Worldwide Golf - Freddie Couples by Worldwide Golf

Boom Boom’s BACK

fred Couples has taken the Champions tour by storm, relighting his confidence and rolling back the years to delight the galleries at the Masters.

MICKELSON THE MASTER NIGHT GOLF BACK IN DUBAI ONE ARM GOLF CHAMPION JUNIOR SWING TIPS INTERNATIONAL PAIRS ARABIAN GOLF DESERT ISLAND DOUBLE

WIN

1 Dozen Titleist NXT Tour Balls

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ISBN 978-9948-15-427-3

BUILD CONSISTENCY OFF THE TEE WITH CLAUDE HARMON III Els l PlAYER l NORMAN l FIsHER l NEWs & VIEWs 9 789948 154273

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

Issue 114, April 2010

Issue 115, May 2010

MIddle east’s No .1 Golf MaG azINe

S A A D I YAT B E A C H G O L F C L U B - A P L A C E T O B R E AT H E

Nearly all golf courses feature water hazards. Ours gives you front-row seats to the ocean...

“Sea View” – Par 4, 488 Yards

Welcome to Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, home to the Arabian Gulf’s only beachfront course, designed by golfing legend Gary Player. This captivating destination is poised to become one of the world’s truly great courses. Be among the first to play at this enchanting location. To book, call us on 02 557 8000 or visit www.sbgolfclub.ae

www.sbgolfclub.ae

PLAYER INTRODUCTION

Champions are master Class

Worldwide Golf’s Executive Editor

PLAYER

GARY

KNOW it’s one of my favourite subjects but the performance of the Seniors at The Masters proves my point again that the standard of over-fifties golf, on the U.S. Champions Tour and on the European Senior Tour is almost on a par with the regular Tours. Right now I am on my way to Savannah to meet up with Bob Charles to see if we can hold on to the Demaret Division title of the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf tournament which we won 12 months ago when we shot 18-under-par over 36 holes with rounds of 63-63. Freddie Couples’ performance at Augusta National was marvellous and what a wonderful reaction he got from the galleries. In his rookie year on the U.S. Champions Tour Freddie won three of the first four tournaments he played so far, and finished second in the other one, after reaching the qualifying age of 50. He brought that form with him to The Masters and led the field with a 66 on the opening day. He went on to shoot 75-68-70 to finish on 9-under 279 in sixth place on his own but at one stage he looked as though he could have won but for the setback of a double-bogey and a bogey in his final round. His opening 66 was his best-ever round in The Masters, which shows the level of golf he is playing. Scotland’s Sandy Lyle, who became the first British player to win The Masters in 1988, shot a first round 69 but started his second round 6-6-6 for an 86 which left him well short of making the cut. Two-times Masters winner, Germany’s Bernhard Langer, who took the Champions Tour by storm in his first full year in 2008 and who won his ninth tournament on the Tour earlier this year, scored a first round 71 at Augusta but failed to make the cut. Bernhard also won the 2008 Casa Serena Open in the Czech Republic on the European Senior Tour. Tom Watson, who won The Masters in 1977 and 1981 and is another winner on the 2010 Champions Tour schedule, shot an opening 67 and finished the tournament on 1-under-par in a share of 18th place. It was a golden day for the Seniors on Day One of The

Masters and for two over-50s to finish in the top 20 was a great achievement. It was good to see the Augusta crowds rise to their old favourites. On the European Senior Tour Thailand’s Boonchu Ruangkit won his third successive tournament at the Berenberg Bank Masters at The Links at Fancourt, a course that I designed. I played with Boonchu in the first round when he shot a fine 69 and although he is only 53, I can say that his nickname of ‘the Godfather of Asian Golf’ is well earned. In his rookie season on the Senior Tour Boonchu held off the challenge of Scotland’s Sam Torrance and South Africa’s Bobby Lincoln to win by three strokes to become the quickest player in the Tour’s history to win three in a row. n I was pleased that the Modry Las Golf Club which we recently designed in Poland has been voted one of Europe’s top 100 courses and Poland’s top course by Golf World magazine. Poland is a beautiful country and I wish PGA Polska well in their efforts to establish the game of golf for future generations. n I was pleased to see Y.E. Yang win the Volvo China Open at the Suzhou Jinji Lake International Golf Course near Shanghai. We designed the 27-hole course with a distinctive layout, featuring three nine-hole courses with markedly different characteristics: The Links, a classic links-style course; The Wetlands, featuring numerous ponds and creeks; and The Forest where the emphasis is on trees. The tournament was played on both the Jinji Lake’s Wetlands course as well as The Links course. If the wind blows, as it normally does on on a links course, it’s a tough proposition but it’s not nearly as difficult in calm conditions. n It was good to see our friends from TDIC as well as Abdullah Al Naboodah at The Masters and hear how well the juniors are playing in the UAE, with one of the leading Nationals and UAE Team Member Hassan Al Musharrekh winning the Al Naboodah Junior Amateur Open.

Left: Fred Couples punches the air in delight as the Augusta National galleries throw their arms in the air to applaud another birdie. Freddie led The Masters on the opening day with a marvellous 66 and went on to finish in sixth place on 9-under 279.

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Over 100 destinations worldwide

Contents 10

8 16

Regulars

18 20 25 28 31 39 40 43 44 55 58 65 61 92 95 96

ernie els coluMn Golden ticket QualiFiers For the inVitational hosted by abdullah al naboodah 2-day worldwide GolF desert island double Midweek open oFFer – dhs950 clubhouse Quickies GreG norMan coluMn driVinG ranGe: audi driVinG experience diVots: news iteMs ross Fisher coluMn oFFicial world GolF rankinG Gary player coluMn

10 enter today for the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open at Tower Links Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah, 1.00pm shotgun start on Thursday, May 6. Last few places available. 10

Mickelson’s Masterclass: Phil Mickelson makes it an emotional third Masters win, beating Lee Westwood, watched by his wife, Amy, and mother, Mary.

16 Freddie couples: Follows his three wins on the U.S. Champions Tour in his rookie season by finishing sixth in The Masters to the delight of the Augusta galleries. 23 international pairs: Chris Turlik secures the inaugural license to promote the prestigious International Pairs tournament to members of the EGF.

world round-ups tutorial

woMen’s GolF Middle east arabian GolF

Faisal hasnain Q&a: The Chief Executive of wasl talks about the changes at Dubai Golf and the future of golf in the region.

in the baG: club pro

ISSUE No. 115, may, 2010 Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd, 54 Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, England, SK9 1NY mikeg@sportingpublications.com alexg@sportingpublications.com Tel: +44 01625 535081 Fax: +44 01625 537487 editor-in-chief: Mike Gallemore executive editor: Gary Player

claude harMon iii, assistinG aMelia: Claude puts Amelia through her paces to aid her physical development.

61 treVor belcher: Justin Parsons, Senior Teaching Professional, at The Butch Harmon School of Golf works with this astonishing golfer ahead of the One Armed Golf Association Championship. MI DDLE E AST’ S No . 1 GO LF M A GAZ I NE

yas links – abu dhabi: A hole-byhole guide to the back nine of Kyle Phillips’ stunning development.

claude harMon iii - aMelia Mckee

GrooM rooM

32 destination canary islands: Todd Stazko visits the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote to run the rule over five superb golf courses.

race to dubai

locker rooM

editor: Alex Gallemore publisher: Mike Gallemore senior editor: Richard Bevan editorial assistants: Todd Staszko, James Reeves, Tabitha Florence design Manager: Mark Frain technical Manager: Mark Collinge editorial panel: Gary Player, Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Todd Staszko

published in dubai by: Prografix, PO Box 24677, Dubai, UAE (Tel) +9714 340 3785 advertising & Marketing: David Burke davidb@wspdubai.com (009715) 05519363 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.

Issue 114, April 2010

Gary player introduction

Issue 115, May 2010

1 4 6

Features

BOOM BOOM’S BACK

Fred Couples has taken the Champions Tour by storm, relighting his confidence and rolling back the years to delight the galleries at The Masters.

MICKELSON THE MASTER NIGHT GOLF BACK IN DUBAI ONE ARM GOLF CHAMPION JUNIOR SWING TIPS INTERNATIONAL PAIRS ARABIAN GOLF DESERT ISLAND DOUBLE

WIN

1 Dozen Titleist NXT Tour Balls

For more information on how to enter visit www.wwgolf.biz

BUILD CONSISTENCY OFF THE TEE WITH CLAUDE HARMON III ELS ● PLAYER ● NORMAN ● FISHER ● NEWS & VIEWS 9 789948 154273

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

Front coVer: Freddie couples printed by: Raidy, Dubai

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

BPA Worldwide Audited Average Monthly Qualified Circulation 14,636 (July-Dec 2009)

WWGcolumnist

ErniE Els roared back into form last month, winning the World Golf Championships-CA Championship for the second time in his career with a stunning four-stroke victory over fellow south African Charl schwartzel. The victory at Doral was the three-times Major winner’s first in two years following his 2008 triumph in the Honda Classic which was also in Florida, at PGA national. Ernie immediately followed that big win with victory at the Arnold Palmer invitational at Bay Hill.

Two out of three but my Masters misery goes on

ICTORY at Doral in the World Golf Championships – CA Championship could have been a hard act to follow, so obviously I was really excited about my performance in winning my very next tournament, the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. My winning margin at Doral was four shots and for a while in the final round at Bay Hill it looked like a win was going to be even easier than that. But there’s a bit more trouble around the course at Bay Hill, which has undergone some really challenging changes just recently, and, as it happened, i made it a bit

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tougher for myself coming down the stretch. My lead went from being very comfortable to very tense. But i holed some great putts coming in and a win is a win, as they say. it was great to win Arnold’s tournament again – i mean, the guy is such a legend. As i said, on sunday i was playing nicely and after six birdies in the first 12 holes i was cruising, really. i had a five-shot lead and was feeling very comfortable. But i got out of position on 13 and hit my second shot in the water for a double-bogey and then made another bogey on 14. i was

pretty much steaming when i walked off that green, so maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing that we got called off the golf course at that time because of the weather. The rain and thunderstorms were pretty severe, so we knew we’d have to come back on Monday morning and finish up. i still had a two-shot lead, but sunday wasn’t the most relaxing evening i’ve ever had, to be honest with you. i definitely wasn’t the Big Easy that night! But i felt pretty good when i came out to finish my round on Monday morning and i knew what i had to do. it’s such a tough closing

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“A lot of people mAde A big deAl About Ricci RobeRts not being on my bAg, hAving just been with me foR bAck-to-bAck wins, but thAt wAs nothing to do with it At All. i just need to stop beAting myself up About winning this thing.” – ErniE Els Ernie Els is congratulated by golf legend Arnold Palmer after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, the week after winning the World Golf ChampionshipsCA Championship at Doral.

“My lead went from being very comfortable to very tense. But I holed some great putts coming in and a win is a win, as they say. It was great to win Arnold’s tournament again – I mean, the guy is such a legend,” says Ernie

stretch at Bay Hill that i figured four pars would be good enough and that’s just how it turned out. it wasn’t textbook golf, but i worked hard for it and really earned that win. The final round – and in particular the final four holes – showed me that i still have a lot of fight left in me. When it mattered most i got the ball up and down and made some really good putts under pressure, so that’s going to help me in the future for sure. Two wins in a row was definitely special and i obviously took a lot of satisfaction from that. There are some things about my game i still need to straighten out, but these wins just give me even more determination and motivation to keep working hard and keep thinking about playing good golf. i put in what i thought was the perfect preparation to give myself the best possible shot at winning this year’s Masters and my game and my attitude were really good going into the week. But it seems like me and Augusta national just don’t gel. it’s like i’m bashing my head against the wall every time. i play a lot of good golf there, but somewhere along the line it’s like something is going to happen that’s not good. Maybe i’ve had a few too many of those experiences on this course. My first round this year

just about summed it up. On a tricky day for scoring i played beautifully to get to three under par after 17 holes and i hadn’t had a single bogey on my card. Then on 18, which was playing downwind and about as easy as it ever gets, i made a silly double bogey. instead of shooting a nice round in the 60s and feeling upbeat, i’ve shot 71 and that last hole is playing on my mind. Even on Friday morning i was still thinking about it. it was crazy. My professional pride made me battle hard all week and i suppose a final round 68 gave me some satisfaction. i played nicely all day and came home in 32, which put me inside the top-20. But, to be honest, that was a pretty small consolation for what was overall a frustrating and disappointing week. Killing me i’ve had a bit of time now to reflect on the first Major of the year and i’m going to have to start thinking a bit differently about this tournament, because it’s just killing me. something has to change. Maybe next year i’ll just fly in on Wednesday, play a practice round and then just go tee it up on Thursday. What i’ve been doing the last 17 years hasn’t worked, so why not mix it up? A lot of people made a big deal

about ricci roberts not being on my bag, having just been with me for backto-back wins, but that was nothing to do with it at all. i just need to stop beating myself up about winning this thing. Obviously, if i don’t win a Green Jacket it’ll be a huge void in my career, but plenty of other great players didn’t win this tournament, either. if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. Better luck Anyway, we’re barely a third of the way through the season and overall i’m satisfied with how things have gone. it’s my best start to a year since i returned to tournament golf after my knee surgery at the start of the 2006 season and i can take a lot from that. i’ve got two wins under my belt already and at the time of writing i’m leading the PGA Tour Money list and the FedEx Cup Points list. i want to win five or six tournaments this year and that’s what i’m looking forward to. Also, the remaining three Major championships are at golf courses that i love – Pebble Beach, st Andrews and Whistling straights. i’ve done well on all of those golf courses in the past so i’m excited about going back there. Maybe i’ll have better luck there than i’ve had at Augusta. i think i will. n www.wwgolf.biz

Your big chance for a GOLDEN TICKET to play The Invitational

HE Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah has again paired up with Worldwide Golf to stage three WWG Midweek Open events to produce two GOLDEN TICKET winners to play in one of the finest Pro-Am tournaments in World Golf next January. At last year’s Worldwide Golf Midweek Open at the Arabian Ranches 10-year-old Amelia McKee qualified to play in The Invitational as the leading junior and James Collins took the leading adult spot. James was runner-up in the pairs section in The Invitational 2010 with Australian professional Richard Green, behind the winners Lee Westwood and 8920and C Abdullah Al Naboodah. At thePantone Chairty Metallic Gala Dinner CMYK M:54,Abdullah Y:88, B:28 Prize-giving ceremony at the Park HyattC:0, Hotel, was so impressed with Amelia’s performance in the tournament that he guaranteed her an invitation to play in The Invitational 2011. The first opportunity to compete for a GOLDEN TICKET to The Invitational 2011 will be at the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open at Yas Links, Abu Dhabi, in October; under the floodlights at The Faldo at Emirates Golf Club in November and at Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah, in December. The Worldwide Golf Midweek Opens are open to men, ladies and juniors, who are members of the

Emirates Golf Federation. The top 15 adults and the top 10 juniors will qualify from the three events to play in the Grand Final in January and bid for the two priceless GOLDEN TICKETS to take their place in The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah – the best net adult on the day and the best net junior on the day.

WOMEN’S GOLF MIDDLE EAST For the ladies there is another opportunity to make it into The Invitational. Women’s Golf Middle East are holding a pre-qualifier at Arabian Ranches Golf Club on November 15. Ten ladies will have the chance to qualify for the Grand Final in January, where they can battle it out for a much sought-after GOLDEN TICKET to play in The Invitational. All competitors in the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open qualifiers will be guaranteed exclusive free tickets to watch The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah on January 31, 2011. Tickets to the general public will be limited. If you’re interested in playing in one of the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open qualifying events please pre-register by emailing goldenticket@theinvitational.com or log on to the website: www.theinvitational.com

Process Black QUALIFIER INTERNATIONAL CMYKof the C:40,The M:40, Y:40, B:100hosted by The fame Invitational Abdullah Al Naboodah is spreading. The most prestigious and popular European Tour Pro-Am in the Middle East is going international with a UK qualifier taking place at the exclusive Heythrop Park Golf Club in Oxfordshire on Wednesday, July 28. This provides golfers in the UK with the only opportunity outside the Middle East to gain a GOLDEN TICKET and qualify for The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah on January 31 in the UAE. For details of the facilities at Heythrop Park Golf Club visit: heythropparkgolf.co.uk

WorldWide

THE MIDDLE EAST’S No.1 GOLF MAGAZINE - WRITTEN BY GOLFERS FOR GOLFERS

Golf Est:1999

LAST CHANCE FOR MIDWEEK OPEN at Tower Links Golf Club, 1.00pm, Thursday, May 6

ENTER today for the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open which makes its debut in Ras Al Khaimah in a few days’ time at Tower Links Golf Club on Thursday, May 6th. The format is an Individual Stableford for male and female golfers with an official handicap. The entrance fee includes access to the practice facility prior to play and locker rooms plus a light buffet presentation dinner (beverages are at individuals’ expense). To enter, fill out the entry form below and fax it to Tower Links Golf Club with your credit card details on 07 2278444. If you do not wish to use your credit card, payment can be made direct to Tower Links Golf Club. Payment in advance is required to book your place in the competition.

Advance fees paid by players who fail to turn up to compete will not be refunded. Money will be refunded if cancellation is received within 48 hours notice as it will allow those on the waiting list the chance to participate. Entry fee AED260 includes Green Fees, shared Golf Cart, Event Shirt, Range Balls, Tournament Prizes, Buffet and Prize Presentation. Only players who are registered with the Emirates Golf Federation are eligible to play in the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open. Those not registered with the EGF please contact the EGF on 04 3684988 or visit the EGF website www.emiratesgolffederation.com to apply.

Date: Thursday, 6th May 2010; Venue: Tower Links Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah; Time: 1.00pm Shotgun Start; Format: 18 Holes Strokeplay Full Handicap Allowance; Tees: Men – Blue, Ladies – Red; Entry Fee: AED 260.00. The field will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Please fax your entry to Tower Links Golf Club on 07 2278444. Name:

Credit Card

Handicap:

Card Number:

Club / EGF Mobile No: E-mail Address:

Visa

MasterCard

Name on card: Fax No:

Expiry date: Shirt Size: (Please encircle)

S M L XL XXL

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The magnificent Radisson Blu Hotel (left) which overlooks the Yas Links Golf Club, and, right a typical room and the spa at The Radisson Blu.

DAY 1 at Yas Links Golf Club

WWG Desert Island Double in association with ECCO

TWo DAys of Golf on TWo of ThE UAE’s nEWEsT WoRlD-clAss DEsERT islAnD coURsEs AnD A niGhT of lUxURy AccommoDATion foR jUsT AED950

REPARE to be amazed – Worldwide Golf is bringing you a golfing experience like no other. Two days of golf on two of the UAE’s newest world-class courses and a night of luxury accommodation for less than only AED950. The runaway success of our Worldwide Golf Midweek Open Series, launched in May 2008 at Arabian Ranches, has seen our one-day tournaments become hugely over-subscribed so we’ve decided to go one better. We’re taking the series a step further with the first Worldwide Golf Midweek Open two-day event which will be played at the stunning Yas Links Golf Club on Yas Island and the wonderful Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, on June 10 and 11 respectively. Accommodation on the night of June 10 will be provided by the recently opened magnificent, luxurious Radisson Blu 8

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Hotel and Worldwide Golf readers can have all of this for a total price of just AED950. In any country this is astonishing value but to have the opportunity of playing two of the most talked about new golf courses in the Middle East and staying at one of the newest highly-acclaimed hotels in the region is something special. DAy OnE of the WWG Desert Island Double will give competitors the chance to lock horns on one of the game’s most beautiful courses. Yas Links, designed by the world-renowned Kyle Phillips, is a work of art. Situated on the beautiful Yas Island with its abundance of wildlife and sea life Phillips has succeeded in his goal to create a true links course that is a match for any in the world. The 18-hole layout, framed by the shores of the Arabian Gulf, delivers a true test of golf amidst breathtaking surroundings. The

DAY 2: 18 HoLes AT sAADiYAT BeACH GoLf CLuB pRizeGivinG BARBeque AT sAADiYAT BeACH GoLf CLuB Entry fee also includes access to the practice facilities and locker rooms as well as shared golf carts, range balls and tournament prizes.

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DAY 2 at saadiyat Beach Golf Club

superbly appointed and newly completed Andalucia-style Clubhouse has already attracted a wealth of complements from the Middle East golfing fraternity while the Yas Links Golf Club also boasts a six-hole academy course, golf academy and floodlit practice facilities. At the end of the day’s play there’s a barbeque at the magnificent Andalucia-stye Clubhouse for all the players. After the first day of competition you’ll be off to the luxurious Radisson Blu Hotel, which, as luck would have it, is situated a mere 7-iron from the Yas Links Golf Club on the Yas Island shoreline overlooking the course. Any player wishing to bring a nonplaying guest is welcome to do so for the nominal extra price of AED100. Family packages and additional Friday night stay available on request. The stylish and modern

rooms provide the perfect place to unwind after a day’s golf. Each room has its own private balcony allowing guests to gaze at the blissful turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf. Or you may prefer to indulge in some pampering in the superbly appointed Spa. There is a choice of three international quality restaurants for you to refuel for the day ahead while guests may also want to watch the FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony in South Africa, which will be shown at the hotel. DAy TwO will see the climax of the WWG Desert Island Double at the famous Gary Player-designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Club just a few minutes from the hotel. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is a truly unique and captivating course in a spectacular setting. Player has created a stunning layout along strict eco-guidelines, minimising the

use of water and remaining sensitive to the rich and diverse local habitat. Featuring several beachfront holes, players will get panoramic views of the Gulf’s blue waters fringed by pristine white sands as they vie to become the WWG Desert Island Double Champion on a course that Player, one of golf’s most renowned and prolific designers, regards as one of his finest creations. The tournament will be played in an Individual Stableford format and is open to male or female golfers with an official handicap. The entry fee also includes access to the practice facilities and locker rooms as well as shared golf carts, range balls and tournament prizes. At the end of the two days there will be a prizegiving barbeque at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. A wonderful way to finish a memorable two-day golfing trip. www.wwgolf.biz

MASTERFUL MICKELSON BRINGS THE SMILES BACK Richard Bevan looks back on a sensational third Masters triumph for World No.2 Phil Mickelson which not only gave his family a much needed lift it also put the game of golf back under the spotlight for all the right reasons.

T has unquestionably been a year of more downs than ups for the Mickelson family but in winning a third Green Jacket with a stunning three-stroke victory over England’s Lee Westwood Big Phil provided the perfect tonic after an unforgettable 74th Masters Tournament. In a year that saw his wife, Amy, then his mother, Mary, diagnosed with breast cancer, Phil Mickelson has had his mind on much greater battles than the winning of mere golf tournaments. Indeed, he missed a string of events last season, including The Open Championship at Turnberry, due to the strain of dealing with the double bombshell. But if ever there was a place that could put the smile back on his face it was Augusta National.

Phil Mickeleson comforts his wife, Amy, who is overcome with emotion at Phil’s Masters win.

“I love thIs place, I love comIng here. I love sunday at augusta. Back In the 1990s It was the most nerve-rackIng day. stIll Is, But I’ve come to love and cherIsh It. ” – phil mickelson Amy hadn’t been well enough to travel to a golf tournament with her husband in 11 months. Her long-term prognosis now looks positive but endless rounds of medication and treatment are still proving painfully debilitating. Yet she was determined to be at Augusta with Phil. Having been forced to spend much of the week in bed Mickelson was unsure whether Amy would make it to the course for the conclusion of Sunday’s final round. Yet make it she did. Mary also made it, along with his father Phil Senior. The kids, Amanda, Sophia and Evan completed the perfect All-American family portrait. It was fitting that a week which had been dominated by the return of archetypal individualist Tiger Woods should belong to Mickelson, the ultimate family man. That a tournament which had begun with a stinging rebuke from Augusta National Chairman Billy 10

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Payne regarding the World No.1’s failings as a role model should end with the spotlight firmly fixed on one of the game’s finest ambassadors. Unswerving in his support for Amy throughout her ordeal, Mickelson wore a pink Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon on his cap during the tournament and though the gallery was bursting at the seams with adoring fans, as he put the finishing touches to a masterful display, it was to the bosom of his beloved family that he made a beeline to share an emotional moment. Augusta had provided the stage for his long overdue breakthrough Major triumph six years ago and then again in 2006 when he was able to soak in the atmosphere and fully enjoy the experience as he walked onto the 18th green to round off a two-stroke victory over Tim Clark. But the single tear that ran down Mickelson’s face as he held Amy in a lingering embrace, having

added a final birdie to a flawless closing round of 67 for Major No. 4, gave the game away. This one meant more than the rest. “This has been a very special day and a very special week,” said Mickelson, who shot rounds of 67-71-67-67 for a 16-under-par total of 272 – the lowest winning score at the tournament in nine years and the fourth lowest in Masters history. “To have Amy and my kids and family here to share it with, I can’t put into words. It just feels incredible, especially given what we’ve been through in the last year – to be able to share this kind of joy means a lot to us. It takes a lot of the heartache away, and it’s been great. “It’s been an emotional year and I’m very proud of my wife and the fight and struggle she’s been through. It’s been a difficult year and to come out on top in this tournament is very emotional. It feels terrific.” Unlike the bad tempered Woods, who huffed and puffed his way to a fourth place finish, Mickelson played with a smile on his face all week. He showed the grace of a true champion. Even when things went wrong, as they did on the second hole of the final round when a stamen from one of Augusta’s multitude of pine trees floated into the path of his birdie-bound putt just as he took his shot, causing the ball to bobble off line. A shake of the head and a shrug of the shoulders and it was forgotten. The grin was back. After all, this was the final round at Augusta – a place where Mickelson now feels very much at home. “I love this place,” he said. “I love coming here. I love Sunday at Augusta. Back in the 1990s it was the most nerve-racking day. Still is, but I’ve come to love and cherish it. “When I get here to Augusta I get very relaxed and feel very comfortable. I’m in love with the place. It brings out the best in me.” It certainly did and his best was brilliant. He was in devastating form all week, making only six bogeys and playing some of the finest golf shots of his life. So often in the past Mickelson’s aggressive ‘no holds barred style’ has been the

PHIL MICKELSON

Phil Mickelson is helped into the famous Green Jacket by 2009 Champion Angel Cabrera after winning his third Masters in the style of a true champion.

