Worldwide Golf Magazine - September 2014 issue

The Middle East's No.1 Golf Magazine

Worldwide

EST. 1999

GOLF

SEPT. 2014

THE P A C I D N A H MID IRON TEISTSANTCE

RYDER CUP FEVER – PETE COWEN’S PREDICTION – IAN POULTER ALL FIRED UP – MOMENTS YOU’LL NEVER FORGET

ADD MOREKDIT CLOSER AND KNOC

Sergio Garcia

KICKS BACK Ell Ni Nino hhas putt iin some storming t i performances this season. Find out why he’s so happy with his game.

Official magazine of the EGF & the Arab Golf Federation

Official Media Partner to the European Tour in the Middle East

PRO TIPS

AYLA JORDAN

ARABIAN GOLF

How to eagle the 18th at Emirates Golf Club

Is this the most eco-friendly course in the Middle East?

News and features from the leading clubs in the region.

COMPETITION

LATEST GEAR

STYLE

Win a TaylorMade SLDR Mini Driver

Ping G30 driver and Odyssey Cruiser tested

From the latest in watches, cars and fashion to celebrities on course.

ISBN 978-9948-15-427-3

GARY PLAYER – EXECUTIVE EDITOR SINCE 1999

Unstoppable McIroy, the European talisman

I

Gary Player – The 9-time Major Champion and 9-time Senior Major Champion who has witnessed and been a part of some of the most historic and memorable golfing occasions reflects on the game today

N last month’s Worldwide Golf I wrote that I couldn’t wait to see what happens next at the US PGA Championship at Valhalla, following Rory McIlroy’s impressive victory in The Open at Royal Liverpool.

Well, we had the pleasure of watching Rory carry off the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Akron and then the US PGA Championship for the second time in his career in the style of a great champion.

To win two Majors with a World Golf Championships event sandwiched in between back-toback is an incredible achievement.

When you add the flagship event on The European Tour, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, it’s been an outstanding season so far for the young Irishman.

I’ve always said that Rory has got the most beautiful swing in the game. If he can continue to stay happy and healthy he’ll be the next Grand Slam winner – he’s only got the Masters Tournament to add to his growing collection.

I’m sure he’ll go on to win many more Majors and big tournaments. He’s on top of the world right now and he’s become a talisman for the European Ryder Cup team. Two years ago I

predicted that the Americans would win The Ryder Cup at Medinah. I made the point that although there was very little between the two teams the U.S. would benefit from the vociferous home crowd who would cheer their team to victory.

Yet what happened was the crowd were silenced by the amazing comeback by Europe who recovered from being 10-6 down two win 14.5 to 13.5. It was hailed ‘the Miracle of Medinah’ and that’s exactly what it was.

The Europeans have been enjoying something of a resurgence this season with Martin Kaymer winning the US Open and The Players Championship and Justin Rose winning on the US PGA Tour, Graeme McDowell winning the French Open and Sergio Garcia and Thomas Bjorn coming back to form.

But form is an odd thing. It’s how you perform during the week of a tournament that counts. You can be playing the best golf of your life but you can suddenly lose it all when you step out on to the first tee of a big event. Your form can change overnight.

I remember playing in The Open at Carnoustie in 1968. I was

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playing like a dog so I went out and practiced until 10.0 o’clock at night and I found what I was looking for and I went on and beat Jack Nicklaus and Bob Charles by two strokes to win my second Open Championship by two shots.

One aspect of The Ryder Cup that has pleased me this year is that both Captains, Tom Watson and Paul McGinley, have nine automatic qualifiers and three picks apiece. Two years ago at Medinah US Captain David Love III had four picks and the European Captain, Jose Maria Olazabal had two.

How could it be that there was one rule for one team and another rule for the other team? There’s a big advantage in having four captain’s picks. You can pick the players who are in form and full of confidence.

I’m pleased that common sense has finally prevailed. Gleneagles will witness a magnificent spectacle of golf and sportsmanship. The Ryder Cup is now a serious challenge between two evenly matched teams that has become one of the world’s great sporting events.

It’s a wonderful showcase for golf and a fantastic advertisement for the game. May the best team win.

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CONTENTS 08/14

Competitions 44 Win a TaylorMade SLDR Mini Driver 55 Win a* outfit courtesy of IJP DesignŶ 70 Win Hospitality passes to the DP World Tour Championship

20

34 VOLVO WORLD GOLF CHALLENGE UAE QUALIFYING SERIES:

SERGIO GARCIA

Worldwide Golf is partnering with Trading Enterprises to give you the chance of competing in one of the most prestigious amateur events in the world.

WWG talks to Sergio Garcia about the positive mental attitude that has been fueling his recent success.

Features

Instruction

Tour News

26 EMIRATES GOLF TRAVELLER

38 SPIRAL STAIRCASE

67 UP CLOSE

The first of our monthly golf travel guides takes us to Melbourne as we discover all that this fascinating Australian city has to offer both on and off the course.

62 AYLA JORDAN WITH NORMAN We go on site with Greg Norman to visit one of the world’s most eco-friendly courses, the magnificent Ayla in Aqaba, Jordan.

Regulars 12 STARTER - RYDER CUP How crucial will the 18th at Gleneagles prove to be? Plus did you know Bjorn has never been on a losing side!

55 COLUMNISTS Ian Poulter, Gary Player, David Howell and Pete Cowen shoot the breeze about the latest goings on in the game.

79 ARABIAN GOLF Ahmed Al Musharrekh talks about life as the UAE’s first professional and we sit down for a chat with Howie Roberts, new General Manager of The Address Montgomerie Dubai. PLUS the latest news from the clubs across the region.

Mark Bruce, PGA Professional at Emirates Golf Club reveals the importance of correct weight transfer.

41 HOW TO MAKE EAGLE Stephen Deane, Head Academy Professional, shows us how to make eagle, birdie or par on the 18th hole on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club.

42 THE GREAT ESCAPE Matthew Parker, Senior Teaching Pro at the European Tour Performance Institute gives his tips on how to master the fairway bunker shot.

Gear 45 GEAR TALK Can Rory take Nike to new heights?

46 PING G30 DRIVER We test the new Ping G30 – Bubba’s new weapon of choice.

49 ODYSSEY TANK CRUISER The putter that takes weight management to a whole new level.

50 PRODUCT TEST Our testers find out the best irons for mid to high handicappers.

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WWG talks to Nick Tarratt, Director of The European Tour International Dubai Office, about how the Tour is having a positive effect on the game throughout the Middle East.

72 CHALLENGE TOUR NEWS The National Bank of Oman Golf Classic signs up an entertaining trio.

Style 95 IVANKA TRUMP Talks exclusively about her love for the game and her role within one of the largest companies in the world.

100 DRIVING RANGE WWG gets behind the wheel of a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT.

102 TEE TIMES A watch is more than a timepiece, it’s a statement.

104 THE LOOK Canali, the Italian company in charge of tailoring the suits for the European Ryder Cup Team.

INTRODUCING

THE NEW LOOK WORLDWIDE GOLF! I

t’s been a busy summer for the Worldwide Golf team and I would like to thank all the readers that got involved with our audience feedback survey. As you can tell by the new look of the magazine, we’ve taken all your comments on board and evolved the areas you enjoy along with adding some new sections.

QR Codes If you haven’t already got one, please download a QR Code reader to your phone to make the most of our great new video content – you’ll notice QR codes dotted throughout the magazine, just scan the code and away you go!

The developments don’t stop there, as our new digital interactive version will also be made available soon to all our local and international readers.

Ryder Cup The fresh new look goes well with start of the 15/2014 season in the UAE and no doubt The Ryder Cup will breathe fresh life into the clubs. It was great to see my old friend Jamie Donaldson secure his spot with a win at the D+D REAL Czech Masters. Behind the scenes he’s a great laugh - very relaxed and, despite being a Ryder Cup rookie, he’ll settle into the team with ease. He knows when to have fun and, more importantly, when to put his game face on.

Europe will head into this Ryder Cup as favourites once more, looking to make it three in a row. Aside from having the home advantage at Gleneagles, big players like Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and our cover star Sergio Garcia are bang in form. But then, experience has taught us that you never know what this fascinating tournament is going to throw up and the US Team has a good balance to it with experienced hands such as Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar complementing the likes of current hot property Rickie Fowler and rising talent Jordan Spieth, not mention the mercurial abilities of Bubba Watson! At the time of going to press we don’t quite yet know who the Captain’s picks will be but it’s difficult to imagine a current European Ryder Cup team not featuring at least one or more of the experienced trio that is Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter.

Volvo World Golf Challenge UAE Qualifying Series We’re also extremely excited this month about the launch of the Volvo World Golf Challenge UAE Qualifying Series in which we’re partnering Volvo distributer Trading Enterprises. There will be a series of qualifying events at clubs around the UAE culminating in a region final at Al Badia Golf Club on December 13th.

Two players will then win the trip of a lifetime to compete with other finalists from around the world in the Volvo World Golf Challenge Final! It’s one of the most prestigious amateur events in the world and we’re thrilled to be involved and to be helping to give you all the chance of being involved too!

Alex Gallemore, Editor ISSUE No. 162, SEPTEMBER, 2014 Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd Published in Dubai by: Prografix, PO Box 24677, Dubai, UAE (Tel) 3785 340 9714+

Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore Executive Editor: Gary Player Editor: Alex Gallemore Publisher: Mike Gallemore

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Editorial Panel: Gary Player, Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Todd Staszko

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The

COURSE Monarch of the Glen 18th hole at the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles The Ryder Cup. Sink or swim. Death or Glory.

Who will come good? The last two Matches could have gone either way. The finest of margins settle this biennial tussle and 2014 Captains Paul McGinley and Tom Watson know that good course management and maintaining focus are the keys to Ryder Cup success.

It is fitting that the greatest golf event in the world should be played on a course designed by one of the game’s greatest ever players – Jack Nicklaus. The PGA Centenary Course was a huge challenge for the Golden Bear but it’s one he embraced, calling the huge plot “The finest parcel of land in the world I have ever been given to work with.”

Opened in 1993, the PGA Centenary offers incredible views of the Grampian mountains to the north and the peaks of the hills in the Trossach National Park to the south west, but if you can keep your mind on the task in hand rather than the breathtaking scenery there are plenty of birdies to be made. Paul Casey won the first European Tour event to be staged on the course in 2001 with a 14-under total and the following year Adam Scott took the place apart, shooting 67-65-67-63 for a 26-under total and a 10 stroke win. The tournament became what is now the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles in 2005 and other past champions include former Ryder Cup players Paul Lawrie and Edoardo Molinari and Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn.

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STARTER

18th hole stats from 2013 Johnnie Walker Championship: 513 yards Par 5 Ranked the fourth easiest hole of the week with an average of 4.64

Total eagles: 11 Total birdies: 188 Total pars: 209 Total bogeys: 38 Double or worse: 9 The mid-right hand pin position on Sunday yielded 38 birdies and four eagles from the 72 players who made the cut. The question is, how many matches at this year’s Ryder Cup will go to the 18th and of those that do, who can hold their nerve on a hole where birdie is a must?

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Get set for golf's biggest showdown

WITH THE RYDER CUP NEARLY UPON US, LETS LOOK AT SOME STRIKING FACTS AND FIGURES FROM ACROSS ITS HISTORY AND WHAT MAKES THE MATCHES ONE OF THE MOST WATCHED AND TALKED-ABOUT SPORTING EVENTS ON THE PLANET

ACES HIGH There have been six holesin-one in Ryder Cup history, including one from Paul Casey at The K Club in 2006 which sealed his Saturday fourballs match with David Howell against Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson, 5&4. The following day Scott Verplank aced the same hole against Padraig Harrington but The Ryder Cup as a contest was already over and it didn’t affect the end result.

Percy and Peter Alliss

1927 51 34 Originally contested between Great Britain and Ireland against the United States, the first official Ryder Cup took place in 1927 at Worcester Country Club, in Massachusetts, US. The home team won the first five contests, but with the competition's resumption after the Second World War, repeated American dominance eventually led to a decision to extend the representation of "Great Britain and Ireland" to include continental Europe from 1979. The inclusion of continental European golfers was partly prompted by the success of a new generation of Spanish golfers, led by Seve Ballesteros and Antonio Garrido.

Age of Raymond Floyd in September 1993, when he became the oldest player (51 years, 20 days) to compete in a Ryder Cup.

Age of Arnold Palmer in October 1963, when he became the last playing Ryder Cup Captain and who remains the youngest (34 years, 1 month, 1 day) to serve.

IT’S ALL RELATIVE Percy and Peter Alliss and Antonio and Ignacio Garrido remain the only father-and-son combination to have played in Ryder Cups. Slightly more tenuously, brothers-in-law Jerry Pate and Bruce Lietzke made the same team in 1981 while real brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari made the European team in 2010. The most likely candidate to add to the family feeling is Bill Haas, son of Jay.

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Antonio and Ignacio Garrido

Best debut?

Nicolas Colsaerts please stand up. The Belgium reeled off eight birdies and an eagle in his first taste of Ryder Cup action as he and Lee Westwood downed Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker in the Friday fourballs two years ago.

STRONGEST RYDER CUP TEAM IN HISTORY? That’d be the United States team of 1981. Only three players – Bruce Lietzke, Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw – didn’t have at least one Major title to their names.

Three of the four Majors that year had been gobbled up by members of that US team. Needless to say the US crushed Europe 18½ – 9½.

3 Never felt defeat

The highest number of consecutive wins (Europe, 2002’04-’06)

Thomas Bjorn has never been part of a losing Ryder Cup team. He was a playing member of the winning teams in 1997 and 2002 and was assistant Captain at the 2004, 2010 and 2012 triumphs.

Unbeaten Colin Montgomerie was undefeated in Ryder Cup singles matches from his debut in ’91 right through to his last appearance in 2006. He was helped in ‘91 by a monumental collapse from Mark Calcavecchia who was dormie 4up with 4 to play and by Payne Stewart who graciously conceded a lengthy putt on the 18th to halve their match at Brookline in 99 after the Scot had endured a tough afternoon from the Boston crowd. He holed the winning putt in 2004 at Oakland Hills with a 1up win over David Toms.

POULTER The Most Sir Nick Faldo played in 11 Ryder Cups and is Europe’s all-time leading points winner with 25 points from a record of 23-19-4.

Poulter. The stoic Englishman has won 12 points from 15 matches in four Ryder Cup outings and his 80% winning percentage ranks as the best ever from all players with 15 or more matches played.

Biggest backfire?

That would be in 2004 when Hal Sutton paired then World numbers one and two, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, in both foursomes and fourballs on the opening day. The marquee pair lost both fixtures and were separated for Saturday.

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1993 The last time the United States won on European soil. The Captain that year… Tom Watson.

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Top five Ryder Cup

Moments 1999

1985

THE BEAR PIT

THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD

1969 THE CONCESSION The outcome of the 1969 Ryder Cup was going to be the closest in the tournament’s history.

Seventeen of the 32 matches went to the final hole and with one game remaining the contest was perched at 15½ - 15½.

The match was between Tony Jacklin and Jack Nicklaus and this one also went to the final green. The American sank a five-foot putt which left Jacklin with a nervy two and a half footer for a half and a Ryder Cup draw. Nicklaus bent down, picked up Jacklin’s marker and offered him his hand in concession. “I don’t think you would have missed that putt, but in the circumstances I wasn’t going to give you the opportunity,” said Nicklaus to Jacklin in a show of ultimate sportsmanship.

After decades of disappointment and the introduction of continental Europeans joining the failing Great Britain & Ireland team, the plucky outsiders still couldn’t overcome their illustrious United States counterparts. That was, until 1985 at The Belfry. The United States led after day one but Europe fought back and were 9-7 up going into the singles. Manuel Pinero set the tone with a 3&1 win over Lanny Wadkins in the opening match out and with the home crowd sensing a historic moment it was left to Sam Torrance to seal the win with a stunning birdie and a 1up win over Andy North.

When Justin Leonard’s unlikely birdie sparked an early celebration from him, his fellow players and wives and fans on the 17th green of his singles match against Jose Maria Olazabal at Brookline, little did they know how much it would stir the Europeans, as they went to win the next three in a row in 2002, 2004 and 2006.

1987 EUROPE OVERCOME THE US ON THE COURSE THAT JACK BUILT

2012 POULTER’S SATURDAY NIGHT BIRDIE BLITZ The Europeans were seemingly down and out. 8-4 down after three sessions and then 10-4 down after losing the first two Saturday Afternoon fourball matches their chances hung by a thread. Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia clinched a gutsy 1up victory over Woods and Stricker to make it 10-5 before Ian Poulter stepped up and birdied the final five holes to win a crucial point and give the European’s hope before the Sunday singles. And we all know what happened next.

“We were getting beaten so badly it was looking like humiliation, and the team dug deep and turned it round into the best Ryder Cup in history,” concluded Poulter.

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Debutant Jose Maria Olazabal’s dance across the green after Europe had sealed an unlikely victory is the enduring image of the Matches at Muirfield Village. Buoyed by the heroics of the 1985 team the fearless Europeans overcame Captain Jack Nicklaus’ charges thanks largely to the combination of Olazabal and Ballesteros.

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“I think that I’m happy, obviously I feel like things around me are right where I want them to be, and that obviously puts me in a nicer situation when I go on to the golf course.” – Sergio Garcia Worldwide GOLF 20

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Feature

Garcia’s GLASS HALF FULL SERGIO Garcia’s numbers this season pose an interesting question to anybody who has followed his career. No.2 on The Race to Dubai, No.4 on the World Ranking, No.5 on the PGA Tour Money List, No.7 in the FedExCup standings.

Then there’s the results. First in Qatar, third in Houston, third at Sawgrass then three consecutive runner up spots in Hartford, Hoylake and Firestone.

By Richard Bevan

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ABOVE: Sergio is all smiles after playing his way back into José Olazabal’s 2012 Ryder Cup team at Medinah.

BELLOW: A dejected Sergio shakes hands with Padraig Harrington after narrowly missing out on the 2007 Open Championship in a play-off.

Rory McIlroy won the Silver Medal that same year ... and ... well we know he went on to do okay for himself!

IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL? Once upon a time the mercurial Spaniard was developing something of a reputation for being always the bridesmaid and never the bride in golf’s biggest events. He bemoaned his bad luck when he blew a three-shot lead in the 2007 Open Championship before losing the play-off to Padraig Harrington and at the Masters in 2012 he gloomily pondered whether he simply ‘wasn’t good enough’ to win a Major and instead perhaps had to be content with playing for the places.

Back then the pain of defeat seemed to weigh too heavily on his shoulders. He’s always been a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve.

Anyone who recalls him skipping up the 16th fairway after hitting a near

impossible shot from against a tree ^c i]Z ÐcVa gdjcY d[ i]Z &... E<6 Championship, as the teen sensation announced his arrival on the world stage by pushing Tiger Woods all the way for the title, will know that.

His excitable energy and youthful enthusiasm earned him an army of fans around the world. It was tailormade for The Ryder Cup. His passion fed the crowd and the crowd fed his passion, creating a juggernaut-like momentum that fueled him and his team to countless victories as he forged a reputation as one of Europe’s greatest-ever Ryder Cup players. But away from the blood and thunder of team match play, such high emotion appeared detrimental in the pressure cooker of Major X]Vbe^dch]^eh VcY L<8h# HjgZ! when it was good, it was really good.

But when things started going bad, the wheels fell off in spectacular fashion.

7ji! Vi () nZVgh d[ V\Z! i]Z HZg\^d <VgX^V l]d h^ih WZ[dgZ bZ V lZZ` V[iZg Ðc^h]^c\ gjccZg"je id Gdgn McIlroy for the second time in 14 days, as the Northern Irishman claimed The Open Championship VcY i]Zc i]Z L<8"7g^Y\ZhidcZ

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Sergio’s key moment timeline ...

The Spanish teen sensation burst onto the scene in 1999 He’s experienced all the highs and lows of the game. All that is missing from his golf C.V. is that elusive Major.

1999 Irish Open European Tour breakthrough

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Feature Invitational, is a much more pragmatic beast.

“It’s been a good year,” he says with a smile. “Obviously I’ve ]VY V adi d[ ]^\] Ðc^h]Zh! hdbZ really good chances of winning tournaments. Unfortunately, it’s only happened once this year in Qatar, but I’m excited about it.

“I think that I’m happy, obviously I feel like things around me are right where I want them to be, and that obviously puts me in a nicer situation when I go on to the golf course.

“Don’t get me wrong; it’s not just

<VgX^V \Zih ]^h hands on one of the most distinctive trophies on Tour after a playoff win over Mikko Ilonen at this year’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

good playing because of happiness " ^iÇh ldg` VcY XdcÐYZcXZ VcY Vaa those things too.”

CdWdYn XdjaY Vg\jZ i]Vi <VgX^V isn’t putting his all into winning golf tournaments. He held his nerve in near darkness to oust Mikko Ilonen at the third hole of a play-off for the Qatar Masters in January. At Hoylake he pushed McIlroy all the way and at Firestone, he equalled the course record of 61 in the second round having ripped the front nine apart in a gobsmacking 27 blows. But, by his own admission, McIlroy has enjoyed a magical

summer, playing the best golf his life. Eighteen-time Major champion Jack Nicklaus was quoted as saying i]^h lVh ÄWVY i^b^c\Å [dg <VgX^V# 7ji! again, the man from Castellon, takes a more level-headed view.

