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Ryder Cup Captivates the World

September is always a busy month at the DP World Tour, with the Back 9 in full swing, and of course the iconic BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. But the big talking point this month will be the Ryder Cup, which heads to New York from 26-28 September.

The Ryder Cup’s evolution over the years to become one of sports’ pre-eminent entertainment spectacles has been staggering, and in my role as Chief Ryder Cup Officer at the European Tour group I’m lucky to have a front row seat.

So, what makes the Ryder Cup so special? And why does the event manage to break through into mainstream culture in a way that only a handful of sporting events can? I think the answer lies in a few areas.

Firstly, golf is an innately individual sport, but in the Ryder Cup players play for something bigger than themselves. That responsibility – to their teammates and their country men and women – invokes a level of emotion and passion that is beyond what we see at regular golf tournaments. Every putt holed and every hole won, invokes passionate celebrations. The highs are higher, and the lows are lower. It makes for a heady emotional cocktail that is must watch viewing.

The tribal nature of supporting a team – a

country or continent – also means that casual fans are more invested. But the stats show that you do not need to be European or American to get swept up in the drama, with the last match in Rome attracting spectators from 40 different countries, and the 700million global TV audience came from over 100 countries. I think part of the reason it has global appeal is because the Ryder Cup’s format is easy to follow, even for non-golf fans. Holes and matches are either won, lost or tied.

Finally, one thing I think the Ryder Cup does well is finding the right balance between tradition and innovation. The event has a long and storied legacy, with the games’ greats duelling it out in a spirit of healthy sportsmanship, and that link to history is ever present. But at the same time, the event has moved with the times and been adept at embracing new technologies that can get fans closer to the action, and new experiences on-site such as concerts that can attract a wider audience.

In my duties overseeing Team Europe, I already have one eye on the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland at Adare Manor, which will be extra special as the centenary edition. We also announced the 2031 venue recently, with the Ryder Cup returning to Spain for the first time since 1997 with Camiral in Costa Brava, near Barcelona, taking on the hosting duties. Both

nations have rich golfing pedigrees in the event, and both venues have undergone significant investment in recent years to become ideal Ryder Cup stages. Organising an event of the Ryder Cup’s scale takes thousands of people across a complex web of stakeholder groups, so we are already deep in planning mode.

But back to New York, and we are under no illusions that winning on away soil will be tough, especially against a tough American team. To paraphrase Frank Sinatra – if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere –and those lyrics translate well to this match. New York sports fans, who are known for being loud and passionate, will create an intense environment but European Captain Luke Donald and his support team are making sure that the players are as prepared as they can be. Whatever the result, the 2025 Ryder Cup promises to be a thrilling watch.

Richard Atkinson Chief Ryder Cup Officer at the European Tour group

SEPTEMBER - 2025

RYDER CUP 2025

From Seve’s spirit to Bethpage’s battle – inside Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup mission to defend Europe’s pride abroad and inspire a new generation of champions.

12 THE OFFICIAL PETE COWEN COLUMN Europe’s Ryder Cup stars surge with wins, but Bethpage’s fiery New York crowd looms; meanwhile, the MENA Golf Tour roars back stronger.

14 TOUR NEWS

Local and international stories that grabbed the headlines.

18 MENA GOLF TOUR COMMISSIONER

From DP World Tour architect to MENA Golf Tour chief – Keith Waters on investment, opportunity and why this relaunch is a game-changer for regional golf.

30 ADRI ARNAUS

Adri Arnaus opens up on life in Dubai — from padel sessions and training at Emirates Golf Club to new sponsor backing and keeping his Ryder Cup ambitions alive for 2031.

34 GOLF’S LEADING LADY

Donna Benton reflects on her entrepreneurial journey — from creating The Entertainer to backing the MENA Golf Tour. She shares why fair play and fast payments matter, her vision for a women’s circuit, and how Dubai’s can-do spirit is helping shape golf’s next chapter in the region.

42 LEARN FROM MACINTYRE

Robert MacIntyre’s rise from MENA Golf Tour rookie to World No. 8 has been powered by a fearless left-handed swing. We break down his technique — and show how it could help sharpen your game, lower scores, and unlock extra yards off the tee.

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22 DREAM GOLF TOWN

Indoor golf is booming in Dubai, blending cuttingedge simulators, lessons, family fun, karaoke, and Korean dining. Affordable, accessible, and year-round, it’s a fresh new addition to the city’s golf scene.

58 NICO-JAMES VISSER

Where heritage fairways meet high-tech academies, Dubai’s original grass course remains the benchmark for the region. Blending tradition, innovation, and world-class events, it continues to shape the city’s golfing playground.

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GWILL POOLE

Rugby scrums turned into fairway dreams as a former rugby forward cut his handicap from 28 to 10.5. With Ryder Cup guidance and Brain & Performance Centre support, he’s now chasing scratch in Dubai..

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ABDULAZIZ MURAD

From family inspiration to a hole-in-one within a year, this UAE golfer turned a late start into obsession. With patience, mentorship, and Tiger as his idol, his journey is only beginning.

FAIRWAYS & FIREWORKS

Isaid back in January that Luke Donald’s European Ryder Cup team were heading for trouble at Bethpage in September. The atmosphere, the course, the weight of history – it looked like the odds were stacked against them. But my word, what a season it’s been for the Europeans across the pond.

Rory McIlroy finally slipping into a Green Jacket was a huge moment, not just for Rory but for the whole European camp. Momentum is priceless in team golf and the DP World Tour players have been bagging it by the bucketload. Sepp Straka doubled up with two wins, Thomas Detry conquered the raucous Waste Management Phoenix Open, Ludvig Åberg showed his superstar credentials at Riviera by winning the Genesis Invitational, Viktor Hovland nailed the Valspar, Justin Rose added the FedEx St Jude to his mantelpiece and Tommy Fleetwood crowned it all with that glorious breakthrough at the TOUR Championship.

That’s not just form – that’s a statement. Europe head to New York as genuine favourites.

But here’s the catch: the crowd.

Bethpage fans aren’t your polite hand-clappers from Augusta. These are New Yorkers – they don’t do inside voices. They heckle like seasoned Ashes sledgers and take great joy in getting under your skin. I still remember Brooks Koepka leading the PGA Championship there, only for the galleries to turn on him, chanting Dustin Johnson’s name down the fairways: “He’s going to catch you! He’s going to catch you!” And that was aimed at one of their own! Imagine what’s in store for McIlroy, Fleetwood and company.

Yes, the locals admire our lads, but come Ryder Cup week, it’s pure red, white and blue. Europe’s real test won’t be the fairways –it’ll be their nerve.

On the subject of nerves, plenty have asked whether Keegan Bradley should have picked himself. It’s a fair shout. He’s 11th in the Official World Golf Ranking, with only seven Americans ahead of him, and he birdied the last at the Travelers to edge Fleetwood in a finish made for match play. Any other captain would have slotted him straight in. Personally, I don’t mind the idea of a playing captain, that’s what vice-captains are for, but it’s a heavy load to carry. Keegan’s been on two losing sides and he’ll be desperate to set that right.

The MENA Golf Tour Rises Again

Away from Ryder Cup hype, one bit of news genuinely made my week: the MENA Golf Tour is back. And not just back – it’s back with Keith Waters at the helm. For years Keith was one of the biggest driving forces behind the DP World Tour’s growth in the Middle East, so if anyone can steer this ship, it’s him.

Covid knocked the stuffing out of the MENA Golf Tour, but it has always delivered properly run events and, crucially, a platform. Just ask Robert MacIntyre or Thriston Lawrence – both cut their teeth on the MENA Golf Tour before climbing the ladder to the big stage. A structured pathway is exactly what the region needs and it’s a boost for the global game too.

I’ve already had a chat with my grandson Freddie about it, and he’s keen – as are plenty of his mates. Spaces will vanish fast once the categories and schedule drop. Sure, some players may be counting their pennies at the end of a long European season, but the appeal of the MENA Golf Tour is global. It’s a chance to get noticed, to test yourself, to make a name.

And here’s the best part: instant prize payments. Donna Benton – the successful entrepreneur behind the Entertainer and the driving force funding this relaunch – has insisted on it. For young pros grinding week to week, that’s not a nice-to-have, that’s survival. Entry fees, flights, hotel bills – they don’t wait 30 days. Paying out inside 48 hours is a game-changer.

So here’s to Keith, Donna and the team. The MENA Golf Tour has been sorely missed. It’s fantastic to see it back on the calendar – and I, for one, can’t wait to watch the next wave of stars use it as their springboard. n

MARCO PENGE

BREAKING THROUGH ON THE DP WORLD TOUR

Marco Penge is finally fulfilling the potential many predicted when he burst onto the scene as a teenager. After years of setbacks, the 27-yearold Englishman is enjoying a career-best season on the DP World Tour, capped by a dramatic win at the Danish Golf Championship – his second victory of 2025 after breaking through at the Hainan Classic in April.

The results speak for themselves. Penge now sits second in the Race to Dubai Rankings, behind only Rory McIlroy, and has risen to a career-high 73 in the Official World Golf Ranking. For a player who admits he once felt he was showing only “25%” of his ability, this is the breakout season he had long been waiting for.

