michael. “It isn’t every day you give yourself a lot of birdie chances and only to convert a few of them was frustrating.

“On the second day I didn’t play anywhere near as well and scrambled a lot to try and

keep things going whilst dropping a few shots here and there. Luckily Gary Knight, who was only one or two shots behind me at certain points, made some errors too so it was enough to stay ahead.”

The overall best gross score was won by Clemens Dolinar who beat a high-class field with a 6-over par total of 150.

Last year’s Champion Dino Varkey took second place with a score of 152 closely followed by Bayhaan Lakdawala who narrowly lost out on second place on a countback.

In the Net Division, John Millar took first place with steady rounds of 75 and 71 for a 146 total to beat his closest rival Ian McDowall by just two shots.

Third place went to Coner Keegan with a total score of 149 over the two days.

Champion Michael Harradine is pictured with Club Captain Ken Graham after his victory.

TROON GOLF LAUNCHES INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME UK COLLEGE

Three current interns Simon Borley, Steven Hewitt and Scott Wood are pictured with Golf Operations Manager Phil Waine (right).

ABU Dhabi Golf Club has launched a competitive internship programme in partnership with Myerscough College in the UK which sees three students spend a full term working at the golf club in a range of roles.

Spearheaded by Phil Waine, a former Myerscough student himself, the programme offers talented students the opportunity to gain real, hands-on experience whilst adding the prestige of the Troon Golf brand to their CVs. In conjunction with Troon Golf, internationally recognised as the world’s leading golf course management company, Abu Dhabi Golf Club is providing the students with accommodation, catered meals and an allowance for the duration of their internship.

SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB www.sbgolfclub.ae

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“The industry is becoming more and more competitive, and it is challenging to get that first job without vital experience on your CV,” said Waine, Golf Operations Manager at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. “We are committed to growing talent, not just at a regional level, but internationally too. The initiative aims to give talented youngsters the chance to learn about working in a golf club from the inside out, experiencing roles in retail, operations and events.”

Currently interning are Simon Borley, Steven Hewitt and Scott Wood, who will finish in May to return to their studies in the UK. Hewitt, 23, said: “The move to the Middle East could not have come at a better time for me and I can honestly say it’s the place to be.”

CONTACT: Tel : +971 2 557 8000 Email: info@sbgolfclub.ae

Saadiyat-Beach-Golf-Club

MARTIN CLINCHES THE MARCH ROSEWOOD BOWL STEVE Martin scored an impressive net 76 to win last month’s Rosewood Bowl by one shot from Colin Mann. Martin put his turn of good fortune into his recent golf lesson and said afterwards: “It’s been a very long time since I won anything, perhaps that golf lesson was worth it after all!”

Mann is a two-time Rosewood Bowl winner alongside Ken Johnstone and both are battling it out to become the first three-time winners of the event.

Hole 5 Top Tip Martin Robinson, Head Teaching Professional.

The visually stunning par-4 requires a well placed tee shot due to a well protected fairway. Once on the fairway a confident swing to the right side of the green will ensure a birdie putt. Be careful though, as the green slopes towards the water on the left hand side. The ‘Dolphin Hole’ is amongst the most beautiful in the UAE with Turquoise Ocean views and stunning surrounds. www.wwgolf.biz

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AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB www.alhamragolf.com

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CONTACT: Tel : +971 7 244 7474 E-mail: enquiries@alhamragolf.com

AlHamraGolfClub

MAKI-PETAJA AND ENGELBRECT CROWNED CLUB CHAMPIONS JAKE Maki-Petaja secured the Men’s Club Championship title by a stunning 14-shot margin after a gross 150 after two days of play. Maki-Petaja shot an opening 76 and followed it with a 74 for his two-round total, well ahead of second-placed Steve Rayment with third place going to Simon Williams on 165.

Wrapping up the Ladies Championship was the impressive Rita Englebrect as she won her third Club Championship in succession with a 172 total with second placed Ma Li Min second on 202.

Andy Spavin won the Men’s Net Division with a two round total of 147 after beating Paul Tipping in a card play-off while the Ladies Net champion was Paula Svensson with a 151 tally and a two-stroke win over Rabab Al Haj.

