Worldwide Golf May 2011 Issue 126

MIDDLE EAST’S No.1 GOLF MAGAZINE

Swing INSIDE THE SWING OF THE MASTERS CHAMPION

I S S U E 1 2 6 , M AY 2 0 1 1

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CHUBBY CHANDLER MASTERS TOURNAMENT HARRINGTON QUICK 9 JOSEPH ANDRADE KPMG FORUM BANYAN RESORT TROON TUTORIAL SOMA BAY ARABIAN GOLF

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EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS ● DIVOTS ● CLUBHOUSE QUICKIES Official Publication of The Emirates Golf Federation & The Arab Golf Federation

GARY PLAYER INTRODUCTION

The Big Three are reunited again at Augusta National for the Par 3 Contest prior to the Masters Tournament as the Black Knight celebrates a birdie putt while Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus look on. Gary Player won three Masters, Arnold Palmer won four and Jack Nicklaus won six.

CHARL CALMS AND CHARMS AUGUSTA I WAS so delighted to see Charl Schwartzel win the Masters. It was a remarkable performance and to finish with a run of four birdies over the last four holes was unbelievable. That’s never been done before at the Masters and it’s an amazing way to win a Green Jacket.

Although that finishing burst will go down in Masters history I thought the birdie three he made on the first hole on Sunday was one of the best shots I’ve seen at Augusta.

To chip a bump-and-run six iron from just off the green was a brave shot to play. It’s so easy to overshoot the green completely from the position Charl was in, so it took a lot of ability and composure to execute that shot.

He eagled the third to give himself the perfect start and impetus to his final round. Although he bogeyed the fourth, that was his only dropped shot of the day as he closed with a six-under-par 66 – the best round of the day.

Charl displayed a calmness that enabled him to concentrate shot by shot and close out everything that was going on around him. Throughout the final

day he was never ruffled. He calmly went about the job and won in style. It was as convincing a win as I have ever seen at Augusta.

When Louis Oosthuizen won The Open at St Andrews last year Charl thought, ‘I can win a Major,’ and he’s done it. And what a great day for South Africa it was to have two Major winners in their twenties.

Louis and Charl grew up together in South Africa and have remained great friends ever since, both part of Chubby Chandler’s ISM stable which includes other young South Africans, Anton Haig, Thomas Aiken and James Kingston as well as Ernie Els. Charl had an outstanding amateur career, winning the English Amateur, the Indian Amateur and the Transvaal Amateur, and representing South Africa in the Eisenhower Cup in 2002 before turning professional and qualifying to play on The European Tour.

He’s steadily improved his game and last year he had his career-best season, finishing eighth on The Race to Dubai with more than €2 million in prize

money before joining the US PGA Tour this year. He won the Joburg Open in January on home soil for the second year running and was clearly a man in form. He was 29th in the World Ranking before his Masters win shot him up to 11th place.

Charl has got a beautiful swing and, just as importantly, he’s also got the temperament to win many more Majors.

I’ve heard the theory that South Africans are born with a certain mental toughness. I’m not sure that’s the case because I don’t think you can generalise.

I do think that South African youngsters are brought up with a strong sense of respect. At school, starting from an early age, they all wear school uniform and the discipline at school and at home teaches them how to behave and how to handle themselves later in life.

I wish Charl all the best for the season ahead. He’s got a great future ahead of him.

Gary Player Worldwide Golf, Executive Editor www.wwgolf.biz

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CONTENTS

Over 100 destinations worldwide

32

Regulars

Features

1

GARY PLAYER INTRODUCTION

67

ARABIAN GOLF

4

ERNIE ELS COLUMN

92

LOCKER ROOM

19

ROSS FISHER COLUMN

95

GROOM ROOM

21

QUICK 9: PADRAIG HARRINGTON

96

IN THE BAG: CLUB PRO

24

DIVOTS NEWS ITEMS

30

CLUBHOUSE QUICKIES

36

GREG NORMAN COLUMN

43

DRIVING RANGE: MERCEDES CLS

47

OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKING

48

GARY PLAYER COLUMN

50

RACE TO DUBAI

51

EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS

52

WORLD ROUND-UPS

57

WOMEN’S GOLF MIDDLE EAST

59

TUTORIAL: CORE POWER

63

CLAUDE HARMON III: CHARL SCHWARTZEL

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ABU DHABI DOUBLE: A Look back at our hotly contested April event and details on how you can book your place at the eagerly anticipated May and July tournaments. .

10 75TH MASTERS TOURNAMENT: Charl Schwartzel’s joy and Rory McIlroy’s despair, this one had it all. Relive the drama as we take a look back at the Augusta rollercoaster.

Official Media Partner Middle East

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MIDDLE EAST’S No.1 GOLF MAGAZINE

23 SOMA BAY: We’ve got news of two barnstorming amateur events taking place at the delightful Egyptian resort with a tantalising accommodation offer to boot.

Swing INSIDE THE SWING OF THE MASTERS CHAMPION

CHUBBY CHANDLER MASTERS TOURNAMENT HARRINGTON QUICK 9 JOSEPH ANDRADE KPMG FORUM BANYAN RESORT TROON TUTORIAL SOMA BAY ARABIAN GOLF

9 789948 154273

EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS ● DIVOTS ● CLUBHOUSE QUICKIES

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

FRONT COVER: Charl Schwartzel

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

32 KPMG FORUM: George O’Grady’s keynote address makes interesting reading for everyone involved with golf in the Middle East.

39 RUTH’S CHRIS: Award winning steak in Dubai.

ISBN 978-9948-15-427-3

Editor: Alex Gallemore

27 JOSEPH ANDRADE: The Dubai Creek Captain talks about his enduring love affair with the ancient game.

34 BANYAN GOLF RESORT: A look beyond the golf course at the chic resort in Thailand’s Hua Hin.

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

ISSUE No. 126, MAY, 2011 Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd, 54 Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, England, SK9 1NY

16 CHUBBY CHANDLER: The ISM boss had his hands full at Augusta – he looks after both Schwartzel and McIlroy and his management skills were tested to the max after a crazy afternoon in Georgia.

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WWGCOLUMNIST

ERNIE ELS is the most successful South African golfer of his generation. Els, nicknamed ‘The Big Easy’ due to his easylooking swing, has won three Majors and seven World Match Play Championships during a career that spans close on two decades. Els has two US Opens to his name and won The Open Championship at Muirfield in 2002.

SOUTH AFRICAN GOLF IS A MAJOR FORCE

SOUTH AFRICA’S MAJOR MEN Masters Champion, Charl Schwartzel, and Louis Oosthuizen, reigning Open Champion, pose for the photographers outside the Petronas Towers prior to the Maybank Malaysian Open at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

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HATEVER happens on the golf course in the space of the next few weeks, this is going to be a very special time for my family and I. As I’ve said many times since first being given the news by US PGA Tour Commissioner Tom Finchem last autumn, being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame is a big honour.

By the time you read your May copy of Worldwide Golf Magazine, the induction ceremony will have taken place. I don’t mind admitting, as I write this column, the idea of the ceremony makes me somewhat nervous.

We’re professional golfers, not public speakers, and I know I’m not alone in saying that standing up and making a speech is something I’ve never quite got comfortable

with. Once I get going, though, I’m okay.

It’ll be a proud moment to be in the Hall of Fame with some of my heroes, guys like Jack, Arnie and obviously Gary. Also Nick Price. He was, basically, my mentor when I came out on Tour in the early 90s.

Nick was one of the best players in the world at that time and then became the best player in the world. I’ve played so many practice rounds with him over the years and he’s been very important to me.

He’s given me a lot of great advice – not only on golf but in life, too. He always felt that I should have taken residency in Florida a lot sooner. But I went the other way for a while. Although ‘Pricey’ is a Zimbabwean, we like to claim him for our own as a South African!

Speaking of which, this is a very exciting

time for South African golf in general. In the last 20 years the profile of the game has risen hugely in South Africa and the Afrikaans community. When my brother and I were growing up there were very few Afrikaans golfers in the game. When you look at the game today and the emergence of other Afrikaans golfers such as Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, both current Major champions, it’s fantastic. They will inspire the next generation.

Actually, this year’s Masters was kind of a young man’s tournament in the end with Rory McIlroy, Charl Schwartzel, Jason Day and Adam Scott, the old man at 30, battling it out for the Green Jacket. You always feel kind of bad for a guy when he gets so close to a Major and misses out –

especially Rory going into that final round with such a big lead. But I couldn’t be more pleased for Charl. I’ve known him for a good few years. He’s a hard worker and a great kid. When we started the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation Charl often used to travel with the team. Ever since then I’ve tried to help him any way I can, although his dad can take the credit for helping Charl build a great golf swing. Together they’ve really done an incredible job.

I’m not at all surprised at what Charl has achieved as a professional. The guy has some serious talent and, as I said, he’s always had a great work ethic and a good, solid temperament. When he finished second to me in the CA Championship at Doral last year I said to the media afterwards that everyone on the PGA Tour was going to see a lot more of him in the years to come. He didn’t take long proving me right on that score.

South African golfers will have a strong contingent at this year’s Presidents Cup. In fact, as it stands, five South African golfers occupy the top eight spots in the International rankings, which is really something. It’s one of the reasons why I was pleased to hear during the week of

the Masters that The European Tour and Sunshine Tour have agreed to change the dates for the South African Open so that it no longer clashes with The Presidents Cup in Australia. What they’ve done is move back the South African open by an extra week and the Dunhill Championship will now be played opposite the Presidents Cup. It’s a shame for Dunhill, but I think overall everyone is pretty relieved with this resolution. It would not have been right to ask players to make a choice between The Presidents Cup and their national open. For me personally, it means I can defend my title and I’m very much looking forward to that.

ROYAL MELBOURNE DELIGHT I am delighted that The Presidents Cup is being played at Royal Melbourne, one of my all-time favourite golf courses. I won three straight Heineken Classics there at the start of the 2000s and in 2004 I came the closest I ever come to shooting 59 in a tournament. I two-putted the final green to shoot 60. It was as close to the perfect round of golf as I’ve ever played.

Anyway, it’ll be good to go back for all sorts of reasons. The 1998 Presidents

Cup was played at Royal Melbourne and, hard as it is to believe, that was the last and only time we won this thing. We’re long overdue another, that’s for sure, and, hopefully, that sand-belt turf will inspire the Internationals again. Maybe a South African or an Aussie will hole the winning putt. That would be pretty special. ■

Above: Ernie Els has one of the greatest records at Royal Melbourne with a hat-trick of Heineken Classic victories there, which he added to in 2007.

Below: The resheduled Presidents Cup date means that Ernie will be able to defend his South African Open title.

“IT’S A SHAME FOR DUNHILL, BUT I THINK OVERALL EVERYONE IS PRETTY RELIEVED WITH THIS RESOLUTION. IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RIGHT TO ASK PLAYERS TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN THE PRESIDENTS CUP AND THEIR NATIONAL OPEN. FOR ME PERSONALLY, IT MEANS I CAN DEFEND MY TITLE AND I’M VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.” – ERNIE ELS

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WWG Abu Dhabi Double News presented by Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi, Yas Island

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McInerney swoops to victory IAN McInerney returned a gross 13-over-par total to win the third edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Double held at Yas Links Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club last month.

In Division ‘A’ (hcp 0-18) Ron Littleton scored a two-round tally of 73 Stableford points to take the honours while the Division ‘B’ (hcp 19+) was won by Ben Lock with 79 points.

Littleton scored 33 points on day one at Yas Links and hit top form the following day, scoring 40 points at Saadiyat Beach for his 73 point total. Lock prevailed after excellent scores of 41 at Yas Links and 38 at Saadiyat Beach saw him top his Division.

The leading lady over the two days was Karin Lutz as her superb haul of 84 points gave her the top spot.

Places still available for the Abu Dhabi Double 4 A LIMITED number of spaces are available for the fourth edition of the Abu Dhabi Double at Yas Links Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on May 12th and 13th.

To sign up for two days of golf on two of the UAE’s newest world-class desert island courses and a night of luxury accommodation for just AED1,495 simply download the entry form from www.wwgolf.biz and e-mail it to golf.abudhabi@radissonblu.com or fax it to them on 02 656 2629.

The entrance fee also includes access to the practice facilities and locker rooms, shared golf carts, range balls, plus barbecues at the end of each days’ play and tournament prizes (beverages are at individuals’ expense). A non-playing guest can come along for the nominal additional fee of AED 100 and family rooms or extra Friday night accommodation can be arranged on request.

Credit card details will be required to reserve the booking and payment will be taken. Cancellations must be made before 10th May to qualify for a refund. If cancellations are received less than 48 hours prior to the event credit cards will be charged for the full amount.

For more information contact Worldwide Golf’s David Burke on 9714 340 3785

Fifth Abu Dhabi Double announced DUE to its increased popularity amongst WWG readers, a fifth instalment of the Abu Dhabi Double at Yas Links and Saadiyat Beach has been confirmed for July 28th and 29th this summer.

Full details on how to enter will be made available in the next issue of Worldwide Golf.

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WHO DARES WINS

Richard Bevan reports on the 75th Masters Tournament which produced one of the most captivating days of final round drama ever witnessed in a Major championship and in the end yielded a worthy winner in South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel, who created Masters history with birdies at the last four holes to win.

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75 th Masters Tournament

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UNSHINE Tour Chairman Johann Rupert had emailed Craig Healey, Chairman of the Masters Media Committee to tell him to make sure that the gathered Press at Augusta knew how to spell the name of his fellow countryman, Charl Schwartzel, because they’d be seeing a lot of him once the tournament got underway.

Rupert knew Schwartzel well from his time playing in his homeland prior to joining The European Tour – and his prophecy proved to be right on the money.

With his barnstorming four-birdie finish Schwartzel emerged victorious from a final day at Augusta that kept us all guessing right until the very end. In what was one of the most exciting finishes ever seen at a Major championship you could have thrown a blanket over 10 players all in with a shout of victory in the final stages of a scintillating drama.

It was a tournament that highlighted every facet of the emotional spectrum that the ancient game we all love can induce. While Schwartzel’s devastating display over the closing four holes was thrilling and dramatic in the extreme, Rory McIlroy’s stunning final round collapse was painfully compulsive viewing.

The 21-year-old, who held the lead or a share of the lead from day one onwards with rounds of 65-69-70, and who was four clear entering the final round, presided over biggest final round reverse in a Grand Slam seen since Jean Van de Velde’s Open Championship dream died in a watery grave in 1999 when his five-shot lead evaporated at Carnoustie.

Green Jacket

“This is a funny game,” said Schwartzel after closing with a round-of-the-day 66 for a 14-under 274 winning total and slipping into the Green Jacket exactly 50 years since his compatriot Gary Player became the first international Masters champion. “Things just happen. Sometimes it just snowballs.

“This is such a special feeling. I don’t even know where to start. Obviously, I’ve never been in a situation like that in a Major but this morning I felt surprisingly very calm. I think Rory must have had lots of pressure on him, to be leading by that far.”

Schwartzel went quietly about his business, shooting 69-71-68 over the first three rounds to lie four back from McIlroy on 8-under, level in second place on the leader board with 2009 Champion Angel Cabrera, K.J Choi and Jason Day, heading into the final round.

The 26-year-old made his intentions clear right from the start on Sunday when he chipped in for a spectacular birdie at the first hole to move to 9-under. When he holed his approach from 115 yards out at the third for an eagle it shot him into a share of the lead.

“Justin Rose said to me, ‘You have nothing to lose and everything to gain,” said Schwartzel.

“So I just sort of calmed myself as much as I could right from the word go on the first hole, and things started going for me. It’s always nice when things start in the right direction.”

If Schwartzel’s blistering salvo served notice on the glorious conclusion to come, McIlroy’s was an ominous signal of impending doom ahead for the youngster as he began the day with a bogey at the first. He then scrambled out of two bunkers to save par on the second before dropping another shot at the sixth to fall to 10-under.

Having begun the day with the biggest 54hole advantage since Tiger Woods’ nine-stroke advantage in 1997, which led to the Californian’s first Major title with a record 12-stroke victory at Augusta, it was clear McIlroy was going to have to dig deeper to get the job done than anyone had imagined. A 20-foot putt for birdie on 7 steadied the ship as he moved back to 11-under and into a one-stroke lead before the proverbial

ABOVE: Lee Westwood was another player who struggled on Augusta’s famously tricky greens during a final round of 70 that saw him tie for 11th place on 5-under 288.

wheels began to come off in a way not seen at Augusta since Greg Norman’s equally depressing demise in 1996. Norman held a sixstroke lead at the start of the final round that day and, like McIlroy this year, it was expected to be a procession. It was. But not a funeral procession. The Australian fluffed his lines that day and limped home with a 6-over 78 as Nick Faldo slipped into the Green Jacket that had looked a perfect fit for Norman all week.

Fifteen years later history repeated itself for a

75TH MASTERS TOURNAMENT

“I can’t really put my finger on what went wrong. I lost a lot of confidence with my putting, but I just hit a poor tee shot on 10 and it sort of unravelled from there.”

– Rory McIlroy FAR LEFT: Charl Schwartzel is helped into the Green Jacket by 2010 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson.

LEFT: Rory McIlroy plays his second shot from the trees by the cabins on the 10th hole en-route to a triple bogey seven during the final round at Augusta.

gifted young Northern Irishman as his Major championship dream turned into a nightmare of epic proportions. The really gruesome stuff began at the 10th when he hit a tree with his tee shot causing his ball to ricochet way off left to land among the cabins on the edge of the Par-3 Course. His low hook out of the trees overshot the fairway before he missed the green left with his third shot, hit another tree with his fourth, and finally chipped on, and eventually - two putts later - had to settle for a triple-bogey seven.

His woes continued with a 3-putt for double bogey on the 11th and he then took an astonishing four putts – three of them from inside three feet – for a double bogey at the par-3 12th to drop back to 5-under. It was excruciating to watch.

When McIlroy’s tee shot at the 13th bounced off the trees into the creek the galleries didn’t know where to look as an awkward silence fell about the place. As Rory hid his face with his arm he looked to be fighting back the tears and you sensed he’d give anything to be transported back to his family home in Holywood for tea and sympathy with Mum and Dad. Anywhere but Augusta National would do.

“I’d sort of realised, unless I birdied my way in, I didn’t have a chance,” said McIlroy who nonetheless recovered at the 13th for par before a final bogey at the 15th and three pars to finish saw him sign for an 8-over-par 80 and a share of 15th place at 4-under. “I was trying my hardest, but if I had birdied 13, tried to birdie 14, birdied

15 and birdied my way in, but once I hit that tee shot left on 13, I realised that was it.”

McIlroy’s time will almost certainly come and he showed great character and maturity with his response in the aftermath of his final round horror show, saying: “It will be pretty tough for me for the next few days, but I will get over it – I will be fine.

“There are a lot worse things that can happen in your life. Shooting a bad score in the last round of a golf tournament is nothing in comparison to what other people go through.

Embarrassed

“Getting applauded up onto the greens, I was almost a little embarrassed at some points.

But the support I had here was fantastic and I really appreciate it. I can’t put my finger on what went wrong. I lost a lot of confidence with my putting, but I just hit a poor tee shot on 10 and it sort of unravelled from there.

“I’ll have plenty more chances I know and, hopefully, it will build a bit of character within me as well.”

Tiger Woods threatened to make his trademark charge when he clawed back a seven-stroke deficit to get to 10-under and within one shot of the lead with some spectacular play over a front nine of 31 that included a stunning eagle three at the eighth.

The former World No.1 had his game face on and the deafening roars that greeted his every blow seemed to be fuelling his march. But again he flattered to deceive and his winless streak

stretched to 21 events as he struggled with the flat stick with Augusta’s unforgiving back nine refusing to yield more than a solitary birdie on the 15th. Woods signed for 67 and a 10-under total of 27 to take the clubhouse lead.

“It was good,” said Tiger who eventually finished in a share of fourth place. “I got off to a good start on the front nine and on the back nine didn’t putt well and hit one loose iron at 13.

“I should have shot an easy 3 or 4-under on the back nine and I only posted even. But I’m right there in the thick of it with a bunch of guys who had a chance. We’ll see what happens.”

Australian Geoff Ogilvy, who tied with Woods, Fred Couples, Ross Fisher and Bubba Watson on 5-under at the start of the final round, after rounds of 69-69-73, went on a blistering run down the back nine with five consecutive birdies to get to 10-under and with a chance of completing the biggest comeback in Masters history.

A homeward nine of 31 completed a final round 67 and made him joint leader in the clubhouse with Woods. “I’ve been playing quite well all week but I was kind of just treading water on the front nine watching the ‘Tiger Show’ to be honest with you because it was good fun to just listen to the roars of what he was doing on the front nine because usually you get him on the back nine. So it was fun to watch him do that. Finally got a birdie on 12 and I got under-par for the day, and I figure, at least you get a couple eagle chances and a birdie pin on 14 and 16, so I didn’t expect to birdie five in a 4 www.wwgolf.biz

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75TH MASTERS TOURNAMENT row, but that’s what happened. It’s nice to finish the week with my best nine holes.”

Argentina’s Cabrera, who beat Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell in a play-off for the Masters title two years ago, again showed his liking for Augusta, opening with 71 and 70 before a lowround-of-the-day 5-under 67 in the third round put him right in the mix. Three birdies over the front nine on the final day saw him move into a share of the lead with KJ Choi but, like Woods, Cabrera made errors down the home stretch to close with 71 for seventh place on 9-under 279.

England’s Luke Donald prompted one of the biggest cheers of the day when he recovered from a bogey on 17 and a an unlucky approach on 18 that saw his ball ping off the flagstick and run off the green, by chipping in for birdie to finish the highest placed British player, in a share of fourth place with Woods and Ogilvy at 10under. “From start to finish I played nicely but I didn’t take advantage of holes I should have done,” said Donald, who moved back in front of Phil Mickelson to retake third in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Surprise Package

Debutant Jason Day was one of the surprise packages of the tournament. The 23-year-old Aussie followed an opening round 72 with a tournament-best 64 to move to 8-under at halfway, two strokes behind McIlroy, in second place, before consolidating his position with a level-par 72 in the third round. On day four he went out in 36 but really got going down the back nine with four birdies for a 68 to get to 12under and in with a real shout in the clubhouse.

“I can’t be disappointed with that finish I guess,” said Day after finishing joint second. “It was one of the most exciting tournaments I’ve ever played in. I’m very happy with how I played.

When I was walking down the fairway there were so many roars, you don’t know what’s going on and you see a number pop up on the leader board and the crowd starts going crazy. The Masters has lived up to everything I expected, and more, which is fantastic.

“I’ve had the best first Masters experience, and this is going to go down for a long, long time in the memory bank. I’ve just had a blast.”

Day’s playing partner and fellow countryman Adam Scott had looked to be the man destined for the Green Jacket as the final day drama edged towards its conclusion.

Scott, who started five strokes back from McIlroy’s lead, got to 9-under at the turn before becoming the latest man to take the lead with a birdie on 14 to get to 11-under. He then holed a 10-foot clutch putt for par on 15 after pushing his approach shot left into the crowd at the side of the green before moving to 12-under with what was to be his final birdie in a closing round of 67. “I played good today,” said Scott, who showed a marked improvement on the greens after his recent switch to a belly putter. “I don’t think I can ask for anything more. I had a putt at it on the last, and it was kind of an outside chance. Not my best putt, but everything else

“The big thing for me was that at that time I had never ever seen Augusta National.

Now Jack Nicklaus is taking me through how to play Augusta. Suddenly, I’m in the presence of Mr. Nicklaus and it’s such a big awe.”

– Charl Schwartzel talking about his memorable moment with the Golden Bear and his insight into mastering Augusta National. was pretty good today.” But as Scott himself later reflected, this was not a tournament he lost, but rather one that Schwartzel won. “I can’t control Charl, and when you birdie the last four holes at the Masters and you’re around the lead, that usually wins,” he said. “Nothing I can do about it.”

Schwartzel, playing in his first full season on the US PGA Tour and only his second Masters, moved briefly back into a share of the lead with Scott after getting up and down for birdie at the 15th before 15-foot putts at the 16th and 17th saw him put one hand on the Green Jacket at 13under going down the last.

Masters History

Schwartzel had two putts from 18 feet to win it but only needed one as he completed the most remarkable finish ever witnessed in Masters history. After easing into the famous jacket he revealed that a conversation with 18-time Major champion Jack Nicklaus, who won six Masters titles, and to whom he was introduced by Johann Rupert at a charity function just over a year ago, had led to the passing of some priceless information. “I’d never

met Jack and I was really excited,” Schwartzel recalled. “I knew he sort of liked hunting a little bit. That’s the way I got the conversation going, just by talking about hunting.”

But the conversation soon turned to Augusta.

“I’m thinking this is going to be just a vaguely quick little conversation, but he actually took the time to take me through all 18 holes,” continued Schwartzel who finished tied 30th in his Masters debut.

“He explained the way he used to think his way around Augusta and he described the way he used to play it and which flags he used to attack.