“I wouldn’t say bad timing,” he says. “I think playing well, it’s always great. And if somebody else is playing better than you, there’s nothing you can do. I can see what Jack is referring to in a way, but I think at the end of the day, the only thing I can do is try to play the best I can, to the best of my ability on that certain day. If I manage to do that, I know that I’ve shown I can play really, really well. But if somebody else plays better, the only thing I can do is congratulate him and move on.

“I think the thing is to not look at it as disappointment. If you look at it in a negative way, it doesn’t matter how well you do, you’re always going to see the bad things. I could sit here and say, ‘oh, I shot 27 (at Firestone) on Friday, if I had made that put on 11…’ But why would I do that? I had an unbelievable round. Why would I look at it in a negative way? I try to look at things more positively.

“I think so many things happen in your life and happen in golf where you feel that maybe you should have gotten something better, but why look at it that way?

“Just try to enjoy the good moments as much as possible. I’m really excited about the way I’m playing. I’m really happy with the way

Ryder Cup Return Sergio Garcia in Ryder Cup action at Medinah after missing out in 2010

1999

1999

2001

2008

Linde German Masters

Ryder Cup

MasterCard Colonial

Players Championship

Two European Tour titles in one season

Becomes Youngest European Ryder Cup player

PGA Tour breakthrough

Wins the unofficial ‘fifth’ Major

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»

Worldwide GOLF

Feature

“The te team looks very strong. I think that we seem to be in very good form, which is great to see. Regarding Luke, Ian and Lee, obviously they are guys that you would like to have on your team. Hopefully they will be able to get there an and if not all three, at least one or two of them.

But we’ we’ll see what happens. It would be difficult to see a Ryder CCup without all three.” – Sergio Garcia I’m playing. play I think looking at it that way has probably helped me.”

Far from fr being envious of his Ryder Cup C team mate’s phenomenal achievements over the summer, achieve <VgX^V! dcZ d[ i]Z \VbZÇh igjZ <VgX^V! d gentlemen, is full of praise for gentlem McIlroy.

“He’s a wonderful player. We’re quite friendly fri with each other, we get along alo well, we enjoy each other’s company,” he says. oth “It’s good to see him playing well. Obviously he’s got a lot w of talent. The only thing I can do is keep on improving, keep getting better and when we’re get both up there again, make it even tougher or impossible. If you’re disappointed d at somebody making birdies and eagles, then you’re not n a good sportsman. Like what ha happened to me at Hartford (Travelle (Travellers Championship) when @Zk^c HigZZabVc bVYZ hZkZc @Zk^c Hi birdies in i a row. What you do is you go there and say, ‘Well done.’ He

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deserves to win when he does that.” <VgX^VÇh Xdch^hiZci [dgb i]^h season has seen him play his way ^cid EVja BX<^caZnÇh :jgdeZVc Ryder Cup team, set to do battle l^i] i]Z JH6 Vi <aZcZV\aZh i]^h month. It will be his seventh outing in an event he has become synonymous with after scoring a total of 18 points from 28 matches with a record of 168-4 (W-L-H). He’s been on the winning side and has been particularly strong in the foursomes and fourballs where he’s formed devastating partnerships with the likes of Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, neither of whom are yet guaranteed a place at the time of going press, and may need to rely dc WZ^c\ dcZ d[ BX<^caZnÇh i]gZZ XVeiV^cÇh e^X`h Vadc\ l^i] <VgX^VÇh fellow Ryder Cup talisman, Ian EdjaiZg# Ä>i XdbZh Ydlc id EVja!Å ]Z hVnh# “The team looks very strong. I think that we seem to be in very good form, which is great to see. Regarding Luke, Ian and Lee, obviously they are guys that you would like to have on your team. Hopefully they will be able to get there and if not all three, at least one or two of them. But we’ll see what happens. It would be Y^[ÐXjai id hZZ V GnYZg 8je l^i]dji all three.”

Regardless of who joins him in the iZVb! <VgX^V! ^c ]^h XjggZci [dgb VcY hiViZ d[ b^cY! l^aa WZ XdcÐYZci d[ ]^h chances against any of his American counterparts.

And if things don’t go Europe’s way ^c HXdiaVcY ndj XVc WZi i]Vi ]Z ldcÇi suffer any lingering hangover as he sets about trying to close the gap on Rory in The Race to Dubai over the closing stages of the season. Q

In association with

Big Hit

Down Under MAGICAL MELBOURNE

A

lthough the magical city of Melbourne is known as Australia’s cultural capital, it could easily be called Australia’s sporting capital as well. Whether it’s the Melbourne Cup in horse racing or a cricket match at the 90,000 capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground, this city is crazy for sports. Golf is no exception. Melbourne boasts some of the finest courses in the world and is a destination not to be missed for any golfing enthusiast. Emirates Airlines fly three times daily from Dubai to Melbourne making it an easily accessible destination to eat, stay and of course, play!

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Flight time from Dubai: 15 hours 9 minutes

Royal Melbourne Golf Club The Royal Melbourne Golf Club is a world class golďŹ ng venue in every sense of the word. Its two courses, the East Course and the West Course, are considered to be amongst the very best in the world and have hosted numerous international events with Royal Melbourne holding the distinction of being the only golf club outside the US to host the Presidents Cup more than once.

The West Course is proudly ranked as the No.1 golf course in Australia and currently sits as the ninth best course in the world. Royal Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third course, the Composite Course, is a combination of the two main courses with 12 holes from the West Course and six from the East Course.

Originally founded in 1891, the West Course was designed by the renowned course architect Alister MacKenzie while the East Course was designed by golfer Alex Russell in 1932.

Distance: 12,446km Frequency: Three flights daily from Dubai EK501 - Depart - 01:35 EK406 - Depart - 10:10 EK422 - Depart - 21:45

To book:

Course info: 6,946 yards Par 72

e) golfbookings@rmgolf.com.au w) www.royalmelbourne.com.au tel) +61 (03) 9599 0500

Distance from airport: 45 km. Approx 45 mins Distance from centre of Melbourne: 22 km. Approx 36 mins Green fee rate: AUD $350 Club hire rate: AUD $65 Cart hire rate: Carry only, unless for medical exemption

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In association with

DID YOU KNOW? The Royal Melbourne Golf Club has hosted The Presidents Cup twice (1998 and 2011).

Cerberus Beach House

Take a five-minute drive from Royal Melbourne and you’ll come across Cerberus Beach House, Melbourne’s award-winning beachside seafood haven. Throughout the day Cerberus serves the freshest sea dishes – from fish and chips to the finest grilled scallops in town.

Or you might try The Grange for that classic Aussie steak experience. It’s also the perfect place for a working lunch or an intimate family gathering as they have private rooms available to book.

For dessert you don’t want to miss dropping

by Davey Mac’s Gelato where you’ll find the best home-made ice cream in Melbourne.

WHERE TO EAT

Kingston Heath Golf Club

Melbourne is famous for its many beaches and there are several close to Royal Melbourne, with the closest being the Half Moon Bay, virtually a ten minute walk from the golf course.

WHAT TO SEE

When it comes to strategy and layout, Melbourne’s Kingston Heath Golf Club is perhaps the best golf course in Australia. Kingston Heath was designed in 1925 by Dan Soutar and has since established itself as one of the premier courses in the sandbelt region of southeast Melbourne.

This stunning layout has hosted both the Australian Open and the Australian Match Play Championships seven times as well as the Australian Masters in 2009 and 2012.

Every January it is the venue of choice of The R&A to host the International Final Qualifying leg for The Open Championship.

A highlight of Kingston Heath is the short par-4 third. Measuring 294 yards, it is an uncharacteristically short hole on what is a very long golf course. The hole is driveable for the long hitters but littered with danger as the green is angled in such a way that it only accepts the most exact approach shots.

“This one is a gem,” said five-time British Open Champion Peter Thomson. “In this day and age it can be driven, although the possibility must be ten or more to one against.”

The greens fees for non-members to play at the Kingston Heath Golf Club is AUS $350.00 with special rates being offered to those affiliated with Golf Australia.

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Kingston Heath Golf Club

To book: e) golfshop@kingstonheath.com.au w) www.kingstonheath.com.au tel) +61 3 8558 2700 (Option 1)

Course info: 6,946 yards Par 72 Distance from airport: 48km - Approx. 42 minutes Distance from centre of Melbourne: 24.6km - Approx 31 mins Green fee rate: AUD $240 Club hire rate: AUD $70 Cart hire rate: Carry only, unless for medical exemption

DID YOU KNOW? Tiger Woods claimed the Australian Masters at Kingston Heath in 2009. His appearance in the tournament was said to raise around AUD$20 million for the Victorian economy.

WHERE TO EAT

The Arco Restaurant-Café-Bar is just around the corner from Kingston Heath and offers the finest high-end Italian cuisine.

The restaurant itself is designed extremely stylishly with floor to ceiling glass windows st that overlook a lake and garden landscape. th F the best burgers in town, head over to For Fat Bob’s Bar and Grill. This restaurant was F voted as the best burger joint in the whole vo of Melbourne earlier this year. Although o the food doesn’t come cheap (expect to pay th AUD$17 for a burger and AUD$3 for fries), A you won’t regret taking the time and money yo to dine at this burger paradise.

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WHAT TO SEE

Visit the Sandown Park Greyhound Racing Club for a fun night out watching the finest-bred hounds in the country battle it out on Sandown’s state-of-the-art racing track. In 2010 the club unveiled a multi-million dollar renovation of its Henry Harrison grandstand which now features a fully functioning bar and restaurant.

Races at Sandown Park are held every Thursday night and Sunday afternoon.

In association with

HOTELS Earn Skywards Miles on luxury hotel stays in Australia with Crown Hotels. You can earn Miles at Crown Towers and Crown Metropol in Melbourne based on your membership tier and room rate.

Distance from airport: 123km. Approx 1hr 35mins Distance from centre of Melbourne: 98km - Approx 1hr 20mins Green fee rate: AUD $105 Club hire rate: AUD $50 Cart hire rate: AUS $40

CROWN TOWERS

Moonah Links Golf Club The Courses The Moonah Links Golf Club offers two of the finest links courses in the country and, as a public facility, provides the most reasonable rates for golf tourists. The Open Course and the Legend Course are both unique in their own way and a true test of golf on a pair of gorgeous layouts.

The Open course was designed by Australian legend Peter Thompson. The five-time Open Championship winner went above and beyond to create a course that was both challenging and forgiving at the same time. Built as a stadium course, there are ample vantage points across the course which afford spectators a great view of the action. It has hosted the Australian Open twice in 2003 and 2005.

The Legends course offers up a much friendlier experience for the seasonal golfer than the Open Course. Players of all ages and abilities can come out and enjoy the vast fairways and revel in the unique experience of playing on a first-class links course. In 2009 the Legends Course was named by Golf Course Guide as Australia’s second best public access course.

Compared to some of the higher-end courses in the city, the green fees at the Moonah Links Golf Club are extremely reasonable. Non-members can pay as little AUD $75 for a round on either the Open Course or the Legends Course.

Crown Towers is located in Southbank, the most vibrant entertainment precinct in Melbourne. The Melbourne Exhibition Centre is close by, as too are many of the city’s most famous arts and sporting facilities. Crown Towers is the most exclusive luxury hotel in Australia providing easy access to the main areas of the city.

“All rooms we have stayed in have had great views, all staff are friendly and helpful. Couldn’t ask for much more! Super comfortable and close to everything! A must when ever staying in Melbourne city!”

- Recent review Daniel G, Sydney

CROWN METROPOL COURSE INFO Open course – 7,417 yards Par 72 To book: e) moonah@moonahlinks.com.au w) www.moonahlinks.com.au

WHERE TO EAT The Pebbles Restaurant at the Peppers Moonah Links Resort offers the most authentic in Australian cuisine while at the same time serving up the freshest produce from the Mornington Peninsula. Dine with your family and friends as you look over the crisp greens of Moonah Links.

WHAT TO SEE Boneo Maze & Wetlands Centre will allow you to experience Melbourne’s unique wildlife while enjoying a fun day out with the family. The mini-golf is a huge attraction at Boneo as is the multitude of other fun and games on offer across this 27 acre complex.

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Crown Metropol offers luxury accommodation on Melbourne’s Southbank.

Guests have access to an exclusive lounge and bar with panoramic city views. The day spa includes a 25-metre infinity pool.

Each spacious room features stylish modern décor and spectacular views. Air conditioning and an LCD TV are provided.

The bathrooms includes an oversized shower, vanity mirror and a privacy screen.

“Had 5 fantastic nights at the Metropol and loved it. Everything was faultless from the facilities to the very helpful staff. We enjoyed being close to the restaurants on the southbank and also enjoyed the lovely walk into the city. The bar in level 28 was just the jewel in the crown!! ” - Recent review Barn153 , Christchurch, New Zealand

“Pro V1 and Pro V1x fit all of my members, young or old, regardless of swing speed.”

– Andrew Shuck PGA Professional

“The Pro V1 is so advanced that it gives golfers at any level everything they need.”

– Adam Scott

“When fitting students, we don’t focus on how fast they swing. We focus on lowering scores. That’s why Pro V1 or Pro V1x fits every player.”

– Jim Fitzgerald PGA Professional

“I’ve played Pro V1 or Pro V1x through my junior amateur days, and now as a pro. Because I trust Titleist.”

– Jordan Spieth

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GOLF BALL AND THE #1 BALL IN GOLF.

“The Pro V1 performs off the tee great.

It goes long, it goes exactly where I aim it, and it works perfectly.”

– Stephen L. Pro V1, Amateur

“I need the Pro V1 just as much as a Tour player, because I’m trying to improve my game.”

– Denise P. Pro V1, Amateur

“The Pro V1x gives me a perfect combination of distance and short game control.”

– Gerald C. Pro V1x, Amateur

“I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t play the same ball as a Tour player. I’m looking for the same benefits.

Distance off the tee and control around the greens.”

– David M. Pro V1x, Amateur

VOLVO WORLD GOLF CHALLENGE UAE QUALIFYING SERIES

LOCAL GOLFERS TO GET CHANCE OF A SPOT IN PRESTIGIOUS VOLVO WORLD GOLF CHALLENGE FINAL Presented by Worldwide Golf

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orldwide Golf is partnering with Volvo distributor Trading Enterprises, to give UAE golfers the chance of winning a place in one of the most prestigious amateur events in the world, the Volvo World Golf Challenge Final.

Since its launch in 1988, more than one million golfers have enjoyed competing in this exciting, friendly, stimulating and esteemed international event.

6 hZg^Zh d[ gZ\^dcVa fjVa^ÐZgh l^aa Xjab^cViZ ^c V <gVcY Final at Al Badia Golf Club where two players will win places to compete in the Volvo World Golf Challenge Final.

The Volvo World Golf Challenge UAE Qualifying Series presented by Worldwide Golf and Trading Enterprises Volvo is one of over 37 qualifying series’ happening around the world and many of the region’s clubs are hosting events over the next three months leading up to the Grand Final at Al Badia on December 13th.

The events will be played as an individual Stableford format with three-quarter handicap index allowance. The aZVY^c\ ÐkZ eaVnZgh [gdb ZVX] fjVa^ÐZg l^aa \d [dglVgY id the Grand Final.

VOLVO WORLD GOLF CHALLENGE UAE QUALIFYING SERIES FIXTURES VENUE & DATES The Address Montgomerie, Dubai

Friday, Sept12th

Event Details: All day roll up with tee times from 7.00am-9.00am or 11.30am-1.30pm Rates: Members Rate: AED 50. Visitors rate: AED 295

Emirates Golf Club, Majlis course

Saturday, Sept 13th

Event details: 1.30pm shotgun.

Rates: EGC members rate: AED 125 (members will be given priority if oversubscribed). Dubai Creek members rate: AED 375. EGF members rate: AED 575. Visitors rate: AED 595.

Buffet dinner included. Closing date for entries Saturday September 6th. Entry forms available from club, to be completed and emailed to golfoffice@dubaigolf.com.

Yas Links Golf Club

Monday, September 15th

Event details: 2.00pm Shotgun start Rates: Members rate: AED 50. Guests rate: AED 299.

Will you be one of the ‘Famous Five’?

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Emirates Golf Club, Faldo course

Thursday, October 9th

Event Details: 1.00pm shotgun start Rates: EGC members rate: AED 125. Dubai Creek members rate: AED 450. EGF members rate: AED 550. Visitors rate: AED 595.

Buffet dinner included. Closing date for entries, Thursday, October 2nd. Entry forms available from club, to be completed and emailed to golfoffice@dubaigolf.com.

Jumeirah Golf Estates, Earth Course

Friday, October 10th

Event details: 1.00pm shotgun start.

Rates: Members ate: AED 125. Visitors rate: AED 695.

Price inclusive of golf, prizes and buffet dinner. Players required to enter via email to jge.competitions@jumeirahgolfestates.com. JGE will send out an entry form to our database when the event officially launches, which will be Sunday August 24th. Should anyone wish to register their interest prior to the opening date then they can also email info@jumeirahgolfestates.com

Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club Friday, Oct 17th Event details: 8.00am shotgun start.

Rates: Gold members rate: AED 30. Silver members rate: AED 120. EGF members rate: AED 450.

(Top) Graeme McDowell lifts the trophy after winning the Volvo World Match Play Championship 2013 in Kavarna, Bulgaria.

Members can book through the normal channels, visitors can email entries to luke@aesgc.ae. Event will tie in with AESGC monthly medal for which members will receive their full handicap allowance, but for the Play with the Pros event they will play off ¾ allowance. For more information contact include tom@aesgc.ae or luke@aesgc.ae.

(Left) Alexander Levy celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2014 Volvo China Open at Shenzhen, China.

Al Hamra Golf Club

Al Badia Golf Club

Friday, September 19th

Event Details: 8.00am shotgun Rates: Members rate: AED 100. Midweek members rate: AED 229.

Members guest: AED 329. EGF members rate: AED 369. Visitors rate: AED 399.

For entries and registrations email brodie.macdonald@ihg.com. For more information 04 601 01 01. For more information regarding ABGC visit www. albadiagolfclub.ae.

Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club Saturday, September 20th Event details: 7.30am shotgun start.

Rates: SGSC Annual and Country members rate: AED 150. SGSC Summer members rate: AED 180. Junior members rate: AED 110.

Junior visitors rate: AED 150. Northern Emirates Summer Loyalty Pass holders rate: AED225. EGF members rate: AED 300. Visitors rate: AED 350.

Saturday October 18th

Event Details: Tee times from 8.00am Rates: Members rate: AED 100. AHGC 5 Day Members rate: AED 250.

Northern Emirate Winter Loyalty Pass holders rate: AED 350. EGF members rate: AED 450. Visitors rate: AED 500.

Rate includes green fee, shared cart, one pyramid of range balls prior to play and buffet after play. To book email golfdesk@alhamragolf.com or call +971 7 2447474.

The Track, Meydan Golf

Saturday, October 25th

Event details: All day roll up event with tee times between 6.40am and 6.40pm Rates: AED 50. Rate includes AED 50 voucher for the golf shop.

Players must have a valid EGF Handicap to be eligible to enter and win prizes, all entries must play with another golfer who has a valid EGF handicap. To book a tee time contact the golf shop: 04 3813733, email info@meydangolf.com or book your tee time online at the lowest available rate www.meydangolf.com.

Arabian Ranches Golf Club Saturday, November 1st

Rate is inclusive of a cart fees, range balls and a buffet lunch at the

Event details: 1.00pm shotgun start Rates: Members rate: AED 60. Visitors rate: AED 495.

presentation). Please contact the club to enter.

Please contact the club to enter.

Tower Links Golf Club

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

Friday, October 3rd

Event details: Tee Times: 11.00 am – 2.00pm (please note if i^bZh VgZ cdi iV`Zc i]Zn l^aa WZ ÐaaZY Wn eVn [dg eaVn \jZhih Rates: Gold & country members rate: AED 75. Silver & twilight members rate: AED 155. Northern Emirate Winter Loyalty Pass and Al Hamra members rate: AED 195. Visitors rate: AED 295.

The top 3 Tower Links Golf Club members will qualify with the remaining two places available for the rest of the field. All players will receive a burger and soft drink on completion of play. All competitors must hold a nationally recognized handicap to be eligible to play. For booking please call 07 227 9939 or email proshop@towerlinks.com.

Saturday, November 8th

Event details: 12.45pm shotgun start Rates: Dubai Creek members rate: AED 195. Dubai Creek weekday members, Emirates Golf Club members, juniors rate: AED 495. EGF members rate: AED 725. Visitors rate: AED 795.

Rate includes buffet dinner. Closing date for entries, Saturday, November 1st. Entry forms available from the club, to be completed and emailed to cgolfoffice@dubaigolf.com.

Al Badia Golf Club

Saturday, December 13th

GRAND FINAL details to be announced

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A HOME AWAY FROM HOME LOC AT ED I N T H E H E A RT O F D U B A I M A R I N A A N D N E A R TO T H E B E AC H F RO N T, J U S T F E W M I N U T E S BY C A R O R M E T RO TO T H E WO R L D’ S L A RG E S T S H O PPI N G M A L L S .