SUPERB SU WINS HIS FIRST MEDAL ZI HAO Su won his first Monthly Medal at Al Hamra by recording a 79 to finish with a two-stroke winning margin ahead of Paul Tipping with Jake Maki-Petaja finishing third place a shot further back.

Sealing the Net Division was Rabab Al Haj who followed a 1-under front nine with a level-par back nine to win by one from Annie Marriot with Zhendong Tan taking third a shot further back.

NO STOPPING DARWISH MOHAMMED Darwish continued his dazzling form by wrapping up the recent Open Stableford with 38 points, one clear of Simon Sinclair. Darwish compiled nines of 20 and 18 for his total which included six net birdies.

Sinclair unfortunately blew his winning chances by not recording any points on the difficult 18th after he had earlier posted two net eagles and six net birdies.

Finishing two points behind Sinclair on 35 points was Dave Hoggins, who had to beat fellow competitors Bill Grosser and Sekhar Thodla in a card to clinch third place outright.

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YOON STORMS TO CLASSIC VICTORY DAE Young Yoon clinched the RAK Seniors Classic last month with a come-from-behind victory over overnight leader Sergio D’Souza.

After day one at Al Hamra Golf Club D’Souza held a one-stroke lead over Yoon thanks to a gross 77 but on day two at Tower Links Golf Club Yoon came to the fore, shooting a superb 72 to turn a one-stroke deficit into a five-stroke victory.

In the Net category Jimmy Miller

proved untouchable as he fired rounds of 66 and 70 for an 8-under-par total and a ten-stroke win over Eric Eric Engelbrecht.

The Ladies champion was Yuki Pellerine as she followed an opening 89 with a 96 to finish on 185 and win the gross prize while the Net champion was Sheila Alban as her rounds of 76 and 81 gave her a 157 total.

In the Super Seniors (over 60s) Steve Rayment posted rounds of 80 and 83

to win the gross title while Chris Redley was crowned the Net champion wth a 144 total.

Bob Messham of sponsors Gulf Coast Engineering said: “I’ve had a fantastic weekend of golf. The competition was a huge success as I hope it would be and everyone seemed to enjoy every part of the competition. I’m already excited for next year when hopefully I will have the opportunity to Support another fantastic event.”

MAKI-PETAJA AND AL HAMOUD SEAL VICTORY IN STYLE AFTER Two days of play over at Al Hamra Golf Club and Tower Links Golf Club the Black and White Tee Challenge was decided with Julia Al Hamoud winning the Ladies White Challenge and Jake Maki-Petaja clinching the Men’s Black Tee Challenge.

Al Hamoud won the ladies’ gross with a 171 total while the net winner was Rita Engelbrecht with a 167.

Maki-Petaja shot a gross total of 160 to win by a stunning 13 strokes from Douglas Gemmell while in the net competition Zhendong Tan secured the title with a 143 total, four clear of Derek Fisher.

LOCAL NEWS CONTACT: Tel : +971 7 227 939 Email: membership@towerlinks.com

TOWER LINKS GOLF CLUB www.towerlinks.com

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RAMPAGING REGAN AT IT AGAIN MARK Regan is fast becoming a Social Specialist as he triumphed in the midweek Stableford recently with a stunning 20-point haul.

Regan has formed some formidable partnerships of late in the pairs competitions but with this result he proved that he is more than capable of flying solo when needed.

S.P. Hong goes about his business with minimal fuss, finding fairways and greens with supreme regularity and he was rewarded on the night with a second place finish after scoring 19 points.

Four players finished with 17 points and taking third place outright after the countback was Pat Mottershead as her last three hole score of eight points clinched her the last place on the podium.

MADDOX AND QUINN DOMINATE WITH EASE SEAN Quinn and Greg Maddox decimated the field in the recent Wednesday Social 2 Player Daytona with a wonderful score of 342. The Daytona format had never been played before over the Links and turned out to be very enjoyable – once the players got their heads around the scoring.

Second place went to Tobias Fernstrom and Steve Finn with a score of 352 with Ajay and Anupma Kotwal finishing third with a 361 score. Maddox took home the Nearest the Pin prize on hole 16 with Young Nam Chang winning the same prize on hole 12.