At the start of the year, Penge set himself a clear resolution: to start showing the talent he and others knew he had. “I sat down with my team and said I feel I’m not enjoying being at 25% of my potential. We needed to find a way to show more of it, more often, and get closer to my ceiling,” he explained.

That sense of urgency has translated into a new mindset. He knows he hasn’t reached the top yet, but believes he’s building towards it: “I definitely feel like I am working up that ladder towards my ceiling, but I also know there’s still a long way to go if I keep doing the right things.”

The journey hasn’t been smooth. Penge was tipped for stardom from a young age, representing England as a junior at 13 and later winning the Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship in 2015, in a field that included several future Tour winners.

But setbacks followed. A serious knee injury in 2021 threatened his career, and more recently, a betting breach led to a suspension from the DP World Tour. Instead of allowing it to derail him, Penge turned the enforced break into an opportunity to rebuild.

“When I found out the news, I sat down with my team and asked: how can we make sure we come back stronger? We built a plan for every part of my game. It’s been the best thing for me – it gave me a blueprint and people to hold me accountable.”

Since returning in February, Penge has been relentless. Three straight top 20s set the tone, followed by his breakthrough win in China. That victory earned him a place in the US PGA Championship, where he impressed with a tie for 28th in his Major debut.

Then came a near-miss at the Genesis Scottish Championship, where he tied for second alongside McIlroy –confirmation, if he needed it, that he belongs at the top level. “To have a run at playing against the best players in the world, and to be able to prepare for those events, is why I play the game. I’m a competitor. I love competing and want to test myself against the very best as much as I can.”

His confidence is growing, but so too is his perspective. After missing the cut at The Open, Penge took two weeks off at home with his wife, Sophie, and their son, Enzo, who turned one earlier this year.

“I’ve learned that I’m playing the game purely for the love of competing. Having that balance with family makes me appreciate the opportunities even more.”

His latest success in Denmark showcased both his patience and his nerve. Trailing by four shots midway through the back nine on

“

I’VE LEARNED THAT I’M PLAYING THE GAME PURELY FOR THE LOVE OF COMPETING. HAVING THAT BALANCE WITH FAMILY MAKES ME APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITIES EVEN MORE.”

Sunday, he produced flawless golf, finishing birdie-birdie to edge home favourite Rasmus Højgaard, who had eagled the last.

But the pressure of that final putt was nothing compared to what he faced less than a year ago, when he needed a birdie to make the cut at the Genesis Championship in South Korea to keep his Tour card. “That was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been. Looking back, it was the best thing for me – it taught me so much moving forward.”

Now assured of a place in the DP World Tour Play-Offs here in the UAE, Penge is also closing in on dual membership with the PGA TOUR and has his sights set on breaking into the world’s top 50. Yet he is determined not to get ahead of himself.

“I’m not one to get overawed by the spotlight,” he said. “It doesn’t change me. I just see myself as someone who loves his family, his friends, and appreciates the opportunities I’ve been given. Staying grounded and humble is the most important thing.”

For Marco Penge, the climb has been long and at times painful. But as he continues to deliver on the promise of his youth, one thing is certain: he’s no longer just a player to watch. He’s a player to beat.

RACE TO DUBAI REACHES BOILING POINT WITH BACK 9

The DP World Tour has entered one of its most exciting stretches of the season with the Back 9 – a run of nine consecutive events that could shape the entire Race to Dubai. Packed with history, drama, and plenty on the line, this phase is where careers are made and dreams are kept alive.

Kicking off in England and spanning across Switzerland, Ireland, France, Scotland, Spain, India and finishing in South Korea, the Back 9 is much more than just another run of tournaments. For the stars chasing glory, it’s a golden chance to rack up vital Race to Dubai points and move closer to securing a spot in the DP World Tour Play-Offs – the final two events of the year. For others, the challenge is about survival, with the top 110 in the standings guaranteed to keep their Tour cards for next season.

With Ryder Cup memories, Rolex Series drama, and brand-new destinations all in the mix, the Back 9 is set to deliver plenty of talking points.

THE SCHEDULE

The Back 9 began in style at The Belfry, where Alex Norén returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in seven years at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo. It was a timely victory for the Swede, who not only secured valuable Race to Dubai points but also gave European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald plenty to think about in the final week of qualification.

From there, the spotlight shifts to the Swiss Alps for the Omega European Masters at the spectacular Crans-sur-Sierre GC, before moving on to the Amgen Irish Open at The K Club.

The intensity rises further at Wentworth Club with the BMW PGA Championship, one of the flagship Rolex Series events, before attention turns to Paris for the FedEx Open de France, the oldest national open on the continent, taking place at Golf de Saint-Nom-

La-Bretèche while Le Golf National undergoes renovation.

After that, golf takes centre stage worldwide with the Ryder Cup at Bethpage, where Europe and the United States renew their rivalry in one of sport’s most iconic contests.

Back on Tour, the spotlight falls on the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship across Scotland’s historic links, then shifts to Spain for the Open de España presented by Madrid. From there, all eyes turn east for a brand-new stop: the DP World India Championship, a high-profile addition to the schedule, before the phase rounds off in style at the Genesis Championship in South Korea.

With prestige, points, and playing rights all on the line, the Back 9 promises a thrilling run-in that will set the stage for the season’s dramatic conclusion in Dubai.

Alex Nøren secured his second BetFred British Masters at The Belfry

Billy Horschel, defending BMW PGA Champion

Byeon Hun An, defending Genesis Championship Champion

GUESS WHO’S BACK?

With fresh backing and big ambitions, the MENA Golf Tour is making a roaring comeback under the guidance of one of golf’s most experience and respected leaders, Keith Waters.

After more than four decades shaping the DP World Tour and playing a pivotal role in establishing the Official World Golf Ranking, Keith Waters was supposed to be winding down into retirement. Instead, with the blessing of his wife who “never expected him to sit at home,” he’s taken on one of the most ambitious projects in regional golf – relaunching the MENA Golf Tour as its new Chairman and Commissioner.

With fresh investment, a revamped 12-event schedule and plans to provide players with a clear

pathway to the HotelPlanner Tour and DP World Tour, the MENA Golf Tour is back with a bang. The DP World Tour’s former Chief Operating Officer sat down with Rick Bevan to discuss why he came out of retirement, how his experience will help steer the circuit, and why this ambitious relaunch could be a game-changer for golf in the Middle East and North Africa.

Rick Bevan: Keith, you’ve only just stepped into the role of Chairman and Commissioner of the MENA Golf Tour. What was it about this opportunity

that attracted you after such a long career with the DP World Tour?

Keith Waters: I’ve always enjoyed working in the Middle East, opening the DP World Tour office in Dubai 17 years ago and the chance to rebuild this Tour and develop a pathway for players to other Tours is exciting.

RB: You were supposed to be enjoying retirement after stepping away from the DP World Tour. What did your wife say when you told her you were diving straight back into another big role?

KW: (Laughs) My wife wasn’t expecting me to sit at home and I’ve travelled all my working life so she was, and continues to be, very supportive!

RB: You spent more than 40 years shaping the DP World Tour and were instrumental in the creation of the Official World Golf Ranking. How will that experience help guide the MENA Golf Tour into this next chapter?

KW: I’m hoping my experience will be instrumental in building a successful Tour where players will enjoy playing.

RB: One of the biggest challenges for young professionals is finding a clear pathway to the top tours. How will the MENA Golf Tour provide a bridge to both the HotelPlanner Tour and the DP World Tour?

KW: We’re currently in discussions with the DP World and Hotel Planner Tours to create the best pathway possible.

RB: The Tour already has a track record of producing success stories, with players like Robert MacIntyre using it as a launchpad to the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR. How do you intend to build on that legacy?

KW: The brand and the legacy is great place to start from and we intend to build on that and improve many aspects of the tournaments, the player experience, the media communications and increase the prize funds.

RB: Will MENA Golf Tour events continue to award Official World Golf Ranking points, and how important is that for attracting international players?

KW: We’re already an eligible World Ranking Tour and the OWGR Technical Committee is reviewing the proposed schedule of tournaments so that the players can receive ranking points at our first tournament.

RB: The Tour had a previous alignment with LIV Golf. Why has the strategy shifted toward working with the HotelPlanner Tour and the DP World Tour instead?

KW: We’re not opposed to working with any Tour but initially the best pathway appears to be through the DP World Tour.

RB: The MENA Golf Tour paused for several years. What were the key issues that led to that, and what’s been done to ensure the Tour is now on solid ground moving forward?

KW: The financial impact of cancelling the tournaments during COVID and trying to rebuild tournaments when resorts and venues reopened was a massive challenge. Coming out of COVID was a challenge for many businesses as they needed to generate cash immediately. The relaunch will be successful because the funding for several years to stage tournaments with prize

funds of $100,000 is in place already. We have also had some positive interest from venues, federations and sponsors.

RB: Investment is always vital for a regional circuit. Can you tell us more about the new financial backing the Tour has received, including support from Donna Benton, founder of the Entertainer?

KW: Donna has given us the finances and confidence to relaunch the Tour. She is a huge supporter the sport and the region and wants to create the opportunities for the players especially players from this region.

RB: The relaunched schedule includes events outside the Middle East, starting with Portugal. Why expand internationally, and how does that fit into the vision for the Tour?