“The big thing for me was that at that time I had never ever seen Augusta National. Now Jack Nicklaus is taking me through how to play Augusta. Suddenly, I’m in the presence of Mr. Nicklaus, and it’s such a big awe. Luckily Mr. Rupert was taking a lot of notes, so afterwards we had it all.”

Twelve months later Schwartzel proved himself the perfect pupil with a triumph that the Golden Bear himself would have been proud of. ■ www.wwgolf.biz

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HE 75th Masters Tournament proved a bittersweet occasion for International Sports Management’s Managing Director Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler.

Two of his stable’s brightest young stars stole the headlines on a final day of high drama at Augusta National – but for very different reasons.

Firstly, there was Charl Schwartzel, who flew largely under the radar before emerging as the first player in Masters history to produce a four-birdie finish for victory.

Then there was Rory McIlroy, who looked destined for the Green Jacket all week, only to come to grief over a heartbreaking few holes in the final round when a succession of errors led to an unfortunate 8-over-par 80 as he dropped from four strokes clear at the top of the leaderboard to 10-strokes back from his ISM buddy, Charl, to a share of 15th place.

Contrasting Duties

The immediate aftermath of pain and glory experienced by Chubby’s respective players highlighted, in the starkest manner, the contrasting duties required in the job of a manager. “It was a strange day,” says Chandler. “For two hours after it finished I had to be with Charl doing all the things that a Green Jacket brings after you win the Masters and then I was anxious to get back and spend some time with Rory and try and make sensible conversation with him and put everything that happened into context.

“Fortunately for me, Rory was very good and the way he came across on TV was actually how he was later. He talked about it, he was slightly bemused by it all but he was fine.” Chandler admits to being

CHUBBY impressed with the maturity and character McIlroy showed when he faced the media at Augusta in the most difficult circumstances of his career. “Because of how Rory handled himself he’ll have gained as many friends in defeat as he would in victory. The thing about RM is that he transcends nationalities.

He’s not just Northern Irish, he’s going to have American fans, he’s going to have Irish fans, Europeans and Brits.

“Certain golfers have that quality. I don’t think many people think of Seve as a Spaniard – he was a golfer first and foremost, then a European and even the British people took him to their hearts, more than some of their own. I think Rory has that quality, too.”

Chandler also believes that the young star will benefit from the experience of his Masters nightmare and become a stronger player as a result, with many more years ahead in which to taste Major success.

“I don’t think he’ll be scarred by it,” says Chubby. “He’ll learn from it. I think that he realises now that it’s difficult to win a Major. But everyone tends to forget that he’s just 21-years-old and I think we’ve got to be careful that we don’t taint him as an underachiever.

Learn Lessons

“He’s No.9 in the World and he’s had the chance to win three Majors, which is phenomenal for someone of his age. I’m sure he’ll learn his lessons – and he’ll learn quickly. Some of the things that happened he perhaps needs to look at. He was slightly too aggressive on the golf course when he was leading but time is on his side.”

As much as he felt for McIlroy, Chandler was delighted for the supremely talented Schwartzel, a good friend and compatriot of another ISM player, Louis Oosthuizen, who claimed The Open in emphatic style at St

CHUBBY CHANDLER

Andrews last year. “I’ve known Charl longer than I’ve known Rory,” says Chubby. “He’s won nine European Tour events and he’s won from the front and from behind, having to make putts, so he knows what it takes.

“A lot of credit has to go to Louis Oosthuizen. He and Charl have been mates for ages. They played junior golf together and they’re travelling companions. Louis set the bar with his win at The Open last year at St Andrews. The night Louis won I sat on a table with the Claret Jug and Louis was talking to some people and I was sat next to Charl who looked at me and said: “I’m so happy for Louis, but…” and I said, “You don’t need to say any more. I know you think that trophy should be yours, but that just means that it’s possible – and it will be yours soon.

Amazing Moment

“It was an amazing moment. I knew exactly what he was feeling – happiness and a sort of jealously. To have them both now as holders of The Open and the Masters is just amazing.”

Chubby believes that there is something in the make-up of South Africans that perhaps makes them better equipped to go for golf’s biggest prizes. “The South African nation are a very tight, close-knit and tough set of people,” he says. “The hunting and the outdoor life – it’s a different lifestyle. It seems to breed a certain toughness into them which our guys might have to find, but South Africans have already got.”

While McIlory undoubtedly has the talent, his manager is of the opinion that he came up slightly short in the mental furnace of Augusta’s final round and that an improvement in this area will prove the key that unlocks the door to his first Major.

“It takes lot of nerve, skill and patience in equal doses to win a Major,” says Chubby.

“Everyone in the field is obviously a very good player but you’ve got to be very patient. Even after Rory’s triple-bogey at the 10th he was only two behind and if he could have gathered himself he could have turned it into a positive – ‘I’m only two behind with eight to play in a Major,’ rather than, ‘Oh no, what’s happened.’”

“I think that’s something Rory can learn from.”

Within the last 12 months Chubby’s ISM has had the World No.1 in Lee Westwood, two Major winners in Oosthuizen and Schwartzel, two representatives in the 2010 Ryder Cup Team in Westwood and McIlroy and two Ryder Cup Vice-Captains in Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley.

This could be the first Major step in another sensational year for the ‘old hands’ and the ‘young guns’ of Chubby’s ISM.

“Everyone in the field is obviously a very good player but you’ve got to be very patient. Even after Rory’s triplebogey at the tenth he was only two behind and if he could have gathered himself he could have turned it into a positive – ‘I’m only two behind with eight to play in a Major,’ rather than, ‘Oh no, what’s happened.’” www.wwgolf.biz

17

When did you last play Dubai Creek?

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I’VE GOT MIXED EMOTIONS ABOUT AUGUSTA

I

’VE got mixed emotions about my third Masters. On one hand, I would have taken 15th at the start of the week, but on the other hand, I had a chance to finish right up there with the leaders but just couldn’t really get going in the final round, so was left thinking about what might have been.

I played really well all week, and had a chance to have a big finish. I’m more and more comfortable on that golf course the more I play it, and feel I could have properly contended.

Everyone knows that Augusta’s biggest challenge is its greens, and if you putt well then the chances are you will be high up that leaderboard. I putted well all week. The rest of my game was solid, and has been for most of the season but the putter has held me back a bit, so to go to Augusta and putt well was nice.

I started very well on the Thursday, played really nicely, and my 69 could have been a lot lower. On the Friday I didn’t hole as many putts. I had a reasonably simple chip from just off the green on 13 which I sculled into the water and took six and then battled from there on!

Thinker’s Course That course is on another level – they cut the fairways in to you so it’s difficult to get a good connection and if you get above the hole on the greens it’s like putting down a staircase. Thankfully though, I put the ball in good places. As I said in my last column, it’s a thinker’s course – quite often it’s not a case of attacking pins, it’s a case of positioning your ball in a spot where you can ensure par!

I was playing nicely on the Sunday but didn’t make that charge that I needed. You can hear roars going around the course, and you know some guys are making a move. I couldn’t quite get into that zone.

But I was particularly disappointed with my finish. I didn’t make birdie on 15, and then found the water on 16, leading to a double. That was a killer blow at such a crucial moment in my week. Things could have been better, obviously, but overall it was a good

Ross Fisher listens to the advice of caddie Phil ‘Wobbly’ Morbey on the first hole in the final round of the Masters. week for me. I knew that I would have a few weeks away from tournaments after the Masters, so it was important to get a decent result in there.

The birth of our second child was always in the back of my mind at Augusta, how could it not be! My family are the most important thing to me, and the birth of a child, well, it just doesn’t get any better than that.

Really Special I’m glad to have had a decent week at Augusta, but what awaits us now at home is something really special and by the time you read this column the baby will probably have been born.

It’s going to be a boy so Eve is looking forward to having a little brother, too!

It’ll be great to have some time off with the family and then when I get back out on the golf course some huge tournaments await. First up is the ‘fifth Major’, The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, and then I’ll travel to Spain where I’ll finally get the chance to defend my Volvo

World Match Play Championship title – the tournament didn’t take place last year so it’s great to have it back on the schedule and I can’t wait to get back to magnificent Finca Cortesin.

It’s a tough course, mentally and physically – a real test of endurance.

It’s always nice going back to a golf course where you have won a tournament and Finca Cortesín is extra special. The hotel is fantastic, the staff are all very friendly, and you can walk down to the clubhouse and straight onto the practice range, so it’s just perfect.

I drove the ball fantastically well off the tee in 2009 and whenever you drive well, you’re likely to shoot good numbers. I was under par for every round I played and you are always going to be hard to beat shooting sub-par rounds.

I’ll take each game as it comes, one hole at a time and, hopefully, go back home with that wonderful Volvo World Match Play Championship trophy again. ■

IN THE KNOW WITH ROSS FISHER ROSS SHOT ROUNDS OF 697171 AND 73 AT AUGUSTA TO FINISH 4UNDERPAR IN TIED 15TH PLACE. HIS 2009 VOLVO WORLD MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY SAW HIM DEFEAT AMERICA’S ANTHONY KIM 4 & 3 IN THE 36HOLE FINAL. ROSS IS CURRENTLY 28TH IN THE RACE TO DUBAI AND 44TH IN THE OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKING.

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19

ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB

SUMMER GOLF MEMBERSHIPS

The hottest offer available

AED 999/monthly

VALID 1st JUNE - 30th SEPTEMBER 2011

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AED 3,995 JUNIOR GOLF MEMBERSHIP

AED 1,295 EXPERIENCE THE FOUR MONTH SUMMER MEMBERSHIP AND RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS • Unlimited access to the 18-hole Championship Golf Course and Par 3 course.

• Complimentary use of the practice facilities.

• 10% discount off all Food & Beverage.

• 10% discount off Pro Shop purchases.

• Preferential members rate on all golf tuition at the Golf Academy.

• Preferential rate for our guest rooms.

• Preferential guests rate for your friends and family playing with you - up to 45% off the rack rate.

• Priority golf booking - 7 days in advance of the day you wish to play.

• 10 day advance booking for domestic club calendar events.

• Optional use of the bag storage and locker facilities.

• Priority reservations for all golf and social events at the Club.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS • Memberships are applicable on full payment.

• Rate includes all the above benefits.

• Junior membership applicable for individuals 18 years of age and below.

• The summer membership fees do not include golf cart rental fee.

A summer cart fee is available priced at AED 390 per month or a charge of AED 60 per person for each round of 18 holes and AED 30 per person for 9 holes.

• This limited offer will be on a first come, first serve basis.

FOR INQUIRIES:

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Padraig

Harrington 1) What’s your favourite golf course outside the UK? PH: Augusta National.

2) Who is your favourite golf course architect?

PH: Alister MacKenzie.

3) What age were you when you first broke par for 18 holes and where were you?

PH: I think I was 15 but I can’t remember where – I know it wasn’t my home course!

4) Who would be in your dream fourball of golfers?

PH: Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer.

5) If you weren’t a professional golfer, what would you be?

PH: A coach.

6) When was the last time you paid a green fee?

PH: I’ve never paid a green fee.

7) What’s your favourite sporting team?

PH: Celtic Football Club.

8) Who is your favourite musician or band?

PH: U2.

9) Who or what would you purchase a ticket to watch?

PH: Billy Connolly.

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21

Red Sea - Egypt

Red Sea Open Amateur Championship July 5 - July 7, 2011 The Soma Bay Stableford Tournament July 8 & 9, 2011

For more information please contact “Ghada” at Soma Bay Tel: +202 2735-7510, +202 2736-9500 Email: ghada@somabay.com

SOMA BAY RESORT EGYPT

SOMA BAY SET FOR THRILLING DOUBLE

E

GYPT’S beautiful and exclusive Soma Bay Resort, which is situated on the shimmering Red Sea coast, is gearing up for two of the most hotly anticipated tournaments on the amateur circuit.

The Red Sea Open Amateur Championship and the Soma Bay Stableford Tournament will be conducted under the auspices of the Egyptian Golf Federation (EGF) on the immaculate Cascades Championship Course at Soma Bay, a layout designed by nine-time Major champion Gary Player and consistently recognised as one of the top 10 golf courses outside of Europe.

The two events will be held during the first week of July 2011 and this year the organisational structure of the tournaments has been modified to be classified into two groups. The first is the Red Sea Open Amateur Championship. Based on gross stroke play, the event is available for participants with handicaps of six or better for men and of 14 or better for ladies. The men’s event will take place over three days of play from

July 5 to July 7 inclusive, whilst the women will play over two days on July 6 and 7. In addition a Men’s Seniors Gross Strokeplay Championship is scheduled over two days to coincide with the Ladies event. To qualify participants need to be 50 years old or more.

In last year’s thrilling tournament, which had a truly international flavour, Anton Bergstrom from Sweden was crowned the Men’s Champion, while Abdulla Sultan from Bahrain took the Seniors title and Hide Nishihira from Japan claimed the Ladies crown.

Also scheduled is the Soma Bay Stableford Tournament immediately following the Open Amateur Championship. The format of the Soma Bay Stableford Tournament will be Net Stableford scoring and will be open for Men, Seniors (over 50), Super Seniors (over 60) and Ladies, with no handicap limit.

A special offer for this event has been arranged with La Residence des Cascades Hotel, which is located directly on the golf course, covering participants as well their families, companions and spectators.

In addition to a great golfing opportunity, these two events offer participants and their companions the opportunity to enjoy the many facilities available at Soma Bay, including diving, surfing, some of the best natural sand beaches on the Red Sea and the largest Spa and Thalasso Center in the region.

For more information please contact “Ghada” at Soma Bay Tel: +202 2735-7510, +202 2736-9500 Email: ghada@somabay.com

W e b s i t e :

w w w . s o m a b a y . c o m

DIVOTS

RULES EXPLAINED by Stuart McMurdo, Golf Operations Manager at Jebel Ali GR & Spa

BALL AT REST MOVED

WHAT an amazing Masters it was last month with Schwartzel’s clinical back nine to win and Rory’s demise over the same holes, yet it was a quiet one for the referees and the only ruling I saw was on the very last hole and it’s one which tends to be missed by many amateur golfers I see in Dubai.

Quite innocently on the 72nd hole the final group played onto the raised green with the tournament already decided. With McIlroy already 20 feet from the hole on the green Cabrera’s approach shot landed on the green and

hit Rory’s ball, moving it a further three feet away from the hole. The players would have no idea of this happening as the green is blind from the fairway, but after information from the knowledgeable ‘patrons’ (crowd) Rory moved his ball back to ‘as near as possible to its original position at rest’ based on rule 18-5 while Cabrera played from where his ball ended up.

I see many amateurs in Dubai who see their balls being hit on greens and proceed as they lie. Even if the ball goes closer to the hole it must be replaced.

KEVIN NA SHOOTS 16 ON A Par-4 AT PGA TOUR EVENT AMERICAN Kevin Na took 16 strokes to complete a par-4 hole during the opening round of the Texas Open, setting a new PGA Tour record in the process. Taking three off the tee after a wayward drive into an unplayable lie in a wooded area on the ninth hole at TPC San Antonio, Na again pushed his tee shot into the woods. His fourth shot hit a tree and rebounded back onto his trousers – incurring a two stroke penalty – and he then took six additional hacks to get the ball back into play.

He wound up signing for a 16 and a round of 80 when if he had made a simple par he would have been one stroke off the lead with a 68.

“It was unfortunate because I was one under par going into that hole.” said Na, whose encounter on the ninth was being televised at the time. “When I’d got done with the hole I thought I’d made somewhere between 10 and 15 and probably nearer 15. But when we went and checked the camera I counted it myself and it was 16.”

RECORD WORLD RANKING POINTS FOR MALAYSIAN OPEN THE Maybank Malaysian Open received its highest ever Official World Golf Ranking points allocation last week, topping that of the Texas Open on the US PGA Tour.

Italian teenager Matteo Manassero earned a whopping 42 ranking points to shoot up to 33rd place on the latest World Rankings while runner-up Gregory Bourdy of France leaped from 123rd to 88th position after picking up 25.2 points. The winner of the 2011 Texas Open, Brendan Steele, earned 28 points.

Compared to the 2010 tournament, winner Seung-yul Noh of Korea took home just 24 ranking points. The allocation of world ranking points is based on the strength of the field each week.

World No.1 Martin Kaymer of Germany competed in Malaysia along with new Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen, also from South Africa.

STACY LEWIS WRAPS UP MAIDEN MAJOR WIN AMERICAN Stacy Lewis won her first major title last month after overhauling the overnight leader, defending champion and World No.1 Yani Tseng at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in California.

Lewis was two behind Taiwan’s Tseng but put together a superb final round 3-under 69 to post a 13-under-total and win by three from Tseng who shot a disappointing 74.

“I just hung in there and made some key putts,” said Lewis, who took home a cheque for $300,000 and staked her claim for a maiden Solheim Cup appearance in Ireland later this year.

LEHMAN WINS WHILE IRWIN MAKES HIS 200TH TOP TEN TOM Lehman won his second Champions Tour title of the season with a four-stroke victory at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic while Hale Irwin finished seventh to record the 200th top-ten finish of his Senior career.

Lehman shot rounds of 67, 64 and 69 for a 16-under total, four clear of Nick Price, Jeff Sluman and David Frost with Irwin coming in on 10-under-par.

“It was hard-earned,” Lehman said. “As nice as yesterday was, today was rugged with the wind the way it was blowing. I thought some of the holes, especially on the front nine against the wind were really difficult.”

STATMASTER

ROUND OF THE MONTH

South African Charl Schwartzel’s win at the Masters means that for the first time since 1994, none of the four Majors are currently held by an American.

A lot has been made of Rory McIlroy’s collapse at the Masters but let’s not forget 26-year-old Charl Schwartzel’s incredible best-of-the-final day 6-under-par 66, which propelled him to his first Major. Consecutive birdies on the final four holes to win at Augusta is a first and the stuff dreams are made of.

24

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NEWS SNIPPETS FROM AROUND THE GOLFING GLOBE

GOVERNING BODIES AGREE TO ‘VIDEO EVIDENCE’ RULE CHANGE

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

PROFESSIONALS who sign for an incorrect scorecard after unknowingly breaching a rule will no longer be disqualified on the strength of video evidence after the sport’s governing bodies, the R&A and the United States Golf Association, amended the rules.

Padraig Harrington was disqualified from the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January having signed a wrong score after he inadvertently incurred a penalty after a TV viewer picked up on his hand brushing the back of his ball during the first round.

A viewer phoned The European Tour to notify them of the breach and after the Dubliner – who failed to add the two-shot penalty – had wrongly signed his scorecard he was disqualified. “I looked down and was pretty sure the ball had just oscillated and had not moved, so I continued on,” said Harrington following the disqualification. The new ruling came into force from the start of the 2011 Masters.

Peter Dawson, R&A Chief Executive, said: “For some time we have been concerned that, in certain limited circumstances, disproportionate disqualification penalties have been required by the rules.

“This carefully considered decision reflects our desire to ensure that the Rules of Golf remain fair and relevant in the changing environment in which the game is played today. At the end of the day that’s good enough, but I wouldn’t have done anything differently – there was nothing I could do about it at that moment in time.”

CADDY CARL JACKSON CARRIES AROUND AUGUSTA NATIONAL FOR THE 50TH TIME AUGUSTA native Carl Jackson made it to a half-century’s worth of caddying duties at the Masters last month after carrying two-time winner Ben Crenshaw’s bag.

It was his 35th time round Augusta National on Crenshaw’s bag with the duo’s only missed appearance in their partnership coming in 2000 when Jackson was fighting cancer. He won his battle and intends to keep carrying Crenshaw’s bag as long as he is needed.

“We are so lucky to have come this far and shared so many things,” said Crenshaw, who won twice with Carl on his bag in 1984 and in 1995. “I couldn’t have accomplished the things I’ve accomplished (at Augusta) without Carl.”

Jackson grew up within a tee-shot of Augusta National and was only 14 when he carried the bag of Billy Burke for the first time in the Masters in 1961. After that he caddied for a number of other players including Gary Player, Bruce Devlin and, of course, Crenshaw.

THE AMBASSADORS CUP LAUNCHED AT CREEK Dubai Golf and the Australian Business Council Dubai, in collaboration with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Wassl Asset Management, have launched The Ambassador’s Cup, an inter-Business Counci Team Golf Event.

Official Business Councils can enter eight teams of 14 players including the Ambassador or Consul General of each participating country with the scores of the top 10 players counting in a team Stableford over the two rounds, the first of

SHOT OF THE MONTH Englishman David Horsey propelled himself to victory at the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco with a spectacular hole-in-one at the difficult 180-yard par-3 second hole. With one flash of a 5-iron the Englishman moved three strokes ahead and he held on to secure his second European Tour title.

which takes place at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club on April 28. The second round will be played at Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course on October 27. Chris May, General Manager of Dubai Golf, commented: “This is a fantastic event for Dubai which provides a unique platform for the business councils to come together in a setting away from their traditional environment. We are extremely proud to be the hosts of this tournament and we thank our sponsors and partners.

Sky Sports TV presenter Diana Dougherty, wife of European Tour player Nick, caught up with four-time Masters winner Arnold Palmer during the Par 3 Contest at Augusta to ask him this probing question:

“So Arnie, what does it take to win the Masters?”

To which Arnie briskly replied: “The lowest score,” before walking off.

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25

Joseph Andrade Dubai Creek Captian

LOVE OF THE GAME Mike Gallemore talks to one of the UAE’s most well-known amateur golfers, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Captain, Joseph Andrade, about his love affair with golf and how it all began.

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27

Q: How did you first get involved in playing golf and where and when did you start playing?

A: One fine morning I happened to see an advertisement in a newspaper about the Dubai Creek Golf Academy and signed up for introductory lessons. Since that day in 1993, golf – and also the golf club – have become part of my life.

Q: When did you come to Dubai and what were your first experiences of golf in Dubai and the UAE? A: I landed in Dubai in 1987. Though I took to golf a little late in life, I have always been quite active and played both cricket and squash regularly. I had a lot of friends who played golf but I have to say my first experience of the game was watching the top stars swinging the clubs during the 1988 Dubai Desert Classic, a tournament which I believe played a key role in creating awareness about the game in this part of the world.

Q: What has been your best moment in playing or watching golf?

A: There are many, but the one that stands out was watching T.H. Kim, a Korean player, hole out from 224 yards, with a three iron, on the 23 of October, 1997 for an albatross on the par-five 13th at Dubai Creek during an Asian Golf Tour event.

Q: You have played in numerous pro-ams.

What was your most enjoyable and why?

A: It was great fun playing with Tony Johnstone of Zimbabwe in Dubai. Learning the art of course management was just one part of the round, his friendly banter, his wonderful sense of fun and the golfing jargon he used, kept us in the game and kept us amused throughout the round. Tony, as you know, has made a ‘miraculous’ recovery from multiple sclerosis. He’s an excellent golf commentator and an all-round great character.

Q: Who is the most interesting and entertaining golfer you’ve ever met?

A: Meeting Tony was good fun, but Argentina’s Eduardo Romero was an experience to savour. The guy was very good at snapping off witty one-liners. His sense of humour is on a par with Tony’s – he’s just out of this world!

Q: What are your thoughts on the current situation in the UAE golf industry – are things picking up again after the downturn?

A: Like anywhere in the world, the economic downturn did threaten to bite into sports, but golf has proved relatively resilient in this part of the world. There was no perceptible drop in tee times at the different clubs in the UAE, neither were any big tournaments cancelled or postponed. It was more or less ‘business as usual.’ I think we have seen the worst when it comes to the global economy. It will only get better with time, and so will the UAE golf industry.

Q: What is it about the Creek that sets it apart from other golf courses in the region and how are you enjoying your time as Captain. What has been the most interesting or fun aspect of being Captain?

A: Certainly, I’m enjoying my stint as captain.

Interacting with the club management and the members on a regular basis is fun. The intention is to make the club even more vibrant. We have just introduced night golf, a new concept with fluorescent fairway markers and balls. This has been well received by the members. What sets the Creek apart from other golf courses is its location – it’s basically an oasis in the heart of the City. More importantly, there is no dearth of warmth.

You can sense the homely atmosphere of the Club the moment you step into the clubhouse.

Q: What do you think should be done to increase the number of resident golfers in the UAE and also increase the number of ‘golfing tourists?’

A: Golf represents the largest sports-related travel market in the world. With so many great courses, world-class hotels and a host of international tournaments that attract world class players, the UAE offers a perfect golf holiday package. Maybe we need to market the product even more aggressively under one umbrella to increase the number of golfing tourists.

Q: One of the comparisons people make concerning golf tourism in the UAE is that hotels and green fees are far more expensive than places like Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Florida etc. What do you think can be done to improve this?

JOSEPH ANDRADE FAR LEFT: The spectacular Loch Lomond Golf Club in Scotland, one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world – and one of Joseph Andrade’s favourite courses.

LEFT: South African cricket legend, Barry Richards, not only one of the game’s greatest allrounders but also an accomplished golfer – and a good friend of Joseph.

LEFT: Desert Mountain Golf Club at Scottsdale, Arizona, in the United States, a world-renowned desert layouts and one of Joseph’s favourite courses.