BRILLIANT BUCHANAN WINS ON HIS DEBUT BILL Buchanan could not have started life as a Tower Links Member in better fashion after he cruised to victory in the weekly Wednesday social competition.

Partnering Simon Payne in the two player scramble format was just the way be introduced to golf in Ras Al Khaimah and after starting from hole 10 the pair made five consecutive birdies and two birdies by Buchanan on their final two holes saw them sign for a gross 29 and a net 28.73.

Roger Floyd and Yuki Pellerine were hot on their heels but came up just shot while Mark Regan and Greg Maddox took third place with a solid net 31.90.

Finishing last and taking home the wooden spoon were Par Mottershead and Rick Wilson on net 38.45. Jeff Glasgow and Roger Floyd won the Nearest the Pin prizes on holes 12 and 16 respectively.

AL GHAZAL GOLF CLUB www.alghazalgolf.com

CONTACT: Tel : +971 2 575 5044 E-mail: golfclub@adhc.adac.ae

Al-Ghazal-Golf-Club

MUNRO WINS THE 40TH ABU DHABI OPEN GOLF CHAMPION LAST month’s Abu Dhabi Open sponsored by the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) celebrated 40 years of sand golf in the UAE’s Capitol and after two spectacular days of play coming out on top was Steven Munro after he downed Simon Dunn in a tense play-off.

Munro posted a first round score of 78 and was in third place behind Mark Ireland with 77 and Dunn who led with a 75.

After nine holes on day two Munro had picked up two shots with a one under 34 against Dunn’s 36 and a final birdie 3 on hole 10 saw him pull level with the struggling Dunn. Dunn faltered down the stretch, dropping shots on holes 11, 13, 14 and 15 to fall behind but a birdie on the 17th pulled him level with Munro. Both players closed with a par to force a play-off on the 10th hole which was presided over by Al Ghazal Club Captain Rupert Evans.

Munro hooked his drive and from the rough he found the back of the brown, 20 feet past the pin. Dunn, who was in the middle of the fairway, stuck his approach to 18 feet. Munro was to putt first and his attempt rolled down the bank, took the break and nestled firmly in the cup for a superb birdie – worthy of winning any tournament. With the pressure on Dunn gave his birdie putt a firm strike but it proved too firm as it lipped out, handing Munro the championship.

Rob Jennings won the Amateur Gross Divition with a 152 total, two clear of Jonathan Jeffrey with past winner Alex Charawani in third.

The Overall Best Net went to Faris Al Azzawi on 150 with Kevin Darroch in second, one shot Abdullah Al Shamsi [NBAD] is pictured with overall winner Steve Munro and Club Captain Rupert Evans. back after being Bernie Blanchard on a countback. www.wwgolf.biz

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CONTACT: Tel : +968 245 14080 E-mail: bookings@muscatgolf.com

MUSCAT HILLS GOLF CLUB www.muscathillsgolf.com

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BAWA AND SINGH CROWNED CLUB CHAMPIONS SACHIN Bawa won the Men’s Club Championship after a stellar performance while Sanjoli Singh won the Ladies Championship for the third successive year after another supreme two-day’s play.

After day one Vikas Dixit was leading the way in the Men’s event but Bawa proved too strong on day two as he followed a 79 with an 81 to win by

one from Humayun Kabir with Dixit falling out of contention. Kabir was forced to settle for the runner-up spot in the main event but he did win the overall Net prize thanks to a 145 total.

Singh dominated proceedings in the Ladies event, winning by a staggering 24 strokes while in the Ladies Net Category Sarah Whitelaw took the spoils with a 152 total.

OVER 100 GATHER FOR MEMORIAL GOLF DAY THE second annual Memorial Golf Event for HH Kais bin Tarik Al Said took centre stage with over 100 golfers taking to the course to pay their respects to the avid golfer and former member of the Royal Family who passed away two years ago.

His son HH Rawi Al Said, now CEO of Muscat Hills Golf Project LLC, gathered Muscat Hills’ members and special invitees to honour his father’s memory with a golf event which has now become an annual tradition.

