Worldwide Golf March 2022

T H E M I D D L E E A S T ’ S N O .1 G O L F M A G A Z I N E

EST

1999

Worldwide Golf

AUGUSTA CALLING

MARCH

2022

RUMANZA GOLF

GREEN JACKET UP FOR GRABS AT FIRST MAJOR OF 2022

SIR NICK FALDO HERALDS NEW ERA FOR SPORT IN PAKISTAN

MASTERS FEVER

QATAR MASTERS

DRIVE WELL FOR A CHANCE AT DOHA

FEATURE

FOCUS

ELS CLUB

FULLY FLEDGED LIFESTYLE DESTINATION HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER

JOVAN REBU

ERNIE ELS’ NEPHEW FORGING HIS OWN PATH

Worldwide Golf is the Official Media partner to the DP World Tour in the Middle East and the official magazine of the Emirates Golf Federation

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VOICE OF THE TOUR Tom Phillips,

Head of Middle East, DP World Tour

W

hen the European Tour group announced last November that DP World would become title partner of our main Tour, it represented a seminal moment not just in the 50 year history of our Tour, but also in our enduring relationship with the Middle East.

From the first Dubai Desert Classic back in 1989, golf in this region has come a long way and the Tour is proud to have helped affect much of this progress. Yet, as proud as we are of the past, we are equally as excited about what the future holds for us.

In our launch event for the DP World Tour at EXPO 2020, both DP World and the Tour outlined our joint commitment to elevating our Tour in every way, growing the game of golf globally and driving positive community impact.

Just four months into this new era, we have already made significant progress on pledges made in each of those three areas, despite the initial disruption to our South African swing caused by the emergence of the Omicron variant in late November.

For the first time, we started the calendar year with back-toback Rolex Series events, with the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic joining the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in our premium category of event as the world’s best players once again graced our traditional ‘Desert Swing’.

Both tournaments offered incredible drama, enthralling finishes and ultimately victories for Ryder Cup players, with Belgian Thomas Pieters finishing one shot clear of the field in our first visit to Yas Links in Abu Dhabi, and Norway’s Viktor Hovland defeating Richard Bland in a play-off at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.

Following those two Rolex Series events, we then visited Ras Al Khaimah for the first time, playing consecutive US$2million tournaments at Al Hamra Golf Club, with a fun and innovative team scramble event – the Hero Challenge – sandwiched in between for good measure.

With the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters rescheduled for the

“BY BRINGING GOLF’S LEADING STARS TO THE MIDDLE EAST AND SHOWCASING OUR TOURNAMENTS ON A GLOBAL STAGE, WE HOPE THE DP WORLD TOUR CAN HELP ADVANCE GOLF AT ALL LEVELS IN THIS REGION.”

end of March and, of course, our season-ending DP World Tour Championship on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November, it means six of our 44 events in 2022 will take place in the Middle East, underlining its importance for the Tour and indeed our own contribution to the region’s burgeoning status as a sporting hub.

By bringing golf’s leading stars to the Middle East and showcasing our tournaments on a global stage, we hope the DP World Tour can help advance golf at all levels in this region. We were therefore delighted when, in the Ras Al Khaimah Classic – the second of our two events at Al Hamra, Shergo Al Kurdi of Jordan became the first Arab golfer to make the cut in one of our tournaments, posting three rounds of 68 alongside a third round 74 to finish in a share of 33rd position.

At just 19, we look forward to observing Shergo’s progress in the years ahead, as well as the many other future prospects coming through from this region. The ambition is that one day, an Arab player will become a winner on the DP World Tour, but if we are to achieve that goal, providing pathways are essential.

That is why, as part of the DP World Tour launch, we announced an enhanced commitment to grassroots golf. We want to provide opportunities for players such as Shergo and Ahmad Skaik, the UAE’s Number One player and a product of the Emirates Golf Federation’s junior golf development programme, to take up our sport and go on to test themselves against talent from elsewhere in the world.

Last month, we also announced the launch of the G4D Tour, providing Golfers of Determination with a minimum of seven tournaments this year alongside our DP World Tour events, culminating in the G4D Tour finale in Dubai. At the DP World Tour, it is our strong belief that golf is the most inclusive sport of all, because the handicap system enables anyone from any background to play against someone else, and the G4D Tour most certainly illustrates that.

As golf administrators we have a responsibility to ensure that we open the door of opportunity to everyone, not close it or focus simply on the present. Our game is for the many, not the few and although the era of the DP World Tour is still in its early stages, we are already making a real difference in the Middle East region which longer term could even eclipse the considerable collective achievements of the past 33 years.

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CONTENTS 12

40

QATAR MASTERS

The DP World Tour’s Desert Swing concludes in Qatar with the next generation of talent looking to follow in the footsteps of Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson in lifting the Mother of Pearl Trophy.

ELS CLUB

Long known as one of the best golf courses in the region, The Els Club is now a fullyfledged lifestyle destination, complete with luxury Spa, Country Club, gym, padel courts, multiple dining options and much more.

FEATURES 16 PETER HARRADINE

Tells us the story of why people thought he was crazy for wanting to build Doha Golf Club on rocky ground.

20 JOVAN REBULA We caught up with Ernie Els’ nephew to find out more about his mentor and his expectations for the future ahead of his Qatar Masters debut.

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20

24

36

24 MIKKEL MATHIESEN The reigning Qatar Amateur Open champion returns home to take on the professionals at this years Qatar Masters.

26 MASTERS PREVIEW

The first Major of the year is nearly upon us. Who will slip into the iconic Green Jacket at Augusta National Golf Club?

36 RUMANZA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Pakistan’s fertile sporting landscape blossomed further last month when the RUMANZA Golf and Country Club in Multan opened its doors to great fanfare.

PETE COWEN

DAVID HOWELL

Why the Master PGA Professional thinks Toptracer is a much needed lifeline for the game and why nine hole tournaments make sense for the amateur game.

JENNY HENNESSY

How Larry Mize’s chip to win the 1987 Masters started his journey to becoming a tour professional and why the first Major of the season has such appeal.

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The founder of Chicks With Sticks recalls playing with Leona Maguire as a teenager and how delighted she is to see her friend win on the LPGA Tour for the first time.

44

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CONTENTS

GEAR

INSTRUCTION 46

52

VOKEY SM9

PERFECT THE GRIP

When the world’s best wedge builder releases a new model the golfing world takes note. Find out why Bob Vokey’s SM9 wedges are his greatest model to date.

Divan Ehmke, PGA Professional at MyGolf Dubai, demonstrates how to properly grip the golf club.

56 STEALTH FAIRWAY TaylorMade’s latest fairway metals are without the latest carbon face technolofy but do they perform?

57 COBRA LTDX FAIRWAYS Why we think Cobra has produced the best value metals in 2022, just a shame the model name is not memorable!

59 ECCO HIGH TOPS Ecco has teamed up with J. Lindeberg to create a new range and bring a little fun and comfort to the course.

48

LOW PUNCH SHOT Karl Goodwin, PGA Professional at The Track, Meydan, shows us how to incorporate lower ball flight when playing in windy conditions.

64 MAC BOUCHER - IN THE BAG The Dubai-based social media stars talks us through his choice of clubs.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

✗ ✗ WHERE DOES MICKELSON GO FROM HERE?

U

nless you’ve been living under a rock, you would have heard a lot about the proposed Saudi Golf League over the last month. All the talk of who will join the new league and who won’t reached boiling point after Mickelson accused the PGA Tour of being “manipulative and coercive” then ironically going on to admit he was using the threat of a breakaway to “reshape” how the Tour operates, and also revealing he’d recruited three other players to the league and that he and other players paid attorneys to construct the proposed league’s operating agreement.

Mickelson’s comments were pretty shameless but what do you expect from a guy who purposely hit a moving ball at the U.S. Open because things weren’t going his way? Or one that was known as FIGJAM (F--- I’m Good, Just Ask Me) in his early days on Tour?

The young guys on Tour like Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland and Jon Rahm would have grown up watching Mickelson in his heyday as he went toe-to-toe with Tiger Woods during his dominance on the PGA Tour. Those players and many more would have most likely been inspired by ‘Lefty’ and wanted to create a similar legacy to the one he had created but not anymore.

Public image is more than important than it ever has been with the rise of social media in the last decade. These guys are in the limelight and every comment they make will eventually make its way into the public domain so it came as no surprise to see the game’s elite players distance

themselves from Phil’s comments. I don’t think any of them would have really had an issue if Mickelson decided to join another Tour but it’s the manner in which he did it that has dramatically backfired on him.

“It is the Tour’s obnoxious greed that has really opened the door for opportunities elsewhere,” said Mickelson in January.

The $94,955,060 he’s made in PGA Tour career earnings is obviously not enough for him.

I’m not too sure about the proposed structure of the Saudi Golf League but PIF’s investment in the Asian Tour is a solid move if their intention is to build the game of golf. What Golf Saudi are doing in growing the game in the country, especially with their Ladies First initiative and the hosting of top-class Ladies European Tour events, should be commended. The game of golf only benefits if all the tours work as one. All this money people are talking about should be focused on growing the game around the world.

It was interesting to read Pete Cowen’s thoughts this month on where he sees the game going. Read his column on page 43 and find out why he thinks Top Tracer will see a new generation of golfers emerge and for once he’s not talking about the American college system. It wasn’t what I expected from one of the greatest coached of all time.

Thomas W ragg

ISSUE No.244 MARCH 2022 • Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd • Published in Dubai by: Prografix • PO Box 24677 • Dubai, UAE (Tel) +9714 340 3785 Editor-in-Chief: Alex Gallemore • Executive Editor: Gary Player • Editor: Thomas Wragg (tom@wspdubai.com) Publisher: Mike Gallemore (mike@wspglobal.com) • General Manager Dubai: Richard Bevan (rick@wspglobal.com) • Editors: Todd Staszko, Ashraf Ahmed • Production/Design Editor: Thameem Rayyan • Editorial Panel: Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Thomas Wragg • Photography: Getty Images • June 2009 SSN 1- 46805671 • Approval UAE National Media Council: Ref.816 30/5/2007 Trade Licence No. 1/104375/15280 • Worldwide Golf specifies that post-press changes may occur to any information given in this publication and takes no responsibility for goods or services advertised.

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Printed by: Raidy, Dubai Distributed by: Al Nisr Distribution LLC, PO Box 6519, Dubai, UAE

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COU Worldwide GOLF 12

URSE T

he 25th edition of Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, which has been a breeding ground for the game’s stars, will make a welcome return to the ruggedly handsome Doha Golf Club for the first time since 2019 from March 24 – 27.

No fewer than four players won the Qatar Masters before going on to win various Major championships while fully-established Major champions have also prevailed over the windswept course.

Paul Lawrie famously won the second edition of the tournament in 1999 and later that year went on to win the Claret Jug at The Open at Carnoustie. Australian Adam Scott twice won in Qatar (2002, 2008) before he clinched his maiden Major title at the Masters in 2013.

Henrik Stenson wowed the galleries at Doha in 2006 before finally becoming a Major champion at Royal Troon a decade later while Sergio Garcia won in 2014 before winning the Masters three years later.

Meanwhile multiple Major winners Ernie Els (2005) and Retief Goosen (2007) also have a Mother of Pearl trophy in their cabinet, showcasing the tournament’s ability to attract the best.

First unveiled in 1997, the layout at Doha was the

design of celebrated golf architect Peter Harradine, who has worked on over 160 courses around the world, and features eight stunning lakes, 65 giant cacti and a number of striking limestone rock formations that contrast with the bright fairways and sandy desert beyond the ropes.

The 18-hole Championship course is known to be a strern challenge from the back tees and offers many strategic and exciting holes, where the scratch golfer can test his skills.

A spectacular new double green will welcome the players on holes 9 and 18 this year after the club made significant changes to the course over the last year. The huge new green wraps around the existing lake, bringing the action closer to the clubhouse, enhancing the building’s visibility during play.

All of the greens have also been completely relayed with the majority of them expanded back to their original size and reinstated back to their original slopes and elevations, with the greens on holes 4 and 7 receiving very slight changes to their contouring.

The work to the putting surfaces was the first of its kind since the course was first constructed, with the grass on the greens changing to the paspallum ‘dynasty’ species.

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M A RC H 2 4 - 2 7, D O H A G O L F C L U B

MOTHER OF PEARL TROPHY

COURSE RECORD

The majestic Mother of Pearl Trophy is considered a symbol of the rich Qatari heritage, as pearl diving and trading have been the mainstay and backbone of the Qatari culture and identity for so long, evoking historical significance and strong social and emotional bonds amongst Qataris. Just like its name implies, the Mother of Pearl Trophy is unique, strong, resilient, and is a source of pride to those who own and carry it.

Adam Scott holds the course record at Doha Golf Club after his spellbinding final round 11 under par 61 en route to winning the title in 2008.

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T

he Commercial Bank Qatar Masters has an impressive roll of honour with the likes of Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson and Adam Scott all lifting the impressive Mother of Pearl Trophy over the years.

Aside from winning at Doha Golf Club, the three players also have something else in common – they are all straight and long off the tee.

“Driving the ball is key as conditions get quite tough and the wind can test your game,” said four-time Major champion Els. So, who out of the current crop of players is expected to shine later this month?

Nicolai Hojgaard overpowered Al Hamra Golf Club en route to winning the Ras Al Khaimah Championship last month, with

the young Dane a good 40 yards longer than most players in the field that week.

England’s Laurie Canter is another player who could threaten having led in Strokes Gained (Off The Tee) last season.

He missed the cut the last time he played at Doha Golf Club in 2018 but his game has come on leaps and bounds since then with a first DP World Tour win surely just around the corner.