C A L L N OW TO B O O K YO U R S E RV I C E D A PA RT M E N T A N D M A K E YO U R S EL F CO M F O RTA B L E .

‫ﻳﻘﻊ ﻓﻨﺪق "رادﻳﺴﻮن ﺑﻠﻮ رزﻳﺪﻧﺲ ﻣﺎرﻳﻨﺎ" ﻓﻲ ﻗﻠﺐ دﺑﻲ ﻣﺎرﻳﻨﺎ‬ ‫ﺑﺎﻟﻘﺮب ﻣﻦ ﺷﺎﻃﻰء اﻟﺠﻤﻴﺮا وﻳﺒﻌﺪ ﻣﺴﺎﻓﺔ دﻗﺎﺋﻖ ﻓﻘﻂ‬ .‫ﺑﺎﻟﺴﻴﺎرة أو اﻟﻤﺘﺮو اﻟﻰ أﻛﺒﺮ ﻣﺮاﻛﺰ اﻟﺘﺴﻮق ﺑﺎﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ‬ ‫اﺗﺼﻞ اﻻن واﺣﺠﺰ ﺷﻘﺘﻚ واﺳﺘﻤﺘﻊ ﺑﺎﻟﺮﻓﺎﻫﻴﺔ‬ .‫واﻟﺨﺪﻣﺎت اﻟﻤﻤﻴﺰة‬

MASTER WEIGHT TRANSFER

EAGLE THE 18TH ON THE MAJLIS

ESCAPE FROM FAIRWAY BUNKERS

by Mark Bruce, PGA Professional at Emirates Golf Club

by Stephen Deane, Head Academy Professional at Emirates Golf Club

by Mathew Parker, Senior Teaching Professional PGA at European Tour Performance Institute

P38

P41

P42

INSTRUCTION

Worldwide GOLF 37

INSTRUCTION MARK BRUCE PGA PROFESSIONAL EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

SPIRAL STAIRCASE When it comes to weight transfer, it’s important to remember that the weight does not just transfer laterally from the left foot to the right foot during the backswing.

Your weight actually travels up and around the body from the groundup on the backswing and down and around on the downswing, starting again from the ground up. This creates the kinetic energy (chain) for maximum power while maintaining stability and the correct sequencing during your swing.

Think of it like a ‘SPIRAL STAIRCASE’ A three-dimensional movement (and not simply a lateral movement) and you will encourage a better body action which will help you swing in balance, remain centered, position the club correctly on plane and create a consistent action for a powerful delivery.

If the weight simply shifts from side-to-side, the body centre (sternum, pelvis and feet) will separate, creating inconsistency VcY ^cZ[ÐX^ZcXn#

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Join us at Emirates Golf Club’s Open Day Friday 19th September 2014, from 10am

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The ‘Spiral Staircase’ is an exercise many of my clients do every day, and you will often see players such as Henrik Stenson doing this on the range.

Take your normal address position with perfect posture, place a club across your shoulders, now start your backswing by slowly saying the following to yourself and at the same time feeling the correct movements in your body starting from the ground begin to push from left to right and rotate around and upwards.

• • • • • • • • •

We can also exercise this by pre-setting your right wrist (right handed golfer) then simply do this by allowing a gentle rotation of your forearms and hands approximately 45 degrees to the right. This should feel natural – do not force this movement. From this prehZi edh^i^dc ^i ^h ZVhn id ÐcY your natural swing plane.

Your arms and hands will move in unison following the spiral as you turn away from target to the top.

Left foot to right ankle Left ankle to right shin Left shin to right knee Left knee to right thigh Left thigh to right hip Left hip to right abs Left abs to right chest Left chest to right shoulder Left shoulder

Complete until you have a full shoulder rotation. You will see that your body coils from your knees to hips to shoulders, with the amount of rotation increasing as we travel up the body.

This will complete the backswing and transfer your weight to the right side and load all your power.

To start the downswing and drive that power into the golf ball from the top of the backswing you initiate the downswing by simply reversing the process from the ground up.

• • • •

Right ankle to left foot Right shin to left ankle Right knee to left shin Right thigh to left knee

Now from here your body starts to open up as the coil moves up and around your body • Right hip to left abs • Right abs to left chest • Right chest to left shoulder

Try these simple exercises for 3 minutes a day and watch your body movements improve and shoot better scores.

By now you should be in a great follow-through position – i.e. your weight has almost totally transferred over your left foot, your hips point towards target, your shoulders point left of target, sole of right shoe faces away from target and you are in perfect balance.

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HOSPITALITY ON THE 18TH Overlooking the 18th green of the magnificent Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the exclusive Hospitality Pavilion offers an unrivalled setting to watch the European Tour’s top 60 players battle it out in the final event of the 2014 Race to Dubai.

For tickets call +971 (0) 567 359 852 or email HOSPITALITY@DPWTC.COM

HOLE TIP By, STEPHEN DEANE Head Academy Professional Emirates Golf Club

HOW TO EAGLE, BIRDIE, PAR THE

18 HOLE th

AT THE MAJLIS, EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

The par-5 18th at the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course is one of the most iconic holes in the region. It’s been the scene of countless dramatic finishes over the years with the fate of many a Dubai Desert Classics being decided on it.

Depending on your skill level, power or capacity for risk taking there are three distinctly different ways to play the hole in order to make eagle, birdie or par.

EAGLE This hole is a dog-leg left meaning the big hitters can easily cut the corner by hitting their tee-shots over the trees down the left side. A high-cut onto the left hand side of the fairway will leave you less than 200 yards to the green for your second shot. Make it a good one and you’ll be putting for eagle.

O.B.

BIRDIE

BIRDIE After playing a tee shot that goes over the trees but one that follows the curvature of the hole, you’ll play your second shot onto the area left of the green for an easy-up-and-down for birdie.

PAR A straight, risk-free tee-shot right down the middle will leave you in position to lay-up your second shot short of the water. After playing your third shot onto the green, you’ll be left with an easy two-putt for par.

WATCH STEPHEN DEANE SHOW YOU HOW TO GET THE BEST SCORE ON AN THE 18TH HOLE AT THE MAJLIS. Subscribe to www.youtube.com/WorldwideGolf Or like us on www.facebook.com/WorldwideGolf

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INSTRUCTION MATHEW PARKER SENIOR TEACHING PROFESSIONAL PGA EUROPEAN TOUR PERFORMANCE INSTITUTE

THE GREAT ESCAPE Fairway bunkers and waste areas are a regular feature on the UAE’s Par 4s and 5s.

So that means that you will probably need to negotiate one of them during your 18 holes.

To some golfers they are a welcome challenge to strike the ball clean and show their playing partners how strongly they can hold their nerve. But to most of us mortals they can become a a real banana skin.

Here we explore three keys to finding greens from the sand.

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BY- Bryan Smyth, Golf Professional at Emirates Golf Club

1 Grip down on your club the same amount that your feet go into the sand. This should stop you from catching the sand before the ball.

2 Increase the pressure in your grip. This helps to reduce the length of your backswing which gives the player more control of where the club head is in the swing.

3 Club up. You will probably only catch the bottom two grooves on the club which results in a few lost yards from a poorer quality of strike. Take an extra club just to make sure your ball has enough carry.

WATCH MATHEWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE A GREAT ESCAPE FROM THE SAND. Subscribe to www.youtube.com/ WorldwideGolf. Or like us on www.facebook.com/WorldwideGolf

HAPPY GOLFING!

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Worldwide

GOLF Competition

Win a TaylorMade SLDR mini driver Question: Which TaylorMade staff player won the 2014 US Open with an SLDR driver?

To enter go to:

www.wwgolf.net/competition

Worldwide GOLF

GEAR Can Rory take Nike to new heights?

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hat’s great to see a the moment is that regardless of the manufacturing PR hype no one company is running away with things and they are all spurring each other on to push the research and development limits.

The US PGA Championship top 10 finishers were staff players representing Nike, Callaway, Cobra, Titleist, Adams, Ping and TaylorMade.

Imagine if golf was like Formula One or MotoGP where, regardless of talent, these days the guys with the best equipment win.

The great thing with our game is that technology is a factor but talent wins every time. It would be ridiculous if Ping’s staff players were the only players that had access to a wonder driver that out drove the competition by 30 yards.

There are always going to be different ways to market any product.

Take TaylorMade’s exceptionally low spinning SLDR driver, where you are encouraged to loft up; Callaway’s Big Bertha Alpha with it’s core technology and now Ping’s G30 turbulators. Three great clubs using different technology but none is edging the others on Tour when it comes to marked difference in length.

Ironically the three longest hitters on Tour – Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy – all play three different makes of driver.

Since adidas’s takeover of TaylorMade in 2005 the brand has established itself as one of the leading manufacturers alongside Callaway and Titleist. The big question is will Nike soon join the hardware elite? They’ve certainly made a global impression on the apparel market but even with the might of Tiger Woods they’ve not quite managed to challenge the long established brands. But, I feel Nike has been a slow burner and the younger generation, under the influence of the McIlroy achievements, will start to opt for the swoosh.

What’s in Rory’s bag?

Driver: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour

(Mitsubishi Kuro Kage XTS 70x), 8.5 degrees 3-Wood: Nike VRS Covert 2.0, 15 degrees 5-Wood: Nike VRS Covert, 19 degrees Irons (4-9): Nike VR Pro Blade; (PW): Nike VR Forged Wedges: Nike VR Forged (52, 56, 59 degrees) Putter: Nike Method 006 Ball: Nike RZN Black

Worldwide Golf 45

Worldwide Golf gear

PING POWER UP With the G30 Ping launch the new G30 driver. It’s their longest, lowest spinning and most forgiving to date and it blew Bubba’s mind.

NEED TO KNOW Cost: $299 Size: 460cc Shaft options: R,S,X Lofts: Comes in 9o and 10.5o The lofts can be adjusted by one full degree of 0.6 degrees either way.

What is the benefit of a rear centre of gravity?

Ping have made the G30 driver lower spinning than their out going model, the G25, by doing exactly the opposite of what other leading brands such as Callaway and TaylorMade have been doing to reduce spin.

Ping gained 4 grams of discretionary weight with its new titanium face material, T9S, which is lighter and stronger than the G25’s Ti 8-1-1 face material.

Instead of using that weight to move the G30’s centre of gravity (CG) lower and more forward, Ping moved the CG of the G30

lower and more rearward.

When the CG is moved forward in a driver, it decreases what’s called its moment of inertia (MOI), or its retention of ball speed on off-centre hits. Whether a forward CG driver is better for your game than a rearward CG driver is up for you and a qualified club fitter to conclude, but from our experience the benefits of rear CG are:

2 It encourages a driver to swing more upward into impact, which is one of the easiest ways for golfers to add distance to their drives.

1 It increases MOI, which means that off-centre hits won’t lose as much ball speed

3 It creates more face closure at impact, which helps golfers minimize their slice or fade.

Worldwide Golf 46

Shaft options Golfers can buy a G30 (or any of Ping’s current drivers) with the company’s new Tour 65 or Tour 80 shafts, which come stock at 45.25 inches in a driver and are a little heavier, stiffer, lower launching and have less torque. Regardless of what shaft you choose, the stock swing weight of the G30 driver will be D3 unless you specify something different.

Ping is also launching a G30 SF Tec driver (10 and 12 degrees), which stands for “Straight Flight Technology.” The drivers are nearly identical to each other with the exception that the SF Tec models have a more closed face angle and a CG that’s closer to the heel, which can help faders and slicers straighten out their ball flight.

The head weight is also 3 grams lighter (203 grams vs. 206 grams), giving the SF Tec a swing weight of D1.

According to Ping, Bubba Watson added about 10 yards with the G30 when compared to the G25 driver he used to win the 2014 Masters and you can see him demonstrate that in the short video above. Just scan the QR code and see for yourself.

However we are aware that Bubba has one of the highest swing speeds on the PGA Tour at an average of 123mph. Whereas most club golfers range from 85 to just over 105. So we decided to conduct our own test in house using a Ping G25 model with 10 degrees of loft with our favourite shaft of the moment, the Grafalloy Blue 65g in an extra stiff. This was compared against the G30 with the Tour X shaft.

Tester: Worldwide Golf Editor, Alex Gallemore Handicap: 4 Swing speed: 106mph Distance gain: 5.7 yards Spin rates average: G25 2,9156 - G30 2,674rpm ✔ Likes: Strong ball flight. Great feel off the face.

Tight dispersion. Head shape confidence. ✗ Dislikes: Lack of head adjustability when it comes to draw and fade bias.

Tester 2: John Crompton, EGF Member Handicap: 21 Shaft: Stock regular for both clubs Swing speed: 92mph Distance gain: 11.2 yards Spin rate average: G25 4,478 - G30 3,511rpm ✔ Likes: Improved accuracy. Slice was reduced to a fade. ✗ Dislikes: Turbulators were off putting. Head cover was hard to take on and off!

Turbulators Increase clubhead speed by 0.7mph

Conclusion:

The first thing golfers will notice when they pick up a G30 driver is that its crown has six small ridges that the company calls “turbulators” on its crown. Thanks to the turbulators, the 460-cubiccentimetre G30 has the aerodynamics of a driver that measures about 100cc smaller. That will give golfers an average of 0.7 mph of extra clubhead speed compared to the G25, according to an internal Ping test.

Both testers were impressed with the grouping. Alex said the G30 was comparable with his X2Hot for distance but slightly better for accuracy. With a bit more time to play around with loft and shaft options we could have got even better results for John.

However, his huge gain in distance was the reduction in side spin. The increase in control also saw John grow in confidence as from the 10 balls hit with the G30 we saw his swing speed increase 2mph.

Compared to the G25 which slightly decreased.

Worldwide Golf 47

Worldwide Golf gear

Odyssey NEED TO KNOW Hand Availability: R, L Loft: 3º Length: 35”, 38” Offset: Full Shaft Lie Angle: 70º Head Type: Mallet Head Weight: Adjustable (365g, 375g, 385g)

Tank Cruiser 7 Drivers will continue to be the most marketed product in golf, as we are all obsessed with hitting the ball further. We will hand over our hard earned cash for a few extra yards but the club we use the most during a round is the putter, so surely we should spend a similar amount on the short stick? As drivers continue to baffle us with adjustable settings the putters appear to be following suit. As putting tends to balance feel and technique Odyssey have developed their own weighting system in their Tank Cruiser range to enable players to tinker with the balance point of the club and enhance the feel element.

Counterbalanced putters like the Tank Cruiser are nothing new to golf, as many serious players have messed about with different head weights and “back weighting,” the process of adding weight to the handle of the putter, for decades. But Odyssey is the first major manufacturer to simplify this process. Their adjustable weighting ports in both the head and handle of a putter have made tinkering an awful lot easier and cheaper.

Worth the weight?

Simple to install and tinker friendly Like previous Odyssey models, the Tank Cruiser putters have two adjustable weight ports and three sets of putter head weights that weigh 10 grams, 15 grams and 20 grams. They allow the putter head to be made as light as 365 grams or as heavy as 385 grams in 10-gram increments.

What’s new, however, is that the putters also have a screw-in weight system in the butt end of their grips. Those removable weights, which weigh 0, 15 and 30 grams, allow golfers to change the overall feel of the putter.

Worldwide Golf Verdict Probably one of the best putter ranges on the market at the moment. Call us old school, feel is essential to putting but feel is hard to teach or even explain. The counterbalance weight system, the four styles of head shape and the 35 and 38 inch options have given amateurs the tools to try all the various settings for themselves to find out which setting FEELS best for them. We’ve always be a fan of the White Hot insert for face feel but the counterbalancing weight idea for the masses is just what we’ve been ‘weighting’ for.

Worldwide Golf 49

BEtter

MORE

Handicap range: 16-24

Distance Accuracy TAYLORMADE SLDR

TaylorMade’s refreshingly stylish SLDR iron series offers more distance through its updated SpeedPocket and ThruSlot Technology. Even in the case of the odd mishit, the new additions translate to faster, more consistent balls speeds across the face of the club meaning more distance for your shots. The SLDR prides itself on superior look and feel, making them responsive for golfers of any level.

Ping G30

The much-awaited G-30 irons blend in the technology of the i25 and the Karsten, two of PING’s current irons.

The clubs aim to give the golfer maximum distance and height without compromising the ‘forgivabililty’ aspect of the club. PING has also played with the design of the G30 in order to improve the feel aspect for players with a thicker face in the short irons going a long way in bettering the feel off the clubface.

Worldwide Golf 50

MEET THE TESTERS Angel Reston

Handicap: 24 Current Irons: Ping i20 Golf Club: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

Samarth Bahl

Handicap: 16 Current Irons: SkyMax Golf Club: Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club

What do you look for when you choose your clubs?

“First of all I’m looking for something that goes straight. I’m looking for clubs that are very forgiving especially if you hit it fat or you hit it thin. I’m also looking for something that is really stable when I’m going through the ball and hitting it.”

– Angel “I look for feel and consistency when I test the club.

Consistency in distance is important to me and so is impact – how the ball feels off the club.”

– Samarth

Callaway X2Hot

COBRA BiO CELL

The selling point for Callaway’s new X2 Hot irons is its new deep central undercut technology which Callaway claims increases the rate of the face flex, making the ball go further.

A stabilising arch has been included to reinforce the face of the club and allowing for majestic sounds and feel, not to mention higher ball speeds. Callaway has also taken the step to offer a wider variety of shafts in order to give golfers more control while bolstering their launch angles.

Cobra has made its Bio Cell irons one of the most forgiving clubs on the market through the use of tungsten. The long and mid-irons have a weighty distribution of the element in the heel and the toe while the short irons feature it closer to the back of the hitting area. This ensures more distance and control off the face of the club. These irons also boast Cobra’s largest unsupported face engineered to create more flex at impact resulting in quicker ball speed.

Worldwide Golf 51

Angel 7-IRON TRACKMAN AVERAGES Averages

Angel | Aug 07, 2014

CLUB SPEED

ATTACK ANG.

BALL SPEED

TOTAL

SPIN RATE

CARRY

SIDE

SMASH FAC.

CLUB PATH

FACE ANG.

deg

deg

DYN. LOFT

HEIGHT

SPIN AXIS

SPIN LOFT

SWING DIR.

Bio Cell

78.9

­3.8

104.1

148.8

6445

138.6

47.3R

1.32

­2.3

4.6

6.9

16.0

22.1

60.9

8.3

27.0

­5.0

SLDR

80.0

­5.1

101.6

148.0

5643

135.9

34.1R

1.27

­3.2

3.5

6.5

17.0

22.4

60.8

5.8

27.2

­6.9

8.7

mph

deg

mph

yds

rpm

yds

ft

deg

deg

FACE TO PATH LAUNCH ANG.

03

deg

ft

deg

deg

deg

X 2 Hot

77.2

­4.7

103.5

148.2

6291

136.3

51.1R

1.34

­2.4

5.5

7.9

15.4

21.2

55.8

27.3

­5.3

G 30

76.6

­4.3

101.2

149.2

5477

137.2

38.6R

1.32

0.6

3.9

3.3

17.4

22.8

61.6

5.4

27.4

­1.7

I 20

76.3

­2.3

102.1

145.2

6140

132.5

12.2R

1.34

­1.1

0.2

1.3

15.5

21.5

56.2

3.6

23.9

­2.5

Dispersion

Angel | Aug 07, 2014

01

Trajectory

Angel | Aug 07, 2014

02 30

60

40

20

60

40

20

10 80

100

150

20

80

100

150

140

120

Bio Cell SLDR X 2 Hot G 30 I 20

Carry yds

Bio Cell SLDR X 2 Hot G 30 I 20

Note: Data are normalized to no wind conditions at 0 ft altitude, 77 F with a Premium ball. © 2014 TrackMan | MyTrackMan.com

Multi Group Report

Note: Data are normalized to no wind conditions at 0 ft altitude, 77 F with a Premium ball. © 2014 TrackMan | MyTrackMan.com

Multi Group Report

“I would say that the Cobra Bio cell really jumped out to me out of all the other clubs. The ball flight was very stable and when I was hitting the ball I found that the face wasn’t twisting too much on impact. The shaft was nice as well, it was a bit lighter but most of all I really liked the head – it was really forgiving.” –Angel

TrackMan report:

Note: Data are normalized to no wind conditions at 0 ft altitude, 77 F with a Premium ball.

You can see from all the stats that Angel is a very Multi Group Report solid iron player but distance is what’s required without sacrificing any of © 2014 TrackMan | MyTrackMan.com his accuracy. The G30 was the longest at 160 yards but also the shortest at 140 yards, highlighting distance control is just as essential. The Bio Cell compared to Angel’s i20 carried 6 yards further - stopped 2 yards shorter on landing.

Worldwide Golf 52

Samarth 7-IRON TRACKMAN AVERAGES Averages

03

Samarth | Aug 07, 2014

CLUB SPEED

ATTACK ANG.

BALL SPEED

TOTAL

SPIN RATE

CARRY

SIDE

SMASH FAC.

CLUB PATH

FACE ANG.

deg

deg

DYN. LOFT

HEIGHT

SPIN AXIS

SPIN LOFT

SWING DIR.

