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GARY PLAYER
MY MEMORIES OF ARNIE AYLA GOLF CLUB
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October 2016, ISSUE 185
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Worldwide Golf Columnist
REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND By Gary Player, Worldwide Golf Executive Editor since 1999
V
IVIENNE and I just woke up on the farm this morning to the sad news that our friend Arnold Palmer passed away peacefully last night in the USA. I have so many vivid memories of our time together, competing around the world, with our families, helping each other’s charities, and just being together. Arnold was many things to many people and, undoubtedly, made golf more popular. But to me he was simply a dear friend for over 60 years. Of course, like anybody, we had our differences but these never stood in the way of our relationship and I will miss him terribly. He could be difficult and demanding but he was also blessed with charisma, charm and patience. Arnold Palmer simply transcended the game of golf. He was inspirational to so many and lived his life to the fullest. He had a slashing, dashing style accompanied with a knowing smile. He was loved by all, even when they did not know him. He always made an effort, despite the odds being stacked against him. Our prayers go out to Kit and his entire loving family. Muff, I will raise my glass and toast your life tonight my friend, and hope to be reunited for another round together in time. Rest In Peace. I love you.
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JIMMY WALKER
October 2016
CONTENTS
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38
22
14
Cover feature: 100% Beef
Golf needs unique characters and Englishman Andrew Johnston is a rare breed indeed. The former Challenge Tour No.1 has gone on to become a huge hit on the European Tour and around the world with his perma-smile, hillbilly beard and happy go lucky style. But don’t be fooled by the carefree demeanour, this boy can play!
The Starter
Shenshan International GC is set for the WGC-HSBC Champions and we spin back in time to 1993 and the Dunhill Cup at St Andrews where Payne Stewart eerily predicted John Daly’s Open Championship victory at the same venue two years later!
24 27
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Pete Cowen Column
The PGA Master Professional explains why he thinks 9-hole tournaments are the future and pays tribute to ‘The King’ as golf mourns the passing of Arnold Palmer.
David Howell Column
Howeller discusses the predicted return to action of a certain Tiger Woods later this month and asks the question: “Does the world of golf still need him?”
Greg Norman Column
The tributes to ‘The King’ continue as Greg Norman shares his memories of a friendship that stretched back to 1981 and explains why all Tour players today owe a debt of gratitude to Arnie.
Tour News
The eyes of the golfing world will turn to the UAE once again over the next few months with some cracking events on the horizon including the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah 2016 Golf Challenge, the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final and of course the DP World Tour Championship.
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Titleist’s 917 range is set to hit the stores in the region on October 21 and we couldn’t be more excited. MENA Tour hot-shot Rayhan Thomas is pretty thrilled about it too.
PXG: IT’S ALL ABOUT QUALITY
We take a trip to eGolf Megastore to find out why this elite brand is taking the golf industry by storm.
Arabian Golf
The latest news from the leading golf clubs in the Middle East as well all the action from our DSA Architects ‘Road to Mongomo’ Qualifier.
54 56 58 79
AXE DRILL
Emirates Golf Club’s Head Professional Stephen Deane demonstrates a simple but effective drill used by Pete Cowen which will greatly improve your swing mechanics.
PERFECT POSTURE
Alex Nicholson, PGA Professional at The Track Meydan Golf explains how to perfect your posture to hit it pure.
MASTER THE HYBRID CHIP
Gavin Sutherland, Senior Teaching Professional at the European Tour Performance Institute at Jumeirah Golf Estates shows us the hybrid chip and when to use it.
STYLE & TRAVEL
Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham talks golf and football ahead of his visit to Dubai next month and we feature three mustvisit golf destinations including Jordan where the eagerly anticipated Ayla Golf Club has just opened.
Editor’s Letter
By Alex Gallemore Benjamin Hebert tees off on the 16th hole during the final round of the 2014 Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final at Al Badia Golf Club
Al Badia Golf Club set to close on a high
T
he Middle East golf scene is back into the swing of things after the summer break and there’s one talking point that’s doing the rounds – the closure of Al Badia Golf Club. Before the usual ‘Chinese’ whispers take hold and people start second-guessing about the cause, the truth behind the closure is quite simple. It would seem the decision to close is a purely a personal one by the owning family. I understand the plan is to utilise the 35 hectares of land for private family use, with the clubhouse being converted into a Majlis. It’s hugely important to highlight the fact that the club is not closing due to financial failure. On the contrary, the business was a thriving with 420 members and an average of 52,000 golf rounds per year. It also had the third-highest number of international rounds of any club in the region. The team at Al Badia, led by Tim Neil, are world class, too, which was acknowledged when the club won a coveted ‘Gold Flag’ for customer service at this year’s annual ’59 Club Golf Service Awards – recognised by many as the ‘Oscars’ of the golf industry. I’d like to send our best wishes from everyone at WSP and Worldwide Golf to the whole team at Al Badia. If there are any positives to this disappointing situation it is that many of the staff working in F&B roles will likely be absorbed into the hotel operations within the InterContinental Group while, with several new golf clubs set to open in the region over the next 12 months, it surely won’t be long before those working on the teaching and operations side are snapped up. It was also interesting to talk to Pete Cowen during the Ryder Cup to get his take and that of the players on the new Super Six format that’s due to take place in Perth next February. Everyone’s sitting back to see how this new funky format is received, as it’s always good to try something different even if
it’s not 100% effective. The European Tour is right to take the initiative. If they are going to combat the US PGA Tour they’ve got to lead the way when it comes to new ideas. Ironically, the amateurs might have the answer to the issue of speeding up play. Read Pete’s column on page 20 to find out more.
America needs another superstar Saving the saddest news until last, the loss of The King, has hit the golfing world harder than most people could imagine. Regardless of ages, all golfers the world over know of Arnold Palmer, and rightly so. The founding father of the modern game, with his Hollywood good looks, his athletic build and a swashbuckling approach to the game, brought golf to the attention to the masses. He attracted TV to get interested in the action and, managed by the late Mark McCormack, founder of IMG, suddenly golf was booming and Arnie’s Army were on the march. Ironically, no one ever matched Arnie’s presence on or off the course to such a level until Tiger burst onto the scene. Golf’s future once more looked bright as the TV figures once more blossomed as Tiger accumulated Majors. We can’t forget that America is the single largest golf market in the world and to attract large audiences they need one of their own countrymen to dominate the game. Arnold started the process, Jack Nicklaus soon followed. Then came the wave of Ryder Cup dominance before the dawn of the Tiger era. Hopefully, Tiger’s return at the Safeway Open in California this month will help lift global viewing figures until a new American star shines once more. Don’t get me wrong – Spieth, Johnson and Fowler are great golfers but they just don’t have the Arnie or Tiger factor. That’s what the game misses and that sort of charisma isn’t created on a range. ■
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ISSUE No.185 OCTOBER, 2016. Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd. Published in Dubai by: Prografix, PO Box 24677, Dubai, UAE. (Tel) +9714 340 3785. Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore. Executive Editor: Gary Player. Editor: Alex Gallemore. alex@wspglobal.com. Publisher: Mike Gallemore. mike@wspglobal.com. General Manager Dubai: Richard Bevan: rick@wspglobal.com. Editors: Todd Staszko, Scott Grayston, Ashraf Ahmed. Production/Design Editor: Thameem Rayyan. Editorial Panel: Gary Player, Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Todd Staszko. Photography: Getty Images, Joanna Eardley Photography June 2009 SSN 1- 46805671 Approval UAE National Media Council: Ref.816 30/5/2007 Trade Licence No. 1/104375/15280
Printed by: Raidy, Dubai Worldwide Golf specifies that post-press changes may occur to any information given in this publication and takes no responsibility for goods or services advertised.
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The Course
Sheshan International GolfClub The Jewel of Asia
S
INCE 2009, the immaculate Sheshan International Golf Club has played host to the world’s best players at the WGCHSBC Champions, and throughout the years the tournament has grown, colloquially known as ‘Asia’s Major’ thanks to the quality of field, enormous prizemoney and impressive roll of honour. Past winners include multiple Major winners Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Martin Kaymer, Ryder Cup legends Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter and this year’s U.S Open Champion, Dustin Johnson. The 18-hole, par-72 golf course was designed by Nelson & Haworth and features beautiful tree-lined fairways, gentle rolling hills, 1,000-year-old Gingko trees, calm waterways and a spectacular natural quarry. Set in the shadow of the Basilica of the Lady of Sheshan Cathedral and surrounded by Italian Tuscan style villas, Sheshan provides a truly unique experience to all those lucky enough to play it. Located within the city limits of the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, Sheshan offers golfers a chance to escape to more serene surroundings. The bunkering is plentyful and the greens undulating, while water features adorn the course, providing a challenging course for all those who play it. From Tour professionals to the weekend warrior – the course is a keen yer fair test of golf in a peaceful, relaxing environment. n
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Tournament facts and figures: Lowest final round by a winner: 63 (-9), Martin Kaymer, 2011 Lowest 72 hole score: 264 (-24), Dustin Johnson, 2013 Wire-to-wire-winners: Francesco Molinari, 2010 Youngest winner: Martin Kaymer, 26 years and 313 days, 2011 Oldest winner: Phil Mickelson, 39 years and 145 days, 2009
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STARTER
DQ LEADS TO UNHAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR AN
IN-GEE CHUN WINS THE FINAL LADIES MAJOR IN RECORD STYLE In-gee Chun broke the Major championship scoring record in both the men’s and ladies games with a 21-under-par score as she won her second Major at the Evian Championship in France last month. The South Korean, who won last year’s U.S. Women’s Open, shot a final round 69 to hit the 21-under mark, eclipsing the records held by Jason Day and Henrik Stenson (20-under-par, 2015 US PGA Championship and 2016 Open Championship respectively) and Dottie Pepper (1999 Kraft Nabisco Championship).
Former BMW PGA Champion ByeongHun An had an unhappy 25th birthday last month after being disqualified at the Italian Open when in contention. After his third round An noted a bogey for his score on the 16th when he had actually bogeyed the 15th, and as a result was disqualified.
KEVIN NA PLAYS A TWO-HOUR ROUND
MILLER BELIEVES WOODS CAN WIN AGAIN ON COMEBACK
Two-time Major winner and television golf analyst Johnny Miller believes Tiger Woods will win ‘six to eight times’ on his latest Tour comeback. Woods has scheduled in three events in California, Turkey and his own Hero World Challenge before the end of the year and Miller believes he will be a factor if he can compete for a regular, undisrupted spell. “If he’s going to come back and play to some kind of schedule you cannot count Tiger Woods out,” said Miller. “They always say a great boxer, always has at least one more great fight in him, and I think he has more than one great fight left. I pick him to win six or eight tournaments in his second career spell, at least. That's my feeling.”
GOLF AT RIVIERA PART OF LOS ANGELES 2024 OLYMPIC BID According to local reports, the historic Riviera Country Club, known as “Hogan’s Alley” is part of Los Angeles’ bid to host the 2024 summer Olympics. The course has held a US PGA Tour event going back to 1926 and has hosted three Major championships. Golf’s participation in future Olympics beyond Tokyo 2020 is in doubt after the withdrawal of many of the game’s leading male stars in Rio this year and the International Olympic Committee will vote on the long-term fate of golf in September next year – the same month when the 2024 venue will be announced. Cities vying with L.A for the host site in 2024 are Budapest and Paris.
PAUL BROADHURST JOINS ELITE COMPANY WITH his win at Pebble Beach at the US PGA Tour Champions’ Nature Valley First Tee Open, Paul Broadhurst joined Ben Hogan and Tom Watson as the only players to have won professional events at both Carnoustie and the historic Californian links. Broadhurst, who won the Senior Open at Carnoustie in August, now has his first win on American soil and is in some pretty good company.
Q U O T E S "I love Jack Nicklaus beyond belief, but I have to put Tiger down as probably the greatest player ever to play." – Outgoing US PGA Tour Commisioner Tim Finchem on chosing Tiger over Jack as his pick for the greatest of all time.
ONE of the most infamously deliberate players out on the US PGA Tour, Kevin Na, completed his final round at the Tour Championship in just under 2 hours. Because of the uneven field, Na played the third and fourth rounds on his own and shot a final round 70 as he played the opening nine in 1:03 and the back nine in 56 minutes. “We didn’t get stuck with anyone slow," he laughed afterwards. "That’s what’s been holding us up for the last 10 years.”
O F
T H E
"I walked into his dining room and it was like going into a Superstore now that Nike’s equipment line no longer exists. Every single manufacturer had sent equipment in there, and he’s trying a variety of different things," – Notah Begay III sums up the scene in Tiger Woods' house after Nike's withdrawal from Golf.
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M O N T H "Is it four? Listen, I'm too old, I can't remember that sort of stuff.'' – Tom Watson after breaking his age for the fourth time on the PGA Tour Champions, shooting a 65 at the Shaw Charity Classic, just two days short of his 67th birthday.
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DUNHILL CUP '93 USA win at St Andrews as Payne predicts the future
Spin Back
P
rior to morphing into a popular pro-am celebrity tournament in 2000, the Dunhill Cup was played as a team championship at St Andrews for 15 years, between nations from around the world. Three-man teams from 16 countries gathered together at the Home of Golf in a quest for honours and in 1993 the popular United States trio of Payne Stewart, Fred Couples and John Daly emerged victorious against England. In the final, team Captain Stewart lost his match to Mark James but Couples and Daly sealed the title with victories over Sir Nick Faldo and Peter Baker respectively. “It’s special being here at St Andrews and I think with John coming over here for the first time, I’m glad he’s leaving with such a special impression of the Old Lady and a victory under his belt,” said Stewart in his post round interview. “He’ll be dangerous when The Open comes back here.” And what do you know? Daly went and won The Open two years later on the Old Course with a play-off win over Costantino Rocca.
October 1993
1993 was a good year for Freddie Couples – he was a member of the victorious United States teams in the Ryder Cup and Dunhill Cup before going on to win the World Cup of Golf alongside Davis Love III
John Daly remains the only American to have won two Major titles and never qualified for a Ryder Cup team – and he won both Majors in Ryder Cup years
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Payne Stewart, a threetime Major winner, had lost to Mark James in the Ryder Cup singles at The Belfry just a few weeks before – but it mattered not as USA clinched a 15 - 13 victory under the captaincy of Tom Watson
Worldwide Golf Columnist
IT’S TIME WE SPEEDED THINGS UP By Pete Cowen, PGA Master Professional
I
t’s good to see that the European Tour is actively trying to do something about speeding up tournament golf with the introduction of the ‘Super Six’ format. They’ve got to find as many ways as possible to speed up the game. It’s in their interests to do it. These days, fewer and fewer people have the time to play 18 holes of golf. If they can’t find the time after work or at weekends then they will stop playing and that will have a knock-on effect with professional golf. There’s a whole raft of things that can be done to make it shorter. The tournament golfers I’m sure would prefer to play three rounds instead of four but how that would affect the tournament and television coverage remains to be seen.
9-Holes is the answer After a day’s work and the usual growing list of weekend commitments, managing to squeeze in 18-holes seems to be getting even harder these days, which is why playing 9-hole competitions is surely the way forward. The amateurs can lead the way in this breakthrough. I spoke to one of the main guys from the PGA on the plane on my way to the Ryder Cup and he said that the monthly medal at the club he belongs to in Scotland is played over 9-holes. Just think, you could play two monthly medals on the same day, front nine and back nine. The social element of any sport is important but golf these days doesn’t allow you sufficient time to be able to do that. Another innovation could be introduced on the greens where you would be allowed only one look at your ball and the hole and then you putt. That should be the rule. You would soon find out how the scores compare between one-look and the time it takes players to putt at the moment. I would guess there would be little difference.
Long putters On average, you spend five minutes on every green unnecessarily. Five times 18 equals 90 minutes. Take an hour-and-a-half off an 18-hole round of golf and suddenly it becomes a possibility to play 18 holes. Golf club technology is probably as advanced as it can go at the moment. The manufacturers will always try and find a way to make progress
but the benefits will be tiny. It’s only the strength of the players now that will create longer distance off the tee. The increment of improvement is sparse. What does annoy me is that players are still using the long putter despite the fact that anchored long putters were banned from the beginning of this year. They should allow long putters for the amateurs who may not be able to play without the club but it’s not their living we’re talking about. I’d also allow putter grips for amateurs. If it helps them enjoy the game more, why not. You can position putter grips to any iron and help the player get a better feel. You can reduce a slice and all sorts of things by using grips but it’s illegal even for amateurs. It’s crazy. Anything that makes the game easier for amateurs must be good for the game. But they’re banned. We’ve got to make every effort and change the rules if required to make golf a pleasure for amateurs. If they’re playing better golf in less time than before and enjoying it then they will carry on playing.