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summer golf Dubai Creek Golf Club 1st June - 16th September 2010 During the summer months, why not make the most of your leisure time and avail of Dubai Creek’s exclusive programme of golf, that includes: • Unlimited use of the 18-hole championship Dubai Creek Golf Course • Unlimited use of the 9-hole Floodlit Par 3 Course and practice facilities • 20% discount on all Food and Beverage outlets • 10% discount in the Pro Shop

all for only Dhs. 3,500 per person Special offer: book and pay by 15th May and receive 5 complimentary vouchers for a round of golf on the faldo course, midweek before 5pm at emirates Golf Club

To avail of this special offer, please T: +971 4 295 6000 F: +971 4 295 6044, E: dcgyc@dubaigolf.com GOLF • RESORT • HOTEL • MARINA www.dubaigolf.com

PHIL MICKELSON

Phil Mickelson raises his arms in triumph as the packed galleries follow his lead.

thorn in his side when it came to claiming golf’s greatest prizes but now he has learned how to use it to devastating effect when it matters most. In Augusta’s forgiving rough and risk-rewarding set-up, his devilish antics have found the perfect match. “I’m very relaxed at Augusta because you don’t have to be perfect. I’ve hit a lot of great shots and driven the ball very well but I made bad swings on 9, 10 and 11 and I was able to save par,” he said of his bogey-free final round. “I was able to get the ball far enough down by the green where my short game could take over and salvage par. That’s why I’m so comfortable here and I’m relaxed when I drive down Magnolia Lane because I know that I don’t have to play perfect golf.” Mickelson has developed that most precious of skills that all the game’s greats have mastered – the ability to find an extra gear at just the right moment. The highlight of one of the most thrilling Saturdays in Masters history came when he made astonishing back-to-back eagles on 13 and 14 to shoot up the leaderboard to within one stroke of Westwood, wiping out a five-stroke deficit. The second eagle was the pick of the pair – a sensational 139-yard approach that found the cup for a two, sending the crowd wild with excitement before almost making it three in a row at the par-5 15th when his wedged approach

rolled six inches past the cup. It was that kind of day. “It feels good for it to finally pay off,” said Mickelson in reference to his ‘heart in mouth’ swashbuckling style. “There’s been a number of times that it hasn’t. “I took a gamble on 13. I hit a good drive and I had seven-iron to the back pin from 195. I took a chance to go at it, and hit one of the best shots of the tournament to about eight feet and ended up making that for eagle, and it spurred the rest of the round. “Now, 14, that was the easiest pin position on the hole. You expect to make birdie there and I hit a good shot and thought that the ball would be close but you obviously don’t expect it to go in and it was pretty cool that it did. “Then I made a birdie on 15 after driving behind the trees. I had to lay up and wedged pretty close, almost made a third one.” The final round had its fair share of daring moments, too. His shot from the pine needles on the 13th will go down as one of the best of his career. A more conservative player may have sacrificed a shot and played out onto the fairway but while his caddie, Bones, wasn’t convinced, Mickelson was adamant he could find the green. When he blasted a six iron 200-plus yards through a gap in the trees to within four feet of the pin the roars around Amen Corner told him that his gamble had once again paid off. His jubilant fist punching was again matched

World No.1 Tiger Woods trudges off the green, unhappy with his performance despite finishing fourth in his comeback tournament after more than five months out of the game.

“now, 14, It’s the easIest pIn on the hole. you expect to make BIrdIe there and I hIt a good shot and thought that the Ball would Be close But you oBvIously don’t expect for It to go In and that was pretty cool that It dId.” – phil mickelson www.wwgolf.biz

e ereservations@dubaigolf.com t +9714 380 1999 www.dubaigolf.com

PHIL MICKELSON

“phIl was sayIng In the scorIng hut after we’d fInIshed that he’d Been that man who kept knockIng on the door – fInIshIng seconds and thIrds and wonderIng If It ever does come, and suddenly It does and wInnIng majors Becomes easIer In your own mInd.” – lee WesTWooD by the galleries who were cheering him on every step of the way. “I had a good lie in the pine needles,” he said. “I was going to have to go through that gap if I laid up or went for the green. I was going to have to hit a decent shot. The gap wasn’t huge but it was big enough to fit a ball through. I just felt at that time, I needed to trust my swing and hit the shot – and it came off perfectly.” It was a shot worthy of another eagle but he missed the short putt before again shrugging off any hint of disappointment and knocking in the birdie that moved him two clear and firmly into the driving seat. While that moment of genius on 13 will dominate the replay footage it was the monster birdie putt on the previous hole, the par-3 12th, that Mickelson feels was the key to his round. “My goal was to get through 10, 11 and 12 even,” he said, “and when I hit that shot on 12 to a very similar spot to where I was in ‘04 I knew the putt. As soon as the ball went in, that was when I felt like it could be my week; that I could shoot the number on the back side to get it done. That putt was what I had been waiting for, a 20-footer to go in, that got the round going.” A fourth birdie of the day at 15 put Mickelson three up with three to play and Westwood was up against it in his bid to secure his first Major at the 50th attempt. The Englishman had played beautifully all week, shooting 67-69-68 over the first three rounds to lead the tournament by one

from Mickelson heading into the final round. He too had the look of a champion about him and English hopes for a first home grown Major winner since Sir Nick Faldo’s triumph at Augusta 14 years ago were high. But while he played well enough to win on many another day Westwood just couldn’t find the answers to all of Mickelson’s questions as he closed with a 71 for a 275 total. A third consecutive top three finish in a Major championship must have been hard to take but as his conqueror, himself a former ‘nearly man,’ told him, his time will surely come. “Phil was saying in the scoring hut after we had finished that he’d been that man who kept knocking on the door – finishing seconds and thirds and wondering if it ever does come, and suddenly it does and winning Majors becomes easier in your own mind,” said Westwood. “He says I’ve been playing some of the best golf of any player recently and just to keep plugging away and eventually it will happen.” For the Mickelson family and the hordes of fans gathered around the 18th green the celebrations began even before that final triumphant birdie putt had reached its destination as the devoted husband, father, son and champion golfer formally completed a victory that meant more than just a third Green Jacket, a fourth Major championship or a 41st career victory. It was a win that put the smile back on the face of the Mickelson family. It was a win that put the smile back on the face of golf. n

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Freddie’s still

boom boom boomin’ F

REDDIE COUPLES’ age-defying performance at The Masters may have come as a surprise to many who tuned in for the tournament but to those who have been following his progress during his rookie season on the U.S. Champions Tour it was simply business as usual. Couples rolled back the years at Augusta, scene of his career-defining 1992 Masters triumph, with a performance that once again highlighted the high standard of today’s over 50s and enthralled the huge galleries who cheered his every shot. Like Tom Watson at Turnberry last year – and Watson again finished in red numbers with a top 20 at Augusta – Couples’ sixth place finish showed the world that the gap between the senior and regular tours isn’t anywhere near as big as people imagine. The 50-year-old American led the tournament after the first round with a scintillating 66. Some of his play was a delight to watch and his putting was almost flawless as he recorded his career-low round at Augusta. The short stick misbehaved slightly in the second round, particularly over the last three holes as he dropped three shots en-route to a 75. He stumbled slightly on the way home, going bogey, double-bogey on 11 and 12 in the final round. But they were the only blips in an unforgettable display and he was comfortably one of the top performers all week, shooting 68-70 over the weekend to finish 9-under-par for the tournament. “This is my all time favourite spot,” said Couples reflecting on four wonderful days at Augusta National. “I think every year I say that, so every year the crowds come out and support me. “The first day, leading The Masters at age 50, shooting 66, that stood out! It was a really four good days, although it was a really bad finish on Friday afternoon on the last few holes. But other than that it was fun. “I feel great. I hit the ball really well and it was a memorable four days for me.” Laid back and effortless as always Couples still makes the game look so easy and despite 16

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battling with back problems he simply floated around Augusta on a cloud of hero worship provided by the adoring galleries. He didn’t even need golf shoes. Or socks for that matter. The ECCO-sponsored player wore a pair of spike-less ‘Golf Street Premier’ shoes that look and feel more like tennis shoes than anything you’d expect to find on a golf course, but they apparently worked wonders for his back and he was rarely seen throughout the week without them. “I did wear some dress shoes for the Champions Dinner,” he joked, “but they were not on very long.” Couples didn’t travel to Augusta to make up the numbers, he went there to win and while he knew he’d have his work out he had every reason to feel confident. His form on the Champions Tour this season has been nothing short of sensational. In his younger days he could never see himself playing Senior golf – not because he thought he was above it all, but because he didn’t think his back would hold out long enough. But despite often playing through the pain he’s been unstoppable this season. He finished runner-up to fellow golden oldie Watson in his maiden event, the Mitsubushi Electric Classic, before reeling off three consecutive victories at The Ace Group Classic, the Toshiba Classic and The Cap Cana Championship to shoot to the head of the Champions Tour Money List and the Charles Schwab Cup Points List. “When I was 40 or 41, I was telling everyone that I had no interest in the Champions Tour,” he said. “I didn’t think I’d still be playing competitive golf at 50. But I kept playing – and playing pretty

Freddie Couples acknowledges the cheers of the galleries at Augusta National as he heads towards a sixth place finish in The Masters, wearing his ECCO spike-less Golf Street Premier Shoes. He was rarely seen without them all week. “I did wear some dress shoes at the Champions Dinner – but they were not on very long,” he joked.

“When I Was 40 or 41, I Was tellIng everyone that I had no Interest In the ChampIons tour, I dIdn’t thInk I’d stIll be playIng CompetItIve golf at 50. but I kept playIng — and playIng pretty Well. then When I got out there, I felt I Could WIn, and I dId.” – Fred Couples

FRED COUPLES

well. Then when I got out there, I felt I could win, and I did,” said Freddie who was recently appointed Captain of the United States Presidents Cup Team for the second successive time. Watson, himself a 12-time winner on the Champions Tour, commented on Couples success, saying: “I wish he’d keep his butt on the junior tour. But I say this every year – the beautiful thing about this tournament is there is a new story to write about every year. There’s a new star coming onto the Tour, and this year that star is Freddie.” Couples has only shot above 68 once since he joined the Champions Tour and is 81-under-par already for his Senior career but in typical style he isn’t getting carried away and doesn’t see himself still out there when he’s anywhere near Watson’s 60 years. “I’ll probably only do this for three or four years,” he said. “We’ll see what happens when I get to be about 55.” Players like Couples don’t come along too often. Enjoy him while you still can. n

“I WIsh he’d keep hIs butt on the JunIor tour. but the beautIful thIng about thIs tournament Is there Is a neW story and a neW star to WrIte about every year – and thIs year that star Is freddIe .” – ToM WATsoN

“I’ll probably only do thIs for three or four years, We’ll see What happens When I get to be about 55.” – Fred Couples www.wwgolf.biz

clubhouse quickies

PLAYER quotEs JokEs woRd of thE month CARtoons

Two-chips Chen After shooting rounds of 65, 69 and 69 at the 1985 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills, Taiwanese golfer Tze-Chung Chen took a two-stroke lead into the final round. By the time he had reached the par-4 fifth hole his lead had grown to four strokes. However, after a good drive he pushed a 4-iron into the trees before hitting his third shot into thick rough by the green. Chen then chose a sand wedge for the short chip. Unfortunately, the ball popped up and was hit by the clubhead again in mid-air, sending it sideways and incurring a penalty stroke. Chen finally chipped onto the green and two-putted for a quadruple-bogey 8. He then bogeyed the next three holes and wound up losing to Andy North by one stroke – and earning himself the humiliating nickname “Two Chips Chen.”

Gulbis goes for broke ”I once did a photo shoot for adidas,” U.S. LGPA Tour glamour girl Natalie Gulbis recalled, “and they were taking pictures of me on a really short and picturesque par-3 hole. They had me hitting drivers for the shoot and I broke three windows in a building at the back of the green. Next thing I know, this guy comes up to me yelling, ‘Hey, quit hitting balls into my house!’”

UNLUCky for Some Japan’s Tsuneyuki Nakajima set something of a record at The Masters in 1978 by requiring 13 strokes to complete the par-5 13th hole.

Fred Basset (of The Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday) now appears in a new series of books. This cartoon has been reproduced (with permission) from Fred Basset for Golf Lovers which is published by Summersdale and is available through all good bookshops and internet booksellers. 16

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WORD

DIve for SHow

OF the MONth...

Sandy Lyle became the first non-U.S. player to win The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in 1987 when he defeated Jeff Sluman in bizarre fashion after three holes of a play-off. Sluman was left with a five-foot birdie putt on their second play-off hole – the ‘island green’ 17th – to win the tournament. He approached the ball and just as he prepared to make a stroke a spectator dived into the lake, evoking a series of cheers and whoops from the gallery. Sluman stepped away to regain his composure then stepped up again and missed the putt. Flustered by the miss he then bogeyed the next hole and lost the tournament.

Hammer Hands: a player who lacks feel for the ball – especially in respect to putting and playing shots from around the green.

DiD yOu kNOW?

A year after winning 11 events in a row in 1945, Byron Nelson, who was virtually retired from professional golf, won the French Open a year later whilst on holiday there.

“What other people may find in poetry or art museums, I find in the flight of a good drive.” – Arnold Palmer “Missing a short putt does not mean you have to hit your next drive out of bounds.” – Henry Cotton

‘dresses’ BaddeLeY “I don’t like to blend in,” admits Australian Aaron Baddeley, referring to his notoriously dubious fashion sense. “I dress the same when I’m hanging out with my mates – big flared jeans, a white T-shirt, and white shoes. I’ve got a new nickname on Tour: ‘dresses’ – as in dresses Baddeley!”

miguel Angel Jimenez stays calm under pressure as organisers at the open de Andalucia install a new hazard.

“My swing is so bad I look like a caveman killing his lunch.” – Lee Trevino www.wwgolf.biz

WWGcolumnist

Great honour to be 2011 Presidents Cup Captain

HAT a great honour it was to be invited to be Captain of the International Team in The Presidents Cup for a second successive occasion – and on my home soil at Royal Melbourne. I’ve always said that some of my best memories in golf were playing in and winning The Presidents Cup at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia in 1998. After the incredible experience of serving as Captain of the 2009 event, that went to the top of my list. So to have the opportunity to be International Team Captain once more and to return to the Royal Melbourne Golf Club is beyond words. I can’t express how thrilled I am. Freddie Couples and I are great friends, so to have him on the other

again showcase the incredible sportsmanship, leadership and camaraderie that is the hallmark of The Presidents Cup.” Freddie and I captained two strong teams at The Presidents Cup 2009 at Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco but The U.S. Team came out on top to retain the Cup, 19 1/2 to 14 1/2. The Presidents Cup 2009 was the first time in the event’s history that both captains had been former participants in The Presidents Cup. Freddie played in the competition four times (1994, 1996, 1998, 2005) and I played three (1996, 1998, 2000). In fact Freddie and I were matched up against each other at Royal Melbourne in 1998. I partnered Steve Elkington to defeat Freddie and Davis Love III, 2 and

International – our Greg Norman branded real estate company – announcement of our second residential-golf course project in Vietnam. ‘Reflection by Greg Norman’ is an exclusive enclave of 52 luxury residences overlooking the golf course we are designing at the Saigon GolfCountry Club and Residences just 10 minutes from the centre of Ho Chin Minh City. The project will set a new benchmark for golf and luxury living in Ho Chi Minh City. In Danang, the Norman Estates villas will provide an unparalleled beach resort living experience. It’s good news that the National Kidney Foundation of Florida are

“to have the opportunity to be international team Captain onCe more and to return to the royal melbourne Golf Club is beyond words. i Can’t express how thrilled i am. it will be sheer joy to Go baCk to my home Country and at royal melbourne, perhaps my favourite Golf Club.” – GREG NORMAN side as captain makes it all the better. It will be sheer joy to go back to my home country and at Royal Melbourne, perhaps my favourite golf club. The Presidents Cup 2011 is scheduled for November 14-20, and the Americans currently hold an alltime 6-1-1 lead in the competition. What a fantastic result it would be if the International Team could win it for only the second time – and in Australia. It was very gratifying to hear PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem say at the Press announcement: “There could be no better choices to serve as captains of The Presidents Cup 2011 than Fred Couples and Greg Norman. “They stepped into their roles last year with a strong passion and commitment to elevating this international competition and handled their responsibilities with ease. I am confident they will once 20

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1, in the Day Two four-ball matches. We also faced each other twice during the 1996 Presidents Cup, and Freddie won both times. I was pleased to be at the signing announcement of the golf course we are designing at Johor in Malaysia. In addition to the 18-hole Championship golf course, the project, owned by ASM Green Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Maju Holdings, includes villas, a 100-berth marina, five-star hotels, a convention centre and an equestrian centre. It will put Malaysia firmly on the map as one of the hosts of US PGA Tour-sanctioned events in the future. It further strengthens Malaysia’s reputation for being home to some of the best golf courses in the world. I was equally proud to be at the signing ceremony in Vietnam for our Southern Cross Developments

partnering our PGA Tour-sanctioned Shark Shootout at Tiburon Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples on December 6, which features 24 players competing for a purse of $3 million. I never thought we’d be praised for our support of the snail population of Ireland – but it appears that our course at Doonbeg in County Clare has been responsible for a six-fold increase in the number of a tiny protected snail called Virtigo Angustior. In 2000 the construction of the course was held up by a High Court action by the Friends of the Irish Environment who were concerned about the conservation of the snail population. Now a recent report by leading snail expert, Dr. Evelyn Moorkens, to Clare County Council, states: “The management by the golf club of the snail has been superb.” n

tim finchem “there could be no better choices to serve as captains of the Presidents cup 2011 than fred couples and Greg norman. they stepped into their roles last year with a strong passion and commitment to elevating this international competition and handled their responsibilities with ease.” – tim finchem, U.S. PGA tour commissioner, pictured above right with freddie couples and Greg norman at the announcement of the team captains for the 2009 Presidents cup. Pictured below right, Greg norman with freddie couples and the Presidents cup at harding Park Golf course, San francisco, in 2009.

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UAE JOINS WORLD CLUB ELITE FOR INTERNATIONAL PAIRS

AE golfers are to get the opportunity to compete in the world renowned International Pairs Tournament after the R.E.A.C.T Consultancy was awarded the inaugural licence to promote the event to members of the Emirates Golf Federation. The event – the biggest of its kind in the world for club golfers – has been running internationally since 2004 with each participating country holding a series of qualifying events to select National Champions who then go on to compete in the International Pairs World Final. International Pairs has attracted more than 500,000 golfers since its inception, including West Indian cricket legend Sir Viv Richards and former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke, and last year’s final, held at Carnoustie, was screened into 350 million households in Asia in the two months before Christmas. Now, for the first time, EGF members will get the chance to compete for the coveted Honey Cup and Worldwide Golf has been appointed Official Media Partner, meaning we’ll be keeping you up to date on all the news from the qualifying events, which will be running at the region’s clubs later this year with the winners making

Chris Turlik, Managing Director of R.E.A.C.T Consultancy, who have been awarded the inaugural licence to promote the International Pairs tournament to members of the EGF.

“THE UAE HAS A QUALITY INTERNATIONAL MARKET, MOST OF WHICH IS INVOLVED IN GOLF IN SOME WAY, AND LAUNCHING INTERNATIONAL PAIRS HERE IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY.” – ChRIS TURLIk their debut at the World Final in 2011. “Golf is tremendously popular in the UAE,” said Chris Turlik, Managing Director of R.E.A.C.T Consultancy. “With excellent weather guaranteed, residents can play all year round as we only have three or four days of rain annually. We have some excellent courses, which have been designed by some of the best architects in the world and the clubs provide excellent customer service, with outstanding practice facilities and clubhouses as good as anywhere in the world. “The UAE has a quality international market, most of which is involved in golf in

some way, and launching International Pairs here is a tremendous opportunity.” With 16 clubs across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khamiah already confirmed, International Pairs UAE is targeting 1,000 competitors in its first year with the ultimate goal to expand into the other Gulf countries and beyond to the wider Middle East. “Within the Gulf, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman all have golf clubs and the potential is there to expand International Pairs and include them later if all goes well,” continued Turlik. “As for the Middle East, when you start talking about

places like Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia, which have more courses than the Gulf, the potential is endless.” Ross Honey, Managing Director and founder of International Pairs added: “This is a significant announcement for International Pairs. The United Arab Emirates has emerged as one of the leading destinations for golf over the last few years and the appointment of an inaugural licence holder demonstrates the vision we have for the future of the competition on a global scale.” Sports event management company Delwood have signed up as partners of International Pairs UAE and the series is targeting quality multi-national and local companies based in the UAE to come on board as exclusive sponsors. The first Club Qualifying event will be held at The Montgomerie Dubai on October 16, 2010. n

For more details on International Pairs and how to enter in 2010, visit their website at www.internationalpairs.com or e-mail info@internationalpairs.com www.wwgolf.biz

WWGWHEELS

DRIVING

Find out more>>

RIDE COMFORT PERFORMANCE SPACE BRAKING

The Audi driving experience //

ONE hundred Years of Vorsprung durch Technik has resulted in a range of Audi vehicles which are the epitome of performance, design and engineering. Equally important is that Audi drivers are able to experience this engineering and performance at its best, and for this, the Audi driving experience was established. Internationally acclaimed, the Audi driving experience provides expert training from their team of certified Audi driving instructors. The courses aim to improve confidence and increase the enjoyment of driving an Audi through refining the driving skills of participants. Experience the latest and most advanced features in automobile safety technology. Improve your driving skills, awareness and concentration and enjoy consistently safer driving. A range of courses are on offer, from the adrenaline-packed Audi R8 driving experience to the informative Audi Advanced Safety driving course. Their aim is to improve your driving skills in real-life road situations.

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DRIVING whAT ThE AuDI DRIvING ExPERIENCE OFFERS:

Audi Performance driving course This half day driving course on the Dubai Autodrome circuit allows you to extend your limits of vehicle control and ultimately hone your driving skills under expert instruction from the team of Audi-trained instructors. Begin the day with a brief enlightening lecture on the theory of vehicle dynamics and the physics of driving. Perfect the art of driving by practicing high speed driving techniques in the powerfully nimble Audi A4 3.2 quattro. Experience emergency situation simulations and demonstrations of the latest Audi technologies. All of this in the safety of a racing circuit environment.

Audi Advanced Safety driving course ForTunATEly, few of us experience emergency driving situations, however, it is crucial to be as prepared as possible for any on-road situation. improve your skills in on-road defensive driving, skid control and collision avoidance in this highly informative half-day course. Emphasis is placed on reaction time to emergency driving situations under the supervision of Audi certified instructors. The day begins with a simple overview of basic driver safety, driving dynamics and key life-saving Audi technologies. Following this, participants are put through their paces in the Audi A4 3.2 quattro where they actively experience and learn how to react in difficult situations. Emergency lane changes, obstacle avoidance, emergency stopping, braking techniques and braking demonstrations all culminate in a high-paced slalom where these newly acquired skills are put into practice.

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Audi R8 driving experience

ExPEriEncE the power and speed that only Vorsprung durch Technik can deliver – introducing the supremely powerful Audi r8. conducted on the international circuit of the Dubai Autodrome, drivers get to experience and discover what the ‘r’ in the Audi r8 really means. your experience begins with a brief classroom instruction where the ‘rules of engagement’ are explained. Participants are then introduced to their driving partner for the day – the Audi r8. Detailed track and corner analysis is followed by disciplined cornering techniques to expose the grip and superior handling of the r8. After a necessary respite and debriefing, participants continue into the afternoon with progressive lead-and-following sessions. The final exercise is the unique opportunity to responsibly push the limits of the Audi r8 and feel its full potential on the race track under the supervision of qualified driving instructors.