Big-hitting Wilco Nienbar shocked the golfing world in 2020 when his power was on show at Joburg Open as he unleashed an astonishing 439yard drive off the tee on the fourth.

Could his mammoth distance be the key to unlocking a first win on the DP World Tour.

WINDSWEPT! The wind is notorious for creeping up in the afternoon at Doha Golf Club and this can quickly become a force to be reckoned with. Morning tee times, in contrast, tend to be more benign in terms of playing conditions.

I would say that Doha is usually the hardest course of the Middle East Swing. It’s always the windiest and the par-5s are long, so the scoring is never easy.”

ROBERT KARLSSON, 2010 CHAMPION

Wind! Lots of wind! I love playing in Doha.

Depending on the conditions, the golf course can play in several different ways.

There have been times when I’ve hit a sand wedge into the green in one round, and a 4-iron the very next day. If you ask me, I feel wind is probably the greatest test of skill for any golfer.”

HENRIK STENSON,

“It’s brutal out there. The wind blows and the greens were tricky. In conditions like that, it’s tough to give yourself those chances.”

BRANDEN GRACE 2015 AND 2016 CHAMPION

2006 CHAMPION

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L

egendary golf course architect Peter Harradine has crafted some of the greatest golf courses in the Middle East, but it comes as no surprise to hear that Doha Golf Club is amongst the ones he ranks the highest. Though it could have been a different story back in 1995 when Peter was contracted to design the course in Doha. Impressed with the job Peter had done with the Abu Dhabi Golf Club he was invited to Doha to create a course there but in a completely different location to where it ended up being built.

ROCK The famous 16th hole at Doha Golf Club taken 2003.

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PETER HARRADINE

“We initially were going to be given a flat piece of land, where there are a lot of villas now, which was similar to the site in Abu Dhabi.” said Harradine. “As I looked up from the flat lifeless site, I could see a hill covered in rocks. I said to them ‘give me the rocks.’ They thought we would have a problem growing the grass up there but I reassured them that it was my problem to solve.”  - Peter Harradine

HARD

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“I was asked to move the boulder, but I wanted to design the hole using it as a natural hazard. It’s not every day you have to try and drive over a boulder!”

- HARRADINE

Stenson back in 2007 enjoyed taking a fun photograph during the practice round but I’m sure he, like many other players, would have wanted to move the odd boulder at Doha Golf Club!

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PETER HARRADINE “The next day we were told to go and put four pegs at the four corners and the land you choose is yours. You need to remember that only the university was there at the time, nothing else! That is how we came to choose the site and create one of the best courses in the Middle East.”

Nearly all the courses in the Middle East are sculpted and a huge amount of ground is moved to create a unique feel but many start with a flat blank canvas. It was no surprise to hear Peter wanted to work with the natural landscape and carved out some iconic holes like the 16th, where the driveable par4 is guarded by a huge rock. It certainly gets you thinking off the tee and many professionals have been defeated by the limestone hazard. On one occasion Italian Rocca cursed after his tee shot came up short and ricocheted off the rock and headed for the rough. It was quite humorous, as “Rocca” in Italian means rock! His curse was caught live on TV and he ended up being scolded. It was a usual reaction many of us encounter during a monthly medal or competitive round with friends but a rare site for a professional, especially for a player normally as calm as Rocca. That’s how that huge boulder can lure players into the Harradine trap.

“I was asked to move the boulder, but I wanted to design the hole using it as a natural hazard,” Added Peter. “It’s not every day you have to try and drive over a boulder.

But that isn’t the only rock that comes to play on that hole. To the right of it are some other rocks in the fairway. This is a typical example of a driveable par4 which can bring you a lot of trouble if you get it wrong.”

Quiros mastering the fairways in 2009.

Keep the players thinking

Peter likes to keep players on their toes, which is why his courses contain testing par3s. There is no better example than the fourth hole at Doha Golf Club. Early in the round you are faced with the monstrous 230-yard fourth hole with a dry lake hazard short and rough through the back. Even the tour players are delighted to write a three on their card and move on from this hole.

“You look at that hole now and see how challenging it is, but in the early years there was a lake in front of the green,” added Peter. “It was the only lake that wasn’t lined and now the water has gone. We did look to add water again, but the dry lakebed is a daunting hazard all the same. So, water or no water you don’t want to come up short.

It is an exposed green and the wind can play tricks with the players, so club selection becomes very important!”

Peter’s par3s are not a distance challenge, he just wants to test the players. This is where the short par3 17th comes in to play. Look at the card of the course and you will read the penultimate hole is just 155 yards. Surely a guaranteed birdie for most tour players, but in true Harradine stye, there is a twist.

“Pro’s love a full swing which is difficult with that yardage,” laughed Peter. “It’s an awkward yardage and the green is tricky. The pros must stand on that exposed tee box and take a lot of factors into consideration. Knocking down a three quarter nine or eight iron and calculating how it will release is something many will not fancy under pressure. That is why I love this little hole. I’m not a fan of long par3s. Let’s get them thinking not just bashing the ball to a number like a computer game.”

Doha Golf Club has recently changed the grass on the greens, and it was touch and go whether the course would be ready in time to stage the Qatar Masters. The new Paspalum grass might not just look better but it gives the golf course superintendent the ability to increase the speed on the greens. “It’s a faster grass, looks better and you can cut it very low,” added Peter. “The Pure Dinasty Paspalum not only looks good but plays well.”

When water came into play on the par3 fourth.

Punters need to see low scoring

Having seen the likes of Nicolai Hojgaard and Ryan Fox over power, Al Hamra Golf Club, the course he designed at Ras Al Khaimah. It will be interesting to see how the power hitter fair around Doha Golf Club, although Peter thinks that there is nothing wrong with a low score as it entices the punter. But, he has his own thoughts on proofing his courses for tournaments.

“Al Hamra looked good and even better on TV,” added Peter. “Though what many people would be unaware of is that there was a water issue that prevented the rough from being grown months before the event. The club did an amazing job with the greens but without any rough whatsoever the big hitters had very little to worry about off the tee.”

“I get asked all the time how do we future proof courses. Yes, we can increase the yardages by constantly pushing the tee boxes back, but you can easily run out of land, and it is expensive. The simplest way is to introduce more strategy by growing the rough in the right places. I remember one year at the Qatar Masters - it was in 2009 when Alvaro Quiros won. We had grown the rough and narrowed the fairways and that made the players moan. Quiros who is a big hitter himself, just came out and said the answer to mastering the rough is to stay on the fairway. That was just brilliant. That is how you challenge players … get them thinking.”

With the new shared double green closing out the front and back nines at Doha Golf Club the Qatar Masters will look a little different this year but keep a close eye on the dramas that unfold during the closing stages. Players could pick up five shots over the closing three holes or implode trying to force a score. One thing is certain, Peter will be chuckling if 16 collects a few casualties during the week. ■

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New grass might speed things up!

GOLF

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GENEs JOVAN REBULA FOLLOWING IN HIS UNCLE’S FOOTSTEPS Many young golfers grow up with a mentor but when your uncle has won four Majors and 74 Tour victories around the world including the Dubai Desert Classic and the Qatar Masters, it’s fair to say you have a mentor advantage. This is the case for 24 year old Jovan Rebula whose mother, Carina, is Ernie Els’ sister.

Jovan has already carved out an impressive amateur career, winning The Amateur Championship in 2018 and also defeating Viktor Hovland to win the 2019 Georgina Cup. Now he is preparing to follow the list of great South Africans that have made a name for themselves on the DP World Tour. Having teed it up previously at the 2019 Dubai Desert Classic with his uncle, Jovan is about to make his Qatar Masters debut later this month, an event Ernie won back in 2005. We caught up with Jovan to find out more about his mentor and his expectations for the future.

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Louis Oosthuizen and Jovan Rebula of South Africa pose with their trophies alongside the Mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba after the final round of the 2018 South African Open.

What has it been like growing up playing golf in SA having Ernie as your uncle? Many might think that to be huge advantage but did it put a target on your back?

JOVAN: I guess I got pretty lucky in that deal with Ernie being my uncle and growing up learning the game in South Africa. He has been my biggest supporter of my career so far and someone I’m truly thankful for. Now I am honestly trying to create my own reputation and he is fully supportive of that as well.

What have you learnt the most from Ernie and who else has been instrumental in your game?

JOVAN: The older I have become the more we spoke about a professional career. The main thing that I learned from him is to just be your own person, play your own game and focus on yourself. Be grateful for every opportunity that comes your way and take full advantage of that. The main thing he tells me is to just enjoy myself because not everyone is so privileged to play this game for a living.

By winning the 2018 Amateur Championship you earned starts in all four Majors. What an experience but what did you learn from teeing it up with the best in the world in the highest regarded events in the game?

JOVAN: Man it was so cool. I guess I was one of the lucky ones that played well at the right time to play in all of those Majors. I could give you a long list of stories but the main thing that I learned during those weeks was the importance

of preparation. Obviously, those are such long weeks and my excitement just got the better of me. So, time and energy management are key. People tend to put a bit more pressure on themselves because it’s such an important week and it only happens four times a year, but at the end of the day it’s just another golf course and another tournament week. That has been a crazy time but it did not affect me too badly. I ended up spending another year at Auburn University where I pursued my college career and it gave me another year to prepare for the pro ranks.

Turning professional on the brink of a pandemic, the timing couldn’t have been worse. How has Covid affected your game and plans?

JOVAN: When the time came for me to turn pro it was at the start of the pandemic and I was only able to enter a limited number of events. But it gave me some time to work on things you could not achieve during a full season .

I just tried to create positive situations although it was not great.

You have defeated Viktor Hovland as an amateur and he has gone on to do okay! What can you take from that and your success as a leading amateur going into the professional ranks?

JOVAN: You know being able to play with guys of such calibre, and having played with them a lot during college, just gives you that bit of extra motivation and belief. Viktor is a great guy and also an unbelievable player. Seeing what he has achieved just gives you confidence in turning pro.

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Jovan with the Amateur Championship trophy on the 18th green after beating Robin Dawson in the Final of 2018 The Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen.

You are not a stranger to competing in the Middle East having played the Dubai Desert Classic in 2019. What are your thoughts on playing in the region and how do the courses suit your game?

JOVAN: I am just very excited! Playing desert golf is obviously something you do not do every day and I am just so grateful for the opportunity to compete with the best players in the world at the Qatar Masters this month. Desert golf is awesome and when you look at the success rate of South Africans in the region, I guess the pressure is on.

Now you are teeing it up at the 2022 Qatar Masters which is another event Ernie has won. Will he give you tips on playing the course? I JOVAN: I will definitely be giving him a call closer to the event. I guess that is one of the perks, having him on speed dial. I am extremely grateful to be able to play in this event as it has some incredible name etched on that trophy.

Would you prefer to be James Bond or IronMan? BOND

QUICK FIRE

Rugby or Cricket?

RUGBY

Last film you watched?

THE HANGOVER

Last person you lost a friendly round to?

OLIVER BEKKER

Favourite non golf sports star: ROGER FEDERER

FAN BASE: Grand father Nil and uncle Ernie Els alongside proud mum Carina, watch Jovan playing at the 2017 BMW South African Open Championship.

Jovan tees off during the 147th Open at Carnoustie. Not the easiest venue!

Enjoying the Par3 Contents at the 2019 Masters Tournament.

Why do many South African players not only enjoy the event and course but also find it a useful springboard for their careers?

I know, it is unbelievable how well South Africans have been playing in Qatar over the years. Hopefully the week will jumpstart my career.

to make the game better and be a good person, I know that’s what I strive to do.

Do you travel with other South African players to events and what is the camaraderie like between you all?

All the South African players are very close to each other and have such a great camaraderie. There’s going to be a couple of guys playing in Qatar and I’m looking forward to having dinner with them and playing some practice rounds. I am still new to the pro ranks and do not know too many people, but I guess you need to start somewhere.

Apart from Ernie are there any other players you have learned from or admire how they play the game?

I have pretty much tried to imitate Ernie on the golf course from the moment I first picked up a club. Even if we were not related, I still would want to do everything exactly like he does on the golf course.

I have grown up watching Rory McIlroy as well, and in all honesty I love his approach to the game. I’ve been listening to a lot of his interviews and he is such an inspirational person. He is just trying

What are you listening to right now?

NO LAYING UP PODCASTS

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Distance is a crucial element these days.

Is distance something you work on in the gym or does it come naturally?

Not at all. I experimented with it for a little while and trying to chase distance was just not beneficial to my game. I have been working out in the gym but for different reasons. When it comes to distance and my game, I wanted to be as natural as possible.

Will we be seeing more of you on the DP World Tour this year?

That is the plan! Obviously just recently turning pro you don’t really get to pick and choose where to play. I am playing in Qatar on a sponsor’s exemption which I’m truly grateful for as these type of weeks may change my career. As a young boy I have dreamt of playing on the DP World Tour.

Hopefully with a couple of good weeks and great opportunities I could secure a Tour Card.

What’s in the bag for Qatar?

Titleist Tsi 3 driver Titleist Tsi 3wood Titleist utility 3 iron Titleist CB irons 4-Pw Vokey wedges Titleist Pro V1x

MIKKEL MATHIESEN

HOME T GROWN HERO

Thomas Bjorn looks on as Mikkel Mathiesen tees off on the 9th hole during opening round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club

he 2022 Qatar Masters will conclude what has been a remarkable run of events which has seen Thomas Pieters rise to the top in Abu Dhabi; Viktor Hovland delight in Dubai and the power hitters Nicoli Hojgaard and Ryan Fox race to the top in Ras Al Khaimah.

Now the spotlight falls on Doha Golf Club and an event that has provided a springboard for some of the game’s greatest players and success stories.