Arnold Palmer I was sad to hear of the passing of Arnold Palmer. I played a few holes with Arnold in 1979 at Royal Troon before The Open. He said he liked my driver but I know why he said that – it was because it was Jack Nicklaus’s old driver. I also played in the group behind him in 1977 at Turnberry. He was paired with Henry Cotton and Christy O’Connor Snr. Henry and Christy were getting on a bit and we were held up on every tee which really annoyed Arnold who was only 47 at the time and believed he could win another Major. I could hear Arnold grumbling to himself about the slow play. Arnold was great for the game of golf. He was Mr. Golf for so many years. If you asked anyone to name a golfer, even non-golfers, the first name they would say is ‘Arnold Palmer.’ Everybody knew him. Arnold was simply synonymous with golf. I loved the way Arnold played. He was always aggressive with his game. He’d give it a dig whatever the circumstances and he was a strong as an ox. His dad was a pro and it was in his blood. He had film star good looks. In fact, he had it all. n
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TIGER RETURNS BUT CAN HE BITE BACK? By David Howell, European Tour Professional
S
o the wait is almost over and finally, after 18 long months, Tiger Woods has scheduled his return to competitive action at the Safeway Open this month, the first event of the 2017 US PGA Tour season. It begs the question, ‘does the world of golf still need Tiger Woods?’ If it does I think we are in serious trouble, quite frankly, but need is a big word In this context. Will the golfing world be enhanced by his presence once again then, of course, you would have to say ‘Yes.’ The void left by Tiger has been filled not by one new superstar but by a new big five of McIlroy, Day, Speith, Johnson and Stenson. In many ways, watching these guys go up against each other has been totally absorbing. The days of Tiger winning Majors is quite some time ago now. In those big four events he has been a bitpart player to some degree for five years now, occasionally threatening at the Masters Tournament but eventually falling short of the standards he once set.
Tiger Performances In turn, all of the above mentioned guys have put in a performance worthy of Tiger Woods at his best. Just remember Speith and his amazing season last year taking The Masters and the US Open; or Dustin Johnson finally getting that first Major under his belt with a final round performance at Oakmont this year that tore the field apart. Jason Day set new records when he won at Whistling Straits last year and McIlroy just about lapped the field when he won his first US Open at Congresional, then just last week he reminded us all that he can indeed be regarded as the best in the world again with two wins in three weeks to win his first FedExCup title. All that and then Stenson played what Jack Nicklaus described as ‘the best final round ever to win a Major’ at Royal Troon earlier this year. So no one can argue that the game since
Tiger left the field of play has been below his standards. It certainly hasn’t. It’s been right up there with his dominant years in the early 2000s. Think a bit deeper, too, and so many memorable moments come to mind: Justin Rose taking down Mickleson to win the US Open, and, for that matter, going toe to toe with Henrik Stenson before finally winning the Olympic golf gold medal in Rio. Remember Adam Scott and his celebrations in winning his first Major championship at Augusta on the tenth green – all of these moments have taken centre stage since Tiger ceased to be the best player in the world. Who would swap any of those magical moments for another Tiger victory, not many I would say. However, and it’s a big however, whilst you might not swap any of those occasions, having
“What made Tiger so incredible to watch: his brute force, his will to win, his putting, it was all so exciting to watch, and whilst the others have been able to match Tiger’s best golf, they haven’t quite been able to match that level of excitement, and frankly they never will.”
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Tiger Woods go about his business at full throttle is still something to behold. Nobody has been able to win tournaments in the style that Tiger used to. The big five quite frankly often play better than he did, especially off of the tee. Yet none can match his ability to scramble his way to victory. That’s what made Tiger so incredible to watch: his brute force, his will to win, his putting. It was all so exciting to watch, and whilst the others have been able to match Tiger’s best golf, they haven’t quite been able to match that level of excitement, and frankly they never will. So, I for one, am looking forward to Tiger making his way back to the game that he graced for two decades. His story is an amazing tale both for the ups and the well documented downs, of course. Those episodes, let’s call them, seemed to knock something out of him. It made him more vulnerable, less intimidating and, frankly, he has never quite been the same golfer ever since his off-course life caught up with him. One thing is for sure, though. Tiger did the game of golf a great service. For 15 years, he transcended the sport. He was the first person ever to do so. He made golf popular, he brought
Worldwide Golf Columnist
with him millions of dollars’ worth of sponsorships that all the pros have taken a share of, and he dedicated his life to the game. It would be a sad end to such an incredible career should his body not manage to give him one last crack at Jack Nicklaus’s records, and I wouldn’t put that past him. Eighteen months out of the game is a long, long time, but it’s also long enough to awaken the Tiger within, long enough to appreciate what a great life he created for himself. The thrill of trying to win tournaments that matter once again will get his juices flowing in no time. In summation, the world of golf doesn’t need Tiger Woods anymore, but we would quite like to have him back, thank you very much. He adds a storyline to any event he plays, and just you watch, when he is next in contention to win a Major I bet you it’s the most exciting finale we have witnessed for a while. Let’s hope he finds some joy on the course once again. An angry, snarling Tiger we can do without; a happy, smiling, competitive Tiger will be a joy to watch. For 20 years Tiger has focused solely on winning Majors and breaking records, let’s hope that in this final third of his career he can also focus on his legacy, how he will be remembered, and the sad news of the
passing of Arnold Palmer should bring that to the forefront if his mind. Mr. Palmer, as he was addressed by anyone of my generation, was the first global golf star, and his popularity endured until his final day. What did he do? He played with a swagger, determination and style, but he added to that the ability to find time for everyone, to be kind to his adoring fans and to be humble, too. Playing at his tournament at Bay Hill was one of the thrills of my career, being asked by Mr. Palmer to remove my cap for lunch was a stark reminder about the traditions of the game, and civilised society at large. It was a little life lesson I will treasure. Sadly, another one of the good guys has left us, but he made his mark like no other golfer has done. It was a life well lived, I would say. You can’t ask for more than that. n
“The world of golf doesn’t need Tiger Woods anymore, but we would quite like to have him back, thank you very much. He adds a storyline to any event he plays, and just you watch, when he is next in contention to win a Major I bet you it’s the most exciting finale we have witnessed for a while.”
Arnold Palmer 1927 - 2016 “Playing at his tournament at Bay Hill was one of the thrills of my career, being asked by Mr Palmer to remove my cap for lunch was a stark reminder about the traditions of the game, and civilised society at large. It was a little life lesson I will treasure.”
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Worldwide Golf Columnist
THE KING AND I T
here are three people I have known that I can say have had a significant impact on me and changed the course of my life. They include Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali and Arnold Palmer. I think that speaks volumes when discussing the legacy of The King. Our friendship began in 1981 when I moved to the United States. I was looking for a place to call home and Arnold reached out to me and suggested I come look at his golf club, Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida. I ended up buying a home on the 12th fairway, a mile down the road from him. I probably ended up drinking more beers with Arnold Palmer than any other person in the world. Now, 35 years later, I still cherish every moment I spent with him.
Arnie was truly different He was aggressive and had a go-forbroke style – and that’s what I loved about him. If he saw a shot, he went for it. He always seized the moment. Arnie was truly different from all the other great players of his era. He didn’t have the purest swing, but he started the movement of being a powerful and charismatic player. This is how I played the game, as well. His style is what made him a superstar. No one did more to popularise the sport than Palmer. His dashing good looks, imposing physicality and impeccable communication skills single-handedly took golf out of the country clubs and catapulted it into the mainstream. He brought golf, through TV, into the homes of men and women, young and old, to blue and white collar families. People who didn’t follow golf followed him. People who hated golf loved him. Arnold Palmer made golf cool. From Presidents to CEOs to Arnie’s Army, he engaged with everybody and made them understand what golf was all about. He had an appreciation for the audience that was sitting out there that nobody had ever really captured, which was completely unprecedented. He became the most beloved figure in the game and also of popculture in his era. Arnold Palmer was, by all accounts, the greatest icon the game of golf has ever had and will ever see. Above all else, Arnold Palmer won big and
By Greg Noman
lost big – just like I did. He was the one who taught me how to celebrate both in victory and defeat – because it was just a game and no one person is bigger than the sport. He showed me how to handle myself in agony and how to be gracious in triumph. A true gentlemen of the game, he represented everything that is great about golf.
State of the Game Rory McIlroy just won $US11.5 million in a single golf tournament. By any measure, that’s a staggering amount and it was only made possible by the pioneering work of the great Arnold Palmer so many decades ago. It’s no exaggeration to say that Arnold’s legacy has touched every player to have played the game as a professional. He created it all for us. He created golf on television, he created money for the game, he created sponsorship. In a lot of ways, he created the modern-day PGA Tour. Everybody, from myself to the Rory McIlroys, Jordan Speiths and Jason Days of the world should all thank him for the opportunity we have and the benefits we have received. On a day where a prizemoney cheque of $US11.5 million was handed out – more prizemoney than Arnie would have seen in his whole career – we must all acknowledge and appreciate the man who made it all possible. He put that massive stamp on the market and opened it up to where we are now.
RIP THE KING To Arnold, golf was his passion, golf was his life. He gave it everything he had, whether it was golf course design, the Bay Hill tournament, or the commitment he had to the young players coming up. He made people believe they could do certain things. He made people believe they could reach beyond. The game of golf will never be the same. RIP King. n
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MO NT GOME RIE DUBAI
Road to Oman Movers and Shakers With only a handful of tournaments remaining, Jordan L. Smith and Bernd Ritthammer have both surpassed the 100,000 points mark to all but guarantee their European Tour cards for next season.
Detry’s Delight
Bernd takes lead from Smith A SECOND Challenge Tour win of the season saw Bernd Ritthammer take the lead on the Road to Oman by the narrowest of margins ahead of long-time leader Jordan L. Smith. Ritthammer clinched the Volopa Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, to add to his Made in Denmark Challenge – Presented by Ejner Hessel back in July, and with it he took his haul to 105,000 points, just 1,000 points clear of Smith. “The whole day I was just trying to survive out there,” said the German. “The wind gusts were still pretty heavy and it was very tough, with a few holes playing into the wind. I’m not sure where I am going to be in the rankings but I think I should be high enough to get my European Tour card for next year. I am in a very good position now and very happy!”
THE CLOSING STRETCH
ALVARO VELASCO GOES LOW TO WIN Alvaro Velasco gave his season a timely boost with his third career win on the Challenge Tour at the Cordon Golf Open. The Spaniard fired a superb final round 62 to win and move into the top 35 on the Road to Oman ranking. At 35 Velasco is something of a Challenge Tour veteran and this was his first win in six years. “It’s hard to describe at the moment, but I’m so happy,” he beamed after the win. “It’s unbelievable, and today was amazing, I’m thrilled. Everything changes now for me. This year, so far, has been quite
PROMISING Belgian youngster Thomas Detry clinched his maiden Challenge Tour title in impressive fashion with an astonishing 12-stroke win at the Bridgestone Challenge at Heythrop Park Resort, Oxfordshire. After opening with a 60, Detry fired rounds of 67-69-63 to post a 29-under-par score – a Challenge Tour record – and finish well clear of Thriston Lawrence. The 23-year-old, who moved into the top 15 on the Road to Oman, broke the course record with his 12-under-par opening round and his 12-shot winning margin eclipses the previous record of 10 shots, set in 2013 by Brooks Koepka. “I talked to my caddie earlier today and I said ‘this is what I play golf for’”said Detry. “This is what drives me to play golf. There is no point in being nervous and being under pressure – just go out there and enjoy yourself.”
bad, and my game hasn’t been very sharp, but this week I found something and a win here is huge for me, so I’m really excited for what comes next.”
Sep 29 - Oct 02
Kazakhstan Open Zhailjau Golf Resort Kazakhstan
€450,000
Oct 06 - Oct 09
Italian Challenge Terre dei Consoli Terre Dei Consoli Golf Club Italy
€250,000
Oct 13 - Oct 16
Hainan Open Sanya Luhuitou Golf Club Hainan Island, China
$350,000
Oct 20 - Oct 23
The Foshan Open Foshan Golf Club Foshan City, China
$500,000
Oct 26 - Oct 29
Ras Al Khaimah, 2016 Golf Challenge $350,000 Al Hamra Golf Club United Arab Emirates
Nov 02 - Nov 05
NBO Golf Classic Grand Final Almouj Golf Muscat, Oman
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€400,000
RAS AL KHAIMAH HOSTS ITS FIRST EVER EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT. Golf’s up-and-coming superstars to meet in one of the world’s fastest growing tourist destinations.
The European Challenge Tour is heading to the UAE’s northern most emirate for the Ras Al Khaimah 2016 Golf Challenge. This four-day event will take place at Al Hamra Golf Club and feature many of the top golfing talents on the European Challenge Tour as they fight it out for qualification to the glamour of the European Tour. Don’t miss it, entrance is free and there are plenty of fun activities planned throughout the event. 26th – 29th October, 2016 Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE For more information, please contact events@raktda.com raktda.com
Brought to you by:
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TOUR NEWS
CHALLENGE TOUR ROAD LEADS TO RAS AL KHAIMAH’S GREENS FIRST RAS AL KHAIMAH GOLF CHALLENGE - THE EMIRATE’S LARGESTEVER INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENT – DEBUTS IN OCTOBER
T
he Middle East will gain yet another feather in its golf cap when Ras Al Khaimah host’s the penultimate event on the 2016 European Challenge Tour’s Road to Oman from Wednesday 26 to Saturday 29 October at the spectacular lagoon-wrapped, par 72 Al Hamra Golf Club. Sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah 2016 Golf Challenge comes at the most crucial point of the season and is expected to be a big draw for local and regional golf and sporting fans. The emirate’s largest-ever international sporting event, it is the first professional tournament to be held at the 18-hole, allgrass championship Al Hamra course and is in a key position on the Challenge Tour schedule as the penultimate stop on the 'Road to Oman' prior to the season-ending NBO Golf Classic Grand Final in Muscat. The tournament will see a field of 105 players from 16 nations battle for a share of the US $350,000 prize fund. Over the four-day event spectators will get to see the future of golf in action. The Challenge Tour is noted for its sprinkling of emerging golfing superstars and in the past has been where the likes of Martin Kaymer, Justin Rose, Thomas Björn and Henrik
Stenson have cut their professional teeth. Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (pictured inset) said: “Hosting the European Challenge Tour is part of our commitment to golf tourism in the emirate and highlights the importance we are placing on the sport in 2016 and beyond. The world-class golf course at Al Hamra Golf Club is the ideal location for such a prestigious event, and we look forward to welcoming golf enthusiasts from around the world to the tournament.” Among the challengers in Ras Al Khaimah will be 34-year-old UAE resident and multiple EGF Order of Merit winner Michael Harradine. Dubai-based Harradine, who earned his place in the field by winning this year’s Emirates Amateur Open, will be looking to shine on a course designed by his father, Peter. “This is the destination’s time to shine as an emerging international golf destination which is aligned to one of our strategy pillars of building Ras Al Khaimah's activity tourism sector,” said Mattar. The tournament will offer a fabulous weekend of golfing drama as the game’s hottest young guns vie for honours which could set them on course for stardom. "Apart from the exciting tournament
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unfolding on fairways and greens, spectators will also get a feel for the natural beauty of the Ras Al Khaimah as this championship-style course takes them around natural lagoons. “The Ras Al Khaimah 2016 Golf Challenge is a strong foundation for our expanding events calendar which will encompass an increasing number of sporting and cultural activities set in the unique natural landscapes of Ras Al Khaimah,” added Mattar. The 7,325 yard Al Hamra Golf Club is one of two 18-hole, all-grass courses in the emirate, the other being the 7,199 yards Tower Links course which meanders through a mangrove reserve. For more information on the tournament and The Road to Oman visit www.europeantour. com/challengetour
Preview of the final event of the 2016 Challenge Tour season
NBO Golf Classic Grand Final November 2 – 5 Almouj Golf, Muscat, Oman
The Lowdown:
Last year’s big movers:
After a long grueling schedule which saw players travel through Europe and beyond, the top 45 players on the season-long Road to Oman points list will tee it up at Almouj Golf with one aim in mind – finishing inside the top 15 on the final points list and earning their European Tour playing card for the 2017 season. There are a few players at the pinnacle of the ranking who can’t be caught and have already booked their spot on the top table of European Tour golf for next year, but for those who are not yet guaranteed a promotion, the prize is just four good rounds away.
