Worldwide Golf

MIddle east’s No.1 Golf MaGazINe

Issue 120, NOVEMBER 2010

Official Media Partner Middle East

CADDY SHACK

BILLY FOSTER talks about life on the bag with Lee Westwood

Kaiser Chief

Having bagged his first Major and raced out in front in the Race to dubai Martin Kaymer talks about his wonder year

DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW & FREE TICKETS Els

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ISBN 978-9948-15-427-3

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NEWs & VIEWs

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

GARY PLAYER INTRODUCTION

Lee Westwood’s caddie Billy Foster rubs his hands in glee as Lee runs towards him to celebrate the biggest victory of his career after winning the 2010 Dubai World Championship and The Race to Dubai to collect a record total of $2.75 million.

EUROPEan gOlf is On a high

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’m pleased that the date of our second Saadiyat Beach Classic has been finalised right after the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on monday and Tuesday, January 24 and 25 respectively. It was a wonderful way to launch the Saadiyat Beach course last January and I’m really looking forward to hosting the event again.

The support we received from well-known personalities from the world of entertainment and from sports stars and leading golfers was magnificent.

It enabled us to raise more than AED1.2million for local charities and our Player Foundation.

It was good to have Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy playing at Saadiyat Beach last year and it’s been interesting to follow Rory’s success in 2010. Just a couple of weeks after our event, the young Irishman won his maiden event on The European Tour at the Dubai Desert Classic. He then went on to win the Quail Hollow Championship in North Carolina for his maiden win on the US PGA Tour this season. Rory really has got the world at his feet.

His friend Lee Westwood, is on the verge of claiming the title of best in the world. It’s interesting that after spending the last 280 weeks, and 622 weeks during his career, as the World No.1, Tiger Woods will soon have to relinquish his top spot to a European Tour player – either England’s Westwood or Germany’s Martin Kaymer.

It was more than five years ago that Woods was ousted from the head of the Official World Golf Ranking, by Vijay Singh in September 2004 when the Fijian won the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston. Woods and Singh traded places at the top in the first half of 2005 but Tiger finally took control and went on to win The Open at St Andrews to stretch his

lead even further. Woods at his best is still the greatest player in the game but he’s had a difficult season on and off the golf course and his game has suffered.

Westwood has been one of the most consistent players in the world game in recent years and all eyes will be on him in Dubai this month as he sets out to

“World No.1 Would be a Well-deserved achievemeNt for WestWood – or for martiN Kaymer, Who has also impressed me over the last couple of years.” gary player successfully defend his Dubai World Championship crown on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Westwood has come so close to winning his first Major on several occasions. He was leading going into the final round of this year’s Masters and eventually finished second behind Phil Mickelson. Westwood was also runner-up at The Open at St Andrews to South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen.

With the US$2.75million total prize money Westwood won for his victory in the Dubai World Championship (US$1.25million) and the bonus for winning The Race to Dubai (US$1.5million) he

enjoyed a career-best season in 2009 with earnings of €4,237,762 which took his career winnings on The European Tour over the €20 million mark.

It’s good for The European Tour that Westwood has said that he’s not interested in becoming a full member of the US PGA Tour for 2011, particularly with The European Tour extending their minimum number of events a member must play from 12 to 13.

Lee is a very likeable personality and a huge talent. I’m sure he will get his Major next season and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him retain his Dubai World Championship title in just a few weeks’ time.

World No.1 would be a well-deserved achievement for Westwood – or for Martin Kaymer, who has also impressed me over the last couple of years. He’s got all the ability in the world plus a wonderfully composed attitude that enables him to play his best golf under pressure.

He’s had an amazing year with his impressive victory in the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits plus three Tour victories and prize money earnings of €3,134,447. In just four seasons on The European Tour Kaymer has finished 41st, eighth and third and is now leading The Race to Dubai by more than €1million.

Whether it’s Westwood or Kaymer who knocks Woods off the No.1 spot, their performances this year, along with the Major-winning exploits of Graeme McDowell and Louis Oothuizen, have ensured that 2010 has been a hugely successful year for The European Tour.

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

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Over 100 destinations worldwide

Contents

26

15

38

Regulars

Features

1

GARY PLAYER INTRODUCTION

76

CLAUDE HARMON III

4

ERNIE ELS COLUMN

81

ASSISTING AMELIA

GOLDEN TICKET QUALIFIERS FOR THE INvITATIONAL HOSTED BY ABDULLAH AL NABOODAH

83

WOMEN’S GOLF MIDDLE EAST

85

ARABIAN GOLF

11

WORLDWIDE GOLF MIDWEEK OPEN

108

LOCKER ROOM

25

ROSS FISHER COLUMN

111

GROOM ROOM

44

GREG NORMAN COLUMN

112

IN THE BAG: CLUB PRO

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THE RACE TO DUBAI

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EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS

50

DIvOTS

52

Official Media Partner Middle East

MIddle east’s No.1 Golf MaGazINe

Issue 120, NOVEMBER 2010

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DRIvING RANGE: MERCEDES GL-CLASS CADDY SHACK

57

CLUBHOUSE QUICKIES

59

OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKING

60

GARY PLAYER COLUMN

62

WORLD ROUND-UPS

72

TROON TUTORIAL

BILLY FOSTER talks about life on the bag with Lee Westwood

Kaiser Chief

Having bagged his first Major and raced out in front in the Race to dubai Martin Kaymer talks about his wonder year

ISSUE No. 120, NOVEMBER, 2010 Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd, 54 Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, England, SK9 1NY mike@wspglobal.com alex@wspglobal.com Tel: +44 01625 535081 Fax: +44 01625 537487 Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore Executive Editor: Gary Player

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NEWs & VIEWs

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

FRONT COvER: Martin Kaymer

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.

15 DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: The captivating season-long Race is almost over. Worldwide Golf runs the rule over the key men ahead of climax in Dubai.

26 MARTIN KAYMER has enjoyed the season of his career. The 25-year-old German talks to Worldwide Golf as he aims for a clean sweep of Dubai World Championship and Race to Dubai titles.

32 BILLY FOSTER: A caddy’s job involves so much more than merely carrying the bag these days. We talk to the man who walks the walk with Lee Westwood.

38 IAN POULTER: The Tweet happy Englishman again proved himself as one of the best Ryder Cup players of his generation at Celtic Manor last month and now he’s back for a final assault on The Race to Dubai.

69 EGYPTIAN OPEN: Rory McIlroy enjoyed a strong finish in Cairo as Mark Tullo took the spoils in the Middle East’s oldest tournament.

70 KATAMEYA DUNES: Mike Gallemore visits Sir Nick Faldo’s outstanding development in Cairo and finds it to be among the best new courses in the world.

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

I’m back in the winning business – thanks to my putter

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saId at the end of my last column for Worldwide Golf magazine that I was going to push hard all the way through to the end of the season and my recent win at the PGa Grand slam of Golf in Bermuda gave me some extra momentum to do that.

Every win is special and this one in particular marked my return to form with the putter. Having played solid golf for one and a half days, i found a little something in my putting stroke coming down the stretch and suddenly the putts started to drop. That’s always what makes the difference in this game.

Actually, talking of differences, the month of October produced about the starkest contrasts you can get in the world of golf. it began with the Dunhill links Championship at the Home of Golf, played in temperatures that struggled to get much above zero, 4

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and then soon after that i was on the island of Bermuda. let me tell you, each tournament required a slightly different mindset, especially when it came to getting dressed in the morning. One thing they each had in common, though, was the enjoyment level. it was top notch both weeks.

The Dunhill links Championship is definitely a week for lovers of links golf, like me. We play on three great golf courses, the Old Course at st Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. it’s an extra special week for me also because i get to spend time

with my dad and play some quality golf together. i don’t get to do that as often as i’d like in a typical year, so i make the most of the week.

The golf is great and we get to stay at one of my favourite hotels in the world, the Old Course Hotel. The Dunhill links, run by my great friend Johann rupert, has gone from strength to strength over the years.

The scottish public has really warmed to the innovative format of this tournament and it’s great to see so many people out there supporting us. The professionals really enjoy it and the amateurs get to rub shoulders with the top players in a

“It’s an extra specIal week for me because I get to spend tIme wIth my dad and play some qualIty golf together.”

– ErniE Els

an extra special week at the home of golf Ernie Els, pictured with his father, Neels, on the famous Swilcan Bridge on The Old Course at St.Andrews: “The Dunhill Links Championship is definitely a week for lovers of links golf, like me. We play on three great golf courses, the Old Course at St.Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. The golf is great and we get to stay at one of my favourite hotels in the world, the Old Course Hotel,” says Ernie.

“It’s hard to put Into words what that does for your confIdence.

It made me feel lIke I belonged out there and from then on It’s been a comfortable rIde.” – ErniE Els

competitive environment. They don’t have the opportunity to do that in any sport other than golf, really.

Obviously, for the professionals this is a proper tournament and we’re out there to win. But at the same time, the involvement of family and celebrities and stars from other sports makes the atmosphere very different to a regular Tour event. it’s definitely a little bit more relaxed and i try to embrace that. As it happened, this year’s tournament wasn’t a great week of scoring for me, but it was another very successful Dunhill links Championship and i enjoyed it. i’ll certainly be back for more of the same next year. Hopefully, my dad will be walking alongside me on the fairways again.

Anyway, i got on the plane in scotland and next tournament stop was Bermuda. As i said, that’s a little bit of a change in climate and one that i easily got used to, though. it was my first time visiting this island and man, it’s so beautiful it really lifts your spirits.

The family was with me, too, and we all loved it. i think we’d all be keen to go back there for a vacation some time in the future.

This year’s line-up was altered slightly due to Phil Mickelson having to pull out due to his diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, and louis Oosthuizen not being fit to play due to an ankle injury, so David Toms and i were happy to step in and join Major winners Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell in the year’s most exclusive fourball.

The golfing action started as normal with a Pro-Am but it also included a not-so-normal impromptu game of cricket on the 16th tee with the island’s Premier, Dr Ewart Brown, and

BACK IN THE TROPHY WINNING BUSINESS: Ernie Els (above) holds the prestigious PGA Grand Slam of Golf trophy after beating 2010 Major winners Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer and 2001 US PGA winner David Toms.

Left: Ernie takes in a spot of impromptu cricket as he squares up to a ball with cricket legend Brian Lara acting as wicket-keeper.

West indies cricket legend Brian lara.

That was a bit of fun and obviously Brian showed us no mercy and dispatched our best deliveries into the far distance.

Fair enough. i’ll remember that if and when we next play golf together! in the PGA Grand slam of Golf i opened with a 68, three-under par, thanks to a couple of great up-and-down par saves on 16 and 17 and then a pretty sweet birdie from the fairway bunker on the final hole. That left me one shot behind the overnight leader David Toms. Halfway through the second round David still held the lead and then he chipped in twice in the space of three holes. At that point i did think, ‘hey, maybe he’s destined to win this’. But as i said at the start of this article, i found a little something in my

putting stroke on that back nine and suddenly i was just freewheeling and making birdies – four in the space of six holes. What sealed it for me was a great up-anddown on 17, where i holed from about 15 feet. Then i made par on the last to shoot 69 to add to my first round 68 for a five-under par aggregate 137. in windy conditions, that was really good scoring – and it was a really nice way to finish. i felt really comfortable over my putts coming down the stretch, which is something i’ve been working on a lot in recent months. it was a lovely few days and winning the tournament for the second time was the cherry on the the cake, to be honest. it set me off on a two-week trip to the Far East for the CiMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia and the WGC-HsBC Champions in shangahi in very good spirits with my confidence high. Got to keep pushing! n

“I found a lIttle somethIng In my puttIng stroke on that back nIne and suddenly I was just freewheelIng and makIng bIrdIes – four In the space of sIx holes.”

– ErniE Els

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Lee Westwood

Paul Casey

Rory McIlroy

Sergio Garcia

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Graeme McDowell

Ross Fisher

YOUR GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY WITH EUROPE’S BEST TOUR PROS THE Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah has once again joined forces with Worldwide Golf to stage two WWG Midweek Opens and one Women’s Golf Middle East event which will act as preliminary qualifiers for The Invitational in January, 2011.

5.0pm shotgun start at the Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club on Monday 22nd November

UAE QUALIFIER VENUE

T

HE Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club will host a WWG Midweek Open on Monday 22nd November and the top 15 adults and 10 juniors will progress to the Grand Final where the best adult and best junior will receive a Golden Ticket to play in one of the finest ProAms in the world – The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah.

The Event will be a 5.0pm shotgun start and will be played under the floodlights of the Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club.

ENTRY FEE

ONLY AED 495 AED 195 JUNIORS

LIMITED SPACES ARE AVAILABLE

To enter please email goldenticket@theinvitational.com

THE INVITATIONAL hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah is one of the most exclusive and prestigious Pro-Am golf tournaments in the world. 50 invited guests and 50 European Tour Professionals compete together in a fun yet competitive golf experience unparalleled in the Middle East. Players come from all over the globe to participate in the annual Pro-Am which will be held at Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, in January 2011. Over the last two years The Invitational has also contributed more than AED2million ($500,000) to local and international charities.

www.theinvitational.com Other qualifier venues:

Arabian Ranches GC, Dubai Monday, 15th November, 2010 Shotgun Start at 8.0 am.

Entry Fee: AED495 (Ladies Only – Women’s Golf Middle East event).

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Full details of the Women’s Golf Mid dle East event at Arab ian Ranches can be fo und on page 83.

Al Hamra GC, Ras Al Khaimah Thursday, 9th December, 2010, Shotgun Start at 1.0 pm.

Entry Fee: AED450 adults – AED150, Juniors.

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

Venue: THE EARTH and FIRE COURSE at Jumeirah Golf Estates

Golf Est:1999

Worldwide Golf Fire and Earth Challenge Played over 36 Holes

ONLY AED795

Friday 10th and Saturday 11th December, 2010 Follow in the footsteps of The European Tour’s Elite Golfers. Worldwide Golf has teamed up with Jumeirah Golf Estates to bring our readers another exclusive on the back of our hugely popular Desert Island Double two-day golf events. Just two weeks after the best players in the world battle it out for the coveted Dubai World Championship and the added Race to Dubai bonus prize on Greg Norman’s Earth course, Worldwide Golf offers you the chance to create your own bit of history over the same famous lay-out in a two-day spectacular.

To introduce the new ‘pay and play’ package and new Membership opportunities at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Worldwide Golf has put together this exclusive opportunity for our readers to play in our two-day challenge on Friday, 10th December on the Fire course and on Saturday, 11th December on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates for just AED 795.

Day 1 18 holes on the Fire course.

Day 2 18 Holes on the Earth course.

Followed by a buffet and Prize presentation.

The event is open to all readers with an Official EGF Handicap Card or Official Handicap Certificate.

Date Venue Time Format Tees Entry Fee Prizes Closing Date

-

Friday, 10th December and Saturday, 11th December Jumeirah Golf Estates 12.30 pm Shotgun Start 18 Holes Ind. Stableford ¾ Handicap Allowance – Qualifier for Handicap Men – Green Tees; Ladies – Orange Tees EGF Member/UAE Resident & Visitor with official Handicap - AED 795 Men’s and Ladies Divisional Awards Entries must be received by 30th November, 2010

Cancellation: The entry fee of AED795 will be debited from the credit card details on your entry form, once the club has confirmed your event entry.

If you need to withdraw your entry we require 48 hours notice to make the space available to players on the standby list.

Your card will not be debited if you follow this cancellation process.

To Enter visit: www.wwgolf.biz and download your Entry Form.

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The Race is almosT oveR WORDS BY: RICHARD BEVAN PHOTOGRAPHS: GETTY IMAGES

ONE Of thE mOst thrilliNg sEasONs iN rEcENt mEmOry ON thE EurOpEaN tOur is buildiNg tOwards what will bE aN almighty crEscENdO at thE 48th aNd fiNal tOurNamENt iN thE racE tO dubai which has takEN us tO EvEry cOrNEr Of thE glObE EN rOutE tO its fiNal dEstiNatiON – thE dubai wOrld champiONship.

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ever before has european golf looked so strong and with the taste of ryder Cup glory still fresh in the memory all 12 of Monty’s wonder boys will turn out in force, this time up against each other along with the best of the rest, for one final showdown on Greg Norman’s earth course from Nov 25-28 with the title of europe’s No.1 and a seven-year exemption to the Tour up for grabs.

The tournament serves up a jaw-dropping prize fund of US$7.5 million with US$1,250,000 for the winner, while the top 15 players on The Race Dubai will each share an added bonus bounty of US$7.5 million, with US$1,500,000 for first place, giving the potential for one man to walk away from the tournament with a cool US$2,750,000 in his pocket.

Such a scenario is highly possible as last year’s inaugural Champion Lee Westwood proved. Westy was second on The Race to Dubai behind Rory McIlroy heading into last year’s tournament but a blistering display at Jumeirah Golf Estates saw him surge to a six-stroke victory over Ross McGowan to take top spot on the Money List in the process.

He revealed that the secret to his success was some words of wisdom given to him by his longtime caddie, Billy (Foz) Foster, at the beach party held on the Tuesday night before the tournament began. Foster told him to stop worrying what his opponents were doing and start using his superior experience on the course to intimidate his relatively ‘wet-behind-the-ears’ rivals for the top spot, namely McIlroy, Martin Kaymer and Ross Fisher. The technique worked a treat as his swashbuckling play swept the talented trio aside.

“I had been paying too much attention to the other people around me, looking at leader boards too much, worrying what other people were doing.

Foz said: ‘You’ve won seven times in a season and 30 times in your career’, which is more than the other three guys who were trying to win the Money List put together probably.’ Foz added: ‘You’ve been out here 16 years and that’s longer than all three of them put together’. He told me that if I started playing the way he knew I could play, they would be the ones looking up at the board and worrying about me. That’s what I tried to do and that’s why I was confident all week. I know it’s a terrible word

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“i produced some of my best golf in the tournament last i was european Number one in 2009. hopefully, i can have a

Graeme Mcdowell to use because I don’t, I hate it, but Foz said simply: ‘You’ve got to bully them on the golf course. I think the way you are, the way you portray yourself can be intimidating to other people.’ I’m not saying it was but I think it helped. It certainly made me feel good.” stopped in his tracks Westwood was going great guns again on this season’s Race to Dubai until he suffered a torn calf muscle which flared up during the French Open and kept him out of a succession of events, including the US PGA Championship.

He was third in the Commercialbank Qatar Master, second in the Dubai Desert Classic and runner-up at both The Masters and The Open. He even found time to bag his second PGA Tour title at the St. Jude Classic. But the injury stopped him in his tracks and kept him out of the game until

Martin kaymer he was fit enough to make a triumphant return at The Ryder Cup where he proved the old adage, ’beware the injured golfer,’ with some inspirational performances as Europe’s talisman to contribute 2½ points from four matches to the Team’s thrilling victory. The injury flared up again at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and kept him out of the game for some time but after another period of recuperation he’s back in action and raring to go.

Currently third on The Race to Dubai, Westwood has a huge advantage over many of his rivals in that he’s plainly worked out how to conquer Greg Norman’s tricky Earth course. The Englishman won’t give up his Dubai World Championship and Race to Dubai title without a fight as he bids to become only the ninth player in history to successfully defend the Harry Vardon Trophy.

“Everyone who knows me knows how proud I was to win both the first Dubai World

Lee Westwood’s 2009 Dubai World Championship statistics DriviNG ACCurACy: DriviNG DisTANCe: GreeNs iN reGulATioN: PuTTs Per Gir: PuTTs Per rouND: sAND sAves:

85.7% 297.6 91.7 1.68 29.5 100%

Four round total lee WesTWooD

-23 66, 69, 66, 64 265.

year and, as a result, i am proud to wear the unique logo on my sleeve which signifies logo to match on my other sleeve come the end of this season.” – Lee Westwood

charl schwartzel Championship and the inaugural Race to Dubai last year and I will do my utmost to repeat the feat later this month,” he says. “I produced some of my best golf in the tournament last year and, as a result, I am proud to wear the unique logo on my sleeve which signifies I was European Number One in 2009. Hopefully, I can have a logo to match on my other sleeve come the end of this season.” eMbarrassMent of riches Westwood will have to produce his best to beat off the world-class competition. The European Tour has witnessed an embarrassment of riches this season. Starting with the Major championships – three of the four have been claimed by European Tour players this year: Germany’s amazingly talented young hotshot Martin Kaymer leads The Race to Dubai after his stunning victory at the US PGA Championship when he showed that he

ernie els had the composure to match the big occasion by defeating Bubba Watson in a three-hole playoff. He also picked up his second Abu Dhabi Golf Championship title as well as the KLM Open in Holland this season before an impressive Ryder Cup debut saw him match fourballs and foursomes partner Westwood’s points return of 2.5 from 4.

Kaymer then followed his triumphant Ryder Cup by completing a hat-trick of wins on The European Tour at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

“The season has been great with the win at the US PGA Championship, wins in Abu Dhabi Holland and Scotland and being part of the winning European Ryder Cup Team makes this year outstanding already,” says Kaymer. “I will be aiming to win the Dubai World Championship but I must say that winning The Race to Dubai is currently more important to me.”

Graeme McDowell is looking to finish an

Louis oosthuizen astonishing season on a high in Dubai. The Northern Irishman warmed up for his victory at the US Open by claiming the Wales Open at Celtic Manor before making it two-in-a-row when he became the first European for 40 years to win America’s national championship with a one-stroke triumph over Gregory Havret at Pebble Beach.

McDowell then returned to Celtic Manor to become Europe’s hero when he struck the crucial winning blow in the anchor match against Hunter Mahan to win 3&1 and seal the team’s 14½ -13½ victory. McDowell, who is sponsored by the Dubaibased Al Naboodah Group, is full of praise for tabletopping Ryder Cup team- mate Kaymer but remains focussed on the task of pipping him to post.

“Martin has been playing unbelievable golf and has managed to put a bit of daylight between him and me in the last couple of months but the aim is to reel him back in if I can. It’s a big goal of

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done it all before and Worldwide Golf’s columnist mine this season to really give that a run and be has been in resurgent form this season. Els put in with a shot of winning The Race to Dubai,” said himself firmly back on the map with a blistering McDowell who wasn’t in contention on The Race victory in the World Golf Championships-CA to Dubai heading into last season’s Dubai World Championship – an event he first won back in the Championship and finished the tournament in 30th second of his consecutive Order of Merit-winning place. “You don’t get too many opportunities to win seasons in 2004. He then claimed the US PGA Tour’s an Order of Merit so I’ll be giving it my best shot. It’s Arnold Palmer Invitational before notching his best been an unbelievable season for me and to win in result in a Major for three years at the US Open.

Dubai would really top it off.”

Els entered the PGA Tour’s FedExCup Play-offs top South African Louis Oosthuizen followed of the ranking and finished in McDowell’s lead with a another a career-high seventh place.

Major for The European Tour as Schwartzel has some way to go he raced to victory at before he matches Els’ haul of 64 St. Andrews in spectacular worldwide victories but the 26fashion to claim the Auld Claret year-old is starting to look quite Jug before revealing his sevena player. He scored his third and stroke triumph was inspired fourth European Tour wins with

by Worldwide Golf’s legendary an African double at the Africa Executive Editor Gary Player. and Joburg Opens at the start “We had a little chat in my of the year and he was runnerhome language, Afrikaans,” up behind Els at the WGC-CA revealed the 27-year-old who Championship – his best began the final round leading result in one of the big events. the tournament by four shots Schwartzel was 53rd in Dubai from Englishman Paul Casey.