KW: The availability of venues, weather and player travel will dictate the precise schedule of tournaments. Our focus is predominantly on the Middle East, but we will occasionally play outside the region if it works for the players.

RB: Prize money is set at $100,000 per event. How significant is that for players at this level, and what impact do you expect it to have on the competitiveness of the fields?

KW: We have pitched the prize funds at a high level for such a regional Tour and we want to raise the standards and relaunch at a higher level.

RB: From your perspective, what role can the MENA Golf Tour play in inspiring and developing more local talent from the Middle East and North Africa?

KW: We want to work with the local federations and the schools to build a grass roots development

RB: Beyond player development, how do you see the MENA Golf Tour contributing to the wider growth of golf in the region?

KW: There are many successful DP World Tour events in the region but there is room for more events especially as new courses are built. The region has superb weather for many months of the year and excellent infrastructure and facilities

which makes hosting tournaments easier and more enjoyable for fans and players.

RB: Looking five years ahead, where would you like the MENA Golf Tour to be in terms of recognition and influence?

KW: We want to steadily grow the prize funds, quality of the events, increase the number of tournaments and very importantly create a Mena Golf Tour for the aspiring female golfers.

pathway where young aspiring golfers can qualify for our tournaments.

AFFORDABLE INDOOR GOLF ARRIVES IN DIP

Indoor golf is on the rise in Dubai. With year-round sunshine but also long, hot summers, the city is increasingly embracing climatecontrolled golf experiences. The newest arrival, Dream Golf Town, opened in October 2024 in Dubai Investments Park (DIP), and is quickly establishing itself as one of the most distinctive venues on the scene.

Inspired by the success of indoor golf in Asia, particularly South Korea where there are thousands of simulator venues, Dream Golf Town combines state-ofthe-art technology with an atmosphere designed to welcome families, beginners, and seasoned players alike.

“Indoor golf is part of everyday life in Korea,” explains Ho-suk Ko, owner of Dream Golf Town. “It’s not just about improving your swing – it’s about community, food, fun, and accessibility. We wanted to bring that spirit to Dubai and create a place where everyone can feel at home.”

TECHNOLOGY MEETS ACCESSIBILITY

At the heart of Dream Golf Town are the high-tech Impact Vision simulators. These machines provide AI swing analysis, detailed statistics, and slow-motion video, helping golfers at all levels to track and improve their game. Players can also test themselves on more than 140 famous courses around the world or or enjoy a quick practice session on the sims.

The venue features nine spacious practice bays, a dedicated lesson room, and four private VIP rooms. Some bays are even fitted with dual simulators to accommodate left-handed players. A onehour session costs just AED 105, while a package of ten is AED 630. Memberships with unlimited access to the practice bays start from AED 900 per month and include perks such as discounted lessons and F&B offers.

For groups who prefer a more private experience, the VIP rooms combine golf with comfort, offering sofas, tables, and a lounge-style atmosphere—ideal for playing 9 or 18 holes with friends. Lessons for juniors and adults are run by on-site professionals in a dedicated space equipped with Trackman technology for extra-precise feedback. Golfers can also purchase equipment and book professional club fitting on-site. Best of all, golf equipment is provided

free of charge – removing one of the biggest barriers for newcomers to the sport.

“Golf can sometimes feel intimidating for beginners,” says Ko. “We made a conscious decision to keep things affordable and to provide everything people need, from clubs to balls, so the focus is simply on having fun.”

MORE THAN JUST GOLF

What sets Dream Golf Town apart, however, is the breadth of experiences on offer beyond the simulators. The complex includes:

 A Korean restaurant alongside a bakery café offering snacks and beverages

 Three private karaoke rooms,with songs in seven languages that are continually updated, providing entertainment options for groups and families late into the evening.

“OUR DREAM WAS TO BRING A PIECE OF ASIA’S INDOOR GOLF CULTURE TO DUBAI. WE’RE PROUD TO HAVE CREATED A SPACE THAT’S ACCESSIBLE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY, AND DIFFERENT FROM ANYTHING ELSE IN THE CITY.”

 A family-first environment, with no alcohol served on site and activities designed to engage children, including junior golf lessons and birthday party packages.

Open daily from 6am until 2am, Dream Golf Town also appeals to early risers looking to practise before work, office groups seeking team-building activities, and late-night visitors who want a different kind of entertainment.

“Dubai has plenty of premium venues, but not many that combine affordability with variety,” Ko says. “We wanted Dream Golf Town to be inclusive –somewhere you can bring your kids, or enjoy dinner with friends after a round on the simulator.”

A LOCAL HUB WITH AN ASIAN TOUCH

Its location in Dubai Investments Park adds another point of difference. With a fast-growing residential population and numerous office complexes in the area, Dream Golf Town offers a convenient leisure hub away from the city centre. Free parking and metro access make it easy to reach, while the indoor, fully climate-controlled space ensures it’s a year-round option.

For Ko, the concept is about more than golf. “We’re trying to recreate that feeling from Asia where golf simulators are part of a bigger social

space,” he explains. “In Korea, it’s normal to play a few holes, eat, and then sing karaoke with friends. Dream Golf Town is built on that same idea – golf at the core, but always surrounded by food, fun, and family.”

A WELCOME ADDITION TO DUBAI’S GOLF SCENE

With its combination of technology, affordability, and entertainment, Dream Golf Town is carving out its own identity in Dubai’s evolving golf landscape. For those who live in DIP, it offers a nearby alternative to city-centre venues. For golfers from across the city, it provides a new way to practise, socialise, and introduce the game to friends or family in a relaxed setting.

Ko sums it up simply: “Our dream was to bring a piece of Asia’s indoor golf culture to Dubai. We’re proud to have created a space that’s accessible, family-friendly, and different from anything else in the city.”

As indoor golf continues to gain momentum in the UAE, Dream Golf Town looks set to become not just another simulator venue – but a destination where golf and community meet.

For bookings or information please visit: https://dreamgolftown.com

Why Visit Dream Golf Town?

 Affordable Golf – Free equipment rental and budget-friendly rates make it accessible to beginners, families, and casual players.

 Late Openin g Hours – Open daily from 6am to 2am, perfect for early practice or post-work entertainment.

 Family-Friendly – Alcohol-free environment with junior lessons, kids’ birthday packages, and activities for all ages.

 More Than Golf – Karaoke rooms, a Korean restaurant, and a bakery café add variety to the experience.

 Convenient Location – Situated in Dubai Investments Park with free parking and metro access.

 High-Tech Simulators – 10 Impact Vision bays with AI swing analysis and access to 140+ courses worldwide.

DEFENDING THE

Words: Tom Norton

“

Over the next three days, we will play for far more than ourselves. We play for the spirit of unity that binds this team. And for the future ageneration of golfers that will look back on this Ryder Cup and find inspiration.”

There perhaps could not have been a grander stage for Team Europe’s Ryder Cup Captain to deliver his now seminal opening speech to the thousands gathered at Rome’s Marco Simone Golf Club two years ago.

With the iconic backdrop of the Eternal City

silhouetted behind, Luke Donald addressed his gladiatorial dozen of chosen players and a fervent crowd of thousands in a manner that would have made an orator like Caesar proud. Even starting by reflecting on the captaincy as ‘the most important moment of my golfing career’, spoken in flawless Italian – much to the rapture of the gathered locals.

“As the team sitting behind him there, you felt you were one up. Straight away,” said Donald’s then-wildcard pick Shane Lowry, seemingly echoing a sentiment felt by his fellow Ryder Cup team members, all following

their Captain into battle for the first time.

And, having successfully vanquished a much-fancied US team on that glorious weekend in Rome, the giddy, hopeful chants of ‘TWO MORE YEARS!’ echoing around Marco Simone on Sunday’s aftermath, a mere few months later, were answered.

November saw Donald announced as the people’s choice to lead Europe once again, this time in pursuit of both a Ryder Cup defence and a first win on US soil since 2012’s Miracle in Medinah – a historic win that the former World No. 1 himself played an instrumental part in.

Yet, as important as the result that Team Europe managed to achieve in Italy on the course, it is the manner in which it was done off it that also endures, particularly in the hearts and minds of those involved. This alludes largely to Donald’s tireless efforts to harness a team culture that was (and still is) predicated as much on warmth and belonging as it is on winning.

“This unique feeling of a ‘one family’ culture of Team Europe has been instrumental to our success,” Donald told Worldwide Golf back in January.

It is exactly this collective recognition of ‘what has come before you’ that has become one of the hallmarks of Donald’s captaincy – as has his powerful refrain about the importance of the legacy that these players leave behind when pulling on that storied European shirt.

“This culture has been forged over many years, passed down from generation to generation, underpinned by our ethos that the Ryder Cup is about being part of something bigger than yourself.”

In Europe’s carefully curated changing rooms in the Marco Simone Golf Club in 2023, this mantra reverberated throughout the space. From an evocative portrait of Seve Ballesteros emblazoned on exit for players heading out to the first tee, across to the name of every single Ryder Cup European player enshrined along an entire wall, sitting next to immortal quotes from previous winners (including Jose Maria’s Olazabal’s beautifully phrased “All men die, but not all men live…this week you have made me live again”) from tournaments past.