Denmark’s Joachim B. Hansen began last year’s NBO Golf Classic Grand Final in 17th place on the Road to Oman and moved into fifth place on the standing after a superb runner-up finish behind the dominant player on the 2015 Challange Tour, Ricardo Gouveia. “My emotions are big now, it’s just what I wanted. Of course, I wanted to win the last tournament but coming second and finishing with three birdies, I couldn’t have asked for more,” said Hansen. “It meant a lot to me and it takes me up to fifth in the Rankings and I’ve earned a lot of money this week, so it feels good.” Jeff Winther (18th to 11th), Callum Shinkwin (23rd to 13th) and Brandon Stone (19th to 14th) all found their form when it mattered most to win promotion to the European Tour. “It hasn’t fully sunk in yet,” said Stone, who went on to become a European Tour winner earlier this year. “Heading into 2015, my goal was to finish top 15 and to achieve that goal is incredible. It really is something special, to fulfil a lifetime goal is unimaginably special to me.”
Top Players: Bernd Ritthammer is this year’s only multiple winner, and with his second victory in Ireland he moved over the 100,000 point mark and is all but guaranteed a European Tour card next year. England’s Jordan L. Smith has been one of the most consistent players on this year’s Challenge Tour. After picking up an early victory at the Red Sea Egyptian Challenge Presented by Hassan Allam Properties Smith has maintained his spot in the top three on the Road to Oman and, like Ritthammer, has amassed over 100,000 points. Former Amateur Champion Romain Langasque is well placed to earn graduation at the first time of asking while Ryan Fox, who represented New Zealand at the Olympics in August, is also set to clinch a maiden voyage on the European Tour next season.
The top 15 class of 2015 at Almouj Golf, Muscat, Oman, after the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final.
On the Cusp: At the time of writing, the players ranked 16-21 on the Road to Oman have all won on this year’s Challenge Tour, but all have work to do to move into the all-important top 15. Those victories by Espen Kofstad, Adrien Saddier, Gary King, James Heath, Sebastian Soderberg and Clement Sordet will have been in vain if they fail to earn their European Tour cards for next year.
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The Venue:
Designed by two-time Major winner Greg Norman and opened in 2011, Almouj Golf is 7,342 yards in length and includes a daunting par 3 island green and a par 5 that stretches for over 600 yards. Breathtaking vistas of the Sea of Oman and the Hajar Mountains are visible from everywhere on the course and the wind, which comes in off the coast, is almost always a factor. The greens have matured superbly in five years and are some of the finest and most challengeing that Challenge Tour players face all year.
WHAT THE PROFESSIONALS SAY
Matthew Fitzpatrick:
“This is a great event. Greg Norman’s layout is outstanding and the organisation of the whole tournament couldn’t be better. We were all very well looked after and the hospitality is second to none.”
Johan Edfors:
“It’s one of the best courses we play all year. With the wind, it plays really tough. The front nine is OK but the last five holes are seriously tough.”
Lasse Jensen:
“This is a fabulous tournament on a great golf course in a beautiful setting. It’s a wonderful event that all the players look forward to playing.”
For more information about the 2016 NBO Golf Classic Grand Final please visit: www.nbogolf.com Worldwide GOLF 31
2016 DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP NOVEMBER 17-20
Left to right: Nick Tarratt, Abdulaziz Bukhatir, Sawsan Saad (presenter Dubai Sports TV), Dr Abdulla Al Karam and Adel Zarouni.
DP WORLD SUPPORTS THE EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION’S ARABIC SCHOOLS GOLF INITIATIVE
D
P World has again signalled its commitment to growing the game of golf at a grassroots level in the UAE region by supporting a groundbreaking initiative being led by the Emirates Golf Federation, which will introduce the sport to over 3,000 Arabic school children over the next three months. The title sponsors behind the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai taking place at the stunning Jumeirah Golf Estates for the eighth time from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 November, strive to not only host one of the world’s most prestigious professional global golf events, but to support initiatives which align with their goal of bringing more Arab juniors into the sport.
The programme, which is also being supported by the European Tour and DP World Tour Championship Host Venue Jumeirah Golf Estates, will see specialist coaches from Golf DXB host ‘introduction to golf’ sessions for over 3,000 students at UAE National Schools including American Academy Al Mizar, School of Research Science, Al Itihad Al Mamzar, Sheikh Rashid School For Boys, Al Itihad Jumeirah and Al Khaleej School. Around 180 students will also visit Jumeirah Golf Estates for the star-studded DP World Tour Championship in November where they will be given a tour of the worldclass facilities before seeing the top 60 players on the European Tour Race to Dubai rankings competing in the tournament. As a follow-up from the introductory
REGISTER FOR FREE FAST TRACK ENTRY TICKETS at www.DPWorldTourChampionship.com
Worldwide GOLF |32|
sessions, commencing in January 2017 at least 50 school children will embark upon a four-week coaching programme to develop their skills and nurture their love of the game at facilities including the renowned European Tour Performance Institute at Jumeirah Golf Estates, home of the UAE National Golf Team, where European Tour Race to Dubai Top 10 players such as Henrik Stenson, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Justin Rose have trained. The initiative will feed into the Emirates Golf Federation’s National Junior Development Progamme, which aims to produce new talented golfers who can one day go on to represent the UAE at a senior level and perhaps even join the professional ranks with a view to competing on the European Tour.
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HOSPITALITY@DPWTC.COM or call +971 (0) 50 457 4160
TOUR NEWS LUCKIEST BALL ON EARTH GRAND FINAL BECKONS
A
Kids from the American Academy Al Mizar enjoying a golf taster coaching session. Adel Zarouni, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation believes the programme will be vital in unearthing new golfing talent among the local population, saying: “This programme, created by the Emirates Golf Federation, aims to develop the growth of aspiring youngsters and create more awareness about the sport. The initiative is funded by DP World and supported by the European Tour and Jumeirah Golf Estates and we’re very grateful for their backing. It’s all about attracting children to golf and spreading the sport across the schools in the region. "The plan is to have more youngsters playing golf, especially Emirati girls as we have a shortage of female Emirati golfers. I believe that this initiative will help us find the hidden talents and also improve the sport in the country.” Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority said: “Children are happy when they have new experiences that enrich their lives. Golf is a great sport for having fun and teaches important life qualities such as respect for others, focus and problem-solving. We’re happy to work together with the Emirates Golf Federation, DP World and the European Tour to bring the joys of golf to a new generation of UAE nationals.”
Abdulaziz Bukhatir, Executive Director, Jumeirah Golf Estates said: "As home to the UAE golf team and the destination of choice for many players from around the world, Jumeirah Golf Estates is fully committed to extending our passion for golf to amateur and professional golfers alike. We are proud to be a part of this major grassroots initiative that will place golf front of mind among a new generation of young sporting stars.” Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour - Dubai added: “This region has become synonymous with golf - frequently hosting the European Tour’s finest players on the best courses and offering some of the finest facilities in the world. The next step to produce a homegrown UAE player who can compete on the European Tour and this fantastic Arabic Schools Initiative will lay the foundations to do just that. “Supporting grassroots golf initiatives is central to DP World’s involvement in the sport and something they care very passionately about. “We look forward to welcoming the school children to the tournament in November and to seeing the next generation of golfers emerge in the UAE.”
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CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:
fter 21 qualifying events at golf clubs across the UAE, the field for the 2016 Luckiest Ball on Earth Grand Final is all but complete (with only one event remaining at the time of going to press). Over 1,000 golfers participated in the sixth running of the hugely popular series which gives local amateurs the chance to win a spot in the star-studded Rolex-sponsored ProAm which acts as the curtain raiser for the US$8 million DP World Tour Championship, taking place at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 17-20. The winners of the qualifying events will now compete in the Luckiest Ball on Earth Grand Final at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Sunday October 23 to see who will earn their place alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett and Henrik Stenson when the European Tour's top players arrive in Dubai next month. No. 1
EVENT DATE 02 Sept 2016
CLUB NAME Al Dhafra Golf Club
WINNER Chris De Kock
3
02 Sept 2016
4
02 Sept 2016
5
03 Sept 2016
6
03 Sept 2016
7
09 Sept 2016
8
09 Sept 2016
9
16 Sept 2016
10
16 Sept 2016
11
23 Sept 2016
12
23 Sept 2016
13
23 Sept 2016
14
23 Sept 2016
Arabian Ranches Golf Club Al Zorah Golf Club Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club Al Badia Dubai Creek Yach & Golf Club Abu Dhabi Golf Club Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Yas Links The Address Montgomerie Dubai Al Ghazal Golf Club Abu Dhabi City Golf Club The Track - Meydan Golf Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club Emirates Golf Club
15
23 Sept 2016
The Els Club
16
24 Sept 2016
Jumeirah Golf Estates Richard Ellis
17
24 Sept 2016
Al Hamra Golf Club
18
24 Sept 2016
19
24 Sept 2016
20
26 Sept 2016
21
29 Sept 2016
Tower Links Golf Club Mi Sun Im Sharjah Wanderers Malcolm Tennant Golf Club Emirates Golf Club Thea Hendrickx Ladies Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa
2
02 Sept 2016 02 Sept 2016
Pat McSheffrey Mike Rifai Roger Ledeboer Nick McCormack Pushpraj Nadar Martyn Miller Blanca Rivollier Hans Fraikin Nigel White Eddie Brown Saleh Al Ameri Sikander Khan Konstantin Varga Akash Kumar Paul Moir Sang Deog Kim
Your help is needed at the European Tour's grand finale. More than 300 volunteers will take on marshalling, on-course scoring and TV duties during the DP World Tour Championship and Chief Marshal Jenni Hoskins is happy to hear from anyone who is interested in joining the team for the fourday tournament. To learn more|33| about becoming a volunteer, please email Jengolfdxb@hotmail.com. Worldwide GOLF
A Mobile Phone?? A Mobile App?? What's Next... A Metal Headed Driver???
"The unlived life is not worth examining." - Old Tom Morris
Introducing the Yas Links Mobile App Book Your Tee Time Share Your Round on Facebook Loyalty Rewards Programs View Food & Beverage Menu Exclusive Offers just for App Subscribers View Playing Tips Instant Confirmations Receive the latest Course News On Course GPS Competition Calendar Keep Score and Track Games Track Scoring Stats & More!! www.yaslinks.com & www.yaslinks.info | reservations@yaslinks.com | 02 810 7710
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Tour News
WORLD ROUNDUPS
Date: August 25-28 Event: Made In Denmark Venue: Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort, Farsø, Denmark Winner’s Cheque: €300,000
Date: August 25-28 Event: The Barclays Venue: Bethpage State Park (Black), Farmingdale, NY Winner’s Cheque: $1,530,000
PIETERS PREVAILS IN DENMARK
REEDS WINS BARCLAYS TO MAKE RYDER CUP SQUAD
Thomas Pieters finished with three successive birdies to become the youngest ever Made in Denmark champion. The Belgian beat Bradley Dredge by one shot at Himmerland for his third European Tour title in 12 months. He also equalled the course record whilst playing alongside European Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke on Sunday, which made a huge impact on his wildcard selection.
"It's all about winning tournaments. That was one of my goals, to just have one every year, just so you know you're improving and you can win. That's very important." Pos. Name 1 2 3
Country
Thomas Pieters Bradley Dredge David Lipsky
BEL WAL USA
-17 -16 -15
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
Pos. Name
267 268 269
1 2 3
NOREN BURIES PLAYOFF BEAUTY TO SEAL OMEGA EUROPEAN MASTERS Alex Noren entered the final round of the Omega European Masters one off Scott Hend’s lead, but fired a five-under 65 to force Hend into a playoff, which Noren promptly ended by rolling in a 30-foot birdie putt for the victory. The triumph was Noren’s second of the season, as he captured the Scottish Open in July, and the sixth of his European Tour career.
“It feels amazing to be among Seve Ballesteros and Thomas Bjørn to win two Omega European Masters titles. I’ve seen the boards showing who won multiple Omega European Masters titles walking to the course so it is great.” Country R1 R2 SWE -17 69 63 AUS -17 65 67 ENG -14 65 68
R3 66 65 68
R4 65 66 65
“I haven't had that feeling in a while coming down the last couple (holes). With having a lead, I felt like I did a lot of things well.”
62 71 69 65 63 66 72 67 65 70 67 67
Date: September 01-04 Event: Omega European Masters Venue: Crans-sur-Sierre GC, Crans Montana, Switzerland Winner’s Cheque: €450,000
Pos. Name 1 Alex Noren 2 Scott Hend 3 Andrew Johnston
Patrick Reed secured a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team by winning the Barclays at the Black Course at New York’s Bethpage State Park. Reed shot a 1-under-par 70 to finish at 9 under for the tournament, one ahead of Sean O’Hair and Emiliano Grillo.
Total 263 263 266
Country
Patrick Reed Sean O'Hair Emiliano Grillo
Date: September 02-05 Event: Deutsche Bank Championship Venue: TPC Boston, Norton, MA Winner’s Cheque: $1,530,000
USA USA ARG
-9 -8 -8
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
66 68 71 70 69 69 72 66 67 69 71 69
275 276 276
Date: September 08-11 Event: BMW Championship Venue: Crooked Stick GC, Carmel, IN Winner’s Cheque: $1,530,000
DJ CAPTURES 12TH CAREER VICTORY AT BMW CHAMPIONSHIP
MCILROY DIGS DEEP TO SEAL DEUTSCHE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP
Rory McIlroy went from a miserable start to a memorable finish, closing with a six-under 65 on Monday to make up a six-shot deficit and win the Deutsche Bank Championship for his 20th career title. The Northern Irishman was six shots behind Paul Casey on the closing day but managed to claw his way back in windy conditions.
Dustin Johnson didn't give anyone much of a chance by closing with a 5-under 67 on the Sunday to win the BMW Championship by three shots and move to the top of the FedExCup. Johnson was triumphant for the third time in his last eight tournaments dating to his first major at the U.S. Open, and this was probably his most complete performance.
It's been a great lesson for me this week not to get down on myself, to stay patient. After three holes on Friday, there was so much going through my head, and none of those things involved sitting beside a trophy."
"I've got a lot of confidence in every part of my game. Especially all of the work I've put in on my wedges, it's really paid off this year. And this week the putter really worked."
Pos. Name 1 Rory McIlroy 2 Paul Casey 3 Jimmy Walker
Pos. Name 1 Dustin Johnson 2 Paul Casey 3 Roberto Castro
Country R1 R2 NIR -15 71 67 ENG -13 66 66 USA -12 68 64
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R3 66 66 70
R4 65 73 70
Total 269 271 272
Country R1 R2 USA -23 67 63 ENG -20 67 66 USA -17 65 65
R3 68 68 74
R4 67 67 67
Total 265 268 271
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Tour News
WORLD ROUNDUPS Date: September 15-18 Event: Italian Open Venue: Golf Club Milano, Parco Reale di Monza, Italy Winner’s Cheque: € 500,000
Date: September 08-11 Event: KLM Open Venue: The Dutch, Spijk, Netherlands Winner’s Cheque: €300,000
LUITEN CLAIMS HOME VICTORY AFTER RECORD 63 Local favourite Joost Luiten lived to his billing as the home hero with a record-equalling final round 63 to clinch the KLM Open. The 30-year-old produced a dazzling display of iron play and long-range putting to deny Austrian Bernd Wiesberger by three shots. The pair went blow for blow for much of the fourth round but three birdies in his final five holes helped Luiten to a 19 under par total of 265.Luiten was the first Dutch player to win his home Open twice since it joined the European Tour in 1972 following his win in 2013 - and makes him a five-time winner on Tour.
“It was one of those days where everything I looked at went in the hole. People talk about the zone and I think I was in it today.” Pos. Name Joost Luiten Bernd Wiesberger Byeong Hun An
Country NED AUT KOR
-19 -16 -13
Total
Pos. Name
265 268 271
1 2 3
Country
Francesco Molinari ITA Danny Willett ENG Nacho Elvira ESP
-22 -21 -18
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
67 63 68 67 67 66 68 67 65 65 74 67
262 263 266
Date: September 22-25 Event: Porsche European Open Venue: Bad Griesbach Golf Resort, Germany Winner’s Cheque: € 333,330
Rory McIlroy won a play-off to seal victory in the Tour Championship and take the FedEx Cup. The Northern Irishman, 27, rolled in a birdie from 15 feet to edge out Ryan Moore on the fourth play-off hole to win the tournament. The world number three's victory was enough to see him beat US Open champion Dustin Johnson to the FedEx Cup, the PGA Tour's season-long points race. Johnson finished seven shots off the lead at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. McIlroy and Moore hit final-round 64s to set up a three-way play-off with Moore's fellow American Kevin Chappell, who posted a 66.
" To play the way I have in the last few weeks to get it done is very special. I feel my game is really coming together at the right time, and two wins in the last three feels pretty nice." Country NIR USA USA
"It's been a rollercoaster. Coming in I had nothing left, I was just playing with my soul. I was hitting horrible shots, but somehow I managed to bring it in.”