“Gary was telling me to just last year but expect a much stay calm out there and have improved showing this time. a lot of fun. He said that the Last year’s Race to Dubai Louis oosthuizen crowd was probably going to runner-up McIlory has enjoyed be on Paul’s side. But then he another fabulous season with told me the story of when he his first US trophy, claimed at the played against Arnold Palmer when he won his first Quail Hollow Championship, now proudly adorning Masters. He said: ‘They wanted to throw stuff at me’, his mantelpiece. He’s concentrated his efforts but he was so focussed on beating him in Augusta.

Stateside more this season but has still managed to It meant a lot to me, Gary phoning me up. He’s just stay in the hunt on The Race to Dubai thanks to his a great guy.” strong results in some of the biggest tournaments Oosthuizen was a respectable 12th on his DWC on the schedule. The Northern Irishman, a winner at the Dubai Desert Classic last year, took third place debut and with the memories of Major success still in both The Open and the US PGA Championship fresh in his mind he’ll be gunning for more glory and was in the top 10 at the WGC-Bridgestone in Dubai. But he’ll have to fight off what is sure to Invitational, the French Open, the Dubai Desert be a strong challenge from two of his compatriots Classic and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. in the shape of Ernie Els and Charl Schwartzel who He formed a formidable partnership with fellow have each enjoyed outstanding seasons. ThreeUlsterman McDowell at The Ryder Cup with the time Major winner Els has been there, seen it and

‘They waNTed To ThRow sTuff aT me’, buT he was so focussed oN beaTiNg him iN augusTa. iT meaNT a loT To me, phoNiNg me up. he’s jusT a gReaT guy.

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Triumphant team-mates Martin Kaymer and Luke Donald proudly pose with the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

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Greg Norman’s par 72 earth course measures a demanding 7,758 yards with the spectacular closing stretch known as ‘The Most Challenging Mile in Golf’.

The four closing holes measure exactly one mile – 1,760 yards, comprising a short par four, a long par four, a par three and a medium-to-long par five. The signature hole 17th was based on the famous island Hole at sawgrass, so expect to see many players’ tournament hopes sink with their ball into a watery grave.

who claimed the Madrid Masters and was runnerpair prompting comparisons to The Ryder Cup up at the BMW Championship at Wentworth partnership of Severiano Ballesteros and José Maria before matching Poulter’s 3-point haul in Wales; Olazábal with some exhilarating moments as they Worldwide Golf Columnist Ross Fisher, who showed took 2½ points from the 3 matches they played his star quality again with a huge victory in the Irish together. McIlory then secured what turned out Open; three-time Major champion and a wonderful to be a vital point when he sank a nerve jangling fourballs and foursomes partner for Fisher, Padraig four-footer at the last in his singles match against Harrington, who ended a two-year title drought Stewart Cink. McIlroy will be joined in the Dubai in Malaysia last month; World Championship field and Peter Hanson who has by the remainder of his enjoyed the best season of Ryder Cup teammates and his career with two victories the great thing about the on Tour and a valuable Dubai World Championship 1-point contribution to the is that it’s not just the European cause. battles for top spot in the But hell hath no fury like tournament and first place a golfer scorned and Paul on The Race to Dubai that Casey responded to Monty’s make it such a captivating Ryder Cup snub with a spectacle. thundering display in the Remember – the top PGA Tour Play-offs for the 15 finishers in The Race all FedEx Cup where he finished get their hands on a share the series in sixth place after of the bonus, so there’s taking runner-up spot at an added determination the BMW Championship among all those players and a share of fourth at The near that cut- off line to Tour Championship. Casey finish in the big money will still be smarting from positions. his exclusion from Team The outstanding MigueL AngeL JiMénez Europe and nothing would Molinari brothers Edoardo be sweeter for him than – a double-winner on to finish the season on top at the Dubai World Tour this year – and Francesco, became the first Championship. The likes of Spaniard Alvaro Quiros siblings to compete in The Matches since 1963, and rising young Welsh star Rhys Davies joined coming back from 1-down in their fourballs match Casey in missing out on this year’s Ryder Cup but against Cink and Matt Kuchar to clinch a vital half it surely won’t be long before we see them both point at the last in the final session before the in Europe’s ranks and the exciting pair are in with a singles. Veteran Miguel Angel Jiménez, who has great shout in Dubai. been in scintillating form with three victories this With class acts like Retief Goosen, Darren Clarke season, was magnificent in Wales with 2 points and Sergio Garcia also on display the second from 3. Then there’s WGC-Accenture Match Play instalment of the Dubai World Championship looks Championship winner and Europe’s chief Ryder set to be an even more glorious golfing feast than Cup crowd-pleaser and joint top scorer with 3 the first. n from 4 Ian Poulter; Mr Consistent, Luke Donald,

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whaT’s oN

aT The dubai woRld champioNship iN additiON tO watchiNg thE stars Of thE gOlfiNg wOrld battlE it Out fOr thE biggEst prizE iN gOlf, patrONs at thE dubai wOrld champiONship caN ENjOy a hOst Of statE-Of-thE-art facilitiEs food and drink THERE will be a wide variety of food and drink outlets to choose from at this year’s Dubai World Championship which will cater for nearly all tastes.

Just some of the treats inside the tented village include a ‘Golfers Grill’, a Fish and Chips stall, a ‘Jacket Potato and Pie’ stand, a Costa National Lounge and a Sports Bar. With innovative ideas and the creation of comfort areas, guests and spectators can choose from a wide selection of locations to spend the day enjoying the golf.

The TenTed Village and on-course faciliTies Patrons at this year’s Dubai World Championship will be treated in fine style and no matter where you are on the grounds you’ll never be too far away from refreshment and entertainment.

With innovative ideas and the creation of comfort areas, guests and spectators have the luxury of choosing between various locations to spend the day.

By hole 5 and 6 is a relaxing chill-out area and there is another such facility which overlooks the 10th tee and the 13th green. The stunning par-5 finishing hole is flanked by the Apres bar which offers a fantastic viewing point where you can watch history being made.

Spectator arenas will feature beanbags and sofas to relax on and if you want to take a break from the action on the course the World’s No.1 trick shot artist will be on hand to provide added entertainment. David Edwards, the record-breaking trick shot maestro and former European Tour player (pictured above), will ‘wow’ the galleries with his extraordinary golfing skills. Edwards will showcase various tricks including his trademark “scissor shots” which earned him a world record in March for hitting 312 balls in three minutes.

An interactive simulation tent gives you the chance to play the famous 17th hole at the Earth course while a bouncy castle and face-painting area provide entertainment specifically for children, along with the Starting New At Golf (SNAG) arena which gives youngsters an opportunity to learn the game.

Tickets for all tournament and practice days are free and available from www.dubaiworldchampionship.com

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When, Where and hoW To geT There THIS year’s Dubai World Championship will once again take place on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai on November 25-28. Buses will be departing Jumeirah Golf Estates at regular intervals throughout the tournament days from the early afternoon to drop patrons off at popular spots around Dubai. However if you plan on making your own way to and from the tournament here are some useful directions:

from dubai:

from Jebel ali:

Follow Al Khail Road towards Abu Dhabi/Jebel Ali until you reach the Al Khail/ Sports City roundabout.

Proceed straight over the roundabout onto the newly constructed Al Khail extension.

Follow the signs for Jumeirah Golf Estates and enter to the right, approximately 1 km after joining the Al Khail extension.

Heading to Dubai from Jebel Ali / Abu Dhabi, take Exit 22 from Sheikh Zayed Road.After 10km you reach the large Green Community roundabout; turn left onto Emirates Road towards Dubai.

After 5km you reach the Al Khail/Sports City roundabout.

Stay in the right lane and turn right on the Al Khail extension road. Follow the signs to JGE.

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WWGcolumnist

AIMING FOR A STRONG FINISH In the know wIth Ross FIsheR

I

T would be fair to say that I haven’t been able to keep the smile off my face since The Ryder Cup and I’m raring to go for a strong final stretch of the season and a good finish at the Dubai World Championship.

The atmosphere in the Locker Room after the victory at Celtic Manor was amazing – we were all singing “We are the Champions” and silly things like that.

Great fun. I kind of had two parties going on – I had the lads in the team room having a few drinks and singing and I also had Jo’s mum and dad there – and of course our daughter Eve – so I spent a bit of time with them in the upstairs bar as well because I didn’t want them to miss out on any of the celebrations.

There was a big crowd up there as well with a live band playing and everyone having a whale of a time so it was a great night all round. I couldn’t go too mad because I had to drive back home and then after a very brief amount of quality time at home with Jo and Eve it was straight up to Scotland for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

A lot of people say that it’s really hard to come back down to earth and focus on normal golf tournaments straight after The Ryder Cup but I found it quite easy. As soon as Tuesday morning kicked in I thought, ‘Right that’s it now

for at least two more years, it’s time to focus on the individual play again.’ So it was straight back to business and I really enjoyed the Dunhill, playing with one of my sponsors Peter Barrett from Genworth. It was really relaxing and good fun playing with Peter; we had a good week and managed to get through to the Sunday so I think he thoroughly enjoyed it.

Outstanding gOlf

I’m feeling really good about the run-in to the end of the season. I think I need a few good weeks if I want to get myself into a similar position I was last year heading into the Dubai World Championship – when I was one of the four guys who had a chance of topping The Race to Dubai.

I think I need to win to put myself really in the hunt and I’ve got a big event in the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai coming up so I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got. I’ve done well in Shanghai in the past and was runnerup there in 2007 so it’s definitely a tournament I feel I can do well in. Martin Kaymer is playing some outstanding golf at the moment so he’s deservedly leading The Race but if you want to challenge him, you have to play well and you have to win – it’s as simple as that.

I’m looking forward to having another crack at the Dubai World Championship.

I love Dubai. I’ve always enjoyed playing in the Desert Classic and have had the pleasure of playing some of the other great courses there. I was disappointed with my first outing in the Dubai World Championship last year and felt that the Earth course didn’t really suit my game but I’m going to get there early this year and make sure I’ve had a good practice to try to get to grips with it. It’s my birthday the Monday of the tournament so I’ll be going out there on the Sunday and celebrating it in Dubai, which will be good fun.

I hope I can make it a great week by getting a good result in the tournament and doing a bit better than last year.

I think The Race to Dubai format has been a great success for the players and the spectators. The excitement builds throughout the year and it’s all geared towards the final big showdown in Dubai so the tournament has been a fantastic addition to the schedule.

All the players want to get into those top 15 positions to share in the Bonus Pool so there’s a lot to play for, even if you don’t win the tournament itself. My main aim is just to finish the season as strongly as I can and get myself back in the top 20 in the world.

Ross finished tied 11th at the alfRed dunhill links Championship afteR Rounds of 69-68-74 and 70 gave him a 7-undeR total of 281. he then finished 27th at the poRtugal masteRs with Rounds of 6870-67 and 72 foR 11-undeR 277.

Ross was 13th on the RaCe to dubai and 26th on the offiCial woRld golf Ranking following the poRtugal masteRs.

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KAYMER CLOSING IN RICHARD BEVAN TALKS EXCLUSIVELY TO MARTIN KAYMER ABOUT HIS UNBELIEVABLE YEAR AND HIS LOVE OF THE DESERT

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F

ROM the moment he shot a 59 while playing on Germany’s developmental EPD Tour it was clear Dusseldorf’s Martin Kaymer was destined for big things, but boy has it all happened quickly. In just four seasons on The European Tour he has risen to become the hottest property in golf. The unassuming German has enjoyed outrageous success which has grown exponentially with each passing year and yet he takes it all in his stride.

In his first season, 2007, he was named Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year after five top 10s. The following year he bagged his first titles at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and on home soil at the BMW International Open in Munich to finish eighth on the Order of Merit. Last year he picked up two huge titles on the bounce at the French and Scottish Opens before showing his mettle on the big occasion with a tie for sixth at the US PGA Championship to surge into the lead on The Race to Dubai before a go-karting accident, where he broke his foot, caused him to miss two months of the season, severely denting his chances of topping the table.

He still managed a third place finish on last year’s money list and the 25-year-old came roaring out of the blocks this term, winning in Abu Dhabi for the second time in two years, finishing fourth in Dubai and then third at the WGC-CA Championship before we were even into March. He continued to impress on the big stage over the summer with top 10s at both the US Open and The Open Championship before his season and his career went into overdrive. His play-off victory over Bubba Watson at the US PGA Championship made him the first player from Continental Europe to win the tournament and the only German other than Bernhard Langer – with his two Masters titles – to win a Major. He then went on a title hogging rampage with victories at the KLM Open in Holland and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship coming either side of a victorious outing for Europe in The Ryder Cup. Kaymer is currently way out in front at the top of The Race to Dubai and hot favourite to emulate Lee

Westwood by winning both the Dubai World Championship and Harry Vardon Trophy – a dual conquest that could net him a mouth watering US$2.75 million payday.

WWG: What would it mean to you, after the season you’ve had, to be able to go to Dubai and make a clean sweep of Dubai World Championship and Race to Dubai?

MK: Well, the season has been great with the win at the US PGA Championship, wins in Abu Dhabi, Holland and Scotland and being part of the winning European Ryder Cup Team. That makes this year outstanding already. Of course, I will go to Dubai aiming to win the Dubai World Championship but I must say that winning The Race to Dubai is currently more important to me. Winning the DWC would help me to do that.

2007 Kaymer burst into the limelight by becoming the first German to be crowned The European Tour’s Rookie of the Year after five top-ten finishes. He then capped a memorable year by representing his country in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.

WWG: What’s been the key to your phenomenal success this season – did you work on anything in particular that has led to you taking this step up to the next level with your game?

MK: No, I do have certain goals which make it easier for me to focus on what I believe I need to improve. However, no, there was nothing in particular. I’m trying to get better at everything...

WWG: Four wins in a row including The Ryder Cup – you must feel as if you’re going to win every time you step onto a golf course at the moment?

MK: To be honest I don’t look at it that way.

Every tournament is a new challenge. There are so many good players in the world today that nobody can afford to get too comfortable.

WWG: You were flying high at the top of The Race to Dubai last year before your go-

2008 Kaymer broke his duck on The European Tour in fabulous fashion at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, winning by four strokes from Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood. He then won on home soil at the BMW International Open and ended the year eighth on the Order of Merit.

martin KAYMER It’s like playing in a football stadium, only a bit smaller…Same noise though! It is truly about as big as it gets in the world of golf.

WWG: Who was the loudest player in the team room at Celtic Manor?

MK: The loudest? I think I would have to say that Ian Poulter was right up there!

WWG: You played an outstanding shot from the road on the 18th at St Andrews en-route to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title – what technique did you use to play such a terrific shot off such a difficult surface and did you expect it to go so well?

MK: Well, it did come out perfect so it is easy to say now but all I focused on was to get it up behind the flag. It was a perfect yardage for my wedge and I obviously knew I needed to catch the ball clean.

karting accident – to what extent does your current position make up for the frustration of what happened last season and did it make you all the more determined to do well this year?

MK: Well, needless to say, one of my big goals this year is to win The Race to Dubai so yes, I am certainly very focused on trying to finish the job this year.

WWG: Your rise up the ranks since joining the Tour in 2007 has been meteoric. Did you ever expect that you would be a Major champion so soon?

MK: No. I always believed I could do it but no, I didn’t expect it so soon!

WWG: What were your thoughts on the whole Dustin Johnson penalty affair?

MK: It was a very unfortunate situation but

when I talked about it with my caddie and my manager my focus remained on winning the tournament. Whether there is one or two players to play against in the play-off doesn’t really change my focus. I still need to play my best!

WWG: Was the experience of playing in your first Ryder Cup anything like you imagined?

MK: It was so much more thrilling than I could have imagined. I had the privilege of being invited by Nick Faldo to Valhalla in 2008 and I thought that trip would make my debut this year easier. In many ways it did but at the same time I don’t think anything can prepare you for actually standing there on the first tee, trying to get ready to hit your first shot at your first Ryder Cup. It’s amazing.

It’s hard to describe all the feelings that run through the body as the crowd starts singing.

2009 Back-to-back wins at the Open de France and The Barclays Scottish Open in July made it another successful season in Europe for Kaymer. However, his quest to top The Race to Dubai was hit when he broke four bones in his foot in a go-kart accident and he sat out two months of the season, eventually finishing third.

WWG: You seem really level headed and calm about your phenomenal success. How important is it for you to try not to get too carried away – or are you calm because all this is just part of the plan and you expected it to happen?

MK: I’m not sure you can plan on things like this. As we all know, all you can do is to do your best and then see how that measures up against everybody else. I hope I thank my family enough as they are a very big part of my life and career. I am calm, yes. I know what my abilities are and I’m comfortable with my life and where I’m at.

WWG: You’re No. 4 in the world now – how much of a realistic target of yours is it to chase down the No.1 spot?

MK: Come what may all I can do is continue doing what I do and see where that takes me.

WWG: Who was your golfing idol when you were growing up and how much of an influence did Bernhard Langer have on you?

MK: It’s definitely fair to say that Bernard was important not only for me but for all of German golf. He was always one of my heroes but Ernie Els was and still is my role model.

WWG: What were your first impressions of Greg Norman’s Earth course at last year’s Dubai World Championship and what have you learned about how to play it?

2010 Kaymer’s potential was fully realised when he won the US PGA Championship in August to become only the second German Major winner after Bernhard Langer. Three additional victories and a victorious debut in The Ryder Cup have made it a year to remember so far.

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martin KAYMER Kaymer Quickfire WWG: What’s your worst habit?

MK: Not sure I have one...

WWG: What’s your fastest go-karting lap time?

MK: All depends on the track! They’re all different. Have you never been?

WWG: Who’s your favourite footballer of all time?

MK: Can I say my father?

WWG: Which of your cars is your favourite?

MK: I very much enjoy my Mini Works! The BMW M3 is not bad either.

MK: It requires precise shots like many other Championship courses. I like it and I hope I’ll feel even more comfortable on it this year.

WWG: How have events like the Dubai World Championship and The Race to Dubai Bonus Pool (US$7.5 million) helped in attracting the best players in the world and improving the standard among European Tour players?

MK: I do believe it is of importance but how big of an importance it plays is just about impossible for me to say. I do believe it gives the Tour an added dimension.

WWG: What do you think has been the main reason for European Tour players doing so well in the Majors this season and the general improvement over the past few years?

MK: I believe that us European Tour players are fortunate in the way that we play on various different courses all around the world, on all types of different surfaces. I think this enables us to become more complete

golfers and maybe that plays a part – at least mentally. Not being afraid of new places, new people, different courses and different playing conditions.

WWG:Have you decided yet whether you will take up membership of the PGA Tour next year?

MK: Funny you should ask that as I almost went on to talk about it in my answer to your last question! No, I’m still undecided. I do want to play more on Bermuda grass however, so, if nothing else, I will definitely play more in the US, especially during the “Florida Swing”.

WWG: You’ve got a great record in the Middle East with your wins in Abu Dhabi and strong results at the Desert Classic. What have your impressions of playing golf in the region been?

MK: I really like the region. I’ve practised a fair bit in Arizona during the winters and the Middle East region reminds me a lot of that and I am very comfortable both with the climate and the courses.

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WWG: What’s your favourite European golf course?

MK: Valderrama in Spain WWG: What age were you when you broke par for 18 holes? What did you shoot and where?

MK: 15 years old, I shot a 67 around Circolo Golf Bogogn in Italy.

WWG: Who would be in your dream foursome?

MK: Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros and Ernie Els. WWG: If you weren’t a professional golfer, what would you be?

MK: A physiotherapist.

WWG: What’s your favourite movie of all time?

MK: Men of Honour WWG: What’s your favourite sporting event to attend away from golf?

MK: An FC Koln football match.

WWG: What’s your favourite childhood memory?

MK: I have many fond memories together with my parents and my brother. Our father always challenged my brother and I on the golf course so that when we played elsewhere against other people it would become easy.

WWG: Tell us something most people don’t know about Martin Kaymer?

MK: I love New York!

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BILLY FOSTER

Fostering success W

players on the circuit including Seve Ballesteros, HEN Lee Westwood stormed to victory Sergio Garcia, Darren Clarke and, for a while, Tiger in last year’s inaugural Dubai World Woods.

Championship, taking the No.1 spot But when he started working with Westwood in on The Race to Dubai in the process, he revealed 2008, something clearly clicked into place for both that it was some words of advice from his trusted player and caddie and one of the great golfer-andcaddie, Billy “Foz” Foster, that helped him get into a winning frame of mind at Jumeirah Golf Estates. caddie partnerships of all time was forged.

For a man who started his working life as an The renowned bagman encouraged the player apprentice carpenter earning £25 per week and, to remember the vastly superior experience and was in his own words, “Sacked three times in one legacy of success he had over his rivals and to use week,” Foster has done rather it to his advantage when well for himself. staring them down on the “After caddying in a few golf course. Westwood local tournaments in my took the advice on board native Yorkshire in the north and promptly went on of England, I tried my hand a four-day rampage, in Spain, a six-week working sweeping all-comers aside holiday, working for Hugh to ramp up a seven-stroke Baiocchi and Tony Johnstone, victory. who finished seventh one Westwood’s scintillating week, and I got paid a hundred golf was, of course, the and fifty quid,” recalls the real key to his success Englishman. “That was it, but Foster’s involvement, carrying a 20-pound bag or however small, illustrates not – a no brainer and no more perfectly how the job of joinery for me.” the caddie in the modern Back then, in 1982, life as a game has gone way caddie – as with players on the beyond simply carrying emerging European Tour – was the bag. billy foster a different kettle of fish than “The caddie’s motto today’s standard specification used to be, ‘show-up, shutof courtesy cars, five-star hotels and even caddies’ up and put-up,’” says Foster. “But today, the role of lounges. the caddie is certainly more sophisticated. You are “Yes, it has changed out of all recognition,” says the only person out there on the golf course on the 44-year-old. “It used to be taxis, sometimes whom your man can rely, so as well as carrying even buses and trains from the airport to the golf the bag, you are a mix of companion, confidante, course, the most basic of accommodation, but now coach, club cleaner, colleague with a bit of the it’s much more civilised and the job has changed a psychologist and land surveyor thrown in for good great deal too.” measure.”

Foster admits to having been, “incredibly lucky,” in Foster has been a fixture on The European the players he has worked for, the list reading like a Tour for longer than his boyish good looks might ‘Who’s Who’ of golf in the modern era. His time with suggest, working for some of the most successful

“You don’t have to be a good plaYer, although at times You have to be a good psYchologist — or perhaps a punch-bag. You have to saY the right things at the right time and know when to be quiet.”

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HOME OF THE

BILLY FOSTER both Seve and Clarke came when they were in their respective pomp and he helped Garcia rise as high as second in the world. Tiger ‘borrowed’ him for the Presidents Cup in 2005 and liked the experience, commenting, “I like his personality. It’s very competitive, he’s very feisty,” before reverting to his regular bagman, Kiwi Steve Williams, a man reputed to be New Zealand’s highest-paid sportsman.