Whether it was Adam Scott winning for the first time back in 2002 or Paul Lawrie’s victory before going on to win The Open the same year in 1999, the Qatar Masters trophy is engraved with some legendary names. Now the local Qatar golfing community will be shouting for one of their own, 21-year-old, Mikkel Mathiesen.

The reigning Qatar Amateur Open champion was raised in Qatar since his Danish parents moved to the country back in May 2001 when he was just seven months old. At the age of six, one of his father’s work colleagues took Mikkel to the driving range and that was when the golfing bug bit. In 2010-2014 Mikkel worked with Steven Troup at Doha Golf Club and the Peter Harradine-designed course became his playground, albeit a challenging one!

It came as no surprise to find out that the young Dane was a huge fan of Thomas Bjorn and the 2018 Ryder Cup Captain has been his role model ever since he picked up a club, which is the same year Thomas defeated Tiger Woods in Dubai. Mikkel left Qatar for America to further his education and golfing dream and now he returns home to compete in the Qatar Masters. But what are his dreams for the future and will he feel the pressure of mixing it with the rising stars on the DP World Tour?

What’s in your bag right now?

Driver SIM 2.0 TaylorMade SIM Driver Fairway woods TaylorMade M6 3 Hybrid, Taylormade M5 3 Wood Irons Mizuno MP20 Irons P Wedge- 3 iron Wedges VokeySM8 50o, 56o, 62o Putter TaylorMade Spider X Ball Titleist Pro V1

Do you have a lucky mascot?

No, but I try my best to play with ball number 4 and try to only have 2 tees in my pocket at all times.

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How are you finding the challenge of American college golf. As that is where most of the talented Tour players are coming from these days?

Mikkel: It is a good challenge, one I am enjoying very much. Playing with good players every week can only help improve my game.

We aim to learn and Improve every day. It’s a big change from living in Doha where there were not so many good young players who I could compete with.

How has college golf helped develop your game?

Mikkel: It has helped me in many ways, both mentally and game wise. We are playing different golf courses almost every week in different conditions. Playing college golf has helped me diversify my game by learning how to play in the rain, cold weather and in lots of wind. Playing 36 holes in a day has taught me the importance of patience and conserving as much energy as possible.

Who have been your role models in the game and why?

Mikkel: The biggest role model for me in golf has been Thomas Bjorn. He was the one who really made me engage with the game of golf and fall in love with it. Since he is also from Denmark, I look up to him as a national hero.

My parents and I would travel around the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) to watch him play in DP World Tour events. He is the best player to come from Denmark and to witness some of his success live (Qatar Masters 2011) where we followed him all week was an unreal experience.

How much did you enjoy playing with Thomas at the 2019 Qatar Masters?

Mikkel: The experience was amazing, to be able to play with my childhood hero and idol was a dream come true and something I will never forget. Also to have my dad caddying

for me that week means that we have something to share for the rest of our lives.

Thomas is also one of his heroes so I’m sure it meant a lot to him as well. Thomas and I were very focused on our own games so we were not able to talk that much but we were able to converse on occasion. He was able to pass on his wisdom and shared a few of his best experiences with me; especially about captaining the Ryder Cup team to success.

Having recently won the Qatar Men’s Open how did that effect your game and confidence?

Mikkel: It definitely helped improve my confidence. Every tournament I play I want to win, and I felt I was one of the favourites to win the tournament. After getting off to a slow start and being four shots behind after the first round I was extremely happy to turn it around and played really well in the last two rounds to win the tournament. Also, to beat good players from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and England gives me a lot of confidence to know that I can perform against some really good amateurs.

How did you find playing Doha Golf Club?

What were the biggest challenges and how did your game?

Mikkel: Having been a member at Doha Golf Club for the past 14 years, it was in one of the best conditions I have seen it in the last few years. After their reconstruction of the greens the course played very tough with firm and fast greens. The conditions were extremely tough with winds up to 45 km/h and therefore it was very tough to control the ball. I felt it suited my game well as I have learned to flight my ball better in the wind, keeping it lower. In the last two rounds I only missed six greens in regulation, which was key to winning the tournament.

Which holes at Doha Golf Club come to mind

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in regards to a challenge or just fit your eye and why?

Mikkel: I think the most challenging holes at Doha Golf Club is the par 3 third hole. A long iron in to a skinny green with a hazard down the right which wraps around the green. A visually tough but beautiful is one of my favourite holes but also one of the toughest I have played.

Coming back for the Qatar Masters and teeing it up with leading Tour players, what are you goals and expectations for the week?

Mikkel: My goals for the Qatar Masters is to make the most of an exceptional experience. I aim to improve from my performance from 2019 where I did not play very good the first round.

My goal is to make the cut and to compete with some of the best golfers in the world.

What are your plans going forward in 2022?

Mikkel: I have plans of playing many tournaments in the United States and Denmark. After the college season is over, I would like to stay in the United States and try to qualify for the US Amateur Championship. I will also be playing in a qualifier for the US Open and other smaller amateur tournaments.

What’s your golfing dream and why?

Mikkel: My golfing dream has been to win the Qatar Masters ever since I was young. I think it would very cool to win that event at my home course in a country I call home. It would also be a dream come true to make the Ryder Cup team. Playing in a team format at the best atmosphere in golf would be an unforgettable experience.

MASTERS

TOURNAMENT AU G U STA N AT I O N A L G O L F C LU B, A P R I L 7 - 1 0

Situated just a few hundred yards beyond a relatively nondescript road to the north west of Augusta, Georgia, the hallowed turf of Augusta National Golf Club has been the venue for the Masters since 1934 and is the only Major to be played at the same course every year. Because of its permanent location and a legacy that has grown over the decades, the course’s familiarity for the watching crowds and the multitude of TV viewers around the world, enhances the tournament’s lustre. Expect four memorable days of action from one of the most exclusive fields in world golf as they bid to win one of the most prized possessions in sport – the famed Green Jacket.

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MASTERS PREVIEW

FRONT RUNNERS Collin Morikawa

2

The Californian is arguably the hottest golfer on the planet right now with wins at last year’s Open Championship, DP World Tour Championship and WGC – Workday Championship propelling him to second in the World Ranking. Also has a US PGA Championship trophy on his mantlepiece alongside last year’s Race to Dubai Trophy.

Will be making his third appearance at Augusta National with last year’s share of 18th his best showing.

Jon Rahm

1

The current World No.1 finished in the top ten for the fourth consecutive time last year (T5) after a final round 66, but he’s never been closer than six shots from the leader through 54 holes. Won a maiden Major championship after finishing with back-to-back birdies on a breathless final day of the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines last season and has only finished outside the top ten on five occasions in his last 13 starts since then. Could a faster start over the hallowed turf of Augusta National be the key to securing a first Green Jacket next month?

Patrick Cantlay

3

The World No.3 is on some run of late having finished inside the top 15 in 10 of his last 13 events, including three wins at the Memorial Tournament, BMW Championship and the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship. Those three victories saw him beat the likes of Morikawa and Rahm to the FedEx Cup title and the mouthwatering $15 million prize for finishing the season as No.1.

Finished as Low Amateur on his Masters debut in 2012 and has played four times since with a share of ninth in 2019 the best of the bunch.

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Viktor Hovland

4

Hard to believe this will be just his second professional outing at the tournament after his rapid rise in the game since turning pro in 2019. Since then he has picked up three victories on the PGA Tour and two on the DP World Tour, with the latest coming in the UAE at the Dubai Desert Classic courtesy of a playoff victory over the in-form Richard Bland.

Danny Willett and Sergio Garcia both slipped on the Green Jacket after winning at Emirates Golf Club in 2016 and 2017 respectively – could Hovland be doing the same next month?

Rory McIlroy

5

The Northern Irishman boasts a sublime record at Augusta National with six top tens in his 13 appearances while only finishing outside of the top 25 on three occasions.

Missed the cut last year but that was around the time he tried, and failed, to emulate Bryson DeChambeau’s length off the tee, which led to all sorts of problems. The Ulsterman was ranked 13th in the world last time out but has now risen up to fifth with two PGA Tour victories since then and could have added a DP World Tour triumph to that list if it he didn’t find the water on the last at the Dubai Desert Classic. Is this the year he finally wins the Career Grand Slam?

THE CHALLENGERS Scottie Scheffler

Bryson DeChambeau

Hasn’t had the best start to the year after missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open before withdrawing from the Saudi International with a left hand and left hip injury. Hasn’t played since then and has failed to finish inside the top 25 in four professional outings at Augusta, but the big-hitting American remains a threat to overpowering the course.

It was only a matter of time before the 2019 Korn Ferry Tour Money List champion won on the PGA Tour and he did just that last month at the Phoenix Open, which pushed him inside the top ten of the OWGR. Much of his early resume mirrors his friend Jordan Spieth’s: U.S. Junior Amateur winner, University of Texas star and PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. Could a Masters triumph be added to that impressive list?

Justin Thomas

Captured his 14th PGA Tour title, the 2021 Players Championship, just a month before last month’s Masters, where he finished in a tie for 21st. Has played the Masters on six occasions, never missing the cut, with his best outing coming in 2020 where he finished fourth, eight strokes behind leader Dustin Johnson. Game is trending nicely with top 20 finishes in his last eight PGA Tour starts, including four top fives.

Dustin Johnson

Jordan Spieth

Arguably one of the best players around Augusta National, Spieth took to the Masters quickly, finishing tied for second in his 2014 debut before winning the next year and finishing T2 again in 2016. The 2015 Masters title, which Spieth won wire-to-wire at 18 under par, was the first of the three Major titles he captured in less than two and a half years. Recorded his fifth top-5 finish last year, joining Arnold Palmer and Byron Nelson as the quickest to do it (eight starts).

After winning the only edition of the Masters to be held in November in 2020, Johnson failed to make the cut the next year and has dropped from the summit of the World Ranking to ninth since then. When claiming his first Green Jacket, the American carded the lowest score in tournament history, 20-under-par 268 and had begun last year’s edition Johnson with a streak of 11 consecutive rounds under par at Augusta National, which is also a tournament record.

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Cameron Smith

Wrote his name into the history books at the 2020 edition by becoming the first man to shoot all four rounds in the 60s, but still lost out by five shots to Dustin Johnson. His 15-under 273 total was the best ever by a runner up, which he shared that mark with his International Presidents Cup teammate Sungjae Im. In all but seven previous Masters 15 under would have won.

Louis Oosthuizen

The South African, who enters his 14th Masters, had a near miss at the 2012 Tournament when he lost in a play-off to Bubba Watson – has been runner-up an incredible six more times in Major Championships since then. Holds many memorable memories around Augusta National, including being the only player to make an albatross at the par-5 second, making a hole in on the 16th while also winning the Par 3 Contest.

Brooks Koepka

The American comes alive for the game’s biggest events and has four Major championships to show for that between 20172019. Missed the cut in last year’s edition but made the cut in each of his five previous Masters before that as well as finishing tied 11th or better on three occasions. That includes a share of second in 2019, a year in which he finished in the top four at all four Majors.

MASTERS PREVIEW

TWO LEGENDARY HOLES UNDERGO CHANGES Changes to the 11th and 15th holes mean that the course will be 35 yards longer than last year, with White Dogwood and Firethorn lengthening by 15 and 20 yards, respectively.

This increases the overall distance of the course from 7,475 yards to 7,510 yards. That extra length now makes going for the dance floor in two even harder than it already was on the par 5 15th, which has a pond in front of the green. The 11th, which was already playing long for a par 4, features a pond to the left of the green with the tee shot playing downhill.

FLASHBACK

MATSUYAMA MAKES HISTORY Despite a late wobble and a minicharge from Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama secured last year’s Masters Tournament with a final round 1-over 73 for a one-shot win to become Japan’s first men’s Major champion.

After opening up a five-stroke lead through nine holes, Matsuyama played the back nine in 3-over, becoming the first Masters winner to play the final stretch in over-par since Tiger Woods in 2005.

American debutant Will Zalatoris, who did not hold full PGA Tour status at the time, was his closest challenger on nine under.

At one point it looked like Schauffele, who was playing with Matsuyama, with force a late challenge for the title after picking up a shot at the 15th to close to within two shots, but hit his tee shot in the water on the 16th as his challenge finished with a triple-bogey six.

Ten years after Matsuyama won Low Amateur honours as the only Am to make the cut, the 29-yearold won a Green Jacket of his own and a lifetime membership to the most exclusive club in golf.

• He became the seventh former Low Am at the Masters to go on and win, following Cary Middlecoff, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia.

• Since 1970, only four Masters winners have shot an over-par final round: Jack Nicklaus (1972), Craig Stadler (1982), Trevor Immelman (2008) and Matsuyama.

• The victory was Hideki’s seventh on the PGA Tour, which includes two WGC titles.

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MASTERS STATPACK 1

Only one player has ever shot four rounds in the 60s at Augusta National Golf Club.

Cameron Smith achieved the feat in 2020 but still finished five shots adrift of Dustin Johnson at the top of the leaderboard.

2

Jack Nicklaus and John Harris are the only pro golfers who are members at Augusta National Golf Club. Arnold Palmer was also a club member before his death in 2016.

1949 IN 1949, THE FIRST GREEN JACKET WAS AWARDED TO THAT YEAR’S MASTERS CHAMPION, SAM SNEAD.

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3

In 2015, Dustin Johnson became the first and only player to record three eagles in a single round – on the second, eighth and 15th holes.

41 players have made two eagles in a round.

OVER

A SCORECARD WOULD ADD UP TO 97-OVER-PAR IF YOU WERE TO COMBINE THE WORST SCORES ON EACH HOLE ACROSS AUGUSTA NATIONAL.