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Audi Q7 driving experience

FOR 30 years Audi has made ‘quattro’ for its cars, now ther have created a car for ‘quattro’. Meet the Audi Q7. Extremely capable on-road, the Audi Q7 also displays the same confidence off-road. Experience how to make the most of the Audi Q7 in a light off-road environment. Also learn how to best use the integrated Audi technologies to transition on/off-road while maintaining performance and handling. The half-day course at the Dubai Autodrome circuit and off-road track begins with a short theory presentation, highlighting essential techniques needed during the course. Participants are then exposed to off-road driving scenarios in preparation for the exciting day ahead. The Audi Q7 on-road capabilities are exposed first in high performance road exercises, followed by an exciting off-road excursion where the off-road strengths and features of the Audi Q7 are in the spotlight, with the opportunity to rehearse various exercises and drills. The Audi Q7 driving experience is unique as it aims to demonstrate the capabilities of the SUV in on-road and light off-road conditions.

Audi Chauffeur driving course

Audi Team Build driving experience usE the Audi driving experience to motivate and excite your team. Drawing on parallels between corporate culture, teamwork and high performance driving, the Audi driving experience demonstrates that calculated risk-taking, trust and co-ordination are not only skills necessary in the boardroom. in addition, the Audi Team Build driving experience offers a fantastic and unique way to build morale and motivation levels within your organisation. The full day course takes place at the Dubai Autodrome and can be customised to corporate requirements. The newly refurbished, state-of–the-art Audi suite provides the necessary equipment and meeting facilities for a group of up to 40 delegates. Depending on the mandate from the client, the Audi Advanced safety driving course is traditionally offered – where participants are exposed to emergency scenarios, and learn to react with lane change techniques, braking demonstrations and emergency stopping drills – in a challenging, motivating and out-of-the-norm context.

Go from driver to chauffeur in just a few hours. This driving course is uniquely designed to focus on how to improve passenger comfort as well as the ability of drivers to deal with unforeseen emergency situations, providing drivers with the realworld skills to become true chauffeurs. under the supervision of Audi certified instructors, this half-day course takes participants through the basics of safety driving as well as guest handling and etiquette. special emphasis on emergency braking and lane changes as well as developing the finer art of driving like throttle control and braking techniques are covered.

For more information email: info@audidriving.net or visit: www.Audidriving.net www.wwgolf.biz

DIVOTS Lorena Ochoa ends career early

Augusta Chairman says Woods failed to be a role model

MEXICAN World No.1 Lorena Ochoa has announced her retirement from the game at the tender age of 28. The two-time Major winner has been the dominant force on the LPGA Tour since taking over the top spot from Annika Sorenstam three years ago. Ochoa’s Major wins came at the Women’s British Open in 2007 at St Andrews and the Kraft Nabisco Championship in 2008. She has recorded 27 victories in eight seasons on the U.S. LPGA Tour and missed just four cuts in 172 LPGA events. Her career earnings to date amount to nearly $15,000,000.

BILLY Payne, Chairman of Augusta National, tore into Tiger Woods on the eve of The Masters saying the World No.1 failed to be a role model. Fans at Augusta gave Woods a warm welcome but Payne was critical of the World No.1 during his pre-tournament press conference. “Our hero did not live up to his expectations of the role model we saw for our children,” he said. “It is not simply the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here. It is the fact that he disappointed all of us and, more importantly, our kids and our grandkids. I hope he now realises that every kid he passes on the course wants his swing, but would settle for his smile. “I hope he can come to understand that life’s greatest rewards are reserved for those who bring joy to the lives of other people.”

Raymond Floyd retires FOUR-time Major winner and Ryder Cup legend Raymond Floyd announced his retirement from the game prior to The Masters at the age of 67. Floyd, who won The Masters in 1976, the U.S. Open in 1986 and the U.S. PGA Championship in 1969 and 1982, said he did not want to embarrass himself out on the course. Since his debut at Augusta in 1965 Floyd played in every Masters but hadn’t made the cut since 1999 and underwent back surgery last year. “I’m not competing this year. I’m not competitive now and I didn’t want to go out and embarrass myself,” he said. “I don’t think at Augusta National or The Masters I will ever have anything but the fondest of memories.”

Yani Tseng wins second Major YANI Tseng won her second Major championship at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in California with a one-stroke victory over Suzann Pettersen. Tseng carded a final round 4-under 68 to pip the Norwegian to the title on 13-under-par with SongHee Kim finishing third and Lorena Ochoa coming fourth. “I had an eagle on the second hole and I knew today was going to be my day,” said Tseng. “I just kept telling myself, ‘Commit to the shots and keep your tempo right and just keep smiling through all 18 holes’.”

Shot of the Month MORE from the man of the moment – Phil Mickelson. After a wayward drive on the par-5 13th at Augusta National the American had a four-foot gap between two tree trunks to get out of trouble. With a clear backswing he unleashed a magnificent 6-iron shot out of the tricky pine needles, over Rae’s Creek, which bounded up onto the green and came to rest five feet away for another vital birdie.

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NewS SNIppeTS frOm arOuND The gOlfINg glObe

Woods set for The Players and the U.S. Open

Langer wins rain-shortened Pro-Am in Tampa Bay

TIGER WOODS, who left Augusta National last month saying he was taking another layoff from the game after finishing fourth in The Masters has now announced that he is playing the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass on May 6-9 and the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 17th. The World No.1 has fond memories of the Pebble Beach course having won the U.S. Open there in 2000 by a record 15 strokes. The evergreen Tom Watson, who finished tied 18th at The Masters, has also announced that he has accepted an invitation from the USGA to play in the U.S. Open. “I am deeply grateful to the USGA for extending me the invitation to play in the U.S. Open at one of my favourite golf courses in the world,” said 60-year-old Watson. “Some of my life’s favourite times have been spent near Stillwater Cove and I know there will be more this coming June.”

BERNHARD Langer won the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am in Florida after rain washed out the final day’s play. Langer birdied the last hole of the second round to take a oneshot lead into the final round ahead of Mark O’Meara – but this turned into a victorious putt after the rain in Tampa Bay didn’t let up on the Sunday. “We don’t know what the outcome might have been if we had been able to play 54 holes,” said a magnanimous Langer. “The bottom line is it’s another second for Mark and I feel bad for him that he has not won yet, because he’s definitely played well enough to do so.”

Pravets Golf & Spa Resort, Bulgaria to host the PGA Professional Championship of Europe from 2011 THE collective PGAs of Europe have announced that its premier strokeplay championship is to return after a six-year break. At a recent meeting in London, Terra Tour Services, owners of the Pravets Golf & Spa resort in Bulgaria, agreed with the PGAs of Europe to host the PGA Professional Championship of Europe for three years, starting in October 2011. This will be the first international Professional golfing event ever staged in Bulgaria, where Pravets is just one of a number of superb new courses being developed. The PGA Professional Championship of Europe prize fund will be a minimum of €60,000 and will be competed for by an elite field of 60 professionals from the 30 full-member countries who will qualify through their national PGA Championships.

Boonchu Ruangkit seals historic Senior Tour hat-trick Obama plays golf more than Bush ACCORDING to Mark Knoller of CBS Radio, an unofficial White House statistician, U.S. President Barack Obama has played golf 32 times since he took office in January 2009, more than his golf-loving predecessor George W. Bush did during his tenure as President. Bush, who played 24 times, gave up playing while in office, saying: “I don’t want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander-in-chief playing golf. I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best as I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends out the wrong signals.”

BOONCHU Ruangkit sealed an historic hat-trick of victories on the European Senior Tour by winning the Berenberg Masters by three strokes in South Africa in late March. Ruangkit, nicknamed ‘the Godfather of Asian Golf’ held off Sam Torrance over The Links at Fancourt to step into the winner’s circle for the third successive tournament on the 2010 Senior Tour and become the first player to achieve the feat since Tommy Horton in 1997. “I’m very happy to win three times in a row,” said the former Asian Tour pro, 53. “I’d never thought about doing it before but I’m very proud.”

Quote of the Month “For the first nine holes I thought I was playing with a square ball.” - Sandy Lyle after his second round 86 at The Masters, having shot an opening 69. Round of the Month What separates the great from the good is the ability to turn it on when it really matters, and Phil Mickelson certainly did just that with a bogeyfree 5-under-par 67 in the final round of The Masters, which included a 4-under-par back nine. Sublime.

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TIME TO PUTT THINGS RIGHT

’M back home at the moment enjoying some time with the family and taking advantage of the good weather we’re getting in the UK to practice hard ahead of my next trip back to the States to compete in the Quail Hollow Championship and then THE PLAYERS Championship. It goes without saying that I was extremely disappointed with how The Masters went for me. As I said before the tournament, I went there feeling very confident. It’s a course that suits my game and last year I felt extremely comfortable on Augusta’s greens but I just couldn’t sink any putts this time and missed the cut after shooting 77-76. But that’s golf, you win some, you lose some and unfortunately I putted terribly. I hit the ball quite nicely and gave myself plenty of opportunities but just couldn’t find the bottom of the cup with the short stick. Occasionally, you get days and weeks like that. You just have to suck it up and move on. You have to forget about it - and The Masters is history now. I’ve been working on my putting tinkering around with a few things and it feels like it’s starting to come back. I’ve

done a little bit of work with Mark Roe but I’ve mainly just been beavering away by myself. Obviously, the greens I’ve been practicing on aren’t anywhere near as quick or as good as the ones they have in professional Tour events but it certainly feels like my putting is getting better. We’ll just have to wait and see when I get back out there, I guess! Highlight in the Par 3 Although my week at Augusta ended early and in disappointment for me, one of the highlights was playing in the Par 3 Contest. Abdullah Al Naboodah caddied for me and we had great fun playing with Nick Faldo and Ian Poulter. Faldo had his son there and Poults had his kids on the course as well, so we all had a great time. I think Abdullah really enjoyed it and had a great afternoon. Obviously, I was doing my best not to win the tournament so I could avoid The Masters curse! I finished 1-under for the contest so I did OK but nothing special! The main thing was that Abdullah had fun and it was good for me to be able to do that for my sponsors, to thank them for all

the support they’ve shown me. I’m still feeling very confident about the rest of the season. It’s still very early days and there are some big tournaments coming up. The BMW Championship on my home course at Wentworth is coming up then there’s the Wales Open and we still have three Majors and a couple of World Golf Championships events left to play for this season. There are plenty of opportunities ahead for me to get myself up The Race to Dubai and the World Ranking and I’ve still got the Ryder Cup to try to get into. Hopefully, my game will be in sharp condition when I get back out there. Confidence is one of the main aspects of the game and if I feel confident and my game is in good shape then I always feel like I have a good chance. Fingers crossed, by the time I have to fly back to America we’ll have missed all the chaos that has been affecting the UK’s airports after a volcano erupted in Iceland causing ash in the air to ground flights in and out! I’m looking forward to getting back out there and getting some good results on the board to kick-start my season.

In the know wIth RoSS FISheR

Ross has won three titles on The European Tour since joining in 2006 after graduating from the Challenge Tour and improving his ranking at Qualifying School. His biggest win so far is his victory in the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin in Spain last November when he beat Anthony Kim in the 36hole final.

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Islands of plenty - Fuerteventura and Lanzarote AFTER waiting patiently in the shadow of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are now showcasing the potential to match their peers as true golfing destinations. With sunshine all year round and with the wind whipping in off the coast keeping the humidity levels down, the two islands always offer the perfect climate for golf. Fuerteventura is the second largest of the Canary Islands and along with its beautiful white sandy beaches and year-long sunshine the island offers three golf courses for the ardent golfer to enjoy. Two of the courses – Fuerteventura Golf Club and Golf Club Salinas de Antigua are conveniently located next to each other in Caleta de Fustes, just five miles from the airport, with the Las Playitas Golf & Resort located in the south of the island. Tourism counsellor of Fuerteventura, Agueda Montelongo, commented: “It would be ideal for the island to have two more golf courses – one in the north and one in the south, which would offer a total of five 18-hole courses.” Lanzarote has an entirely different look and feel with black volcanic rock forming the base of its landscape. It’s bleak but beautiful and has many hidden gems, not least its two golf courses – Costa Teguise Golf and Lanzarote Golf.

Fuerteventura www.fuerteventuraturismo.com

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Fuerteventura Golf Club Fuerteventura GolF Club (pictured above) is the oldest course on the island and was designed by architect Juan Caterineau in 2002. In only its second year it had the honour of hosting the european tour’s open de españa which boosted the island’s golfing portfolio. upon arrival at the Clubhouse the first thing you notice is that the course slopes gently out towards the sea. the building is the focal point to the classic par-70 layout, with 12 par-4s, two par-5s and four par-3s. the course is littered with trees and several shots are required to carry water – most notably the signature, par-3 7th which is aptly titled el lago (the lake). although it’s only 156 metres (roughly 170 yards) it is almost exclusively played into the wind and with water guarding the entire front

edge of the green it makes it one of the toughest holes on the course. the layout is relatively flat and only holes 17 and 18 show noticeable unevenness with the superb par-5 17th featuring a huge right-hand dog-leg turn which rises some 40 feet up to a plateau green. From the 17th green you walk further up the hill to the par-4 18th tee but upon reaching the tee box it all becomes worthwhile. the view across the rest of the golf course and out to the vast ocean is a picture-book moment. Do the view justice by leaving the driver in the bag and striking a long iron into play, down to the bottom of the hill to the start of the dog-leg around to the left – almost a mirror image of the 17th. a simply stunning ending to a picturesque round of golf. www.fuerteventuragolfclub.com

Destination Canary Islands

Golf Club Salinas de Antigua

LanZarOte FroM the white sandy beaches of Fuerteventura it’s just a 25 minute ferry journey across the ocean to the striking black lava landscape of lanzarote. In 1993 the island was declared a World biosphere reserve by uneSCo and it’s easy to see why. Its many natural attractions are the lure for so many tourists who visit the island each year, but if it’s a short golfing break you are seeking you will not be disappointed.

ConvenIently situated next to Fuerteventura Golf Club (a road divides the two courses) is Golf Club Salinas de antigua which opened in 2008 and boasts all the exceptional facilities you would expect from a newly built course. It is comparatively different to its next door neighbour. It feels more like a classic links course with undulating fairways and large greens – including a rare shared green for the 1st and 6th holes. the 11th is a driveable par-4 and is a classic risk-reward hole. When the wind is up it will take heaps of bravery to try and boom it over the huge lake, but if you manage that and find the putting surface you’re on course for a two-putt birdie. the landscape of the 5,409 metre course is formed by hills and dunes which can provide periods of protection from the wind on a particularly blustery day. the course is superbly manicured with a state-of-the-art irrigation and drainage system, optimising water consumption, which is vital as it so very rarely rains! www.salinasgolf.com Las Playitas Golf & Resort loCateD roughly 35 minutes south along the east coast, las Playitas Golf & resort is located next to the village of tuineje. With classic shots over water and some, often extremely, elevated tee shots into valleylike fairways, las Playitas makes excellent use of its terrain. Hazards have been used sparingly with two lakes in play for six of the 18 holes and the bunkers were carefully crafted under the watchful eye of Scottish architect John Chilver-Stainer. Many tee options are available so hole lengths can be varied from day to day or to suit each individual’s standard of play. the outstanding feature of the course is its fantastic condition. the greens, fairways and general tidiness are a credit to the green staff who clearly regard the course as a labour of love. www.playitas.net

Lanzarote Golf In a similar mould to las Salinas on Fuerteventura, lanzarote Golf opened less than two years ago and is a first class facility. everything from hire clubs to the upkeep of the course – it’s all top quality. a modern 18-hole par 72 layout, it was created by american designer ron Kirby who adapted the original land and added some more undulations in keeping with the idyllic natural landscape of lanzarote. Kirby says: “I want the course to be fun and enjoyable for all players but never regarded as easy,” and he certainly achieved that. Fairways are wide and the greens well-trimmed greens and welcoming. the rough is cut short and Kirkby has not been over zealous with the number of sand and water hazards, but despite this the course is far from easy. there are one or two blind tee shots where brain over brawn is required and with gentle run-offs from the green distance judgment is paramount. the course could not be situated any better as it lies in the main tourist region of Puerto del Carmen, just five minutes from the best beaches on the island and only ten minutes from the airport. www.lanzarotegolfresort.com

Costa Teguise Golf tHe most established golf course of the two islands is Costa teguise Golf which was built in 1978 by british architect John Harris. a test for any level of golfer the course lies at the base of a volcano and its fairways are lined with mature palm trees and cacti and offers plenty of breathtaking views over the atlantic ocean. It’s the longest of the five courses on the two islands at 6,476metres with numerous snaking dog-leg fairways and raised tees – the best of which is the final hole (pictured below). use the wind gusting in from the right as an ally as you make your way down the final fairway and into the cosy clubhouse for a post-game refreshment. a superb way to end any round of golf anywhere in the world. www.lanzarote-golf.com

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Destination Canary Islands

OFF COurse DeLIghts Fuerteventura beSt known for its beaches, Fuerteventura is a sporting holiday paradise. along with golf, other sports easily available on the island include wind and kitesurfing, on-land kite flying, cycling and horse riding. Fishing is also a big part of life on the Canary Islands and the produce plucked from the atlantic ocean is simply divine. Whether you eat out and about or at the hotel restaurant, the fish is an absolute must. the Sheraton Hotel on Fuerteventura, overlooking the two golf courses in Puerto de Fustes, has 266 rooms but is shaped in a way that all rooms face out to sea. the Sheraton Hotel is a luxurious 5* facility set in a perfect location, sandwiched between the beach and the golf courses. after a round simply unload your clubs at the baggage drop before retreating to the Spa for a relaxing massage or to the bar for a well-earned snack. With three swimming pools, tennis courts and a gym the Sheraton Hotel is ideal for a family holiday or a short golfing break. www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton

Lanzarote aS lanzarote is one of the smallest of the Canary Islands, the Hotel Hesperia lanzarote in Puerto Calero is in the perfect location. boasting 335 rooms, spectacular sea views, three restaurants, four swimming pools and quick, easy access to the beach the Hotel Hesperia is spacious and welcoming. It is in the main hub of the island, close to the airport in arrefice and within a 25 minute drive of just about every tourist attraction. the whole island is easy to cover by car in only 45-50 minutes. In the very north of the island you can

scale 475 metres up the mountain of risco de Famara to the Mirador de rio, a stunning panoramic viewpoint over the tiny neighbouring island of la Graciosa while in the volcanic region of timanfaya is another natural must-see. timanfaya is still active and meals for its restaurant and cafe are cooked in the heat of a natural oven which is just a few metres under the surface. With the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two golf courses just a short drive away the Hotel Hesperia is the obvious choice. www.hesperia.com/hotels/HesperiaLanzarote

Biosphere Reserve www.turismolanzarote.com

WITH delicious local produce, 365 days of sunshine and a plethora of tourist attractions, the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote have always been superb holiday destinations. Now, with five golf courses between the two islands and new developments in the pipeline they are making a name for themselves on the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s golfing map.

For more information contact the Spanish Tourist Office Web: www.spain.info E-mail: info.londres@tourspain.es

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WOrLdWide GOLf februAry revieWed The frONT 9 hOLes Of yAs LiNks. here We TAke A LOOk AT The bACk 9 Of kyLe PhiLLiPs’ exCePTiONAL LAyOuT. WheN yAs LiNks OPeNed iTs CLubhOuse dOOrs TO The GOLfiNG WOrLd ON MArCh 25Th iT herALded A NeW erA fOr GOLf iN The reGiON. As Chris WhiTe, GeNerAL MANAGer Of ALdAr GOLf, sAid: “WiTh The AddiTiON Of yAs LiNks TO The WOrLd CLAss fACiLiTies ALreAdy iN PLACe, yAs isLANd is fAsT beCOMiNG The Leisure ANd eNTerTAiNMeNT desTiNATiON iN The reGiON. LiNks COurses Are The MOsT TrAdiTiONAL LANd fOrM Of This GreAT GAMe ANd The ALdAr deveLOPMeNT TeAM ANd ALL The CONTrACTOrs iNvOLved hAve dONe AN iNCredibLe jOb iN re-CreATiNG A PieCe Of LiNks COAsTLiNe iN Abu dhAbi. iT WAs very iMPOrTANT ThAT The TrAdiTiONs Of LiNks GOLf Were MAiNTAiNed iN The desiGN, feeL ANd fuNCTiON Of The CLubhOuse ANd judGiNG by Our MeMbershiP TAke-uP This hAs beeN AChieved ANd APPreCiATed.” yAs LiNks is ALreAdy fuLLy subsCribed fOr fOuNder MeMbershiPs, buT hAs LAuNChed A seCONd Tier disCOvery rATe WhiCh is ruNNiNG OuT fAsT…

Back 9 with a Big Finish Hole 10 – Par 4 A short dogleg right par 4 which plays downhill from the Clubhouse. The second dune bunker on the left side of the fairway is a good line for long drivers. A solid drive will leave a short pitch to an elevated green that is protected by large bunkers both front and right. One of the few holes where an aerial approach shot is favoured. Hole 11 – Par 5 AN inland par 5 that plays from a high dune ridge down into a narrow valley. Take the left side of the fairway off the tee and the right side for the approach. This is a classic tactical links hole loaded with various hillocks, hollows, and bunkers. Two solid shots avoiding trouble should leave a short pitch to the green that sits naturally at the end of the valley and is surrounded by an amphitheatre of large dunes. The approach is open, but several bunkers surrounding the edges will catch anything slightly offline. Long players beware of the large dune left of the green and the water on the right.

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Hole 12 – Par 4 The friendly drive line is down the right side into a valley framed by a huge sand dune on the right. from here the hole turns left, to an uphill approach. A ridge in front of the green makes the green appear closer than it actually is. A long aggressive tee shot carrying the bunkers to the plateau on the left will leave a shorter and much easier approach, as the view to the green from this angle and the surrounding humps and hollows are in full view. in the spirit of the Old Course at st. Andrews, the green surface is shared with that of hole 15, so take note of the day’s pin position where you will return shortly. Hole 13 – Par 3 NOWhere is precision more important than at this short par three. With the coastline wrapping the front, right, and back of this peninsula green and bunkers guarding its left side, there is no place for the faint of heart. be confident and take direct aim.

Aldar Yas Links

Hole 14 – Par 4 WheN playing downwind, this is a driveable par 4 for long hitters but it’s a decision that should not be made lightly, as there are many hazards that stand in the way. The shoreline runs the length of the hole on the right and the green is protected by a dune that hides the majority of the putting surface from the tee. beyond this dune, a large waste bunker guards the green and a blow-out bunker obscures the front left approach. The majority of players should play a drive out left to the generous fairway. The short approach plays to a large undulating green dominated by a roll-over ridge in the left front. An exciting hole that will yield a great range of scores.

Hole 17 – Par 3 There will no doubt be much debate as to which hole at yas links is the most beautiful and certainly strong arguments will be made for 17. The tees are arranged at various angles playing across an inlet in the coastline that forms a tranquil bay. Tee shots must carry the water to a green that sits far out on a point and is framed by dramatic blow-out dune bunkers. A shot played just over the largest of these bunkers on the right will find a small patch of fairway that helps to feed shots toward the green. even though the green is larger and more receptive than it might first appear, the coastal breezes will make club selection and shot trajectory vital.

Hole 15 – Par 4 The 15th turns back inland towards the Clubhouse and begins the demanding 4-hole journey home. don’t hold back with your driver here - the landing area is very generous. The line to take is the right side bunker. Anything too far left could be gobbled up by a devilish pot bunker hidden from the tee. Approach shots that just clear the bunker on the right will feed towards the green, which is boldly contoured and protected by bunkers left and a low hollow on the right.

Hole 18 – Par 5 This dramatic risk and reward hole can be played several ways, depending on how much of a gamble you choose to take. The shoreline winds in and out down the left side create two pronounced bays which must be negotiated first from the tee and again on the second shot. The fairway landing area on the drive is the widest on the course, but a long central bunker breaks it into two distinct options. The “eagle” line is to the left, leaving the shortest distance to the green, enticing long hitters to go for the green in two when playing downwind. The safer option down the right will appeal to many par seekers. The second shot wraps left around the water to a green that sits out on a point. The diagonal angle of the shoreline begs you to bite off as much as you dare. There is plenty of room to play right and eliminate the need to carry any water, but this angle leaves a more difficult third shot. The narrow, undulating green is surrounded by hazards, including water and sand bunkers to the left and tightly mown hollows to the right and off the back. This is a majestic finishing hole that rivals the best in golf.