Foster, who describes himself selfdeprecatingly as, “a half-decent player, nothing special” observes, “You don’t have to be a good player, although at times you have to be a good psychologist — or perhaps a punch-bag.

You have to say the right things at the right time and know when to be quiet.

“There’s more to being a caddie than carrying the bag and earning loads of money.

You have to do your homework, plain and simple; walk the course, read the greens, check the weather, know your player, it’s all part and parcel. You also have to get lucky and I’ve certainly been that with the players I’ve worked with over the years.”

The hours are long, the conditions variable from the cold, wind and rain of the Old Course at St Andrews to the strength-sapping, searing heat of Dubai and whilst we all know our way around our working environment, golfers and their caddies are confronted with different challenges, week-in, week-out.

“You get used to the courses regularly used on the circuit, like Augusta National, Sheshan International in Shanghai, Loch Lomond, but the last year has been a funny one, with new courses coming on stream, like Finca Cortesin for the Volvo World Match Play, the Earth course in Dubai for the Dubai World Championship, significant changes to Wentworth and to the Old Course for The Open, but that’s part of the challenge and, to be honest, the fun.” And that word, ‘fun,’ is

a recurring theme in any conversation with Foster, who can be likened to a hybrid club – part stern, serious professional, part joker-inthe-pack.

“It’s very serious business out there,” he says.

“There is a lot of money, and reputations at stake, vital World Ranking points, Ryder Cup qualification, sponsors’ expectations, the lot, but lightening the mood when appropriate can help release some of the pressure and tension.”

Emotional rollEr-coastEr Job security is certainly not part of the terms and conditions in a caddie’s contract of employment (if indeed they have one for most are self-employed) with a regular turnover between players and their bagmen.

Foster parted company after a decade and ultimately an emotional roller-coaster ride with Northern Ireland’s Clarke, epitomised by Clarke breaking down in his caddie’s embrace on the 16th green at The K Club, the enduring image of the 2006 Ryder Cup. The big Irishman’s wife had just passed away, losing a long battle against breast cancer, but Clarke and Foster parted on what both described as, “the best of terms,” and, whilst loyalty may not always be a common trait in the cut-throat world of professional sport, Foster never forgot his friend-comeboss’s plight.

In 2009, the bouncy Yorkshireman, himself a husband and father-of-two, undertook a gruelling walk from Loch Lomond and The Scottish Open to Turnberry and The Open Championship, covering the best part of 100 miles and raising US$100,000 for former client Clarke’s cancer charity in memory of his late wife Heather.

“A measure of the man,” was Clarke’s response to Foster’s selfless act, a subject

the man himself is reluctant to talk about, as is his sacking by Garcia after supporting the Spaniard’s meteoric rise up the World Ranking.

“Caddies come, caddies go,” says Foster philosophically. “One door closes, another one opens.” It certainly did for the man considered to be amongst the top five caddies in world golf when he teamed up with a resurgent Westwood ahead of last year’s Irish Open.

Westy was on the comeback trail, third in the 2008 Order of Merit and, coincidence or not, having Foster on-board helped his compatriot to a remarkable run of 11 top 10 finishes last season, including two victories – in Portugal and Dubai in their first 18 starts together.

“Teamwork is the answer,” says Foster. “I’ve known Lee for many years as he is in the same ISM stable as Darren Clarke, so we’re not only colleagues but good mates too, and that helps in the chemistry, the dynamic between us is the best on Tour.”

Despite Westwood highlighting Foster’s contribution to his emphatic clean sweep in Dubai last year the caddie, like most men of Yorkshire, is reluctant to take the credit.

“Lee Westwood is the best ball-striker in the business, bar none,” he says, “and if having me on the bag has added even a small percentage to his game, then I have simply done my job.”

But, when pushed, he does admit to the ‘pep talk’ he gave Westwood before his seven stroke win over Ross McGowan.

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BILLY FOSTER

“Yeah, we had a little talk at the start of the week when I told him to go out and basically bully the other contenders in The Race to Dubai to a certain degree. I told him he was a class act who had done all that the others had done and more.”

The Westwood / Foster duet has continued to sing from the same song-sheet in 2010; a victory at the St Jude Classic on the US PGA Tour sandwiched between runner-up spots at the Masters and The Open Championship, and Foster is in no doubt that his boss’s Major moment will come.

“Look, Lee has been knocking on the door at the Majors for a long time now and I have no doubt that he will seize the opportunity before long. Then anything is possible.”

‘Westwood and Foster’ sounds more like a quaint English accountancy practice than one of the most formidable partnerships in world golf, but Westwood himself is full of respect and appreciation for a partnership that has proved extremely profitable.

“I think he’s the best caddie, certainly in Europe,” he says. “Maybe in the world.

“It’s nice that I get on with him so well. We are good mates, and you’re never quite sure how that’s going to turn out when you start working with somebody, so it’s great that’s clicked into place.”

Foster, a Ryder Cup veteran, made his 10th appearance as a caddie in Europe’s recent epic victory over the USA at Celtic Manor and revelled in the role as the unofficial caddies’ captain, having been at Valhalla as a nonparticipating bagman when Garcia selected South African Glen Murray ahead of him.

“The Ryder Cup is my favourite event of all.

The camaraderie between the players and the caddies is fantastic, the atmosphere makes the hairs stand-up on the back of your neck and it’s a very special occasion,” says Foster. “Lee was the talisman in the European team, and although the weather made the caddie’s job almost impossible on occasions in keeping grips dry in the incessant rain, it was a fantastic Ryder Cup, both for Europe and the future of the event.”

With no diplomas, degrees or certificates in caddying, learning on the job is the only way forward, and Foster is keen to help young, upand-coming bagmen as they learn their trade.

“It’s hard work, long hours, you have to start at the bottom, work your way up through the Q School, then the Challenge Tour, onto The European Tour, just like the players themselves,” says the 28-year veteran of his craft. “There are no short-cuts, no easy way, just learn your trade, but if any youngster out there needs any help, I’m happy to pass on my the benefit of my experience.”

Helping those who might one day take his coveted bag away from him is not something you’d see many a caddie doing, but, when Billy Foster was forged in Keighley in Yorkshire

Role reversal: Lee Westwood captures Billy Foster in action on the par 3 17th at TPC Sawgrass during Players Championship caddie challenge.

in 1966, they threw away the mould. He’s not only amongst the best caddies in world golf – he’s also a true gent and a master at fostering success on the course.

10 Foster Facts 1

Best experience in golf?

“Caddying for Darren Clarke in 2006 at The K Club as Europe retained The Ryder Cup.”

2

Worst experience in golf?

“Caddying for Thomas Björn when he lost the 2003 British Open. He was in the lead going into the final day but had a truly awful last round and lost by a single shot.”

3

Favourite golf course? “A toss-up between the two ‘Royals, Royal Dornoch and Royal Birkdale, whilst in the USA, definitely Sawgrass.”

4

Best shot ever seen?

“Caddying for Seve Ballesteros at Crans-sur-Sierre in the European Masters when his tee shot on 18 found an unplayable lie, stuck behind a wall. I was desperately pleading with him to play safe, to chip out sideways. But Seve, being Seve, he simply told me not to worry and that he had a perfectly good shot. He played an amazing shot over an 8ft wall, over a swimming pool, through an 18” gap in some pine trees out onto the fairway and then proceeded to chip

in from there for birdie. Truly unbelievable.”

5

Who would your fantasy golf partner be and why?

“Jack Nicholson, and have a few beers afterwards with him – he’s a fascinating guy.”

6

Most important people in your life? “My wife Lisa and two kids, closely followed

by Lee Westwood.”

7

What do you enjoy when not caddying? “I love to ski in the winter months, blows all the cobwebs away.”

8

Best part of being a caddie? “Being right up close when momentous things are happening.”

9

And the worst? “Gettingup at 4.00am for a 6.30am tee-time and endless queues at airports, but it’s the best job in the world.”

9

Favourite golf event?

“The Ryder Cup, the old rivalry between Europe and the US really brings out the best – and the worst – in the players and it produces some real drama. I also love The Open Championship in England as there is something very special about it, so I’m looking forward to Royal St Georges in 2011 and hopefully a Westwood win.”

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37

LIFE’S PRETTY TWEET FOR POULTS After tAking A month off following his heroics in wAles where he finished As europe’s joint top scorer with 3 points out of 4 in europe’s 14.5-13.5 ryder cup victory over the usA golf’s colourful tweet-A-holic is bAck with the dubAi world chAmpionship firmly in his sights.

WORDS BY: RICHARD BEVAN PHOTOGRAPHS: IJP Design (www.ijpdesign.com)

N

OBODY from the European Team reflected the rowdy, raw energetic passion that the indefatigable crowd at Celtic Manor generated more than England’s Ian Poulter.

The chief Tweeter, rabble-rouser extraordinaire was born for the raucous football match style atmosphere of The Ryder Cup and Poulter, more than anyone, fed and fed off the fervour of the packed galleries in Wales.

There may have been talk of Monty banning the use of social networking website Twitter before The Matches but in the event Poulter’s constant updates gave a unique personal viewpoint of the greatest contest in golf and the fact that he was so ‘connected’ to the fans during the week seemed to create an unshakable bond which fuelled their mutual fires even more.

“Let’s have it,” he declared in one post. Have it, they most certainly did.

Poulter, for the second consecutive Ryder Cup, finished as Europe’s top scorer, tying Luke Donald with 3 points from 4 matches. “There’s only one Ian Poulter,” they sang and he responded with a series of inspiring performances including an emphatic 5&4 victory over Matt Kuchar in the singles to get the first blue on the board for his team on that captivating final day.

“There’s nothing better than holing a putt, turning around and seeing 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000 people going absolutely crazy,” said Arsenal fanatic Poulter. “It’s so exciting.

“I can only assume that’s what happens to the football guys every single weekend. I now know what Ian Wright and Thierry Henry felt to 4 www.wwgolf.biz

39

IAN POULTER

have their name chanted – it’s awesome.”

Poulter has never been someone you could accuse of lacking confidence or passion. His brash ‘Cockney Wideboy’ demeanour has sometimes ruffled feathers over the years and he raised more than a few eyebrows – particularly in America – when in 2008 he announced: “When I play to my full potential, it will be just me and Tiger. The trouble is I don’t rate anyone else.”

But while the Californian’s career has gone on the slide following the damaging revelations regarding his extra-martial affairs, Poulter’s has gone in the other direction. His place as a wildcard pick at the expense of Colin Montgomerie on Nick Faldo’s European Ryder Cup team in Valhalla two years ago attracted a huge amount of criticism but his selection was entirely vindicated with a manof-the-match performance as he chipped in 4 points from 5 to Europe’s ill-fated 16.5-11.5 defeat.

“To get picked by Faldo in the first place in 2008 was huge,” said World No. 15 Poulter.

“There was a lot of stress around trying to qualify for the side and I wasn’t playing my best golf leading up to it. So to go in there and be the only player to tee off in all five sessions and emerge as the highest points scorer was just fantastic.

“It gave me a lot of confidence and I like to think it really kick-started my rise up the World Ranking.”

Poulter confirmed his place among best

the players in the world when he won the biggest event of his career at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona earlier this year, beating fellow Englishman Paul Casey 4&2 in

“I ThInk I’vE had an InTERESTIng RIdE FROm a LOT OF PEOPLE’S POInT OF vIEW OF hOW I PRESEnT mYSELF On ThE gOLF cOURSE, aS OPPOSEd TO hOW WELL I can acTUaLLY PERFORm,” ian poulter a performance he described as the best of his life. In days gone by it was his head-turning outfits and daring hairstyles that grabbed all the attention but after moving to a careerhigh fifth place in the World Ranking Poulter was pleased that his golf was finally getting the recognition he felt it deserved.

“I think I’ve had an interesting ride from a lot of people’s point of view of how I present myself on the golf course, as opposed to how

well I can actually perform,” Poulter said. “So this to me is very pleasing to be able to be in that position now. And actually, I guess, five in the world stands for more than just what I wear on the golf course.

“It’s been a long time coming.”

His defeated opponent and good friend Casey was quick to defend his pal’s, “me and Tiger comments” to the assembled US press.

“He’ll tell you exactly what he’s thinking, which always makes me smile about Ian,” he said.

“But if Ian believes that, and he does, then there’s no reason why he couldn’t get to that spot because for me it’s not about talent, it’s about work ethic and belief and all the rest of it, all the other attributes that go into being a great golfer. And he’s worked incredibly hard.

“So I think everybody chuckled slightly when we read the comments. But I know how hard he works and how much he cares about it. So deep down I think a lot of people; I, for one, thought, well, it’s not that much of an outrageous comment. I think he showed today he’s pretty good.”

Poulter kicked on from his match play master class with a string of top drawer performances including a top 10 finish at the Masters, where he was joint leader with Lee Westwood at the halfway stage, but then seemed to fade away over the summer as the approaching Ryder Cup loomed large on the horizon. “I’ve thought about that a lot and the conclusion I’ve come to is that I took my foot off the pedal, stopped focusing properly 4 www.wwgolf.biz

41

IAN POULTER

POULTS In ThE knOW

“I LOvE IT FROm ThE FIRST TEE. IT TRULY IS ThE bEST TOURnamEnT In ThE WORLd, and ian poulter WILL aLWaYS bE.” on my targets and allowed myself to get distracted,” admitted Poulter on the eve of the Celtic Manor showdown. “I was looking forward to this Ryder Cup for too long. I made the team in February and while the win at the Accenture was fantastic and a landmark victory for me, my concentration hasn’t been the same since.”

“That’s why The Ryder Cup has come at a perfect time for me. I can re-focus now and take that on not just for the rest of this season but next year as well.”

And boy did he focus. Poulter’s cold-eyed stare out on course during The Matches would have bored down into the soul of even the most hardened competitor. He had bemoaned the lack of passion from the European Team in Kentucky two years ago and he led by example in Wales whipping the crowd into a frenzy with his heartfelt performances.

Some of his creative shot making was truly mesmeric and the confidence he displayed both on course and in the team room must surely have fed into his team-mates’ performances. Prior to his singles match with Kuchar he defiantly announced that he would be walking off the course with a point in the bag for his team. No question. “I’m pretty passionate about this format,” said Poulter who went on to show his tender side with by emotionally dedicating Europe’s win to cancer stricken Seve Ballesteros. “I said I was going to win, and I did. I love The Ryder Cup, always

have. I’ve watched so many matches over the years: Seve, Colin (Montgomerie), Nick Faldo just poured passion into this event. I love it from the first tee. I love it from the songs. And I love it with all 11 team-mates. It truly is the best tournament in the world, and will always be.”

Since his galvanising displays at Celtic Manor Poulter has been taking a well-earned rest back home in Florida, where in one of his everflowing Twitter updates he posted a video of a daytrip with his kids to a local crazy golf course with the title, “How bad am I at crazy golf?” which showed him failing miserably on one of the course’s outlandish holes.

But he’s shown his talent where it matters most – on the real golf course – and he’s back for one final assault on The Race to Dubai with the WGC-HSBC Champions in China followed by the defense of his Barclays Singapore Open title and culminating in the star-studded Dubai World Championship.

He finished in the top 10 in his maiden outing over Greg Norman’s Earth course last year and with a first prize of US$1.25 million and a share in the US$7.5 million Bonus Pool to play for you can be sure Poulter will be doing everything in his power to make sure he has some more positive news to Tweet about come November 28th. n

He’s so crazy about Arsenal FC that he wears the club’s crest on his shoes and once got a ticking off from The European Tour for wearing an Arsenal shirt during the third round of 2006 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

He developed his taste for fashion while working on a market stall selling jeans and tee-shirts when he was 11.

His ‘eye catching’ outfits have included the Union Jack pants worn at 2004 British Open and some fetching Claret Jug inspired creations the following year.

Poults loves fast cars and mean machines with his particular fav his Ford GT 40 – one of the last GTs the American company built.

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WWGcolumnist

Teaming up with Ochoa for Olympic gold in Brazil

W

ITH the full turnout of all 12 members of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup Team the second running of the Dubai World Championship promises to be an even bigger event than last year’s inaugural tournament.

The fact that two members of the Team, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer, are current Major winners, The Open Champion, South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen is competing, the hottest young man in world golf, 17-yearold Matteo Manessero has qualified to play by winning last month’s Castello Masters Costa Azahar in Spain becoming the youngest-ever winner on The European Tour, plus Major winners Ernie Els and Retief Goosen as well as World No. 7 Paul Casey, means that this will be a memorable and fascinating Championship.

Winner Lee Westwood was very complimentary of the Earth course and I’m pleased to see the position he has attained in the world game this season.

I was very proud of our Earth course hosting such a great Championship and I will be even more proud of the course now that it has had another 12 months to mature and settle in.

There was virtually no wind at last year’s Championship, which was unusual, but if the wind does blow this time then we can expect to see much higher scoring.

Whatever the conditions, you can be certain that whoever walks away from Jumeirah Golf Estates on the Sunday afternoon on November 28 will be a well deserved winner of the 2010 Dubai World Championship.

Partnership with Lorena Ochoa I’M pleased to be joining forces with Mexico’s former World No.1 Lorena Ochoa to jointly design championship and resort golf courses worldwide.

We have made a start by getting in touch with the International Olympic Committee to co-design the golf course that will host the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

44

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Our golf course design partnership is born of mutual admiration of each other’s accomplishments within the golfing world. I have designed numerous courses in Lorena’s home country, Mexico such as the El Camaleón Golf Club which hosts the first and only US PGA Tour event in Mexico, the Mayakoba Golf Classic.

Lorena recently launched her own design company, and the Ochoa brand is very strong in Mexico and South America. Combining Lorena’s appeal in Mexico and South America with my 23 years of golf course design experience worldwide will present a unique offering in golf course design.

This partnership will showcase our vision for the next generation of golf course design, offering relaxing and scenic courses playable for both men, women and junior golfers.

Lorena has achieved an incredible amount of success in the golf world in a relatively short period of time and working with her will give me the opportunity to co-design courses

SHARK IS A BIG HIT IN OCHOA’S HOME TOwN Greg Norman has had tremendous success designing golf courses worldwide including numerous courses in Lorena’s home country, Mexico.

Norman designed the El Camaleon Golf Club which hosts the first and only PGA Tour event in Mexico.

Nine members of the 2010 Ryder Cup will be coming together once more this year for the Shark Shootout, held at Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida. Above: The big hitting Dustin Johnson will want to get one back against European rivals Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell.

with another professional golfer with different views or philosophies than my own.

In particular, she will bring a ladies perspective to the playability element which is sure to improve the course in that regard. There are specific projects where doing a co-design with Lorena will better fit the client’s needs and in these cases we both look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with each other. The fact that we’re friends only makes the process that much more enjoyable.

We’ll be playing together during the pro-am at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational presented by Banamex & Corona Light on Wednesday, November 10.

Bushfire appeal I’M pleased to be designing the redevelopment of the Marysville Golf and Bowls Club as a gift under a partnership with the Victorian government and various philanthropists.

Our Greg Norman Golf Course Design will join with mining magnate Andrew Forrest, the bushfire appeal fund and other charities and philanthropists in restoring the golf course. Victorian Premier John Brumby announced $1 million in funding

for the project during a summit of regional business leaders in Ballarat.

Shark Shootout Revealed WE have announced the field for the 22nd edition of The Shark Shootout which returns for the 10th consecutive year to Tiburón Golf Club at The RitzCarlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida on December 8-12.

The field for this year’s Shootout has enjoyed tremendous success this season through individual efforts and Ryder Cup performances. As a group, they have amassed 154 total career victories.

It might even be the most dynamic field we have ever had. To a man, they have brought excitement to the game of golf throughout the season and throughout their careers.

I am excited for the fans and our international television audience because I expect they will see some great golf next month.

The 24 players, who will be paired into 12 two-man teams, are: Mark Calcavecchia, K.J. Choi, Stewart Cink, Darren Clarke, Jason Day, Chris DiMarco, David Duval, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Jerry Kelly, Anthony Kim, Matt Kuchar, Justin Leonard, Davis Love III, Graeme McDowell, Jeff

Overton, Kenny Perry, Ian Poulter, Rory Sabbatini, Steve Stricker, Scott Verplank, Bubba Watson and Mike Weir, and of course myself.

The team of Stricker and Kelly returns as defending champions. Out of the 24 players who represented Europe and the USA in The Ryder Cup, nine will be playing our Shark Shootout: Cink, Fowler, Johnson, Kuchar, McDowell, Overton, Poulter, Stricker and Watson. McDowell’s singles win clinched victory for the European Team while Fowler’s performance in the final four holes of his singles match sparked a revival by the United States Team.

Six of the Shark Shootout competitors are among the top 20 on the Official World Golf Ranking.

Five players will be competing in their first Shark Shootout: Choi, Clarke, Day, Overton and Weir. Also, Duval and Love will be making their first appearance in Naples.