And, if this wasn’t galvanising enough for those 12 players heading out to sporting war, next to each of his team members’ shirts in the dressing room, Donald had placed the inscription ‘This is Your Time’ written in each of their native languages.

In a sport where so little can separate

the exceptional level of talent of its on-field competitors, it is sometimes these inspirational flourishes hidden away from greens and fairways that can conjure an all-important mental advantage. And heading into the hostile, partisan environment of Bethpage Black, Team Europe – for all its eminent star prowess – will need every advantage they can get.

SO WHO MAKES LUKE’S DIAMOND DOZEN?

With less than a month to go until the 45th Ryder Cup, Luke Donald could arguably not have envisaged a better outlook for his choice of picks, both from the already confirmed qualified players and those (at the time of writing) left for him still to select.

“We’ve had many, many performances in recent weeks where I feel like every time I turn on the TV, there’s a bunch of good, strong European players contending,” he said.

“I’m very pleased. The top five who have already qualified all were in Rome. There’s a bunch of other guys that are playing very well, high up on the points list. So I’m very happy with the way things are going.”

The already-qualified quintet to which Donald refers is that of Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, and Tyrrell Hatton. An impressive opening shortlist given any time or context, but all the more encouraging given their respective

performances in the last six months, particularly on US shores.

McIlroy’s generational feat at The Masters, finally cementing his long-awaited but rightful place in the pantheon of golf’s career Grand Slam winners. Rose rolling back the years for his 12th PGA TOUR title at the St Jude Championship, his first in two years (as well as an agonising Masters runner-up spot at the hands of teammate McIlroy). Hatton, having started the year with a marquee victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January, has been quietly building on last year’s individual LIV title success with a team victory in Michigan last month, alongside a 14th and fourth place finish at The Masters and U.S. Open, respectively.

And in what was arguably the most heartwarming golfing story of the year, Fleetwood (one of the most popular faces on the Tour, no matter where your national allegiance lies) finally claimed his first-ever PGA TOUR title. After 164 tour starts, smaller men would have crumbled with the amount of agonising near misses the Dubai-based Englishman has endured recently. But the Southport native’s stoic attitude has remained undimmed, getting over the line in some style last month by winning the TOUR Championship and, in turn, securing the coveted 2025 FedEx Cup.

Finally, already on the team sheet is MacIntyre, the young Scot who started his career on the recently relaunched MENA Golf

Tour and turned debutant in Donald’s 2023 Ryder Cup squad, who will feel immensely satisfied with his 2025 season, despite no wins this year. However, of his 23 starts on the US circuit, he only missed two cuts. A superb level of consistency that has led to two secondplace finishes, six top tens and 11 top 25s.

“You look at his stats; out of the 12 guys, statistically in Rome he was one of the weakest, and now he is one of the strongest. He has improved by leaps and bounds,” stated Donald.

“You can see it in his game and in the belief he has in himself. It’s just really nice to see the Ryder Cup potentially have that effect, getting him to kick on and take his game to the next

level. Indeed, if momentum is the currency of competition, then Donald should be feeling rightfully flushed with his guaranteed picks right now.

Of course, with final picks being made on September 1st – by the time you’re reading this, the selection of Team Europe will be complete. But, as we stand, the expected list is as strong as it is familiar.

Since Donald spoke to gathered press at the British Masters at the end of August, Rasmus Hojgaard has now cemented his place, making his Ryder Cup debut two years after his brother’s inaugural appearance in Rome. In doing so, leapfrogging Shane Lowry to the final automatic spot.

However, the Irishman remains a strong favourite for the Captain’s pick, alongside his 2023 European teammates and fellow PGA Tour competitors, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Åberg, Sepp Straka and Matt Fitzpatrick.

And then there is Jon Rahm, who, despite not recording a single individual win on the LIV Tour in 2025, still won the season-long prize for the second year in a row.

It’s hard to look past a player of Rahm’s obvious pedigree, particularly when you consider the

Spaniard’s solid Ryder Cup scoring record and level of tournament passion that would have made even his effervescent fellow countryman Seve proud. As such, it’s hard not to consider the two-time Major champion as a shoo-in for Donald’s final European team sheet heading to New York.

So, does Captain Luke think that going with a very similar selection to his 2023 team is an advantage?

“Well, I would say we formed a good group of guys and bonded. We shared something very special, and those memories will kind of always be with us, and you can feed off those for sure. Having some continuity is good, but also having fresh blood, having rookies…that could be good, too.”

Where rookies are indeed concerned, Donald is equally conscious of the delicate and unpredictable balance of unleashing a hungry young talent on such a stage to great effect versus the drawbacks of possibly making the wrong call, maybe to both the team and, even more importantly, the individual player’s detriment.

“I think sometimes you see players that play in the Ryder Cup, and they are not really ready, and

it probably has a negative effect on them.”

But whatever his final pick is, lack of solid options is fortunately not one of the returning captain’s problems.

“Even though it’s a headache for me in terms of how many players are giving themselves a chance, it’s really a good headache…” concedes Donald with a grin.

And finally, following their success in Rome, Donald has once again turned to his trusted and talismanic consiglieri of Thomas Bjørn, José María Olazábal, Francesco Molinari and Eduardo Molinari as his tournament Vice Captains. All expected to bring their own individual dose of tournament insight and sprinkles of magic, from backroom pep talks to motivational buggy rides. And most importantly…that priceless knowledge of how to consistently win in one of sport’s toughest arenas.

THE PREPARATION

Beyond establishing that nigh-impossible alchemy of the right 12 players and backroom staff to guarantee victory in the Ryder Cup comes the issue of adequate preparation in an already packed golfing season.

And while nothing can really ever mimic the

“ “

The tournament gives me the opportunity to spend time with these players and embed them into the ‘one family’ culture, even if they ultimately do not go on to represent Team Europe in September,”

intensity, drama and high stakes of such a fiercely fought and storied contest, in the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi (formerly the Hero Cup) we have a competition that offers some invaluable team match play experience to potential Team Europe contenders.

“The tournament gives me the opportunity to spend time with these players and embed them into the ‘one family’ culture, even if they ultimately do not go on to represent Team Europe in September,” Donald told Worldwide Golf ahead of this year’s Abu Dhabi tournament. “While my goal is to win in New York, it’s also to build a foundation for players to make future Ryder Cup Teams.”

With teams competing in match play across one session of fourballs on the Friday, two sessions of foursomes on the Saturday and one session of singles on the Sunday, this year’s competition was won by Team GB&I, led by Europe Ryder Cup stalwart and 2025 team member Rose. Fleetwood even claimed the team’s winning point, as he did at Marco Simone less than 18 months earlier.

LOOKING TOWARD THE BATTLE OF BETHPAGE BLACK

Any Ryder Cup on American soil represents an intimidating challenge, no matter the strength of the visiting team. And in Bethpage Black, that team faces one of the most difficult golf

courses in the game. A long course made for the biggest hitters, this year deliberately set up by the Americans to suit Keegan Bradley’s chosen players.

It would also be remiss to overlook the obvious and historical benefit home advantage has proven over the years, on both sides of the pond.

Naturally, for all the obvious quality that Team USA has in its ranks, any lineup that boasts the number one player on the planet, the seemingly unstoppable Scottie Scheffler, should be treated with the utmost caution and respect.

But despite Team Europe’s relatively meagre record of victories over the Atlantic (four in total), there is undoubtedly much for them to be hopeful for as we head into this tantalising 45th iteration of the Ryder Cup competition.

The selection at Donald’s disposal is an enviable one. A mix of battle-hardened winners who’ve tasted victory at the highest echelons of the sport, blended with the infectious potential and prowess of the game’s brightest young stars.

The fact that the majority of these European team’s members head to the US, not only having tasted Ryder Cup success before but having enjoyed it so recently together… is also a hugely compelling prospect.

For the man tasked with the job of overseeing this victory, it represents a wholly different challenge than even two years ago. An inescapable fact that the assured, considered mind of Luke Donald is, of course, all too aware.

“I’ve had conversations with certain players already to just kind of mentally get them ready for that cauldron. That’s something I’ve been thinking about since day one of the captaincy,” he says.

“Away Ryder Cups are different. They are a different pressure. They are a different atmosphere.”

Taking on a Ryder Cup captaincy for the second time, no matter the significance of a prior success, is not for the faint-hearted. Not since Bernard Gallacher took the helm in the cups of 1991, 93 and 95 has a player returned to lead Team Europe’s charge in consecutive tournaments. Captains of past have talked about quitting while they are ahead, or not wanting to undo the good work of before. Anyone who even vaguely appreciates the ecstasy or agony of winning or losing such a tournament can probably sympathise with such an attitude.

But for this particular returning captain, if the crown does indeed lie heavy, Donald’s shoulders certainly aren’t showing the strain. Still embodying that measured demeanour and quiet confidence that he has now become so renowned for, he states: “I’ve had a little bit longer with my captaincy to think things through. It hasn’t seemed quite as rushed as with the last one… but I feel very comfortable with where we are, and I feel we’ll be prepared for the championship.”

In his opening address in Rome in 2023, Donald urged his Ryder Cup team to go out there and to write their own history.

Come the 26th of September, you can be sure that his European Team will once again have their pens firmly at the ready.