R1 R2 R3 R4
MCILROY SNATCHES TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP AND WINS FEDEX CUP
T1 Rory McIlroy T2 Ryan Moore T2 Kevin Chappell
Francesco Molinari carded a six-under-par final round to beat Masters champion Danny Willett to the Italian Open title by a single stroke in Monza. Willett piled the pressure on the local favourite when he eagled the 14th to close to within a shot of the leader, but he was unable to better par over the last four holes as Molinari eventually secured the win, en route to his first European Tour title in over four years. Spain’s Nacho Elvira finished four shots back on 18 under par. He was later joined by England’s Chris Paisley while David Horsey and Richard Bland tied for fifth on 15 under.
69 64 69 63 66 66 71 65 66 72 68 65
Date: September 22-25 Event: Tour Championship Venue: East Lake GC, Atlanta, GA Winner’s Cheque: $1,530,000
Pos. Name
MOLINARI HOLDS OFF WILLETT TO SEAL ITALIAN OPEN
-12 -12 -12
LEVY DIGS DEEP TO CLAIM PORSCHE EUROPEAN OPEN France’s Alexander Levy edged England’s Ross Fisher at the second hole of a tense play-off to secure the Porsche European Open title at Bad Griesbach in Germany, becoming the youngest Frenchman in history to claim three European Tour titles. The first return trip down the 18th saw both players make par before Levy clinched victory with a 30-foot putt at the second time of asking to end a weather-affected week in dramatic fashion after thick morning fog on each of the first three days in Bavaria had forced officials to cut the tournament to 54 holes.
"I didn't play really good on the front nine. I was thinking about the score and not on my own game. I stayed patient and I started to play really good on the back nine."
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
Pos. Name
68 70 66 64 70 68 66 64 66 68 68 69
268 268 268
1 Alexander Levy 2 Ross Fisher T3 Robert Karlsson
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Country FRA ENG SWE
-19 -19 -16
R1 R2 R3 R4
Total
62 63 69 0 65 65 64 0 66 63 68 0
194 194 197
FEATURE
ANDRE W JOHNSTON
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Exclusive with
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f e e B S N H O J W ANDRE
D E E R B E R TO N : A R A
A
fter a few years spent maturing on the Challenge Tour, winning titles and getting used to life as a professional golfer out on the road, Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston has become one of the most popular and recognisable players in the game. With his perma-smile, over-sized hillbilly beard and happy-go-lucky style, Beef, has become a hit with galleries around the world. The north Londoner is arguably the most down to earth straight-talker there is – but what would you expect from a guy whose nickname is ‘Beef’.
4
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FEATURE
ANDRE W JOHNSTON
Above: Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston visits Arby’s Restaurant in New York and gets a taste of work behind the other side of the counter.
“I used to have big hair when I was a kid – like an afro,” he said. “I was playing at North Middlesex once and one of my mates was saying, ‘Look at your huge head, it’s like a big bit of beef.’ He was calling me Beef Head and it’s just been shortened to ‘Beef’ ever since.” The 27-year-old has plenty of reasons to smile about as he heads towards the business end of the season inside the top 20 on the Race to Dubai, but it’s been a tough road to the top, having struggled during his late teens. Introduced to the game at the age of four by his late father, Noel, Beef was playing off scratch by the time he was 15, and by the age of 16 he was a member of the England Golf squad. The affable youngster was making big strides but the sudden death of his father when he was 17 curtailed his development. “I felt very lost for a while after that,” he recalls. “I hit a point at 19 when I was struggling for some time with it all and just thought, ‘I’ll turn pro now and see what happens’.” What happened was he soon learned all about life as a touring professional the hard way. He learned that missing cuts meant losing money. In 2011 Johnston had a good year and earned his European Tour card via the Challenge Tour rankings. He had a difficult rookie campaign at the top table and lost his status after finishing 163rd on the Race to Dubai. The following year he was beset by injuries and after 14 Challenge Tour events in 12 countries he had collected just over €20,000 in prize money.
“I learned a lot from that year because every week was a fight for survival, and every weekend I certainly knew that every Euro counted. I remember practicing in Portugal that December and I got down to the worst point I’d ever been,” said Johnston. “I wasn’t able to get anyone any Christmas presents. I had nothing.” But then, a stroke of luck occurred. “I got a late call asking if I wanted to play a European Tour event as a reserve in South Africa so I flew back to England on Monday, flew to South Africa on Tuesday and arrived Wednesday.
Johnston won his first European Tour title at the Open de España, held at the Real Club Valderrama in April this year.
Sheer determination “It was just sheer determination to make the cut so I could earn some money for Christmas. I finished 18th (shooting 68-67-68 and earning €11,840 in the rain-delayed event which was reduced to just three rounds) and from there on I knew I had the ability to do well at European Tour events.” With renewed vigour, Johnston made a solid start to the 2014 Challenge Tour season with a third place finish in Spain in only his third event. He finished tied fifth at the Challenge de España in June and then two weeks later clinched his first professional title at the Scottish Hydro Challenge. He hit a quick purple patch as back-to-back top tens followed, bookended with another victory at the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge. His standing as the No.1 player on the Challenge Tour was strengthened by collecting €49,500 for his runner-up finish at the 4
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In 2014 Johnston after winning the Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels & Resorts at Spey Valley Golf Course.
Johnston poses with English golf fans celebrating a bachelor party during a practice round prior to the 2016 US PGA Championship.
FEATURE
ANDRE W ‘BEEF’ JOHNSTON
Kazakhstan Open (a cheque larger than both his victories) and he ended the campaign at the top of the rankings. His second stint on the main Tour began just a few weeks later in South Africa. He was riding the crest of a wave and went on to finish third to earn €103,800 at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. That set him up for a successful season and his popularity started to swell. He made a hole-in-one on his debut at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, chest bumping with a friend who was following outside the ropes after he realised he’d won a spanking new BMW M4 Coupe. Footage of his celebration quickly found its way onto the highlights reels and towards the end of the year he began to grow his now trademark beard. “I had a lot of nice feedback after that hole-in-one and my reaction to it,” he said. “It gave me confidence to be myself and it really helped my game. I finally feel like I can be myself out there and I have played so much better because of it.”
Household name His form continued into 2016 and in April he hit the headlines with an honest and frank interview after he won his first European Tour title at the Spanish Open at Valderrama. “I can’t wait to get home and get hammered and see my Mum,” he told TV reporters with a huge grin on his face. He woke up the next morning with new found fame on both sides of the Atlantic following his ‘hammered’ comments. Suddenly Beef was a household name and the stories and sound-bites kept flooding in. He qualified for the US Open in June and Rickie Fowler – another popular personality – asked him to play a practice round at Oakmont. But the offer of an 8:30am tee-time was too much for Beef and he politely declined: “I’m like, what’s wrong with you, man, playing at that time
Above: Ian Poulter might have the models of his prize Ferrari’s etched on his Vokey wedges but good old ‘Beef’ keeps things grounded with a reminder of his favourite cuts of ... you’ve guessed it ... BEEEEEF in the morning?” While a 54th place finish might have been a disappointing on-course result at the US Open, away from the fairways Beef had gained a growing army of new supporters. “It feels amazing to have the fans chanting my name, it means so much.” His next Major assignment came at Royal Troon where a seventh placed finish bumped up his World Ranking position, and there were some within the game whispering about the possibility of Johnson making Darren Clarke’s Ryder Cup side. However, a tied 60th finish at the US PGA Championship effectively ended any talk of a Beef Wildcard selection. Staying on in America, Beef attended the Web.com Tour Finals and promptly earned playing status on the US PGA Tour for next season. Subsequently, he
announced he will play a split schedule with events in Europe and America. “I’ll have a few sodas – maybe a Coke or a Fanta,” he smiled when asked how he would celebrate his American status. “Nah, there’s going to be a few beers, man.” Is there anyone with a more laid-back, happy-golucky attitude in golf? We asked him about his routine out on the course and he explained: “I like to hit my shot and then chill out. I concentrate when I get to my ball but I can’t stay intense for too long.” Here’s hoping Johnston can remain the same for the coming years because his rise to fame and glory has been a breath of fresh air. There’s nothing worse than spoiled beef. n
Beefit Controlled turn, with left shoulder rotating under his chin.
Strong grip at address promotes a draw.
Wrist angle held late in the delivery and a quiet leg action enables Beef to add the power at impact.
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Good extention through the ball at impact.
The club face continues towards the target, showing very little manipulation of the hands.
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GEAR
NEW TITLEIST 917 DRIVERS AND FAIRWAYS DELIVER
COMPLETE PERFORMANCE
T
he wait is over and the Titleist 917 range is set to hit the market in the UAE on October 21. They promise to deliver, ‘complete performance off the tee, providing maximum distance and forgiveness with precise customisation to benefit golfers at every level of the game.’ The 917 drivers and fairways deliver increased ball speed for more distance along with forgiveness, adjustability and optimised trajectory control through Surefit CG and Surefit Hosel. Enhanced Technologies from the previous 915 Driver and fairways along with the New Surefit CG make the 917 driver and fairway woods a force to be reckoned with.
Features
•
• • •
Active Recoil Channel (ARC) 2.0, a long, wide, deep sole channel, actively flexes and recoils at impact to launch the ball off the face with higher speed and lower spin for more distance. Refined thickness areas throughout the channel, including thinner heel and toe regions, produce greater face flexibility for a more consistent deflection that reduces spin and increases speed across the face. Radial Speed Face 2.0, a high-speed forged face insert, is tuned with ARC 2.0 to promote greater off-centre ball speed for more overall distance. High-MOI Design, with a low and deep centre of gravity location, delivers stability and forgiveness by preserving off-centre ball speed for more distance, more often. SureFit CG weight system delivers the ultimate in precision fitting for every player.
Worldwide GOLF 44
Drivers Titleist 917D2 and D3 drivers are designed to be more forgiving, offer better sound, and increased adjustability.
•
•
917D2 provides distance and forgiveness in a large 460cc full pear profile. 917D2 offers more forgiveness and produces a higher peak trajectory with 250rpm more spin versus 917D3. (Available in 8.5º, 9.5º, 10.5º and 12º lofts.) 917D3 provides distance with workability in a traditional, tour-inspired 440cc pear profile. 917D3 offers more workability and 250rpm less spin versus 917D2. (Available in 8.5º, 9.5º, and 10.5º lofts.)
SUREFIT CG
P ROVI D ES PL AYER S THE AB I LI T Y TO DIAL IN THERE BALL FLIG H T CHAR ACTER IS T IC S T H RO U G H A HIGHLY EF FIC I EN T INTERCHANGEAB LE WEIG H T SYSTEM. THIS O P T I M I SES SPIN AND L AU N C H CONDITIONS FO R B ET T ER TR AJECTORY AN D M O R E CONSISTENCY. EFFIC I EN T LY DESIGNED, ADJU STAB LE CG, AL LOWS TH E C G TO B E M OV ED F ROM A BAC K, H EEL POSITION TO A FO RWAR D, TOE POSITION T H RO U G H INTERCHANGEAB LE WEIG H T S, OPTIM ISING S PI N AN D L AUNCH CON DI T IO N S FO R EV ERY PL AYER .
The stock lineup shaft matrix: • • • •
Aldila Rogue M*AX 65 (low-mid launch) Fujikura Speeder Pro TS 74 (low-mid launch) Mitsubishi Diamana Limited S+ Blue 60 (mid launch) Mitsubishi Diamana Limited M+ Red 50 (high launch)
Fairway Woods Titleist 917F2 and 917F3 models, like their 917 driver counterparts, are designed using new patented Active Recoil Channel 2.0 and SureFit CG technology to produce an uncompromising combination of distance, forgiveness and trajectory control with incredible looks, sound and feel.
•
•
917 F2 provides all-round playability with forgiveness and more distance in a larger profile fairway. Slightly more spin and higher launch versus 917F3. Available in 13.5º, 15º, 16.5º, 18º and 21º lofts. 917F3 provides versatility with shot control and more distance in a compact profile fairway. 917F3 offers less spin versus 917F2 for a more boring trajectory. Available in 13.5 and 15º lofts.
In player testing, golfers properly fit for a 917F2 or 917F3 fairway experienced gains in ball speed and higher launch compared to 915F or Fd – for an average of 3 to 7 yards more carry distance. With both 917 models, players experienced more consistent speeds and higher launch than their 915 fairways. Players’ SureFit CG position preferences were similarly distributed between Neutral, Draw and Fade. Enhanced head shapes and structures that are designed to produce specific acoustic frequencies desired by tour players on product testing. New SureFit CG aligns the centre of gravity contributing to a more solid feel.
Worldwide GOLF 45
at Doha Golf Club on 21st-22nd October 2016
Entry Fee Member Visitors
Tournament Information
QR500 per person QR1000 per person
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Worldwide GOLF 46
GEAR
MENA TOUR HISTORY MAKER THOMAS DELIVERS 917 VERDICT
O
ne young man who is thrilled about adding the new Titleist 917 range into his bag, despite being on fire recently with his 915s, is Dubai-born Rayhan Thomas. The 16 year old Titleist Ambassador created history last month when he became the first amateur to win on the MENA Tour at the Dubai Creek Open. Here, the burgeoning star opens up about his victory, reveals the changes he’s made to his game to get to the next level and delivers his verdict on the latest addition to the Titleist family. WORLDWIDE GOLF: Can you describe how it felt to win the Dubai Creek Open? RAYHAN THOMAS: It’s probably one of the best weeks I’ve ever had in golf. To be victorious on my home course on the MENA Tour’s 50th event was extremely special and something I’m very proud of. It was a great experience to win in in a playoff too against a brilliant player like Luke Joy, who was hot on my heels throughout. WWG: What differences has the triumph made to your promising career and have you
I’M NOT REALLY SETTING ANY MAJOR GOALS, HOWEVER, EVERY EVENT I PLAY, I EXPECT TO WIN. THAT’S MY MINDSET SO HOPEFULLY IT HELPS KEEP ME FOCUSSED ON THE COURSE. experienced more media attention than before? RT: Yes, there’s been far more media interest in me than I expected. My ranking’s also dropped significantly which allows me to enter bigger tournaments than I could before. Lots of things have changed but I’m focussed on training the same way and working just as hard as before to get to further improve. WWG: This year you started working on physical and mental aspects of the sport in greater depth. Has this made a notable difference? RT: I’ve got fitter and stronger this year so playing 36 holes a day isn’t a problem. I’ve also
Worldwide GOLF 47
improved mentally with my pre-shot routine and visualisation that I’ve worked on with my coach so that’s been a big factor in my progression this season. WWG: What other aspects of your game have improved this season? RT: I’m far more confident and consistent with my putting from within 10 feet and have become more professional with my approach to the game. I’ve also become smarter off the tee and around the greens so I don’t go for pins that I can’t go for and pay more attention to course management.
MORE THAN A GOLF CLUB Tel.: 024459600 / Email: office@adcitygolf.ae / www.adcitygolf.com Worldwide GOLF 48
GEAR
WWG: What is your aim for next season? RT: I’m not really setting any major goals, however, every event I play, I expect to win. That’s my mindset so hopefully it helps keep me focussed on the course. WWG: What drivers and woods have you been using Rayhan? RT: I used to have the 915 D3 and Diamana 60g X Flex but I can’t wait to get these new 917s into the bag. WWG: What was your first impression with the new 917 fitting you did? RT: The 917 D3 really surprised me because my 915s weren’t broken and I never thought I would find a club that could match them. However Titleist found a way to improve the performance even more. Aesthetically the 917s look better than their predecessors with the greyish tint on the beasty-looking head. The sound the clubs made is what astounded me the most. You could feel and hear the power immediately at impact. The flight is far more penetrating with the new 917s that produces more distance with less spin so that is brilliant.
RAYHAN’S FITTING 917 9.5 D3 Diamana Blue 60 X D1 Head Setting and 14 Gram Neutral Surefit CG Weight – this resulted in a seven yards carry gain on his previous 915 driver.
917 15 F3 Diamana Blue 70 X A1 Head Setting and 14 Gram Draw CG Setting Weight resulted in nine yards carry gain on his previous 915 fairway wood.
WWG: How much further were you hitting it with the new 917 D3? RT: I gained seven yards carry from the 915 to the 917 and I lost around 500 RPM of spin with this new driver, too. This will help me improve in windy conditions. The 917 F3 (3-wood) travelled nine yards of carry further than my treasured 915, which has been my favourite club in the bag for a while.
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I was so confident with my previous 3-wood and thought I would find it almost impossible to replace it but my opinion has changed after testing out this phenomenal 917 F3. WWG: When will you be adding the 917s into your bag? RT: As soon as I can! Titleist are telling me they're out on October 21 and I can't wait.