Throughout its history, the Shark Shootout has included many of golf’s greatest players and is widely regarded as the US PGA Tour’s premier post-season event. Again it will feature a modified alternateshot format during the first round, a better ball Saturday and a final-round scramble. n www.wwgolf.biz

45

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RACE TO DUBAI

As of Tuesday October 26, 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 Martin KAYMER Graeme McDOWELL Lee WESTWOOD Charl SCHWARTZEL Ernie ELS Louis OOSTHUIZEN Edoardo MOLINARI Miguel Angel JIMÉNEZ Ian POULTER Paul CASEY Francesco MOLINARI Alvaro QUIROS Ross FISHER Rory McILROY Rhys DAVIES Luke DONALD Peter HANSON Padraig HARRINGTON Danny WILLETT Robert KARLSSON Richard GREEN Fredrik ANDERSSON HED Simon KHAN Stephen GALLACHER Retief GOOSEN Grégory HAVRET David HORSEY Darren CLARKE Gonzalo FDEZ-CASTAÑO Alejandro CAÑIZARES Brett RUMFORD Peter LAWRIE Ignacio GARRIDO Thongchai JAIDEE Oliver WILSON Simon DYSON Joost LUITEN Seung-yul NOH Gary BOYD John PARRY Sergio GARCIA Y.E YANG. Matteo MANASSERO Chris WOOD Henrik STENSON Marcus FRASER Raphaël JACQUELIN Robert ROCK Johan EDFORS Robert-Jan DERKSEN

Country

Tournaments Played

Prize Money

Rank

GER NIR ENG RSA RSA RSA ITA ESP ENG ENG ITA ESP ENG NIR WAL ENG SWE IRL ENG SWE AUS SWE ENG SCO RSA FRA ENG NIR ESP ESP AUS IRL ESP THA ENG ENG NED KOR ENG ENG ESP KOR ITA ENG SWE AUS FRA ENG SWE NED

18 19 12 20 13 21 25 24 11 12 23 22 19 13 27 11 19 11 23 18 22 24 24 27 10 24 26 24 27 26 23 28 28 20 23 24 25 16 26 32 12 10 15 23 13 20 29 29 23 25

€3,134,44 €2,138,866 €1,878,307 €1,817,803 €1,807,313 €1,747,726 €1,747,648 €1,692,501 €1,478,118 €1,438,864 €1,320,160 €1,250,686 €1,210,487 €1,196,200 €1,170,930 €1,143,424 €1,118,581 €1,053,630 €1,022,162 €1,021,855 €965,346 €949,552 €931,143 €887,285 €853,845 €843,141 €814,699 €793,290 €783,074 €744,560 €704,241 €697,105 €678,962 €677,061 €675,721 €673,028 €670,808 €668,753 €666,380 €657,823 €655,660 €655,347 €641,198 €599,164 €596,267 €594,144 €589,385 €579,655 €535,992 €535,307

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

Anders HANSEN Jamie DONALDSON Damien McGRANE Grégory BOURDY James MORRISON Søren HANSEN Thomas BJÖRN Gareth MAYBIN Thomas AIKEN Bradley DREDGE Richard FINCH Shane LOWRY Richard BLAND Søren KJELDSEN Richie RAMSAY Nicolas COLSAERTS Mikko ILONEN Paul LAWRIE Andrew DODT Pablo MARTIN Christian NILSSON Ross McGOWAN Marcel SIEM James KINGSTON Oliver FISHER Fabrizio ZANOTTI Graeme STORM David LYNN Peter WHITEFORD Rafa ECHENIQUE Anthony WALL Stephen DODD Rafael CABRERA-BELLO Mark FOSTER Pablo LARRAZÁBAL Alexander NOREN David DRYSDALE Wen-chong LIANG Peter HEDBLOM Paul WARING José Manuel LARA Maarten LAFEBER Michael HOEY Phillip PRICE Richard McEVOY Tano GOYA Steve WEBSTER Jeev Milkha SINGH Martin LAIRD David HOWELL

DEN WAL IRL FRA ENG DEN DEN NIR RSA WAL ENG IRL ENG DEN SCO BEL FIN SCO AUS ESP SWE ENG GER RSA ENG PAR ENG ENG SCO ARG ENG WAL ESP ENG ESP SWE SCO CHN SWE ENG ESP NED NIR WAL ENG ARG ENG IND SCO ENG

Tournaments Played 23 23 27 26 25 27 27 23 24 23 28 28 28 24 28 26 24 22 18 24 21 25 27 22 28 27 27 27 29 28 23 22 28 26 28 23 30 10 24 25 29 24 24 29 28 28 26 12 5 29

Prize Money €525,575 €513,505 €512,873 €509,190 €507,717 €501,483 €495,947 €485,930 €477,409 €469,952 €468,102 €455,228 €451,271 €438,163 €434,361 €423,513 €418,587 €401,260 €378,918 €378,208 €376,097 €374,264 €370,556 €352,927 €352,209 €344,391 €341,348 €341,125 €334,271 €331,387 €330,831 €322,633 €316,277 €309,999 €306,675 €306,025 €304,648 €301,437 €292,838 €289,758 €287,233 €276,660 €269,735 €264,558 €261,196 €254,476 €252,011 €248,043 €242,992 €242,820

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

ShotSaver

Snooper launches two new additions to Shotsaver range AfTEr ThE hUGE PoPUlAriTy of iTS ExiSTinG ShoTSAvEr ProDUcTS, lEADinG SAT-nAv BrAnD SnooPEr hAS ADDED ThE ShoTSAvEr S400 lASEr rAnGE finDEr AnD ThE S430 GPS ShoTSAvEr To iTS rAnGE. ShotSaver S400 LaSer range Finder THE Shotsaver S400 is a state-of-the-art laser range finder that accurately measures the distance to the flag from up to 250 yards away, and with a price tag of only £149.99 (approx US$239.49), offers the best value for money on the market.

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

bushes and trees from up to an impressive 400 yards away.

The S400 is designed to be an easy-to-use aid to golfers, helping them to select the best club and swing power for any given distance. No subscription or downloads are needed to use the device, so it can be used on course straight from the box, providing reliable and precise distances to every part of the golf course anywhere in the world.

The S430 GPS Shotsaver is available from £249.99 (approx US$392.99), and the Shotsaver S400 Laser Range Finder is available from £149.99 (approx US$239.49), at www.SnooperUK.com.

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S430 gPS ShotSaver Snooper has also launched the new S430 GPS Shotsaver, a premium rangefinder with the largest screen on the market and a huge 14-hour battery life.

The new ultra high-visibility Shotsaver not only boasts a 3.5 inch touchscreen, but comes at a lower price than its nearest rivals. The S430’s size also makes it ideal for attaching to a golf trolley, with the use of an additional golf trolley bracket.

As with all Snooper’s GPS Shotsaver products, the S430’s GPS tracking system allows golfers to record the distance each ball is hit and which club was used.

Golfers simply record the position of their ball before each shot, and Shotsaver will provide the user with distances to hazards such as bunkers, fairways, streams and the flag.

All Snooper’s GPS Shotsavers are also preloaded with more than 4,500 EU golf course maps, and have the capacity for up to 20,000 more to be uploaded, with no subscriptions and no extra cost.

Details of distances hit are all stored on the device, allowing it to give the longest, shortest and average distances achieved with each club. These features are carefully designed to help users to develop their game and monitor progress.

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

NEWS

EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS

WESTWOOD REJECTS US PGA TOUR

FIT FOR GOLF

LEE Westwood has turned down an invite to join the US PGA Tour in favour of continuing to ply his trade on The European Tour.

The 34-year-old, who could be World No.1 before Worldwide Golf hits the shelves, revealed that he had made his mind up to stick with the Tour that had given him such phenomenal success over the past two seasons following a chat with his manager Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler.

“Chubby said ‘why take up membership in the States when you’ve been the most successful player in the world this year and (despite a seven-week injury lay-off ) still have a great chance to go to World No.1? You’ve come second in two Major championships, you must be doing something right, why not stick to the same schedule?’ " said Westwood. “I don’t want to get into a situation where I have to play events in America just to make up 15.”

THE European Tour have launched a new ‘Tour Fit For Golf’ initiative aimed at helping all levels of recreational golfer improve their health and fitness to aid their on course performance.

A dedicated website will provide a free general health assessment and bring a wealth of information from what to eat before and after a round to how to reduce general health risks and improve fitness.

For more information visit: www.tourfitforgolf.com

13

NEW EUROPEAN TOUR MEMBERSHIP REGS

EUROPEAN Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady has confirmed changes to the Tour’s General Membership Regulations.

From next season onwards players will be required to play 13 rather than 12 European Tour events to qualify for membership.

O’Grady also revealed that the Volvo World Match Play Championship, which will be played at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa in Spain from May 19-22 will count as one of the 13 events.

PRO-AM FOR TOUR’S BIRTHDAY AND SEVE ANNIVERSARY THE European Tour have requested that a Pro-Am take place at Wentworth next season to mark the Tour’s 40th birthday and also the 20th anniversary of Seve Ballesteros’ last wins on the West Course at both the PGA Championship and the World Match Play Championship in 1991.

The event will take place over the West Course on Monday May 23rd – the week of the PGA Championship – and will feature a limited field of 18 professionals.

All proceeds from the Pro-Am will be donated to the Seve Ballesteros Foundation’s activities on behalf of Cancer Research UK, which benefits cancer research throughout the world.

MONTY IN CAR CRASH COLIN Montgomerie suffered minor injuries when he was involved in a car crash near his native Glasgow.

Monty, fresh from masterminding Europe’s 14 ½ - 13 ½ victory over the USA in The Ryder Cup, was taken to Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary after his BMW collided with a van near Moodiesburn, North Lanarkshire.

OLLIE ADMITS RYDER CUP HEALTH FEARS JOSÉ Maria Olazábal – strongly fancied as Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain – has revealed that concerns over his health may force him to turn down any prospective offer for the job.

The Spaniard, a seven-time Ryder Cup player, has been dogged by injuries and poor health in recent years.

He commented: “It would hurt me to say ‘no’ but if it is the right decision my conscience will be clear."

HSBC LINKS UP WITH THE OPEN HSBC HAS been named as ‘Official Banking Partner’ of The Open Championship for the next five years.

Over the last five years, HSBC has been at the forefront of the expansion of the game in Asia with the creation of the HSBC Champions in China, which it has helped develop from inception in 2005 to become Asia’s first World Golf Championship tournament. It has also created a comprehensive programme of grassroots activity across China designed to increase both interest and participation in the game.

Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship at HSBC commented: “The Open Championship is, without a doubt, one of the world’s

Left to right: Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship at HSBC, Louis Oosthuizen, and Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of the R&A pictured at HSBC's head office.

most important golf tournaments and HSBC is very honoured to become a Patron. Golf sponsorship continues to be an important investment tool for us to grow and sustain our business and brand.

"This new partnership is an exciting opportunity to take our current activity with professional and grassroots golf in both established and emerging markets to a new level.” www.wwgolf.biz

49

DIVOTS RULES EXPLAINED Stuart McMurdo, Golf operationS ManaGer at Jebel ali Golf reSort & Spa, ShedS SoMe liGht on SoMe of the leSSer-known rulinGS that crop up on the profeSSional circuitS froM tiMe to tiMe which confuSe even the MoSt SeaSoned profeSSionalS. ONE of the biggest and most unwanted features of this year’s Ryder Cup was the excessive rain and subsequent mud which lined the beautifully manicured 2010 course at Celtic Manor.

This meant a number of Local Rules (Rule 33/8) were added to assist the players when they went off-line. One was to increase the preferred lie distance that a player can move his ball after cleaning it from its original position from a standard scorecard length to one club length in the fairway and not nearer to the hole.

Another local rule which caused one heated situation was the ruling regarding the muddy spectator areas outside the ropes. These areas were deemed abnormal ground conditions (Rule 25/1) therefore a player was able to lift his ball from the muddy area to a more reasonable lie within one club length of the

nearest point of relief.

Jeff Overton took umbrage to this situation when playing Ross Fisher in the singles. Ross was able to take this relief when his ball landed on a cart path leaving the nearest point of relief in the mud. He was able to move the ball from the mud to a grassy lie. Jeff thought it was reasonable for Ross to have to play from the mud but the referee deemed Ross was rightly able to take relief. The situation got more heated as Bernard Gallagher, who was working for BBC radio, stepped in and accused Overton of not knowing the rules and trying to put Fisher off his game by questioning the ruling decision. This in turn in sighted Overton’s father in the gallery who had a few harsh words for Gallagher. In the end Overton overcame a two-hole deficit to win the match.

MONTY WANTS OUTGOING European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has called for a change in the selection process for Team Europe ahead of the 2012 contest at Medinah.

The Scot, who described the day he announced his wildcard picks at Gleneagles, which omitted Paul Casey and Justin Rose as “the worst day of my professional career” said: “We have to devise a system of getting top players like that into the European team.”

The current system sees the top four players from the World Ranking plus the top five from The Race to Dubai not already qualified through the World list, while Montgomerie requested an increase from the traditional two to three wildcard picks this year.

But that system meant that World No.7 Casey and Justin Rose – a two time winner on the US PGA Tour this year – missed out.

“I don’t want any future captain to have to go through what I went through on that awful evening in Gleneagles,” said Montgomerie.

One possible solution would be to flip the current system with the top four off The Race to Dubai then five from the World Ranking. That system would have meant this year’s team would have been: Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Edoardo Molinari, Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Padraig Harrington and Justin Rose – with Monty free to pick Casey as one of his three wildcards.

PADDY ENDS TITLE DROUGHT PADRAIG Harrington claimed his first title in two years with victory in the Johor Open in Malaysia.

His final round 69 gave him a 20-under-par total, three strokes clear of South Korea’s Noh Seung-yul.

“It’s always nice to win,” said Harrington, “and it’s even nicer when there’s been a bit of a drought.”

RUANGKIT CLOSES IN ON SENIOR CROWN THAILAND’S Boonchu Ruangkit closed in on the John Jacobs Tropy – awarded for topping the European Senior Tour Order of Merit – by notching his fourth title of the season in spectacular fashion at the Benahavis Seniors Masters at La Quinta Golf & Country Club in Spain.

Ruangkit led by one going into the final round before a stunning final round 7-under par-64 saw him win by seven strokes from defending champion Carl Mason and John Gould.

The win left the 54-year-old with €254,796 in prize money for the season and after sitting out the next event he was €39,259 ahead of nearest challenger Chris Williams with one tournament left to play.

STATMASTER

ROUND Of THE MONTH

Italian Matteo Manassero created history as the youngest winner in European Tour history with his victory at the Castello Masters aged 17 years and 188 days. The previous record was held by Danny Lee who was 18 years and 213 days when he won the 2009 Johnnie Walker Championship.

Brittany Lincicome matched the second lowest round in relation to par in LPGA Tour history when she shot 11under-par 61 during the first round of the CVS/pharmacy Challenge.

The career best round at Blackhawk Country Club included 11 birdies as she set a new course record. The lowest round ever on the LPGA Tour was Annika’s Sorenstam’s 13-underpar 59 at the 2001 Standard Register PING.

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News sNippets from arouNd the golfiNg globe

RYDER CUP CHANGE

NO GOLf fOR BRUM BOYS ALEX McLeish, manager of English Premier League football team Birmingham, has banned his players from playing golf within 48 hours of a match.

Several of the clubs stars, including Stephen Carr, Maik Taylor, Roger Johnson and Craig Gardner are said to be golf nuts but Scotsman McLeish believes the amount of time they’re spending on the course is detrimental to their performances on the pitch.

“It is not a day off, it is about recovery,” said McLeish. “Golfing so close to a football match, it stands to reason it is going to take it out of your legs.

If you are marching around a golf course then it is quite demanding to go and play a game of football 24 or 48 hours later. We have a 48-hour ruling, it is in the club rules.”

“CONNERY SCARED ME Off GOLf” SAYS CAINE

QUOTE Of ThE MONTh

“I was definitely shaking. It really feels like you lose control of your body, you lose control of your muscle functions.

You really have to rely on muscle memory I guess, all the balls that I have hit in practice all the putts that I have hit in practice. I mean you really can’t control your golf swing because you are so nervous.” – Graeme McDowell recounts the final moments of his critical Ryder Cup singles match against Hunter Mahan.

VERETAN English actor Sir Michael Caine has revealed how fellow silver screen legend and knight of the realm Sir Sean Connery scared him off ever playing golf again after the former James Bond star threw a temper tantrum and snapped a club while trying to give him a lesson. “Sean has a terrible temper and when he tried to teach me golf he was so incensed by my performance that he grabbed my club and broke it in two,” Caine says in his autobiography, The Elephant to Hollywood. “I have never played golf since.”

CHOKER Of THE MONTH

SHOT Of THE MONTH

Spain’s Pablo Martin held a three shot lead heading into the final round of the Portugal Masters but two double bogeys and three bogeys saw him post a 3-over 75 and finish in sixth place.

“Very shameful,” he lamented. “I’m very ashamed of myself.”

Germany’s Martin Kaymer played a phenomenal wedge into the green on the 18th in the final round of his Alfred Dunhill Links Championship victory at St Andrews. The beautifully placed shot to six feet would have been pretty special at the best of times but the fact it was played off Granny Clark’s Wynd – the road which crosses the fairway – made it truly outrageous.

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51

DRIVING RANGE s To e u arket nTin o the m updates C in n k odel ositio ass hmar L top p he latest m roducing e C h t nC GL to int all – t o hold The The be -Benz continleues,sbtut thata’scntivoet . In addlyitiobonost the faunedl the GL ic IC e lar es ttr seT erced s utility veh en more a hat particu eTEC 4MAT have mad v t rs rt rom M lu ne ns sf po er e 0B desig L-Clas ious s -road ovatio GL 35 THE G nt of luxur emium off ns and inn ity of the nology, the il r e segm ade the p modificatio l compatib IENCY tech m a l t IC a e F n v ic F e a n E ng. h s tech vironm e Blue ppeali variou cy and en aturing th en more a n fe efficie I 4MATIC g body ev D C ik r 0 t s in 35 hicle’s the ve

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53

There’s one good thing about

becoming a member.

Somehow, you always end up as a winner.

As a member of Yas Links Abu Dhabi, treat yourself to more than just a game at this prestigious 18-hole golf course.

Unwind with a swim in the pool, soak in spectacular views of the coast, relax tensed nerves with a luxurious steam bath or celebrate a win at Hickory's - an all-day restaurant. You can also enjoy a comprehensive tournament schedule, bring family and friends along at attractive rates, or even pick valuable pointers while practising day or night at the state-of-the-art Yas Links Golf Academy.

If you're looking for an ideal spot to tee off, give us a call. The grass, as you will notice, is definitely greener on this side.

For membership enquiries and bookings, please contact +971 2 810 7777 or email info@yaslinks.com

driving rANGE GL 500 petroL V8 achieVes 0 – 62 mph in just 6.5 seconds

GL 350 has a comBined FueL economY oF 29.4mpG

enhanCed effiCienCy and unCompromisinG power The muscular styling of the GL-Class suggests an SUV with plenty of power and torque – and it doesn’t disappoint.

A choice of three formidable engines includes the GL 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, which incorporates an array of smart energy saving measures without compromising performance.

For example, the tyres feature a special tread and modified rubber compound to reduce rolling resistance. The MercedesBenz star in the radiator grille has been sealed to improve aerodynamics and the electrohydraulic on-demand power steering helps prevent unnecessary fuel consumption. you won’T wanT The journey To end individual settings can be stored with the Combining ergonomic design with exquisite Memory Package (standard on the GL 450 CDI materials, the GL-Class cabin sets the standard and GL 500). for comfort amongst premium SUVs. All Heated front seats come as standard and offer occupants enjoy generous headroom and 4-way electric lumbar support for the driver legroom – even in the third row – and easy and front passenger. Multi-contour front seats access is assured thanks to the high roof and (standard on the GL 450 CDI and GL 500) large door opening angle of up to 64°. feature individually adjustable air chambers so Seats are electrically adjustable for cushion you can tailor support to suit your needs. depth, seat height and backrest angle and sTayinG ouT of TroubLe The GL-Class features a range of systems to promote safer driving. When combined with active safety features such as the acclaimed Electronic Stability Programme (ESP®) and Fourwheel Electronic Traction System (4ETS), these significantly reduce the risk of accidents.

The optional Intelligent Light System easily adapts to your journey by distributing light according to driving and weather conditions.

CooL, CaLm and CoLLeCTed The GL-Class offers a choice of advanced climate control systems to help you and your passengers stay comfortable and alert, whatever the conditions outside.

Fitted as standard on the GL 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, Automatic Climate Control lets you set individual temperatures for the left and right sides of the vehicle. Optional Luxury Automatic Climate Control (standard on the GL 450 CDI and GL 500) goes even further, enabling different air distribution to be set for the left and right hand sides of the vehicle and the rear passenger compartment.

What’s more, the system uses sensors to monitor sunlight, pollution and humidity and adjusts temperature and airflow accordingly. Dust, pollen and pollutant filters ensure the in-cabin air remains clean throughout any journey.

A further option, rear-seat Luxury Automatic Climate Control, gives passengers in the second row their own climate control console.

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55

pioneers in the region... award-winning courses... industry leaders...

22 years in the industry has amassed a wealth of experience and a host of accolades for Dubai Golf.

Why not experience Dubai’s best golf for yourself?

Book your tee times online at www.dubaigolf.com

clubhouse quickies

PLAYER quotEs JokEs woRd of thE month CARtoons

“Playing golf is like eating.

It’s something which has to come naturally.”

N

– Sam Snead

DiD you

know

?

Tony Green, who once played on the Scottish international team, often took his golden retriever Ben with him when he played. Returning home one day Ben showed signs of being ill and collapsed.

After an examination, the veterinarian decided on surgery. When he cut him open the doctor found Ben had swallowed 11 golf balls. Ben recovered, but he was banned from the golf course.

Marvin found the following ransom note slipped under his front door: “Bring $50,000 to the 18th hole of your golf club tomorrow by high noon if you ever want to see your wife alive again.”

But it was well after 1:00pm before he arrived at the designated meeting spot. A masked man summoned him over behind a bush and demanded, “You’re an hour late! What took you so long?”

“Give me a break!” said Marvin, pointing to his scorecard. “I’m a 26 handicap!”

Shorten your clubs James was playing a round of golf with the club pro one day and after 18 holes they went into the clubhouse. James asked the pro: “What do you think of my game?” The pro replied: “You should shorten your clubs by 1 inch.” James asked if the pro thought this would help his game to which the pro said, ” No! It will help them fit in the rubbish bin!”

Golfer: “Do you think I can get there with a 5 iron?”

Caddie: “Eventually.”

Word of the month

“Before I got out of the rough in one tournament it had turned into a shopping centre.” – Bob Hope

Barky: When one of your shots strikes a tree and you still make par for the hole, you’ve made a barky.

The Ryder Cup stars thought they had it bad having to play through a bit of rain at Celtic Manor last month but just look at these temporary rules we found from a golf club in England during WWII. Now that’s dedication to the game!

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57

Welcome to the Greener Side of Life The Allegria, the first Norman-designed golf course and Troon Golf’s first project in Egypt is situated west of Cairo within SODIC’s “award winning”z residential development Allegria. Designed with young families and children in mind, Allegria comprises modern residential facilities set within acres of pristine parkland. The Allegria golf course provides a stunning backdrop for the development’s luxurious villas and townhouses and features state-of-the-art facilities including a clubhouse, golf academy and driving range.

A five-star boutique hotel and luxury spa are included in the extensive community’s future amenities.