His Highness Kais bin Tarik al Said,

one of the pivotal visionaries of golf in Oman, pioneered the Muscat Hills Golf project which became the first Green Golf Course in the country.

His hard work and dedication of the project now allows the Oman golf community to play a fantastic golf course 365 days a year.

The event was played in teams of four and taking the top spot with a haul of 117 points was the team of Bob Whitelaw, Sarah Whitelaw, Jordan Whitelaw and Carl Tular as they edged out Anchum Melina, Flora Rabar, Peter Salleh and Monica

Jugah by one point. Finishing third after losing out on a countback for second place was the foursome of

Khalil Al Wahaibi, Mohammed Khawar, Talal Al Balushi and Eddy Mawali.

PRESCOTTS VICTORIOUS AT 2013 AUDI QUATTRO CUP THE Oman edition of the Audi Quattro Cup ended with plenty of action and a crowd-pleasing result as partners John and Shirley Prescott clinched first place in the competition.

During the prize giving ceremony Abdel Karim Awwad, National Sales and Marketing Manager for Audi Oman, congratulated the winning duo for their outstanding achievement and thanked all the other participants in the tournament.

“On behalf of Wattayah Motors – the official dealer for Audi in Oman, it is my pleasure to congratulate the winning team on having proven themselves as champion amateur golfers,“ he said. “The concept of the Audi Quattro Cup is to help raise the profile of golf in Oman and to recognise the finest golfers in the Sultanate – and today we have done just that.

“We wish John and Shirley Prescott the best of luck for the World Final at 86

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Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles later this year.”

After winning the Muscat tournament the Prescott proceed directly to the World Final at Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles, USA from October 7th –11th, 2013, where golfers from over 50 different countries will compete for the title of overall Audi Quattro Cup winner.

“The Audi quattro Cup is a globally renowned amateur tournament,“ said John. “We were keen to participate, but it was such an achievement to actually win the tournament!”

Shirley added: “We really enjoyed the atmosphere of the tournament and are grateful to Audi Oman, Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club and Oman Golf Committee for organising this tournament.

“It raises the profile of the sport here. To be travelling to the World Finals in Los Angeles is a dream come true and we’re both stoked to be competing in this international competition.”

CONTACT: Tel : +968 2200 5990 E-mail: info@almoujgolf.com

ALMOUJ GOLF www.almoujgolf.com

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OVER OMR 2,500 RAISED AT AL FAIR CHARITY GOLF DAY ALMOUJ Golf helped raise over OMR 2,500 at the inaugural Al Fair Charity Golf Day with all the money being split between the J9 Foundation and a local charity based in Oman.

The J9 Foundation was formed by the legendary South African rugby player Joost van der Westhuizen, who was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease in 2011, a degenerative disorder which effects normal muscle activity. Currently there is no known cure for MND and the J9 Foundation not only supports MND patients and their families financially and emotionally, but also teaches them how to live a quality life.

The format of the day was a Texas Scramble 4 ball for OGC Handicap holders and coming out on top with a score of 67 was Nicky Charlton’s team.

Fay D’Abo achieved success with the ladies’ Nearest the Pin prize on the penultimate hole whilst Tenzin Tsarong won the men’s Nearest the Pin title on the second hole. ”We are delighted to host the Al Fair Charity Golf Day,” said Simon Duffield, General Manager of Almouj Golf. “We are always keen to support good causes and this event gave us and our members the opportunity to take part in a successful golfing event in support of a great charity. It is an

important cause and we hope events like these help to raise awareness for such illnesses in Oman.”

Commercial Manager of Al Fair, Marthinus Hendrikse said: “The course was in peak condition and everyone enjoyed the inaugural Al Fair Charity Golf Day. We got great support from our suppliers and partners here in Oman and together we raised just over OMR 2,500. 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the J9 Foundation, which will make a big difference in the lives of MND sufferers. The other 50% will be donated to a charity based in Oman.”runner-up on 35 points was Kaeren Evans.

RENIHAN RUNS AWAY WITH IT IN CHEDI MONTHLY MEDAL HOT on the heels of the 17th GCC Championships, the links course at Almouj Golf was in pristine condition for last month’s edition of The Chedi Muscat Monthly Medal.

