2011 Worldwide Golf September by Worldwide Golf

Official Media Partner Middle East

ISSUE 129, SSEPTEMBER 2011

MIddle east’s No.1 Golf MaGazINe

Gary Woodland With a 200MPH ball speed, long has just got longer

MICHELLE WIE EMIRATES AIRLINE INVITATIONAL MENA TOUR GREG NORMAN GARY PLAYER

The same Titleist 910D2 Driver played by Gary but with a softer shaft to suit your speed!

Swing TipS GET THE bASICS RIGHT UNDERSTAND YOUR WEDGE PETE COWEN LOOKS AT SIMON DYSONS WINNING SWING

Luckiest baLL on earth win a place in the 2011 Dubai worlD championship pro-am

ISBN 978-9948-15-427-3

9 789948 154273

EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS l DIVOTS l LOCKER ROOM l WORLD ROUND-UPS Official Publication of The Emirates Golf Federation & The Arab Golf Federation

Worldwide Golf Executive Editor Since 1999

GARY PLAYER

The nine time Major Champion who has witnessed and been a part of some of the most historic and memorable golfing occasions reflects on the game today

He may have won the last Major of 2011 but Keegan Bradley is not the best golfer in his family. That honour belongs to his aunt, Pat Bradley. Pat won 31 LPGA Tour events and six Major championships. In 1986 she almost achieved the Ladies Grand Slam, winning three of the four Majors.

“

The last six Majors have been won by Internationals but I’m sure I’d have got odds of 1,000-1 against Keegan Bradley winning the 2011 US PGA Championship. -putted for victory. The last six Majors have been won by Internationals but I’m sure I’d have got odds of 1,000-1 against Keegan Bradley winning the 2011 US PGA Championship. But surprises like this are great for the game and to have an American Major redresses the balance of power in the world game. It’s not healthy for one country or one continent to dominate the game.

Soma Bay Success I’M pleased to see Soma Bay building on the success of the Red Sea Amateur Championship and the Soma Bay Stableford Tournament which took place earlier this summer, by staging the prestigious 6th October Tournament. The two-day event takes place over the Cascades Championship Course I designed and is played over

“

T was interesting to see the Americans finally hit back against The European Tour players last month to win the season’s fourth Major. It was also interesting that the triumphant player was Keegan Bradley, one of the lesser known players on the PGA Tour. The 25-year-old Keegan, ranked 108 in the world, was playing in his first Major in his rookie year on the Tour. When he won the HP Byron Nelson Championship earlier this year, it was his first win as a professional. But he won on merit and he deserved his triumph that came right out of the blue. When he put his ball into the water on the 15th in the final round for a triple-bogey to drop five shots behind the leader, Jason Dufner, it looked as if his glory run was all over. But he battled back in the style of a champion. He birdied 16 and then produced a 35-foot miracle putt worthy of any Major winner for an unlikely birdie at the tough 17th, before finishing with a par the last. Dufner bogeyed 15, 16 and 17 and after both had parred 18 it was all down to a three-hole play-off. Keegan showed that he has the right attitude for the big moments when he said: “I just kept telling myself, don’t let that 15th hole define your tournament.” As they replayed the last three holes Keegan birdied the first extra hole at 16. Dufner bogeyed 17 to give Keegan a two shot lead and although Dufner birdied the last, Keegan calmly two

36 holes on Friday 7th and October 8th, 2011. The event will bring golfers from all around the region and I’m sure they will enjoy the experience and facilities the resort has to offer. I am very proud of the Cascades course at Soma Bay. It was the first course we designed in the Middle East and the first course to be established on Egypt’s Western Red Sea coast and it’s in a truly spectacular setting. Being right on the edge of the sea the wind blows like a Scottish links course and in windy conditions the par-3 ‘Pebbles of Soma’ fifth hole is one of the toughest challenges you can take. It’s good that the golf courses in Egypt are getting back to some sort of normality after the problems the country has faced this year and I wish Soma Bay the best of luck with the tournament. n www.wwgolf.biz

Swing & Swim this summer at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Make the most of the summer months at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Enjoy a round of golf on the championship course between 1st July and 30th September and receive complimentary swimming pool access for you and a friend on the day that you play. Play 18 holes at weekends for AED 295 or midweek for just AED 250, inclusive of cart fee and range balls. Subject to availability, terms and conditions apply. For reservations please contact +971 4 380 1234 or email golfbooking@dubaigolf.com dubaigolf.com

Over 100 destinations worldwide

Contents

6 32

Regulars

ISSUE 129, SSEPTEMBER 2011

gary player introduction

quick 9 – with retief goosen

pete cowen seires

pete cowen swing: simon dyson

THE PERFECT PRACTICE SERIES

CHIP IT CLOSER

divots news items

greg norman column

Ross fisher column

the race to dubai

gary Player column

official world golf ranking

FRONT COVER: Gary Woodland

world round-ups

arabian golf

108

equipment

112

in the bag: Club pro

ball speed, long has just got longer

MICHELLE WIE EMIRATES AIRLINE INVITATIONAL MENA TOUR GREG NORMAN GARY PLAYER

mike@wspglobal.com alex@wspglobal.com Tel: +44 01625 535081 Fax: +44 01625 537487 Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore Executive Editor: Gary Player

The same Titleist 910D2 Driver played by Gary but with a softer shaft to suit your speed!

Swing TipS GET THE bASICS RIGHT UNDERSTAND YOUR WEDGE PETE COWEN LOOKS AT SIMON DYSONS WINNING SWING

Luckiest baLL on earth

ISBN 978-9948-15-427-3

win a place in the 2011 Dubai worlD championship pro-am

9 789948 154273

EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS l DIVOTS l LOCKER ROOM l WORLD ROUND-UPS Official Publication of The Emirates Golf Federation & The Arab Golf Federation

GARY WOODLAND: One of the Big Hitters of World Golf talks exclusively to Worldwide Golf about how he chose a career in golf instead of basketball and how he is learning the art of managing his golf game and improving his iron shot to become a consistent winner on Tour.

Editor: Alex Gallemore Publisher: Mike Gallemore Senior Editor: Richard Bevan Editorial Assistants: Todd Staszko, James Reeves, Tabitha Florence Design Manager: Joanna Eardley Technical Manager: Mark Collinge Editorial Panel: Gary Player, Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Todd Staszko

14 the 2012 emirates airline inviTational

hosted by abdullah al naboodah: Details of The European Tour officially sanctioning the event; sell-out UK Qualifier at Brocket Hall, Herts., England; Dates and venues of the Middle East Golf Club Qualifyiers.

23 soma bay: The hugely popular annual October 6th event that attracts entries from all over the Middle East..

Gary Woodland With a 200MPH

ISSUE No. 128, Summer, 2011 Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd, 54 Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, England, SK9 1NY

Features

Official Media Partner Middle East

MIddle east’s No.1 Golf MaGazINe

Published in Dubai by: Prografix, PO Box 24677, Dubai, UAE (Tel) +9714 340 3785

34 abu dhabi double 6: Results of Abu Dhabi Double 5 and details of Abu Dhabi Double 6 at Yas Links Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, which is close to a sell-out 39 FLOSOLE: The revolutionary geldoctor that massages, cushions and supports your feet. 42 MICHELLE WIE: Off the course and off-the-wall Q&A with the LPGA wonder girl. 44 Dubai world championship: Preview of the Big Event as the stars of The European Tour pledge their support for the climax to The Race to Dubai in December. 55 ross bain: The original graduate of the Emirates Golf Federation’s Junior Development Programme talks about the challenges of playing Tour golf and the new MENA Tour. 57 mena golf tour: Further details on the Middle East’s newest golf Tour. 61 ken kosak: The GM of Abu Dhabi Golf Course adds Saadiyat Beach and Chairman of the UAE PGA to his duties.

Printed by: Raidy, Dubai

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

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

BPA Worldwide Audited Average Monthly Qualified Circulation 15,401 (July-Dec 2010)

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“

When I first started to learn how to play golf I learned to try and hit it as far as you can – so that’s how I grew up.

ROCKET MAN G A R Y W O O D L A N D Richard Bevan talks exclusively to former basketball player and Long Drive maestro Gary Woodland who showed that the length of his drives aren’t the only thing he has to shout about when he won the Transitions Championship on the US PGA Tour in March.

S it a bird, is it a plane? No it’s Gary’s Woodland’s ball. Not many things in this world can travel at speeds of over 200mph but the small white spheres that fly off the 27-year-old American’s clubface are among them. The question of just how he manages to generate such awesome power and distance off the tee is something you’d think he was sick and tired of talking about. But, strangely, he’s not. “I’m very comfortable with it,” he says. “I hit the ball a long way and I enjoy hitting the golf ball a long way. People like that, it’s very entertaining. Hitting the ball short and straight isn’t that entertaining but hitting it a long way – people can’t do that so it’s new to them, which is great. It’s certainly helped me get to where I am today. “I played a lot of baseball growing up and I developed a strong base with good balance. I think that’s where the power comes from. My lower body is very strong, which allows me to get a lot of speed in my upper body. I’ve obviously worked on flexibility and stuff like that but I’ve always hit it a long way. When I first started to learn how to play golf I learned to try and hit it as far as you can – so that’s how I grew up. “It’s very natural because I don’t actually feel like I hit it a long way, it just comes off that way. We’ve tried to dial it back so I can hit it a little straighter, which has been hard because when you’ve always hit it a long way you want to keep hitting it a long way. It’s been tough but it’s been a great transition

as well.” Woodland’s career has rocketed almost has fast as one of the 300+ yard bullets he fires down the fairways on the PGA Tour week in week out. A decent all-round sportsman at high school, he originally harboured dreams of making it as pro basketball player in the NBA. He went to Washburn University in his home state of Kansas on a basketball scholarship but after taking the step up to the ultra-competitive level of the US college circuit he came to the heartbreaking realisation that he wasn’t going get drafted to the pro league. For most people that would have been the cue to start planning a new, altogether less glamorous, life away from the sporting arena but fortunately for Gary, he was also a pretty darned good golfer. One college had offered him a golf scholarship – the University of Kansas – so he made the difficult decision to leave basketball behind and switch his chosen sport to golf. “It was tough,” he says. “I was a pretty good high school basketball player and at the next level I was OK but to play at the top level you’re going to have to be great and I didn’t have that. So I figured golf was my best option, so I took it up with dreams of becoming a professional. After taking that decision things started to pan out.” After winning several collegiate events Gary cut his teeth by playing on the Hooters Tour for a couple of years before trying his luck at PGA Tour QualifyingSchool in 2008 and surprising himself by making it through all three rounds to gain his card for the 4

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Gary Woodland poses with the trophy after winning his maiden PGA Tour title at the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club .

“

I know now that I can’t come out and hit the ball 900 yards and win. I’m learning you can’t fire at every pin and hit driver on every hole.

“

2009 season. When he first appeared on Tour his gargantuan drives began gaining attention immediately but the rest of his game was still a little rough around the edges and he struggled for results. A shoulder injury in July compounded his problems, bringing his season to a premature end. He played on a medical extension last year, with his best result a tie for 21st place at the John Deere Classic, but spent much of his time on the Nationwide Tour before once again gaining his PGA Tour card for the 2011 season through Q-School. “I’ve competed my whole life so the pressure side doesn’t really faze me but the golf part has been a huge learning curve,” says Gary. “I’ve learned the hard way because I got on the PGA Tour very quickly, maybe quicker than I should have done. I had to learn course management, I had to learn the short game. I could hit the ball a long way and I could putt it OK but I had to learn how to score – that was the biggest thing for me. “I was always a pretty good ball striker. When I was hitting the ball well, I played well. When I didn’t, I didn’t have the short game to save me. We’ve worked really hard on my short game over the last couple of years and it’s pretty good now. It’s getting to the point where, when I hit it well, I’m going to play really, really well. But when I don’t hit it well I can still compete and still have a chance to be around on Sunday.” The difference in Woodland’s performances on this season’s PGA Tour have been startling and he now looks the real deal, with the rest of his armoury up to speed with his undoubted ability off the tee.

www.wwgolf.biz

He almost won his second event of the season but lost in a play-off to Jhonattan Vegas at the Bob Hope Classic. Top 10s at the Phoenix Open and The Honda Classic followed before he secured his maiden title with a one stroke victory over Webb Simpson at the Transitions Championship. As if to prove that he was no one-trick pony, the victory showcased Gary’s newfound ability to scramble his way out of trouble. He also played

quite conservatively, rarely taking the driver out of the bag all week, and putted majestically. He also displayed great maturity in his course management. “It was a really satisfying way to win my first tournament on the PGA Tour,” he says. “I’ve always been a feel player. I used to just go out and play and that’s one of the best things about my coach Randy Smith. He still tries to use that. He keeps things very simple for me and it’s paying off. We’re

By suppressing the urge to grip it and rip it and concentrating on his short game Gary has quickly adapted his game to win tournaments and rocket up the Official World Golf Ranking.

WIN A Titleist 910 D2 A s

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Gary on his Titleist 910 D2 Driver “The big deal we’ve worked on at Titleist is that we had to eliminate one side of the golf course. What we’ve done is we’ve built a driver that doesn’t go to the left - we miss it to the right. Now I can hit driver whenever I want and I know where it’s going. Obviously I hit the golf ball a long way but if you don’t know where it’s going it’s useless and now with the driver that Titleist have built me not hitting the golf ball left is huge because I can hit driver on every par five and I know if I miss I’m going to miss to the right. “

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HOW TO MASH IT GARY WOODLAND STYLE “The number one thing is you’ve got to have balance because if you don’t have that you’re going to lose a lot of speed and a lot of power. The key with my power is I have to stay very wide. When you’re wide you can get speed and power – when you get narrow you lose all your movement. So firstly balance, secondly, stay wide, and thirdly you’ve got to hit the ball solid. Sometimes it’s not about how hard you swing but how solidly you hit the golf ball. Sometimes when I swing it a little smoother and hit it right in the centre of the face I actually hit it further.” – Gary Woodland.

www.wwgolf.biz

“

The good thing is where I come from in Kansas the wind blows 30mph every day. I grew up learning new shots and trying new things out in the wind so when I came over to play in Europe in the wind I was having a blast.

“

still trying to hone things and get a little technical but not over the top so that I’m thinking way too much. I know now that I can’t come out and hit the ball 900 yards and win. I’m learning you can’t fire at every pin and hit driver on every hole. I did that in ’09 and it didn’t work out very well.” The good results have continued to roll and he posted top 10s at the Memorial Tournament, the CVS Caremark Charity Classic and The Greenbrier Classic before posting his best result in a Major with a tie for 12th at last month’s US PGA Championship Gary has also showed that he’s not afraid to travel and test himself in different conditions with an appearance at the rain-hit Barclays Scottish Open at Castle Stuart before an impressive display in the wind at Royal St Georges in The Open where he finished tied 30th. His range of shots and ability to work the ball looked impressive for someone used to playing largely target golf in the US. “The good thing is where I come from in Kansas the wind blows 30mph every day,” he says. “I grew up learning new shots and trying new things out in the wind so when I came over to play in Europe in the wind I was having a blast. To me that’s fun, it’s a change. Travelling around and playing different courses, new places that require a different imagination and a different way to play the game is a lot of fun to me.” Gary Woodland is a natural sportsman who plays the game like he’s having fun. After proving his all round talent with one win already from his fledgling career it seems certain he’ll have plenty to smile about in the future. n

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QUICK 9

RETIEF GOOSEN

1) What’s your favourite hole in golf? The 12th at Augusta National and the 9th at Sun City 2) What age were you when you first broke par for 18 holes and where did you do it? Around the age of 13 at Pietersburg Golf Club in South Africa 3) Who would be in your dream fourball of golfers? Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Ben Hogan 4) Who would be in you dream fourball of non-golfers? Nelson Mandela, Lance Armstrong, Thabo Mbeki 5) What has been the best shot of your career? The second shot on the 18th in the final round of the 2001 US Open 6) If you weren’t a professional golfer, what would you be? An architect 7) What’s your favourite sporting event away from golf? Wimbledon 8) What’s your favourite sports team? The South African Springboks Rugby Team 9) Who is your favourite musician or group? U2

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HOME OF THE

Emirates Airline

INVITATIONAL

NEWs update

European Tour Officially Sanctions The Invitational

OLF’S most prestigious one-day Pro-Am, the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, has been awarded official sanction status by The European Tour and placed on The Tour’s Pro-Am Calendar. The sixth running of the event takes place in January 2012 and the momentum is beginning to gather pace following last month’s UK Qualifier for the Grand Final with the sell-out tournament at The Golf Club at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire, England. Later this month, the first of the Middle East qualifiers takes place along with the qualifying Club Championships, all leading to the Grand Final which will send one adult and one junior golfer to the Emirates Airline Invitational. As part of the sanctioning, The European Tour will coordinate the TV agreement and film shooting with European Tour Productions. The Tour will also provide Tournament Co-ordinators, Rules Officials plus advanced course visits to ensure that the golf course set-up is up to Tour standard and regulations. The Tour will instruct the Pros of the draw and their respective tee times and distribute prizemoney to the players destined for the various charities they support and co-ordinate their participation. The Invitational will be previewed and reviewed on The Tour’s website and The Tour will act as consultants where and when required in managing the event. The Tour will also offer the option of European Tour scoring support. There will be bi-weekly meetings starting this month

up to the week of the event to ensure full and proper communication between all parties and stakeholders. Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International, Dubai Office, commented: “Having known Abdullah since he took up the game in March 2006 it is exciting to have the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah al Naboodah as a European Tour sanctioned event. “I played in the first Invitational in 2007 at the now Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai, and was immediately impressed with the quality of the whole Invitational Pro-Am experience. This sanctioning and support of The European Tour will help raise the profile of our activities in the UAE and the Middle East region. We thank Abdullah for his support and look forward to adding value to an already excellent event. “The European Tour is looking forward to working with Abdullah’s Invitational team and Emirates Airline to support the best one-day Pro-Am in the Middle East.” Nadim Lahad, Emirates Manager, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain commented: “Our first year in 2011 of sponsoring the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah proved to be a huge success. The fact that this event has now been officially sanctioned by The European Tour further reinforces its standing as a world-class sporting spectacle. “The event will further be used as a platform for Emirates to showcase our high quality services to an international audience and with the support of The European Tour we expect this reach to expand even further.” n

NUMBERS GAME

for The Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah al Naboodah:

Number of times it has been held.

2007

First Invitational held at the now named Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai.

2008

Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai – won by Anders Hansen and Ricardo Gonzalez – 66.

2009

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club – won by Stephen Gallacher – 68.

2010

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club – Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood – 63.

2011

Yas Links, Abu Dhabi – Retief Goosen – 64.

Lowest rounds – by Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club in 2010.

Score from the defending champion Retief Goosen – Yas Links, Abu Dhabi – 2011.

Professionals competed in 2011, comprising 41 European Tour champions, 11 Ryder Cup players, 3 Major champions and the then World number one – Lee Westwood.

Event host Abdullah Al Naboodah presents the two-times US Open Champion, Retief Goosen, with the 2011 Emirates Invitational trophy at Yas Links Golf Club in January this year. 14

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RAPHAEL’s GOLDEN

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“

I watched the Invitational on TV this year so it’ll be great to actually be there and even better if I manage to win the Grand Final so I can play in the event.

being returned it was going to take a phenomenal performance to take the considerable spoils and 13-handicapper Raphael Roberts pulled one out of the bag with a wonderful round of net 69.

Special Guest “This feels absolutely tremendous,” said an ecstatic Raphael, who will be flown to the UAE by Emirates Airline to compete in the Golden Ticket Grand Final next January, the week before the Invitational, and will be invited to Abdullah Al Naboodah’s event as a special guest even if he doesn’t win the Golden Ticket. “It’s quite rare for me to win a tournament – normally I come sixth or seventh. So today being first is special and I feel very, very happy. It’s great. “I’ve been to Dubai before but I’m really looking forward to visiting the UAE. I watched

“

HE larger than life Raphael Roberts was left beaming from ear to ear after winning the the Emirates Airline Invitational Golden Ticket UK Qualifier. The eagerly anticipated event, organised by Worldwide Golf, which took place in the stunning surroundings of The Golf Club at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire, England, was hugely over-subscribed with a ballot required to trim down the field to the maximum permitted number of 120 golfers. The lucky competitors were treated to a day of glorious sunshine with the Melbourne course – one of Brocket Hall’s two world-class layouts – in pristine condition. With a maximum handicap of 18 for men and 28 for ladies the standard of golf on display was tremendous and with a trip to the UAE to compete in the Golden Ticket Grand Final, and a chance to tee it up alongside the stars of The European Tour in the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, up for grabs, competition was fierce. Among the field were celebrities like radio DJ Spoony and ex Celtic and West Ham goalkeeper Allen McKnight while competitors were also treated to a breathtaking and highly entertaining show by renowned trick shot specialist Kevin Carpenter who was previously a pro at Riffa Views Golf Club, Bahrain. With some impressive scores

the Invitational on TV this year so it’ll be great to actually be there and even better if I manage to win the Grand Final so I can play in the event.” Taking second place in the overall net category was Mike Trower (17) who shot a net 70 while last year’s winner, Steve Gray (13) finished third with a net 71 and Peter Drew (9) completed the net prizewinners with a net 72. Brocket Hall member Kay Wardley used her local knowledge to good effect to win the ladies’ event with a score of net 71, closely followed by fellow member Suzi Hyne on net 72 while the impressive Charlie Clare shot 75 to win the Best Gross category. Longest Drive prizes for men and ladies were won by George Gros and Helen Hayward respectively, while Nearest the Pin prizes were won by Vijay Raithatha (men) and Vicki Stone

BMW PGA CHAmpionship

FLYING HIGH: (Left) Emirates Airline Invitational Golden Ticket winner Raphael Roberts rejoices in the win that will see him travel to the UAE for the Golden Ticket Grand Final next January. TRICKY BUSINESS: (Below) Trick Shot specialist Kevin Carpenter entertains competitors with his highly entertaining show as the sun shines on The Golf Club at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire, England.

MASTERPIECE

Luke is a world force

(ladies). Nike Golf generously provided a Black MachSpeed Driver and golf bag, while online retailer golfsupport.co.uk provided two umbrellas and a Srixon Bag and Callaway provided two Callaway Burner drivers and eight dozen golf balls. Mutual Media kindly provided all the event’s printed materials – banners, scorecards, tee box markers etc. The event was held in aid of the Invitational’s official UK charity, the Jude Brady Foundation, which raises funds and awareness to help combat stillbirth and neonatal death. Founder Peter Brady, who along with his company, Boom Events, joined forces with Worldwide Golf to help organise the event, was elated with such a high turnout and the quality of the golf played. “The Jude Brady Foundation is very honoured to be the chosen charity for the Emirates Airline Invitational UK qualifier. We could not be associated with a better or more prominent partner,” said Brady. “Not only has it been the vehicle to raise in excess of £14,000 in the last two events the profile of our charity has risen significantly as a result, too.” The prizegiving ceremony was followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner laid on by Brocket Hall after which there was a charity auction which raised further funds for the Foundation, with items signed by Invitational Ambassadors Graeme

McDowell and Ross Fisher as well as Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel. Other popular prizes were two iPad 2s, generously donated by prestige online retailer Marque-It. As an additional fund-raising initiative competitors were offered the chance, for a small fee, to attempt to beat 9-handicapper and certified golf nut DJ Spoony’s score to play in a special charity event in La Manga, Spain. Most entrants took on the challenge and with a net score of 79 Spoony put down a tough marker but Stephen Gray, son of last year’s Qualifier winner, Steve, was the lucky winner with a net 74.

‘Top Class Event’ “I’m delighted to win the Spoony Challenge,” said Stephen. “This whole event has been top class from start to finish. The field was of a really high standard, the course was lovely, there were some great prizes on offer and Kevin’s trick shot show just topped the day off. Spoony’s known as a pretty good golfer so I’m pleased to beat his score and I can’t wait to go to La Manga. ” McKnight, who racked up 10 international caps between the sticks for his native Northern Ireland during a 13-year playing career said: “It was a fantastic day. It was an early start for some of us but the weather was lovely and that added to a

great occasion. The organisation of the event was spot on, the course was in fantastic condition and I was in a group with a really interesting bunch of guys who were great fun to play with. It was a wonderful prize to play for and everybody in the field really wanted to win it! There were also some other fantastic prizes. It was a competitive format and there were some really good golfers in the field. Sometimes in charity events the scoring can become a little bit outrageous but that definitely wasn’t the case today. The format was tight and it was the good golfers who took the prizes away. Emirates Airline Invitational Tournament Director James Bowring added: “It was great to see so many golfers playing in this well over-subscribed event and a big thanks to Brocket Hall for staging the tournament on their stunning Melbourne course. Raphael played some excellent golf to qualify for the Grand Final of the Emirates Airline Invitational Golden Ticket to be held in the UAE in January.” With Raphael Roberts now confirmed as the UK Golden Ticket Qualifier all eyes turn back to the Middle East for the main series of qualifying events, with the Golf Club Member tournaments commencing at the Montgomerie, Dubai on September 23rd and the non-member Open tournaments beginning at The Els Club, Dubai on October 19th. n

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231

Emirates Airline

INVITATIONAL Golden boy: Last year’s lucky Golden Ticket winner, Dhruv Nair, pictured with the 2011 Champion Retief Goosen at the presentation at Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi.