ThE AllEGrIA GOlf Club, ShEIkh ZAyED CITy, CAIrO, EGypT | +202 3857 3939 | www.AllEGrIACAIrO.COm

The AllegriA is mAnAged by Troon golf,® The leAder in upscAle golf course mAnAgemenT

2011 Annual Passes are now available on a limited basis.

Please contact The Allegria Golf Club +2 012 377 9800

OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKING As of MoNDAY oCToBER 25, 2010

ARouND ThE woRlD oN ThE EuRoPEAN TouR & us PGA TouR

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

Tiger Woods Lee Westwood Martin Kaymer Phil Mickelson Steve Stricker Jim Furyk Paul Casey Luke Donald Rory McIlroy Matt Kuchar Ernie Els Dustin Johnson Graeme McDowell Edoardo Molinari Hunter Mahan Ian Poulter Retief Goosen Zach Johnson Padraig Harrington Louis Oosthuizen Anthony Kim Robert Allenby Bubba Watson Justin Rose Miguel A Jimenez Nick Watney Camilo Villegas Ross Fisher Sean O’Hair Francesco Molinari Tim Clark Rickie Fowler Charl Schwartzel Jason Day Robert Karlsson Geoff Ogilvy Y.E. Yang Bo Van Pelt, Stewart Cink Adam Scott Ryan Moore Peter Hanson K.J. Choi Lucas Glover Angel Cabrera Charley Hoffman Henrik Stenson Kim Kyung-Tae Alvaro Quiros Jeff Overton

USA Eng Deu USA USA USA Eng Eng Nir USA Saf USA Nir Ita USA Eng Saf USA Irl Saf USA Aus USA Eng Esp USA Col Eng USA Ita Saf USA Saf Aus Swe Aus Kor USA USA Aus USA Swe Kor USA Arg USA Swe Kor Esp USA

Pts. Avg

Tot. Pts

Events

8.31 8.25 8.03 7.98 7.33 7.19 6.11 5.63 5.43 5.28 5.18 5.05 4.75 4.62 4.54 4.48 4.28 4.04 3.99 3.97 3.90 3.86 3.70 3.70 3.60 3.59 3.53 3.52 3.50 3.46 3.40 3.40 3.29 3.25 3.24 3.24 3.22 3.09 3.05 3.04 3.00 2.98 2.88 2.87 2.83 2.76 2.75 2.73 2.71 2.70

332.55 387.83 385.28 343.01 307.70 323.53 268.75 292.70 304.25 274.31 295.53 252.51 242.41 235.55 231.35 210.54 248.32 218.42 219.45 206.47 175.29 219.74 173.98 203.51 197.77 186.88 180.02 172.37 171.55 183.31 186.83 135.87 180.95 143.03 136.04 165.10 173.94 178.94 143.30 148.79 158.94 143.05 152.77 146.17 127.20 140.99 134.75 144.70 143.43 151.46

40 47 48 43 42 45 44 52 56 52 57 50 51 51 51 47 58 54 55 52 45 57 47 55 55 52 51 49 49 53 55 40 55 44 42 51 54 58 47 49 53 48 53 51 45 51 49 53 53 56

Pts. Gained 90.53 279.11 330.02 243.78 215.46 240.77 223.95 272.16 213.20 254.96 255.42 235.57 209.79 189.46 190.72 146.96 183.93 163.74 131.24 201.32 151.05 151.04 162.88 187.68 177.95 143.23 164.88 102.68 104.55 138.95 161.42 139.62 173.35 130.23 135.11 116.50 112.44 167.78 78.91 102.92 116.29 115.22 153.66 72.30 68.37 120.44 60.66 116.11 130.93 141.70

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

Ryo Ishikawa Ben Crane Yuta Ikeda Heath Slocum Martin Laird Kenny Perry Ryan Palmer Kevin Na Bill Haas Scott Verplank Rhys Davies Hiroyuki Fujita J.B. Holmes Liang Wen-Chong David Toms Danny Willett Richard Green Michael Sim Sergio Garcia Noh Seung-yul Simon Dyson Ricky Barnes Brendan Jones Bryce Molder Fredrik Andersson Hed Stephen Gallacher Oliver Wilson Brandt Snedeker Vijay Singh Jason Dufne, Thongchai Jaidee David Horsey Toru Taniguchi Rory Sabbatini Tetsuji Hiratsuka Brian Gay Gonzalo Fdez-Castano Matteo Manassero Brian Davis John Senden Stephen Marino Brendon de Jonge Justin Leonard Chris Wood Søren Kjeldsen Vaughn Taylor Marc Leishman Shunsuke Sonoda Stephen Ames Davis Love-III

Jpn USA Jpn USA Sco USA USA USA USA USA Wal Jpn USA Chn USA Eng Aus Aus Esp Kor Eng USA Aus USA Swe Sco Eng USA Fji USA Tha Eng Jpn Saf Jpn USA Esp Ita Eng Aus USA Zwe USA Eng Dnk USA Aus Jpn Can USA

2.69 2.68 2.61 2.55 2.54 2.44 2.41 2.40 2.37 2.24 2.23 2.23 2.17 2.14 2.13 2.12 2.11 2.02 1.99 1.99 1.98 1.94 1.91 1.90 1.90 1.86 1.85 1.85 1.82 1.81 1.76 1.74 1.73 1.73 1.73 1.73 1.68 1.67 1.66 1.66 1.61 1.60 1.60 1.59 1.59 1.58 1.58 1.56 1.55 1.54

Tot. Pts

Events

155.73 139.44 135.57 147.83 142.27 114.71 130.09 127.04 130.47 105.51 127.38 124.74 114.79 96.34 110.51 99.42 94.76 90.95 97.70 81.41 114.74 102.83 76.21 98.59 85.27 76.07 100.13 99.71 83.57 99.80 102.21 86.97 74.46 100.33 100.31 100.18 94.14 66.92 96.14 96.02 93.46 93.07 84.97 76.46 84.28 87.15 91.81 62.52 72.82 80.20

58 52 52 58 56 47 54 53 55 47 57 56 53 45 52 47 45 45 49 41 58 53 40 52 45 41 54 54 46 55 58 50 43 58 58 58 56 40 58 58 58 58 53 48 53 55 58 40 47 52

Pts. Gained 94.97 136.94 84.17 111.59 113.03 48.19 140.89 99.48 127.60 74.27 117.34 93.09 114.92 68.28 71.81 86.96 81.77 54.94 58.15 83.01 56.03 98.14 52.23 74.40 81.27 81.35 65.42 81.24 67.65 59.57 74.51 85.87 58.91 75.22 84.55 60.80 63.16 64.24 82.25 56.32 70.18 96.98 51.09 55.93 42.32 81.78 64.46 63.86 45.06 65.82

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.

What a boost for the game of golf in Italy Matteo Manessero, is presented with the unusual trophy after winning the Castesllo Masters Costa Azahar in Spain by Vicente Ramblas, VicePresident Generalitat Valenciana.

Manessero, at the age of 17 years and 188 days, shot a final round of 4-under par 67 for a 268 total (68-66-67-67) to win by four shots from Spain’s Ignacio Garrido and become the youngest-ever winner on The European Tour.

I

N last month’s column I mentioned that it was good that a relatively small golfing community like Italy should produce such talent as the Molinari brothers, Edoardo and Francesco, and the amazingly gifted 17-year-old Matteo Manassero. well it didn’t take matteo long to become the youngest ever winner on the european tour when at 17 years and 188 days he won the castello masters costa azahar in spain last month by four shots from the experienced spaniard, ignacio Garrido.

Going into the final day one shot off the pace the youngster reacted like a seasoned professional to produce a final round 4-under-par 67 for a 268 total (68-66-67-67). matteo doesn’t spend a lot of time over the ball working out his shots. he makes his

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mind up very quickly and gets on with it. it’s the first time that two italian players have won in the same european tour season, following edoardo molinari’s victories in the Barclays scottish open at loch lomond and the johnnie walker championship at Gleneagles. matteo’s win in spain earns him exemption on the european tour until the end of the 2012 season, which is a huge weight off his back. his father, roberto, should be complimented for his attitude and his support of his son. after matteo’s victory he said: “i’m very proud – he’s doing what he loves doing and i’m just happy that he’s happy.” he has not attempted to push his son, he’s merely given him all the support he needs. matteo has an old head on young

shoulders. he’s a huge talent with the composure to match his ability. he caught the attention of the golf world at turnberry last year when he won the silver medal at the open as the leading amateur at the age of 16 and showed again that he’s not overawed with the big occasion earlier this year when he became the youngest ever player to compete in the masters, still aged 16. he made the cut and went on to win the silver cup as the leading amateur, finishing in 37th place, 4-over-par for the tournament. he turned professional the following month at the italian open. with the sensible guidance of his father, his mature personality and his enormous talent, matteo has a fantastic future ahead of him. and what a wonderful boost he is for the game of golf in italy.

Left: The Molinari brothers, Edoardo and Francesco, having some fun duelling with golf clubs on the rocks at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club earlier this year.

“I was not only excIted about the creatIon and openIng of thIs beautIful donnafugata golf resort but also about the renewed enthusIasm about the game In general In Italy. the molInarI brothers and young matteo maneserro have laId a foundatIon for the future.” – GARY PLAYER neXt month’s nedbank Golf challenge (december 2-5) at the Gary Player country club at sun city will be something special as we celebrate the tournament’s 30th anniversary. the nedbank still has the biggest prize money in south african golf and it always attracts a world-class field. this time we are honoured to have one of the strongest line-ups the event has ever had: louis oosthuizen, the reigning open champion, fellow south african countrymen and major winners ernie els and retief Goosen and 2010 Players championship winner tim clark, robert allenby, miguel angel jiménez, edoardo molinari, justin rose, ross fisher, anders hansen and current dubai world championship winner lee westwood. we’re aiming to make this nedbank Golf championship even more memorable Above: Louis Ooshuizen is just one of the Major attractions with some entertaining special events among the star-studded line-up at next month’s Nedbank so it’s going to be a great week for Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City, that players and spectators alike. last year the celebrates its 30th anniversary. tournament attracted a 65,000 crowd. this year i expect it will be even higher. it was a an odd coincidence that i should be in italy and sicily at the time when the molinari brothers, edoardo and francesco, were helping the european team take the ryder cup back from the united states at celtic manor in wales. i was in sicily to play a ceremonial

opening round at the magnificent donnafugata Golf resort we designed. i was not only excited about the creation and opening of this beautiful golf course but also about the renewed enthusiasm about the game in general in italy. the molinari brothers and young matteo have laid a foundation for the future. the donnafugata Golf resort is close to the historic town of ragusa and a unesco world heritage site so we went to great lengths to protect and incorporate the local environment.

Groves of olive trees were enhanced and ancient rock walls were preserved and rebuilt. i love history and you really feel the heritage of this remarkable part of italy as you play the course. we have achieved something that doesn’t often happen – there is not a marginal hole on the course. all 18 holes are very good. very playable and very natural. i was pleased to see ernie els is finishing off his u.s. season on a high by winning the PGa Grand slam of Golf in Bermuda. it’s good that ernie has rediscovered his putting touch and i wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t win another big event before the end of the year – maybe the dubai world championship. n

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Worldround-ups Tournament: Austrian GolfOpen presented by Botarin

Date: 07 - 10 October 2010

Venue: St Andrews Old Course, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, Fife, Scotland

Winner: Martin KayMer cHeQue: €580,046

Kaymer secures a memorable haT-TricK MARTIN Kaymer won his third strokeplay title in succession on The European Tour after a threestroke victory over England’s Danny Willett at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

After victories at the US PGA Championship and the KLM Open and then a victorious debut in The Ryder Cup, Kaymer stormed to victory in Scotland to take home prize money of over €500,000 and extend his lead in The Race to Dubai to just under €1m.

“It was always one of my dreams to win at St Andrews,” smiled the German. “I can still remember my first day here as an amateur, walking down the first hole and over the bridge – it felt very special to me.”

Kaymer carded a final round 6-under-par 66 to finish on 17-under-par and beat his 2007 Walker Cup team-mates Willett and John Parry by three and four strokes respectively.

Willett did join Kaymer in the

lead briefly after sinking a 50-foot eagle putt from off the green at the 14th but Kaymer responded by birdieing from 25 feet. Kaymer then extended his lead with a superb birdie putt from 40 feet on the 17th before sealing the victory with another birdie on the last after knocking his approach from the road across the fairway to six feet.

“To make a four at the 17th feels like a birdie, so I don’t know how I managed a three,” he said. “I just tried to focus on the putt.”

Willett was forced to settle for his 16th top-10 finish on The European Tour but was pleased with his progress since joining the Tour in 2008. “I’m getting there. I just need to keep putting myself in contention,” he said.

Gary Boyd took fourth place on 12-under with defending champion Simon Dyson finishing in a share of fifth place with Scotland’s Martin Laird and Spaniard Alvaro Quiros.

Winning Score: 17-under-par – 271 (68,69,68,66) runner-up: danny Willett – 274

FACT

FIlE

With his win at St Andrews Martin Kaymer became the first player since Tiger Woods in 2006 to win three consecutive events on The European Tour. Kaymer moved up to a career high fourth on the Official World Golf Ranking before rising to third two weeks later.

Tournament: Viking Classic

30 september - 03 october 2010

Venue: Annandale Golf Club, Madison, Mississippi

Winner: Bill Haas cHeQue: $648,000

haas baTTles To ViKing VicTory BILL Haas won his second US PGA Tour title of the season after a nervy final day at the Viking Classic. Haas entered the final round with a four stroke lead but bogeyed the opening hole and then had four bogeys on the back nine but still held on for a threestroke victory over Michael Allen.

“I had to handle my nerves since the first hole,” Haas said. “But it’s not easy.”

Haas carded a level-par 72 to finish on 15-under-par while Allen carded a 71 to finish on 12-under-par. He walked away with a cheque for $648,000, jumped to 26th on the money list and because it was his second win of the campaign gained an extension to his exemption on the Tour through until the end of 2013.

“The job security is pretty cool,” Haas smiled. “I’ve been to Q School twice in the past, played

on the Nationwide Tour, and I know how good the guys on the Nationwide Tour are. If you get pushed back there then it’s not easy to get back out here which is where everyone wants to be.”

Allen, 51, who turned professional in 1984, has 357 appearances on the US PGA Tour to his name but is still without a victory. “I was hanging in there all day, especially the front nine,” he said. “I couldn’t get much going even though I had a lot of opportunities.”

Allan took home $388,800 for his performance which boosted his earnings this year to $716,031 and saw him move up to 117th on the money list from 166th.

Fellow American D.J Trahan finished third on 11-under-par for his seventh top-10 of the season alongside Zimbabwean Brendon de Jonge who had to settle for his third third-place finish of 2010.

Winning Score: 15-under-par – 273 (66,66,69,72) runner-up: MicHael allen – 276

FACT

FIlE

Bill Haas won his second US PGA Tour at the Viking Classic in what was his 163rd start. His father Jay won his second event on Tour in his 142nd start and went on to win nine times in total on the US PGA Tour.

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Worldround-ups Tournament: Portugal Masters

14 - 17 october 2010

Venue: Oceanico Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura, Portugal

Winner: ricHard Green cHeQue: €500,000

green reigns supreme in porTugal RICHARD Green carded a superb final round 7-under-par 65 for an 18-underpar total and a two-stroke victory over four players at the Portugal Masters.

The Australian came from seven shots off the overnight lead held by Spaniard Pablo Martin to win his first European Tour title since the 2007 BACA Austrian Open.

“I thought I was a little too far back, being sort of seven shots behind the leader,” admitted Green. “But you know, I set out there today to shoot a good score and I had 64 in my mind and I thought if I got anywhere near, I would have a great week.

“To be here now with the trophy is just a fantastic feeling. I’ve worked very hard, and I’ve had some opportunities to win this year and let them slip.”

Italian Ryder Cup player Francesco Molinari carded his second 10-underpar 62 of the week but was left to rue two 74s on the first and third rounds as he finished on 16-under-par. Sweden’s Robert Karlsson carded a 5-under-par 67 to finish on the same total with

Dutchman Joost Luiten and Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano also sharing second place.

Overnight leader Martin suffered on the final day and posted a 3-over-par 75 to fall into a share of sixth place. The Spanish youngster held a three-stroke lead after shooting a 63 in the third round but faltered down the stretch on the Sunday. Martin had reached 20-under-par when he birdied the par-5 fifth hole but a double bogey on hole 7 and bogeys on holes 13, 15 and 16 pegged him back. He did get a shot back with a birdie on 17 but then his challenge ended when he drove into the water on the 18th and double bogeyed.

“I choked, basically,” sighed Martin.

“Meltdown – it was pretty clear. You could see it on TV I guess. I don’t know.

I don’t know what can I say after that?

“I was playing all right, the double on seven, you only have to do two things right, the two drivers on seven and 18. I hit both of them in the pond, exactly what you don’t want to do.”

in tHe bag Driver: 3-wood: 5-wood: Irons (3-9): Wedges: Putter: Ball:

TaylorMade Burner Superfast 9.5° TaylorMade R9 15 ° TaylorMade R9 19 ° Titleist 690 MB Titleist Vokey 48°, 54° and 60° Odyssey White Hot #2 CS Titleist Pro V1x

Winning Score: 18-under-par – 270 (70,66,69,65) runner-up: FranceSco Molinari, gonzalo FernandezcaStano, robert KarlSSon, JooSt luiten – 272

FACT FIlE

Richard Green became the second left-hander to win on The European Tour this season following Phil Mickelson’s triumph at the Masters. This marks the first time in European Tour history that two different lefthanders have stepped into the winner’s circle in the same year.

Tournament: The McGladrey Classic

07 - 10 october 2010

Venue: Seaside Course, Sea Island, Georgia

Winner: HeatH slocuM cHeQue: $720,000

slocum no slouch by The sea HEATH Slocum wrapped up his fourth US PGA Tour title with a one-stroke victory over the in-form Bill Haas at the inaugural McGladrey Classic in Georgia. Slocum sank a mammoth 60-foot birdie putt from just off the green on the 16th to get to 3-under-par on the day and could then afford to bogey the last for a 68 and a 14-under-par total. “Any tournament you enter, you want to win,” said Slocum, “and when you do, there’s just no other feeling like it.”

Haas, who won the Viking Classic a week earlier, was impressed by Slocum’s birdie putt which he admits effectively sealed the title. “ That won him the tournament, and that’s the putt that he’ll always remember,”

said Haas. “Last week for me I made a 30footer on the 17th, and in theory that kind of won me that tournament. You need that kind of stuff to happen. It was Heath’s week, and that’s awesome playing.”

Australia’s Robert Allenby, who was looking for his first US win since 2001, shot a 4-under-par 66 to finish third alongside Indian Arjun Atwal and David Toms.

Allenby was in contention up to the final hole but blocked his driver on the 18th into the lake and wound up with a double bogey. Toms was 4-under for the day but two late bogeys on holes 16 and 17 put paid to his chances while Atwal needed to birdie the last to force a play-off but instead carded a bogey five.

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 

Worldround-ups Tournament: Frys.com Open

13 - 17 october 2010

Venue: CordeValle Golf Club, San Martin, California

magnificenT meDiaTe wins wire-To-wire ROCCO Mediate became the oldest wire-to-wire winner on the US PGA Tour at the age of 47 after a onestroke victory over Bo Van Pelt and Alex Prugh at the Frys.com Open.

Mediate holed out for an eagle for the fourth successive day, pitching in from 116 yards on the par-4 17th which propelled him back into the lead after a nervy front nine.

“Do you believe what just happened out there?” said a delighted Mediate after making a par on the last and lifting the trophy.

“I have a job again. I had signed up to go to Q-School – that’s where I belonged until about a half-hour ago.”

Mediate picked up his sixth title on US soil and his first since 2002, finishing with a 2-over 73 for a 15-under 269 total and a $900,000 cheque as well as a two-year exemption.

Mediate had a hole-in-one on the par-3 third hole during the opening round, holed out from 160 yards on the par-4 fourth the following day and then in the third round he eagled the par-5 15th from 111

yards which helped him build a three-shot lead heading into the final 18 holes.

Mediate saw his lead quickly dissolve as he opened up with a bogey and then carded two more for an outward 38. Back-to-back bogeys on holes 11 and 12 pegged him back further but he was still in touch as Van Pelt and Prugh failed to pull clear. Mediate then birdied the par-3 16th and eagled the 17th to put him in the lead before a par on the 18th sealed the victory.

Both Prugh and Van Pelt birdied the final hole to put the pressure on Mediate and the veteran left himself a nervy five-footer for the win. But after consulting his caddie Matthew Achatz he stepped up and confidently holed it.

“He said to me, ‘It’s dead straight, knock it in’” said Mediate. “I nodded, said ‘okay’ and the next thing I know I’ve dropped my putter and I’m giving him a huge hug. I don’t know how to explain it. Over the past three weeks everything was coming along and I was putting better.

Last week I was pretty solid all four rounds and this week went bonkers.”

Winner: rocco Mediate cHeQue: $900,000

Winning Score: 15-under-par – 269 (64,65,67,73) runner-up: bo Van pelt, alex prugH – 270

FACT FIlE

Rocco Mediate became the 15th player to record at least one eagle in each round of a US PGA Tour four-round strokeplay event since 1983. Last year’s Frys.Com Open saw Rickie Fowler also achieve the feat.

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EGYPTIAN OPEN

Tullo vicTorious as Mcilroy shines in egypT

C

HILEAN Mark Tullo guaranteed his place on the 2011 European Tour with a superb victory at the Egyptian Open presented by SODIC while World No.9 Rory McIlroy found his game over the weekend to delight the galleries and seal a 12th place finish.

Tullo produced a superb 6-under-par 66 to rampage up the leaderboard to 13-under-par and seal a one-stroke victory over Dutchman Floris De Vries and Scotland’s George Murray.

Murray was one stroke clear of De Vries and five ahead of Tullo heading into the final day but only managed a level par 72 while De Vries posted a 71 to finish alongside the Scotsman. Tullo had a nervy wait after signing his card as he watched both players birdie the par-5 17th to get to within a stroke, however neither could birdie the par-4 finishing hole to force a play-off and Tullo walked away with a cheque for €28,612.

“This is an amazing day for me – I won the Rolex Trophy earlier in the year when I was four behind going into the final round,” said Tullo. “I don’t know how I do it or why it happens but it feels great.

Winning once is amazing but to do it twice in the year shows your consistency and that you are doing a really good job.

“Winning the second time, at this stage of the season, is so important for me – it has secured my card for The European Tour for next season and that is like a dream for me.”

Mark Tullo receives the Egyptian Open trophy from SODIC’s Chief Commercial Officer Youssef Hammad and Egyptian Golf Federation Chairman Ayman Hussein.

One player Tullo can look forward to locking horns with again next year is Northern Ireland’s Ryder Cup star McIlroy who didn’t get off to the best of starts but re-captured his game to post a strong finish.

The Ulsterman opened with a 1-underpar 71 but then posted a 2-over 74 to make the cut by just three strokes. He then bounced back with weekend rounds of 69 and 68 to finish on 6-under-par and in a share of 12th place.

“That was my lowest of the week and it could have been a lot better as well,” said McIlroy after his 4-under-par final round. “I played really nicely today and carried it on from yesterday. I hit some really nice shots and it was definitely the best that I played all week.

“I missed four short ones for birdie in a row, all inside eight feet, on the back nine so it could have been very, very good but that’s the way it goes.

“It’s encouraging moving forward and for the rest of the season. There was a massive difference between how I hit the ball on

Wednesday in the first round and how I hit it today so that’s really good.

“Wednesday was really bad – it was the worst that I have ever hit it as a professional, put it that way. Thursday was a bit better and then Friday was good and I carried that into the final round.”

McIlroy was impressed by the set-up at the JW Marriot Mirage City Golf Club in Cairo and despite his early problems on the golf course he admitted he was delighted with how the week went.

“Overall this week has been really good, I have really enjoyed the trip to Egypt,” he smiled. “The golf course was in fantastic condition and the hotel resort was excellent.

“It was cool to see the Pyramids even though it was a short trip but I was the first guy to ever hit balls at the Pyramids so that was brilliant. It has been a great week – hopefully I’ll be able to come back one day if it becomes a European Tour event.”

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For more information and for your free courtesy round of golf contact: simon.duffield@katameyadunes.com www.katameyadunes.com New Cairo, Egypt

Katameya Dunes gets top billing WorlDWIDe Golf eDItor-In-ChIef, MIKe GalleMore, vIsIts KataMeya Dunes anD Is pleaseD to ConfIrM the ruMours that thIs Is an outstanDInG WorlD-Class Golf Course.

I

’D been impressed by the pictures and listened intently to all the glowing reports but it was a case of seeing is believing when I finally saw Katameya Dunes for myself last month.

Sadly, I didn’t get to play the course but I did get a golf cart guided tour with company General Manager Simon Duffield, who I knew when he ran the world-renowned Ballybunion Golf Club in the wild West of Ireland and organised the hugely successful Irish Seniors Open there in June last year.