Hole 16 – Par 4 The 16th returns to the sea, for three of the most dramatic finishing holes imaginable. With water along the left side, there is ample fairway off the tee on the right. bail out too far right and the green begins to disappear behind a large dune on the right, creating a difficult angle of approach. The infinity edge green narrows significantly in the back, fitting tightly between the dune and the Arabian Gulf.

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Official World Golf Ranking As of MoNDAY APRIL 19, 2010

a r o u n d t h e w o r l d o n t h e e u r o p e a n t o u r & u. s . p g a t o u r Pts. Avg 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

tiger woods phil Mickelson steve stricker lee westwood Jim Furyk Ian poulter ernie els paul Casey Martin Kaymer anthony Kim padraig harrington, Camilo Villegas rory McIlroy geoff ogilvy retief goosen robert allenby henrik stenson hunter Mahan luke donald Y.e. Yang sean o’hair Kenny perry sergio garcia Charl schwartzel stewart Cink robert Karlsson lucas glover nick watney dustin Johnson ross Fisher Zach Johnson angel Cabrera Matt Kuchar K.J. Choi alvaro Quiros edoardo Molinari Miguel a Jimenez Yuta Ikeda Vijay singh tim Clark Francesco Molinari adam scott louis oosthuizen Michael sim oliver wilson thongchai Jaidee ryo Ishikawa Kevin na graeme Mcdowell søren hansen

usa usa usa eng usa eng saf eng deu usa Irl Col nir aus saf aus swe usa eng Kor usa usa esp saf usa swe usa usa usa eng usa arg usa Kor esp Ita esp Jpn Fji saf Ita aus saf aus eng tha Jpn usa nir dnk

11.55 9.04 7.78 7.74 7.05 6.09 6.07 5.93 5.18 5.01 4.68 4.63 4.46 4.37 4.20 4.14 4.13 3.94 3.90 3.90 3.82 3.68 3.64 3.62 3.56 3.43 3.32 3.29 3.26 3.25 3.22 3.11 3.04 2.97 2.86 2.81 2.70 2.63 2.62 2.54 2.53 2.48 2.47 2.43 2.43 2.40 2.38 2.34 2.34 2.33

Tot. Pts 462.15 388.60 334.45 394.94 331.24 304.62 327.66 266.70 269.22 255.47 247.78 240.73 253.94 213.89 247.67 240.37 198.34 200.76 171.56 226.03 187.00 187.56 192.94 209.82 167.42 143.90 176.16 181.14 175.94 165.60 164.35 152.42 161.17 145.74 157.35 148.88 148.27 105.37 112.64 144.50 139.38 114.14 133.40 97.26 126.34 143.80 142.66 128.82 128.67 125.96

Events 40 43 43 51 47 50 54 45 52 51 53 52 57 49 59 58 48 51 44 58 49 51 53 58 47 42 53 55 54 51 51 49 53 49 55 53 55 40 43 57 55 46 54 40 52 60 60 55 55 54

Pts. Gained 27.00 126.55 105.85 131.12 125.18 125.07 167.06 97.76 97.08 137.19 40.42 118.05 36.94 61.92 79.70 67.30 19.93 81.54 78.74 85.25 32.89 19.82 38.63 125.21 30.23 65.33 19.91 61.73 85.14 11.55 23.02 19.96 81.19 94.80 67.29 50.81 63.50 12.13 26.06 38.45 30.48 19.45 73.76 20.20 33.20 50.45 12.86 48.28 27.63 33.17

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

Mike weir Can Ben Crane usa søren Kjeldsen dnk anders hansen dnk david toms usa ryan Moore usa stephen ames Can J.B. holmes usa Brian gay usa Justin rose eng stephen Marino usa peter hanson swe simon dyson eng rory sabbatini saf scott Verplank usa ross Mcgowan eng rickie Fowler usa Bubba watson usa Justin leonard usa alexander noren swe rhys davies wal Chad Campbell usa Jason dufner, usa Koumei oda Jpn Jeev Milkha singh Ind heath slocum usa Ben Curtis usa Jerry Kelly usa liang wen-Chong Chn John senden aus gonzalo Fdez-Castano esp Brandt snedeker usa Marc leishman aus Bill haas usa Chris wood eng shingo Katayama Jpn Bryce Molder usa Fred Couples usa derek lamely usa Charles howell-III usa davis love-III usa hiroyuki Fujita Jpn John rollins usa gregory Bourdy Fra shane lowry Irl Martin laird sco Mathew goggin aus Brian davis eng Yasuharu Imano Jpn Kenichi Kuboya Jpn

2.32 2.28 2.26 2.26 2.22 2.21 2.17 2.15 2.14 2.08 2.04 2.03 2.03 2.03 2.03 1.94 1.92 1.91 1.89 1.88 1.86 1.86 1.85 1.83 1.81 1.81 1.78 1.76 1.74 1.72 1.71 1.70 1.69 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.63 1.62 1.58 1.55 1.55 1.53 1.53 1.53 1.52 1.48 1.48 1.46 1.45 1.45

Tot. Pts 113.67 118.39 122.10 115.03 106.75 119.59 101.84 105.19 128.11 112.15 122.26 105.74 119.88 117.53 95.23 101.09 76.89 97.45 94.47 91.94 106.05 98.32 99.92 91.33 108.68 106.59 78.48 100.18 79.87 102.91 89.14 88.54 101.53 98.12 68.12 84.57 91.14 64.77 63.09 91.74 77.61 76.65 84.01 80.86 60.81 84.48 84.43 87.30 58.11 73.71

Events Pts. Gained 49 52 54 51 48 54 47 49 60 54 60 52 59 58 47 52 40 51 50 49 57 53 54 50 60 59 44 57 46 60 52 52 60 59 41 51 56 40 40 59 50 50 55 53 40 57 57 60 40 51

21.33 66.28 15.65 16.54 18.05 29.32 31.81 63.26 25.53 39.86 46.45 20.71 8.12 37.72 18.98 13.39 53.82 43.83 11.49 10.74 55.78 21.13 20.08 18.00 17.31 25.50 17.57 29.27 18.67 17.63 9.72 34.69 32.92 59.75 13.62 2.28 31.51 26.36 35.88 43.28 16.03 2.00 21.05 8.71 20.57 21.19 15.10 35.12 0.00 3.23

Over 100 destinations worldwide

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

The Masters combines best of old and new

AST month’s Masters was one of the most exciting for many years. Apart from Phil Mickelson’s courageous victory there were so many other outstanding stories: the fine performance of Lee Westwood; the first round exploits of golden seniors, Freddie Couples, Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer and Sandy Lyle; the arrival of 16-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero; the promise of Anthony Kim and many more outstanding performances. for me, the tournament was decided on the ninth hole on the sunday when lee westwood had the opportunity to take the initiative away from Phil who had just birdied the eighth to go all square. what could have been a two or three-shot swing for lee turned out to be a one-shot advantage for Phil. lee, i’m sure, will be annoyed with himself for three-putting after getting into a good position on the green but Phil did brilliantly to save par after going deep into the trees off the tee. then, four holes later Phil produces the shot of the year on the 13th. what a golf shot it was. it was a two-type of shot: the most stupid shot i’ve seen in a long time but also the greatest shot i’ve seen in a long time. Phil’s caddie, Bones, pointed out to him before he played the shot that he had a two-shot lead. if it was a warning, Phil didn’t take much notice. he only had a six iron but nobody knows whether he was playing for the middle of the green or where he was aiming for. in the event, it was just two feet from disaster. it was a brave shot which showed his determination to win the tournament and it was wonderful to see him win, particularly with the problems his wife and his mother are having in their fight against cancer. it was a very touching moment to see him with his wife, amy, after his victory. Phil played aggressively and

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courageously and nobody could deny he deserved his win. lee was gracious as ever in defeat and his major glory will come before very long. lee played beautifully but i think he’ll remember holes 9 and 10 as missed opportunities. at no.10 Phil hits a worse drive than he did on 9 and goes 50 yards offline but still ties the hole with lee. instead of gaining two or three shots, lee drops another shot against Phil. that was the whole story wrapped up in two holes. freddie couples went bogey double-bogey to lose his way on the sunday but it was a marvellous performance and he could so easily have won it. he won three out of the first four tournaments he played on the 2010 champions tour and the

augusta crowd were urging him on every step of the way. i was impressed with the performance of the 24-year-old anthony Kim. he’s a real talent and i don’t think it will be long before he’s winning majors. he opened with a 68 and closed with a round-of-thetournament 65 to finish in third place, just one shot behind westwood and four behind mickelson. scotland’s sandy lyle rolled back the years to shoot an opening 69 but couldn’t keep it going. Bernhard langer shot a first round 1-under 71 but also couldn’t make the cut. tom watson received an equally rapturous reception from the crowds as freddie couples and he didn’t disappoint his followers, shooting 67-

Above: The Big Three of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player delight the crowds during the Par 3 Contest as Gary pulls off a vintage shot.

Matteo Manassero became the youngest participant at The Masters and he went one stage further by making the cut and winning the Silver Cup as leading amateur.

Anthony Kim is all smiles after shooting a final round 65, the lowest of the tournament, to finish third – his highest finish in a Major.

74-73-73 to finish in 18th place along with ernie els and defending champion angel cabrera. i was so disappointed for ernie. i thought he was ready to win it this year having won the wGc-ca championship at doral and arnie’s tournament at Bay hill in previous weeks. his four-shot victory at doral made me think that he was back to his best and the way he had to battle it out and grind out a win over the closing holes at Bay hill with Kevin na and edoardo molinari putting the pressure on, showed that he had recaptured his ability to keep his nerve. i hope ernie can use the confidence that those two wins gave him to put the masters behind him and go for

the remaining three majors. in last month’s column in worldwide Golf i mentioned that i thought that it wouldn’t be long before louis oosthuizen won his first event on the european tour, having come second on the tour for the fourth time in the trophee hassan ii in morocco, and i wasn’t wrong. he won his next outing, at the open de andalucia de Golf in spain to make the top 50 on the official world Golf ranking and earn a trip to augusta national. sadly, he couldn’t follow that form and shot 75-77 to miss the cut. he’s got the game to do well in the masters and i think he and charl schwartzel have got a big future ahead of them. it was good to see trevor immelman produce his best

performance since his injury, finishing in a share of 14th place. his last win was at augusta when he won the masters in 2008. what an exciting prospect 16year-old italian matteo manassero is. he was the best-placed amateur at the masters and the only amateur to make the cut. he finished 4-over in tied 36th place after rounds of 71-7673-72 and ended his masters debut with a birdie on the final hole as if to promise greater things to come. what a wonderful golfer he is. i just hope he stays with his original coach and doesn’t start getting this paralysis of analysis that affects so many up and coming young golfers. he must be the best amateur in the world right now and at the age of 16 that’s quite something. n

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Race to Dubai

As of Monday April 19, 2010

tHe european tour r aCe to DuBai 2010 Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

Name Ian POULTER Charl SCHWARTZEL Ernie ELS Lee WESTWOOD Paul CASEY Martin KAYMER Y. E. YANG Camilo VILLEGAS Rhys DAVIES Anthony KIM Miguel Angel JIMÉNEZ Alvaro QUIROS Sergio GARCIA Louis OOSTHUIZEN Thongchai JAIDEE Robert KARLSSON Padraig HARRINGTON Oliver WILSON Søren HANSEN Anders HANSEN Retief GOOSEN Graeme MCDOWELL Richard FINCH Seung-yul NOH Andrew DODT Rory MCILROY Francesco MOLINARI Edoardo MOLINARI Pablo MARTIN Thomas AIKEN Stephen DODD Richie RAMSAY Darren CLARKE Danny WILLETT James MORRISON Henrik STENSON Mikko ILONEN Robert ALLENBY Adam SCOTT Peter WHITEFORD Peter HANSON Oliver FISHER Tim CLARK Ross McGOWAN Luke DONALD Geoff OGILVY Shiv KAPUR Keith HORNE Søren KJELDSEN Ignacio GARRIDO

Country

Tournaments Played

ENG RSA RSA ENG ENG GER KOR COL WAL USA ESP ESP ESP RSA THA SWE IRL ENG DEN DEN RSA NIR ENG KOR AUS NIR ITA ITA ESP RSA WAL SCO NIR ENG ENG SWE FIN AUS AUS SCO SWE ENG RSA ENG ENG AUS IND RSA DEN ESP

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

Prize Money €1,376,800 €1,281,539 €1,173,458 €1,019,227 €889,413 €733,163 €599,166 €585,381 €541,592 €492,450 €489,075 €482,502 €460,667 €457,509 €451,163 €429,096 €351,777 €328,651 €311,311 €307,202 €288,765 €275,569 €270,730 €262,118 €259,310 €258,003 €255,091 €248,630 €222,034 €212,388 €202,152 €198,704 €190,619 €182,945 €182,618 €181,099 €180,857 €180,075 €176,271 €172,375 €171,491 €168,853 €168,543 €168,514 €164,526 €164,236 €158,494 €153,013 €152,873 €152,281

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

Name

Country

Richard BLAND Angel CABRERA Johan EDFORS Vijay SINGH Fredrik ANDERSSON HED Jeev Milkha SINGH Shane LOWRY Jamie DONALDSON Gareth MAYBIN Ross FISHER Robert ROCK Joost LUITEN Brett RUMFORD Peter LAWRIE David DRYSDALE Thomas BJÖRN David HORSEY Simon DYSON Bradley DREDGE Wen-chong LIANG Chris WOOD Alexander NOREN Gonzalo FDEZ-CASTAÑO Pablo LARRAZÁBAL Trevor IMMELMAN Grégory BOURDY Thomas LEVET Barry LANE Kiradech APHIBARNRAT Niclas FASTH Ariel CANETE James KAMTE Christian NILSSON Rick KULACZ Robert COLES Tetsuji HIRATSUKA Stephen GALLACHER Richard STERNE John PARRY Jeppe HULDAHL Michael HOEY Damien MCGRANE Alejandro CAÑIZARES James KINGSTON Jason KNUTZON Hennie OTTO Pelle EDBERG Marcus FRASER David LYNN Nick DOUGHERTY

ENG ARG SWE FIJ SWE IND IRL WAL NIR ENG ENG NED AUS IRL SCO DEN ENG ENG WAL CHN ENG SWE ESP ESP RSA FRA FRA ENG THA SWE ARG RSA SWE AUS ENG JPN SCO RSA ENG DEN NIR IRL ESP RSA USA RSA SWE AUS ENG ENG

Tournaments Played 9 3 6 3 8 4 9 6 9 5 10 9 5 8 11 10 8 6 5 5 7 7 6 7 1 7 5 9 3 7 9 8 6 6 7 3 9 4 9 7 10 8 8 6 2 7 5 6 7 6

Prize Money €152,069 €139,855 €134,016 €132,702 €132,357 €132,166 €130,631 €125,783 €121,325 €121,324 €120,428 €118,730 €117,859 €115,892 €115,631 €115,473 €115,066 €109,129 €108,325 €107,759 €102,519 €102,185 €99,381 €97,886 €97,505 €89,344 €89,021 €86,263 €80,551 €80,311 €77,980 €77,470 €77,283 €76,700 €75,278 €74,843 €72,885 €72,248 €69,128 €68,520 €68,484 €65,503 €63,793 €63,614 €62,877 €61,334 €59,333 €57,998 €57,550 €55,931

e x p l a n at i o n o f t H e e u r o p e a n t o u r r a C e t o D u B a i 2 0 1 0 The Race to Dubai on The 2010 European Tour International Schedule will feature a minimum of 47 tournaments, including six new events, culminating in the Dubai World Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The 2010 European Tour International Schedule launched with four events in South Africa and will travel through four continents before building to a thrilling climax in Dubai from November 25-28, 2010. The curtain came down on The 2009 Race to Dubai with England’s Lee Westwood finishing the year in style by winning the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World and securing The Harry Vardon Trophy by finishing European Number One. The second edition of the Dubai World Championship will again carry a prize fund of $7,500,000 while The Race to Dubai Bonus Pool remains at $7,500,000 to be divided between the leading 15 players at the conclusion of the season. The Race To Dubai bonus Pool bReakDown 1 US$ 1,500,000 2 US$ 1,125,000 3 US$ 750,000 4 US$ 600,000 5 US$ 525,000

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

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

Tournament: Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard

Date:25 – 28 March 2010

Venue: Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida

eLS hangS on in rainy orLando ERNIE Els picked up his second consecutive win on American soil with a tense victory at the rain-delayed Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando. Els was forced to close out the victory on the Monday after heavy rain caused play to stop on Sunday with the South African two strokes ahead with four holes to play. “It was a tough finish for me,” said Els who saw a five-shot lead cut to two after a double bogey-bogey run before the rain came. “I’ve been thinking about these last four holes for 22 hours so it was nice to finally get on the golf course. “I kind of limped home but the work I have put in has started paying off, and obviously my short game is good. I got it up and down the last two holes.” Els made four pars – including excellent saves from a bunker on the par-3 17th and from just off the green on the 18th – to close with a 1-under-par 71 and seal

Winner: ernie eLS

his second title of the season and the 18th of his career in America. Kevin Na came close to catching Els with a birdie on the par-5 16th which took him to within one shot but a bogey at the last ended his chances. “Unfortunately I came up just short,” said the American, “but there’s a lot of positive things about my game heading to The Masters, my game seems to be peaking.” Italian Edoardo Molinari finished in second place alongside Na after they both carded a 3-under-par 69 – the best of the final round scores. “I’m playing well at the moment,” said Molinari. “I wasn’t playing well at Doral or at the WGC-Accenture Match Play, so that’s why I didn’t finish well in those events. I worked a little bit on my swing and now this – finishing second – it’s great for my confidence and it’s great to know that I’m able to perform well in the States.”

The last Monday finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational came in 1982, when Tom Kite, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson completed the final round tied atop the leaderboard. Kite chipped in for birdie on the first playoff hole (No. 15) to take the title.

INTHEBAGINTHEBAGINTHEBAGINTHEBAGINTHEBAG Driver:

Callaway FT-9 Tour Authentic

Fairway Wood:

Callaway X Tour 14º, 19º

Irons (3-PW):

Callaway Tour Authentic Proto X

Wedges:

Callaway X Forged 54º, 59º

Putter:

Odyssey White Ice #5

Ball:

Callaway Tour (i)s

Winner’s Cheque

$1,080,000

Winning Score: 11-under-par – 277 (68,69,69,71) runner-up: edoardo Molinari, Kevin na – 279 Tournament: Open de Andalucia de Golf

Date: 25 – 28 March 2010

ooSthuizen WinS firSt titLe in europe

Winner: LouiS ooSthuizen

AFTER four runner-up finishes on The European Tour, Louis Oosthuizen stepped into the winner’s circle for the first time with a three-shot victory at the Open de Andalucia in Malaga. The South African closed with a 3-under-par 67 for a 17-under-par total to seal the win from England’s Richard Finch and Scotland’s Peter Whiteford, jumping into the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking and sealing his spot at The Masters in the process. “That was my goal two months ago,” said Oosthuizen. “I was quite nervous down the stretch and very nervous on the 18th tee. I just decided to hit it as hard as I could. I knew I was good enough to win one, now I want to stay in the top 50.” Oosthuizen started the day with a one-shot

Venue: Parador de Malaga Golf Winner’s Cheque

€166,660

lead over Robert Coles and quickly extended it with three birdies in the first five holes. Whiteford, who started four back from Oosthuizen, made a charge after picking up five shots in eight holes around the turn. He had a chance to close the gap to just one stroke but missed a 12-footer for birdie on the 14th. He then three-putted the 15th for bogey. Oosthuizen, who was in the group behind, birdied the 14th to extend his lead and could then afford to bogey the 16th as he closed out the victory. Finch birdied the final two holes to card a 3-under-67 for a 14-under-par total and his second runner-up finish in the space of a month while Coles finished in a share of fourth place on 12-under-par alongside Italian Francesco Molinari.

WOrLdrOuNd-ups Tournament: Shell Houston Open

Date: 01 – 04 April 2010

Venue: redstone Golf Club, Humble, Texas

Winner: anthony Kim

Kim doWnS tayLor in houSton open AFTER missing a short putt for victory in regulation, Anthony Kim made a par on the first extra hole to defeat Vaughn Taylor and pick up his third PGA Tour title at the Shell Houston Open. Kim had a six-footer for par on the final green but charged it left of the hole and settled for a 2-under-par 70 meaning Taylor – who was in the clubhouse on 12-under-par after a 68 – was back in with a chance of winning. Kim played the first play-off hole – the 18th – in regulation, reaching the par-4 in two strokes while Taylor was in trouble off the tee and found a greenside trap with his approach. He splashed out to 18 feet but missed his par putt leaving Kim a tap-in for par and the title. The win solidified something of a turnaround in Kim’s mental approach as he admitted he may have lost his cool after missing that putt in regulation earlier in his career. “Two years ago, that bag may

have been in the water,” he said. “I might not have had clubs to go to the play-off. But I just feel calm out there, I feel no sense of urgency. It’s something that’s happened naturally and not something that’s been forced. I’m comfortable with who I am out there. I found my identity. “I just look back at last year, after the season was over, I was just complaining about everything. I felt like I deserved to win a golf tournament without trying. “That’s not how it is. I’ve put in a lot of hard work, so I feel like when I’m out there, I know I’m going to do well. Having that confidence really has propelled my game, I feel like, to a different level.” South African Charl Schwartzel (67) and Canada’s Graham DeLaet (68) finished a stroke back on 11-under with Shaun Micheel (65) a shot further behind in fifth place, his best result since 2007.

INTHEBAGINTHEBAGINTHEBAGINTHEBAGINTHEBAG Driver: 3-wood: 4-wood: Irons (3-PW): Wedges: Putter: Ball:

Nike VR Tour TaylorMade Tour Burner Nike SQ Dymo Nike VR Blades Nike VR 54º, 60º Scotty Cameron by Titleist Studio Select Newport 2 Nike One Tour

Anthony Kim followed in Paul Casey’s footsteps by winning the Shell Houston Open in a play-off after bogeying the final hole in regulation. Kim defeated Taylor one year after Casey beat J.B Holmes to the title.

Winner’s Cheque

$1,044,000

Winning Score: 12-under-par – 276 (68,69,69,70) runner-up: vaughan Taylor – 276 (defeaTed in play-off) Tournament: Madeira Islands Open BPI - Portugal

Date: 08 – 11 April 2010

morriSon hoLdS off fiSher for madeira titLe

Winner: JameS morriSon

JAMES Morrison held off a charge from compatriot Oliver Fisher to win his maiden European Tour title at the Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal. Morrison carded a final round 2-under-par 70 for a 20-under-par total to win by one stroke from the marauding Fisher who stormed up the leaderboard with a 7-under-par 65. “I’m overwhelmed,” said Morrison after holing the winning putt. “It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I don’t think it’ll sink in until Monday. I’m over the moon.” Morrison needed a birdie at the par-5 closing hole to win outright from Fisher who set the clubhouse lead at 19-under-par. He found a greenside bunker in two and punched it out to six feet before rolling in the birdie putt for the €116,660 cheque.

Venue: Porto Santo Golfe, Madeira, Portugal Winner’s Cheque

€116,660

“I knew I had to make four to win,” he said. “So I hit my 3-wood off a downhill lie and it was the best shot of my career because it meant the most – I didn’t hit it fantastically well, but when I saw it get over the water and into the back trap I knew I could get up and down and make the birdie. “The putt was about six feet and it went straight in but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous standing over that putt but I just stuck to my normal routine and holed it.” Morrison acknowledged that the victory represents a huge step forward in his career. “Everything has changed,” he continued. “I’ve got my card for next year. I can play Wentworth, Loch Lomond, I can play all the big events now so who knows what can happen from here.”

Tournament: Volvo China Open

Date: 18 – 21 March 2010

Venue: suzhou Jinji Lake Golf Club, suzhou, China.

yang hoLdS off WeLSh chaLLenge for victory SOUTH Korean Y.E. Yang held off a spirited charge from three Welshmen to win the Volvo China Open at Suzhou Jinji Lake Golf Club in Suzhou. The reigning US PGA Champion Yang carded a final round 1-under 71 for a 15-underpar total and a two shot victory over Rhys Davies and Stephen Dodd. Davies carded a round-ofthe-day 5-under-par 67 to finish on 13-under-par alongside Dodd who carded a 3-under-par 69 with Jamie Donaldson sharing fourth place a shot further back. “It was quite important for me to win,” said Yang. “There should be some doubters about my game and I know that this win won’t abolish all those doubts. There have been a lot of expectations on me after my Major win and it does feel good and alleviating, but I know I still have to work a lot more. “Last year after the US PGA Championship I tried to continue that streak and it

1795 RED

50% Black

didn’t come naturally, but this year maybe because it is a new year, it certainly feels like it is a continuation of the season. I have had a few good finishes and now this wonderful win, so I think that I am on the right track.” Challenge Tour graduate Davies produced flawless rounds of 65 and 67 over the weekend to card his fourth top-10 finish of the season. “I really gave it a go on the front nine but I am little disappointed I didn’t capitalise on the back nine,” said the 24-yearold who won the Trophy Hassan II in Morocco in March. Dodd dropped just one stroke in his final round to finish in the top 10 on The European Tour for the first time since last May and his best finish since his last win at the 2006 European Open. Donaldson was in contention but a bogey-bogey finish saw him card a 1-over-par 73 to finish on 12-under alongside Sweden’s Johan Edfors and Finland’s Mikko Ilonen.