CURRENTLY CONFIRMED OPEN EVENTS: Date October 19 October 25 November 7 November 14 November 24 December 1

Event Venue WGME Ladies Qualifier Els Club Dubai EGF Open Qualifier Yas Links GC Junior Qualifier Jebel Ali GC EGF Open Qualifier Faldo Course, EGC Junior Qualifier Sharjah G&SC EGF Open Qualifier Sharjah G&SC

Entry Fee AED495 AED495 AED150 AED495 AED150 AED350

To enter, or for more information please email: goldenticket@theinvitational.com

CURRENTLY CONFIRMED MEMBERS’ CLUB EVENTS FLAT ENTRY FEE: AED150 (please check with your club for details if not stated.) Date Venue September 23 Montgomerie, Dubai October 7 Tower Links Golf Club October 8 Jumeirah Golf Estates October 10 Emirates Golf Club (ladies) October 15 Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa November 4 Yas Links Golf Club November 10 Sharjah G&SC November 11 Al Ain G & SE November 18 Al Hamra November 19 Arabian Ranches November 25 Emirates Golf Club (Men’s) December 2 Muscat Hills G&CC December 9 Al Ghazal Golf Club November 10 Sharjah G&SC December 17 The Els Club TBC Abu Dhabi City Golf Club TBC Sharjah Wanderers TBC Royal Golf Club, Bahrain TBC Doha Golf Club, Qatar To enter please contact your golf club’s reservation department. 18

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NEWs update

WILL YOU WIN THE GOLDEN TICKET? The Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah widens its horizons across the golf clubs of the Middle East with a series of golden opportunities A portion of the entry fee for all the qualifying events will be donated to Carpetland’s chosen charity, the Friends of Cancer Patients. Each player will receive a gift from Carpetland and Titleist prizes will be awarded to the best players on the day. Carpetland Group Marketing Director, Shahriar Khodjasteh, said: “We are delighted to have created this partnership to support the Golden Ticket initiative as we can engage with golfers all over the region, not just in the UAE. To incorporate our preferred charity, Friends of Cancer Patients, who will benefit from the entries, is an added bonus.” Tournament Director James Bowring commented: “To have Carpetland as the Official Golden Ticket Partner has given the public qualifying initiative a real boost, not only to provide more golfers in the GCC with the chance to play in the Emirates Airline Invitational Pro-Am but to extend the reach of the charities we support via a contribution taken with each entry fee.”

Carpetland Group Marketing Director, Shahriar Khodjasteh presents 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie with his charity cheque after the 2009 Emirates Airline Invitational gala dinner.

“

To incorporate our preferred charity, Friends of Cancer Patients, who will benefit from the entries, is an added bonus. Shahriar Khodjasteh

“

IDDLE East golfers are to get their chance to bag a dream Golden Ticket to one of the most prestigious Pro-Ams in world golf, the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, thanks to new Official Golden Ticket Partner Carpetland. The star-studded ‘invitation only’ event will see the cream of The European Tour gather in the UAE in January for a unique day of golf in a relaxed yet competitive environment. This year’s Invitational featured the likes of then World No.1 Lee Westwood, 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell and two-time Major champion Retief Goosen – who won the individual honours – as well as a host of leading European Tour players and celebrity competitors. The field for the 2012 event will be equally strong and one local amateur adult along with one junior will be teeing it up with the best of them should they win the Emirates Airline Invitational Golden Ticket qualifying series. Over the next few months there will be a string of Open Emirates Golf Federation events for men, ladies and juniors plus the addition of Members’ Club events taking place at golf courses throughout the region. The top 10 per cent of players from each of the Open EGF events and up to three members from each Golf Club Medal event will qualify for the Grand Final to be held in January at the 2012 Official Venue. At the Grand Final the adult and one junior player with the best net score will each receive a Golden Ticket invitation for an unforgettable day of golf with the stars at the 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, which will be followed by a glittering Gala Dinner and prizegiving ceremony.

OFFICIAL GOLDEN TICKET PARTNER

W W W . emiratesair l ine I N V I T A T I O N A L . C O M

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TRAVEL

DESTINATION

EGYPT

SOMA BAY ALL SET FOr THE 6TH OF OCTOBER TOURNAMENT

FOLLOWING the hugely successful double bill of the Red Sea Amateur Championship and the Soma Bay Stableford Tournament which took place earlier this summer, Egypt’s stunning Soma Bay resort is gearing up for another superb event in the shape of the 6th of October Tournament. The event, which takes place over the pristine Cascades Championship Course – designed by nine-times Major Champion and Worldwide Golf Executive Editor Gary Player – will be played over 36 holes on Friday October 7th and Saturday October 8th. The tournament will be played in a Stableford format with full handicap allowance (maximum 28 for ladies and 24 for men) and is expected to attract a host of players from all over the Middle East for two days of great golf on one of Egypt’s finest courses. The Cascades Championship Course was the first layout the Black Knight designed in the Middle East and the first course open for play on Egypt’s Western Red Sea Coast. The 6,991 yards, par 72 course offers memorable views of the lush green fairways that contrast dramatically with the rugged desert and the clear blue sea waters of the Red Sea, offering golfers a truly spectacular setting. But a visit to Soma Bay isn’t just about golf – there are five world class hotels on this wonderful exclusive Red Sea resort with so much to do, including a Thalasso Spa, a diving and kitesurfing centre, and some of the finest sandy beaches in Egypt. Entries for the 6th of October Trophy are expected to fill up fast, especially with the resort offering special rates at the world-class La Residence des Cascades Hotel for all competitors as well as their companions and families. For more information please contact “Ghada” at Soma Bay Tel: + 202 2735-7510, +202 2736-9500 Email: ghada@somabay.com Website: www.somabay.com

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Exclusive

Straight from the Shoulder Worldwide Golf continues its fascinating series of interviews by Mike Gallemore with the inimitable coach Pete Cowen of The Academy at Emirates Golf Club in Association with Pete Cowen. Pete explains the importance of being ‘lucky’ and in just ‘having a go’ when you’re learning the game.

HEN I’m asked whether I can see the potential of a player it’s difficult to answer accurately. Every player is different. Which means you have to take a different approach with each of them, whoever they are. With Graeme McDowell, for instance, it was a case of sitting down with him and saying, ‘What do you really want from me as a coach and what do you want for yourself.’ Golf is an individual game so you’ve got to know what the player wants. If he wants a certain thing then I’ve got to find a way to get him to deliver it. If he doesn’t give you that vital information, when you ask him to do what you want him to do, he’s just not going to do it. It’s as simple as that. I always ask that most important of questions: ‘What is it you want.’ If they say, ‘I want to be as successful as I possibly can and I’ll work as hard as I can to achieve that – and I’ve come to you because you’ve had so much success with other players and I want to be as successful as they are,’ then tha’t what I want to hear But what they’ve got to believe is that I’m a lucky coach. You need to be lucky in golf to be successful, just as you need to be lucky in life to make the grade. I didn’t have the luck as a player but I’ve got it as a coach. You don’t achieve 100-plus tournament wins with the players you coach without having a bit of luck. The players I coach also have to have the luck and they have to believe that I’ve got the luck. When they say to me, ‘You’ve had so much success with your players you must

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be doing something right,’ I always say: ‘It’s because I’m lucky.’ Believe it or not, I am. It’s a thought process. It’s a mindset. If that belief gives them that crucial edge then that’s great. I’ve achieved something. If that player thinks, ‘Pete’s on my side - I’ve got an advantage,’ then he has a positive approach and he really has got an advantage. It’s a bit like a footballer who thinks he’s got the best goalkeeper in the world behind him and he believes he’s that good luck charm. It’s all about arming yourself with that all-important positive attitude. Some players can present a real challenge but one player who has always been a joy to work with is Simon Dyson. When he won the Irish Open at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club at the end of July I couldn’t have been happier.

Recognised Simon said he’d played the best golf of his life – and he did. Dropping just three shots all week and shooting 70-65-67-67 to beat Aussie Richard Green by just one shot proved what I’ve always believed – that he’s a winner. I’d been working with Simon on a few things, prior to his first round at The Open at Royal St. George’s where he finished ninth – the highest placed Englishman in the Championship. He played brilliantly all week and took that form with him to Ireland and showed just how good he really is. It was a virtual match play situation in Killarney with Richard on the final day but for Simon to produce birdies on 16 and 17 to close it out proved he’s got what it takes. He’s always been a good player and he’s played well all year. I’ve worked with Simon for 17 or 18 years since he was 12 or

13. As a young kid I loved the way he was always prepared to have a go at anything. He was a great kid. He was never afraid of anything. Simon’s attitude was, ‘OK – I’ll have a go at that.’ Many of the other youngsters I was coaching would shy away from a challenge. A lot of kids are frightened of embarrassing themselves in front of others. Golf is a bit like that. They don’t like to ‘show themselves up.’ Simon didn’t suffer from stage fright like so many youngsters do – and that’s a big advantage. If he couldn’t do something he’d often go away and practice and come back and tell me: ‘Watch this – can do that now.’ Being scared of making a fool of yourself is a problem for youngsters everywhere and when you’ve had stage fright as a kid it’s very difficult for them to overcome it. Anyone learning to play golf must never get embarrassed of feel self-conscious about trying something new. You mustn’t get stage fright – just have a go. Try it. There’s no shame in making a mess of it. If Simon hadn’t managed to get something right and I’d say, ‘that’s not very good,’ he’d reply, ‘I’ll have it right the next time I see you.’ And he did. I always knew that once Simon actually believed how good he is, he would go on and do great things. He’s won plenty of tournaments and he’s been in the top 50 many times. Now he knows he can move up to another level – top 30, top 20, top 10 – who knows? But one thing is for sure – he’ll not stop trying his utmost. If he’d holed a couple of putts at Wentworth in the BMW PGA Championship on the last few holes he could have been in the play-off with Lee and Luke. Who knows what’s going to happen in a play-off. I think we’ll see Simon in contention in all the big events this season and don’t be surprised if he becomes another ISM player to bag a Major before too long.I n

Simon’s hard work with Pete has paid off this season with a strong finish at The Open followed up with his victory at the Irish Open in Killarney.

“

Anyone learning to play golf must never get embarrassed or feel self-conscious about trying something new. You mustn’t get stage fright – just have a go. Try it. There’s no shame in making a mess of it.

“

Pete working with Simon on the range during the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin in Spain.

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SIMON DYSON

SWING

F R A M E B Y F R A M E A N A LY S I S O F T H E I R I S H O P E N C H A M P I O N ' S W I N N I N G S W I N G

Set-up: Simon's natural neck angle detracts from what is a strong set up position.

Move away: Here you can see he likes to keep the clubhead outside his hands.

Once you overlook the bend in Simon's left arm you will see the clubface is perefctly square and on plane.

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This is a great position. Simon manages to work the club against his body while setting the club. He can repeat this movement consistanly.

This is a brilliant picture. Here you can see Simon's left arm ready to deliver the club on plane.

By Pete Cowen PGA MASTER PROFESSIONAL The Academy at Emirates GOLF CLUB in Association with PETER COWEN PE TE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH SIMON DYSON SINCE HE TURNED PROFESSIONAL

Simon's a fluid swinger of the club. Here it looks like he's laying the club off and loosing control. But far from it! The right arm is in the perfect position and flowing effortlessly to the top of the backswing.

The hips have opened 20 degees. As the shoulders start to open the left arm and shaft alignment are spot on to produce a great pressure position.

Top of Swing: Simon is supporting the club and his right arm is loaded correctly. This is essential for consistently when the swing is unloaded at impact.

Down Swing: Here you can see him grabbing the ground with his legs and letting his arms fall into position. Simon has a natural bend in his left arm and the only way to straighten it is to break it!

Even at the age of 13, Simon had the ability to consistently find the centre of the club. Here you can see he maintains the relationship between his left arm and left wrist at impact all the way to the finish position. Not only does Simon's swing look fluid and relaxed he routinely sets and delivers the club at the right positions time-after-time.

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TUTORIAL Meet the team: (From the left) Cyril Rozes, Kenny Monaghan, Stephen Hubner, George Kasparis and Mike Kinloch.

THE PERFECT PRACTICE SERIES

INTRODUCTION Many golfers believe that one of the main keys to lowering their handicap is to practice`. This is not strictly true. There are a great number of players who spend hours on the range hitting balls and who simply do not get any better. In some cases they actually get worse! A more accurate statement would be to say that one of the most effective ways to improve your game is to practice efficiently. Over the next twelve issues of WWG the golf professionals at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club will provide tutorials which will help you get the most out of your training sessions. Included will be information on the consequences of poor training principles, use of drills, setting up of work stations, and practice games. The correct application of the advice given will allow you to practice less but enjoy much greater progress. We hope you find the series of articles helpful and see an improvement in your golf. Good luck! The Creek Pro’s.

AIM & ALIGNMENT Most golfers will have a tendency to aim the clubface and align their body either to the left or right of the target. The main reason for this is that their aim has had to adjust to allow for a hook or slice. As time goes by the player will get very used to this incorrect alignment so that they eventually feel that they are in fact aiming properly. Their perception has now been altered through repetition. Setting up with poor aim and alignment will make it very difficult for a player to make improvements to their swing. It will often encourage additional faults to develop and usually result in the aim of the player getting steadily worse as the curve in the ball flight becomes more and more exaggerated. By giving attention to this aspect of the setup during your practice sessions, you will improve your perception of what correct aim is, and so making positive swing changes will become much easier.

Practice Clubface Aim During practice it is vital to ensure that you are set-up with the clubface aiming down the target line. A simple way of doing this is to lay aiming sticks on the ground either side of the ball parallel with the target line. Now when you place the club behind the ball all you need to do is have the leading edge perpendicular (at right angles) with the sticks, and the clubface will be aimed perfectly at the target. The images show the correct ‘square’ clubface aim from both the player’s perspective and looking down the target line from behind.

&DS XNTQ F@LD NƤ SN SGD QHFGS RS@QS VHSG SGD #TA@H "QDDJ )TMHNQ #DUDKNOLDMS /QNFQ@LLD Registration is now open for the next junior lesson series at Dubai Creek

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by Stephen Hubner

Head Golf Professional

dubai creek golf & yacht club

Slicing Many golfers struggle with distance and accuracy due to slicing the ball. This is caused by an open clubface at impact. Most of these players will aim to the left to allow for the slice. Unfortunately this means that they are very unlikely to ever get rid of the slice which would enable them to hit longer straighter shots. By aiming to the left they are in effect asking for a slice! The images show the player aligned to the left allowing for the slice and the resulting open clubface at impact.

Look Up and Feel Correct Aim!

Practice Body Alignment Having your body (feet, hips, & shoulders) aligned correctly during your practice is also crucial. To ensure that this is done, simply add a third aiming stick to the work station. The image shows that the body is aligned parallel to the left of the ball-target line as it should be. This will certainly make aligning your feet very easy. However the shoulders can be more difficult. This is one of many reasons why it is helpful to practice with a friend so that they can check your shoulder alignment from time to time.

There are a lot of golfers who do use a work station like this or something similar during their practice sessions. However, the vast majority do not benefit from it as much as they easily could. The reason for this is that they do not look at their target during set-up. This means that they are not training their brain and eyes to recognize what correct aim looks and feels like. It is essential that during the set-up the player is focusing on the target and that way with every shot that is hit they will be engraining good alignment.

What happens on the course when you have no sticks to guide you? This is a common questioned from pupils when we ask them to use an aiming workstation during practice. The answer is simple. If you implement the above correctly during the practice sessions then through time you will alter your perception of correct aim. When the sticks are not there to guide you on the course it

doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter as you will still aim correctly since this is what you are used to doing in practice. You would be surprised how quickly you can make changes to any part of your game if you train in a disciplined way. The key is to practice efficiently at all times and do your best to avoid unproductive sessions. Aim properly and it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be long before the swing fits into place. Good luck!

Ĺ&#x17E; 2THS@AKD ENQ @KK KDUDKR NE FNKĆĽMF DWODQHDMBD @FDR SN Ĺ&#x17E; $MINX VDDJR NE FQNTO KDRRNMR ENQ $# ODQ BGHKC Ĺ&#x17E; 1DBDHUD TMKHLHSDC TRD NE SGD B@CDLX E@BHKHSHDR ENQ SGD CTQ@SHNM NE SGD O@BJ@FD 3 $L@HK @QDRDQU@SHNMR CTA@HFNKE BNL VVV CTA@HFNKE BNL

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TUTORIAL

SHORT GAME

HOW TO PITCH IT CLOSER

HIS is one of the shots in golf that can make or break your round, pars or bogeys. The short game is where you make the shots that can help you score. Your aim is to pitch the ball as close as possible to the hole. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where the short pitch shot comes in handy. In order to execute the short pitch shot, you first need to know the basics and understand the characteristics of the short pitch shot.

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Brought to you by by Johan Du BRUYN

PGa Professional

SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB

The Characteristics of the pitch shot

pitch shot is characterised by the ball flying at least 50% of the total distance covered, you want the ball to have more air time to cover the required distance. The pitch mark of the green plays a very important role on how far the ball will continue to roll. The deep pitch mark will absorb more of the ball’s kinetic energy so the ball will continue to roll for a short distance where a shallow pitch mark corresponds to less kinetic energy being lost on landing so the ball will roll longer. The firmness of the green plays a very important part in the pitch mark – a softer green will have a deep pitch mark and a harder green will have a shallow pitch mark. Green elevation is a key factor to take note of because greens which are lower than the ball’s starting position will have a steeper landing area that will create a deep pitch mark. Greens elevated above the ball’s starting position will result in a flatter landing, which will create a shallow pitch mark.

Pitch Distance when playing the shot Short Pitch

Long Pitch

Narrow feet position

Wider feet position

Chipping grip

Conventional grip

Short swing

Fuller swing

Firm wrists

Wrist action

Single lever swing

Two lever swing

Followthrough mirrors backswing

Shorter followthrough compared with backswing

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TUTORIAL

Brought to you by

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a look at the right setup in relation with the ball position to execute different pitch shots around the green to help you get comfortable and start scoring.

Ball position towards the front in your stance: This is also called the flop shot. The idea with the flop shot is to get a high launch angle , and a high spin ratio on the ball that will reduce roll on the green. Your weight will be more on the back foot and your aim will be slightly left of the target, clubface will be open to the target, swing path will be a slightly outside to inside swing path to counteract the open club face that will cause the ball flight to go the right.

Ball position towards the middle in your stance: Weight will be more 50-50, square clubface to target, short backswing with firm left arm. It is very important to follow your swing through the ball after impact.

Ball position towards the back in your stance: Your weight will be towards your front foot. Keep your hands in front of the ball the the whole of the time while executing the shot. It is very important to follow your swing through the ball after impact.

I hope that this quick overview will help you to understand the characteristics of the pitch shot and help you start improving your score. Happy Golfing. www.wwgolf.biz

ABU DHABI DOUBLE 6 enter now before it’s too late! sePtember 29th - saadiyat beach golf club accommodation – radisson blu hotel, yas island th 30 - yas links golf club divisional Prizes The Abu Dhabi Double events have grown into some of the most talked about and enjoyed amateur tournaments in the region and Worldwide Golf readers have been given another chance to play in what will be the sixth instalment, which takes place on September 29th and 30th. Abu Dhabi Double 6 will see competitors battle it out on two of the UAe’s newest and finest world-class courses as Saadiyat Beach and Yas Links once more provide the venues for two unforgettable days of golf and fun. Throw into the deal one night’s accommodation on September 29th at the magnificent, luxurious Radisson Blu hotel on Yas Island and it’s scarcely believable that the whole package is available for just AED 999!

Main Picture: Yas Links Golf Club

download your entry form @ www.wwgolf.biz

AVAILABLE to WWG READERS foR oNLY

AED999

Corey Spring takes the Worldwide Golf Desert Island Double 5 in style

Inset: The Gary-Player designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

Radisson Blu Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

COReY Spring emerged victorious at the recent Worldwide Golf Abu Dhabi Double 5 at Saadiyat Beach and Yas Links thanks to two days of exquisite golf over the world-class links layouts. A total of 66 players were in attendance and the quality on show was there for all to see as Spring returned Stableford scores of 39 on day one at Saadiyat Beach and 33 at Yas Links the following day for a 72 point total and an 8-point win over second placed Nicholas hymas. hymas scored 35 points at Saadiyat Beach but couldn’t break through the 30 point barrier at Yas Links and had to settle for second place on 64 points. Three players finished on 63 points and taking the final place on the podium by virtue of a card countback was Nick Oatridge. Both Oatridge and 1-handicapper Stephen Reid scored identical totals of 33 and 30 but it was Oatridge who prevailed. Troy Thompson compiled 34 at Saadiyat Beach but came in with 29 points at Yas Links and didn’t figure in the countback. “These events provide a great chance to showcase two fantastic courses,” said Robert Turner, Golf Operations Supervisor, Yas Links GC. “The event has introduced many golfers from around the Middle east to Abu Dhabi, and gives them a chance to sample golf in the UAe. We look forward to hosting many more events like this in the future.”

Overall Winner Corey Spring is pictured with Robert Turner, Golf Operations Supervisor, Yas Links Golf Club.

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DIVOTS RULES EXPLAINED: by Stuart McMurdo, Golf Operations Manager at Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa

Small ruling at the uSPga What a great finish in the US PGa Championship held at the atlanta athletic Club, Georgia. From a rules perspective it went pretty smoothly although l did notice one situation which has cost many amateurs dearly in the past. american club professional, Stuart Small, had hit his tee shot right of the fairway on the 10th hole and it found a nice resting place in the back of one of the television golf carts! although Rule 24-1b does not require the player to mark the position of the ball, he was advised to place a tee under the cart on the ground approximately below where the ball lay. this meant that when the cart was removed, he had a reference point at which to drop the ball. to complicate matters, the cart was parked on a cart path, therefore, he would have to drop the ball first on the cart path and then if he wished, take relief from the path. he could not “jump” a step and just take relief from the cart and the path in one go. after completing his drop under Rule 24-1b, he then chose to take relief from the cart path (an immovable obstruction) under Rule 24-2. I see many golfers jumping steps to quickly get a drop away from trouble and end up playing from the wrong place, which can be very costly. take time to make sure you follow the correct step-bystep procedures. You never know, it may save you precious shots in a tournament.

NEWs updatE

mcilroy, elS, Poulter and liang Star in new China event RoRY McIlRoY has signed up to join former World No.1 Ernie Els, Englishman Ian Poulter and China’s No.1 liang Wen-chong for a new ‘made-for television’ event in China next month aimed at showcasing the nation’s fastest growing cities to the rest of the world. the Shui on land China Golf Challenge, taking place from october 10-16, will see the quartet play on eight different courses around the country, competing on only two or three holes of each layout to make a total of 18. the event, sponsored by property development company Shui on land, will tee off in Shanghai before heading to the northern cities of Dalian and Beijing, then west to Chongqing and south through haikou on the tropical island of

Sanya, Dongguan and the former Portuguese colony of Macau. “I’m always keen for a challenge, but this is different to any golf tournament I’ve ever competed in,” said McIlroy. “For me, this will be as much about exploring China as

competing.” the organisers revealed the itinerary will feature pro-ams, coaching clinics, entertainment and publicity events as well as the golf contest, as China looks to develop what is already among its fastest growing sports.

SCott oPtS For homeland over SingaPore deFenCe aUStRalIaN adam Scott has opted not to defend his Singapore open title in favour of warming up for the Presidents Cup, which is this year taking place in his homeland, by competing in the australian open at the lakes course near Sydney. Both tournaments take place from November 10 -13 – the week before the Presidents Cup clash – and Scott, winner of this year’s World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, has decided to play in Sydney rather than Singapore, where he has claimed the title three times in the last six years.

“the heat is going to be a massive factor this week. obviously, I’m a finely-tuned athlete, so it shouldn’t affect me that much!” – Open Champion Darren Clarke addresses the media with his tongue firmly in his cheek ahead of the US PGA Championship.

Good luck for the new golfing season…

Shot of the month

Round of the month

Young American Derek Lamely aced the 159-yard par-3 16th hole during the second round of the Wyndham Championship in the States. Take a bow son.