Katameya Dunes is a far cry from the links of County Kerry but in its field it can be equally considered as a world-class golf course.

The 27-hole course is a Sir Nick Faldo design and it certainly makes the most of the natural terrain.

Visually, it is a peaceful, tranquil oasis, where the sound of running water can be heard on several of the holes, adding to the relaxing atmosphere.

The contrast of the colours of the browns of the bunkers, the blue of the various water features, the white of the waterfalls and the greens of the fairways combine to make the entire golf course a picture of serenity.

Not all the water comes into play but it is an integral part of the design. No two holes are the same and there’s an appealing variety of raised tees and greens to make it a fair test for every level of golfer. For a desert course in this location there

is relatively little sand and the condition of the wide, accommodating fairways and the pristine greens is remarkable. In typical Sir Nick Faldo style there are a number of risk and reward holes and the emphasis is on shot-making.

The 27 holes are utilised by the 18-hole 7,400 yards Lakes Course and the 18-hole 7,300 yards Palms Course.

An outstanding feature of Katameya Dunes is the positioning of the villas, clubhouse and hotel.

The villas are unobtrusively sited around the perimeter, overlooking the golf course, with the clubhouse and luxury hotel and spa (23 suites and 100 rooms) commanding a magnificent spot looking out across the course. There’s also a golf academy, excellent practice facilities and a 350yard floodlit driving range.

Another advantage is that Katameya Dunes is only 15 minutes’ drive from Cairo International Airport.

The Middle East is blessed with a number of magnificent world-class golf courses, many of which host prestigious Tour Championship events. I would have no hesitation in putting Katameya Dunes into that group as a golf course and when the entire project is completed in 2012 I would expect that it will take its place among the best resorts in world golf.

EGYPTIAN OPEN PLAYERS PRAISE A ‘FANTASTIC’ GOLF COURSE SIXTEEN players who competed in the Egyptian Open at Mirage City Golf Club had the opportunity to play Katameya Dunes after the tournament finished on the Saturday.

The professionals who played in The four-day European Tour Challenge Tour event were among the first to take up the invitation to experience the Sir Nick Faldo-designed course.

Their verdict was that the course was ‘fantastic’ and they all said they couldn’t wait to come back and play the Dunes again.

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TUTORIAL C h o o s i n g t h e r i g h t s h o t at t h e r i g h t t i m e

T

he great thing about the game of golf is that every shot we play is different. Even if you are member at a particular course, a hole can play very differently from one day to the next.

Therefore it’s important that we have the ability to hit different types of shots under different circumstances. Golf is not about hitting the ball dead straight every time, and as the game is played under varying playing conditions it’s important to a) develop our ability to create different shapes of shots and b) train our mind to choose the right shot to hit at the right time. This is called shot selection.

Shot selection is a key element to success on the golf course. The best players in the world take in many factors when choosing each shot they play. From weather and course conditions to how they physically and mentally feel on the day, this process provides information for them to quickly choose the shot they should hit, not the shot they

want to hit. A great example of choosing and executing the right shot at the right time exists on the beautiful but challenging Par 3 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club named Saadiyat Breeze. Here the prevailing breeze blows straight off the Arabian Gulf which is from the golfer’s left to right as they play the hole.

Today the hole is cut on the right side of the green, which is the toughest side, with slopes and a deep bunker. So the best place to be is left of the flag, leaving you with a flat putt for birdie or chip to save par. But with the wind pushing the ball to the right, how can we leave the ball to the left of the hole? We must be able to hit the right shot for this situation, which is what we call a “hold up draw” for a right-hander. A draw shot for a right hander is a shot that starts to the right and then moves back to the target. The ball is spinning from right to left or anti-clockwise as a right-hander looks at the ball at address, thus fighting against the wind and “holding it up,” and here’s how you hit it…

Brought to you by

B y Lu k e C a n t e Lo, D i r e C to r o f i n s t r u C t i o n at s a a D i yat B e aC h g o L f C Lu B

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Brought to you by

Draw

many golfers feel the need to make big swing changes in order to shape the ball in different directions, but this is not true. a few simple changes at address will get the club moving on the correct path through impact, in this case to start the ball to the right of target and create a draw. for a right handed golfer, simply place the ball further back in your stance than usual. this will cause your shoulder alignment to “close” or aim to the right of target.

this new shoulder position is enough to create a path through the ball where the club will move to the right of the target through impact. to feel this you should take a few practice swings to rehearse this feeling.

from this position at address, simply make your normal backswing, incorporating the feeling of the new shoulder alignment and ball position.

TUTORIAL faDe

loft

bunker

rough

rescue

many players change their feet, knee and hip alignment also, but as you can see, these have stayed parallel to the ball to target line for me. the changes in ball position and shoulder alignment are enough to get the club moving correctly.

here you can see the club still pointing to the right of target and the ball is starting in the right direction. notice how this position is almost an exact copy of my practice swing/ rehearsal.

from there continue what feels like your normal dowswing, and emphasise the feeling of the club staying to the right of the target post impact.

you can also see here that i have swung through with a passive release of the golf club. as stated earlier, many players feel the urge to change many aspects of their swing to create a certain shape of shot. to create a draw shot, many believe you need to “flip” your hands over through impact to get the ball spinning the right way. in actuality this can get the ball spinning too much and cause a lot of inconsistency. Just trust that the changes discussed will get you drawing the ball at will. www.wwgolf.biz

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SWING

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

Brought to you by

MartIN kayMer IT’S been a huge year for Martin Kaymer. His play-off win at the US PGA vaulted him into the category of Major champion and he looks set to take over from his countryman, Bernhard Langer, as the new giant of German golf.

His swing is very much his own, which is why it works so well under pressure. He has total understanding and confidence in his ability and swing. In my opinion, he is easily one of the best players on the planet at the moment and I can only see Martin getting better and winning more and more tournaments. German golf is in very good hands!

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SWING

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

1

Martin has always faded the ball from left to right. As the club moves off the ball, you can see how much the clubhead is working on the outside. As his chest turns, his hands, arms and clubhead all stay very much in front of his body. The club is working up, not around his body which will help produce a left to right fade.

The club is working back in front of the body on the downswing, very similar to the backswing. To produce a left to right fade shape the club needs to work back and through in front of the body.

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Martin’s bad shot occurs when his backswing gets too long at the top, causing his right knee to lock.

Notice the space between his knees here. If that space gets bigger, Martin gets in trouble.

Martin really covers the ball with his chest through impact. Most golfers think draws go further than fades, but don’t be deceived. If you use your chest and legs to hit a fade, distance will never be an issue. As long as the club works from out to in during the backswing and downswing, the harder Martin turns his chest the straighter the ball will go, falling just to the right at the end.

Notice the clubface here is still square. To fade the ball, Martin releases his body, not his hands. As he turns his chest through impact, his arms and hands stay very passive, as if they are just along for the ride. To fade the ball, think about turning the big muscles and staying passive with your hands.

Now a Major champion, expect to see Mr. Kaymer contend for big tournaments on a regular basis.

His golf swing is simple and very repeatable, especially under pressure.

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in the swing with AMeLiA Mckee

Deliberate Play

T

HIS month we are working with Amelia on the concept of ‘Deliberate Play’.

The concept is to design different games with very simple rules and give no coaching or instruction, just encourage the youngster to use their initiative and independence to complete the tasks. The most

important aspect is to make the game a fun as possible. The idea of practice can often be difficult for juniors to grasp but in contrast to this I also see far too many juniors getting too technical with their golf at an early age.

Simple rules and making things fun can be as important as hours of specific practice.

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

Touch Training Placing eight to 10 balls around the green, Amelia is putting into a small square target.

There is no right or wrong way to do this, the only goal is to try and make all the balls finish inside the square.

Juniors tend to be obsessed with putting mechanics and ‘making the perfect stroke’ but speed and feel are just as important as mechanics. For every ball that fails to finish in the square, Amelia gets an opportunity to work on her upper body strength, meaning pushups – and she hates doing pushups!

BadminTon Jamie Sadlowski captured back-to-back Re/Max World Long Drive Championships in 2008 and 2009. Weighing around 170 pounds, Jamie can produce serious power for his size. As a native Canadian it should come as no surprise that he grew up playing ice hockey but what is surprising is that the other sport he competed in as a youngster was badminton.

Jamie believes badminton is vital for creating speed and power and has helped him perfect the art of long driving.

This was Amelia’s first time playing badminton. There were no technical instructions given to her, other than the basics of hitting it over the net. The boundaries of the court were defined and the rest was left to her.

oBsTacle course Lastly, we designed an obstacle course for Amelia. The rules were to get from one end to the other without her feet touching the floor. The objects she had to step across were of various sizes and shapes and some were stable and others not.

Again, there is no ‘right’ way to get across the course – Amelia had to figure out the speed at which she could navigate her way across and how much control she needed over her body.

Obstacle courses are a great way for juniors to improve their agility, balance, coordination and speed – all of which are needed to make controlled and powerful golf swings. Looks like she’s having fun to me.

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81

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WOMEN’S GOLF MIDDLE EAST

margetts and watson take the spoils WGME HELD their second event of the season at Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa in hot and humid conditions last month and it was the formidable duo of Margaret Margetts and Carol Anna Watson who took the honours with an excellent haul of 41 points.

Both players dovetailed extremely well with 21 points scored on the front nine holes and 20 points on the back nine which gave them a two-point victory over Brenda Cooke and Sandy Meyer. Cooke and Meyer posted a strong opening nine of 23 points but faltered down the stretch and came home with just 16 points for their 39 point total while Pauline Wallace and Riette Cuciurean scored 37 points for third place.

arabian ranches to host ladies onlY eVent am golf tournaments in world golf. Fifty invited guests and 50 European Tour Professionals compete together in a fun yet competitive golf experience unparalleled in the Middle East.

Players come from all over the globe to participate in the annual Pro-Am which will be held at Yas Links Golf Club on January 24, 2011. Over the last two years The Invitational has also contributed more than AED2million ($500,000) to local and international charities.

ARABIAN Ranches has been selected to host a Ladies Only event hosted by Women’s Golf Middle East on Monday November 15, 2010.

The best 10 Ladies on the day will qualify for the Grand Final at Yas Links, Abu Dhabi on January 12, 2011 where the best adult and best junior will receive a Golden Ticket to play in one of the finest pro-ams in the world.

The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah is one of the most exclusive and prestigious pro-

beginner golF clinics WGME Par 3 Series at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club – November 7, 2010 CLOSING DATE November 3, 2010 Rules of Golf Evening at The Els Club – November 10, 2010 RESERVE BY NOVEMBER 7, 2010 WGME Two Lady Team Event – Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club November 28, 2010 CLOSING DATE NOVEMBER 20, 2010

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES NOVEMBER 7, 2010.

Professional TiP

Green-Side ChippinG – The BaSiCS Many players struggle with those shots that are crucial to maintaining a low score – green-side chips from within 20 yards of the putting surface.

These types of shots are usually very simple to play and most of the time players who don’t play these shots too well tend to make them more complicated than they really are.

• •

•

Firstly you need to check your basic set-up.

Make sure your stance is narrow and you are standing much closer to the ball than normal, the toes should point slightly towards the target and your hips should be slightly open.

The ball position should be in the middle and make sure you push about eighty percent of your weight onto the leading leg. Flex the knees comfortably.

Because you are standing closer to the ball, make sure your grip down the handle so that the arms are fairly straight

and comfortable. Keep everything very simple.

•

•

•

Keep the hand and arms working together as one unit. Try not to change this relationship and maintain the feeling you are working the shoulders instead of the arms, wrists or hands.

Push back with the left shoulder and pull through with the right shoulder, keep the hands very still. This will keep the clubface square and will work the correct angle of the clubface.

Never try and scoop the ball into the air. www.wwgolf.biz

83

Tiger Woods at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa Challenge Match 2004

Quality Golf at an affordable Price Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa Midweek Packages and Daily Specials available from 1st October to 15th December 2010 at its award winning Resort Course:

Straight Shot Sunday 9 or 18-hole green fee includes electric cart or trolley and bucket of 50 range balls, plus 20% food and beverage voucher for use in the Sports Café: • 9-hole rate – AED 160 per person • 18-hole rate – AED 235 per person

Wednesday Ladies Special Rate 9 or 18-hole green fee includes electric cart or trolley and bucket of 50 range balls, plus 20% food and beverage voucher for use in the Sports Café: • 9-hole rate – AED 160 per person • 18-hole rate – AED 235 per person

Midweek 5-day Special Offer includes unlimited golf from Sunday to Thursday (excluding public holidays), electric cart or trolley hire, unlimited range balls, 12-day tee time booking privilege, plus 20% food and

Middle East’s Leading Sports & Leisure Beach Resort

beverage voucher for use in the Sports Café: • 2-month package – AED 1,495 • 6-month package – AED 3,995

For more information or bookings, please contact the Golf Reception on (04) 814 5023, (04) 814 5058 or the Golf Office on (04) 814 5046 E-mail: golf.teetimes@jaihotels.com www.jebelali-international.com *Rates include 10% municipality fee and are valid from 1st October to 15th December 2010 unless otherwise stated above. Tee times and all packages are subject to availability. Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa reserves the right to charge normal green fee rates for failure to cancel a tee time at least 48 hours in advance. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other promotions or offers. Terms and conditions apply.

ARABIAN GOLF golf ClUbs in noVEmbEr 2010 worldwidE golf

WWG LOCAL FOCUS

EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION

sEnior downs pEppErEll to ClinCh EgyptiAn AmAtEUr opEn

Royal Golf Club Bahrain Banyan Village, Golf & Resort Emirates Golf Federation Sheikh Rashid Trophy Al Badia Golf Club Arabian Ranches Golf Club Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Emirates Golf Club Jumeirah Golf Estates Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa Saif Zone Golf Society League Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club Doha Golf Club Al Ghazal Golf Club Yas Links Abu Dhabi Tower Links Golf Club Katameya Heights Golf and Tennis Resort International Pairs

under-par overall scores. South African Thabo Maseko carded an opening round 69 to take the lead but that was as good as it got for him as a second round 75 and then a final round 73 saw him finish in third place on 1-over-par 217.

Fourth place went to UAE National Ahmed Al Musharrekh after a final round 72 gave him a 220 total while Norwegian Mikkel Andresen finished five strokes further back in fifth place.

The leading Egyptian Player was Soliman El Assar after an impressive closing round of 72 gave him a total of 226.

JACK Senior defeated fellow Englishman Eddie Pepperell at the first hole of a sudden death play-off with a stunning birdie to win the Egyptian Amateur Open at Katameya Heights in Cairo last month.

Both players finished with 1-under-par totals of 215 after 54 holes but it was Senior who prevailed after sinking a 12-foot putt after a superb approach shot.

Strong winds whipped through the course during all three rounds to make the Katameya Heights layout even more challenging but the English pair played superbly to finish with

THE UAE team finished seventh in the 30th edition of the Arab Golf Championship after producing a late charge which took place at the Citrus Golf Club at Hammamet in Tunisia.

Khalid Yousuf shot a superb 71 while Abdullah Al Musharrekh returned a solid 72, despite a bogey-bogey finish, to contribute to the team’s score and with Hassan Al Musharrekh’s 79 they scored a gross 222 for their best score of the championship. The team, who finished runner-up to Bahrain last year, opened with a 237 and followed it with a 232 but after their final day score they finished well behind overall winners Egypt.

“We had prepared well for the championship but things didn’t turn out the way we had hoped,” said Khalid Mubarak, manager and captain of the UAE team. “You do feel a bit disappointed but the boys did try very hard. This is golf. You have got to remain patient and wait for your turn. The team is determined to use this experience as a springboard to greater things at other international events later this year.”

zINe No.1 Golf MaGa MIddle east’s

Official Media Partner

Middle East

BER 2010 Issue 120, NOVEM

UAE post strong finish in ArAb golf ChAmpionship

NEWS FORUMS COMPETITIONS TRAVEL READ ONLINE & MORE... www.wwgolf.biz

CADDY SHACK

BILLY FOSTER talks about life on the bag with Lee Westwood

Kaiser Chief

IAN POULTER FEATURE SWING TIPS EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS NEW LOOK ARABIAN GOLF

Major and raced Having bagged his first to dubai Martin out in front in the Race wonder year his Kaymer talks about

DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS PREVIEW & FREE Els

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

ARABIAN GOLF

ROYAL GOLF CLUB BAHRAIN

forms the stunning centrepiece of Riffa Views, a residential lifestyle community. contact: Tel: +973 17 750777

OWEN SECURES SECOND FALDO SERIES TITLE IN BAHRAIN DANIEL Owen successfully defended the Faldo Series Middle East Championship at the Royal Golf Club last month with a magnificent 11-stroke victory after two superb rounds of golf.

Playing on the course that will host the European Tour’s inaugural Volvo Tournament of Champions in January next year, Bahrain resident Owen booked himself a return trip to the fifth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills Golf Club in China with commanding rounds of 70 and 72 for a 142 total.

Joining 21-year-old Owen at Mission Hills for the R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event, to be hosted by Sir Nick Faldo in March, will be the Bahrain pair of Dhari Al Borshaid and Mohamed Jalal, winners of the Middle East Nationals’ Under21 and Under-16 categories respectively, plus Girls’ winner Georgina Coughlin of England.

“It’s great to win the tournament again this year and qualify for China,” said Owen after his victory. “Having been there and experienced competing in the Grand Final already, I believe this will stand me in good stead for a successful week.”

John Wilson, the Royal Golf Club’s Golf Events Key Accounts Manager, said: “Congratulations to Dan, it’s never easy trying to retain a title but he’s

played some solid golf this weekend and reaped the rewards. We wish him all the very best in the Grand Final at Mission Hills in March.”

Younger children from the local community were also in attendance at the second Middle East Championship to watch Owen reclaim his title. The children earlier played nine holes themselves on the Royal Golf Club’s Par-3 course as part of Faldo’s drive to create access to the game for a younger audience.

Underwritten by the six-time Major winner himself, the Faldo Series Asia is supported by major partners ISPS, Mission Hills and the R&A and is endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia

Pacific Golf Federation (APGC). Over 30 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in more than 25 countries across the UK, Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia and former winners include Rory McIlroy, Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, John Parry, Melissa Reid, Florentyna Parker and Yani Tseng, all of whom have since won on Tour.

The 2010/2011 Faldo Series Asia schedule features a record 17 tournaments in 12 different countries including six in mainland China plus others in The Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Bahrain, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia and Thailand.

nOvember events at the rOyal GOlf Club Date Nov 5 Every Sat Every Mon Every Wed & Sun Every Thurs

event Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge Bahrain qualifier Wee Monty Family Day – BD15 per adult, kids play free.

GBI Express Monday Madness Night Golf Series Ladies competition Midweek Stableford

time 8.00am shotgun 10am to noon 6.30pm shotgun 8.30am shotgun until 2.00pm

Open tO All All All Ladies All

The Montgomerie championship course will be closed for overseeding between 7th and 24th November.

All golf events during that time period will take place on the Wee Monty par 3 course.

Champion Daniel Owen (kneeling) is pictured with all the day’s prize winners 86

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ARABIAN GOLF

EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION DE WET DOMINATES XANDER De Wet turned in a superb all-round performance to dominate the recent EGF Handicap Scheme Medal tournament at the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club.

De Wet (5) won the Best Gross prize with a solid score of 76 and also walked away with the Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin honours in a strong field.

Nestor Labis (9) topped Division ‘A’ with a tidy score of net 71 while Nicholas Hymas (15) carded a brilliant 39 points to take the Division ‘B’ title, beating his nearest challenger Russell Wilson (17) on countback.

Tania Gelsaini was adjudged Best Lady Golfer while Stewart Arbuckle also took home a prize after winning the Nearest the Pin prize.

“Once again we had a very strong field and the scores were pretty good. That pretty much reflects on the growing popularity of these Handicap Scheme Medal tournaments,” said Saeed Albudoor, General Manager of the Emirates Golf Federation. “We are really grateful to all the clubs in the UAE for their support in helping us to put together these events.”

Prize winners from EGF Handicap Scheme medal with Jason Froggatt of EGF (left) at the presentation.

BRILLIANT AL MARZOUQI TAKES OCTOBER MEDAL

HENDRy SETS THE pACE IN JUNIOR OOM

ABDULLAH Al Marzouqi shot an impressive 45 Stableford points to win the UAE Nationals Monthly golf tournament at Palm Sports Resort last month.

Playing with a cool head, the talented golfer scored points on almost all holes to beat his nearest challenger Rabab Al Haj by four points with Salah Almeri taking third on 40 points.

Hassan Al Musharrekh, who is fast maturing into a fine player like his brothers Abdullah and Ahmed, scooped the prestigious Best Gross prize with a 73.

In the Divisional prizes Saif Thabit carded 39 points to win top Division ‘A’ (0-14 handicap) while Saif Al Aryani reigned supreme in Division ‘B’ (15-28), taking the honours with 39 points.

Saeed Albudoor, General Manager of the Emirates Golf Federation, lauded the players for turning up in big numbers to make the event great success. “The scores were pretty good and that amply reflects on the hard work being put by the players to improve their game,” he said after play. “I would like to thank the Palm Sports Resort management for a presenting the course in great condition. We all had fun and look forward to playing here again in the near future.”

DEFENDING champion Daniel Hendry set the early pace in the EGF’s Order of Merit after posting a superb victory at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club Junior Open.

The Emirates Golf Club prodigy, who plays off an impressive +3 handicap, shot a sizzling 75 to take the gross title by three shots from his fellow club-mate Philip Urasch.

With the victory Hendry picked up a maximum 30 points to open up a six-shot lead at the top going into the Sharjah Junior Open at the Sharjah Shooting and Golf Club on December 17.

Ronan Hall of Yas Links Abu Dhabi seized the early initiative in the Net Division Order of Merit after a posting a three-shot victory over EGC’s Harley Knight while Kavita Sehmi of EGC and Maeva Descladure (ADGC) were tied with 27 points at the top of the Junior Girls Order of Merit (Net) after carding an identical net 75s.

“These are early days, but we can expect some intense fight as the season progresses,” said Saeed Albudoor, General Manager of the Emirates Golf Federation. “This season we have six events on the Junior Order of Merit and we hope to attract a full field for each tournament.”

Overall winner Abdullah Al Marzooqi (left) receives his trophy at the presentation.

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87

Quality Golf at an affordable Price Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa Midweek Packages and Daily Specials available from 1st October to 15th December 2010 at its award winning Resort Course:

Straight Shot Sunday 9 or 18-hole green fee includes electric cart or trolley and bucket of 50 range balls, plus 20% food and beverage voucher for use in the Sports Café: • 9-hole rate – AED 160 per person • 18-hole rate – AED 235 per person

Wednesday Ladies Special Rate 9 or 18-hole green fee includes electric cart or trolley and bucket of 50 range balls, plus 20% food and beverage voucher for use in the Sports Café: • 9-hole rate – AED 160 per person • 18-hole rate – AED 235 per person

Midweek 5-day Special Offer includes unlimited golf from Sunday to Thursday (excluding public holidays), electric cart or trolley hire, unlimited range balls, 12-day tee time booking privilege, plus 20% food and beverage voucher for use in the Sports Café: • 2-month package – AED 1,495 • 6-month package – AED 3,995 • 12-month package – AED 7,500

Middle East’s Leading Sports & Leisure Beach Resort

For more information or Tee Time reservations, please contact the Golf Reception on (04) 814 5023, (04) 814 5058 or the Golf Office on (04) 814 5046 E-mail: golf.teetimes@jaihotels.com www.jebelali-international.com *Rates include 10% municipality fee and are valid from 1st October to 15th December 2010 unless otherwise stated above. Tee times and all packages are subject to availability. Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa reserves the right to charge normal green fee rates for failure to cancel a tee time at least 48 hours in advance. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other promotions or offers. Terms and conditions apply.