FAR LEFT: Joker Tony Johnstone, one of the most entertaining pros Joseph has ever played with; Agentine Eduardo Romero – “an experience to savour, he’s just out of this world,” says Joseph.

LEFT: West Indies cricket allrounder Gary Sobers – one of Joseph’s dream four-ball.

A: Yes, one can argue that playing golf is expensive in the UAE, but don’t forget each club offers five star facilities and the courses are of international standard. And then maintaining the courses in a desert environment is a huge task. You need millions of gallons of water every day and that in itself is an expensive business. You can’t always make a fair comparison with different parts of the world.

Q: With the cost of playing golf in the UAE so expensive is there a place for a play and pay facility?

A: : A pay-and-play facility in the Emirates will provide a big boost to the game. No question about that. But then, as I have said earlier, building and maintaining a golf course here in the desert is not that easy.

Q: What’s your favourite golf course – apart from the Creek – in the UAE and elsewhere in the world?

A: Apart from the Creek, in the UAE I really enjoying playing at the excellent Emirates Golf Club. Elsewhere, The Loch Lomond Golf Club near Glasgow in Scotland and the Desert Mountain at Scottsdale, Arizona. Both are just magnificent.

Q: If you could choose your favourite fourball who would it be?

A: I would love to have former West Indies cricketer Gary Sobers, and South Africa’s Barry Richards (a great friend), and Tiger Woods in my dream four-ball.

Q: If you could change any rule in the golfing book what would it be?

A: A good shot must be rewarded.

Sometimes it’s not the case in golf. You hit a great drive, splitting the fairway only to find the ball resting in a divot. The rule says you have to play it as it lies. In my opinion, the player should be allowed to place the ball on the fairway. It’s not his fault that someone has failed to repair the divot.

Q: What do you think the future holds for golf in the UAE and the Middle East?

A: Things are looking pretty good. With the MENA Golf Tour, being organised by golf in DUBAI, teeing off later this year, there will be new windows of playing opportunities for professionals and amateurs which will not only help to hone their golfing skills but will also enhance the overall development of golf in the region.

Q: What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen on a golf course?

A: Many things, but watching one of my friends (can’t name him) run after his golf cart to prevent it from slipping into the lake, after it ‘broke loose’ on top of a mound. Next thing you know, the cart was in the lake and my friend was standing at the water’s edge looking shell-shocked. www.wwgolf.biz

29

DESERT ISLAND

golf

A man is stranded on a desert island, all alone for 10 years.

One day, he sees a speck in the horizon. He thinks to himself, “It’s not a ship.” The speck gets a little closer and he thinks, “It’s not a boat.” The speck gets even closer and he thinks, “It’s not a raft.” Then, out of the surf comes this gorgeous blonde woman, wearing a wet suit and scuba gear. She comes up to the guy and says, “How long has it been since you’ve had a cigarette?”

“Ten years!” he says.

She reaches over and unzips a waterproof pocket on her left sleeve and pulls out a pack of fresh cigarettes.

He takes one, lights it, takes a long drag, and says, “Man, oh man! Is that good!”

Then she asked, “How long has it been since you’ve had a drink of whiskey?”

He replies, “Ten years!”

She reaches over, unzips her waterproof pocket on her right sleeve, pulls out a flask and gives it to him.

He takes a long swig and says, “Wow, that’s fantastic!”

Then she starts unzipping a longer zipper that runs down the front of her wet suit and she says to him, “And how long has it been since you’ve had some real fun?”

And the man replies, “Wow! Don’t tell me that you’ve got golf clubs in there!”

40

www.wwgolf.biz

PLAYER QUOTES JOKES WORD OF THE MONTH CARTOONS

Top

weets

‘I went to the Masters and all I got was this Green Jacket.’ – Charl Schwartzel

KNOW

?

The driver swing speed of an average lady golfer is 62mph; 96mph for an average LPGA professional; 84mph for an average male golfer; 108mph for an average US PGA Tour player; 130mph for Tiger Woods; 148-152mph for a National Long Drive Champion.

WORD OF THE MONTH ROPE HOOK: THE TERM FOR A LOW, HARD HOOK THAT RUNS GREAT DISTANCES AFTER HITTING THE GROUND. NOT A GREAT LOOK!

about his practice round at Augusta.

‘I’m sure you’ll find your piggy bank soon mate, try looking under your pillow, that’s where I hid mine when I was a kid!’– Luke Donald delivers his stinging

response.

‘Will do mate. I left 20 yards on your doorstep.

Might come in handy for Augusta next week!

– But young whipper-snapper McIlroy has the last word.

Ouch!

‘Do fire engines normally follow you down the runway? Only when there’s smoke in the cabin I guess!’ – Lee Westwood reveals to the Tweeting world

that his plane has caught fire as it attempts to leave Houston airport en-route to Augusta.

Fatherly Advice A father spoke to his son: “It’s time we had a little talk, my son. Soon, you will have urges and feelings you’ve never had before. Your heart will pound and your hands will sweat.

You’ll be pre-occupied and won’t be able to think of anything else.”

He added, “But don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal...it’s called golf.”

“

I’M VERY LUCKY. IF IT WASN’T FOR GOLF I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’D BE DOING. IF MY IQ HAD BEEN TWO POINTS LOWER, I’D HAVE BEEN A PLANT SOMEWHERE.

“

DID YOU

‘It was a tough day out there with the breeze. Even tougher trying to keep up with Dustin! Luke we owe u some cash!’ – Rory McIlroy Tweets Luke Donald

– LEE TREVINO

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31

IN the opening keynote speech at the KPMG Business Forum at the Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai, George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, addressed delegates and guests from the golf world and thanked Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum:

“ T

HANK YOU, your Highness, for your welcome to Dubai and to the KPMG Golf Business Forum. On behalf of all your guests I would like to thank you for your hospitality in this wonderful country.

The European Tour has been a strong and committed partner of Dubai since the first Dubai Desert Classic was staged at the stunning Emirates Golf Club in 1989. I remember Rod Bogg, then General Manager of the Emirates Club, visiting us at The European Tour Headquarters at Wentworth and extending the invitation to us to stage a tournament in Dubai.

We agreed and it is a decision that we have never regretted. This visionary move heralded the birth of a most significant stage in our development and the global expansion of World Golf, and also showcased Dubai and the region, and the vision of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as a business, tourist, and leisure destination.

The initial success of the Dubai Desert Classic led to the opening of the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, which hosted the event in 1999 and 2000.

European Tour Growth

The economic growth in Dubai since 1989 has been staggering, matched in a golfing sense by the growth of The European Tour.

Although The Tour had held events in Tunisia, this was our first significant venture outside mainland Europe. This venture in Dubai was the catalyst for change to what we have today – 50 events in 29 destinations. The Tour has adapted to match the global economic situation, enabling us to respond to the demands of countries and governments and deliver value to our commercial partners and sponsors.

The region has been and will continue to be a stronghold for The European Tour. The early season Desert Swing has become the focus of the golfing world.

European Tour Tournaments

Since the inaugural Dubai Desert Classic we have seen in the region: Dubai Desert Classic: 22 events to 2011; Qatar Masters: 14 events to 2011; Abu Dhabi Golf Championship: 6 events to 2011; Volvo Golf Champions (Bahrain): First year in 2011.

With the exceptional golf facilities, infrastructure, and an unbeatable winter climate, there is nowhere in the world that can start and finish our season so superbly.

Now we are in our third year of The Race to Dubai – launched spectacularly at the Burj Al Arab Hotel on November 19th 2007 – and

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour presents Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum with a picture of Europe’s 2010 winning Ryder Cup Team. Emirates Airline were the Official Airline of the event at Celtic Manor Resort.

EUROPEAN TOUR STANDS STRONG IN DUBAI the Dubai World Championship staged at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The Race to Dubai is the single strongest 12 month sponsorship partnership for both The European Tour and Dubai which has grown into a platform providing over $2.6 billion in gross media value for our key partners and promoters throughout the season, distributed to a cumulative home reach of 15.7 billion TV audience. Throughout the season, every week, Dubai is talked about, referred to and showcased throughout the world.

Advice from Dubai

Since 1989, when facing all the challenges throughout the region and the world, we have turned to Dubai for advice. This has always been resolutely given and by none stronger than the former Chairman of the UAE Golf Association (now the EGF) His Excellency Mohammed Alabbar. Carrying on this mantle of support we particularly thank Abdullah al Naboodah.

Despite the challenges created by the recent fluctuation in the real estate market,

the partnership between The European Tour and Dubai/Nakheel remains strong. The Dubai World Championship and The Race to Dubai, with the continued support of the government of Dubai and the private sector in Dubai and the UAE, the region and globally, will see by the end of this year delivery of the third Race to Dubai and the third Dubai World Championship with $45 million prize money distributed!

The Race to Dubai model must be given credit for the performances over the last few years of the leading European Tour players as well as many of our players’ decisions to remain Members of The European Tour. It is now possible to get to the No.1 position in the World Ranking by playing The European Tour plus the Majors and WGC events. As we stand today five out of the top seven in the world are European Tour Members, and all four Major Championships are currently held by European Tour Members – a unique achievement.

The business benefits so ably demonstrated in Dubai are now envied and

KPMG BUSINESS FORUM

“

The Race to Dubai model must be given credit for the performances over the last few years of the leading European Tour players as well as many of our players’ decisions to remain Members of The European Tour. It is now possible to get to the No.1 position in the World Ranking by playing The European Tour plus the Majors and WGC events. – George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour

Emirates Airline Partners

Earlier this year I attended the prestigious Laureus Awards hosted by Aabar Investments in Abu Dhabi, where golf was showcased on a global stage – with The European Ryder Cup Team winning ‘Team of the year’ and Martin Kaymer, our Race to Dubai Champion, winning ‘Best Newcomer’.

The Ryder Cup is the world’s most emotive and respected Team golf event. It provides additional focus to unite The European Tour, and this force has been aided by Emirates

Airline, who are Ryder Cup Partners and provide support to more than 11 events on The Tour, including the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World.

Thank you, your Highness, for this outstanding leadership.

My thanks also to KPMG, who led this forum, making it the most important conference and networking opportunity for all aspects of the golf industry, who have been Ryder Cup Partners and advisors since 2002.

The European Tour’s presence in the region will continue as local players are developed and more people take up the game. Already there are several outstanding amateur players – Khalid Yousuf, Ahmed and Abdullah Al Musharrekh – and the announcement of the MENA Tour, along with the Arab Golf Federation, will play a significant role in the development of the game for Arab Nationals as well as ex-pats.

We support and encourage all these initiatives. This will provide the legacy for the game of golf. We applaud all the authorities and federations for their vision to see golf at

the forefront of sport. I would like to thank all those who have promoted or sponsored our Tournaments in the region, including Golf in Dubai, Dubal and Omega, the Qatar Golf Federation and Commercial Bank of Qatar, Dolphin Energy, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, IMG and HSBC, the Bahrain Golf Association and Volvo, and, of course, DP World, Nakheel and all involved in the Dubai World Championship.

As I have said, The European Tour first came to Dubai and the region almost 25 years ago. Part of my visit this time to the UAE is to continue discussions to extend this partnership with Dubai beyond 2011 and we are hopeful this continuation will be just as rewarding for everyone for the next quarter of a century.

In finally thanking KPMG for their foresight, and Dubai Golf and their General Manager Chris May for hosting us, I congratulate and thank His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and hope he will accept this small token of the appreciation of The European Tour and The European Ryder Cup Team for his superb and unstinting support of Team Europe. ■

“

“

copied throughout the world. No more so than in China, where one of the World Golf Championships is staged in Shanghai and the World Cup is held at Mission Hills in Shenzen – the world’s largest golf resort.

It is a great pleasure to see its founder and Chairman, and a great personal friend, Dr David Chu, being honoured this week during the conference, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. So many countries and resorts, and multi-national companies all wish to share the vision that was founded here in Dubai.

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33

STYLE AND CHARISMA WITHOUT PRETENCE

B

ANYAN Village, Resort & Golf is a oneof-a-kind place — geographically, atmospherically, and in terms of service and quality. The shared vision of a group of friends, it is fast becoming the community of choice for those devoted to fun, family, and an unmatched combination of plush comfort, urban chic and cultural fascination.

Located just two hours south of Thailand’s capital city by car, Hua Hin, Banyan’s home, has long been Bangkok’s preferred seaside resort, popular with Thais and foreigners alike.

Sometimes affectionately referred to as The Bangkok Riviera, it is also less than five hours from several major metropolises, such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Celebrated as a centre for Thai culture, outstanding golf, yachting, and kite-surfing, as well as a haven for arts and wellness pursuits, Hua Hin has everything a contemporary resort town ought to have.

But the region’s accessibility, temperate climate, warm gulf waters, and varied, spectacular scenery have attracted recreational visitors for centuries. In fact, their numbers include His Majesty the King Bhumibol

Adulyadej, who became so enthralled with the area during visits with his jazz band in the 1960s that he eventually made it his summer residence.

Here, it’s possible to dine at a fabulous beachfront restaurant serving the freshest seafood (for which Hua Hin is justly renowned), shop at one of the country’s most dazzling night markets and enjoy your favourite local entertainment — all in one evening.

Picturesque

Any such ideal evening should, by rights, end at Banyan Village, Resort & Golf, situated on a hillside just a few minutes south of downtown, in the picturesque village of Kao Takiab, amid pineapple plantations and ancient Buddhist temples.

While it’s true that Banyan Village, Resort & Golf could exist only in Hua Hin, it’s also true that it could not be what it is without enlightened management and ownership.

Already aficionados of the region, Hua Hin is for them vastly more than a pin in a development map. Details, management believes, make all the difference. Thus, the

BANYAN VILLAGE, RESORT & GOLF

scale and architectural vernacular of every structure is chosen for its compatibility with the natural topography. Homes are designed to provide all contemporary amenities, within an ambience that is simultaneously “Thai” and environmentally sensitive.

Further proof is in the array of facilities and services offered. From tennis courts to yoga classes and from a fitness centre to a beach club, no interest is ignored.

The resort’s restaurants cater to even the most sensitive palate and demanding taste buds by serving up a variety of dishes from around the world.

Got kids? They’ve been considered, as well.

Indeed, the development features a multifaceted play area, including a kids’ pool and games centre.

The eagerness to please pervades all three of Banyan Village, Resort & Golf’s major components. Its centerpiece is the resort, offering guests levels of accommodation and attentiveness unparalleled in this part of Thailand and rare elsewhere.

The resort consists of 86 tropically landscaped villas, each featuring a lavish,

130-square-metre living area, two bedrooms, kitchenette and private Jacuzzi connecting to an immense, free-form communal swimming pool.

Just as homeowners get to enjoy the services of a concierge, maintenance and housekeeping crew, and room-service staff, so too do resort guests. To the staff, nothing is too much trouble.

World-Class Status

That same philosophy extends to Banyan’s award-winning golf club, whose course was immediately elevated to world-class status when it was voted best new layout in the AsiaPacific region by readers of Asian Golf Monthly in 2009.

In fact, Banyan is the only golf resort in Thailand nominated in the top five best golf resorts in Asia Pacific. Banyan also serves as a great locus for exploring the region’s numerous golf alternatives.

What’s more, while golfers will be thrilled to play the course, which hugs the rolling contours of its terrain, one hardly needs to tee it up to appreciate the club. The clubhouse, for

instance, is an architectural mix of traditional Thai themes and modern flourishes. It features luxurious locker rooms, exclusive club suite accommodations and complementary dining experiences in Mulligan’s Bar and The Terrace Restaurant, both of which offer spectacular sunset views of the Burmese Mountains, always enhanced by friendly Thai hospitality.

To paraphrase the overall design and operating objectives at Banyan Village, Resort & Golf: The idea is to redefine the tropical resort experience, with something for everyone.

The inspiration is an exquisite, culturally rich location accessible to a discriminating but cosmopolitan clientele.

The goal is then to infuse Banyan with a built environment worthy of this historic and beautiful context, to create something for generations to come. Like Hua Hin itself, Banyan exudes style and charisma without the pretense (not to mention congestion) befalling other resort areas.

And because residents and frequent visitors to Banyan Village, Resort & Golf share a fondness for the place, it is, like Hua Hin, more than the sum of its parts. ■

www.BanyanThailand.com

WWGCOLUMNIST

Proud of the Aussies at Augusta

C

HARL Schwartzel deserves all the credit for producing a four birdie finish to win The Masters and I was proud of the performances of the two Aussies who shared second place, Adam Scott and Jason Day. Playing partners Adam and Jason were in contention throughout the final day but as they both conceded, you can’t complain when someone shoots four birdies in the last four holes.

Adam’s broomhandle putter was doing the job and he was playing as well as I’ve ever seen him play. His final round 67 looked as though it might have been good enough to earn him a play-off.

Jason made his first Masters appearance a memorable one as the lead changed hands hole by hole on the Sunday. For a 23-year-old, Jason showed considerable maturity, closing with a 68. On the Friday Jason shot a best-round-of-the-week 64 and looked as though he was a Masters veteran.

Another Australian who showed just how good he is was Geoff Ogilvy who produced five birdies over the back nine on Sunday in 31 strokes to tie fourth place with Tiger Woods.

Australian golf is looking healthy and we could be in for a memorable year ahead.

I’M PLEASED that the potential fixture clash between The Presidents Cup and the South African Open has finally been resolved.

I had every sympathy with the South African players being put in the invidious position of having to choose between playing their national championship and The Presidents Cup. Now that the South African Open has been moved back a week The Presidents Cup at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia, on November 1720, can plan ahead unhindered.

Ernie Els commented at The Masters last month: “It was an awkward situation but I think everybody is pretty relieved now. You never want 36

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to have two big events like that clash.”

The US PGA Tour and The European Tour got together at Augusta during The Masters week and resolved the problem, although it still means that The Presidents Cup will be up against The European Tour-Sunshine Tour joint-sanctioned Alfred Dunhill Championship.

I’m looking forward to captaining

the International Team against Fred Couples’ American Team and hope that history will repeat itself in my home country. The only time the International Team has beaten the US Team was at Royal Melbourne in 1998 when Peter Thomson’s Team scored an emphatic 20½-11½ victory.

I need the strongest team I can put together and right now the South

CLOSE CALL FOR AUSSIE PAIR ABOVE: Australian playing partners Jason Day (left) and Adam Scott shake hands on having to settle for second place, two strokes back.

RIGHT: Greg Norman (back row, second from left) joins in the celebrations with the winning International Team at The 1998 Presidents Cup at Melbourne GC, Australia.

Geoff Ogilvy (pictured below, right) takes his cap off to acknowledge the cheers of the Augusta crowd after producing a Masters finish that bettered even that of Charl Schwartzel, with five consecutive birdies in a flawless back nine of 31 to share fourth place.

FANTASTIC FINISH FROM OGILVY

African contingent are in the top six on The Presidents Cup points standings –Els, Retief Goosen, Louis Oosthuizen, Tim Clark and Charl Schwartzel. All five were among the top finishers at last year’s South African Open. Had the South Africans not been available I would have had a severely weakened Team.

So far in The Presidents Cup, the

US have won six times and the Internationals have won one, and tied another 17-17 at Fancourt in South Africa in 2003 when they ran out of light. With two reigning Major winners in Schwartzel and Oosthuizen the strength of the South Africans and the Australians along with the other internationals will give us a golden chance of victory. ■ www.wwgolf.biz

37

all our steaks are

served tender, juicy and

sizzling.

Come in today for an unforgettable experience and see why Dubai has voted us Best Steak House again!

|

|

The Monarch Dubai One Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai 04 501 8666

| www.ruthschris.ae

RUTH’S CHRIS – AWARD WINNING STEAK

Manager Michael Szczepanski, Head Chef Chef Paul De Visser, and Jimmy Larsen collect the BBC Good Food Middle East Award for ‘Best Steakhouse’

AWARD-WINNING STEAK AT RUTH’S CHRIS NOT for nothing was Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, voted ‘Best Steakhouse’ when the first ever BBC Good Food Middle East Awards took place at The Westin Mina Seyahi.

Dining at Ruth’s Chris is an exceptional and unforgettable experience from start to finish.

Situated on the first floor of The Monarch Hotel, Dubai, opposite the World Trade Centre on the Sheikh Zayed Road, the restaurant has a high-class yet warm and inviting feel to it.

Each and every diner is made to feel like an important guest and the service is impeccable. On the menu the appetisers include such delights as the ‘Crabtini’ – colossal lump crabmeat tossed in vinaigrette and served with classic Creole remoulade sauce in a chilled martini glass; Seared Ahi Tuna; and Louisiana Seafood Gumbo. The entrees include Veal Chop with Sweet and Hot Peppers, Lamb Chops, and Fresh Lobster, while sweet lovers can feast on temptations such as Warm Apple Crumb Tart and Chocolate Sin Cake.

But while the menu covers a whole spectrum of culinary masterpieces Ruth’s Chris is all about steaks and it’s here that the renowned restaurant truly excels. There is a huge choice of cuts including Filet, Ribeye, Cowboy Ribeye (extra large!), New York Strip and T-Bone. Each is carefully selected and aged to ensure tenderness before being seared to perfection at 1,800 degrees and topped with (optional) butter that sizzles seductively on your plate. The meat literally melts in your mouth and it’s clear that head chef Paul DeVisser and his team really know what they’re doing with manager Michael G. Szczepanski also doing a sterling job of carrying forward the standards that have seen Ruth’s Chris grow from humble beginnings in New Orleans 46 years ago to become the world’s largest fine dining company.

Head Chef Paul De Visser, Soumiya Bounyar, Ruby Lopez, Manager Michael Szczepanski.

Ruth’s Chris is open for Lunch Sunday-Thursday 12.00pm-2.00pm and for Dinner Sunday-Thursday 6.00pm-11.30pm and Friday-Saturday 6.00pm-midnight. www.ruthschris.ae

Head Chef Paul De Visser, and Manager Michael Szczepanski with the BBC Good Food Middle East Award.

R U T H ’ S

C H R I S

S T E A K

H O U S E

–

O N E

S H E I K H

Z A Y E D

R O A D ,

T H E

M O N A R C H

D U B A I

N IO NO IPT !

CR ES BS FE SU

GPS & Laser Range Finders Take the guess work out of your game with Shotsaver’s range of GPS and Laser Golf Range Finders. All Shotsaver GPS range finders use the very latest GPS technology to provide accurate distances to the front, middle and back of the green, plus many other hazards around the golf course. In addition they come preloaded with over 4500 courses across Europe and there are no subscription fees!

The NEW Shotsaver S400 laser range finder uses the latest laser ‘Pole Position’ technology to get your exact distance to the flag.

Plus get instant, accurate distances to bunkers, trees and other hazards. Works on any golf course! No PC required.

SHOTSAVER S320 GPS t 2.8” LCD touch display t Pre-loaded with over 4500 courses t 14 hour Battery t Waterproof

t t t t

SHOTSAVER S430 GPS

Electronic Scorecard Club Distance Recorder Free updates No subscription fees

t 3.5” Sunlight readable LCD touch display t Pre-loaded with over 4500 courses t 14 hour Battery

t t t t t

Waterproof Electronic Scorecard Club Distance Recorder Free updates No subscription fees

SHOTSAVER S400 LASER t Instantly calculate t 6 x Magnification distances to any visible t Operates on any course object – Up to 250 yds Worldwide to the flag – Up to 400 t Includes battery & carry yds to larger objects. case with karabiner t

WIN AN ALL EXPENSES PAID GOLF TRIP TO TURKEY!

2011

DRIVE TO

TURKEY

Join us on the Shotsaver Drive to Turkey National Golf Championship for the chance to win an all expenses paid golf trip to Turkey!

Entry only £50 per person.

Format is Pairs better ball stableford and the top two winning pairs from each event are invited to the Grand Final in Turkey in November 2011, including an all inclusive 4 night stay at The 5 Star, Sueno Hotels Golf Belek, in Turkey, flights, transfers and 3 competitive rounds of golf on the magnificent Dunes and Pines courses plus the chance to win £450 of vouchers at your local golf shop!

The regional qualification events will be played at: BUSH HILL PARK DE VERE CARDEN PARK DE VERE BELTON WOODS GOLF CLUB Cheshire Grantham Winchmore Hill, London 8th June 2011 2nd June 2011 20th June 2011 DE VERE STAVERTON PARK DE VERE MOTTRAM HALL Daventry THE FELIXSTOWE FERRY Manchester 24th May 2011 GOLF CLUB 14th June 2011 Felixstowe DE VERE WOKEFIELD PARK 28th June 2011 DE VERE OULTON HALL Reading Leeds 24th May 2011 28th June 2011

To enter call +44 (0) 333 240 1000

or visit www.snooper.eu to download an entry form.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL +44 (0)333 240 1000 www.snooper.eu Calls charged at local rate

WWW.SNOOPERUK.COM

DRIVE TO TURKEY WITH SHOTSAVER AMATEUR golfers will have the opportunity to compete at one of Turkey’s most prestigious championship golf courses, with a new nationwide competition in the UK this summer from Shotsaver.