The greens were running a little quicker than normal and taking full advantage was Danny Renihan as he was out in the first group and set a net target of 76 which was not net bettered by the rest of the field.

Renihan’s round was steady with halves of 48 and 45 giving him a gross total of 93 for his net 76. The gross

Kim Davis and Danny Renihan with their trophies.

THE ROYAL GOLF CLUB www.theroyalgolfclub.com

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title was more a case of attrition rather than spectacular golf. The wind had increased in strength throughout the morning meaning every group on the course had to meet the challenge at some point.

Ultimately it was 5-handicapper Aaron O’Hara who kept his head and took the title with a gutsy 88.

Joining the winner’s enclosure for the first time this season in the Ladies Division was Ladies Captain Kim Davis after she scored a net 77 for a one-stroke win over Sarah Morris.

CONTACT: Tel : +973 1 775 0777

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PROFESSIONALS EASE OUT THE MEMBERS THE Royal Golf Club’s team of PGA Professionals continued their winning streak at the annual Professionals’ Challenge with a great 11-under-par score of 61.

The team, consisting of General Manager DJ Flanders, Senior Teaching Professional Tim Backhouse and teaching professionals Chris McDonnell and Craig Brown got off to a slow start after only birdieing four out of the first nine holes. Nevertheless, they made up for it on the final nine holes with a

superb seven birdies to ease to a comfortable victory.

The Texas Scramble tournament attracted a field of 100 players and saw competitors trying to better the Pros’ team score. Out of the 25 teams that took part in the challenge, the Pros managed to beat 21 teams, only losing to four.

The winning amateur team was the DHL team represented by Ed Daly, Adrian Morgan, Gary Owen and Andy Love, who scored a net 59.7.

Professional Tim Backhouse (second from right) with the DHL team of (left to right) Gary Owen, Adrian Morgan, Andy Love and Ed Daly. www.wwgolf.biz

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CONTACT: Tel : +971 4 295 2277

DOHA GOLF CLUB www.dohagolfclub.com

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MONEY RAISED FOR CHARITY AT BROOKFIELD MULTIPLEX GOLF DAY THE inaugural Brookfield Multiplex Charity Golf Day took place last month with all the money raised during the day going to a local cancer charity.

Prior to play competitors bought mulligans

and raffle tickets which went into the charity pot and after play an auction was held where electrical goods, barbeques and signed Qatar Masters memorabilia was sold to the highest bidder. On the course the prizes went to the

LOW SCORES IN RASGAS MEMBERS DAY

SANG-ORN SECURES MARCH GUARDIAN WEALTH MEDAL

LAST month’s RasGas Members Golf Event was split into two shotguns as over 175 players took to the course in a quest for honours.

Taking the spoils in Flight ‘A’ was James Corby as he fired a gross 71 for a net 65 while in Flight ‘B’ where the format was Stableford Ali Sager won with a score of 34 points. Flight ‘C’ was also contested in Stableford and winning with 35 points was Brian Woodward while the Junior champion was Faisal Mir with 34 points and Annette Hansen won the Ladies Division with the same score.

SOMPOSCH Sang-Orn captured last month’s Guardian Wealth Medal with a net 72 from his gross 79.

Sang-Orn had a tough start and went out in 41 blows but he fought back on the inward nine and came home in 38 to post his victorious total.

www.banyanthailand.com

Banyan-Golf-Club-Hua-Hin

BANYAN TO INTRODUCE GOLF CARTS SINCE its soft opening in October 2008 Banyan Golf Club has welcomed thousands of golfers from across the globe and to celebrate its fifth year of operation next year the management have decided to make golf carts optional from May this year.

“In general we believe our industry requires golf courses to be affordable, accessible, economical and sustainable,” said Golf Club Manager Stacey Walton. “Golf facilities need to be financially viable as the investment made in a golf course is significant. Also, members and regular golfers will appreciate the change at Banyan Golf Club as they can now play our course with their playing partners more comfortably should they all decide to walk the golf course or rent golf carts.”