Winner: y.e. yang

Y.E. Yang only dropped four strokes during the entire week at the Volvo China Open on the Gary Player designed Suzhou Jinji Lake Golf Club. He bogeyed the par-4 third hole during the opening two rounds and bogeyed the par-4 11th during the first round. He was bogey-free on the third round and a bogey on the 72nd hole was his only blemish of the final round.

Winner’s Cheque

€311,708

Winning Score: 15-under-par – 273 (68,66,68,71) runner-up: rhyS davieS, STephen dodd – 275

WOrLdrOuNd-ups

Tournament: Verizon Heritage

Date: 15 – 18 April 2010

Venue: Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, south Carolina

honeSt daviS handS furyK heritage titLe ENGLAND’S Brian Davis called a two-shot penalty on himself during the first hole of a sudden death play-off which effectively handed Jim Furyk his second PGA Tour victory in the space of a month at the Verizon Heritage. Furyk, who won the Transitions Championship in Florida in March, was drawn into a play-off when Davis birdied the final hole with a superb 20-foot birdie putt. However, in the play-off Davis knocked his approach shot to the 18th onto the beach and splashed out onto the green but noticed he knocked a piece of loose reed with his clubhead during his backswing. To his credit he called over rules official Slugger White, who, after studying slow motion TV replays, confirmed the penalty before Furyk stepped up to twoputt for par and take the title. “To have the tournament come down that way is definitely not the way I want to win,” said Furyk, who shot a final round 2-under-par 69.

“It’s obviously a tough loss for him and I respect and admire what he did. To be there and be in the battle and have an opportunity to win, and then have to call a penalty on yourself has got to be extremely disappointing.” Davis, who began the day one shot behind Furyk and shot a 3-under 68 to match him on 13-under-par, was disappointed he couldn’t close out the victory after dropping shots on holes 15 and 16 and missing a birdie putt on 17. “I’ve got to learn from that and make a couple of putts on the back nine, that’s what makes a champion,” said Davis. “It was great getting into the play-off, but it was a disappointment not to win.” Referring to the penalty incident he said: ““It was one of those things I thought I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. And I thought we’d check on TV, and indeed there was movement.”

Winner: Jim furyK

The play-off between Furyk and Davis was the 10th at the Verizon Heritage and the first since Stewart Cink beat Ted Purdy in 2004. Davis’ runner-up finish equalled his best result on the PGA Tour. He has now finished second once in each of the last four years. With 99, Bryce Molder (tied 22nd) was the only player in the field to take fewer than 100 putts all week.

Winner’s Cheque

$1,026,000

Winning Score: 13-under-par – 271 (67,68,67,69) runner-up: Brian daviS – 271 (defeaTed in play-off)

WWGExclusivE

Exciting Future for Dubai Golf Faisal Hasnain, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Golf, talks to Mike Gallemore about the various initiatives taking place within DG, the Emirates Golf Club, the Faldo Course and the Creek Golf & Yacht Club, and the future of golf in the Emirate. Faisal was also one of the key players responsible for the restructuring and the relocation of the international Cricket Council from the UK and Monaco to Dubai.

Q: What was the reasoning behind the recent changes within Dubai Golf? A: With Dubai Golf recently coming under the umbrella of wasl (a Dubai Government institution), we are looking to build and add to the foundation and the structures that were established over the past 22 years. We want to improve the overall experience for members and visitors both at the Emirates and at the Creek. wasl is a large and diversified company that has immense resources and is keen to support the clubs as well as the Dubai golfing industry. We have also set up Members Consultative Committees at both Clubs to get regular feedback from the Members, who at the end of the day are the ones that really matter. We’ve had some excellent suggestions and we’ve acted upon a number of their observations. Q: as someone who does not have a background in the golf industry how does your role with wasl work within Dubai Golf? A: As one who previously hasn’t been directly involved in the golfing industry also has its advantages. I had to study the industry from scratch, and am looking at the business with a fresh set of eyes. I have questioned the way things are done. This has helped me to understand things, has reinforced matters as well as prompted reviews to see if things can be done better. Being a UK qualified Chartered Accountant, and working for organisations such as Ernst and Young, Citigroup and the International Cricket Council, has helped me develop a strong commercial and financial sense and my six years with the ICC brought me to the forefront of sports finances. A lot of that experience is being channelled into making the golf clubs and the golf industry in Dubai a lot more commercially oriented. Having this background in sports, events and the related finances is obviously helping.

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Q: What is your brief from the Government in expanding golf in Dubai? A: The original mandate to the Emirates Golf Club was to promote Dubai, to attract international visitors and promote Dubai as an International Destination for business and tourism. The Emirates Golf Club was one of the building blocks within that strategy. At the same time, the EGC was the institution through which golf was established in Dubai and the driving force for promoting golf in the UAE. At that time, the commercial side of the sport was not a priority – the main objective was to firmly establish Dubai on the golfing map. The reality is that 22 years and a number of golf clubs later, Dubai is firmly established in the international golfing calendar and plays host to European Tour events. Accordingly, that phase is now over. However, this growth has meant that the number of courses in Dubai and the UAE has increased and it is an exciting challenge for us to work together and take the local golfing industry to the next level. Q: are there any strings attached to wasl’s support of Dubai Golf? A: DG is part of wasl so we are really talking about the same entity. I suppose one can now look at DG as a division of wasl that has wasl’s unconditional support. Having said that, it’s important that DG must demonstrate that it continues to provide to wasl a return on its investment, both financially as well as in other areas. wasl is also committed to supporting the growth of golf in the UAE as well as within the region. Last year, at its first opportunity, wasl became one of the leading sponsors of the Dubai Ladies Masters and the Dubai Desert Classic. It is a deliberate goal of wasl to help ensure that the DDC continues to be recognised as a significant international golfing event that is played by the world’s leading players. wasl and Dubai Golf are also looking at new

ways to work closely with the Emirates Golf Federation to help the growth of the sport among UAE Nationals, juniors and attract new entrants. Also, if we can assist the EGF in the development and training programme for the UAE National Team that participates in the 2016 Olympics we would be absolutely delighted. Q: What are the actual changes taking place in Dubai Golf? A: These are both organisational and structural. We now have one General Manager, Chris May, in charge of both the EGC and the Creek. This has brought the two clubs closer together and from a strategic perspective is helping the clubs move in the same direction. At one time DG had three GMs when Nad Al Sheba Club was in operation, which has its inefficiencies. We are also lucky to have been able to appoint Mustafa Al Hashimi and Andrew Whitelaw as Club Managers who run the day to day affairs at each Club and support Chris in his enhanced role. We’ve also made changes in areas such as F&B, Finance, Human Resources, Real Estate and Procurement. If an organisation is to make progress first and foremost it has to have good people and I believe that one should hire the best people one can get. My philosophy is that if I meet someone who I feel should be part of our organisation, and sometimes this is purely on instinct that says “this is the sort of person we need in our company,” I will try and hire him or her even if at the time I’m not certain what particular role they will play. I have done this previously and it has paid dividends. Q: What about the physical changes to the golf clubs? A: Along with the rest of the world, the golfing industry is feeling the impact of the

“The floodlit Faldo can have a similar effect in bringing back to the game the category of golfers who virtually gave up the game when Nad Al Sheba closed down. An evening on the Faldo could provide the sort of experience and atmosphere that the Nad Al Sheba Club created, particularly for those who can’t play during the day.” – Faisal Hasnain

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S ummer

Golf Membership AED 4,395 ONLY

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Exciting Future for Dubai Golf

new look pro-shop and clubhouse

economic downturn. All the more credit to wasl that instead of cutbacks, they are not only continuing their current programme of expansion of the golf facilities but supportive of new initiatives. So all is not gloom and doom and I believe that this deliberate policy is one that will have long term benefits. The refurbishment of the EGC Clubhouse is underway; the new irrigation system for the Majlis Course is being installed from June, the floodlighting of the Faldo course is operational and going through its teething phase; we are extending our gym, introducing a Spa facility. We are also building 84 high-end villas around the Emirates Golf Course. This is very similar to the Real Estate model that we have at the Creek, so people can experience living on a golf course and enjoying all the club facilities. We’re planning a new two-tier Golf Academy, which will include offices for certain related organisations. We have started discussions about the potential of floodlighting the Creek course, although that project will be more complicated than the Faldo. Taken collectively, these projects represent a major investment and are the right thing to do. The recession won’t last forever and the time is right to position ourselves for the future. We also must make our business enjoyable and attractive to potential sponsors and business partners so that we have the financial infrastructure that allows our industry to grow horizontally and vertically.

Q: How are you enjoying your role with wasl and Dubai Golf and being involved in the golf business? A: DG is much more than just golf. The two clubs are in prime locations in the heart of the city and some Members consider these as their second home. Both clubs have a very rich heritage and history that must be documented and preserved, and I am starting this process. Apart from the three championship standard courses, DG owns around 10 restaurants, some of which have won prestigious awards, the Creek has a 125 berth Yacht Marina, both clubs have recreation facilities, including swimming, squash, tennis, aerobic and yoga-related facilities, and at the Creek we have 92 high-end furnished and unfurnished residential villas. Apart from all this, our clubs are used as event venues and last year we hosted the Dubai Air Show Gala Dinner and, of course, the Majlis Course is home to the Dubai Ladies Masters and the Dubai Desert Classic. We even have our own in-house publishing department that caters to third parties, so it’s a lot more than just golf. Being part of the golf industry is a fascinating experience. Golf is by far the only real business sport that I can think of – there is no other sport quite like it. Apart from pool and snooker, offhand I can’t think of a game where one has to concentrate on a stationary ball. Due to the handicap system, a pro can play his best and still lose to a beginner, which again is an unusual feature. The number

of golfers worldwide is staggering and the growth of the game over the years in terms of its commercial aspects, infrastructure, investment and participants has been phenomenal. Q: is there anything you would want to change in the game? A: Not change, but add to. I believe a short, sharp and exciting version of the game will prove to be very popular, particularly among youngsters, sponsors and with TV audiences. If introduced in a well thought out manner and marketed sensibly, this will attract new entrants and new business partners. Packaging remains important and the new version must look attractive. To those who don’t play, the game has a general reputation of being very elderly, slow and sedate. Some consider that five hours of mainly walking around a golf course is too long and uninteresting. People had similar views about test cricket. But just consider the way T20 cricket has taken the world by storm in the last three years. It has exploded and attracted a huge following; many of whom previously had no interest in the game, and that includes my wife! Please don’t get me wrong. I’m an out and out cricket purist and love the traditional long version of the game and always will. I’m also a keen chess player who knows that a six hour battle over the chessboard in a game that ends in a draw can be a nerve-racking experience, although some onlookers may (not unreasonably) consider that both players are asleep and the world has ground

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Exciting Future for Dubai Golf

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to a halt. However, the days when one sat beside a radio or TV for five days following an eventually drawn game of Test cricket was in a different era, the world has moved on and time is flying faster than ever. We must accept this reality and tailor products accordingly. Essentially, what I’m saying is that one must move with the times and offer stakeholders and other interested parties alternatives, be it the traditional or a new short version of the game. Secondly, while golf in its traditional form is as popular as ever in traditional golf playing countries, in areas such as the Middle East, it’s a completely different scenario, for a number off reasons. A shorter game will prove attractive where the game does not have a history. If one is not prepared to look at change, then the game will be played primarily by expatriates, and that is not the way the sport will grow here. We are talking to organisations about participating in a short game experience and let’s see where this takes us. Q: Why was it thought necessary to change the most established golf course in the UaE and what actual changes are currently underway on the Majlis course? A: The Majlis course is 22 years old and so is the irrigation system which Landscapes Unlimited will replace and modernise. It’s a credit to our course engineers that the pipes have lasted this long. The new system will hopefully save us around 20 per cent in water consumption and be much more efficient. The changes to some of the bunkering has been designed by Thomson, Perrett and Lobb. It was necessary to change the positioning and shape of some of the bunkers to cater to the modern game. We’re not changing the design, the culture

or the essence of the course. We have also requested and taken into consideration the views of The European Tour and the original designer, Karl Litten, has also been advised. We will also improve the landscaping, put in more trees and make other aesthetic changes. We are on schedule to close in June and re-open the course in October. Q: is Dubai Golf able to do anything about the high cost of playing golf? A: We need to be able to compete financially with other international golf tourism destinations. Currently, the cost of a golfing holiday in Dubai is relatively high and the increase in the value of the USD hasn’t helped either. As a result, Dubai is losing golf tourists and golf related tournaments and events to other countries such as Turkey and Thailand, which, besides golf, also provide a choice of attractive locations and a well-established infrastructure. This is to be expected, as costs in Dubai of building and maintaining golf courses is very high mainly due to the scarcity of grass and water, which are two primary ingredients. Around 80 per cent our club costs are fixed and it is a challenge to reduce these without compromising service and quality. The golf industry in Dubai must work with the Government and look at ways where one can reduce costs through potential subsidies or other means, and this reduction in costs should be passed on to the golfer. This will make golf holidays in Dubai much more affordable to the international market, make Dubai an attractive golfing destination and benefit Dubai as a whole. As a Government owned institution, DG should take the lead and open a dialogue with the appropriate channels. At the same time,

it’s very important to demonstrate that the players are getting value for money. People are prepared to pay that little bit extra for a memorable, world-class golfing experience but not if they feel they are not getting value for money. Q: Would Dubai Golf consider introducing a play-and-pay course? A: From time to time this question comes up. The floodlit Faldo can have a similar effect in bringing back to the game the category of golfers who virtually gave up the game when Nad Al Sheba closed down. An evening on the Faldo could provide the sort of experience and atmosphere that the Nad Al Sheba Club created, particularly for those who can’t play during the day. Nad Al Sheba was a popular model and people were upset when it closed. We will wait and see if the Faldo course will be as popular and while we haven’t completely ruled out a pay-and-play facility, the current model works fine. We are also looking at our membership structure to see how this can be improved. Q: are the Members at the EGC satisfied with the existing facilities before the new clubhouse is completed? A: The temporary clubhouse overlooks the Majlis 9th and 18th and the members love it. The view is fantastic. The temporary chalets have made the facilities more spacious, bright and friendly. At the new Clubhouse, we hope to have a much more family oriented atmosphere. It is an exciting time for Dubai Golf and I hope that our Members, guests and international visitors will be happy with the new initiatives. n

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Become a consistent Driver I SEE players struggle to hit their driver consistently almost every day. In the majority of lessons I give, players always want to hit their driver better. The main self-criticism I hear from golfers is when the ball starts low and to the left, and then finishes weak and high to the right. Because I see this day in and day out, I am beginning to believe that most golfers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really understand how to get the most out of their driver swing. In order to hit the driver solid, you need to be swinging up on the ball. By swinging up on the ball, you will launch the ball higher at impact. Think about this fact. In order to get the most out of your driver, you need to launch the ball at a minimum of three degrees more than the loft on your diver. So if you have a 10 degree driver, you need to launch the ball at least 13 degrees. We use a Trackman launch monitor which uses radar to track the ball in flight. Trackman can tells us exactly how high a player launches the ball with a driver. Most left to right drivers swings launch the ball too low. I have seen players recently with 10 degree drivers launching the ball as low as 8-9 degrees. This means the driver is being de-lofted at impact, which causes the ball to spin massively off line.

Try standing on an up slope and have the feeling that your right shoulder is lower than your left shoulder at address. (Picture A) Here I am setting up standing on a severe up slope to exaggerate my set up. I see too many players with too much weight on the left leg at address with the driver.

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TUTORIAL B The feeling you want to have is swinging up the slope, with your right shoulder working under your chin. This will allow you to hit up on the ball at impact and launch the ball higher. If your driver is starting left, your right shoulder is working too high, which causes the swing path to be too much from out to in (Picture B). This kind of path will de-loft the driver and the ball will launch low with too much spin.

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3 AT impact, you need to feel as if you are swinging up, so try to hit your driver as high as your can by swinging up. Here I am trying to swing up the slope and launch the ball high (Picture 1). TRY to let your arms swing past your body. If your arms swing across your body you will slice the ball and de-loft you driver (Picture 2). TRY standing on an up slope, take a ball in your right hand, and try to throw the ball upwards as much as possible (Picture 3). This will give you the feeling of how your swing should feel. So next time you hit a wicked slice with your driver, try to launch the ball higher!

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SWING

AmeliA mckee

Claude harmon III, dIreCtor of InstruCtIon, butCh harmon sChool, dubaI sports CIty

orking with talented junior golfers is one of the best parts of my job. in the coming months, i will be working with 10-yearold Amelia Mckee on all aspects of her golf development. Amelia has been working well with Rhys Beecher at The Address Montgomerie Dubai for the past 18 months to get to the level she is at now and continues to work with him. She has some serious natural talent and at a very young age already has a solid golf swing. Our first session together was spent gathering as much data as possible to form a good, long term development plan. We started on

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the driving range where I had Amelia hit some shots with her 6 iron and driver. I made a quick check of Ameliaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basic fundamentals, her grip, posture, and body alignment. All her basics are very solid, which is rare for most junior golfers. Next I had Amelia hit ten balls and used our Trackman launch monitor to get some data as to what kind of power Amelia can produce. Trackman basically tracks the flight of the golf ball, and can tell exactly how far the ball travels in the air. It also tracks the speed at which the golf ball leaves the club at impact. Just for an example, Rory McIlroy has 170mph ball speed with his driver. Amelia had an average of 102

mph ball speed, not bad for a 10- yearold! We will be able to compare this data in the coming months and hope to improve on this number. The next part of our lesson was spent putting Amelia through a physical screen and a functional movement screen. Both these screens are vital in accessing what Ameliaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body can and cannot do when it comes to swinging a golf club. I have found that many of the younger juniors I teach lack both the strength and flexibility needed to make a consistent golf swing. By screening Amelia at such an early age we can better create a plan for both her physical and golf development.

Flexion Screen

Single Leg Balance Screen

Sit-Up And Throw Test

This test checks the movements of the hips, spine and muscles of the lower body and legs. Believe it or not, most of the juniors I see fail this test!

This test checks the ability to stabilise on each leg independently in a standing posture. This requires good muscular stability and good hip and ankle mobility. We time the length the student can balance on each leg. Average on the PGA Tour is over 25 seconds on both legs! Almost all juniors struggle with this test!

This test is checking power in the core and upper body. We use a 1 pound medicine ball for this test.

Extension Screen This test checks the movement of the shoulders, hips and spine. Again, many juniors can’t extend their upper body backwards, due to limited hip and shoulders flexibility.

Core Stability Screen

Verticle Jump Test The vertical jump test is a great test for overall power. The vertical jump requires good leg power and thrust.

The bridge and plank test assesses the balance in core strength, hip/glute strength and shoulder strength.

Rotation Screen This test checks the range of motion in the neck, trunk, pelvis, hips, knees and feet. We check the movement to both the left and right.

Push Up Screen This test helps access the balance in the upper body strength and shoulder stability.

Overall, Amelia did very well on both the physical and functional movement screens. As with most juniors, her balance needs work and by improving her overall body awareness she will be better able to control her golf swing. In the coming months, my plan is to help Amelia get faster and stronger. Girls between the ages of 9-12 are in a “Learn to Play” phase. This means Amelia needs to work on both golf-specific skills, but also needs to master basic movement skills and body control. I have no doubt the coming months will be both challenging and fun! – Claude Harmon III

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ONE-arMEd GOlfEr TrEVOr BElCHEr’s TrIuMPH OVEr adVErsITy south african Trevor Belcher, Vice President, Enterprise Business sales Middle East, Mediterranean and africa, is a keen golfer who lost his left arm in a motor cycle accident in 1983 but, undeterred, he continued to enjoy his sport and has gone on to play to a high level. In July he is taking part in the North american One-armed Golf Championship in Canada. He has been working on his game with Justin Parsons at The Els Club and here he talks to Mike Gallemore about his game and the challenges he has managed to overcome.

WHEN Trevor arrived for his for his first lesson it was clear that I was dealing with a talented and motivated individual. Of course, there are some aspects which we have to accept and allow for, due to Trevor’s physical condition but there were many things that we targeted to help him that are relevant to any player. Trevor’s main complaint was that he had lost the ability to consistently strike the ball and direct it the way that he needed to, missing shots left and right. He needed to be able to hit solid tee shots to compete and in the swing sequence, some of the parts which we have been working on are coming together. JusTIN ParsONs senior Teaching Professional at The Butch Harmon school of Golf

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TREVOR

BElCHEr

Prepares for the 2010 North american One armed Golf association Championship in Canada

TrEVOr was presented with some s Posture problems (arching the low back) which made it very difficult for him to stabilise his lower body through his swing. Our first job was to target this, improving his posture which gave him the feel of being more solid over the ball. you can see here that his lower back is in a good, neutral position, which is one of the keys to gaining his consistency.

Q: did you play golf before the accident? A: I grew up in South Africa so I naturally played rugby and cricket. Golf was not a school sport but I would play on Sundays and during school holidays. Q: How did you adapt to playing golf with one arm? A: The fundamentals are pretty much the same. Having been used to playing with two arms the challenges are different, depending on the swing – backhand or forehand. I play with a forehand swing and I’m currently working with Justin Parsons to get into a consistent and compact position at the top of my backswing. As I don’t have a left arm on the

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durING Trevor’s swing, there are some positions which can result in the right shoulder supporting the club at the top of the backswing. This can really help Trevor to become consistently powerful. The first step in this drill is to allow Trevor to ‘feel’ the club, making a powerful move away from the ball without lifting the club outside or getting it too flat.

club to control the length of the backswing, when the shoulders stop rotating, I really need to focus on when the left shoulder stops turning and that becomes the trigger to stop the backswing. It sounds straightforward enough but it requires a lot of practice. I have shot 77 but I can blow it to 112. If I can get it right on the day I can shoot low – which is not often the case. Q: I imagine the most difficult aspect is to get your balance right – how do you compensate for that? A: I don’t have a problem with my short game, which is pretty good. The key to good balance in the one-arm swing is to have width in your

as TrEVOr allows the right elbow to fold here, we aim to ensure that the club is still on plane. Previously, he had been trying to get the clubhead up very high, which was resulting in him losing support in the downswing, causing him to block or pull his drives.

stance and keep a smooth, controlled tempo. If I go after it I tend to lose my balance far more than with a two-arm swing. Q: you hit the ball a long way off the tee but hitting your driver, with the clubhead being so heavy, it must take some strength to get your backswing right? A: Yes it does. I do a fair bit of gym work to strengthen my right arm but club selection is also very important. I use the Burner Superfast driver, which at 283 grams is a big help!! Q: you’re taking part in the North american One-armed Golf association Championship later this year – how does that work?

THIs is what we have been working to achieve. When Trevor arrived, the club was lifted up very high and out of position. Trevor must be allowed to swing long so the club can gain momentum through gravity in the downswing. We have worked to keep the club loaded and the right shoulder stable, which is looking good here.

TrEVOr hits the ball from the inside and he has some early extension in his swing. This means that his hips move towards the ball and we call this a good player’s swing fault. I have looked at some physical reasons why Trevor does this and following our findings he is working on some squats and lower body stability in the gym. This allows him to drop the club on the inside but it must be controlled for consistency.

A: The Championship starts in the week of the 12th of July in Canada. I played in the event in 2002. There are two group classifications – one arm assisted; and one arm unassisted. We play a medal round off scratch with the top eight players in each classification going through to the match play format – and from there it’s straight knock out. There are also other competitions that are held for the nonqualifiers. Q: How often to you get to play golf and where do you play most regular? A: I am a member of the Emirates Golf Federation and I try to play most of the courses in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi.

WITH the move down on the inside, Trevor fires his right shoulder low towards the target. This stands him in great stead to create amazing distance, despite his challenges – Trevor regularly gets his drive out 240-250 yards.

Q: do you have difficulty with a handicap rating – how does that impact on playing competitive golf? A: No, there’s no difficulty. The handicap rating is identical to all the other players and I play off the same tee box as the rest of the field. Q: Would you encourage other golfers with an impediment or a disability to play golf? A: Without a doubt. This is the only sport I know in which Able and Disabled sports people can compete against each other on a “level playing field” as the golf handicap system takes care of the difference in playing ability. So don’t be surprised when a disabled golfer needs to give you shots

THE mainstay of Trevor’s swing is his good rhythm and balance and you can see here that he has completed a great, athletic followthrough.