Bio Cell

92.7

­1.2

117.0

170.0

5858

163.7

15.5R

1.26

­8.2

­1.5

6.7

21.3

26.1

108.1

8.6

28.2

­8.8

SLDR

93.8

­2.9

116.7

170.8

6081

161.0

7.6L

1.24

­6.3

­3.4

4.2

15.3

20.5

77.5

6.9

25.7

­7.9

mph

deg

mph

yds

rpm

yds

ft

deg

deg

FACE TO PATH LAUNCH ANG.

deg

ft

deg

deg

deg

X 2 Hot

89.3

­6.1

119.6

176.8

5519

158.8

25.4R

1.34

­6.3

­2.4

7.6

10.4

52.2

16.1

30.3

G 30

89.3

­5.4

120.2

178.5

5075

157.8

35.8R

1.35

­6.0

­2.5

3.8

10.1

14.2

48.7

19.1

21.9

­7.6

Skymax

90.2

­­­

119.4

178.0

4421

151.4

42.2L

1.32

­­­

­4.4

­­­

7.2

10.9

36.6

­2.2

­­­

­4.8

Dispersion

Samarth | Aug 07, 2014

01

14.9

Trajectory

­8.0

Samarth | Aug 07, 2014

02 40 30

Bio Cell SLDR X 2 Hot G 30 Skymax

Carry yds

100

80

60

40

20

100

80

60

40

20

150 150

Bio Cell SLDR X 2 Hot G 30 Skymax

Note: Data are normalized to no wind conditions at 0 ft altitude, 77 F with a Premium ball.

Multi Group Report

200

250 250

140

© 2014 TrackMan | MyTrackMan.com

200

20 160

Note: Data are normalized to no wind conditions at 0 ft altitude, 77 F with a Premium ball.

“The SLDR and the Bio Cell really stood out to me today in terms of feel and how it felt off the club.

I’m a feel player and at impact they both felt crisp.” –Samarth © 2014 TrackMan | MyTrackMan.com

Multi Group Report

TrackMan report: The SLDR and the Bio Cell carried the furthest and their spin rate average was closely matched. The Bio Cell carried an extra 2.7 yards but produced a much tighter grouping. You can see that Samarth hit one ball massively on the up that Note: Data are normalized to no wind conditions at 0 ft altitude, 77 F with a Premium ball. dramatically affected the height average but taking that ball out of the reading you can see the Bio Cell produces a great © 2014 TrackMan | MyTrackMan.com Multi Group Report drop and stop flight. Exactly what you need with a 7 iron. With a swing speed of 92.7mph Samarth would improve even further with a slightly stiffer shaft along with the lofts and lie matched to his height and swing characteristics.

Jason Ashley Custom Fit Specialist Golf House

Watch the TEST vidEO

What should a golfer with a mid-high handicap look for when he’s choosing his clubs?

Jason: When you’re looking at a mid to high handicapper one of the most important things is to look at the head design. We want something that’s nice and forgiving, that’s going to help you get some distance control as well as good distance and just a really forgiving head. So generally the head is going to be slightly bigger with a slightly bigger sweet-spot. The sole of the golf club is going to be a little thicker and the top end is going to be slightly thicker as well.

Those are important factors for a mid-high handicapper so we have to look at those kinds of things. Again it is individual and unique. Some players strike the ball a bit better but those are the general guidelines I would give to mid to high handicappers.

What would you say is the summary of today’s findings?

Jason: What we did was we took stock-standard stuff off the shelf, put them up against the clubs these guys are currently using and we could see quite a substantial difference in the improvement of the technology over the few years difference in the guy’s clubs. There was some distance improvement from both guys, as well a little bit of accuracy improvement. The key thing here is that we can fine tune that dramatically with actual custom fitting in terms of getting the right shaft, length and weight.

Worldwide Golf 53

10

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Worldwide GOLF Columnist

Ian Poulter Ryder Cup is in my blood!

I

think most people know by now that The Ryder Cup, for me is a very passionate thing. It’s a tournament that I followed for many years when I was growing up and always wanted to play in.

My first experience was in 2004 under Bernhard Langer as Captain. That experience was an incredible one because we really did dominate that Ryder Cup from start to finish to win with a record score of 18½ to 9½.

The first tee nerves I felt on that first Saturday morning, when I played with Darren Clarke against Chris Riley and Tiger Woods, were a new experience. But it was an experience that I immediately loved and I realised that I wanted that adrenaline rush again – I wanted that excitement again. I knew then that I wanted to play as many Matches in my career as I possibly could. As hard as I’ve worked through all the years to try and achieve individual success, it meant so much to be able to go out there and deliver for my team mates, my Captain and Vice Captain, and for my Continent.

All of my experiences of playing in The Ryder Cup have been very special. Even playing under Nick Faldo in 2008 when we lost at Valhalla. I was a Captain’s pick that year – some people might have said it was a controversial pick, but I was a pick. I played exceptionally well at Valhalla and finished as Europe’s top scorer with four points from five matches, but as a team we had a massively disappointing

week, losing 16-11. It was a tragedy really. We were outplayed by the US Team, who played exceptionally well. Their rookies all played really well and we got well beaten that week so that’s the most disappointing Ryder Cup that I’ve ever had to experience.

My next Ryder Cup was playing under Colin Montgomerie at Celtic Manor in Wales and it was a very successful week. Nobody who saw it, or was there, will forget GMac coming

through for us at the end in his match against Hunter Mahan, holding his nerve to hole that huge putt on 16 and secure the win for us on the next hole.

We were on the back foot for a while there but we managed to pull through in fine form on the Monday in some Welsh sunshine, which we never saw for the first few days.

Then what can I say about the Miracle at Medinah? The experience there was quite unique. To come back from a 10-4 deficit to turn that Ryder Cup around in the fashion we did was unprecedented. Sergio and Luke Donald’s win in the Saturday four-balls kickstarted things and we went from 10-4 to 10-5. Then Rory and myself won that evening’s last point and we took a lot of excitement into the team room; there was a great buzz, a lot of sing songs and a lot of passion. It was a really energised team that came out on the Sunday and we played our hearts out in the singles to win that Ryder Cup. That’s pretty much my Ryder Cup experiences and I love having the opportunity and potential to compete to try and make this next Ryder Cup for the Matches against the USA at Gleneagles this month under Paul McGinley.

I think the European team on paper looks very strong and I’m sure it’ll be another dramatic Ryder Cup. The US team will be very strong – it always is – and they always compete very hard so I’m very much looking forward to that. Q

IJP Design Competition This month we’re giving Worldwide Golf readers the chance to win ‘The Ian Poulter Look’ with a full outfit courtesy of IJP Design.

Question How many Ryder Cups prior to 2014 have I played in?

To enter go to: www.wwgolf.net/competition

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Worldwide GOLF Columnist

Gary Player Know how to exercise for your sport

F

or a long time now I have been an advocator for the importance of diet, health and fitness. These are not only important in order to play golf well, but also to live life well.

More and more golfers these days are going to the gym – and that’s great, but I think many of them must be cautious and careful with the way they develop their body. Workout regimes need to be developed with golf in mind. You’ve got to have a body like Popeye with strong forearms, core, legs and buttocks.

The minute you start exercising the top half of your body too much, your muscles contract. When you start overdeveloping the chest, biceps and shoulders, you’re looking for trouble.

If professionals today would exercise with the right equipment, target the golf-focused muscle groups and swing with a heavy club there would be far fewer injuries.

I see this as one of the downfalls of exercise in golf today. Many of the exercise machines and equipment in gyms are not designed for the professional golfer, instead they’re for the regular person trying bulk up

or for the Arnold Schwarzeneggers of the world. These machines can be harmful to golfers and cause damage the rotator cuff or lower back – as we have seen with Tiger Woods recently.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Tiger came back and was never the same player as before, or

if he comes back and wins five Majors – he’s that talented. But, he has faults in his swing.

If he can fix those faults, and get them ironed out he’s going to play in a much more relaxed fashion and play some fantastic golf.

Rory McIlroy has the right fundamentals at the moment and is playing beautifully. I only hope that Tiger can work out his faults. I have a lot of respect for Tiger and we need him to come back, play well and be a champion again.

I learned so much from Ben Hogan when

I was younger. He was so good from tee to green. He won nine Majors and was the only person I met who knew their swing from A-Z. I’ve known plenty who have known their swing from A-Y, but not A-Z. Only Hogan knew that. And there’s a big difference.

If we want to prevent injuries you have you know your body and you have got to exercise with the following thoughts in mind – to have speed, to have longevity, to have suppleness and to be injury free.

While you’re in your early 20s, you can play the game however you like and you can get away with it. But as you get older it becomes a different story altogether. Your body changes and what you could do with your body in your 20s you find you can no longer do when you’re older – and if you do try, you’ll get injured and hurt.

To exercise and to be fit is an essential ingredient – but you have got to know what you’re doing for your specific sport. I’ve met a few football and athletics teachers who also teach golf and they teach the same exercises to golfers as they do to those athletes – it’s hogwash!

I find that the best exercise to avoid injury and give a balanced exercise of your core muscles is with a heavy, weighted club. Every time I practice I swing it five times to my left as well as five regular right handed swings. If professionals today would exercise with the right equipment, target the golf-focused muscle groups and swing with a heavy club there would be far fewer injuries. Q

TRAIN RIGHT ... EAT RIGHT

Gary Player completes 1,300 sit ups every day, follows a strict and mainly vegetarian diet and sleeps on average nine hours per night.

Watch the PGA Tour video to see how the Grand Slam champion still manages to pack a punch on the course and in the gym.

Worldwide GOLF 57

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Worldwide GOLF Columnist

David Howell Rory can Rule the World

H

as there ever been a better month’s golf played in the history of the game than Rory’s Major successes sandwiched nicely together with a World Golf Championships event?

Perhaps, if you dig deep enough in the archives, Tiger might have done something to rival that but, in any case, Rory’s summer heroics will go down in golf history as the stuff of legend, and rightly so. After a tumultuous few weeks in the spring his summer has turned into dreamland. He made his dreams come true while most of us dare not think this big even whilst we are asleep.

At Hoylake he lay to rest his run of poor Fridays and strode confidently to the title with a host of classy competitors chasing him all the way. This was a course that didn’t really require power to enable players to compete. Often the play was to lay up short of the trouble, thereby taking away Rory’s

Rory outdrove me by an average of 60 yards per hole. huge advantage off the tee. Yet he still outscored the field. Clearly he was in total control of his game from start to finish.

In Akron, where I also played, things were a little different. Quite frankly the WGCBridgestone Invitational course was a long hitters dream, so much so that for the week as a whole, Rory outdrove me by an average of 60 yards per hole. Still he had to take on a resurgent Sergio Garcia down the stretch on Sunday. But once again, just like at Hoylake, Rory took control of things and in the end the final hole looked like a gentle stroll around his local course back in Holywood, rather

than trying to close out a WGC event.

It’s astonishing how far he has come from his early days on Tour when winning was a real challenge for Rory. Nowadays sealing the deal is what he does on Sundays and golf is all the better for it.

I didn’t really see much of the US PGA Championship but from what I did see the facts are this: Rory went out with the lead, dropped three behind at one point then summoned the will to find enough birdies on the back nine to reel in and overtake Phil Mickleson, Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson in the fading light. If this was not a dream then it could just as easily been a scene from a Hollywood movie.

I have known Rory since his first appearance at Carnoustie in 2007 and in those seven years he has managed to fulfil all that youthful potential, something that is far from easy to do. So many things can come along and derail a sportsman in that period of time, be it personal issues, loss of form and confidence or even desire, after becoming a rich young man.

If these issues have at sometime affected Rory then he has managed to let them wash over him in double-quick time rather than drowning. Now, already before his 26th

Worldwide GOLF 59

birthday, he has only Ballesteros and Faldo to overhaul in the modern day Major stakes, from a European perspective. Who would bet against that happening in the near future?

Most exciting of all, though, is the fact that Rory has enough star quality to take over the mantle of the world’s greatest player from Tiger and in Rickie Fowler the game has another star attraction to take the game forward should Tiger not manage to come back to his best once again.

The world of golf would love nothing more than to see Tiger and Rory going hammer and tongue down the stretch at next years Masters, but as the last month showed, should it not be that way then the game still has all the excitement in the world with Rory at the helm. He is now the man everyone wants to beat and I’m sure even Tiger will admit to that.

As If I haven’t praised him enough already I have saved the most important compliment to last: Through all this success Rory has continued to be the great friendly guy that he was when he first came out on Tour, no airs and graces or diva-style demands, just stunning golf, honest interviews and an interest in the people around him. What more could golf ask for? Q

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Worldwide GOLF Columnist

Pete Cowen Matches aren’t won on paper!

O

n paper Europe are looking the stronger of the two teams heading to Gleneagles later this month, but The Ryder Cup is match play and anything could happen. Europe look set to have the perfect balance of nine in-form players and three old guard experienced wildcard picks, which would be ideal for Paul McGinley. But ‘on paper’ means nothing at the end of the day and what you can never forget, especially with teams so evenly matched in talent, is form.

Form running into The Ryder Cup is essential and you will only get an idea of how the teams

Form running into The Ryder Cup is essential and you will only get an idea of how the teams really stack up against each other literally the week before. really stack up against each other literally the week before. I doubt Tom Watson will pick a rookie but if one player out of the blue has a storming month in the FedEx Cup Playoff Series he would surely be considered because you just can’t undervalue how essential form is. Take Hunter Mahan, for example, as a player finding his game at the right time. Prior to The Barclays he was 25th on the ranking and not really in the running. People thought I was mad

Pete Cowen, pictured alongside Lee Westwood at the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, is more than aware that mother nature could have a big say in things at Gleneagles.

saying I would pick him but he’s a key player for Watson.

When Watson was named Captain he specifically pinpointed Mahan’s omission from the 2012 team, as he questioned the system that allotted four captain’s choices.

He’s reduced it to three for this year, and Mahan’s late push with a top 10 at the PGA Championship and victory at The Barclays should remove some of the debate for at least one of those three picks.

One pick that was a guarantee for the Americans was Tiger. He’s done the right thing to give himself a break but he should only return once he’s 100 percent. His presence will be a huge loss for the galleries and TV viewers but it will also be a blow for Rory, who I know would have enjoyed nothing more than taking on a fully fit, in-form Tiger.

The Europeans will be set to start favourites but the American rookies have experienced the

big occasions numerous times this season and they battle it out week in and week out with our guys on the US PGA Tour. Jimmy Walker, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed are all inside the top 10 in the FedEx Cup Rankings and ahead of many of the big-name Europeans. So there is no chance of stage fright from these guys. The only real advantage Europe might have is the weather.

If it gets a bit dodgy and the wind starts to blow, as it does, most of them know the course and understand the conditions. It’s about the same time of year as many of them play the Alfred Dunhill Championship in Scotland and they have first hand experience of how to handle the tough conditions.

Like the Majors, weather can play a big part in things and I think it could play a big part in The Ryder Cup. One thing is for certain, no one team is going to run away with it and it’s going to be another close one. Q

PETE’S SHORT GAME MECHANICS TIP

Watch the video of Pete explaining how gravity affects your wedge when it comes to chipping from within 100 yards. Every club wants to fall to a curtain point but most of the faults with poor pitching and chipping occur when the club passes beyond parallel. This is where you have to learn to use the gravitational forces and not resist them.

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WATCH THE VIDEO

Mike Gallemore talks to GREG NORMAN on the Ayla site about why he believes Jordan’s first 18 holes grass golf course is “among the top-three most eco-friendly golf courses in the world.”

AYLA

Pictures: PHOTO HAGOP Aqaba

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THE MOST ECO-FRIENDLY GOLF COURSE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

JORDAN Sahl Dudin, Managing Director of Ayla Oasis Development Company the master developer of Ayla: “A dedicated 2.5 MW Photo Voltaic Plant will power everything within the Golf Course, starting with the brackish water wells, the water treatment/desalination plant, the water features circulation and flood events, Golf Course irrigation pumping, along with the Par-3 course, driving range lighting and the Clubhouse and Academy buildings. All trees and shrubs have been carefully selected from local indigenous species to reduce the irrigation requirements and a sub-surface irrigation system has been installed to reduce evaporation and water loss.”

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THE MOST ECO-FRIENDLY GOLF COURSE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

A

YLA is among the top-three most eco-friendly golf courses in the world – if not the first! Those were the words of Greg Noman, one of the world’s leading golf course designers, following his extensive site visit to his layout at Aqaba, to a packed press conference overlooking the course.

Norman continued: “When I came to Aqaba two years ago I was pleased to say that the scale and quality of the Ayla project was phenomenal and that I believed the entire setting and unique design puts it among the best in the world, from my 40 years experience in golf.

“I am now pleased to say that I will be a proud ambassador for Ayla, to promote the project, Aqaba and the Kingdom of Jordan and its people.”

Norman added: “Ayla thought they were lucky to have chosen me to design their golf course, but it’s me who is the lucky one to be given the opportunity of creating this outstanding golf course in such a spectacular setting, with the majestic mountains looking down on the Bay of Aqaba.”

Pictures: PHOTO HAGOP Aqaba

WATER CONSERVATION “The work that Ayla have put into the project in terms of water conservancy and creating power through solar panels on the golf course is considerable, and goes hand in hand with what we are doing in our design.”

Dr. Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, CEO, Jordan Tourism Board, addressed the press conference saying: “To have such a magnificent golf course designed by one of the finest ‘Green’ designers in the world as Greg Norman, means a lot to Jordan’s tourism sector.

“We are, indeed, fortunate to have Greg create a world-class golf course, attracting regional and international golfers of all standards and all nationalities, which will greatly enhance our position on the global golf tourism map.”

Norman, who is a former Member of the Board of Trustees of the Environmental Institute for Golf, added: “Whether we or Ayla had all

PICTURED ABOVE: The wadi that runs through holes 14, 15 and 16, which is a feature of the golf course. The lakes, lagoons and the marina play a significant part in the serenity of the course and the overall Ayla development, which utilises every means of water conservation.

the money in the world to irrigate the golf course as we pleased we would both still adopt the same methods in conserving every drop of water we can – we both have the same environmentally sensitive mentality.”

Asked by the media at the packed press conference whether Norman thought that golf was a rich man’s sport, the Australian replied: “Golf is a rich man’s sport but it’s also a poor man’s sport.

ALL-INCLUSIVE SPORT “Anyone can play golf. I’ve played with blind people and with disabled people – with anyone who enjoys the game. It’s a game for all standards of players, which is why our golf course designs always have a variety of tee boxes at different distances from the green to accommodate all levels of players from the best in the world to beginners.

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“I’ve always campaigned for golf to be an all-inclusive sport. I got into the game as a youngster in Australia through the junior golf academy at my local golf club. That’s what we want to do at Ayla – to make it all-inclusive for everyone.

“Golf is a great connector – bringing people together from all nationalities and from all walks of life.

“Building a sustainable golf course as spectacular as this gives us the opportunity to introduce local flora and fauna, which attracts birdlife and creates a haven for wildlife.

“The wadis and lagoons are a lure to a variety of fish and sea creatures. The water is so clear it is already bringing sea horses, spotted eagle rays, a whale shark and various fish species to the crystalline lagoons.

“Aqaba is already a ‘bottleneck site’ and a stop-over for migrating birds and I’m sure we will soon see many

What is Ayla?

Greg Norman, centre, with Dr. Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, CEO, Jordan Tourism Board (left) and Sahl Dudin, Managing Director of Ayla Oasis Development Company, the master developer of Ayla (right).

Pictures: PHOTO HAGOP Aqaba

“This is a great honour for me to design the first 18 holes grass golf course in Jordan. It has the potential to put Jordan on the world golf map in the future, in becoming a worldwide attraction, not only for the sport of golf but also for tourism and commerce.”

– Greg Norman different species of birdlife on the golf course.

“I’m pleased to be back on site at Aqaba to see how the lagoons and other infrastructure around the golf course have taken shape. Since my last visit, we’ve been particularly focused on how the golf course ties into the water features and surrounding residential areas, and I’m pleased at the great job our team have done here.

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS “We are building an outstanding environmentally-friendly golf course here that will last for generations to come and will be enjoyed by thousands of people long after we have all gone.

“This is a great honour for me to design the first 18 holes grass golf course in Jordan. It has the potential to put Jordan on the world golf map in the future, in becoming a worldwide

attraction, not only for the sport of golf but also for tourism and commerce.”

The Great White Shark, as he is affectionately known, has been at the forefront of eco-friendly golf course design since he started his design company when he was the world’s No.1 golfer. Led by his passion for the outdoors and appreciation of the environment, Norman’s design philosophy is primarily focused on environmental awareness, which adds to the unique character of the many golf courses he designs throughout the world.

Through his Greg Norman Golf Course Design company, he has created and opened 87 courses on six continents around the world, with a further 39 projects currently at various stages of development.

Norman’s course designs are famed for being Championship standard layouts and hosting tournaments

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for the world’s finest players. The European Tour’s season-ending grand finale, the DP World Tour Championship, and the final leg of The Race to Dubai, has been staged at the Greg Norman Design Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates since the inaugural event in 2009.