13 160+

A score of 13 has been marked on a scorecard three times in the history of the Masters. Sergio Garcia was the most recent victim in 2018, just one year after winning at Augusta National. Five balls into the water. Five penalties. An 8-over 13 on the 15th.

THE TREES THAT LINE BOTH SIDES OF THE FAMOUS MAGNOLIA LANE DATE TO THE LATE 1850S, MAKING THEM OVER 160 YEARS OLD.

-15

63

SUNGJAE IM RECORDED THE LOWEST SCORE EVER IN A MASTERS DEBUT IN 2020, FINISHING THE WEEK AT 15-UNDER.

52

While Arnold Palmer holds the impressive record for consecutive appearances at 50, Gary Player has the most tournament appearances overall.

Between 1957-2009, Player competed in the Masters a total of 52 times.

BERNHARD LANGER, THE 1985 AND 1993 MASTERS CHAMPION, SET A NEW RECORD IN 2020 AS HE BECAME THE OLDEST PLAYER TO MAKE A CUT AT THE MASTERS - AT THE AGE OF 63.

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AMATEUR

LOWDOWN

E

ARNING AN INVITE INTO THE MASTERS IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ANY AMATEUR GOLFER WHO IS LOOKING TO FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE GREATEST AMATEUR EVER TO PLAY THE GAME – BOBBY JONES. THE AMERICAN WAS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL AMATEUR GOLFER TO COMPETE AT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, AND WAS THE CO-FOUNDER OF THE MASTERS TOURNAMENT ALONG WITH HELPING DESIGN AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB.

BECAUSE OF THIS, AMATEURS ARE HELD IN THE HIGHEST REGARD WHEN INVITED TO THE FIRST MAJOR OF THE SEASON, WITH EACH INVITEE ALLOWED TO STAY IN THE CLUBHOUSE FOR WEEK, WELCOMED TO THE OPENING DINNER AND PAIRED WITH PAST CHAMPIONS DURING THE FIRST TWO ROUNDS. HERE, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE AMATEURS VYING FOR THE PRESTIGIOUS LOW AMATEUR TITLE AT THIS YEAR’S EDITION.

KEITA NAKAJIMA Golf fans in the UAE will be pretty familiar with Keita Nakajima after the Japanese sensation won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) in a thrilling play-off at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club last year.

Nakajima, who is the world’s leading amateur, shot a final round three under par 68 to force extra holes with Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho before triumphing on the second trip back up the 18th with a birdie Kho had found the water.

With the win, the 21-year-old secured his spot in the Masters as well as a dream practice round at Augusta National with the reigning Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama.

AARON JARVIS With just 27 holes of golf in the Cayman Islands and an estimated 71,000 residents, it’s hard to believe that one of them will be teeing it up at Augusta National next month.

But believe it or not, Aaron Jarvis will become the first Cayman golfer to compete in the Masters after triumphing at the Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC) earlier this year.

The 19-year-old amateur became the first Caribbean champion of the event’s history after posting a final round three-under-par 69 to finish on seven under par for the championship and secure a onestroke victory over a chasing pack of Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira and Vicente Marzilio of Argentina, Brazil’s

Fred Biondi and Santiago De la Fuente of Mexico.

“Honestly, I can’t even get the words out,” said Jarvis after his historic win against players from more established and much larger golfing nations.

“I just tried to get myself to have some good birdie looks and they went in. I was in a comfortable position because there wasn’t much pressure.

I knew all the cameras were going to be with the other groups.”

As well as securing a place in the Masters, Jarvis will also compete at The 150th Open at St Andrews, The 127th Amateur Championship, the U.S. Amateur Championship and the final stages of qualifying for the 2022 U.S. Open.

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“I am very proud of what I have achieved,” said Nakajima, who became the third Japanese winner of the event after Matsuyama and Takumi Kanaya. “To follow in the footsteps of Hideki-san and Takumi feels great. I am very thankful to the tournament for giving us such great opportunities.”

The Masters will be the first of three Majors the youngster will compete in this season with his AAC win also securing a spot in The 150th Open Championship, while he will also feature at the U.S. Open as part of winning the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the men’s World No. 1 in 2021 World Amateur Golf Ranking.

AMATEUR LOWDOWN

AUSTIN GREASER AND JAMES PIOT The American duo of Austin Greaser and James Piot secured sealed their tickets to Augusta National after reaching the final of the U.S. Amateur - the leading annual golf tournament in the United States for amateur golfers.

Piot came out on top in the final day showdown between the pair after he rallied from a three-hole deficit with the help of three birdies over the final eight holes to capture the 121st edition at Oakmont Country Club with a 2-and-1 victory over Greaser.

“When I got down, I knew that my driver had been a bit shaky,” said Piot, who became the first golfer from Michigan to win the event. “I just tried to stay confident in myself. I wanted to play the back nine in 4 under and I ended up playing it in 3 under.”

Both men also received an exemption into the 2022 U.S. Open while Piot also secured a spot in The 150th Open Championship with the triumph.

STEWART HAGESTAD Stewart Hagestad will be heading back to the Masters for the second time after securing the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship for the second time last year.

The 30-year-old, from California, added to his 2016 triumph at Stonewall after holding off Mark Costanza 2 and 1 at windy Sankaty Head for a return to Augusta National, where he became the first Mid-Amateur to make the cut at the first Major of the season and was low amateur having finished in a tie for 36th.

“Costanza gave me nothing the whole day,” said Hagestad, a second-year MBA student at the University of Southern California. “I thought that at some point I would maybe get a break or he would give me a hole. I knew that he would come out swinging. He’s a really good player. I tried to go out and basically make him beat me, and he damn near did that.”

The victory also earned Hagestad an exemption into this year’s U.S. Open at the Country Club.

LAIRD SHEPHERD Englishman Laird Shepherd produced one of the greatest ever comebacks to win The 126th Amateur Championship as well as securing a spot in the Masters.

In an all-English, 36-hole final over the renowned Moray links, 23-year-old Shepherd looked down and out in his game with Monty Scowsill, who was eight up and in complete control after 17 holes of the morning round.

Even though Shepherd won the final hole of the morning session and continued to claw it back in the afternoon, his opponent was still four up with four holes left to play.

Yet Shepherd won the final four holes and then held his nerve to claim

victory with a par on the second extra hole – an outcome that reduced him to tears.

“It’s an amazing, amazing feeling,” said Shepherd after his triumph. “To come back from eight down through 17 holes, I mean I was honestly more concerned about not making an embarrassing record-breaking defeat.

“The tears are probably for the tough times I’ve had over the last few years.

It’s never nice as an athlete when you feel like you are going backwards, like I was.”

As well sealing a ticket to the Masters, Shepherd secured a spot in The 149th Open Championship last year as well as this year’s U.S. Open.

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LOCAL PICKS MASTE RS

SP EC IA L

WITH THE AZALEAS ALMOST AT FULL BLOOM MASTERS FEVER IS STARTING TO DEVELOP SO WE CAUGHT UP WITH SOME OF OUR FRIENDS FROM THE LOCAL GOLF SCENE TO FIND OUT WHO THEY’RE BACKING TO DON THE FAMOUS GREEN JACKET THIS YEAR.

JAMIE COUGHLIN

IAN BRENNAN

PGA PROFESSIONAL, TOPGOLF DUBAI

HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL, THE TRACK, MEYDAN

I’m going with Colin Morikawa – he’s had a strong start to 2022 with multiple top 10 finishes. It’s no surprise when he was inside the top five in strokes gained on approach to the green and number one in total strokes gained in 2021.

OLIVIA JACKSON

LPGA EMIRATES GOLF CLUB EGC I’d like to see someone like Viktor Hovland win it. He’s seen some form as of late and it was great to see him win the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic back in January. Someone who hasn’t won it before and is hungry for the win.

My pick for this year’s Masters is Xander Schauffele, having finished tied second in 2019, just a stroke behind a certain Mr. Woods and tied third in 2021, three shots behind Hideki Matsuyama. He clearly loves the place and I would expect a strong finish once again from him in 2022 off the back of recent good form in the Phoenix Open and Genesis Invitational.

AHMED SKAIK LEADING UAE AMATEUR I think Jordan Spieth will do it this year. He’s in good form, he’s contending every week, and he’s done well at the Masters before. I think Augusta suits his game because his short game’s really good and if his putter is on, he’s on fire. So, I think he’s going to win.

My favourite Masters memory is of course watching Tiger win again in 2019. What he went through, all the surgeries and all the ups and downs, to come back and win a Major again after all these years is just incredible. It shows that if someone keeps working, no matter what happens, or what anyone says, they can come back and they can do it.

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LOCAL PICKS

TOM NICHOLSON OPERATIONS MANAGER, THE ELS CLUB My pick to win at Augusta this year is Viktor Hovland, Following on from his impressive win at the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic and his recent form on the PGA tour, it’s hard to look past Viktor for this year’s Masters. The fact he is yet to win a Major may hinder his chances slightly, but let’s not forget that it wouldn’t be the first time a reigning Dubai Desert Classic Champion goes on to win the Masters in the same season!

Min Woo Lee is my ‘one to watch. This will be Min Woo’s first Masters Tournament having broken into the world’s top 50 following an incredible season on the DP World Tour last season. Winning the tournament may be a stretch too far at the first attempt, but he will certainly be one to watch given his distance off the tee and the confidence he will have taken from his dramatic play-off win at last season’s Scottish Open.

STUART MCMURDO

DIRECTOR OF GOLF, JA THE RESORT GOLF COURSE With so many players in form early in the season, l’m sure the Masters is going to be worth the late-night viewing once again. With three consecutive top tens at Augusta l think John Rahm has all the tools to win this year. It looks unlikely we’ll see a certain big cat returning, but let’s hope we get another thrilling finish. I will certainly be staying up to watch it unfold.

JENNY HENNESSY FOUNDER CHICKS WITH STICKS

I think (and hope!) Rory McIlroy will win the Masters and finally get the career Grand Slam.

I’m a huge Rory fan, seeing him come so close to getting another win at this year’s Slync. io Dubai Desert Classic was honestly heartwrenching, I feel confident that he has another big win coming his way very soon.

DANNY JAKUBOWSKI

KARL GOODWIN

GROUP DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION, TROON GOLF ABU DHABI

My favourite for this year’s Masters is Bryson DeChambeau. He’s managed to change the game of golf for the better in my opinion and, although he hasn’t had his best form at Augusta, I think he might figure it out this year. He’s been quiet enough all year, going about his business, but I think this is the one he wants. If the putter heats up and he starts holing from distance I think he will have a great chance combining that with his length off the tee. If I had to choose one more it would be Jordan Speith. He’s slowly coming into much better form with the putter which is the most important club to have hot for that week.

Whilst my heart says Adam Scott and my head says Dustin Johnson I am going to predict a first time Major winner at this year’s Masters Tournament. Xander Schauffele is going to be this year’s Masters champion and I will tell you why. 1) He has had a modest and quiet start to the year but the last five tournaments have shown solid if unspectacular results. 2) He has come close several times in Majors notably second place to Tiger Woods in the 2019 Masters tournament and undoubtedly has the game to win. 3) The current reigning Gold Medallist from the 2020 Olympics hasn’t had much fanfare or spotlight. As the current no 8 ranked golfer in the world, Xander must be fancying his chances to get some more hardware and also some more recognition.

PGA PROFESSIONAL, THE TRACK, MEYDAN

ALISTAIR BROWN

STUART TAYLOR

John Rahm for me. He’s the best player by far right now.

My favourite Masters memory? Watching Tiger win in 2019 at Emirates Golf Club after our Gorica Masters Championship was one of the best nights of the year!

This year I think Jordan Spieth will conquer again being a former Masters winner and coming into a run of form – no-one knows the course better. My outsider is Adam Scott after seeing him at the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic. If he can get putter going he will for sure be a contender.

HEAD PROFESSIONAL, EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

GENERAL MANAGER – GOLF, PROSPORTS INTERNATIONAL

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Pakistan Golf S IG NA L S N EW E R A FOR

P

AKISTAN’S FERTILE SPORTING LANDSCAPE BLOSSOMED FURTHER WHEN THE RUMANZA GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB IN MULTAN OPENED ITS DOORS TO GREAT FANFARE. DESIGNED BY SIX-TIME MAJOR CHAMPION SIR NICK FALDO, THE OPENING OF THE SPECTACULAR DEVELOPMENT, WHICH AIMS TO PUT COUNTRY FIRMLY ON THE GLOBAL GOLFING MAP, WAS HERALDED BY THE RUMANZA INAUGURAL TOURNAMENT, WHICH FEATURED A HOST OF STAR PLAYERS AND INTERNATIONAL CELEBRITIES.

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RUMANZA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Team Hull, led by 3-time Ladies European Tour winner and 5-time European Solheim Cup player Charley Hull, shot an impressive 14-under par to take the win.

J

oining the invitational field was 2010 US Open Champion, 11-time DP World Tour winner, 4-time PGA Tour winner and 2021 European Ryder Cup vice-captain Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland who was joined by 2021 Spanish Open winner, four-time DP World Tour winner and European Ryder Cup star Rafa Cabrera Bello from Spain while Solheim Cup star Charley Hull also made the trip to Pakistan.

“I’ve spent a great deal of time in Asia during my playing career but have never visited Pakistan,” said McDowell. “I’ve always enjoyed visiting new cultures and experiencing new golfing environments so I’m very much excited to see how golf is developing there.

“The development and accessibility of the game is something is very important to me. I grew up in a part of the world where golf was cheap and abundant. It meant that a huge percentage of the population could be exposed to the game and therefore produced great players over the years. To be part of Pakistan’s continued development in the game is very important.”