Above: Trevor Belcher shows he can drive the ball with the best of them as he practises at The Els Club for the forthcoming 2010 North American One Armed Golf Association Championship to be played at Dundarave Golf Course, Georgetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, from July 13 - 15. The Championship first began in Florida in 2002.

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Women's Golf Middle East

Women’s Golf Dubai WiDens its horizons to become Women’s Golf miDDle east Women’s Golf Dubai was created as a source of information for ladies interested in starting to play golf and were not sure how to go about it – and at the same time create events for established players. It also opened doors for businesses related to golf, to work with Women’s Golf Dubai and reach a specific target market. It started off very successfully this season and has steadily grown over the past seven months into a name that is now recognised in Dubai. The feedback has been very positive and lady golfers from across the Middle East soon learned about Women’s Golf Dubai and wanted to become members so we felt

it was time to welcome all ladies from the Region. After consultation we decided that Women’s Golf Middle East would enable us to reach out to ladies throughout the region. Golf is fast developing and the idea of appealing to lady golfers from a wider area will attract more members, bigger and better events, more academy programmes and the opportunity to encourage UAE National Ladies and Nationals in the GCC regions to learn to play golf and be part of this great initiative. Women’s Golf Dubai’s website is currently going through its transformation from WGD to WG-ME, but will remain active: (www.womensgolfmiddleeast.com).

Strong finish at Al Badia Stableford event THE team of Carol Anne Watson (ARGC), Anne Baxter (ARGC), Annie Hainey (ARGC) and Dina Lunina (EGC) finished strongly with 92 points to win the Four-Lady Team Stableford event at Al Badia Golf Club last month. With two best scores out of the four players to count on each hole, the front nine holes proved slightly more difficult as the team managed only 43 points, but 49 points on the back nine saw them storm to the title, six points clear of their nearest rivals. The runners-up were the team of Verity Rosewarne (TMC), Micki Johnson (ABGC), Carol Smith (ARGC) and Terri Stewart (EGF/WGME). Three points further back in third place

were Alison Lewis (ARGC), Margaret Margetts (ARGC), Bea Wallace (ARGC) and Pauline Smith (ARGC) with 83 points. WG-ME expressed their thanks to Chris Vallender from the Emirates Golf Federation for speaking about

the EGF Handicap System to all the ladies after play. This was the second time Chris had attended a WG-ME tournament and all the participants were grateful for his advice and knowledge regarding the game and the new EGF Handicap System.

tIght at the toP In texas scramble THE seventh Women’s Golf Middle East event of the season took place at The Els Club in late March and 43 ladies took part in the Texas Scramble. The team of Angela Scurr (AGGC), Brenda Cooke (EGF/WG-ME), Anne Baxter (ARGC) and Agnes Anwar (who recently won the Dubai Creek Ladies Open, (EGF/WG-ME) scored a team net total of 61 to win by 0.5 strokes. Runners-up were the team of Janice Gwilliam (TMD), Claire Lindsey (EGF/WGME), Marieke Van de Pol (WG-ME) and Carine Albers (EGF/WG-ME). Al Badia Stableford Winning Team pictured with Sandy Meyer (WG-ME) and Chris Vallender of the EGF: Dina Lunina (EGC), Anne Baxter (ARGC), Carol Anne Watson (ARGC) and Annie Hainey (ARGC)

Sandy Meyer’s

ProfeSSional TiP InterestIng facts about Putters

many ladies, whether they are new to the game or are looking at buying a new putter, will walk into a golf shop and see many different types of putters. this can be confusing and selecting the correct ‘short stick’ to suit your needs is vital. here are a few interesting facts about the design of putters: l The size, shape and orientation of the grip should suit the size of your hands. This should allow for a comfortable hold and a feeling of control. If your fingers wrap all the way around to the opposite side, your grip is too small and will interfere with the placement of the hands. If the grip is too large, it cannot be held securely. l Head weight of the putter should be compatible with your ability to hit the ball solidly and have good feel on the green. Heavier putter heads allow the player to swing more slowly and are more comparable to someone who tends to have overactive hands during the stroke. Lighter putters are better for golfers who use a fixed pendulum stroke, because they usually make a longer stroke without rolling the ball too far. l Shaft flex is important for feel and control of distance, so when you take a putter out to test, try doing as many long putts as you can to gauge what putter gives you the best feel and control of distance. l I recommend you hit putts at a slightly upward angle. This helps to get

the ball rolling on top of the blades of grass more quickly. You can either adjust your ball position or try to get a putter with one or two degrees loft. l “Offset”, “Onset” and “In-Line” putters. The “offset” putter means the face of the putter is positioned slightly behind the shaft, with the “onset” the face is positioned slightly ahead of the shaft. The “in-line” means the shaft and face are on the same line. These days there are more variations of this, but it’s good to know the differences between them. l The idea behind “face inserts” (soft face of the putter) is that the ball follows the face angle direction of the putter at impact more closely - thus helping the ball to follow the putter path more closely, which gives the golfer more control. It also helps with “better roll” and “feel”. You must, however, run your own tests with different putting materials on the face of the putters and see which one works for you on short putts as well as keeping a consistency for distance on long putts. It also depends on the type of compression of the ball you use, so always practice with the same ball you use on the golf course. www.wwgolf.biz

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

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

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WWG LOCAL FOCUS

Clubs in April 2010 Worldwide Golf Abu Dhabi City Golf Club Abu Dhabi Golf Club Al Ghazal Golf Club Al Hamra Golf Club Al Naboodah Junior Par 3 Series Al Naboodah Junior Open Arabian Ranches Golf Club Dirab Golf Club Doha Golf Club, Qatar Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

Egyptian Golf Federation Emirates Golf Club Emirates Golf Federation Jumeirah Golf Estates Maritim Jolie Ville Golf & Resort, Egypt Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club The Address Montgomerie, Dubai The Royal Golf Club, Bahrain UAE Golf Society League

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T N T A M AT E U R O R D E R O F M E R I T G O L F S E R I E S

Bob Fletcher wins round six of the TNT Amateur Order of Merit Golf Series BOB Fletcher shot a net 63 to win the sixth of the eight Qualifying Rounds in the TNT Amateur Order of Merit Golf Series supported by Khaleej Times in late March. This victory moved 11-handicapper Fletcher into fifth place in the Order of Merit standings with two events to go. With the leading 20 players and ties at the end of the Series qualifying for the TNT Amateur Order of Merit Golf Series Grand Final in May it looks like he’s done enough to cement his place in the field. Fletcher’s round began on hole 10 in the shotgun start and he started very steadily with an outward nine of 37 which included one birdie, on the 18th hole. He kept his composure going into his back nine and posted another 37 for a gross 74. On a day where scoring was very competitive Fletcher managed to win by two strokes from Kevin Warren who posted a net 65. “The excitement is building with only two events remaining before the top 20 is announced,” said member and fellow competitor Francois Wolfaardt. “Shabir Yakub moved into the series lead only one point ahead of Scott Campbell and we’re looking forward to the final two events with everyone battling to get into the top 20.”

Bryan Moulds, TNT Country General Manager, pictured left, with March winner Bob Fletcher.

EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION

AmeliA And rAyhAn holds out to win Al nAboodAh Junior series SINCE its start in November last year, the Al Naboodah-sponsored UAE PGA 2010 Junior Par 3 series has become a firm Friday favourite with the Emirates’ golfers of tomorrow. The 5-part series was hosted on various par-3 golf courses stretching from Al Ain to Dubai, culminating in the Grand Final on Friday April 9th at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club. Encouraging golfers, between the ages of 6 to 14 years who are currently enrolled in golf clinics and golf schools in the UAE, to play in a strokeplay event following the PGA’s highly-coveted and successful Order of Merit format, the Par 3 series is providing the next generation with a taste of what participating in a professionally run PGA tournament is like. More than 80 juniors started the 2010 season, all vying for the series title and one last shot to secure the winner’s prize in the Grand Final. Unfortunately, only 36 could qualify to play in the final and only one girl and one boy could stand on the podium and receive the accolade of the 2010 Series winner. Setting the scene for an exciting and determined day’s play, Boys’ Order of Merit leader, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club’s Rayhan John Thomas, had accumulated 367.5 points, a mere 15 points ahead of Jack Novack, of Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, with

“It Is, and remaIns, an Important goal of the Uae pga to brIng sUch InItIatIves to grow oUr fUtUre golfers, sUbseqUently IncreasIng the UnderstandIng of the pga’s role In the game. we are very proUd to have had sUpport from callaway, who provIded the well-receIved serIes prIzes, and of oUr patron and tItle sponsor al naboodah” – U A E P G A C h I E F E x E C U T I v E J U L I A N D A N b y 352.5 points who was hoping his home-course knowledge would be an advantage. Last year’s victor, and fellow Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club junior, Aryan Chordia, was a good way behind Rayhan on 47.5 points. For the girls, walking into Friday’s Final was the leader of the Girls’ Order of Merit category, 10year-old Amelia McKee, who had scored a total of 160 points that gave her a lead of 5 points over Anastasia Bakal, both players from The Address Montgomerie Dubai. The opportunity for one last chance to grab the glory on offer through the final day’s play, was taken very seriously. Eivind Kjolberg of The Address Montgomerie Dubai grasped the Grand Final winner’s title carding 40. Palm Sports Resort’s Eoin Cunnife’s 41 pipped Aryan Chordia via a countback to be rewarded with Grand Final Runner-Up title. Chordia secured the Boy’s Under 12 division.

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club’s Aashka Desai’s 46 saw her walk away with the Girls under 12 division. Boushra Dalile of Arabian Ranches Golf Club scored 53, which was enough to clasp onto the Over 13 Girls division title. The main feature of the day, however, remained with deciding who the 2010 Junior Series title and accolade belongs to. Maintaining her slight overall lead saw Amelia McKee successfully add the 2010 Junior Series Girls Champion to her growing trophy cabinet. At the end of the day’s play the two main contenders for the 2010 Junior Series Boys Champion title, Rayhan John Thomas and Jack Novak, were tied on 380 points. The title finally went to Rayhan with the highest total points tally. Jack Novak’s didn’t walk away empty handed, winning the day’s Boys over 13 division title. Stephen Hubner, UAE PGA Tournament Director,

commented: “We are exceptionally grateful and pleased with the support Abu Dhabi City Golf Club has extended through hosting today’s Grand Final, as well as to the participants and their parents for embracing the journey to the 6 UAE Golf Clubs who supported the 2010 series. We have immensely enjoyed bringing this series to the Juniors and we look forward to building on its success and launching the 2011 Junior Series in the coming months.” UAE PGA Chief Executive Julian Danby added: “It is, and remains, an important goal of the UAE PGA to bring such initiatives to grow our future golfers, subsequently increasing the understanding of the PGA’s role in the game. We are very proud to have had support from Callaway, who provided the wellreceived series prizes, and of our patron and title sponsor Al Naboodah, who stands alongside us with this goal.” n

Turn to Pages 62-63 to see how Amelia is progressing with her fitness and muscle training with Claude Harmon III at The Els Club

ArAbiAn Golf

hAssAn tAmes the wind to win 2010 Junior open in spectAculAr style

Left: Hassan Al Musharrekh receiving the champion’s trophy from Mustafa Al Hashimi, Dubai Creek Club Manager and James Bowring, Director of Golf, the Al Naboodah Group. Below: Hassan Al Musharrekh holding the champion’s trophy, with Mustafa Al Hashimi, Dubai Creek Club Manager and James Bowring, Director of Golf, the Al Naboodah Group, alongside the competitors in front of the clubhouse at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. HASSAN Al Musharrekh won the 2010 Dubai Creek Junior Amateur Open sponsored by Al Naboodah and wasl on Friday 2nd April in emphatic style. In warm and windy conditions the talented UAE National team and Dubai Creek Member had to dig deep after starting bogey, double bogey but showed great strength of character in playing the next 15 holes in level par, inclusive of two birdies and two bogeys. Hassan held his nerve on the 18th with the howling crosswind coming in off the Creek and safely negotiated a bogey for an amazing round of 4-over, gross 75, to win by a clear four shots. A jubilant Al Musharrekh commented: “I thank my two playing partners who made it such an enjoyable round and all the players for taking part. A big thank you goes to my brother, Ahmed, who caddied for me. He made a great contribution towards this win. “My thanks go to Al Naboodah and wasl for sponsoring the Junior Open – without their support this event would not have been possible. Thanks also to David and Alan at the Creek for organising the event and to Rob Gradishar and his team who ensured the course was in such excellent shape.” Dubai resident Paul Forrester, representing his home country Australia, finished runnerup with an 8-over, gross 79. Scratch golfer, Philip Urasch, from Emirates Golf Club finished alone in third on 9-over, gross 80. In the boys division ‘A’ Harley Knight (EGC) claimed top spot with a net 74 with Dubai Creek’s Paul Saad finishing second with a net 76. Third place fell to Ronan Hall (ADCGC) with net 78. In the boys division ‘B’ Dubai

Creek’s Rishad Lakdawala scored a superb net 66 to win by just one shot from fellow Creek member Christopher Saad. Sean Therney (ADCGC) was third with net 72. In the girls division local knowledge helped the top three finishers, with Creek members Shloka Desai winning with a net 66, Diya Chopra runner-up on net 72 and Akila Raghavan third on a countback with a net 78 by virtue of her better back nine. David Gray, Golf Operations Executive at Dubai Creek commented: “It was great to see Hassan Al Musharrekh put together such a great round and handle the pressure down the tough closing stretch. It was a very difficult day for golf with such a howling wind and this was a very well deserved win. Third UAE National winner “Hassan became the third UAE National to win the Dubai Creek Junior Open following in the footsteps of Khalid Yousef and Nabil Sharif. Our thanks to Al Naboodah for their sponsorship of the event for the third year and also to wasl for coming on board to make the event even stronger. “Their vital support is greatly appreciated and we saw nearly 40 juniors taking part – a significant increase on last year. With wasl’s added help we significantly reduced the entry fees to ensure all juniors with a valid handicap could afford to play and make the event the premier and best-value EGF Order of Merit Junior Open in the region. “With all the junior initiatives by all the golf club’s in the emirates we are beginning to see the emergence of so many new talents. The future looks very bright indeed for junior golf in the U.A.E.

Above: Hassan Al Musharrekh holing his final putt on the 18th green. www.wwgolf.biz

Featuring a revamped menu that samples flavours from every continent, The Boardwalk is poised to take you on a culinary voyage around the World. And best of all, you can embark on this experience from our privileged waterfront location, which boasts magnificent and calming views of Dubai Creek. All you’ll need to do is sit back, relax, and let us take your dining experience to new heights. Tel: (04) 295 6000 • creekdining@dubaigolf.com • Open daily 8:00am-12:00am GOLF • RESORT • HOTEL • MARINA www.dubaigolf.com

egyptian gOLF FeDeRatiOn NEWS

Egyptian Juniors finish strongly in african Junior golf challEngE AT the end of four tough days of competition at the demanding Glendower Golf Club in South Africa, Egypt’s Junior team finished in sixth place in the 2010 Africa Junior Golf Challenge. As expected, the hosts, South Africa, dominated the event finishing 27 shots ahead of Namibia, who narrowly beat Zimbabwe for second place. In

the individual event Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe held on to win by a single stroke from Luke Jerling of South Africa while Issa Abou El Ela fired an excellent final round of 75 to finish as the leading Egyptian player in 16th position. South Africa’s victory sees them qualify for the 2010 Toyota World Junior Championships due to be played in Japan later this year.

The Egyptian team prior to the 2010 African Junior Golf Challenge.

‘try GOlf fOr free’ A G r e At s u C C e s s THE EGF’s ‘Try Golf for Free’ promotion continued at Gezira Sporting Club as a total of 78 people attended the classes conducted by the Egyptian Golf Federation’s Richard Phillips and Gezira Professionals Badawi Shaaban and Shaaban Farag. After the sessions 61 of the 78 people who took part signed up for beginners’ group lessons and the programme will start at Gezira as soon as the course renovations have been completed. “I’m delighted with the success of the classes and I think it shows the potential here at Gezira for creating a large number of new golfers,” said Phillips after the classes. “The great turnout also means the total number of people who have so far taken part in the ‘Try Golf for Free’ classes is now more than 260.” Last month, another ‘Try Golf for Free’ promotion took place at Mirage City with a further 24 people taking part, raising the total number of people who have participated in the initiative to 176. Of the 24 who attended the classes 12 have booked beginners classes starting the following week while a further seven are due to start a week later.

M i k e A d ly t A k e s t h e dreAMlAn Men’s Open title by fOur strOkes KATAMEYA Heights member and National Squad player Mike Adly won the Dreamland Men’s Open title with an impressive four-stroke victory over Alexandria’s Mamdouh El Sheikh. A first round 77 in challenging blustery conditions gave Adly the joint lead with Katameya’s Bill Huckaby and Alexandria’s Sherif Sallam but a superb second round 74 earned Adly the title in what was the fifth event of the EGF’s Order of Merit season. Katameya member Ahmed Awn took the net title with two excellent rounds of 73 and 71, for a 144 winning total.

Christensen wins seCOnd epGA DREAMLAND’S Golf Professional Fredrick Christensen won the Egypt PGA Event 2 with an impressive 3-under-par 69 over the Championship course at Golf City. The runner-up spot was shared between Katameya Height’s Steven Burton and Mirage City’s Calle Carlsson who tied on 74. The EPGA 2010 season features nine events and is supported by the EGF.

Budding golfers taking part in the ‘Try Golf for Free’ programme at the Gezira Golf Club.

sOphie issA wins OrAnGe lAkes lAdies Open WITH an impressive gross 77 Sophie Issa from Katameya Heights won the Orange Lakes Ladies Open by six shots from Linda Formas of Mirage City. The victory extends Issa’s lead at the top of the Egyptian Golf Federation Ladies Order of Merit with only the Mirage Ladies Open and Egyptian Ladies Open remaining this season. Formas put the disappointment of missing out on the gross prize behind her by taking the net honours with a 69.

p r e s i d e n t s C u p s t y l e f O r M At f O r t h e 2 0 1 0 C h A l l e n G e M At C h ONE of the most eagerly awaited events on the golfing calendar will take place at Stella Di Mare golf resort on June 18th -19th in the form of the 2010 Challenge Match The two-day match play event sees the top 16 Professionals compete against the top 16 Amateurs in a similar format to that of The Presidents Cup. Both teams will be selected by Order Of Merit qualification and Captain’s picks. Following the final qualifying event of the season, the Orange Lakes Men’s Open, the top 12 players in each ranking will qualify by right. The Captains will then have four players to select. The Amateur Captain is Ghassan Kabbani and the Professional Captain is Steven Wilson. www.wwgolf.biz

Golf Society League Standings After Round 4 SAif Zone LeAgue

PLAYed

Won

LoST

Tied

PoinTS

Etihad Pilot Golf Society

Gulf Rock

Mott MacDonald Golf Society

Filipino Golf Society

Singapore Community Club

UAE-Nepalese Society (Est. 1987)

Won

LoST

BMW LeAgue

PLAYed

Tied

PoinTS

Indian Golf Society

KEGS

Filipino Golfers in the Middle East

The Dubai Welsh Society

Jebel Ali Golf Society

DAGS

Won

LoST

WorLdWide goLf LeAgue

PLAYed

Tied

PoinTS

Wadi Gators

Sharjah Golfing Buddies (SGB)

BIGS

Black Stallions

Dubai Petroleum Golf Society

DUBAL

Won

LoST

SgSC LeAgue

PLAYed

Tied

PoinTS

Lebanese Golf Society

Halcrow Golf Society

Darjeeling Golf Society

DAPS

MBB Golf Society

COGS

Schedule of Matches MAY 8TH 72

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SAIF ZONE

BMW

1v6 2v3 4v5

MAY 15TH

SHARJAH

WWG

1v6 2v3 4v5

GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE

LebAneSe Society SeAL SGSc LeAGue with otheR LeAGueS Set foR tenSe finiSh THE Lebanese Society topped the SGSC League to book their place in the semi-final while the other three leagues are set for a tight finish with one round of fixtures still to play. The runaway leaders in the SGSC league cemented their qualification with 6 & 4 and 5 & 4 wins over bottom placed COGS, which gave them a nine point lead with one fixture remaining, booking the team a place in the semi-finals on June 5th. The Worldwide Golf League is a very different affair and is set to go right down to the wire. The Wadi Gators recorded the only 6â&#x20AC;&#x201C;0 whitewash of the day as they beat league leaders, the BIGS, 5 & 4 and 1-up to jump from second place to the top spot and relegate the BIGS to third place. But for

a three-foot putt on the final green the BIGS team of Larry Burke (22) and Mark Anderson (20) would have recorded a vital half point to leave just two points separating the top three teams. The Sharjah Golfing Buddies got off to a slow start in the league but are finishing like a train as they beat Dubai Petroleum 4-1 and moved from fifth to second as a result of their win. All three Societies will fancy their chances of progressing to the knockout stages but on paper new leaders the Wadi Gators have the easiest final match as they face tied-bottom side DUBAL while SGB face the fourth placed Stallions. The BIGS need to recover quickly from their defeat to face Dubai Petroleum who are also tied bottom of the league.

etihad pilots and figme shine in saif-Zone and BmW leagues IN the BMW League the FIGME Golf Society recorded wins in both of their matches against the KEGS to leave themselves in a great position to challenge for the No.1 spot, just three points behind the leaders. Ronald Javier (26) and Oliver Crisostomo (15) defeated Axel Jacob (17) and Gary White (24) 3 & 2 while Eric Matabang (15) and Rudy Laguna (20) made it two wins on the day after beating Peter Gaskin (14) and Neil Bam (19) in a close encounter 2 & 1. In the other games the Indian Golf Society took maximum points against the DAGS and the Golf Rock Society took all six points on offer against the UAE

Nepalese Society while the Dubai Welsh Golf Society had their best day to date after winning both of their games against the JAGS. In the SAIFâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Zone league the Etihad Pilot Golf Society played the Mott Macdonald Golf Society and for the Pilots Hisham Yusof (10) and Martin Sutherland (15) faced Steve Blanford (24) and Adrian Adams (18) with the Pilots coming out on top with a hard fought 2 & 1 victory. The other game proved to be more rewarding for Mott Macdonald after Rob Russell (22) and Mark Dupree (18) stormed to a crushing 4 & 3 victory against Brian Mullen (0) and Rizal Shuaibi (16).

The Lebanese team of Hisham Shahmmas, Marwam Rizk, George Khairallah and Paul Saad are pictured after their 6 - 0 victory over the COGS which secured them the SGSC League title.

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DUBAI CREEK Golf & Yacht club

mirza wins DUBai CrEEK mEn’s CLUB CHamPiOnsHiP 2010

RobeRt makes it a back-toback wins foR t h e P l at t s ROBERT Platt won the overall April BMW medal and blew away the gent’s Division ‘B’ with an outstanding net score of 66 which matched his wife’s winning score from the previous month to make it back-to-back wins for the Platt household. Platt negotiated his way round brilliantly in the tough windy conditions and mastered the fast greens to score two consistent nines holes of net 33 to take the medal four shots from runnerup Abdul Aziz Al Hakim. The men’s Division ‘A’ overall winner was Patrick Morrow with a net 74 as he pipped March’s winner Gary Chapman to the title by one stroke while Bindya Chopra won the ladies division with a five-stroke victory over Maureen Platt after posting a net 75.

Above: Robert Platt receives the BMW trophy from David Gray, Golf Operations Executive at Dubai Creek.

MIKI Mirza romped to a three-stroke victory at the Dubai Creek Men’s Club Championship after gross rounds of 74 and 72 gave him a 4-over-par 176 total. Mirza was pushed all the way by his two closest challengers Paul King and Ahmed Al Musharrekh and over last nine holes the lead changed several times. After bogeying holes 10 and 12 Mirza bounced back with a birdie on hole 14 and then followed that with three consecutive pars and sealed his third club championship title with a bogey on the final hole. “I would like to thank J. Lindeberg for their continued support of sponsoring the event with their generous prizes,” said Mirza. “I had a great last round with good friends Paul

King and Ahmed Al Musharrekh and it was a very tight match until the 16th hole where I established a lead and held my nerve over the last two holes to take my third Club Championship title.” Al Musharrekh finished in the runner-up spot with gross scores of 75 and 74 for a 7-over-par total of 149 and by virtue of his better last 18 holes of 74 – better by one than King’s 75. Arshad Waheed won the best overall net prize over the two days with two great net scores of 70 and 68 while the Junior Champion for 2010 was the talented youngster Hassan Al Musharrekh who scored gross rounds of 79 and 77 for a 156 total.

saRkaRi wins 2010 ladies club chamPionshiP

Above: Nasha Sarkari is presented with the winner’s trophy and flowers by David Gray, Golf Operations Executive at Dubai Creek, in the company of Najla Bartette and Judith Dreverman and fellow competitors.