The Championship is due to be played in future years on Norman’s equally-valued Fire course at the same venue. Another worldacclaimed Greg Norman Design course, Almouj Golf, The Wave, Muscat, Oman, was opened in 2012 and last year the course hosted the inaugural National Bank of Oman Golf Classic, the first event in a threeyear agreement with the European Challenge Tour, as the penultimate event of their season.

Last year’s tournament was the first professional golf event to have been staged in the Sultanate. Q

Ayla is a unique development on the northern shores of Aqaba, Jordan, which covers an overall area of 430 hectares of land.

Located at the western boundary of the city of Aqaba, and utilising a small stretch of shoreline of 235 metres on the Gulf, Ayla created a new coastline by developing a series of man-made lagoons open to the Gulf of Aqaba.

The development has added an impressive 17km to Jordan’s coastline.

Once completed, the development will feature a variety of up-market hotels (1,540 rooms), unique residential communities (3,000 units), Jordan’s first international-standard golf course and a town centre encompassing a marina, retail units, cafes, entertainment and recreational facilities.

From a tiny stretch of coast (250m), a waterfront haven of leisure will be created.

Ayla will provide the ultimate experience to live, work and play for tourists and residents alike at the Red Sea resort of Aqaba.

NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN CLASSIC

SIX MEMORABLE MOMENTS

WIN DP WORLD HOSPITALITY TICKETS

TOUR RANKING AND EVENT REVIEWS

David Edwardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; trick shot show and Bill Longmuir, the founding father of golf in Oman return to Muscat

You will never forget these historic occasions from the DP World Tour Championshipp

You are just one quick question away from winning a pair of DP World Tour Championship tickets

Race to Dubai and Official World Golf Ranking points and the roundup of the Tour events Worldwide

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P71

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Tour News Exclusive one-to-one with Nick Tarratt, Director of The European Tour International, Dubai Office Nick Tarratt, 55, came to Dubai nearly 25 years ago.

In 2008 he was appointed Director of The European Tour International, Dubai Office having been involved in various roles and projects in the UAE and Middle East region. Nick is in a unique position to give his views on the current state of the game of golf in Dubai, the UAE and the Middle East.

Here he speaks excusively to Worldwide Golf.

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Tour News The European Tour’s involvement in Dubai and the Middle East has mushroomed since you took your position at the Tour – what are the current European Tour activities in this region for this season?

NICK TARRATT: We have several live projects we are supporting in the region including the following: O The DP World Tour Championship taking place for the sixth time in November on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

O The Race to Dubai, this year boasting 49 tournaments in 26 countries around the world throughout the year.

O The second edition of the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted

by Al Badia Golf Club, sanctioned and copromoted by the Challenge Tour.

O Supporting the Emirates Golf Federation hosting the R&A Rules School held at Al Badia Golf Club during the week of the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final.

O The sanctioning and support of the second edition of the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic, the penultimate event of the Challenge Tour season.

O Jumeirah Golf Estates as a European Tour Property.

O Jumeirah Golf Estates as a European Tour Performance Institute.

O The sanctioning and support role of The European Tour’s Desert Swing.

O The sanctioning and support role of the Azerbaijan Challenge Open on the European Challenge Tour.

O Discussions regarding the reintroduction of The Invitational scheduled to be hopefully played in 2015.

Top: Andrea Pavan of Italy is presented with the Rolex Award by Nick Tarratt after the final round of the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final played at Al Badia Golf Club.

Above Right: Justin Rose, Majid al Ghurair, Board Member Jumeirah Golf Estates; George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour; Yousuf Kazim, General Manager Jumeirah Golf Estates and David Howell cut the ribbon at the Official Opening of the European Tour Performance Institute prior to the start of the DP World Tour Championship last year.

ON A MORE PERSONAL LEVEL WHAT ARE YOUR OBJECTIVES THIS COMING 2014 – 2015 SEASON? NICK TARRATT: : To create greater player engagement with sponsors, fans etc at events in the region and especially the DP World Tour Championship that The European Tour sanctions, underwrites, promotes and stages.

The players are our greatest asset within The European Tour and are the stars of the show.

The European Tour has a role to ensure we are getting the most out of the players at the right time and the right place. I am more than impressed each year how, almost without exception, the players are willing to support our requests – we just need to manage expectations from all angles as well as plan in advance.

I also want to continue to ensure

there is a genuine local ownership and activation of all our activities hjeedgiZY [gdb i]Z 9jWV^ D[ÐXZ# This includes sponsorship and event activation as well as all our volunteer marshal and volunteer programmes at especially the DP World Tour Championship including embracing local schools and this year two interns supporting from JESS Arabian Ranches as well as genuine charity activities to make a difference. Finally, one of my proudest roles to date has been the introduction of our Guest Referee programme with support of the Golf Federations at the European Tour events in the region. Buddy Morin, Barney Coleman and Stuart McMurdo all

Barney Coleman, Stuart McMurdo and Buddy Morin all act as Guest Referees at events in the region.

support our activities as Guest Referees.

To give further depth to this Buddy, as an example, will be attending and supporting events on the Challenge Tour in Kazakhstan, Oman and Dubai as well as the DP World Tour Championship before the end of November and, of course, the Desert Swing at the start of the year. They are all there dc bZg^i l^i] XZgi^ÐXViZY fjVa^ÐXVi^dch VcY djg i]Vc`h \d

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to my colleagues at Wentworth for supporting this programme.

This links perfectly to the forthcoming R&A visit to Dubai, again in November for the Level 2 Rules School where we would encourage all golf clubs id hZcY Vi aZVhi dcZ d[ÐX^Va id support in addition to all the golf professionals in the region. It is an honour to have the R&A visit the UAE, the last time they visited the region in this capacity was over 12 years ago.

What is the long term vision for The European Tour in the Region?

NICK TARRATT: We would like to provide continued consolidation and encourage greater activation for the DP World Tour Championship to ensure it remains on the calendar and in Dubai beyond the existing agreement that runs until 2017. We are also encouraging greater activation of The Race to Dubai on a global basis. The Race to Dubai consists of 49 tournaments in 26 countries and we are working on a more collaborative initiative with the government of Dubai and all our partners to bVm^b^hZ i]Z WZcZÐih d[ i]^h bdYZa# I]Z dcZ djihiVcY^c\ db^hh^dc id djg VXi^k^i^Zh ^c i]^h eVgi d[ i]Z ldgaY ^h a European Senior Tour event. We were disappointed that Bahrain did not take up the option of hosting a tournament in '%&)# LZ VgZ VlVgZ i]Vi 7V]gV^c lVci Vc ZkZci d[ hdbZ hdgi VcY lZ VgZ ]Veen id VYY djg hjeedgi id bV`Z ^i ]VeeZc# LZ VgZ XdcÐYZci these discussions can be restarted and that they will have a positive outcome.

What is on the horizon for The European Tour in the region?

We have a number of new projects currently under discussion, including; The Greg Normandesigned Ayla Championshipstandard golf course in Aqaba, Jordan, which is expected to open later next year and how a European Tour activity can work for everyone in this pioneer territory.

Many new golf projects in the UAE and Middle East are looking for European Tour activities whether it is a made-for-TV or a Tour event or association with our Green Drive programme as well as European Tour player associations for both golf course designs and destination and resort ambassadors and possible European Senior Tour events in Dubai, the UAE and Bahrain.

NICK TARRATT:

What is The European Tour’s relationship with the MENA Golf Tour?

NICK TARRATT: This will be a priority for The European Tour this season from both the Challenge Tour at Wentworth and here in Dubai.

With the Tour’s objective to develop Arab Nationals into the game of golf we obviously encourage and support this initiative of the MENA Golf Tour through golf In Dubai. We want to create a stronger support relationship with the MENA Golf Tour by helping with invites where and when we can from the Challenge Tour as well as hopefully supporting a MENA Golf Tour ZkZci i]Vi ^h dc i]Z 8]VaaZc\Z Idjg ^c i]^h gZ\^dc l^i] ÐcVcX^Va WVX`^c\ id help sustain it. This will hopefully enable the MENA Golf Tour to receive the much-desired recognition from the International Federation of Golf Tours.

In addition, discussions are progressing with the MENA Golf Tour to provide exemption access from Stage levels of the annual European Tour Qualifying School to the leaders of the MENA Golf Tour on an annual basis.

How do you think the changes to The Race to Dubai model will affect 2014?

NICK TARRATT: Right now as we speak, in late August, it looks like Rory McIlroy is the outstanding favourite to win the 2014 Race to Dubai, although The Final Series will provide 40,000,000 points over i]Z ÐcVa [djg lZZ` eZg^dY d[ i]Z hZVhdc [gdb i]Z 7BL BVhiZgh! WGC-HSBC Champions, Turkish Airlines Open and the DP World Tour Championship. The respective champions each earn 1,666,600 million Race to Dubai points so any player can make a real move with some form in The Final Series that will ensure the excitement builds right up to the climax in Dubai.

At the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November we will have 60 of the world’s leading players competing for both the $8 million tournament prize fund as well as the $5 b^aa^dc GVXZ id 9jWV^ 7dcjh Edda  hd l^i] hjX] V higdc\ ÐZaY WZ^c\ assembled it seems to be a model that is working for everyone.

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In your opinion is there a saturation level on the number of professional golf tournaments that can be hosted in the region?

NICK TARRATT: We are now being approached regularly from Dubai, the UAE and the Middle East for ways in which The European Tour, through tournaments and other initiatives, can support golf clubs, real estate developments and sponsors.

There needs to be an essential interest level from sponsors, the golf club, the membership, fans and the media. Each initiative requires its own personality to attract attention and to make it sustainable.

In the future, perhaps golf tournaments could be hosted by golf clubs on a rotation basis in the same city or country so i]Vi XajWh ]VkZ i]Z WZcZÐi d[ staging the tournament every other year. They could host the event one year and the next year maximise their revenues by hosting media and key personnel from the tournament. It has to have buy-in from all stakeholders but the model deserves a dialogue as it may enhance both the sponsorship funds for the tournament as well as the appetite of host golf clubs in not having to the demands of holding a professional golf tournament every year.

Tour News

Nov 20 - Nov 23 DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP – Jumeirah Golf Estates ,Dubai ,United Arab Emirates

WIN

WORLD TOUR toCHAMPIONSHIP Bill Longmuir turns backDPtime and returns Muscat Hills HOSPITALITY TICKETS

We’re giving Worldwide Golf readers the chance to win two VIP tickets for the fabulous Championship Chalet in the Hospitality Pavilion. The luxurious Championship Chalet offers an unrivalled setting in which to watch the action unfold, with a premium food and beverage offering, a spacious terrace overlooking the 18th hole, and dedicated hostesses and guest management teams. There is also VIP parking, internet access and V Xdbea^bZciVgn D[ÐX^Va IdjgcVbZci Egd\gVbbZ VcY YV^an YgVlh]ZZi# For your chance to win a day out you’ll never forget, answer the following question:

WHO WON THE 2013 DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP?

Please visit www.wwgolf.net/competition to submit your answer.

The prize hospitality tickets will be valid for the first day of the DP World Tour Championship, Thursday 20 November.

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Six Memorable Moments To celebrate the sixth edition of the DP World Tour Championship in November, let’s take a look at six of the most memorable moments that the tournament has served up since its inception in 2009.

Stenson’s superb 3 wood Already in command of last year's championship playing the par-5 closing hole, Henrik HiZchdc g^ÑZY V hijcc^c\ 3-wood approach to within inches of the pin. The tap-in eagle saw him win by six shots.

6 igjZ \gVcYhiVcY Ðc^h] l]^X] was later voted 2013 European Tour Shot of the Year.

Rose judges it to perfection Staring at a daunting downhill 100-foot putt on the 18th green on Sunday two years ago, Justin Rose could have looked incredibly foolish if he misjudged it. Instead he gently knocked it to the top of a crest and it took the borrow and rolled to an inch of the cup. It was in motion for 25 seconds as it snaked toward the hole and his tap-in birdie sealed the course record of 62.

Poulter’s tiddlywinks There was high drama in the play-off between Ian Poulter and Robert Karlsson in 2010. With the pair locked on 14-under after 72 holes i]Zn ]VakZY i]Z Ðghi ZmigV ]daZ ^c birdies but on the second extra hole Poulter incurred a one-stroke penalty after dropping his ball on his bVg`Zg l]^X] XVjhZY ^i id Ñ^e dkZg# 6 two-putt double bogey handed the Swede the title. Poor Poults!

Westwood’s domination

Quiros’ mammoth Eagle putt to win

Lee Westwood was in cruise control as he stormed id V h^m"higd`Z k^Xidgn ^c i]Z Ðghi 9E LdgaY Tour Championship in 2009. Weighed down by expectations ahead of the event, the relief poured dji d[ ]^b Vh ]Z hVc` i]Z ÐcVa ejii#

One ahead with one to play in 2011, Spain’s Alvaro Quiros sealed the biggest win of his career with a monster eagle putt across the green to deny playing partner Paul Lawrie any chance of a victory.

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McIlroy roars home L]^aZ GdhZ lVh Ðc^h]^c\ d[[ dc 18 Rory McIlroy was charging to victory in 2012. The Ulsterman was at his swashbuckling best as he gViiaZY ÐkZ W^gY^Zh ^c hjXXZhh^dc to clinch a three-stroke win over Rose and win both the tournament and The Race to Dubai.

Tour News

Oct 30 - Nov 02

National Bank of Oman Golf Classic Almouj Golf, The Wave, Muscat, Oman

Bill Longmuir turns back time and returns to Muscat Hills BILL Longmuir, an eight-time winner on the European Senior Tour, was one of the proudest men in the Sultanate when he teed it up at last year’s inaugural National Bank of Oman Golf Classic at Almouj Golf, The Wave, Muscat.

The 61-year-old Scot is one of the founding fathers of golf in Oman who, through his lifelong friendship with His Highness Kais Al-Said, helped re-create the re-sited Ghala Wentworth sand course at Ghala Valley and establish the 18-hole grass course at Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club.

“It was an emotional moment for me last October playing

Golf Artist Robinson Brushes Up For Oman THE National Bank of Oman Golf Classic will be picture perfect when the second installment of the European Challenge Tour event takes place.

Mark Robinson, who has become the ‘artist in residence’ at many of the Middle East's golf events, said: “I am delighted at being invited by the National Bank of Oman to paint scenes of the course and the players during the tournament,” says the Belfastborn Robinson.

Ahmed Al Musalmi, CEO of the National Bank of Oman, comments: “We welcome Mark Robinson to the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic. I am sure he will add another dimension to our tournament and create even more interest in the event.”

Many of the great and the good of the game have admired and own Robinson’s paintings in acrylics, oils and watercolours, including Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy and Miguel Angel Jimenez, who was so impressed with Robinson’s work he commissioned his own painting.

as a sponsor’s invite from the National Bank of Oman and I feel privileged that they have invited me again to play in this year’s event.

“To be playing in the European Challenge Tour event among the future stars of I]Z :jgdeZVc Idjg ^c i]Z Ðghi professional golf event to be played in the Sultanate was a great honour,”says Longmuir, who played for 16 years on The European Tour before switching to the European Senior Tour on reaching the age of 50.

Ahmed Muslamy, CEO of the National Bank of Oman, comments: “Bill has been one

of the pioneers of golf in the Sultanate. We appreciate the work Bill did to help establish the sport in Oman and it will be good to see him here again for this second edition of the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic.”

“I was enormously impressed with the tournament last year,” says Longmuir, who has earned €1,377,048 in prize money so far during his 11 years on the European Senior Tour.

“I’m sure HH Kais would have been immensely proud id hZZ hjX] V bV\c^ÐXZci tournament take place and make his dream for golf in Oman come true.”

Trick-Shot ace returning to National Bank of Oman Golf Classic DAVID Edwards, arguably the most entertaining trick-shot showman in golf, will once again be on hand to encourage spectators – particularly youngsters – to take up the sport at this year’s National Bank of Oman Golf Classic.

“I’ve performed my trick-shot shows all over the world and I had a particularly wonderful time with the crowd last year in Oman,” says Edwards, who used to earn his living as a PGA club professional back in the UK. “I may have Xdci^cjZY id WZ V E<6 egd[Zhh^dcVa ^[ >ÇY WZZc VWaZ id bVhiZg i]Z ÐcZ Vgi d[ putting. Many people who watched the show didn’t know a great deal about golf, which made it all the more rewarding for me to show them the ropes.

“It’s always good to get feedback from your audience. I get a real buzz out of entertaining people and I love to draw the youngsters into the show and introduce them to the game from a different, enjoyable sort of angle.

“The number of schoolchildren who joined in the show last year created a lot of fun for all of us and I’d be surprised if some of these youngsters don’t take up the game. Golf can be a daunting experience for newcomers coming into the sport and I think we all have a duty to show that golf is fun and a game to be enjoyed."

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STANDINGS

MCILROY STAYS ON TOP Rory McIlroy’s stunning win at the US PGA Championship at Valhalla further cemented his place on top of The European Tour’s Race to Dubai. He now has more than double the amount of prize money as Sergio Garcia, who moved id hZXdcY eaVXZ ^c i]Z gVc`^c\h V[iZg Ðc^h]^c\ gjccZg"je id BX>agdn V\V^c Vi i]Z L<8 7g^Y\ZhidcZ >ck^iVi^dcVa# ?Vb^Z 9dcVaYhdcÇh i]^gY :jgdeZVc Idjg l^c Vi i]Z 9 9 G:6A 8oZX] BVhiZgh hVl ]^b bdkZ ^cid i]Z ide ÐkZ d[ I]Z Race to Dubai rankings and secure a Ryder Cup spot while South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen stays in the top 10 following V ide"&* Ðc^h] Vi i]Z nZVgÇh ÐcVa BV_dg#

EUROPEAN TOUR RACE TO DUBAI RANKINGS – AS AT AUGUST 24, 2014 POS. PLAYER

NAT.

EVE. €

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

NIR ESP DEN WAL SWE GER ENG FRA SCO RSA RSA NIR THA ESP FIN IRL NED SWE ENG SCO

12 13 19 17 15 13 10 14 18 11 13 10 18 19 17 17 18 10 10 20

Rory MCILROY Sergio GARCIA Thomas BJÖRN Jamie DONALDSON Henrik STENSON Martin KAYMER Justin ROSE Victor DUBUISSON Stephen GALLACHER Louis OOSTHUIZEN Charl SCHWARTZEL Graeme MCDOWELL Thongchai JAIDEE Miguel Angel JIMÉNEZ Mikko ILONEN Shane LOWRY Joost LUITEN Jonas BLIXT Lee WESTWOOD Marc WARREN

POS. PLAYER

5,120,709 2,275,712 1,759,931 1,705,445 1,691,231 1,570,937 1,503,781 1,458,102 1,312,133 1,226,249 1,222,999 1,218,369 1,128,028 1,086,320 1,067,143 914,765 855,267 848,286 837,499 803,152

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

NAT.

Ernie ELS Francesco MOLINARI Pablo LARRAZÁBAL Kristoffer BROBERG Alexander LEVY George COETZEE Fabrizio ZANOTTI Branden GRACE Rafa CABRERA-BELLO Edoardo MOLINARI Luke DONALD Robert KARLSSON Tommy FLEETWOOD Richard STERNE Simon DYSON Bernd WIESBERGER Danny WILLETT Thomas AIKEN Matteo MANASSERO Michael HOEY

RSA ITA ESP SWE FRA RSA PAR RSA ESP ITA ENG SWE ENG RSA ENG AUT ENG RSA ITA NIR

EVE. € 12 17 18 22 21 16 21 16 17 22 12 14 18 13 22 18 19 14 16 22

786,387 736,645 727,649 727,285 714,946 703,237 692,957 679,884 649,862 641,997 574,942 569,154 562,057 557,276 550,054 536,117 535,895 527,606 520,567 492,283

POS. PLAYER 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

Ross FISHER Matthew BALDWIN Brooks KOEPKA Andy SULLIVAN Romain WATTEL Alejandro CAÑIZARES Marcel SIEM Ian POULTER Oliver FISHER Tyrrell HATTON Brendon DE JONGE Morten Ørum MADSEN Chris WOOD Darren FICHARDT David HORSEY Emiliano GRILLO Dawie VAN DER WALT Thorbjørn OLESEN Felipe AGUILAR Alvaro QUIROS

NAT. ENG ENG USA ENG FRA ESP GER ENG ENG ENG ZIM DEN ENG RSA ENG ARG RSA DEN CHI ESP

EVE. € 19 24 9 22 19 17 14 10 20 21 8 21 18 19 18 17 15 12 13 13

474,066 469,147 468,091 449,009 441,544 440,528 433,437 421,054 415,089 413,886 409,277 391,319 389,329 386,611 385,578 367,088 354,203 347,572 344,662 337,314

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR RANKINGS – AS AT AUGUST 24, 2014 POS. PLAYER

NAT.

EVE. €

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

GER ENG ESP KOR GER RSA FRA FRA WAL CHI SCO ESP ENG FRA DEN

9 14 12 15 12 11 14 12 14 12 10 13 16 15 13

Moritz LAMPERT Andrew JOHNSTON Jordi GARCIA PINTO Byeong-hun AN Florian FRITSCH Jake ROOS Benjamin HEBERT Michael LORENZO-VERA Oliver FARR Mark TULLO Scott HENRY Antonio HORTAL Sam HUTSBY Edouard ESPANA Lasse JENSEN

133,835 131,615 100,322 85,677 73,143 73,033 72,870 66,104 62,114 60,004 57,721 56,467 50,779 49,931 47,750

The top 15 players in the rankings after the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club will earn their full European Tour cards.