Australian Adam Scott laid the groundwork for his wire-to-wire victory at the WGCBridgestone Invitational with a spectacular 8-under 62 in the opening round. The stunning round, just one stroke off Tiger Woods’ Firestone record, featured eight birdies and no dropped shots.

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PRODUCT REVIEW

GEL DOCTOR FLOSOLES

FOOTLOOSE AND PAIN FREE

OOT pain is an unavoidable hazard for all sportsmen and women – particularly golfers. Countless long days spent pounding the fairways means that aching feet are an unfortunate bi-product for most of us. When you start thinking more about the pain in for feet than your golf swing, your game suffers accordingly. Gel Doctor aims to help eradicate the problem with Flosoles – a liquid gel-filled insole that provides the athlete with the benefits of traditional foot massage therapy without a paid-for private massage therapist. The wonder product has already garnered a loyal following among sporting endurance professionals, with Alan Chambers MBE, leader of the first British team to walk to the North Pole commenting: “After spending 15 years trekking across the world’s frozen Arctic wastelands my feet have taken a battering. While training for another Arctic challenge I started to use the Flosoles. “They have helped me by ensuring my feet have been kept in first-class condition and the soles of my feet have benefited by the constant massage as I walk. The insoles will play an important part for me in the crossing of Greenland later this year.” A lot closer to home, several golfers have tried out the Gel Doctors Flosoles and found the additional cushioning of the insoles a real benefit, taking immense pressure off their muscles, bones and ligaments. Worldwide Golf Editor Alex Gallemore said: “I’ve tried insoles before and some have given some support and others reasobable heel cushioning but nothing has been able to keep my feet ache free for an entire round. The Flosoles offered relief for the whole foot, so it was definitely worth putting them to the test. Once you get over the initial sensation the Flosole settles down and certainly cushions the foot.” The Gel Doctor Flosoles are a key tool in spreading the body load over a larger surface area for extra support, resulting in reduced pressure where the liquid gel spreads and works to the contours of the feet. What makes the insoles so effective is that with just the slightest body

movement, the liquid gel flows around the insole channels, and has the effect of massaging the soles of the feet. This, in turn, stimulates blood and oxygen flow and the pain just flows away. PGA Professional Paul Hubner said: “They provided great comfort and made walking easier. The initial feeling is strange with gel rolling around under your feet but I would recommend them to anyone walking or standing all day – even when I was standing I felt the urge to rock back and forth to have the feel of a massage under my feet.” Every day, the average person takes 18,000 steps, sustaining thousands of pounds of pressure on the numerous bones in their feet. This constant compression often causes pain, discomfort and fatigue. Wearing Gel Doctor Flosoles means being able to work out longer – whether it’s the treadmill, elliptical machine or golf course – and provides much needed comfort to your feet. The improvement of blood flow and oxygen throughout the body also means increased stamina. In addition, some of the insoles have a magnet installed, which has healing properties. Use of the magnets stimulates and encourages blood flow, therefore enhancing the body’s own healing properties. n

EVERy Day, ThE aVERagE PERsOn TakEs 18,000 sTEPs, sUsTaInIng ThOUsanDs Of POUnDs Of PREssURE On ThE nUmEROUs bOnEs In ThEIR fEET

Available in a range of colours to suit footwear, Flosoles are priced at just AED110 and can be bought at leading health pharmacies across the UAE or contact Pharmatology Middle East on 04 311 6789 for a list of stockists.

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WWGcolumnist

My Presidents Cup Team is looking good

“

Enormous asset When Tim and I spoke a few weeks ago, he confided in me on the status of his medical dilemma. I quickly realised he would not be able to compete due to his pending elbow surgery that is necessary for him to return to his winning ways. I came to the conclusion after consultation with my other Assistant, Frank Nobilo, that Tim would be an enormous asset to me, Frank, and to the Team as an Assistant. Tim was 11th in The Presidents Cup standings and I’m sure that had he been playing on the Tours regularly this summer he would have qualified automatically. Tim made his Presidents Cup debut in 2003 at The Links at Fancourt in South Africa when he was selected as a wildcard pick by International Team Captain Gary Player. That was the only draw – 17-17 – in The Presidents Cup which was due to running out of light. The two Captains, Gary and Jack Nicklaus, and both Teams, decided to call it a draw rather than going over to another day’s play. As reigning champions the USA retained the Cup. Overall, I know it was a tough decision for Tim to accept that he would not be able 40

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When Tim and i spoke a feW Weeks ago, he confided in me on The sTaTus of his medical dilemma. i quickly realised he Would noT be able To compeTe due To his pending elboW surgery ThaT is necessary for him To reTurn To his Winning Ways.

Tim Clark pictured next to fellow countryman and 2009 Presidents Cup team mate Ernie Els.

to compete at Royal Melbourne but he was delighted to join us on the Team. He told me: “If I can’t swing the club myself to help the International Team achieve a victory, I’ll certainly do all I can in the Team room to help the players.” I had already announced that Frank Nobilo, would be one of my Captain’s Assistants for Royal Melbourne during The Presidents Cup in California. Frank is a veteran of several professional golf tours worldwide and a three-time International Presidents Cup Team member. He competed in The Presidents Cup in 1994, 1996 and 1998 and contributed two points to the International Team’s victory in the 1998 event at Royal Melbourne – the only time the International Team has won the Cup. Frank works as a Golf Channel analyst for the PGA Tour and studio shows. This is the first time both Captains will have two official Assistants, a change that was announced in March 2010 when Fred Couples and I were named Captains again for 2011. Fred has decided to bring back Jay Haas and

Michael Jordan as his two Captain’s Assistants from his victorious 2009 Team. My International Team is looking good. At the moment the standings are: Adam Scott, Jason Day, Charl Schwartzel, K.J. Choi, Kyung-tae Kim, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen, Y.E. Yang and Ryo Ishikawa. With five Major winners and a wealth of experience among them that’s a very strong line-up, which could change between now and November. It’s going to be tough to choose my two wildcard picks from the wealth of talent on the list of the remaining players. It will be interesting to see how the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedEx Cup and The Fall Series pan out and which players will play their way into the top 10 to qualify for the Team automatically. I WAS DELIGHTED to announce that Franklin Templeton Investments will be the title sponsor of our Shark Shootout, Southwest Florida’s PGA Tour event, for this year and next year. The tournament returns to Naples for the 11th year on December 7-11 at Tiburon Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. Franklin Templeton was the title sponsor of our Shark Shootout, which raises funds and awareness for a variety of Florida and national charities in the United States, from 1992 to 2005 and has been a corporate partner since the Shootout’s inception. Through the years Franklin Templeton has been a tremendous friend and partner of the tournament. Their involvement has spanned more than 20 years and we’re excited to have them return as the title sponsor. It’s great to be fully aligned with this great company once again and it’s wonderful news for the Shootout as we head into the future. n

“

T was good to be at the US PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club, Georgia, last month and meet up with some of the players who are likely to be in our International Team to face the United States in The Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in November. I was pleased to announce at the final Major of the year, my selection of Tim Clark as one of my Assistants during a private meeting of potential International Team members. Tim has a record of 5-2-8 and he brings a lot of Presidents Cup experience to the position. He’s been a member of three previous International Teams, including the one I captained in 2009 at Harding Park Golf Club, San Francisco, when we were defeated 19.5 – 14.5. Tim was an inspiration to all his fellow team members not only for his performance but also for his incredible team spirit, which is so vital in seeking a victory. The camaraderie of the Team is vital in getting the best out of everyone.

THE WAVE OMAN GATHERING PACE

I’m please to tell you that the progress of the The Wave Muscat, Oman, is gathering pace. We’ve installed the sand in the bunkers on the front nine holes, which are being readied for play. The lighting on the driving range, the putting green and the training areas has been completed and shaping is well underway on our spectacular 18th. The clubhouse is undergoing its final fit-out so it’s full steam ahead.

Greg Norman holds the imposing President Cup aloft and believes that his International Team is strong enough and ready to take on the Americans at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia, in November .

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WIe LPGA STArLeT

WONDer

MICHELLE WIE WILL onCE agaIn bE aMong tHE star attraCtIons WHEn sHE tEEs It up for tHE tHIrd tIME In tHE oMEga dubaI LadIEs MastErs at tHE EMIratEs goLf CLub tHIs dECEMbEr.

he 21-year-old hawaiian beauty, a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour, has developed a real liking for Dubai and after finishing runner-up on her debut in 2009 and then making a bullet-like charge with a bogey-free 67 in the final round last year to take fifth place, she’s hoping for third time lucky this year in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. “I have a great respect for the players on the Ladies european Tour and their competitiveness is second to none,” she said when she confirmed her place in the field earlier this summer. “I’ll have to be at the top of my game since the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters always attracts a top-class

field every year.” That’s good to hear but we also wanted to hear what’s her favourite pizza topping? Find out that and other assorted Michele Wie trivia as we discover the woman beneath the golfer... WWG: So, pizzas, what’s your favourite topping? MW: Well, I can’t eat cheese but I still love pizza. Most times I just take the cheese off and eat it with just the sauce. WWG: Sounds a little odd. What do you like to eat for dessert after your cheese-less pizza – apple pie without the apple? MW: ha, no! I absolutely LOVe frozen yogurt, or FroYo as my friends and I call it….any flavour and tons of toppings; cereal, fruit, chocolate, granola, whatever. I love it all. WWG: When you’re driving are you any good at parking or do you drive on until you find a big enough spot? MW: I just keep driving! Who needs to parallel park these days anyways? WWG: Do you prefer mornings or night time? MW: It depends on the situation. I normally wake up very early when I’m on the road travelling to and from golf tournaments. But when I’m home I like to stay up and have fun with my friends.

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WWG: Tell us one thing most people don’t know about Michelle Wie? MW: I love to draw, paint and sketch. I also like designing and making clothes, it’s so much fun to try new things and venture out artistically. WWG: Who has the most called number in your mobile? MW: Perhaps my best friend, Meg, from home, or maybe some of my old friends from school. WWG: If you could be on a reality TV show which one would you choose? MW: Definitely an obstacle course challenge show called Wipeout! It would be so awesome to run that obstacle course, or at least make an attempt to do so! WWG: If you get lost while driving, do you stop for directions, make a phone call, or just try and figure it out? MW: I try and figure it out, and use Google maps. I usually end up making a lot of U-Turns!

I can’t eat cheese but I stIll LOve PIzzA. mOST TImeS I just take the cheese off and eat It wIth just the sauce.

“

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BiG Guns FirinG on the race to DUBaI

As the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World gathers momentum towards the big shootout at the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Worldwide Golf talks to some of The European Tour stars preparing for the climax to The 2011 Race to Dubai

FTER a summer of thrilling action, several big names have secured their places at the third staging of the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World, which will be held at Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth Course from December 8-11. Following wins for Lee Westwood and Robert Karlsson in 2009 and 2010 respectively, Dubai’s endof-season climax is now firmly regarded as one of the finest tournaments in the world – a fitting end to The Race to Dubai season that sees the top 60 players on The European Tour fight it out for a share of $7.5 million in prize money and a bonus pool of a further $7.5 million. This year both Westwood and Karlsson are set to return to the scene of their big wins with both having produced significant performances in the first half of the season. Towering Swede Karlsson, the 2008 European Number One, made sure he would be defending his title in December with a tie for fourth place at last month’s US PGA Championship.That performance, helped by two impressive closing rounds of 67 at Atlanta Athletic

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Club, lifted him from 47th to 25th in The Race to Dubai ranking, ensuring he will be in the top 60 by the time The European Tour’s elite assemble at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Fellow Scandinavian, Anders Hansen, has enjoyed a remarkable year so far and the Dane narrowed the gap on leader Luke Donald by coming third in Atlanta before declaring that he has still not given up on catching the Englishman, despite trailing him by more than €2 million. “You saw from my performance in Atlanta that I’m a player who never gives up and I haven’t given up on my attempt to top The Race to Dubai,” he said. “We all know that Luke has a healthy lead at the top but I’ve managed to reduce it a little bit and I will keep trying from now until the end of the season. “I finished 27th in the first Dubai World Championship (2009) on my way to being 19th in The Race to Dubai and then last year I improved on both counts, finishing 11th in the tournament to end the year in seventh spot on The Race to Dubai. As I’m already sixth now, hopefully I can push on to give Luke a real run for his money at the end of the season.” Race leader Donald, US Open Champion Rory McIlroy and Westwood all finished inside the top 10 in the WGC-Bridgestone 4

Defending Champion Robert Karlsson is relaxed on and off the course thanks to his tie for fourth at the US PGA Championship at Atlanta.

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Play Where The Pros Play Experience the best Egypt has to offer with Maritim Jolie Ville Hotels in Egypt. Play golf or simply relax at the beach or by the pool. There is no better place to do that than at the Maritim Jolie Ville Golf & Resort and the Maritim Jolie Ville Royal Peninsula Hotel & Resort, both offer 5 star accommodation and combined they have more than 20 different Restaurants and Bars which include: Thai, Sushi, Japanese, Chinese, Lebanese, Italian and International themed buffets. With some of the largest and most luxurious rooms in Sharm set amidst beautifully landscaped gardens, these two resorts are the best the Red Sea Riviera has to offer. Maritim Jolie Ville Golf & Resort Phone: +2069 3603 200 Fax: +2069 3603 225 info@sgr-maritim-jolieville.com www.jolieville-hotels.com www.maritim.com

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“

World Number One and Two: Luke Donald and Lee Westwood will be dueling for top honors once more and the accompanying Race to Dubai Champion title.

Open Champion Darren Clarke will be aiming to top his Major season with a win at Jumeriah Golf Estates.

“

Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel will be bringing the Green Jacket to Dubai in December.

The european Tour is so sTrong now ThaT To do well in The race To dubai, or To have any hope of winning iT, you have To do well in The Majors and The world golf chaMpionships evenTs and i have definiTely done ThaT in 2011. LUKE DONALD - WORLD NUMBER ONE

Invitational and carried good form into the US PGA Championship, although none of Europe’s big guns could match the surprise package and eventual winner Keegan Bradley. Donald, who has excelled in this season’s World Golf Championships, said: “The European Tour is so strong now that to do well in The Race to Dubai, or to have any hope of winning it, you have to do well in the Majors and the World Golf Championships events and I have definitely done that in 2011. “I won the WGC-Accenture Match Play in Arizona, tied for sixth in the WGCCadillac Championship in Florida and finished tied fourth in The Masters. When you add my wins in England and Scotland on The regular European Tour, that is why I am in such a healthy position and currently at the top of The Race to Dubai. “As well as winning The Race to Dubai, my goal for the season is to do the ‘double’ of The Race to Dubai in Europe and the money list in the United States. No one has ever topped the money list on both sides of the Atlantic in one season but I’ve put myself in a great position. That would be quite a special thing to do.” Two other European stars who have booked their flights to the UAE are Open Champion Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland and England’s Simon Dyson. Clarke, the 42 year old Ulsterman who finally won the Major his talent has always Rory McIlory with the US Open trophy.

deemed he would, at Royal St George’s, to add to the Iberdrola Open title he won in May in Majorca and propel himself into sixth (he’s currently in seventh) behind Donald, 2011 Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel, McIlroy, 2010 US PGA Champion Martin Kaymer and World Number Two Westwood. Although Donald, a three-time winner in 2011, has a healthy lead over his rivals, Clarke’s €999,540 first prize at Sandwich, Kent, underlines how swiftly the gap can close. Dyson’s superb victory at the Irish Open brought with it the added bonus of a move into the all-important top 15 of The Race to Dubai – a fitting reward for a player who remains one of the most solid performers on The Tour. Dyson collected €250,000 after surging to his fifth European Tour title to climb 10 places, from 19th to ninth, and move firmly into contention to claim a share of the Bonus Pool awarded to the top 15 players on completion of the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World. Dyson said: “It’s amazing to win first and foremost, and to move up to ninth in The Race to Dubai was very, very pleasing. I was looking forward to the Dubai World Championship anyway, but now that I’m right up there it’ll make it all the more exciting for me to aim towards really kicking on and trying to win more tournaments, and see just how high I can go by the end of the season. “The Dubai World Championship is one of the 4

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PERFORMANCE BY DESIGN

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dubai world chaMpionship the perfect place Where Business Meets pleasure

“

The line-up of players for The 2011 TournaMenT is far froM coMpleTe buT we are guaranTeed a superb field wiTh luke donald being chased all The way To The end by Major winners and several players in the world’s top 10. NICK TARRATT, EUROPEAN TOUR

“

Complimentary tiCkets online

GOLF FANS looking to get up close and personal with the stars of The European Tour from December 8-11 at the Earth course can make sure of their tickets by registering with the official website of the tournament at www.DubaiWorldChampionship.com. By registering online, spectators are guaranteed two complimentary season tickets for four days on one of the world’s best golf courses alongside big guns such as Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Robert Karlsson, Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer.

biggest tournaments of the year, so to go in there as high as I can is a big priority. Then, once you get to Dubai, you are playing for really big money, with the Bonus Pool and all that comes with it. “I might not be able to win it – you never know – but the incentives on offer in terms of exemptions for next year and the fact that you can guarantee a place at The Open and the US Open by finishing in the top 15 is something that really gets all the players who are in with a shout going.” As the summer has progressed players like Dyson, Clarke, Hansen and Karlsson are well aware of just how swiftly the golfing landscape can change for players who may be on the outside looking in. One man who knows this more than most is Oliver Fisher who has set a top 60 place in The Race to Dubai as his next career target after claiming his first European Tour victory at the Czech Open. The win lifted the Englishman from 224th place up to 75th spot, giving him a chance of making the line-up for the Dubai World Championship. Should he make the flight to Dubai, returning to the Emirates will bring back some happy memories for Fisher – back in 2005 he won the Daily Telegraph Junior Championship held at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. “I hadn’t really given the Dubai World Championship a second thought until now, because my form so far this season hasn’t been the best,” said 22 year-old Fisher, who became the youngest Walker Cup player in history in 2005. “But now I’ve got my first win under my belt, which was the target at the start of the year, I’ve got to set myself new goals. I’ve got a realistic chance

THE Dubai World Championship presented by DP World has proved an ideal event at which to mix business and pleasure. The Hospitality Pavilion adjacent to the 18th green is the best location for watching the World’s top golfers at close range as they tackle the last hole of the Earth course while enjoying gourmet refreshments, luxurious surroundings and a climate-controlled environment. It’s the perfect place to network and entertain VIP guests while enjoying the golf. “As one of the premier sporting events on the calendar, it is important that the tournament offers premium opportunities for those who prefer to combine the action with a chance to socialise with both business and personal contacts,” says Colin Smith, European Tour Director International Business Development Middle East & Asia. The cost of the Hospitality Pavilion package per person per day ranges from AED2,600 (Thursday, 8th December) to AED 2,800 (Friday , 9th and Saturday, 10th December) and AED3,000 (Sunday, 11th December) with a weekend package of both Friday and Saturday (9th and 10th) costing AED5,200. The package includes course and Hospitality Pavilion admission; access to contemporary lounge and dining facilities overlooking the 18th green; premium food and drinks served throughout the day; large TV screens to watch the action from around the course; priority car parking; official tournament programme and daily drawsheet and the services of a dedicated Guest Management Event Team. More details are available from the official website

www.DubaiWorldChampionship.com.

of finishing in the top 60 of The Race to Dubai now. It’s a massive event, so I’d love to play it for the first time.” Nick Tarratt, Director of European Tour International – Dubai Office, believes the line-up is as strong as it could be. “While we will have one of the strongest line-ups in the game at the Dubai World Championship, one of the fascinating aspects of The Race to Dubai is the potential changes in the lower places as as some of the leading lights can suddenly find themselves back in the running for a Top 60 finish with a big win late in the season,” he says. “Ollie Fisher is a perfect example. He had come close in a few Tour events but when he finally won his first tournament he fired himself into contention to return to Dubai – and I’m sure those of us who saw him win here in 2005 would be delighted to see him return. “The line-up of players for the 2011 tournament is far from complete but we are guaranteed a superb field with Luke Donald being chased all the way to the end by Major winners and several players in the World top 10.” With a string of big events still to come on this season’s Race to Dubai schedule, it’s all still to play for and it’s going to be compelling watching remainder of the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World field take shape over the coming months. On the 2011 European Tour International Schedule, The Race to Dubai features 52 tournaments in 29 different destinations culminating in the Dubai World Championship. To qualify players must have payed 12 European Tour events on the calendar before the week of the Dubai World Championship. n www.wwgolf.biz

THE

LUCKIEST

BALL ON EARTH

YOUR CHANCE TO PLAY IN THE 2011 DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PRO-AM This December, the world’s greatest golfers are coming to Dubai to compete for the 2011 Dubai World Championship, presented by DP World. And you could be playing alongside them, in the curtain-raising Rolex Pro-Am on the iconic Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. There are 60 Balls - the Luckiest Balls on Earth - that will gain you entry into the deciding tournament. Forty can be won through participating Emirates Golf Federation golf clubs. The remaining twenty are hidden amongst range balls throughout the participating clubs. Find one, and you’re in. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Visit www.DubaiWorldChampionship.com for more information and entry details.

Supported by

IN ADDITION TO THE WINNEr OF EACH OF THE UAE GOLF CLUBS’ OCTOBEr MONTHLy MEDAL, A PLACE IN THE GrAND FINAL WILL ALSO BE ON OFFEr TO THE LUCky PLAyEr WHO FINDS A SPECIAL ‘LUCky BALL’ IN THE STACk OF rANGE BALLS SET UP PrIOr TO THE MONTHLy MEDAL TEE-OFF TIME AT THE PArTICIPATING CLUBS.

UAE GOLFErS HOPING TO SCOrE WITH THE

Luckiest baLL on earth U

AE-based golfers of all standards will be able to compete for a place in the Pro-Am at the Dubai World Championship, presented by DP World, the 2011 climax to The Race to Dubai, thanks to a new ‘Luckiest Ball on Earth’ competition, which gets underway next month. Every golf club in the UAE affiliated to the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) is invited to participate, with the October Monthly Medal winner qualifying for the Grand Final of the ‘Luckiest Ball on Earth’ to be staged at the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 15. Saeed Al Badoor, General Manager of the EGF, said he was delighted to back this latest golfing challenge. “We at the EGF are happy to support this initiative as we think it’s a great opportunity for local golfers in the UAE,” he said. In addition to the winner of the October Monthly Medal, a place in the Grand Final will also be on offer to the lucky player who finds a special Lucky Ball placed in the stack of range balls set up prior to the Monthly Medal tee-off time at the participating clubs. The winner of the Grand Final – which will be played with a 1.0pm shotgun start at the Earth course on November 15 – will win a spot in the Dubai World Championship Pro-am to be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. While the competition is open to all clubs, only those who register in their October Monthly Medal for the event by September 15 will be eligible. The Luckiest Ball on Earth competition is open to all golfers aged 18 or over by Tuesday December 6, 2011, who hold an Official Club Handicap as recognised by the EGF and are eligible to compete in the Qualifying Tournament. The maximum handicap for competitors is 28 for men and 36 for Ladies. If the winner of the nominated Qualifying Tournament is unable to play in the Grand Final the runner-up will be invited. Should the finder of the Lucky Ball also be unable to play in the Grand Final, the prize is non-transferable. “The Luckiest Ball on Earth competition is likely to be a hard-fought affair with the winner set to play alongside one of the world’s greatest players when the Dubai World Championship is staged in December,” added Nick Tarratt, The European Tour. n

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# 1 G L OV E O N TO U R .

More players on the US and European Tours choose to wear FootJoy. Players like Luke Donald, Fredrik Jacobson and Davis Love III, who rely on the best fit and performance of the FootJoy StaSof ® and SciFlex ™ golf gloves. From the performance of the premium Pittards ® Taction™ APL ™ Cabretta leather to the incredible feel, breathability and grip, the best players in the world know that FootJoy gloves are the most technically advanced and highest quality gloves available. To discover for yourself why the world’s best count on FootJoy, visit footjoy.co.uk/gloves. Source: Darrell Survey (US) Sports Marketing Surveys Ltd (Europe). Pro Sports International, PO Box 26723, Dubai, UAE footjoy.co.uk Available from: Abu Dhabi Golf & Equestrian Club, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Al Badia, Al Ghazal, Dirab Golf Club, Doha Golf Club, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Golf Club, Golf House Super Store, Golf Shop Direct, Katameya Heights, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mirage Golf Resort, Nad Al Sheba Club, Riffa Golf Club,The Montgomerie Dubai, Sports Mart Doha, ME Golf Kuwait.