The Shotsaver Drive to Turkey 2011 will see pairs across the country take each other on in a betterball Stableford competition, with the winners and runners-up of each round invited to a Grand Final in Turkey in November 2011. The finalists will enjoy an all-inclusive, four-night stay at the five-star Sueno Hotels Golf Belek, with flights, transfers and three competitive rounds of golf on the magnificent Dunes and Pines courses.

Regional qualifiers will take place throughout May and June at the following venues: De Vere Carden Park, Cheshire – 8th June 2011 De Vere Mottram Hall, Manchester – 14th June 2011 De Vere Oulton Hall, Leeds – 28th June 2011 De Vere Belton Woods, Grantham – 2nd June 2011 De Vere Staverton Park, Daventry – 24th May 2011 De Vere Wokefield Park, Reading – 24th May 2011 Bush Hill Park Golf Club, Winchmore Hill, London – 20th June 2011 The Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club, Felixstowe - 28th June 2011 The overall winners will receive £450 each in vouchers for the golf shop of their choice, with all those placed at regional level winning Shotsaver range finders worth up to £249.

Steven Ballard, Managing Director of Performance Products, said: “We’re giving some of the country’s top amateur golfers the opportunity to play one of Turkey’s most picturesque and challenging courses, with hundreds of pounds’ worth of prizes for the taking. We’re hugely excited about holding our first tournament and are looking forward to some great golf over the summer!

Shotsaver products

The Shotsaver range, from leading statellite naviagtation company, Snooper, includes the newly-launched Shotsaver S430 premium rangefinder, which has the largest screen on the market and a huge 14-hour battery life.

As with all Snooper’s GPS Shotsaver products, the S430’s GPS tracking system allows golfers to record the distance each ball is hit and which club was used. Golfers simply record the position of their ball before each shot, and Shotsaver will provide the user with distances to hazards such as bunkers, fairways, streams and the flag.

Also new to the range is the Shotsaver S400, a state-of-the-art laser rangefinder that accurately measures the distance to the flag from up to 250 yards away.

The S400 is able to pick up the flag even with other large objects directly behind it, using Pole Position technology and a powerful 6x optical zoom for maximum precision. The device is also able to pick out other objects such as bunkers, bushes and trees from up to an impressive 400 yards away.

Ballard added: “We’re constantly looking for ways to incorporate the latest technology into our products, and help golfers to boost their game. The S400 and S430 mean the Shotsaver range is now able to cater for the needs of every golfer, with exceptional value for money and all the quality that we promise with every Snooper product.”

The S430 GPS Shotsaver is available from £249.99, and the Shotsaver S400 Laser Range Finder is available from £149.99, at www..SnooperUK.com.

To enter Shotsaver Drive to Turkey 2011 call + 44 (0)1928 579 579 or visit www.snooper.eu to download an entry form. All entrants must have a current club handicap (maximum 24), which must be presented on the day. Entry fee is £50 per person.

www.SnooperUK.com

DRIVING

RANGE

RIDE COMFORT PERFORMANCE SPACE BRAKING

THE NEW CLS-CLASS NEW DESIGN ICON FROM MERCEDES-BENZ

THE Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class created an entirely new vehicle category when it was launched back in 200. For the first time it combined the elegance and dynamism of a coupé with the comfort and functionality of a sedan. The driving public was delighted, the competition astounded as a style icon was born.

For years, the CLS-Class has endured as the only four-door coupé in its class, and today the new Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class made its Canadian

premiere at the 2011 Montreal International AutoShow. “Customers all over the world benefited from our bold move to launch a completely new vehicle concept in the market,” explained Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Member of the Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales & Marketing.

“With its exciting design, the new edition of the CLS-Class also benefits from the fact that we are a whole generation ahead of the competition with our four-door Coupé.”

The new CLS-Class builds on the pioneering role of its predecessor, yet at the same time is an entirely new edition.

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43

DRIVING

RANGE

RIDE COMFORT PERFORMANCE SPACE BRAKING

EXTERIOR: CLASSIC COUPÉ STYLING WITH A DISTINCTIVE FRONT THE proportions remain as spectacular as ever: long hood, high beltline with frameless side windows, dynamic roof sweeping back at an angle towards the rear. The four-door Coupé from Mercedes-Benz immediately made its mark in 2003 as a new style icon. Now the proportions are the same – and yet everything is different: the second generation of this design trendsetter has adopted a completely new look.

What immediately takes the eye is the innovative front design, which is reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Visually, the radiator grille is not integrated into the hood but is formed separately. This highlights the long, sporty hood even further. The grille is dominated by the large central star, which underlines the car’s relationship to the other coupés of the brand and also enhances brand identity. The large, elongated dark air inlets with black grilles also add to the vehicle’s athletic appearance.

THE INTERIOR: DESIGN BRINGS QUALITY TO LIFE THE interior of the CLS-Class is also distinguished by a timeless design that combines straightforward elegance with innovative details and handcrafted perfection. An eye-catching feature is the wrap-around effect of the cockpit: a high line sweeps from the driver’s door over the instrument panel support and across to the front passenger door. The central display has also been integrated harmoniously into the upper part of the instrument panel. At the same time, the downward sweeping side line on the doors continues the dynamic dropping line of the exterior.

As a design trendsetter, the CLS-Class sets new standards in interiors with its wide variety of individualisation options. Five interior colours, five trim designs and two grades of leather are available to choose from. As a result, each CLS-Class can be configured individually between warm naturalness and cool modernity.

The CLS-Class also lives up to its role as a design icon, thanks to the innovative nature of the materials used.

These comprise an exciting mixture of satin and high-gloss finishes used on the metal surfaces. Highlights here also include matte galvanized air vents that form the ideal framework for a high-gloss-trimmed analogue clock.

Handcrafted perfection is reflected in details such as the stitched seat covers or the sewn covering for the dashboard. For the latter, the individual parts of the leather cover are sewn together by hand in a process that takes several hours, and are then fitted and upholstered with high-quality foam. Prior to this process, the leather is pre-shrunk so that it will retain its shape even after extreme exposure to direct sunlight.

44

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DESIGN BRINGS HIGHTECH FEATURES TO LIFE ANOTHER distinguishing feature comes in the form of the optional full LED headlamps, which are the world’s first to offer all the regular dynamic light functions using LED technology.

The familiar CLS-Class outline, with its elegantly long proportions, is the dominating attribute of the new model. The effect of the dynamic, athletic form has been enhanced with a new interplay of lines and areas. The front edge of the structure, above the mudguards, which slopes off towards the rear – known by designers as ‘the dropping line’ – is not only a novel design feature but also represents a new interpretation of a formal design element recalling the uniquely rich wealth of forms present in historic MercedesBenz sports cars.

A distinctive and muscular sports car-like shoulder line above the rear axle highlights the athletic character of the new CLS-Class.

The side view is rounded off with wide wrap-around tail lights featuring LED technology arranged in the form of a linking element to the rear of the vehicle. The shape is emphasised by the broad shoulder line, which is clearly visible from behind and supports the flat hardtop. A wide metal insert adds a further visual highlight at the rear.

THE ENGINE: BALANCED POWER FOR UNRIVALLED PERFORMANCE THE Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4MATIC is powered by a 4.6 litre bi-turbo V8 that produces 402 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. This advanced engine offers lower displacement and increased horsepower, improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions when compared to the previous engine.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG is powered by the all-new hand-built AMG 5.5-litre V8 bi-turbo engine that generates 518 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, which propels the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. This sophisticated powerplant offers spray-guided gasoline direct injection with piezo injectors for enhanced fuel efficiency, and boasts an all-aluminium crank-case, four-valve technology with variable camshafts and an ECO stop-start system. When the optional AMG Performance Package is specified, engine output rises to 549 hp and 590 lb-ft, which allows the CLS63 AMG to achieve a 0-to-100 km/h figure of just 4.3 seconds. www.wwgolf.biz

45

OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKING AS OF MONDAY APRIL 18, 2011

AROUND THE WORLD ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR & US PGA TOUR

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

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

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

Pts. Avg

Tot. Pts

Events

7.65 7.38 7.02 6.63 5.93 5.89 5.74 5.68 5.47 5.24 5.19 5.06 4.94 4.56 4.52 4.28 4.27 4.23 4.20 4.11 4.01 3.95 3.93 3.81 3.73 3.65 3.58 3.54 3.52 3.50 3.48 3.37 3.30 3.06 3.06 2.94 2.92 2.89 2.87 2.85 2.85 2.75 2.69 2.68 2.67 2.62 2.58 2.56 2.54 2.45

382.51 346.75 357.85 298.20 326.24 235.71 304.27 249.93 229.85 277.47 290.56 243.07 232.23 232.63 253.33 226.57 200.65 215.96 231.20 222.01 180.29 221.14 219.83 167.80 201.34 197.34 200.54 166.45 197.32 178.37 187.99 188.66 132.03 144.02 171.31 150.05 151.70 161.65 155.01 148.26 142.32 137.68 131.90 139.10 149.51 146.81 139.15 105.00 139.78 137.42

50 47 51 45 55 40 53 44 42 53 56 48 47 51 56 53 47 51 55 54 45 56 56 44 54 54 56 47 56 51 54 56 40 47 56 51 52 56 54 52 50 50 49 52 56 56 54 41 55 56

Pts. Gained 118.80 30.08 121.48 106.05 60.16 42.80 78.20 62.77 56.94 91.42 156.21 75.93 31.97 117.78 20.68 26.96 84.28 70.69 43.38 68.95 30.17 35.72 111.11 72.04 66.72 94.72 47.25 28.13 29.94 47.50 35.69 39.10 59.37 36.65 64.48 15.99 47.39 19.41 8.84 44.72 22.86 34.34 23.96 22.45 18.74 28.81 60.32 98.34 46.74 112.28

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

Charley Hoffman Camilo Villegas Vijay Singh Ryan Palmer Yuta Ikeda Rory Sabbatini Stephen Marino Aaron Baddeley Jeff Overton Hiroyuki Fujita Jonathan Byrd J.B. Holmes Stewart Cink Kevin Na Thomas Bjorn Brandt Snedeker Scott Verplank Brendan Jones Sean O'Hair Heath Slocum Stuart Appleby Noh Seung-yul Sergio Garcia Stephen Gallacher Angel Cabrera Richard Green David Toms Toru Taniguchi Ricky Barnes Jason Dufner Simon Dyson Raphael Jacquelin Tetsuji Hiratsuka Jhonattan Vegas David Horsey Marc Leishman Rhys Davies Gregory Bourdy D.A. Points Thongchai Jaidee Chris Kirk Liang Wen-Chong Henrik Stenson James Kingston Brendon de Jonge John Senden Brian Davis Robert Garrigus Fredrik Andersson Hed Spencer Levin

USA Col Fji USA Jpn Saf USA Aus USA Jpn USA USA USA USA Dnk USA USA Aus USA USA Aus Kor Esp Sco Arg Aus USA Jpn USA USA Eng Fra Jpn Ven Eng Aus Wal Fra USA Tha USA Chn Swe Saf Zwe Aus Eng USA Swe USA

Pts. Avg

Tot. Pts

Events

2.40 2.40 2.36 2.35 2.35 2.33 2.31 2.29 2.25 2.24 2.22 2.20 2.13 2.09 2.08 2.05 2.02 1.99 1.95 1.89 1.88 1.88 1.87 1.87 1.85 1.83 1.79 1.78 1.78 1.78 1.77 1.77 1.74 1.71 1.70 1.70 1.70 1.69 1.66 1.65 1.63 1.61 1.58 1.58 1.57 1.55 1.55 1.54 1.54 1.53

129.44 124.58 115.85 131.70 131.67 130.36 126.78 121.13 119.33 125.45 113.41 112.27 102.33 114.94 108.11 106.39 87.00 79.63 97.49 105.99 105.23 86.39 87.99 86.03 81.35 89.80 91.09 80.27 92.46 92.30 98.98 98.93 97.45 90.53 88.57 95.11 95.01 91.01 93.11 92.32 75.12 72.58 74.34 83.82 88.06 86.72 86.59 73.94 79.96 85.56

54 52 49 56 56 56 55 53 53 56 51 51 48 55 52 52 43 40 50 56 56 46 47 46 44 49 51 45 52 52 56 56 56 53 52 56 56 54 56 56 46 45 47 53 56 56 56 48 52 56

Pts. Gained 34.86 8.84 65.27 37.80 6.32 78.00 75.59 98.29 20.50 10.80 67.58 41.51 18.49 41.40 59.95 45.98 27.92 7.45 6.56 9.27 22.52 13.19 29.11 31.04 23.02 7.82 30.92 2.90 24.77 37.42 13.84 37.45 6.74 59.05 28.66 36.59 14.87 32.95 60.80 9.68 38.33 1.32 6.80 43.39 24.74 20.04 13.79 31.39 10.10 53.80

Over 100 destinations worldwide

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.

CHARL’S HIT – RORY’S MISS Rory McIlroy must have realised he was in for a tough day during the final round at Augusta National when he followed a bogey on the opening hole by finding a fairway bunker on the second and firing against the lip as he tried to recover. He managed to save par on the hole but much greater carnage lay ahead as his round began to unravel in dramatic fashion after a triple bogey at the 10th hole. The 21-year-old, having led by four entering the final round, eventually finished 10 strokes off the lead in a share of 15th place after a closing round of 8-over-80.

WHILE Charl Schwartzel was a picture of cool, calm composure throughout the final day of the Masters, I thought that Rory McIlroy appeared to be the opposite.

Rory was my tip to win the Masters.

He’s such a natural player and he’s got a wonderful golf swing – and he’s one of the game’s biggest hitters.

He proved how good he is by shooting 65-69-70 to take a four-shot lead into the final round. But it was 48

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clear to me from the opening holes that Rory appeared to be too jumpy.

He didn’t seem to be in control of his game as he had in the previous three rounds. There wasn’t the composure that had put him in the lead from the start and his eight-over-par 80 was really no surprise in the end.

But we tend to forget that Rory is still only 21. He’s already proved he’s a tough competitor but he’s going to have to learn that these sort of

opportunities don’t come up too often.

If he gets the chance to take a fourshot lead into the final day of a Major he’s just got to take it. I think he can deal with this disappointment and learn from the experience. I’ll still back him to win a Major.

If it was good for South Africa to have another Major winner in Charl Schwartzel, it was also good for global golf and Australia to have two young

ABOVE: Three times Masters Champion Gary Player enjoys a joke with the media following a practice round prior to the commencement of the 75th Masters Tournament at Augusta.

men sharing second place in the Masters just two shots behind Charl.

Jason Day was in contention all afternoon and made four birdies down the stretch while Scott mounted a late charge with three birdies from the 11th after a solid front nine.

I’m a big fan of Adam Scott but I don’t like to see anyone using a broomhandle putter. To my way of thinking, it should be illegal to use a long stick, particularly for someone so young. Mind you, I might have to use one myself one day.

■ I WAS delighted that our event, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first of my three Masters victories in 1961, was such a success. The Gary Player Invitational at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta was a wonderful occasion enjoyed by all who supported it. It was also memorable for another reason – I managed to score the 26th hole-in-one of my career.

■ Saadiyat Beach Golf Club celebrated its first anniversary in March and I’m pleased to see that the Club is going from strength to strength. It’s certainly one of the most spectacular golf courses I’ve ever designed in a magnificent setting on the shores of the Arabian Gulf and I wish Ray Manulat and his team at Saadiyat Beach a great future.

■ I’m pleased to see that Power Play Golf has been launched at The Celtic Manor Resort – which hosted The 2010 Ryder Cup – with the first event to be played there later this month.

I’m delighted to have been invited to be part of a 12-player field of men and women, which includes reigning US Open

LEFT: Colin Mongomerie and Paul Casey throw their weight behind Power Play Golf during the launch at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.

Champions Graeme McDowell and Paula Creamer, Ryder Cup stars Paul Casey and Ian Poulter and Major winners John Daly and Ian Woosnam.

The event takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 30th, at 5.00pm and will be televised live on Sky Sports. This is golf’s version of Twenty20 cricket. The 20-over format has certainly captured the imagination of the cricket world and England’s victory in last year’s Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies was a huge success.

I believe that Power Play Golf will catch on although it might take time. Golf is all about risk and reward. If you’re standing in the middle of the 18th fairway at Augusta National tied for the lead what do you do?

Do you go for the pin? If you it hit it right you make birdie and win. If you don’t, you make bogey and lose. Risk versus reward – one of the toughest decisions a champion has to make.

PowerPlay Golf is an exciting new competitive format where golfers attack tougher pin positions to achieve better

scores. Now you can experience true risk versus reward on every hole and find out if you have the mind to manage the course correctly and take the right risks at the right time.

It’s going to be a fascinating competition at Celtic Manor later this month and I can’t wait to take part. It’s going to be a lot of fun and it will be interesting to see how much interest it creates. ■

POWERPLAY GOLF EXPLAINED: PowerPlay Golf is an exciting new short form of the game, which will captivate all golf fans and particularly TV sports fans. Played over nine holes, with two flags on every green (one white and one black), golfers use a limited number of ‘PowerPlays’ to score extra points when aiming at the harder Black Flags, creating an exciting risk-and-reward decision on each tee.

www.powerplay-golf.com. www.wwgolf.biz

49

RACE TO DUBAI

As of April 18, 2011

THE EUROPEAN TOUR R ACE TO DUBAI R ANKING Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

Name Charl SCHWARTZEL Luke DONALD Martin KAYMER Alvaro QUIROS Rory McILROY Anders HANSEN Paul CASEY Miguel Angel JIMÉNEZ Thomas BJÖRN Francesco MOLINARI Matteo MANASSERO Louis OOSTHUIZEN Retief GOOSEN S S P CHOWRASIA Rafael CABRERA-BELLO Thomas AIKEN Ernie ELS Y. E YANG. David HORSEY Raphaël JACQUELIN Lee WESTWOOD Robert KARLSSON James KINGSTON Edoardo MOLINARI Graeme McDOWELL Peter HANSON Grégory BOURDY Ross FISHER Justin ROSE Robert COLES Jean-Baptiste GONNET Paul LAWRIE Stephen GALLACHER Anthony WALL Rhys DAVIES Pablo MARTIN Johan EDFORS Angel CABRERA Jaco VAN ZYL Grégory HAVRET Alexander NOREN Chris WOOD Pablo LARRAZÁBAL Felipe AGUILAR David HOWELL Robert ROCK David LYNN Seung-yul NOH George COETZEE Padraig HARRINGTON

Country

Tournaments Played

Prize Money

Rank

RSA ENG GER ESP NIR DEN ENG ESP DEN ITA ITA RSA RSA IND ESP RSA RSA KOR ENG FRA ENG SWE RSA ITA NIR SWE FRA ENG ENG ENG FRA SCO SCO ENG WAL ESP SWE ARG RSA FRA SWE ENG ESP CHI ENG ENG ENG KOR RSA IRL

9 3 7 8 6 7 6 8 7 5 5 9 7 7 10 9 4 3 8 9 6 5 9 6 4 7 8 6 3 9 8 6 7 9 8 9 7 1 7 8 8 7 9 8 9 12 7 7 7 5

€1,587,333 €1,453,725 €1,086,206 €662,174 €614,527 €577,311 €466,637 €462,156 €454,696 €436,778 €428,744 €346,452 €337,714 €336,056 €335,384 €333,518 €316,511 €307,988 €298,691 €290,529 €286,008 €284,234 €280,483 €272,656 €264,903 €263,671 €255,586 €236,622 €235,528 €228,369 €227,812 €205,939 €199,140 €195,036 €192,513 €192,347 €191,324 €188,287 €181,513 €170,318 €159,190 €153,675 €153,168 €150,755 €147,911 €147,201 €147,095 €143,148 €138,291 €137,609

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

Alvaro VELASCO Ian POULTER Oscar FLOREN Robert-Jan DERKSEN Markus BRIER Gareth MAYBIN Thorbjorn OLESEN Søren HANSEN Mark FOSTER Scott STRANGE Robert ALLENBY Simon DYSON Richard FINCH Joost LUITEN Robert DINWIDDIE Ricardo GONZALEZ Jamie ELSON Sergio GARCIA Manuel QUIROS Scott JAMIESON José Manuel LARA Richie RAMSAY Nicolas COLSAERTS Darren CLARKE Shiv KAPUR Jamie DONALDSON Trevor IMMELMAN Carlos DEL MORAL David DRYSDALE Kenneth FERRIE Jeev Milkha SINGH Thongchai JAIDEE Richard GREEN Jbe KRUGER Anthony MICHAEL Bradley DREDGE Brett RUMFORD Tano GOYA Maarten LAFEBER Fredrik ANDERSSON HED Joel SJÖHOLM Alejandro CAÑIZARES Steven O'HARA Keith HORNE Victor DUBUISSON Søren KJELDSEN Vijay SINGH Danny WILLETT Romain WATTEL Graeme STORM

ESP ENG SWE NED AUT NIR DEN DEN ENG AUS AUS ENG ENG NED ENG ARG ENG ESP ESP SCO ESP SCO BEL NIR IND WAL RSA ESP SCO ENG IND THA AUS RSA RSA WAL AUS ARG NED SWE SWE ESP SCO RSA FRA DEN FIJ ENG FRA ENG

Tournaments Played 9 6 8 8 7 8 10 9 8 6 3 8 9 8 8 6 6 4 4 8 8 7 7 8 8 7 1 7 9 11 9 6 6 7 4 6 6 8 8 7 9 8 10 11 4 7 2 8 9 9

Prize Money €135,564 €131,972 €130,976 €129,897 €124,290 €122,945 €120,850 €120,101 €119,337 €112,874 €111,464 €109,863 €109,133 €106,579 €106,338 €104,419 €104,030 €100,864 €99,100 €98,733 €98,402 €98,284 €96,664 €94,720 €93,290 €92,464 €89,928 €87,155 €86,479 €83,891 €79,937 €79,787 €78,834 €78,092 €77,767 €76,333 €76,302 €75,984 €75,522 €71,387 €71,006 €70,860 €68,660 €68,092 €67,428 €67,288 €66,286 €66,093 €64,051 €63,920

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

NEWS

EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS

McILROY AND SCHWARTZEL’S CLUBS GO MISSING

EURO'S MAJOR MEN SET FOR WENTWORTH THE BMW PGA Championship will make golfing history later this month when, for the first time, the current holders of all four Major Championships will tee up in the flagship event on The European Tour International Schedule.

It is the first time that all of golf’s Major men have been European Tour Members and the quartet of champions – Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel – will all participate at Wentworth Club from May 26-29.

BMW PGA Championship Director Jamie Birkmyre admitted he was delighted with the way the field

for the tournament was shaping up. “The BMW PGA Championship has always delivered the best in golf and this year, with the holders of all four Major Championships teeing up for the first time, I can guarantee that the thousands of spectators who will come to Wentworth this year will be in for a true golfing treat,” he said.

"All of us who follow The European Tour were thrilled when Graeme, Louis, Martin and now Charl became Major champions for the first time, and they know they will all be accorded a hero’s welcome when they tee up on the West Course.”

SAAB ANNOUNCED AS THE NEW WALES OPEN SPONSOR THE global premium car maker, Saab, has been welcomed as the new title sponsor of the Wales Open at The Celtic Manor Resort on June 2-5 this year with Ryder Cup star Graeme McDowell set to defend his title.

George O’Grady CBE, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “We are delighted to welcome Saab to The European Tour family of sponsors for a tournament that has swiftly earned a prestigious place on The European Tour International Schedule with a pedigree of superb champions.

"We look forward to the Saab Wales Open continuing to flourish at The Celtic Manor Resort and on the celebrated Twenty Ten Course where Graeme McDowell’s putt at the 16th more or less set the seal on Europe’s Ryder Cup victory last October. Graeme’s return to Celtic Manor will be eagerly anticipated as he seeks to defend two titles in two weeks when he travels from Wales to the US Open.”

ESTONIA POISED TO HOST WORLD CUP QUALIFIER THE European Qualifier for the Omega Mission Hills World Cup will return to the outstanding Estonian Golf and Country Club, a European Tour Properties venue, from August 4-7, 2011.

The club hosted the 2009 European Qualifier, where Canada, Wales and Scotland earned their place in the finals, held at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China. Since then the World Cup of Golf has become a biennial event, and after a break in 2010 it returns to The European Tour International Schedule this year for the 56th edition, this time at the Mission Hills Resort in Hainan, China. The leading 18 players from different countries on the Official World Golf Ranking automatically qualify for the tournament. There are nine additional places available from the qualifiers – three each from Europe, Asia and South America. China qualify automatically as the host nation.

HAVING thrown away a four-stroke lead at the Masters Rory McIlroy’s woes continued when his clubs went missing during his journey from Augusta to Malaysia for the Malaysian Open.

The Northern Irishman was on the same flight as the man who beat him to the Green Jacket, Charl Schwartzel, whose clubs also failed to arrive in Malaysia.

“It’s just one of those things,” said McIlroy. “Going through so many time zones and so many connecting flights your bags are going to get lost sometimes.”