Last year Shiv Kapur roared to victory in the season-ending event to surge from 20th to third in the rankings and book his place on this season’s European Tour.

POS.PLAYER

NAT. EVE. €

POS.PLAYER

NAT. EVE. €

RED-HOT LAMPERT TOPS CHALLENGE TOUR Mortiz Lampert’s dramatic come-from-behind victory at the inaugural Azerbaijan Golf Challenge Open saw him leapfrog England’s Andrew Johnston at the top of The European Challenge Tour Rankings and earn him instant promotion to The European Tour.

The win was the 22-year-old German sensation’s third triumph on the Challenge Tour this season and he promises to offer much on The European Tour.

After losing his playing privileges in 2012, France’s Benjamin Herbert is on course to return to The European Tour as he moves into the top 10 of the Challenge Tour Rankings following his win at the Norwegian Challenge.

The top 45 players in the rankings after the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic will qualify to play in the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club from Wednesday, November 5 to Saturday, November 8.

Those interested in volunteering at the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final are requested to send an email to tim.neil@ihg.com. Volunteers available for more than one day will be given priority.

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AT THE HEART OF THE ACTION Enjoy an afternoon with friends getting up close and personal with the European Tour’s top 60 players as they battle it out in the final event of the 2014 Race to Dubai. Also experience the Championship Village and listen to live music, enjoy great food and entertain the kids.

Register for FREE tickets for a chance to win HOSPITALITY tickets. www.DPWTC.com

WORLD ROUNDUPS

MAGICAL MCILROY

Event: US PGA Championship Date: August 7 - 10, 2014

Winner’s Cheque: $1,800,000

Venue: Valhalla Golf Club, Kentucky

“I didn’t think in my wildest dreams I would have a summer like this.”

R

ory McIlroy had to pinch himself after winning the US PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky to secure the fourth Major of his career and his second one this year.

Even McIlroy’s most diehard fans would probably not have imagined a summer as fruitful as the one the Northern Irishman has had.

The win was his second US PGA Championship title after he won the tournament in 2012 by a massive eight shots over David Lynn at Kiawah Island.

This year at Valhalla McIlroy teed-off in the ÐcVa gdjcY V]ZVY Wn V h^c\aZ h]di dkZg 7ZgcY L^ZhWZg\Zg# 7ji ]Z ]VY Vc ^cY^[[ZgZci deZc^c\

nine holes, falling behind by three strokes at one point as Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson tussled for their spot at the top of the leaderboard.

7ji BX>agdn ijgcZY i]^c\h VgdjcY l^i] V hijcc^c\ eagle on the par-5 tenth and followed it up with clutch birdies on 13 and 17. It was in near darkness i]Vi ]Z bVYZ eVg dc i]Z aVhi id XadhZ [dg V ÐcVa round 68 and win by one over Phil Mickelson.

“I gutted it out today, it was a little different to my previous Major wins,” said McIlroy.

“I think I showed a lot of guts to get the job done.”

The 25-year-old is now just one win away from completing a coveted Career Grand Slam and come April next year, he will be looking to scratch that particular itch at Augusta.

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SUPER STATS

315.6 – That’s how many yards McIlroy averaged off the tee in the final round at Valhalla.

4 – The number of Majors McIlroy has won in just 25 appearances.

3 – McIlroy’s win at the US PGA Championship made it three European Tour wins on the trot for the man from Northern Ireland.

Tour News Date: July 24 - 27 Event: RBC Canadian Open Venue: GdnVa BdcigZVa <da[ 8ajW! >aZ 7^oVgY! FjZWZX! 8VcVYV Winner’s Cheque: $1,026,000

Date: July 24 - 27 Event: M2M Russian Open Venue: Tseleevo Golf & Polo Club, Moscow, Russia Winner’s Cheque: €166,660

8A6G@ I6@:H G78 86C69>6C OPEN CROWN

HORSEY THE HERO IN RUSSIA

TIM 8aVg` XVgYZY V hijcc^c\ WVX`"c^cZ (% ^c i]Z ÐcVa gdjcY d[ i]Z G78 8VcVY^Vc DeZc id XdbZ [gdb WZ]^cY VcY l^c ]^h hZXdcY E<6 Tour title by a single shot over Jim Furyk. ;jgn` ]ZaY V i]gZZ"h]di aZVY \d^c\ ^cid i]Z ÐcVa gdjcY Wji Ðc^h]ZY in second place for the third time this season.

DAVID Horsey recorded his third European Tour triumph in dramatic fashion by pipping Irishman Damien McGrane in a play-off to win the M2M Russian Open in Moscow.

Horsey chipped in for eagle in the penultimate hole of regulation id [dgXZ ZmigV ]daZh VcY l]Zc BX<gVcZ Wd\ZnZY i]Z Ðghi ]daZ d[ i]Z eaVn"d[[! =dghZn XZaZWgViZY ]^h Ðghi l^c dc i]Z :jgdeZVc Idjg h^cXZ 2011.

“I knew I had to make birdies, and sometimes that can be easier when you know you have to be aggressive.”

“I didn’t play that great today – it was a bit scrappy and I wasn’t holing the putts – but I managed to get the job done in the end.”

Pos. Name 1 2 3

Tim Clark Jim Furyk Justin Hicks

Country RSA USA USA

-17 -16 -13

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

Pos. Name

67 67 64 65 67 63 65 69 66 67 70 64

263 264 267

1 2 3

David Horsey Damien McGrane Scott Jamieson

Country ENG IRL SCO

-13 -13 -12

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

65 68 70 72 69 71 69 66 66 72 69 69

275 275 276

Date: July 31 - Aug 3 Event: Barracuda Championship Venue: Montreux Golf and Country Club, Reno, Nevada Winner’s Cheque: $540,000

Date: July 31 - Aug 3 Event: World Golf Championship – Bridgestone Invitational Venue: Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio Winner’s Cheque: $1,530,000

MCILROY WINS FIRST WGC EVENT RORY McIlroy followed up his stunning win at The Open 8]Vbe^dch]^e Wn XaV^b^c\ ]^h Ðghi LdgaY <da[ 8]Vbe^dch]^e i^iaZ Vi i]Z L<8"7g^Y\ZhidcZ >ck^iVi^dcVa# >c i]Z egdXZhh! i]Z Cdgi]Zgc >g^h]bVc Vahd gZijgcZY id Cd# & ^c i]Z D[ÐX^Va LdgaY <da[ GVc`^c\# BX>agdn lZci ^cid i]Z ÐcVa gdjcY i]gZZ h]dih WZ]^cY HZg\^d <VgX^V and after trading blows with the Spaniard all throughout Sunday, it was McIlroy who came out on top to win by two shots.

“What I am really proud of this week is following on from The Open with a performance like this.”

Pos. Name 1 2 3

Rory McIlroy Sergio Garcia Marc Leishman

Country NIR ESP AUS

-15 -13 -12

00 | WorldwideGolf - May 2014

D<>AKN I6@:H 76GG68J96 GEOFF D\^akn ldc ]^h Z^\]i] JH E<6 Idjg i^iaZ VcY ]^h Ðghi h^cXZ '%&%# I]Z 6jhigVa^Vc YZ[ZViZY ?jhi^c =^X`h Wn ÐkZ ed^cih Vi i]Z 7VggVXjYV 8aVhh^X eaVnZY ^c i]Z BdY^ÐZY HiVWaZ[dgY [dgbVi# I]Z '%%+ JH DeZc l^ccZg hXdgZY &) ed^cih dc HjcYVn id Ðc^h] i]Z X]Vbe^dch]^e dc ). ed^cih VcY ÐkZ V]ZVY d[ 6bZg^XVc ?jhi^c =^X`h#

“It’s pretty satisfying and it feels like it’s been a long time coming.”

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

Pos. Name

69 64 66 66 68 61 67 71 64 69 68 67

265 267 268

1 2 3

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Geoff Ogilvy Justin Hicks John Huh

Country AUS USA USA

R1 R2 R3 R4 49 44 37

7 12 14 14 9 11 18 18 12 7 7 11

WORLD ROUNDUPS Date: August 14 - 17 Event: Made in Denmark Venue: Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort, Aalborg, Denmark Winner’s Cheque: €250,000

Date: August 14 - 17 Event: Wyndham Championship Venue: HZY\ZÐZaY 8djcign 8ajW! <gZZchWdgd! Cdgi] 8Vgda^cV

WARREN TRIUMPHS IN DENMARK

VILLEGAS VICTORIOUS AT WYNDHAM

Winner’s Cheque: $954,000

MARC Warren held his nerve to win the inaugural Made in Denmark Wn ild h]dih dkZg 7gVYaZn 9gZY\Z# I]Z HXdihbVc h]di V ÐcVa gdjcY hXdgZ d[ ("jcYZg +- id hZXjgZ i]^h i]^gY :jgdeZVc Idjg i^iaZ VcY Ðghi since winning the 2007 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

I]Z eZcjai^bViZ gdjcY hVl LVggZc XVgY V bV\c^ÐXZci ++ ^c igZVX]Zgdjh XdcY^i^dch id \d ^cid i]Z ÐcVa gdjcY i^ZY [dg i]Z aZVY l^i] Dredge.

“This summer I feel more confident than I’ve ever done. I kept telling myself I was swinging the club really well and I was confident in what I was doing.”

CAMILO K^aaZ\Vh XaV^bZY ]^h [djgi] JH E<6 Idjg i^iaZ Wn V h]di dkZg 7^aa Hass and Freddie Jacobson at the 75th Wyndham Championship.The 8dadbW^Vc edhiZY V XVgZZg"adl [gdci c^cZ d[ '. ^c i]Z ÐcVa gdjcY id Ðc^h] i]Z idjgcVbZci dc &,"jcYZg"eVg VcY hZi"je ]^h Ðghi l^c dc Tour since his triumph at the Hondo Classic four years ago.

“It’s been three and a half years of no wins but it’s part of the game, I guess. I’ve always worked hard and I’m happy to be here.”

Pos. Name

Pos. Name 1 ' 3

Marc Warren 7gVYaZn 9gZY\Z Archer Phillip

Country SCO L6A ENG

-9 ", -4

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

71 70 66 68 ++ +- ,( ,% 70 70 71 69

275 ',, 280

Date: August 21 - 24 Event: The Barclays Venue: Ridgewood Country Club - Paramus, New Jersey, United States Winner’s Cheque: $1,440,000

MAHAN REIGNS SUPREME AT I=: 76G8A6NH

1 I' T2 4

Camilo Villegas 7^aa =Vhh Freddie Jacobson Heath Slocum

Country COL JH6 SWE USA

-17 "&+ -16 -15

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

63 +- 68 65

263 '+) 264 265

69 ++ 64 65

68 ++ 66 68

63 +) 66 67

Date: August 21 - 24 Event: D+D REAL Czech Masters Venue: 6aWVigdhh <da[ GZhdgi!Knhd` ã_ZoY! EgV\jZ! 8oZX] GZejWa^X Winner’s Cheque: €166,660

DONALDSON TAKES CZECH MASTERS

HUNTER BV]Vc h]di V hjeZgW ÐcVa gdjcY +* id l^c i]Z Ðghi d[ i]Z JH E<6 IdjgÇh [djg"ZkZci ;ZY:m8je eaVn"d[[h# =Z WZ\Vc i]Z ÐcVa gdjcY dcZ h]di d[[ i]Z aZVY Wji ÐgZY ÐkZ W^gY^Zh ^c i]Z Xadh^c\ Z^\]i ]daZh id l^c ]^h h^mi] E<6 Idjg i^iaZ VcY ]^h Ðghi h^cXZ '%&'# There was a three-way tie for second as Stuart Appleby, Jason Day VcY 8VbZgdc Ig^c\VaZ Vaa Ðc^h] Vi &'"jcYZg"eVg#

JAMIE Donaldson secured his place in The Ryder Cup by holding d[[ 7gVYaZn 9gZY\Z VcY H²gZc @_ZaYhZc id l^c i]Z 9 9 G:6A 8oZX] BVhiZgh ^c EgV\jZ Wn ild h]dih# 9dcVaYhdc lZci ^cid i]Z ÐcVa gdjcY trailing fellow countryman Dredge by two shots and shot a stellar round of four-under par 68 to win his third European Tour title.

“This is big – it’s been an amazing week.”

“To get a result like this in a field like this and in a big spot like this feels great.”

Pos. Name 1 T2 T2 T2

Hunter Mahan Staurt Appleby Cameron Triangle Jason Day

Country USA AUS RSA AUS

-14 -12 -12 -12

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

Pos. Name

66 73 66 72

270 272 272 272

1 ' I( T3

71 66 68 64

68 68 72 68

65 65 66 68

Jamie Donaldson 7gVYaZn 9gZY\Z BZgg^X` 7gZbcZg Soren Kjeldsen

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Country WAL L6A GH6 DEN

-14 "&' "&& -11

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

66 +- ,% 68

274 ',+ ',, 277

69 ,% +- 70

71 ++ ,% 68

68 ,' +.

71

WorldwideGolf - May 2014 | 00

HOWIE AT THE HELM

UAE NATIONAL TEAM

SUMMER SERIES

THOMAS AT THE TOP

Former Welsh Amateur Champion Howie Roberts takes control at The Address Montgomerie, Dubai

The squad heads down under to prepare for the Eisenhower Trophy

Tanishq Lalvani clinches back-toback Dubai Golf Summer Series events

Rayhan Thomas wins the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Summer Open

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P84

P85

P86

Arabian GOLF

AHMED AL MUSHARREKH We catch up with the UAE’s first professional golfer to see how things shaping up on the course and in the gym

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Arabian GOLF

Wayne Johnson, Director of Instruction at the European Tour Performance Institute, working with Ahmed Al Musharrekh in one of the facility’s high-tech swing studios.

Q Two years after becoming the UAE’s first ever professional golfer, Ahmed Al Musharrekh is still finding his feet on the professional circuit.

Q The 24-year-old from Sharjah picked up the game as a youngster through the Emirates Golf Federation’s Junior Development Programme (JDP) and has since gone from strength to strength.

Q In 2008 Ahmed attended the

prestigious David Leadbetter Academy in Florida as part of a scholarship from the Sheikh Maktoum Golf Foundation.

Q His first major tournament win came at the UAE National Championship in 2008 and in 2010 he became the first player from the UAE to qualify for a European Challenge Tour event, competing in the Egyptian Open.

Q Prior to turning professional, Al Musharrekh played regularly

for the UAE National Team and was a member of the squad that won gold at the pan-Arab Games in 2011. A year later he was a standout performer for the UAE in the GCC Championship where he won the tournament’s individual title.

Q In 2012 he accepted a sponsor’s invitation to play in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic where he missed the cut by just three shots after carding a level par 72 in the second round.

WWG: What’s it like being the first and only Emirati professional golfer?

Ahmed Al Musharrekh: Being the only UAE national professional is a big responsibility. I have a responsibility to prove myself and be the best player I can be. It also means I have to practice harder and by doing so I hope I can inspire more young nationals to play golf.

Bn \dVa ^h id ZmeVcY \da[ ^c i]Z J6: VcY h^cXZ >Çb i]Z Ðghi J6: egd[Zhh^dcVa > [ZZa > ]VkZ i]Z gZhedch^W^a^in to carry the country’s name in the region. On an individual level I hope to compete in more international tournaments.

WWG: How do you see the game growing here in the UAE? AM: I think the Emirates Golf Federation is doing a great job but we can always do better. So far the signs are positive and over the last couple of years, we have seen more local juniors taking up the game and I hope this can continue going forward.

WWG: What do you think of the facilities here at the European Tour Performance Institiute and how do you think they can help move the game in the region to the next level?

AM: The facilities here are truly world class. This has to be one of the best such facilities anywhere in the world. It has everything a golfer could need to improve their game - from a fantastic short game practice area and range, to a whole array of hi-tech swing and puttings labs, a fully eqipped gym, excellent physio rooms and some of the best coaches and specialists in the business. A lot of European Tour pros come to the region to use the ETPI to practice, which can only be a good thing in terms of strengthening Dubai’s gZejiVi^dc Vh V ldgaY"XaVhh \da[ YZhi^cVi^dc! Wji i]^h [VX^a^in ^h Vahd V [VciVhi^X WZcZÐi id i]Z adXVa VbViZjg \da[Zgh# > WZa^ZkZ i]Z J6: CVi^dcVa IZVb ^h hZi id WZcZÐi [gdb egVXi^X^c\ VcY YZkZade^c\ ]ZgZ VcY i]Vi XVc only help them greatly improve all aspects of their game as they look to compete with the best on the world stage.

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Why is it important for a golfer to spend time in the gym?

AM: It’s very important for a golfer to spend time in the gym especially nowadays because golf courses are getting much longer so it’s very important for a golfer to hit the ball a long way and one of the best ways you can do that is by working out your upper-body.

It also makes a golfer healthier because we can last longer on the golf course in terms of our energy and fitness levels.

Howie at the helm The Address Montgomerie, Dubai has a new General Manager at the helm in the shape of affable Welshman Howie Roberts. Worldwide Golf caught up with the new boss to ďŹ nd out a bit more about what makes him tick and what heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got planned for The Monty going forwards.

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Arabian GOLF WWG: Were you ever looking to try and make it as a tour pro and when did that change?

HR: Like every young aspiring golfer, my hope was to make a living playing golf on The European Tour. Unfortunately, an injury to my left arm, which prevented any resistance at impact, concluded my career.

WWG: How did you find your way into golf club management?

HR: ;daadl^c\ bn ^c_jgn > cZZYZY id ÐcY V cZl Y^gZXi^dc! hd > WZ\Vc bn \da[ deZgVi^dch management at The Cascades in Soma Bay on The Red Sea in 1999.

WWG: What are the main challenges of life as the GM of The Address Montgomerie Dubai?

HR: There are many different facets to a golf club operation and making sure they all run seamlessly. But the expectation of each and every member is different; what some golfers prefer, others dislike, so this would have to be one of the biggest challenges for any Club Manager.

WWG: What is it that appeals to you about the role?

HR: I]Z dcZ i]^c\ i]Vi > ÐcY bdhi gZlVgY^c\ ^h id ]VkZ i]Z deedgijc^in d[ egdk^Y^c\ i]Z jai^bViZ \daÐc\ ZmeZg^ZcXZ [dg Wdi] i]Z bZbWZgh VcY \jZhih Vi I]Z 6YYgZhh Bdci\dbZg^Z Dubai.

WWG: You’ve worked all around the world – how have your experiences helped prepare you for your current role at The Address Montgomerie Dubai?

HR: I have been lucky to work in some of the most beautiful countries in the world, enabling me to learn about a variety of cultures. At The Address Montgomerie Dubai we have 32 different nationalities, and this creates a real unique environment and melting pot of different cultures, which I have been able to implement through my experience.

WWG: What made you want to come and work in Dubai and at The Address Montgomerie Dubai?

HR: I]ZgZ lVh ValVnh hdbZi]^c\ VWdji 9jWV^ i]Vi YgZl bZ id i]Z X^in! ZheZX^Vaan i]Z \daÐc\ aspect. So when the opportunity came along to join The Address Montgomerie Dubai, I jumped right on it.

WWG: Have you encountered any challenges that are unique to Dubai since taking over the reins?

HR: Not really - after working in so many different locations I feel I am experienced enough to manage any challenges that may arise.

WWG: What makes The Address Montgomerie Dubai stand out among the many other top class golf courses in the region?

HR: The Address Montgomerie Dubai has the privilege of serving both as a golf destination and a lifestyle destination that meets the entire spectrum of needs; I believe this is what sets us apart.

WWG: Tell us about your golfing background, I believe you were fairly successful on the Welsh amateur scene?

HOWIE ROBERTS: I won the Welsh Amateur Championship back in 1992, and then went on to represent Wales in the home internationals in 1992 and 1993.

WWG: What are your plans/goals for the club going forward?

HR: We’re looking to re-energise our food and beverage outlets by innovating our current d[[Zg^c\h# LZÇaa Vahd Xdci^cjZ id egdk^YZ ldgaY"XaVhh \daÐc\ hZgk^XZh VcY [VX^a^i^Zh i]Vi ZcVWaZ us to draw in more members to take advantage of The Address Montgomerie Dubai.

WWG: The club’s restaurant Monty’s has a great reputation – how important is the F&B offering in modern golf club developments and how successful is The Address Montgomerie Dubai in attracting not just golfers but non-golfers to the development?

HR: Incredibly important; many clubs under value the contribution that food and beverages makes to making a successful golf club. Food and beverage is as important to the golf club environment as the course itself. Quite often you will see a great course which is socially quiet in the clubhouse, and when you experience the food and beverage side of the operation you understand the depth of the operations. The total guest experience is a priority of The Address Montgomerie Dubai, and the food and beverage outlets play an integral role in this.

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EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION

CONTACT: www.emiratesgolffederation.com

UAE NATIONAL TEAM PREPARES FOR WORLD AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP IN AUSTRALIA THE UAE National Team travelled to Perth, Australia for a two week training camp at The Vines Resort & Country Club in preparation of the World Amateur Team Championship – Eisenhower Trophy (WATC) in Karuizawa, Japan from September 3rd to 14th.