Pakistan was also represented in the event - Asian Tour player and one of the country’s leading professionals, Humza Amin as

well as PAK Tour No.2 Ahmed Baig and promising young female amateur Humna Amjed joined the international stars.

“I feel so lucky that golf has given me so much and so I love having the opportunity to introduce others to the sport. It’s also a great empowerment tool for women and obviously great for everyone’s health,” said three-time Ladies European Tour and LPGA winner Hull.

The star-studded Rumanza Inaugural weekend boasted an 18-hole Pro-am match, star player clinics, a gala evening of musical entertainment, fireworks and a fireside Q&A with the star players, as well as a Challenge Match. The Challenge Match followed a Texas Scramble format over 18 holes, playing in mixed gender teams of three. The lowest-score team was crowned champions and won the RUMANZA Inaugural plate made of blue pottery, unique to the region.

Team Hull, featuring the Englishwoman, alongside McDowell and Amin took top honours in the showpiece event.

Trailing by two strokes was Team Rafa, spearheaded by CabreraBello who was joined by Amjed and Baig.

Cabrera Bello said: “It’s a great course - everyone is very impressed. It’s fairly forgiving off the tee, but makes you think a lot

Rafa Cabrera Bello was a big fan of Pakistan’s first signature golf course.

on the second shot in. The greens have lots of movement. Some really deep links-style bunkers around the greens protect some hidden pins. Nick has always been a fantastic strategist and the beauty of this course is that he makes you think about every single shot you hit.”

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McDowell added: “This golf course has certainly not disappointed us this week – congrats to DHA Multan and team Faldo on what they’ve produced. It’s a world-class facility - beautiful driving range, beautiful practice facility, and the golf course is fantastic.”

PUSHING THE

BOUNDARIES T

HE Rumanza Golf and Country Club is the first signature golf course in Pakistan, and the latest course designed by golfing icon Sir Nick Faldo. With a truly global footprint of 34 courses across five continents and 20 countries, the luxury development marks Faldo Design’s first venture in South Asia and the most ambitious course construction project in Pakistan’s history.

In addition to the 7,533-yard, par-72 Championship course, the Club also boasts a double-sided driving range, a short game area, and soon a golf academy. Located in Pakistan’s fifth largest city, Multan - famed for its stunning architecture, religous shrines and delicious mangoes - the golf course is the centre-piece of the aspirational DHA Multan residential community which includes high-end apartments and villas, a five-star

hotel, commercial retail space, multiple sports and lifestyle facilities, state-of-the-art education facilities, health care services and extensive F&B outlets. It is one of Pakistan’s most advanced residential developments It is one of Pakistan’s most advanced residential developments, and it has big aspirations for Pakistan’s golf tourism industry. “Runamza will have multiple spin-off effects for Pakistan’s economy, sports tourism and will definitely galvanise the country’s positive image on the golf scene,” said Project Director Brigadier Shoeb Anwar Kayani, SI(M).

We caught up with legendary six-time Major champion Faldo ahead of the club’s grand opening.

Worldwide Golf: How did you come to be involved in the Rumanza project and what attracted you to it?

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Sir Nick Faldo: When first contacted by DHA Multan, I was not only intrigued by their plans for a championship golf course, but also for it to be part of a larger new community development. Then, after learning more about the potential site and its natural features I was all in on the opportunity to design a truly unique golf course in a new golf market such as Pakistan.

WWG: How much did you know about Pakistan before taking on this project?

SNF: My knowledge of Pakistan was very limited prior starting work on the Rumanza project. I have travelled extensively over the years, playing in golf tournaments and designing golf courses, but had never been to Pakistan. The opportunity to experience a new country such as Pakistan and expand my Faldo Design portfolio was also of great interest to me.

RUMANZA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB SIR NICK FALDO EXCLUSIVE

“I wanted to ensure that the golf course had a strong local identity.

Amongst other things, that meant retaining some of the existing fruit trees, retaining the on-site deras and also using those deras as inspiration for other features around the course.”

Sir Nick Faldo Course Designer

WWG: What has your experience of the country been like so far?

SNF: Luckily, I was able to visit Multan and the Rumanza site two times prior to the COVID-19 travel restrictions which allowed me to understand the site and review the golf course construction progress. My experiences off the golf course were just as rewarding and it was so nice to tour the city of Multan and to experience the local food and culture. One very special evening was spent at the Multan Garrison Mess which is one of the most beautiful buildings anywhere in the world, especially when it is lit up at night.

I hope to be able to travel to other parts of Pakistan in the future as I know is a very large and diverse country.

WWG: Talk us through the key features of the course and overall development?

SNF: First of all, I wanted to ensure that the golf course had a strong local identity.

Amongst other things, that meant retaining some of the existing fruit trees, retaining the on-site deras and also using those deras as inspiration for other features around the course. On the playing side, we wanted to create an interesting, strategic and memorable golfing experience. Once we had scraped off the top surface of material on this very flat site, we found pure sand. That moved us towards creating something of an inland links-style golf course. Alongside some links-like shaping, revetted bunkers seemed the obvious choice. Given the location, it is a warm season turf project, and it’s difficult to revet satisfactorily with warm season grasses, which is why we used EcoBunker (recycled astroturf). The bunkers are revetted

in traditional style using Ecobunker, with turf rolled down over the edge. We also used EcoBunker to create a revetted edge to certain sections of the waste areas adjacent to the fairways, which provides another nice feature of the course, and which compliments the bunkering. For the out of play areas, we were inspired by some local landscapes for the shaping and landscape treatment of these. The layout of the course is such that the holes move through three different zones, with desert, trees (largely existing orchards) and water (lakes we developed as part of the design for irrigation water storage and strategic interest) characterising those zones.

The course should challenge the top players from the back tees but be eminently playable for all other standards of golfer from the other tees. The farthest forward tees will make the course short enough for beginners

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and juniors. Fairways are quite generous and so that helps golfers keep the ball in play, whilst at the same time the shaping of the fairways and placement of the hazards challenges the better players to put the ball in the right place. The greens are designed within the entire strategy of the hole they belong to. Often the strategy of the hole is created with the green design as the starting point. Here each green features a range of pin placements that will be either hard, medium or easy. There is noticeable movement in the greens but the surface areas are large enough to accommodate that movement. As with the fairways, it is about being in the right place on the green to give yourself the best chance of a good score.

The golf academy has a fantastic double ended practice range which also incorporates a 6 Hole Par 3 course at one end, aimed primarily at beginners. ■

THE ELS CLUB DUBAI

Destination A lifestyle

T

he golf scene in the UAE is thriving and one club which is very much on the up is The Els Club in Dubai where General Manager Tom Rourke has overseen a raft of enhancements since taking up his position in July 2020.

Long known as one of the best golf courses in the region, The Els Club is now a fully-fledged lifestyle destination, complete with luxury Spa, Country Club, gym, padel courts, multiple dining options and much more.

W

e caught up with Tom to find out about the latest additions and plans for The Els Club’s everexpanding members and guests offering.

Worldwide Golf: There’s been a lot happening at The Els Club over the past few months, tell us about the latest updates to the club’s offering?

Tom Rourke: We’ve been developing The Els Club as a destination with some fantastic additions which include: Padel courts, new artificial surfaces and shading at our practice facilities, new golf carts, a Wellputt studio at our CH3 Academy, Spa facilities, Ladies Salon, Barbers Shop, Country Club facilities which include a resort swimming pool, restaurant, gym and studio. We are working closely with fitness professionals VITA developing personal training sessions, group exercise classes, boot camps and transformations which have been very successful and well received. The first two hotel rooms are currently under construction which are due for completion in Q2 2022 which will further enhance the offering.

members spending more time at the golf club playing golf, having meetings, socialising than ever before. We continue to develop the offering with this in mind, giving multiple options for dining, meetings, relaxation and entertainment. We are also at the centre of the Victory Heights residential community and must embrace and engage with familyfriendly initiatives and to make the club accessible for all.

WWG: How important is it for a club like The Els Club to be more than just a golf club, especially here in the UAE? TR: Firstly, it is very important for us to highlight members and the members’ experience. We at The Els Club prioritise members and it is essential that we continue to keep our members at the top of the agenda to enhance the club for their enjoyment and benefit. We are seeing

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WWG: Padel tennis is said to be the fastest growing sport in the UAE and a lot of golf clubs are installing courts – why do they work well in a golf club set up and why do you think the sport has taken off so much?

TR: Padel is great as all ages and abilities can play. Typically, you would play in groups of four (the same as playing golf) and the sport is fast-paced and easy to learn.

Matches are either 60 minutes or 90 minutes and guests using the courts can access the main clubhouse for F&B along with the locker rooms and facilities to prepare or freshen up and dine after a game.

THE ELS CLUB DUBAI

THE COUNTRY CLUB - GYM

THE COUNTRY CLUB - POOL

BIG EASY BAR & GRILL

PADEL COURTS

CH3 ACADEMY

We’ve been developing The Els Club as a destination with some fantastic additions which include: Padel courts, new artificial surfaces and shading at our practice facilities, new golf carts, a Wellputt studio at our CH3 Academy, Spa facilities, Ladies Salon, Barbers Shop, Country Club facilities which include a resort swimming pool, restaurant, gym and studio.”

Tom Rourke

General Manager - The Els Club, Dubai

WWG: How can people book to play and are there memberships or is it a pay per play model?

TR: Bookings are handled by our Padel partners, Super Sports, who have a very user-friendly booking system where members and guests can book one game or multiple games at discounted rates. Els Club members receive a members’ discount and the courts are available for everyone. For more information do visit our website at www.elsclubdubai.com/padel-courts WWG: You’ve done a lot of work on the course of late, tell us about that and what golfers can expect when they play it?

TR: The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 meant the golf course did not undergo its normal annual summer maintenance. Due to this we have been catching up, removing thatch and

compaction from the golf course and feel that it is now in its best condition and health for a very long time. The greens are rolling incredibly well and we are bringing back the inland links conditions with the golf course playing firmer and faster. We feel the golf course is tournament-ready on a daily basis and we pride ourselves on the quality and consistency of the playing surfaces utilising Troon Golf agronomic best practices.

WWG: You’ve overseen some big enhancements to the club since you took over as GM, one of the biggest being the Country Club, how is that new addition to the club going?

TR: The Country Club has been a fantastic addition to The Els Club and a huge enhancement to the members’ offering.

The state-of-the-art facility really is the best in class, creating a family friendly, safe environment for all of our members and

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261 RESTAURANT & BAR

guests to enjoy the club beyond the golf course. We have received great support from the surrounding communities with nongolfers choosing to join The Country Club to train and relax. The membership has been fast growing and this has helped generate considerably more new golf membership sales on the basis of having The Country Club facilities included as part of the golf membership. If you’d like to bring the family to experience The Country Club and be a member for a day do book your free trial here: www.elsclubdubai.com/country_club WWG: Looking ahead to the coming months, what have you got coming up that our readers should look out for?

TR: We’re extremely excited to be opening the first two hotel rooms at The Els Club and with that our first Stay & Play packages. We also will be conducting restaurant upgrades and refurbishments at 261 along with updated menus and multiple social events open to everyone. We have some great daily offerings to try with my personal favourite being our Saturday Carvery at The Big Easy Bar & Grill from 12 – 4 pm. Do check out our website and socials to always stay updated on our latest offerings.

www.elsclubdubai.com

DOHA GOLF CLUB NOW

AVAILABLE

PETE COWEN COLUMN

W

It’s all about moving the needle

ith everything that is going on in the world of golf right now the main issue is excitement and moving the needle. Unless you are a die-hard golf fan you will not watch four rounds of stroke play. In the same way only die-hard cricket fans are drawn to test matches. Golf and cricket in this fashion is not fun to watch.

Characters like Rory, Brooks and Bryson are moving the needle in terms of excitement by their style of play but more needs to be done to entice the younger generation into the sport.

Golf is just too long in terms of watching and playing the game. Ideally you would have courses designed as three loops of six holes and you always come back to the clubhouse.

Two par threes, two par fours and two par fives, job done. It would be more cost effective to run, televise and shorter competition times. Not everyone can spare five hours at the weekend to play, plus the number of rounds would increase.

Change the courses

The holes also can be cut short. Give people the chance of driving par fours and make the game about risk and reward. I’m mainly talking about courses that are being developed or at the initial planning stages.

These are the steps that need to be taken to future proof the game. Not being fixated on creating an 8,000 yards championship masterpiece.

This is only an idea, and we must work with what we have right now. There are thousands of established courses in the world which comprise of two nines so why don’t we start playing more nine-hole events at clubs? It’s great to see the R&A trying a four-hole

tournament prior to this year’s Open at St. Andrews but to move the needle we need to get things moving at a grassroots level and that starts with the clubs.

There are millions of amateurs that play football. From five a side to Sunday league but nearly all will watch their favourite team for 90 minutes on a Saturday.

Golf needs to find a way to emulate this. We still needs historic events and the current format, but it also needs the flexibility of four, six and nine hole variations at club level. So, people can make the game fit their timetable not the other way round.

Putting is time wasting

These are just ideas in how to speed up time but another aspect that needs addressing is the time spent on greens. This applies to both amateurs and professionals.

Too much time is wasted reading greens and let’s be honest, how many people watch golf to see the best putters? Everyone has always flocked to see the likes of Nicklaus, Seve, Tiger and Rory but the great putters such as Dave Stockton or Brad Faxon always went under the marketing radar. I can’t remember the last advert I saw of a player promoting a putter, though the list is a mile long when it comes to drivers and irons.

If putting was worth half instead of a full shot, you would have less time spent on the greens. Even make the hole bigger. The purists will disagree with me, but many

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people would welcome it. If putting was so appealing, why do we not have putting ranges instead of driving ranges? The answer is obvious, and I see it all the time at my range. People enjoy hitting a ball to a target or smashing it as far as they can.