Players that rent a golf cart can enjoy the GPS system which is installed in them and it will be the only golf course in Thailand to provide this technology. www.wwgolf.biz

In Flight ‘B’ Yushiro Ishige triumphed with a net 68 from his gross 83 while Flight ‘C’ was topped by Gerry Price as he shot a gross 91 for a net 70. The Ladies Division was won by the upcoming junior Kimberley Stiegler as she shot a net 73.

CONTACT: Tel : +66 (32) 616 200 email: reservations@banyanthailand.com

BANYAN GOLF CLUB

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team of Anton Barry, Wade Dann, Mark Hervey and Zamri Salim as they shot a superb net 56 to win by one from the team of Brookfield General Manager Reiner Breitenbach, Michael Izzy, Terry Martin and Jon Brooks.

DIRAB GOLF CLUB

CONTACT: Tel : +966 1 812 6671 E-mail: info@dirabgolf.com

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SUPERB SCORES RECORDED IN AMBASSADOR OPEN THE annual Ambassador Cup took place recently and coming out on top with a gross 65 for a net 55 was the team of Mujb Minhas, Byung Nyun Kim, Rami Alsaihati and Susan Tessier. Finishing second, two strokes back with a net 57, was the team of Mursidi Setia, Ralf Schiffer, Roedy Roetuin Ahmad and Budi Atmoko as they shot a gross 68 for their net tally.

Rounding out the podium places was the team of Ibrahim Zailon, Muhamed Fakhri Taib and Khasan Syukur as they compiled a net 60 from a gross 71 while Shahid Rabbani won both the Nearest the Pin and Long Drive prizes and Susan Tessier won the Ladies Long Drive challenge.

BUGGY TALK AROUND THE TURN I was recently playing in Mediclinic Middle East's Golf Day. A day out of the office playing golf is always going to be a great day, but this particular round was made even better by the company - my buggy partners, Peter, Sean and Richard. Thank you one and all.

It was Around The Turn that the topic of conversation became Rory McIlroy's recent on-course dental problems, and his urgent need to abandon his round and his playing partners. The consensus was that this was pretty poor form; walking off mid round, unless injured, is unprofessional, irrespective of how bad you are playing. All his fans were very disappointed. I am sure his management team from now on will have a dentist travelling with them for all future events.

I think this serves to demonstrate the differences between golf for fun and golf for a living. We "amateurs" are never going to earn our living playing golf and so are unshackled from the burden of having to win, win, win and can enjoy the game for itself. The "big boys and ladies" will only ever enjoy it when they are winning or earning well.

If we ever storm off the golf course with "toothache" we should be sent straight back to the office, to our work! Mark Twain famously said that golf was "a good walk spoilt". But we know better, don't we?

So what about our teeth?

WRIGHT AND DICKINSON THE WAY IN MARRIOTT MONTHLY MEDAL CAROLINE Wright and Barbara Dickenson emerged as the big winners in the recent Marriott Ladies Monthly Medal with Wright taking the overall gross spoils with an 88 and Dickenson taking the net prize with a 68.

In Division ‘A’ Mi Jung Yoo took the spoils with a five-stroke win over Claire Watter after signing for a 70 while in Division ‘B’ Susan Tessier also scored a 70 to record a four-stroke win over Monika Schiffer.

The Omega Division was won by Christy Roe with a 91 with Chris Buchner taking second, two strokes back.

There are well known and established links between our oral health and our bodily health. The biggest cause of losing your teeth is not tooth decay but gum disease. My dentist, Ian, has a great poster on the wall of his surgery. It shows a young boy asking if he has to brush all of his teeth every day, to which the dentist replies, "No, just the one you wish to keep". Many diseases can manifest themselves in the oral cavity and all good dentists examine the whole mouth and throat thoroughly as part of your routine dental check up and will often spot things which may be of concern, long before you would consider going to you doctor. Finally, there is good evidence that brushing your teeth twice each day in association with the regular use of interdental brushes (little brushes which go in between the teeth and clean the gums, reducing the bacterial load in the mouth) reduces your risk of heart disease significantly. How does it do that, you may well ask? Catch me on the course and I'll tell you.

Top Tip: Regular trips to your dentist catch problems early and may improve your golf.

