2011 April Worldwide Golf

MIDDLE EAST’S No.1 GOLF MAGAZINE

ISSUE 125, APRIL 2011

Official Media Partner Middle East

Tiger Swing Ana

lysis

MASTERS

LUKE DONALD PETE COWEN MICHAEL VAUGHAN IMMELMAN QUICK 9 BUDDY MORIN ‘RULES’ BRAEMAR GOLF

Player, Els, Norman & Fisher have their say about the first major of 2011

ARABIAN GOLF: LOCAL GOLF CLUB NEWS

ISBN 978-9948-15-427-3

9 789948 154273

EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS ● DIVOTS ● CLUBHOUSE QUICKIES Official Publication of The Emirates Golf Federation & The Arab Golf Federation

DAY 1 at Yas Links Golf Club

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WWG Abu Dhabi Double presented by Radisson Blu Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

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The entrance fee also includes access to the practice facilities

and locker rooms, shared golf carts, range balls, plus barbecues at the end of each days’ play and tournament prizes (beverages are at individuals’ expense). A non-playing guest can come along for the nominal additional fee of AED 100 and family rooms or extra Friday night accommodation can be arranged on request.

To enter please visit www.wwgolf.biz and download your entry form or email golf.abudhabi@radissonblu.com FAX: 02 656 2629. Credit card details will be required to reserve the booking and payment will be taken. Cancellations must be made before 7st May qualify for a refund. If cancellations are received less than 48 hours prior to the event credit card will be charged for the full amount.

For more details on the event please download your entry form at www.wwgolf.biz

GARY PLAYER INTRODUCTION

Left to right: The Big Three, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus: At Augusta National in 1961 Gary won the first of his three Masters titles; Palmer, who won the first of his three Masters titles the previous year, finished second with amateur Charlie Coe and Jack Nicklaus , who won six Masters titles, finished tied for seventh place in his final appearance as an amateur.

MY MAGICAL MASTERS MEMORIES

O

N the eve of the first of the 2011 season’s Majors, the Masters promises to be one of the most fascinating editions in its long and illustrious history.

There are a lot of outstanding players competing this month and one young man I believe has got what it takes to win the Masters is Irishman Rory McIlroy. He’s such a natural player with a beautiful golf swing. I’m impressed every time I see him play.

He’s also a long-hitter and these days you need to be a big-hitter to win at Augusta National. There’s no firm favourite for this year’s Masters and there are so many genuine contenders in such an open field.

I think Lee Westwood will win a Major soon and his fellow Europeans Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Luke Donald and Martin Laird all have a chance. Tiger Woods has shown signs of recovery but he’s yet to sort out his swing and he’s got a good way to go to find his old form. I’m sure he’ll do it but it might take time before he gets back on the Major trail.

As a three-times winner of the Masters, Augusta National always holds magical memories for me.

Perhaps my first Masters win, in 1961, was the most unforgettable, because I beat my friend and rival, Arnold Palmer and the amateur Charlie Coe by a

shot – and Arnie’s Army, in the process. Arnie was the most popular golfer on the planet in those days, nicknamed The King. Most golf followers would prefer to watch Arnie take his golf bag out of the boot of his car than watch the top players perform on the golf course.

The only ones rooting for me at Augusta were my wife, Vivienne and my dog. It seemed like the rest of the world were supporting Arnie. Standing on the 18th tee Arnie was one shot ahead. I’d shot 69-68-69 in the first three rounds and Arnie had scored 68-6973. Charlie made 72-71-69.

At the 72nd hole Arnie and I both found the greenside bunker. I managed to get up and down for par but Arnie had a double-bogey six and that was it.

It was a wonderful moment. I’d won The Open at Muirfield two years earlier but this was my first Major win in the United States. It was also memorable for another reason: I’d just become the first international golfer to win the Masters since its inception in 1934.

That was quite something.

I took home $45,000 for the win. This month’s winner will collect $1.35 million. Prize money has come a long ways since those early days. (Between 1959 and 1978 Gary won nine Majors – three Opens;

three Masters; two US PGA Championships and one US Open. Gary went on to match that feat by winning nine Majors as a Senior.)

My 1961 Masters win was a milestone for me but most golf followers remember my 1978 Masters win as the most dramatic for a number of reasons: I was seven shots behind Hubert Green going into the final round. I played arguably the round of my life to win my third Masters at the age of 42. I played the back nine in 30 strokes, although I could just as easily have done it in 27, having rimmed the hole three times.

My round of 64 matched the best ever scored at the Masters and I beat Hubert, Rod Funseth and Tom Watson by one shot.

Of those players who had shot a final round 64 I was the only one to achieve that feat and win. The victory made me the oldest player, at 42, to win the Masters.

As ever, the Masters will be the focal point in the golfing world and this month we’ve also got our Gary Player Invitational Golf Tournament in Augusta – read the Gary Play Column on Pages 48-49.

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

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CONTENTS

Over 100 destinations worldwide

Last chance for WWG readers to sign-up for the WWG Ras Al Khaimah Challenge! Turn to page 8 for more details.

Regulars

Features

1

GARY PLAYER INTRODUCTION

71

ARABIAN GOLF

4

ERNIE ELS COLUMN

100

LOCKER ROOM

17

QUICK 9: TREVOR IMMELMAN

103

GROOM ROOM

21

CLUBHOUSE QUICKIES

104

IN THE BAG: CLUB PRO

34

GREG NORMAN COLUMN

36

DIVOTS NEWS ITEMS

39

DRIVING RANGE: VOLVO XC60

43

ROSS FISHER COLUMN

47

OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKING

48

GARY PLAYER COLUMN

51

RACE TO DUBAI

53

EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS

54

WORLD ROUND-UPS

59

WOMEN’S GOLF MIDDLE EAST

60

TUTORIAL: BUNKER PLAY

65

8

RAK CHALLENGE: Dhs795 WWG Ras Al Khaimah Challenge at Tower Links GC and Al Hamra GC– two day event with one night stay at Acaci Hotel, – Apl 21-22.

10 WGC-CADILLAC CHAMPIONSHIP: Nick Watney claims the biggest title of his career by taming the Blue Monster.

MIDDLE EAST’S No.1 GOLF MAGAZINE

Tiger Swing Ana

lysis

MASTERS

LUKE DONALD PETE COWEN MICHAEL VAUGHAN IMMELMAN QUICK 9 BUDDY MORIN ‘RULES’ BRAEMAR GOLF

Player, Els, Norman & Fisher have their say about the first major of 2011

ARABIAN GOLF: LOCAL GOLF CLUB NEWS

ISBN 978-9948-15-427-3

9 789948 154273

EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS ● DIVOTS ● CLUBHOUSE QUICKIES Official Publication of The Emirates Golf Federation & The Arab Golf Federation

CLAUDE HARMON III: TIGER WOODS

ISSUE No. 124, APRIL, 2011 Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd, 54 Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, England, SK9 1NY mike@wspglobal.com alex@wspglobal.com Tel: +44 01625 535081 Fax: +44 01625 537487 Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore Executive Editor: Gary Player

ISSUE 125, APRIL 2011

Official Media Partner Middle East

FRONT COVER: It’s Masters time again!

Editor: Alex Gallemore Publisher: Mike Gallemore Senior Editor: Richard Bevan Editorial Assistants: Todd Staszko, James Reeves, Tabitha Florence Design Manager: Joanna Eardley Technical Manager: Mark Collinge Editorial Panel: Gary Player, Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Todd Staszko

Published in Dubai by: Prografix, PO Box 24677, Dubai, UAE (Tel) +9714 340 3785 Advertising & Marketing: David Burke davidb@wspdubai.com (009715) 05519363 Worldwide Golf specifies that post-press changes may occur to any information given in this publication and takes no responsibility for goods or services advertised.

13 PETE COWAN: The world-renowned coach and Emirates Golf Academy affiliate talks about the unforgettable year enjoyed by his star pupils in 2010 and his fascinating life in the game.

18 MICHAEL VAUGHAN: The former England cricket captain recalls his winning display at this year’s Emirates Airline Invitational.

23 LUKE DONALD: The English Ryder Cup star reveals how he’s gone from cash machine to winning machine.

27 BUDDY MORIN: The Canadian rules expert, who resides in the UAE, talks about his fascination for the laws of the game.

30 BRAEMAR GOLF: A Q&A with the golf management and consultancy as the directors talk about the challenges of golf development in the Middle East.

52 ROYAL CARIBBEAN WWG GOLF DAY: A look back at the latest successful WWG event.

68 CLUB CAR: Managing Director Colin Baxter talks about the rise and rise of the region’s No.1 golf car.

Printed by: Raidy, Dubai

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

BPA Worldwide Audited Average Monthly Qualified Circulation 15,401 (July-Dec 2010)

WWGCOLUMNIST

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

GEARING UP FOR THE MAGIC OF THE MASTERS

ERNIE ‘S MASTERS HISTORY Ernie Els has had six top tens at Augusta National in his career, including two runner-up finishes.

In 2000 he was second behind Vijay Singh and in 2004 again had to settle for second place behind Phil Mickelson. He finished in a share of eighth place in his debut in 1994.

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www.wwgolf.biz

M

OST players’ thoughts turn to the Masters long before April.

It’s that sort of place. The more you try not to think about it, the harder it is not to think about it. It is magical.

Alister Mackenzie and Bobby Jones, co-creators of Augusta National, would have been the first to admit that they had a wonderful plot of land to work with, but you’ve still got to get the job done. And they did a great job.

One of the most interesting things is it’s very much a right-to-left orientated golf course and Jack Nicklaus, who was really known as a left-to-right player, won here six times. That, I guess, highlights some of Jack’s greatness. It proves that

the best players can win anywhere. Even though I’ve yet to win the Masters, I find it easy to enjoy and appreciate Augusta from the perspective of both player and course designer.

I admire the fact that this stunning golf course is very playable for the average golfer, but at the same time is a challenge for the best players in the world. I believe strongly in that philosophy and it’s a balance that I try to keep in mind with my own golf course designs.

As usual, this year I’ll probably go to Augusta with my caddie for a practice round before tournament week.

There are no crowds and you can

truly see the course through the eyes of the members. There’s nothing to interrupt your view and you get a far greater appreciation of the wonderful landscaping and the dramatic changes in elevation. I know it’s a cliché to say so, but the severity of the slopes is unbelievable – it just doesn’t fully come across on television.

It’s the same with the greens. They were not always this quick, but the severe slopes were there from the beginning and, in many ways, define the challenge of this golf course. I hear the new 3D coverage this year from Sky is incredible, so that will give a more lifelike perspective. Although the rough

at Augusta is nothing like as high as at other Majors, I think it is probably the toughest all-round test in championship golf. With the greens being as severe as they are, you need to be playing your approach shots off the fairway to get maximum control.

This is especially true now that we’re playing with the new-spec grooves, which generate noticeably less spin from the rough. And you often need to play away from the pins to give yourself the easiest first putt. If you’re going to attack, you have to choose your moments and you’d better execute properly. Nowhere else is there such a fine line between making a birdie or a bogey – or even worse.

The course has obviously got a lot longer in the last 15 years. Being one of the longer hitters, I guess this should have played into my hands. I remember

talking to Tiger a few years ago and we both agreed that the way the course played, if the long hitters got their game together there was a real chance they could separate themselves from the rest of the field. Then Zach Johnson, one of the shortest hitters in the world’s top-50, won the following year! Golf’s a tough game to predict sometimes.

Immaculate You can, however, predict that the golf course will be in immaculate condition.

It is easily the best prepared golf course we play all year and it’s something you never fail to be impressed by. Even the turf on the practice ground is pristine.

I remember José Maria Olazábal telling me that the first time he came here he was afraid to take a divot!

How do I fancy my chances? Well, as I said before, golf is a tough game to

predict. I’ve had probably four or five decent shots at winning at Augusta and I try to look at that in a positive way.

I’ve been there before and I know what it feels like. I look at all the reasons why I can win this tournament, not how many times I’ve come close. But you can’t just ‘get it round’ at Augusta. You have to be right on top of your game from tee to green and, obviously, you have to have a good putting week.

When I arrive each year one of the first people I see is a guy called Richard, one of the faithful locker room attendants who has been looking after me so well for all the years I’ve been playing in the Masters. He’s a good man, but I’m sure he won’t be offended if I say I wouldn’t mind not seeing him next year – that would mean they’ve moved me upstairs into the Champions’ Locker Room! ■

“I REMEMBER TALKING TO TIGER A FEW YEARS AGO AND WE BOTH AGREED THAT THE WAY THE COURSE PLAYED, IF THE LONG HITTERS GOT THEIR GAME TOGETHER THERE WAS A REAL CHANCE THEY COULD SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THE REST OF THE FIELD. THEN ZACH WON” – ERNIE ELS

Above: Zach Johnson is helped into the Green Jacket by Phil Mickelson after winning the Masters in 2007, ending the speculation that Augusta National suited big-hitters.

The man from Ohio is one of the shortest hitters on the US PGA Tour and he won his first Major at Augusta by laying up at all of the par-5s.

Left: Ernie Els tees plays his tee-shot to the famous par-3 12th hole at Augusta – part of the stretch of the course known as ‘Amen Corner’ – during a practice round at last year’s Masters tournament.

www.wwgolf.biz

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Download your entry from WWW.WWGOLF.BIZ

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RAS AL KHAIMAH

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WHAT price would you put on a two-day, 36-hole golf event taking in two fantastic courses and including one night of accommodation with breakfast at one of the region’s top hotels?

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The entrance fee also includes access to the practice facilities and locker rooms, shared golf carts, range balls and tournament prizes, while accommodation on Friday 22nd April can be arranged on request.

Since the first Worldwide Golf tournament was held four years ago the events have become among the most eagerly anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed occasions on the golfing calendar. Places are filling up fast for the WWG RAK Challenge but there’s still time to book your place.

Download your entry form from: www.wwgolf.biz or contact David Burke: davidb@wspdubai.com Categories: Mens and Ladies divisions: A0-14 – B15-28 Scoring: Stableford with 3/4 handicap allowance Prizes: There will be a prize presentation after each day’s play and an overall presentation at the end of the second day where accumulated points from both rounds will be tallied to crown the Overall Divisional Winners.

N

ICK Watney moved through the gears over the final round at Doral to drive away with the newly named World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship.

The American won the biggest title of his career after a birdie at the treacherous last hole on the ‘Blue Monster’ course gave him a two-stroke victory over compatriot Dustin Johnson.

It was a case of ‘unfinished business’ for Watney, who was runner-up to Phil Mickelson at the event previously known as the WGC-CA Championship in 2009, when his putt to force a play-off at the final hole stopped agonisingly short right on the lip.

“I’m not saying it owed me one, but I felt I had something for this course and I think I settled the score,” said Watney, who claimed a winner’s cheque for $1.4 million. “It worked out great and I couldn’t have asked for a better ending.”

Johnson began the day with a two-stroke lead over Watney, Matt Kuchar and Englishman Luke Donald but found himself in a tie for the lead after Watney got to 4-under through 15 holes. Johnson then bogeyed the par-4

WATNEY IN THE PINK AT CADILLAC 16th to hand Watney the lead before Watney consolidated his advantage at the 18th to sign for a 5-under 67 and post a 16-under 272 total.

Johnson needed to hole his second shot at the last to force a play-off but his ball stopped just one revolution short and he could only manage par and had to settle for second place.

“I did everything I wanted to do,” said Johnson, who received a ‘consolation’ prize of $850,000. “I came out and drove it well and hit

a lot of great shots but just couldn’t get it in the hole.” Joint third on 13-under were Denmark’s Anders Hansen and Italian Francesco Molinari who both took home $465,000 for their efforts.

Hansen shot a 5-under 67 and Molinari, winner of the last strokeplay WGC event, the HSBC Champions in Shanghai last November, carded a 69.

“I thought I needed at least one more,” said Hansen. “It’s great for my ranking and great

WGC-CADILLAC CHAMPIONSHIP LEFT: Nick Watney shakes hands with European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady as the American is presented with the Gene Sarazen trophy after winning the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship.

BELOW LEFT: The World-ranked 1-2-3 line up at Doral – European Tour players, Germany’s Martin Kaymer, and England’s Lee Westwood and Luke Donald.

BELOW: Work begins on repairing the damage caused by a sudden storm that ripped out 17 trees on Doral’s Blue Monster course and held up play on the morning of the second day.

for my confidence, more than anything.”

For Molinari the performance was bittersweet after putts on the last three holes narrowly missed the cup but he was delighted with his overall display which included a run of three successive birdies on holes 7, 8 and 9.

“I’m happy with the way I handled myself today on the golf course, because I didn’t have the best start,” said Molinari. “It wasn’t easy, but then I got it going by the end of the front nine and it was just another solid round.

It was quite tricky with the wind, so I’m really happy with my performance.”

Performance

Kuchar scored a 1-under 71 to take fifth place on 12-under with World No.3 Donald, winner of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, and Adam Scott, sharing sixth.

Donald, who needed to win to move ahead of Lee Westwood into the World No.2 spot, shot a level par 72 with Australian Scott shooting 71.

“I hit a few loose shots,” said Donald. “I think I ran out of steam a little bit. I suppose four weeks in a row on the road is starting to catch

“It’s progressing. I’m still building, still putting the pieces together, which is nice. I hit a lot of good shots and when I did miss it I knew how to fix it.”

– Tiger Woods

up on me. I gave it my all but I didn’t hit good enough shots. I missed too many fairways today and with the greens getting as firm as they were, it was hard to control the ball and keep it on the green.”

Former World No.1 Tiger Woods shot a best-of-the-day 66 to finish on 8-under-par and move from 30th into a share of 10th place.

Despite now having gone 19 events and 16 months without a victory the four-time Masters champion Woods was encouraged by his improvement throughout the tournament as he prepared for his 12th appearance at Augusta National.

“It’s progressing. I’m still building, still putting the pieces together, which is nice,” said Woods. “I hit a lot of good shots and

when I did miss it I knew how to fix it. That feels good and I got up and down a lot. Those are key to be able to keep the momentum in the rounds going.”

For Watney it was a win that was a long time coming. The 29-year-old, who like Johnson is coached by Butch Harmon, hadn’t finished outside the top 10 on the US PGA Tour all season and his hard work finally paid off with his first win since the 2009 Buick Invitational and one that places him firmly on the world golf map.

“Top-10 finishes are nice,” he said. “But winning is what counts out here, and that’s how you’re measured. To win this tournament against this field is a huge honour. I’m very excited and I’m very proud.” ■ www.wwgolf.biz

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Pete Cowen Inside the ropes

STAR MAKER ALTHOUGH the prestigious 2010 BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year gong was handed to Colin Montgomerie, The Ryder Cup Captain fully acknowledged that there was a more distinguished swing technician far more deserving of the award – Yorkshireman, Pete Cowen. Mike Gallemore talks to the universally renowned coach about the outstanding year his star pupils had in 2010 and the news that he’s extended his association with The Academy at Emirates Golf Club, Dubai.

www.wwgolf.biz

13

P

ETE Cowen is a man of few words. Yet the world’s best players are pleased and privileged to listen intently to every utterance. To watch Pete Cowen at work would reveal nothing of how the plainspeaking Yorkshireman turns good golfers into great golfers. He’ll stand for hours on the practice range alongside some of the biggest names in the game, silently observing their technique. He’ll finally speak to the player when he’s got something to say.

Pete is credited in no small part for the rise to the top of the World Ranking by Lee Westwood in 2010 and the Major victories of Louis Oosthuizen and Graeme McDowell at last year’s Open Championship and US Open.

He’s coach to many of the top names on The European Tour and he played his own vital part in Europe’s Ryder Cup success at Celtic Manor – despite the BBC awarding Captain Montgomerie Coach of the Year.

Justice was done soon after when Cowen was recognised for his achievements and lifted some silverware of his own at the UK Coaching Awards and he admits it was one of the greatest moments of his career.

Proud

“I was proud to be awarded the UK Coach of the Year for 2010,” says Cowen, “and being named High Performance Coach of the Year at the same ceremony was maybe even better – as I beat England’s Ashes-winning cricket coach Andy Flower to win that one!

“The unfortunate thing about the BBC Sports Personality award was that I knew six weeks before that Monty was getting it. The award was the result of a vote by newspaper sports editors, apparently, and it came out during the Dubai World Championship.

“Most of those newspaper guys clearly don’t know who I am. When Colin came in on the night I was already there and before we even went into the auditorium, I said to him: ‘You’re not seriously going to accept this are you?’ He said he would accept it and then give it straight to me. I told him he should certainly give it to someone, as he certainly wasn’t the Coach of the Year! ”That’s why Monty was embarrassed when he got up to speak. He made a point of thanking all the coaches who had been at Celtic Manor – myself, Denis Pugh and Mark Roe – for all the help we had provided. Which was only right.”

For a man whose career has largely gone under the radar, apart from to those within the industry, it’s easy to see why Cowen is as self-deprecating and humorous as he is.

Pete was a self-confessed journeyman professional who didn’t have a handicap when he left the amateur game but worked hard to play at a respectable level – and even harder to go on and become one of the most well respected coaches in the game.

His work as a coach has taken him to some of the world’s most glamorous locations including Dubai’s Emirates Golf Club where

he has a long-standing affiliation with the Golf Academy and last month it was announced that he had agreed to extend his association through to 2012.

“Emirates Golf Club is a fantastic venue and I always enjoy the time that I spend here,” he says. “The Academy is a superb facility, offering the very best in tuition within the region and I am extremely proud to be associated with the facility and the team.”

The partnership means that the golf club can utilise Peter’s substantial experience during his regular visits to the Emirate where he works with the team on the schedule and structure of lessons being offered and regularly brings his players to use the practice facilities and the two courses.

Enthusiasm

More than 5,000 students are taught every year at The Academy, staffed by PGA Professionals who are on hand to assist with any queries. Senior PGA Professional Jamie Wood is delighted with Cowen’s continued support. “It’s great to have extended the agreement with Peter and to have such a respected and leading coach associated with the club,” he said. “Peter’s enthusiasm for the game is infectious and he brings with him a real sense of knowledge and experience which ultimately is transferred to every individual we teach.”

Many players have benefited from Cowen’s

tutorship but he ruefully admits he would have preferred to be a top player instead of a top coach.

“I wasn’t a bad player, but I concede that I’m unfulfilled in that respect,” he admits.

“I wanted to be a great player, not a great coach. With coaching there is obviously satisfaction, but it’s a secondary satisfaction.

Even last year, when Graeme won at Pebble Beach and Louis won at St Andrews – quite a double – it wasn’t the same for me. I’d have loved Lee to win at Augusta, too. And he would have done but for Mickelson’s great charge in the third round.

“I had some talent, but all I ever achieved as a player was through hard work. I played in Europe for two years before I slipped a disc and missed the next two seasons. I had to change my technique to ease the pressure on my back. In 1979 I finished 55th on the Order of Merit and lost money on the year. I was 33rd in The Open at Lytham that year, when Seve won. But I couldn’t make money. Tee to green I was pretty good. But putting was a mystery to me. I just didn’t get it at all.”

After leaving life as a Tour Pro Cowen pitched-up as Head Professional at Lindrick Golf Club near Worksop and in 1995 his coaching career received a huge boost when ISM chief Andrew “Chubby” Chandler gave him charge of a young Lee Westwood.

“Lee had played 11 events and won only £7,000,” he remembers. “He was short and

PETE COWEN

“Lee had played 11 events and won only £7,000. He was short and wild off the tee, but had huge promise. I told Chubby that he could win an event that year. He thought I was having a laugh but I knew Lee could do it. And he did. In the next 22 events, he won twice and picked up £700,000.”

FAR LEFT: Pete Cowen holds an umbrella for Lee Westwood as he signs autographs for the fans in the pouring rain during The Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, Wales, last October.

LEFT: Pete Cowen keeps a watchful eye on Graeme McDowell as he goes through his iron play.

PETE COWEN’S HANDY HINTS Driving: Keep the loft on the clubface by setting up behind and staying behind as you extend through the ball.

Chipping: Keep 60 per cent of the weight on your left leg, keep your hands forward and keep your head and sternum directly over the ball.

Driving accuracy: Make sure your aim is correct by looking for parallel forearms at address.

Bunker play: Keep the loft and bounce on the club by releasing the club under the ball. Do not pull across the shot.

Fairway woods: Keep your knees and head level as you turn. Do not dip.

Long irons: Keep the width in your swing by not bending your right elbow too much in the backswing.

Shot making: Aim your body where you want the ball to start and your clubface where you want the ball to finish – and swing normally. wild off the tee, but had huge promise. I told Chubby that he could win an event that year.

He thought I was having a laugh but I knew Lee could do it. And he did. In the next 22 events, he won twice and picked up £700,000.

“Lee provided the proof to the wider world that I could coach. From there on it just snowballed. Within a couple of years I was teaching a lot of Chubby’s lads: Lee, Darren Clarke, David Howell, Paul McGinley. I’ve been on the Tour ever since. In that time we’ve averaged about eight tournament wins per year with my guys. I teach the man, not the

Putting: Keep your eyes over the ball and your hands below your shoulders.

Course management: If your eyes tell you that the driver is not the right play, don’t use it. Take a club you feel comfortable with.

method, even if there are principles that must apply to everyone,” he says. “I believe that if you work from the short game up, you’ll get there.

Too many people start with the long game. But you need to have a short game in place so that you can get by as the long game improves. If you work only on your long game, your results will suffer and you will lose confidence.

“So, even as a player improves, he needs to be playable. A good short game keeps his confidence high enough that he can still get round. An improvement in the long game is all very well. But, if there are no results to go with

that, the impression can be that there is no improvement at all.

“I see some coaches trying to improve a player’s good shots. I see no point in that. The good shots take care of themselves. I want to know what causes the bad shot. The first thing you have to do is reduce the size of the player’s deviation pattern.

“Once you do that, he is at least playable. If he has a good short game, he can really play.

That’s why my players have amassed more than 100 wins on The European Tour in the last 16 years.” ■ www.wwgolf.biz

15

QUICK 9 WITH TREVOR IMMELMAN

A QUICK 9 HOLES WITH…

TREVOR IMMELMAN

What’s your favourite golf course?

TI: Augusta National.

What’s your favourite hole in the world?

TI: The Extreme 19th at Legends Golf Resort in South Africa.

What age were you when you started playing golf?

TI: Twelve years old – at Somerset West CC, South Africa.

Which non-golfers would make up your fantasy fourball?