Gamers now playing range golf

I’ve recently installed Toptracer at my range in Rotherham and it’s probably one of the best things we have done. Suddenly, we are seeing more people, and many newcomers are gamers. I asked one young lad why he decided to come to the range. He explained he could now play golf like a game! I didn’t really understand as golf is a game, but he said: “We like different targets to aim at and play holes like a computer game.”

Since we installed Toptracer our range numbers are up, but interestingly we are booking more lessons. Not for golfers wanting to reduce their handicaps but the new wave of golfers looking to improve their Toptracer scores. But we’ve not had anyone coming in for a putting lesson!

Topgolf and Toptracer might have saved the game in many ways. Getting the gamers into the ranges and enjoying the challenge of golf will only widen the awareness. Many might not join clubs straight away but it’s a less intimidating and fun introduction to the game than being thrust straight on to a 7,000-yard championship course with the goal of reducing a 28 plus handicap. Golf is a game that needs to be fun at all levels! ■

DAVID HOWELL COLUMN

THAT HISTORIC CHIP: Larry Mize chipping in to win the 1987 Masters play-off against Greg Norman.

Magical Masters Memories I

ts 1987, I am eleven years old, and I have just joined Broome Manor Golf club. A new world has opened up to me, a golfing world full of new friends, of handicaps and monthly medals, of buckets and buckets of yellow range balls and of desire to find out every last thing about this wonderful game of golf that had somehow wormed its way into my life.

I don’t remember who I was sat with, most likely Jonni Suckling my best pal I would imagine, but something called the Masters, was on the BBC I had noticed, from the television listings in the newspaper. So it was on that Sunday evening I first saw the beauty of the Augusta National Golf Club, and the drama that this championship could inspire.

I had heard of Seve, the great Spaniard but not much more than that if I’m honest, but when I saw him in total devastation having missed a short putt to drop out of a play-off on the tenth hole I was intrigued to say the least.

How was this Championship bringing grown men to tears, what on earth was going on? My 11 year-old brain was flummoxed to say the least, but the rot was starting to set in, this game had something to offer me, of that I was becoming sure.

Ten minutes later one of the most famous golf shots of all time happened right in front of my eyes, not just mine of course, but in front of countless millions of golf fans across the globe.

Larry Mize, faced with an impossible chip, trying to hold on for another hole against the Great White Shark, what a nick-name Greg Norman had by the way. Peter Allis the doyen of golf commentary setting the scene for the BBC audience, Mize surveying his options, none of which seemed good. This was to be the moment when the Shark, the best player in the world finally wins a major championship, or so seemed likely.

But then it happened, the bump and run from 20 yards right of the eleventh green skipped and

jumped then made its way down the putting eyed man walking into the classic clubhouse surface, towards the water but also towards the wearing a players pass and a smile so bright flag, it disappeared into the hole and Larry Mize that my jaw ached. became the Masters champion. The Shark, Two things struck me straight away, the crestfallen, had been tamed once again, patrons were just as amazed to be there as I in the most outrageous manner, was, and secondly Jack Nicklaus and and I had been hooked by the friends seemed to be just as excited pure majesty and as me too, quite simply anyone who excitement of it all. is keen on golf is keen on Augusta Year on year from that National and that is why once day forward April would again, for the 36th year in a row, arrive and Augusta will be tuning in just as eagerly National would be as before to see what unfolds splashed across our TV on this oh so special golf course.

Sandy Lyle’s screens, dark green Who will win? A guy at the winning putt in fairways, bright pink height of his powers, someone who 1988 azaleas and European has not been too distracted by the golfers atop the leaderboard, politics of the current golfing world, an intoxicating mix for one so young. someone who relishes being on top of the I didn’t dream of playing Augusta, or winning world rankings, someone from Spain. Jon Rahm, the Masters, and I wasn’t sad that my course I predict, will win the Masters, just edging out didn’t resemble that which I saw on screen, I Viktor Hovland and Patrick Cantlay. Three guys just marvelled at the game in general, and at who have kept their heads down more than how this tournament seemed so different than most of late, and will reap the rewards when anything else. I started to recognise names that the azaleas bloom. seemed only to appear once a year for a two day Hopefully a new generation of golfers will cameo in the spotlight before fading away, once again be born because of the sheer Donny Hammond, an Augusta native, Dan beauty of watching great players compete for Forsman to name just a couple. glory on a course that demands nerves of steel Sandy Lyle of course won in 1988, the fairway mixed with the touch of a surgeon in front of a bunker shot at the last, and the putt, oh that gallery that is just incredibly happy to be there wonderful putt to seal victory all imprinted in to witness it all. my mind, then Faldo before Woosnam, or was it Right now golf needs the Masters to once the other way round, who cares, Europeans again remind us that history plays such a were dominating, and I was falling deeper and powerful role in our sport, it’s what gives it deeper in love with the game. substance and character, walking in the So I have a lot to thank the Masters for, it footsteps of giants that have come before is helped to shape my life down a golfing path of where the glory comes from, emulating your that there is no doubt in my mind. heroes is the stuff of dreams, all things that Eighteen years after Larry Mize broke Greg come with no price tag other than endeavour, Normans heart, my journey was complete, from ambition dedication and persistence. I for one wide eyed 11 year old boy watching his first cannot wait for the 2022 Masters to begin, let’s Masters tournament on TV to 30 year old wide hope it’s a classic once again. ■

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JENNY HENNESSY

Leona Maguire of Ireland is presented the Trophy

by LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan after winning the LPGA Drive On Championship at Crown Colony Golf & Country Club.

G

Where I found my passion for golf

rowing up, I was lucky to spend my summers in Lahinch, a seaside town in the west of Ireland. With a world class links course literally on my doorstep, it was written in the stars for me to fall in love with the game. However, it did take me until about the age of 13 to catch the ‘golf bug’, but when I caught it, there was no turning back! My love affair with the game was a very natural journey.

As a young junior girl golfer I began to show some promise. My name was put forward to enroll in a national development programme and I was invited to attend an under-13 National Coaching Day in Dublin. I remember it as if it was yesterday! I arrived with just two clubs, left handed clubs to be precise. Being naturally left-handed, it just felt right to play the sport this way. Later on my dad pleaded with me to switch to playing right-handed, as he said it was harder to coach ‘lefties’. Being the obedient daughter that I am (LOL) I did switch to playing righthanded, and never looked back! In fact I think it has worked to my advantage, giving me that extra few yards of strength.

On this particular day, there were around 20 young promising golfers invited to attend the event at St.Margaret’s Golf Club in Dublin. As I stood around waiting for the coaching session to start, two girls (identical twins) arrived with matching golf gear from head to toe, full tour sized golf bags and

motorised golf carts. Needless to say, I felt incredibly inferior standing alongside them with the grand total of two golf clubs in my hand! It was my first encounter with Lisa and Leona Maguire! It was evident that both twins were strides ahead of the rest of the flock, their level of skill and technique was exemplary for players of their age.

Through my teenage years and early twenties I came across the Maguire twins at many golfing events. They even featured in the opening ceremony of the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club by bringing the famous trophy to the stage. I thought this was seriously cool.

Confidence Boost

In 2015 I represented my province in the Ladies Interprovincial Championships. I was drawn to play against Lisa Maguire on the final day of the tournament. Lisa was representing Ulster and I was representing Munster. I was nervous on the morning of the match –in my mind the Maguire twins were golfing celebrities, and I felt I just simply was not up to their standard.

However, my form had been good throughout the tournament week, thankfully I managed to calm my nerves on the range and focus on the task ahead. After a thrilling morning of golf, the foursomes match was finally halved on the 18th hole, but let me tell you, it felt like a win to me! Having grown up in awe of

Worldwide GOLF 45

the Maguire twins, this was certainly a day to remember, and a day I look back on with pride. We had certainly come a long way since my two clubs at the under-13 National coaching day some years back!

Both Lisa and Leona played college golf at Duke University in North Carolina, USA. Although both twins showed exceptional talent from a very young age, Lisa had won more titles than Leona during their junior golf years. It wasn’t until after attending Duke that Leona began to climb to the top.

Fast forward to 2022, 27 year old Leona Maguire from Co. Cavan, Ireland is dominating the world of female golf. After an outstanding amateur career she turned professional two years ago. Since then she has had a stellar rise to the top, announcing herself on the world stage with her exceptional performance as the top points scorer at the Solheim Cup last September.

Two weeks ago she won her first LPGA event at the Drive On Championship in Florida, and is now currently ranked in the top 20 players in the world. Leona’s golfing future is bright, she is an exceptional role-model and inspiration for women's golf all over the world.

Swing easy!

Jenny Founder of Chicks with Sticks

ACADEMY BY

LOW PUNCH SHOT BY

KARL GOODWIN,

PGA PROFESSIONAL, THE TRACK MEYDAN

G

rowing up playing golf in Ireland, keeping the ball underneath the wind was something we had to do regularly. Links golf was something I always enjoyed and often we played in extremely windy conditions.

Growing up under these conditions made me appreciate having different shots in your arsenal and the ability to be able to play them when needed in certain conditions. When I made the move to Dubai it was certainly an easier climate to play in, however, we do have the occasional blustery day so sometimes it doesn’t feel too far from home. We’ve had a few windy days recently I’m going to demonstrate a lower punch shot I use quite often when playing on my home turf. In this article, I’ve outlined the four main things I consider when trying to incorporate a lower ball flight. I hope you can implement these into your own game going forward.

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INSTRUCTION

THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO CONSIDER IS CLUB SELECTION. IN THIS CASE WE NEED TO USE 1-2 EXTRA CLUBS THAN NORMAL, MEANING IF IT IS A SEVEN-IRON DISTANCE WE NEED TO BE USING A SIX OR MAYBE EVEN A FIVE-IRON. THIS ALLOWS US TO BE A BIT MORE CONTROLLED THROUGH IMPACT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE BALL FLIGHT DOWN AND OUT OF THE WIND.

Ball position is next on the list. For this shot we will move it about a golf ball back in our stance towards our trail foot. Remember, everything we do in the shot is done to take loft away from the golf ball.

A B

Ball Position placed too far forward in your stance, this will add loft to the club and sent the ball to high into the air.

A

B

Ball Position being placed correctly one ball back in your stance will help deloft the club.

The third aspect we must consider is our weight distribution. This needs to be shifted more onto our lead leg, helping us to decrease the angle in which the club travels into the golf ball

A

Weight being shifted to our rear foot.

B

Weight being shifted towards our lead leg. Improving our downward angle of approach for this shot

Full swing backswing will make it difficult to control the flight into the wind.

WEIGHT

WEIGHT

A

B

¾ backswing will make it much easier to control the ball flight when it comes to facing windy conditions.

I will leave you with one of my favourtie pieces of advice “When its breezy, swing it easy”

To book your lesson with Karl or one of the other talented PGA Professionals at The Track, Meydan Golf visit meydangolf.com, call +971 4 381 3733 or email: info@meydangolf.com Worldwide GOLF 47

LOOK OUT FOR THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf Worldwide.Golf

THE GRIP BY

DIVAN EHMKE

PGA PROFESSIONAL, MY GOLF DUBAI.

F

or anybody starting out on their golfing journey, it’s crucial to first get the fundamentals right. It’s also really important for experienced players to keep them at the forefront of their mind every time they step up to the ball because getting the basics wrong will lead to big problems even for the best golfers out there. In part 1 of our back to basics series we’re going to focus on how to properly grip the golf club.

Worldwide GOLF 48

1 2 3

INSTRUCTION

Most beginner golfers grip the club incorrectly which has a massive impact on their game.

The first thing you want to do is make sure that your club is square.

Take your left hand and place the club from the middle of your left index finger to the beginning of your palm.

A

B

You need to see two knuckles on your left hand and the V pointing to your right shoulder.

Your right hand goes on the club in a similar position as your left.

Make sure you grip the club in your fingers and wrap your hand around so that the soft part of your right thumb is on your left thumb.

C

D

Make sure that V on your right hand is also pointing to your right shoulder.

Now with your hands together there are two types of grips that you can potentially use – interlock or overlap.

I personally prefer the interlock as it feels like your hand is more connected and you can work the club better.

If you do this drill on every shot, you won’t go too far wrong.

First try it out on the range or here at MyGolf Dubai before taking it to the course.

OVERLAP

Book a lesson at My Golf Dubai, the UAE’s first luxury indoor golf and entertainment lounge, and we will assist with your every golfing need!

Visit mygolfdubai.com, call +971 43863535 or email: info@mygolfdubai.com

Worldwide GOLF 49

INTERLOCK

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GEAR BOB VOKEY UNVEILS THE SM9 WEDGE

For the past 18 years Vokeys have been the No.1 wedge on the PGA Tour.

So when the legendary craftsman reveals his latest model range the whole golfing world wants to know more.

Turn over to find out about the new SM9.

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GEAR TEST

VOKEY DESIGN SM9

HOW THE NO.1 WEDGE ON TOUR JUST GOT BETTER It goes without saying the No.1 wedge on Tour is the Vokey. These are the money sticks many professionals turn to for consistency in distance, trajectory and spin control and they have been No.1 on the PGA Tour since 2004. So when Bob Vokey releases a new wedge it has everyone wanting to know how you can make the best even better!

The new SM9 wedges are Vokey’s most versatile, accurate and forgiving yet, offering six grind options and a total of 23 different models ranging in lofts from 46° to 62° for precision fitting.

“It sounds simple, but having the correct wedge and knowing when to use it has a direct impact on scoring performance,” said Bob Vokey. “The most important thing for golfers at every level is to know when and where to use the variety of wedges in their bag. That can be achieved by being properly fit based on swing and style of play, and understanding the roles for each.”