SPANISH STARS SALUTE BIRTHDAY BOY SEVE THE European Tour’s Spanish contingent lined up at Augusta to pay tribute to Seve Ballesteros, who is still battling against cancer and who turned 54 on the Saturday of the Masters weekend.

Among them, Sergio Garcia said: “Hi Seve, we miss you very much, we hope you’re doing well and we wish you a very happy birthday,” while Seve’s old Ryder Cup buddy José Maria Olazábal added: “Hello Seve, we’ve spent a lot of special times together on this Augusta National golf course. We’ve lived many great moments together here. I know you’re going through a lot but I wish you the very best. Happy Birthday and hopefully I’ll see you very shortly.”

TOUR GETS TWITTER AND FACEBOOK THE European Tour has joined the social networking revolution by launching Twitter and Facebook sites. The sites will give European golf fans the chance to follow what goes on behind the scenes on The European Tour as well as keeping up to date with all the latest breaking news from the Tour’s events around the world.

The Facebook page can be viewed at: www.facebook. com/pgaeuropeantour while Twitter users can visit: www.twitter.com/european_tour

www.wwgolf.biz

51

Tournament: Open de Andalucia de Golf by Turkish Airlines

24 – 27 Mar 2011

Venue: Parador de Malaga Golf, Malaga, Spain

WINNER: PAUL LAWRIE CHEQUE: €166,660

LAWRIE ENDS NINE-YEAR DRAUGHT IN SPAIN PAUL Lawrie picked up his first European Tour title since 2002 with a solid one-stroke victory over Johan Edfors at the Open de Andalucia de Golf.

The 42-year-old Scot began the final day with a one-stroke lead but that quickly evaporated when he fell behind after two early bogeys and a birdie from England’s Mark Foster. But Lawrie bounced back after the turn, making four birdies in the space of five holes, to leave him the luxury of a bogey at the last as he signed for a 12-under-par total and clinched his sixth European Tour title.

“It’s been a long time – 2002 seems a hell of a time ago,” said the former Open Champion. “I’ve had a few second places in there, but all of a sudden we’re there again. It was going pear-shaped a little bit, but you’ve just got to keep going – that’s all you can do.

“I played lovely and the putter behaved better. I got on a nice run at the right time. I started hitting beautiful shots on the back nine. I birdied 10, 11

and 12, and then did a great up-anddown on 14 for birdie just at the right moment.

“I must say that I felt under control even when I was above par at the start, and when you get into that attitude good things happen. I’ve always been a good putter, but these last years I couldn’t get it into the hole. This week they went in.”

Sweden’s Edfors carded a 68 to finish second but was left to rue a costly three-putt bogey on the 15th after he had fought back to get level alongside Lawrie on three different occasions during the day.

Chilean Felipe Aguilar took third place on 10-under with Denmark’s Jeppe Huldahl, Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and Foster finishing in a share of fourth place on 9-under.

Englishman Kennie Ferrie equalled The European Tour record with a superb 60 in the third round but struggled to get going on the final day and a 75 saw him finish down the leaderboard in a share of 11th place.

WINNING SCORE: 12-UNDER-PAR – 268 (66,67,65,70) RUNNER-UP: JOHAN EDFORS – 269

FACT FILE

Paul Lawrie had played in 232 European Tour events between his victory at the 2002 Celtic Manor Wales Open and his win at the 2011 Open de Andalucia and, at the age of 42 years and 85 days, becomes the oldest winner of the tournament.

WORLDROUND-UPS Tournament: Trophée Hassan II

31 Mar – 03 Apr 2011

Venue: Golf de Palais Royal and Golf de L’Ocean, Agadir, Morocco

WINNER: DAVID HORSEY CHEQUE: €250,000

HORSEY WINS A PHOTO FINISH IN MOROCCO ENGLAND’S David Horsey won his second European Tour title at the Trophée Hassan II at the expense of defending champion Rhys Davies and Jaco Van Zyl after a sudden death playoff.

Horsey holed a short birdie putt on the second extra hole to step into the winner’s circle for the first time since last year’s BMW International Open in Munich and took home a cheque for €250,000.

“I’m relieved more than anything,” said Horsey. “I made hard work of that coming down the last.”

As he teed it up on the final hole in regulation Horsey was one ahead of Welshman Davies and two clear of Van Zyl, but took five from the middle of the fairway and wound up with a double bogey. Davies needed to sink a fourfooter to seal a successful defence, but to Horsey’s surprise, Davies – usually one of the best putters in Europe – missed and signed for a 3-under 69 to share top spot on 13-under.

“I don’t really know what to say

about that to be honest. It’s just one of those things that happen in golf,” said Horsey. “It’s tough and the line is so fine that it comes down to things like that sometimes. I couldn’t believe Rhys missed that putt to win to be honest. If we had been playing match play I would have given him that putt because he is one of the best putters in the world.

“So I was surprised to be in the playoff and then to win is a great feeling that hasn’t quite sunk in yet but I am sure it will in the next day or two.”

Davies missed a 20-foot putt for the win on the first extra hole before Van Zyl and Horsey both made pars to force another hole. Horsey then prevailed thanks to a stroke of good luck as his approach took a favourable bounce off the back of the apron of the green and rolled nicely to three feet for a simple birdie.

South African George Coetzee took outright fourth place on 11-under with Sweden’s Oscar Floren and Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Gonnet tied in fifth place on 10-under.

WINNING SCORE: 13-UNDER-PAR – 274 (67,71,67,69) RUNNER-UP: RHYS DAVIES, JACO VAN ZYL – 274

FACT FILE

With his win in Morocco David Horsey clinched the 260th victory by an Englishman on The European Tour and he became the 14th different winner on Tour in 2011 from 14 events.

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Tournament: Shell Houston Open

31 Mar – 03 Apr 2011

Venue: Redstone Golf Club, Humble, Texas

SLICK MICK WINS THE SHELL HOUSTON OPEN PHIL Mickelson fine-tuned his game prior to his defence of the Masters with a stunning weekend performance at the Shell Houston Open and a three-stroke victory over Scott Verplank and Chris Kirk.

Mickelson fired weekend rounds of 9-under 63 and 7-under 65 after opening with consecutive 70s to post a 20-under-par total – the lowest winning total on the US PGA Tour this year – and win his first title since his triumph over Lee Westwood at Augusta in 2010.

“I think it’s nothing but a plus to be able to gain some momentum,” Mickelson said after winning his 39th US title.

“Especially given that I haven’t had the results and the scores that I wanted earlier in the year. I’ve been saying all season, ‘I’m playing well, but I’m not getting the scores out of it, and I’m just kind of having a lapse of focus’ – this gives me a little bit of momentum.”

Forty six year old Verplank, who is suffering from a degenerative bone

condition in his left wrist, would have become the fifth-oldest champion in the last five years on US soil but could only manage a final round 4-under 68 in what was just his fourth start of the year.

“It’s nice that I hadn’t forgotten how to play,” said Verplank, whose grip on his clubs was affected by his ailment. “If you’re hurt, you don’t have a ton of confidence in your body. It’s hard to have confidence in anything.”

Verplank earned $519,200 for finishing second and moved up to 14th place on the career money list ($26.741 million), passing both Retief Goosen and Stuart Appleby.

US PGA Tour rookie Chris Kirk, who won twice on the Nationwide Tour last year, posted all four rounds in the 60s to match Verplank at 17-under as he walked away with his best finish of the season off the back of consecutive missed cuts. “This kind of sets me up for the rest of the year,” smiled Kirk. “I was already in pretty good shape, but this just makes it a little better.”

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WINNER: PHIL MICKELSON CHEQUE: $1,044,000

WINNING SCORE: 20-UNDER-PAR – 268 (70,70,63,65) RUNNER-UP: CHRIS KIRK, SCOTT VERPLANK – 271

FACT FILE

With his victory at the Shell Houston Open, Phil Mickelson moved ahead of Tiger Woods on the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time since 1997.

WORLDROUND-UPS Tournament: Maybank Malaysian Open

14 – 17 Apr 2011

Venue: Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

MANASSERO NIPS IN FOR MALAYSIA WIN MATTEO Manassero clinched his second European Tour title at the Maybank Malaysian Open with a one-stroke victory over Frenchman Gregory Bourdy and two ahead of Rory McIlroy.

The young Italian closed with a 68, two days before his 18th birthday, for a 16-under-par total and a cheque for €288,465.

“I couldn’t imagine anything better – going back home to celebrate my 18th birthday and my second victory on The European Tour,” said Manassero, who moved up to 33rd place on the Official World Golf Ranking.

“I’ll have a big dinner and celebrate both. It’s great to be able to celebrate both together. I’m just now concentrating on being in the top 50 now and getting into all the Majors. I’m very happy about this achievement.”

Malaysian weather almost forced a Monday finish after some six hours were lost due to rain over the opening three days, but play did get finished on the Sunday with the leaders cramming in 27 holes on the final day.

McIlroy, who was leading when the third round was cut short, extended his advantage to two strokes with a birdie at the par-5 10th when play resumed.

However, he dropped two shots on the short 15th and was overtaken by Manassero and Sweden’s Alex Noren before

the final 18 holes got underway.

Bourdy made his move early on with four consecutive birdies but then lost momentum with a double bogey on the seventh. He carded three birdies on the way in to post a clubhouse target of 15-under. McIlroy also moved into the mix with three birdies around the turn but a three-putt for a double bogey on the 12th effectively ended his chances and he signed for a 69 and a 14-under-par total.

“Obviously at this moment I’m pretty disappointed, but it was a good week,” said McIlroy, who spent roughly 25 hours travelling from the Masters to Malaysia.

“I started out really well and to shoot the scores I did considering the travelling is a pretty good effort. I’m proud of myself at how I picked myself up from last week and the way I came back on the back nine.”

Manassero eagled the par-5 10th from the fairway and then picked up another stroke on the 11th. He dropped a shot after missing a six-footer on the 12th but then birdied the 14th to move ahead and then parred the closing holes for a solid victory.

“It feels amazing – it’s a great achievement,” said Manassero. “As I always say, I could never have expected to have one win before I was 18 and now I’ve got two.”

Noren carded a final round 71 to finish fourth while World No.1 Martin Kaymer finished in a share of ninth place at 8-under.

IN THE BAG Driver: Fairway Wood: Hybrids Irons (3-9): Wedges: Putter: Ball:

WINNER: MATTEO MANASSERO CHEQUE: €288,465

Titleist 910D2 (9.5°) Titleist 910F 3-wood (13.5°) Titleist 909H (17° and 20°) Titleist AP2 (Project X shafts) Titleist Vokey Design (50° and 58°) Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Titleist Pro V1x

WINNING SCORE: 16-UNDER-PAR – 272 (66,71,67,68) RUNNER-UP: GREGORY BOURDY – 273

FACT FILE

Matteo Manassero became the youngest winner on The European Tour last season when he won in Spain aged 17 years and 188 days. His second victory comes at the age of 17 years and 363 days, meaning he is first and second in the list of youngest European Tour winners.

Tournament: Valero Texas Open

14 – 17 Apr 2011

Venue: TPC San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas

WINNER: BRENDAN STEELE CHEQUE: $1,116,000

BRENDAN SHOWS NERVES OF STEELE TO WIN ROOKIE Brendan Steele shot a composed 1-under-par 71 in windy conditions to win the Valero Texas Open by one stroke from fellow US PGA Tour newcomer Kevin Chappell and Charley Hoffman.

Steele led by one heading into the final round and the 28-year-old coped well in the conditions, making nine pars on the back nine to seal his first PGA Tour victory.

“It’s been a fantastic week” he said. “The golf course was amazing, the resort was amazing – it will always hold a special place in my heart, my first PGA Tour victory. It really hasn’t sunk in yet but I’m sure when it does, it will feel pretty good.”

Steele began the final round confidently with a birdie at the par-5 second hole but then bogeyed the par-4 fifth after missing a 12-foot putt. He bounced back after nailing his tee shot to three feet on par-3 seventh before tapping

in to move back to 8-under and then held on to that score to take home the cheque for $1,116,000.

Players in their 20s have won three of the last four events on US soil and four of the last six. A player in his 30s has not won since Rory Sabbatini at the Honda Classic in March and when asked about the influx of recent young winners, Steele shrugged: “The guys who are household names now weren’t household names when they started. You’ve got to make yourself a household name and you’ve got to start somewhere.”

Hoffman carded a best-of-the-day 4-under 68 to sign for a 7-under total and second place alongside Chappell who carded a 2-under 70.

Brandt Snedeker finished with a 1-under 71 for outright fourth place on 6-under with Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson and American Pat Perez sharing fifth place on 5-under. www.wwgolf.biz

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Sandy Meyer’s

PROFESSIONAL TIP

Women's Golf Middle East

HOW TO TACKLE THE ‘PLUGGED LIE’

SOMETIMES WE’RE FACED WITH THE SITUATION IN A BUNKER WHERE THE BALL HAS ENTERED THE HAZARD IN SUCH A WAY IT HAS BURIED ITSELF IN IT’S OWN PITCH MARK, CAUSING WHAT IS KNOWN AS A ‘PLUGGED LIE’. DON’T PANIC! THERE IS A VERY EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUE THAT IS GREAT TO USE IN THIS SITUATION AND NINE OUT OF TEN TIMES YOU SHOULD GET THE BALL OUT OF THE BUNKER. Here are some tips on how you must set up to execute the shot:

• • • • • •

Take your sand wedge – this is the best club for this type of recovery shot.

Place the ball opposite your right foot (left for lefties) and then push your hands forward so they are opposite your left knee (right knee for lefties).

Close the ‘Club Face’ and grip down on the handle.

Maintain a fairly ‘square’ stance.

On the backswing, hinge your wrists immediately as you take the club back and make no more than a half-to-three-quarter swing, using a lot of wrist hinge.

Hit down hard, accelerating the club hard into the sand just behind the ball to make the ball ‘explode’ upwards and out of the bunker.

This technique is a great way to get out of these situations and the reason for this type of set up, is that the closed club face helps the club to dig deep into the sand.

The set up between the ball position and hand position creates a great angle to easily hinge the wrists and cause the club to move directly upwards on the back swing. This movement will result in the club moving straight down on the forward swing, causing it to enter the sand from a very steep descent thus moving the ball out of the plugged lie.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE HELPS MEMBERS

UPCOMING EVENTS:

WGME arranged their first event at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club last month and participants played an 18-hole Scramble supported by the lady members at the club.

The victorious team of Sally Turner, Mandy Taylor and Somjit Whittaker – all AESGC club members – came in with an excellent gross 70 for a net 60.9 as they used their local knowledge to great effect.

In second place was the team of Guylaine Lamontagne, Anne Sinclair, Herta Fries and Lindsay Brown as they posted a gross 73 for a net 61.9.

A net 63.6 after a gross 78 helped Angela Laidlaw, Sue Markou and Libby Molesky secure third place outright.

THE Middle East Ladies Championship will be taking place on May 20th and 21st at The Els Club and the format will be a 36-hole Strokeplay/Stableford event open to all ladies who hold an official handicap.

Details of this event will be sent directly to the golf clubs and registered members of WGME. You can access the website on www.womensgolfme.com to find out more details of the event and you can also register your name online.

MIDDLE EAST LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP

DETAILS DATE: VENUE: TIME: HCP: COST: CLOSING DATE:

Friday/Saturday 20 & 21 May 2011 The Els Club, Dubai Sports City 07.00am – 13:00pm Tee Times Official EGF Hcp/PC Players AED 355/- per 18 Hole round Friday, 13 May 2011

PARTICIPATION GROWS IN LADIES BEGINNER MORNINGS THE WGME Ladies Beginner nine-hole morning meetings, held every Tuesday, have seen participation grow steadily as more and more newcomers are introduced to the game in a fun and friendly environment.

Newcomers are invited to play with golfers of the same level and at the same time learn about the rules, etiquette and pace of play and they also provide an opportunity for the developing golfer to gain their necessary scorecards to gain an official handicap.

TUTORIAL

BY MIKE LEE

BUTCH HARMON SCHOOL OF GOLF FITNESS PROFESSIONAL

ADD DISTANCE THERE are many areas where most golfers want to make improvements in their game, be it more consistency, a lower handicap or better putting. But the one request which I have had as a coach more than any over the years has been to help increase a players’ distance. By hitting the ball further whilst keeping the dispersion the same, golfers will improve - that is plain common sense.

At The Butch Harmon School of Golf we will show you how to go about that and can offer readers a chance to participate in a programme designed specifically for the cause.

First here is a list of areas where improvement may lead to increased distance: Technique Equipment Strength Power We begin by taking data from the Trackman launch monitor which will tell us the player’s ball speed. We will use this data to measure and assess and as a comparison tool when re-testing. We can also show the results longer hitters have in testing, indicating their room for improvement.

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TUTORIAL TIME TO HIT THE GYM

IF WE are satisfied that the player has developed a good technique, has the correct equipment and is physically capable, we can move on to assess their power and strength.

We ask ourselves which parts of the body help contribute to hit the golf ball a long way and provide a test for each of these. These tests isolate the main power sources and will show us power leakages.

The Butch Harmon School of Golf Challenge this summer will reward the player who makes the most gains in ball speed with a new, fitted Titleist driver.

Summer Challenge Swing, equipment, strength testing and ball-speed evaluation (60 minutes) Delivery of practice programme (60 minutes) Re-testing (30minutes) 6 week programme To take the Challenge, sign up at the golf school for AED1500.

POWER SOURCE 1 CHEST & ARMS Test: Seated Chest Pass By taking an appropriately weighted medicine ball we have a player perform a seated chest pass as shown above. With their back held steady against the chair, the player must explode the ball as far as he/she can and the tester will measure the distance in feet.

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BY MIKE LEE, BUTCH HARMON SCHOOL OF GOLF FITNESS PROFESSIONALFITNESS PROFESSIONAL

POWER SOURCE 2 CORE Test: Sit up and throw This test is done with the subject lying flat on their back with legs outstretched and the ball in a soccer throw-in position behind the head. In one movement they sit up and throw the appropriately weighted medicine ball as far as he/she can and the distance will be recorded in feet.

POWER SOURCE 3 LOWER BODY Test: Verticle Jump FROM a standing start, the player must jump as high as he/she can and touch the wall, the tester will measure the height of the jump in inches.

As a guide to the results, most male players will require a 4kg medicine ball – or a medicine ball of a similar weight. The average results on the US PGA Tour is 22 feet/22 inches which will equate to a ball speed of between 165 -175mph – and that’s fast.

We are looking for an equality of power through these tests. The distance in feet of the first two tests should be the same as the distance in inches of the third.

If one power source outperforms another, we will see related swing faults through imbalance. For example, a player with a very strong chest pass and weak sit-up and throw and vertical jump will tend to come over the top and slice the ball as he/she sources all the energy from the upper body. Once tested, the player will be prescribed a programme to improve on their weak areas.

The most common weakness, which we see in testing is the core, with many players struggling to sit up in the sit up and throw position.

EXERCISES IT’S important to ‘brace’ your abdominals during these exercises – contract as if someone was about to punch you in the stomach. Be sure to breathe also!

Plank: This is a gold standard exercise to promote stability of the shoulder blades, lumbar, spine and pelvis; the whole core. The exercise should be performed in perfect posture and progressed until it can be maintained for more than 60 seconds. The press-up should feel like a ‘moving plank’, again to be performed in perfect posture.

Building core strength through these exercises will help with the transfer of power during a golf swing.

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SWING F R A M E B Y F R A M E A N A LY S I S O F S O M E O F T H E B E S T S W I N G S I N P R O F E S S I O N A L G O L F

CHARL SCHWARTZEL By Claude Harmon III

THE newly crowned Masters Champion wasn't a shock winner. Charl's swing is one of the best in the business and his athletic frame enables him to generate huge club head speed. As we follow his swing frame-by-frame you will see where his 300+ yard tee shots come from.

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SWING

Charl is a tall, lean athlete who displays unbelievable posture. This is an almost picture-perfect position to copy with a wonderfully neutral looking spine and stable looking shoulder blades. Notice, also, how he grips the club a little down the grip – this adds to consistency.

Again, hard to fault this first move. Charl’s lower body looks quiet whilst the initiation of chest and arms has the club moving on a correct inside path. The club head remains outside his hands.

Just look at the angle now in his swing – he might not be a big guy but this is a very powerful, dynamic position.

The face here is square and the club is most definitely in front of his chest. We work a lot on keeping the club in front through this area of the swing as many players struggle here.

Charl looks as if he's going at this tee shot pretty hard. I would like to see a little more control of the right foot here, keeping the heel a little lower.

F R A M E B Y F R A M E A N A LY S I S O F S O M E O F T H E B E S T S W I N G S I N P R O F E S S I O N A L G O L F

Top of swing: Charl's arms get quite high at the top of his swing. I feel in the Masters, the swing was a little shorter and more controlled than this position demonstrates. Perhaps this is a reason for the precision and control which he showed at Augusta.

Great upper body lines here, powerful at impact.

The lower body has given this tee shot full force and you would see things quieter and more controlled in an iron shot swing.

Two perfect exit points for the club here – in front of the hands and then through the left shoulder with the shaft – ideal.

You can really see the torque generated by a correct transition from backswing to downswing in these two shots. The lower body has fired and created the lag – or angle – which is being stored up for impact.

Perfect balance from a very worthy winner of the 75th Masters Tournament. www.wwgolf.biz

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T E E O F F AT T H E

PEARL OF THE

DESERT

Riyadh Golf Courses P.O. Box 84329 Riyadh 11671 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia www.riyadhgolfcourses.com Information and tee-time booking number +966592315787

ARABIAN GOLF MAY 2011 WORLDWIDE GOLF CLUBS DUBAI Emirates Golf Federation Emirates Golf Club Al Badia Golf Club Arabian Ranches Golf Club Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Jumeirah Golf Estates The Address Montgomerie Dubai Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa

SHARJAH Saif Zone Golf Society League Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club

ABU DHABI Abu Dhabi Golf Club Yas Links Golf Club

SAUDI ARABIA Dirab Golf & Country Club The Palms Golf Club

SOHAIL AL MARZOUQI TAKES UAE NATIONALS MEDAL SOHAIL Al Marzouqi kept his cool when it mattered most to win the UAE Nationals Monthly Medal at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa in the last weekend of March.

A key member of the UAE team that won the recent GCC Junior Championship in Bahrain, Al Marzouqi played a solid tee-to-green game to beat a strong field which included many top names, including Khalid Yousuf.

Riding on five net birdies, including three on the back nine, Al Marzouqi carded a brilliant 38 points to take the honours, one point ahead of Mohammed Darwish and Abdullah Al Muharrami. Both Darwish and Al Muharrami shot an identical 37 points, but the former took second place after a card countback.

Leading UAE national golfer Yousuf made his presence felt, winning the prestigious gross prize with a 74 while Faris Al Mazroui (34 points) and Ahmed Al Hosseni (35) reigned supreme in Divisions ‘A’ and ‘B’ respectively.

Saeed Albudoor, General Manager of the Emirates Golf Federation, lauded the enthusiasm of the players for making the event a great success. “Despite the strong winds we

Winner Sohail Al Marzouqi (right) is pictured with Saeed Albudoor of the EGF. had some very good scores and that reflects on the growing maturity of the players,” he said.

“The course, as usual, was nicely set up, thanks to all the hard work done by the JAGRS staff and management.”

BAHRAIN The Royal Golf Club

OMAN Muscat Hills Golf & County Club

AL AIN Al Ain Equestrian and Shooting Club International Pairs

RICHARDSON WINS EGF MEDAL AFTER COUNTBACK SIMON Richardson produced a tidy round to win the Emirates Golf Federation’s Handicap Scheme Medal at the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club recently as he topped Division ‘A’ with a countback win over Nestor Labis.

The competition was equally intense in Division ‘B’ where Sten von Kuhn kept his cool to card a steady 39 points to win by two points from P.J. Marriott while Michael Robson won the prestigious best gross prize with a 76.

Glenys Hughes emerged winner in the ladies division on a day when most of the golfers in the field returned some good scores while

Michael Robson and Mark Poulin also made it to the podium, winning the two Longest Drive prizes and the nearest to the pin honours went to Paul Stump and Bernadette Futschick.

“We have had one of the biggest fields since we re-launched the event and that amply reflects on the growing popularity of the event,” said Saeed Albudoor, general manager of the Emirates Golf Federation. “All the clubs in the UAE have been offering very good rates for our handicap scheme events and we are really grateful to them and look forward to their continued support.” www.wwgolf.biz

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WWG LOCAL FOCUS

EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION

LOCATION: Administration block, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

P.O. Box 31410, Dubai - UAE Email: info@ugagolf.com Website: www.emiratesgolffederation.com

CONTACT: Tel : 009714 2952277 Fax 009714 2952288

DUBAI AMERICAN ACADEMY WIN SCHOOLS LEAGUE EVENT INNAN Budhiraja, Aditya Judge, Nikhil Nanda and Diya Chopra combined effectively to guide the Dubai American Academy to an impressive victory in the second event of the Dubai Schools Golf League.