TI: Michael Jordan, Bono and Al Pacino.

What’s the best shot you’ve played in your career?

TI: The hole-in-one I hit on the 16th at Augusta in 2005!

What’s your favourite motivational quote?

TI: “Learn to love adversity” – Gary Player If you weren’t a golfer what would you be?

TI: A musician.

Who’s your favourite non-golf female athlete of all time?

TI: Steffi Graff.

Who’s your favourite golf course architect?

TI: Jack Nicklaus.

www.wwgolf.biz

17

SWITCHING BATS

Mike Gallemore talks to former England cricket Captain, Michael Vaughan, the best batsman in the world after the 2002/3 Ashes series in which he scored 633 runs, including three centuries, who led his side to an historic victory in the 2005 Ashes series on home soil – and who won the Pro-Am Team event at the 2011 Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Yas Links golf Club, Abu Dhabi, in January.

MICHAEL VAUGHAN:

Above: Michael Vaughan poses with the urn after leading England to Ashes glory in 2005.

Top: Abdullah Al Naboodah tees off during the Emirates Airline Invitational as Michael Vaughan and European Tour stars Ross McGowan and Lee Westwood and their caddies look on.

I’D heard a lot of good things about the Invitational from the players, particularly Lee Westwood who won the Pro-Am Team prize with Abdullah last year.

But for me to win the Team event with Ross McGowan in my first time of playing the Invitational was something special.

It was a good day all round and a very well organised and relaxed pro-am. To have such a fantastic field of European Tour players made it extra special, especially for the amateurs.

To play alongside Ross with Lee (Westwood) and Abdullah was great fun. Lee and Ross have been great mates for some years, initially through being in the same management company, ISM. Just to watch such good players in action at close quarters is a privilege – the precision with which they execute their shots is fantastic. To see the accuracy with which they hit the ball is nothing short of amazing. It’s a wonderful event,

played in a really enjoyable atmosphere with great players on a stunning golf course. What more could you ask for? Yas Links is a terrific golf course and a stunning venue for the Invitational.

It’s good to play in a pro-am with so many spectators around who are clearly enjoying themselves and it was great to see them walking down the fairways behind each group. There was a lot of banter flying around and we all had a good laugh between the pros, the caddies, the amateurs and the crowd. It was good fun.

The pros were very helpful with the amateurs and the caddies also offered their help. The caddies are a great bunch. With bagmen like Billy Foster around you know it’s going to be a laugh a minute in an event like the Invitational.

I’ve known Abdullah for a couple of years, through Chubby and ISM, and we were at the Masters with him last year. He’s a great guy and he obviously does a tremendous amount of work for

MICHAEL VAUGHAN

QUICK SINGLES

golf in the Middle East and around the world. He’s done so much in helping players and tournaments.

It’s good for Graeme McDowell and Ross Fisher to be sponsored by the Invitational – it’s clear that everyone in the game appreciates his support. He’s such a laid back guy and he’s very good company.

His game has gone off a little but that’s clearly because he’s not been playing as much. Having said that, he played quite well on the day.

The Dinner was also a good night. It was fantastic to see so much generosity during the auction and the fact that the Invitational raises so much money for charities is a major benefit. The magician, Gerard Senehi, was something else. He had everyone mesmerised.

I enjoy my golf. Most cricketers can knock the ball around. I suppose it’s their natural hand-eye co-ordination. Now with the introduction of twenty20 and with one-day cricket, the big-hitting cricket shot now resembles a golf shot!

Although I had to retire due to my knee injury I didn’t become a frustrated non-cricketer. When you retire it’s because you’ve had enough. I love commentating. I love talking about the game. It’s the next best thing for me to do – it’s a natural thing for me to do.

So I’ll keep talking about cricket and playing golf – and I’ll certainly be back next year to defend my Emirates Airline Invitational crown. I can’t wait.

Q: Favourite golf course?

MV: I’ve been fortunate to play so many great golf courses but among my favourites are The Old Course at St Andrews, Sunningdale, the Green Monkey Course in Barbados, and Kingsbarns in St Andrews – and now after the Emirates Airline Invitational, Kyle Phillips’ other outstanding course, Yas Links Golf Club.

Q: Favourite 4-ball?

MV: Tiger Woods, and although I don’t suppose they had ever played golf, Elvis Presley and Mike Tyson. Golf-wise it would be a disaster but as an experience, great fun.

Q: Funniest moment?

MV: I’ve had a few hilarious moments on golf courses around the world but one of the funniest was when I was playing in the dunhill links with Darren Clarke. I was teeing off on the par-3 eighth, called, not surprisingly, “short”, and completely shanked it and sent my ball flying straight for Monty standing on the opposite tee. It didn’t hit him, although he did look a little perplexed. Clarkie turned to me and said: “That’s got to be the best worst shot you’ve ever hit.”

Q: Most entertaining golfer or golfing personality you’ve met?

MV: Lee Westwood’s caddie Billy Foster. He’s hilarious. He could earn a living as a stand-up comedian.

Q: Favourite golfer?

MV: Lee Westwood – he’s a great player and a great personality. With both of us being managed by the same company, Chubby Chandler’s ISM, we’ve known each other for a long time and we’ve become good mates.

www.wwgolf.biz www.wwgolf

19

PLAYER QUOTES JOKES WORD OF THE MONTH CARTOONS

Top

weets

‘Off to the allergy clinic again this morning for full tests. I know I’m allergic to bogeys and doubles but need to check for the rest.’

– Ian Poulter gets a top golf-related joke into his Tweet about a visit to the doctors.

DID YOU

KNOW

?

The youngest golfer to achieve a hole-in-one was Matthew Draper in 1997 at the age of 5

‘I’m in the men’s locker room and we have two Miami Dolphins’ cheerleaders wandering around!’

– Perhaps Y.E. Yang was a little distracted in trying to catch Rory Sabbatini at The Honda Classic.

‘Hit the weights ‘Sparrow Legs!’ Good to get some frustration out!’– Rory McIlory gives Ian Poulter some stellar advice after two disappointing weeks in Arizona and Florida.

‘Mmm, meat ‘n potato pie ‘n chips with curry sauce watching the footie!’ – Jamie Donaldson gives

a enlightening insight into the nutritional requirements of today’s top level golfers.

WORD OF THE MONTH KNUCKLEBALL: A SHOT WITHOUT SPIN THAT HAS AN ERRATIC FLIGHT.

‘In the battle between me and the “red-eye” flight I took last night, I’m getting my butt kicked..’

– Trevor Immelman feels the strain after his overnight flight to Arizona for the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

“

I OWE A LOT TO MY PARENTS, ESPECIALLY MY MOTHER AND FATHER..

FATHER..

– GREG NORMAN

www.wwgolf.biz

21

Luke Donald

On the up

MAJOR MOMENT

Todd Staszko charts the rise and rise of the ultra-consistent Englishman Luke Donald, who leaped up to third place in the Official World Golf Ranking with his emphatic victory over World No.1 Martin Kaymer in the final if the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona. www.wwgolf.biz

23

A

BIG victory was all it needed.

According to certain sections of the US golf media Luke Donald has spent the past five years “plodding” his way around the PGA Tour, seemingly happy to pick up a cheque here and there for finishing down the field, rarely threatening to enter the winner’s circle.

How they can label a world-class player like Donald, who has amassed nearly $13 million prize money in the US over that fiveyear period, as a “plodder” must be a case of mistaken identity. In a little over seven full seasons as a Tour pro Donald has amassed more than $25 million in prize money earnings.

Now, after his commanding victory at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, he has shaken off this misplaced and illjudged image of a journeyman chequecollector in the States and is ready to take the ultimate step and become a Major winner.

“The American media are a hard bunch to escape from,” Donald said wryly, after ending a five-year wait for a win on US soil, in the Arizona desert. “I think I’ve been treated somewhat unfairly at times. I’ve kind of been depicted as someone who is just happy contending and picking up cheques around the country and doesn’t really care about winning – but that’s as far away from the truth as it can be.

Improving

“I feel like my work ethic is as good as any player out on Tour. I work very hard trying to think about ways to keep improving, keep getting better and winning, which is what it’s all about.

“I want to contend in the Majors but above all, I want to get better. It’s great to see guys like Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell come through to win a Major. It gives me the belief that I can do it. I played with Graeme in the Walker Cup. I think my record was maybe better than his in the first few years as a pro but you’ve just got to keep grinding away hoping that soon it will be my time.”

So how has this misguided media reputation of being a “plodder” gained momentum? The US press seem to have completely dismissed Donald’s superb record in both the Walker Cup and The Ryder Cup and his various victories across the globe.

As an amateur he played in two Walker Cups, in 1991 and 2001, and was on the winning side on both occasions. He’s been on the winning team in each of the three times he’s played in The Ryder Cup. He won twice at Oakland Hills in 2004; had a 100 per cent record at the K Club in 2006 and, as a Colin Montgomerie Captain’s wildcard pick at Celtic Manor last year, he contributed three points out of four, including a 6&5 win with Lee Westwood over Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker in the foursomes. He’s represented England three times in the World Cup, winning the Championship with Paul Casey

“Rising from No.9 to No.3 seems like a reasonably big jump but I feel like I’m good enough to be No.3 in the world. I guess popular opinion, certainly in the US, would be ‘maybe not’ because of my record and the fact that I haven’t won that many tournaments. But that doesn’t take into account my consistency.” on his debut in Seville, Spain, in 2004. Donald puts the unfounded criticism down to a lack of big wins, which came about through trying to conquer courses by becoming something he’s not – a big hitter.

Disappointment

“I think that back in 2007, I decided to try to hit the ball a little bit farther, to try to catch up to some of my peers, and that probably made my swing get out of kilter,” he admits.

“It’s taken a good two or three years for it to get back to almost where I need it to be. The biggest disappointment was when I probably had chances to win and didn’t close it out.

“I’ve really never had any serious dips in form. I’ve always been pretty consistent and competed. It’s never been horrendous golf by any means, where I’ve really felt like I’ve lost my game or anything like that.

”There were times when I was very disappointed and very upset that I hadn’t broken through but I can forget all about that now.”

Donald’s second US PGA Tour victory at The Honda Classic in 2006 propelled him into the top 10 on the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time and with it came added expectations.

In 2007 he had two runner-up finishes and posted another second place in 2008 before a wrist injury ended his chances of playing in The Ryder Cup at Valhalla. A year later he played a full schedule in the US, notching six top 10s, including yet another second place finish. With top 10s and second places piling up Donald admitted he was disappointed not to have won more often before his momentous WGC win.

“I felt like I hadn’t won my fair share for as

LUKE DONALD

FAR LEFT: Luke Donald shakes hands with Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker after he and his partner Lee Westwood had inflicted a thumping 6&5 victory upon the American pair during the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales last October. good a player as I felt I was – and could be,” he says. “It was disappointing and frustrating for me.”

Donald was victorious at the Madrid Masters on The European Tour last summer, which helped secure his third Ryder Cup berth at Celtic Manor, Wales, and also helped relieve some of the pressure that had been building up.

“Obviously, it was a smaller event – not a WGC field,” he says. “But winning in Europe definitely took a little bit of pressure off me and to go to the Accenture and compete against the best 63 players in the world and win the trophy is very gratifying.

“At the beginning of every year, I sit down and really try and think of ways I can create more opportunities and get more victories.

It didn’t happen so much over the last few years. But, hopefully, getting past that stage of going a number of years without winning, this WGC win will open up the floodgates.”

Urgency

Donald was at his very best in Arizona, beating American Ryder Cup foe Matt Kuchar in the semi-final before despatching European team-mate Martin Kaymer in the final. During the week he didn’t play the 18th hole at all – his six matches went down the 17th only once. He puts his performance down to seriously hard work and a strong love of the match play format.

“I enjoy the urgency of 18-hole match play,” he smiles, “knowing that you can’t give away many holes, seems to play to

ABOVE: Luke Donald and partner Paul Casey pose with the John Jay Hopkins Trophy after winning the World Cup for England in Seville, Spain in 2004.

LEFT: A young Luke Donald as an amateur, holds the enormous trophy, after helping Great Britain and Ireland to Walker Cup glory at the Ocean Forest Golf Club at Sea Island, Georgia, USA, in 2001.

one of my strengths, which is consistency.”

He might have been consistently shorter than most of his opponents off the tee but Donald plays the kind of game which is perfectly suited to match play – forcing his rival to take chances to make birdies to beat him. His own haul of birdies helped him ease through the early rounds and even Kaymer, the new World No.1, had no answer to Donald’s game – the German admitting that there was no-one currently better on or around the greens than the Englishman.

After the pair shook hands with Donald 3-up with only two holes left it meant that the Englishman would move up to No.3 on the Official World Golf Ranking behind fellow Europeans Lee Westwood and Kaymer, moving up six places.

“Rising from No.9 to No.3 seems like a

reasonably big jump but I feel like I’m good enough to be No.3 in the world,” he says. “I guess popular opinion, certainly in the US, would be ‘maybe not’ because of my record and the fact that I haven’t won that many tournaments. But that doesn’t take into account my consistency.

“Even when Lee Westwood was No.1, he got criticised because he hadn’t won a Major and he hadn’t won too many events in the last couple of years – yet his consistency was good enough to get him to No.1.

“There’s something to be said for that, to be competing week in and week out, being under that strain. I know winning is a big deal – it’s the biggest deal – but being consistent is also important. Lee showed that, and now, hopefully, I can show it too with a couple more wins as well.” ■ www.wwgolf.biz

25

JUMEIRAHGOLFESTATES.COM

Drive your Business.

The Corporate Golf Experience at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Host a Corporate Golf Tournament at Jumeirah Golf Estates, home of the Dubai World Championship, and let your clients and executives walk in the footsteps of champions. Seven days a week, you can choose from 36 holes of championship golf, professional instruction and extensive practice facilities. Round off the day’s play with a championship-style prize-giving ceremony, watching the highlights on a giant plasma screen or enjoying first class hospitality on the terrace overlooking our floodlit practice facility.

With the opportunity to tailor the day’s format to suit your business needs, this corporate networking experience is unmatched in the region.

For more information, contact Wayne Johnson by email wayne.johnson@jumeirahgolfestates.com or by calling +971 50 189 5278 HOME OF THE

Buddy Morin Q&A Buddy Morin shakes hands with John Paramor, Chief Referee of The European Tour, while officiating as a Guest Referee at the 2011 Omega Dubai Desert Classic. ,

BUDDY MORIN RULES!

Mike Gallemore talks to Canadian amateur golfer BUDDY MORIN, who came to live and work in the UAE eight years ago and became hooked on learning the Rules of Golf to the extent where he is now a respected Tour tournament Guest Referee, having recently officiated at the Egyptian Open, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. His understanding and perception of golf in the region and the benefits and future of the game, offer an interesting insight into golf in the UAE and the Middle East. www.wwgolf.biz

27

WWG: How did you first get involved in playing golf and where and when did you start playing?

BM: I started hitting golf balls around 1971 behind the barn on the family farm. Most of the cattle avoided serious injury. I then joined as a junior member at the town’s Dorchester Golf Club in Frampton, Quebec, Canada.

WWG: When did you first come to Dubai, what were your first experiences of golf in Dubai and the UAE? BM: I had worked internationally for 16 years (Russia, Kuwait, Bahrain) without playing any golf during that period prior to my arrival in Dubai in 2004. Playing at the Emirates Golf Club then, and still today, is a huge honour for me – and always a humbling experience.

Dubai is a fantastic city and the UAE offers up a wonderfully multicultural and welcoming society.

WWG: What have been your best moments in playing or watching golf?

BM: 13 holes-in-one and winning junior tournaments in Canada made the game most enjoyable in those early years!

Also, marshalling at The Presidents Cup in Montreal in 2007 was special and volunteering as the Chief Marshal at the Dubai World Championship (Race to Dubai) in 2009 and 2010 were great experiences.

I believe that everyone interested in golf who has a few free days to spare each year should volunteer as a Marshal or a member of the Tournament Support Staff.

WWG: Who is the most interesting and entertaining golfer you’ve ever met – or the most interesting person you have met through golf?

BM: European Tour Chief Referee John Paramor and Senior Referee Andy McFee are true ambassadors of the game. Hopefully, they will each write a book one day about their careers and experiences in officiating at tournaments for all of us to enjoy.

Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman are amazing individuals – living legends! Golf draws out interesting people. Play a round of golf with someone and you will learn many of their strengths and weaknesses as a person.

WWG: What are your thoughts on the current situation in the UAE and Middle East golf industry – are things picking up again after the downturn?

BM: Fortunately, golf appears to have rebounded in the past six months or so following a very serious economic downturn in late 2008, 2009, and most of 2010.

I think clubs have had to adapt to the changing times and make themselves more attractive to the non-member or the social golfer.

Annual golf club memberships still remain far too expensive for the average expat family or UAE national resident.

WWG: How and why did you get interested in the Rules of Golf?

BM: As a golfer I was curious about the rules governing the game. As I studied the modern Rules of Golf, I became interested in understanding how these Rules had developed, historically, since around 1744.

The Rules of Golf are truly universal. There’s an element of life’s philosophy in the Rules – to be fair, be considerate to others, abide by the Rules, demonstrate courtesy and sportsmanship, be competitive, understand the integrity of the individual, care for the environment, and, importantly, follow the etiquette of the game. Golf is a reflection of life, from the first teeing ground to the final stroke, taking in all the hazards and achievements in between.

WWG: What do you think should be done to increase the number of resident golfers in the UAE and also increase the number of ‘golfing tourists?’

BM: Promote affordable teaching academies and club memberships, teach golf in expat and UAE national schools, expand junior national programmes, be creative with holiday golfing packages, improve customer service skills, explore reciprocal privileges, open days, corporate days, par-3 events, school leagues, introduce more floodlit courses to enable people, who can’t play during the day to play at night. There are so many things that can be done.

WWG: One of the comparisons people make concerning golf tourism in the UAE is that hotels and green fees are far more expensive than places like Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Florida etc. What do you think can be done to improve this?

BM: The golf clubs need to be more realistic in their profit-making expectations and take

a longer-term view. Municipalities also need to look at different ways to help drive golf tourism with hotel or airline incentives, travel fairs, public courses and driving ranges. The golf industry in the region may have been far too short-sighted in their approach to golf tourism during the ‘boom years.’

WWG: With the cost of playing golf in the UAE being so expensive is there a place for a play and pay facility?

BM: I think most UAE clubs have now made some provision for pay and play with reduced offers during off-peak periods, mid-week, and with monthly or summer membership packages. Playing privileges also need to incorporate breakfast or lunch specials, or tieins with hotels, taxi companies, shopping or other family entertainment centres.

WWG: What’s your favourite golf course in the UAE, the Middle East and elsewhere in the world?

BM: An empty one! Seriously, the Majlis and Faldo courses at the Emirates Golf Club are my favourite UAE courses. I also love playing the Earth and Fire courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates. I would love to play the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland and Augusta National some day. They are on my ‘wish list’.

WWG: If you could choose your favourite fourball who would it be?

BM: Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods – just to watch them together in their heyday. As playing partners I’d settle for any three from the four!

WWG: If you could change any rule in the golfing book what would it be?

BM: Rule 2-5/1 – “In match play, a player may disregard a breach of the Rules by his opponent provided there is no agreement

BUDDY MORIN LEFT: Buddy Morin, Chief Marshal, kneels next to Robert Karlsson, holding the Dubai World Championship trophy – along after his victory at Emirates Golf Club in February.

BELOW: Buddy Morin in his capacity as a Guest Referee points out a typical Rules situation.

between the players.” I appreciate that match play is unique but that Decision on the Rules of Golf still puzzles me.

WWG: How did you embark on the complicated process of learning the Rules of Golf and what did you have to do to become a qualified Rules Official?

BM: Understanding 34 Rules of Golf, 1,200 Decisions on the Rules of Golf, over 5,000 entries in the Index, different nuances and interpretations, does take some patience and discipline. Generally, an individual will need to succeed at a recognised Rules School, R&A Referee School, or USGA Rules Workshop to be considered qualified as a Guest Referee, Tournament Referee, or Rules Official providing guidance and information on the Rules to the players. It’s important to stay updated and to constantly review and remind oneself of the intricacies of certain complicated Rules.

Tournament officiating requires a high degree of focus and concentration so it’s important to stay calm, listen to the player, consider the facts of the case in detail, study the relevant circumstances involved, evaluate the weight of the evidence and balance of probabilities where applicable, and have confidence in your training to resolve the matter in the fairest possible way.

There are probably three levels of Rules awareness or understanding – the beginner or average social player level, the amateur club or professional tournament player level, and the Rules scholar level. I fall somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd levels.

WWG: Who were the people who helped you along the way to become a Rules Official and what was their advice?

BM: Nick Tarratt, Director, The European Tour - International - Dubai office, and Barney Coleman, Golf Services Manager of

the Emirates Golf Club. They were extremely encouraging and helpful in preparing me for the 2010 R&A Referee School and the 2011 USGA Rules Workshop. Also, golfing friends and family were very supportive. Their advice was to have a good balance of Rules knowledge and tournament experience and to stay current with any Rules revisions. It’s good to have Rules ‘mentors’.

WWG: What is the most bizarre ruling you have ever come across?

BM: On desert courses, balls lodged high up in palm trees are common, or black birds moving or picking up golf balls can occur.

Also, during major tournaments, Rules Officials working through TIO (Temporary Immovable Obstructions) rulings with players can confuse spectators at times. Nearest Point of Relief rulings always need careful consideration.

WWG: Have you ever had a problem with a player who didn’t agree with your ruling?

No, thankfully. The Rules of Golf and Decisions on the Rules of Golf are written in a very precise and deliberate fashion. If a Rules Official and player understand the words (“may”, “should”, “must”, “a ball” or “the ball”), and know the Definitions and correct terms, and the Rules Official communicates clearly and calmly to the player what options exist in considering the facts of the situation or status of certain objects, there is generally no problem. The Rules are designed to be fair to the player, to the player’s opponent, or to the field of fellow-competitors.

WWG: What do you think the future holds for golf in the UAE and the Middle East?

BM: The future looks promising with many junior golfers coming up through the ranks. As they gain more access to teaching

professionals, academies, affordable facilities, golf societies, and tournaments, they will come to appreciate the social benefits of the game. I think if more European Tour or Challenge Tour events could be held in the region, and maybe even PGA Tour events, The Ryder Cup, The Presidents Cup, Celebrity Skins events, possibly the Olympic Games, such international publicity would also help the UAE with golf tourism.

I also think an expanded European Tour or R&A regional office would help to promote the game at the highest level and also serve as resource and advisory centres for local amateur golfers, clubs, and associations.

WWG: What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen on a golf course?

BM: Moose, beaver, black bear, Canadian geese, and humans all living in harmony on a golf course in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

WWG: Do you think that the Rules of Golf are basically logical – or are there some rules, such as playing out of a divot, which are illogical?

BM: In general, Rules are meant to be fair and logical and the game’s ruling bodies go to great lengths to see that this great game is enjoyed across many types of terrains and conditions by all levels of players.

There’s an old saying in golf – “Play the ball as it lies, Play the course as you find it, And if you can’t do either, do what is fair. But to do what is fair, you need to know the Rules of Golf”.

Golf Rules have evolved over many years with many experts, players, national and international, amateur and professional organisations, committees, scholars and historians contributing to their development.

As golf is a self-regulating game, all golfers should have at least a good understanding of the fundamental Rules. www.wwgolf.biz

29

GROWING SUCCESS IN early February Worldwide Golf’s MIKE GALLEMORE caught up with two Directors of Braemar Golf Developments, St Andrews, who have been quietly going about their business in the Middle east since 1998 (originally as Gleneagles Golf Developments).

During this time they have been involved in a number of golf related projects in the region, particularly in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Their latest project is in the Sultanate of Oman at Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club.

30

www.wwgolf.biz

BRAEMAR GOLF DEVELOPMENTS KEITH HASLAM Managing Director of Braemar Golf has nearly 20 years experience in operational golf management and consultancy, including working at the world-renowned Gleneagles Resort, Scotland, and with Gleneagles Golf Developments in the 1990s. He joined Braemar Golf as Managing Director in 2003 after a spell with Carnegie Sports Management. This coincided with Braemar’s strategic relationship with the PGA whereby Braemar were appointed official supplier to the PGA for golf management services. Keith is responsible for growing the Braemar team, business development and managing the delivery of their extensive services across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

MICHAEL BRAIDWOOD (PGA) joined Braemar Golf as Operations Director in April, 2010 after 11 successful years in Bahrain. He opened the Riffa Golf Club in 1999 which became a successful and profitable club, delivering more than 40,000 golf rounds pa, hosting six PGA Pro Captains Challenge events and two European Senior Tour Championships. He then managed the redevelopment of the golf club into an master-planned community of 1,000 properties with the new Colin Montgomerie-designed Royal Golf Club in 2008, built by BraemarNass, Braemar’s Middle East-based golf course construction joint venture company. Michael is responsible for all operational aspects, client marketing and Braemar’s ongoing relationship with the PGA.

WWG: What’s the history and background of Braemar Golf?

KH : In 1999, David Dean formed Braemar Golf to capitalise on the niche market of golf management and golf services. David was formerly the Development Director of Gleneagles Golf Developments, who managed the golf courses at Gleneagles along with a number of other prestigious properties. When Gleneagles decided to focus on their core business David set up Braemar Gol.f In 2003 as a former Gleneagles Golf Developments employee I was brought in as Managing Director to coincide with the strategic agreement Braemar Golf created with the PGA with the aim of creating one of Europe’s premier golf management companies. Over the last eight years, Braemar Golf has grown in size and reputation, having delivered services to more than 60 clients in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and even as far as China and Fiji. Over the last few years we have also broadened our scope of services to include golf course construction and construction management.

WWG: What services do you deliver?

KH : The last few years have been extremely tough financially but we were fortunate in taking the opportunities that presented themselves and diversifying our services and how we deliver them.

This led to the creation of BraemarNass, a joint venture golf course construction company based in Bahrain, which won the contract to build what is now the Colin Montgomerie Course at the Royal Golf Club. This enabled us to offer construction management services, specifically in emerging markets such as Bulgaria, Russia and Croatia, so we could be involved from the very start of a project providing the client with the security of a one-stop shop – planning, construction and operating.

By being flexible in our approach and providing advisory and consultancy services as well as recruitment, Braemar has managed to weather this difficult economic period and progress as the market conditions improve.

WWG: What is different about Braemar than other golf management companies?