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Why the strike area is important

Through years of research and design, Vokey has determined that the optimum strike position on a Vokey Design wedge is between grooves two and five. This produces a lower, more consistent flight with higher spin. Shots struck above this area tend to launch higher and fly shorter with less spin.

“It is important to fit your wedges to your swing type, style of play and course conditions,” added Bob Vokey.

“That selection process should begin by determining the proper grind for the shots you hit most. The correct grind provides the best turf interaction, contact and shot performance.”

Refined Centre of Gravity

The SM9’s CG actually hovers in front of the face to produce a solid feeling wedge that squares up at impact for more consistent results The CG has been raised vertically by adding weight to the topline design, where a tapered pad at the back of the toe helps align the CG properly without being visible from the playing position Progressive hosel lengths are also used to help raise the CG in the higher lofts, particularly 58°- 62°.

These centre of gravity refinments result in improved distance and trajectory control, plus increased stability for more consistency.

Refined sole grind optiions

The SM9 has one of the most varied grind, bounce and loft options. This gives players of any level the ability to create multiple shots into and around the green.

Developed through decades of work Vokey’s six tour-proven sole grinds – F, S, M, K, L and D – allow golfers to be precisely fit for their swing type (steep, neutral, shallow), shot making style (sweeper, digger) and course conditions (firm, neutral, soft).

Groovey advantage

The SM9 also features a new Spin Milled cutting process. This is designed to tighten the allowable tolerances and produce consistently sharper grooves with more consistent spin.

Each groove on every head is 100% inspected for conformity to the rules of golf In addition micro-grooves are individually cut in between grooves, which maximises spin on partial shots. A proprietary heat treatment is also applied to the impact area to double the durability of the groove without effective the feel.

Each groove is individually cut based on loft and finish with the lower lofts (46°- 54°) designed with narrower, deeper grooves and higher lofts (56°- 62°) with wider, shallower grooves.

THE VERDICT By far the best wedge on the market and now even more forgiving.

Not that the Tour pros would notice over the SM8 but amateurs like myself need all the help. Paired with an unrivalled fitting system the SM9, with it’s wide range of loft, grind and bounce options, makes dialling in your wedges far easier than having a custom grind.

Pros: Price, options, quality and still the best wedge on the market Cons: Too many options can become confusing. So a wedge fitting is essential with the new SM9.

SM9 PRICE: 795 AED

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Pick up the hottest products at

GOLF SUPERSTORE

BY WYNAND DU BRUYN,

MANAGER & CUSTOM FITTING SPECIALIST AT GOLF SUPERSTORE

Here at Golf Superstore we stock the latest and hottest products as soon as they reach the market – from the Titleist Vokey Design SM9 Wedges to the tried and tested PING G425 driver. Come down to our flagship store located on Umm Suqeim Street, near The Warehouse Gym to take advantage of our full custom fitting service using Trackman Technology, which is carried out by one of our PGA qualified professionals.

TITLEIST VOKEY DESIGN SM9 WEDGES

Vokey wedges are the most played on the PGA Tour and that trend looks set to continue into 2022 with the new SM9.

SM9 features a progressive center of gravity (CG) throughout the lofts, which optimizes ball flight, accuracy and forgiveness.

Using tapered top lines and varied hosel lengths, the Vokey R&D team has raised the height of the CG in the higher lofts, which promotes a lower, more controlled flight.

The most important thing for golfers at every level is to know when and where to use the variety of wedges in their bag. That can be achieved by being properly fit based on swing and style of play, and understanding the roles for each

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CALLAWAY ROGUE ST DRIVER:

Callaway’s industry-leading innovations, including their tungsten speed cartridge, jailbreak speed frame, and A.I designed flash face are engineered for maximum speed with exceptional levels of forgiveness.

FEATURES: • Increased speed, stability & high MOI from all new tungsten speed cartridge • Stability and speed from jailbreak frame • New A.I designed face for lowe spin and increased forgiveness • Stability and forgives from unibody construction

TAYLORMADE STEALTH DRIVER:

The TaylorMade Stealth driver model is designed for high-MOI performance and is the best fit for players looking to optimise distance and forgiveness. It also offers a light amount of draw bias for the golfer who prefers to have a little bit of that built-in without going into a draw-specific model.

FEATURES: • Optimal spin and launch • Added forgiveness • 60x Carbon twist face • Nanotexture cover • Asymmetric Inertia Generator

• • • •

Thru-Slot Speed Pocket Thru-slot speed pocket Max designed for a wide range of golfers High MOI design

PING G425 DRIVER:

The G425 driver range still continues to perform well against the competition, with the G425 Max driver winning the coveted MyGolfSpy Most Wanted Driver award for 2022 despite everything coming onto the market of late. One year on, this driver is still tough to beat!

FEATURES: • 26-gram tungsten moveable weight that can shift CG from Draw to Neutral to Fade bias • High MOI design provides maximum forgiveness on all shots • Refined Turbulators help improve areodynamics • Sleek newlate design both in the head and an improved Alta CB Ping proprietary shaft.

TITLEIST PRO V1 RADAR CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY GOLF BALL ONLY AVAILABLE AT GOLF SUPERSTORE

The Pro V1 RCT golf ball has been engineered for radar-based launch monitors to provide the most accurate golf ball data on these devices for the indoor golf experience. The technology of the Pro V1 RCT golf ball has been optimized with TrackMan. FEATURES: • Titleist RCT golf balls featured embedded radar reflective technology in order to achieve precise indoor launch data capture • Through an optimized spin signal capture of 99%, Titleist RCT golf balls deliver true carry and total distance numbers in an indoor launch setting • The technology used in the Pro V1 RCT has been optimized and validated in collaboration with Trackman • With Pro V1 RCT’s ability to capture precise and accurate data on radar-based launch monitors like simulators, fittings conducted indoors are more reliable than ever • Pro V1 RCT includes the same design, materials, quality manufacturing, and most importantly the identical

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR WORLDWIDE GOLF READERS! GOLF SUPERSTORE ARE OFFERING 20% OFF ALL PRODUCTS* DURING MARCH IN STORE SIMPLY BY QUOTING ‘WORLDWIDE GOLF’ AT THE POINT OF SALE. *Excludes newly launched products from TaylormMade/Callaway/Ping/Titleist

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GEAR TEST

TAYLORMADE STEALTH

THE FAIRWAY METALS MIGHT NOT CONTAIN THE CARBON FACE BUT THEY SURE PACK A PUNCH Unlike its big brother the fairway metals do not boast a bright red carbon face. Depending on the model, TaylorMade has opted for a titanium face in the smaller Plus head and stainless steel in the Stealth. The new toe-and-heel wrapped 3D carbon fibre crown not only looks great but has enabled mass from the high toe area to be repositioned further back to increase forgiveness.

TaylorMade claim you can expect a 5% MOI gain from the Stealth over the previous SIM2 Max fairway and a 13% gain over the original SIM Max fairway.

The Tour player will opt for the Stealth Plus, as the smaller 175cc head is ideal for shot shaping but the titanium face has also increased ball speed and TaylorMade claim it has a 12% MOI gain over the SIM2.

The Stealth’s ball speed gain will help players with lower swing speeds carry the ball further but you do not have the loft adjustability of the Plus, so make sure you get fitted. Do not become focused on total distance, have a carry number in mind when it comes to gapping.

It’s all about hang time or drop and stop with a fairway metal.

TaylorMade Stealth Fairway Wood Spec

Lofts 15°, 16.5° 3HL, 18°, 21°, 24° | Stock shafts Fujikura Ventus Red 6 FW (X, S); Fujikura Ventus Red 5 FW (R, A)

TaylorMade Stealth Plus+ Fairway Wood Spec

Lofts 13°, 15°, 19° | Adjustable Yes (+/- 1.5°) | Stock shaft Project X Hzrdus Smoke Red RDX 70 FW (X/6.5, S/6.0, R/5.5)

TaylorMade Tech

3D Carbon Crown allows more weight to be positioned rearward for optimal forgivenes.

Advanced Laser Alignment provides vital contrast between face

and crown, the laser etched alignment aid is designed to highlight directional alignment and boost confidence.

V Steel Sole Design refines weight distribution for enhanced forgiveness and launch while improving turf interaction.

Twist Face uses corrective face angles designed to straighten out those miss hits.

Thru-Slot Speed Pocket design is engineered to maximise ball speeds and produce additional forgiveness on low-face strikes.

The Test

You can easily see why the Stealth Plus is a Tour player’s choice. The ball speed is up slightly over the Stealth and the spin rate we found on average 300rpm lower. Though the 175cc head is noticeably smaller compared to the larger 190cc Stealth head and that has a confidence effect. The Speed Pocket is very effective on both heads, as we found a strike low on the face still launched effectively and the drop in speed was not too damaging. Normally the dreaded low face heel strike would struggle to get airborne and the ball speed would plummet.

Dispersion was tighter with the Stealth, even with strikes closer to the heel we did not see the spin rates or fight deviate dramatically. The Plus was not as forgiving but centre strikes were on avergage 5 yards longer.

THE VERDICT

The Stealth will be the most popular, due to forgiveness and overall performance. Though the Plus is the better club in terms of ball speed and adjustability. If TaylorMade had built the Stealth with the titanium face and adjustable lofts it would have been perfect. Or just made the Plus slightly larger. On closer inspection of the seams the build quality could be better and it will be interesting to see how these hold up to every day bag ‘dings’.

Pros: Looks, sound and performance Cons: Build quality

STEALTH PRICE : 1,575 AED STEALTH PLUS PRICE : 1,975 AED

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COBRA LTDX ARE HOT!

COULD THESE BE THE BEST FAIRWAY METALS OF 2O22?

If Cobra could just up their marketing game to match the quality of their products, they would be up there with TaylorMade, Callaway and Titleist. Whoever decided to name their latest products LTDX probably wears a lab coat and studies data instead of conducting a consumer poll. In this review we put the LDTX fairways to the test.

The theme these days is produce two models. A low spinning and a forgiving head. Cobra has gone with three models which vary the launch and spin characteristics.

LTDX LS is their low spinning model and is designed for the player with a higher ball speed that can launch the ball effortlessly.

Therefore, it is designed to have a lower launch to give players a strong ball flight with a neutral to slight fade bias.

The LTDX is a little more forgiving and with the lofts set at the same 16 degrees to match the LS head, you are getting a higher launch and more spin. In addition the slight draw bias will help players minimise an unwanted fade.

Finally, we have the MAX. The most forgiving, highest launching and draw bias head. Designed for players that slice the ball and with a slower swing speed.

The tech

PWR-COR TECHNOLOGY is a multi-material weighting system that positions as much weight as possible low and forward. The weighting system utilises a tungsten internal weight and an aluminum external weight that is positioned right behind the hitting zone to transfer maximum speed to the golf ball at impact and reduce spin.

H.O.T FACE which stands for “Highly Optimized Topology.” Using data from thousands of impact simulations, Cobra optimised thicknesses in 15 different zones to maximize ball speed across a larger area of the face.

ADJUSTABLE WEIGHTING, a heavy 12g and a lightweight 3g can

be positioned in the back and heel position. Position the 12g heavy weight in the back for a neutral to draw biased ball flight, or in the heel for max draw bias.

LIGHTWEIGHT CARBON CROWN is lighter than titanium and frees up more discretionary weight to reposition low within the head to maximize speed and stability.

PROGRESSIVE BAFFLER RAILS The 3W features no rails to account for a sweeping, shallow swing while the 5W and 7W feature pronounced rails to improve turf interaction for steeper swings.

The Test We opted for the LS and X head set to 16 degrees with a Tensei white shaft. First up was the LS and instantly you could see the lack of spin and a lower launch. The strong penetrating flight from the LS was delivering distances just shy of my driver, but the low spin meant I was getting close to 30 yards run out. Though the dispersion was tight at 23 yards between 15 shots.

The LTDX was not as long in overall distance, but the carry was seven yards further due to more air time. The spin rate was also up on average by 220 rpm so holding greens would be easier with LTDX but dispersion was unexpectedly wider at 27 yards from 15 shots. This was mainly due to the draw bias. As my poor shot is a pull and the fade bias of the LS neutralised those to a large extent.

THE VERDICT

At only 162cc for a 3 wood the LTDX fairway woods are very easy to hit and equally as forgiving. If you are looking for fairway metal as a driver alternative, the LS model is ridiculously long but do not expect to hold many greens with it. The LTDX is effortless to hit and would suit players with moderate swing speeds that also battle with a slight fade. Though the ability to adjust the loft by 1.5 degrees either side of the set loft is a huge benefit. The low spin rates and the ability to play around with the launch angle gives you the opportunity to try different settings to practise out on course. Due to the low spin, always try a higher loft that usual.

Pros: Performance, build quality, adjustment and price!

Cons: Their marketing!

LTDX PRICE: 1,395 AED

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GEAR TEST

TITLEIST AVX

NEW 348 TETRAHEDRAL CATENARY AERODYNAMIC DIMPLE PATTERN delivers a piercing, low trajectory while providing a consistent ball flight on all shots.

THE FAIRWAY METALS MIGHT NOT CONTAIN THE CARBON FACE BUT THE SURE PACK A PUNCH Titleist are the No.1 ball in golf by a long way and we are all aware of the ProV1 success story. As a result, many of us opt for the standard ball or the Prov1X out of default, without considering the AVX. My inital thoughts are the ProV1 is the better ball and the AVX is not much cheaper, so I might as well go with the ball the Tour pros use, as it is designed for distance and spin. Ideal for the courses in the UAE. But after a recent conversation with Pete Cowen about how too many amateurs play the wrong ball and don’t have enough loft on their driver, I decided to change things up to see what happened.