WWGcolumnist

It’s good to be back in the game again

’M happy to report that my baby son Harry is fully recovered after giving us a scare during the Irish Open. He came down with a really bad virus and was taken into hospital on the Saturday night. They kept him in so I made the decision to pull out of the WGCBridgestone Invitational in order to stay in Ireland. At times like that golf really does take a back seat and I wanted to make sure that I was there with my wife Jo. I played the final round in Ireland but when your threemonth old son is in hospital it’s difficult to concentrate on golf. I had been three shots off the lead but shot 73 and finished in 17th place. But my only concern was getting back to check on Harry. I’m glad to say that he responded really well to the antibiotics and he’s fine. The staff at the hospital where he was treated were absolutely fantastic.

Donated my prize money Even though I had to withdraw from the Bridgestone I still received ‘last place’ prize money so I donated this to to some of the charities I’m involved with and the hospital in Killarney. That was the least I could do. With Harry back in the game I flew to Atlanta for the US PGA Championship and after playing well all week I was disappointed with how things turned out. I just didn’t score as well as my performance warranted – if that makes sense. I hit the ball really well. I started working with putting coach Dave Stockton Jnr at the tournament which was really exciting. I got off to a flyer but couldn’t keep it together on the back nine and ended up with a 71. I played well on the Friday, shooting 69 but Saturday was disappointing. I shot 76, and then Sunday I played well again with a 69. It was a bit of a shame. It was one of those weeks where

Ross and caddie Adam reunited and back on song at the US PGA Championship. I could have finished a lot higher than I did. I played a lot better than my score suggested and it could have easily been four rounds in the 60s. If you’re doing that you’re going to have a chance to contend. It was frustrating but there were plenty of positives. My game feels in great shape and I know there’s a win just around the corner. I’m going to continue to work with Dave on my putting as I’m really happy with the results. He’s based in the US, which obviously makes things a bit trickier, but we’re going to email him videos of me putting while we’re at tournaments and he can give me advice by telephone and email. Another fairly recent change is that I’ve got Adam (Marrow) back on my bag.

I realIsed I need someone more my own age. It got to the stage where It was too much lIke a busIness In a sense and I don’t want to treat golf lIke a busIness, I want to treat It lIke a game

I had a good run with Wobs (Phil ‘Wobbly’ Morbey). But I felt I really had to knuckle down and work hard to make last year’s Ryder Cup Team and when Wobbly became available he was a good fit for me at that time. He’s a great guy and a fantastic, experienced caddie who helped me massively but as often happens in golf, the relationship had run its course and it was time for a change. We both have very strong personalities and perhaps we clashed on occasion. I realised I need someone more my own age. It got to the stage where it was too much like a business in a sense and I don’t want to treat golf like a business, I want to treat it like a game. When you start treating it like a job you’re in trouble. I’d got to that stage so I decided I needed to go back to how things were and asked Adam to come back. Now I’m really pleased to have the old partnership back together. n

In the know wIth Ross FIsheR I WAS PLEASED to see that the sell-out Emirates Airline Invitational Golden Ticket UK Qualifier at Brocket Hall was a big success. If the winner, Raphael Roberts, makes it through to the Invitational by winning the Golden Ticket Grand Final he’ll be in for a real treat. He can be sure that whichever pros he plays with they will really look after him. Even if he’s there only as a specator at the Invitational he’s going to have a good time.

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It’s tough gettIng to the top

Ross Bain Ross Bain, the only graduate from the original Junior Development Programme of the Emirates Golf Federation (formerly UGA) to become a regular Tour professional, talks to Mike Gallemore about how tough it is to make the grade as a Tour player and the benefits the MENA Tour will bring.

’M now in my 13th year of playing Tournament golf and by now I would have expected more golfers to have emerged from the UAE and become Tour players. It’s an honour to me to be a product of the first running of the UGA Junior Development Programme back in the late ‘80s. I’m very grateful for the coaching and the opportunities that grounding gave me. I’m proud to have been brought up in the UAE and having the chance to play golf here. It enabled me to play consistently at a level that has kept me on Tour, mainly on the Asian Tour, for all these years. The Asian Tour gets stronger every year as the game attracts more and more youngsters to take up golf and play competitively.

Higher Level Hopefully, the MENA Golf Tour will encourage golfers in the UAE and the Middle East to take up the challenge to play golf at a higher level. You can only improve your game by playing competitively against better players. There are a couple of youngsters who are showing great promise and I hope they continue to progress and take the opportunity of playing the MENA Golf Tour and make it onto one of the world Tours. From a personal point of view I’m really looking forward to competing on the MENA Tour. I’m 35 now and I don’t think I’ve achieved what I’m capable of achieving on Tour. There are a lot of Tour players out there like Kenny Perry and Vijay Singh who didn’t deliver their true potential until later in their careers so maybe the MENA Golf Tour will become a springboard for me to go on and win more tournaments. I still believe there’s a lot more left in me. When I play against some of the rising young

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stars of the game I don’t feel the least bit overawed. I’m still playing well and hitting the ball a good distance. That old saying, ‘drive for show putt for dough’ is nonsense. Nowadays, if you can’t hit the ball a good way then it’s difficult to compete. If you can carry the ball around 300 yards then you can take most of the trouble out of the equation so you’ve got to get the distance.

Tiger Woods The game has changed dramatically in the last 10 years or more. Whatever the situation is with Tiger Woods today you’ve got to admit that he must be credited with making the game ‘cool.’ He’s brought much more interest into the game, and much more money. He’s made golf a more inviting proposition for corporate sponsors who wouldn’t otherwise have been the least bit attracted to invest in golf. Big, strong young athletes who might have been looking at becoming rugby players, or basketball players, or footballers or tennis players saw what Woods was doing and suddenly started to consider golf as a serious option. They thought, ‘I can make a lot of money out of playing golf – I should give it a go’. So now you’ve got 6ft 4in athletes who have been going to the gym since they were teenagers who can become top class golfers with power to burn. The hardest thing in golf is to consistently be in contention to give yourself a chance of winning. You’ve got to try and stay up there. The MENA Golf Tour could be a means of good players who are on the brink of making the grade, actually being able to keep playing Tour golf. It’s so easy to run out of money and have to admit that you can’t afford to stay on Tour. I’m still indebted to Emirates Airline for their

continued sponsorship. Emirates have been a great supporter to me and I’ve been very lucky. I’m eternally grateful to them. I couldn’t have done what I’ve done without them. There’s certainly more hunger for success among Asian golfers than there is among ex-pat communities like Dubai – which is understandable. The demands are different. There are too many other sporting opportunities for the youngsters of the UAE. I played most sports as a kid in the UAE and the reason I got into golf was because my dad was a keen golfer. In Asia, many of the up-and-coming golfers see the game as a means of making a decent living. That’s not an issue in the UAE. India, for instance, has a wonderful domestic tour. They can play all year round and the prize money is good enough to provide them with a decent living. I firmly believe that India will soon be a force in the game.

MENA Golf Tour The MENA Golf Tour can do the same sort of thing in the Middle East. The focus will be on local players but the Tour will attract players from all around the world, which will raise the standard of the Tour. The MENA Golf Tour is being played at exactly the right time of the year. It will give youngsters the chance to see how good they are and how they compare with the more experienced players on the Tour. It will fill a big void in the region and provide so many golfers with a great chance. The local golfers will have an undoubted advantage over those from further afield. They’ll be familiar with the golf courses and used to playing in the heat. I think they will do well. It will also give the EGF the chance to see how the players on the UAE National Team perform consistently at this level. n

Ross meets up with fellow Emirates Airline ambassador Colin Montgomerie at the 2011 BMW International Open in Munich.

“

The MeNA Tour could be A MeANs of good plAyers who Are oN The briNk of MAkiNg The grAde, AcTuAlly beiNg Able To keep playing Tour golf. iT’s so easy To run ouT of MoNey ANd hAve To AdMiT ThAT you can’T afford To sTay on Tour.

“

– ROSS BAIN

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MENA Golf Tour

FORMAT

THE starting field for each event will comprise 100 players, including invited MENA Golf Tour members and host countries. Of the 100 golfers, 60 per cent will be professionals and the rest amateurs. In the event of a tournament being oversubscribed, which seems likely to be the case, the first 90 (50 professionals and 40 amateurs) entries received will automatically be accepted and the balance will compete in a pre-tournament qualifying event for the remaining 10 places (five professionals and five amateurs).

Khalid Yousuf will be one of the UAE talented amataeurs looking to upstage the professionals on the MENA Tour.

UAE STARS TARGET MENA GOLf TOUR GLORY

HE UAE’s leading golfers believe the exposure they will receive by competing on the MENA Golf Tour will provide the spark they need to light up their careers on the international stage. Daniel Hendry, Michael Harradine, Miki Mirza, Philipp Urasch, Khalid Yousuf and Ahmed Al Musharrekh, who all play off scratch or better, are among some of the well-known names who have signed up for the inaugural edition of the Tour that features four back-to-back tournaments, all to be played in the UAE starting this month. “Local knowledge” could come in handy when they test their skills against seasoned professionals and amateurs from different parts of the world in what promises to be a keenly-contested series of events. But the local players know that they will have to be on top of their game when they take a step up in level to compete on the MENA Golf Tour. “There is a huge sense of anticipation ahead of the Tour as it will give us a good opportunity to test our skills against the professionals on a more competitive level,” said Miki Mirza, winner of the Emirates Golf Federation’s Order of Merit title. “The Tour will provide a big boost for golf in the region and the standard of the game will improve rapidly,” added Ahmed Al Musharrekh while representing the UAE in the Nomura Cup. “Most of us have played the game socially in the UAE, but have

lacked a competitive environment to hone our skills. that they will be mentally prepared for the challenges The Tour aims to create those much-needed windows ahead.” of playing opportunities.” Meanwhile, entries are coming in thick and fast Talented Michael Harradine, for the Tour events which are who won the Shaikh Rashid open to both professionals and Trophy last year, and Daniel amateurs from any part of the Hendry, the current junior world. Order of Merit winner, are The first event will be held at also relishing the prospect of Saadiyat Beach Golf Club from competing against a strong September 25 to 28 while the field which will also include second and third events will seasoned professionals like be played from October 2 to 5 Ross Bain and Yasin Ali. and October 9 to 12 at Tower “Obviously, the Tour will help Links Golf in Ras Al Khaimah in bringing new people into and Dubai’s Al Badia Golf Club the game and the standard respectively before the Tour of amateur golf will be much reaches its climax with the ‘Tour higher as they will be playing Championship’ to be held at Al against professionals on a Ain Equestrian, Golf & Shooting proper Tour,” said Harradine, son Club from October 16 to 19. of Peter, the a well-known golf The top three professionals course architect. and the leading amateur from - MIKI MIRzA Mohamed Juma Buamaim, the Order of Merit will receive Chairman of the MENA Golf Tour added: “It’s nice to special invitations to compete in the 2012 Omega see the MENA Golf Tour creating a bit of excitement Dubai Desert Classic and, possibly, other European among UAE players. The Tour events will also serve as Tour events in the region. a reality check for these youngsters. They will know where they stand after the Tour and will have the Interested players may visit the tour website: desired motivation to work hard. The good thing is www.menagolftour.com

‘There is a huge sense of anTicipaTion ahead of The Tour as iT will give us a good opporTuniTy To TesT our skills againsT The professionals on a more compeTiTive level.’

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RACE TO DUBAI

As of August 22, 2011

tHe european tour r aCe to DuBai r anking Rank

Name

Country

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

DONALD Luke SCHWARTZEL Charl McILROY Rory WESTWOOD Lee KAYMER Martin HANSEN Anders CLARKE Darren NOREN Alexander DYSON Simon QUIROS Alvaro JIMÉNEZ Miguel Angel COLSAERTS Nicolas LARRAZÁBAL Pablo POULTER Ian BJÖRN Thomas YANG Y. E. GARCIA Sergio AIKEN Thomas MANASSERO Matteo MOLINARI Francesco HANSON Peter JACQUELIN Raphaël GOOSEN Retief LEVET Thomas KARLSSON Robert CASEY Paul FOSTER Mark OOSTHUIZEN Louis ROCK Robert EDFORS Johan OLESEN Thorbjørn McDOWELL Graeme BOURDY Grégory HORSEY David ANDERSSON HED Fredrik JAMIESON Scott COETZEE George ELS Ernie DONALDSON Jamie GREEN Richard MOORE Ryan FISHER Ross MARTIN Pablo MOLINARI Edoardo CABRERA-BELLO Rafael FINCH Richard WHITEFORD Peter LAWRIE Paul COLES Robert HAVRET Grégory

ENG RSA NIR ENG GER DEN NIR SWE ENG ESP ESP BEL ESP ENG DEN KOR ESP RSA ITA ITA SWE FRA RSA FRA SWE ENG ENG RSA ENG SWE DEN NIR FRA ENG SWE SCO RSA RSA WAL AUS USA ENG ESP ITA ESP ENG SCO SCO ENG FRA

Tournaments Played 10 15 13 14 15 17 18 20 20 16 20 14 22 13 15 11 10 17 14 14 15 19 15 15 10 13 17 15 22 18 22 13 20 19 19 21 19 11 18 15 8 15 19 13 24 21 21 14 20 18

Prize Money €3,778,199 €2,023,252 €1,935,461 €1,777,431 €1,650,895 €1,588,340 €1,332,960 €974,702 €950,080 €879,937 €852,747 €839,071 €820,400 €805,369 €781,486 €751,592 €747,418 €720,681 €717,687 €712,384 €687,981 €670,262 €667,051 €631,067 €626,311 €614,739 €584,666 €578,623 €578,195 €554,435 €553,227 €551,281 €537,361 €518,346 €512,105 €497,025 €482,142 €457,153 €449,313 €439,979 €433,000 €420,178 €418,533 €414,260 €411,368 €409,329 €397,971 €389,588 €387,741 €382,526

Rank 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

Country

CHOWRASIA S.S.P GAGLI Lorenzo DAVIES Rhys LOWRY Shane KJELDSEN Søren AGUILAR Felipe ROSE Justin WALL Anthony GALLACHER Stephen RAMSAY Richie NOH Seung-yul CABRERA Angel WOOD Chris LAWRIE Peter BOYD Gary LUITEN Joost KINGSTON James FRASER Marcus DERKSEN Robert-Jan VAN ZYL Jaco GONNET Jean-Baptiste LYNN David OTTO Hennie SINGH Jeev Milkha FISHER Oliver LARA José Manuel WIEGELE Martin GONZALEZ Ricardo DREDGE Bradley MORRISON James HOEY Michael HARRINGTON Padraig HOWELL David TULLO Mark ZANOTTI Fabrizio GOYA Tano NILSSON Christian JACOBSON Fredrik WATTEL Romain STORM Graeme GARRIDO Ignacio McGRANE Damien MAYBIN Gareth IMMELMAN Trevor JONZON Michael MONTGOMERIE Colin DRYSDALE David DEL MORAL Carlos WILLETT Danny ELSON Jamie

IND ITA WAL IRL DEN CHI ENG ENG SCO SCO KOR ARG ENG IRL ENG NED RSA AUS NED RSA FRA ENG RSA IND ENG ESP AUT ARG WAL ENG NIR IRL ENG CHI PAR ARG SWE SWE FRA ENG ESP IRL NIR RSA SWE SCO SCO ESP ENG ENG

Tournaments Played

Prize Money

16 17 20 16 19 19 9 21 18 20 17 5 19 15 18 17 18 10 18 16 18 16 19 23 23 20 23 12 19 21 20 12 19 20 19 21 18 4 22 21 21 22 17 4 22 15 23 21 19 16

€370,593 €370,166 €366,431 €355,531 €347,855 €347,687 €345,001 €344,650 €341,901 €338,956 €326,916 €320,742 €318,310 €317,450 €308,429 €306,918 €300,822 €299,215 €293,732 €289,034 €276,835 €276,310 €274,877 €272,196 €271,318 €263,804 €260,367 €259,572 €253,304 €251,570 €249,160 €246,488 €245,567 €244,106 €242,224 €240,492 €238,501 €235,697 €231,810 €225,365 €218,056 €217,572 €213,980 €210,788 €207,290 €206,865 €204,296 €201,769 €201,612 €200,626

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 1 The Race to Dubai on The 2011 European Tour International Schedule will feature 50 tournaments in 29 destinations, including new events in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Malaysia and Sicily, culminating in the Dubai World Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The curtain came down on The 2010 Race to Dubai with Sweden’s Robert Karlsson finishing the year in style by winning the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World while Martin Kaymer secured The Harry Vardon Trophy by finishing European Number One ahead of Ryder Cup colleague Graeme McDowell. The third edition of The Race to Dubai will again conclude with the Dubai World Championship and will again carry a prize fun of $7,500,000 while The Race to Dubai Bonus Pool remains at $7,500,000 to be divided between the leading 15 players at the conclusion of the season. The Race To Dubai bonus Pool bReakDown 1 US$ 1,500,000 2 US$ 1,125,000 3 US$ 750,000 4 US$ 600,000 5 US$ 525,000

6 US$ 450,000 7 US$ 412,500 8 US$ 375,000 9 US$ 337,500 10 US$ 300,000

11 US$ 262,500 12 US$ 243,750 13 US$ 225,000 14 US$ 206,250 15 US$ 187,500

ken kosak

ken’s abu dhabi treble.. mike gallemore talks to KEN KOSAK who has taken on the responsibility as group general manager of running saadiyat beach golf club in addition to the abu dhabi golf club – plus the chairmanship of the uae pga

OR as long as I’ve known him, Ken Kosak has always been a busy guy, who quickly earned the reputation of being a man who knows how to get things done. If he was well occupied during his earlier days in Dubai he’s certainly well and truly rushed off his feet right now. Not only is he still in the process of continually developing the Abu Dhabi Golf Club and the Garden Course, he has also taken charge of Saadiyat Beach Golf Club – and accepted the role of Chairman of the UAE PGA. His first assignment when he came to Dubai with Troon Golf was to further develop the then Emirates Hills Golf Club, which became The Montgomerie Dubai following Colin Montgomerie’s work on the course. Having completed the changes and refurbishment to The Montgomerie and repositioning the Golf Club as one of the most exclusive in the Emirates, Ken then took on the challenge of Jumeirah Golf Estates for Leisurecorp but due to the delay in opening was seconded to Pearl Valley in South Africa, home of the South African Open, for more than 12 months.

The Gary Player-designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi. He returned to the UAE briefly to Jumeirah Golf Estates before taking over the Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s Falcon Clubhouse refurbishment and alterations to the National Course, which hosts the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which was won for the third time in January by Germany’s Martin Kaymer. Now Ken has taken over the added responsibility of running both the Abu Dhabi Golf Club and the nearby Gary Player-designed

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club as the Group General Manager. Not only that, he has been persuaded to succeed Jeff O’Brien as Chairman of the UAE PGA. “With the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) owning both golf clubs it made absolute sense to put them together under one management,” says Ken, who was recently appointed Group General Manager for both clubs. “There’s obviously a lot of synergy between the two clubs. We have a Director of 4

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ken kosak Operations at both Clubs, Scott McCaw at Abu Dhabi and Paul Booth at Saadiyat Beach. “It’s important for us that both clubs retain their own individual identity from a look and feel perspective, however, the core services at both clubs along with quality and conditioning should be very similar. “When the resort hotels open later this year in time for the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix it will bring another advantage to both clubs. The Westin, close to Abu Dhabi Golf Club and the St.Regis, opposite Saadiyat Beach, are both Hotel Partners for the clubs and are both managed by Starwood Hotels – so that will work well for us. “Hosting events like the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open Abu Dhabi Double at both our golf clubs would be ideal. It gives us the opportunity to provide golf breaks for regional visitors and for golf tourists.”

Ken was delighted with the outcome of the refurbishment of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club which was completed in January. “The Falcon Clubhouse has been a popular meeting place and destination for more than a decade,” says Ken. “With its two floors of restaurants, numerous meeting and event facilities and extensive sports and fitness club, it creates an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. “The refurbishing has kept the original character of the Club but has enhanced our top class facilities which are available to our members and guests. “ In addition to his Golf Club duties Ken has stepped into the Chairman’s position at the UAE PGA at a crucial time for the Association, prior to the launch of golf in DUBAI’s long awaited MENA Tour. “This is indeed a vital time for the UAE PGA,” says Ken. “It’s an exciting challenge to lead the UAE PGA

Martin Kaymer has made Abu Dhabi Golf Club a home from home.

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forward, along with CEO Greg Holmes. Our focus is to unify the Pros within the UAE with the Emirates Golf Federation and grow the game at grass roots level and, in fact, at every level to help bring more golfers into the sport. “The MENA Tour is an excellent, structured competition. It will encourage many more players to play the series – Professionals and amateurs. It will provide great exposure for golf in the region and I hope it will enhance the image of golf in the Middle East. I’m sure it will be a great success and I’m looking forward to seeing how it progresses.” One job is usually enough for most men but three jobs is a challenging task. Ken’s response is typical: “It’s a lot of fun and I enjoy positioning our clubs as some of the finest in the region.” With his commitment and enthusiasm Ken’s track record tells you it will be another three jobs well done. n

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

hosting events like the WorldWide golf MidWeek open abu dhabi double at both golf clubs Would be ideal. it gives us the opportunity to provide golf breaks for regional visitors and for golf tourists.

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The Gary Player designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Club has established itself as one of the most picturesque and challenging courses in the region.

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WWGcolumnist

Gary Player is a true leGend of the Game. the south african is one of only five Players to have won a career Grand slam of all four majors. he has won a total of nine majors and nine senior majors, amonG 167 tour events worldwide.

Fred has Faith in Friend tiger

ith the Presidents Cup gathering momentum United states Captain Fred Couples diplomatically removed the increasing speculation over whether tiger Woods would be one of his Wild Card Picks by announcing well ahead of the deadline that tiger is in his team. the debate over whether the 35 year old former long-time world no.1, who has slipped to no.36 in the official world Golf ranking, would merit inclusion in the usa team was finally silenced. many people thought that because woods has not played enough competitive golf there was a real danger that he wouldn’t make the team. at the time tiger was 28th on the Presidents cup ranking – a long way out of the points to gain automatic qualification. he last won a tournament back in november 2009 and at last month’s PGa championship at atlanta athletic club he shot 10-over-par 77-73 and missed the cut by six strokes, finishing out of the top 100 in a major for the first time. earlier in the year he didn’t play in the open championship or the us open due to an injury he incurred at the Players championship at sawgrass when he limped out of the tournament after nine holes of the first round.

Strange without him he didn’t play again until the world Golf championships-Bridgestone invitational at akron, ohio, where he finished tied 37th. in his last 10 tournaments on the us PGa tour tiger has had only two top-10 finishes. however, tiger has played every Presidents cup since he became eligible in 1998 and it would have seemed strange to see a us team without him. he made it clear that he wanted to play in the Presidents cup and fred announced at the Boeing classic late last month that he had told tiger he had made him a captain’s Pick, saying: “there was no reason for me to wait till sept. 26 to pick tiger – he’s the best player in the world forever.” fred explained his position by making

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the point that tiger had come close to winning the masters in april and that in his opinion tiger has been the best player in the world for the last 12 years so he couldn’t fail to pick him. he said that his captain’s assistant, jay haas, shared his view. one of the players on the edge of the Presidents cup standings is Bill haas, son of jay haas. he is ranked 10th with a month to go before the sept. 26 selection date. jim furyk and rickie fowler are 11th and 12th in the standings. fred wants all his players to play the australian open at the lakes near sydney on november 10-13, the week before the Presidents cup, and tiger is already contracted to play the tournament. fred believes that will be enough for tiger to

prove he’s ready, despite woods not being eligible to play the PGa Playoffs for the fedex cup. fred and tiger have been good friends over many years and it’s ironic that when fred agreed to accept the position of captain for the Presidents cup he contacted tiger to say, jokingly, that he wanted to see him playing well enough to get into the team automatically so he wouldn’t have to waste a captain’s Pick on selecting him. he’s made his choice and fred’s loyalty to tiger is understandable, although i believe that with the international players in such good form this season they’re going to score only their second win against the usa since the Presidents cup

TIGER FEAT DEspITE Tiger’s drop in form and his recent battles with injury, Captain Fred Couples will be well aware that the former World Number One was the only member of his 2009 American presidents Cup Team at Harding park, san Francisco, to win five out of five points in their 19.514.5 victory.

There was no reason for me to wait till Sept. 26 to pick Tiger – he’s the best player in the world forever. – fred couPles

Having partnered each other in The presidents Cup, Fred Couples and Tiger Woods are good friends on and off the course.

began. it’s a great honour to captain either the us or the international team in the Presidents cup. i enjoyed every minute of captaining the international team for three successive years against jack nicklaus’s team at fancourt in 2003 when we ran out of light and drew 17-17; at Gainsville, virginia in 2005 when jack’s team won 18.5-15.5 and at royal montreal Golf club in canada, when we lost 14.5-19.5. the Presidents cup, like the ryder cup, is match play team golf of the highest quality and one of the most exciting events for players and spectators in world golf. the only time the international team has triumphed was in 1998 when Peter thomson’s team beat jack’s usa team 20.5 to 11.5 at royal melbourne Golf club. i can see history repeating itself this time. the europeans have shown in the ryder cup in recent years that the united states

can be beaten. the americans are not the force they used to be, while the international players are on a high. with south african players of the calibre of major winners ernie els, retief Goosen, charl schwartzel and louis oosthuizen; australians jason day and adam scott, south Koreans K.j. choi, major winner y.e. yang, and Kyung-tae Kim, and japan’s ryo ishikawa, the automatic 10 qualifiers for the international team are a strong line-up.