KH : We specialise in being a multi-disciplined golf services company rather than a typical golf management company. We believe that small is beautiful. We can take a more personal approach

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and be a little more innovative and flexible.

We listen to our clients and understand what they require, consider the best way to achieve their aims and often how they prefer to be involved with the execution of the services.

There is no “one size fits all” solution and we employ different models of how we structure our work, including joint ventures (in Bahrain and Morocco), entering into lease agreements, taking on strategic advisory roles as well as more typical pre- and post-opening contracts. We also demonstrate our commitment to clients and now have our own Braemar employees managing client facilities and delivering services in Russia, Bulgaria and Morocco. This produces the best results for both parties, showing our clients that we are fully committed by having a major Braemar presence on site.

WWG: Where else other than the Middle East are you currently doing business?

KH : We have live projects in the UK, Russia, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Croatia and we have just opened an office in Morocco to service multiple projects there with a developer.

WWG: What else are you doing in the Middle East apart from Muscat Hills?

KH : We still maintain a good working relationship with the owners of The Royal Golf Club, Bahrain International Golf Course Company and are proud that a by-product of our involvement is that The Royal Golf Club is now owner-operated. Mike continues to be actively involved at a consultative level delivering what the client requires at this stage in their lifecycle. We are also carrying out technical services and advisory work for a large scale project in Qatar which we believe will soon add more golf courses there.

Part of our relationship with the PGA is also to explore opportunities for the PGA National brand and PGA Golf Academies so we are constantly on the look out for the right mutually beneficial relationship with developers and projects for these prestigious brands.

WWG: You’ve had valuable experience in establishing and running The Royal Golf Club, Bahrain. How will you adapt to making a similar success of Muscat Hills?

MB : Part of the attraction of getting involved with Muscat Hills G&CC was how similar it is to the original club in Bahrain. I saw many similarities to the pioneering experiences I had in Bahrain 11 years ago and felt that we could greatly benefit the owners of Muscat

Hills with our services, approach and regional experience. Being the first grass golf course in Oman is a great advantage in many ways but it’s also tough to be alone in developing the golf market. In Bahrain we had to work under government legislation to develop young Bahrainis into the industry. These are the same challenges facing Muscat Hills and we are very well placed to assist them. It’s pleasing to see more golf courses coming up in Oman in the very near future which will assist all projects.

WWG: Oman has no tradition of golf – do you see that as a problem?

MB : Golf has been played in Oman for a good number of years now on sand courses and the visionary behind Muscat Hills, His Highness Sayid bin Kais, has been instrumental in the development of golf in the country. As a result there is a vibrant golf community of which around 20 per cent are Omani Nationals.

WWG: Will the majority of new members for Muscat Hills be ex-pats or nationals – or a combination of both?

MB : There is naturally a higher demand from the expatriate community. However, we are seeing growing numbers of Omanis joining the Club and taking up the game and we actively encourage this through targeted instruction and golf development programmes. The Oman Golf Committee is very active and is keen to see more Omanis taking up golf and we aim to fully support this in every way we can.

WWG: Does Oman have the attractions and the desire to become a genuine golf destination in the coming years?

MB : Yes very much so. Currently we have Muscat Hills as the country’s No.1 golf course.

Gallah Wentworth, which was a long-established sand course, has added 9 grass holes and the 18 hole grass course at The Wave is due to open in 2012, so pretty soon we will have three golf products that will cater for different price points and segments of the market.

Oman welcomes more than half a million European tourists a year which can translate into a very healthy number of visitor golf rounds.

The excellent beaches, mountains, water sports, heritage sites and year-round temperate climate make Oman a very attractive tourist destination and this is supported by a broad range of very good 4 and 5 star hotels. Oman has also invested heavily in their National carrier, Oman Air, as well as Oman as a destination, so tourism numbers are on the up in Oman.

WWG: Do you think that Oman needs a Tour event to showcase what it has to offer golf tourists?

MB : Most definitely. You have seen the impact major golf events have had on the profile of the UAE and Qatar. In Bahrain we hosted the European Senior Tour - Tour Championship on two occasions and more recently the Volvo Golf Champions on The European Tour. These and other events give your destination and facility instant credibility and really reassures tour operators to send their clients to you.

WWG: What do you see as the main drawbacks and advantages of Oman?

MB : The main advantages are the climate, the fact that it is arguably the most beautiful location in the region and an established tourist destination in its own right long before golf was introduced. It has a healthy expatriate community to sustain golf and Oman’s economy is more stable than most. The biggest challenges faced by most clubs in the region are rising maintenance costs, filling the courses during the off season and securing a sustainable water supply.

With the UAE rapidly increasing its golf tourism with a number of courses still to open, can Oman compete?

MB : Yes very much so and it’s important that we work closely with the new clubs that open and with Oman Tourism to position the destination correctly.

The UAE is not for everyone and we need to capitalise on what is already a healthy inbound tourist market. Also Oman is an extremely aspirational place for regional expats, so we want to tap into the short break market.

The Wave will soon become operational. Do you think there are enough golfers to go round or are both courses going to have to promote golf in Oman while also growing golfers in Oman?

MB :Yes both facilities are positioning themselves at different price points in the market place. Just as we are based in the ‘Home of Golf’ at St Andrews in Scotland it is our goal for Muscat Hills to become the “home of golf in Oman.”

We are focusing on a members club with strong membership atmosphere but also very welcoming to visitors. With the number of hotels in The Wave development they will be able to target the tourist golfer more easily.

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33

WWGCOLUMNIST

Dustin’s got what it takes to win the Masters

A

S Augusta National takes centre stage this month it’s interesting to look back at past Masters Tournaments and look forward to this month’s likely winner.

There are a lot of good young players around at the moment but nobody has stepped into Tiger’s shoes just yet.

The Europeans are stronger than they’ve been for many years but one young man who impresses me is Dustin Johnson. He’s finding some solid form after finishing tied third at the Farmers Insurance Open and runner-up at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship at Doral.

You need to be on top of your game to produce your best at Augusta. It also helps if you’re a big-hitter and Dustin has got the length to cope with most of the trouble.

I’d like to see him win and if he does, his confidence will go sky-high and he’d be a major contender in all the big events.

The Masters is a Major every player wants to win. Like The Open Championship, there’s something special about the tournament.

I had my moments at the Masters. I came second in 1986, 1987 and 1996 and third in 1989, 1995 and 1999 with three other top-10 finishes – all part of Masters folklore.

Along with Tom Kite I was one shot behind Jack Nicklaus in 1986 when Jack won his sixth and final Masters. It’s hard to believe this year’s event marks the 25th anniversary of one of the greatest Masters.

I WAS at Great Exuma Island last month at our revamped Sandals Emerald Reef Golf Club, which is finishing the renovations after being acquired by Sandals Resorts.

We first came to the island 14 or 15 years ago and there was nothing there. We were aware then that the owner was going to be a little ahead of his time, because they didn’t have the airlift.

34

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But we knew the whole bay area would just take off because of the beauty of the land meeting the sea. As soon as I heard Sandals was looking at the property, I knew this should have always been a Sandals Resort. It was the perfect facility for them.

I started coming to the island, originally, in 1983 for fishing and diving. The diversity for scuba diving and fishing and the clarity of the water is comparable to the Great Barrier Reef back in Australia. It’s got so much to offer and I think the Sandals Emerald Reef Golf Club has a great future to look forward to.

LORENA OCHOA and I are hopeful of getting the contract to build Brazil’s golf club for the 2016 Olympics but we are well aware that if we get the job

it’s not going to make us any money.

There is a responsibility on whoever gets the golf course design job to be the spokesperson for golf at the Olympics, because, as yet, golf is only in for 2016. It hasn’t been voted in for 2020.

Those behind the successful bid will have to be beating the drum for the game of golf for the IOC for four years after that. They have to be a staunch proponent of the game of golf.

Lorena is passionate about our bid. I knew she was getting into the golf course design business so I approached her about the Olympics.

I’ve always been a big fan of her demeanour on the golf course and how she’s a ‘people person’.

In Mexico, Lorena and I recently announced our first 18 holes to be

THREE TIMES A MASTERS RUNNER-UP ABOVE: Greg Norman chips onto the green during the 1986 Masters en route to sharing second place with Tom Watson behind winner Jack Nicklaus.

TOP RIGHT: 1985 Masters Champion Bernhard Langer applauds Jack Nicklaus as the six-times Masters Champion salutes the cheers of the crowd.

designed jointly. With Lorena’s standing in Mexico as a national hero it’s a great combination and a great marketing tool for the developer, OHL. She’s really in her infancy about the design business and she wants to be a sponge. So it’s a symbiotic relationship in a lot of ways. We see great opportunities for Lorena in this respect.

THE biggest growth area for golf right now is still Asia in general and China in particular.

China’s central government is showing strong support for the game.

Everyone’s talking about the fact that there are three million golfers in China, but only 380,000 play golf 10 or more times a year.

There are approximately 50 courses

in China under construction right now, but potential for more.

Sustainability is key for China.

China can learn from America’s mistakes in the 80s. The States overbuilt – up to 350 courses a year with unlimited budgets. People were building $25 million courses with huge operating budgets. Today, it’s just not sustainable.

There’s no easy fix. There are people with $50 million invested in a property who might have to sell off for $10 million. So the next people coming in will do very well out of it because they don’t have that debt hanging over their heads. But a lot of people will get hurt along the way.

China may well be the dominant golfing nation in the world in ten years’ time, but the game has to be

developed in a responsible fashion.

South Korea is also experiencing a boom, largely down to the success of Y.E. Yang and all the girls who are dominating the LPGA Tour.

Vietnam is also becoming an increasingly popular golf tourism destination. We have four projects underway in Vietnam at the moment.

With 70 million people, it’s a bigger market than most people realize.

OF COURSE, The Olympics is a big catalyst to stimulating the game of golf in South America. We’re seeing it from Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Columbia.

Everywhere you look, people want to build golf courses.

Golf is becoming more international day-by-day which is good for us and great for the game. ■

DUSTIN JOHNSON’S MY MAIN MAN FOR THE MASTERS ABOVE: Dustin Johnson is a man I’d like to see win this month’s Masters.

It helps to be a big-hitter at Augusta National and Dustin has got the length to cope with most of the trouble.

You’ve got to be on your game to win the Masters and Dustin is in good form right now.

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35

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NEWS SNIPPETS FROM AROUND THE GOLFING GLOBE

RULES EXPLAINED by Stuart McMurdo, Golf Operations Manager at Jebel Ali GR & Spa

DUSTIN TIME… After his infamous two stroke penalty on the 72nd hole of the US PGA Championship last year, Dustin Johnson fell foul of the Rules again earlier this season for completely different reasons.

Dustin was on the driving range, warming up before his first round tee time at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Golf Club.

Unfortunately, his caddie had thought he was off 40 minutes later than scheduled.

After being told by an official they raced to the first tee up a 100-foot slope with six seconds to spare before Dustin was disqualified.

He did, however, pick up a two-shot penalty for lateness on the tee. He started double bogey, bogey and shot 73 and eventually missed the halfway cut by three strokes.

Amateurs need to bear this mind as poor preparation for tournaments can ruin your day before it has even started.

MIKE DAVIS TAKES OVER FROM DAVID FAY AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE USGA THE United States Golf Association has named Mike Davis as the organisation’s new Executive Director, succeeding David Fay, who retired on December 31, 2010, after holding the position for 21 years.

Davis, 46, becomes the seventh Executive Director in the 116 year history of the Association, after serving as Senior Director of Rules and Competitions since 2005.

“I am humbled and extremely grateful to the United States Golf Association for the trust and confidence it has placed in me as the Executive Director,” he said.

“I am passionate about the USGA and its mission. The work of the Association is done by thousands of volunteers and hundreds of staff, whose collective efforts truly help better the game that so many of us love.”

PAUL LAWRIE ENDS DROUGHT IN SPAIN

WGC-ACCENTURE MATCH PLAY TO REMAIN IN TUCSON THE International Federation of PGA Tours have announced that the World Golf ChampionshipsAccenture Match Play Championship – won this year by England’s Luke Donald, pictured right – will again be played at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, in Marana, Tucson, Arizona in 2012.

The event, which is the first of four World Golf Championships during the season, has been played in the Tucson area since 2007 and at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain since 2009. The 2012 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship is scheduled for February 20-26.

SCOTSMAN Paul Laurie won his first title in nine years with a one-stroke victory over Johan Edfors at the Open de Andalucia last month.

The 42-year-old former Open Champion made four birdies in five holes after making the turn to storm into the lead and could even afford to bogey the final hole and still win his sixth European Tour title and his first since the 2002 Celtic Manor Wales Open.

“It’s been a long time –2002 seems a long time ago,” he said. “I’ve had a few second places in there but all of a sudden we’re there again.”

NICK PRICE SEALS WIRE-TO-WIRE WIN NICK Price won his fourth Champions Tour title last month with a superb wire-to-wire victory at the Toshiba Classic after rounds of 60, 68 and 68 gave him a 17-under-par total and a one-stroke win over Mark Wiebe.

“When I shot 60, everyone was asking how many I was going to win by,” said Price. “Well, you still have two rounds to go. I made it a little more exciting than I wanted to. I tried not to, but my putter just didn’t let me. I hit the ball so good today so it was a little frustrating to say the least.”

Price, a three-time Major champion, birdied three of the first 10 holes to reach 17-under but bogeyed the par-4 12th to drop back. He then birdied the par-3 13th and closed with five straight pars to seal the victory.

CHOKER OF THE MONTH

ROUND OF THE MONTH

Justin Rose let slip a one-stroke lead at the Transitions Championship after a final round 74. The Englishman started well with a birdie at the fifth but four straight bogeys from the seventh put paid to his chances and another bogey at the par-3 17th compounded his misery as he finished fifth.

Nick Price (pictured above and right) showed that the senior game is in good health with a sensational 11-under-par 60 on his way to victory at the Toshiba Classic in California. The 54-year-old Zimbabwean was 7-under through 13 in his opening round before he eagled the par-5 15th and 18th holes to post his careerbest round.

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WWGCOLUMNIST

LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME MAJOR MOMENTS

I

’VE got a very exciting few weeks ahead of me. Not only is the Masters coming up but my wife, Jo, is about to give birth to our second child. I’ve been over in the US a lot recently so I just had time to nip back home to the UK to see her and our daughter, Eve, for a week before flying back out to finalise my preparations for the Masters.

I don’t really have a set routine as far as preparing for Augusta goes – this will only be my third time playing there so I’m still trying different things out.

I didn’t play a tournament the week before last year so thought I’d try it this year with the Shell Houston Open and see how it goes.

You can’t compare that feeling of driving down Magnolia Lane on the Monday of Masters week to anything else in golf. Then walking out of the clubhouse seeing herds and herds of people and being on the hallowed turf of Augusta – it’s pretty special.

Norman should have won I’ve got some great memories of watching the Masters when I was growing up. Most of them are from an English and European perspective. I remember Nick Faldo winning his first two Masters in play-offs in 1989 and 1990. One of the funniest Masters for me was the one that he won in 1996 when Greg Norman should have won.

I was away on holiday in Portugal with my mum and dad and they couldn’t pick up the channel that the Masters was on until the last couple of holes so we actually watched the tournament by Teletext!

Norman was four or five ahead, then all of a sudden he was three, then two, then one, then Faldo was ahead, it was crazy. I also obviously remember Tiger winning by so many shots in 2000 and I recall the jump for joy that Mickelson made when he won his first Masters in 2004. Then more recently – two years ago – I remember leading my first Masters after16 holes!

When you play Augusta you need to make sure you hit the ball into the right portion of the greens. Hitting a shot and leaving it 25 feet below the hole is better than knocking it six feet

Above: Abdullah Al Naboodah caddies for Ross Fisher during last year’s Par 3 Tournament at the Masters. past the hole on a down slope – so it’s knowing when to be aggressive and when to play strategic, safe golf because there are just some spots that you can’t have a go at.

I suppose the more times you play it the more you work out the best places to miss it on certain greens. Rather than having negative thoughts about areas you want to avoid, you turn them into positive thoughts about the area you want to hit.

Driving needs work As soon as you start thinking, ‘I really don’t want to miss it right on this hole – you’re going miss right!’ As with all courses, the mental side of the game comes into it a lot when you’re plotting the best route around Augusta.

The game feels pretty good ahead of the tournament. I just need to do some work with Denis (Pugh) on my driving because it’s not quite as strong as should be and as I know it can be.

As soon as I sort that out we’ll be good. Circumstances are obviously a

IN THE KNOW WITH little bit difficult at home with Jo due to give birth soon after the tournament ROSS FISHER – but that’s the travelling life of a golfer and you’ve just got to get on with it.

ROSS FISHER HELPED Hopefully, I can get the job done at THE LAKE NONA Augusta and come home in time to see TEAM TO THEIR the birth of our baby.

THIRD CONSECUTIVE VICTORY IN THE Tavistock Cup NEWLOOK FOUR It was great to win the Tavistock Cup TEAM FORMAT FOR with my friends on the Lake Nona Team THE TAVISTOCK CUP. LAKE NONA FINISHED again. I played well on the Tuesday 43UNDERPAR, 16 for 15 holes. Unfortunately, one loose SHOTS AHEAD OF swing cost me the chance of winning SECOND PLACED the individual title. I could have easily tied Ollie (Oliver Wilson) on 7-under but ALBANY. ROSSndIS CURRENTLY 32 ON it didn’t happen.

THE RACE TO DUBAI It was probably for the best because AND 42nd ON THE if I’d won I probably would have missed OFFICIAL WORLD my flight back to the UK! But it was GOLF RANKING. great fun to play against so many friends and good to give the other teams a good whipping. As for Poults (Ian Poulter), Rosie (Justin Rose), Trevor (Immelman) and Ernie (Els) – all I can say is, ‘serves you all right for being traitors and switching sides!’ ■ www.wwgolf.biz

43

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OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKING AS OF MONDAY MARCH 28, 2011

AROUND THE WORLD ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR & US PGA TOUR

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

Martin Kaymer Lee Westwood Luke Donald Graeme McDowell Tiger Woods Phil Mickelson Paul Casey Rory McIlroy Matt Kuchar Steve Stricker Jim Furyk Dustin Johnson Ernie Els Nick Watney Francesco Molinari Ian Poulter Bubba Watson Hunter Mahan Retief Goosen Robert Karlsson Martin Laird Louis Oosthuizen Tim Clark Miguel A Jimenez Alvaro Quiros Justin Rose Edoardo Molinari Adam Scott Charl Schwartzel Robert Allenby Rickie Fowler Geoff Ogilvy Y.E. Yang Zach Johnson Kim Kyung-Tae Padraig Harrington Peter Hanson Jason Day Ben Crane Ryan Moore Anthony Kim Anders Hansen Ross Fisher K.J. Choi Ryo Ishikawa Bill Haas Mark Wilson Bo Van Pelt Yuta Ikeda Camilo Villegas

Deu Eng Eng Nir USA USA Eng Nir USA USA USA USA Saf USA Ita Eng USA USA Saf Swe Sco Saf Saf Esp Esp Eng Ita Aus Saf Aus USA Aus Kor USA Kor Irl Swe Aus USA USA USA Den Eng Kor Jpn USA USA USA Jpn Col

Pts. Avg

Tot. Pts

Events

7.87 7.54 6.55 6.19 5.82 5.70 5.63 5.44 5.33 5.24 5.04 5.00 4.73 4.65 4.48 4.47 4.35 4.18 4.17 4.08 3.86 3.70 3.67 3.66 3.63 3.60 3.52 3.45 3.44 3.39 3.19 3.15 3.11 3.07 2.97 2.95 2.94 2.94 2.94 2.92 2.82 2.72 2.72 2.69 2.61 2.54 2.51 2.47 2.46 2.41

393.52 354.37 347.13 340.70 232.69 256.62 259.15 293.90 277.14 220.18 242.12 249.79 264.62 237.20 241.88 237.04 204.67 225.88 233.34 183.48 215.92 192.19 176.06 205.20 199.66 198.15 196.94 172.67 192.92 189.72 146.52 160.51 174.18 159.83 157.39 165.16 144.20 123.56 147.07 151.79 135.30 144.37 138.47 142.46 146.30 142.36 140.55 138.44 137.78 130.21

50 47 53 55 40 45 46 54 52 42 48 50 56 51 54 53 47 54 56 45 56 52 48 56 55 55 56 50 56 56 46 51 56 52 53 56 49 42 50 52 48 53 51 53 56 56 56 56 56 54

Pts. Gained 112.71 16.37 96.81 60.16 18.13 49.57 59.22 52.90 79.65 31.40 26.57 72.38 16.73 114.88 43.38 22.47 80.73 61.67 35.72 25.69 100.72 31.27 28.13 42.76 90.23 55.22 18.44 19.24 48.75 29.22 33.10 21.38 58.16 15.99 3.79 12.13 34.34 22.04 20.20 40.82 18.67 60.32 12.74 31.89 4.41 43.49 112.28 13.31 3.42 6.24

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

Rory Sabbatini Vijay Singh Gary Woodland Stephen Marino Matteo Manassero Hiroyuki Fujita Jeff Overton Stewart Cink Jonathan Byrd J.B. Holmes Ryan Palmer Kevin Na Charley Hoffman Sean O’Hair Thomas Bjorn Heath Slocum Noh Seung-yul Stuart Appleby Aaron Baddeley Brendan Jones Richard Green Sergio Garcia Toru Taniguchi Stephen Gallacher Brandt Snedeker Jhonattan Vegas Raphael Jacquelin Jason Dufner David Toms Marc Leishman Ricky Barnes Simon Dyson Tetsuji Hiratsuka Thongchai Jaidee Henrik Stenson Liang Wen-Chong D.A. Points Lucas Glover Fredrik Andersson Hed Angel Cabrera James Kingston Brendon de Jonge Brian Davis Rhys Davies Thomas Aiken Robert Garrigus Spencer Levin John Senden Scott Verplank Danny Willett

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

2.41 2.40 2.37 2.34 2.33 2.32 2.31 2.30 2.27 2.24 2.24 2.20 2.14 2.12 2.10 2.01 2.00 1.97 1.97 1.96 1.92 1.86 1.86 1.81 1.81 1.81 1.81 1.81 1.79 1.79 1.78 1.75 1.74 1.72 1.71 1.71 1.71 1.69 1.64 1.64 1.62 1.61 1.59 1.58 1.58 1.57 1.56 1.55 1.53 1.50

Tot. Pts

Events

Pts. Gained

135.01 120.02 94.68 128.97 93.26 130.16 122.26 110.29 118.06 112.18 122.99 120.75 113.35 106.15 109.11 112.72 90.06 110.36 106.37 78.56 94.21 89.25 81.70 83.48 94.17 92.21 101.17 97.47 91.20 100.06 90.98 97.74 97.23 96.29 82.20 77.02 95.68 81.06 83.81 70.45 85.83 90.15 88.96 88.47 88.21 76.93 87.54 87.01 65.95 71.99

56 50 40 55 40 56 53 48 52 50 55 55 53 50 52 56 45 56 54 40 49 48 44 46 52 51 56 54 51 56 51 56 56 56 48 45 56 48 51 43 53 56 56 56 56 49 56 56 43 48

78.00 65.27 87.65 72.34 17.37 8.80 17.45 18.49 67.58 36.70 23.80 41.40 13.72 6.56 57.85 9.27 13.19 22.52 81.50 2.05 7.82 25.21 0.00 25.79 29.08 59.05 35.69 37.42 25.52 36.59 18.44 6.28 1.68 7.04 6.80 1.32 60.80 6.54 10.10 5.02 42.05 23.28 12.44 2.87 35.16 31.39 53.80 15.93 1.92 1.25

Over 100 destinations worldwide

WWGCOLUMNIST

GARY PLAYER IS A TRUE LEGEND OF THE GAME. THE SOUTH AFRICAN IS ONE OF ONLY FIVE PLAYERS TO HAVE WON A CAREER GRAND SLAM OF ALL FOUR MAJORS. HE HAS WON A TOTAL OF NINE MAJORS AND NINE SENIOR MAJORS, AMONG 167 TOUR EVENTS WORLDWIDE.

WHAT A TIME AND PLACE TO HOLD THE GPI

T

HIS month’s Masters will have added significance for me when we host the United States’ leg of the Gary Player Invitational series at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta.

The event marks the 50th anniversary of the first of my three Masters victories in 1961. We are celebrating the occasion through our Gary Player Invitational to benefit The Player Foundation by launching the first 48

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event of our 2011 charity series of annual golf tournaments held in the United States, Europe, China and South Africa.

There will be so many of our good friends and corporate partners in Augusta for the Masters Tournament so it was a good opportunity to raise funds for charity that we could not miss.

There are so many children around the world who need a good

education, nutritional programmes, fitness regimes and a safe and loving environment in which to grow up.

Helping to raise much-needed funds for these underprivileged kids is vitally important to their future and we must do whatever we can to help.

It’s going to be an intimate gathering of top professional golfers, celebrities from the world of sport and entertainment and business friends from all around the globe to take part

The Black Knight, Gary Player, shouts his delight at holing another birdie, on the sixth hole during the third round in 1961 en route to the first of his three memorable Masters victories.

It was only Gary’s fourth visit to Augusta National. In 1959 he was tied for eighth and in 1960 he finished tied for sixth.

Apart from his three wins and two second-placed finishes Gary had a further 10 top10s in the Masters between 1957 and 1980.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of his first Masters victory the Gary Player Invitational is being held to raise much-needed funds for underprivileged children at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, during the Masters week.

The 27-hole course has nine signature holes designed by Gary Player, nine signature holes designed by Arnold Palmer and nine signature holes designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Between 1958 and 1986 The Big Three – Palmer, Player and Nicklaus – dominated the Masters with 12 victories and eight second place finishes between them.

in a fun pro-am fund-raiser. The event pairs celebrities and golf pros with businessmen and sports stars.

Over the years, The Player Foundation has donated more than $35 million to children’s charities, and we aim to increase that figure significantly in Augusta this month.

Champions Retreat Golf Club is the ideal setting for an event like ours. It’s a 27hole golf club with nine signature holes designed by The Big Three – nine by me; nine by Jack Nicklaus and nine by Arnold Palmer.

It’s a very nice golf course and I’m sure that everyone who comes to the event will enjoy the experience. It would be wonderful if it becomes such a successful event that we can make the Gary Player Invitational an annual event in Augusta during the Masters every April. It would be a great way to start our worldwide Invitational series each year.