GEAR
GOLF’S ELITE BRAND TAKING THE INDUSTRY BY STORM
P
XG has been turning heads throughout the golfing world since being launched in 2014 by well-known businessman, philanthropist and golf nut Bob Parsons. The company uses the the tagline, ‘golf clubs unlike any other’ and they might have a point. Not only do these bad boys have a distinctively attractive look, they also incorporate advanced technology of the highest order. eGolf Megastore is the only PXG certified fitter in the UAE so we headed down to the store in Dubai’s Al Quoz to meet up with Senior Custom Fit Specialist, Jason Ashley, to see what all the fuss is about. We focussed purely on the PXG 0311 and the 0311T irons and asked Jason to explain what makes them stand out from the crowd.
Worldwide GOLF 50
Jason Ashley
Custom Fit Specialist at eGolf Megastore PXG is a unique and interesting brand that is making a huge impact on the golf industry. Eight Tour players have signed up to use them in 2016 and the latest and final Team USA Ryder Cup pick, Ryan Moore, was the first PGA Tour professional to put them in play. They are using some very distinctive and intriguing technology with their irons that will catch the eye of any golfer. The company were mandated by Bob Parsons to go ahead and build the best possible clubs with the finest look and feel, with cost not being an issue.
Look
As you look at the golf club you immediately see that these PXG irons are one of a kind in their style. It is an innovative design that really unleashes the ‘wow factor’ because it is a classical bladedlooking club that performs as well as cavity back because it’s really forgiving. There are some tungsten weights positioned around the exterior of the irons’ heads.
• Aesthetically brilliant and unique • Good distance • Nice and forgiving • Feels really soft off the face • Looks fantastic at setup
PXG 0311 (7 IRON) PXG 0311T (7 IRON)
BALL SPEED (mph)
118 117.3
BALL SPEED (mph)
TOTAL SPIN (rpm)
4561 4660
TOTAL SPIN (rpm)
CARRY (Yards)
LAUNCH H
2.3 2.1º
º
R
175.4 174.1
CARRY (Yards)
LAUNCH H
R
TOTAL (Yards)
185.9 184.2 TOTAL (Yards)
DIFFERENCE WITH THE T VERSION
Technology The 0311 irons have a hollow-bodied design to add distance and forgiveness to its performance and saves a lot of weight in the club, which in turn leads to all the other innovations. The tungsten weight helps give the club more forgiveness by distributing the saved weight around the toe, which also increases the size of the sweet spot. PXG injected Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) through the ports/holes prior to the tungsten weights being inserted. This is a unique process that only PXG do. The TPE show advantages
JASON’S INITIAL THOUGHTS ON THE 0311 AFTER HITTING THE BALL:
The T version has a thinner top line and a sleeker sole. It has a more classic blade look, as well as less offset than the other version.
Why buy them? typical of both rubbery materials and plastic materials because they help absorb vibrations and gives the clubs a fantastic feel. It also enables PXG engineers to have the ability to thin out the face of the golf club that helps with ball speed on off-centered and centered strikes, giving consistent distance control.
Find out yourself by heading over to eGolf Megastore where you can get custom-fitted and try them out, then compare them with your current clubs to experience the unbelievable difference.
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WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf
eGolf Megastore expands with second premises BARELY 12 months since the opening of the gargantuan eGolf Megastore in the Al Quoz area of Dubai, the popular retailer is set to open the doors to its new premises, which is great news for golfers in the region who have been highly impressed with the huge range of brands on offer as well as the comprehensive custom fitting service and testing bays in the existing store. Worldwide Golf caught up with eGolf Megastore’s Founding CEO, Dean Cheesley, to find out what’s in store Worldwide Golf: Congratulations on opening your second store in the region – things must be going well? What was the thinking behind the new premises? Dean Cheesley: Thanks very much, I’m hugely excited about the expansion. Essentially, the thought process was that we wanted to position ourselves at both ends of Dubai to make it more convenient for our customers to visit. The new location will better serve those located in the Al Badia, Dubai Creek, DIFC and Downtown areas as well as catering for customers travelling from Sharjah, Mirdif and as far as RAK.
fitting. We replicate our 250+ demo shaft matrix in the new store, have two simulators equipped with launch monitor technology and continue with a broad range of apparel and footwear from Under Armour, Nike, Adidas, Puma and FootJoy. We introduce an X-Golf Simulator into the store in early November, which is widely regarded as the best simulator technology available globally right now.
WWG: Where exactly can we find the new store what date will it open? DC: It’s situated at Al Wasl F.C. Football Stadium on Oud Metha Road in a new retail development at the entrance to the stadium. It’s a few hundred metres from Latifa Hospital and Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf. Fit out has been fast and we’re on track to open the doors to the public on October 20! WWG: Tell us a bit about the new store – will it be a replica of the one in Al Quoz or will it have any unique features? DC: All of the main features of the Al Quoz store are replicated, with the second store having a particular focus on equipment and custom
WWG: For anybody who hasn’t been to your Al Quoz store, explain what makes eGolf Megastore a unique golf retail experience and what products/brands can customers expect to find? DC: I like to think we’re not your usual golf shop in the UAE. We push ourselves to ensure that
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we stock every new product available in the market on launch day. So whether it’s Titleist, PING, Callaway, TaylorMade, Srixon, Mizuno etc of course we have it but we also go further by stocking more bespoke brands like PXG, Ben Hogan, Miura, EPON and Bettinardi. From there, I view it as a simple formula. Having stocked the latest products, we let our customers test and tinker brand by brand with the help of an experienced custom fitter. We don’t want you walking out of our stores unless you get the right product custom fitted for you. WWG: eGolf started out as an online business – now that you’ll have two stores how big a part will online play in your business model? DC: Online remains a key component of the business. In fact, from a purely personal perspective, eCommerce was something that fascinated me from the age of 13, when I made my first online purchase on Amazon.com in 1995 the year it launched. People often ask, so why the name ‘e’Golf? Well when first starting out, the original business plan was to operate solely as an eCommerce retailer, hence the ‘e’ before Golf. It has stuck since! WWG: What’s next on the horizon? DC: There’s more in the pipeline but that’s a secret for now! You’ll just have to stay tuned!
INSTRUCTION
AXE DRILL by STEPHEN DEANE Head Professional, Emirates Golf Club
I
N THIS MONTH’S ARTICLE I’LL DISCUSS THE SIMPLE SIGNATURE ‘AXE DRILL’ USED BY OUR MASTER ASSOCIATED PROFESSIONAL PETER COWEN. THIS DRILL HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A FEW YEARS AND YOU’VE POSSIBLY SEEN IT BEFORE, NEVERTHELESS IT’S GREAT TO REFRESH UPON SUCH AN EFFECTIVE SET OF MOVEMENTS TO GET YOU ON TRACK FOR THE SEASON AHEAD.
Ladies Group Lessons with The Dubai Golf Academy at Emirates Golf Club Worldwide GOLF 54
PART 1: Start with the toe down and the club positioned on top of a bucket. From this position you want to mimic a chopping action similar to chopping a log with an axe! This easy up and down motion is extremely consistent and easy to achieve without any effort. It’s natural and powerful - just how we would like to swing a golf club, right? When you break the movement down, the wrists cock, the elbows fold and the shoulders load as you work the club up. Exactly what we want in our swing. The only issue is we’re striking the top of the bucket rather than the side! If we can somehow create this movement but in a different plane, then we can certainly develop that consistency and power we all desire.
PART 2:
1
Move the bucket so its bottom is now on the side rather than the top. From here we will adjust the plane of motion by setting the wrists and forearms into a golf swing specific position. You can now see how the toe of the club is still positioned like the axe pointing at the bottom of the bucket.
2
3
4
NOW WE MAKE THE SAME NATURAL MOTION AS BEFORE. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
5
6
PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO ATTACHED AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE ACADEMY VERY SOON FOR MORE WAYS TO FURTHER IMPROVE YOUR GAME.
Set the wrists and forearms into a golf swing specific position. We cock the wrists. We fold the right elbow. We coil the body/load the shoulders into position We pull the arms down in front of the chest with the toe staying behind the hands. We release the forearms and wrists DOWN creating pressure on the ball and club face control. We don’t let them rotate over or under but down.
WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf
This excellent drill will have you working the club on a better path and angle of approach in no time. You’ll feel the pressure on the ball, improved consistency and resulting ball flight control.
• 50 minute weekly lessons spread over 10 weeks • Suitable for all abilities in maximum group size of six • Equipment provided if required • Use of Academy driving range facilities included • From AED 1,500 T: +971 4 417 9999 E: emiratesacademy@dubaigolf.com
www.dubaigolf.com
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INSTRUCTION
RETAIN POSTURE TO HIT IT PURE ALEX NICHOLSON PGA Golf Professional at The Track Meydan Golf
hen working on your set-up position it is important to establish a neutral spine angle and forward bend from your hips. This allows you to coil around a constant axis giving the best chance of swinging the club on the correct plane, and therefore path.
W
WHY IS GOOD POSTURE ESSENTIAL IN GOLF? Establishing good posture and maintaining it throughout the golf swing is an important key for both accuracy and power. Many struggle with good posture in golf because they have poor posture in other parts of their life or have physical limitations. It is important to try to correct these if at all possible so that the player can achieve an ideal starting position especially with a straight spine.
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ACADEMY BY
For the swing to shallow through impact ensuring that you compress the ball and take a shallow divot, you need to ensure that posture that is set at address is maintained through impact.
Avoid rounding the shoulders as bending from the upper spine will cause the back to become rounded (known as C-posture), which is tough to make repeated athletic swings from.
Understandably not every golfer has access to a gym ball so you may substitute this for the wall drill. Set your glutes against the wall and practice half swings through impact ensuring connection with the wall at all times.
The golfer should be looking for the hips to rotate towards the target ahead of the upper body, with the arms and club following within posture. This will ensure the sequence of the golf swing is efficient and powerful for the best results.
WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf
As you approach impact you should feel your left glute (right handed golfer) working into the wall and finish the swing balanced on your target leg in a straightened upright position.
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INSTRUCTION
THE HYBRID CHIP AND WHEN TO USE IT
GAVIN SUTHERLAND
Senior Teaching Professional
European Tour Performance Institute
W
ith many of the UAE courses now experiencing their transitional phases between the summer and winter grasses you might be faced with some awkward lies until the winter grasses take over. Many of the clubs in the UAE make sure that their annual course renovations coincide with the quieter months of the year while making the most of the warmer growing
conditions. As a result, you might encounter some imperfect turf conditions that can affect the outcome of shot that you would normally play if the course were in peak condition. This month I’ll be showing you how to evaluate the lie of the ball and it’s potential effect on the shot outcome, and provide you with an alternative option that will allow you to get that ball close to the hole.
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SITUATION I’m playing the second hole of the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates and after a poor second shot I have found myself to the right hand side of the green. I’m about 15 yards away from the hole and there’s about 5 yards of fairway and 10 yards of green with a small tier that I will have to negotiate in order to get this up and down for birdie. I need to assess my options before deciding which club is going to be correct for this shot. The process is as follows: 1. 1
22. 33.
Review the lie of the golf ball as this can determine the quality of ball contact when making the shot. Review the environment around the shot – Is the shot uphill/downhill? Are there hazards to negotiate etc. What are the dangers that can change the desired outcome of this shot?
In this case, the ball is sitting on some thin grass with quite a lot of sand around the ball. The sand is also quite fluffy as it has just recently been spread to encourage the grass growth in preparation for the upcoming DP World Tour Championship in November. So it might make it difficult for me to ensure that I achieve clean ball first contact. This shot is fairly level but I see two potential dangers with this shot, one being the lie of the ball due to the sand around it and secondly the ridge on the green as the ball will be rolling downhill towards the flag for its final portion of its journey.
SHOT CHOICE
WITH the ball lying in some sand, my fears are that if I use a lofted club like a pitch, sand or lob wedge, then the leading edge of the club would have a high chance of digging into the sand too early and, as a result, I will hit the ball heavy and it will not travel all the way to the hole. My second concern about using a lofted club is the tier on the green between myself and the hole. I fear that if I hit the shot too soft the ball will land and stop on the upslope of the tier leaving me with a difficult putt. If I hit it too hard and the ball lands on the downslope, it could run a long way beyond the hole. I see this happening a lot with my amateur students as they generally choose
a club that is too lofted when playing many around-the-green shots. In this case a lofted club is just NOT a safe option. Having eliminated a lofted club as an option here, I’m then thinking of my lesser lofted clubs being my mid-irons and consider hitting a bump and run style of shot, with a 6 or 7 iron. There is plenty of green to allow this shot to occur and the ball would roll over the tier, eliminating one of my danger areas. There is a much higher chance of success with this shot, however, my mid-irons still have quite a sharp edge on the leading edge of the club and there is still a risk that it could dig into the sand too far before the ball. A bump and
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run shot still retains a high-risk factor here so I am also going to rule this out. Therefore, I’ve decided that I want to roll the ball down to the hole but reduce the risk of digging into the sand. There is still one option out there that many amateurs do not consider – their hybrid. A hybrid is a great choice for this shot as it doesn’t offer too much loft, allowing the ball to roll more as well as having a nice wide sole which reduces the chance for the club to dig into the sand. A hybrid chip is incredibly simple to execute and with a small amount of practice it can be a shot that you can consider whenever faced with difficulty around the green.
INSTRUCTION
EXECUTION Grip down the club with your putting grip (note, my right hand is right at the base of the grip and even touching the club shaft).
,
•
•
Stand the club upright to be more vertical than its normal lie angle. This will reduce the surface area hitting the ground and reduce your risk of hitting too much turf.
•
Stand tall with your posture and place the ball forward of centre, with your stance and your feet narrower than normal.
•
The stroke is the same as your putting stroke so be sure there is no wrist hinge or excessive movement of the lower body. The goal of the stroke is to lightly brush the turf as the club makes its swing.
With a small amount of practice you will find that this technique can be very effective as the small amount of loft on the face and the wide sole make it very easy to strike the ball cleanly. It will take some practice to get a sensation of distance control but this can easily be learnt.
!
DON’T BE AFRAID TO TRY THIS SHOT NEXT WHEN FACED WITH A SIMILAR SITUATION AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS TECHNIQUE, OR WOULD LIKE SOME HELP WITH YOUR GAME, THEN WE’D LOVE TO SEE YOU DOWN AT THE EUROPEAN TOUR PERFORMANCE INSTITUTE AT JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES.
WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf
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HOSPITALITY ON THE 18TH The DP World Tour Championship hosts the top 60 golfers on The European Tour in the final tournament of the 2016 Race to Dubai. Book now for the best view on Earth. For tickets call +971 (0) 50 457 4160 or email HOSPITALITY@DPWTC.COM
Overlooking the 18th green of the magnificent Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the exclusive Hospitality Pavilion offers an unrivalled setting to watch the action unfold. Guests enjoy first-class catering in a relaxed environment in the comfort of the Pavilion or outside on the shaded viewing terrace. Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea is available as well as a ‘Grab & Go’ option to take refreshments onto the course.
www.DPWorldTourChampionship.com
ARABIAN GOLF News from the leading clubs in the region
ALMOUJ GOLF - MUSCAT, OMAN, HOST VENUE FOR NEXT MONTH’S NBO GOLF CLASSIC GRAND FINAL
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EQUATORIAL GUINEA
GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Road to 8-11 DECEMBER 2016 Don’t miss the action as an international field gathers on the Presidential Golf course in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, for the
2016 3e Actuaries Open
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DSA ARCHITECTS ‘ROAD TO MONGOMO’ QUALIFIER PRESENTED BY WORLDWIDE GOLF
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
GARNISH FIRST PAST THE POST ON ROAD TO MONGOMO
F
IVE MENA TOUR PLAYERS ARE TO EMBARK ON THE GOLFING ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME AFTER EACH SECURING A PLACE IN THE US$150,000 3E ACTUARIES OPEN TAKING PLACE IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA FROM DECEMBER 8-11 VIA THE DSA ARCHITECTS ‘ROAD TO MONGOMO’ QUALIFIER PRESENTED BY WORLDWIDE GOLF HELD AT AL BADIA GOLF CLUB.
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“We are embracing the game in Equatorial Guinea and the top five players will experience this passion in December. The five guys will experience this beautiful place, wonderful hospitality and a hidden gem of a golf course.” Olawale Opayinka
T
he hotly anticipated DSA Architects 'Road to Mongomo' Qualifier Presented by Worldwide Golf featured a unique field which combined local club pros and MENA Tour players as they competed for a coveted all-expenses paid trip to pit themselves against a high quality international field in West Africa and a blistering finish from Jordan Garnish saw him take the top spot with a 4-under-par round of 68. The Englishman carded two birdies and an eagle over his last four holes to surge up the leaderboard to win the AED3,000 winner’s cheque and book his seat on the plane to Mongomo in the process. “I’m absolutely delighted to win this tournament,” said Garnish whose round of 68 in blustery conditions was comfortably in the upper range of those shot by the European Challenge Tour players who competed at Al Badia in the Tour’s grand final in 2013 and 2014. “I played some really solid golf and am thrilled to travel to Equatorial Guinea in December to compete for a bigger purse than I’m used to and to experience golf in that part of the world.” Fellow countryman Adam Sagar took the second qualification spot with an impressive round of 3-under 69 while Italy’s Rocco Sanjust and Spain’s Victor Bertan shared third place on 2-under 70.