The foursome carded a tidy 58 points to beat their nearest challengers from Wellington International School in the league which also featured teams from Jess School, American School of Dubai and St. Mary’s Holy Catholic School.

One of the highlights of the competition was the stunning performance of Rayhan Thomas as the 11-year-old prodigy from St. Mary’s Holy Catholic School provided a glimpse of his precocious talent by winning the individual gross prize with 39 points.

Diya Chopra also made her presence felt, winning the individual best net Stableford prize with 18 points while Austin Hurlbut of ASD and Viet Nga Petersen of Wellington walked away with the nearest to the pin and

the longest drive prizes respectively.

Organised by Diya Chopra, the league will serve as a launchpad for a major interschool tournament which the young golfing enthusiast plans to start later this year.

“There is no dearth of enthusiasm for the game and that has led to a perceptible rise in the standard of the game among juniors, in particular,” said Diya, who also thanked the Emirates Golf Federation for all their help in organising the league. “We need an interschool tournament to create more playing opportunities for the youngsters and hone their competitive edge.”

Schools who are interested in entering a team of at least four players with valid handicaps (boys maximum – 28 and girls maximum36) may contact Diya on diyachops@hotmail.com.

Winners from the Dubai American Academy with Chris Vallender of the EGF.

EGF WEBSITE RECEIVES A MAKEOVER THE Emirates Golf Federation has given a makeover to its official website, offering users constantly-updated information about tournaments, junior programmes, activities of the UAE national teams, handicap system and order of merit events.

The user-friendly site – www.emiratesgolffederation.com – also provides links to the International Golf Federation, Arab Golf Federation and R&A besides the National Olympic Committee, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Dubai Sports Council, the Abu Dhabi Tourism and the Dubai Tourism, making it one of the comprehensive sites on golf in the region.

The real power of the site is the impressive database of all golf-related activities in the UAE. Details about Emirates Golf Federation’s partners/patrons, new sponsorship opportunities and activities at different clubs can also be accessed through the site.

Information

www.emiratesgolffederation.com

“The very intention behind upgrading the website is to try and create a one-stop information source for all happenings on the UAE’s golfing scene,” said Saeed Albudoor, General Manager of the Emirates Golf Federation. ”The traffic to the site has grown dramatically over a period of time with the recent launch of the new handicap system and the Junior National Programme and hence we needed the upgrade to keep pace with time. ”The UAE boasts one of the finest golfing facilities in the world and the interest in the game has skyrocketed over the years. The fact that EGF alone boasts a membership close 6,000 amply reflects on the fast-rising popularity of the game, both among UAE nationals and expatriates. ”With support from all the clubs, we aim to promote and develop the game at the grassroots level. The re-launch of the site is part of the EGF’s initiative to showcase the golf in the UAE to the world. ”Our national team signalled their arrival on the big scene when they won the gold medal in the junior division and silver in the senior section at the 15th GCC Golf Championship held recently at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain. The achievements of the national team and their other activities are posted in detail at the site.

“The site will also keep the users updated about our several new initiatives, including the Junior National Programme. We would welcome feedback, if any, from our members and other users. The idea is to have a site which provides every possible information about golf in the UAE.”

The winners on the day are pictured with Ismail Sharif following prize presentation.

AHMED AND REEMA SHINE IN UAE NATIONALS PAR-3 LEAGUE AHMED Al Budoor and Reema Al Heloo provided a glimpse of their budding talent when they won their respective divisions in the UAE Nationals Junior Par-3 League at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club recently.

Ahmed shot a gross 37 to take the honours in Division ‘A’ – which featured golfers aged 16 and under at the par-27 course – as he beat his nearest challenger Obaid Mubarak Al Shamshi on a countback.

Reema took the spoils in Division ‘B’ (under12) after shooting a gross 26 over the six holes, four shots ahead of second-placed

Obaid Al Heloo. The Par-3 League is aimed at introducing young UAE nationals to the game as part of the Emirates Golf Federation’s National Junior Programme and it once again turned out to be a hit with more than 20 UAE nationals from Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai Creek and Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club lining up for the honours.

“It’s nice to see the Par-3 League gain in popularity among the UAE nationals. The highpoint was certainly the enthusiastic support of the parents. With many of them caddying and helping the kids in scoring, the

league had the family feel to it,” said Saeed Albudoor, General Manager of the Emirates Golf Federation.

“I’m sure with the support of the parents, the league will grow bigger and better in stature in time. We are also grateful to different clubs for all their help in making the league a success.

“We have a separate Order of Merit for the league and the winner is invited to compete in the season-ending Pepsi Junior Am. “We, at the EGF, are planning to create more playing opportunities for UAE nationals to hone their competitive edge and skills.”

OBAID AND MARYAM SHOW THEIR CLASS OBAID Khalid Mubarak and Maryam Al Marzouqi took the honours in their respective divisions as the Emirates Golf Federation’s Par-3 League continued at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

Obaid carded a gross 32 on the par-27 course to take the honours in Division ‘A’ for players aged 16 and under while Maryam was equally impressive in her Division ‘B’ (under-12) which was played over six holes when she signed off with a 36 gross, to win by seven strokes.

Khalifa Omar also made it to the podium, winning the nearest to the pin prize on hole nine.

The tournament, which is aimed introducing young UAE nationals to golf, turned out to be a success with 20 players lining up for honours.

“I think the credit must go to the parents for encouraging their children to take to the game,” said Saeed Albudoor, General Manager of the Emirates Golf Federation. “Playing golf is fun and that’s the message we try to drive home through these league events. If the enthusiasm of young children is any indication, I think we Saeed Albudoor, General Manager of Emirates Golf Federation, with the are moving in the right direction.”

prize-winners at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.

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GERARD AND AGNES SECURE LAST-MINUTE VICTORY IT took 10 Qualifying events in the 2010-11 Tech Access International Pairs Presented by Cadillac UAE series but finally Gerard and Agnes Letier-Lacaze became the first husband and wife combination to secure a place in the inaugural National Final to be played at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club later this month.

Gerard and Agnes are the latest winners in the series as they claimed top honours at Yas Links, Abu Dhabi by the narrowest of margins – a card countback.

This was International Pairs UAE’s last visit to the capital for this season and on a day when high winds hit the city, the testing links course bared its teeth and several pairs found themselves out of the running as wayward shots were caught in the breeze.

But in the end, two pairs held their games together and emerged with the same 41 Stableford points.

There was high drama at the UAE’s newest club as Club Champion Joe Howell and his partner Brian McClure held the clubhouse lead for most of the day until Gerard and Agnes – who were

Winners Gerard and Agnes Letier-Lacaze are pictured with Yas Links Director of Golf, Tom Rourke. playing in the final group – came in with the same score. Only one point separated the pairs on the back nine but the spoils went to the late finishers.

Nearest the Pin prizes were awarded to Walter Hall and David Cockerton for their excellent shots on holes 8 and 13 respectively.

MALLINSONS LEAVE IT LATE TO WIN

Winners Phil and Karen Mallinson are pictured with Al Hamra Golf Club General Manager, Simon Mees.

AFTER nine events without a husband and wife combination winning an International Pairs UAE Qualifier, the 10th and 11th events have seen just that as just one day after Gerard and Agnes Letier-Lacaze triumphed at Yas Links, Phil and Karen Mallinson of Al Hamra Golf Club in Ras al Khaimah also secured their passage to the UAE National Final on May 27th at Dubai Creek.

Just as the Yas Links winners did, the Mallinsons were last to tee off and in similar circumstances, came home to narrowly pip the long-time clubhouse leaders Blair Smith and

Hermes Frare to the top spot. After a steady first 11 holes garnered only 21 stableford points, the Mallinsons came alive thanks to Phil’s gross birdie for a net eagle on the difficult 12th and they then went on to card two more net eagles and a net birdie in their last seven holes to win by a single point from Eric Engelbrecht and David Thomas.

Steve Dunnage and Eric Engelbrecht picked up prizes for Nearest the Pin on holes 7 and 11, although neither managed to convert their birdie putts.

STRANGERS ROY AND CHOI WIN AT SHARJAH GOLF & SHOOTING CLUB

Paul McCullough, one half of the victorious pair at Tower Links, is pictured with Club Captain Dave Clark.

MCCULLOUGH AND LABONTE DENY THE WIVOUS AT TOWER LINKS FOR the sixth time in 13 Qualifiers, a card countback was required to separate the top two teams as members at Tower Links Golf Club took their turn to compete for an invitation to the inaugural Tech Access International Pairs UAE National Final.

On this occasion, it was the fatherdaughter combination of Joe and Zenia Wivou who were left disappointed when their back nine of 21 points fell one short of the 22 scored by Paul McCullough and Ray Labonte over the same stretch after both pairs compiled totals of 40 points.

After a lacklustre front nine, McCullough and Labonte found form when it counted as they fired five net birdies and four net pars on the inward nine to secure a coveted spot the

National Final at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club on May 27th.

The relatively short but challenging 17th hole proved to be the undoing of the Wivous as they could only manage a net bogey between them and they lost the countback by that solitary point.

They share the unfortunate honour of being the second father-daughter pairing to finish second this season, following in the footsteps of Gerry and Katy Rutherford who narrowly missed out at Emirates Golf Club in March.

Early starters Rob Kent and Shinjiro Hino collected third place with an excellent score of 38 points although they were left to rue a poor finish, collecting only four points over the closing three holes.

ROY Holmes and JW Choi had never met each other before the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club Qualifying event for the 2010-11 Tech Access International Pairs UAE Presented by Cadillac but they emerged victorious as they secured a place in the National Final at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club later this month.

Despite the fact that Holmes had to play the first hole solo, the duo ran out winners by a solitary point from Normita Demesa and Golden Kim thanks mainly to a stunning back nine of 23 points, which gave them a 42-point total.

Four net birdies and a net eagle in seven holes from the ninth were the highlight of Holmes’ and Choi’s round and they will be looking to maintain that form in the National Final where they will have a chance to go on and represent the UAE in the International Pairs World Final.

Demesa and Kim got off to the perfect start as Normita made a net eagle on their opening hole and despite scoring better than par on no fewer than seven holes, ultimately they recorded too many bogeys and came up just short. Their back nine was good enough to win a scorecard countback from TS Char & JS Park, who finished third.

Holmes and Choi will join representatives from Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, The Montgomerie Dubai, Al Ghazal Golf Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates, The Els Club, Emirates Golf Club, Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club, Yas Links and Al Hamra Golf Club whose names are already in the National Final draw.

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Winners Roy Holmes and JW Choi are pictured with Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club Director of Golf, Martin Duff.

GOLF SOCIETY NEWS

MASSIN CROWNED CHAMPIONS AFTER TENSE PLAY-OFF VICTORY THE Massin society claimed victory in the 2010/11 SAIF Zone Golf Society League after they defeated the Dubai ExPutts 1 in a sudden-death play-off.

After a day of twists and turns the result came down to one putt from six feet and, unfortunately for Mark Cunningham of the ExPutts, it missed, handing Massin the victory.

The ExPutts had one hand on the trophy after Greg Donaghy and Marc Edwards sealed their match against Sidik Jamal and Ahmad Feisal 4&3 and the remaining match between Cunningham and Phil Sharpe and Massin’s Syed Redzal and Mohd Firdaus going down the 18th hole all-square.

Joyous However, the Massin duo won the 18th hole to force a play-off and the respective captains of both societies chose Redzal and Firdaus (Massin) and Cunningham and Edwards (ExPutts) to duel it out.

The teams teed off on the 375-yard par-4 opening hole and the only player to find the green in regulation was Redzal, putting Massin into the driving seat. Cunningham played his chip shot from off the green to six feet and after Firdus two-putted for par he had a putt to take it to another hole. However, sadly for Cunningham, the putt burned the lip and stayed out, sparking joyous scenes amongst the Massin players. The third and fourth place play-off between Dubai Divots and KEGS 2

GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE

resulted in yet another play-off. The first match was won by Nick Fraser and James Maher of Dubai Divots but the second match didn’t go their way, with Dave Minchin and Guy Watson of KEGS 2 winning by a whopping 9&8 margin.

The Kegs then took their momentum into the play-off and won to take outright third place.

Close competition Running alongside side the SAIF Zone Golf Society League fixture was a ‘Captains and Sponsors Stableford’ which was won by Mukti Rai (Nepali Golf Society) with 37 points as he beat off close competition from Philip Corcos (Dubai Men’s College) with 36 points and Chito Albay (FIGME) with 35 points.

Claire Badger, Golf Business Development and Sales Manager commented: “It was great to invite back the Captains from all of the societies and the Sponsors for a complimentary season-ending golf day.

“This whole tournament would not have been possible without the support of the Captains and of the Sponsors, SAIF Zone, BMW and Worldwide Golf, so it is nice to be able to show our appreciation. “ It’s sad to have reached the end of the tournament but judging by the positive feedback we have received from participating societies this year, they’ll all be back to battle it out again next season.”

The third edition of the SAIF Zone Golf Society League is set to start in October 2011.

Below: The winning society, Massin. Above: Runners-up Dubai ExPutts 1 Top: All the competitors prior to play.

www.wwgolf.biz

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ARABIAN GOLF

EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

INDIA TRIUMPH IN KOHLMAN NATIONS CUP THE Kohlman Nations Cup produced a fantastic afternoon of social golf over the Majlis Course as the event continues to grow year on year under the guidance and leadership of future Club Captain Moshe Kohli.

Kohli’s enthusiasm coupled with such a strong membership saw the event attract 128 players representing 13 countries including UAE, India, Canada, Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Finland, Pakistan, Slovenia, Jordan, Wales and Cyprus.

The format involved four members representing their nation each team split into pairs playing a betterball Stableford. Following the round both pair’s scores were combined to form the Nation’s total.

In a closely fought contest the teams of India ‘9’ and Canada both carded 80 points meaning a card countback was required and it was the Indians who triumphed largely due to a superb 47-point tally from Ashish Nanda and Burhan Mohammed. The other Indian duo, Achal Ghai and Vipen Sethi, signed for 33 points to result in the combined tally of 80.

Mike Tracey and Bryan Wilson combined superbly, including a trio of birdies on the back nine, to record 44 points while Rod Smith and Mark Yanchus contributed a level par 36 points resulting in the 80-point Canadian tally and runners-up position.

The next threes placings all carded 79 points with India once more well represented as the

team of Pravesh Jethwani, Kavit Handa, Kish Bandopadhyay and Keith Fernandez claimed third.

Finland, represented by Pentti Korjonen, Petri Pentti, Pentti Tahvanainen and Jari Kolgonen finished a respectable fourth with India ‘5’

comprised of Sanjeev Gheewala, Tarun Khanna, Gurbax Singh and Martin Tscheiner in fifth place. Jordan finished sixth out of the 32 teams with a 77-point tally, representing their nation admirably were Jatinder Chopra, Alan Salem, Rami Safadi and Rami Sfeila.

Roy Pirie with Vice Captain Mike Sim.

PIRIE ON FIRE AT THE CHAIRMAN’S CUP ROY Pirie produced a perfect performance in the Chairman’s Cup to clinch a seven-point victory following a superb haul of 47 points.

“If I was sitting in the audience and the winner had recorded 47 points I would have called them a bandit for playing off a questionable handicap,” laughed Roy, “but I had one of those days where every putt found the bottom of the hole.”

Roy commenced his round on the fourth and picked up birdies on holes 5, 9 and 16 which, combined with six bogeys, gave him a superb gross 75 over the famous Majlis course.

His closest challenger was the in-form Rabih Sfeila who returned an impressive 40 points which is more often than not good enough to take the title. Gordon Wingate signed for one point less for third overall.

HENDRY AND SEHMI IMPRESS IN JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP DANIEL Hendry and Kavita Sehmi triumphed in the boys and girls Club Championship respectively over the Majlis course after two excellent performances.

Hendry was back to his consistent self with two birdies and three bogeys on his card as he signed for a 1-over-par 73 while Sehmi carded a 76 to win the girls section.

The next best net score of the day was 75 from Edward Dobinson.

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

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

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

TURLIK CONTINUES HER FINE FORM ROSEMARY Turlik continued her fine run of form by signing for an 82 over the Faldo Course to take home the best gross honours in the April Monthly Medal.

Her net 73 was also good enough to take top prize in Silver ‘A’ Division (hcp 0-14) following a card countback over former captain Rekha Bandopadyay.

Silver ‘B’ Division (hcp 15-23) produced the best scoring of the day as both Jenny Isles and Mieke Slotboom carded rounds of 3-under par 70 but it was Isles who took top prize with a superior back nine score.

Another countback was required to settle Bronze Division (hcp 24-42) with Kay Wright, Carmel King and Stephanie Wilson all carding a 75 and it was Kay Wright who triumphed with King in runners-up place. Lady vice captain, Caroline Jones, had the most reason to celebrate following the third hole-in-one of her life on the short eighth hole.

EVANS WINS ORIENT TRAVEL GOLF CHALLENGE TIM Evans turned in a tidy performance to win the Orient Travel Golf Challenge at the Emirates Golf Club after a solid haul of 37 points gave him a one-point win over Bayer Khan.

With a full field lining up for honours on the Majlis course, there was a great sense of camaraderie among the players as they produced some very good scores. The day, however, belonged to Evans and Khan, who together accounted for most of the prizes at stake.

Evans also won the Nearest The Pin prize on hole 7 and Khan swept the Longest Drive awards with massive tee shots on the third and the 15th holes to round off a good day at the office. One of the major highlights of the event, which was supported by Thai Airways, was the stunning performance of Emirates Golf Federation’s Order of Merit leader Michael Harradine. The 27-year-old, who plays off a +1 handicap, carded a brilliant one-under par gross score around the Dubai Desert Classic layout.

Overall winner Tim Evans is pictured with Manan Boonyachai of Thai Airways and Asim Arshad, CEO of Orient Travel.

LARM, ALDRIDGE, TAHVANAINEN AND JONES WIN MIXED SCRAMBLE NINA Larm, Johnny Aldridge, Pentti Tahvanainen and Stephen Jones carded a winning score of 60.6 in the Mixed Scramble over the Faldo course for a 0.1 shot victory over the team who won the Christmas Scramble – Jill Muirhead, Robert Muirhead, Allison Muirhead and Butch Zeederberg. www.wwgolf.biz

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ARABIAN GOLF

DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB Left to Right: Dubai Creek Vice-Captain Ara Nakhnikian with Ladies Champion Sabine Freyburger, Seniors Champion D.Y. Yoon, Super Seniors Champion Rajeh Malouf and Club Captain, Joseph Andrade.

YOON CROWNED SENIORS OPEN CHAMPION D. Y Yoon fired a gross 4-over-par 75 to win the Seniors Open Championship by one stroke last month.

Yoon, a talented 2-handicapper, negotiated the testing windy conditions and carded consistent equal nines of 2-over-par for his winning total while the Super Seniors Champion was Rajeh Malouf who shot a great round of net

72. In Division ‘A’ John Fellingham claimed top spot with a net 71 by virtue of being one shot better over his back nine than Club Captain Joseph Andrade while in Division ‘B’ Nishith Patel took the spoils by three shots from Gurmukh Guldu with a net 70. The Ladies Champion was Sabine Freyburger thanks to her excellent round of net 74.

JUNIORS STEP UP TO THE MAIN COURSE Champion Michael Harradine receives the trophy and a Thomas Pink gift voucher from a representative of Thomas Pink and David Gray, Golf Services Manager at Dubai Creek.

HARRADINE WINS THE THOMAS PINK MEN’S OPEN BY ONE MICHAEL Harradine continued his great form this season with a onestroke victory at the Thomas Pink Men’s “Back to Black” Open.

The course was set up at its full length from the black tees and with testing pin positions it produced a stern challenge but Harradine was up to the task, firing two birdies, two bogeys and an unfortunate double bogey on his closing hole to card a 2-over 73 and win by one from Joel Neale. Miki Mirza took third place with a 75 while in the Net Division Francisco Giles secured the honours with a 68, two clear of Arshad Waheed.

Neale took home the honour of booming the Longest Drive down the 12th fairway while Aditya Judge shot Nearest the Pin on the fifth.

“A big thank you to Thomas Pink for sponsoring the event,” said David Gray, Golf Services Manager. “We had 88 golfers take part and with Thomas Pink’s generosity they all received a voucher to spend in the Dubai Mall store, a great addition to the day for all the players. Well done to Michael for taming the course today and thank you to all players for supporting the event.”

THE Junior Development Program at Dubai Creek has taken its tournaments to the next level with the introduction of ‘The Meetings’ and under the sponsorship of Bluebell Shipping a total of 48 youngsters battled it out over the front nine of the Championship course while the rest played on the Academy par-3 course.

With prizes in five different categories, the competition was among the best the Creek has ever seen from their Junior Squad and on the par-3 course Anushka Bhargava took home the Gold medal with a score of 30 with Silver going to her brother Eshna on 33. The Bronze category was won by Daniel Whatmore with a superb score of 35 while the main course trophy went to Aryan Chordia who played tremendously in the dying light to card a gross 38 for a total of 21 Stableford points . ‘The Masters’ category was claimed by Rishi Nair who bogeyed his last hole to card a level par 27.

PGA Professional George Kasparis, who runs the Junior Development Program, is very keen to introduce the youngsters to competitive golf as early as possible.

“This has been the most successful event yet for our juniors,” he said. “In one night, we had six-year-olds playing a tournament for the first time and under 12-year-olds breaking 40 off the white tees on the main course. And it was only last year those 12-year-olds were competing in our par-3 events. It was like watching our whole development program in motion!”

“I must say a big thank you to Haridas Kondath and his team from Bluebell Shipping (LLC.). This is the first time one of our events has had a sponsor and it made the whole evening extra special.”

For information on the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club Junior Development Program, please contact the golf academy on 042956000.

LOCATION: Deira, opposite Deira City Centre.

CONTACT: Tel : + 9714 295 6000 dcgyc@dubaigolf.com Book online tee times at www.dubaigolf.com

INFO: First Open 1993, redesigned in 2005.

Course: 18 holes, Par 71, 6,857 yards, Championship course.

Original Designer: Karl Litten.

Redesign: European Golf Design in association with Thomas Björn.

David Gray, Golf Services Manager presenting 2011 Junior Champion Philip Urasch with the winner’s trophy outside the clubhouse with many of the junior competitors.

URASCH CROWNED THE JUNIOR AMATEUR CHAMPION A STRONG field of 41 junior golfers assembled to battle it out for the 2011 Junior Amateur Open last month and it was 15-year-old Philip Urasch from Emirates Golf Club who was crowned champion with a solid gross 3-over-par 74.

Urasch’s total was matched by Aditya Judge who unfortunately had to concede the resulting play-off as he was unable to remain at the club because he had a flight to catch.

“Thanks to all the players, my playing partners and the club for hosting the event without a sponsor,” said winner Urasch. “I am sure Aditya would have been a worthy opponent in the play-

off and although it’s unfortunate to win in this way I will not give it back!”

Ross Hopwood finished alone in third place with a 4-over gross but was disappointed that a costly bogey at the penultimate hole cost him a place in the play-off.

The Boys Division ‘A‘ winner was Ali Alami with a great net 71 to win by three shots from Parth Goel while Division ‘B’ saw the young and very talented Christopher Saad cruise to a superb net 64 and a six-shot win over Hrithik Khurana.

Diya Chopra continued to show good from by claiming the Girls Division with a lovely net 69

which was good enough for a one-shot win over Aashaka Desai.

“It was exceptional to see an increase in players from last year’s event and to reach a total of 41 competitors a big thank you must go out to all the juniors for taking part and their parents for their support,” said David Gray, Golf Services Manager.

“We have over 200 juniors attending weekly for our Academy’s Junior Development Programme and it will not be long until our junior competitions will see far more attendees and future junior champions coming through the ranks.”

BROWN AND KHIABANI OFF TO GRAND FINAL ROWLEY Brown (pictured left) and Afshin Khiabani (pictured middle) won last month’s Carpetland Monthly Open to secure their places in the Grand Final on May 14th.

The duo gelled beautifully to record a better ball Stableford score of 43 points and won by virtue of the better back nine than junior duo Mikhail Pinto and Punya Khanna while in third place – and claiming the last spot to the grand finals with 41 points – was Finn Theilgaard and Philip Westphal.

As a result the 72 finalists are now known and will gather on Saturday 14th May to see which pair will be crowned Carpetland Monthly Open Grand Final Champions. Shahriar Khodjasteh, Group Marketing Director for Al Aqili Furnishings (pictured right) said: “We have raised over DHS 80’000 with our new charity initiative which is a great thing. We look to make the series bigger and far better for next season and raise even more money for a worthwhile cause. Thank you to all the players for their continued and regular monthly support.”

Overall winner David Gowans receives the winner’s BMW trophy from DCGYC Vice-Captain Ara Nakhnikian.

GOWANS TRIUMPHANT WITH A ROUND TO REMEMBER DAVID Gowans triumphed at last month’s BMW Monthly Medal when a superb gross 1-over 72 for a net 67 gave him a twostroke win over Francisco Giles in Division ‘A’.