■ I’m honoured to learn that I am to be inducted into the Asia Pacific Hall of Fame during the 2011 Asia Pacific Golf Summit in Pattaya, Thailand, from October 31 to November 2 – the day after my birthday.

I’ve always enjoyed playing and designing golf courses throughout Asia and to be recognised by the Asian community in such a way is fantastic. I’m looking forward to the ceremony and to being there to offer my thanks in person.

I’ll be following in the footsteps of Jack Nicklaus, Boonchu Ruangkit from Thailand and Lu Liang-Huan from Taiwan, who were inducted last year at the inaugural Golf Summit.

The Asia Pacific Golf Summit will also include the All Asia Inter-City Club

Above: Tom Watson helps Gary Player on with his third Green Jacket after Gary’s victory in the 1978 Masters. Watson won the Masters in 1977 and finished tied second behind Gary, with Hubert Green and Rod Funseth.

Left: Arnold Palmer helps Gary on with his first Green Jacket in 1961 after the first of Gary’s Masters victories. Arnold had won the 1960 Masters and finished runner-up with amateur Charlie Coe in 1961. Between them, The Big Three – Player, Palmer and Nicklaus – won 12 Masters titles between 1958 and 1978.

Challenge Tournament where teams from various golf clubs in the region will compete for the All Asia Challenge Trophy, presented by the city of Pattaya.

It’s very gratifying for me because I like to think I have done something to help put Asia on the world golfing map. I’ve been a frequent visitor to Asia going back many years and I’ve done everything I can to promote and encourage Asian golf.

■ I’m pleased to see that the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club we designed in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is to become one of the cornerstones of the Government of Abu Dhabi’s drive to promote Saadiyat Island as a premier residential and tourism development.

Saadiyat, which stages the Saadiyat Beach Classic during the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship week, has received universal accolades since the golf course was opened last year.

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Development and Investment Company are creating

seven districts as ideal locations on the 27 sq. km island, which will become home to 145,000 people.

It’s good that Saadiyat Beach Golf Club has become a centrepiece feature for the establishment of the Saadiyat Cultural District; Saadiyat Beach; Saadiyat Marina; Saadiyat Lagoon; Saadiyat Reserve; Saadiyat Retreat and Saadiyat Promenade.

■ The new Sofitel luxury development at the Moroccan resort of Essaouira Mogador, which includes our 36-hole Gary Player designed course, opened last month to great acclaim. It’s a magnificent eco golf resort set in 600 hectares of forest along four kilometres of coastline.

The Mogador Golf & Spa is one of the most spectacular situations for a golf, hotel and villa complex. I’m sure that in the years to come Morocco will become one of the most sought-after golf tourism destinations in the region.

Morocco has got everything for the golfer and the tourist and it can offer so many advantages. www.wwgolf.biz

49

VIP V VI IIP P Classic

by Royal Caribbean International In association with Worldwide Golf Magazine

SCOTT SULLIVAN CLINCHES OVERALL PRIZE IN FUN-FOR-ALL ROYAL CARIBBEAN VIP CLASSIC SCOTT Sullivan prevailed in the Royal Caribbean VIP Classic at Al Badia Golf Club last month with a superb score of gross 2-under-par for a 38 point total.

The event, sponsored by Worldwide Golf and Royal Caribbean International was held in mild sunshine with more than 40 golfers, including players representing Brilliance of the Seas, competing for the overall honours and two additional divisions. Scott was on the cusp of shooting an average score but a 3-under back nine with birdies on holes 13, 16 and 18 saw him secure a well-deserved victory.

In Division ‘A’ Nick Tarratt took home the title with a countback victory over Michael Harradine after both players finished with 35 points. Tarratt’s solid score of 19 over the back nine saw him crowned the winner.

Ara Nakhnikian took the spoils in Division ‘B’ with two nines of 17 for a 34-point total and a one-point victory over Gurbax Singh. In addition to the Divisional prizes, awards were handed out to Paul King and Tania Gelasini for their Long Drives while Nearest the Pin on hole 11 was won by Patrick Morrow. A good day and night was had by all.

ABOVE: Captain Sorenson, of the Brilliance of the Seas, presents the winner's prize to Scott Sullivan as Worldwide Golf's Sallie Taylor and Royal Caribbean's Executive Director Middle East, Lakshmi Durai, look on. Also pictured, from the top: Players representing Brilliance of the Seas; Division A winner Nick Tarratt; Division B runner-up Gurbax Singh; Division B winner Ara Nakhnikian (far right) with his group that included Gary Chapman (far left) Mark Dennehy and Joseph Andrade; Sallie Taylor, Lakshmi Durai and Anita Drahos with Mukesh Kochar as he receives his cruise raffle prize courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

NEWS

EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS STELLAR LINE-UP SET FOR KPMG GOLF BUSINESS FORUM IN DUBAI A SERIES of world-renowned speakers, including The European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady, have been announced for the KMPG Golf Business Forum at the Park Hyatt Dubai from April 17-19 sponsored by Dubai Golf.

A collection of the world’s largest developers and operators will air their opinions on why certain projects proved to be successful during a twoand-a-half day conference that will be filled with engaging, dynamic and interactive discussions, one-on-one interviews, fast-paced debates and presentations from key industry leaders on a variety of topics.

Speaking at the event will be Dr David Chu, Chairman of the Mission Hills Group and Mission Hills Golf Club in China, home of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup, who is to receive the Forum’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Other speakers include Nick Tarratt, Director, The European Tour Middle East; Peter Harradine, Managing Director of Harradine Golf; Michael Braidwood, Operations Director at Braemar Golf; Rod Bogg, Managing Partner, RBGolfconsult; Marc-Francois Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group LLC; Chris May, General Manager, Dubai Golf; Marc Topiol, Partner and

POULTER ATTEMPTS TO FEND OFF HAY FEVER WITH INJECTIONS

ENGLISHMAN Ian Poulter will undergo an anti-histamine injection before he tees it up at this month’s Masters Tournament in an attempt to control a series of allergies.

Poulter admitted to suffering from hay fever for as long as he can remember and underwent tests that revealed he was allergic to almost all types of grass and trees.

“I just wanted really to find out and do the tests to see if there is anything I can take or anything I can do to not be as affected as much as I am,” Poulter told reporters. “I’m probably going to have a kind of anti-histamine injection before I get to Augusta for the Masters just to hopefully kick that in, because it’s especially bad there."

KEN SCHOFIELD JOINS THE ASIAN TOUR CIO, Black Knight Capital Management and Najib Arhila, Deputy General Manager, CGI, Morocco’s largest real estate developer.

Today, the annual Golf Business Forum is widely regarded as the most important golf business-to-business event in the Europe, the Middle East and Africa region. www.golfbusinesscommunity.com

EUROS STARS MAKE HISTORY HISTORY was made during the opening round of the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship at Doral when, for the first time, three European players occupying the top three places on the Official World Golf Ranking played together in the same group. In what was a proud day for European golf fans the world’s top three – Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald – teed it up together in Florida for the second WGC event of the season.

MEESAWAT EARNS HIS TICKET TO ST GEORGES THAILAND'S Prom Meesawat earned his maiden appearance at The Open Championship after winning the International Final Qualifying Asia.

Meesawat fired a superb second round 7-under-par 65 for a two-day aggregate of 12-under-par 132 to lead Japanese veteran Tetsuji Hiratsuka, Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing and American Jason Knutzon into The Open at Royal St George’s in July.

Hiratsuka earned his second trip to The Open with the day’s best of 64 at Amata Spring Country Club while Lam secured his third appearance with a bogey-free 67.

Knutzon endured a nervous wait for the fourth and final spot after his 67 as overnight leader Kodai Ichihara had a chance to force a play-off. But the Japanese player missed his birdie chance on the 18th to finish one shot shy of qualifying. Meesawat was delighted to earn his Major stripes.

“It’s my first Major. I played very good the past two days,” said the 26-yearold. “My driving and everything else was very good. I’ve been working hard with my coach and psychologist and I need to thank them.

“My friends have been encouraging me all along when my form wasn’t good. It’s a good comeback for me. It’s a good feeling. I played to my strength on this course. I knew which holes to be cautious. To qualify for the oldest Major, it’s an amazing feeling.”

KEN Schofield, the former European Tour Executive Director, has been appointed into the Board of Directors of the Asian Tour, Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han announced.

Han said Schofield’s vast experience and high standing in the world of golf will benefit the Asian Tour and provide further thrust for the Tour’s next phase of growth and development.

The Asian Tour is primed for an expanded 2011 Schedule with over US$45 million in total prize money, driven by a new long-term production and distribution partnership with IMG Media.

“As the Asian Tour continues to expand across the region, we are delighted to welcome Ken Schofield as our newest Board Member," said Han. "His experience having brought together the European Tour from a large geography of multiple demographics is similar to what the Asian Tour is facing today."

Schofield retired as head of The European Tour in December, 2004 after being at the helm for over 30 years. During his tenure, Schofield and his successor George O’Grady grew the Tour from prize money of less than £500,000 to £80 million.

SANDY LYLE WINS ISPS HANDA SENIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SANDY Lyle, 1985 Open Championship winner and 1988 Masters champion, won the ISPS Handa Senior World Championship presented by Mission Hills China last month by three shots from Australia’s Peter Fowler It was the six-foot Scot’s maiden win on the European Senior Tour and he took home €37,484 after shooting 68, 66, 70 on the World Cup course to beat a world-class field that included Ian Woosnam, Sam Torrance, Carl Mason and local hero Boonchu Ruangkit.

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51

R TI V S XE S[ 5E 2 R M

Visit our new showroom now at Pyramid Centre, Dubai.

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RACE TO DUBAI

As of March 28, 2011

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

Name Luke DONALD Martin KAYMER Alvaro QUIROS Anders HANSEN Charl SCHWARTZEL Paul CASEY Thomas BJÖRN Francesco MOLINARI Miguel Angel JIMÉNEZ Rory McILROY Louis OOSTHUIZEN S S P CHOWRASIA Thomas AIKEN Retief GOOSEN Ernie ELS James KINGSTON Raphaël JACQUELIN Graeme McDOWELL Peter HANSON Rafael CABRERA-BELLO Robert KARLSSON Y. E YANG. Robert COLES Paul LAWRIE Anthony WALL Johan EDFORS Pablo MARTIN Jean-Baptiste GONNET Stephen GALLACHER Grégory HAVRET Lee WESTWOOD Chris WOOD Edoardo MOLINARI David HOWELL Ross FISHER Seung-yul NOH Matteo MANASSERO Padraig HARRINGTON Pablo LARRAZÁBAL Markus BRIER Alvaro VELASCO Robert-Jan DERKSEN Mark FOSTER David LYNN Gareth MAYBIN Scott STRANGE Justin ROSE Richard FINCH Robert ROCK Robert ALLENBY

Country

Tournaments Played

Prize Money

Rank

ENG GER ESP DEN RSA ENG DEN ITA ESP NIR RSA IND RSA RSA RSA RSA FRA NIR SWE ESP SWE KOR ENG SCO ENG SWE ESP FRA SCO FRA ENG ENG ITA ENG ENG KOR ITA IRL ESP AUT ESP NED ENG ENG NIR AUS ENG ENG ENG AUS

2 5 7 6 7 5 6 4 7 4 7 6 9 6 3 8 7 3 6 8 4 2 8 6 9 6 7 7 6 7 5 6 5 8 5 6 4 4 7 7 8 7 7 6 7 5 2 8 10 2

€1,221,411 €1,042,487 €623,954 €570,286 €544,834 €440,783 €433,996 €429,753 €423,936 €416,249 €336,834 €336,056 €333,518 €330,688 €299,650 €270,271 €264,401 €257,877 €256,645 €247,770 €246,015 €242,509 €218,619 €205,939 €195,036 €191,324 €184,039 €169,762 €168,331 €163,293 €162,357 €150,525 €149,005 €147,911 €146,694 €143,148 €140,278 €130,584 €130,113 €124,290 €123,282 €122,247 €119,337 €115,295 €114,637 €112,874 €111,877 €109,133 €104,832 €104,438

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

Name

Country

Ricardo GONZALEZ Jamie ELSON Søren HANSEN Thorbjorn OLESEN Robert DINWIDDIE Manuel QUIROS Scott JAMIESON José Manuel LARA Ian POULTER Darren CLARKE Felipe AGUILAR Carlos DEL MORAL David DRYSDALE Alexander NOREN Richard GREEN Kenneth FERRIE Jamie DONALDSON Jbe KRUGER Anthony MICHAEL Nicolas COLSAERTS Bradley DREDGE Oscar FLOREN Sergio GARCIA Tano GOYA Victor DUBUISSON Steven O’HARA Jeppe HULDAHL Fredrik ANDERSSON HED Joost LUITEN Joel SJÖHOLM Hennie OTTO Thongchai JAIDEE Vijay SINGH Floris DE VRIES Keith HORNE Mark F HAASTRUP Richie RAMSAY Brett RUMFORD Romain WATTEL Rhys DAVIES Jeev Milkha SINGH Phillip PRICE Shiv KAPUR Fabrizio ZANOTTI Tjaart VAN DER WALT Maarten LAFEBER Rafa ECHENIQUE Jaco VAN ZYL George COETZEE Christian NILSSON

ARG ENG DEN DEN ENG ESP SCO ESP ENG NIR CHI ESP SCO SWE AUS ENG WAL RSA RSA BEL WAL SWE ESP ARG FRA SCO DEN SWE NED SWE RSA THA FIJ NED RSA DEN SCO AUS FRA WAL IND WAL IND PAR RSA NED ARG RSA RSA SWE

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

Prize Money €104,419 €104,030 €100,601 €100,150 €100,038 €99,100 €98,733 €98,402 €93,752 €92,488 €90,176 €87,155 €83,891 €79,226 €78,834 €78,641 €78,617 €78,092 €77,767 €77,163 €76,333 €72,926 €70,513 €69,753 €67,428 €65,510 €63,891 €63,737 €61,954 €61,256 €60,685 €60,286 €59,260 €58,472 €58,342 €57,941 €57,034 €56,801 €56,401 €56,002 €55,309 €55,054 €54,960 €54,219 €53,332 €53,029 €52,548 €51,233 €51,175 €51,013

E X P L A N AT I O N O F T H E E U R O P E A N T O U R R A C E T O D U B A I 2 0 1 1 The Race to Dubai on The 2011 European Tour International Schedule will feature 50 tournaments in 29 destinations, including new events in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Malaysia and Sicily, culminating in the Dubai World Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The curtain came down on The 2010 Race to Dubai with Sweden’s Robert Karlsson finishing the year in style by winning the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World while Martin Kaymer secured The Harry Vardon Trophy by finishing European Number One ahead of Ryder Cup colleague Graeme McDowell. The third edition of The Race to Dubai will again conclude with the Dubai World Championship and will again carry a prize fun of $7,500,000 while The Race to Dubai Bonus Pool remains at $7,500,000 to be divided between the leading 15 players at the conclusion of the season.

THE RACE TO DUBAI BONUS POOL BREAKDOWN 1 US$ 1,500,000 2 US$ 1,125,000 3 US$ 750,000 4 US$ 600,000 5 US$ 525,000

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

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

23 – 27 February, 2011

Tournament: Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun Venue: El Camaleon Golf Club, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

WINNER: JOHNSON WAGNER CHEQUE: $666,000

JOHNSON WAGNER WINS IN MEXICO JOHNSON Wagner won his second US PGA Tour title at the Mayakoba Golf Classic after beating Spencer Levin with a par on the first hole of a play-off. Wagner closed with a 4-under 67 to get to 17-under, level with Levin who carded a superb 65.

However, a poor drive on the first playoff hole cost Levin his chance of a maiden victory as he struggled to make par after finding a fairway bunker. “Right this second I’m not very happy, but yeah, overall it was a good week,” Levin said. “I’m happy about it.”

For Wagner his joy was immeasurable and he vowed to return to defend his title if he remained outside the top 64 players in the world. “Unfortunately, the event runs opposite the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, so the only way I would not be here is if I made the top 64,” Wagner said.

“But if I’m 65th, you can bet I’m going to be

here. I’ve loved this event, and it would be sad if I did get to 64 in the world and didn’t get to come back and defend. I’ve loved every minute I’ve been here.”

A former Virginia Tech player who grew up in Westchester, just north of New York City, Wagner shot 69, 66, 65 to take a onestroke lead into the final round only to be caught by Levin. “You have to drive the ball very straight,” said Wagner. “You have to hit quality iron shots into the greens.

Fortunately, I was in command of my game this week and got away with some bad shots. It was a beautifully conditioned golf course, one of the best we’ll play all year. The fairways are perfect.”

Champions Tour player and 11 time PGA Tour winner John Cook shot a 66 to finish third at 14 under while Chris Stroud finished outright fourth on 13-under.

Tournament: The Honda Classic

03 – 06 March, 2011

Venue: PGA National Championship Course, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

GLORY FOR RORY IN FLORIDA SOUTH African Rory Sabbatini survived a late charge from South Korea’s Y.E. Yang to claim an emotional sixth US PGA Tour title at The Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida – just three months after undergoing surgery for skin cancer.

Sabbatini, who now wears a cowboy hat to protect his face from the sun, was five shots clear at the start of the final round but saw his lead cut to one by 2009 Honda Classic winner Yang’s final round of 66.

However, he weathered the storm (both real and metaphorical after rain stopped play for 28 minutes when he was playing the penultimate hole of the tournament) and held on for his first victory in two years with a 9-under-par total of 271.

“A lot has occurred since my last win (in 2009) so I’m just ecstatic,” said a tearful Sabbatini who shot rounds of 71-64-66-70 to win prize money of $1,008,000. “It’s been a tough road and it’s like turning a new leaf. It really does feel good – like a fresh start, in a sense.”

In the past, Sabbatini has often got into hot water through his outspoken nature and occasional spat with Tiger

WINNER: RORY SABBATINI CHEQUE: $1,080,000

Woods, but he insists he’s changing his demeanour for the better.

“I’m a passionate golfer,” he said. “I love the game of golf but I’ve had my moments. I’m not proud of everything I’ve done out here, but I’m trying to learn. I’m trying to be a role model for my children.”

Yang, who famously chased down Tiger Woods to win the 2009 US PGA Championship, posted birdies at 12 and 14 to get to just one behind Sabbatini, who made two bogeys. With the testing run of holes 15-17 to come, famously known as “the bear trap”, Yang admitted that despite his momentum he was more nervous than Sabbatini.

“Usually, if you’re in front you tend to be a bit nervous,” the South Korean said.

“But in Rory’s case, apart from the 14th, he seemed really calm. I commend him for being, I guess, so emotionally stable.

I wasn’t.”

American veteran Jerry Kelly made up the final three-ball with Sabbatini and Yang and shot a 67 to finish outright third on 7-under-par.

“Rory did what he had to do to hold us off,” said Kelly, “and we just didn’t hit it good enough to make enough birdies.”

IN THE BAG Driver: Fairway Woods: Fairway Wood: Hybrid: Irons (4-pw): Wedges: Putter: Ball:

TaylorMade R11 10.5º TaylorMade Burner SuperFast 2.0 3-wood 13º TaylorMade R9 5-wood 19º Adams Idea Pro Black 20º TaylorMade MC Forged TaylorMade TP xFT ZTP 56º and 60º TaylorMade Ghost TM-770 Tour TaylorMade Penta TP

WINNING SCORE: 9-UNDER-PAR – 271 (71,64,66,70) RUNNER-UP: Y.E. YANG – 272

FACT FILE

Rory Sabbatini became the sixth international winner of the Honda Classic since 2005, joining Padraig Harrington (2005), Luke Donald (2006), Ernie Els (2008), Y.E. Yang (2009) and Camilo Villegas (2010). The only home-grown winner during that period was Mark Wilson in 2007.

WORLDROUND-UPS Tournament: Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com

10 – 13 Mar 2011

Venue: Trump International Golf Club · Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

WINNER: MICHAEL BRADLEY CHEQUE: $630,000

BRADLEY STEALS IT FROM MATTESON MICHAEL Bradley took advantage of a short miss from Troy Matteson on the first extra hole of a play-off to win the Puerto Rico Open for the second time in the last three years.

Matteson held a four-stroke lead over Bradley going into the final round but shot a level-par 72 for a 16-under-par total which was matched by Bradley after his fourth consecutive 4-under 68.

Bradley birdied the opening two holes in the final round, eagled the par-5 fifth and birdied the seventh to reach 17-under. He bogeyed the 14th, quickly countered with a birdie on 15, then missed a short par putt on 18 to drop back into a tie.

The pair then went down the par-5 18th

again where it was Matteson’s turn to miss a short putt and hand Bradley the title.

“I had almost the same putt in regulation, a little shorter and it went dead straight. And that one just barely broke enough to catch a piece of the hole,” said Matteson, a two-time winner on the US PGA Tour. “If I hit it a little easier, it might have just fallen in the left side. But I hit a good putt. I hit it right where I was looking it to go and that’s all you can do.”

For Bradley, who won the event by one stroke in 2009, the win was bittersweet.

“You hate to win a championship like that with somebody else missing a short putt,” he said. “But, you know, I’m very happy to be a two-time champion of this event now, so I’ll move on to next week.”

Tournament: Transitions Championship

17 – 20 March, 2011

Venue: Innisbrook, A Salamander Golf and Spa Resort, Tampa Bay, Florida

ROSE COLLAPSE LETS IN WOODLAND JUSTIN Rose slumped to a final round 74 at the Transitions Championship and American Gary Woodland took full advantage to win his first US PGA Tour title with a final round 67 and a onestroke victory over Webb Simpson.

Rose led by a stroke heading into the final round but a run of four consecutive bogeys from the seventh ended his chances of a third victory on American soil and he wound up in a share of fifth place.

Woodland shot a 67 for the second day running for a 15-under total to win from compatriot Simpson who could only manage a 2-under 69.

“I was very conservative this week and laid back almost all four days - I just tried to get the ball in the fairway, get it on the green and let the putter do the work,” said Woodland, whose win earned him a debut trip to The Masters in what is only his third season on Tour.

“That’s what I’m learning,” he said.

As they reached the back nine Woodland and Simpson were locked in a battle for supremacy and the race to the finishing line was so intense that Woodland didn’t make a single par on the inward stretch until the final

hole - using his putter just ten times. He birdied the 10th but gave a shot back on the 11th before reeling off three straight birdies. He then dropped shots on 15 and 16 before moving up to 15-under with a birdie at the par-3 17th. Woodland then made a ten-footer to scramble a par at the 18th and settled for a 269 total shortly after Simpson bogeyed the last to finish on 270.

“One thing that helped me out today was my putting – it saved me,” Woodland said. “Luckily, it won me a golf tournament.”

PGA Tour rookie Scott Stallings finished in outright third place after a final round 70 saw him finish on 12-under par, one clear of Brandt Snedeker, and as a result qualifies him for the Houston Open.

“A sponsor exemption changed my year,” Stallings said. “Without this opportunity to play there’s no way I would have been here. One good tournament has completely changed my year.”

Scotland’s Martin Laird finished on 10-under alongside Rose, Brandon De Jonge, Chris Couch and Roland Thatcher.

IN THE BAG Driver: Fairway Wood: Iron (2): Irons (3-9): Wedges: Putter: Ball:

WINNER: GARY WOODLAND CHEQUE: $990,000

Titleist 910D3 7.5° Titleist 909F3 3-wood 15° Titleist 503i Titleist MB Titleist Vokey Design 48°, 54° and 60° Scotty Cameron GSS prototype Titleist Pro V1

WINNING SCORE: 15-UNDER-PAR – 269 (67, 68 ,67, 67) RUNNER-UP: WEBB SIMPSON – 270

FACT FILE

Gary Woodland picked up his first US PGA Tour title in just his 33rd career start and became the third player to win the Transitions Championship in his first appearance in the event, joining John Huston (2000) and Retief Goosen (2003).

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Tournament: Sicilian Open

17 – 20 March, 2011

Venue: Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa, Sicily, Italy

RAPHAEL JACQUELIN TRIUMPHS IN SICILY RAPHAEL Jacquelin sealed his third European Tour title with an impressive one-stroke victory over Anthony Wall at the inaugural Sicilian Open in Italy.

The Frenchman began the day as he ended it – one stroke clear of his English challenger – after they both shot 3-under-par 68.

“It was a good fight, but there’s only one winner and I’m happy it’s me,” said Jacquelin. “I’ve played pretty well since 2007 and I feel I’m still improving, even at the age of 36 – so maybe it’s time to win a big one.”

Play was delayed for two-and-a-half hours which forced a Monday finish with Wall trailing Jacquelin with six holes still to play.

When play resumed Wall twice pulled level with Jacquelin before he found water on the 17th and wound up with a double bogey. Jacquelin then made a solid par on the last to clinch his first title since the 2007 BMW Asian Open.

“It feels great – as you would expect it to feel,” said Jacquelin, who climbed back into the top 100 on the Official World Golf Ranking with his victory.

“But it was not easy. Anthony

made a couple of birdies and put the pressure on me right from the start.

“I actually felt a little bit tired this morning and my ball-striking wasn’t as good as it has been but I stayed patient and made a good birdie on the 14th which was perfect and then he made a mistake on 17 and that was it, although I still had to make a good four at the last.”

Wall was disappointed as he bemoaned a slice of bad luck which he felt cost him the tournament.

“Unfortunately I have to say that I am disappointed,” he said.

“We pushed each other all the way.

I thought I had managed to get my ball on the green at the 17th but it was just a yard short, landed on top of the slope and turned straight left into the water.

“It was tough because if it had landed anywhere else it would have just come to rest on the edge of the green, so that was a tough one to take.”

Sweden’s Joel Sjöholm and Spaniard José Manuel Lara took a share of third place on 7-under-par while eight players tied for fifth place on 5-under including England’s Simon Dyson.

WINNER: RAPHAEL JACQUELIN CHEQUE: €166,660

WINNING SCORE: 12-UNDER-PAR – 272 (66, 69, 69, 68) RUNNER-UP: ANTHONY WALL – 273

FACT FILE

Raphael Jacquelin topped the Genworth Financial Statistics for Greens in Regulation on his way to victory at the Sicilian Open. The Frenchman hit 87.5% of the greens during the tournament and his 100% sand save record helped him record a third European Tour win.