The key to distance off the tee is high launch and low spin. With the ProV1 my driver spin is relatively high, averaging 2,800 RPM. I know a harder ball will drop that number, but I still need spin to hold the greens with my irons. Hence the option to play the ProV1. To keep the driver spin rate low I play with 9 degrees of loft for a more penetrating flight. I dont carry the ball that far in relation to my ball speed as I’m fearful of that high spinning drive that just stalls in the air.

How it differs to the AVX launched in 2018

The new 2020 Titleist AVX golf ball has been reengineered to deliver unmatched performance with a low compression, multilayered construction core and advanced erodynamics NEW REFORMULATED CORE generates high speed and low long game spin to drive more distance with exceptionally soft feel.

The Test Off the tee I increased my loft to 10 degrees, so in theory the spin rate should rise. From the dozen balls tested and with a max swing speeds of 109mph the highest spin rate recorded was 2,600 and the lowest from a speed of 107mph was 2100. My angle of attack was +1 and that is why my spin is high as I do not hit up at the ball with a driver but that is my swing and I struggle to change it.

The drop in spin might only be 200 rpm lower but the increased launch meant I found close to 10 yards of extra carry distance with the same swing speed. Plus the lower spin equated to a few extra run out yards.

With a wedge and around the green the 2020 AVX is a noticeable improvement in terms of feel that its predecessor but not as responsive as the ProV1.

THE VERDICT

My game would benefit more off the tee than around the greens so a ball like the AVX would suit my game better. I’m not a pro looking to dial in a wedge to the nearest yard or even play for check. The AVX provides enough grip with short irons to hold greens. I just might have to play slightly shorter of the pins if the greens are hard and fast, but I will more than likely be aiming for the middle of the greens and hoping for the best!

Pros: Low spin distance and feel Cons: Price

AVX PRICE PER DOZEN: 335 AED

NEW SOFTER COVER contributes to increased greenside spin and control.

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ECCO FAIRWAY FUN

HIGH TOPS ON THE FAIRWAYS OPEN THE DOOR TO MORE CREATIVE STREET SHOE IDEAS AND WE LOVE IT! In recent years, golf shoes have become less traditional and more practical. Long gone are the tassels and cleats and now fashion is blended with function. The hybrid golf shoe that looks as good with jeans as it does on the course is a creative opportunity brands such as Ecco are embracing.

Last month we featured Stenson’s Iceman design with Ecco and now we are looking at the their latest limited edition with fashion designer J Lindeberg.

The new collection is a creative mix of fashion and function, merging J.Lindeberg aesthetics with ECCO GOLF’s advanced technologies and premium leather. The collaboration includes a bold new take on the men’s ECCO GOLF BIOM® C4 with a curved zipper, a silver sole version of the ECCO GOLF BIOM H4 for men and women, and sneaker-style editions of ECCO GOLF TRAY – one of them with a highly distinctive metal buckle and one version in innovative leather with a high-top silhouette.

Each of the designs feature J.Lindeberg’s modern expression and are engineered with ECCO FLUIDFORM™ Direct Comfort Technology to ensure a finely-tuned balance of cushioning and rebound, while at

the same time creating an integral, flexible and durable bond without the compromises common with stitched and/or glued assemblies.

Adding to the premium appeal, the shoes come with a special shoebox which can be unfolded and used for putting practice.

There is another model, The BIOM® C4, which is waterproof and designed for wet climates and understandably will only be available online, but the space age look might be worth considering for those heading over to Europe this summer.

THE VERDICT

The High Tops will be fun for the younger generations but we could see a few mid-life crisis fashion victims with these models. Like all limited editions the popular sizes will sell quick and no doubt colours will also be limited. What we need now is a collaboration with Converse or Vans. Imagine The Open at St. Andrews this year awash with snap back caps and bright high top shoes.

Pros: Look amazing especially the HighTop. Cons: High Tops are the stand out model and will sell out fast

BIOM H4 MEN: 1,275 AED / WOMEN: 1,175 AED ECCO GOLF TRAY: 1,095 AED / WOMEN: 995 AED HIGH TOP: TBC

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EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

Barlow on top at Clubhouse Trophy

Bouigue on song at Senior Championship Anne Gely Bouigue mastered the Majlis to walk away as Ladies Senior Championship winner with a gross 82. Naima Maya finished one stroke behind in second while Ingrid Lind had to settle for third after losing out on a better back nine against Maya. In the Net Division, Yulia Golubeva took the

top spot with a net 73, which consisted of a gross birdie seventh 7 and back-to-back net birdies on eight and nine. Nicsha Rodriguez was victorious in the Stableford Division with 36 points, making the turn with 17 points before a strong back nine of 19 points sealed the triumph.

Ross Barlow pipped Julian Stanley to the Clubhouse Trophy title with a better back 9 after both men scored 38 points over the Majlis. Barlow played extremely consistent throughout his round, especially on the back nine where he posted 20 points and two net birdies. Afzaal Ahmad won the Gross Division with 28 points, with the highlight of his round coming on the seventh where he made a gross birdie. Jignesh Sangani was victorious in Division A on 34 points while Manoj Shivnani topped Division B with the same total.

ABU DHABI CITY GOLF CLUB

Cancer survivor Smith smashes course record Rob Smith secured Abu Dhabi City Golf Club’s Men’s Open title with a brilliant course record 64 five years after defeating cancer. The 55-yearold was diagnosed with lymphoma five years ago and had to return home to Scotland for 10 months, leaving his wife and two children in Abu Dhabi, while he received a stem cell transplant.

Five years on, not only has Smith made a great recovery, but his golf has returned to its absolute

best culminating in his six under 64, not only taking the Men’s Open title but beating his own course record with eight birdies and two bogeys.

“Rob has been a member for fifteen years at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club,” said General Manager Rhian Lobo. “Having played for Scotland in his youth, we are all well aware of Rob’s ability but the bounce back from his difficulties has been remarkable.”

SHARJAH GOLF AND SHOOTING CLUB

Husband and Wife duo dovetail to perfection The Husband and Wife duo of Rory and Kimberly Thomson topped the leaderboard at the end of the day’s play at the BMW Open Social with an excellent score of eleven under par sixty-one. The pair combined perfectly to post seven under par in the better ball format. A steady four under par on the front nine in the scramble format combined with the impressive back nine saw the pair atop the leaderboard by three strokes. Other winners on the day were Ryan Wilson and Aniket Deo who had a very good score of one under par on the front nine in the Texas scramble format. The final prize on the day up for grabs was for the best back nine, which was won by Sunny Ramadas and Benjamin Lee who also posted a very impressive score of thirty-one, five under par in the better ball format.

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ARABIAN GOLF JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

Joy for Jang at Junior Open The champion of the 2022 Jumeirah Golf Estates Junior Open with an impressive score of one under gross 71 from Arabian Ranches Golf Club was Eunbeen Jang. The youngster carded a bogey-free round, with one on the 17th, to beat the field of 50 on the Fire course.

Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Seth Hopkinson topped the Boys Gross Division with a one under par round while Jaemin Kang, representing Arabian Ranches, finished runner-up. Anca Mirela Mateiu was crowned Girl Gross Division champion on card paly-off against Hannah Alan of Emirates Golf Club. Dilan White and Samara D’Silva topped the Boys and Girls Net Divisions respectively.

Team Hurley secure Pro-Am triumph Professional Cian Hurley of Emirates Golf Club led his team of Shames Al Hashemi, Yousuf Al Hashimi and Mohamed Abdulla to the Jumeirah Golf Estates Pro-Am title after scoring an impressive 29 under for both days. The team of Jules Lompech of Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Wael Soliman and Moustafa Shahin An put in an incredible effort with three players to score so well in a team event to take the runner-up spot on -27. In the professional event, Steven Munro of ProSports International and Luke Plumb of Jebel Ali Resort finished round one tied at the top after

posting scores of 71. One shot behind on level par were Oscar Yeomans of Jumeirah Golf Estates and Louis Gaughan of ProSports International.

The lead changed hands several times during the second round, with Yeomans double bogeying the first. However, with three birdies he managed to make the turn in level par, home advantage helped him pull through during the closing stretches of the round, and a fine birdie on the difficult 18th hole secured a four-stroke triumph to secure two wins in two starts since recently moving to the region.

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB, DUBAI

Bishop crowned Men’s Open champion Toby Bishop was crowned Men’s Open champion at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai after securing a two-stroke triumph over Louis Klein. The tournament had started with a record 41 players playing off a handicap scratch or better with Arjun Gupta the lowest handicapper in the field playing off +7.4. At the end of the first day there was a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard, with Arjun Gupta and Bishop using their home course knowledge to their advantage to be joined by Raghav Gulati on two under. Two other Trump members completed the top 5 with Dominic Morton and Nick Slater sitting on level par. There was a strong wind on the second day but that didn’t stop 13-year-old Klein firing a bogey free 67 to post the clubhouse lead of -1 for the tournament. Through 34 holes, Bishop held a one-shot lead over Klein and hit a spectacular shot on the par 3, 17th to no more than two feet for a tap in birdie. A par on the last secured a two-shot victory for the Welshman in what was his second of three consecutive victories on the EGF Order of Merit calendar. The youngster had secured the spoils at the Al Ain Men’s Open the previous weekend before making it three in a row the week after his Trump victory with a two-stroke triumph at the Tower Links Men’s Open.

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BOOK GOLF & CLOSE YOUR GAME !

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ARABIAN GOLF

Skaik secures UAE Presidents Cup for a second time AHMAD SKAIK CRUISED TO A SECOND VICTORY AT THE UAE PRESIDENTS CUP SPONSORED BY HSBC AS HE FIRED ROUNDS OF 74-73 FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP TOTAL OF 147, 3-OVER-PAR AT ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB.

“T

his year’s win is special for me and my family,” said Skaik, whose brother, Mohammed, won the Junior Division. “To win the Presidents Cup and to have my brother win the Junior Division at the same time, will be something that we will remember forever. I wasn’t hitting the ball particularly well off the tee this weekend but I scrambled well and made a lot of pars.

“Coming off playing four consecutive weeks on the DP World Tour, it is time for a little break and focus on my studies. It is an honor to win the UAE Presidents Cup and I am grateful for all of the support that I have received from the EGF and the entire UAE. I’d like to thank my family, coaches, and of course my teammates for pushing me and making me a better person on and off the course.”

Taking the runner-up prize was last year’s champion, Khalid Yousuf, while Khaled Salmeen completed the top three.

The Overall Net winner for the event was Walid Al Attar, who was playing in his first national championship in over ten years.

Playing off a handicap of 10.4, Al Attar finished with a Net Total of 130 for the two days.

Meanwhile, the winner of the Senior Division, which had more then 15 competitors over

the age of 50 playing, with gross scores of 77-84 for a total of 161 was EGF Secretary General, Mr. Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi.

AL EMADI DEFENDS HER TITLE In the Ladies Division, Alia Al Emadi successfully defended her title after shooting rounds of 82-81 for a championship total of 163.

“It feels amazing to not only win the Ladies Division two years in a row but also it proves to myself that my hard work is paying off,” said Al Emadi. “The Presidents Cup is the biggest tournament for Emiratis in the UAE. One thing I particularly love about the Presidents Cup is the fact that all golfers from the UAE reunite to compete together. This weekend my putting has really stepped up.

I made some key putts to save my score.”

The Ladies Overall Net winner was Faye Al Bolooshi with a net score of 139.

GROWING THE GAME In efforts to develop the game of golf within the national community, the 2022 UAE Presidents Cup sponsored by HSBC also hosted a 9-Hole Championship on the Garden Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. On a modified 9 holes, this year’s event also

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offered the UAE Special Olympic Team players to compete in the 9-Hole Championship.

21 members of the EGF National Foundation Squad and three players from the UAE Special Olympic Golf Team competed in the 9-Hole Championship. UAE Special Olympic Team player Ali Bin Sumaida won the event in style after carding a hole-inone on hole seven and an eagle on hole eight on his way to shooting an impressive 37.

Latifa Al Jassmy finished runner up while UAE Special Olympic Team members, Saif Saeed Al Qubaisi and Vincent Bower took third and fourth respectively.

General Abdullah Alhashmi, ViceChairman of the EGF, said: “Congratulations to all of the winners. On behalf of the Emirates Golf Federation, we would like to thank HSBC for their continued support of this amazing championship. This weekend is a true celebration of UAE golf. Thank you to and Abu Dhabi Golf Club and to The Westin, Abu Dhabi for hosting our players and families. Lastly, thank you to Abu Dhabi Sports Council and eGolf Megastore for enhancing our championship.

UAE golf is moving forward, we have a lot of work to do, together with our partners and stakeholders we will achieve our goals.”

I N

T H E

B A G

W I T H

MAC BOUCHER

Favourite club in the bag and why?

My 13 year old 3 wood! So versatile and easy to shape both ways

Favourite player?

I don’t really have a favourite player. I’m just a fan of the game!

MacBoucherGolf

Fantasy fourball?

Tiger Woods, and my two brothers

Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Woods: TourEdge exotics Hybrid: Adams idea Pro Irons: TaylorMade P7•MB Wedges: TaylorMade MG3 46°52°-56° TaylorMade Hi-toe 60°

Best Course in the UAE? The Els club

Putter: Coggin custom 1 of 1

Course you’d love to play but haven’t?

Valderrama

Favourite par 3 hole in the UAE? The 17th at Yas Links

Item you never leave behind on your travels?

My camera

Bryson or Books?

Neither

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PLAY. DINE. ENJOY. CONNECT. EX PERIE NCE DUB A I ’S FI R ST PR E M I UM GO LF & E NT E RTAI N MEN T LOUN G E

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