Gowans fired a flawless back nine of eight pars and a solitary birdie on the 15th hole to polish off a round to remember and he was close to claiming the Overall Title but had to settle for his Division ‘A’ win after Miki Mirza fired a gross 71 to take the main spoils.

Division ‘B’ was decided on a countback with Mitesh Desai coming out on top from Haridias Kondath after both players recorded net 69s while the junior division was hotly contested with Jai Bhalla beating close rival Rayhan Thomas by one shot with a wonderful net 68. www.wwgolf.biz

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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

GROVES GRABS THE MEMBER’S MONTHLY MEDAL

(L-R) Al Aquili Furnishing Marketing Director Shariar Khodjasteh is pictured with winners Peter Yang and Minseok Jahng and Golf Services Manager Tim Neil.

‘PERFECT DUO’ WIN THE OFFICELAND MONTHLY FINAL AL Badia members Minseok Jahng and Peter Yang took the spoils in the Officeland Monthly Open Grand Final with a superb five-stroke victory after recording a net 146.

Jahng and Yang played consistently throughout the round without any mistakes and on the back nine the pair got into their stride with Yang making a birdie on the tough 12th hole. Between them they gelled

perfectly and played the last seven holes in 1-under-par.

Second place went to Matthew Thompson and Adam Gray with a 151 total while finishing third, two strokes further back, were Matt Hederics and Philip Westphal.

Nearest the Pin prizes were won by John Allen and Ross McClean on holes 7 and 11 respectively while the Long Drive challenges were claimed by Brett Armstrong on hole 4 and Mark Holmans on hole 12.

JEBEL ALI GOLF RESORT & SPA

MIKE Groves led a strong field to claim the overall winning prize at the recent Member’s Monthly Medal with a very respectable net 72 in blustery conditions.

Groves’ round took shape thanks to a gross 39 on the back nine which included a sevenhole stretch which he played in 1-under.

Scott Walton topped the pile in Division ‘A’ with a net 73 and also took home the Nearest the Pin prize on the 11th while Colin Gow settled for second place one stroke further back.

Sharon Moore reigned in Division ‘B’ after carding a net 72 for a one stroke win over Joung Kim Worral while Suad Ghalib won the Longest Drive competition on the fourth hole.

LOCATION: The resort course is situated within the idyllic grounds of Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, approximately 40 minutes away from Dubai city centre, exit 13 on Sheikh Zayed highway.

INFO: First opened 1997.

CONTACT: Tel : +971 4 8836000

DESIGNER: Peter Harradine.

COURSE: Championship standard 9 hole course – par 36.

BAUER’S TEAM SET THE BENCHMARK PETER Bauer and his team of Jane Washburne, Gavin McDonald and Ajay Kumar, won the third meeting of the FIGS golf society for workers in the Furniture and Interiors market with a one-point victory over Peter Donaldson, Nick Burnett, Diana Di Fiore and Phil Herson.

In the on-course prizes Siddharth Peters took the Nearest the Pin prize on the 17th and Michael King won the Longest Drive challenge on the par-5 10th hole.

Above: 2011 ABB Cup Match participants.

SWISS TEAM RETAIN THE ABB CUP THE 2011 ABB cup, held at Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, was again hotly contested between the Swiss and Swedish business councils in the UAE as their respective captains Peter Harradine and Lars Liden both named quality teams in the fourball betterball matchplay series with both boasting sub-scratch golfers.

In 2010 the Swiss marched to a 5-1 victory and the Swedish team looked to reap revenge immediately with a 6 & 5 win in the

top match. With all the other matches looking close, the tie could have gone either way but in the end it finished in a 3-3 draw meaning the cup was retained by the Swiss.

The Nearest to the Pin prizes were won by Cherif Sayed on holes 2 and 11 and Dylan Fjellstrom holes 8 and 17 while the Straightest Drive was won by Elizabeth Brenner on the sixth hole and the long hitting lady Berit Paton-Reid struck the Longest Drive on the par-5 final hole.

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

ARABIAN GOLF

ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB

CONTACT: Tel : +971 4 366 3000 Tel : +971 4 366 3355 INFO: Arabian Ranches Golf Club opened

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.

DOUGHERTYS DOMINATE THE DUBAI DUTY FREE MIXED GREENSOMES THE duo of Tony (3) and Fortuna Dougherty (20) were crowned Gross Champions in the Dubai Duty Free Mixed Greensomes Strokeplay last month after a card countback victory over Adele McKelvey and Jacques Leretz.

Fortuna and Tony started their round on the par-5 13th hole and got off to a rocky start with a double bogey on their second hole. However, the pair recovered brilliantly to close out their outward nine with a birdie for a gross 39 and their form continued into their closing nine holes as they signed for a 43 and a gross 82 total.

Also signing for an 82 were McKelvey and Leretz but their back-nine haul of 40 points saw them defeated in the countback and they had to settle for second place.

Graham Alban and Terry Vaughan of Marble Renewal and Speed Cleaning are pictured with the winning team.

BENNETT, TICKELL AND THE GELAPPINIS STORM TO VICTORY THE four-player team consisting of Steve Bennett, Graham Tickell and Edoardo and Beatrice Gelappini returned a score of 102 Stableford points to win the Marble Renewal & Speed Cleaning “Sneaky Stableford Shambles” event last month ahead

of a full field of 100 players. The winning team combined brilliantly as they scored five or more points on 11 of the 18 holes on their way to a four-point win over the team of Janet Sanderson, Shahid Mir and Mark and Karen Evans.

AQUAVENTURE JUNIOR GOLF SERIES HOTTING UP

Mark Sault from Parasol alongside the winners and Lady Club Captain Adrienne Fullerton.

GALEPPINI CROWNED CHAMPION EDOARDO Galeppini and Anne Baxter were crowned Parasol Garden Furniture Champions in their respective Stableford Divisions recently.

The card of Galeppini, who was playing off a handicap of 4, was very impressive as he holed 12 gross pars and one gross birdie for a total of 39 points.

A front nine of 19 points followed by a back nine of 20 gave Edoardo the victory by virtue of a countback from Andre Coetzee, who could only manage 18 on his back nine.

The Men’s ‘B’ Division crown went to Andy Barker who also scored 39 points to win by one from Jett Smith while Anne Baxter’s 39 saw her win by four points from Pauline Wallace.

WITH six events played and just two remaining the tension is mounting amongst competitors in the popular Aquaventure Junior Series with Dubai Creek’s Rayhan Thomas leading the pack narrowly ahead of club-mate Dhruv Nair and Arabian Ranches member Karam Sehmi in second and third place respectively.

The competitions are hosted

by Arabian Ranches Golf Club with events held monthly on the Academy Course and participation is open to children under 16 years who have progressed from an intermediate status within their golf club’s Junior Development Program.

The last event saw two young stars claim their maiden victories

as the gross prize went to Mikhail Roger Pinto following a solid level par round of 27 while the net trophy was collected by seven-yearold Connor Kirwan who shot an impressive net 21.

Paul Hubner ARGC Teaching Professional with Mikhail Pinto, Connor Kirwan and Dhruv Nair. www.wwgolf.biz

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

ARABIAN GOLF

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

JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

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.

SUPERB SCORES IN MEMBER’S GUEST DAY THE BMW AGMC sponsored Member Guest Day took the format of a Race to Dubai Shamble over the Earth course recently and with a strong field the team that came out on top with a score of 114 was Sandeep Singh, Randeep Singh, Gurbax Singh and Satnam Kaur.

In second place with a score of 120 was the team of Declan Devenney, John Hobbs, Denis Allen and Rivesh Kumar.

BAUERS STORM TO ‘MASTERS’ VICTORY IN tandem with the first Major of the year, Jumeirah Golf Estates’ hosted its very own ‘Masters’ competition and family fun day which was sponsored by BMW AGMC. The tournament was played as a Betterball Stableford with three holes carrying a double points bonus and the winners on the day with a landslide 60-point haul were Anne and Peter Bauer.

The family pairing of Randeep and Sandeep Singh were runners-up with a superb score of 55 points while claiming

the final position on the podium following a card countback was the dynamic JGE members pairing of Damien Morgan and Stuart Cameron with 54 points.

The on-course competitions all offered the prize of a weekend test drive of the new BMW 5 Series and the lucky winners were Damien Morgan, Paul Donovan, Kevin Lueders and Peter Mladenovic and at the prize presentation visiting European Tour professional Ignacio Garcia was on hand to give out the prizes.

AL AIN EQUESTRIAN, SHOOTING & GOLF CLUB

LOCATION: Al Ain PO Box 1471 United Arab Emirates CONTACT: Tel : +971 3 7026400 Fax: +971 3 7683331 golf@palmsportsresort.com

INFO: The Championship Golf Course offers a picturesque and challenging experience for all golfers. The professionally designed par 71 course measures 6612 yards from the black tees and 6129 from the blue tees.

MUIRHEAD OUT-MANOEUVERS THE WIND ON MASTERS WEEKEND

LARKIN SIBLINGS TOP OF THE CLASS IN UNIFRUTTI JUNIORS BROTHER and sister Ronan and Saoirse Larkin put the family name firmly in the history books with a clean sweep in the AESGC Unifrutti junior series curtain raiser.

Ronan, the lowest handicapper in the field, produced some sterling play to claim the best gross of the day with a superb 34 on the Academy course, however, it was Ronan’s younger sister Saoirse who stole the show on her competitive debut with an amazing 44 gross for an incredible 9-under-par net 18.

Nic Walter played an excellent round of 35 gross off his 16 handicap to score a net 19 and take second place with third place going to Chris Mulvey Jnr, also with a 35 gross but with a net 20.

JIM Muirhead summoned all of the golfing know-how, learned in his native Scotland, and tamed the windy course conditions to win Division ‘A’ in the April Monthly Medal. Muirhead’s superb gross 72, net 68, was the best gross score by a whopping five shots from Lyndon Chalmers (net 70) and Mens Club Champion Eoin Cunniffe (net 74).

Division ‘B’ honours went to Sam Jones as his gross 86 for a net 70 saw him finish well clear of Wayne Turner who posted a gross 84 for a net 72.

Mandy Taylor also 84 gross for a net 73 and third place outright.

Libby Molesky blew the field apart in Division ‘C’ with a sensational 38 points which was good enough for a fivepoint win from young rising star Dane Sandford Junior who only turned 10 this year.

European Tour star Pablo Larrazabal was on hand to give out the prizes to all the prize winners on the day.

Jim Muirhead collects his prize from Spanish European Tour professional Pablo Larrazabal.

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.

ARABIAN GOLF

THE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE DUBAI

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

SUPERB SCORING AT THE TNT TRADITION THIS year’s TNT Tradition saw teams of two players play 36 holes, with a total of four different formats over the championship course.

Things were tight at the top after day one, but two teams made a charge on day two in Division ‘A’ as John Murray and Mike Roberts blew past the field, helped mostly by a gross 36 on John’s ball on the front nine in a betterball format, with the team finally signing for an sensational net 27.

John Millar and Mark Cornally shot an almost unbelievable 67 in the aggregate over the back nine to take second place.

Raj Flora and Paul Taylor led from the first day to take Divison ‘B’ ahead of ladies pair Nicole Haake and Connie Sayal, with Debbie Murray and Ros Marsh winning the ladies division over Barb McBean and Agnes Anwar.

The winners line-up alongside Brian Moulds of TNT (back row, middle).

STEYN SHINES IN ECCO MEDAL STEPHEN Steyn (5) blitzed his way to a superb gross 74 to win the ECCO Medal by six shots while Barb Mcbean won the Ladies Division by nine shots over Rita Walker with an 82. Raj Flora won the Mens ‘A’ Division and Ted Maitland earned his first top spot in the ‘B’ Division with Natalia Sobotovych taking the ladies Net.

Back row L to R: Gareth Venter, Maneesh Dungerwal, Mathew Ambhat, Raj Flora (and son), Ted Maitland. Front row L to R: Lise Slane, Barb McBean, Rita Walker, Stephen Steyn.

MAGICAL MUZAFFER AND MAJID RIP UP THE RIVOLI GUEST DAY MUZAFFER Hamid and Majid Khan tore up the Championship course in the monthly Rivoli Tournament with a super 68 Gross in the twoplayer texas scramble, winning by one shot over four groups on 69.

The net divisions were also closely fought with Richard Done and Debbie Murray combining

for a net 65 closely followed by Kurt Dinnuci and Natalya Sobotovych on 65.25.

In Divison ‘B’ Sam Constance and Katie Fidalgo won with a net 63 with Lisa Slane and William Campbell taking second on 63.25 who in turn defeated Sam Argui and Alan Salem on a countback.

CREEK TEAM NARROWLY BEAT THE MONTGOMERIE THE Address Montgomerie Dubai hosted the second round of the Captains Par 3 League with Blair Whyte and Matthew Laven from the Troon Elite Squad and Harry Sheedy, Sam Taylor and Ashton Smith from the Junior Development Programme. They put in a strong showing in the ‘best of four scores’ event, finishing second to eventual winners DCGYC by the narrow margin of four strokes.

Blair and Matthew both put in great rounds by securing second and third best gross scores of the day respectively.

CORRECTION TO LADIES INTERCLUB CHALLENGE STORY

Back row L to R: Rahul Dungerwal, William Campbell, Patrick Wynn, Richard Done, Sam Constance. Front row L to R: Phillip, Nadir Mohammadi, Kate Done, Lise Slane, Debbie Murray, Natalya Sobotovych.

In last month’s issue of WWG we incorrectly ran the story that the team from The Montgomerie had won the latest Ladies Interclub Challenge tournament on their own course. In fact the team from Emirates Golf Club prevailed and we would like to apologise for this error.

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81

CONTACT: Tel : +9712 558 8990

ARABIAN GOLF

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

ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB

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.

FERON AND LEHMKUHL CROWNED CLUB CHAMPIONS RICUS Lehmkuhl and Cathy Feron went home as the newly crowned Club Champions after an enthralling weekend of competition over the Abu Dhabi National Course last month.

For the first time in its 11-year history both the Men’s and Ladies’ competitions went into sudden-death play-offs.

Lehmkuhl posted scores of 75 and 72 to tie with 2009 winner Alistair Crombie, who shot the same scores in reverse order, but then took the trophy with a routine par at the first extra hole. Feron came from two strokes behind in regulation to match round one leader Pauline Cunningham and then won her first ladies’

title after winning the third play-off hole. Both players scored 158 over the two rounds before Feron settled the issue with a par on the third extra hole.

Cunningham’s net score of 142 was enough for her to take the top spot in the Ladies Net Division ahead of Judy Kong with Joanne Kellie third.

The winner in the Men’s Net Division ‘A’ was Jan Phillip Friedman with David De Angelo and Chris Morgan taking second and third respectively while in Division ‘B’ Anoop Sood took the honours from Radovan Belic with Pyoung Chul Choi following in third place.

FUTURE FALCONS LIGHT UP THE COURSE THE Abu Dhabi Golf Institute held the first of many “Future Falcon Fun Days” recently and over 80 enthusiastic youngsters arrived ready to get out on the golf course and put some of their lessons to good use.

In the 5-8yrs Division the team of Henrik McLean, Rebecca McLean, Daniel Alison and Tom Johnston prevailed on the SNAG golf course while the 9-13yrs Division was played on the big course in a team event.

Elliot Spinks, Anthony Carbone, Sarah Aunger and Scott Crombie combined marvelously to take out the top prize in a heavily contested division.

The advanced division was played in good spirits and off the full-length tees and the duo of Amalia Arrendondo and Jack Crombie showed poise and gritty determination to win their respective divisions.

FARELL TAKES THE MARCH MEDAL BILL Farell secured the honours in the Men’s Division of the March Medal with a 1-under-par 71 while Judy Kong won the Ladies Net Division with the same score as she held off Pascale Delecraz who signed for a 72.

Charles Parks posted an excellent score of 66 to take the top spot in the Men’s Division A by four strokes from Chris Morgan while the Men’s 15 - 28 Handicap Net Prize was won by Peter Jadersten who shot the low score of the day with a 65 to beat his nearest rival, Shamal Karim, by three strokes.

DANESHMEND, BALLANTYNE & MCQUATTIE MARCH TO RIVOLI SUCCESS

DE ANGELO AND SNYMAN TAKE THE ABU DHABI MIXED OPEN

A SUPERB score of 39 points helped Atique Daneshmend beat February Rivoli Champion Chris Morgan on a countback to take first place in the Men’s Division ‘A’ category at the March Stableford.

Top spot in the Men’s B Division went to Rob Ballantyne who took the title after a stunning score of 42 points for a five-point win over Gerhard Snyman.

Shelley McQuattie made it two Rivoli Stableford wins in a row as she finished on top in the Ladies Division with a sub-par score of 37 points, one shot clear of Michelle Larter.

DAVID De Angelo and Allison Snyman won a closely contested Abu Dhabi Golf Club Mixed Open in warm and windy conditions with a countback victory over Cliff Wisely and Muriel Gosselin and Phillippe Paulissen and Pascale Delacraz.

The three teams all recorded a Betterball Stableford score of 41 points but thanks to their back nine score of 23 points De Angelo and Snyman took the honours.

LOCATION: Situated on Yas Island, Yas Links Abu Dhabi features an 18-hole course, a 9-hole academy course, golf academy and floodlit practice facilities which

ARABIAN GOLF

YAS LINKS ABU DHABI

are all set against dramatic views of the Arabian Gulf.

CONTACT: Tel: +9712 810 7777 www.yaslinks.com

SAVIOZZI AND GIROUILLE CLAIM TOP HONOURS AT WORLD CORPORATE GOLF CHALLENGE

Laurent Girouille on his way to victory at the UAE leg of the World Corporate Golf Challenge with partner Marco Saviozzi at the Yas Links in Abu Dhabi.

(From left): Ara Nakhnikian, CEO of Prosports, Donal Kilalea, CEO of Promoseven Sports Marketing, UAE winners of the World Corporate Golf Challenge Marco Saviozzi and Laurent Girouille from GMG and Mark Rix, COO of 7 DAYS. MARCO Saviozzi and Laurent Girouille from GMG emerged victorious at the UAE leg of the World Corporate Golf Challenge at the Yas Links to book their spots at the World Final in South Africa this month.

The duo braved the windy conditions to notch up a total of 44 points and finish narrowly ahead of Alan Salem and Soumaya Argui (the only woman in the competition) who finished on 42.

With this victory, the pair have won the opportunity to represent the UAE at the World Final of the event which takes place May 3-8

and will bring together players from over 20 countries at the spectacular Simola Golf & Country Estate, in the Garden Route district of South Africa – the venue which hosted the Danish football team during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. “It’s great. We came and played the course for the first time on Sunday to practice and it was pretty tough so this is amazing. I wasn’t expecting this at all so it’s wonderful,” said Saviozzi, before Girouille added: “We had a really bad start and the conditions were really tough with the wind and sand and the

heat so this is great. We eventually managed to pick up the pace and things got better.

“The guys in the office will be very proud of us. Neither of us has been to South Africa before so we’re really looking forward to it.”

As runners-up Salem and Argui received Titleist golf bags from Ara Nakhnikian, CEO of Prosports, while David Voller was awarded with a driver from Titleist for hitting the Longest Drive and Rob Smith claimed the Nearest to the Pin award.

The winners received the trophy from Mark Rix, COO of 7

DAYS and Donal Kilalea, CEO of Promoseven Sports Marketing, the franchise owner of the World Corporate Golf Challenge for the Middle East.

“It’s been a fantastic day here at the Yas Links and our congratulations go to Marco and Laurent for their excellent performance in winning this prestigious event,” said Kilalea.

“I have no doubt they will go on to make us proud at the World Final in South Africa where they will come up against the best corporate teams from across the globe.”

THOMPSON WINS ANNIVERSARY OPEN AS Yas Links was celebrating its one year anniversary on March 26th, so too was John Thompson as he beat 120 of his fellow members to win the Anniversary Open.

Thompson compiled 41 Stableford points in tough scoring conditions to win by two points from Walter Hall. Players had to endure high winds coming off the coast but that didn’t damped spirits as some excellent scores were posted with third place having to be settled with a card countback after two players tied with 37 points. Sabine Wiedenbruch and Nicholas Hymans both finished level but it was Hyman’s better back nine that saw him take the bronze medal position on the podium.

Mike Beggs captured the Nearest the Pin prize on the signature eighth hole while Emanuel

Ostojic crushed his tee shot 311 yards down the 12th fairway to win the Longest Drive challenge.

The day even witnessed a hole-in-one as Colin Gow holed out on the 190-yard 17th.

Tournament Coordinator, Robert Turner, said: “It was great to see so many members and guests at the club to celebrate such a great milestone in the club’s short history. Yas Links has come a long way in 12 months and I’m sure it will continue to grow at the same rate in years to come.

“Everything from hosting the Emirates Airline Invitational, having three Major trophies at the club in one year, and being voted the best golf course, the best golf club, the best value golf club, and the best F&B in the Middle East all in one year is just fantastic, and we hope to continue the trend.”

John Thompson is presented with his prize by Club Professional Steve Morgan.

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83

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Prosports International - sales@prosports.ae - Tel: +971 4 3477737 titleist.co.uk

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

ARABIAN GOLF

SHARJAH GOLF & SHOOTING CLUB

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

LOW SCORES IN BMW MEMBERS AND GUESTS SOCIAL THE BMW sponsored Members and Guests Social returned to Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club last month and the two formats contested were the ever popular shambles and a better-ball over the two nines.

Tulani Thakur and Azhar Sharawi scored a great 32 net, taking the shambles prizes, while the betterball competition was won by Hassan Yazdi and Jed Wong with a fantastic score of net 30. The in form Yazdi can’t seem to stop winning – he also picked up the prizes for Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin.

TONY AND ANDY ANDREWS DOMINATE THE UPC THE father and son combination of Tony and Andy Andrews dominated the inaugural SAIF Zone Ultimate Pairs Golf Championship recently after securing a wireto-wire victory.

The pair, who are members at SGSC were leading through the opening day’s Texas Scramble (35) and Greensomes (35) formats after taking advantage of their familiar surroundings to shoot a net 70, three clear of Sunny Ramadas and Andew Say of the EGF. They proved equally dominant on day two as they returned solid net scores of 36 and 38 in the Betterball and Foursomes formats respectively for a net 74 round 2 total and an aggregate score of 144, four shots clear of runners-up Haneef Rabbani and Majid Madni of the EGF. Third spot went to the male and female combination of Jonathan Wall and Michelle Walsh (EGF) who returned the joint lowest aggregate score on day two to move up the field and push Ramadas and Say into fourth place.

WONG WINS MIDWEEK MADNESS THE April Coral Beach Hotel and Resorts Midweek Madness competition was another hotly contested affair as the par/bogey format invited players to really attack the course and the challenge was duly accepted by young Malaysian Jed Wong who returned a net score of plus five to romp home.

His nine-hole round included four pars in the first six holes and he showed great composure to finish the round solidly and take the title by three from TH Cho (5) who carded a gross 37 for a plus two total.

Above: Hassan Yazdi, winner of the Kempinski Hotel Ajam Medal.

YAZDI SEALS KEMPINSKI HOTEL AJMAN MEDAL HASSAN Yazdi won a card countback from Arun Tuli and Mohammad Firdaus to take the honours in the Kempinski Hotel Ajman Medal after all three players returned a net 33.

Yazdi’s net birdie, par, birdie finish earned him a well-deserved title but all three players won golf vouchers plus great days out at the Kempinski Hotel Ajman – either having brunch or enjoying a relaxing Swedish massage.

LOCATION:

ARABIAN GOLF

MUSCAT HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

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

Winner Sarah Whitelaw (left) with runner-up Kim Davies.

INAUGURAL ‘LADIES MADNESS’ SERIES A GREAT SUCCESS Hamood Al Harthy is pictured with Oman Golf Committee representatives Harib Al Kitani and Salim Al Harthy.

AL HARTHY SEALS OMAN JUNIOR OPEN HAMOOD Al Harthy won the inaugural Qalhat LNG Oman Junior Open Championship recently with a countback victory over Sam Battersby after both players had scored 24 Stableford points over a short nine-hole competition.

Division 2 was played over three holes of strokeplay and Fahad Al Mahruqy took the honours after signing for 14 strokes, two shots clear of Amjad Al Toky and Fahad Kitani who finished second and third respectively after a countback.

Ahmad Al Zubair prevailed in Division 3 after completing two holes in 13 strokes, one stroke better than Jesse Alanen, with Arthur McCarthy taking third place on 16.

The Nearest the Pin prize was sealed

by Edward Hulston while Damian Jilan launched the Longest Drive of the day.

A field of 48 junior players took part in

the event as part of the ongoing Oman Golf Committee initiative to develop junior golf in Oman and it was generously supported

by Qalhat LNG. “This was a tremendous event for the junior golfers of Oman and one that I believe will really inspire more juniors to take up the game” said Head Professional Alex Day. Saleem Al Harthy of the Oman Golf Committee added: “We would like to thank our sponsors Qalhat LNG for their generous and ongoing support and we also thank Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club for hosting the event and assisting with the organisation.”