WORLDROUND-UPS Tournament: Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard

24 – 27 Mar 2011

Venue: Bay Hill Club and Lodge, Orlando, Florida

LAIRD HANGS ON FOR BAY HILL WIN SCOTLAND’S Martin Laird endured a torrid final day at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill but bravely battled back for a one-stroke victory over Steve Marino after a two-putt par from 86 feet on the final green.

Laird began the day on 11-underpar, two shots clear of Spencer Levin and four ahead of Marino, but went out in 3-over-par 39 and then found himself three shots behind Marino after a double bogey on the par-4 11th.

However, he bounced back with a birdie on the par-5 12th, bogeyed the par-3 14th but then recorded back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16 to get to 3-over on the day and 8-under for the tournament.

Marino, who was in the group ahead, had dropped a shot at the 15th and then found a plugged lie in the bunker guarding the green at the par-3 17th and wound up with a double bogey to fall two shots behind Laird.

Only 19 players hit the green at the 212-yard 17th in regulation and Laird also missed the overly

firm putting surface but played a splendid flop to leave a tap-in par.

Marino bounced back with a superb birdie on the 18th to get to 7-under and heap the pressure on Laird but the Scot held his nerve to lag his putt to four feet and then holed out for his second US PGA Tour victory.

“That was a hell of a day,” said Laird, who broke through on the PGA Tour in 2009 at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas. “It was a tough fight out there. It was a battle, but you know, it makes it even sweeter at the end when I got this trophy.”

Justin Rose took a share of third place on 6-under-par after a superb 4-under 68 alongside David Toms and Australian Marc Leishman who did his President’s Cup credentials no harm with a final round 71.

Levin struggled in the final group alongside Laird and signed for a 76 for a 5-under total and a share of sixth place with K.J Choi while Sergio Garcia continued his return to form with a respectable 4-under total for eighth place.

WINNER: MARTIN LAIRD CHEQUE: $1,080,000

WINNING SCORE: 8-UNDER-PAR – 280 (70, 65, 70, 75) RUNNER-UP: STEVE MARINO – 281

FACT FILE

Martin Laird’s victory at Bay Hill saw him become the first European winner of Arnold Palmer’s event in its 33-year history. The event has been dominated by Americans as Laird becomes just the fourth international player to taste victory, following Ernie Els (1998, 2010), Rod Pampling (2006) and Vijay Singh (2007) as winners.

1795 RED

50% Black

Sandy Meyer’s

PROFESSIONAL TIP

Women's Golf Middle East

HOW TO OVERCOME PROBLEMS WITH PITCHING

PITCHING IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SHOTS IN GOLF AS IT HOLDS THE KEY TO IMPROVING YOUR SCORING. MANY SHOTS ARE LOST BECAUSE PLAYERS, ESPECIALLY BEGINNERS, TEND TO GET THE BALL CLOSE TO THE GREEN BUT DON’T HAVE THAT NEXT APPROACH PITCH SHOT TO GET IT CLOSE ENOUGH TO HAVE A CHANCE OF GETTING UP AND DOWN. Do you find you have a combination of these types of shots?

• Topped shots that ‘scoot’ low across the green – and often through the green.

• Duffed shots.

• Inconsistent distance control.

If a combination of this is happening then you are most probably using your wrists to scoop the ball into the air and if you are overusing your wrists at impact this also leads to problems with the weight transfer. Try these exercises and simple technique to help you improve this action:

• • •

Practice your pitch shots off a downhill lie. This forces the weight to be pushed forward towards the front foot and if you over-use your wrists you will find the club will hit way behind the ball.

Once you start getting a consistent hit, then go back to the flat lie and “feel” exactly the same action.

Try using more shoulder rotation and less wrist action.

The hands, arms and shoulders work as one unit, so imagine your hands are moving the club back to a half swing then pull your hands through to the forward swing. Your hands must keep moving through and forward, don’t stop them at impact and release the wrists instead.

Suad Ghalib takes the Social Stableford SUAD Ghalib took the spoils at a nine-hole Social Stableford competition held at Emirates Golf Club last month with an individual score of 15 points.

Jagoda Granowska took second place, one point further back with Heather Houston finishing in third. The first three ladies are pictured below.

The idea behind the Ladies Social was to create a relaxed and fun environment for our beginner ladies and working ladies to meet and either take the option of playing the competition or just play socially.

For more information on events hosted by WGME please log on to www.womensgolfme.com

Fun for all at beginner’s day in Sharjah WGME held a golf day at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club last month designed entirely for the Beginner Lady Golfer. The format was a nine-holes fun Scramble, giving the ladies a chance to experience playing in a team event.

Winning the competition was the team of Rachel Jones, Diane Rogerson, Tonita Marr and Angela Laidlaw with a gross 44 and with the reduction of their team handicap of 7.2 they finished with a net 36.8.

Second and third place had to be decided by a countback over the back six holes, as both teams had finished on the same gross of 46 for a net score of 38.8.

In second place the team was Marike Dietrichs, Roelie Shultz, Helen McAinsh and Lorraine Carulli as they relegated Anne Sinclair, Vivianne Flemming, Sue Markou and Heather Houston into the bronze medal position.

WHICH NEW IRON FITS YOUR GAME� Are you looking for maximum forgiveness or do you like to work the ball? The large, perimeter weighted G15 provides higherlaunching, longer carrying shots and the accuracy to hit more greens. The i15 is a mid-sized head that offers workability with cavity-back forgiveness. It’s engineered as a progressive set to deliver forgiveness in the long irons and more control in the mid- and short-irons.

Find the right fit for your game at an authorized PING Fitting location or visit ping.com. ©PING 2009

TUTORIAL

BY JOHAN DU BRUYN

PGA PROFESSIONAL S A A D I YAT B E AC H G O L F C LU B

BUNKERS AT SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB BEING successful in playing out of bunkers depends on three things: Having the correct set-up, proper technique, confidence and understanding what the golf club is doing in relation to the swing and the sand. Most of us think that playing bunker shots is the hardest shot to play in golf, in fact its not, it’s simply mind over matter.

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Correct set-up when playing steep bunker shots: Getting yourself in the correct set-up will allow you make a easy comfortable swing.

This shot will require more upper body movement and less in the lower half of the body, keeping your knees flexed.

Place yourself in a open stance set-up, allowing more upper body rotation through the bunker shot. The ball will be positioned towards the front in the stance, creating more swing room. Weight placement on this bunker shot will be placed more towards the front foot. Getting the ball position right is crucial every time you play a greenside bunker shot. Constant ball position means that the club will enter the sand at the same point every time, leading to consistent results and game improvement.

TUTORIAL B U N K E R S AT S A A D I YAT B E A C H G O L F C L U B

Proper technique when playing steep bunker shots: Playing a bunker shot, you would normally play the shot with an open clubface. When playing a steep bunker shot, keep the clubface less open meaning more square to the target, more shut /closed. The swing path will be more on plane on this shot and not so much out to in like with normal greenside splash bunker shots. The swing that you will be using is a steeper swing path than normal creating a steeper angle of attack on the downswing and more momentum moving forward playing through the shot. The key factor on this shot is making sure you follow through and do not decelerate at impact through the shot. It is imperative that you swing all the way through to a full finish on your left, so that your weight finishes on your left foot as you allow your right foot to rotate up to the toes and your right heel comes off the ground.

This commitment to a full finish on your left side will allow you to keep the sand wedge gliding through the sand and produce the longer sand divot necessary to propel your sand out of the bunker and your golf ball onto the green.

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BY JOHAN DU BRUYN, P G A P R O F E S S I O N A L, S A A D I YAT B E AC H G O L F C LU B

Confidence and understanding the shot: One of the most feared and troublesome shots in golf is playing out of bunkers. Most beginners enter the bunker with no understanding of how to play the shot and negative thoughts in their mind.

They’re thinking, ‘The club isn’t allowed touch the ground at setup; How hard must I swing the club?; What if I hit the ball fat or miss it completely?’

The only way to overcome this fear is to go and practice bunker shots with the right understanding of what to do. This will improve your bunker play in any bunker conditions. Understanding the shot is crucial. What you are actually trying to do is to take as little sand as possible without contacting the ball. Allow the sand to lift the ball out of the bunker.

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

TIGER WOODS By Claude Harmon III

TIGER Woods has been working hard on his swing with his coach Sean Foley. They've been trying to take all unnecessary movements out of the swing, focus on the club face position, the path of the golf club and the attack angle.

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

Set-up: Tiger’s posture has changed a little through his work recently. He looks to be set up for a fade shot here with one of the noticeable differences being his right arm straighter, above his left.

Move away: The first move is now very much in front and steeper than the swings of 2000/2001.

The change from the shaft being in good position to being a little steep is in evidence here

Impact: Tiger holds his angles well and still maintains decent form through impact.

SWING Halfway back: The left wrist is bowing a little here with the shaft quite steep.

Post impact: A bit of turf has been scuffed up – further demonstrating the steeper, fading action for this fairway metal.

Top: Although the club is a little laid off, you can still see the wonderful athleticism as Tiger maintains a stable lower half against a big turn of his chest.

You can see more evidence of Tiger’s lower body power in this ‘squat’ move from the top.

He keeps going with the body whilst holding off the finish.

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CLUB CAR

DRIVING TOWARDS TTHE FUTUR FUTURE

Mike Gallemore talks to Hydroturf Managing Director, COLIN BAXTER, about the rise and rise of Club Car in the Middle East over the past 20 years. Colin hails from Glasgow, Scotland, and spent 12 years as a Finance Manager in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before heading for the United States and gaining an MBA at Syracuse University in New York State. He helped create Hydroturf in 1995 and became the Middle East representative for Augusta-based Club Car.

W

HEN golfers in the Middle East jump into their golf car for a round of golf they naturally assume that it’s safe and reliable – and, automatically, it’s a Club Car. There’s a reason for that. With 34 out of the 37 grass golf courses in the Middle East using Club Car vehicles, Hydroturf has become the preferred supplier for golf and utility vehicles for golf courses across the region.

That sort of market leadership doesn’t happen overnight.

During the past 20 years of developing the Club Car product they have ensured that their vehicles do all the things they’re meant to do.

Hydroturf Managing Director, Colin Baxter, has become one of the leading figures in the golf industry in the Middle East over the years and knows what is required to produce and supply the ideal vehicle for the job. Having got off to a flying start with their first major golf fleet sale in 1996 to the then newly-opened Peter Harradine-designed Doha Golf Course and to Katameya Heights in Egypt, Club Car has outrun all its rivals.

“None of our competitors can point to our experience and proven technical ability in the region,” he says. “We knew we were in it for the long haul and we were well aware of the problems we faced in perfecting the premier golf car.”

Combat Corrosion

One such major difficulty is combating the high salinity of Gulf golf courses that have a huge corrosive effect on golf cars.

“Just one example of the superior design of the Club Car is the patented aluminium chassis which copes with the corrosive atmosphere at coastal golf courses such as Yas Links in Abu Dhabi and Al Hamra at Ras Al Khaimah. Why would a customer risk buying a steel chassis vehicle from our competitors, rather than a trusted and proven aluminium chassis vehicle from Club Car?” It’s not merely the design advantages that have made Club Car market leaders for the past 20 years. “It’s the overall benefits that count,” says Colin. “There are many other technical features, such as the largest battery capacity with the unique 6 x 8-volt batteries, instead of the alternative, less reliable, 4 x 12 volt batteries.” It’s advantages like that plus their attention to details and a genuine determination 68

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to achieve the ideal vehicle for the local environment that has made the Augusta, USA-based Club Car, the largest manufacturer of golf and utility vehicles in the world.

Colin Baxter has the experience to appreciate that having the best product is still not enough. “The local dealers also know that they must provide the after-sales support, service and spare parts inventory to reduce the inevitable downtime through repairs and service,” he says. “Hydroturf, the local Club Car dealer, has been providing professional after-sales support to its many Middle Eastern customers since 1995. So it has to be a combination of both – a superb American product backed by a dedicated and efficient local dealer after-sales team.”

92% Market Share

Having been in the region since the game’s early pioneering days, Colin knows that playing golf in the Middle East is not cheap. “You’ve got to provide the golfer with a golf car that is well designed and enhances the experience of his round of golf,” he says. “This is why Club Car has a 92% market share. If a golfer has ever struggled to finish the last few holes as the car slows down because of battery capacity, then you realise why your course should choose Club Car.” Having been at the top for so long, how difficult is it to stay there? “Hydroturf is now working on Club Car canopies that collect solar energy to reduce battery usage, as another way to keep Club Car vehicles ahead of the game. This is being tested on various golf courses as we speak.

“We’re also working with Visage GPS systems to provide not only yards to the flag data, but provide management with vehicle usage, condition statistics and much more. This will reduce the golf course fleet operating costs.

“Hydroturf is proud to have worked with Club Car to make us the market leader over the past 20 years. Continuing Club Car product development and enhancement, added to Hydroturf’s ongoing drive to improve local dealer support, will maintain our position at the top.”

With that sort of enthusiasm and commitment, here’s to the next 20 years. ■

HYDROTURF

“If a golfer has ever struggled to finish the last few holes as the car slows down because of battery capacity, then you realise just one of the reasons why your course should choose Club Car.” – Colin Baxter

4

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ARABIAN GOLF APRIL 2011 WORLDWIDE GOLF CLUBS DUBAI Emirates Golf Federation Emirates Golf Club Al Badia Golf Club Arabian Ranches Golf Club Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Jumeirah Golf Estates The Address Montgomerie Dubai The Els Club, Dubai

EGYPT Egyptian Golf Federation Maritim Jolie Ville Golf & Resort Stella Di Mare Golf Resort

SHARJAH Saif Zone Golf Society League Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club

ABU DHABI Abu Dhabi Golf Club Abu Dhabi City Golf Club Al Ghazal Golf Club Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Yas Links Golf Club

SAUDI ARABIA Dirab Golf & Country Club Riyadh Golf Courses The Palms Golf Club

RAS AL KHAIMAH Al Hamra Golf Club

BAHRAIN The Royal Golf Club

QATAR Doha Golf Club

OMAN Muscat Hills Golf & County Club International Pairs

ISMAIL SHARIF TO HEAD EGF NATIONAL JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAMME SEVEN-times UAE National Champion Ismail Sharif will spearhead the Emirates Golf Federation’s ambitious National Junior Programme aimed at introducing young Emiratis to the game of golf.

A familiar face in the Middle East golf world Sharif will divise ways and means to implement the programme that places particular emphasis on core skills and game awareness. “Golf is a relatively new sport for our country so patience and correct planning will be the key to success in building a strong base,” said Sharif, who is no stranger to the job, having organised summer camps for schoolchildren in previous years.

“We have the best facilities for the game and I would to like involve all the clubs in the UAE to be part of this initiative. The clubs, in turn, will also benefit from the programme as all those young Emiratis who are introduced to the game through this programme will eventually become their members.

“To begin with, we will be visiting schools to expose our youngsters to a leisure activity that they can enjoy, no matter what their ability level might be, for the rest of their lives. We will be targeting groups – and not individuals – for teaching golf. ‘Let’s play golf together and have fun’ is our message.

“It may sound strange, but my biggest challenge is to arrange transport for the kids.

It’s not always possible for parents to bring their children to the driving range. Like all the big national sports clubs – Al Ahli, Al Nasr and Al Wasl to name a few – we need to a have a good transport system in place. I want children to be

picked up and dropped off at their doorsteps if we are to succeed in our mission. I will be approaching companies and associations to ask for their help. Let’s see how things work out.

“We’re not expecting hundreds of children to sign up. It will be a gradual process. It will take time. Through this programme, we intend to create an environment in which young Emiratis can grow, express themselves and realise their dream of representing their country one day.

“We have a good coaching staff headed by Junior National Coach Jason. With the help of the academies at the various clubs I’m sure we’ll be able to build a strong pool of players who can become a force to be reckoned. It’s a question of the right training and the right mental attitude.”

Saeed Albudoor, General Manager of the Emirates Golf Federation, welcomed Ismail Sharif to the EGF team saying: “Ismail is a vastly experienced player and I am sure he will bring a special flavour to the programme. I wish him all the best.”

YOUNG EMIRATIS SHOW SKILLS AT PAR-3 LEAGUE ABDULLAH Bin Thani and Mahmood Skaik made winning starts to their campaigns in the Par-3 League – organised by the EGF as part of the National Junior Programme – at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

Bin Thani carded a gross 35 at the par-27 nine-hole course to take the honours in Division A (under-16) five shots ahead of Ahmed Bin Thani while Mahmood Skaik navigated the course in 52 shots to win the title in Division B (under-12), beating his nearest challenger Marwan Skaik by two shots.

In all, 30 youngsters from the National Junior Programme

The winners with EGF Officials at the prize giving.

competed in the first edition of the league which is aimed at grooming the budding talent at grassroots level and thus creating a strong pool of players for future UAE national teams.

“We are very pleased with the initial response to the league. There was no dearth of enthusiasm and camaraderie among the players,” said Saeed

Albudoor, General Manager of the Emirates Golf Federation.

“I’m sure we will see a marked improvement in the standard of golf as the league goes forward.

“We will also be conducting special training sessions for boys with support from different clubs. The intention behind this initiative is to identify and develop young Emirati talent.” www.wwgolf.biz

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T E E O F F AT T H E

PEARL OF THE

DESERT

Riyadh Golf Courses P.O. Box 84329 Riyadh 11671 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia www.riyadhgolfcourses.com Information and tee-time booking number +966592315787

WWG LOCAL FOCUS

EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION GEORGE KASPARIS, GOLF PRO AT DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB, GIVES US HIS THOUGHTS ON KHALIFA OMAR’S PROGRESS:

Khalifa Omar If you could play golf with anyone in the world who would it be?

Abdulla, Obaid and Ahmed…my friends!

What is your favourite golf course?

Dubai Creek.

What’s your favourite movie?

Spiderman.

AGE: 14 FROM: Dubai GOLF CLUB: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. (Khalifa is a part of the YMG Programme in the Elite Class) How long have you been playing golf?

Only about six months.

Who is your favourite golfer?

Tiger Woods.

What do you like to do away from the golf course?

Study.

If you could have a car now what would it be?

A Hummer.

If you could have a super power what would it be?

I would love to be able to fly.

What subject do you enjoy most at school?

Physical Education.

“Even though Khalifa has not been playing golf long, we have seen a massive improvement in his ability over the last few months. Kenny Monaghan and myself really feel his level of commitment and enthusiasm for the game has allowed him to improve to a point where he will soon be ready for the main golf course. He has a constant smile on his face and really does enjoy himself every time he is here.

“The number of UAE National Juniors taking lessons at Dubai Creek is steadily rising. Like most young golfers, they take great interest in the complexity of the game and have a strong will to learn. With the support of the Emirates Golf Federation, they have a fantastic opportunity to be involved in a game that is only going to grow from strength to strength in this region.”

BEN DERBYSHIRE, GOLF PRO AT SHARJAH GOLF & SHOOTING CLUB TALKS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF THE UAE NATIONAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME: “Working on the UAE National Junior Programme has been a rewarding time for both myself and the newcomers to this game.

The children have been eager to learn, well mannered and have made great improvements with their golf in just under 10 weeks.

“The UAE National Lessons have been tailored so the juniors have as much fun as possible while taking on board all the fundamentals to golf, lessons involve enjoyable games and quizzes to keep the juniors interactive and entertained.

“I very much look forward to working alongside them in the months and years to come.”

Ahmed Abdul Raouf Al Marzouqi

Maryam Abdul Raouf Al Marzouqi

anyone in the world who would it be?

Lionel Messi.

AGE: 11 FROM: Sharjah GOLF CLUB: Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club (Maryam is a part of the YMG Programme in the UAE Nationals Class).

How long have you been playing golf?

Two years.

Who is your favorite golfer?

Tiger Woods.

If you could play golf with anyone in the world who would it be?

Pop star Selina Gomez.

What is your favourite golf course?

Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club.

What’s your favourite movie?

Wizards of Waverely Place.

What is your favourite golf course ?

Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club.

What do you like to do away from the golf course?

Watch movies with friends.

If you could have a car now what would it be?

A Lamborghini.

If you could have a super power what would it be?

To be able to fly.

What subject do you enjoy most at school?

History.

AGE: 7 FROM: Sharjah GOLF CLUB: Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club (Ahmed is also a part of the YMG Programme in the UAE Nationals Class).

How long have you been playing golf?

Three years.

Who is your favourite golfer?

Tiger Woods.

If you could play golf with

What’s your favourite movie?

Toy Story 3.

What do you like to do away from the golf course?

Play action games.

If you could have a car now what would it be?

Limousine.

If you could have a super power what would it be?

To be a monster.

What subject do you enjoy most at school?

Science. www.wwgolf.biz

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Membership details are listed on our web site www.katameyadunes.com contact: simon.duffield@katameyadunes.com New Cairo, Egypt

EGYPTIAN GOLF FEDERATION FORMER EGYPTIAN OPEN CHAMPION, AMR ZAKI, WINS EPGA EVENT AT THE ALLEGRIA GOLF CLUB DREAMLAND teaching professional Amr Zaki, won his first EPGA event over the Greg Norman designed Championship layout at The Allegria Golf Club with a play-off victory over Stella Di Mare’s Chris Geraghty.

Playing off the back tees both Zaki and Geraghty managed 3-over-par 75s which meant a play-off and it was Zaki who held his nerve to win at the first extra play-off hole. Zaki took home 40 Order of Merit points to make a significant move up the EPGA Order of Merit table.

SOPHIE ISSA TRIUMPHS AT THE DREAMLAND LADIES OPEN

Jennifer Weller from Harriman Golf, supplier of Srixon Golf in Egypt, is pictured with Samir Zaki from Mirage City GC, the top Egyptian in this year’s EPGA OOM.

SRIXON SUPPORT EGYPTIAN PROS WITH BALL DEAL FOR 2011 HARRIMAN, supplier of Srixon Golf in Egypt, further highlighted their commitment to support the development of the EPGA by awarding the top Egyptian in this year’s EPGA Order Of Merit, Samir Zaki with a 12 month Srixon ball contract. Srixon’s recent sponsorship of Local Egyptian Pros also sees Walid Sobhy from Katameya Heights playing the Srixon Ball this year.

KATAMEYA CADDIE, ‘TURKEY’, PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT PROFESSIONAL AND WILL DELIVER EGF JUNIOR PROGRAMME WELL-KNOWN and popular caddie at Katameya Heights, Walid Ramadan, known to everyone as ‘Turkey’, has been promoted to Assistant Professional at the club he has worked at since its beginnings 10 years ago.

‘Turkey’ will join fellow Professional Walid Sobhy and will put a special focus on junior coaching. He has already played a key role in offering free introduction to golf classes for all young Egyptian residents of Katameya Heights in a recent ‘TRY GOLF’ promotion.

Steven Wilson, Head Professional at Katameya Heights said: “We are delighted to offer this opportunity to ‘Turkey’, it is thoroughly deserved and I know he will play an important role in the future of our Golf Academy at Katameya. We are committed to developing our junior programme and promoting Turkey will allow us to create and retain even more juniors. He is a fine player himself and

his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game will certainly rub off on our young players and hopefully produce National champions of the future. “’Turkey’ has received initial training from the EGF on how to deliver the National Junior Programme and has already started coaching the juniors at Katameya . We will continue to work with him and develop his own coaching skills.”

SOPHIE Issa from Katameya Heights won the Dreamland Ladies Open and with it maximum EGF Order of Merit points with a 36-hole total gross score of 162 for a 12-stroke win over Katameya club-mate Maha El Senoussi.

Issa leads the Order of Merit with an impressive 110 points after the third event only in the season with her closest competitor, Maha El Senoussi trailing by 60 points.

The next round of the EGF Ladies Open series is the Stella Di Mare Ladies Open on April 4th and 5th April.

Nagwa Kamy, playing on home turf, earned herself the net title with an excellent 36-hole total of 149 beating fellow Dreamland member Eiko Nishikawa on countback.

HASSAN SAID WINS THE KATAMEYA JUNIOR OPEN HASSAN Said held his nerve over the closing holes of the Championship course to win his first Katameya Junior Open.

Said, a Katameya member and member of the National Junior Squad, secured a seven-shot victory over fellow squad member Sherif Rizk with rounds of 78 and 90 for a 168 total.

Said earned 30 Order of Merit points for the win with Rizk taking 26.

Third place went to Maged El Taweb of Dreamland and with it came 22 points for the Order of Merit.

Said receives the award for leading Under 15 player as well as the Champions award and ensures his name is engraved on the trophy. In the net category Harry Butterworth produced an excellent 36-hole total of 136 to beat Ali Lemmon by 14 shots.

The Katameya Junior Open follows the EGF structure for junior events with various categories for separate age groups and girls and boys categories.

Those category winners are: Orange Tees Girls winner Naomi Roos Orange Tees Girls runner-up Donia Schultz Orange Tees Boys winner Mohamed El Ashry Orange Tees Boys runner-up Milad Rasoul Red Tees Girls winner Shahd Raafat Red Tees Boys runner-up Euan Morrison Red Tees winner Sief Tarraf www.wwgolf.biz

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TIGHT FINISH SEES BLACK AND GOULAY PREVAIL KEVIN Black and George Goulay secured their place in the International Pairs Regional Final thanks to a narrow countback victory over the husband and wife pairing of Mercedes Sheen and Mark Siddorn at The Els Club, Dubai.

Sheen and Siddorn posted a formidable score of 41 Stableford points in the better-ball format and it seemed unlikely that a team would top their score until Black and Goulay – who were in the final group on the course – matched their target.

The tension was heightened when it was revealed that both teams scored 20 points over the back nine meaning the countback went to the final six holes and Sheen and Siddorn were left to rue their no-score on the 15th hole as it handed Black and Goulay the victory and secured them their passage to the inaugural Tech Access International Pairs UAE National Final in May. It was Gourlay who shouldered much of the scoring responsibilities, particularly on the outward nine as he scored 20 points by himself, but Black’s notable net birdie on the third and a significant par on the finishing hole could not be overlooked and this steady pair may be one to look out for in May as they vie with pairs from every other club in the UAE for an all-expenses trip to the International Pairs World Final in Scotland.

Sheen and Siddorn produced a creditable performance and mixed four net birdies and two net eagles with some steady pars but ultimetly came up

The Els Club Dubai Winners, Kevin Black and George Gourlay, pictured with Els Club General Manager, Chris Brown. just short. Completing the prize line-up in third place was the pairing of Graham Morrall and the evergreen Ian Walton as an excellent back nine of 21 points saw them finish with a 39-point total.