The WATC is the most prestigious amateur golf event in the world as the top countries across the world send their best amateurs to compete and the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Rory Mcllroy, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer, Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia have all represented their respective countries, to name just a few.

While in Australia the UAE National Team will consist of Sohail Marzuqi, Khalid Yousuf, Abdalla Musharekh, Hassan Musharekh, Rashid Hamood and junior players Saeed

Left to right: Sohail Marzuqi, Khalid Yousuf, Abdalla Musharekh, Khalid Mubarak, Rashid Hamood, Hassan Musharekh, Saeed Balooshi, Ahmed Skaik

Balooshi and Ahmed Skaik. The team will working on technical skills in the areas of all aspects of the game to include long game and short game play. Also, the team will discuss pre shot routines, course management, tournament preparation, ÐicZhh VcY bZciVa higZc\i]Zc^c\# They will play different courses while in Australia as The Vines Resort & Country Club has two courses – The Lakes Course and The Ellenbrook Course and they will travel to play the Meadow Springs Golf and Country Club. An exhibition match versus the Western Australian Team has also been organised to

EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

instil an element of competition to the preparations. The UAE will look to continue this relationship with the Western Australian Team for future practice and exhibition matches.

The UAE Team are accompanied by: Khalid Mubarak (Emirates Golf Federation Secretary General and UAE National Team Manager), Adel Zarouni (Emirates Golf Federation Vice 8]V^gbVc VcY J6: CVi^dcVa IZVb D[ÐX^Va !

Greg Holmes (UAE National Team Coach and PGA Professional) and Ross Bain (UAE National Team Assistant Coach and Asian and European Tour Professional).

CONTACT: Tel : +9714 380 2222 /E-mail: info@dubaigolf.com

EASY ACCESS TO A GOLF HANDICAP AT EGC EMIRATES Golf Club has joined forces with the Emirates Golf Federation to offer an exclusive offer to UAE Residents.

I]Z d[[Zg ^cXajYZh ÐkZ \gZZc [ZZh Vi i]Z Emirates Golf Club plus an Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) membership valid until 31st December 2014 for just AED 1,950.

I]Z ÐkZ gdjcYh dc i]Z BV_a^h dg ;VaYd course are inclusive of golf cart and range balls prior to play plus an EGF membership. This promotion is valid seven days a week and rounds can be booked seven days in advance.

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DUBAI GOLF SUMMER SERIES

CONTACT: www.dubaigolf.com

LALVANI DOUBLES UP AT DUBAI CREEK TANISHQ Lalvani made it two wins from two in the Dubai Golf Summer Series after compiling a superb haul of 37 Stableford points in the second event of the series at Dubai Creek recently.

Lalvani, who is a junior member at Emirates Golf Club, topped the pile after winning a fourway countback and as a result he maintains his spot at the top of the series order of merit with 78 points.

“I would to thank the sponsors for their work in putting together such a great series and also all of the staff here at Dubai Creek for presenting a course in such great condition,” smiled Lalvani after collecting his prize. “I must also say thank you to my parents and my coach for their continued support and my playing partners today, I had a lot of fun out there.”

Tanishq Lalvani collects his prize from, Vikram of sponsors GolfLAN and Stephen Hubner, Golf and Membership Services Manager, Dubai Creek and Rashid Hamood, Golf Experience Manager, Dubai Creek.

Taking second place after losing out to Lalvani’s superior inward half was past Dubai Creek Lady Captain Maureen Platt while Nick Chittenden took third place.

The best gross prize was awarded to Emirates Golf Club’s Pontus Fredriksson who shot a gross 68 for 39 points while the ladies prize was ldc Wn @ViZ 9j[[n! l]d Ðc^h]ZY l^i] V idiVa d[ 33 points.

Arjun Gupta was the junior winner after a

JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

ÐcZ iVaan d[ () ed^cih VcY i]ZgZ lZgZ CZVgZhi the Pin prizes for Gary Chapman, Mukesh Sharma and Kunal Chauhan on holes 5, 8 and 16 respectively.

Dhruv Verma, CEO of sponsors GolfLAN commented: “Despite the hot conditions there was some great golf played today on the Dubai Creek course, GolfLAN are proud to be associated with this event and congratulations to all the winners today.”

CONTACT: Tel : +971 4 375 999

SAY SNARES THE SUMMER OPEN

SUPERB SCORING IN MEMBER GUEST OPEN THE Fire course played host to the Open Championship Scramble recently as 24 teams battled it out in a quest for honours and coming out on top was the team of Ernest Hosking, Graham Walker, @Zak^c IVnÐZaY VcY 8dgZn Heg^c\ Vh i]Zn produced a stunning back nine of just 26 higd`Zh id Ðc^h] l^i] V \gdhh *( VcY V cZi 48.4 There was very little to choose between the next three placed teams with the team

of Stephen Watson, Anthony Bale, Martin Fernandez and Mark Holmans taking second place thanks to their gross score of 52 (the best of the day) for a net 50.2.

In third place was the team of James and Jane Bishop, Jonny Marshal and David Anderson with an excellent gross 54 for a net 51.

The Nearest the Pin prize went to Anthony Bale on hole 14 while Jon Nurse clinched the Longest Drive on hole 7.

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THIS year’s Summer Open saw 80 competitors brave the hot and humid conditions on the Fire course and Andrew Say emerged victorious with a formidable 45 point haul.

Tristan Webster took second place after carding V \gdhh ,* id Ðc^h] l^i] )& ed^cih l]^aZ i]^gY place went to Richard Aybar who only dropped ed^cih dc ild ]daZh id Ðc^h] l^i] )% ed^cih# The Division ‘B’ prizes were all decided on card countbacks and Raymi Van Der Spek came out on ide dkZg [Zaadl bZbWZg 8]g^h ;dggZhi id iV`Z Ðghi place with 39 points. Third place in Division ‘B’ was YZX^YZY i]gdj\] V ÐkZ"lVn XVgY XdjciWVX` VcY iV`^c\ i]Z ÐcVa eaVXZ dc i]Z edY^jb lVh ?d]c Matthews courtesy of 21 points on the back nine.

The ladies division again saw another countback Vh AnccZ Lna^Z VcY DgcZaaV EVg^\^ Wdi] Ðc^h]ZY on 34 points. In the end it was decided by just one point with Wylie being crowned champion after completing her back nine holes with 19 points.

DUBAI CREEK GOLF AND YACHT CLUB

CONTACT: Tel : +971 4 295 6000 / www.dubaigolf.com

THOMAS SEALS THE SUMMER OPEN OVER 70 players turned out to compete in the 2014 Ping Summer Open and taking the spoils was Rayhan Thomas who notched up his second victory of the summer by carding a round of 1-over-par 72.

“I would like to say thank you to all of the sponsors and all of the staff at the Creek for hosting this wonderful event,” said Thomas after the win. “I must also thank my playing partners for a great round today.”

Martin Haymer clinched the runner-up spot with a solid round of 2-over 73.

The Men’s net Division was won by Joe St. John for his score of 3-under 68 while Aziz 6a =V`^b Ðc^h]^c\ gjccZg"je as he beat John Fahy and Qamar Rasheed on a countback V[iZg i]Z ig^d Ðc^h]ZY i^ZY dc 73.

Katherine Duffy claimed top

Champion Rayhan Thomas collects his prize from Stuart Taylor, Sales Manager, ProSports International, Rashid Hamood, Golf Experience Manager, Dubai Creek (left) and Stephen Hubner, Golf and Membership Services Manager, Dubai Creek.

honours in the Ladies Division with a level par score of net 71 while fellow member Glory Xavier was runner-up after carding a 76.

The Junior Division was very closely contested with Shyam Kakar and Mikhail Pinto Ðc^h]^c\ i^ZY [dg i]Z ide hedi on net 70 but in the end it was Pinto who claimed the title via a countback thanks to his a better inward half.

Thakur Tolani picked up his second victory of the month with a net 74 to win the Seniors Division while Shyam Kakar collected the Nearest the Pin prize on hole 14 and James Gonsalvez won the same prize on hole 5.

Jai Bhalla and Ishwar Jodha were the Beat The Pro winner’s for their impressive efforts on hole 8. After presenting the prizes Stuart Taylor, Sales

Manager ProSports International thanked the Dubai Creek & Yacht Club for their continued support.

“A huge thank you to you all for your support today and also your continued support with ProSports,” Taylor said.

“I must thank the Stephen Hubner and all of his team at the Creek for their efforts and the golf course maintenance team.”

SAVAGE AND PINTO STAR AT MASHREQ MEDAL THE second edition of the Dubai Golf Mashreq Medal Championship saw two superb performances from Kevin Savage and junior member Mikhail Pinto who Ðc^h]ZY i^ZY l^i] hXdgZh d[ ++# After their cards were compared the top prize when to Pinto thanks to his better inward half.

With Savage narrowly missing out on the overall title, his 66 was enough for him to claim top spot in the Men’s Division ‘A’ ahead of Ishpal Bajaj who bagged the runner-up

spot for his 67. Emirates Golf Club member Fletcher Wheeler took the Men’s ‘B’ Division title with a score of 1-under par net 70 while Dinesh Sharma was runner-up in the division after shooting a 77.

Glory Xavier was back in the winner’s circle with a level par 71 to top the Ladies Division.

I]V`jg IdaVc^ XaV^bZY ]^h Ðghi l^c d[ i]Z series with a fantastic score of 67 in the Seniors Division. Max Burrow showed his talent yet again by picking up the best gross prize for his 3-over par 74.

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Mikhail Pinto accepts his prize from Parag Tikekar, Head Of Mashreq Gold, as Stephen Hubner, Golf & Membership Services Manager, Dubai Creek looks on.

ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB

CONTACT: Tel : +971 2 558 8990 / www.adgolfclub.com

CHOI AND DE ANGELO CAPTURE THE EMIRATES PALACE RAMADAN OPEN A TOTAL of 35 teams took to Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club’s Championship courses for a weekend of fierce competition at the highly-anticipated Emirates Palace Ramadan Open.

Taking top spot after two days of impressive scoring the was the duo of Young Souk Choi and David De Angelo who YZbdchigViZY hjeZgW Xdch^hiZcXn id Xa^cX] Ðghi eaVXZ l^i] an overall score of 89 points.

Konstantin Zoebalas and Paul Stent carded 87 points to take second place with Jung Bin Kim and Jung Hyeok Kim in third with a respectable 86 points.

The opening round of the 36-hole Pairs Better Ball Stableford took place at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, the Gulf’s Ðghi WZVX]"[gdci XdjghZ! WZ[dgZ ^i hljc\ dkZg id 6Wj 9]VW^ <da[ 8ajWÇh CVi^dcVa XdjghZ [dg i]Z YZX^h^kZ ÐcVa YVn#

ABU DHABI INTERN PROGRAMMES TEES UP DOUBLE THE OPPORTUNITIES SAADIYAT Beach Golf Club and Abu Dhabi Golf Club have teed off the first of a twophase competitive internship programme for 2014.

I]Z Ðghi WViX] d[ ÐkZ ^ciZgch ]VkZ _d^cZY the Troon Golf managed courses from Birmingham University in the United Kingdom where they are studying for their degrees in Applied Golf Management Studies.

A second batch of students from the UK will join the two clubs this month to undertake a nine-month long internship where they will gain invaluable experience working at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which is celebrating its 10 year anniversary in January.

Demonstrating what opportunities the internship programme can provide, Abu Dhabi Golf Club has offered a full-time position as Assistant Golf Professional to Josh Taylor, who was an intern in 2013.

Following nine months at the club, the 22-year-old clinched the position with a successful interview and impressive presentation to Troon Golf.

“Year on year we are impressed by these students’ outstanding talent, initiative, passion and work ethic,” said Phil Waine, Golf Operations Manager at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

“We are delighted to provide them with international experience at a world class facility that can lead to fantastic opportunities, such as Josh’s full-time position at the club.”

Kyle Copper, Jack Bramford and Bradley Barnes join the golf operations team at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club while Harry Cloke and Jordan Howlett join Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Their roles involve taking care of members and guests and assisting in the retail operations of the clubs.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s latest interns Harry Cloke and Jordan Howlett.

Kyle Copper, Jack Bramford and Bradley Barnes will join the team at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

BURKHARDT BANKS THE MEDAL THE August edition of the members’ medal competition produced some superb scoring with 20 players taking on the National course at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Laurie Burkhardt’s exceptional round of 74 was the lowest gross score of the day and was enough for ]^b id XaV^b Ðghi eaVXZ# >c i]Z bZcÇh 0-14 handicap competition it was J.V. Delos Santos who carded a round

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of 72 to edge out Paul Spinks while in the 15+ handicap contest David Crabbe’s score of 73 was enough to hZXjgZ Ðghi eaVXZ V]ZVY d[ @VbVa Belaid, who took second place with a notable round of 76.

Lina Tyson completed a clean sweep in the ladies competitions after posting an exceptional score of 73 and winning the nearest to the pin competition.

THE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE DUBAI

CONTACT: Tel : +971 4 390 5600 /www.themontgomerie.com

ZABRODIN CROWNED EID SUMMER CHAMPION AT THE MONTGOMERIE

Valerie Zabrodin - Eid Summer Series Champion.

WITH an impressive total of 85 points, Valerie Zabrodin won the four-day Eid Stableford Tournament recently with Vera Bondarenko in second place six points further back.

Meanwhile Alan Salem was in impressive form last month with back-to-back wins at the Joker Stableford tournament and the ‘Stringball meets PGA’ event.

Vera Bondarenko - Eid Summer Series Runner-Up.

AL BADIA GOLF CLUB

CONTACT: Tel : +971 4 6010101 / www.albadiagolfclub.ae

RASMUESSEN REVELS IN SUMMER OPEN

AL BADIA TOO GOOD FOR AL HAMRA

VISITING player Rune Rasmussen clinched the gross division title at the recent Summer Open with a score of 79 thanks largely to an impressive 1-over-par back nine.

New member Chris Worne entered the winners circle for i]Z Ðghi i^bZ l^i] V cZi ,& l]^X] hVl ]^b l^c 9^k^h^dc Æ6#Ç A countback was needed to determine the winner of 9^k^h^dc Æ7Ç V[iZg 9Vc^Za =^aa VcY K^cVn BVYVc Wdi] Ðc^h]ZY with a net score of 71. In the end Madan’s superior showing on the back nine was just enough to edge Hill out.

AL Badia Golf Club capitalised on their home advantage as they defeated Al Hamra Golf Club 9¼ - 1¼ in August’s InterClub Trivector tournament.

Sixteen members represented Al Badia with standout matches including comprehensive 6 and 5 victories for Al Badia’s Vice Captain Colin Cordery and partner Paul Batson as well as for the pair of Noel Connolly and Charles.

However, Club Captain Richard @^b VcY DbZg HVÐ lZgZ dcan able to came out with a half and will be ruing their chances to close out their match after being ÐkZ"je l^i] hZkZc ]daZh id eaVn#

REDGERS REIGNS AT RIVOLI MEDAL JASON Redgers carded a net 72 to finish as the overall winner of the August Rivoli Medal. Club Champion Keith Nann took home the best gross prize for his round of 81 while Kieran O’Connor topped Division ‘A’ with a net 73.

9Vk^Y LViZg]djhZ e^X`ZY je ]^h Ðghi G^kda^ l^c l^i] Vc ^begZhh^kZ cZi ,* id iV`Z i]Z 9^k^h^dc Æ7Ç i^iaZ while in the ladies division it was Jacqueline O’Connor who followed up her July win to take the top prize. With the win O’Connor put herself in with a chance of a hat-trick of Rivoli wins come September.

CONNELY AND NANN SNAG THE PAIRS SCRAMBLE NOEL Connolly and Keith Nann combined to post an impressive net score of 65.4 to win the recent Pairs Scramble.

The duo of Paul Batson and ?Z[ InaZg Ðc^h]ZY hZXdcY l^i] Pictured left: Keith Nann and Noel Connolly with Club Captain Richard Kim.

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a net score of 67 with Oliver Cierpka and Jurry de Vries third on 67.8.

The Longest Drive of the day was won by Danny Drew for his cracking drive on the second hole while the Nearest the Pin was won by Oliver Cierpka for her effort on the picturesque par-3 eleventh.

SHARJAH GOLF AND SHOOTING CLUB

CONTACT: Tel : +971 6 548 7777 /E: info@golfandshootingshj.com

KOREAN DUO SHOOT 67 TO CLAIM MAIDEN VICTORY

Winners Joung Du Lee and Hoseob Park are pictured with SGSC Golf Professional Scott Graham.

HOSEOB Park and Joung Du Lee, two new members, teamed up to win the BMW Members and Guests Social in their very first competition together.

The Korean duo produced nines of 36 and 31 for a total of 67 with the highlight being Du Lee’s superb net eagle on the par-4 tenth hole.

With a morning and afternoon shotgun set-up allowing for additional teams to sign up, it was the scratch team duo of John Gould and Mike Robson who

returned a net score of 33.8 to top the Texas Scramble format. Meanwhile the partnership of Roy Holmes and Kim @g^hi^VchZc Ðc^h]ZY l^i] V ('#- id iV`Z second place.

The afternoon back-nine better ball competition proved to be a one-sided affair as Peter Boylan and Anthony Gilliam roared to a score of 7-under net 29 to claim victory while a 1-under 35 was good enough for Mukti Rai and Praveen Sharma to claim second place.

JUNIOR HIBBERT TOO HOT TO HANDLE BUDDING golfer Max Hibbert fired a steady round of 1-under-par 35 to win the recent Centro Sharjah by Rotana Midweek Medal by a single shot.

Max’s father Gary Hibbert was one of two golfers who fell just shy of the overall winning score, however Hibbert senior kept a clean scorecard to Ðc^h] l^i] V aZkZa eVg (+ id claim the Division ‘2’ award.

In the Division ‘1’ category there was joy for Indian golfer K^cdY 6gnV l]d ÐcVaan \di ]^h just reward for a number of \ddY gdjcYh VcY cZVg Ðc^h]Zh in recent weeks – a score of level par 36 was good enough for him to claim top spot All three golfers picked up Pro Shop vouchers with Hibbert junior also walking home with a one night weekend stay at the Centro Sharjah Hotel.

KIM STEALS RAMADAN STABLEFORD GOLDEN Kim used his experience around his home Sharjah track as to run away with the GolfWorld sponsored Ramadan Stableford Series event.

The Ramadan Stableford Series was open to all golfers with a valid handicap everyday throughout the month of Ramadan with a golfer’s overall score being the WZhi ÐkZ gdjcYh [gdb Vh bVcn 9-hole rounds as they played. Kim

made a steady start to the event by opening up with a 22 followed by a string of 18s and a couple of 20s. However he was tracked down quickly by fellow member and professional Purna Sharma who played some scintillating golf during the month.

H]VgbV Ðc^h]ZY i]Z bdci] l^i] a total of 103 points but when it looked like the event was all done and dusted, Kim stepped

LEE CRUISES TO VICTORY IN MIDWEEK BOGEY NEW member Joung Du Lee tasted success in his first month at the club by winning the August edition of the Coral Beach Resort Midweek Bogey.

AZZ ÐgZY V hXdgZ d[ )"je V\V^chi i]Z XdjghZ id l^c Wn V h^c\aZ h]di# =^h scorecard was a picture of consistency as he dropped no shots in his whole round and recorded wins against the course on four holes.

One behind Lee on 3-up was the big hitting Indian Chandan Vaidya who, after getting his round off to a disastrous start with a triple bogey 7, XVbZ WVX` higdc\an id XaV^b l^ch dc ÐkZ ]daZh# KV^YnV ldc i]Z ide eg^oZ in the net Division ‘1’ ahead of Korean Tony Bang.

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up to the plate and produced two rounds that yielded 25 points to nudge him ahead of Sharma with a total of 112 points.

Third-spot went to Emirati golfer Yousef Al Ali who held off a late surge from EGF golfer Tristan Mayor to secure third place.

In total, 77 different golfers teed it up throughout the month-long event to combine for a whopping total of 260 nine-hole games.

ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB

CONTACT: Tel : +971 4 366 3000 /E-mail: info@arabianranchesgolf.ae

BARRETT AND MCKELVY SHINE AT RIVOLI MONTHLY MEDAL KEVIN Barrett returned a gross score of two over par 74 to win the August Rivoli Monthly Medal supported by Speed Cleaning.

Barrett carded consistent nines of 35 and 39 and won via a countback over Markus Hacker.

The Division ‘A’ net title and round of the day belonged to Club Captain Terry Vaughan who posted a net 69 to defeat Tom Freer.

In Division ‘B’ it was Mike Henderson took the title by posting a gross score of 90 to

win via a count back over Ian Hannah. The Ladies Division was once again dominated

by Adele McKelvey who posted a gross 81 to add another medal to her already impressive collection.

ROOMS GOES LOW TO WIN THE INDIVIDUAL STABLEFORD JAMIE Rooms posted 38 points to win the August Individual Stableford event thanks largely to an outward half of 20 points which included one net birdie and a net eagle.