NASHA Sarkari won the 2010 Dubai Creek Ladies’ Club Championship last month with a determined display at the twoday tournament. The talented Sarkari came back after scoring a gross 88 on the first day to shoot a superb 7-overpar 78 the next day to take her second Club Championship title in three years. Najla Bartette pushed Sarkari all the way for the main Gross prize but could not make up the three shot deficit over the testing back nine. Bartette however played extremely well and finished as the overall net runner-up with scores of 71 and 68. “I would like to thank all the lady members who played over the two days, my playing partners and Dubai Creek for organising the event,” she said. “It was great to win the Championship for the second time.” A jubilant Judith Dreverman was crowned Net Champion with fantastic scores of 68 and 64 to win by seven shots.

ArAbiAn Golf

a l h a k i m a n d h e a lY s e c u R e c a R P e t l a n d t i t l e ABDUL Aziz Al Hakim and Patrick Healy won last month’s Carpetland Monthly Open by carding a superb betterball Stableford haul of 46 points. The pair scored seven individual net birdies on the back nine to see them home in 25 points and secure a comfortable win, five points clear of their nearest rivals. In second place were Maureen Platt and Barb McBean with 41 points by virtue of their better back nine of 22 points from Chris Farrar and Shreyans Khemka, who in turn finished third by virtue of their last six holes. All of the top three pairs secured the last three remaining places in the fourth consecutive grand finals which will be held on Saturday May 8, 2010. In the oncourse competitions J. A Kang won the Nearest the Pin challenge on hole 5 with a wonderful iron shot to just a few feet while Dave Voller won the Longest Drive contest on the 11th.

Location: deira, opposite deira city centre. contact: tel : + 9714 295 6000 dcgyc@dubaigolf.com book online tee times at www.dubaigolf.com info: first open 1993, redesigned in 2005. course: 18 holes, Par 71, 6,857 yards, championship course design originally: karl litten. Redesign: european Golf design in association with thomas björn.

Mark Bryant, Development Manager for Aqili Furnishings and David Gray, Golf Operations Executive at Dubai Creek presents the winner’s trophy to Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, one of the winning pair.

anwar taKEs tHE HOnOUrs at tHE 2010 DUBai CrEEK LaDiEs amatEUr OPEn AGNES Anwar won the Dubai Creek Ladies Amateur Open sponsored by Greg Norman at Dubai Creek in late March after a titanic tussle with Nasha Sarkari. Anwar, representing the Emirates Golf Federation, had a titanic battle with Dubai Creek’s Nasha Sarkari over the closing nine holes and was pushed all the way until she holed a putt at the last to win only by one stroke. Anwar scored rounds of gross 7-over 78 and 10-over 81 for the winning total of 17-over 159 with Sarkari finishing alone in second place after a gross 10-over 81 and 8-over 79. After accepting her trophy Anwar said: “I love playing at Dubai Creek and it is great to be back playing competitively again after some time. It is a great honour to win this championship and a thank you must go to my playing partners for making it an enjoyable day and all the ladies who played and supported the event. Thank you to Greg Norman and Prosports for

sponsoring the event, Course Superintendent Rob Gradishar and his team for providing a course in such wonderful condition and David Gray, Golf Operations Executive for organising such a wonderful two days.” In the Silver Division, Shloka Desai (DCGYC) won by three shots from Naema Maya (DCGYC)

with two very different net scores of 63 and 79 for a 142 total while in the Bronze Division Mego Han pipped Joung Kim Worrel to the title by three strokes with a net 133 total. Akila Raghavan won best net on day one with a net 66 and day two was won by Chikako Inoue with her net 71.

mccaRthY wins aPRil leGacY life oPen challenGe MARK McCarthy took home the spoils in the April Legacy Life Open Challenge with a superb haul of 38 Stableford points from a ¾ handicap allowance. McCarthy, representing the Emirates Golf Federation, fired a superb back nine of 20 points to win by virtue of a countback and walked away with a fantastic first prize of a Ping V2 Rapture driver. Peter Shaw was the unlucky loser as he came home with 19 points to take second place while Kurup Devanand finished along in third place with 35 points. Joy Lirio won the ladies division for the second time in the series with 31 points while Rayhan Thomas matched the low score of the day with 38 points to win the junior division.

Paul King, CEO of Legacy Life presents Mark McCarthy with the winner’s prize alongside David Gray, Golf Operations Executive at Dubai Creek.

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EMIRATES GOLF CLUB C r e e k C L O s e O U t t h e C a P ta i n ’ s JUniOr Par-3 LeaGUe THE final event of the 2009/10 Captain’s Junior Par-3 League was held at Emirates Golf Club in late March and the team from Dubai Creek romped to victory after another superb performance. Coming into the final event the Dubai Creek team had a commanding lead of 19 shots over second placed Arabian Ranches and barring a big upset the team of Rishi Nair, Fardeen Meeran, Kim Chiang and Aryaan Kumar were clear favourites to take the title. Over the challenging par-3 course at the Emirates Golf Club under very hot and still conditions the champions elect did not disappoint. With scores of 33 (Nair), 35 (Meeran), 35 (Chaing) and 37 (Kumar) the Dubai Creek club scored an aggregate 103 for the day taking their winning fourround total to 393. In second place with an overall score of 420 was the team from Arabian Ranches followed by the Montgomerie and Emirates Golf Club in third and fourth places respectively. Emirates Golf Club Captain Mike Tracey was on hand to present the prizes and thanked the parents for their contribution to their children’s golf as well as commending the juniors not only on their standard of play but also their enthusiasm to practice, knowledge of the game and sportsmanship displayed throughout the events.

England tEam dominatE thE Kohlman nations Cup

Green and Petersen triUmPh at the JUniOr CLUB ChamPiOnshiP THE 2010 Emirates Golf Club Junior Club Championship was held on the Majlis course in early April and it was Tom Green and Viet Nga Luu Petersen who won their respective boy’s and girl’s competitions. Green won the boy’s competition with a gross 77, birding holes 2, 5 and 9 and he went out in a fantastic 2-under-par 33. Struggling to keep up the pace of his front nine Green came in with a 7-over 44, but his great start was enough to claim the trophy by five shots from runner-up Sohail Al Marzouqi. Viet produced consistent play to triumph in the girl’s championship, shooting front and back nine scores of 42 to give her a winning total of gross 84. Best net in the girl’s championship went to Iro Evangelopoulos’s 72.

A SCORE of 91 Stableford points saw the England Team of Steve Kelly, Chris Turlik, Joel Neale and Khalid Yousuf take home the Kohlman Nations Cup at the Emirates Golf Club recently. With a total of 132 players the tournament once again lived up to its reputation of being one of the most popular events of the year on the club’s calendar. The Yousuf-Neale double act combined for 48 points – a staggering effort that included two eagles and nine birdies over the Majlis course – which was also good enough to earn them the prize for best pair. Turlik and Kelly themselves played some fantastic golf as they contributed 43 points to the team, the highlight of which was an eagle two from Kelly on the 346-yard par-4 second hole.

Five points behind top place were the teams from Canada and Greece. Canada, led by Emirates Club Captain Mike Tracey, clinched second place alongside teammates Brian Wilson, Pentti Tahvanainen and Rod Smith. Also on the 86-point mark and taking third place after a countback was the team from Greece that consisted of Mick Brett, Stathis Stathis, Nick Evangelopoulous and Gurbax Singh. Cliff Caley, Ian MacDonald, Jim Carrigy and Mike Craig played some consistent golf to take Ireland to fourth place on 84 points with India-3 taking fifth place represented by Amit Radia, Rohit Gupta, Anand Lakhiani and Lionel Smith. Australia took the last team prize on offer in sixth place with Paul

Turner, Dean Rolfe, Tony White and Rory Macdonald signing for 81 points. The event proved once again to be a fantastic day with the Kohlman group sponsoring refreshments on the course, a dinner buffet and evening entertainment. The ‘Kohlman Invitees’ event was won by the quartet of Nick Tarratt, Bob Driver, Pali Kohli and Chris May with a score of 78 points. In runners-up position with 75 points was the team captained by the Secretary General of the Emirates Golf Federation Adel Zarouni, Naeema Maya, Satnam Kaur and Sandeep Singh. The Pakistan team, comprising Burhan Khan, Imran Siddiqi, Kevin Roy and Zoff Khan, was adjudged as the best dressed team.

Adel Zarouni, SecretaryGeneral of the Emirates Golf Federation, and Pali Kohli, Chairman of the Kohlman Group, with Chris Turlik, Joel Neale, Mike Tracey (Captain of EGC), Khalid Yousuf and Steve Kelly at the presentation ceremony.

B r O w n C e L e B r at e s t e n s e O P e n w i n LINDSAY Brown of Palm Sports Resort celebrated her 23rd birthday by clinching the Emirates Ladies Amateur Open with a superb 15-foot birdie putt on the final green. Brown secured the one shot victory over Nanna Nielsen (EGC) with a birdie on the 36th hole after two days of exceptional play. Nielsen held the lead after round one with a gross 74 over the Faldo course and was joined in the final group by Brown (77) and Jacqui Barry (79). Nielsen’s three stroke lead soon evaporated on the final day as Brown got off to a fantastic start over the Majlis, recording three birdies on the opening eight holes. However, the momentum shifted on the 343-yard par-4 ninth as Brown found trouble in the trees and ended up with a triple bogey while Nielsen carded a par to retain her lead going into the back nine. It didn’t last long for Neilsen as a four-hole bogey stretch saw the pair begin the 18th hole on the same score and the competition boiled down to this tense finale. Both competitors found the green in three but it was Brown who holed her birdie putt and signed for a level-par 72 and a winning total of 149. Barry got off to a poor start in the final round dropping four shots in her opening three holes but recovered well to post a final round 80 and finish in outright third place.

ArAbiAn Golf LOCATION emirates hills, interchange 5 sheikh Zayed road, opposite the hard rock Café CONTACT (04) 380 2222 egc@dubaigolf.com Book online tee times at www.dubaigolf.com INFO majlis Course – 1988 Faldo Course – 1996, re-designed in 2006 COURSES majlis – 18 holes, Par 72, 7,211 yards, Championship course

Champion Lindsay Brown receives her trophy from Ladies Club Captain Martha Wong.

Faldo Course – 18 holes, Par 72, 7,433 yards

Claire Lindsay improved her opening 83 by five shots to sign for a 161 tally and fourth place overall. Shawn Lunday from Abu Dhabi Golf Club claimed the best net tally of the championship with rounds of 64 and 70.

DESIgNERS: majlis Course – karl Litten Faldo course – sir nick Faldo

Floodlit Faldo CoursE lights up dubai LAST month the floodlit Faldo course at Emirates Golf Club switched on to a new form of golf. Open to public and members alike with highly competitive rates for 18 holes and 9 holes, the exciting development will extend play until midnight every day of the week, with players able to tee off as late as 8.00pm for 18 holes and 10.00pm for 9 holes on the championship course. “Since opening the first grass golf course in the region the Emirates Golf Club has played a leading role in promoting the game and helping to develop Dubai as a world class golfing destination. The launch of night golf will bring the enjoyment of the game to even more people, offering a truly unique and memorable golfing experience for all,” said Chris May, General Manager, Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. The Faldo, a 7,348 yards par 73 championship course, opened in 2006 following the redesign of the original Wadi Course by golfing legend Nick Faldo, will benefit from the very latest in lighting technology, adding further to the unrivalled facilities at the Emirates Golf Club. “Night golf has the potential to revolutionise the game within the UAE. Typically work constraints and limited tee off times mean

securing a round on a quality course in Dubai is a constant challenge. But with night golf we hope to make the game more accessible, especially in the summer months for those wishing to play in the cooler evenings,” said Andrew Whitelaw, Club Manager, Emirates Golf Club. “The Faldo is a true test of golf for all players. Whether you’re a serious amateur wanting to play regularly on a championship course or you’re simply after a social 9 holes with friends after work, Emirates Golf Club has created new opportunities to play 7 nights a week, offering great value for money and increased convenience for players,” added Whitelaw. Green fee costs are Dhs425 for visitors, Dhs395 for UAE residents, Dhs385 for Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) members. For those wishing to play 9 holes in the evening, rates vary from Dhs255 for visitors, Dhs240 for UAE residents, Dhs230 for Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) members and only Dhs190 for juniors. All rates are inclusive of shared golf cart and range balls prior to play, with hot food available on the course for those coming from the workplace to the course. Rates are valid seven days per week. Bookings can be made by contacting Golf Reservations on Tel: +9714 380 1999 or Email: ereservations@dubaigolf.com

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arabian ranches GolF Club

Nasha sarkari aNd YJ kim storm to dubai dutY Free victorY THE team of Nasha Sarkari (7) and Y.J Kim (3) were crowned the Gross Champions in the Dubai Duty Free Mixed Greensomes Strokeplay event last month, topping the pile ahead of 24 other teams. In this format both players teed off, the best positioned ball was selected with alternate shots played from there until the ball was holed out. Each team received 3/8 of their combined handicaps as the allowance over the course and men played from the blue tees at 6,700 yards and ladies from the red tees at 5,500 yards. Sarkari and Kim started their round on hole 10 and got off to a reasonable start posting a gross 39 on their outward nine. Their inward nine was more of a mixed bag that included two gross birdies as well as a double bogey seven on the third hole which stunted

their momentum. They closed out their round with a gross 40 for a two shot victory over Adele McKelvey and Tony Stroud Andre Coetzee and Rania Hage took the spoils in the Net division with an impressive net 68 to win by one from Paul and Carol Smith. Coetzee and Hage took their second Dubai Duty Free Mixed Greensomes crown since the Tournament began in 2006 in fine style posting a superb gross 83 off their handicap of 15. Dubai Duty Free’s Managing Director, Colm McLoughlin said: “We had a wonderful event at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club and we take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in the fifth Dubai Duty Free Mixed Greensomes and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.”

wAt s o n w i n s e C C o l A d i e s M o n d Ay s o C i A CAROL Ann Watson took home the spoils in ECCO Ladies Monday Social in late March with an impressive score of 43 Stableford points. Her haul was good enough for a one point victory over Kuson Waimer for the main prize while Monina Gudacka carded a 38 to win the Guest Division. Expertly linking the two nines together Watson scored 22 and 21 points respectively on the front and back halves playing steadily from tee to green to step into the winner’s circle on her birthday. Colin Cunningham Golf Professional said: “Each competitor in the top five managed to score over 40 Stableford points showing the quality of the ladies programme at Arabian Ranches.”

Caption: Colin Cunningham is pictured with prize winners Alison Lewis, Pauline Smith, Carol-Ann Watson, Haide Wright and Kuson Waimer.

Able wins Junior open

BRADLEY Able (EGC - 3) returned a gross 2-under-par 70 to win the Khaleej Times Junior Open Golf Championship in late March. Seventeen-year-old Able had nines of 33 and 37 including an impressive six gross birdies and one eagle during his round. However, he had to work hard for his 70 in a round that turned out to be somewhat of a roller coaster due to six bogeys and a double bogey. In second place, one shot behind, was Khaled Attieh (ARGC - 3) with a gross 71. Attieh was tied with Jesse Chedotal but a better back nine secured him the runner-up spot. The round of the day belonged to Aryan Chordia (DCGYC - 28) who won best net in the boys ‘B’ division with a net 57. The Girls Championship was well supported with eight young stars making up the field and it was Kavita Sehmi (13) who claimed the Championship with a brilliant round of 77. The format was an 18-hole stroke play event with play from the 6,531 yards par 72 course with full handicap allowance. In addition the tournament was deemed a qualifier for handicap purposes. The tournament attracted a field of 60 golfers with 18 competing in the ‘PC’ Division on the par-3 Academy Course – a factor that bodes well for the future of Junior Golf in the UAE.

Men’s Champion John Mills, Ladies Champion Adrienne Fullerton and Junior Champion Khaled Attieh are pictured with the Club Captains.

ArAbiAn Golf Location: emirates road (311) in the heart of Arabian ranches. contact: tel : +971 4 366 3000 tel : +971 4 366 3355 info: Arabian ranches Golf Club opened its doors in February, 2004 and was built as a true 18 holes, par 72 desert-style grass course, a signature course designed by ian bakerFinch in association with nicklaus design. course: Championship Course 7691-yard par 72.

mills aNd FullertoN crowNed club champioNs JOHN Mills and Adrienne Fullerton were crowned the respective Men’s and Ladies Club Champions last month on a weekend that was ideal for low scoring. Mills, who now has four Club Championship to his name, also went on to win the Seniors championship to become the first player to win both titles in the same year. Mills closed out one of the tightest Men’s Divisions in the six years of the Championship as he battled with Andy Burrow down the stretch. Burrow started the final round three shots clear of Mills but was caught and overtaken at the turn

and Mills then took a commanding three-shot lead with four holes to play. Burrow fought back with a magnificent eagle two on the 15th hole closing the gap to one shot but on the 17th he carded a triple bogey to give Mills a comfortable four-shot lead heading down the last. Mills sealed the victory on the 18th for two steady rounds of matching 73s and a total of 146 to win the Championship for the fourth consecutive year. In the Ladies Division Fullerton managed to just pip defending Champion Adele McKelvey for the title. McKelvey had a five-shot lead going to the

35th hole where she made a quadruple bogey seven, shrinking her lead to one shot going down the last hole. With momentum on her side Fullerton was able to seal her first Championship on a tense final hole shoot-out. Khaled Attieh won the Junior Championship with a play-off victory over Austin Hurlbut after both players were tied in the Clubhouse on 77. The play-off was a sudden-death contest over the 18th hole and Attieh took the title at the first time of asking when he made a par against Hurlbut’s bogey.

ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB

Club Champions Bill Farrell and Sue Henderson pose with their trophies along with the other prize winners.

Farrell and Henderson take Club CHampionsHip Honours THE 2010 Abu Dhabi Golf Club Championship was held on the first weekend of April and it was Bill Farrell who walked away with the Men’s title while Lady Captain Sue Henderson took home her third consecutive Women’s title. Farrell was one shot down after a 76 on day one but finished strongly with a 75 for an impressive 158 total to win by seven shots over Alistair Crombie. Women’s champion Henderson stormed to a five shot lead after day

one but crawled home to a one shot victory over Sana Tufail after the youngster closed with a strong 77. The winner in the men’s Net ‘A’ Division was Matt Boucher with Tom Morgan finishing runner-up and Abdulla Al Marzooqi taking third. In Division ‘B’ Askar Mussinov won by seven shots from David De Angelo followed by Thomas Orr in third place. Sarah Morris finished three shots clear of Jean Heydock to take the Ladies Silver Division while in the Bronze Division Donna Kuffler shot a net 65 to win by three from Shari Corbin.

ApriL MedAL Given MAsterFUL inCentive MEMBERS who competed in the April Monthly Stableford sponsored by Rivoli were given an added incentive as they got to add their scores together with a pro participating on the other side of the globe in the first Major of the year – The Masters. In the individual sections an outstanding haul of 44 points saw Matt Boucher capture the Men’s ‘A’ Division by three points from Dick Kellie with Atique Daneshmend two points further back.

First place in the Men’s ‘B’ Division went to Gerard Hageman with 44 points just ahead of David Fitzgerald and Alok Kakar with 42 and 41 points respectively. Natalya Wisely finished on top in the Ladies Division with an outstanding 46 points followed by Shari Corbin with 40 and April Holmes with 39 points. In ‘The Masters’ competition each player chose a partner from the third round at Augusta to form

a two person team and it was the duo of Boucher and Lee Westwood who captured the Men’s ‘A’ Division with a team total of 132. They were followed by Donovan Joseph and Phil Mickelson at 138 and Daneshmend and KJ Choi at 139. The Ladies Division participants formed a mixed team with the professional stars and Natalya Wisely and Tiger Woods finished in first with a total of 132, followed by Shari Corbin and Lee Westwood at 136 then April Holmes and Fred Couples with a 137.

WIN

1 Dozen Titleist NXT Tour Balls

ArAbiAn Golf ContaCt: tel : +9712 558 8990 Info: the 27 hole championship course, managed by the world-renowned troon Golf, weaves through undulating terrain that features palms, ornamental trees and shrubs, as well as nine spectacular saltwater lakes. the experience provides a tough-but-fair challenge, with lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers and generous greens. designed by peter Harradine, planting had begun way back in 1992, accounting for the wellestablished look the Club presented even on the day of its inauguration.

sowerby and linnane book tiCkets to soutH aFriCa at tHe abu dHabi world Corporate GolF CHallenGe GLYN Sowerby claimed his second consecutive Emirates NBD World Corporate Golf Challenge title alongside Zane Linnane as they took the Abu Dhabi leg of the prestigious event. The two-ball team from TDIC notched up a total of 47 points and they edged out Mark Towers and Stephen Clews by two points on a back-nine countback at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. In winning the competition, the pair booked a spot at the World Finals of the event where they will team up with the Dubai winners, Suresh Shewakramani and Prabhakar Rao, in forming a four-ball team to represent the UAE. The World Finals take place in the stunning setting of George, South Africa and will bring together teams from all over the globe to compete from May 3 to 8 on Ernie Els’ magnificent Oubaai course and Gary Player’s famous Links at Fancourt. “I’m absolutely thrilled, especially as we did not think we could repeat last year’s success,” said an excited Sowerby afterwards. “I really appreciated the great opportunity to play golf between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It’s a great opportunity to meet more golfers and, judging by the success of this event, it should be held in every emirate.” A thrilled Linnane said: “This is brilliant! It’s the first time I’ve entered a golf competition in the UAE and to win is incredible, especially with the prize of travelling to Fancourt in South Africa, one of the most beautiful courses in the world. Thanks to the sponsors and organisers – I’m still trying to believe our success!” Finishing in third place with 45 points were Livio Hubar and Atique Daneshmend while in fourth was past winner Shashi Raghavan and new partner Sergy D’souza. Caspar Rantsen was presented with the award for the Longest Drive while Anand Kapoor earned himself the Closest to the Pin accolade, with the golfers receiving prizes courtesy of Titleist.

Above from left: Glyn Sowerby and Zane Linnane are presented with their prize of an all-expensespaid trip to represent the UAE at the World Corporate Golf Challenge in South Africa by Mohammed Al Hadi, Emirates NBD’s Business Development and Project Manager, Retail Banking Abu Dhabi. Right: Glyn Sowerby (top) and Zane Linnane (bottom) in action.

F A r r e L L w i n s C O U n t B A C k F O r A U d i M O n t H Ly M e d A L t i t L e IN relatively benign conditions members of Abu Dhabi Golf Club participated in the Audi Quattro Series Monthly Medal and a great round of 76 saw William Farrell win the men’s low gross title after a card countback with Tom Morgan and Ricus Lehnkuhl, with Judy Kong’s round of 84 securing the ladies

low gross title. First place net in the men’s ‘A’ Division went to Laffayette Dunn with a score of 67 for a one-stroke victory over Donovan Joseph with Tom Morgan finishing third with a net 70. Askar Mussinov’s outstanding round of a net 58 captured the men’s ‘B’ Division with

Kamal Beliad taking second place with a net 65 with Brandon Rowland finishing third, three strokes back. Fiona Berry won the ladies Silver division ahead of Sarah Morris while Natalya Wisely took the honours in the ladies Bronze division ahead of Sanda Bellwood.

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Greg Norman Collection - “The Grove”, near the Ice Rink, Dubai Mall, Tel (+9714 339 8117)

Greg Norman Collection apparel now available at our flagship store in Dubai Mall and our on course partners & retail specialists : Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Emirates Golf Club, The Els Club, Golf House, Go Sports, Dubai Duty Free and Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

DOHA GOLF CLUB

Rivette and White team up foR doha oilmen’s tRiumph

THE two-man Texas Scramble team of Troy Rivette and Chris White were victorious in the Doha Oilmen’s Golf Tournament after a superb score of gross 70 gave them a one-stroke victory over Mike Robertson and Simon Jones. In Flight ‘A’, Steve Lidisky and Alex Dodds took first place with a net 66 while the ladies contested a separate competition

on the nine-hole academy course which Philippa Clancy and Brenda Hill won with a gross 71. This non-profit making tournament, organised by a committee of volunteers, was held for the 13th successive year at Doha Golf Club and its aim is to help young golfers develop their skills through clinics run by the Doha Oilmen’s Academy.

‘ t h a n k Y O U D aY ’ F O r Q ata r masters vOLUnteers IN early March Doha Golf Club hosted the 2010 Commercialbank Qatar Masters Volunteers Golf Day to thank all those who tirelessly gave of their time during The European Tour’s tournament back in January. The four-man Texas Scramble saw a superb turnout with a full field for both the morning and afternoon shotguns and the team of Alan Robinson, Glenn Robinson, Kate Taylor and Christine Walker came out on top on 14-under-par for a spectacular score of 58 net. The non-golfing volunteers were treated to a buffet dinner and a raffle draw where some great prizes were up for grabs.