Lot of talent and experience there’s a lot of talent and experience in the team and although the united states team has some good young players, along with ‘old hands’ Phil mickelson and steve stricker, they don’t have the galaxy of stars they have fielded in previous

Presidents cups. Greg norman will be watching the form of all his international team candidates in the four-tournament PGa tour Playoffs for the fedex cup before choosing his two wild card Picks and fred couples will have to hope his stars can find their form for the big occasion. i was pleased to see that Greg has appointed south african tim clark as one of his assistants. tim was runner-up in the sony open in hawaii at the start of the year but has been sidelined through injury virtually since then. he’s got a lot of Presidents cup experience and will be an asset to the team. just like the ryder cup it’s time for the pendulum to swing the other way and it would be good for the game globally if the international team could come out on top at royal melbourne. n

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O F F I C I A L

W O R L D

G O L F

R A N K I N G

As of MoNDAY, AUGUsT 22, 2011

AroUND ThE worlD oN ThE EUroPEAN ToUr & Us PGA ToUr Pts. Avg 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

Luke Donald Lee Westwood Steve Stricker Martin Kaymer Rory McIlroy Phil Mickelson Adam Scott Jason Day Dustin Johnson Nick Watney Charl Schwartzel Matt Kuchar Graeme McDowell K.J. Choi Bubba Watson David Toms Ian Poulter Paul Casey Robert Karlsson Kim Kyung-Tae Hunter Mahan Francesco Molinari Anders Hansen Retief Goosen Martin Laird Jim Furyk Rickie Fowler Keegan Bradley Alvaro Quiros Matteo Manassero Zach Johnson Ernie Els Webb Simpson Darren Clarke Miguel A Jimenez Tiger Woods Justin Rose Gary Woodland Jason Dufner Bo Van Pelt Bill Haas Y.E. Yang Louis Oosthuizen Ryo Ishikawa Ryan Moore Tim Clark Sergio Garcia Peter Hanson Geoff Ogilvy Edoardo Molinari

Eng Eng USA Deu Nir USA Aus Aus USA USA Zaf USA Nir Kor USA USA Eng Eng Swe Kor USA Ita Dnk Zaf Sco USA USA USA Esp Ita USA Zaf USA Nir Esp USA Eng USA USA USA USA Kor Zaf Jpn USA Zaf Esp Swe Aus Ita

10.17 8.30 6.93 6.86 6.81 5.86 5.86 5.56 5.47 5.33 5.21 5.16 4.85 4.75 4.69 4.17 4.11 4.09 3.99 3.83 3.65 3.56 3.55 3.52 3.51 3.48 3.40 3.40 3.37 3.36 3.35 3.32 3.26 3.25 3.23 3.21 3.12 3.07 3.06 3.01 2.99 2.90 2.88 2.88 2.87 2.83 2.83 2.82 2.81 2.77

Tot. Pts 538.85 390.04 284.00 329.38 354.13 281.14 275.27 244.61 273.32 266.48 281.27 273.46 262.13 242.26 220.25 204.21 213.53 192.28 203.28 206.79 197.06 192.24 187.97 189.90 186.22 174.11 183.61 180.05 175.22 134.29 170.86 179.39 176.21 172.27 174.60 128.55 165.22 132.15 156.09 162.68 161.69 156.38 155.66 155.54 146.61 113.27 138.49 140.84 143.50 149.76

Events

Pts. Gained

53 47 41 48 52 48 47 44 50 50 54 53 54 51 47 49 52 47 51 54 54 54 53 54 53 50 54 53 52 40 51 54 54 53 54 40 53 43 51 54 54 54 54 54 51 40 49 50 51 54

395.52 200.27 196.96 177.06 222.75 182.18 183.68 186.97 174.57 209.38 213.08 164.09 86.66 181.70 156.60 172.96 91.85 74.08 102.45 107.05 111.52 70.90 147.33 78.32 127.32 56.52 117.40 169.30 125.38 85.78 89.25 36.46 164.31 138.56 82.86 45.42 85.30 140.12 134.02 88.04 109.36 109.36 57.21 79.88 90.31 28.13 111.27 80.35 62.54 45.11

Pts. Avg 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

Brandt Snedeker Robert Allenby Ryan Palmer Simon Dyson Aaron Baddeley Rory Sabbatini Jonathan Byrd Mark Wilson Fredrik Jacobson Lucas Glover Scott Verplank Ben Crane Yuta Ikeda Ross Fisher Sean Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hair Vijay Singh Charley Hoffman Kevin Na Anthony Kim Thomas Bjorn Richard Green Alexander Noren Jeff Overton J.B. Holmes Padraig Harrington Chris Kirk Nicolas Colsaerts Steve Marino Robert Garrigus Raphael Jacquelin Charles Howell-III Hiroyuki Fujita Brendan Jones Tommy Gainey Spencer Levin Camilo Villegas D.A. Points Tetsuji Hiratsuka Fredrik Andersson Hed Davis Love-III Stewart Cink Brian Davis John Senden Pablo Larrazabal Gregory Bourdy Brendon de Jonge Ricky Barnes Carl Pettersson Angel Cabrera Johan Edfors

USA Aus USA Eng Aus Saf USA USA Swe USA USA USA Jpn Eng USA Fji USA USA USA Dnk Aus Swe USA USA Irl USA Bel USA USA Fra USA Jpn Aus USA USA Col USA Jpn Swe USA USA Eng Aus Esp Fra Zwe USA Swe Arg Swe

2.70 2.69 2.62 2.61 2.59 2.54 2.53 2.47 2.42 2.42 2.32 2.32 2.31 2.24 2.23 2.22 2.16 2.15 2.14 2.13 2.13 2.12 2.11 2.10 2.06 2.06 2.05 2.02 2.01 2.00 1.99 1.95 1.93 1.92 1.88 1.85 1.78 1.77 1.76 1.76 1.75 1.74 1.73 1.72 1.69 1.68 1.67 1.67 1.66 1.66

Tot. Pts 145.64 145.14 138.87 140.92 134.70 137.10 133.99 133.16 126.08 116.24 92.97 118.18 124.69 111.83 115.86 106.40 114.43 116.11 107.00 113.00 100.17 114.64 113.92 102.92 111.07 98.67 94.50 107.06 98.51 108.14 107.37 105.18 77.23 103.59 101.37 100.11 96.35 95.53 91.74 84.29 85.56 93.90 93.68 92.66 91.05 90.77 88.71 90.08 69.91 83.22

Events 54 54 53 54 52 54 53 54 52 48 40 51 54 50 52 48 53 54 50 53 47 54 54 49 54 48 46 53 49 54 54 54 40 54 54 54 54 54 52 48 49 54 54 54 54 54 53 54 42 50

Pts. Gained 119.11 65.20 80.35 96.88 134.39 117.32 117.12 139.59 103.60 89.14 63.64 42.73 47.86 42.47 63.13 85.75 50.93 78.08 49.44 89.95 43.96 97.40 50.23 63.80 35.81 77.38 79.09 89.72 75.14 73.33 85.60 30.67 28.87 87.38 87.94 29.78 86.47 35.40 46.33 57.87 44.45 46.65 57.58 82.07 59.67 51.15 49.24 51.58 41.02 56.5

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Worldround-ups

Bradley the comeBack

king

his tee shot at 15 into the drink for the first of three consecutive bogeys which led to the 3-hole play-off. Bradley struck the first blow in the play-off with birdie at 16 as they replayed the final three holes and when Dufner bogeyed 17 it gave Bradley a two-shot cushion heading down the last. To his credit Dufner applied some pressure with a raking birdie putt on the 18th but Bradley composed himself and two-putted for par and victory in his first ever outing in a Major. “It feels unbelievable,” he said, as he sat proudly next to the prodigious Wanamaker trophy. “It seems like a dream and I’m afraid I’m going to wake up here in the next five minutes and it’s not going to be real.” Ranked No.108 in the World Ranking prior to play it was Bradley, a 25-year-old PGA Tour rookie, who ended America’s drought of six Majors without a champion – it’s the longest ever run without a Major.

“

EEGAN Bradley produced an unforgettable finish to draw the curtain on the Major Championships for another year with a rousing comeback in regulation and then a commanding play-off victory over Jason Dufner in the US PGA Championship at Atlanta. Following Schwartzel’s birdie-blast finish at Augusta, Rory’s Tiger-like dominance at the US Open and Darren Clarke’s defiant triumph at a brisk Royal St George’s, Bradley dug deep to etch his name into the history books with an equally memorable performance. Walking off the green at the 15th after skulling his chip into the drink for a triple bogey, Bradley had suddenly slumped to five shots back. That’s when he told himself that no lead was safe on the closing stretch at Atlanta Athletic Club. “I just kept telling myself, ‘Don’t let that hole define the tournament,” he said With that in mind Bradley turned it around in stunning fashion with birdie on the par-4 16th and then a 35 footer which he willed into the cup on the daunting par-3 17th. Dufner, meanwhile, suffered an epic collapse. He blocked

BRADLEY’S STATS In winning the US PGA Championship Keegan Bradley became the first Nationwide Tour graduate to win a Major the first year after stepping up to play the PGA Tour. Keegan’s iron play and short game were key to his victory. He finished second in Greens in Regulation with a strike rate of 77.8% and was also second with his putting stats (Putts Per Green In Regulation) with an average of 1.679.

“

“I just kept tellIng myself, ‘Don’t let that hole Define the tournament, – KEEGAN BRADLEY

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WorLdround-ups tournament: Nordea Masters

21 – 24 July 2011

venue: Bro Hof Slott Golf Club, Stockholm, Sweden

NoreN coasts to ‘home’ victory SWEDEN’S Alexander Noren secured a commanding eight-shot victory at the Nordea Masters in his homeland to win his third European Tour title and his second of the 2011 season. Noren held an 11-stroke lead heading into the final day’s play and held on, shooting a 77 after successfully navigating the par-3 17th which is inspired by the famous ‘Island Hole’ at TPC Sawgrass in Florida. “I’m so relieved. The only thing I thought of all day was the 17th,” said Noren who scored a 15-under-par total. “I said it didn’t matter how I played up to that, I just have to survive 17 – and I did.” Relatively benign conditions allowed Noren to shoot a third round course-record 63 to take a mammoth lead but the wind picked up on the Sunday and only one player broke 70 – Englishman Richard Finch who took second place on 8-under. “I’ve never seen wind like this in Sweden,” said Noren. “Every hole was super tough and even downwind it was hard to choose the right club.” Noren became the second Swede to win at the Bro Hof Slott GC – the longest course on The European Tour schedule – after Richard S. Johnson

won last year. Noren was quick to thank the support he received. “It’s even more amazing at home with everyone cheering you on. You don’t feel that elsewhere,” he smiled. “You see so many friendly faces in the crowd. It’s unbelievable. I’m so happy.” Finch’s 3-under-69 was good enough to take him to outright second place and it could have been even better had he not found water on the perilous 17th. “For 17 holes it was the best round I’ve ever played – I was absolutely delighted,” said Finch. “The course is tough enough as it is without the wind. But it’s the same for everyone so you just have to put your best foot forward – hit the fairway, hit the green, and see where you go from there. Luckily, I managed to get off to a great start with a couple of birdies in the bank, and just kept the momentum going.” Another Swede, sponsor’s invite Niklas Lemke, was third on 5-underpar while Australia’s Scott Hend and Spaniard Pablo Martin shared fourth place a shot further back. Big hitting Americans Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson finished on 3-under-par in sixth place alongside Seung-yul Noh and Jeev Milkha Singh.

in the bag Driver: Fairway Wood: Hybrid: Irons (3-pw): Wedges: Putter: Ball:

Callaway RAZR Hawk (9.5º) Callaway Diablo Octane Tour 3-wood Callaway X Tour (18º) Callaway RAZR X Forged Callaway Odyssey Black Series i #1 Callaway Tour i(z)

Winner: AlexAnder noren cheQue: €250,000

Winning Score: 15-under-par – 273 (67,66,63,77) runner-up: richard Finch – 280

FACT FILE

Alexander Noren is the only Swede to have won on The European Tour in 2011 but his win on home soil is the 91st by a Swede in Europe.

21 – 24 July 2011

tournament: RBC Canadian Open venue: Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Winner: SeAn o’hAir cheQue: $936,000

o’hair capitalises as BlaNks shoots BlaNk SEAN O’Hair won his fourth US PGA Tour title at the RBC Canadian Open after he defeated Kris Blanks on the first extra hole of a suddendeath play-off. Both players signed for a 4-under-par total and as they replayed the difficult 18th hole both missed the green with their approach shots. O’Hair tapped in for bogey after lagging his par putt and then watched as Blanks’ putt to match his bogey from five feet lipped out, handing him the title. The victory signalled a huge turnaround in O’Hair’s fortunes after admitting he “played horrific golf” during the Pro-Am on fthe Wednesday. “That night was the worst point of my whole year,” he said. “I was completely lost on Wednesday. To be sitting here with the trophy, I just really appreciate this win.” O’Hair

started the final round three shots off the lead and shot a 68 to get into the play-off with Blanks shooting 70. Only eight players finished under-par for the tournament so it came as no surprise that a bogey was good enough for O’Hair to win, given the difficulty of the tree-lined Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club course. Argentine Andres Romero missed a testing 15-footer for par on the 18th to miss out on joining the play-off and had to settle for third place on his own at 3-under-par. Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy closed with a 70 to take fourth place on 2-under-par alongside Canadian Adam Hadwin. “I felt like I was playing for my country out there,” smiled Hadwin after securing his best finish ever on the PGA Tour. “I’ve got some celebrating to do tonight.” www.wwgolf.biz

WorLdround-ups tournament: Irish Open

28-31 July 2011

venue: Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Winner: Simon dySon cheQue: €250,000

simoN DysoN swoops to irish victory ENGLISHMAN Simon Dyson produced some sublime iron play over the closing holes to seal a one-stroke victory over Australia’s Richard Green at the Irish Open at Killarney. Two birdies in the final three holes saw him sign for a 67 and a 15-underpar total, one clear of Green who threeputted the final green to gift Dyson his fifth European Tour title. “It’s a shame you can’t bottle how you feel sometimes,” said Dyson. “It’s amazing – it really is. The golf I’ve played this week is probably the best I’ve ever played.” Green held the lead for much of the final day and was one ahead when he matched Dyson’s two-putt birdie on the par-5 16th. However, Dyson drew level with another birdie on the par-3 17th and then watched as Green sent a 60 foot birdie putt 10 feet past on the 18th and missed the return for par. “You always feel sorry for somebody when that happens,” said Dyson. “I would have much preferred to win it with a birdie, but I will take whatever I can get.” Dyson was on top of his game, making just three bogeys the entire

week. He admitted that some work he’d done with coach Pete Cowan at The Open Championship the week before had paid dividends. “I’d been working on some good things with Pete at Royal St George’s and I just brought it here,” he said. “I played three, and three-quarters near perfect rounds on this course so I was just thinking if I keep swinging it well then I’ll give myself chances of birdies.” Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher moved up one place into third thanks to a final round 68 while Austrian Bernd Wiesberger took fourth after a 66 for an 11-under-par total. Before play got underway all the talk was of the four recent Irish Major winners who were in the field, but Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell or Padraig Harrington could finish inside the top 20. Indeed. Harrington and Clarke both missed the cut while McDowell came 25th and McIlroy 34th. “It wasn’t the result I was looking for but this was the first week of three in a row,” said McIlroy. “I feel if I put the work in there’s no reason why I can’t have another good shot at a Major.”

in the bag Driver: Fairway Wood: Irons (3-PW): Wedges: Putter: Ball:

Nike SQ Sumo2 Driver Nike Sumo2 15º, VR STR8-FIT 19º VR Pro Combo Irons VR Pro Wedges 52º, 60º Rife Barbados Nike One Tour D ball

Winning Score: 15-under-par – 269 (70, 65, 67, 67) runner-up: richard green – 270 (67,68,67,68)

FACT FILE

Simon Dyson became the third Englishman to win the Irish Open in four years after wins by Richard Finch (2008) and Ross Fisher (2010). Dyson also joins Mark James (1979,1980), Sir Nick Faldo (1991, 92, 93) and David Carter (1998) as English winners in Ireland.

tournament: The Greenbrier Classic

28 – 31 July 2011

venue: The Old White TPC, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

Winner: Scott StAllingS cheQue: $1,080,000

No stalliNg for scott US PGA Tour rookie Scott Stallings defeated the experienced duo of Bill Haas and Bob Estes with a birdie on the first play-off hole to win the first title of his career. The 26-year-old sunk a curvy 7-footer for birdie on the 168-yard par-3 18th after watching Haas and Estes narrowly miss the cup. “To be a champion in such a great event is a huge blessing,” said Stallings. “I’ve wanted to do this since I was a little kid – I was that little boy running around chasing autographs and yelling at guys because they wouldn’t stop and sign my golf balls.” In just its second year as a PGA Tour event, The Greenbrier Classic once again produced another dramatic finish as last year Stuart Appleby shot a 59 – including birdie on the last – to win by one stroke from Jeff Overton. This year Stallings rifled his tee shot on the 18th in regulation to 5 feet and sunk the

birdie putt to join the play-off at 10-underpar and then hit an almost carbon-copy shot a few minutes later when the play-off got underway. Estes had earlier signed for a bestof-the-day 6-under 64 to move 16 places up the leaderboard while Haas carded a 67 to also finish on 10-under. Estes had waited just over an hour between closing out his 64 and the playoff. He had something to eat then warmed up on the practice range, hitting his 8-iron and putting to prepare for the play-off on the 18th. “I felt like I did everything exactly right,” admitted Estes, who was going in search of his first PGA Tour win. “I just didn’t make that birdie putt on 18.” Jimmy Walker (68), Andres Romero (65), Brendon de Jonge (66), Cameron Tringale (67) and Gary Woodland (69) finished in a share of fourth place on 9-under. www.wwgolf.biz

WorLdround-ups tournament: WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

04 – 07 aug 2011

venue: Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio, USA

aDam scott’s wire-to-wire wiN iN akroN ADAM Scott produced one of the finest final-round displays of the season as he closed out a stellar victory at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio. The Australian carded a superb bogey-free 65 to sign for a 17-under total and finish four strokes clear of Luke Donald and Rickie Fowler. “It was a good round. I stayed so patient and picked my moments,” smiled Scott after sealing a wireto-wire victory which began with a superb 8-under 62. “I’m really stoked – to win here in a World Golf Championships event is huge.” Scott bided his time on the opening nine, making only one birdie on an outward 34. However, he turned up the heat on the back nine with a sublime approach for birdie on the par-4 tenth and then a chip-in birdie on 12. He sank a mammoth birdie putt on 14 to move comfortably clear and then sealed the win with another sublime iron shot at the 18th which set up another birdie. “I was really happy with the way I closed it out,” he said. “This is obviously one of the biggest wins of my career. To win a World Golf Championship or

a Major is what I set out to do this year and put a real focus on the big events, and I think I’ve done a pretty good job so far of getting myself in the hunt.” Scott was ably assisted by bagman Steve Williams, who helped Tiger Woods to seven victories over the Firestone layout before he was dismissed as the former World No.1’s caddie a few weeks earlier. “He knows this place better than anyone and I’ve really enjoyed this week with Steve,” said Scott. New Zealander Williams called it the “most satisfying win I’ve ever had.” Donald and Fowler both closed with 66s and the World No.1 was pleased with his performance as he prepared for the final Major of the season. “It was a good week,” said Donald. “It’s probably one of the best ballstriking weeks I’ve had for a while. It’s disappointing I didn’t make a couple more putts and give Scotty a good run, but there are still a lot of positives.” Australian Jason Day took fourth place alongside Japanese starlet Ryo Ishikawa while Rory McIlroy had a 67 to share sixth place with Korean Kim Kyung-tea and former Masters Champion Zach Johnson.

in the bag Driver: Fairway Wood: Hybrid: Irons (3-pw): Wedges: Putter: Ball:

Titleist 910D3 9.5º Titleist 910Fd 15º, D•3 SFT Setting (Rombax Pro95) Titleist 909H 21º (Proforce V2 Hybrid 104) Titleist MB 3-9 (KBS Tour) Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled 248•06º, 254•10º, 260•08º Scotty Cameron Kombi Long Titleist Pro V1

Winner: AdAm Scott cheQue: €972,148

Winning Score: 17-under-par – 263 (62,70,66,65) runner-up: Luke donaLd, rickie FoWLer – 267

FACT FILE

Adam Scott’s victory at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational saw him become the third Australian to win a WGC event, following in the spikemarks of Craig Parry (2002 Bridgestone Invitational) and Geoff Ogilvy (2006 Accenture Match Play Championship).