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Englishman Lee Corfield looked to have the fifth and final spot sewn up before a bogey on his final hole, the 17th, meant the event was set for a dramatic climax with a four-man playoff as he joined James Ashman, Craig Hinton and Louis Campbell, tied at level-par 72. With the sun fading fast the players returned to the 18th tee and it was Englishman Hinton who came out on top, replicating the birdie putt he made on the same hole in regulation play to take fifth place. The quintet of qualifiers will now follow in the footsteps of fellow MENA Tour player Luke Joy who made the trip to Equatorial Guinea last year where he finished fourth. “This was a brilliant tournament,” said Hinton. “The fact that I had already made a similar putt on the 18th in regulation gave me a lot of confidence and I can’t wait to go out to compete in Africa after all that Luke has told me about his trip last year.” CEO of 3e Actuaries, Olawale Opayinka, who was in Dubai for the qualifier, said: “It has been a really amazing day at Al Badia Golf Club and something I could only dream about a few years ago. It feels surreal having people play from the UAE, Europe, Africa and Asia competing to qualify to play in our tournament in Equatorial Guinea. The players competed very hard to get a ticket to Mongomo in December, which makes me very proud.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
THE COMPETITORS LINE UP READY FOR ACTION AT AL BADIA GOLF CLUB IN DUBAI “We are embracing the game in Equatorial Guinea and the top five players will experience this passion in December. The five guys will experience this beautiful place, wonderful hospitality and a hidden gem of a golf course when they visit us to compete for $150,000. This will be a true golfing experience like every professional expects...but also a little bit more than that.” Luke Joy, who was at the event to cheer on his fellow players, said: “I was lucky enough to go to Equatorial Guinea last year on an invite and it was an unforgettable experience. The course is fantastic over there and the hospitality was superb. You really get taken care of and I’m sure the qualifiers from this event will have an incredible time in December.” Gavin Sutherland, now Senior Teaching Professional at the European Tour Performance Institute and previously Senior Golf Academy Coach at Al Badia, came the closest of the local pros and held a share of the lead for a good stretch over the front nine. But in the end he finished 1-over-par 73, one place outside the play-off places. Steve Kelshaw, Managing Director, DSA Architects said: “DSA Architects International were delighted to have the opportunity to be the title sponsor in the inaugural Road to Mongomo qualifying event at Al Badia Golf Club. "It was great to see the level of support given by our local professionals and as usual the standard and scoring was impressive on an extremely demanding Al Badia Course "There is no doubt that with Mr Olawale’s vision and passion this event will go from strength to strength and we are honoured to be part of the story so far. It only remains for us to pass on our sincere best wishes to all the guys that qualified for the final."
T H E F IV E Q UALI FI ER S AR E PI C TU R ED W I TH O LAWALE O PAY IN K A ( FAR LEFT) AN D STEVE KELSH AW ( FAR R I G H T)
1 2 3 4 5
ROAD TO MONGOMO QUALIFIERS Jordan Garnish 4-under 68 Adam Sagar 3-under 69 Rocco Sanjust 2-under 70 Victor Bertan 2-under 70 Craig Hinton level 72 (playoff) ARABIAN GOLF 67
MY GOLF BALL HAS TO DO EVERYTHING. AND IT DOES.
IT HAS TO BE LONG OFF THE TEE. JORDAN SPIETH
IT HAS TO STOP ON A DIME. I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO FLIGHT IT.
IT HAS TO HAVE SOFT FEEL.
JAKE FINN AMATEUR
RICKIE FOWLER
ADAM SCOTT
IT HAS TO BE DURABLE.
HOLD ITS LINE IN A CROSSWIND. LYNN CASSADY AMATEUR AZAHARA MUNOZ
MICHAEL WATSON AMATEUR
I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO FLIGHT IT.
IT HAS TO BE CONSISTENT.
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Join Team Titleist at titleist.co.uk
ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS AL BADIA GOLF CLUB
SUCCESSFUL JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AT AL BADIA SCHOOL OF GOLF T
he 28 week long JDP programme at Al Badia School of Golf came to a close this year with their ‘Play in May’ initiative with all juniors competing and playing daily on junior specific teeing system. Three tees where brought out onto the golf course allowing the juniors to tee off from where they felt they could make a score.
SKLZ EQUIPMENT
The JDP students were also lucky during the season as the School of Golf teamed up with SKLZ sports equipment to maximise the athletic development of their students. With Long Term Athletic Development, a pillar of the Al Badia JDP programme, the SKLZ equipment allowed the coaches to not only enhance the golfing skills of the juniors but also their athletic ability.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
To continue the learning for the JDP students, the School of Golf also launched an after-school homework folder this year to broaden the junior’s knowledge of the game. These included small tasks after every session which the juniors could do at home with their parents. Some of the tasks were either practical and some theoretical but with a big emphasis on being engaging, fun and enjoyable.
ANNUAL TRIP TO THE RACE TO DUBAI Another bonus of the Al Badia JDP is the annual trip to watch the world’s best compete in the final of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai. All of Al Badia JDP students were invited to come and spend the day at the world class event. The coaches also ran a small competition with all the juniors to see who could get the most signatures from all the players!
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ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS ▶
E M I RATES GOLF CL UB ELIAS IGNITES LADIES STABLEFORD SEASON Veronica Elias was triumphant in the opening Stableford competition of the season with a fantastic score of 41 points with more than 20 ladies competing. The winner of the A division was Haide Wright with a score of 37 points. The B division was won by Thea Hendrickx with a score of 38.
LIND SUCCEEDS AT BLIND 9 HOLES COMP Ingrid Lind’s 209 points was enough to come out on top in the ‘blind 9 holes competition’ played over the Majlis course. The ladies played the full course but their points would only count on nine random holes. Viv Caley and Kiyono Taniuchi both won their Handicap Divisions, each scoring 19 points.
WOOKHWAN KIM SHOWS TOP FORM IN OMA EMIRATES MEDAL
ELS CLUB TEAM CLAIM TRI-CLUB SUMMER SERIES The Emirates Golf Club team would have been hoping for some home advantage in the latest Tri-Club Series but it was the Els team that performed best on the day to be crowned the 2016 Summer Champions. EGC were runners-up with Jumeirah Golf Estates finishing in third place.
TOM AND INGRID LIND DUO HEADING TO SCOTLAND FOR WORLD HICKORY OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS Tom and Ingrid Lind were the winners of the Barclays Hickory Challenge after combining well to score 19 points, narrowly winning by a point over Sameer Joshi and Bupesh Sharma. This is a fantastic start to
D U B AI CREEK GO LF CL UB
their new membership at Emirates Golf Club, as they will now be invited to play in the 2016 World Hickory Open Championship Final taking place at the Panmure Golf Club near Carnoustie, Scotland, later this year.
Wookhwan Kim scored a superb nine-under par net 63 to win the OMA Emirates Monthly Medal series which features a unique end-ofseason Porsche shoot-out. Joseph Smith claimed victory in Division A after scoring a one-under-par net 71 to edge out David Waite and Tom Luig who also both signed for a net 71. Smith scored the better back nine to top the division. The C Division was won by Mohit Khatwani with a net score of 81. Emirates elite academy member Bradley Mogire produced a solid round of golf to win the best gross prize, recording a two-over par 74 in some tricky conditions. The Monthly Junior Medal was played on the Faldo course and the victor with a net score of level par 72 was Sahana Paravantavida.
ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB SWAN IN FULL FLIGHT IN COUNTBACK WIN IN RIVOLI MONTHLY MEDAL
BRILLIANT BURROW AT IT AGAIN IN PING DUBAI CREEK SUMMER OPEN Max Burrow successfully defended his title with a superb four-under par 67 in the Summer Open that left him walking away with a five-shot victory. Summer member Jai Dawda had the round of a lifetime to top the Men’s Net division with a staggering net 57 and Glory Xavier scored a level par 71 to win the Ladies Division. In the Junior Net Division it was John Burki who claimed top spot after a solid performance and a round of 73.
Gary Swan clinched last month’s Rivoli Monthly Medal after a countback win over Aaron Birch after both players shot impressive scores of gross 72. Swan’s better back nine saw him take the spoils while Adele McKelvey won the Ladies gross prize with an 80, one stroke clear of Emma Rooms. In the Men’s net section John Hainey came out on top in Division ‘A’ with a 69 while a superb 65 saw Pat McSheffrey win by five shots in Division ‘B’. The Ladies Division was won by Sheila Alban in a countback with Heather Totten.
GET READY TO THINK PINK Arabian Ranches is set to host the second annual Think Pink Ladies Awareness Golf Day on October 28. The event is open to all ages, skill levels and genders in the UAE and aims to raises awareness, provide a support structure, vital information and funds to support the breast cancer research and its on-going support locally. With its aim to provide quality of life for those who with breast cancer. Website: www.thinkpinkgolf.golfgenius.com
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ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION UAE FINISHES 65TH AT 2016 WATC – EISENHOWER TROPHY AUSTRALIA WINS BY 19 STROKES The UAE National Golf Team recently competed in the 30th World Amateur Team Championship (WATC) – Eisenhower Trophy in Riviera Maya, Mexico at the Mayakoba El Camaleon Golf Club and Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club. The WATC is the most prestigious Amateur Golf Championship in the world with a format which sees each team have two or three players play four rounds of 18-hole stroke play. In each round, the total of two lowest scores from each team creates the team score for that round. The four-day total is the team’s score for the championship. With over 70 teams represented, this was one of the largest fields in the WATC - Eisenhower Trophy’s history. Representing the UAE National Golf Team was Ahmed Skaik, Rashid Hamood, and Saif Thabet who finished the tournament in 65th Place. Playing in his first WATC - Eisenhower Trophy, and leading the UAE National Golf Team, was Saif Thabet. Thabet shot rounds of 86-78-80-78 for a championship total of 322, 36-over-par which saw him finished tied 174th in the Individual Category. Finishing two stokes behind Thabet was UAE youngster Ahmad Skaik. After a good start shooting a 78 on the Mayakoba El Camaleon Golf Course, Skaik’s last three rounds were 82-81-83 for a total of 324, 38-over-par. Skaik finished tied for 182nd in the Individual Category. Rashid Hamood, the Assistant Golf Experience Manager at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, had a hard time finding consistency all championship with rounds of 80-89-81-88 for a total of 338, 52-over-par. Rashid finished in 195th in
UAE National Golf Team (Left to Right) - Rashid Hamood, Saif Thabet and Ahmed Skaik
the Individual Category. The boys will be looking to build on these results in the near future and with a number of regional championships coming up the UAE National Teams are expected to play a lot of completive golf over the next few months. Winning the 2016 WATC - Eisenhower Trophy for a fourth time was the team from Australia who had a very impressive championship, finishing 38-under par and 19 strokes ahead of runners-up England. Austria and Ireland finished tied for third place. Australia also had the first and second place finishers in the individual category with scores of 17-under-par and 15-under-par for the four rounds. UAE National Golf Team Coach, Greg Holmes said: Every year the standard and competition level of golf at this event continues to get better. The more our players play and experience golf like this, the more the players can see how much work is needed
CARROLL AND FARQUHARRSON WIN LARGEST EGF SUMMER SWING A grand total of 98 EGF members competed in the biggest EGF Summer Swing event in three years at Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course. Galen Carroll and Alex Farquharrson won the competition by the slightest of margins with a score of 45 Stableford Points. After a back ninehole countback, JGE Members Lawry Cook and Michael White finished in second with 44 points.
to reach the top of their game.” The UAE Team was also accompanied by, Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, the Emirates Golf Federation’s Secretary General, and UAE National Team Manager, who said: “The WATC – Eisenhower Trophy is always an honour to compete in. The UAE National Teams will now focus on upcoming regional events in the GGC Golf Championships and Arab Golf Championships.” The UAE National Senior Golf Team will be back in action from November 7 – 13 at the 2016 the Arab Golf Championship in Oman. Before this event, the Nationals Ladies, 18 and Under, and 15 and Under Golf Teams will be in action from October 17 – 22, in Egypt. To see the full results from the 2016 World Amateur Team Championship (WATC) – Eisenhower Trophy please visit the International Golf Federation website at www.igfgolf.org
THE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE DUBAI GOLF RESORT & SPA
Winners of the EGF Summer Swing at Jumeirah Golf Estates
EGF ORDER OF MERIT SCHEDULE SET This eight month Tour-like season will take place at 13 different golf clubs (in the Men’s Division) within the UAE. If you are looking to be the best amateur golfer in the UAE, enjoy some competitive fun, or just improve your game, this season-long experience is just for you. The winners of their respected divisions last season represented the UAE at The 82nd Singha Thailand Amateur Open. Congratulations to Christofer Rahm, Tiago Lobo, Alison Muirhead and Kim Chiang on their accomplishments. The Men’s Division starts the new season at The
WHITE IS MONTY’S LUCKIEST Montgomerie Golf Club on October 7th – 8th, 2016. The Ladies will also open their season at The Monty on October 21st, 2016. The Junior Division will kick off the season at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club on October 22nd, 2016. To see the full 2016-2017 EGF Order of Merit schedule go to www.egfgolf.com.
Nigel White came out on top in the Luckiest Ball on Earth contest with 34 points in the Individual Stableford competition and consequently will be representing The Montgomerie in the Grand Final on Sunday 23rd October to try and win a spot in the prestigious DP World Tour Championship Pro-Am.
organised by
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Raise Your
Game! Discounted New EGF Member Rate
AED 200
Couples Rate AED 350
2016 - 2017 EGF Order of Merit now available at www.egfgolf.com
www.egfgolf.com info@egfgolf.com
EGF Benefits • USGA handicap • Discounted Green Fees • Golfers Insurance • Membership Benefits Program • Ability to play and win club events ARABIAN GOLF 74
ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS DREAMLAND GOLF CLUB BAKU AZERBAIJAN
SNAG TAKES OFF WITH SUPPORT OF ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTORS FOR AZERBAIJAN Azerbaijan has added a further 12 coaches to support the growth of golf in the country. All coaches attended and successfully passed Level 2 to become SNAG (Starting New At Golf) accredited teachers. Commenting on the achievement Phil Jones, General Manager, said: “Our focus at Dreamland Golf Club is to introduce as many people to golf and have players enjoy our course and world class facilities here in Baku. Working with our team of instructors we continue to develop golf with innovated summer
camp concepts and school tuition programmes.” Michael Sweenie, PGA Head Professional, speaking about golf development in Azerbaijan added: “We have introduced over 600 children to golf in the last few months and can only see this number increasing. It’s been a great experience to work with SNAG and to see our team develop their coaching skills, the international qualification they have now is a milestone achievement for the game here in the country.”
McEWAN, DONALDSON, LEE AND KING WIN THE AZERBAIJAN OPEN Dean McEwan, Scott Donaldson, Daniel Lee and Stuart King all combined to be crowned the 2016 Azerbaijan Open champions with 20 teams taking part. The winning team played brilliantly, with day one scores of 70,80,75,77 and their day 2 team score of 59.5, giving a total score of 360.50. They
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AL GHAZAL GOLF CLUB
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YAS LINKS ABU DHABI
received some fantastic prizes including flights to Dubai from Fly Dubai, a 4-ball voucher to play The Emirates Golf Club, Fairmont ESPA vouchers and some Fireland Wines. Taking the runner-up spot was the Member team of Bryan Thomas, Nick Hore, Steven Parkes and John Weston.
SALEH AT THE SUMMIT OF SUMMER OPEN
SUMMER BREAK NO CONCERN FOR KIRKWOOD
There were more than 80 participants in total in the Yas Links Summer Open and it was last year’s runner-up, Saleh Al Ameri, who went one better in 2016, gaining victory and 1st place in Category A (handicap 0-14). He finished his round with an excellent 45 points. New Yas Links member John Newton finished close behind with an impressive 42 points. Craig Hanson conquered category B (Handicap 15-36) with an outstanding 44 points.
Dan Kirkwood had just returned from a summer away but is clearly still at the top of his game as he finished with a solid Gross 79 to win the Yas Links Audi Medal. First place in Category A (Handicap 0-12) was presented to Ryan Hunter who recently played in his first MENA Tour event at Dubai Creek GC. His stellar form continued, finishing with a steady score of 77. Winner in Category B (Handicap 13-28) was the same winner as last month, Hans Fraikin, who took spot top with an excellent Net 68. Second place was presented to Ahmed Al Menhali who finished close behind with a Net 75.