By Rick Bevan

A

A

T HOME WITH

RNAUS

Spanish golfer Adri Arnaus has called Dubai home for the past three years. Rick Bevan sat down with him at his Marina apartment to talk about life off the course, finding balance, and his new sponsorship with Goldstream Global.

Rick Bevan: Adri, what is it about Dubai that makes it the right base for you and your wife, Christina?

Adri Arnaus: We’re both very happy here because we’ve created a bit of a community. People are really nice, and we can enjoy a few activities together. We have the padel court, the gym, the pool, and it’s close enough to the airport and to where I practise. It ticks many boxes. It’s been a wonderful three years.

RB: What does a typical non-tournament day look like when you’re at home?

AA: First, I need a lot of sleep to catch up and get back into the right time zone. Then I try to spend time with Christina doing activities that keep us in shape. We go to the gym a lot – sometimes our own, sometimes an external one. Once I feel recharged, I start practising at Emirates Golf Club, which is definitely my favourite place.

RB: Where might we find you when you’re not on the course?

AA: We love walking around the Marina, although right now it’s very hot. I also enjoy spending time with one of our neighbour’s dogs, because I miss mine back in Barcelona a lot. Christina and I also like to go out to eat. We go to Lénya, where we got engaged, or the Smoked Room inside Lénya. And we also love Sushi Samba at the St. Regis on the Palm.

RB: Has the Dubai golf community helped you settle in?

AA: Yes, for sure. At the beginning, I missed Barcelona and all my friends there. But now, after five years, I feel very welcome here. People are supportive and have become my friends too. It’s reached a point where I want to practise here all the time. Even in summer, the facilities are amazing. Joining Emirates Golf Club has been important – it gives me a platform to keep improving.

RB: Can you tell us more about how becoming a member there has helped you?

AA: It’s been a really good decision. I’ve always loved the course and the facilities. Now I can play it as much as I want, and that’s helped me a lot. Playing more has been key for me, and being able to do it at one of my favourite courses makes a big difference.

RB: You’ve described Tour life as a bit of a rollercoaster. How do you balance the ups and downs?

AA: I try to be transparent and positive, no matter what. The balance is doing the best you can wherever you are. At home, you enjoy what you have, and when you travel, you try to make the best of it too. It’s about taking the positives.

RB: You’ve said before you don’t want to stay on the HotelPlanner Tour forever. How do you stay focused on the bigger picture?

AA: The HotelPlanner Tour

is very strong. You have to be on your A-game pretty much the whole year. Of course, my goal is to advance to the bigger tours, but I know the way to do that is by staying present and playing my best now. If I do that, I’m sure I’ll be back competing with the best players in the world.

RB: You’ve just partnered with Goldstream Global. What does that mean for you?

AA: I’m very proud of it. Goldstream Global shares a lot of my values – excellence, ambition, trying to be at the top of their field. For me, as a golfer who has had some ups and downs, having sponsorship support is something I really appreciate. It gives peace of mind.

Christina actually knew the CEO, Frederik, through her own work, so she helped connect us. It’s been teamwork, and we’re both proud of it. Thanks to sponsors like Goldstream Global, players like me can cover the costs of travelling, housing, and competing. That allows us to focus on playing our best golf, which is what we all want.

RB: You’re also about to receive Dubai’s Golden Visa. How important is that?

AAi: It’s a great opportunity. It means I don’t have to worry about visas expiring because it’s a 10-year visa. It also shows that authorities recognise your achievements, which makes

me proud. It gives us stability and allows us to plan our lives here for the long term. Dubai has given both Christina and me opportunities to keep developing our careers, so right now this is definitely home.

IT’S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. IT MEANS I DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT VISAS EXPIRING BECAUSE IT’S A 10-YEAR VISA. IT ALSO SHOWS THAT AUTHORITIES RECOGNISE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS, WHICH

Photography: Supplied

DP World Tour Professional and the Entertainer Ambassador, Richard Mansell

Donna Benton

Making the Unaffordable, Affordable”

Donna Benton on The Entertainer, Entrepreneurial Grit, and Backing the New MENA Golf Tour

Interview: Alex Gallemore

Before she became one of the region’s most recognisable entrepreneurs, Donna Benton was just a determined young Australian with a stack of vouchers and a simple, disarming idea: help people do more of what they love, for less. That idea became the Entertainer, a multi-market lifestyle platform that has saved residents and travellers millions while sending footfall booming through restaurants, attractions, spas and hotels starting in the UAE, expanding

throughout the GCC, to Singapore and beyond.

Now, Benton is training that same visionary force and energy on golf, specifically the relaunch of the MENA Golf Tour, where she’s stepping in as a principal investor and hands-on supporter. Her thesis is true to form: give people opportunity, treat players fairly, pay on time, and the ecosystem will thrive. Add heavyweight leadership, hello, Keith Waters, and the region’s unique ability to get things done, and

you have the makings of a development tour with serious momentum.

During an in-depth exclusive interview with Donna, we discussed origin stories and entrepreneurship, Dubai’s dramatic transformation since 2001, why paying prize money within 48 hours isn’t just good practice but essential, the vision for a Women’s MENA Golf Tour, and the moment she ended up quizzing DP World Tour winner Richard Mansell over her diary in an impromptu sponsorship pitch

Entertainer back in the day?

Donna Benton: I started the Entertainer because I wanted to make the unaffordable affordable for people. I came from a family without a lot of money and used vouchers in Australia myself. I kept thinking, why shouldn’t more families be able to do the things they love more often? If a family goes to Wild Wadi twice a year, I wanted to help them go four times. So yes, it was about savings for customers, but also about creating footfall and revenue for merchants. When you do both sides right, the whole ecosystem grows. At our peak we brought $1.3 billion in revenue in a single year globally.

I’m entrepreneurial by nature, a risk-taker, a hard worker, a visionary, and I always knew I wanted to work for myself. I love a challenge. The Entertainer scratched that itch: building something from scratch, solving a real problem, and doing it in a way that benefited everyone involved.

AG: Were there entrepreneurs you looked to for inspiration as you built?

DB: Two, really: Steve Jobs and Richard Branson. I hugely respect people who started from zero. Anyone can be given a million dollars and have a go, but those two started from nothing and built phenomenal, global companies. It’s the grit I’m drawn to. It’s not about where you end up, it’s

shaped my thinking about persistence and product.

AG: You arrived in Dubai in the early years. How has the commercial landscape changed since 2001?

DB: Oh, completely. We’ve had rapid modernisation and what I’d call a cultural renaissance. Back then the story was oil and gas. Today? It’s hospitality, sport, media, tech, education, healthcare, tourism, and all of it at pace. The Middle East, Dubai in particular, is the place to be for innovation and execution. We don’t just talk, we get things done. The world has clocked that, which is why everyone suddenly wants to live and build here.

AG: Let’s move onto golf. You’ve become a key investor in the MENA Golf Tour. Was the region’s sport and business boom the main reason?

DB: No, this is about opportunity. I love sport and I love giving people a chance to make their dreams come true, and in this case it’s young golfers. Yes, we’ll play great courses and the schedule will be strong, but the crucial piece for me is how we treat players: prize money that’s meaningful and payment terms that are fast. It’s not enough to promise a purse and then pay weeks later. Our aim is to pay within 48 hours. If you win on Sunday, I don’t want you chasing your money. I want you planning your

a major draw. The tour can grow exponentially and quickly, but only if we build it properly around the players.

AG: You’re not just wiring funds. How else will you and your businesses help players?

DB: We’ll bring expertise across the group, marketing, tech, sponsorship, and the partnerships network we’ve built. We’re discussing a range of player incentives, not just for winners. That might be F&B benefits, hotel deals, on-tour essentials, and brand partnerships that ease the cost of the grind. I don’t want to over-promise specifics before they’re signed, because we’ll evolve with the players’ needs, but the mindset is clear: the players are the foundation of this tour, and we’ll look after them.

AG: A name that raised eyebrows, in a good way, is Keith Waters, now Chairman and Commissioner. What does having Keith mean to you?

DB: Everything. Keith’s knowledge is second to none. He brings a lifetime of experience, operationally and as a player, and he’s hugely respected. He’s a doer. Having him at the helm isn’t just an honour, it’s a signal of the tour’s potential. Keith could have done anything in golf, he chose us. That tells you how seriously we’re taking this. For us, the tour,

and the region, having someone of Keith’s calibre is transformational.

AG: There’s talent everywhere, in sport and business. But you’ve made a career out of creating the room where talent can shine.

DB: That’s why I invest. I love giving people a platform. Even when I hire, I often say: forget the CV, show me you. Unless it’s a role that needs specific credentials, I’d rather see enthusiasm and drive. You can’t teach that. And I cannot stand clock-watchers. Give me someone hungry, curious with great work ethic and I’ll back them every time.

AG: Women’s sport is booming worldwide, golf included. Are you planning a Women’s MENA Golf Tour?

DB: One hundred percent. We’ve discussed it extensively. As a woman, it matters deeply to me. I’m about equality of opportunity. Men’s sport might be bigger commercially right now, but there are so many women who deserve a pathway and a platform. Our plan is to launch the Women’s MENA Golf Tour next year or the year after at the latest. It’s not a side project, it’s a pillar.

AG: You clearly look after yourself and you’re surrounded by golf people. Will we see you tee it up?