Hole 10 Top Tip

By Bouchiab El Jadiani, Golf Professional.

A long and straight drive is what is needed to take advantage on this this par-4. Should your drive pull up short of the fairway bunker you’ll be left with a 150-yard approach to a narrow, kidneyshaped green that slops from left to right into the fattest portion. Any approach that misses short right will find the sand leaving a tough up-and-down. If you find the green in regulation look back and enjoy the view back to the tee and beyond knowing only a three-putt can spoil it!

By Dr. Andrew Devine

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.biz

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STYLE

Q Actor Bill Murray on how a job as a caddie in his teens gave him the taste for what has been a life-long hobby.

Q Dubai Duty Free give you the chance to win a 600hp McLaren MP4-12C. Weird name â&#x20AC;&#x201C; amazing supercar!

Q LPGA star Morgan Pressel gets a grilling from WWG on her hobbies, favourite foods and her charitable endevours.

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STAR GOLFER

Bill

Murray 92

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WWG STYLE SOMETIMES you need a good sense of humour to play golf otherwise youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d cry and Bill Murray is probably the best KWUMLa IK\WZ QV \PM _WZTL [W PMÂź[ I OWWL Ă&#x2026;\ The 62-year-old American has been around golf his whole life and spent much of his teens caddying for rich J][QVM[[UMV QV PQ[ PWUM \W_V WV ?QTUM\\M 1TTQVWQ[ ) ZMO]TIZ I\ 8ZWĚ&#x2030;)U M^MV\[ IZW]VL \PM _WZTL _PMZM PQ[ IV\QK[ XZW^QLM VW MVL WN IU][MUMV\ NWZ [XMK\I\WZ[ OWTN PI[ IT[W NMI\]ZML QV [M^MZIT WN PQ[ Ă&#x2026;TU ZWTM[ 7VM WN PQ[ MIZTa [QOVI\]ZM ZWTM[ [I_ PQU XTIaQVO PIXTM[[ I[[Q[\IV\ OZMMVSMMXMZ +IZT ;XIKSTMZ QV \PM ! Âź[ [MUQVIT OWTN UW^QM +ILLa[PIKS IVL PMÂź[ IT[W LQ[XTIaML PQ[ TW^M WN \PM OIUM QV ;XIKM 2IU 4W[\ QV <ZIV[TI\QWV IVL BWUJQMTIVL 0M M^MV _ZW\M I JWWS QV !!! MV\Q\TML +QVLMZMTTI ;\WZa" 5a 4QNM QV /WTN <PM /PW[\J][\MZ[ [\IZ OZIJJML \PM OWTĂ&#x2026;VO PMILTQVM[ QV _PMV PM _WV \PM )< < 8MJJTM *MIKP 6I\QWVIT 8ZWĚ&#x2030;)U ITWVO[QLM , ) 8WQV\[ )TWVO _Q\P PQ[ JZW\PMZ[ PM PW[\[ \PM IVV]IT 5]ZZIa *ZW[ +ILLa[PIKS +PIZQ\a /WTN <W]ZVIUMV\ _PQKP \PQ[ aMIZ \ISM[ XTIKM )XZQT Ě&#x2030; I\ \PM ?WZTL /WTN >QTTIOM PWUM \W \PM ?WZTL /WTN 0ITT WN .IUM When did you first get hooked on the game of golf?

BM: When I caddied as a kid. My brothers and I worked at this club where we grew up. We caddied barefoot back in the old days. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know there were pesticides on the grass! I just loved the peace and quiet, being outside. I fell in love with the early and the lateâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;being out early in the morning with dew on the grass, or late afternoons with the sun going down, beautiful light, birds all around. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a nice way to live.

Your brother Brian co-wrote Caddyshack, your time working as caddies mustâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve provided some inspiration?

BM: Brian knew that they needed a character to be the balance between the members and the caddies, and he asked me to come down and do the character that became Carl Spackler. It was supposed to be a small roleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; pretty much the scene with the head greens keeper telling me that we have to deal with the gopher. It became a lot more.

You must have had some fun caddying?

BM: It was my ďŹ rst glimpse of comedy.

When you see grown men near to tears because theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve missed hitting a little white ball into a hole from three feet, it makes you laugh.