FIRST SARACENS SCRAMBLE AT AL GHAZAL Abu Dhabi Saracens RFC hosted their inaugural Saracens Scramble with Al Ghazal this month and the team of Craig Nutt, Paul Hindshaw and the Kookies were triumphant (net score 58.4) in what was a close run event with all sides scoring within six of the leaders in an Open Texas Scramble format.
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SHARJAH GOLF AND SHOOTING CLUB NAMIR SCORES BACK-TO-BACK BIRDIES TO CLAIM CENTRO CROWN
Champions Ben Mulvaney and Nicholas Hymas proudly hold their winners’ trophies.
BEN & NICHOLAS HANDLE THE HEAT Regular visitors Ben Mulvaney and Nicholas Hymas collaborated exceptionally well to return a score of 62 in the September addition of the BMW Members and Guest Social to narrowly defeat Arun Tuli and Nitin Puri by a single stroke.
Namir Al Naimi carded one of his highest ever scores to claim another Centro Sharjah by Rotana Midweek Medal supported by Mekar, after scoring back-toback birdies on holes five and six in challenging conditions.
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ROGER COLLECTS LUCKIEST BALL GLORY The Luckiest Ball competition was a battle to remember with seven players in the mix after 9 holes but it was Roger Ledeboer who emerged triumphant with the best back nine. He finished with 73 net to earn a spot in the Grand Final and the chance to compete with the pros in November.
ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS AL AIN EQUESTRIAN, SHOOTING & GOLF CLUB
ALMOUJ GOLF OMAN
SUPPORT GOLF FORE AUTISM OMAN AND HAVE A FUN DAY AT ALMOUJ
Over the past two years the Golf Fore Autism OMAN Corporate Charity golf event at Almouj Golf, Muscat, has raised more than 33,000 OMR as well as increased awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) within the Muscat community. The goals of the event are to create awareness of Autism in Oman; assist established facilities to provide resources and training; to provide training for early learning teachers, professionals and parents on the detection and treatment of Autism
and to create international relationships with leading Autism treatment facilities around the world for Oman-based therapists. This year’s Golf Fore Autism OMAN Corporate Charity Tournament takes place on Thursday, November 10, at Almouj Golf, Muscat. Get involved in the event to make a difference and raise the awareness of Autism. There numerous prizes of golf memorabilia for participants.
MEMBERS MAKE IT FOUR IN A ROW IN STAFF MATCH
The curtain was raised on the 2016/2017 golf season with the annual Staff versus Members match. Members have won the last three and were looking to add to their tally. On paper, the staff looked to have a big chance at claiming back the trophy but, sadly, their hopes only lasted a few holes, and it was to become a long day for the staff. A fantastic occasion again, though. Final Score Members 29pts : Staff 13pts.
SENSATIONAL SMITH’S AND BELL TRIUMPHANT IN THE DARK
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DOHA GOLF CLUB
Eleven teams battled it out in the Night Golf but the runaway leaders in the Texas Scramble format was the team of Melissa Smith, Eric Smith, Davis Smith and Stuart Bell, carding a very impressive 4-under par gross less 8.9 22.1.
QATAR’S TAYLOR AND FLANAGAN SEAL SPOTS IN XEROX CORPORATE GOLF CHALLENGE GRAND FINAL
ABU DHABI CITY GOLF CLUB
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The Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge’s 8th and 9th qualifiers, held at the Doha Golf Club in Qatar on September 16, 2016, saw Mike Taylor and Neil Flanagan of Team UTB take the honour of winning the day’s qualifiers, with their prize including spots in the Challenge’s final to be held later this year in Ajman, UAE. Taylor and Flanagan took first place with 42 points on a countback, followed by Mathieas Freij and Emad Al Emadi with 42 points, also on a countback, in second place. Third place went to Ben Sargent and Robbie Kirkwood, with 40 points. On-course Nearest to the Pin competitions were won by Theo Scheepers (3rd hole – sponsored by Chrysler); Frans Smit (8th hole – sponsored by Devere Acuma); Ruan Jordaan (13th hole – sponsored by Select Property). The King of the Course Par 3s title was earned by Eugene Bautista and Rolando Valencia with 18 points; Par 4s was won by Andrew Muirhead and Somposch Sang Orn (37 points), and Par 5s was taken by Bruce Chalmers and Grahame McCaig (19 points). King of the Course winners are teams that perform best on Pars 3, 4s, and 5s, with prize rewards as well as entry into the ‘Golden Ticket’ draw that offers a wildcard entry into the 2016 Grand Final. This years’ Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge is supported by the Emirate of Ajman, as 2016 host city, and destination partners include the Ajman Palace, Ajman Kempinski, and Ajman Saray. Fairmont Ajman hotels and Ajman’s Al Zorah Golf Club are venue sponsor for the 2016 Grand Final. Other sponsors of the tournament include deVere Acuma, Chrysler, and Select Property.
FREE JUNIOR GOLF WEEK AT ADCGC PROVES A MASSIVE HIT Abu Dhabi City Golf Club’s FREE Junior Week was a huge success with nearly 300 children attending. Most of the youngsters enjoyed the sessions so much that they have signed up for the Junior Golf School which started at the end of September. Each child was treated to an introduction to crazy golf, to hitting real balls with real clubs on our shaded driving range and to stretching and fitness. It was an excellent week once again for ADGC.
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AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB
FIRST RED HOT CHALLENGE SEES HAUSER, VEALE AND GOW CROWNED CHAMPIONS
SCHEEPERS CONTINUES HOT SUMMER FORM TO WIN AUGUST PRIMEPOWER MEDAL
Doha Golf Club’s first Red Hot Challenge proved a great success as Kenneth Hauser, Peter Veale and Teresa Gow were all triumphant in their respective divisions. The rules were simple – men from the red tees, ladies from special forward tees and score as low as you can. Hauser and Veale both finished with a net 65, and Gow had a net 70 which was the best ladies’ score on the day.
Theo Scheepers’ score of net 69 saw him take top spot in Division A. Theo impressed with a back nine of three under par after having a bogey-free stretch. Runner-up with a net 71 was Paul Kelly, who plays off three. The lowest score of the day – a nett 66 – came from Johan Hazejager. Johan finished birdie-birdie-par over the closing three holes which helped his cause. The Ladies’ Division was won by Teresa Gow with a net 71.
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GOLDEN TRIO WIN RAS AL KHAIMAH PRO-AM SPOTS Three lucky locals will tee it up alongside the cream of the European Challenge Tour at the Pro-Am for the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge later this month after winning the recent Golden Ball qualifier. With three places up for grabs in the Pro-Am of the Challenge Tour’s penultimate tournament, the spots went to Glory Xavier, Mike Dunn and Kamal Belaid. Naima Maya won both the ladies Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive prizes while the men’s prizes went to Jung Gi Im and Mark Richards respectively
HENRIK STENSON
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STYLE&TRAVEL
SHERINGHAM SET
FOR SIXTEEN10 CHARITY GOLF DAY HE MIGHT BE BEST KNOWN FOR PUTTING THE BALL IN THE BACK OF THE NET, ESPECIALLY THIS INJURY TIME CRACKER WHICH HELPED MANCHESTER UNITED COMPLETE AN UNLIKELY TREBLE OF PREMIER LEAGUE, FA CUP AND UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IN 1999, BUT ENGLAND’S TEDDY SHERINGHAM SPENDS MUCH OF HIS TIME THESE DAYS ATTEMPTING TO PUTT A MUCH SMALLER BALL INTO THE HOLE. HE’S COMING TO DUBAI TO DO JUST THAT ON NOVEMBER 3 AND YOU COULD JOIN HIM!
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STAR SPOTTING – TEDDY SHERINGHAM TRAVEL – EUROPEAN TOUR PROPERTIES AYLA GOLF CLUB THAILAND ‘FAVOURITE FIVE’: DOMINIC FOOS
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"THE ONE YOU HAD TO WATCH OUT FOR WAS TONY CASCARINO FOR SURE. HE’D START A HOLE WITH A TITLEIST 1 AND END UP WITH A TOP FLITE 4 AND HE’D STILL CALL IT A PAR!" TEDDY SHERINGHAM Teddy Sheringham indulging in his new favourite pastime at the 2015 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and (inset) in action for England, doing what he did best, against Georgia in a 1997 World Cup Qualifier at Wembley.
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OLF lovers in the UAE are being given the chance to play with a bonafide legend of English football while raising money for a great cause when Teddy Sheringham visits the region in November to play in the Sixteen10 ‘Mike Clark’ Charity Golf Day at the Montgomerie, Dubai on November 3. Clark was a well-loved figure on the local golf scene who worked at Jumeirah Golf Estates before sadly passing away from cancer at just 30 years old, and Sixteen10, the company owned by Clark’s good friend Reza Sazegar, is hosting the annual Golf Day to raise money for the Friends of Cancer Patients charity. The five handicapper, who famously scored in injury time to help Manchester United complete an unprecedented ‘Treble’ by beating Bayern Munich in the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final, will be among the star competitors at the event alongside World Cup winning English rugby duo Mike Tindall and Steve Thompson as well as well-known television presenter Rob McCaffrey. As well as that sensational trio of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies, Sheringham, who played for a string of teams including Millwall, Spurs, and West Ham, won a further two league winners’ medals with Man United. He also struck up a deadly strike partnership with Alan Shearer for England but, currently taking a break from the game after a spell as manager of Stevenage, the 50-yearold is currently making the most of his time off by doing what he loves best – hitting the golf course. Worldwide Golf’s Richard Bevan caught up with the likeable Englishman to talk golf and find out why we should never play with Tony Cascarino.
Worldwide Golf: “In towards Schmeichel, it’s come for Dwight Yorke…cleared, Giggs with the shot…SHERINGHAM!” – one of my greatest feelings as a football fan and no doubt your greatest feeling as a footballer. Tell us about the moment when you’ve come closest to that on the golf course? Teddy Sheringham: Well I haven’t managed to top that but I once played in a footballers’ golf tournament, it was English players against European players and we played at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas. It was like a Ryder Cuptype situation – a three-day televised event and the atmosphere was amazing. It was all square on the day, and I was up against Andriy Shevchenko, who’s a very decent golfer, and I managed to beat him which I was very pleased about! Overall it was a fantastic day of golf and I really enjoyed that one. WWG: Would you swap your Champions League winner’s medal for a Green Jacket or a Claret Jug? TS: No way! People still talk about the Champions League accompli shment every day so I would never swap my Champions League medal with anything. WWG: Who would your Fantasy Fourball of footballers comprise of? TS: Bobby Moore for obvious reasons – a legend of English football. Diego Maradona to spice things up. Johan Cruyff who is a legend of the game and a 1974 World Cup hero. WWG: Who is your favourite golfer and why? TS: Justin Rose at the moment. He’s earned me a few quid over the years and has been in
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and around it in the Majors – winning the U.S. Open - and of course now an Olympic gold medal winner too. He’s also a good lad. WWG: Footballers at the level you played at travel the world a lot – I bet that meant you could play some decent courses when you had the chance? TS: Yeah we tried to play the best golf courses wherever we went. Whichever country we were in we would be eager to find the best golf courses. WWG: Did you get a good deal of time to play golf when you were travelling as a footballer? TS: It all depends on what sort of manager you have got. When I was managed by Sir Alex Ferguson he never really liked us playing golf. He was a strict about it, but others didn’t mind. Ossie Ardiles, Glen Hoddle, Sven Goran Eriksson – they were all into their golf and didn’t mind us playing but Fergie wasn’t keen. One time Dwight Yorke and me played golf together on a Thursday, and we played football on a Saturday, we won the game and the manager came and congratulated us for the victory but he ended up fining both of us a week’s wages because we’d played golf in the lead up to the game! It was an expensive game of golf! WWG: What are your five favourite golf courses? TS: The Mid Ocean Clubin Bermuda, San Lorenzo in Portugal, Doral – ‘The Blue Monster’ in Miami, Kingsbarns in Scotland and Valderrama in Spain.
STAR SPOTTING
Teddy (second from left) is pictured with former Manchester United team mates Phil Neville (far left), Peter Schmeichel (far right) and big United fan Rory McIlroy ahead of the 2014 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. WWG: Out of your football mates, who was the best player and who did you have to keep your eye on to make sure there was no skullduggery? TS: Without a doubt the best was (former Spurs, Everton and Fulham player) Simon Davies. He is a scratch golfer and a fantastic player who hits the ball miles for a skinny little fella! The one you had to watch out for was Tony Cascarino (Millwall, Aston Villa, Chelsea) for sure. He’d start a hole with a Titleist 1 and end up with a Top-Flite 4 – and he’d still call it a par! WWG: Which player of the Manchester United treble-winning team would you least like to have in your golf team, and why? TS: Gary Neville. He can’t stop talking! He is a decent golfer but he would put me off my game just by talking all the time. WWG: You said Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t like you boys playing golf when you had matches coming up but I know that he is a regular at some of the golf days. What was he like as a player on the golf course and did he manage to keep his temper when he hit a bad shot? TS: I was with him in his later days so he was a little bit on the older side, and I remember thinking he looked a little bit stiff in the swing. But the older I’m getting the more I’m starting to empathise with that! Nowadays if I play a couple days in a row I can feel it on the next day! He was mostly calm on the course though - I think he realised that he was getting older and just got on with it! WWG: You were well known of having one of the best football brains in the business when you were on the pitch, what is your course management like?
I’M NOT A BIG HITTER, SO I THINK MY ABILITY TO FEEL MY WAY AROUND THE GOLF COURSE IS PROBABLY MY BEST ASSET AND I’M DEFINITELY AS COMPETITIVE ON THE COURSE AS I WAS ON THE PITCH! TEDDY SHERINGHAM TS: Not bad. I am not a big hitter, so I think my ability to feel my way around the golf course is probably my best asset and I’m definitely as competitive on the course as I was on the pitch! WWG: To follow on from that – what would you say the main strengths and weaknesses to your game are? TS: I think my driving is my main weakness – every now and again I get it going but on the whole I don’t think I hit it as far as I should do. The strengths come and go but when I’m on it, I’m good from 100 yards – getting it in there quite tight. WWG: How often do you play? TS: I am out of work at the moment so I play quite a bit – about two or three times a week! But when I was a manager the golf went on the backburner so it just depends how much time I’ve got. WWG: What are your thoughts about Dubai and the golf courses that you’ve played there? TS: Top class. I haven’t played a bad one yet! I really like the golf scene in the city.
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WWG: What are your thoughts on the Montgomerie, Dubai course as a venue for the Mike Clark Golf Day? TS: I think it’s still a tough course, but is perhaps more forgiving than some of other courses in Dubai so I think that anyone coming to the day and playing it for the first time will enjoy it. It’s a really nice course. WWG: What is your local club? Where do you play most of your golf? TS: I play at Wisley. WWG: Give us your thoughts on the Sixteen10 ‘Mike Clark’ Charity Golf Day, which is raising money for the Friends of Cancer Patients charity. What can people who sign up to play with you guys on the day expect? TS: First of all, it’s a fantastic charity to be involved with, for a very good cause and it is important to spread awareness and raise funds. It is also a good chance to play with the likes of Mike Tindall, Steve Thompson, Rob McCaffrey and myself. We aim to have a friendly game then dinner afterwards with a Q&A session for people to get to know us and an auction to raise money for the Friends of Cancer Patients charity– so hopefully we’ll all have a fun day.
COMPETITION
WIN: DINNER WITH THE STARS COURTESY OF SIXTEEN10 T
he Sixteen10 ‘Mike Clark’ Charity Golf Day, being held at The Address Montgomerie, Dubai, promises to be a fun-filled occasion in memory of a muchloved local golfer who was taken by bowel cancer much too soon on October 16, 2012. Mike’s passing had a big impact on his good friend Reza Sazegar, who went on to start a business with charity at its heart, raising money for official charity partner Friends of Cancer Patients in a variety of ways, including running auctions at golf events for ‘money can’t buy experiences’ and unique sporting memorabilia. The company name, Sixteen10, marks the date Mike passed away. “Our vision is to make giving life’s most rewarding experience,” said Sazegar. “I want to ensure that we do everything we can to help other families avoid the same fate as Mike and his family did. Cancer or any other illness
can affect any one of us, at any time! “Having Mike’s memory etched into the company name has really helped give me a focus and drive to make it a success.” When Sixteen10 was presented with the opportunity to take over the running of the annual golf event which is held in remembrance of Mike, Sazegar jumped at the chance and has pulled out all of the stops to ensure that, this year, it’s a bigger occasion than ever. Footballer Teddy Sheringham will be joined by rugby stars Mike Tindall and Steve Thompson along with TV presenter and Dubai favourite Rob McCaffrey at The Address Montgomerie, Dubai on November 3, and golfers in the region can join the fun with a limited number of spots available. “The Mike Clark Memorial Golf day has been active for the past three years and organised by Jamie Goodenough and a few
other close friends,” added Sazegar. “I offered to organise this year’s event with a view of growing it and getting Mike’s story told on an international level.” Those who don’t play can also get in on the action by attending the evening gala dinner with the celebrities which includes three hours of inclusive drinks and a Q&A session. Worldwide Golf has two places at the dinner to give away our readers by answering the following question: Which football team did Teddy Sheringham win the UEFA Champions League with? To enter visit: worldwide.golf/competitions SIXTEEN10 ARE STILL LOOKING FOR A TITLE SPONSOR AND HAVE A COUPLE OF HOLE SPONSOR SPACES REMAINING. PLEASE GET IN TOUCH ON INFO@SIXTEEN-10.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPONSORING OR ATTENDING THE EVENT.