Hole prizes were awarded to Stephen Cleary for Nearest The Pin on hole 4 and to Terri Stewart, whose drive on the 18th hole was the longest of the day.

This was the seventh Qualifying event in the 201011 Tech Access International Pairs UAE Presented by Cadillac. Black and Gourlay join representatives from Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, The Montgomerie Dubai, Al Ghazal Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates whose names are already in the National Final draw.

SUPERB FINISH FOR CHOPRA AND SFEILA A CLASSY birdie-birdie finish saw the Jatinder Chopra and Rabih Sfeila claim a narrow victory in the latest Tech Access International Pairs UAE Qualifier at Emirates Golf Club last month.

A full field of members took to the Majlis, home of the Dubai Desert Classic, all with the aim of securing a berth in the inaugural International Pairs UAE National Final in May. Competition was always going to tough but in the end, Chopra and Sfeila’s betterball score of 43 Stableford points gave them a one point edge over the father and daughter pairing of Gerry and Katy Rutherford.

Chopra and Sfeila opened their account with two net birdies and completed their round in exactly the same fashion with both players contributing to a winning score that featured no fewer than 10 net birdies.

Chopra and Sfeila will represent the UAE’s most famous club at the National Final, alongside players from every club in the UAE when the champions will win an all-expenses luxury trip to Scotland for the International Pairs World Final.

An attractive round of 77 from junior member Katy Rutherford, whose handicap of 7 is sure to tumble, ensured a combined score of 42 points with

Emirates Golf Club winners Jatinder Chopra and Rabih Sfeila are pictured with Lady Captain, Jenny Ayres and Vice-Captain, Mike Sim. her father while Patrick Morrow and Adam Sweeney also scored 42 points thanks to a stunning front nine of 24 points that featured four net birdies and a net eagle on their closing hole. However, their back nine cost them the runners-up slot as they lost out on a countback to the Rutherfords. www.wwgolf.biz

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ARABIAN GOLF

EMIRATES GOLF CLUB FREDRIKSSON SECURES A HATRICK OF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS PONTUS Fredriksson won his third successive Men’s Club Championship title with a mammoth six-shot victory over Tony Azoulay and 90 other fellow members.

Following his opening round of 80 over the Faldo course Fredriksson found himself one shot off the lead set by Azoulay. Competitors experienced windy conditions and fast greens on day one and as a result Azoulay was the only player to break 80 on the difficult par-73 Faldo course.

However, the final round over the Majlis produced some improved scoring with Fredriksson shining through with a level par 72 which resulted in a 36-hole total of 152, well clear of Azoulay who carded a second consecutive 79. Vikram Judge shot rounds of 82 and 78 for third place with a 160 total.

The Overall Net contest again produced some high scoring with Sheikh Imran Qayyum taking top place in Division ‘A’ (handicap 0-12) with scores of 73 and 74, beating David Ashcroft to first place by six shots.

Tej Chhabra won Division ‘B’ (handicap 13-24) on a 150 tally with Ed Hesson two shots further back in second.

JUDGE IMPRESSES IN BMW MEDAL ADITYA Judge carded a gross 76 in the March edition of the BMW monthly medal to win the best gross of the day.

With the Dubai winter seemingly already in the past, Judge produced a superb performance in high temperatures. Commencing his round from the difficult ninth hole he started with a bogey but picked up birdies on the 13th, 14th and 18th holes with bogeys on the 15th and 16th giving him a level-par score for his opening 10 holes. He remained even for the tournament until three holes to go but a double bogey, bogey, bogey finish resulted in a 4-over-par total.

Jeremy Coles triumphed in Division ‘A’ (hcp 0-12) with a level-par 72 as he beat Andrew Robinson to the top spot following a card countback. Sheikh Imran Qayyum took third following his 73.

Glyn Sowerby signed for the best net of the day – a 69 – including a birdie two on the short 15th hole. This gave him a one-shot victory in Division ‘B’ over Robert Curtis with Rabih Sfeila in third with a 71.

JO SCHOEMAN TRIUMPHS IN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP JO Schoeman lifted the Ladies Club Championship title following a final-round 79 over the Majlis course.

The achievement marked a complete return to form following a long break from the game due to injury and she was delighted to cap off

her comeback with the ultimate prize on the Ladies Tournament schedule.

She started the final round two shots adrift of Jayshree Gupta who fired a solid 83 over the tricky Faldo course to take the first round lead.

But it was Schoeman, paired with Gupta and

Viv Caley for the final round, who controlled her nerves to sign for a superb 79 over the Omega Dubai Desert Classic course to finish with a 164 total, six clear of Gupta. Rosemary Turlik followed a disappointing 92 with a 79 to take third place.

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

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

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

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

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

STEPHANIE AND BRYAN WILSON COMBINE WELL TO WIN THE WENTWORTH INVITATIONAL

Pictured left to right: Natalie McLean (Wentworth and Emirates GC member), Stephanie and Bryan Wilson and Michael Duffy (Wentworth GC).

STEPHANIE and Bryan Wilson combined superbly in a 2-ball scramble format to triumph in the Wentworth Club Invitational Tournament to earn a trip to the famous Surrey, England, Club Following a disappointing recent performance in a mixed pair’s event, Stephanie was delighted to put in such a fantastic performance in one of the most popular events on the members’ tournament schedule. The pair managed to post a gross 76 over the Emirates Majlis course and after 30 per cent reduction of their combined handicaps it gave them a net 60.4 to take the top prize – 18 holes over the West, East and Edinburgh courses at the home of The European Tour’s flagship event, the PGA Championship.

The closest rivals to the Wilsons were their close friends Darren and Frances Cole who fired a gross 66, net 61.8 to take second place.

HUTCHINSON SEALS THE CAMEL TROPHY CHRIS Hutchison produced a fantastic performance in the Camel Trophy after carding a splendid total of 41 Stableford points for a three-point victory over Janine Craig, Carol Harris and Elvira Smith.

The champagne moment of her round was a gross birdie on the 349-yard par-4 fifth hole after she chipped in to earn five points for the hole.

Caroline Jones clinched top prize in the Silver Division (handicap 0-23) with 38 points as she secured a countback victory over Hiromi Ohashi who had to settle for second place.

Janine Craig signed for 36 points and continued her run of form by taking first place in Bronze Division (handicap 24-42) with Carol Harris on the same score in second place.

PAUL BYRNE AND MAURA DUGGAN WIN NEXUS OPEN PAUL Byrne and Maura Duggan joined forces to produce a superb team effort and record 45 points in the inaugural Nexus Open Stableford Tournament and win by one point from Pravesh Jethwani and Kavit Handa.

The pair, also amongst the favourites for the Mixed Match Play Championship, combined perfectly to post a 9-under-par tally and take the honours.

The single figure handicap pairing of Fran Cole and R..J. Thompson claimed third place with 42 points with their back nine good enough to edge Katy and Gerry Rutherford into fourth place.

KARAM AND KAVITA SEHMI EDGE INDIAN INVITATIONAL GOLF DAY THE 19th edition of the Indian Invitational tournament witnessed a fantastic performance by the junior pairing of Karam Sehmi and Kavita Sehmi as they secured victory with a 45-point tally.

In a closely-fought contest Madhu Sharma and Archi Sharma matched their tally but had to settle for second place after a card countback, while one point further back in third place was the duo of Jayshree Gupta and Surender Kandhari. www.wwgolf.biz

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ARABIAN GOLF

DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB TUFAIL CROWNED CREEK LADIES AMATEUR CHAMPION

Ladies Champion Sana Tufail is presented with the winner’s trophy and flowers by Dubai Creek Club Captain, Joseph Andrade.

SANA Tufail was crowned Ladies Amateur Open Champion at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club last month after a two-round total of 153.

Tufail, who is just 14 and hails from Abu Dhabi, fired a superb second round of gross 1-over-par 72 to add to an opening round 81 and beat Emirates Golf Club’s Jo Schoeman to the title by four strokes. Tufail now hopes to follow in the footsteps of past champions Felicity Johnson and Rachael Cassidy who have gone on to make a career in professional golf.

“Thank you to all of my playing partners, especially Sandra and all of the ladies who took part,” said Tufail. “The greenkeepers made the course in fantastic condition. Thanks also to the club for staging such a wonderful event. I would like to thank my parents for their continued and dedicated support towards my golf.”

In the Silver Division Serifa D’Souza won with two solid net 70s as she prevailed by three strokes from Yuko Tsukiori who followed a net 70 with a 73. The Bronze Division witnessed G.A Cho card superb net scores of 64 and 71 to win by one shot from H.H Choi who signed for a 65 and a 71 for a net 136.

ARABIAN GOLF

JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

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

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

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

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

LLOYD AND WASHBOUNE TRIUMPH IN INAUGURAL MIXED OPEN

LINDSAY SECURES MEN’S AMATEUR OPEN BY ONE STROKE ALAN Lindsay (JGE) added a gross 77 over the Fire course to a first round of 80 over the Earth course to win the inaugural Jumeirah Golf Estates Men’s Amateur Open by one stroke from Ramsey Yasin. Lindsay, who currently plays off -1, stood in second place after the first round, one shot behind Yasin (EGF).

Both players were playing in the final group during the second round and it was Lindsay who came out on top after two solid pars on the closing two holes saw him secure a one-stroke victory. In the net divisions Sidney D’Souza (11) (EGF) took the overall net title with rounds of 71 and 68 while Carlos Garcia (24) (EGF) scored 145 to win Category ‘B’ (12.5 – 24) and Sean Drury (9) (JGE) won Category ‘A’ (12.4 and under) with a two-round total of 146.

SINGH SEALS MARCH MEDAL MARCH’S Monthly Medal saw a strong field of competitors challenging for honours and it was Inderpal Singh who stole the show in the Net Division with a 75 over the Earth course.

In blustery conditions Singh signed for an outward 46 before coming home in 40 for a gross 86, net 75 to win by one from Kevin Lueders with Mark Taylor taking third place on 77.

Claire Lindsay walked away with the best gross of the day after shooting an 82 while Singh also took home the Nearest the Pin honours on hole 13 and David Mundell launched the Longest Drive down the ninth fairway.

NICK Lloyd and Jayne Washbourne scored a tremendous score of net 65 to win the Net Division at the inaugural Mixed Open in late February over the Fire course.

Adrian and Louise Adams finished four shots back with a 69 net to take second place, piping Paolo Borghesi and Charlotte West to the silver medal by one shot.

Winners of the Gross Division were Alan and Claire Lindsay as they battled hard to claim the title, eventually finishing six shots ahead of their nearest rivals with a superb gross score of 1-under-par 71. Gerry and Katy Rutherford claimed second place with a 77, two ahead of Brian and Terri Stewart who took third place after a countback.

LOCATION: Deira, opposite Deira City Centre.

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

INFO: First Open 1993, redesigned in 2005.

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

Original Designer: Karl Litten.

Redesign: European Golf Design in association with Thomas Björn.

STEPHEN AND STEVEN CLAIM CARPETLAND TOP SPOT FINALS

Shahriar Khodjasteh, Group Marketing Director for Al Aqili Furnishings Creek presenting Stephen Jaimeson and Steven Freed with the winner’s trophies.

STEPHEN Jaimeson teamed up with Steven Freed to win the March Carpetland Monthly Open with a superb net 65 for a three-shot victory.

Finishing in second place – one higher than the previous month – were Warren and Vanessa North Panting with a net 69, and they sealed the silver medal position by virtue of their back nine of net 34. In third place, missing out by one shot over the back nine, was Mansour Khodjasteh and Tarek Damerji.

All three pairs have secured three of the last six posts for the Grand Final on Saturday 13th May with the last three pairs to be decided on Saturday 9th April.

Imran Qayyum won Nearest the Pin on hole 8 with a great iron shot to a back left pin location, just over the water, while Tarun Khanna won the Long Drive challenge on the 12th hole.

“It’s great to see another well supported event and we have helped raised over DHS 9000 today towards a very noble cause,” said Shahriar Khodjasteh, Group Marketing Director of Al Aqili Furnishings. “We are looking forward to the Grand Final event in May where we will be hosting a charitable auction with lots of sports memorabilia for sale. It is building up to be a great evening.”

MAYA FINDS TOP GEAR NAEMA Maya won the BMW March Monthly Medal Ladies Division in cold and windy conditions after shooting a gross 81 for a net 70 and a one-stroke win over the rest of the field.

In the men’s Division ‘A’, Bill Wong fired a net 71 to take the spoils ahead of the consistent Alok Pant, who finished one shot behind on net 72, while in Division ‘B’ Abdul Aziz Al Hakim claimed the win with a net 73, two shots clear of Sunil Shreedharan.

The lowest gross score on the day was an 8-over-par 79 by Charlie Stephenson and he took home the prize by virtue of his better last three holes from Paul Saad.

Overall winner Naema Maya receives her BMW trophy from DCGYC Captain Joseph Andrade.

DUBAI CREEK KIDS OFF TO A FLYER

‘Creek Juniors’ – the winning team (l-r) Josh Bethel, Tiger Shankar, Sam D’Souza, Sai Ganesh and Anoushka Bhargava are pictured with George Kasparis, who runs the junior development programme at Dubai Creek, and Club Captain Joseph Andrade.

THE first event of this year’s Captain’s Junior Par-3 League took place last month with teams of five children aged between 7 and 12 representing Dubai Creek, Emirates GC and The Montgomerie, Dubai all taking part.

Defending champions Dubai Creek won the event comfortably with their best four from five scores totalling 125. Amazingly, the lowest score of the day came from the youngest player – 7-year-old Sam D’Souza who scored a superb 1-over par 28 which included six pars and a birdie.

His teammates Josh Bethel, Sai Ganesh, Tiger Shanker and Anoushka Bhargava scored 30, 31, 36 and 38 respectively to lift Dubai Creek to the top of the league table ahead of The Montgomerie on 152 and EGC on 165.

Oliver Sheedy from The Montgomerie and Josh Bethel from Dubai Creek picked up the two Nearest

‘Kids Mickey’ – The children show off some of the gifts provided by Disney the Pin prizes. Head Academy Professional from Dubai Creek Stephen Hubner said: “This is a great series for the kids to take part in as it gives them great exposure to team golf.

“They have all had great fun today and the support given by the Dubai Creek Club Captain Joseph Andrade as well as Douglas Dowie from Emirates and Richard Smith from Arabian Ranches is greatly appreciated. We also must thank our friends at Disney and Adidas for their kind contributions to the day.” www.wwgolf.biz

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LOCATION: Dubai Sports City, Emirates Road, Dubai.

CONTACT: Tel: +971 4 425 1010

ARABIAN GOLF

INFO: The Els Club at Dubai Sports City is the first golf course in the Middle East designed by US Open and Open Champion, Ernie Els which opened in January 2008.

THE ELS CLUB, DUBAI

COURSE: The par-72 course stretches to a maximum length of 7,538 yards with four different teeing options. Set on undulating slopes of native desert vegetation, it is a links style layout combining traditional classic design.

DESIGNER: Ernie Els

MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHILE YOU ARE COMPETING WWG readers can show their support for a collective effort to raise funds for the Dubai Autism Center, by playing on Wednesday 6th April at The Els Club, Dubai Sports City.

The top three Teams will qualify for the final which will also be played at The Els Club (date TBC). Three Teams from Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa have already qualified.

Format: 4 player Scramble. Raffle, competitions and giveaways on the day.

Green Fee: AED550.00 per player Two days later the 2011 Al Tayer Motors Men’s Open will be held at The Els Club. Details of which are as follows: Date: Friday 8th and Saturday 9th April, 2011 Open to all Male Amateurs. If entries are oversubscribed there will be a handicap ballot. It is an EGF Order of Merit Event and all entrants must hold a valid handicap with the EGF or provide a certificate which is to be produced at registration.

Format: 36 hole Aggregate Strokeplay with Gross and Net Divisions.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Rules apply, along with local rules as specified on the day of play.

Tee-Times: Individual Tee Times from 6:30am each day.

Entry Fee: 795.00Dhs (Visitors), 695.00Dhs (EGF Members), 295.00Dhs (The Els Club Members) Includes: 18 Holes Golf - Gross & Nett Prizes - BBQ (Friday) - Buffet (Saturday) - Prize Presentation – Welcome Gift

Russell Hannah, General Manager Le Touessrok, Winner Russell Hannah, General Manager Le Touessrok, second placed Louise Adams and Chris Brown, Director of Golf at The Els Club. Paul Moir and Chris Brown, Director of Golf at The Els Club.

LUCKY 3 WIN TRIP TO MAURITIUS LOUISE Adams won a six-night stay at the luxurious Le Touessrok hotel in Mauritius after shooting 36 Stableford points in the Le Touessrok Classic last month.

Sixty eight competitors braved the 22mph winds in an attempt to finish in the top-3 and win the top prize which included two rounds of golf on the spectacular 18-hole golf course designed by Bernhard Langer.

Paul Moir scored 31 points to take second place with Graeme Smith taking the final prize with a 30point haul. Le Touessrok’s General Manager Russell Hannah participated in the event and then presented the prizes to the winners.

I N V I TAT I O N A L

S C R AT C H

G O L F

L E A G U E

SEMI-FINALISTS DECIDED FOR THE INVITATIONAL SCRATCH GOLF LEAGUE DUBAI Creek Golf & Yacht Club defeated the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club on match day 18 of the 2010 – 2011 Invitational Scratch Golf League to book their place in the semifinals alongside the other three League winners – Emirates Golf Club, Arabian Ranches and Al Badia in the semi-finals.

The semi-final draw sees Al Badia Golf Club play Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club while the three times defending league champions Emirates Golf Club play 2006 – 07 League champions Arabian Ranches Golf Club.

“With all the 24 round robin matches now complete we now progress to the business end of the tournament,” said Bob Driver, Invitational Scratch Golf League Co-ordinator. “Both semi-finals will be played at neutral venues which we hope to finalise shortly. It is appropriate at this time to acknowledge the two individuals who have won all four of their games to date – Doug McLennan from Arabian Ranches and John Fellingham from Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.”

The format of the Invitational Scratch League has seen 12 UAE Golf Teams participate in four separate leagues with four matches per team in a round robin format – one at home and one away against the other two teams. Each team consists of eight players playing in a fourball scratch match-play format.

‘Al Ain Team Captain Sandy Sandford (left) congratulates Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Team Captain Miki Mirza on their victory.

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Final League Standings after Match Day 18: League A – Final Standings EGC* Mont. Dubai Yas Links

Matches 4 4 4

Points 12 7 5

Winning Bonus 6 3 3

Tot. Pts 18 10 8

Matches 4 4 4

Points 11 ½ 7 5½

Winning Bonus 7 4 1

Tot. Pts 18 ½ 11 6½

Matches 4 4 4

Points 10 ½ 8 5½

Winning Bonus 5 5 2

Tot. Pts 15 ½ 13 7½

Matches 4 4 4

Points 13 6 5

Winning Bonus 8 4 0

Tot. Pts 21 10 5

League B – Final Standings ARGC* Abu Dhabi GC Al Ghazal GC League C – Final Standings Al Badia GC Sharjah Wanderers GC Tower Links / Al Hamra League D – Final Standings Dubai Creek GYC Al Ain Equestrian S&GC The Els Club

LOCATION: Emirates Road (311) in the heart of Arabian Ranches.

CONTACT: Tel : +971 4 366 3000 Tel : +971 4 366 3355

ARABIAN GOLF

ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB

INFO: Arabian Ranches Golf Club opened

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

COURSE: Championship Course 7691-yard par 72.

MILLS WINS THE 2011 SINGLE FIGURE CHALLENGE OWEN Mills returned a gross 8-over-par 80 to win the Callaway Spring Single Figure Golf Challenge by one shot from Tony Dougherty last month.

With play commencing from the back tees the big-hitting Mills was one of the pre-tournament favourites and he coped best with the way the course was set up, prevailing with matching nines of 40.

Having started on the first hole in the shotgun start, Mills played fantastic golf and reached the ninth hole at 1-over before a triple followed by a double bogey brought him back down the leaderboard. He rallied well and played the next seven holes in even-par before finishing with a double bogey to clinch the title.

“This win will always be memorable, especially playing the course from the back tees, the greens were in fantastic condition,” said Mills.

General Manager Francois Wolfaardt thanked the players and sponsors for their participation, admitting that conditions were tough for the competitors.

“The course played tough today, with not even one player from the 60 players competing breaking 80,” he said. “It’s nice to see Owen win and be competitive again after a string of injuries kept him on the sidelines.”

In the Net Division Jon Skittrall took the honours with a 76, one shot clear of Eddie Ramage and Ray Doran who settled for second and third place respectively after a card countback.

(Left-right) Club Captain Andy Burrow, Gross winner Owen Mills, Net Division winner Jon Skittrall and Scott Sullivan.

RESULTS Men’s Gross Division 1st Steve Bennett – 76 2nd Doug McLennan – 79 3rd Tony Dougherty – 79 4th Paul Clark – 79 Division A Net 1st Simon McDonald – 71 2nd Adam Moore – 72 Division B Net 1st Chris Tometzki – 70 2nd Frank Doyle – 72 Ladies Division 1st Net Tracy Karai – 72 2nd Net Karen Evans – 73 1st Gross Adele McKelvey – 78

BENNETT STEALS THE SHOW STEVE Bennett returned a gross 4-over-par 76 to win the March Rivoli Monthly Medal supported

by Speed Cleaning & Standard Chartered Bank.

Bennett had posted a few good results ahead of the event and performed brilliantly on a windy day. The Champion, who is also a member of the ARGC Scratch League squad, is one of the Club’s most consistent performers and was delighted to win his first Medal for 2011. He

was steady from tee to green and posted two birdies with a couple of bogeys on the back nine to secure a well deserved victory. “It’s always a great feeling to win especially with the Club Championship just a month away,” he said.

The Division ‘A’ Net title went to Simon McDonald with a net 71. McDonald was outstanding and secured the win with a strong finish, rolling in a putt for a gross birdie on the

par-3 17th hole. In Division ‘B’ Chris Tometzki made a welcome return to the winner’s circle by posting a net 70 to win by two shots from Frank Doyle who in turn claimed second place as a result of a better back nine against Andy Scanlan.

Adele McKelvey won the Ladies gross title with a score of 78 while the net title went to Tracy Karai who posted a brilliant 72 net to claim back-to-back Medal wins.

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

ARABIAN GOLF

THE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE DUBAI

CONTACT: Tel: +9714 390 5600 Fax: +9714 360 8981

COURSE: 18 hole Championship; 7,308 yard par 75 from the Black Pearl tees; 6,753 yard par 72 from the Sapphire tees; 6,172 yard par 69 from the Emerald tees; 5,401 yard par 71 from the Ruby tee 9-hole Academy Course.

INFO: Opened October 2002

DESIGNER: Colin Montgomerie

MONTGOMERIE MAKE THEIR MOVE ON HOME SOIL THE third installment of the Ladies Interclub Challenge was held at The Montgomerie, Dubai and the home team took advantage of their local knowledge by taking the honours to move up to second place on the overall table behind Emirates GC.

CONSTANCE IN CONTROL AT CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SAM Constance shot a gross 160 over two days to win the Men’s Gross title at the BMW Club Championship by one shot while Barb McBean was crowned the Ladies’ Champion after a countback win over Debbie Murray.

The golf course was superbly set up and manicured by Andrew Rebman and Joao Goncalves who ensured double cutting and rolling of the greens to provide the smoothest possible playing surfaces. In the Ladies Net divisions Sam Argui captured the title by shooting a total of 135 for the two days, beating Natayla Sobotovych by 12 shots.

The Men’s ‘A’ Division saw Qamar Rasheed secure a four-shot victory over Rajinder Razdan while in Division ‘B’ Yonh Kyu Yang recorded a twoshot win over Barnaby Crompton.

Lady Vice Captain Anne Allan stole the show with a 40-point Stableford haul as she led her team up the table, leaving Abu Dhabi Golf Club in third place with Al Ain propping up the table in fourth with one fixture remaining.

LAMBERT SHOOTS 78 TO WIN ECCO MEDAL MARTIN Lambert recorded the lowest gross score of the day with a 78 to beat Malcolm Gray and Richard Smith by one shot at the recent monthly medal sponsored by ECCO. Debbie Murray was the Ladies Gross Division champion, defeating Kate Done by four shots, while in the Ladies Net Division Sam Argui shot a net 69 to beat ladies Vice Captain Anne Allan by one shot. Dan Davies shot the lowest net score of the day with a net 67 to win the Men’s ‘B’ Division while Qamar Rasheed and Rajinder Razdan finished tied at the top of the ‘A’ Division before Razdan was crowned the winner after a countback.

RICHARDSON SECURES THE BMW STABLEFORD IN the latest edition of the monthly BMW Stableford Paul Richardson took home the honours and the Men’s B Division title with 44 points, which was good enough for a one-point win over Nikolai Norman.

Rajinder Razdan and Graeme Henderson tied at the top of the Men’s ‘A’ Division with 38 points, but on countback Rajinder Razdan was victorious.

In the Ladies ‘A’ Division Kate Done scored 37 points to secure the victory by two shots and in the Ladies ‘B’ Division Natayla Sobotovych scored an excellent 40 points to win by three.

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LOCATION: Dubai Festival City, Al Badia, Dubai

ARABIAN GOLF

COURSE: Par 72 Championship Course with four teeing options.

CONTACT: el: +971 (0) 4 601 0101 Fax: +971 (0) 4 601 0102, Email: albadiagolf@ichdfc.ae

AL BADIA GOLF CLUB

RILEY REAPS REWARDS CHET Riley secured the overall title at the March Monthly Medal thanks to a superb net 70 in blustery conditions while there were also impressive performances in Divisions ‘A’ and ‘B’.

It was a close finish for Kieran O’Connor, who after a slow start battled through the wind to score par on six holes and finish with a net 73 to clinch victory in Division A after a countback with Lynn Cimino.

In Division B, Leslie Reis’s net 74 was just enough to hold on to the winner’s title, forcing Scott Walton to settle into the runner-up position with net 76.

Reis had rocky start in his round but after scoring par on holes 9, 11 and 12 and sinking a birdie on hole 14 he took home the honours.

On course competition prizes were awarded to Robert David for his Nearest the Pin shot on hole 15 while Mark Holman hit the Longest Drive on hole 9.

Academy Professional Jamie Anton (l) is pictured with March Medal winner Chet Riley.

CLOSE CALL FOR DENIS AND JHANG

Al Aquili Furnishing’s Mark Bryant is pictured with winner M.S. Jhang.