Participants line up prior to the Oilmens Tournament

FOrster CLaims apriL mUG THE April InterContinental Monthly Mug saw 107 players take part and David Forster came out on top in Flight ‘A’ with a 42 point Stableford haul. Steve Murray finished second, one point back from Forster while in Flight ‘B’ Gerhard Mulder scored 41 points for a one-point win over Fred Yurkiw. Anne Marie Mathiesen scored 37 points to take the Ladies division.

Winner of the Ladies Division, Anne Marie Mathiesen plays a tee shot.

marnOCh marChes On GUARDIAN Wealth Management sponsored a second exhilarating Medal at Doha Golf Club last month with a whopping field of 111 players taking part. The winner in Flight ‘A’ was Ken Marnoch (6) as he carded a net 71 for a one-stroke victory over Stephen Swan (10) while in Flight ‘B’ Mohanad Mohsen (25) defeated Shankar Garigiparthy on a card countback to claim the title after both players scored

a net 69. The ladies division saw a repeat winner in Shirley Prescott (24) with a net 67.

s h a n e , B L e w e t t a n D G i L B e rt s h a r e t h e h O n O r s at pa L L C O r p O r at i O n ’ s G O L F t O U r n a m e n t ADAM Shane, Donald Blewett and David Scott Gilbert emerged victorious at the Pall golf tournament organised by Pall Corporation after a titanic battle between 67 other determined players. In the on-course competitions Gavin Daley struck the Longest Drive whilst Ray Debashis and Robert Dalton won the Nearest the Pin prizes. www.wwgolf.biz

Jolie Ville GOLF & RESORT

GET INVOLVED IN THE JOLIE VILLE CUP aND TakE a brEak FRIDAy GOLF TOuRnAMEnT – InCREDIBLE PRIzES On OFFER Jolie Ville Golf & Resort is inviting golfers to enter their weekly Jolie Ville Cup which takes place every Friday and gives players the chance to win a complimentary one night stay for two in either the Maritim Jolie Ville Golf & Resort or the Maritim Jolie Ville Royal Peninsula Hotel & Resort. Played in an 18-hole Stableford format with golfers receiving their full handicap allowance, the tournaments are open to both men and women with weekly winners entered into the Grand Final. If the winner of the Grand Final has played in at least three previous events they will receive the wonderful prize of a week’s stay for two in the Maritim Jolie Ville Golf & Resort plus a week’s stay in the Maritim Jolie Ville Royal Peninsula Hotel & Resort and 10 free rounds of golf! There is a prizegiving ceremony after each event at 5.00pm and the winner must be present to receive the prize!

For more information or to obtain a tournament entry form please contact: golfreservations@sgr-maritim-jolieville.com

Daily acaDemy One full hour of golf instruction especially tailored for beginners. It gives a comprehensive introduction to the game. The programmes include all the basic shot techniques as well as the most familiar rules and etiquette of the game. FriDay TournamenT You can join in the weekly Stableford tournament, and in addition to receiving great prizes you will also receive the opportunity to play in the “Grand Final”. Free GolF lessons For those who want to have a go, but haven’t yet built up the courage to book a lesson! Why not come along and join the instructors for a fun one hour introduction to the game. All equipment is supplied and sessions are on a Monday between 10.00am and 11.00am. Please call the golf shop to make your reservation! Green Fee – Prices in EUrO Jolie Ville Golf & resort INCLUSIVE OF GOLF Car royal Peninsula

Jolie Ville resort & Casino

Other Hotels

Guests 9 Holes 18 Holes 3 x 18 Holes 5 x 18 Holes

50.00 75.00 205.00 340.00

60.00 85.00 255.00 425.00

70.00 115.00 345.00 575.00

Practice Facilities 1 Basket x 50 balls Rental Clubs – 9 Holes Rental Clubs – 18 Holes Caddie – 9 Holes Caddie – 18 Holes

6.00 22.00 36.00 22.00 36.00

8.00 25.00 43.00 25.00 43.00

Golf Coaching 45 Minutes Individual 4 x 45 Minutes Individual Extra Person Surcharge 18 Hole Playing Lesson 9 Hole Playing Lesson Daily Academy

36.00 136.00 75% 145.00 95.00 15.00

50.00 179.00 75% 236.00 132.00 22.00

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Terms & conditions • All Green Fees include Golf Cart. • All rates are net non-commissionable, in EURO, including all governmental taxes. • Jolie Ville Golf Resort Management reserves the right to keep the above mentioned rates, subject to change without prior notice. • Juniors up to 16-years-old receive 50% discount on the above mentioned green fees (Passport may be required for verification). • Prices are valid from 01/10/2009 to 30/09/2010 Golf shop & reservations Telephone: + 20 69 3600 635 Fax: + 20 69 3600 642 email: golfreservation@sgr-maritim-jolieville.com in house guests dial: 8

ArAbiAn Golf AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB

Location: just off e 11, 12 miles south of Ras al Khaimah

Williamson surges to success NORMA Williamson collected her first major golfing accolade since joining Al Hamra almost a year ago and was the new name on the Al Hamra Trophy board courtesy of a superb 40 point Stableford total. Playing off a handicap index of 25.4, Williamson was in fine form carding two consistent nines to lift the Al Hamra Trophy by one point ahead of four players. Williamson’s front nine was a topsy-turvy affair but a strong finish saw her reach the turn with 19 points. Her back nine showed

info: Built along the arabian Gulf, the course is complimented by a large open lagoon with four inter-connected lagoons.

remarkable consistency as she returned 21 points to take the title by the narrowest of margins. A countback was required to decide the fate of the second and third places as Eric Engelbrecht, Paul Tipping, Chris Stanbrook and Ahmed Al Mashgari all came home with a 39 point haul Coming out on top and claiming second place was Al Mashgari who scored 21 points over the back nine to pip Tipping into third place, who in turn defeated Engelbrecht who had 18 and Stanbrook who had 17.

course: 7,267 yard, par 72 18 hole course with additional par3 academy Course. Designer: peter harradine

new MeMBeR MCGUiRe seaLs CLUB ChaMpiOnship CRAIG McGuire did not let the fact that he had only been a member for five days hinder him as he won the 2010 Al Hamra Club Championship with a playoff victory over Steve Rayment. Following 36 holes of regulation the Men’s Gross Division had to be settled by a play-off on the par-5 18th signature hole and the title was settled at the first time of asking as McGuire holed out for a par and Rayment’s par putt agonisingly slid agonisingly past the hole. McGuire carded two rounds of 80 and 84 for a gross total of 164 while Rayment matched his total with rounds of 83 and 81. Paul Tipping came in with a 168 total but will be disappointed after following an excellent 78 with a 90. The Men’s Net Division saw the top three players being separated by five shots and it was Chris Stanbrook who took home the trophy after

a fantastic total of 141. Phil Mallinson finished second on 144 after two consistent rounds of 72 while Pierre Lefebvre took third place on 146. The Ladies Club Championship went down to the wire with Vicki Rogers finally prevailing over the tireless Rita Hicks to claim her second Ladies Club Championship in three years. Rogers opened up with a score of 87 and then sealed her victory with a solid 83 in breezy

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

conditions on day two. Roger’s rounds of 87 and 83 gave her a gross total of 170 which was five clear of Hicks who carded rounds of 86 and 89. The Ladies Net Division was secured in emphatic style by Cindy Rials who produced two very composed rounds of 70 and 74 to finish with a level par net total of 144. Sarah De Roose signed for two solid rounds of 73 and 74 for second place, three shots back.

TippinG and ROGeRs T U R n U p T h e h e aT

AL HAMRA members were out in full force to challenge for the April Monthly Medal on a sun drenched morning in Ras Al Khaimah and it was Paul Tipping who prevailed by shooting an excellent gross 80. Tipping’s customary solid round was strong enough to earn him the Men’s Gross Division title by five strokes from John Watts. Victor Husband’s drive and determination resulted in a great performance that saw him record a net 70 which earned him the Men’s Net Division title, one stroke ahead of George Ward. A sterling performance from Vicki Rogers saw her claim a second Ladies Medal Gross Division title in as many months with a round of 83 while Norma Williamson carried on her fine form of late by adding the Ladies Net Division title to an ever-growing list of achievements following a round of 76.

Victorious Victor VICTOR Husband dominated the floodlit competition held in late March with a superb score of 41 to win by two Stableford points. Husband, who has recently seen a reduction in his handicap, continued his good form as he took full advantage of the 10 handicap shots he received with some smooth and fluid golf that saw him serve up 23 Stableford points and take top honours. Second place was claimed by Neil Walker who was playing his first floodlit challenge as an Al Hamra member as he scored 21 points following a gross 39 with Paul Tipping finishing third, one point further back.

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ArAbiAn Golf the address montgomerie DUBAI

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

Two superb days aT The 2010 Club Championship AFTER two days of scintillating golf Ladies Club Captain Barbara McBean was crowned the Gross winner and Sam Argui the Net winner at the 2010 Club Championship after superb scores of 164 and 116 respectively. Young starlet Amelia McKee finished second in the Net Division after a superb score of 130 from the ladies tees. The Men’s B Division was a very tight affair as both Mukti Rai and Yongkyu Yang finished tied at the top of the leaderboard with the score of 133. After a tense card countback the top prize was handed to Rai for his superior back nine. Men’s Vice Captain Richard Smith was a four-shot winner in the Men’s ‘A’ Division with a score of 139. The Men’s Gross Division was tightly contested and it was Paul Pitman who prevailed by just two shots with a two-day total of 160.

contact: Tel: +9714 390 5600 Fax: +9714 360 8981 info: Opened October 2002 course: 18 hole Championship 7308 yard par 75 from the Black Pearl tee; 6753 yard par 72 from the Sapphire tee; 6172 yard par 69 from the Emerald tee; 5401 yard par 71 from the Ruby tee 9-hole Academy Course Designer: Colin Montgomerie

All the winner’s pictured at the end of play.

aL ghaZaL GOLF CLUB

Below: All of the winners pictured with Captains Pauline Jeynes and Will Low.

VALENCIA AND SCURR CLAIM CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES

Above: (L-R) Captain Will Low, Champion Rene Valencia, net Champion Jan Friedmann, Lady Champion Angela and Lady Captain Pauline Jeynes.

ANGELA Scurr retained her title as Club Champion with a steady performance while Rene Valencia took the men’s honours at the recently held Club Championship sponsored by Supersign. After the first round there was a three-way tie between Valencia, S.J Hwang and S.J Lim in the Men’s section while the Ladies leaders were also in a tie as Scurr and Lizette Breytenbach carded an 81 with Anina Bester placed three strokes behind. The second round began at 7.30am with the first lot of tee times going out in blustery conditions, but by the time the last groups teed off at 9.00am conditions had deteriorated further and the wind started to whip in off the desert. Many suffered from the heat and the competition ended up being the survival of the fittest. Scurr, Breytenbach and Bester traded shots in the beginning and despite not being match fit Scurr managed to gain a slim lead early on and just held on at the end to defend her title. In the men’s section Valencia proved that practice does make perfect as he carded a second consecutive gross 76 to take the top spot while Hwang and Lim could only card an 83 and 84 respectively which allowed Rob Jennings to slip in under the radar to take second place with a 77. The Net Division had some very good scores as Mi Rang Koh took home first place after net scores of 65 and 66 saw her win by nine strokes from Sharon Yang with third-placed Gill Sibson a further18 shots further back. In the men’s Net Division Jan P. Friedmann (127) hung on to his lead and took the spoils by one shot from JG Jeon with Clyde Rhodes finishing third. www.wwgolf.biz

SaaDIyaT bEacH Golf CluB

Team asia Triumphs for The second Time over europe in The clash of The TiTans

by Stuart McCormack on 36 points. The Gold (hcp 1420) Division saw Mario Marimon emerge as the winner after a one-point victory over James Russell with a 35-point Stableford total. Dino Mutuc took the honours in the Silver (hcp 2128) Division with 30 points, three points ahead of Ric Coreces and Tony Longalong. The event was the Second OOM qualifier for FIGME’s 2010 Season and as an ongoing practice from FIGME golfers they assist and contribute back to the society by donating AED.3,655 to assist Dev Prasad who needs urgent treatment for a rare medical condition called bilateral cortical infarcts.

TEAM Asia, led by Team Captain Chito Albay and Vice Team Captain Romeo Panopio (FIGME), defeated the much-fancied Team Europe 7-4 at the recently held Clash of the Titans II tournament. Supported by Levitra (Bayer Pharmaceutical) and The City Hospital as Title Sponsors, the event saw 52 golf fanatics battle it out for supremacy last month with Team Europe led by Captain Stefan Sickle and supported by Vice Captain Gareth Estment from The City Hospital. In the individual prizes Daniel Alforte took home the prize for the best Stableford score with a haul of 37 points while the Platinum (hcp 0-13) Division was won

Golfing gladiators from Asia and Europe size each other up before the Clash of the Titans tournament.

ArAbiAn Golf

royal golf club BAhRAin

G u l f A i R fA S h i o n S h o w A S u C C e S S

Location: Situated just 20 minutes drive from Bahrain’s capital, Manama, the Royal Golf Club boasts the country’s only 18hole grass golf course which forms the stunning centrepiece of Riffa Views, a residential lifestyle community.

OVER 50 women attended a special ladies-only event at the Royal Golf Club hosted by Ladies European Tour player Elisabeth Esterl and supported by Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier. The day commenced with a nine-hole competition on the championship course during which Esterl offered help and advice on golfing technique. The overall winner was Sara Axtell who achieved a score of 22 points while the winning team with 51 points comprised Julie Dixon, Pauline Jeakings, Camilla Davidsen and Yvonne Newall. Following the golf the ladies gathered in the Club’s Links restaurant and lounge for a welcome reception. German-born Elisabeth, who is a qualified neuro-linguistic programming practitioner based in Dubai and Royal Golf Club PGA Teaching Professional Martin Robinson, also NLP qualified, conducted a short talk on the importance of mental preparation in golf. Next on the agenda, Gulf Air flight attendants modelled 60 years worth of Gulf Air uniforms – marking the company’s celebrations of 60 years of operation. After enjoying lunch in the Links, the event concluded with a fashion show of Esterl’s unique new leisurewear range, available in Bahrain exclusively at the Royal Golf Club.

contact: Tel: +973 17 750777

May events at the royal golf club Date

event

time

Every Sunday

Ladies competition, different format each week

8.30am shotgun start

Open tO All

Monday 3rd

Final week of Stella Artois Monday Madness Night Golf League

6.30pm shotgun start

All

Every Wednesday

Ladies competition, different format each week

8.30am shotgun start

All

Mon 10th/17th/24th/31st

Chivas Regal Monday Madness Night Golf League

6.30pm shotgun start

All

Fri 14th & Sat 15th

Annual Royal Golf Club Mixed Open (Pairs betterball format)

ArAbiAn Golf

JuMEIraH Golf eSTATeS

info: The first two of four courses – fire and earth – opened for play on December 1st 2009. Greg norman designed both courses with earth playing host to The european Tour’s final tournament on The Race to Dubai – The Dubai world Championship.

GWilliams and lindsaYs Win shamBle THE first member’s competition of April was the Race to Dubai Shamble with 70 members and guests taking part and Claire and Alan Lindsay teamed up with Phillip and Janice Gwilliam to win the team event on countback with a net score of 121 from Connie Sayal, Shravan Khanna, Kenneth Wong and Alex Bibi. In third place Neale Carter, Jason Mistry and Greg Stockton scored net 122.

Location: off emirates Road (direction Sharjah), after the Green Community roundabout, exit on the right side. contact: Tel: +971 4 390 3333 fax: +971 4 367 9584 www.jumeirahgolfestates. com/golf/

TiGhT SCoRinG AT uS MASTeRS CoMPeTiTion JUMEIRAH Golf Estates hosted Dubai’s very own ‘Masters Competition’ alongside the first Major of the season at Augusta National. The team of James Kachel, Ben Davies, Mike Estafanous and Stuart Wakeman won with a betterball medal score of 21under-par from second placed Patrick Stone, Andrew Morris, Charles Pimlot and Dominique Mouilah who in turn defeated the team of Darren Goode, Julian Colebrook and Tim Slate by virtue of a better back nine on 15-under-par.

wilMoT winS MARCh MeDAl THE March Monthly Medal took place over the Earth course with a field of 36 taking on the challenge of the host course of the Dubai World Championship and Christopher Wilmot took the spoils with a net 69. A countback was needed to decide second and third with Gerry Brady having a stronger back nine to secure second position with net 74 from Shravan Khanna while Jim Prescott shot the best gross score with a 77.

Guest host David Howell, the 1999 Dubai Desert Classic winner, (left) presented the winners with their prizes.

ArAbiAn Golf

SHarJaH Golf & ShooTinG CluB

mumTaz Wins inauGural pia cup THE first PIA Cup for 2010 took place last month with over 40 golfers competing for the inaugural trophy and it was Asif Mumtaz who stormed round in 46 Stableford points to win on a countback from Adnan Malik. Amer Zaidi won Division ‘A’ with 44 points after a round of consistent driving but it was the big-hitting Mumtaz who won the Longest Drive with an excellent hit that nearly reached the 300 yard mark. Malik put the disappointment of missing out on the main prize behind him by claiming the Division ‘B’ title while Faraz Haider won the Nearest the Pin prize with a finely struck iron to within six feet of the hole. The Pakistani Golfers community used this platform to establish the long-awaited Pakistan Golf Society. Therefore, this first PIA Cup was truly an historic event as it was here that the Pakistan Golf Society of UAE was established. Burhan Khan was elected the first President and Kevin Roy as the Secretary General and they will now work with all the golfers to form an effective Executive Committee.

Location: 2km from Tasjeel Auto Village behind emirates Road. A five minute drive from university City. contact: Tel: +971 6 548 7777 info@golfandshootingshj.com info: A 9 hole fully floodlit course designed by Peter harradine. Played twice results in a par-72 layout in excess of 7,300 yards.

All the winners on the day are pictured with Salim Sayani, the Deputy Managing Director of PIA, Asim Arshad, CEO of Orient Travel who hosted and organised the event and Ali Tahir, the Regional Manager of PIA in UAE.

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ArAbiAn Golf ABU DHABI city GOLF cLUB

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Hall and Hebenton crowned 2010 club cHampions

Ahmed Abood representing Omeir Bin Youssef presents Sharon Hall and Duncan Hebenton with their prizes.

Info: the re-launch of the Abu Dhabi city Golf club underlines its efforts to bring challenging but affordable golf to the UAe’s growing golfing community and anyone interested in playing.

CONDITIONS over the two-day 2010 Club Championship last month were tough as hot and windy weather made scoring difficult but it didn’t deter Sharon Hall and Duncan Hebenton taking the respective Ladies and Men’s titles. Hall came home with rounds of gross 85 and 86 for a 171 total while Hebenton carded a 79 and 81 for a 160 total. In the Divisional prizes Laxman Perera took home the spoils in Division ‘A’ with a pair of net 70s for a 140 total while the ‘B’ Division title went to Tim Munnerlyn after two superb rounds of 70 and 71 for a total of 141. The Division ‘C’ winner was Chendra Sen Hada with rounds of net 70 and 73 giving him a total of net 143. The Overall Net Winner went to young Thomas Mason after an opening 74 was bettered by an outstanding day two score of 65 which gave him a 139 net total while Cathy Siegel was the Overall Ladies Net Winner with a 152 net total. Unfortunately, none of the participants of the tournament was able to claim the hole-in-one Prize – a brand-new Peugeot 308 CC – on the par-3 16th.

DIRAB GOLF & cOUntry cLUB

AL MAnsOUr teAM win the 17th AnnUAL ABGr-AMericAn express GOLF event

PLAYING a near-flawless round of golf, the team of Fahad Al Mansour, J. Smith, Paul Van Sickle and Elizabeth Kennedy won the 17th edition of the ABGR-American Express tournament with a net score of 53. Al Mansour was the low handicap player and captain who provided leadership and stability to the team but he was quick to say that it was “total teamwork” that carried them to victory. “There was not one player who played so special – I would say it was teamwork. The players complemented each other well. I thought all of us participated and did some contribution which is very nice,” said Al Mansour. Al Mansour’s team posted a gross score of 64 (30-34) in a sparkling bogey-free round that contained eight birdies. In the individual prizes Kevin Hanlon, Dan McLaughlin and Paul Helsa took the Closest to the Pin prizes on holes 11, 16 and 4 respectively and McLaughlin also struck the Longest Drive on the opening hole with Dirab Lady Captain Flore Bouzanne bombing the Longest Drive down the 10th fairway.

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Victorinox SwiSS Army chrono clASSic FROM the makers of the Swiss Army knife comes this beautiful sporty watch. The Chrono Classic might not house a pair of scissors or a magnifying glass but it’s an excellent timepiece all the same. A 41mm case houses a quartz chrono dial with 1/10th of a second, 60-second and 30 minute counters as well as tachymetre scale and date calendar. Available with black leather or stainless steel bracelet and black or guilloche dial. www.victorinox.com

Golf miSSion GOLF Mission is a task driven side game that is played on the course alongside the usual Stableford, stroke play or match play formats. It can be enjoyed by players of all ages and abilities. At the start of a round each player receives a Golf Mission card. The card describes challenges to be completed on predetermined holes during the round e.g. “Drive the first fairway” or “avoid sand and water on the sixth, seventh and eighth.” Each card contains six missions and depending on individual handicaps, players must complete between three and six missions to win. Golf Mission has been proven to help players lower their handicaps and is a great way of increasing pressure during a social round to prepare for tournament play. Not only that, it’s pretty good fun! www.golf-mission.com 92

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bAnG & olufSEn bEoSound 9000 THE BeoSound 9000 is the classic iconic Bang & Olufsen sound system. CDs might be less popular these days but if we all had one of these things theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d still be doing a roaring trade. The BeoSound 9000 is a masterpiece of design and even if you never played any music on it, it would make a great feature in your home. For bells and whistles this system is unrivalled. The six CD changer is the quickest in the world and tracks from any of the six discs can be shuffled without any noticeable pause. Photoelectric sensors protect curious fingers from the accelerating clamper. The CDs come to rest the way you loaded them, so the text is never upside down. Hidden buttons and the display can be adjusted according to how you choose to hang or stand the system, so they are never upside down either. The system can play music through B&O speakers positioned in another room while there is an FM radio and music from your pc can be accessed using the BeoPort or BeoMaster 5. www.bang-olufsen.com

EVErythinG you EVEr wAntEd to Know About Golf (but wErE too AfrAid to ASK) by iAin mAcintoSh

This humorous look at the ancient game is the perfect read for the golfing widow. Iain Macintosh explains every facet of the game in a simple, non-patronising manor that will clear up all the mystery. From equipment and etiquette to golf history, scoring and formats this book covers it all.

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Q&A Q: When did you first start playing golf? A: My first golfing experience was when my grandmother used to take me to the putting green at the championship course at carnoustie. it’s a place that holds great memories for me but unfortunately, 26 years later, i’ve still not mastered the putting stroke or the dreaded carnoustie greens! i think my first venture out on a course was at edzel Golf club at the age of five. i played terrible all day but i was instantly addicted to the game. Q: How long have you been in Abu Dhabi and what has been your most memorable golfing moment during that time? A: This is my second season in Abu Dhabi and my most memorable moment was probably being so involved in the course re-development at the Abu Dhabi city Golf club. it wasn’t an area i had much experience in and it was a real eye opener in playing such a key role in how the greens should be re-shaped and the layout of the course altered. i now have a new found appreciation for golf course architects all over the world. Q: What was your first set of clubs? A: My first set of golf clubs were a mix match set of ‘David low’ blades which i got from a sports shop in Dundee, although my pride and joy when i was younger were my Titlest DTr irons my father bought me when i first broke 100. i had them for years and think i won more tournaments with them than any other set of clubs i’ve ever owned! Q: Who is your golfing hero and why? A: i had so many golfing heroes when i was growing up, but the one that sticks in my mind was fred couples. rhythm and timing are so important in the golf swing and this guy, in my eyes, was one of the best. i loved his effortless power off the tee and his ability to look so relaxed and cool on the course. he may have been a bit of an under-achiever in the Majors but his record of 23 consecutive cuts at The Masters speaks volumes for “boom-boom.” Q: If you were the head of the R&A, what rule would you change? A: i’m still very disappointed whenever i come across low handicap players who do not have a full understanding of the rules or etiquette side to golf. in my opinion there should be a written test or minor exam to sit before a full handicap certificate would be awarded and as head of the r&A i would enforce this through every club. We all make mistakes from time to time and nobody can memorise the whole of the rulebook, word for word, but any golfer wanting to hold a full handicap should always have good knowledge of the general rules and basic etiquette requirements. 96

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