‘Mike Clark’ Charity Golf Day Raising money for the Friends of Cancer Patients charity
Golf + Dinner or Dinner Only with celebrity Q&A options available For further details on attending or sponsoring the event, please email info@sixteen-10.com or call Reza Sazegar on 0503842985
Mike Tindall England Captain & Rugby World Cup Winner
Teddy Sheringham Premier League & England Forward
Steve Thompson England Rugby World Cup Winner
Rob McCaffrey TV Presenter & Football Pundit
Venue: The Address Montgomerie Dubai Date: Thursday November 3, 2016
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www.europeantourproperties.com
Constance Belle Mare Plage This stunning Indian Ocean resort, part of the Constance Hotels and Resorts Group, is situated along one of the most beautiful beaches on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius and became part of the European Tour’s network of world class venues earlier this year.
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Destinations
Courses
LE GOLF NATIONAL FRANCE
GOLF CLUB ST.LEON-ROT GERMANY
LINNA GOLF FINLAND
MAXX ROYAL BELEK GOLF RESORT TURKEY
THE DUTCH THE NETHERLANDS
QUINTA DO LAGO PORTUGAL
DIAMOND COUNTRY CLUB AUSTRIA
BLACK MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB & RESORT THAILAND
ESTONIAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB ESTONIA
PGA CATALUNYA RESORT SPAIN
MOUNT JULIET ESTATE IRELAND
KUNSÄNGEN GOLF CLUB SWEDEN
JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
ALBATROSS GOLF RESORT CZECH REPUBLIC
LIGHTHOUSE GOLF & SPA RESORT BULGARIA
BOM SUCESSO PORTUGAL
SAUJANA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB MALAYSIA
TROIA RESORT PORTUGAL
LONDON GOLF CLUB UNITED KINGDOM
CONSTANCE BELLE MARE PLAGE MAURITIUS
TERRE BLANCHE HOTEL SPA GOLF RESORT***** FRANCE
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MARCO SIMONE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB ITALY
Destination Under Development ROSSINGTON HALL UNITED KINGDOM
THE BEST VIEW ON EARTH As the world’s greatest golfers take to the Earth course for the final tournament of the 2016 Race to Dubai, there’ll be plenty of action off course too. Join us in the Championship Village for loads of family fun including free golf lessons, kids zone, trick shot shows and live music.
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LOCATED alongside the 2km white sand beach and set in tropical gardens of almost 15 hectares, the resort offers an extensive array of amenities and is an ideal location for golfers with its two 18-hole championship golf courses stretching for a further 140 hectares. The Indian Ocean’s ideal climate allows for year-round golf, with 300 days of sunshine each year and daily temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C affording players plenty of time for both play and practice. Residents benefit from unlimited free green fees during their stay. The 6,018 metres, par 72 “Legend” course, designed by South African professional Hugh Baiocchi and opened in 1994, is laid out in the heart of an indigenous forest and set along the beautiful beach.
Challenging ‘Links’ The challenging “Links” course, a par 71, 5,952 metres layout designed by Rodney Wright and Peter Alliss, opened some eight years later and is equipped with its own practice area and golf academy, with individual and group coaching sessions available with qualified professionals. The venue hosts the season-ending finale to the European Senior Tour, with previous winner Colin Montgomerie, reflecting, “this is truly one of the ultimate golf experiences in the Southern hemisphere.” Stylishly renovated in a lively and cosy atmosphere, a wide range of luxury accommodation options are available at the resort in rooms, suites and villas, with sea views and private pool options.
When it comes to eating and drinking, guests are spoilt for choice between seven restaurants offering a variety of international cuisine and six bars!
Coral Reef A holiday in the Indian Ocean would not be complete without taking time out to explore the rich and colourful lagoons. The beach at Constance Belle Mare Plage is protected by an offshore coral reef making it ideal for swimming, water sports and snorkelling. Guests here can take advantage of professional dive centres and top quality equipment. The Constance Group offers family-friendly resorts, upping the stakes in the luxury family holiday sector, with the complimentary use of the Constance Kids Club for 4 to 11-year-olds. While the kids are occupied by the fully-trained and enthusiastic coordinators, the resort also offers a Constance U-Spa for pampering and rejuvenating and taking advantage of an impressive range of treatments. Four resort swimming pools and a wide range of water sports, including diving, water skiing and kite surfing, add another dimension to this truly luxury resort. n
About European Tour Properties European Tour Properties is a network of world class golf venues, all of which have a close relationship with The European Tour, one of the game’s leading global sporting organisations. Our internationally-recognised network currently spans Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia. We are proud to present a collection of Member Venues that all boast the hallmark of tournament quality and which offer extensive off-course facilities guaranteed to provide a memorable golfing experience for members and visitors alike. Many of them are close to famous cities and all offer a wealth of golf, leisure and accommodation choices. For those seeking the ultimate golfing lifestyle, a number of our Member Venues offer elegant and secluded real-estate opportunities.
For more information about Constance Belle Mare Plage please visit www.constancehotels.com/en and to find out more about European Tour Properties’ other world class venues, please go to www.europeantourproperties.com
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TRAVEL
Ayla Golf Club Aqaba Tees Off THE eagerly-awaited opening of one of the most significant and exciting golf course complexes in the Middle East took place on Friday 30th September to universal acclaim. It was a magnificent milestone in the history of Jordan golf when Ayla Golf Club, situated in the fascinating coastal city of Aqaba, opened its doors for play.
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T
hough golf has been played for a number of years on the ‘browns’of the Bisharat sand course in Amman, Ayla Golf Club, overlooking the Red Sea, is the country’s first fully grassed Championship course. Designed by Greg Norman, construction began back in November 2012 and forms part of Jordan’s largest and most advanced mixed use development – Ayla. When completed Ayla will be home to a multitude of residential units, luxury five star hotels, Jordan’s largest marina (with both wet and dry berthing), a number of beach clubs, entertainment zones and a wonderful waterfront retail village. With some 3.5million cubic meters of earth movement Greg Norman Design was able to create a 7,152yard Par 72 Championship course and a 9-hole Par 27 Academy course. With sea views, lagoon views, lake views and a meandering wadi winding through the 18 holes, coming into play on almost every hole, the course can be set up to challenge the world’s best professionals whilst also satisfying the occasional player. Five tee boxes can be found on every hole, enabling players of all levels to play an enjoyable round over five different distances to suite their individual abilities. A fleet of luxurious Club Car Prestige golf carts, fitted with the latest Visage GPS system, are there to carry the golfers around the course with comfort and ease . 4
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Luxury in the heart of the Golf Community Located just a ‘9-iron’ from Jumeirah Golf Estates (home to The European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship) ,The Els Club and within easy reach of Arabian Ranches, the Ghaya Grand Hotel is the perfect choice for your Dubai golfing break. Book 5 consecutive nights and get the 6th night complimentary on the Ghaya Grand Hotel website now www.ghayagrandhotel.com. To book your personal tour, call +971 (0) 4 429 3300 IMPZ (Tecom), Dubai, UAE | marketing@ghayagrandhotel.com | www.ghayagrandhotel.com *valid till 25/12/2016, subject to availability*
TRAVEL
Ayla’s Managing Director Sahl Dudin heralded the ‘soft’ opening of the course, saying: “We are delighted to open Ayla Golf Course within the Ayla waterfront community. The destination surpasses the scope of a routine golf course and fittingly exemplifies Ayla’s passion to promote and accommodate all levels of golfers. The Ayla Golf Course has been designed in compliance with strict environmental guidelines to carefully harness the stunning natural beauty of Aqaba and the Red Sea in creating an unparalleled experience.”
of an environmentallyfocused development. The wet areas are enticing an increasing variety of wildlife. The entire concept of the Ayla Aqaba project is a phenomenal piece of planning and engineering, where 235 metres of the Aqaba Red Sea coastline have been adapted to create a marina access channel and beachfronted lagoons. This resulted in an additional 17.1 km of coastline with – Ayla’s Managing Director Sahl Dudin numerous individual beaches to facilitate seaside living, where 1 million cubic metres of sea water is circulated The vision of Ayla, and Greg Norman Design, on a daily basis. has encompassed every possible means of When Greg Norman first visited the Ayla water conservation, in addition to creating Aqaba site in 2012 he stated: “The Ayla project power through its extensive banks of solar will be among the best in the world. The scale panels situated at the edge of the golf course. and quality of this project is phenomenal and The irrigation water comes from wells and the entire setting is unique.” Norman recently treated effluent. The eco-friendly design of added: “The course is among the top-three the golf course and the waterfront community most eco-friendly courses in the world.” has attracted a wide variety of birdlife and Aqaba is also at the centre of many of the water-running wadis, water features and Jordan’s most popular tourism destinations. lagoons have become home to sea turtles, Petra, Wadi Run and some of the country’s a multitude of fish species and all manner best dive sites are within easy reach of Aqaba. of sea creatures. The abundance of shrubs, The golf course is an integral part of the fauna and trees selected from local species community which affords golfers spectacular has made Ayla Golf Course a perfect example views of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba
The destination surpasses the scope of a routine golf course and fittingly exemplifies Ayla’s passion to promote and accommodate all levels of golfers. The Ayla Golf Course has been designed in compliance with strict environmental guidelines to carefully harness the stunning natural beauty of Aqaba and the Red Sea in creating an unparalleled experience,”
Greg Norman Design
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from several holes. Ayla Golf Club will operate as a semi private facility by providing two distinct categories of membership, as well as allowing occasional golfers and visitors to pat green fees to play. The Club’s Classic membership is, like many clubs, a one-off payment that allows unlimited access to both the Championship course, Academy course and practice facilities without any further green fee payment.
Membership An alternative category of Membership is the Country Membership which is designed for the ‘out of town’ golfer who may be limited to the number of rounds he or she is able to play per year. The annual fee is reduced but requires a discounted daily green fee each time the member wishes to play. Ayla’s Director of Operations Chris White commented: “This really is a splendid facility to open in the region and as Jordan’s first grass golf experience it is very exciting for all involved. Having lived in the UAE for 16 years I have been amazed at how pleasant the months of June, July, August and September are in Aqaba. Although it is hot, the heat is dry which makes Aqaba and Ayla Golf Club a really pleasant and easy summer escape to some world-class golf and living.” Ayla will operate with a state of the art world-class golf Academy, scheduled for completion in June 2017. Recently joined Head Professional Chris Dodd and his team look forward to providing first class golf instruction and service standards for members and guests alike. n
TRAVEL
B
arely a month goes by these days when some part of the world or another doesn’t suffer an international incident which affects the tourism trade. The travel warnings sound, Governments issue statements and no one knows quite what to do. But when it comes to Thailand, a country that has experienced its share of disruptions over the past decade, they do know what to do. They keep going, and the country continues to set tourism records, no matter the obstacle or ordeal. The latest setback occurred last month, when bombs were detonated in the popular resort destinations of Hua Hin and Phuket on successive days, raising concern again among those in the hospitality sector that travellers may begin to veer in other directions. That anxiety was short-lived. Within a couple of days, “it was business as usual,” says Mark Siegel, owner of Golfasian, Asia’s leading golf tour operator. Since Siegel purchased Golfasian in 2005, the company has arranged trips for approximately 10,000 golfers per year to Thailand alone.
Many of those golfers are lured by the attributes of ‘Golf in a Kingdom,’ an elite golf trail that links some of the country’s top courses together, including Banyan Hua Hin, Black Mountain Golf Club Hua Hin, Chiang Mai Highlands Golf Resort & Spa, Muang Kaew Golf Club, Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club, Suwan Golf & Country Club and Thai Country Club. Several ‘Golf in a Kingdom’ tour-goers were in Hua Hin when the normally peaceful beach town was rocked in a way it never had been before. Some were no more than a couple of blocks away, enjoying a nightcap at Hilton Hua Hin’s stylish rooftop bar. “We heard something but thought it was fireworks in celebration of The Queen’s birthday,” says Johan Holmstrom, an Australian who was making his third visit to Hua Hin. “We were all surprised that something like that could happen in such a quiet place.” The next day, Holmstrom and the other golfers he had travelled to Thailand with resumed their trip, as planned. In other words, they played golf, “because we figured the golf course might be the safest place anyway,” he says. Another Golfasian client, Justin 4
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Golf Tourism in Thailand Back on Course
Kingdom quick to recover from latest seemingly unplayable lie
Black Mountain Golf Club Hua Hin
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TRAVEL
Banyan Hua Hin signature hole 15 Brown, who was also in Hua Hin at that time, stuck to the schedule as well. “The thing I noticed – and thought was really comforting – was the police, and how great a job they all did in making everyone feel extremely safe,” said Brown, who lives in Melbourne. “I think if you had come a couple days later, and hadn’t read the news, you probably wouldn’t have even known what had happened.” Paul Deans said that is exactly what it felt like. The Managing Director of Golf Corner, the golf tour operator based in Perth who works with Golfasian, was in Hua Hin on the days following, chaperoning a group of seven golfers.
Back to normal “Sure, the town was quieter than usual when we first got there,” he says, “but after a few nights, it was all back to normal – the bars were open, the streets were full again, and families were walking around town.” Siegel, an American who began visiting Thailand in 1995 and eventually moved there in 2005, has never quite been able to put his finger on exactly why the country is always able to rebound quickly from a crisis. His best guess is, “people like Thailand so much they are willing to shrug stuff like this off,” he said. What he is certain about, however, is that it’s a destination unlike any other in that regard. “It’s like a boxer who gets knocked down but just comes back stronger,” he says. “There’s a resilience here which is why we call it ‘Teflon Thailand.’ But at the same time,
there’s a genuine warmth to the culture, and I think that has an effect, too.” Whatever the reason, statistics recorded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) support Siegel’s claim that international travellers remain fond of the country that’s often referred to as The Land of Smiles. Indeed, while arrivals dipped in the week immediately following the attacks, they were quick to return to levels required for Thailand to meet its 2016 projection of 33 million visitors, which would be an all-time high. If some of the comments Deans has received in recent weeks are any indication, many of those visitors will be golfers. “I’ve been blown away by the amount of clients who have said they are already looking forward to coming back next year,” he said. “Some have even asked, ‘Can we pay our deposit now?’ It’s truly amazing.” n
Thailand Country Club, Phuket
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Hilton Hua Hin
TO P 5 CO U R S E S
‘FAVOURITE FIVE’ with Dominic Foos
AGE: 19 FROM: KARLSRUHE, GERMANY TURNED PROFESSIONAL: 2014 PROFESSIONAL TOUR WINS: 1
The Dubai-based European Challenge Tour player is on the cusp of a place in the season-ending NBO Golf Classic Grand Final in Muscat, Oman. The 19-year-old has a very bright future ahead of him.
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The Els Club (UAE)
4
Leopard Creek Country Club (South Africa)
3
The Old Course at St. Andrews (Scotland)
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Royal Melbourne Golf Club (Australia)
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Augusta National Golf Club (USA)
It is my home club in Dubai and I really enjoy playing on it.
The history of St. Andrews is so rich and the golf course is just phenomenal.
You do not really have to explain much about Augusta. One of the classic courses and certainly one of the greatest in the world. Amazing course!
Worldwide GOLF 96
I played there a couple of years ago. The landscape is beautiful and it is right next to the Kruger National Park.
I think it is by far one of the best golf courses in the world especially when it is dry and firm.
OFFER ING AN EXTRAORDINARY GOLF EXPERIENC E
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18-hole, 7,300 yard course designed by Gil Hanse, 2016 Olympic Golf Course Architect
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State-of-the-Art Golf Academy with a 9-hole, par 3 Teaching Course
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Expansive LED Lit Driving Range, which allows for Nighttime Practice
The Most Spectacular Golf Course in the Middle East
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Highly Qualified PGA Instructors and Professionals
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Exquisite 30,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse
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Four Exclusive Restaurants, featuring an Upscale Lounge, Lavish Sports Bar and Family-Oriented Dining Room
COMING SOON •
Luxurious Infinity Pool overlooking the 9th and 18th Holes
For more i nfor mati on, please contact the Membership Team Dubai Membership@TrumpGolf.com
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