DB: [Laughs] I don’t have time for golf at the moment, but never say never. Years ago I had a few lessons with Wayne Johnson. I do own a golf buggy at my home and I’ve certainly spent time at the 19th. Nine holes? Happily. Eighteen? Let’s talk.

Even if I’m not on the fairway, I’ve been around the game for years. I own a swimwear brand, Caha Capo, and for the last three years we’ve provided board shorts to players at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic Players’ Lounge. We dressed all the golfers, and let’s just say I had plenty of volunteers to help that day. The players are all gentlemen, that’s one of the reasons I love golf. It is, at heart, a gentleman’s sport.

AG: Tell us the Richard Mansell story. I heard you basically conducted a live sponsor interview.

DB: [Smiles] I’d come back into the Entertainer and was looking at sports sponsorships. We sponsor netball and football locally and I thought, why not sponsor a golfer? Years ago, David Spencer reminded me, I’d sponsored Thristan Lawrence on the old MENA Tour through the Entertainer, so it wasn’t completely new ground.

I had criteria: ideally lives in Dubai, married or had a girlfriend , uses the Entertainer and plays on the DP World Tour, not LIV, because DP World plays more countries where the Entertainer operates, Qatar, Bahrain, Singapore and the UAE.

Clare Fleetwood connected the dots. I said I was looking, she said, “Donna, talk to Richard Mansell, great kid, good player, hungry, and a hard worker.” He came down, asked for me, and I literally opened my diary and interviewed him, who he is, how he works, what he wants to achieve, and if he used the Entertainer.

He’s a great guy, low-ego, not high maintenance, and we had signed the deal within three days. It wasn’t long afterwards he won his first DP World Tour event in Singapore. I rang him and joked that we must be his good-luck charm.

AG: Back to the MENA Golf Tour, prize money and 48-hour payment is a strong stance. Why is that such a priority?

DB: Because it’s basic respect. Development-tour life isn’t

AS A WOMAN, IT MATTERS DEEPLY TO ME. I’M ABOUT EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY. MEN’S SPORT MIGHT BE BIGGER COMMERCIALLY RIGHT NOW, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY WOMEN WHO DESERVE A PATHWAY AND A PLATFORM.

glamorous: flights, hotels, entry fees, caddie costs, it all adds up. If a player wins on Sunday and needs to wait weeks for prize money, that affects whether they can even get to the next event. We’re building a player-first tour. Paying fast is a non-negotiable for me.

AG: What’s the biggest cultural difference you’ve seen between the startup world and pro golf?

DB: Honestly, less than you’d think. In both you need resilience, humility, and consistency. In startups, you iterate fast and faceplant faster. In golf, you can miss four cuts and then catch lightning in a bottle. The people who keep showing up, without ego, tend to make it. That’s why character is so important to me, whether I’m hiring a marketeer or backing a golfer. Talent opens the door, attitude keeps you in the room.

AG: What’s your ideal “player experience” a year from now on the MENA Golf Tour?

DB: A tour where players feel seen and supported. Where communication is clear, payments are prompt, the venues are quality, and the calendar is smart, a schedule that makes sense logistically and financially. I want players to say, “I can plan a season here. I can progress here. I’m valued here.” If we do that, the rest, broadcast, commercial partners, fan engagement, follows naturally.

AG: Will we see you travelling with the tour?

DB: I’ll be focusing more on the business rather than in the day-to-day operations, but of course I will support where my skills add value. I will also be on the board and give strategic advice when needed. I still have other companies to run and commitments, so I can’t be at every event, but I’ll definitely get to some. I’m a call away for the team, and for the players, if there’s something meaningful I can do. That’s the commitment.

THE WRAP

At the end of our call, Benton circled back to her favourite theme: opportunity. In business, in sport, in life, offering people a fair chance and to follow their dreams. For the Entertainer, that meant unlocking experiences and value for customers, at the same time creating footfall and revenue for merchants. For the MENA Golf Tour, it means a player-centric platform with fast payments, serious leadership, and a growing constellation of partnerships that makes the grind more viable.

There’s a certain Dubai-ness to the whole thing: direct, optimistic and allergic to inefficiency. Bring in the best people. Back the talent. Pay on time. Scale with integrity. And when it’s time to build a women’s tour, don’t publish a position paper, just build it.

Benton may not be plotting her own run at scratch any time soon, nine holes and the 19th are more her speed, but her fingerprints are already on the region’s next golf story. If her track record is any guide, the MENA Golf Tour will do what Donna Benton has been doing since 2001: making more possible, for more people, more often.

LOCATIONS

YAS MALL UMM SUQEIM STREET, DUBAI

MALL OF THE EMIRATES

By: Alex Gallemore

Titleist

BEAUTY, BRAINS… & A TOUCH OF FORGIVENESS

It’s no secret I like tinkering with my bag. In fact, I’ve been known to switch out wedges more often than I switch golf balls. But for the last two years my PXG GEN6 irons have been glued in place — long, buttery, reliable. Until now.

You see, chasing scratch is not for the faint-hearted. When your “good” 7-iron flies 190 yards and your “slightly thin” one limps out 165, you start questioning things. That 25-yard spread is enough to make you play back every swing thought known to man. So, when most Tour bags seem to be littered with Titleist irons (and let’s not forget – Titleist make most pros actually pay for their gear), I had to find out not just why but could they help the club golfer.

Now, I’m a far cry from a Tour pro. My strike pattern is closer to a shotgun spray than a sniper’s red dot, but I still swing a 7-iron at around 95mph. Which is why the new Titleist T250 caught my eye: a players’ distance iron that promises speed, forgiveness, and looks sharp enough to make your mates jealous on the first tee.

THE LINE-UP: OLD FRIENDS, NEW FACES

The familiar T100 and T150 are back for 2025, but the real buzz surrounds the T250 – a brand-new iron designed for golfers who want big distance without wielding something that looks like a shovel.

Tech-wise, it’s “built different”. Titleist has gone

all-in on a high-strength steel face and body, wrapped around a forged L-Face with V-taper tech. Translation? More speed across the face and better launch when you hit it low – which, let’s be honest, is most of us more often than we’d like to admit.

The Max Impact Technology has had a glow-up too, delivering tighter dispersion and more consistent carry. Meanwhile, split tungsten weighting keeps the centre of gravity optimised so your 6-iron doesn’t suddenly turn into a wild animal.

And the looks? Oh my. If irons could enter beauty contests, the T250 would win hands down. Clean lines, modern styling, a touch of muscle. They look every bit as good in the bag as they feel at impact.

DATA: LOWER SMASH - BETTER NUMBERS

From the data you can see from the Smash Factor numbers why I struggled to let go of my PXG GEN6 irons but the T250 had a stronger flight and tighter dispersion, plus slightly out performed the PXG with 1.5 o weeker lofts and much poorer Smash Factor numbers.

PERFORMANCE: FAST, FORGIVING, AND FREAKISHLY CONSISTENT

The T150 was the perfect fit for dialling in those shorter distances but couldn’t match the fire power of and forgiveness of the T250

THE FITTING: A TALE OF TWO IRONS

On TrackMan at the Titleist Performance Centre in St Ives, the numbers were clear: the T250s were long and tight, but full-set gapping was tricky. Between 145 and 175 yards I’d have needed a calculator and divine intervention.

The solution? A blended set. T150s from wedge to 8-iron for control, T250s from 7 to 4-iron for speed and forgiveness. The fitter tweaked the lofts half a degree to smooth out the gaps, and just like that –yardages locked in.

VERDICT: A MATCH MADE IN TITLEIST HEAVEN

Arguably the best iron line up in the game.

Feel? Not as buttery as the T100 or T150, but still solid with tell exactly where you’ve struck reminder we’d rather not have,

After just a week in the bag, my scoring average has

dropped by 1.6 shots. Greens in regulation are up 16%. Coincidence? Maybe. New-club confidence? Probably. But the results speak for themselves.

The T150/T250 combo gives me the control I need at scoring range and the firepower I crave at long iron distances. And if I don’t make it back to scratch? Well, at least my bag now looks like it belongs to someone who knows what they’re doing.

FINAL WORD: The new Titleist T-Series is proof that technology and style can coexist. They’re gorgeous, forgiving, and frighteningly consistent. If you’ve ever wanted Tour-level looks with real-world playability, the T250 is your golden ticket.

MACINTYRE SWING SEQUENCE

Robert is a natural player who demonstrates a free flowing unrestricted swing. He uses his body and arms to full effect and doesn’t hold

As golfers its easy to try and control your natural tendencies to a point where the swing becomes mechanical and lacks power. I enjoy how Robert lets his natural movement flow and feel this is something we can all benefit

The ability to separate deliberate practice sessions with a focus on a particular pattern to improve versus letting it flow whilst we play. It’s a balance which many players get wrong and an area where Robert clearly excels. You can learn a great deal from Robert’s

naturally flowing pattern and especially when using driver. Again when we analyse the best players in the world we continue to see patterns which go against the grain.

Delaying the flex in your trail arm, excessive side bend and separation of the upper and lower body through the ball and a full release with the trail arm to name but a few.

These natural patterns are part of Robert’s makeup and what make him so great. Its important to understand its about the consistency of the pattern rather than the pattern itself.