Rooms kept his cool on the back nine to post a further 18 points with the only blemish coming at the eleventh hole where he did not score any points. Rooms clinched a two-shot victory over Ian Hannah who took second place over Graeme Wallace after a card countback.

In the Ladies division it was Lady Club Champion Adele McKelvey who claimed the title with a tally of 37 points. McKelvey carded nines of 18 and 19 points to record a twoshot victory over Elli Oschmann.

“We thank all the Members for their continued support during 2014 and hope that we can provide an even better golfing experience for them during the rest of the season,” said Club Captain Terry Vaughan.

AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB

CONTACT: Tel : +971 7 244 7474 /E-mail: enquiries@alhamragolf.com

RIDER REIGNS IN FLOODLIT CHALLENGE LEE Rider returned to the top of the Floodlit Challenge podium after he completed a comfortable two point victory recently.

Rider carded a solid 20 point tally in the Individual Stableford format to take the top prize ahead of Mohammed Darwish.

Darwish was in scintillating form and was helped along the way by his fabulous hole-in-one on the fourth hole, however, he had to settle for second in the main prizes with his level par 18 points but he did win the nearest the pin prize.

Third-place was taken by Rae Kondes for her tally of 17 points which was just enough to see her sneak in front of Darryl Manuel after a card countback.

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ABU DHABI

SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB

CONTACT: Tel : +971 2 557 8000 /Email: info@sbgolfclub.ae

TROON GOLF ASSOCIATES TEE-UP ANNUAL BATTLE THE opening matches of Troon Golf’s Associates Inter-club Challenge have produced some excellent scoring and sitting in the top spot after two fixtures is The Address Montgomerie Dubai, six points clear of Saadiyat Beach.

Cdl ^c ^ih i]^gY nZVg h^cXZ Vaa ÐkZ Igddc <da[ properties entered into the competition, the series is played with teams of eight in an Individual Stableford format where the top six scores count towards each team.

The opening match saw reigning champions The Track Meydan Golf take id i]Z <ja[Çh Ðghi WZVX][gdci \da[ XdjghZ to begin their title defence at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club but it was The Address Montgomerie Dubai who began strongest, opening up with 222 points, 12 clear of Saadiyat Beach with Abu Dhabi Golf Club third. However, after round two Saadiyat Beach closed the gap at the top as they won on the day with 213 points – six ahead of

The Address Montgomerie Dubai. A score of 429 sees The Address Mongomerie Dubai lead overall with Saadiyat Beach on 423, The Track Meydan third on 384, Abu Dhabi Golf Club fourth on 373 and The Els Club propping up the pile on 325 points.

At the opening match Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Agronomist Krishna Kumar made the most of the home advantage as he scored 42 points to secure the title of overall individual l^ccZg l]^aZ Vi i]Z hZXdcY ÐmijgZ ?VWj Zantsi from The Address Montgomerie Dubai top scores with 45 points.

Main: All the players prepare to compete in the opening match.

Above: Krishna Kumar receives the prize as the individual winner at the opening event.

THE ROYAL GOLF CLUB

CONTACT: Tel: +973 17 750777

LANE WINS THE ORDER OF MERIT

MUBARAK CLINCHES THE BMW MEDAL

ROYAL Golf Club Member Debbie Lane won the Ladies TaylorMade Stableford Order of Merit for the second quarter of 2014 with a total of 21 points. Sara Thompson was the runner up with 17 points while Lady Vice Captain Anne Quintino narrowly won third place with 13 points on a count back.

BAHRAINI national Hamad Mubarak clinched the August edition of the Euro Motors BMW Monthly Medal Series at the Royal Golf Club with a net score of 70, winning on a count back over David Wales. A count back separated the top two in the second division of the popular Members’ series with Robert Addison taking top spot and Naeem Ullah Khan

coming second after both carded net scores of 75. In division three it lVh ?jc\ @njc\ Nddc ldc Ðghi eaVXZ with net 73 as well as the best ladies net score, while Sam Jong Kim was runner up with a net 75. All six players will now progress on to the Euro Motors BMW Grand Final which will take place at the Royal Golf Club in December.

DATE SET FOR ROYAL PRO AM OVER 100 golfers will tee off on Wednesday, October 3 in the Royal Golf Club’s Ð[i] VccjVa Egd 6b idjgcVbZci l]^X] ^h ZmeZXiZY id ViigVXi V cjbWZg d[ professional and amateur golfers from around the GCC region and beyond.

The prestigious event will feature three amateur players per team, each led by a PGA professional as they battle for a share of the prize pool.

For further information and to sign up for the Royal Golf Club Pro Am, contact John Wilson, Golf Operations & Events Manager on j.wilson@ theroyalgolfclub.com

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YAS LINKS GOLF CLUB

CONTACT: Tel : +971 2 810 7777 /E-mail: info@yaslinks.com

BRADLEY AND WHATLING WALTZ TO ECCO CHALLENGE VICTORY THE dynamic duo of Randy Bradley and Alan Whatling narrowly won the Yas Links ECCO Challenge after a dramatic tussle with Bryan Wilson and Andrew Campell.

7di] eV^gh Ðc^h]ZY l^i] (- ed^cih Wji V[iZg i]Z XdjciWVX` ^i lVh 7gVYaZn VcY Whatling who emerged victorious.

REVELL AND MCCLURE SNAG THE MEDAL MIKE Revell clinched the top prize in Category ‘A’ (hcp %"&' Vi i]Z gZXZci 8VY^aaVX BZYVa Vh ]Z Ðc^h]ZY i]Z YVn with a net score of 79. Neil Morgan came out on top in 8ViZ\dgn Æ7Ç ]Xe &("(+ Vh ]Z Ðc^h]ZY l^i] Vc ^begZhh^kZ net score of 91 while Brian McClure continued his glowing run of form as he carded the day’s overall best gross score with a fantastic 82.

JEFFERSON AND CHOI TRIUMPH AT RAMADAN OPEN

MURPHY DOMINATES THE ETIHAD OPEN STABLEFORD YAS Links welcomed a generous mix of members and guests to beat the heat for the Etihad Open Stableford summer event and coming out on top in Division ‘A’ (hcp 0-14) was Maurice Murphy as he finished the day with a solid 40 points.

Second place went to Yas Links member Brian McClure who carded 36 points while Gus Heber Ðc^h]ZY ^c i]^gY eaVXZ# The top spot in Division ‘B’ (hcp 15-36) went id BVgi^c @^YY l]d Ðc^h]ZY i]Z YVn l^i] Vc impressive 39 points. Second place went to James =dY\Ziih l]d Ðc^h]ZY ]^h gdjcY l^i] V gZheZXiVWaZ 37 points while Jon Sharp fought hard to seal third eaVXZ Vh ]Z Ðc^h]ZY l^i] (* ed^cih#

OVER 100 members and guests teed off at the annual Ramadan Open at Yas Links and Wanni Jefferson and Yong Sock Choi came out on top with an impressive 45 points. Prachak Svastisinha and Warawuth Chuwiruch Ðc^h]ZY ^c V XadhZ hZXdcY _jhi one point behind the winners while Jung Bin Kim and Jung Hyuk Kim took home third place with 43 points.

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DRIVING RANGE

GOLF

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TEE TIMES

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THE LOOK

STYLE

IVANKA TRUMP is not just the glamorous image of The Trump Organisation, as Executive Vice President of Development and Acquisitions, she is also the driving force and the guiding influence behind the company’s interior design for their real estate and hotel management. She also has a Bachelor of Science and Economics degree. Here she talks to Mike Gallemore about her ideas for the Trump International Golf Club and the Trump Estates at AKOYA

by DAMAC, Dubai. »

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STYLE INTERVIEW

WWG: What were your impressions of the Trump International course and the overall development at AKOYA by DAMAC? IVANKA: We are thrilled with the progress of the development and truly impressed with the architectural excellence visible in each structure, which will be complimented by the most luxurious interiors, landscaping and views of the Championship course. We are proud to be involved with this amazing property, which is quickly becoming known as the most desirable place to live in Dubai.

WWG: How much time do you expect to spend in Dubai overseeing the project, or do you work on the basis of an ongoing number of site visits?

IVANKA: My father, my brothers and I very much understand the value of having an on-site presence, as we are deeply committed to being involved in every aspect of our various projects from inception. It’s extremely important to us to visit our properties on a regular basis and stay on top of all the various stages of development. As Trump Estates progresses, we will continue to make regular visits.

WWG: Since joining the Trump Organisation in 2005 what do your duties entail and what will be your input into the AKOYA

by DAMAC development?

IVANKA: Alongside my brothers, I am responsible for the domestic and global expansion of the company’s real estate interests. My father and brothers and I direct all areas of the company’s real estate, golf and hotel management platforms and actively participate in all aspects of both Trump projects, including deal evaluation, pre-development planning, ÐcVcX^c\! YZh^\c! XdchigjXi^dc! hVaZh VcY bVg`Zi^c\! VcY ensuring that our world-renowned physical and operational standards are met. I am involved in all decisions — large and small — from the acquisition phase to determining the interior selections for residences and hotel suites in all our Trump properties worldwide. For AKOYA by DAMAC, I am spearheading the interior design of all 100 super-luxury villas.

WWG: Which aspect of your many responsibilities within the company gives you the most pleasure?

IVANKA: I’m incredibly passionate about what I do, whether it’s ÐcVcX^c\! cZ\di^Vi^c\! bVg`Zi^c\! bVcV\ZbZci###^iÇh Vaa VWdji advancing our brand and identifying the best assets around the world to add to our portfolio in a strategic way. The best thing is the tangible nature of real estate. We can see, touch and experience our work. It’s incredibly rewarding to acquire an asset and watch its progression from its inception, through to its construction, design and beyond.

WWG: The Trump Hotel Collection has earned accolades within the industry – which of the existing properties, including New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Panama, Toronto etc do you most value, and why?

IVANKA: We pride ourselves on developing properties that VgZ jc^fjZ id i]Z^g heZX^ÐX adXVa^in# :VX] ]diZa edhhZhhZh ^ih own distinguishing characteristics and amenities and each property has experienced great success. Right now we are focused on bringing our newest additions to the Trump Hotel Collection, including Washington, D.C., Vancouver and Rio, to fruition while identifying other opportunities for global expansion.

WWG: You earned considerable praise for Trump becoming the developer of the The Old Post Office in Washington D.C. – how did that come about?

IVANKA: Ild"VcY"V"]Va[ nZVgh V\d! i]Z DaY Edhi D[ÐXZ lVh the most sought-after redevelopment opportunity in the United States with its incomparable combination of iconic architecture and unbelievable location, right between the White House and the United States Capitol on Pennsylvania Avenue. We were eager to pursue what we knew was an incredible asset and ultimately prevailed over almost every major luxury hotel company. We recently broke ground and ZmeZXi id deZc l]Vi lZ eaVc id WZ i]Z ÐcZhi ]diZa ^c i]Z country in 2016.

WWG: You were also responsible for acquiring Doral and overseeing the renovation of the hotel, property and golf course. Are you pleased with the result or is it still an ongoing project?

IVANKA: Trump National Doral Miami is a resort spanning 800 acres in the heart of Miami, with 5 world-class golf courses, over 100,000 sq. feet of ballrooms and meeting spaces and a *%!%%% hf# [ddi heV! Vaa _jhi ÐkZ b^aZh [gdb i]Z V^gedgi# >i ^h hjX] a unique asset, which really can’t be replicated today.

Traditionally, resorts of this calibre are built many miles outside major cities, but its accessibility is one of the many characteristics that makes Doral so incredible. As part of the extensive renovation, Trump National Doral® Miami’s ÐkZ X]Vbe^dch]^e \da[ XdjghZh l^aa Vaa WZ Zc]VcXZY VcY some are anticipating the Gil Hanse-designed Gold & Red Courses to rival the incredible Blue Monster. In addition to the newly designed hotel lobby there’s a completely remodeled swimming complex, known as The Royal Palm Pool, featuring a lush landscape and an expansive patio design, along with 22 lavish cabanas. The Resort has over 100,000 square feet comprising six elegant indoor and outdoor premier event venues. There are also Clubhouse improvements with an incredible new golf shop – one of the largest in the country, plus we’ve added modern locker room facilities. We also have a celebrated 48,000 square foot resort spa with over 100 signature spa treatments and services plus a fully redesigned hiViZ"d["i]Z"Vgi ÐicZhh XZcigZ# 6YY^i^dcVaan! Vaa djg cZl restaurant and bar concepts will be introduced to the property, including the critically acclaimed BLT Prime.

»

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IVANKA TRUMP is a keen golfer who plays off a handicap of 25.

She has played many of Trump Internationalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenging Championship courses including Doral and Turnberry.

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STYLE INTERVIEW

WWG: How does your involvement with Trump International Realty work and would there be any possibility of this extending to Dubai and the UAE? IVANKA: Trump International Realty is a luxury fullservice brokerage, delivering distinctive properties and services unparalleled in the industry. My brothers and I launched Trump International Realty less than two years ago and we have enlisted the most talented brokers in New York where we are showcasing truly incredible, one-ofa-kind luxury living, very much like Trump Estates in Dubai. I work in tandem with our executives and brokers, ensuring that our world-renowned standards are met and we are regularly exceeding industry standards. We are always looking for expansion opportunities and unique assets both here and abroad.

WWG: Is there anything specifically unique envisaged for the interior design of the villas?

Do you already have certain ideas in mind?

IVANKA: The Trump Estates villas will be the ultimate in luxurious accommodation, distinguished amenities and services. Each villa will feature natural materials combined with elegant neutral hues and a gorgeous glass façade.

The design concept is based on utilising space, texture and natural light. All of the villas will offer stunning views of the 18-hole golf

course on which they are situated.

We are looking to create a unique luxury experience unparalleled in the Middle East.

WWG: Would you be looking to introduce your Ivanka Trump Fine Jewellery brand into the UAE, along with your footwear, fashion etc?

IVANKA: The Al Tayer Group is my partner in the UAE. They oversee our distribution at Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdale’s in Dubai. They have been incredibly supportive of bn ÐcZ _ZlZaaZgn XdaaZXi^dc VcY lZ are continuing to grow the brand

in and around Dubai. My brand is considered among the fastest growing brands in the fashion industry. With collections spanning ÐcZ _ZlZagn! [ddilZVg! ]VcYWV\h! outerwear, apparel, swimwear, eyewear, fragrance, scarves, gloves, hats, belts, children’s footwear and home accessories, it is a multi-category lifestyle brand, created to meet the needs of the modern working woman.

Right now, our focus is on fostering our wholesale relationships and our online and specialty store Wjh^cZhhZh# 7ji lZ YZÐc^iZan add`

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forward to extending the global reach of the Ivanka Trump brand in the future.

WWG: Would you be interested in bringing the UN Girl Up campaign to the Middle East?

IVANKA: The movement is about girls supporting and empowering one another no matter where they are in the world, and that is absolutely something that can translate to the Middle East just as it does in the U.S. I am very proud to be part of such a relevant and important organisation.

DRIVING RANGE

JEEP Grand Cherokee SRT

T

he 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is the perfect combination of brain and brawn. Like its predecessors, the SRT is stylishly muscular on the outside and brilliantly functional from the inside, making it an SUV with a difference.

Luxury is a check box that Jeep is never shy of emphatically ticking and the SRT is no different with the interior offering new levels of advanced user-friendly technology and connectivity highlighted by an 8.4” touchscreen.

From the outside, the SRT has gone for a

more towering new look from its previous models by introducing a much chunkier, WZZÐZg \g^aaZ! V WgVcY cZl h^\cVijgZ A:9 character lamp treatment and a one-touch lift-gate. To add to all of that, the new rear spoiler gives the SRT just that extra bit of authority on the road.

However for all its improvements from the outside, the biggest enhancement for the 2014 model is the all-new fully electronic eight-speed automatic transmission.

And boy is it a doozy. >c VYY^i^dc id d[[Zg^c\ h^\c^ÐXVcian

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improved fuel economy (who wouldn’t say no to lower petrol bills?), the automatic transmission delivers a smoother, more powerful pick-up, adding to the Grand Cherokee SRT’s fun-to-drive factor. The eight-speed automatic transmission is Vahd heZX^ÐXVaan Zc\^cZZgZY id dei^b^hZ shift quality and shift points for drivability, performance and fuel economy.

Combined with its new standard launch control which delivers a slightly more enhanced acceleration performance, trust us when we say you’ll be hoping your morning commute to work just won’t end.

SRT Pulling power The new features of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT bolster its already impressive towing capacity to 2,269 kgs, up a whopping 44% from previous models.

SRT Performance The performance experience of the 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT is led by a change in the transfer case proportioning and dynamic controls available in the Selec-Track system.

When the Track Mode is selected, 70% of the vehicle’s engine torque force is delivered to the rear wheels translating to a more pronounced rearwheel-drive experience.

6cdi]Zg YZÐc^c\ [ZVijgZ of the SRT’s drivability is its superior braking performance which will, quite literally, stop you in your tracks. The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT requiring only 116 feet to come to a full stop when travelling at speeds of up to 60 mph.

As usual, Jeep has outdone itself to ensure that drivers have the safest experience possible behind the wheel. Advanced safety features in the SRT include Forward Collision Warning where drivers are alerted to gVe^Yan VeegdVX]^c\ igV[ÐX ^[ i]Zn VgZ driving at unsafe speeds.

Furthermore, the Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection features go a long way in aiding drivers when changing lanes on busy highways and parking in to tight spots.

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SRT Interior The 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT has delivered big time in terms of ^ciZg^dg ajmjgn# :Vh^an i]Z bdhi h^\c^ÐXVci ^ciZg^dg Zc]VcXZbZci is the brand new Uconnect 8.4AN radio touchscreen. The 8.4’ display shows a wealth of SRT-exclusive Performance Pages which includes lateral acceleration, recent track times, 0-60 mph times and more.

All the data is shown in full-colour and what’s even better is that it can be shared easily with other SRT enthusiasts via a built-in 3G connection.

The eye-catching centre console features a newly leatherwrapped T-handler shifter that is as stylish as it is easily maneuverable. Also new is the redesigned SRT-exclusive threehed`Z hiZZg^c\ l]ZZa l^i] V ÑVi Wdiidb l]^X] d[[Zgh V idc d[ comfort.

TEE TIMES

Jaermann & Stübi

Jaermann & Stübi is a Swiss watch manufacturer and the inventor of the first ever luxury watch with a mechanical movement and complication that counts your strokes during a round of golf.

What’s even better is that it compares your score with your handicap, allowing you to see if you whether or not you played to your handicap.

Therefore it’s no surprise that Jaermann & Stübi became the official timepiece licensee of St. Andrews Links golf course – The Home of Golf.

Trans Atlantic TA3 The “Trans Atlantic” is equipped l^i] V 8DH8"XZgi^ÐZY 6&% caliber automatic chronometer movement. A table on the rotary bezel of this model shows both meters and yards. The Trans Atlantic model has a mechanical counter for the number of strokes at the hole to be played, a totalizer for the overall score after 18 holes played and a retrograde display for the hole being currently played. The rotary bezel compares the total score after a round of golf with the player’s handicap.

Nick Faldo NF1/ Limited Edition The limited Faldo Series watch, the case was forged from the golf clubs used by Nick Faldo to win the 1997 Los Angeles Open, his last tournament as a professional golfer. Each watch case of the limited edition of 72 timepieces can be ascribed to one of the irons used by Nick, which makes the remarkable watch all the more unique.

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Queen of Golf QG2 If you’re a woman who loves golf, then this watch is for you. Jaermann & Stübi has gone above and beyond to reinvent the perfect golf watch with a stylish mechanical golf counter. This exclusive time piece features a 38 mm stainless steel case with rounded pushers, a mechanical counter and a totaliser to count up your score after your round.

This watch is a hole-in-one.

St. Andrews Links Course Timer & GMT SC1 When you’re on the course, there’s nothing more important than to keep up with the pace of play. That’s why Jaermann & Stübi’s St. Andrews Links Course Timer & GMT collection has a timer which tracks ]dl adc\ ^i iV`Zh id Ðc^h] V gdjcY d[ \da[# It works using a rotating crown with which the outer hour ring can be turned and set to the starting time. The same mechanism can also be used to display a second time zone, so you won’t miss your tee time at St. Andrews.

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From September 2014, these exclusive timepieces will be available at selected golf club shops and specialised watch dealers throughout the UAE – prices per watch start at AED 29,000.

For more information, you can visit: www.facebook.com/jaermann.stuebi.uae To view the latest collection: www.jaermann-stuebi.com Exclusive Agent for the UAE: Franck & Prime FPC GT LLC jaermann-stuebi@franckprime.com P.O. Box 39 123, Dubai, UAE

THE LOOK

CaNali

SUITS YOU SIR! Italian luxury menswear designer Canali has been designing the European Team’s Ryder Cup suits since 2006 and they will be kitting out McGinley’s boys again at Gleneagles this month.

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Honma proudly distributed in the MENA region by First Investments Establishment, T/A Arabian Golf, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - +966546607950 Available at: Royal Golf Club, Bahrain; Riyadh Golf Courses; Dirab Golf Club; Green Sports and Golf House.

UAE Retail Partner

HONMA GOLF CO.LTD.

golf.ecco.com

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A completely unique hybrid experience from ECCO.

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