04-07 aug 2011

tournament: Reno-Tahoe Open venue: Montreux Golf & Country Club, Reno, Nevada

Winner: Scott piercy cheQue: $540,000

piercy eNDs his wait with Nail-BitiNg wiN SCOTT Piercy made hard work of it, but eventually secured a one-stroke victory over Pat Parez to win his first US PGA Tour title at the Reno-Tahoe Open in his home state of Nevada. At one stage Piercy let slip a threestroke lead before making some vital up-anddowns over the closing holes and sealing the win with a 7-foot par putt after finding trouble off the tee. “Finally,” exhaled Piercy after winning in his third year on the Tour, “I’ve got the monkey off my back. I’ve been in the last group five times and didn’t close the deal. I always thought I could do it. Now I’ve finally won my first Tour event I can heave a big sigh of relief.” Piercy posted a sublime third round 61 which set a new course record but the final round was more of a war of attrition as he had to scramble round the monstrous 7,472-

yard layout. The most notable escape came at the final hole after he blocked his drive into a cart-path. From the asphalt he pitched 80 yards forward into the fairway and then played a superb wedge past the pin for a 7 foot downhill put for the win. He duly drained the putt to leave Perez in second place, the third time he’d had to settle for the runner-up spot in ten years on the PGA Tour. “I missed three putts inside 10 feet on the last three holes – that’s not going to earn me a win,” said Perez, who admitted he could take few positives from his performance: “No positives. Second, second, second. First loser.” Steve Flesch, winner of the Reno-Tahoe Open in 2007, shared third place alongside Blake Adams on 13-under-par with Jim Renner taking fifth place on 12-under after a final round 68. www.wwgolf.biz

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WorLdround-ups tournament: Czech Open

18 – 21 aug 2011

venue: Prosper Golf Resort, Celadna, Czech Republic

Winner: oliver fiSher cheQue: €250,000

oliver fisher fiNally czechs iN OLIVER Fisher closed out in memorable fashion to win his maiden European Tour title at the Czech Open. The 22-year-old birdied holes 16 and 17 after some fine approach play and sublime putting to close with a 69 and a 13-under-par total, two clear of Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg. The win turned around an incredible run of form as Fisher had missed 20 of his first 21 cuts this season before recent top-50 finishes in Sweden and Ireland showed glimpses of improvement. “Getting your first win is obviously special, but especially as I’ve struggled so far this season,” said Fisher. “My form has been horrific, but golf’s a funny game. I went through a lot of different emotions out there today. I hit it well on the range this morning, so that gave me confidence. “I saw Mika Lundberg was on 12-under coming down the 14th, and 15 is a tricky par three with lots of water. So all sorts of things were going through my head at that stage. I hit the green on 15 but then threeputted. So to sink birdie putts on 16 and 17 was huge, and then I played the 18th very well. “I really enjoyed it out there today,

and I’ve had a lot of fun this week. I’ve played well since Sweden, and played better every week since. I did a lot of good work back home in the two weeks before this event, and it’s paid off. Hopefully this is the start of big things for me.” Lundberg, who lost his European Tour card last year and has been struggling to make an impact on the Challenge Tour for much of 2011, joined Fisher at the top of the leaderboard when he sunk a 15 foot putt at the 15th. The Swede bogeyed the 17th to fall back and was eventually overtaken by Fisher but his second-place finish should see him regain playing privileges for next year. “After the season I’ve had, I’m delighted,” he said. “At the start of the week all I was thinking about was just trying to make the cut and maybe finish in the top 20 or even top 10 if I played really well. So this was way above my expectations. Oli played great, so he deserved to win. I’ve won before, so maybe it was his turn this week!” Fabrizio Zanotti took third place thanks to a superb 66 for a 9-under total with Gary Boyd fourth on 8-under-par.

in the bag Driver: Fairway Wood: Hybrid: Irons (3-PW): Wedges: Putter: Ball:

Nike VR Pro Ltd 8.5º Nike VR Pro prototype 3-wood 15º VR Pro 18 VR Pro Combo Irons Nike VR Pro 46º, 52º and 59º Nike Method prototype Nike 20XI-X

Winning Score: 13-under-par – 275 (71,67,68,69) runner-up: MikaeL Lundberg – 277

FACT FILE

Oliver Fisher’s win at the Czech Open came in his 147th start on The European Tour and he is the eighth Englishman to win on Tour this season. Prize money of €250,000 helped move from 224th to just outside the top 70 on The Race to Dubai.

tournament: Wyndham Championship

18 – 21 aug 2011

venue: Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, North Carolina

Winner: webb SimpSon cheQue: $250,000

weBB homes iN oN the wyNDham WEBB Simpson can recall the days when he was a teenage caddy at the Pro-Am of the Wyndham Championship in his native North Carolina, now he can look back on becoming a first time winner on the PGA Tour at the same tournament. The 26-year-old, who leads the PGA Tour all-round stats, finished on 18-under-par 262 to win by three strokes from George McNeill and move up to No.3 in the FedEx Cup standings. “I really couldn’t think of a better place to win than here in Greensboro,” Simpson said. “That was probably the most fun 18 holes I’ve ever played.” Simpson took a lead into the final 18 holes thanks to a late five hole stretch of four birdies and an eagle in the third round and he opened his final round with 8 straight pars before moving to 16-

under with a birdie on the ninth. He stayed on 16-under until he birdied the par-5 15th and then the 16th to give himself a threestroke cushion with two to play. “When I made the putt on 15, I asked my caddie for the first time all day, `Where do we stand?’ and he said, `We’re two ahead,’” said Simpson. “I needed to play solid golf on the last three holes, so to birdie 16 was huge. I had a three-shot lead on 18, and as soon as I hit the ball in play, I knew it was all over.” McNeill had to settle for his second runner-up spot of the campaign after he moved up 9 places into outright second with his 64. Tommy ‘two gloves’ Gainey took third place while Vijay Singh, Jerry Kelly, Kyung-tae Kim, Charles Howell III and Carl Pettersso took a share of fourth place. www.wwgolf.biz

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LOCALNEWS

A R A B I A N

UAE TEAm ToAsT ‘BEsT EvEr’ NomUrA CUp THE UAE golf team finished 14th at the Nomura Cup in Fiji recently and left celebrating their finest ever showing in the event. Team coach Chris Vallender was delighted with the performance as all four team members – Ahmed and Adbulla Al Musharrekh, Khalid Yousuf and Saif Thabet –managed to post rounds in the 70s on the final day of the competition. “That was our best ever performance in this competition, not just in terms of results, but also the way the players worked hard and learned how to compete at this level of golf,” Vallender said. “It was invaluable in terms of what they can take into their games for the future from the past four days. “For all the guys to finish in the 70s on the last day was a sign of real improvement and Ahmed, especially, was superb more or less for all four days. He really stepped up to the mark and had a great week. But this kind of tournament is really tough and has shown up the limitations our guys have in terms of competing at international level. They are not usually

exposed to go up against such good players, so for them to do so well is evidence of the work they have put in. “We can move forward from this. I was really pleased with the way they all came together as a team and I am sure we can improve greatly on this, as long as we continue to test ourselves at this kind of level.” Ahmed Al Musharrekh posted the best scores of the UAE quartet with rounds of 68, 73, 80 and 75 for an 8-over-par 296 total. Yousuf signed for rounds of 74, 87, 87 and 74 for a 322 total while Abdulla Al Musharrekh finished on 327 after rounds of 76, 89, 87 and 75. Thabet carded rounds of 92, 98, 88 and 79 for a four round total of 357. Australia led from start to finish as they clinched their ninth victory in the tournament with a 21-stroke victory over New Zealand. The Australians scored a 24-under-par total of 840 to take the honours while India took third place on 865. Australia also dominated the individual event with 18 year old Cameron Smith finishing 9-under to take first place.

“For all the guys to Finish in the 70s on the last day was a sign oF real improvement and ahmed, especially, was superb more or less For all Four days. he really stepped up to the mark and had a great week.” – CHrIS VAllENdEr, UAE TEAM COACH

TEAM WORK: Abdulla Al Musharrekh , Khalid Yousuf, Ahmed Al Musharrekh and Saif Thabet.

Sandy Meyer’s

ProfeSSional TiP

Women's Golf Middle East

How to Hit tHe Longer iron For soMe players hITTIng a uTIlITy club Is a loT easIer Than TakIng The long Iron ouT oF The bag, buT IF you preFer To hIT a long Iron Then here are soMe TIps To help you Make a clean sTrIke.

ARABIAN GOLF

In order to strike the ball well you have to ensure that you make your ball position at the correct place and that is between one to two inches inside your left heel (alternate feet for lefties). Many players tend to place the ball too far back and this is the worst thing you can do as it causes many problems, not just with the strike but also the technique. try this drill to improve the contact: Draw an imaginary line from the centre of your stance and have a few practice swings to check where your divots are – they should be past the line towards the target. The reason for this drill is to ensure your weight is shifted correctly through the forward swing. Many high handicap players tend to try and lift the ball and usually the weight is left on the back foot. I also like to think of hitting the long iron as if you would a fairway wood or even a driver – by doing this it promotes a nice wide takeaway and arc to the swing, which is ideal for longer irons.

tuesdAy GROup At the eLs CLuB CONtINues tO Be A suCCess

eveNING eveNts pROve A BIG hIt WgMe held their first “evening events” over the summer months at emirates golf club and it attracted players of all levels and allowed those ladies who are not able to play during the day a chance to take part in the games. The three events were played on the emirates par-3 course, a full length par-3 facility, which presented a challenge for the advanced player yet was also a friendly test for any of the beginner ladies

who took part. The winner of the first event was sarah Martin with 22 points while 21 points was good enough for Marina pretorius to win the second event. aisling byrne scored 24 points to take the third instalment. The sunday evening events will continue throughout the season and will be a combination of using the emirates par 3 course and the Floodlit Faldo course at emirates golf club.

The popular Tuesday ladies group at The els club continued through the summer with the players teeing off in the coolness of the late afternoon. Winning their first event together was the three-player group of Julie Musty, Melissa clements and Michelle gaeta who combined well to put together a creditable team score of 22 points. The following week the ladies played a Texas scramble format and the three-ladies team of sarah Martin, aisling byrne and sandy Meyer won

AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB

with a net score of 37.4 over the front nine holes. katrin Wilke had an excellent score of 18 points, when she won the individual event, starting off particularly strong over the first seven holes.

Location: Just off E 11, 12 miles south of Ras Al Khaimah

the course is complimented by a large open lagoon with four inter-connected lagoons.

contact: Tel: +971 7 244 7474 Fax: +971 7 244 7423

coURSE: 7,267 yard, par 72 18 hole course with additional par-3 Academy Course.

info: Built along the Arabian Gulf,

DESignER: Peter Harradine

ChARLes pARks At the tOp IN 2-dAy RAk OpeN CHArLeS Parks was crowned the 2011 ramadan open Champion recently after two rounds of superb golf in ras Al Khaimah. The event saw golfers from all over the uae travelling to ras al khaimah ready to take on the very different challenges that both al hamra golf club and Tower links golf club pose. on day one parks scored 41 points over the Tower links layout before scoring 38 at al hamra on day two for a 79-point total and a 3-stroke victory over nicole Milton. “I’ve had a fantastic weekend of

golf here in rak,” said parks. “It’s the first time that I have played Tower links and I have thoroughly enjoyed both courses. I will certainly be back in the very near future to take part in more rak events.” rahyn Thomas carded scores of 41 and 35 points for a 76 point total but lost out on second place after a countback defeat to Milton. at the end of Day one Fred Watts took the spoils for the best score of the first round with a superb haul of 44 points while the nearest the pin winners were David Forbes (hole 4), andrew cotselow (hole 8), Mark

stannard (hole 16) and gary rigby (hole 18). The second and final day of the competition took place at al hamra golf club and the conditions and course set-up appeared tougher as the scores for the majority of the field were lower then day one. Jeff glasgow picked up the prize for best score of the day, having carded a superb 39 points while the four nearest the pin prizes for day two were picked up by otto hoefer (hole 4) Johan buxmann (hole 7), Dave gould (hole 11) and rory Watts (hole 15).

mOhAmmed dARwIsh CRuIses tO summeR stABLeFORd wIN MohaMMeD Darwish relished the tricky conditions in the second event of the summer open stableford to post a 40 point total for a comfortable 3-point victory over andrew costelow. The leaderboard wasnít as tight as it had been in previous editions of the tournament with costelow coming home with 37 points, four shots clear of third placed eddie o’neil.

Location: Emirates Hills, Interchange 5 Sheikh Zayed Road, opposite the Hard Rock Café.

ARABIAN GOLF

contact: (04) 380 2222 egc@dubaigolf.com Book online tee times at www.dubaigolf.com

EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

info: Majlis Course – 1988 Faldo Course – 1996, re-designed in 2006 Courses: Majlis – 18 holes, Par 72, 7,211 yards, Championship course. Faldo Course – 18 holes, Par 72, 7,433 yards. DESiGnERS: Majlis Course – Karl Litten Faldo course – Sir Nick Faldo

EmIRAtEs wIN thEIR FOuRth scRAtch LEAGuE EMIRATES Golf Club defeated Dubai Creek Golf The format of the Invitational Scratch Golf and Yacht Club by 3 – 1 in the final match of the League sees eight players per side compete in a 2010 – 2011 Invitational Scratch Golf League at Al fourball scratch match play format. Badia Golf Club to clinch their fourth overall title. The League began at the start of the season On a pleasantly breezy afternoon the threewith 12 participating teams from throughout the time defending champions became four times UAE in four leagues played in round robin format champions over the 7,303 yards par 72 layout with two matches at home and two away. thanks to some impressive Emirates Golf Club won their performances. league division against teams The play of the day came from Yas Links, Abu Dhabi and from the fourth pairing of The Montgomerie, Dubai and the Emirates Golf Club team won their semi-final match of Kouroche Achtari and against Arabian Ranches Golf Dan Hendry who won by a Club. commanding 7&5 margin “This has been a very against the experienced successful year once again for pairing of John Fellingham the Invitational Scratch Golf and Paul King – Fellingham League – the fifth in the history having been unbeaten in his of the event,” said Bob Driver, five previous matches and Co-ordinator of the League. King having a similar 100% “We congratulate our four record in his four matches this times champions Emirates Golf season. Club for their continued fine David Gowans and golf and strength in depth. The Francisco Giles pulled one – BoB Driver, Co-orDinator of the enthusiasm from all the clubs invitational SCratCh Golf leaGue. point back for Dubai Creek to compete in the League this Golf and Yacht Club but with the overall score at 2 year has been more than refreshing and we also – 1 it was left to the EGC pairing of Ed Hesson and appropriately, on this day, thank our host club, Al Rohit Gupta to win the home hole and secure the Badia Golf Club for their hospitality of this final winning point. match.”

“This has been a very successful year once again for The inviTaTional scraTch golf league – The fifTh in The hisTory of The evenT,”

EMiRatES GoLf cLUB – 2010 – 2011 SEaSon REViEW Date

Fixture

Result

27/11/10

EGC v Yas Links, Abu Dhabi

EGC Won 4 – 0 (6 Points)

4/12/10

Yas Links, Abu Dhabi v EGC

EGC Lost 3 – 1 (1 Point)

22/1/11

EGC v The Montgomerie, Dubai

EGC Won 3 – 1 (5 Points)

12/3/11

The Montgomerie, Dubai v EGC

7/5/11 (semi-final) EGC v Arabian Ranches 10/6/11 (final)

EGC Won 4 – 0 (6 Points) EGC Won 4 - 0

EGC v Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club EGC Won 3 - 1

EMiRatES GoLf cLUB – inDiViDUaL REcoRDS Player

Matches Played

Matches Won

Rohit Gupta

R. J. Thompson

Ed Hesson

Kouroche Achtari

Trevor Varri

Dan Hendry

Johnny Aldridge

Darren Cole

Joel Neale

Charlie Stricklin

Ross Hopwood

Khalid Yousuf

Mike Harradine

Keith Prosser

mAdNI pIps REId At thE pOst MAAJID Mushtaq Madni secured the honours in the second fixture of the Dubai Golf Summer Series with a 3-under-par score of 39 points to defeat Stephen Reid by three points. Reid, champion at the previous month’s tournament, carded a gross 73 for his 36-point tally which saw him take the runner-up spot in the overall standings but he did take home the gross prize as consolation. Michael Robson followed his 36 point total in June with a solid 35 points to give him third place. All prizes were sponsored by Ecco and Shloka Desai bagged herself a prize as the top female with 30 points.The nearest the pin winners were Eric Koeman and Joyal Valan and they both went home with Ecco golf bags for their accuracy on holes 8 and 12 respectively. Over the series the best three of potentially four Stableford scores will be tabulated and the individual with the highest total will win the grand prize sponsored by Interem and be declared the Dubai Golf Summer Series Champion for 2011. At the halfway mark Stephen Reid tops the league table on 73 points, two clear of Michael Robson and three from Maajid Mushtaq Madni. At the time of going to press the results of the third fixture were not known while the final of the four fixtures is set to be held at EGC’s Majlis Course on Saturday 10th September at 13:30pm.

Champion Maajid Mushtaq Madni with Barney Coleman, Golf Services Manager, EGC.

www.wwgolf.biz

A “CLUB EXPERIENCE MEMBERSHIP” FOR AED 5,285 Exclusive offer to Golfers who want to feel part of a Golf Club

summer winter Arabian Ranches Golf Club

ENJOYMENT CONTINUES THIS WINTER! Take advantage of this golf membership offer valid from 1st October to 31st December 2011 and pay as low as AED 1,760/monthly*. You will also receive the following great benefits to enjoy over your membership term! - Three x 18 hole members’ guest vouchers inclusive of cart. - Complimentary one night stay at Arabian Ranches Golf Club & Hotel inclusive of breakfast for 2 persons. - Two complimentary Club tournament entries. * Terms and conditions apply.

Call today on +971 4 366 3000 ext. 316 or email dilanthid@arabianranchesgolf.ae to keep your membership space.

Arabian Ranches, Emirates Road 311, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 4 366 3000 | Fax: +971 4 366 3355 | Email: teetime@arabianranchesgolf.ae www.arabianranchesgolfdubai.com

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Location: Emirates Road (311) in the heart of Arabian Ranches.

ARABIAN GOLF

contact: Tel : +971 4 366 3000 Tel : +971 4 366 3355

ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB

IAN LAchLAN ANd NIck MARRIOtt cOMBINe WeLL tO WIN the INFINItI

info: Arabian Ranches Golf Club opened

THE team of Nick Marriott and Iain Lachlan were crowned the Two-Player Strokeplay Scramble Champions in the INFINITI Golf Day in the heat of summer. The duo combined well to card eight gross birdies as their gross 64 earned them a well deserved two stroke victory over Jesse

its doors in February, 2004 and was built as a true 18 holes, par 72 desert-style grass course, a signature course designed by Ian Baker-Finch in association with Nicklaus Design. coURSE: Championship Course 7691-yard par 72.

Chedotal and Jim Prescott. The best net prize on the day went to Brian Hollis and Alistair Law with a score of 63 while in the Ladies/Mixed Division John and Maureen Onuonga ran out victors with a brilliant net 63.7, well clear of Mike and Kelly Strachan who took second place with a 65.1.

MILLs ANd YAkuB WIN MIzuNO MeN’s suMMeR OpeN

BeNNett ANd RAMAGe secuRe tOp hONOuRs

STEVE Bennett (3) and Eddie Ramage (6) won the respective gross and net titles in the eighth Ramadan Golf Challenge in late August thanks to some excellent performances over the Arabian Ranches layout. Bennett scored a solid 69 gross to win by six strokes from fellow 3-handicapper Brian McCarthy and Gary Swann who both carded gross 75s. Detlef Proschold took fourth place with a 77. In the Net Division Eddie Ramage scored a 67 to take the title by two strokes from Nigel Fenwick (17) and Richard Hall (7). Ramage played brilliant Golf on his way to a gross 73 with an outward nine of 35 and inward half of 38.

CALUM Mills returned a gross one over par 73 to win the Arabian Ranches Mizuno Men’s Summer Open gross title while Shabir Yakub took the Net honours with a fine round of 69. The tournament attracted a field of 82 golfers and on a tough day with the rough up and the greens lightning fast, Mills held on to win his first Mizuno Summer Open title. Nines of 39 and 34 saw him clinch victory by one stroke from Edoardo Galeppini with John Mills and Omer Khan taking third and fourth place respectively after a card countback separated their 76s. Shabir Yakub claimed the net title by virtue of a countback victory over Andre Coetzee while Tim Collins took third place

also on a countback from Nigel Fenwick after they both scored a net 71. “We appreciate the support we receive from the players for this event especially in the height of summer in these testing conditions,” said Francois

Wolfaardt, Director of Golf. “We are very proud of this event being one of our Majors at ARGC and it has produced some great champions. We also thank our main sponsor Mizuno for their contribution to the success of the Tournament.”

Scott Sullivan, General Manager - Progolf International, presents Calum Mills with the Summer Open trophy.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready for the golf season are you! Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club has recently opened a shaded driving range, a new practice putting green, a dedicated short game area, refurbished the club house lounge, new golf shop and new gents and ladies locker rooms along with a number of on course improvements. We are ready to welcome you for the new golf season with a wide variety of membership, visitor golf and tuition options.

Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club is the number one choice for golf in Oman this season!

www.muscathills.com Call us now on (+968)24514080/1 or e-mail us at booking@muscatgolf.com

Location: Off Emirates Road (direction Sharjah), after the Green Community roundabout, exit on the right side.

ARABIAN GOLF

JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

contact: Tel: +971 4 390 3333 Fax: +971 4 367 9584 www.jumeirahgolfestates.com/golf/

info: The first two of four courses – Fire and Earth – opened for play on December 1st 2009. Greg Norman designed both courses with Earth playing host to The European Tour’s final tournament on The Race to Dubai – The Dubai World Championship.

mONthLy meDAL spARks A scORING FReNzy ANOTHER steaming hot summer’s day welcomed competitors as they battled it out over the Earth Course for honours in the inaugural Rivoli Monthly Medal last month. The in-form Craig Forrest made it back-toback titles in the Gross Division thanks to an excellent 75 around the demanding Dubai World Championship layout. Nines of 37 and 38 saw him complete the victory with the highlights being three superb birdies. The Net Division saw Josh White take the honours with a sublime 62 for a four-stroke victory ahead of the field. Taking second was Marc Conway following a countback with David Proctor after both players carded a net 66. The trio of Miffy Edlund, Tony Stafford and David Mundell claimed success in the on course special events. Edlund hit a delightful approach shot to the Par-3 sixth green to claim one of the two Nearest to Pin awards. Mundell, with an inch perfect iron shot to the Par-3, 17th hole island green won the second Nearest to the Pin award while Stafford walked away with Longest Drive honours as his thunderous drive down the ninth fairway left all the other competitors behind.

Pictured left to Right: Adele Cowgill, Mark Hughes, Neal Graham (Director of Golf), James Whitely, Michelle Walsh, Travis Cowgill and Paul Sackley.

WALsh AND WhIteLy pRevAIL THE Earth Course welcomed one of the largest fields of the summer as members and guests took to the course to compete contemporaneously alongside The Open Championship at Royal St Georges. A field totaling 40 teams played some superb golf and it was the duo of Michelle Walsh and James Whitely who prevailed thanks to a stunning Stableford points tally of 48. Finishing in second place, just two points

behind was Travis Cowgill and Paul Sackley while third place went to Adele Cowgill and Mark Hughes after they lost out on second place on a countback. Adele took home the award for shooting Nearest the Pin on hole 6 while Charles Cuthbert took the honour on hole 17. The Nearest the Pin in three shots on the demanding par-5 18th was claimed by Tony Stafford.

cuRRAN AND FORRest tAme the FIRe cOuRse ON a sun soaked day Justin Curran fired a superb net 67 around the Fire Course to win the July Monthly Medal. An impressive eagle on the 18th secured Curran his first title as it left Nick Lloyd in second place, one stroke back. Jonathan Hall took third place with a net 69 while Craig Forrest won the Gross prize thanks to his superb 69. The Longest Drive challenge was won by Brian McCarthy while Lesley Mullen won the Nearest the Pin prize on hole 8.

Medal winner Justin Curran (right) is pictured with PGA Pro David Blackadder.

DyNAmIc quARtet pRevAIL IN suNBAkeD memBeRs AND Guests scRAmBLe AUGUST’S Members and Guest Scramble was played in searing heat but it didn’t deter the team of Paul Sackley, Paul Stump, Simon Howells and Marc Conway as they recorded a team gross score of 62 for a net 55 to secure top honours. Finishing second with a net 57.1 from a gross 64 was James McGlynn, Colin McDonald, Andy Malcom and

Richard Hall while third place went to David Proctor, Chris Rea, Erled Johnson and Tom Morgan as they returned a net 57.8 after their gross 63. Tim Ferguson and Mike Rifai clinched Nearest the Pin honours on holes 8 and 14 respectively while the Longest Drive challenges were taken by Craig Finlayson on hole 10 and Stuart Cameron on hole 15. www.wwgolf.biz

Location: Dubai Festival City, Al Badia, Dubai

ARABIAN GOLF

course: Par 72 Championship Course with four teeing options.

contact: el: +971 (0) 4 601 0101 Fax: +971 (0) 4 601 0102, Email: albadiagolf@ichdfc.ae

Al BADiA golF CluB

MARk hOOkeR ANd sIMON GRuNweLL jOIN the teAM AL BAdiA Golf Club by interContinental dubai Festival City have announced two new additions to its golf management team — Golf Course Superintendent, Mark Hooker, and Head Golf Professional, Simon Grunwell. Hooker hails from New Zealand and joins Al Badia from The Royal Golf Club, Bahrain which he helped develop into one of the finest courses in the region. Coming from a background that includes 11 years of practical greenkeeping and more than eight years as a sports turf consultant working throughout Asia and the Pacific, Hooker has developed a wide range of core skills in the turf industry.

Experienced He’s highly skiled in design and production of golf course turf management, operational procedures and budgeting, golf course development, and laboratory analysis interpretation. Grunwell grew up in Yorkshire, England, where he became a fully qualified British PGA Professional. He has furthered his

Pictured right: Golf Course Superintendent, Mark Hooker (above) and Head Golf Professional, Simon Grunwell (below).

ALAN deARIe tAkes the FIRst RIvOLI MONthLy MedAL

OUT NOW

expertise over the years by gaining extensive international experience in the golf industry. Most recently he was the Head Golf Professional for four years at Macau Golf and Country Club and was responsible for its golf operation department. During his time there, a highlight of his work was his involvement in the running of the Macau Open Professional Golf Tournament, which formed part of the Asian Tour. Simon also previously worked in France as the Head Instructor at Golf Chateau de Preisch. James Shippey, Club Manager of Al Badia Golf Club, said: “It’s a very exciting time for us right now as we work towards a new season and I’m confident that Mark and Simon will be huge assets to Al Badia Golf Club. I wish them both great success as we continually strive to exceed members’ and guests’ expectations throughout the Club.”

ALAN Dearie took home the overall winner’s prize to win the first of the Rivoli Monthly Medals of the new season on August 5th. Alan played steady golf with six gross pars on his card and his only blemish came on the par-4 17th where he signed for an unexpected eight. Club Champion Brett Armstrong was 2-under par standing on the 16th tee but faltered over the final two holes and signed for a gross 77. However, this score was good enough for him to

secure the Best Gross honours and his superb approach shot to the 7th saw him walk away with the Nearest the Pin prize. Division ‘A’ winner was John Allen who shot a gross 79 for a net score of 72 and he also scooped the Nearest the Pin prize on hole 11 with a fantastic shot that was only a few feet from the hole. Mark Fitzpatrick finished runner-up to Allen while in Division ‘B’ H.S. Park secured the honours with a net 72 from a gross 98. This was good

enough for a 3-stroke win over Sonny Gouri who shot a net 75. Fitzpatrick took home the Longest Drive prize on the day after he launched his tee-shot down the par-5 finishing hole. Al Badia Golf Club has announced that their partnership with Rivoli G roup will see them sponsor the future Monthly Medals and competition winners will receive great prizes from Rivoli. In addition, Mont Blanc will also be sponsoring any aces on the par-3 holes, 7 and 11.

dyNAMIc duO GOw ANd evANs GRAB the GLORy

NIck GROves Gets the RIGht ‘PIck’ tO wIN OPeN chAMPIONshIP chALLeNGe

COLIN Gow and Phil Evans carded an impressive net 67 in the searing heat to win the Members and Guest Greensomes Tournament in late July. The pair made 12 pars and one birdie on their way to a gross 79 and Gow also had the honour of launching the longest drive – into the wind – down the ninth fairway. The duo of Tina Hasper and Suad Ghalib took home second place with a Net 69.4 after their gross 89. Prior to play the duo had mentioned they had never individually broken 90, but in a tough Greensomes format they managed to bring the best out of each other. Geoff Walsh and Steve Stanton settled for third place after carding a score of net 70.4.