I’ll briefly outline some of his key setups and patterns and trust you can implement some of those into your own game

Written by Stephen DeaneHead International Development Coach for Dubai Golf

Stephen is an ambassador for Dubai Golf and coaches at they’re wonderful array of facilities whilst in Dubai. Stephen also spends a proportion of his time developing Professionals, Amateurs and VIPs Internationally.

1. Robert sets with a natural posture with limited tension through his upper back whilst his arms hang natural under his shoulders.

2. He maintains a beautifully wide first movement of the ball as he allows his left hip and chest to coil.

6. In transition his arms lower which shifts his weight laterally to the right which naturally shallows the club. You’ll notice his hips are still looking left during this movement which means he hasn’t rotated the hips early like most amateurs sometimes try.

3. His left leg straightens further allowing his hips to coil as he keeps his left arm very extended which gives the look of a strong club face

4. He gradually allows the left arm to fold and the wrists to set as his right arm works past horizontal.

5. Full hip and chest coil as he gets to the top. This is shown by the extension in his left and flex in the right. His hands travel over his left heel showing the depth created by his chest coil. Nice fold in his left arm with naturally squares the face.

7. Now you can see his hip rotation has been switched on as his left foot moves away from the ground relatively early. This could potentially be an issue for an amateur if they haven’t moved they’re weight across to the right like Robert does extremely well prior.

8. As he moves through delivery his hips continue to open considerably but he keeps his shoulders square with the natural tilt of his head to the left creating good left side bend and flexion in the left elbow. This allows the path to stay from the inside to relatively neutral and limits face rotation.

9. Impact: his lower body is fully open as he stays in left side bend with his head back. This creates an amazing sway gap between the upper and lower body as he fully extends his left arm and allows the club to release to maximize speed and square the face. An excellent matchup for a player with amazing hip rotation.

10. He continues to stay back as his arms fully extend. Very easy to draw the ball with this pattern.

11. His left side starts to move through as his right leg extends up and back alongside his chest and head as his arms beautifully fold as they slow down.

12. A full flowing body and arm release as his left side moves into an unrestricted finish wit

Photography: Alex Leyno

Common Faults

PART 1

STEPHEN DEANE with

HEAD INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

COACH FOR DUBAI GOLF

MIND THE GAP DRILL!!

Photography: Alex Leyno

It’s a common for many players to allow the trail knee to pass the toe line during the downswing. This pattern is associated with an early hip turn which results in a lack of

pressure shift into the lead side and a restricted space for the club to move on a consistent path. As a result its easy to struggle with strike and flight control.

Picture 1: You can see how I’ve placed one alignment stick horizontally on the ground representing your toe line and the other on a more vertical plane at around 45 degrees which represents the knee line.

Goal: To setup within the station with your toes on the horizontal line and make some practice swings whilst avoiding the vertical line with your trail knee. If this is achievable then add a golf ball and hit some shots with the same focus.

In this article I’ve outlined a simple station drill you can easily implement into your practice sessions. All you require are two alignment sticks as shown below.

Picture 2: Your intention is to maintain a club head gap between the trail knee and vertical alignment stick during the downswing. If this is achieved you’ll also notice that your trail heel stays closer to the ground during impact (Picture 3).

Feels: If you go to impact and hold the position for a few seconds you’ll notice more pressure on the instep of the trail foot and lead leg. This will help with ball compression and contact. You’ll also feel and see that the trail knee has moved across and under your right hip. This will help with path and give you an unrestricted channel to the back of the ball resulting in flight control (Picture 4).

WRITTEN BY STEPHEN DEANE

Head International Development Coach for Dubai Golf

Stephen is an ambassador for Dubai Golf and coaches at they’re wonderful array of facilities whilst in Dubai. Stephen also spends a proportion of his time developing Professionals, Amateurs and VIPs Internationally. He has a passion for coach education and sharing knowledge and ideas with his colleagues and students.

Picture 5: These are the patterns your trying to avoid. You can see the trail knee has dived out and across the toe line and the trail heel has move quickly away from the ground. As a result my pressure feels to be hanging back and I feel I’ve no room to consistently approach the back of the ball as its blocked by the trail knee!!

If you practice this mind the gap drill I feel you’ll improve both your strike and flight control no matter what level you currently play. Enjoy the improvement and look forward to sharing more drills and advice over the coming months.

ST ANDREWS

ThE hOME Of GOLf

By Alex Gallemore

There are few places in the world that stir the soul of a golfer quite like St Andrews. Known universally as “The Home of Golf,” this charming Scottish town has hosted the game for over six centuries, and its fairways remain the most hallowed ground in the sport. From the Old

Course’s iconic Swilcan Bridge to the rugged dunes of Kingsbarns, the area offers a collection of worldclass courses that every golfer dreams of ticking off their bucket list. Here, we focus on four standouts that capture the spirit, history, and challenge of St Andrews.

If golf has a spiritual capital, it is the Old Course. Dating back to the early 15th century, it is widely regarded as the world’s oldest golf course. Old Tom Morris, one of the game’s great pioneers, shaped much of what we recognise today: shared fairways, sprawling double greens, and

THE OLD COURSE WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

the infamous Road Hole. Every golfer yearns to walk across the Swilcan Bridge, where legends like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy have all etched their names into Open Championship history. The course is a paradox – vast, flat fairways give a false sense of security,

but devilish pot bunkers and unpredictable coastal winds demand precision. Its balance of beauty, heritage, and challenge explains why it has hosted The Open more than any other venue. Playing the Old Course is more than a round of golf – it’s stepping into living history.

THE NEW COURSE A TIMELESS CLASSIC

The “New” Course is something of a misnomer — it opened in 1895, making it older than most golf clubs around the world. Designed by Old Tom Morris, the New Course was created to ease demand on the Old, but quickly gained a reputation as one of Scotland’s finest links. Narrower

fairways and trickier greens make it arguably more demanding than its elder sibling, yet it remains immensely playable. The routing offers a traditional out-and-back layout, with the sea breeze often dictating strategy. Its subtle charm lies in the detail — undulating fairways, carefully placed bunkers,

and greens that require a deft touch. Though it may lack the same global spotlight as the Old Course, the New remains a firm favourite among locals and returning visitors. It embodies everything golfers love about St Andrews: authentic links golf, rich heritage, and a sense of understated brilliance.

THE CASTLE COURSE MODERN DRAMA ON THE CLIFFS

Opened in 2008, the Castle Course is the youngest of St Andrews’ offerings, but it has quickly become a must-play. Designed by acclaimed Scottish architect David McLay Kidd – the mind behind Bandon Dunes in Oregon – the Castle Course occupies a breathtaking clifftop site overlooking the North Sea. Unlike the rolling subtlety of the Old and New, the Castle is bold, dramatic, and at times unforgiving. Expansive fairways rise

and fall with the land, while greens feature wild contours that demand creativity and courage. Panoramic views stretch back across the town of St Andrews, making it one of the most scenic rounds in Scotland. While purists sometimes debate its difficulty, there’s no denying the Castle adds a thrilling modern dimension to the area’s portfolio. For those seeking a blend of tradition and spectacle, it delivers a round to remember.

Just a short drive down the coast lies Kingsbarns, a course that feels timeless despite opening only in 2000. Created by Kyle Phillips, Kingsbarns was carved seamlessly into the natural dunes, blending old-world character with modern design. Hugging 1.8 miles of rugged Fife coastline, it offers spectacular sea views on almost every hole. Its wide fairways tempt bold play, while strategic bunkering and links-style run-offs challenge

precision. Kingsbarns is a regular host of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, where the world’s best play alongside celebrities in one of golf’s most enjoyable formats. Its combination of playability and postcard beauty has made it a global favourite – often ranking among the top 100 courses in the world. For visiting golfers, Kingsbarns completes the St Andrews experience: a modern course with a classic soul.

BUDGET & CASUAL

 BlackHorn Burgers – A local favourite for quick, flavourful eats. Think burgers, hot dogs, wraps, and shakes, with most items priced between £3.85–£7 – great value and casual charm. The Scottish Sun+14Fife Today+14WANDER SOMEWHERE+14

 Cromars – An award-winning chippy known for legendary fish suppers. Recently added a fun breakfast menu (“Pure Filth Breakfast” for £8.95) and dogfriendly options, blending local coziness with great quality. The Scottish Sun

MID-RANGE & LOCAL TOUCH

 Tailend Restaurant – A beloved spot for seafood lovers, serving fresh local produce – especially Arbroath smokies and smoked salmon—in a relaxed setting that appeals to tourists, students, and golfers alike. The Times+7Wanderlog+7The Scottish Sun+7

 Criterion Café and Northpoint Café – From hearty breakfast rolls and sandwiches to scones with a proper cup of tea, these cafés deliver comfort food at walletfriendly prices. Wayfaring Kiwi

CLASSIC & ICONIC

 The Jigger Inn – Often dubbed “arguably the most famous 19th hole in the world,” it’s perfect for a pint overlooking the 17th Road Hole – a mustvisit whether or not you’re a golfer. The Times+6Wikipedia+6Golf Monthly+6

WHERE TO STAY FROM LUXURY

RETREATS TO CHARMING VALUE STAYS

LUXURY & ICONIC

 Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa – A 5star gem right by the Road Hole, with extensive spa facilities, elegant dining, and the historic Jigger Inn onsite. Perfect for golfers looking to immerse themselves in St Andrews heritage.Telegraph+8Wikipedia+8The Luxury Editor+8