THE March Officeland Monthly Medal proved to be an outstanding day of golf resulting in close scores for the Al Badia Golf Club members and guests as Sylvain Denis and M.S Jhang claimed the overall title with a score of 40 Stableford points.

Conditions were windy and hazy which made for a day of tough scoring as players went out with the aim of snatching a ticket to the finale of the series. Narrowly missing out on the top spot was the duo of Gurbax Singh and Mansour Khodjasteh who were defeated after a card countback after Denis and Jhang tallied 23 points over the back nine.

Taking third place on 38 points were Al Badia Golf Club members Madhu Pillai and Sonny Gouri.

Charles Kinniburgh won Nearest the Pin prize on hole 11, while Christian Burne launched the Longest Drive on hole 9.

WORRALL WINS MONTHLY STABLEFORD

FITZPATRICK TAKES THE AL BADIA SOCIAL

JOUNG Kim Worrall’s lessons with golf pro Mathew Parker have clearly paid off as her solid score of 36 Stableford points saw her take the overall title in the Member’s Monthly Stableford in March.

Division A was taken by John Allen as his 35-point haul was good enough to see off Madhu Pillai by one point while in Division B David Chapman was victorious by one point from Sharon Moore after also securing 35 points.

Nearest the Pin went to John Doyle on the 11th hole while the Longest Drive was won by Pillai on the 13th hole.

MARK Fitzpatrick won the Wednesday Social Competition last month in beautiful conditions that were ideal for low scoring.

The tournament quickly became a duel between Fitzpatrick and Mark Barge as the other challengers fell away over the last few holes. Both players started their nine-hole rounds slowly and only three points separated them after the opening three holes.

Fitzpatrick finally made his move on the penultimate hole, making a gross birdie for four points on the par-5, eighth. On the same hole Barge could only salvage one point so it came down to the last and even though Barge made an impressive four points, Fitzpatrick also managed a solid four for three points to take the title by three points.

ARABIAN GOLF

STELLA DI MARE

CONTACT: TEL: +2062 3250 300 Email: golfoffice@stelladimare.com Web: www.stelladimare.com

INFO: Located in Ain Soukhna near the Red Sea only 100km from Cairo.

COURSE: The course was designed by the famous architect Karl Litten. The 18-hole par 72 championship links course measures 6,550 metres from the professional tees.

SOHN AND KONG COMBINE FOR DOUBLES TITLE THE Stella Di Mare Doubles Championship was played over the immaculate links course late last month and it was Jay Sohn and Y J Kong who prevailed thanks to a two-round total of net 132.6.

The popular event sees varying doubles formats played over the two days and attracts golfers from all around the area. After an opening round net 66 Sohn and Kong secured a second round 66.6 to win by 2.2 strokes from Paul Henning and Tom Makunas.

The opening day’s format consisted of a ‘two player betterball medal, 3/4 handicap’ which was a tough way to start with players require to gel together in order to post a low score.

Home favourites and members of Stella Di Mare – John Yeager and Gary Luck – opened with a net 66 to join Sohn and Kong at the top of the leaderboard with Henning and Makunas one stroke back.

The following day’s format allowed for a little more lenience and the excellent weather conditions meant that some low scoring was again on the cards.

A ‘two player Texas scramble’ format allowed Sohn and Kong to post their 66.6 on day two which gave them the victory after Henning and Makunas only managed a 67.8 and Yeager and Luck a 68.8.

ARABIAN GOLF

JOLIE VILLE GOLF & RESORT

LOCATION: The first and only golf resort in the area is located 10 minutes from the Sharm El Sheikh International Airport and Naama Bay. The central location of the resort at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula makes it an ideal point of return from other trips in Egypt, to enjoy a unique game of golf in a dramatic setting of mountains, desert and sea.

CONTACT: Tel: + 2069 3600635 Fax: +2069 3600642 golfreservation@sgr-maritim-jolieville.com INFO: The 5 star Jolie Ville Golf & Resort has matured to be one of the best in Egypt. The par 72 PGA Championship golf course, measures 6,858 yards.

SMITH AND FELLERMANN TAKE SALEM TROPHY THE 10th Annual Salem Trophy, held over the beautiful Championship course at MARITIM Jolie Ville Golf & Resort, proved to be one of the best yet as Stuart Smith and Helga Fellermann took the honours in the men’s and women’s divisions after two wonderful days of golf.

The event saw a field of 40 golfers take to the Jolie Ville course to compete in the Stableford format for the prestigious trophy. Smith got off to a flying start in the men’s division, scoring 41 points on day one before following up with 37 on day two to come out on top in what was an incredibly tight fought contest with 78 points.

Runner-up in the men’s division was Jeremy Miles who followed his opening day score of 36 points with a storming round of 41 on day two to finish on 77 points, one clear of Alan Cartledge who compiled rounds of 39 and 37.

Fellermann took home the women’s honours by one stroke after fending off a late challenge from M Benson. Fellermann’s identical rounds of 34 helped her to a 68-point total but she was pushed all the way by Benson who carded a second round 37 to add to an opening 30 for a 67 total. Third place went to Isabella Swan as she signed for cards of 24 and 38 for a total of 62.

LOCATION: Nestled in the picturesque Dirab Valley below the Tuwaiq escarpment, just 30 minutes drive from the diplomatic quarters of Riyadh, take the Makkah national road and turn left to Dirab.

The golf course is situated just off the Dirab Road.

ARABIAN GOLF

DIRAB GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

CONTACT: Tel: +966 1 498 0017/8 Email: dirabgolf@yahoo.com

INFO: Opened in 1991, Dirab GC is the only grassed Championship golf course in Saudi Arabia with 9 of the 18 holes floodlit for night golf.

COURSE: 7,420 yards par 72 Championship Course with driving range and practice facilities.

HOLDING HOLDS ON TO WIN DENISE Holding won her second straight team title in two weeks when she partnered with Saida Oihabi to win the Air France Ladies Golf Tournament with a winning score of net 67 from a gross 98.

Three strokes back in second place were the duo of Paromita Mukherjee and Choi Kim who shot 70 from a gross 99. Hee-Kim and Inge Gueltling lost out on second place after a card countback as they scored a net 70 while ex Lady Captain Theresa Wade and Barbara Dickinson took fourth place with a 79 from a gross 110.

Air France Sales and Marketing Director Bassam Jallad handed out the prizes to the winners at the awards ceremony in which Dirab Ladies Group captain Flore Bouzann thanked Paul Cabane, Air France Area Manager, Jallad and their team for their support.

The Ladies who played in the recent Air France Ladies Golf Tournament.

Saudi National Team Player Fahad Al Mansour with Khaled Al Othman pictured with the banner welcoming King Abdullah back to Riyadh at the RGBB Open Golf Championship.

Paul Dart’s Winning Team of Paul, Tom Merkel, Jerry Don Carolis and Lee Turner pictured with David Dew of sponsors SABB.

COUNTBACK NEEDED TO SETTLE RGBB OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP FOR the second year in succession a countback was required to confirm the winners of the RGBB Open Championship and it was the team of Paul dart, Jerry Don Carolis, Tom Merkel and Lee Turner who got their hands on the Claret Jug. A total of 38 teams battled for honours as 152 golfers took to the course in glorious conditions and played a fourball Texas Scramble format. The scoring was so close only four shots separated the top seven

teams with nine shots separating the entire field from first to last.

The team of Morgan Mead, Hitesh Valla, Gary Richardson and Vic Dhillon matched the winning score of 17-under-par 55 after the deduction of handicaps but they were left to rue taking one stroke more on the back nine and had to settle for second place.

Finishing in third place on 56 (16-under) were

Graeme Bliss, Tom Schneider, Lois Barker and June Schneider while John Spitz, Talal Sarieddine, Mihir Bhatt and Matt Delacour finished fourth and the team of MS Kim, Niko Ruokouso, Matt Martin and Simon Ward were fifth.

Longest Drives went to Chiara Morris and Seamus Hennessy while Nearest the Pin honours on Hole 4 went to Tom Schneider, Hole 7 to both Majed Surour and Kay Chapman and Hole 16 to Karen Bridgeford.

STEWARTS WIN THE PRESIDENTS DAY TOURNAMENT AMERICAN expatriates in Riyadh hosted a private tournament to celebrate President’s Day and the husband and wife team of Sharon and Bill Stewart took the honours in the two-ball best ball format.

Right: Participants in the recent President’s Day Golf Tournament. www.wwgolf.biz

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SHARJAH GOLF & SHOOTING CLUB

JUNIORS ON COURSE FOR GREAT THINGS THE Junior Development Programme at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club once again culminated in both a morning and afternoon tournament for all juniors who had undertaken the eight-week course of lessons.

The morning tournament was played over five holes on the academy course with a total yardage of 377 yards.

Conditions were not easy and with small, tricky greens putting was extremely difficult. But this didn’t deter the youngsters and in particular Himesh Samarasekera who took the overall winner’s position with a score of 20.

Second place went to Azis Chassebi with a knock of 23 with third place going to the young Welsh golfer Max Hibbert with a 25.

Because of the huge intake of new juniors this last term there was also a cadet tournament with the winner, Iskander Busri, scoring an incredible 22.

The more experienced children took part in a fourhole tournament in the afternoon which was played over holes 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the Championship Course.

The winner for the third session in succession was Li Zetian with an impressive 23 strokes, followed closely by Georgina Liu with 24 and Omar Karim with 25.

The tournament once again could not have taken place without the continual support of sponsors US Kids Main: All the winners on the day collect their prizes including morning tournament winner Himesh Samarasekera (second from left), second placed Azis Chassebi – (far left), third placed Max Hibbert (front row second from right) and Golf & Nexus who donated all junior equipment and Cadet Winner Iskander Busri – (back row third from right). trophies for the ceremony.

REED SHOOTS LOW FOR KEMPINSKI WIN THE Kempinski Hotel Ajman March Medal was played with a 9-hole strokeplay format with the Kempinski tee markers and banners creating a ‘tournament’ feel to the day’s play.

Gavin Reed (14) had a red-hot start, claiming four net birdies in the first five holes and even with a small wobble at the par-3, eighth hole, he managed to break par with a net 35. Mohammad Firdaus claimed second spot, scoring a level par net 36, with Vivek George carding a net 37 for third.

All three players won golf vouchers in addition to a choice of vouchers for use at the title sponsor’s luxurious Kempinski Hotel.

CHANDAN VAIDYA STORMS TO ORIENT TRAVEL MEDAL SUCCESS THE March Orient Travel Medal was taken with ease by Chandan Vaidya as he cruised to a fantastic score of net 68 for a six-stroke victory over Roy Holmes.

With the win came valuable Order of Merit points and Vaidya is within touching distance of the all-important top three after jumping seven places up to fifth. With his second place finish Holmes extended his lead at the top of the OOM and will be sure to be playing in the final two events. The penultimate competition takes place on Friday the 15th of April in the 1pm shotgun.

The top three players from the Order of Merit will represent SGSC at the World Team Championships in Malaysia at the end of the summer.

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

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

Played twice results in a par-72 layout in excess of 7,300 yards.

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

WILSON AND GEORGE TAKE THE BMW MEMBERS AND GUESTS SOCIAL IAN Wilson and Vivek George scored a fantastic net 31 to win the March edition of the BMW Members and Guests Social via countback from Jaqui Stewart and Lars Neilson.

Spring had certainly arrived as the sun beat down on players in what was the hottest weekend of the year so far and some of the golf matched the beautiful weather.

The two formats played presented a challenge but also a chance to score well with fourball betterball being played over the front nine and an adapted two ball foursomes competition on the back nine.

Korean pairing of TH Cho and Jae Nam Ko pieced together a winning nine-hole score in the foursomes – Cho using Ko’s handicap allowance to devastating effect, breaking par with their foursomes score.

Ko also claimed both the Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive prizes.

KO DOMINATES THE MIDWEEK MADNESS STABLEFORD JAE Nam Ko dominated the course in the recently held Midweek Madness Stableford tournament with a superb score of 24 points from nine holes.

He carded six pars on his way to a three-point victory over Sabu Thomas and KK Singhwho had to be separated by a countback with Singh prevailing thanks to his better final six holes.

GOLF SOCIETY NEWS

SEMI FINALISTS DECIDED IN THE SAIF ZONE GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE THE eight teams left in the SAIF Zone Golf Society League did not let the miserable weather dampen the mood on quarter-finals day and after a superb day of golf the four teams progressing to the semi-finals were MASIN, Dubai Divots, Dubai ExPutts 1 and KEGS 2.

Surprisingly, there was just one play-off all day as all of the other matches ended with convincing victories. MASIN knocked out the reigning champions, The Indian Golfers Society with 3&2 and 2&1 wins while Dubai ExPutts ended the Sharjah Golfing Buddies journey with impressive 6&5 and 3&2 wins.

KEGS 2 similarly beat Dubal with 5&4 and 3&2 wins. The 2010 semi-finalists, Gulf Rock, were

QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS Played March 5th WWG Winners (MASIN Golf Society) BMW Winners (Gulf Rock) SGSC Winners (SGB) SAIF Zone (KEGS 2)

stopped in their tracks by Dubai Divots after the Divots prevailed in a play-off. Honours ended evenly after 18 holes and they remained even after the first play-off hole.

The players were then faced with the tricky second hole with the water hazard in front of the green playing a critical role in determining the winner. One player from each side left their approach shot in the hazard leaving the Dubai Divots captain, James Evans, with a tricky up and down to make his par and win the match.

Evans played a fantastic chip shot from the right edge of the green shaving the edge of the hole before calmly sinking the three foot putt to guide the Dubai Divots into the semis.

def lost to def

SEMI-FINALS To be played April 2nd MASIN V Dubai ExPutts 1 V

Dubai Divots KEGS 2

FINAL To be played April 16th Winner of S/F

V

BMW Runners up (IGS) SGSC Runners up (Dubai Divots) lost to SAIF Zone Runners up (Dubai ExPutts1) SGSC Runners Up (DUBAL)

Winner of S/F

3rd & 4th Place Play-off To be played April 16th Loser of S/F V Loser of S/F

GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE

ARABIAN GOLF

ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB

ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB COMPLETES DESIGNED by Samir Daoud and built in 1995, the renowned Falcon Clubhouse at Abu Dhabi Golf Club now features two restaurants and numerous meeting and event facilities after a lengthy period of refurbishment was completed in January.

The interiors have been completely transformed – from light fittings to state-of-the-art kitchens, brand new locker rooms, expanded meeting spaces and revamped food and beverage outlets.

The Falcon Clubhouse, meanwhile, has maintained its elegant environment – rich in traditional features and contemporary furniture – while its glass walls give spectacular views of the Championship Course.

Café 28, a casual all-day restaurant located on the ground floor, offers international cuisine and a lively atmosphere perfect for a casual lunch during the week. The new restaurant on the first floor – The Grille – which serves steaks and fresh seafood in a stylish environment and offers gourmet dishes ideal for any day of the week. The Lounge has also been revitalised into the perfect place for a casual after-work or pre-dinner drink.

“The Falcon Clubhouse at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club has been a popular destination for over 10 years. The striking building with its two floors of restaurants, numerous meeting and event facilities, and an extensive sports and fitness club creates an atmosphere of relaxed elegance,” said Ken Kosak, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Golf Club. “The refurbishing has kept the original flair but has enhanced our top class facilities which are available to our members and guests.”

Cutting Edge Equipped with new and flexible cutting edge meeting spaces providing stunning views overlooking the ninth and 18th holes of the National course, the Falcon Clubhouse now includes a small meeting room on the first floor – as well as a large 75m² meeting room that breaks into three smaller rooms, making it the perfect venue to impress clients and business partners.

The Shaheen Boardroom on the first floor has also been given a face lift while keeping the traditional décor and atmosphere, making Abu Dhabi Golf Club the ultimate venue for training workshops and small to medium-sized board meetings.

The top floor function room, Qanas, has been extended to accommodate 200 guests, making it a large multi-purpose space, ideal for private parties and wedding functions.

The club also offers a variety of leisure facilities including a stateof-the-art fitness centre, glass backed squash courts, a free-form swimming pool, two saunas, a steam room and a Jacuzzi. Soon to become a feature is The Westin Hotel & Spa, scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2011.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club, which is fully owned by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer of cultural, residential and tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi, and managed by Troon Golf, has long been regarded as one of the finest Championship venues on The European Tour and has been showered with praise from the world’s elite professional golfers.

Being voted the best sporting club in Abu Dhabi in 2010 is a tribute to the continuous improvements being made to the club for members, guests and also international visitors, proving it to be the most popular choice for those who enjoy its fine facilities and social atmosphere. ■ 90 90

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“The refurbishing has kept the original flair but has enhanced our top class facilities which are available to our members and guests.” – Ken Kosak, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Golf Club

CONTACT: Tel : +9712 558 8990 INFO: The 27 hole championship course, managed by the world-renowned Troon Golf, weaves through undulating terrain that features palms, ornamental trees and shrubs, as well

as seven spectacular saltwater lakes.

The experience provides a tough-but-fair challenge, with lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers and generous greens.

Designed by Peter Harradine, planting had begun way back in 1992, accounting for the well-established look the Club presented even on the day of its inauguration.

REFURBISHMENT

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ARABIAN GOLF

ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB

BAIN WINS MEN’S OPEN IN STYLE ROSS Bain produced a dominant display to win the 11th Annual Abu Dhabi Men’s Open sponsored by Pro Sports International on a glorious weekend at Abu Dhabi Golf Club after rounds of 68 and 67 gave him a commanding 10-shot victory over fellow professional Matthew Allan from England.

Rising amateur star Daniel Hendry beat a high-class field to clinch the overall best gross with a 1-over-par total of 145 with Miki Mirzi taking second with a 149 and Joel Neale third, one stroke further back.

In the Net Division an excellent first round score of 68 helped Sun Jin Hwang to a sevenshot victory over Faris Al Mazuri with Dustin Goodman taking third place.

AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB

LOCATION: Just off E 11, 12 miles south of Ras Al Khaimah

course is complimented by a large open lagoon with four inter-connected lagoons.

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

COURSE: 7,267 yard, par 72 18 hole course with additional par-3 Academy Course.

INFO: Built along the Arabian Gulf, the

DESIGNER: Peter Harradine

MAJESTIC RAYMENT CLAIMS MONTHLY MEDAL

YOUSEF KEEPS HIS RAK CROWN A SOLID first round 74 in very windy conditions set the foundations for Khalid Yousef to become the first player in the club’s history to retain the RAK Mens Amateur Open title against a field that contained some of the finest male golfers in the UAE. The second round saw Yousef pushed all the way to the wire by his closest challenger, Michael Harradine, who also shot 74 in the first round.

As day two turned into a match play situation between Yousef and Harradine, it was Yousef who patiently crafted a superb 72 gross to finish on 2-over-par for the tournament – a score good enough to hold off Harradine who posted a 75 giving him a two round score of 5-over-par. Third place went to Abdulla Al Musharek after rounds of 78 and 76.

In the net prizes it was the in-form Sidney D’Souza who played well enough to overcome a three-shot deficit from Anand Sharma after day one to claim the Net trophy. D’Souza’s total of 143 was just one shot better than Sharma’ s144 while third place went to Al Hamra member Otto Hoefer.

WITH day one of the Ladies Open cancelled due to storms and high winds it was the superbly talented youngster Sana Tufail who put together an impressive 18-hole total of 77 to claim the fifth RAK Ladies Open.

Her playing partners pushed her all the way with all three players featuring in the prizes. Last year’s winner, Nasha Sarkari, put up a superb defense of her title but was pipped at the post

by Tufail after signing for a gross 78. Lindsay Brown finished third with a 79. In the Net Division both Cindy Rials and Lesley Mullen thought they were in with a chance after shooting superb 74s but they were both out done by Sandra Grenet who rallied well to card a 73 – even after receiving a three-shot penalty on the second hole. After a card countback Mullen was awarded second place with Rials third.

LOCATION: Just 400 metres from Abu Dhabi Airport by road

ARABIAN GOLF

AL GHAZAL GOLF CLUB

CONTACT: Tel : + 971 2 5758040 Fax: +971 2 5758041

CLUBHOUSE BAR Tel: +971 2 5758044 ACADEMY DIRECT Tel: +971 2 5758185 www.alghazalgolf.ae Email: golfclub@emirates.net.ae

BAIN MAKES IT TWO IN A ROW SCOTLAND’S Ross Bain won the NBAD Men’s Abu Dhabi Open Golf Championship at Al Ghazal last month to make it back-to-back victories in the event.

With difficult pin positions to contend with in the second round and early morning blustery conditions, it proved to be a very difficult test for competitors but Bain prevailed with an excellent 138 total to win by two strokes from compatriot Simon Dunn.

Dunn did shoot the low round of day two – a stunning 66 – but it wasn’t enough to overhaul

Bain’s lead. Taking the third place in the professional division was newcomer to sand golf, Chris Davis from DCGYC, who came in with a two-round total of 142.

In the Amateurs division Joel Neale kept his head to card a second consecutive level-par score and win by one shot on 142 from John Mills (AGGC) who despite shooting a second round 70 had to settle for second place.

Third place went to another newcomer, Michael Harradine (JAGRS), as he scored a 152 total, one shot

clear of fourth placed Paul King (DCGYC).Winner of the overall net prize with a total of 153 (75-78) on countback was John Fellingham (DCGYC) from second placed Jan Philip Friedmann (AGGC) with third place going to AGGC’s Golfer of the Year leader Mark Hayman on 155.

Presenting the trophies on behalf of National Bank of Abu Dhabi was Ali Al Naqbi, Head of Direct Banking & E Development, Consumer Banking Group.

BREYTENBACH AND MILLS CROWNED CLUB CHAMPIONS AL GHAZAL Golf Club boasts two brand new Club Champions after Lizette Breytenbach finally overcame seven-times defending Lady Champion Angela Scurr and John Mills took the Men’s title with a commanding performance.

Breytenbach secured the honours with a two-round total of 163 to win by one from Scurr who had fought back from an eight-shot deficit to close to gap before running out of holes.

Third place went to Anina Bester on 172 while the Ladies Net winner was Emily Gordon with a 139 and a nine-stroke win over Annete Rego.

John Mills returned to AGGC after many years and proved that his sand game was in good shape as he carded rounds of 70 and 77 to win by 11 strokes from second placed Alex Charawani with defending champion Rene Valencia settling for third after losing a countback. Returning to the AGGC fold after many years was John Mills who proved that his sand game was supreme when he carded a first round gross one under par 70 against the 2009/10 defending Champion Rene Valencia’s

All the day’s winners with Angela Scurr, Club Manager.

GORDON CONTINUES HER WINNING STREAK

81. “Several years ago I was an AGGC member but my golf wasn’t good enough to beat the then reigning champion Jonathan Jeffries Jnr,” said Mills. “It’s very satisfying to win this coveted trophy.”

In the Men’s Net prizes Keith Hindmarsh took the top spot with scores of 66 and 74 for a 140 total with Jaco Breytenbach and David Parkinson taking second and third place respectively after a countback with the pair locked on 147.

EMILY Gordon continued her impressive purple patch after a sub 60 Medal score saw her win the March medal, beating Angela Scurr and Ming Brown on count back.

Once again Mark Hayman pulled out all the stops in Division ‘A’ and considering he three putted three times he still equalled the best overall score of the day with a 72, beating Bernie Blanchard to the title by four strokes.

In Division ‘B’ Joe D’Souza also scored a 72 to win by five from Rob Brown while Division ‘C’ saw Abdul Rahman Al Laggitti take the honours with a 71.

Mark Hayman has regained his spot at the top of the International Paints Golfer of the Year ranking and leads by 17.5 points from Ramesh Emmanuel and 15 ahead of Chris de Beaufort. The Ladies Golfer of the Year has Ming still ahead by 10 points from Anina Bester 56 and Lizette Breytenbach on 44. www.wwgolf.biz

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ABU CITY GOLF CLUB

CONTACT: Tel: +971 2 445 9600 Fax: +971 2 443 32 25 office@adcitygolf.ae

INFO: The 27 hole championship course, managed Located in the Al Mushrif area, in the heart of the city, Abu Dhabi City Golf Club is a 9-hole golf course that offers a challenging game to beginners and experienced players alike.

‘VAN THE MAN’ DRIVES HOME HIS ADVANTAGE NICHOLAS Van Blerk topped the Volvo Order of Merit after a thrilling climax to the inaugural competition at the end of February.

After seven Qualifying Events the top 40 players in the Order of Merit qualified to take their spot in the inaugural Volvo Grand Final and the event was dramatic and gripping with a strong wind making scoring very tough.

With double OOM Points on offer to all 40 players over half of the field had a realistic chance of being crowned the overall Volvo Champion.

In the end it was Van Blerk, who had led for most of the qualifying events, who was crowned the champion after returning the second best score of the day with a 32 point haul. A delighted Van Blerk said: “I am delighted to be the first Volvo Order of Merit Champion at the City Golf Club – it has been a fantastic event and a joy for all us to play in. Volvo’s support and input into these events has been hugely appreciated by us all – I’m happy that these events will continue next season and that I can try and defend my title!”

Christ Thomson moved up from fourth to second on the final standings after a steady 28 points saw him finish in the top 10 on the day while Elizabeth Campbell jumped from 21st to third overall after blitzing the field with an outstanding 36 points to gain 400 OOM Points and claim the winner’s trophy on the day.

JUNIORS COME OUT TO PLAY HALL BLITZES THE FIELD IN OVER 100 juniors competed in four separate events held over two days MERCURE GOLF DAY in late February as the Rotana Junior League 2011 gets into full swing.

Two-hole champions Paige Mcdonald and Abdularaman Al Merai came out with 13 and 11 shots respectively while the three-hole champions were Caitlin Mcniff and Sabah Hariri.

Consistency was definitely the key with Leon Fluery as he scored 12 points to win the Stableford format 10-hole section whilst Louise Edgely claimed her stake for the Rotana Order Of Merit title 2011 by scoring 13 points and taking home the 10-hole girls’ champion prize.

Another great day for the Schwarte family saw Emily score a net 66 to win the 18 hole handicap section with older brother Till claiming the gross champion’s prize with a score of 90.

AS a way of announcing their forthcoming name change, long time supporters of the City Golf Club, Novotel Abu Dhabi put on a fantastic golf day under their new brand – Mercure Abu Dhabi.