NICK Groves secured victory in the recently held Open Championship Challenge which was played in conjunction with The Open at Royal St Georges won by Darren Clarke. The conditions at Al Badia certainly made it a tough challenge with the rough up and the wind blowing, although it wasn’t quite as gusty as the weather on the Kent coast in the South of England. All participants drew a professional from The Open and their scores were combined. At the end of play Groves had won with an impressive 37 points haul which included 20 on the back nine. Groves’ professional ‘pick’ was American

Steve Stricker who played in level par. Groves has only been a member since June but already he has two event wins to his name. Second place went to Steve Stanton who also had 37 points. However, his professional pick, Gary Boyd, let him down with a 1-over score on the day which saw Stanton come in on 36 points and having to settle for the runner-up spot. Taking third place on a countback was Salim Shaikh with 33 points after his Opem player, Rory McIlroy, shot an even par round so it was down to him to perform well and he did just that with nine pars in his round. www.wwgolf.biz

ARABIAN GOLF ARABIAN Jebel AliGOLF JEBELresort ALI GOLF RESORT & SPA golf & spa

Info: Location: Info: Location: First opened 1997. The resort course is situated within First opened 1997. The resort course is situated within the idyllic grounds the idyllic grounds of Jebel Ali Golf of Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, approximately 40 minutes COURSE: Resort & Spa, approximately 40 away from Dubai city centre, exit 13 on Sheikh Zayed COURSE: minutes away from Dubai city centre, Championship standard 9 hole highway. Championship standard 9 hole course – par 36. course – par 36. exit 13 on Sheikh Zayed highway. Contact: Tel : +971 4 8836000

Contact: Tel : +971 4 8836000

DESIGNER: DESIGNER: Peter Harradine. Peter Harradine.

Pollock’s team play their cards right at jebel ali GLEN Pollock guided his team of Joe Long, David Grindlay and Rodney Pippin to the title in the July Summer fun tournament at the Resort Course in a “Play Your Cards Right” format that kept everyone on their toes. Prior to play every player in each of the four man teams was assigned one of the suits from a pack of cards – hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades. Random cards were then attached to every pin out on the course and if a player’s suit matched the suit of the card on the pin they would double their Stableford score on that hole. Each member of Pollock’s team played exceptionally well to score a total of 65 points over nine holes, with the best two scores counting per hole. In following the “Play Your cards Right” theme, Jebel Ali organised the famous Manchester magician, Phil Fenton, to perform some card tricks during dinner. Afterwards the real fun began as a knock out ‘Play Your Cards Right’ reenactment was arranged with hosts ‘Bruce’ McMurdo, ‘Bruce’ Fee and ‘Bruce’ Bull (who all stood in for

the MONTGOMERIE DUBAI

famous golf fanatic and original Play Your Cards Right host Bruce Forsyth) from the Jebel Ali team. The eventually winners were Duncan Watson, Robert Siegel and Keith Royson who certainly played their cards right.

Location: Just off the 5th Interchange of Sheik Zayed Road towards Emirates Hills. Follow signs for Emirates Hills and then follow signs for The Address Montgomerie, Dubai.

Pictured left to right: ‘Bruce’ McMurdo, Joe Long, Dave Grindlay, Rodney Pippin, Glen Pollock and ‘Bruce’ Bull.

Contact: Tel: +9714 390 5600 Fax: +9714 360 8981

course: 18 hole Championship; 7,308 yard par 75 from the Black Pearl tees; 6,753 yard par 72 from the Sapphire tees; 6,172 yard par 69 from the Emerald tees; 5,401 yard par 71 from the Ruby tee 9-hole Academy Course.

Info: Opened October 2002

DESIGNER: Colin Montgomerie

Montgomerie members visit the Home of Golf WORLDWIDE Golf Travel organised a spectacular trip for Members of The Montgomerie Dubai to visit the Home of Golf recently and play on some of the most renowned and respected courses in the world. They stayed at the exclusive 5* Fairmont St. Andrews, Scotland, venue for the prestigious Cleveland Golf/Srixon Scottish Senior Open and the eight-strong party enjoyed playing a number of world-class courses. Superb weather greeted the party during their visit and among the courses they played were The Open Championship venue of Carnoustie, Gleneagles Kings Course and the Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course which will host the 2014 Ryder Cup. They also played one of the most coveted of all courses – the Old Course at St Andrews. “On behalf of all our group I thank Worldwide Golf Travel for making all the arrangements,” said Naresh Bhambhaney. “We had a memorable trip to Scotland and we would readily recommend Worldwide Golf Travel to anyone planning a trip to Scotland.” If you wish to visit Scotland, log on to

Pictured: Back Left to Right – Ahmedshah Durrani, Adnan Malik, Nadir Mir Mohamadi, Shankar Majrekar, Aziz Majid; Front Left to Right: Avinash Pangarkar, Naresh Bhambhaney, Naveed Kamal.

ARABIAN GOLF

SHARJAH GOLF & SHOOTING CLUB

SAIF ZONE GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE READY FOR THIRD SEASON BRIND wINS THE AUGUST MIDwEEk BOGEY SIMON Brind took the honours in the Coral Beach Resorts Midweek Bogey in August with a superb display as he finished 5up against the course over nine holes. The course was in superb condition and Brind took full advantage with three net pars and a birdie from his 24 handicap. TS Char narrowly missed out on winning two tournaments back-to-back at SGSC as he was narrowly beaten on a scorecard play-off while taking third place, one shot adrift, was Jim Gelder.

THE third season of the SAIF Zone Golf Society League, supported by Worldwide Golf and BMW, will tee off on October 15th with fixtures in the BMW and SAIF Zone leagues and the Worldwide Golf and Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club leagues commencing the following Saturday on October 22nd. The SAIF Zone Golf Society League (GSL) accommodates a maximum of 24 Societies who are pooled into four leagues of six with the draw for the leagues to take place first week in October. The six teams all play each other on one designated Saturday (1.00pm shotguns) each month (Oct – Feb). The two leading teams from each league then progress to the Quarter Final stage in March, which is a knockout format. The season then climaxes with the final which is scheduled for Saturday 21st April. Previous champions are the Indian Golf Society and Massin Golf Society and both teams are expected to compete again this coming season. Claire Badger, Golf Business Development and Sales Manager at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club said: “We at the golf club and all our established Societies are once again looking forward to the coming GSL season. “The previous two have been extremely competitive and well supported due to the event’s match play format, it’s excellent value at just AED 295 per fixture which includes green fee, cart, range balls and dinner after play and also provides extensive networking opportunities and brand exposure. “Societies, be them social or corporate, enjoy seven months of high profile exposure (including their company or society logo) at the events and in the

Middle East’s leading golf magazine – Worldwide Golf.” “Unfortunately due to SGSC being a nine-hole course we are limited to a maximum of 24 Societies. The first two years were both over subscribed and we recommend interested parties contact us as soon as possible.” For further information on the SIAF Zone Golf Society League contact Claire Badger on 06 5487777, golfsales@golfandshootingshj.com or visit the SGSC website: www.golfandshootingshj.com. Entries for the 2011/12 season close upon the confirmation of 24 participating societies. SGSC will also be hosting a curtain raiser to the SAIF Zone Golf Society League in the form of the one day Golf Society Cup on Friday September 23rd (1.00pm shotgun). This one day event is a pairs, 18 hole Betterball Medal with an entry fee of AED 100 per player which includes green fees, cart, range balls, prizes and dinner.

Final Group – 2011/12 finalists- MassIn Golf Society and Dubai ExPutts 1 are pictured with the teams involved in the third and fourth place play-off – KEGS 2 and Dubai Divots along with the Captains and sponsors.

BAISONG TAkES THE BOGEY PRIZE HOME member Gan Baisong took the spoils in the Coral Beach Resort tournament in late July with a superb score of 6up against the course over nine holes. Baisong beat 37 other players to the title and was two clear of runner-up Jai Nam Ko who was 4up. Jin Man Lee took third place with SGSC golf pro Purna Sharma finishing third. All prizewinners took home a golf voucher courtesy of SGSC, plus the winner and runner-up received food vouchers for Al Bahar and Al Dente restaurant located in the beautiful Coral Beach Resort Hotel.

Winners – 2011/12 Champions – Massin Golf Society with the trophy.

Location: 2km from Tasjeel Auto Village behind Emirates Road. A five minute drive from University City.

info: A 9-hole fully floodlit course designed by Peter Harradine. Played twice results in a par-72 layout in excess of 7,300 yards.

contact: Tel: +971 6 548 7777 info@golfandshootingshj.com

HAMP-ADAMS BECOMES FIRST-TIME wINNER THE Orient Travel and Malaysia Truly Asia Stableford was played under blisteringly hot conditions in July and to make matters worse – play commenced from the back tees. Neil Hamp-Adams bagged the top spot with 35 Stableford points and he was delighted to become a first-time winner at SGSC. Second place went to Scottish golfer William Neilson who scored a steady 33 points from his 19 handicap and he also finished strongly knocking his approach shot to the par-3 third hole to 10 feet and walked away with the Nearest the Pin prize. Third position went to ever-improving golfer Julek Szczawinski who scored a steady 32.

Vivien Verma (second from right) is pictured with all the day’s winners.

VERMA wINS ON HOME SOIL VIVIEN Verma of Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club triumphed around his home course to lift the second edition of the Ramadan Midweek Open. The 3pm start was delayed slightly due to a traffic accident but Verma (24) was not distracted and went on to tame the field of almost 40 players recording a three-point winning margin of 40 points in the full handicap Stableford event. Other winners included SGSC expert Sergy

D’Souze (EGF – 9) and P. J. Marriott (EGF – 22) who won the Division ‘A’ and ‘B’ categories respectively, both with 37 points. Normita Demesa (SGSC – 29) added another title to her impressive résumé, beating a field of five ladies with a score of 32 points. Overseas entrant Adam Walker (2) took the gross award in comprehensive fashion with 33 gross Stableford points.

ExCELLENT SCORES IN BMw MEMBERS AND GUESTS THE August BMW Members and Guest Social resulted in victories for member Mark Dupree (12) and Adrian Adams (13) as they returned a two-man Texas Scramble score of 32.75 over the opening nine hole competition. The back nine competition was a Betterball Medal format and summer members Phil Cornish (18) and Mark Silverton (16) prevailed after posting an unprecedented score of net 32.

Winners of the July Orient Travel and Malaysia Truly Asia Monthly Stableford

BMw MEMBERS & GUEST SOCIAL JULY 2011 FRONT 9 WINNERS (BetterBall S/Ford) – Parvez Ahmed and Moiz Khan 28 Points BACK 9 WINNERS (Shambles) – Golden Kim and Normita Demesa

25 Points

NEAREST THE PIN – Parvez Ahmed LONGEST DRIVE – Juan Prinsloo

Winners are pictured with Head Golf Professional Ben Derbyshire

kO kNOCkS OUT THE FIELD

A delighted Jai Nam Ko is pictured with his prize.

JAI Nam Ko scored a 9-hole Stableford score of 22 points to win the recent Coral Beach Resort Midweek Stableford by two points from C.A. Choi with J.S. Parl taking third place on 18 points. Scoring was particularly close as five other players also finished with 17 or 18 points.

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Location: Situated just 20 minutes drive from Bahrain’s capital, Manama, the Royal Golf Club boasts the country’s only 18hole grass golf course which

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ROYAL GOLF CLUB BAHRAIN tAyLORMAde ANd AdAMs GOLF deMO eveNING TRY out some of the very latest hardware from the famous Adams Golf and Taylormade ranges at the Royal Golf Academy’s complimentary exhibition evening on Wednesday 14th September from 6pm. The schedule will include a detailed analysis of the Taylormade R11 woods and irons as well as on the entire Adams range. PGA Professionals will be on hand to provide advice on how you can improve your swing and will also offer a personalised club-fitting service to anyone making a purchase on the night.

MAtes RAtes exteNded DUE to popular demand the Royal Golf Club’s Summer Mates Rates on green fees have been extended right through to the end of September. Visitors can continue to enjoy fantastic savings on golf with nine holes on the par-3 Wee Monty course costing just BD 10 and 18 holes on the Montgomerie championship course costing only BD 35. There’s something for everyone with special junior rates, twilight rates and night golf rates too. All green fee tickets include golf cart and access to the Royal Golf Academy driving range prior to teeing off.

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contact: Tel: +973 17 750777

IGAyA pIps the CAptAIN CHRIS Igaya, the Royal Golf Club’s Golf Operations Supervisor, won the Super Par-3 Challenge in August with a score of 36 points. The brainchild of Club Captain Edward Daly, the Super Par-3 Challenge tested the ability of Bahrain’s golfers over a specially set up course which included both the Montgomerie championship course and the par-3 Wee Monty course. Daly himself took second place in the competition with a score of 35 points while David Wales clinched the third spot on the podium following a worthy performance that saw him finish the day with 33 points.

Winner Chris Igaya with Club Captain Ed Daly

AutuMN JuNIOR tuItION pROGRAMMe STARTING on Friday 30th September and Saturday 1st October, the eight-week Autumn Junior Tuition programme offers one hour of coaching per week for children of all ages and abilities. The group lessons focus on every aspect of the game and the team of PGA professionals at the Royal Golf Academy will be using the very latest research on developing a child’s athletic ability to incorporate coaching on physical ability, coordination and movement. Participants will get to play lots of fun games whilst developing great golfing techniques. At the end of the course, each child’s progress is put to the test and they will be awarded a bronze, silver, gold or platinum certificate based on the level they have reached. Participants will also be able to put everything they have learned into practice by competing in the end of season tournament on Saturday 10th December. Lunch and a prize-giving ceremony are included. The Autumn Junior Tuition Programme is suitable for children aged between 4 and 15 years and classes are divided up by age and ability.

For full details, visit www.theroyalgolfclub.com

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forms the stunning centrepiece of Riffa Views, a residential lifestyle community.

Get shARp IN septeMBeR INVEST in the Royal Golf Academy’s brand new V1 tuition package and see the benefits to your game. V1 is a versatile and ground-breaking video analysis software programme which provides an in-depth assessment of a golfer’s swing. The V1 package includes four one-hour lessons with a PGA Professional using this incredible new software as well as a 30-minute Tomi putting lesson and costs just BD 100 for club members and BD 110 for visitors. Golfers residing outside Bahrain can even take advantage of this fantastic new addition to the Royal Golf Academy’s tuition aides with the V1 Overseas Package – two one-hour V1 lessons at the club and four online consultations for just BD 85 to club members and BD 99 for visitors.

September Sporting Events at the Royal Golf Club Date

Event

Time

Open to

Every Saturday

Wee Monty Family Day – only BD15 per adult, kids play free

10am to noon

All

Every Sunday

Ladies Callaway Stableford

8am shotgun

Ladies

Every Monday

Ecco Monday Stableford

1.00pm shotgun

All

Royal Golf Club Monday Madness Night Golf Series – BD20 for 9 holes

6.30pm shotgun

All

Every Tuesday

Bahrain Optician Ramadan PowerPlay Series

7.30pm shotgun

All

Every Wednesday

Ladies Event – different formats

8am shotgun

ladies www.wwgolf.biz

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MUSCAT HILLS GoLf & CoUnTry CLUb

BIG chANGes At MuscAt hILLs THE maintenance team at Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club have had a busy summer as a series of changes to the facilities have been carried out under watchful eye of Course Superintendent Warren Stopforth. The practice facilities have been given a major face-lift as a 750 square metre practice putting green has been built along with a 14bay covered hitting area. The grass practice tee has been expanded by over 1,500 square metres while a special short-game area has also been developed.

Additions “These additions have been much needed here as the demand for tuition and our increase in player numbers had really put a stretch on our previous facilities,” said Warren. “In addition to this work we are also planting a further 100 palm trees around the driving range to ‘frame it’. The works on the driving range are scheduled to be finished by the middle of September.” Out on the course Warren and his team have been hard at work enhancing the putting surfaces by removing any fairway grasses that had started to invade the greens. “Our greens are Bermuda Tifdwarf and unfortunately over time a lot of our fairway grass – a variety called princess 77 – had started to encroach on the sides,” he said. “Also, there was a fair amount of princess 77 dotted all over the greens which I think could only have happened when the course was being grown as the wind may have blown seed over from the fairways. We see this project as

Warren Stopforth inspects a green on the Muscat Hills course.

short term pain for long term gain and I am really encouraged by how quickly the greens have recovered since we removed the rogue grasses.” Director of Golf Ray Stopforth said: “This initiative is vitally important to the ongoing improvements we are making to the course.

By having greens 100% Tifdwarf we will now be able to lower the height of the cut giving us smoother and faster putting surfaces.” There have also been some major changes to the clubhouse facility with the lounge being refurbished and the upgrade of both the male and female locker rooms and showers.

“This iniTiaTive is viTally imporTanT To The ongoing improvemenTs we are making To The course. By having greens 100% Tifdwarf we will now Be aBle To lower The heighT of The cuT giving us smooTher and fasTer puTTing surfaces.”

Location:

Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club is located near Muscat International Airport and oman Air’s main office. Within minutes from major shopping areas, first class restaurants, hospitals, international schools and Muscat’s main Central business District.

contact:

Club: +968 245 100 65 fax: +968 245 10277 Email: ray@muscatgolf.com Web: www.muscathills.com

MOhAMMed Is the kING OF POweRPLAy NASUR Mohammed scored a superb 18-hole total of 57 points win the PowerPlay Golf tournament in July as he took full advantage of the risk-reward format while Catherine Shackleton topped the pile for the Ladies with 38 points.

GOOd scORes desPIte the AuGust heAt

Division ‘C’ winner Sam Battersby is pictured after his win.

AFTER winning two Monthly Medals in a row, Richard Chia couldn’t make it a hat-trick in August as Tarun Kunzru secured victory with a gross 78 for a net 73. Rob Edwards’ consistency was rewarded as he took the honours in Division ‘A’ with a 77 while Gerry Mitchell took Division ‘B’ with a net 72 from his gross 90. Youngster Sam Battersby took the spoils in Division ‘C’ with a solid net score of 71.

MINchIN BLOws AwAy the FIeLd GARY Minchin romped to an 11-shot victory in the Open Championship Black Tee Challenge in July after a sensational 65 saw him clinch the title. Before play each participant pulled a professional’s name out of a hat and they then paired up their 18-hole score with that of their pro’s first round score at The Open at Royal St Georges. Minchin pulled out the name of Denmark’s Thomas Björn who went on to shoot a 65 and the pair of 65s gave him a total of 130 which was 11 clear of second placed Lee O’Donoghue who shot a 73 to go with Ricky Barnes’ 68 for a 141 total. Mike Bulliman also scored 141 but had to settle for third place as his personal total of of 75 – which was coupled with Miguel Angel Jiménez’s 66 – was bettered by O’Donoghue’s 73.

FORthcOMING eveNts Due to the success of the summer calendar Muscat Hills are set to provide members and guests with some excellent events this season. These exceptional events are diverse and cater for all abilities of golfers in Oman.

THE EvEnTS ARE AS FolloWS: The 1st Mixed Open – 27th & 28th October 2011 Seniors Foursomes Trophy 36 Holes – 10th November 2011 • Emirates Golden Ticket Qualifier – 2nd December 2011 • Xerox Golf Challenge – 3rd February 2012 • Oman Open –20th 2012 January

• •

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Location: Close to West Bay Lagoon, 8km north of central Doha.

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DOHA GOLF CLUB

contact: +974 4496 0777 info@dohagolfclub.com

info: 18-hole 7,374-yard par-72 Championship course accompanied by a floodlit 9-hole Academy Course with spectacular views of the West Bay Lagoon. Designed by Peter Harradine.

JAIN Is NO MuG PRATYUSH Jain scored 40 Stableford points from his 8 handicap to top Flight ‘A’ of the July Vodafone Monthly Mug in hot and breezy conditions. Jain scored 22 points on the front nine and 18 on the back nine, with gross birdies on 6, 7 and 10 offset by double bogeys on 9 and 17. Flight ‘B’ was won by Garry Looker (18) on countback from five other players after six players totalled 39 points after 18 holes. Looker’s opening nine was steady but his back nine of 21 points saw him take the top spot. Suresh Rebello prevailed in Flight ‘C’ with a score of 40 points while the Ladies Flight was taken by Young Suk Choi with 37 points.

Winner of Flight ‘A’, Ian McInerney (right). Flight ‘A’ winner, Pratyush Jain (left).

JAIN dOes It AGAIN PRATYUSH Jain celebrated again after winning Flight ‘A’ of the Vodafone Summer League Bogey event after a +4 score against the course. Flight ‘B’ was won by Byron Clancey on a countback from Dan Callens and Jeff Massad after all three players signed for a 5-over score while in Flight ‘C’ Tsukasa Ishii topped the pile with a 3-over score and Kate Taylor clinched the Ladies Division.

Winner Pratyush Jain (left) is pictured before play.

huGhes secuRes hONOuRs JOHN Hughes took the honours in the July Vodafone Summer League Stableford with a superb haul of 41 points. Hughes finished level alongside Scott Flewellen but a supreme back nine of 23 points saw him take the title in Flight ‘A’. Steve Mullins took Flight ‘B’ with 42 points while 41 points was good enough for Norihito Ono to take Flight ‘C’ with Uzma Mir securing the Ladies Division on 38 points.

McINeRNey MARches tO vIctORy IN vOdAFONe stABLeFORd IAN McInerney secured the honours in the August Vodafone Stableford with a countback victory over Michael Cox after both players secured 39 points. McInerney had a mixed day with nine pars, five bogeys and four birdies but it was good enough for him to take

top spot in Flight ‘A’ . Peter Flowers won Flight ‘B’ by two points from Warren Dance thanks to 42-point haul while in Flight ‘C’ Lawrence Webber took the spoils with a huge score of 44 points and Brenda Hill won the Ladies Division with 36 points.

BuRROws Aces hIs wAy tO vIctORy DAVE Burrows struck a superb hole-in-one on his way to clinching the Flight ‘A’ honours in August’s Guardian Wealth Monthly Medal. Burrows (7) fired a magnificent gross level par 72 for a net 65 with his ace coming at the par-3 third hole after a majestic 6-iron bounced once and popped into the cup.

Winner, Dave Burrows.

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1795 RED

50% Black

ABU DHABI

ContaCt: Tel : +9712 558 8990

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ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB

Info: The 27 hole championship course, managed by the world-renowned Troon Golf, weaves through undulating terrain that features palms, ornamental trees and shrubs, as well

as seven spectacular saltwater lakes. The experience provides a tough-but-fair challenge, with lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers and generous greens. Designed by Peter Harradine, planting had begun way back in 1992, accounting for the well-established look the Club presented even on the day of its inauguration.

ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE ABU Dhabi Golf Club has launched a newly designed website which offers an enhanced user experience and streamlined content. The most sought after information is grouped into six main categories – Golf, Dining & Lifestyle, Golf Institute, Meetings & Events, Members Section and Media. With a refreshed look, convenient online tee time reservations, easy-tonavigate food and beverage outlet information, a separate members-only section and updates on the latest promotions and events, the new online presence offers an array of features and provides customers with better access to the information they need. “We are excited to launch our new website which has been fully re-designed to enrich our top class offering for our members and guests,” said Ken Kosak, Group General Manager – Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Fanr Restaurant. “To engage golfers and nongolfers more closely with the top 100 ranked course, the website provides direct links to Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s Facebook page and supplies all the up-to-date information members and guests require to truly enjoy their experience.”

RAMADAN OPEN VICTORY FOR HWANG & KIM THE Ramadan Open in association with Millennium Hotels saw some impressive scoring in the betterball Stableford format despite testing conditions and with a score of 45 points Sun Jin Hwang and In Ki Kim’s efforts were good enough to take the title. In second place, narrowly missing out on top honours, were Abdul Hamid Nassouri and Matthew Hollis on 43 points. Completing the podium places were Peter de Beer and his guest Lloyd Jeffrey who claimed third place ahead of John McKay and Gerhard Snyman by virtue of a countback after each pair scored 42 points, while on course contests were won by Gary Swan and Pauline Cunningham. The prizes were presented to the winners by Paul Simmons, General Manager of the Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi, and Club Captains Tony Martin and Shawn Lunday.

SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB WIN THE INTERCLUB HONOURS SAADIYAT Beach Golf Club lifted the annual Troon Associate Inter-Club Golf Tournament Trophy after holding off the challenge of defending champions The Montgomerie Dubai, Abu Dhabi Golf Club and host club The Els Club. Leading by 13 points ahead of The Montogomerie team heading into the final event, Saadiyat were in a comfortable position. However, Abu Dhabi GC closed the gap with some excellent performances from Geoff Lound and Steven Munro but the Saadiyat team of Lisa Cole, Edwin

Pinet and Jayasena Gedara sealed the title with steady displays. Saadiyat wound up champions by a margin of 10 points with Adu Dhabi in second place while The Montgomerie had to settle for third place. The Els Club took fourth place. Winning captain Paul Booth said: “We are delighted with the victory and glad someone has finally removed the trophy from the cabinet in The Montgomerie clubhouse!” Troon Associates at all clubs are already looking forward to trying the lift the trophy next summer.

TEMPERATURES RISE IN RIVOLI STABLEFORD THE August Rivoli Stableford Competition saw competitors brave steamy conditions and many struggled to cope with the extreme heat and humidity as David De Angelo captured the Men’s Division A with 41 points from Lafayette Dunn, who posted 37 points. First place in the Men’s B Division went to Peter Taylor, with 38 points, who finished four points clear of Mark Jenkins while Greg Trevaskis had to settle for third place after losing out on a countback. Fiona Berry, who braved the worst of the conditions in the early morning, finished on top in the Ladies Division with a respectable score of 31 points – three clear of Shelley McQuattie in second place.

FARRELL LIGHTS UP CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE THE August Medal was held over the Championship Course recently with William Farrell taking the honours in the gross category thanks to an excellent score of levelpar 72 in scorching conditions. Philip Warwick moved up to Division A for the first time and showed he’s more than capable at the higher level by taking first place with a net 69 while Division B was won by Peter de Beer on a countback from Tony McKay after they both posted net scores of 74. The Ladies Net Division was won by Shari Corbin with a score of 83 after she held off stiff competition from Lina Tyson.

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Al Ain EquEstriAn, shooting & golf Club

nder the guidance of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and General Manager Mohamed Rashid Al Nasseri the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club has been growing at a rapid rate since its launch in 2007. Not only has the golf course been expanding but World Cup standard Indoor and Outdoor Equestrian & Shooting facilities have been added. The new back nine, which was opened in February last year, was designed and shaped by Scotsman Jake McTavish. Now the newly developed front nine will be completed in good time for the golf club to host the prestigious ‘Tour Championship’ climax of the new MENA Golf Tour in October. The revitalised 18 holes will provide a fascinating challenge for all levels of golfers and it will be interesting to see how the competitors in the Grand Final of the MENA Golf Tour stand up to the test. The AESGC first opened as a 9-hole course just over three years ago and has since developed into one of the best golf and social clubs in the UAE. Being the only grass course within 140 kilometers, the fresh influx of members has given it a new lease of life. The long-awaited opening of the new back nine, which boasts a water hazard on eight out of the nine holes and the longest par-5 in the UAE, scores of large bunkers and strategically placed run-off areas had suddenly sprung up. The facility had become unrecognisable from the original layout in the space of just three years. The innovator behind the new-look resort course is Australian Golf Course Superintendent

Peter Forrester. Peter travelled to the Middle East in July 1999 where he worked at Egypt’s Mirage City Golf Club. He left Egypt in 2004 and ventured to the UAE to work at Tower Links Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah. From there he consulted in Al Ain starting in 2007 and joined the team permanently in 2009 as Golf Course Superintendent. Whilst delighted with the expansion of the golf course, Peter still felt there was something missing. Although both nines had their own special characteristics, there was too much of a contrast. The greens had been laid with different grasses which made it very difficult to maintain them

‘The idea was To make The fronT nine a loT more visible for The golfer. wiTh The old design you could noT see a single bunker on The course buT wiTh The recenT bunker renovaTions you can easily see all 41 bunkers on The fronT nine.’ – Peter Forrester , GolF Course suPerintendent

front 9 before

front 9 after Hole 1 after

at the same speed. The back nine was littered with deep bunkers and palm trees whereas the existing nine was more open and featureless by comparison. The course was taking on the appearance of two totally different golf courses as opposed to different nines. Forrester designed a programme that would include rebuilding existing bunkers and adding bunkers to have a total of 41 traps on the front nine, narrower fairways, nine completely newlylaid greens, 140 palm trees, re-shaped run-off areas along with some subtle tee extensions. Work is

now close to completion and on schedule to finish later this month in good time to stage the fourth and final event in the first season of the MENA Golf Tour, organised by ‘golf in Dubai’ on October 16-19 with prize money of $75,000. The MENA Golf Tour tees off on September 25-28 at Saddiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi; the second event is at Tower Links Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah on October 2-5; the third tournament is at Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai, on October 9-12 with the Tour Championship at AESGC on October 16-19. With fields of 100 professionals and amateurs for each tournament competing for total prize money of $225,000 players from all over the world are expected to gather in the UAE for this first edition of the MENA Golf Tour. “We are very pleased with the changes,” commented Peter Forrester. “The idea was to make the front nine a lot more visible for the

golfer. With the old design you could not see a single bunker on the course but with the recent bunker renovations you can easily see all 41 bunkers on the front nine.” General Manager, Mohamed Rashid Al Nasseri, commented: “After a successful opening of the new back nine last year we have been endeavouring to improve our facilities on a yearly basis and although our clubhouse might need renovations and extensions to keep up with all the other modern-designed clubhouses in the Emirates we decided to improve the golf course first to attract golfers to play here.” It will be fitting recognition for the AESGC to become the centre of attention next month and Peter Forrester and his wife Michaela, Head Golf Professional Gavin Chappell and Head Teaching Professional Fraser McLaughlan deserve all the plaudits for what will be a huge success. n Hole 1 after

ConGratulations to lindsay at enGlish oPen AESGC Member, Lindsay Brown, was one of the 120-strong field that competed in the 2011 English Women’s Open Amateur Championship at the Alwoodley Golf Club in Leeds last month. The format for the event was four rounds of stroke-play with the cut being made after the first 36 holes. Even though most of the tees had been moved back so that the course was almost at full length, the biggest challenge was not the length of the course but keeping the ball on the narrow fairways. Thick rough and gorse lined virtually every hole where, in most places, it made it difficult to find the ball and if you did, hitting it sideways back out on to the fairway was the only option. Lindsay opened up with a 4-over-par 77 which included 15 holes of near perfect golf. She recorded 13 pars and 2 birdies. Three holes ruined an excellent card – a double bogey on the 3rd hole, a triple bogey on the difficult 10th and a bogey on the 15th. Her first round score was still creditable on a day when most of the field struggled. She made a solid start in the second round with three pars and a birdie in her first four holes to get her back to 3-over for the Championship. But starting later in the day the afternoon rain that had been forecast arrived and in the next 10 holes, seven shots were dropped. A good finish was needed and Lindsay come home strongly with an eagle-par-birdie finish to get back to a 7-over total for halfway and she made the cut right on the mark. The last 36 holes were played on the final day and even though the wind and rain continued for most of it Lindsay still managed rounds of 79 in the morning and 83 in the afternoon. It was great to see Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club and the United Arab Emirates being represented at such a prestigious amateur championship like this and Lindsay can be congratulated on making the cut and for her overall performance over a tough course played in difficult conditions against a high-quality field.

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DIRAB GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Location: Nestled in the picturesque Dirab Valley below the Tuwaiq escarpment, just 30 minutes drive from the diplomatic quarters of Riyadh, take the Makkah national road and turn left to Dirab. The golf course is situated just off the Dirab Road. contact: Tel: +966 1 812 6671 Email: dirabgolf@yahoo.com

info: Opened in 1991, Dirab GC is the only grassed Championship golf course in Saudi Arabia with 9 of the 18 holes floodlit for night golf. coURSE: 7,420 yards par 72 Championship Course with driving range and practice facilities.

MOROccANs tRIuMphANt IN NAtIONs cup FINALs DIRAB Club Manager Bouchaib El Jadiani and Mohamed Benamar of the Radisson Blu teamed up to win the recent Nations Cup after defeating the Saudi brothers Fahad and Abdulrahman Al Mansour in the final of the Match Play Championship. A total of 16 teams took part in the two-ball better ball Match Play competition, including three teams from the Philippines, two from the United States, Lebanon and Pakistan. Since its inception in 2007 teams from the Philippines (07), Lebanon (08), Japan (09) and now Morocco have won the title.

Pictured from left to right: Second placed Fahad and Abdulrahman Al Mansour of Saudi Arabia with the winners, Mohamad Benamer and Bouchaib El Jadiani of Morocco.

M.s. KIM RetAINs the Fuchs GOLF chAMpIONshIp M. S. KIM successfully defended his Best Gross title in the 2011 Fuchs Golf Championship after another superb performance. Kim reached the turn at level par after one bogey and one birdie and dropped just three strokes on the back nine to sign for an inward 36 and a total gross score of 75. Another Korean, nine year old Bohyun Park, stole some of Kim’s thunder when she posted an amazing round of 88. Bohyun, who studies at Riyadh Korean School, was given a huge ovation at the awards ceremony and despite her net score of 10-under 62 she was not eligible for a prize – but in recognition of her magnificent performance she was presented with a trophy and plaque. Andy Ritchie was the Best Net champion after he shot a sizzling 66 from his gross 93 while Khaled Salem, one of three Bahrainis who travelled to Riyadh for this tournament, won the First Division (0-9 hcp) with a net 74 from a gross 78. Mohamad Benamar clinched the Second

Khalid Abunayyan and Nasser Uddin Siddiqui from Dirab Golf & Country Club flank overall champion M.S.Kim and Masood Ali Khan, after the 2011 Fuchs Championship.

Division (10-18 hcp) crown to add to his growing list of successes – the most recent of which was the Nations Cup that he and Bouchaib El Jadiani won for Morocco. He signed for a 71 from a gross 89 with Bob Lee in second on 72 and Graham Gunn third on 74. Winning the Third Division (19-28 hcp) was

Pakistani Tariq Khan on 69 with Gary Richardson and Yoshio Kanamoto second and third on 70 and 71 respectively. Sile McIlroy shot one of her best rounds – a gross 83 - to rule the Ladies Division with a net score of 68 with Myungoak Hwangbo taking second place on 69 and Ruby Klawikowski third with a 74.

GrAhAM WAlKEr AND FiNlAy GrAhAM WiN tWo-BAll tExAS SCrAMBlE: PlAyiNG off a combined handicap of 7 Graham Walker and Finlay Graham won the two-Ball texas Scramble tournament recently with a Net Score of 63, one stroke clear of Kurshid Ahmed and Murad Mirza, who in turn won on a countback over third placed Mark Davies and Paul Jardine.

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P I N S E E K E R®

T E C H N O L O G Y

Medalist with PinSeeker® Technology

Tour V2 with PinSeeker® Technology

NEW Pro 1600 with PinSeeker® Technology

150 Y

PINSEEKER® SEPARATES THE FLAG FROM BACKGROUNd CLUTTER. NO OTHER TECHNOLOGY PERFORMS BETTER.

THE N 1 LASER RANGEFINdER IN PROFESSIONAL GOLF*

Bushnell laser rangefinders dominate the PGA, LPGA and Champion’s Tours* like no other name in golf. No brag, just facts. So when the best players in the world overwhelmingly choose one brand over all others, the obvious question is: why? One word – performance. PinSeeker® Technology (now available on our whole range) zeroes in on the flagstick, instantly isolating it from background clutter to provide super-accurate distance-to-pin readings — dramatically bolstering your confidence in club selection and swing tempo. When you’re ready to take your game to the next level, equip yourself with the next level’s #1 choice in laser rangefinders. Bushnell.

“ There’s no other name in golf that sees such domination on tour like Bushnell. One big reason ? PinSeeker® Technology. It works and you gotta buy Bushnell to get it. ” Sergio Garcia

B U S H N E L L G O L F . C O M ©2009 BOP. PinSeeker® is a registered Trademark of Worldwide Golf Enterprises, Inc. * Research Data provided by Darrell Survey Co., 2008 ** All Bushnell laser rangefinder models, except the Pro 1600 Slope Edition and the Tour V2 Slope Edition, are legal to use when local R&A rule 14-3 is in effect.*

ARABIAN GOLF

Banyan Village RESORT & GOLF

Location: Banyan Village, ResoRt & golf, Hua Hin, tHailand 68/34 MooBan Hua na, taMBol nong gae, Hua Hin, PRacHuaBkiRikHan 77110.

contact: cluB: +66 (32) 616 200 ReseRVations@BanyantHailand. coM ResoRt: +66 (32) 538 888 Booking@BanyantHailand.coM

OSCAR SCOOPS HYATT OPEN A

S The Open Championship at Royal St. George’s got underway, 108 amateurs teed it up at Banyan Golf Club for this year’s Hyatt Open – Hua Hin’s flagship 36-hole tournament – and after two days of tight scoring 15-yearold Oscar Odestal emerged victorious. after Day one the top of the leaderboard had a congested look about it with several players tied for first, second and third positions. it was all to play for on Day two and the talented odestal seized the moment, following his wonderful opening round of net 65 with a net 69 to take the title with a 134 total. the event made full use of the fabulous facilities on offer at Banyan Golf club, recently recognised as one of the top 1000 golf resorts in the world by rolex and endorsed by the r&a for best practice and sustainable and

You couldn’t have asked for a better champion. Junior development is verY close to our hearts at banYan Golf club as we encouraGe kids everY sundaY to Join in our clinics and plaY our Golf course – Stacey Walton, General ManaGer of Banyan Golf cluB, Hua Hin

responsible management. each player received a personalised locker with their name printed on the door and staff from the i-SaWan Spa gave neck and head massages in kiosks dotted around the course. the award-winning Barai served sandwiches and drinks. if that wasn’t enough, after the first day’s play Hyatt regency Hua Hin laid on an extravagant BBQ dinner for all the participants in their beautiful ballroom. the golf course was in immaculate condition as two weeks prior to the event all the preparations had been made to ensure tees, fairways, and greens were playing as good as for a tour event. Stuart

Daly, Director of operations at Banyan Golf club said: “We were dedicated to pay attention to detail on the course – tees heights of the cut on our fairways and rough, pin positions, 9.5 green speeds and, most of all, using the latest technology with our GPS system with real time scoring so that every player could experience a live leaderboard in their golf cart as well giving sponsors that little bit more extra exposure which you wouldn’t find at any other golf course in thailand with on-board advertisements.” Stacey Walton, General Manager of Banyan Golf club, Hua Hin, commented: “i was thrilled to be on stage with my

colleagues from Hyatt to present such a young man the Hyatt open 2011 trophy. “the atmosphere at the prizegiving was electric and the applause he received by everyone was tremendous. you couldn’t have asked for a better champion. Junior development is very close to our hearts at Banyan Golf club as we encourage kids every Sunday to join in our clinics and play our golf course. “i’m sure he’s a very proud young man. He was here on a family holiday and will go back to his home club in Sweden to tell all his friends at royal eslov Golf club and Barseback Golf club about how great Hua Hin is as a golf destination.” n

Pictured above: 15-year-old Swede Oscar Odestal proudly holds the impressive Hyatt Open trophy after his magnificent victory in Hua Hin’s flagship 36-hole tournament at Banyan Golf Club.

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New laUNCH Compact, high performance head with a rich black, PVD and paint finish inspires confidence at address

keegan’s bagged it

HeaD work

liGHT SHafT

A lighter, higher density alloy allows for additional weight to be moved to increase the MOI. The face is also larger .

The shaft is lighter so Ping could add weight to the clubhead. Ping say it lets you swing a heavier clubhead at the same speed, delivering greater distance.

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top geaR

pinG pErformEr New G20 raNGe Now available

112 108

in the bag

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FOR all ability levels, the external weighting of the large, forgiving G20 driver helps launch the ball high with low spin for maximum distance and accuracy by optimising the CG location. PING’s proprietary highbalance-point TFC 169D shaft enables the golfer to swing the clubhead with more mass at the same speed, creating a higher MOI and generating faster ball speeds for long, straight drives. A large, variable-thickness face generates faster ball speeds and increases MOI across

the hitting surface for power and forgiveness. The 460cc clubhead is made from a lighter, lower-density alloy. Its high strength-to-weight ratio allows for additional weight to be strategically placed, increasing the MOI on both the vertical and horizontal axes. Drivers available in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° & 12° lofts Stock graphite shafts: TFC 169D (L, Soft R, R, S, and X flexes) and TFC 169D Tour (R, S, and X flexes)

New ClUbS / TeCHNoloGy

iron AWE

The G20 irons hit the ball long with forgiveness and distance control. Extreme perimeter weighting in the deep, multi-cavity design makes the 17-4 stainless steel heads highly forgiving. A multi-material cavity badge made with soft elastomer heel and toe sections improves feel and sound. The cavity’s floating CTP structure stabilises a thin face to generate fast ball speeds and distance

with control. Combined with PING’s new CFS (Control, Feel, Stability) steel shaft, the G20 optimises feel, trajectories and distance gaps for more consistency. Available 3-9, PW, UW, SW, LW Stock steel shaft: PING® CFS® (Soft R, R, S and X flexes). Stock graphite shaft: TFC 169i (L, Soft R, R and S flexes)

HiGH TeCH Weight positioned at the back of the sole helps create a high yet strong flight

New Prov1 The new Pro V1 provides exceptional distance and durability and delivers increased spin control as a result of a new innovative ZG process core technology Player Benefits • Exceptional distance • Consistent flight • Very soft feel on all shots • Excellent durability • Tour-proven Multi Component Technology • Innovative ZG process core technology • Responsive Ionomeric casing layer • High-performance Urethane Elastomer™ cover • Spherically tiled dimple design

titleist s82 and s83 staff bag With proven performance on the worldwide Tours, these premium staff bags continue to cater to the needs of the serious player. All the premium features and benefits demanded in these flagship, billboard bags make them the choice of leading professionals and all serious golfers around the globe.

HiGH TeCH Weight positioned at the back of the sole helps create a high yet strong flight.

g20 hybRids An offset hosel produces shots with high launch, low spin and a straight, boring trajectory for improved accuracy and greater distance. A shorter heel-to-toe length ensures playability from all conditions and provides a flatter lie angle and softer crown shape for an improved appearance at address. Additional bounce and camber create exceptional ground impact and ensure a smooth transition through the grass, especially when the ball is sitting down. A large, internal weight inside the stainless steel head provides forgiveness and distance. Hybrids available: 17º, 20º, 23º, 27º, 31º Stock graphite shafts: TFC 169H (L, Soft R, R, S and X flexes) and TFC 169H Tour (R, S and X flexes)

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keeGaN braDley

ToUr baG

“This is another exciting win for Keegan, the Bradley family, and our family here at Cleveland Golf/Srixon,” said Todd Harman, President of Cleveland® Golf/Srixon® U.S.A.

BRadley’s Bagged it “eveR since i was 10 yeaRs old, i’ve kind of flown unDEr tHE rADAr,” SAiD BrADlEY. “i HAD WHAt i tHouGHt WAS A prEttY GooD collEGE cArEEr, But i nEVEr rEAllY Got noticED. SAmE in junior Golf and kind of the same out heRe. it’s cool to Be tHouGHt of AS onE of tHoSE GuYS noW.”

puttEr: Odyssey White Hot XG Sabertooth Belly Putter. 46.75” to the end of the grip. 3 degrees of loft. Lie angle: 67.5 degrees. Weight: 762 grams. Double-bend ski pole shaft. Winn Flat Top Mid grip.

BAll: Srixon Z-Star

ironS: HYBriDS: Cleveland Launcher DST (18°) with a Project X XHB6 shaft. Mashie TM3 (20.5°) with a Miyazaki C Kua 105 shaft.

fAirWAY: Cleveland Launcher FL (14°) with a Miyazaki Kusala Black 83 shaft.

keegan’s 2011 pga toUR stats

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Driving Distance

301.3 yards

Driving Accuracy Percentage

61.63%

Greens in Regulation Percentage

65.48%

Eagles (Holes per)

142.2

Birdie Average

3.63

Scoring Average

70.15

Sand Save Percentage

38.84%

Money Leaders

$3,432,200

GIR Pct. - Fairway Bunker

41.4%

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DriVEr: Cleveland Launcher UltraLite TL 310 (10.5°) with a Miyazaki Kusala Blue 61 shaft.

WEDGES: Cleveland CG14 (52°, 58°) with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue shafts.

Cleveland CG7 Tour (4-PW) with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue shafts.

ToP Gear

diablo hX diablo toUR balls The new HX Diablo Tour provides the optimum combination of distance, feel and control in a 3-piece performance golf ball. The Power Reaction Core™ has a soft centre and gradually gets firmer towards the outer edge, creating lower spin off the driver for more distance and more spin around the green for better control. The DuPont HPF inner cover increases ball speeds and the soft cover provides incredible feel.

BuSHnEll rAnGE finDEr

THe New HybriD Golf raNGefiNDer iS THe firST DiSTaNCe MeaSUriNG DeviCe To CoMbiNe THe beST of laSer aND GPS TeCHNoloGy

The Bushnell Hybrid is a revolutionary combination laser and GPS product. The laser rangefinding technology engineered into the Hybrid provides golfers with precise distances within one yard to virtually any point on any course in the world. Over 90% of PGA Tour pros and top amateurs trust Bushnell laser rangefinders to provide them with the most accurate distances available in golf today. The Hybrid’s GPS provides simple, at-aglance distances to front, centre and back of the green. The Hybrid also offers four custom points on a hole that can be extremely helpful to reference on blind tee shots/approaches on a golf course. The GPS distances are also convenient on days when it is “cart paths only” when golfers are deciding what clubs to

Calloway diablo edge tRolley bag Designed to match the Daiblo Range of Callaway Golf Products, the new Diablo Edge Trolley Bag fits any trolley and is designed for the golfer who is well organised. If you’re looking for a serious Cart Bag and love Callaway then this is the bag for you. This Diablo Edge Bag compliments the full range of Callway Compact Accessory Pockets, Ball Pocket, Utility Pocket, Insulated Cooler Pocket, Accessory Pocket. Single Strap, including Strap Holder. Name Tag D Ring. Towel Ring. Umbrella Compartment. Matching Rain hood.

bring with them. Another great feature is the shot distance mode that makes it easy for the golfer to gauge how far a drive or an approach was hit.

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BAG DriVEr:

Ping i15 Axicore S flex 44inch 9.5deg

Hybrid:

Ping i15 Axicore S flex – 20deg

puttEr:

Ping Redwood Anser 34inch

irons 4-pw: Ping Anser Forged (1.5 deg upright)

WEDGES:

Ping Tour 52,56 & 60 (1.5 deg upright)

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DaviD BlackaDDer Golf operationS SuperviSor JumeiraH Golf eStateS 3 Wood:

Ping i15 Axicore S flex – 14 deg

Q: What was your first set of golf clubs? a: my first golf club was a cut-down 7 iron that came from my dad’s garage. i found it in the loft a few months back and it is no taller than my knee. i think my first real set of irons were tanakas – Heel-toe weighted and very shiny. Q: Who would be your dream fourball? a: i would have to go for a mixture of talent and conversation. conversation-wise it would have to be David feherty and lee trevino for the stories and humour they would bring to the group whilst talent, you can’t look any further than rory mcilroy. the three of us could stand aside and just admire the ability this worldbeater has. Q: Who is your golfing hero and why? a: i wouldn’t really say i have any particular hero as such, just a general array of players that you hear/read about and believe their talent and charisma was special and unique. Doug ford, an american pro who was a great wedge player. He laid up on a par 4 18th hole when leading a pGa tour event by 1 because the game in front were slow, he didn’t want to wait, loose his rhythm so laid up 100yds. He was confident in his ability to make par with a wedge in his hands and win. Stories regarding the canadian pro moe norman are truly amazing. What he could do with the golf ball and control his flight were superb. for major champions like nick price to stand aside on the range and watch moe strike the ball says it all, truly gifted players. Q: If you were the head of the R&A, what rule would you change? a: i would make it legal to take relief when your ball ends up in a divot on the fairway. there’s nothing worse than hitting a good drive down the fairway to find your ball in a divot. on some courses you can take relief if the divot has been filled so why not make it untouched divots as well?

A GOLF SHOE DOESN’T NEED TO LOOK LIKE A GOLF SHOE

Available at leading Golf Clubs and ECCO Shops in UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain & Egypt. Tel:+971-4-299 3885 Ext-101 Email: ae.golf@ecco.com Web: ecco.com/golf