As a follow-on to the success of this event, the Oman Golf Committee have organised a 10-week tuition programme at Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club for 30 of the most promising junior players.

THE first Ladies Madness series drew to a close last month and was deemed a tremendous success as it encouraged novice golfers to go out onto the golf course and try and establish a handicap.

Sarah Whitelaw took the honours ahead of Kim Davies with Yvonne Welling finishing third. Davies also took home the prize for shooting Nearest the Pin while the Longest Drive was struck by Catherine Shackleton.

“I am delighted with the response that we have had from our lady players,” said Head Professional Alex Day. “The event was very well received and we will be making this a regular fixture on our calendar.”

Such was the success of the event that a second eight-week series has already commenced and this time it has been split into two categories – one for those with handicaps and one without.

Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club PGA Head Professional, “delighted with the response for the first ‘Ladies Madness series.’

MUSCAT HILLS AND PRO SPORTS INT. SIGN GOLF EQUIPMENT AGREEMENT MUSCAT Hills Golf and Country Club, Oman and Pro Sports International have entered into an agreement for Pro Sports International to provide a one-stop solution to supply the needs of Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club’s golf shop.

Pro Sports International are the leading distributor of golf equipment and apparel in the Middle East region and cover many leading brands such as Titleist, Footjoy, Ping, Greg Norman, Bolle and Sun Mountain along with numerous other brands.

“We are excited about this opportunity,” said Pro Sports International’s General Manager David Stevenson. “Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club deserve our help and support in making a success of their excellent facility. Oman is a relatively

untapped market and we believe the golf community will benefit from being able to access such a wide range of quality products,” The relationship will see Muscat Hills’ golf shop stocking a comprehensive range of golf products and apparel and will feature a custom fitting service for hardware products. Muscat Hills will also be in a position to service the corporate market well with logo-bearing corporate shirts, gifts and accessories.

“This is excellent news for Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club and will be such an improvement on the level of service we give to our members and regular guests” said H.H. Rawi Al Said, CEO of Muscat Golf Course Project.

Muscat Hills Director of Golf Ray Stopforth

added: “This relationship gives us a tremendous opportunity to develop our retail offering here.

With the support of Pro Sports International we will be able to offer our members and guests a wide range of products, carry out a custom fitting service and arrange product demo days.

“In addition to this, Pro Sports have pledged support from a couple of their leading brands to sponsor some of our member’s competitions which will further enhance our membership advantages.”

The relationship also sees Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club upgrading their rental sets to Pings and their rental shoes to Footjoy. The club’s three PGA professionals will also start to represent the Ping and Titleist brands in ambassadorial roles. www.wwgolf.biz

87

PERFORMANCE BY DESIGN

c 2011 Greg Norman Collection. All Rights Reserved. Greg Norman and the Greg Norman collection logo are registered trademarks of Great White Shark Enterprises Inc. GREGNORMANCOLLECTION.COM

t EMIRATES GOLF CLUB t MUSCAT HILLS GOLF CLUB, MUSCAT, OMAN. t DUBAI CREEK GOLF CLUB t DUBAI DUTY FREE t DOHA GOLF CLUB t ROYAL GOLF CLUB, RIFFA, BAHRAIN. t Greg GOLF SHOP – VILLAGIO MALL, DOHA. t trademarks JUMEIRAH ©2011 Norman Collection.

All Rights Reserved.

Greg Norman and the Greg Norman Collection logo are registered of GreatGOLF White ESTATES Shark Enterprises Inc. GREGNORMANCOLLECTION.COM t ABUDHABI CITY GOLF CLUB t KATAMEYA HEIGHTS – EGYPT t DIRAB GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, RIYADH, KSA. t TABA HEIGHTS GOLF CLUB & RESORT, EGYPT t ROLLING HILLS GOLF CLUB, DHEHRAN, KSA. t GREG NORMAN SHOP, DUBAI MALL. t TOWER LINKS GOLF CLUB, RAS AL KHAIMAH

LOCATION:

BANYAN VILLAGE, RESORT & GOLF

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

SRICHANYA TO LEAD THE WAY FOR THAILAND GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDANTS BANYAN Golf Club was recently represented at the annual ‘Sustainable Turf-grass Management in Asia 2011’ seminar in Pattaya by course Superintendant, Khun Minachai Srichanya and Director of Operations Stuart Daly.

The seminar, which is now in its third year, welcomed over 200 delegates from 12 countries and is led by the Thailand Golf Course Superintendants Association and is supported by The R&A and the Asian Turfgrass Centre in Bangkok. This year’s seminar focussed its attention on subjects which are close to the hearts of every golf course Superintendant.

Sustainability Topics such as the sustainability of different types of turf grass (Bermuda-grass, Paspalums, and Zoysia grasses) and the different effects of weed control measures were discussed. The Royal & Ancient were represented by Phillip Russell, Assistant to the Director of the Golf Course management and he spoke about the need for golfers worldwide to understand the importance of the sustainable management of turf grass.

He reminded delegates that the use of water is being increasingly measured by governments and municipalities all over the world. Golf Course Superintendants must learn to use less water and chemical treatments over the coming years. Russell presented Banyan Golf Club as a casestudy for the R&A in its water management programme and the reduced use of chemical fertilisers year on year.

This is mainly due to the use of Zoysia grass for fairways and rough. The case study is due to be available for public viewing via the R&A’s website in the coming months. The R&A define sustainability as follows: “Optimising the playing quality of the golf course in harmony with the conservation of its natural

environment under economically sound and socially responsible management.”

On the closing day of the seminar, the new committee of the Thailand Golf Course Superintendant Association (TGCSA) was presented. Srichanya has been voted onto the committee to assist with the education and development of the other Superintendants in the country. He will use Banyan Golf Club as an example of how to sustainably manage turf grass while providing optimum playing conditions at all times. He intends to offer support to other Superintendants as they face issues with their respective courses.

Daly commented: “We are very pleased that Khun Minachai has been recognised by his peers within the industry. Turfgrass management is an integral part of the success or failure of any golf course. We will certainly welcome the visits from other Superintendants from Thailand as Khun Minachai will be leading the educational programme for the TGCSA. “We sent Khun Minachai to Sentosa last year to be involved in the course preparations for the Barclay’s Singapore Open. Sentosa use the same selection of turf grass as we have here at Banyan. He is becoming recognised as one of Thailand’s leading Superintendents.”

Srichana added: “The correct choice of turf grass for a specific project or site is a key decision in golf course design, construction and maintenance. We see several golf courses under tremendous weed and native grass pressure simply due to poor decisions at early stages.

“Thailand’s Golf Course Superintendants need to understand the maintenance and nutrient requirements of their specific turfgrass in order to present better playing conditions for members and visitors. The TGCSA hope to grow the quality of all of Thailand’s golf course conditions. But we must do that in a sustainable manner.”

LOUD MOUTH PROVES BIG HIT BANYAN Golf Club’s range of Loud Mouth apparel has been flying off the shelves of the Pro Shop according to Manager Nattakallaya Chajanda. “In the 6 months or so that Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin has been offering Loud Mouth golf apparel in our Pro-Shop, the response from customers has been amazing,” says Chajanda. “We have now received a new delivery of Loud Mouth skirts, shorts and trousers, and have lot of new designs on display.” Banyan Golf Club can also order any specific design or size with is required. Usually it only takes 24 hours for delivery. Check out Banyan Golf Club’s new Loud Mouth collection by visiting the Pro-shop or call for more details on 032 616 200.

MCKENZIE KEEPS RISING JUNIOR member, 14-year-old Sheena McKenzie, has been busy over the past few months participating in several national and regional amateur tournaments with impressive results.

Most recent was her appearance in the qualifying stages for selection to the Thai National Junior team under the eye of National coach Gerry Norquist.

Over four rounds played at Lamlukka Golf Club, Sheena returned scores of 72-75-73-72 to finish third in the overall standings. Earlier in March, Sheena won the True Vision Junior Golf tournament at The Pine Golf Course, Bangkok, with rounds of 76-75-72.

Stuart Daly, Director of Operations at Banyan Golf Club commented: “It’s great to see Sheena doing so well over the past few weeks. We actively encourage Junior Golf development here at Banyan Golf Club and so therefore take an interest in local golfers who display the passion to progress to the professional level over the coming years.”

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

ARABIAN GOLF

ROYAL GOLF CLUB BAHRAIN

Lady Captain Debbie Lane, Peter Thompson, the Royal Golf Club’s John Wilson, Sara Thompson and Club Captain Ed Daly.

FOUR-WEEK JUNIOR PROGRAMME READY FOR LAUNCH YOUNGSTERS wishing to brush up their golf game or interested in beginning a lifetime’s enjoyment of the sport are invited to sign up for the latest Junior Programme at the Royal Golf Academy. Starting on the weekend of 6th and 7th May, kids of all ages and abilities can enjoy a weekly hour-long group lesson with a PGA Professional at a cost of just BD 40 for the four-week programme.

To reserve a space, please visit www.theroyalgolfclub.com

LOCAL and regional golfers are being urged to sign up quickly for the third annual Royal Golf Club Mixed Open which will be held later this month on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th, May in the Mixed Greensomes Medal format. The lucky winners will receive a pair of return flights to London courtesy of the Royal Golf Club and Gulf Air. In addition, all participants will receive some exciting gifts in 2010 Mixed Open champions David their goodie bags from the Royal Axtell and Sara Hobday.

Golf Club’s other partners: BMW Euro Motors, Viva and HSBC. Entry fees for the tournament are just BD75 per couple (BD25 per couple for club members) inclusive of 36 holes of golf, carts, breakfast on both days and a prize-giving lunch after the final round.

Golfers wishing to enter the event are invited to sign up online by visiting www.theroyalgolfclub.com

May Sporting Events at the Royal Golf Club Date

Event

Time

13th & 14th May

Royal Golf Club Mixed Open

Fri-10am Sat- 7:30am

All

Every Saturday

Wee Monty Family Day

10am to noon

All

Every Monday

Ecco Monday Stableford

1.00pm shotgun

All

Every Monday

NHSC Night Golf Series

6.30pm shotgun

All

8.30am shotgun

All ladies

Every Wed & Sun Ladies competition

THE PALMS GOLF CLUB M.S. KIM TRIUMPHS AT THE SIXTH XEROX OPEN GOLF fanatic M.S. Kim put another feather in his cap last month when he won the sixth Xerox Golf Open at the Palms Golf Club, InterContinental Riyadh.

Kim, a scratch handicapper, produced one of the best scores of his golfing life with a level-par 56 and smiled, “It’s all about hard work,” after taking the trophy.

He started with a bogey, but managed to end up level by the close of play as the glorious weather provided excellent scoring conditions.

During the awarding ceremony Baby Joseph, Assistant Golf Club Manager thanked the sponsors, players and Intercontinental management for their great support.

Halim Ammoura, Marketing Director, Saudi Xerox Agencies awarded the major prizes to

CONTACT: Tel: +973 17 750777

GREAT PRIZES ON OFFER AT ANNUAL MIXED OPEN

GENTS SCORE NARROW VICTORY OVER LADIES THE 2011 Club Captain Edward Daly led his team to a narrow one-point victory over Lady Captain Debbie Lane’s team in the annual Gents Captain vs Ladies Captain Challenge. The match went right down to the last game with Daly’s team managing to hold to secure a 9½ –8½ victory.

The event also included a pair’s scramble competition which 2009 Lady Captain Sara Thompson and husband Peter won with a great net score of 56. A countback was needed to separate second and third places with Nigel Brough and son Faris just beating John McIssac and Murtuz Zamanly after both teams finished with a net score of 56.5.

The Captains also organised a nearest the ‘tricky pin’ side competition on the Club’s Montgomerie championship course and it was Ilya Goniker who won both prizes for her approaches to holes 6 and 11.

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

the winners. He was assisted by Mohammed Al Otaibi, Financial Controller, Intercontinental Riyadh and Zamil Kasim, Senior Marketing Executive, Saudi Xerox Agencies.

“Saudi Xerox has a long standing relationship with InterContinental Group and has been a keen player in the golfing community for the past six years,” said Halim Ammoura. “We are keen to support this great sport and continue our participation in other upcoming championships scheduled for the year.”

Danny Naval was crowned the Division ‘A’ champion with a net score of 61 with Kiwi golfer Julian Bennet settling for second place while in Division ‘B’ the first and second prizes were taken by Korean brothers Abdullah Kim and Chang Youel Kim respectively after a countback separated their final

LOCATION: Located on Al Maather Street in the centre of Riyadh, the Palms Golf Club at Intercontinental Riyadh is open for play from 6am until 10pm.

Open to

CONTACT: Tel: +966-1-4655000 Fax: +966-1-4657833 COURSE: Info: 9-hole, fully grassed and floodlit course. Golf Professionals are available for coaching.

tally of net 58. In the ‘C’ Division Saudi golfer Abdul Azis Kridis took the top spot with a net score of 60, one shot clear of Filipino David Lloyd Bantug while Anne Bjornstad secured the Ladies Division with a net 57, 10 shots ahead of second placed Natcha Biswas.

ARABIAN GOLF

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 1 498 0017/8 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.

SUBLIME SCORES IN AMGR AMEX GOLF TOURNAMENT THE American Business Group of Riyadh hosted their 18th Annual ABGR Amex Golf Tournament recently and it was the team of Paromita Mukherjee, Majed Surour, Allen McMahon and Aelis Sarieddine who returned a net 56 from a gross 65 to win by two strokes.

Rocky Williams, Paul Zarba, Mark Stephens and Rami Al Saihaiti took second place by virtue of a card countback from Finlay Graham, Ian Wells, Saud Al Malik and Spence Johnson after both teams tied on 57. Taking fourth, also on countback, was young Faisal Salhab’s team with the Tony Svensson’s team finishing fifth.

Salhab led Paul Dart, Jerry McCabe and Daniel Gauvin to a 66 gross and thanks to their better back nine they pipped Svensson, Jari Rasanen, Imran Hameed and Joan Murry.

Nearest the Pin prizes went to Hameed on hole 11, Rob Smith on hole 16 and Mukherjee on hole 4, while the Longest Drive winners were Svensson and Flore Bouzann.

ABGR Winning Team: Aelis Sarieddine, Paromita Mukherjee, Allen McMahon and Majed Surour pictured prior to winning the 2011 ABGR Amex Golf Tournament.

MCILROY CLINCHES MONTHLY MEDAL

GREEN STANDS OUT IN PAKISTAN OPEN

SILE McIlroy made it two wins in a row in the Radisson Blu Monthly Medal after nines of 45 and 42 gave her a gross 87 and a one-stroke victory over Paromita Mukherjee and Flore Bouzann.

Bouzann, Ladies Captain at Dirab Golf & Country Club, had her best round of 2011, giving her first place in the ‘A’ Division, with Koreans Kum Ju-Choi and Hyum Sook-Kim second and third on 72 and 74 respectively.

May Natcha carded a gross 89 for a net 66 to take home the Best Net honours while in the ‘B’ Division Hye Keng-Chi took first place on 74 with Theresa Wade (75) and June Hee-Kim (76) claiming second and third respectively.

In ‘C’ Division, Fauzia Shamim took the spoils with a superb 73 with Li Ni second after an 84 and Martine Himmesoete third (86). Natcha also picked up Longest Drive with H S Kim collecting Nearest the Pin.

NEWCOMER Gregory Green fired a sparkling 9-under-par 63 to win the overall Best Net title at the recent Pakistan Day Open Golf Tournament while Korean M. S. Kim shot the round of his life – a 5-under 67 – to clinch the Best Gross honours in windy conditions.

Promising young Saudi National Faisal Salhab won the First Division (0-9) with a 71 to extend his run of victories to three after winning Best Gross titles in the Wartsila Open in December and Qatar Airways Open in January.

Sean Boyd deservedly won the Second Division (10-18) with a net score of 66 from a gross 82 while Green, playing off 22, also won first place in the Third Division (19-28) to make his first tournament success all the sweeter.

The event started out exclusively for Pakistanis in 2009 but has since grown and was made open to all from 2010 and keeps on getting bigger in terms of size of the field and prizes on offer.

Left: Sile McIlroy is presented with her trophy by Hamzah Tawfiq, Radisson Blu Sales Manager.

Below : All the winners in the recent Radisson Blu Ladies Monthly Medal Tournament.

Gregory Green is pictured with Naseer Uddin Siddiqui, Dirab Golf & Country Club Committee Chairman, Pakistan Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Ayaz Muhammad Khan and Second Division winner Sean Boyd. www.wwgolf.biz

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LOCKER ROOM TIGER WOODS 12: THE MASTERS PERFECTLY timed for the first Major of the season, Tiger Woods 12: The Masters is the latest and greatest release from the most successful golf computer game franchise in the world because for the first time it features the hallowed turf of Augusta National.

It took the boffins at EA Sports two weeks to laser-scan every nook and cranny of the famous layout and the results are stunning. In addition to just playing Augusta you get the chance to recreate some of the most famous shots that the course has seen in the “Masters Moments” feature. Can you chip it in so exquisitely like Tiger did at 16 in 2005? Here you get the chance to replicate that shot and eight more.

Also new to the game is the use of an on-screen caddy, who helps you analyse your next shot, right down to the direction of the breeze and the breaks on the putting surface as well as giving you the option of laying up or going for it on a par-5.

In addition to Augusta National you can tee it up at Royal Melbourne (host course of the 2011 President’s Cup), East Lake, Celtic Manor, Pebble Beach, Sawgrass and Harbour Town, but now the most revered golf course in the world has been introduced to the series where does this gaming franchise go from here? We await the next release with baited breath.

www.easports.com

PSP THE LITTLE ONE LIKE all the best training aids, PSP’s The Little One works on very simple yet effective principles. The training iron is identical to a standard 7-iron in every way as far as technology goes except for one key area. The club head size is reduced and is only marginally bigger than the size of a golf ball, which means you have to concentrate much harder in order to hit the sweet spot. Constant practice with The Little One means that when you come to use your normal clubs again your accuracy will be much improved. The Little One has been used by more than 100 Tour pros around the world.

www.pspgolf.net

MIZUNO LEATHER BELT THIS individually box packed leather belt is the perfect accessory for the silent golfing assassin. Stylish and understated yet full of class, the black belt is made from highgrade leather with a signature RunBird embossed metal buckle. Also available with a satin finish.

Available from Golf House stores across the UAE.

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EVERYTHING YOU WOULD WANT IN YOUR LOCKER... AND MORE! CLUBS

BALLS

CLOTHING

BAGS

COOL STUFF

SENHEISSER PMX 680 SPORTS HEADPHONE THESE Sennheiser/adidas PMX 680 neckband headphones are perfect for wear during a workout, jog or bike ride.

They’re lightweight, comfortable and very hard wearing while compromising nothing in sound quality. There’s a reflective strip on the neckband to provide extra visibility for those who prefer to run after sunset, while the tidy short cable means you won’t have wires hanging all over the place while you’re on the go. There’s also an extension cable you can attach when you want to. The PMX 680 Sports also feature a unique moisture protection system which protects the sound system from sweat and water.

OPTISHOT SIMULATOR BY DANCIN’ DOGG WE’D be lying if we didn’t admit that we’ve had hours of fun out of this thing at WWG Towers. We’ve all tried the simulators you find at golf tournaments and shows around the world – they’re usually the places with the biggest queues and it’s because they’re so much fun! And now you can bring the experience into your home by linking the Optishot Simulator by Dancin’ Dogg to your PC. Up to four players can play some of the world’s best courses such as Torrey Pines and Big Horn Golf Club with amazing 3-D graphics, using your own clubs and hitting foams balls, real balls, or no balls at all! It’s incredibly easy to set up and use while the plug and play technology also records clubhead speed, face angle and swing path so it’s a great game improvement aid too.

www.dancingdogg.com

www.sennheiser.co.uk

LAMBDA MEN’S AND LADIES GOLF SHOES LAMBDA make some of the finest golf shoes currently on the market. Classic in style, they’re handmade in Europe from the finest quality leather and they utilise the latest innovative technology. If you’re planning to visit wetter lands on your golfing travels your feet will remain dry.

Lambda’s shoes are made with a water repellent prime leather upper while an Aquastop inlay breathable membrane ensures a waterproof guarantee. There’s also a detachable soft Latex foot bed, which is covered in leather for extra comfort and an ethylene-vinyl acetate insert on the sole and heel for shock absorption impact on your knees, hips and back. Men’s and ladies shoes both available with soft spikes in TPU, Stinger Cleats (from Champ) or Proflex Cleats (from Trisport).

Available from Golf House stores across the UAE.

www.wwgolf.biz

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R TI V S XE S[ 5E 2 R M

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GROOM ROOM L’EAU D’ISSEY SUMMER FRAGRANCE L’Eau D’issey Summer Fragrance A sparkling aqua inspired summer version of Issey Miyake’s ever-popular L’Eau d’Issey. This fragrance is wonderfully fresh and floral with a warm, velvety undertone. Technical jargon: Top notes – rose, pear water. Heart notes – peony, carnation. Base notes – Osmanthus, precious woods.

AFTER A LONG DAY ON THE COURSE, IT’S ALWAYS GOOD TO TAKE TIME OUT TO FRESHEN UP

LAB SERIES FOR MEN MAX LS OVERNIGHT SERUM Max LS Overnight Renewal Serum This intense and extremely effective overnight renewal serum that uses Lab Series’ Molecule Ageless Complex which triggers a time released multi-level renewal process while you sleep! It works by intensifying the skin’s natural rate of cell turnover which reduces the appearance of dull and tired skin.

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER CLASSIQUE SUMMER FRAGRANCE JPG has also produced a summer version of his Classique scent which is uplifting, fruity and flowery with an exotic hint of the orient. Technical jargon: Top notes – rose, orange blossom. Heart notes – jasmine, ylang ylang. Base notes – vanilla, musk.

CLINIQUE AGE DEFENSE HYDRATOR This anti-aging treatment from Clinique helps to repair the look of lines and deeper wrinkles as well as defending skin against future damage with powerful antioxidants plus broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

The fast-absorbing formula hydrates and comforts skin all day as well as helping to replenish moisture lost from shaving.

LANCOME GENIFIQUE REPAIR YOUTH ACTIVATING NIGHT CREAM

PAUL SMITH OPTIMISTIC The new fragrance from Paul Smith, Optimistic, is bursting with freshness and positivity. The men’s version is in the Fougère (“fern-like”) family of scents. It is a decidedly masculine ‘outdoorsy’ fragrance with an intoxicating blend of citrus, spicy and woody notes. Technical jargon: Top notes – citrus, pepper, cardamom.

Heart notes – sage, geranium. Base notes – cedar, vetiver, amber.

A wonderful anti-aging cream from Lancome which utilises cutting edge research to reactivate the signature proteins involved in the reproduction of genes associated with keeping your skin youthful and healthy looking. Results are visible after just seven days of use while after 28 days the appearance of fine lines and dark circles around the eye is greatly reduced.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER WORLDWIDEGOLF www.wwgolf.biz

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DRIVER - FAIRWAY - HYBRID - IRONS - WEDGES - PUTTER

IN THE MATTHEW PARKER

BAG PGA PROFESSIONAL AL BADIA GOLF CLUB

Q: When did you first start playing golf?

A: I first started playing when I was about four years old at a golf club in Germany where my dad was the Head Pro. During this time I was actually living in the clubhouse with my family so my playground was a par-3 course. I can remember spending all day at the club with my brother and my cousins as my dad’s two brothers where also based in the same city as Teaching Professionals.

It was a great time and we all developed a love for the game at an early age. Golf has always been a family sport for me and now that my cousins and myself are pros we have six pros in the family, which is great for bouncing ideas off each other. We are all helping to push our careers forward and certainly my cousin Florentyna winning on Tour last year was a great boost.

TaylorMade R9 – 15º – S flex

PUTTER TaylorMade Corza Ghost – 32 inch

IRONS (3-pw) TaylorMade R9TP – half inch longer, 2º upright – stiff flex

Q: What was your first set of golf clubs?

A: I started off with a set of Mizuno junior Faldo clubs, cut to size, when I was about 7. I can remember unwrapping them and being really excited to use them – they were a great set of clubs.

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TaylorMade R11 – 9º – x flex – ASP set open

3-WOOD

Q: How long have you been in Dubai For? A: I have been here for around 18 months now and it has just flown by. It’s great to have access to such good facilities here at Al Badia such as the MAT_T Lab, it has really added to my toolbox as a coach. I’m really pleased with how well all my pupils have progressed in this time, it’s definitely been a rewarding 18 months.

Q: Who would be in your dream fourball?

A: I would have to say Ben Hogan as I have seen nearly every DVD or book about him and I must have watched ‘Follow the Sun’ about 100 times.

I would then go for Tiger Woods – but it would be great to have him playing like he is chasing a Major title just to see how focused and good he is when he’s in that situation.

The next player would be Warren Buffett, an American investor, to get his views on investing and business. He might have a few useful tips for business and life.

DRIVER

WEDGES TaylorMade – 56º and 54º – ZTP – S flex

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 Fax:+971-4-299 3886 Email: ae.golf@ecco.com Web: ecco.com/golf