You were at The Ryder Cup with the US team all week last year, what are your reflections now that the dust has settled?

BM: It was in my home town so I was proud of the city, the city did a great job. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a beautiful city and I think the players had a great time. You know, when you come from that far behind to win, like Europe did, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an epic day.

Even though I root for the Americans I know a lot of the European players and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re good men so I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t root against them. It was something to watch â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a moment in golf that will last a long time.

What was the funniest thing you saw?

BM: I guess I can tell you this, because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long gone. I caddied for a guy who had really bad gas. The gas was so bad, there were colours coming out. I mean actual colours. I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen anything like it since. Extraordinary.

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got some moves on the golf course, what do you play off?

BM: I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really play very well. I played oďŹ&#x20AC; 5 at last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dunhill Links Championship but I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get anywhere close to that. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play anywhere near that any more.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the strongest part of your game?

BM: When Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m playing a lot, I can drive the ball really well and hit it far and where I want to hit it. But when my swing is queer, I struggle with balance.

So Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll hit 5-irons until I get right. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;OK, 5-irons oďŹ&#x20AC; the tee from now on.â&#x20AC;?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good lessonâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;you learn itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not too damaging [to your score] to hit 5-irons, if you hit them straight. And I can get them out there pretty good.

Murray Movie Classics Caddyshack (top) Ghostbusters (midde) Little Shop of Horrors Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Having a Baby Scrooged Groundhog Day Rushmore The Royal Tenenbaums Lost in Translation Zombieland The Life Aquatic (bottom)

What about the weakest part?

MB: Long irons. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m late to the hybrid-club craze. I still carry long irons.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll reach a long par-3, look at the card, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re like, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Geez, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have this club. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m gonna have trouble.â&#x20AC;? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s frustrating because I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t played enough to really spank a 3-, 4-iron. And if you hit a knock-down wood, you have no idea where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going.

What makes you laugh when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re playing golf?

BM: I try not to laugh at other people. I love playing with my friends.

Something happens on a golf course.

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re able to talk about things you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t speak about at other times with other people. You feel free. You can open up a big can of something thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been shut oďŹ&#x20AC; inside you â&#x20AC;&#x201C; things youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been keeping inside. Secrets come out.

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WWG STYLE

Morgan Pressel 5WZOIV 8ZM[[MT [PW\ \W _WZTL_QLM I\\MV\QWV when in 2007 she became, at 18 years, 10 months and 9 days, the youngest player QV 48/) PQ[\WZa \W _QV I 5IRWZ I\ \PM 3ZIN\ 6IJQ[KW +PIUXQWV[PQX IVL _MV\ on to add the Kapalu Classic the following aMIZ ;PM¼[ XTIaML QV \PZMM =; ;WTPMQU +]X \MIU[ _Q\P IV W^MZITT ZMKWZL WN ̉ ̉ ?̉4̉0 0I^QVO TW[\ PMZ U]U \W JZMI[\ cancer at the age of 15 Morgan hosts the 8ZM[[MT IVL .ZQMVL[ .QOP\ +IVKMZ KPIZQ\a \W]ZVIUMV\ M^MZa aMIZ WWG: What would you like to do for a living if you are not a pro golfer?

MP: Work in fashion or something similar where I can be creative.

WWG: Is there anything you’re addicted to?

Or can’t live without?

MP: Online shopping and retail in general!

WWG: Is there anything you won’t eat?

MP: That is an extensive list, and it begins with seafood!

WWG: What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment to date?

MP: Raising money for breast cancer in honour of my mother and creating a foundation.

WWG: What is your favorite activity you do when you want to relax?

MP: Read a book or magazine.

WWG: What is your favourite time of year?

MP: Winter – when I’m home in Florida with my family.

WWG: What beauty product can you not live without?

MP: Bobbi Brown long wear eyeliner.

WWG: What invention do you wish you had thought of?

MP: The Hair Tie! WWG: What’s your favourite movie of all time?

MP: My Fair Lady.

DID YOU If Morgan could choose to be on a television KNOW? show it would be either Gossip Girl because she loves fashion, or Glee because she loves music.

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