ARABIAN GOLF

SHEIKH RASHID TROPHY

sponsored by

21st - 23rd October 2010

COOL HARRADINE WINS THE SHEIKH RASHID TROPHY Michael, son of course designer Peter harradine, uses his insider knowledge of Jebel ali to roMP to victory as the sheikh rashid troPhy returns to the egf calendar after a four-year absence.

MICHAEL Harradine held his nerve under pressure to win the Sheikh Rashid Trophy at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa last month as he defied the energy-sapping humidity to close with a 73 for an 8-over-par 224 total and a fourstroke victory over Daniel Hendry.

“It feels great to win this prestigious tournament,” said 27-year-old Harradine, who used his expert knowledge of his father, Peter’s, design at Jebel Ali to great effect. “Overall, I am very happy with the way I played. Conditions were tough but I managed to keep the ball in play and tried to hit the greens as much possible.”

Top Saudi golfer Othman Almulla finished third on a gross 229, four shots ahead of UAE National Abdullah Al Musharrekh with Arabian Ranches Golf Club’s Douglas Maclennan in fifth place on 234.

Hendry, who shot a 76 in the final round, was in contention alongside Harradine but a double bogey on the ninth effectively put an end to his hopes of taking the title. “Michael and I were 8-over at that stage but after those dropped

shots I just couldn’t keep pace with him. He really played well thereafter and never gave me any chances,” said Hendry, the reigning EGF Junior Order of Merit champion. “Beating the heat was another big challenge and I’m really glad with the second place finish – I have no regrets.”

Al Musharrekh, a member of the UAE national team, carded a 77 to secure a creditable fourth place finish and he believes the experience will stand him in good stead for the future. “I think I could have done much better, but I made some stupid mistakes. You learn new things every day in golf,” he said. “The experience of playing three days on the trot will no doubt come in handy in the future.”

In addition to the gross prizes there was a net competition which was won by Martin Vertigen of Emirates Golf Club as his back-to-back rounds of 74 were just good enough to defeat Hassan Musharrekh in Division ‘A’. Fred Watts took home the Division ‘B’ honours with superb rounds of 71 and 69.

Adel Zarouni, Secretary General of the

ABOVE: Champion Michael Harradine receives the trophy from David Thomson, Regional General Manager, Jebel Ali Hotels, Saeed Malik representative of Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa’s owning family and Adel Zarouni, Secretary General, EGF.

Emirates Golf Federation, and Saeed Malik, who represented the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa’s owning family, presented the prizes to all the winners.

“The Sheikh Rashid Trophy will be much bigger and better next year,” confirmed Zarouni.

“Quite a few players from the UK, Bahrain, Tunisia, Morocco and other countries have already promised to sign up for the 2011 event.

The tournament has returned to the domestic circuit after a gap of four years and there was no dearth of enthusiasm. I thank all the players and sponsors for making the event a great success.” www.wwgolf.biz

89

Location:

BaNyaN VillaGe, RESORT & GOLF

Banyan Village, Resort & Golf, Hua Hin, Thailand 68/34 Mooban Hua Na, Tambol Nong Gae, Hua Hin, Prachuabkirikhan 77110.

contact:

Club: +66 (32) 616 200 reservations@banyanthailand.com Resort: +66 (32) 538 888 booking@banyanthailand.com

BANYAN GOLF CLUB sCOOps twO prestiGiOUs GOLF AwArds At the AsiA pACiFiC GOLF sUmmit 2010 GOLF industry experts from around the world gathered from October 18-20 at Centara Grand Central World in Bangkok to debate Asia’s rapidly growing role in the game at the Asia Pacific Golf Summit. Golf developers, operators, architects, builders, equipment and turf suppliers, investors and consultants together with a host of others met to share a new vision on how golf will grow in the region over the next decade.

Celebrity speakers including Greg Norman, Annika Sorenstam and Gary Player shared with the audience their views on golf and its future. Topics ranged from golf course design, human capital, architecture, golf as an Olympic sport, to the new media opportunities for communicating products and services.

Banyan Golf Club, Hua Hin has been recognised as a leader in the use of new media which was referenced several times in the media discussions.

Following the conference was the prestigious gala awards dinner and Banyan Golf Club, Hua Hin proudly was awarded: 1st RunneR-up: “Best CluBhouse in AsiA pACifiC” This was a very competitive category covering the entire Asia Pacific region which included several prestigious clubs such as Sentosa in Singapore and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. The winner was Nirwana Golf Club, Bali. No other Clubhouse in Thailand was nominated in this category.

2nd RunneR-up “Best Golf CouRse in thAilAnd” There are 280 golf courses in the Kingdom of Thailand so to have won this award is a fantastic achievement for Banyan Golf Club, Hua Hin which has been operating for just two years. Thai Country Club, a well established club which has been in operation since 1996, won this category.

This latest double scoop for Banyan Golf Club follows last year’s success when General Manager Stacey Walton and Director of Operations Stuart Daly picked up the gong for “Best New Course in Asian Pacific 2009/2010.

Overall, the number of accolades that Banyan Golf Club, Hua Hin has received since opening now totals five. This includes the prestigious “National

90

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Awards for Service Excellence” by Thailand Tattler in recognition of Banyan Golf Club as a “Top 20 Golf Course in Thailand” and “Best 10th Hole in Thailand”.

General Manager Stacey Walton commented: “I’m very proud to have collected these awards on behalf for our golf club. There are so many people to thank; which includes our shareholders, team members, members and guests who have all contributed in a positive way towards the development of our quality brand image and identity.

“Golf Course maintenance plays a major part in this award so I’m very proud of our superintendent and his crew for keeping our golf course in world class condition. Hua Hin is clearly emerging as a popular golfing destination and we have the vision to achieve even more success at Banyan Golf Club, Hua Hin in the future”. n

Top: Greg Norman (left) Annika Sorenstam and Gary Player were keynote speakers at the Asia Pacific Golf Summit.

Middle: All the winners take to the stage with their awards.

Bottom: Gary Player shares his views on the growth of golf in the Asia Pacific region.

PARK HYATT DUBAI ANNOUNCED AS OFFICIAL HOTEL FOR THE TECH ACCESS INTERNATIONAL PAIRS UAE PRESENTED BY CADILLAC

t

HE Park Hyatt Dubai has been announced as the Official Hotel for the inaugural Tech Access International Pairs UAE series.

With the inaugural series getting underway at Arabian Ranches Golf Club on October 30, not only will golfers from around the UAE be in the running to win a place in the National Final at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club in May 2011 but that will come with an allexpenses weekend stay at one of the country’s finest resorts.

Finalists’ spouses will also be invited to enjoy the luxurious facilities at Park Hyatt Dubai and will be included in the International Pairs UAE Celebratory Gala Dinner on the night of the National Final.

Chris Turlik of UAE International Pairs said: “To get support from a brand as iconic

as Park Hyatt elevates the status of Tech Access International Pairs UAE to a new level.

My thanks go to the management of this fantastic property for enabling us to add five stars to what is already a unique opportunity for club golfers to represent their club and ultimately, the UAE.” A total of 17 pairs from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah will contest the UAE National Final with the winners winning an all-inclusive trip to the World Final in Scotland.

“We are very excited to enter this partnership with International Pairs UAE,” says Adrian Slater, General Manager Park Hyatt Dubai, “The popularity of golf is enjoying an increase in the UAE and with our links to one of the Dubai’s most iconic golf courses, Dubai Creek, we are keen to be involved with golf throughout the country.”

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91

Location: Deira, opposite Deira City Centre.

araBian Golf

DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB

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

info: First Open 1993, redesigned in 2005.

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

Original Designer: Karl Litten.

Redesign: European Golf Design in association with Thomas Björn.

Kumar and nair cut it fine ASHOK Kumar and Madhav Nair clinched the fifth Carpetland Monthly Open of the 2010-11 series last month with an impressive betterball score of 41 Stableford points.

Two consistent nines of 21 and 20 points were enough to see off the chasing pack by the narrowest of margins as six pairs shot 40 points.

The runners-up with a superb better back nine of 22 points were Sabine Freyburger and Abdul Aziz Al Hakim while third place was tied on the back nine countback of 21 points and decided by the better last six score of 14 points

by Mark Dennehy and Gary Chapman and they, along with the top two pairs, secured an invite to the Carpetland Grand Final in May next year. Ron Littleton won Nearest the Pin on the testing eighth hole with a sweetly struck iron shot to several feet while Aditya Judge won the Longest Drive on hole 12.

navea and morrow cut the mustard RAMON Navea and Patrick Morrow took the spoils in their respective divisions at the recently held Filipino Golfers in the Middle East (FIGME) Summer Eye Ball competition.

Navea emerged as champion from the Gold ‘B’ Division thanks to a superb net 73 from his gross 89 while Morrow snatched the honours in the Platinum ‘A’ Division crown with a net 75. Noel Lanyohan took second place one stroke further back while Eric Matabang finished third with a 79.

Platt Pulls clear

Winners Patrick Morrow and Ramon Navea share a laugh with a bread knife – suggesting they need a ‘cut’ in their respective handicaps.

ROBERT Platt won the overall prize and the men’s Division ‘B’ in the BMW October medal with a great score of net 67.

A superb round of golf saw Platt win by a staggering six shot margin from the chasing field and claim his second medal at the club.

The results in Division ‘B’ saw Platt win by seven strokes from Alok Pant and Pant secured second place by virtue of his better back nine from Brendon Verma.

In the men’s Division ‘A’ Patrick Morrow took the spoils thanks to his better back nine from Paul Chader after both players came home with a consistent net 73.

Diya Chopra won the ladies division with a net 77 by one stroke from Joy Lirio who finished alone in second place.

The overall lowest gross score for the day was a 5-over-par 75 from the ever-consistent Paul King.

Robert Platt receives the BMW trophy from David Gray, Golf Services Manager at Dubai Creek.

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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.

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

araBian golf

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

EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

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

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

DESiGnERS: Majlis Course – Karl Litten Faldo course – Sir Nick Faldo

SeaSon openS with an ace from amarjeet radia THE Mixed Season Opener produced some fantastic golf over the Majlis course with the highlight coming from Amarjeet Radia when she holed out in one hit at the 120-yard 11th hole.

It was her first hole-in-one and she was delighted to ‘ring the bell’ in front of the 108-strong field.

The day started with the introduction of the incoming Captains, Doug Dowie and Jenny Ayres.

The traditional start to the official season teed off at 12:45 with the respective Captain’s ‘Drive-in’. Ayres drove her ball 183 yards straight down the middle and Ivan Fornazaric was the recipient of a bottle of champagne for guessing the correct yardage.

Dowie’s tee shot caught the left hand bunker at 234 yards with Bryan Wilson guessing correctly and collecting the bubbly.

The tournament was a shamble format with players playing their own ball following the preferred tee shot.

With the best two scores to count some fantastic numbers were posted and it was the quartet of Stathis Stathis, Nick and Iro Evangelopoulos and Pavan Nihalani who recorded the winning tally of 117 for a three-stroke

victory over Alan Salem, Sam Argui, Jatinder Chopra and Jenny Isles.

Third place finish went to Ninu Smith, Aaron Smith, Kavita Sehmi and Karam Sehmi following a 122 total.

Amarjeet Radia celebrates her superb hole-in-one.

joneS engineerS a fine victory

Vice Club Captain Mike Sim presents Steve Jones with the trophy.

STEVE Jones triumphed by the narrowest of margins in the Engineers Cup over the Majlis course recently with a fabulous 40-point haul from the black tees. Glyn Sowerby also finished on a 4-under-par 40-point tally but had to settle for second place after missing out on the card countback.

Jones praised his short game after the round, saying: “The added yardage from the black tees resulted in lengthy approach shots but my short game held together well whenever I missed the green”.

Ian Browning continued his solid form as he found himself in the prizes with a 38-point haul for third place.

Manoj Kapur took top prize in Division ‘A’ (hcp 0-12) with a solid 35 points as his superior back six holes edged out Joseph Bishop into second place. Andy Hendry was surprised to find himself in the prizes and his 37 points was good enough to claim the honours in Division ‘B’ (hcp 13-24) by two strokes from Anand Lakhiani.

watt and hendry power way to Bmw medal SucceSS DANIEL Hendry and David Watt were the standout performers in the October BMW Monthly Medal over the Majlis course.

Having represented Scotland in the Boy’s Home Internationals in the summer Hendry continued his fine form with a 70 over the Dubai Desert Classic layout to clinch best gross of the day.

David Watt produced the best net score of the day with a 67 to clinch Division B (handicap 13-23) by a three-shot margin from Amresh Sangani and Kish Bandopadhyay.

Jignesh Sangani signed for a 69 in Division A (handicap 0-12) to take top prize from Johnny

Lady Captain Jenny Ayres presents Viv Caley with her prizes.

caley claimS ladieS octoBer medal VIV Caley showed true form in not only winning Division ‘A’ in the October Monthly Medal with a net 70, but also claiming the best gross score of the day with a superb score of 80.

Caley won her division by two shots from Gabby Daghestani while in Division ‘B’ Maura Duggan also posted a net 70 to win by two from Mieke Slotboom.

The Bronze Division witnessed the lowest net score of the day as Jenny King came home with a 65 to win by six strokes from Kay Wright.

Aldridge and Sun Jin Hwang. Hal Hemmerich clinched first prize in Division C (handicap 24 and above) with a 78.

The top 15 from division A and B qualified for the Men’s Singles Matchplay Championship.

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Arabian Ranches Golf Club

SUPER WEEKDAY GOLF SPECIALS SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

SUNDAY 2 FOR 1 AT AED 595

Bring your friend or a work colleague every Sunday and play on our magnificent lush fairways and smooth running greens.

MONDAY MADNESS

Avail the coolest promotion at Arabian Ranches Golf Club when golf on Mondays is offered at an amazing 18 hole green fee rate.

EGF Members AR Residents UAE Residents Visitors

AED 250 AED 250 AED 265 AED 340

TUESDAY ALL DAY TWILIGHT

The perfect way to maximize value for money on the golf course.

The chance to play as many holes as possible any time on Tuesday.

EGF Members AR Residents UAE Residents Visitors

AED 295 AED 295 AED 315 AED 345

WEDNESDAY 2 FOR 1 AT AED 595

Take advantage of our Wednesday offer with a friend or work colleague and rejuvenate your working week on the golf course.

THURSDAY 4 PLAYER SPECIAL

Get your weekend off to the perfect start with half price golf.

Green fee rate for 2 persons EGF Members AED 595 AR Residents AED 595 UAE Residents AED 615 Visitors AED 645

Green fee rate for 2 persons EGF Members AED 595 AR Residents AED 595 UAE Residents AED 615 Visitors AED 645 Green fee rate for 4 persons EGF Members AED 995 AR Residents AED 995 UAE Residents AED 1,100

TERMS & CONDITIONS * Rates are inclusive of range balls and cart. * All above offers are not valid during public holidays. * Promotions valid from 1st October – 30th December, 2010 * Not valid in conjunction with any other promotion.

For reservations or enquiries, please call +971 4 366 3000 or email teetime@arabianranchesgolf.ae www.arabianranchesgolfdubai.com

Location: Emirates Road (311) in the heart of Arabian Ranches. contact: Tel : +971 4 366 3000 Tel : +971 4 366 3355

araBian GolF

ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB

info: Arabian Ranches Golf Club

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

Speed demonS THE four player team of Adele McKelvey (5), Rebecca Ward (25), Rob Sherman (16) and Amit Pateria (13) returned a superb score of 102 Stableford points to finish top of the pile at the Marble Renewal and Speed Cleaning “Shambles” Team event last month.

The McKelvey-led team scored five or more points on 15 of the 18 holes on their way to posting the winning total, signing for an outward half of 55 and an inward half of 47 for a six-point victory over the team of Tony Stroud, Shabir Yakub, Mike Talbot and Graham Tickell.

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

millS iS mileS ahead

Lady Club Captain Adrienne Fullerton is pictured with the winners.

JOHN Mills (+1) returned a gross level par 72 to win the October Rivoli Monthly Medal supported

by Ecco and Speed Cleaning.

Mills, one of the Club’s most consistent players, had one of his best performances to date on the desert links posting nines of 34 and 38 which included five birdies.

“I’m thrilled with my performance today, it is a special event to win.” Mills said. “I’m especially delighted to have qualified for the Men’s Singles Match Play Championship in this, the first qualifying event.”

On a day where scoring was tough, Mills won by six shots from Gary Swan who posted a 78 to take second place.

The net round of the day

belonged to Division ‘B’ Champion Andy Barker (16) who shot a gross 86 for a net 70 – the only under par score in a field of 76 competitors.

In the Ladies Division Karen Evans (25) won the net title with a 74 while Pauline Smith (13) won the ladies gross prize with an 88.

“This was a very exciting event with all the Men battling for a place in the Singles Match Play Championship and with only 10 players qualifying each month, the next two Rivoli Monthly Medals will be even more thrilling,” said Francois Wolfaardt, Golf Manager. “I also want to thank Rivoli for their generous support in one of the Club’s most prestigious events.”

proSchold and WeSt drive to victory DETLEF Proschold and Greg West took home the Al Futtaim Motors Order of Merit title last month with a superb performance in the twoplayer strokeplay event.

A total of 88 players competed in this popular team event where both players tee off, the best-positioned ball is selected and both players play from the selected position until the ball is holed out.

Proschold and West used a combined handicap allowance of three and they scored nines of 32 and 33 for a gross 65 – net 62 and a one stroke win over Tony Stroud and Shabir Yakub.

The best gross prize on the day went to John Mills and Steve Foster who completed 18 holes in just 64 blows.

In the Ladies/Mixed Division Tony and Ksenia Grayling ran out victors with a brilliant net 63.7 which edged out Mark and Karen Evans by just 0.5 shots.

Club Captains Andy Burrow and Adrienne Fullerton alongside the winning teams.

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aRaBian golf

JEBEL ALI GOLF RESORT & SPA Royal victoRy foR SimpSon DAVID Simpson won the Royal Society of St. George season-opening event at Jebel Ali’s resort course with a superb Stableford score of 41 points.

With the new USGA handicap system now in full swing the players enjoyed a few extra shots on their handicaps and Simpson won the event by two points from Ian Faulkner who rounded off a successful day by also winning the Nearest the Pin prize on the 17th hole. In third place overall was Jim Harvey after a card countback from two other players.

The ladies division was won by Cecilia Harvey who scored 32 points while Ian Turton rounded off the prizes by shooting Nearest the Pin on Hole 11.

Left-right: Overall winner David Simpson, Jim Harvey, Cecilia Harvey, Ian Faulkner and Ian Turton.

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

info: First opened 1997.

contact: Tel : +971 4 8836000

DESiGnER: Peter Harradine.

coURSE: Championship standard 9 hole course – par 36.

The winning team at the 2010 Multiplex Golf Day.

multiplex golf Day RaiSeS 122,200DHS THE Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa once again hosted the annual Multiplex Golf Day in aid of charity and this year the beneficiary was the Oncology Social Services At Tawam hospital, one of the leading cancer treatment hospitals in the world for less privileged individuals.

The six-man team led by John Moon and Ken Bethune won the modified Texas Scramble tournament and the total raised was a huge 122,200dhs.

Gavin Knowles, who organised the day, showed his prowess from the tee by taking home the Longest Drive competitions on holes 1 and 7.

AL BADIA GOLF CLUB new SeaSon getS into full Swing THE new golfing season got underway in fine style last month with three member and guests tournaments — the Officeland Monthly Series, Member’s Monthly Medal and the Al Badia ‘Ryder Cup’ Tournament – all played in quick succession over the opening weekend.

The Officeland Monthly Open was won

by Mark Adams and Iain Milligan as they pipped the duos of Jan Vandrey and Oliver Putz and Richard Oliver and MS Jhang to the title.

Al Badia member, Leslie Reis took the honors in the Members Monthly Medal

after carding a net 70 while Brett Armstrong scored a brilliant gross 81 to win the gross prize. Winner in Division ‘A’ was Nawaf Fawaz as he sealed a countback victory over John Allen after the pair carded net 73s while Nick Clayson reigned in Division ‘B’ after he edged Mark Paviour in to the runner-up spot.

The Ryder Cup was also celebrated by members, guests and professionals on October 3 as teams representing Europe and the Rest of the World competed for honours and it was the Rest of the World team who prevailed with a 19-point haul for a seven-point victory.

October Stableford champion Marco Boni and (right) Academy Professional, Jamie Anton.

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Winners of the Officeland Monthly Open Mark Adams and Iain Milligan accept their prizes from Officeland’s Mark Bryant.

Boni BRingS Home tHe Bacon MARCO Boni excelled in the October Stableford Tournament at Al Badia with a superb haul of 41 points.

His performance saw him take home the overall prize while Peter Baumbusch prevailed in Division ‘A’.

Baumbusch tallied 38 points to top his Division by just one point from Iain Milligan.

The duo endured a tight battle for honours in the hot and humid conditions but it was Baumbusch who was triumphant thanks to a strong finish.

John Allen wrestled third place from Kieran O’Connor after some superb scoring over the closing holes gave him a 36 point total as he sealed the final place on the podium by just one point.

In the on course competitions Chet Riley struck the Longest Drive while Tim Sephton had the honour of launching the Straightest Drive.

Greg Donaghy and Milligan rounded off the day’s prizes by winning the two Nearest the Pin challenges.

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

JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

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

info: The first two of four courses – Fire and Earth – opened for play on December 1st 2009.

Greg Norman designed both courses with Earth playing host to The European Tour’s final tournament on The Race to Dubai – The Dubai World Championship.

memBeR anD gueSt Race to DuBai SHamBle THE Fire Course played host to over 50 golfers in the Member and Guest Race to Dubai Shamble Event and the team of Con Lillis, Stephen Allan, Huw Hughes and Marco Caporills produced an impressive 29-under-par score of net 115 to run away with the title by 10 shots.

Darren Goode, Julian Colebrooke, Jimmy Long and Steve McConnachie claimed second place with a 19-under-par net 125 score.

Left to right: Marco Caporilli, Stephen Allan, Blake Horgan Golf Ops Supervisor, Con Lillis and Huw Hughes.

HunteR’S team pRevail in RyDeR cup cHallenge GENERAL Manager Geoff Hunter’s Great Britain and Ireland team narrowly claimed victory in the inaugural Ryder Cup Challenge Match Trophy over the Director of Golf, Neal Graham’s Rest of the World team by a score of 37 holes to 35 holes. The match was decided by playing Betterball Match Play over the front nine followed by Foursomes Match Play for the second nine holes.