A full field of 96 lucky golfers were treated to a fantastic day of golf by Mercure Abu Dhabi and the standard of golf lived up to the occasion with Sharon Hall taking the Individual event with a score of 39 Stableford points. Finishing second with a haul of 36 points was Zillay Ahmed while in the Hidden Pairs section Medhat El Hammimi (34 points) and Nigel Gales (28) were drawn together, giving them a winning total of 62 points, two clear of Mark Hardeman (29) and Nicholas Van Blerk (31).

Hidden Pairs Winner Nigel Gales and Medhat El Hammimi receive their trophies from the Mercure Abu Dhabi team.

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YAS LINKS ABU DHABI

LOCATION:LOCATION: Situated onSituated Yas Island, on Yas Yas Links Island,Abu Yas Links Dhabi features Abuan Dhabi 18-hole features course, an 18-hole a 9-hole academy course, course,golf a 9-hole academy academy and floodlit practice facilities course,which golf academy are all setand against dramatic views floodlit of the practice Arabian facilities Gulf. which

are CONTACT: all set against dramatic views of the Tel: Arabian +9712 810 Gulf.7777 www.yaslinks.com CONTACT: Tel: +9712 810 7777 www.yaslinks.com

YAS LINKS CELEBRATES ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY

Chris White, General Manager of developer Aldar Properties Golf Division

IN celebrating its first anniversary Yas Links can look forward to a future where the universal acclaim it has attracted is making Kyle Phillips’ masterpiece one of the most mustplay courses in the Middle East.

The Club has gathered an ongoing series of awards, both locally and internationally, and Chris White, General Manager of developer Aldar Properties Golf Division, is overwhelmed with the praise it has received.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better first year,” he said. “We have been fortunate to have such a great product to work with. Kyle Phillips designed a spectacular course that has made headlines around the

world as a golfing masterpiece that offers a unique experience to its visitors.”

Yas Links is the first project in the region for Kyle Phillips, who didn’t just design the course, but was also responsible for shaping the threekilometre long coastline. During the construction stage he employed some of the 1.8 million m3 (cubic metres) of infill dredged from the sea to construct the golf course, creating dramatic links holes with no less than nine seashore greens.

“We are always very grateful for any accolades we receive. But accolades aside, we were very pleased to be chosen to host this year’s Emirates Invitational Pro-Am

Tournament Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, which attracted a wealth of professional players, including then World Number One, Lee Westwood, and eventual winner, Retief Goosen, and to receive such amazing feedback from the competitors.”

Yas Links hosted, in January, the first of what is set to be a series of professional events when the Invitational moved to the venue from its previous Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club home. The championship course has benefited from a strong membership base since it opened last March and has a full tournament schedule that will see professionals and amateurs take to its fairways to test their golfing skills.

KINGSBARNS REOPENS KINGSBARNS Golf Club, in the East Neuk of Fife, Scotland, designed by Kyle Phillips, whose masterpiece is often compared to Yas Links, Abu Dhabi, celebrated its anniversary last year by staging Final Qualifying for The Open Championship and hosting the Dunhill Links Championship.

The universally acclaimed golf club had more than 27,000 rounds of golf played during the season. This month the course reopens for the 2011 season after a series of improvements over the winter months to the links and the clubhouse.

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SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB

LOCATION: Saadiayat Beach Golf club is situated on Saadiyat Island, 700m off the coast of Abu Dhabi.

The Gary Player designed course is a 317 acre par-72 beach/links style Championship course featuring three lakes and 67 bunkers and offers stunning views across the Gulf.

CONTACT: T: +971 2 557 8000 F: +971 2 557 8001 E: info@sbgolfclub.ae W: http://www.sbgolfclub.ae

SAADIYAT HOSTS 11TH UFE PRO-AM SAADIYAT Beach Golf Club played host to the 11th Abu Dhabi Union Des Français De L’Étranger (UFE) Pro-Am last month and it was ‘Team Mercure Centre Hotel’ featuring professional Paul Booth (SBGC), Leon Der Ohanessian, Pascale Michele and Garvan McDwyer who took the overall team prize with 87 points.

Winner of the individual Professional event was Fraser McLaughlan (Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Course) with a credible score of level-par 72 in the blustery afternoon conditions.

The winning team pose on the picturesque hole 5, Dolphin View.

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

ARABIAN GOLF

ROYAL GOLF CLUB BAHRAIN

forms the stunning centrepiece of Riffa Views, a residential lifestyle community.

CONTACT: Tel: +973 17 750777

HAVE YOUR SWING CHECKED BY “DOCTOR” MARTIN IMPROVE your golf game by having a 20minute swing check with James Martin, the Royal Golf Club’s newest PGA Teaching Professional. Martin is available for swing check appointments every Monday and Tuesday evening between 6.00pm and 8.30pm and it will be BD12 well spent when his professional advice puts you on the road to better golf.

Book your appointment by calling +973 39007309 or via email on: j.martin@theroyalgolfclub.com

PRE-PAID DRIVING RANGE CARDS MAKE big savings when you buy a multi-visit pass to the Royal Golf Academy’s driving range. Purchase a 10-visit pass for just BD65 and save BD10 or a 20-visit pass for BD120, a saving of BD30.

Junior golfers under the age of 18 years can enjoy the benefits too with a 10-visit card available for BD25, a saving of BD5. For further information or to purchase your pre-paid range card, just visit the Royal Golf Academy or call +973 17 750777.

April Sporting Events at the Royal Golf Club Date

Event

Time

Open to

Friday 15th

Seniors Open

from 9.00am

Over 50s

Every Saturday

Wee Monty Family Day

10am to noon

All

Every Monday

Ecco Monday Stableford

1.00pm shotgun

All

Every Monday

NHSC Night Golf Series

6.30pm shotgun

All

8.30am shotgun

All ladies

Every Wed & Sun Ladies competition

FAMILY DAY ON THE WEE MONTY

EVERY Saturday is Family Day on the Royal Golf Club’s nine hole par-3 Wee Monty golf course between 10.00am and midday. This is the perfect opportunity to try something new with the whole family – no pressure, just fresh air, light exercise and fun. Only BD15 per adult including hire clubs and kids play for free.

Call +973 17 750777 to book your tee time.

THE PALMS GOLF CLUB

KIM TRIUMPHS AT INAUGURAL SAUDI OGER OPEN

MARCH 18th should be written in golden letters in the golfing career of Korean golfer Nak Yong Kim who grabbed the inaugural Saudi Oger Golf Open Championship 2011 title at The Palms Golf Club InterContinental Riyadh thanks to a net score of 3-under-par 53.

The weather conditions were terrific and the event attracted over 90 players of 15 different nationalities. Players from all over the Kingdom travelled to Riyadh to participate in the tournament and the course was in excellent condition with quick greens and challenging pin positions.

Ebrahim Zailon, a Filipino Embassy diplomat who had just arrived back from his annual holiday, became the A-Division ( hdcp 0-6) champion with a net score of 1-under-par 55, while Filipino banker, Ben Torrefiel, settled for the runner-up position with a 58 net. In the B-Division ( hdcp 7-12 ) all time Intercontinental favourite T. W. Kim scored 58 net to win the first prize and Norwegian golfer Knut Bjornstad took the runner-up spot with net 59.

In the C- Division ( hdcp 13-18) David Lloyd, just

10 years old and in Grade 4 at the Elite International School, Riyadh, beat all-comers to first place with a net score of 58 while Saudi Golfer Abdul Azis Kridiz took second with a net 59. Genet Ray became the champion of the Ladies Division with a net score of 67 while Jin Soon Kim, who also shot 67 net, had to settle for runner-up after a countback.

During the prizegivng ceremony Mounir Melliti, Recreation Manager Intercontinental Riyadh, thanked the sponsor and players for their

LOCATION: Located on Al Maather Street in the centre of Riyadh, the Palms Golf Club at Intercontinental Riyadh is open for play from 6am until 10pm.

CONTACT: Tel: +966-1-4655000 Fax: +966-1-4657833 COURSE: Info: 9-hole, fully grassed and floodlit course.

Golf Professionals are available for coaching.

support. Baby Joseph, Asst. Golf Manager and the tournament organiser, congratulated the winners while Mazen Fayed, Director of Corporate Communications of Saudi Oger Ltd., thanked the players and awarded the prizes to the winners.

“This tournament comes in line with Saudi Oger’s vision to support Sports activities in General and Golf in particular,” said Fayed. “We are very happy with results and the organisation of this event.”

LOCATION:

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MUSCAT HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club is located near Muscat International Airport and Oman Air’s main office. Within minutes from major shopping areas, first class restaurants, hospitals, international schools and Muscat’s main Central Business District.

CONTACT:

Club: +968 245 100 65 Fax: +968 245 10277 Email: ray@muscatgolf.com Web: www.muscathills.com

R&A BOOST FOR THE OGC JUNIOR PROGRAMME THE Oman Golf Committee received a huge boost last month when the R&A backed their project to launch a year-long training programme for schoolchildren to learn to play golf.

Salim Al Harthy, Executive Vice-Chairman of the OGC, welcomed the donation from the sport’s governing body to supply 50 full sets of golf clubs, plus specially-designed plastic clubs to give youngsters a fun introduction to the game.

“This is a magnificent gesture from the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in responding to our request for support in our long-term objective to popularise the sport among Oman’s youngsters,” he said.

The OGC is the driving force behind the Hats off to the youngsters who enjoyed their introduction to the game. increasing interest in golf by Omanis and expats and particularly by the sultanate’s younger generation. The OGC is co-ordinating training SUMAT AND SANJOLI TAKE THE HONOURS IN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP programmes at the now fully established 18-hole grass course at Muscat Hills, the 9-hole grassed Muscat Hills G&CC held its first Club course at Ghala Wentworth Golf Club – soon to be Championships last month with an excellent 18-holes grass – and The Wave Mustcat, designed turnout of around 60 players competing in the

by Greg Norman, which expects to open its first two-day competition. On Day One of the Men’s nine holes for play later this year, with the entire Championship Sumant Sunder led by one shot 18 grass holes opening early next year. from Fayad Sulaiman Mohammed. Both shot “We are taking the game to Oman’s schools and a 76 and 77 Gross respectively off the black our plan is to create a large pool of beginners,” says championship tees.

Salim Al Harthy. “From these groups we will form Stronger winds on Day Two made scoring teams of five youngsters and each team will have Muscat Hills Men’s and Ladies Club Champions Sumat harder. The tough second hole caused problems a qualified instructor. The groups will then receive Sunder and Sanjoli Singh with Director of Golf Ray but Sumant Sunder managed to make par, to tuition at the various golf clubs in Muscat.”

Stopforth at the prize giving. extend his lead. On the back nine it became a Salim Al Harthy is hoping to attract local sponsors to support the training programmes. good turnout. Sanjoli Singh shot an excellent closely fought finish with Peter Bell scoring a “If we could persuade the corporates in Oman to 84 gross to win by a convincing six strokes. The steady round of gross 79 for a two-day total of come forward and sponsor these teams it would ladies nett winner was Susan Pattison with 70, 159. It was looking like a three-way play-off until be a magnificent gesture and a big boost to our beating Manju Virmani on a countback.

Sumant Sunder came home in one-under-par efforts.”

Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club thanked all for the last five holes to beat Bell and Tarun The Oman Golf Committee is doing a the Club members and competitors who made Kunzru by just one shot. magnificent job in encouraging junior golf and the tournament such a great success.

The Ladies Club Championship saw another they deserve all the support they can get.

QALHAT LNG SUPPORT OMG’S HUGELY SUCCESSFUL FIRST GOLF CLINIC FOR YOUNGSTERS

Muscat Hills PGA Pro Alex Day: “It was very rewarding to see such a strong turn-out.”

The Oman Golf Committee last month took the first step in their five-year plan to take the game of golf to the youngsters of Oman.

Their first event, held at Muscat Hills G&CC and supported by Qalhat LNG, saw 53 youngsters, which included 37 Omani children, seven of whom were girls, taking part in a fun golf clinic. The youngsters, aged between six and 16 were given an introduction to the game by Muscat Hills resident PGA Golf Pro, Alex Day, assisted by Omani National Team players, Ali Hameed and Mohammed Al Al Mawali.

“It was very rewarding to see such a strong turnout in our first event,” said Alex. “Some of the children had never held a golf club before but they showed considerable natural talent for the game. Given the

right opportunity they could become excellent golfers.”

Salim Al Harthy, Vice-Chairman of the OGC, added: “Thanks to the support of Qalhat LNG, Alex and his team, Muscat Hills and all the volunteers, this has been a hugely successful event – and there will be many more to come.”

Harib Al Kitani, President and CEO of Qalhat LNG, who attended the event, commented: “This clinic is an important step towards popularising golf among Omani kids. Qalhat is a continuous supporter to the development of sport in Oman. We have supported similar events in the past and we are pleased to support events like this, which has been a big success.”

If you have children interested in golf, register on the website: www.oman-golf.org. www.wwgolf.biz

97

ARABIAN GOLF

RIYADH GOLF COURSES

A CLASSIC MIX OF OLD AND NEW RIYADH Golf Course is the oldest public golf club in the region. It was originally opened for play as a sand course in 1986 through the efforts of a Japanese golf aficionado, as Riyadh Desert Course, a par 72, 7,000 yards.

As was the case with traditional sand courses in the Middle East, the greens were called “browns,” made of oil mixed with ultra-fine sand to enable the ball to roll, and the players carried around a piece of astroturf to strike the ball off the fairway.

In 1997, The Riyadh Development and Contracting Company (RDCC), whose CEO was His Highness Prince Faisal Al Saud, decided to make a long-term investment into the golf club when it bought the property with the intention of turning it into a premier golfing facility.

The sand course is still there and is still played by enthusiastic traditionalists. But four years ago a new 18 holes grass course was added – the “Green Course,” – one of the longest grass courses in the Middle East at 7,503 yards.

The first nine holes opened in 2005 and the back nine in 2007. The green course is an official

Championship course and boasts four lakes which are integrated through streams that make up an integral part of the overall design. There is also an excellent driving range and practice greens for players to practice their long game, short game and putting. The front nine holes are floodlit which makes it possible to play a round of golf after sunset.

World-class Clubhouse Riyadh’s grass and sand golf courses are situated just a 20 minute drive from the capital’s city centre, on the N65 Qasim Highway.

The RGC worl-class clubhouse covers a total area of 5,000 square metres, boasting a large area of leisure and dining facilities with excellent views across the golf course of rolling hills, lakes and fairways. On the ground floor of the clubhouse there is an exclusive coffee corner, private dining room and meeting room plus a luxurious members’ lounge where members and guests can sit back in the afternoon breeze and relax after a round of golf, taking solace in the shaded outside terrace where lounge seats overlook the lakes and holes

nine and eighteen, while enjoying a meal or drink.

In the basement there is the reception area, a wellstocked golf-shop with all the latest equipment, a fully equipped gym, a health spa/salon, locker rooms with a sauna and a jacuzzi.

The Country Club adjoining the Clubhouse caters for families and offers excellent sports facilities, such as two swimming pools, a soccer pitch, shisha bar, beach volleyball court, tennis court, children’s play area, mini-golf course and a traditional Arabic tent. At the Country Club the RGC can host up to 500 people for private functions, such as team-building days and corporate days.

Among the regular tournaments which take place at the RGC are the monthly medal, the Volvo Riyadh Masters, the Country Match and the Pink Ribbon.

RGC’s mission is to create a welcome, relaxed environment that provides unrivalled quality facilities for members and guests. Riyadh Golf Club invites golfers to take up the challenge and enjoy the magnificent facilities and excellent grass and sand golf courses. ■

LOCATION: Situated 20 to 25 minutes from Riyadh City Centre on the N65.

Qasim Highway, exit 5.

P.O. Box 84329, Riyadh 11671, KSA.

INFO: The Desert Course opened in late 1986. The front nine of The Greens Course opened in 2005 while the back nine opened in 2007.

CONTACT: Tel for tee-time booking: +966592315787 Web: www.riyadhgolfcourses.com

COURSES: Desert Course – 7,000 yards, Par 72 The Greens Course – 7,503 yards Par 72/73

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99

LOCATION: Close to West Bay Lagoon, 8km north of central Doha.

ARABIAN GOLF

DOHA GOLF CLUB

CONTACT: +974 4496 0777 info@dohagolfclub.com

INFO: 18-hole 7,374-yard par-72 Championship course accompanied by a floodlit 9-hole Academy Course with spectacular views of the West Bay Lagoon.

Designed by Peter Harradine.

MAX WILLIAMS SCORES A HAT-TRICK OF QATAR OPENS MAX Williams, a 21-year-old from Surrey in England, completed a fine hat-trick by winning the 2011 Qatar Open golf tournament for the third straight year last month.

Williams scored a 226 total over three rounds to defeat compatriots Joshua White and Curtis Griffiths who were second and third respectively on 230 gross with Hamad Mubarak taking fourth spot with 232.

This year’s success for Williams came relatively easily compared to his previous triumphs. In 2009, as a 19-year-old, he won after a sudden death play-off with fellow countryman Steven Brown and last year he needed another play-off to defeat Surrey colleague Alex Christie but this year he won by a comfortable four-shot margin.

“It feels great to win the tournament for the third consecutive time,” Williams said, whose reward for victory is a place in the 2012 Commercialbank Qatar Masters.

AMCHAM QATAR HOSTS TOURNAMENT FOR U.S. AND QATARI BUSINESS COMMUNITY

HARPER SECURES THE MARCH MEDAL AND A PLACE IN THE MATCH PLAY THE March Guardian Wealth Monthly Medal was hotly contested as qualification for the Doha Golf Club Match Play was also at stake with the top 16 players from Flight ‘A’ qualifying for Flight ‘A’ in the Match Play and the top 32 from Flights ‘B’ and ‘C’ combined qualifying for the Flight ‘B’ in the Match Play.

In good scoring conditions, Chris Harper scored a gross 77 (net 71) to win Flight ‘A’ after an excellent back nine of level par 36 while Terry Farnworth, playing off 14, won Flight ‘B’ with a net score of 71 after scoring a gross 85.

Flight ‘C’ was won by junior member Jung Bin Kim with a superb score of net 62 (gross 82) while Lynn Mitchell won the Ladies Flight with a net 76.

THE American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar (AmCham) hosted the first annual AmCham Qatar Golf Tournament at Doha Golf Club and the team of Moninder Sokhi, Tom Davis, John Stavola and Bernado Gogno took the honours with a score of net 60.

Dozens of AmCham members and business executives participated in the event sponsored by 24 companies including Gold Sponsors: Qatar Airways, Bechtel, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Chevron, AECOM, Business Trading Company, Qatar National Facilities Service, Patton Boggs LLP, SEPAM, State Street and Shaqab Abela Catering Services Company.

In second place the team of Nick Junod, Craig Wilson, Royal Edmundsson and Neal Wood finished with a net 62, narrowly beating David Holdway, Bob Monroe, Gavin Brown and Jim Gartner via a countback.

Other Challenges were also introduced and the following winners were announced: Nearest the Pin

Hole 3

Karl Bishop

Nearest the Pin

Hole 8

Moninder Sokhi

Nearest the Pin

Hole 13

Keith Whitney

Nearest the Pin

Hole 17

Keith Robinson

Nearest the Rope

Hole 5

Nick Junod

Longest Drive

Hole 10

Tom Davis

LOW SCORING IN TASWEEQ GOLF CHALLENGE BJORN-Ovin Wivestad and Phil Wright took the honours in the Tasweeq Challenege last month with a superb score of net 30 from their two-man Texas Scramble over the Academy Course.

The duo dovetailed superbly to pip Alan McCanava and Kevin Buijs to the title by 2.4 strokes while Riaan Welgemoed and Anis Ahmad Abdul Rahman took third place with a net 32.5.

Pornpit Sutivijit took home the trophy for Longest Drive on hole 8 while Gary von Berg claimed the prize for Nearest the Pin on hole 4. www.wwgolf.biz

101

LOCKER ROOM BUFF HEADWEAR ANYONE who watched the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona would have seen World No. 1 Martin Kaymer sporting a very fetching white fly fishing patterned piece of neck wear. It was in fact a garment originally designed to worn on the head by a company called Buff but which is so versatile it can be worn in a multitude of different ways.

Kaymer’s Buff of choice, the UV Buff, is made with CoolMax Extreme, blocking 95% UV rays, wicking sweat, keeping you cool in hotter months, and providing an extra layer of warmth to slide over your ears on cold days.

Polygiene silver ion treatment prevents odour-causing bacteria and keeps your Buff smelling fresh. Not only does the UV Buff provide dry, moisturefree comfort, it has also been proven to reduce skin temperature and help maintain hydration.

www.buffwear.com

THE ORANGE WHIP SWING TRAINER THE Orange Whip works as both a swing trainer and a fitness tool by training and building the ‘core’ muscles you use when producing the perfect golf swing.

It is shaped like a long thin golf club with an extra flexible shaft and a special weighting system that teaches you to feel the correct movements of the swing without having to remember any of the science, thus promoting the correct swing plane, rhythm, tempo, sequencing, balance and posture. The Orange Whip – used by over 60 Tour players – is great for warming up or keeping in shape in the offseason with a variety of different drills you can do that will build your muscles and get you hitting it consistently and accurately.

www.theorangewhiptrainer.com

PHYSICOOL COOLING MIST WITH the summer months approaching this is a cracking product to have in your golf bag. Physicool Cooling Mist is a spray which provides long lasting and highly effective cooling for your skin. It works by taking heat out of the problem area through rapid evaporation, rather than trying to drive cold in like other products, while it also contains soothing Aloe Vera. Cooling Mist is great for sunburn, burns, hot flushes, insect bites, stings and prickly heat.

www.physicool.co.uk

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EVERYTHING YOU WOULD WANT IN YOUR LOCKER... AND MORE! CLUBS

SECOND SKIN DRYWICJ OUTERWEAR CANADIAN apparel brand Second Skin produce a great range of Drywick pullovers featuring ‘Hydrawick’ technology that is not only incredibly light and breathable, it also sucks out moisture produced by heat. The tops look great and actually keep you cool and comfortable out on the course.

www.secondskin.ca

SKLZ SWING KITE RESISTANCE TRAINER

BALLS

CLOTHING

BAGS

COOL STUFF

EVERYDAY GOLF COACH IF you own an iPhone or an iPad you might want to check out this free update to nifty game improvement app Everyday Golf Coach.

The SwingAnalyser, which was previously only available on the iPad’s Everyday Golf Coach HD versions – allows you to upload videos of your swing and compare it to that European Tour pro David Griffiths.

Alternatively you can upload videos of your favourite Tour player and compare your swing to theirs. Everyday Golf Coach takes you through 32 easy-to-follow videos so you can learn key techniques and principles. The app covers all aspects of the game, which are broken down into seven sections looking at the core fundamentals: the swing, balance and timing, ball flight, putting, chipping and oncourse challenges.

www.everydaygolfcoach.com

WE’RE all after more distance from our golf swing and the way to get it is by resistance. By using your ‘big golf muscles’ you can create lag during the downswing before you strike the ball which generates more power and distance. The Swing Kite’s air scoop design forces you use the correct muscles so that when you come to swing a real club it will feel effortless and powerful.

The Swing Kite is also great for warming up before play.

It folds down easily for compact storage in the handy carry bag that comes with it.

www.sklz.com

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103

DRIVER - FAIRWAY - HYBRID - IRONS - WEDGES - PUTTER

IN THE

BAG

KENNY MONAGHAN

PGA PROFESSIONAL DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB

Q: When did you first start playing golf?

A: I first started at the age of six at my local golf club in Airdrie, Scotland. At that time, my mum, dad and two older brothers were also taking up the game so there was a lot of competition among the family, especially between my brothers and I. This early competition got me hooked on golf and it wasn’t long before I was spending every spare minute I had on the practice ground at Airdrie Golf Club working on my game. All that practice led me to bigger and better things and around the age of 18 I decided I wanted to try my luck in the professional game.

Q: How long have you been in Dubai and what has been your most memorable experience so far?

A: I have been here for approximately six months now and I’m really starting to enjoy the way of life here in Dubai. Putting my finger on one exact memorable experience is difficult as I have had so many already however, I caddied for a very good friend of mine at the Emirates Airline Invitational hosted by Abdullah al Naboodah at Yas Links recently and having the opportunity to spend some time up close to the best golfers in the world, asking questions and simply learning as I watched, was an experience I will never forget.

3-WOOD Ping i15 15.5º Proforce Mamiya Axivcore (stiff )

PUTTER TaylorMade Rosa Daytona Ghost Putter – 33 inch

IRONS (3-pw) Ping s56 AWT (steel

Q: What was your first set of golf clubs? shaft stiff flex) A: It was a set of John Letters Master Mex and, being the youngest sibling in the family, my two brothers had also owned them before passing them down to me! I think around the age of 13 I was treated to my first brand new set at Christmas time.

They were also John Letters but I had upgraded to the new Unison irons. I remember cleaning and polishing them almost every night!

Q: Who would be in your dream fourball?

A: Well, I would have to start with Tiger Woods. Growing up, he was someone who I looked up to and admired. To be as dominant as he was for so long is incredible and in my opinion he is definitely the greatest player of all of time. I am also quite a big football fan so I would have to choose my favourite player of all time – Henrik Larsson.

He used to play golf at the club I previously worked at and he was always a gentleman, and decent golfer as well.

Lastly, I would choose Billy Connolly. Although sometimes my golf is so bad I have to laugh I think having someone as entertaining as Billy there would have us all laughing our way around the course.

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www.wwgolf.biz

WEDGES 52º, 56º ping tour S AWT (steel shaft stiff flex)

DRIVER Ping i15 9.5º Proforce Mamiya Axivcore (stiff )

5-WOOD Ping i15 18.5º Proforce Mamiya Axivcore (stiff )

THE NEXT BREAKTHROUGH IN GOLF BEGINS AT YOUR FEET

RUN Anatomically Shaped Last

Direct Injected PU

TRAIN

WALK Yak Leather Upper

GOLF

By helping you land more toward the mid-foot than heel, BIOM Golf supports the natural motion path.

It frees rather than inhibits the foot muscles, strengthening your feet and lower legs to increase athletic performance. The design brings players closer to the ground - and is 100 grams lighter - than any other performance golf shoe. The extremely low profile significantly increases swing stability.

BIOM GOLF: Available at leading Golf Clubs and ECCO Shops in UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain & Egypt. Tel:+971-4-299 3885 Ext-101 Email: ae.golf@ecco.com Web: ecco.com/golf