Neal Graham presents Geoff Hunter with the winning trophy.

impReSSive JoneS winS octoBeR meDal ROD Jones claimed his first victory at JGE by claiming the October Monthly Medal on the Earth Course with an impressive net 70, edging Victor Collins and Darren Goode into second and third places respectively.

Consolation for Goode was his gross 79 proved good enough to claim the best gross prize.

TOWER LINKS GOLF CLUB gRaHam guiDeS team to ScRamBle SucceSS TOWER Links’ longest serving member Graham Jones guided his team of Julian Nutting and Yuki and Steve Pellerine to victory in the start of season scramble with a gross 65 for a net 55.4 from their 9.6 handicap.

The regular foursome of scramblers Joe and Zenia Wivou, Ray Labonte and Paul McCullough carded eight successive birdies on the back nine but had to settle for second place, 1.2 shots behind while Rob Kent, Richard Mawson, Greg Maddox and Young Nam took third place with a net 59.4.

Location: Ras Al Khaimah.

The course meanders through a mangrove reserve with the Hajar Mountains serving as a backdrop.

info: First Open: May 2004 18 holes Championship course. Floodlit back nine holes.

contact: Tel : +971 7 2279939 golf@towerlinks.com

DESiGnER: Gerald Williams.

(Reservations Desk)

wivou poweRS to victoRy JOE Wivou stormed around the back nine in the recent Social nine-hole Powerplay Stableford after shooting a monster 31 Stableford points to take the top prize.

Choosing your powerplay holes wisely is the name of the game and Wivou took advantage, with the four holes he chose netting him six points each which propelled him to victory.

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GoLf SoCieTY neWS

BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR INDIAN GOLF SOCIETY

D

EFENDING champions the Indian Golf Society produced a statement of intent at the opening fixtures of the 2010/11 SAIF–Zone Golf Society Leagues opening fixture by dispatching the Mott MacDonald 2 team 2 – 0 to claim all six points and move to the top of the SAIF– Zone league, tied with KEGS 1 who also produced a comprehensive win over the Darjeeling Golf Society.

Darjeeling Golf Society Team Captain Chris Domment blamed a lack of mental preparation for his team’s demise over the closing holes largely due to some last minute changes in his line-up.

Mott MacDonald 1 and KEGS 2 played out a tight contest and shared three points each with Pieter Van Wyk (7) and Jason Silve (22) producing the most comprehensive victory of the afternoon – 7&6.

In the BMW league The Etihad Pilots Golf Society burst out of the blocks and carded a 2–0 win over The Halcrow Golf Society while keeping pace in the league were last season’s semi-finalists Gulf Rock.

One match was a one sided affair with Gulf Rock winning 5&4 while the other match went to the last hole with Rock pairing Lars Liden (18) and Mel Stewart (10) holding their nerve to secure maximum points.

Dubai ExPutts 1 took four points from the rookie TOILers team with their opening match going to the very last green before eventually being halved. The second match was a one-sided affair with the ExPutts’ Mike Holliday nailing a 7-iron from 155 yards to within three feet on the 14th hole to secure an early victory.

GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE

The Worldwide Golf and Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club league got underway on Saturday 30th October.

For further information about the Golf Society League and other golf events at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club please contact Golf Business Development and Sales Manager Claire Badger on 06 548 7777.

The 48 competitors prior to play.

2010/11 Saif zone GoLf SoCieTY LeaGUe FIXTURE CALENDAR DATE

EVENT

TIME

Sat 6th Sat 13th

BMW & Saif Zone Leagues SGSC & Worldwide Golf Leagues

13.00 shotgun 13.00 shotgun

DeCember 2010

Sat 11th Sat 18th

BMW & Saif Zone Leagues SGSC & Worldwide Golf Leagues

13.00 shotgun 13.00 shotgun

JANUArY 2011

Sat 15th Sat 22nd

BMW & Saif Zone Leagues SGSC & Worldwide Golf Leagues

13.00 shotgun 13.00 shotgun

FebrUArY 2011

Sat 12th Sat 26th

BMW & Saif Zone Leagues SGSC & Worldwide Golf Leagues

13.00 shotgun 13.00 shotgun

mArCH 2011

Sat 5th

Quarter Finals

13.00 shotgun

Sat 2nd Sat 16th

Semi Finals 3rd & 4th play-off & Grand Final

13.00 shotgun 13.00 shotgun

November 2010

APrIL 2011

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

ARABIAN GOlf

SHARJAH GOLF & SHOOTING CLUB

info: A 9-hole fully floodlit course designed by Peter Harradine.

Played twice results in a par-72 layout in excess of 7,300 yards.

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

KImS fIND fORm KOREANS YD Kim and DH Kim won the October Betterball Stableford with 24 points after a superb performance which included three net pars and six net birdies.

Playing a shambles Stableford on the back nine the husband and wife pairing of Golden Kim (17) and Normita Demesa (20) scored 23 points to take second place.

It’S A fAmIly AffAIR THE husband and wife pairing of Adrian (15) and Louise Adams (22) cruised to victory in the second SAIF Zone Mixed Open Golf Championship held recently.

Sitting in a tie for second after a first round Betterball score of 66 the Adams duo (EGF) looked unfazed by the added pressure of the testing second round format of Greensomes.

Many overnight contenders faltered early in their rounds due to the unforgiving format, most notably the round one leaders Golden Kim (24) and Normita Desma (28) who

recorded a triple bogey seven on just their second hole. The pair did steady the ship and returned a respectable net 75 but it was only good enough to secure second place overall as the Adams returned a 67 to win by seven strokes.

Al Ain pairing Dane and Michelle Sandford were considered favourites being the lowest handicappers, playing off 5 and 18 respectively, and they returned an opening net 66.

However, they too struggled at the start of their second round and fell out of contention by the time they approached the back nine.

From left CJ Kim, DH Kim, YD Kim, Golden Kim and Normita Demesa.

tHOmAS StORmS tO VICtORy THE Coral Hotels & Resorts Midweek Madness was played over the back nine tees with over 30 participants playing in a par/bogey competition and it was Sabu Thomas who stormed to victory.

Thomas (15) won by two shots from Rashid Al Jarwan (25) after making five gross pars and one gross birdie to shoot to the top of the field.

Sue Bargh (30) finished third after finding some form with four net birdies and two net bogeys to take the final podium place on countback.

CHOI CONtINuES fINE fORm JW CHOI continued his solid performances of late with a superb net 33 at the Kempinski Hostel Ajman Midweek Medal last month. Runner-up with a net 34 was Ernie Love who made four net birdies but two late bogeys pegged him back while in third place with a 35 was Pranav Vora.

KOREAN KINGS THE pairing of Y. D. Kim (9) and Golden Kim (22) represented the Korean Golf Society and won the second edition of the Air France/KLM Golf Society Cup supported by Orient Travel recently.

Both are members at SGSC and the pair used their local knowledge to blistering effect on their opening nine as they recorded four net birdies and two net eagles en-route to an unsurpassed net 28. A back nine of 31 resulted in a tournament record 59 and a one-stroke victory over a stunned Mott MacDonald team represented by Adrian Adams (20) and his wife Louise (25).

The Adams duo got off to a steady start turning in 3-under 33 and then recorded seven net birdies and an eagle on a the back nine to return a score of 27. Third place went to the Gulf Rock pairing of Wilhelm Liden (13) and Mel Stewart (12) who produced a score of net 64, one stroke better than the 2009 winning total recorded by The DAGS pairing of Tony Stafford and Ed Rice.

The tournament’s winners (centre) are pictured with representatives from AirFrance/KLM and Orient Travel.

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

arabIan golf

contact: +974 483 2338 info@dohagolfclub.com

DOHA GOLF CLUB

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

Designed by Peter Harradine.

Inaugural DHl Qatar golf Day a success THE team of Danny Omland, James Hughes, Rene Ramirez and Jim Gartner won the first DHL Qatar Golf Day with a superb score of net 60 as over 70 corporate guests took to Doha’s Championship Course.

A countback was required to separate the

teams in second and third place and it was the foursome of Phil Whyte, Julian Henson, Vince Mulholland and Daniel Kirkman who took the runner-up spot thanks to their better back nine. Settling for third place was the team of Nick Baker, Chris Duffy, Steve

Iliohan and Felix Radavero. There were many special prizes awarded, including Nearest the Pin, won by Phil Whyte on hole 8 and the prize for Longest Drive, which went to Brian Woodward for launching his ball the farthest down the sixth fairway.

Participants line up prior to play at the DHL Qatar Golf Day.

close call In Hertel golf Day LAST Month saw the first Hertel Qatar Golf Day at Doha Golf Club and 52 players battled it out for honours in the searing heat.

The team of Nigel Hughes, Andy Ryan, Gary Grider and Jong Man Park sealed first place with a superb 61.6 net score, defeating the team of Barry King, Jason Smith, Phil Wright and Adel

Lawson by a margin of just 0.6 shots.

The foursome of John Sheerin, Bill Townsend, Thierry De Cock and Tony Moorat took third place with a net 63.3 Andy Ryan capped a fine day by winning the Longest Drive on hole 6 while Ian Lillie went home with a smile after knocking it stiff at the 17th and winning the Nearest the Pin prize.

newport on top In october Mug GRAEME Newport topped the pile in Flight ‘A’ of the October Monthly Mug, defeating Wedge Louison on a card countback after both players scored 38 Stableford points.

Flight ‘B’ saw Jung Kyeok Kim take the honours with 43 points and he secured a two-point victory over Kil Sik Ju while in the Ladies Division Lindsay Milner was victorious with a 33 point haul.

saMMy rIses to tHe occasIon

MartIgnonI scoops fIrst prIze

SAMMY Rose (hcp 10) returned a net 69 to win first place in Division ‘A’ in the September Guardian Wealth Monthly Medal on countback over junior member and 11-handicapper Saad Kazi.

In Division ‘B’ Jung Yeok Kim (hcp 24) took first place with net 65, defeating Hisahiro Kurosawa (hcp 24) by four strokes while Constance Dearing posted a net 68 to win the Ladies Division.

JORGE Martignoni took the honours in Flight ‘A’ of the final event of the Vodafone Qatar Summer League with a 12 -over score, which was good enough to see off junior member Manu Chandrasekaran by one. Flight ‘B’ saw the ladies in fine form with Uzma Mir finishing in first place with 11-over and Lesley Looker in second with 6-over.

Flight ‘A’ Winner, Jorge Martignoni

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Location: Just 400 metres from Abu Dhabi Airport by road

arabian golf

contact: Tel : 971 2 5758040 Fax: +971 2 5758041

AL GHAZAL GOLF CLUB Left to right: Captain Juma Mussa, Dennis Cox, Mark Swift, Lady Captain Pauline Jeynes and Anette Rego.

top pointS for rego and Swift ANETTE Rego and Mark Swift won the Ladies and Men’s divisions with 38 and 39 points respectively and cut their handicaps in the process in the first monthly Stableford Eclectic of the season.

The Stableford Eclectic is played once a month over the season.

The competition is for each competitor to try and better their monthly hole-by-hole points score, the winner will be the one who has the most points at the end of the season.

Runners up to Anette and Mark were Anina Bester, 36 points, and Mark Sutherland, 38 points. There were two ‘2s clubs’ recorded on the day by Martin Sutherland on the 16th and Dennis Cox on the third.

THE first Monthly Medal of the new season, sponsored by Nicholas Stevenson, was played in hot and humid conditions but that didn’t deter a field of over 50 taking to the course.

In the Ladies Division the in-form Lizette Breytenbach carded a net 68 to win by nine strokes from Anina Bester and cut her handicap to 11 in the process.

The Men’s ‘A’ Division saw the best scores of the day with Mark Hayman

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carding a gross 73 for a net 66 to beat Laxman Perera to the title. Hayman was also on the receiving end of a handicap cut and he now plays off 6.

Newcomer Keith Hindmarsh won Division ‘B’ with a 76 as he beat Bob Malone by two strokes. Malone took second place after a card countback from Eddie Brown, Jaco Breytenbach and Nicholas Stevenson while in Division ‘C’ Steve Coulson beat Will Murray to the top spot by two strokes after carding a 72.

Club Captains Juma Mussa and Pauline Jeynes flank all the winners on the day.

ShiMizu takeS the inaugural MercedeS-benz Monthly Medal

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www.alghazalgolf.ae Email: golfclub@emirates.net.ae

Solid ScoreS in october Medal

YAS LINKS ABU DHABI

IWAO Shimizu scored an impressive net 69 for a one-stroke victory over Brian McClure in the first Mercedes-Benz Monthly Medal last month.

With temperatures slowly decreasing playing conditions were a lot more enjoyable and Joe Howell took full advantage as he shot the lowest gross of the day with a 76.

CLUBHOUSE BAR Tel: +971 2 5758044 ACADEMY DIRECT Tel: +971 2 5758185

Robert Turner, Yas Links Tournament Coordinator said: “It was fantastic to see more members participating in the competition this week as we enter our full golfing season in the UAE. It is very pleasing to see improving scores, and it shows that the members are getting used to the links conditions.”

Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, near to the Marina and the Yas Marina Circuit and only 15 minutes from the city centre. contact: Tel : +971 2810 7777 www.yaslinks.com

info: An 18-hole course, a nine-hole academy course, clubhouse, golf academy and floodlit practice facilities, set against dramatic views of the Arabian Gulf – the course combines unparalleled visual glory with the thrill of golf’s ultimate test.

DESiGnER: Kyle Phillips.

KATAMEYA HEIGHTS GOLF & TENNIS CLUB

Location: Just 20 minutes away from Cairo’s International Airport and conveniently located between Cairo’s elite districts of Heliopolis and Maadi.

contact: Tel: 00202 27580512 to 17 (6 Lines) Fax: 00202 2758 0506 Email: enquiries@ katameyaheights.com Website: www.katameyaheights.com

huge nuMberS attend a rally for a cure SIXTY ladies participated in the Rally for a Cure day last month in a bid to raise awareness for Breast Cancer and have some fun on the golf course.

The team of Catriona Morrison, Fiona Jones, Lynn Walker and Lorene Watson produced a superb scramble score of 60.1 which saw them take

first place ahead of the team of Anne Le Hello, Beth Brown, Endah Kose and Nga Healey by 2.4 strokes. Third place went to the team of Sherine Mishriki, Heba De Maurrissen, Betsy Steer and Ursula Vo Fischer with a net 64.2 while in fourth place, just 0.1 shots back, were Pearl St Pierre, A. Shariek, Bev Clark and Caron Kobos.

SoliMan el aSar winS kataMeya Men’S open HAVING led after the first round and then after 27 holes, Soliman El Asar played consistent golf to secure a comfortable victory in the 2010 Katameya Men’s Open.

El Asar, who had been on a great run of form, returned gross rounds of 76 and 74 for a 150 total which was good enough for a five-stroke victory over Abdel Moniem El Shafei (GEZ) who carded rounds of 80 and 75.

El Asar made brief speech thanking the Head Professional at Katameya Heights and his team for organising the event along with the Egyptian Golf Federation and Julius Bar for their support.

Ayaz Afridi (KH) was crowned the Net champion after returning scores of 73 and 75 for a 148 total which gave him a one-stroke victory over club-mate Mike Adly.

troy kunz and grady ableS Seal victory in the SolaSy cup TROY Kunz and Grady Ables sealed the Solasy Cup after a narrow victory over John Saez and Charles Gordon. Kunz and Ables scored 84 points over the two day’s play to win by just one point from the second placed duo.

The event was played over 36 holes with three different formats – two of which were played on the opening day; a Scramble Stableford over the front nine and a Greensomes Stableford over the back.

After day one Kunz and Ables were joint second alongside three other teams, one point behind Farid and Sophie Issa.

However, on day two the duo gelled perfectly and scored 43 points for an overall total of 84 which sealed their one-point victory.

Third place went to Ahmed and Hassan Said with 81 points.

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107

Locker room

OMEGA CONSTELLATION LUXURY watch manufacturers Omega have re-designed their famous Constellation line of watches.

First launched in 1982, the Constellation featured the radical “Griffes” or claws, which immediately placed the watch line among the ranks of the world’s most instantly identifiable timepieces. The latest re-designed addition to the Constellation Ladies Quartz 35mm family combines the elegance of its 18ct red gold

case body with the rich, dark brown tones of the dial. There’s a facetted date window at 6 o’clock and the other hours are marked with 11 graduated diamonds.

The dial is enhanced by a supernova pattern emanating from the date window.

Presented on a brown alligator leather strap, it is an uncompromisingly fashionable watch which will also complement the most casual wardrobe.

www.omegawatches.com

CALLAWAY DIAbLO OCTANE FAIRWAY WOODS THE new Callaway Diablo Octane fairway woods are specifically engineered to create maximum power. The standard models feature a larger head and deeper centre of gravity, which makes them really easy to hit and promotes a higher trajectory.

The Tour models are designed with a smaller profile and a traditional hosel making them wonderful for shaping the ball and creating the penetrating trajectories that advanced players favour. www.callawaygolf.com

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ASpINAL OF LONDON DIvOT REpAIRER ASPINAL of London have a reputation for making some of the finest luxury items in the world and if you’re the kind of person who demands the best of everything then you might want to invest in one of these lovely divot repairer key rings. The divot repairer is housed in a lovely handmade tan calf leather fob complete with solid brass ball maker. www.aspinaloflondon.com

EVERYTHING YOU WOULD WANT IN YOUR LOckER... AND MORE! cLUBS

BALLS

cLOTHING

BAGS

cOOL STUff

ACCELERATOR pRO INDOOR pUTTING MAT WITh bALL RETURN THIS putting mat from SKLZ has taken up pride of place in the WWG editorial offices with countless deadlines almost missed due to a growing addiction to playing on it.

The mat allows you to practice three lengths – 7 foot, 5 foot and those all important tricky 3-footers. There are handy back and through stroke alignment guides that help you maintain the correct clubhead position as well as hone the correct acceleration and distance control. Best of all, there’s a ball return rail so you don’t even need to collect the ball! Seriously good fun.

www.sklz.com

bLOC EYEWEAR BLOC Eyewear has been developing quality affordable sunglasses for over 20 years now and the company has some great products on the market for a whole range of sports.

They’re really great looking shades and all use the highest quality materials and advanced lens technology to provide crystal clarity and visual performance whilst being durable enough to last the distance. www.bloceyewear.com

NIKE SQ MAChSpEED bLACK THE new SQ Machspeed Black driver from Nike Golf packs an awesome punch and looks like golf’s equivalent of the bat mobile to boot!

This super-stylish black panther of a club comes with a choice of square or round 460 cc heads and boy oh boy can you let rip with these things.

The club’s genius is that, like a high-performance sports car, it uses aerodynamics masterfully to ensure that air moves

quickly and cleanly over the clubhead, reducing drag and generating the speed you need to challenge John Daly in a long drive contest.

A nice deep clubface means that even if you don’t catch it dead centre you can still generate great distance while the head and face shape also produces a lower ball flight and less spin which all helps generate that all important distance. www.nike.com

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109

groom room

After A long dAy on the course, it’s AlwAys good to tAke time out to freshen up

MaRc Jacobs banG eau de toiLette coMMe des GaRcons WondeRWood eau de PaRfuM

Paco Rabanne Lady MiLLion eau de PaRfuM After the runaway success of the men’s version Paco Rabanne have released Lady Million. Glamorous, vivacious and ultra-feminine Lady Million is for the woman who demands the finest things in life. The scent is both floral and woody, making it intoxicatingly seductive.

Technical jargon: Top notes – bitter orange, fleshy raspberry, neroli. Heart notes – orange blossom and Arabian jasmine. Base notes – patchouli, honey, amber.

As the name would suggest Wonderwood from Comme des Garcons is wonderfully woody! This addictive scent is full of character and includes six woods within its hypnotic spell. Technical jargon: oud, cedarwood, sandalwood, cypress wood, Gaiac wood, patchouli, vetiver, javanol, cashmeran, pachiminol.

The new fragrance from Marc Jabobs definitely packs a punch. Bang is spicy and woody with bags of energy, making it perfect for those with a youthful spirit.

Technical jargon: Top notes – pink, black and white peppercorns. Heart notes – warm woods. Base notes – benzoin resin, vetiver, white moss and patchouli.

JooP! hoMMe eau de toiLette A modern classic, Joop!

Homme has been a favourite since its launch back in 1989. Cool, fresh and spicy the fragrance has distinctive oriental character.

Technical jargon: Bergamot, cinnamon. Heart notes – orange blossom, jasmine, honeysuckle. Base notes – sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, amber, tonka bean, musk, vanilla.

ina cRystaLs White GoLd RestoRinG niGht seRuM This beautiful effective rich formula helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and the first signs of aging.

The mineral rich serum is packed with antioxidants, nutrients, Vitamin E and special marine actives along with the all important Himalayan white gold crystal salt to help revive and re-plump the skin.

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112

DRIVER - FAIRWAY - HYBRID - IRONS - WEDGES - PUTTER - BALL

in THE

BAG

John Getliffe

PGA TeAchinG ProfessionAl, Abu DhAbi ciTy Golf club

Q: When did you first start playing golf?

A: My father first taught me to play when I was five years old. We played nine holes on the local Par-3 course and I scored 131, I don’t know how he ever had the patience to take me again. On my third ever round I topped a 5-iron along the ground and it went in for a hole-in-one, my dad has still never had one to this day. I joined our local club in Derbyshire as a junior member and have played ever since.

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 first season at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club and I can definitely see the attraction. I get huge enjoyment in being involved with the Abu Dhabi City Golf Academy’s Junior School, it’s amazing to see the pleasure they get from improving. They are the future of the game and the future looks bright with the standard I’ve seen so far. It’s also great to meet so many different people from all around the world, all sharing the same passion for improving their game.

Q: What was your first set of clubs?

A: My first clubs were a set of Circuit Junior clubs. I remember waking up on my birthday and swinging them all around the house. My first real set were a set of cut down Maxfli blades and a wooden headed MacGregor 5-wood.

I remember arriving at the golf club and being so proud of them – even though I could hardly get the ball off the ground.

Q: Who is your golfing hero and why?

A: I have two golfing heroes and they are John Daly and Phil Mickelson. I have always been a believer in going for the shot if it’s possible, even though it does not always work for me! These two are the best at hitting that ‘miracle’ shot and pleasing the crowd. It’s not a theory I would teach my students but it’s the way I love the game to be played.

I will never forget the shot ‘Big Phil’ played on the 13th at Augusta on his way to winning the Masters this year – that is simply as good as it gets.

Q: If you were the head of the R&A, what rule would you change?

A: I don’t know how it could be done but I think there should be some form of penalty for poor etiquette. If people don’t know how to handle themselves on the course then they should stick to the driving range. I remember losing an amateur tournament because my ball ended up in a footprint in a bunker on the 18th and I failed to get it out.

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DRIVER

RESCUE

TaylorMade R9 9.5° Mitubishi Fubuki (stiff )

BALL

TaylorMade Rescue 19° Rifle 6.0

Titleist Pro V1

PUTTER

IRONS Titleist ZB half inch longer, 2° upright

WEDGES Titleist Vokey Spin Milled 54° and 58°

Titleist Scotty Cameron Del Mar 34”

a golf shoe doesn’t need to look

like a golf shoe

Street shoe outside. Golf shoe inside.

There’s nothing else like it – ECCO Golf Street.