 Rusacks St Andrews – A stately hotel dating back to 1887, offering rooftop dining and serene golf course views. A blend of history and modern comfort, it’s a refined pick right next to the Old Course. The Scottish Sun+4Wikipedia+4Booking.com+4

 Seaton House – A newer luxury option in restored Georgian townhouses, located above the first tee and with elegant rooms, a seafood restaurant (Ondine), and whiskybar cocktail ambiance. Rates start at around £290/night.The Times+1

 Fairmont St Andrews – Set on a sweeping 520acre seaside estate with its own golf courses, spa, multiple dining venues, and manorhouse charm – a peaceful, full-service resort experience. Reddit+4Fairmont Hotels & Resorts+4The Luxury Editor+4

BOUTIQUE & UPPER MID-RANGE

 Hotel Du Vin, St Andrews – A Victorianbuilt boutique offering individually styled rooms, cosy French bistro fare, and a central, historic location – not as expensive as the ultraluxury options. The Luxury Editor

CLASSIC COUNTRY-HOUSE CHARM

 Rufflets Country House Hotel – Located about a mile from town in a hometurnedhotel set on ten acres, this 4star gem offers serene gardens, comfortable rooms, and a longstanding familyrun ambience. Wikipedia

GOOD VALUE & LOCAL FEEL

 Six Murray Park (B&B) – Mentioned positively by a fellow traveller as a comfortable, wellpriced B&B just blocks from the Old Course – no shared bathrooms and excellent location. Rick Steves Community+1 Student & SelfCatering Options – Budget travellers can consider St Andrews University student halls (e.g., Agnes Blackadder, David Russell, McIntosh) or selfcatering rentals nearby for clean, basic, and costeffective stays.

Scrum to Scratch? From

HOW GWILL POOLE SWAPPED RUGBY BATTLES FOR DUBAI BIRDIES – AND FOUND RESILIENCE, FAMILY, AND FRIENDSHIP IN GOLF.

Sport has always been in Gwill Poole’s blood. For years it came in the shape of bruising tackles, muddy scrums, and long Saturday afternoons on the rugby field. These days, it’s the gentle rhythm of the backswing and the frustrating brilliance of a four-footer for par that dominate his weekends. But while the sport has changed, the competitive fire – and the story behind it – burns stronger than ever.

At 41, Manager at The Brain & Performance Centre – a DP World company – has made an astonishing golfing leap. In just 18 months, he’s slashed his handicap from 28 to 10.5. With a little help from Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts and a determination that has carried him through far tougher battles in life, he’s got scratch in his sights.

RUGBY DREAMS AND TOUGHER BATTLES

Poole’s story begins not on manicured fairways, but in the rough and tumble of English rugby. Born with a natural athleticism and a love for competition, he first laced up his boots at the age of six. By his late teens, he was making serious headway, earning a scholarship with the Newcastle Falcons Academy and climbing the ladder to National 1 level rugby.

“I lived and breathed the game,” he recalls. “Every spare moment was rugby, and the dream was to make it professionally. At that age, you feel indestructible – the next step always feels just around the corner.”

But in 2004, reality struck. A snapped fibula cut short his rise and changed everything. “One moment I was on the field with the lads, the next I was in a hospital bed. Suddenly, the thing that defined me was gone.”

Poole carried on playing socially, keeping the flame alive with the Dubai Sharks and later the Hurricanes after moving to the UAE. But the demands of rugby and family life finally brought retirement a year and a half ago. The void, though, didn’t last long.

“Rugby gave me the team, the challenge, the discipline. Golf gives me all of that again, but in a different way.”

If sport has always been Poole’s passion, family has been his anchor. Married to his wife Maria for 15 years, the couple have two children, Owen and Grace, both teenagers today. Life, however, has not been straightforward.

Both Owen and Grace were diagnosed with autism, shaping the family’s daily routines and focus. Then, in 2019, came a hammer blow: Maria was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It was the toughest time of our lives,” says Poole quietly. “When it’s your wife, your best friend, the mother of your kids – everything changes. You just fight with her, every day.”

In searching for answers and support, the family discovered The Brain & Performance Centre – a DP World company, a world-leading facility specialising in neurological health and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The impact was profound. Maria’s recovery was dramatically boosted, while Owen and Grace also thrived thanks to new therapies.

“It was life-changing,” Poole explains. “I saw first-hand what it could do. Watching someone arrive in a wheelchair and walk out weeks later never gets old. For Maria and the kids, it was transformational.”

That bond with the Centre soon became professional. Today, as Commercial Partnership Manager, Poole helps connect others to the pioneering

Dr. Craig Cook, CEO, The Brain & Performance Centre (BPC) pictured with Gwill Poole (right) at the monthly Jumeirah Golf Estates pairs competition sponsored by BPC.

FULL SEND: Gwill Poole taking on the Majlis 8th hole at Emirates Golf Club.

Photography: Alex Leyno

work the Centre delivers. In a city like Dubai – where golf often doubles as the boardroom –the fairways have become as much a part of his work life as his personal passion.

“Seeing someone arrive in a wheelchair and walk out weeks later never gets old.”

HOOKED ON GOLF

Golf crept into Poole’s life almost by accident. A casual round with friends in 2021 sparked a curiosity, but it wasn’t until late 2023 that he began to take the game seriously. Then, something clicked.

“From the first few sessions I was hooked,” he admits. “The game gets under your skin. It’s infuriating, it’s addictive, and every now and then you hit that one shot that keeps you coming back.”

With the discipline of an ex-elite athlete and the stubbornness of a former forward, Poole committed fully. Playing two or three times a week, he began carving strokes off his handicap at a remarkable rate.

His best round so far – a gritty 79 on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club – remains a personal highlight, even if he chuckles at the fact he hasn’t yet repeated it. “That’s golf,” he grins. “You get a taste of something special, then the game slaps you back into place the very next round.”

Poole’s rapid progress has not gone

FROM THE FIRST FEW SESSIONS I WAS HOOKED,” HE ADMITS. “THE GAME GETS UNDER YOUR SKIN. IT’S INFURIATING, IT’S ADDICTIVE, AND EVERY NOW AND THEN YOU HIT THAT ONE SHOT THAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK.”

unnoticed. Thanks to Dubai’s unique blend of sport and business, chance encounters often turn into lasting friendships. In his case, it was a round with Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts that proved pivotal.

“Playing with Nicolas was surreal,” Poole recalls. “He’s such a natural – tall, powerful, effortless. But what struck me most was how encouraging he was. He gave me a few small tips, nothing over-complicated, and suddenly the swing felt different. Having that kind of voice in your corner changes the way you think about the game.”

Colsaerts remains in touch, offering the odd nudge and reminder. For Poole, those moments of insight have been priceless. “It’s like being handed a glimpse behind the curtain. You realise how much is mindset, how much is simplicity, and how much is about trust in your swing.”

“Every round leaves you wanting more – and that’s exactly why I love it.”

GOLF, BUSINESS, AND THE SCRATCH DREAM Golf has also become part of Poole’s professional rhythm. With a corporate membership at Dubai Golf and an office within the Tommy Fleetwood Academy at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the game often overlaps with his role at The Brain & Performance Centre.

“It’s amazing how often golf becomes the first step in a relationship,” he says. “I was once paired with a stranger on the back nine of the Majlis. By the very next day, he’d signed up for treatment at the Centre. That’s the power of the game here in Dubai – it builds trust, connection, and opportunity.”

More importantly, golf has restored the camaraderie and competitive spirit rugby once gave him. The banter with playing partners, the pursuit of better scores, the thrill of matchplay –all have reignited something familiar.

Poole’s sights are now firmly set on getting to scratch. It’s a lofty goal, but if his past has proven anything, it’s that determination runs deep.

“I know it’s ambitious, but that’s what keeps me motivated. Whether it takes two years or five, I’ll keep working at it. The game has given me so much already – fitness, focus, friendships – that whatever happens, I’ve already won.”

From a career-ending rugby injury, to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his wife through cancer, to helping his children thrive – Poole has weathered storms that make golf’s double-bogeys feel trivial. And yet, in the quiet beauty of Dubai’s fairways, he has found his new arena.

The scrums have been swapped for swings, the bruises for birdies. And while scratch remains the dream, the real victory may already be his: resilience rediscovered, family flourishing, and a new obsession that keeps him chasing more

For more information on The Brain & Performance Centre, visit www.braindubai.com.

Gwill and Maria Poole pictured with the children Owen and Grace. Not forgetting their fury pals Dave and Penny!

Gwill and Maria pictured with European Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts and his wife Rachel at The Earth Course in Dubai.

Driving

NICO-JAMES VISSER

Photography: Getty Images

When you picture golf in Dubai, a few things instantly spring to mind: manicured fairways that look like they’ve been painted on, glittering skylines towering over tee boxes, and a lifestyle that fuses five-star leisure with world-class sport. At the heart of it all stands Emirates Golf Club – the original grass course in the Middle East and still very much the benchmark for golf in the region.

Steering the ship is Nico-James Visser, the club’s Director of Golf and a man whose own journey from South Africa to Dubai mirrors the region’s evolution. A PGA Class AAA Professional with more than a decade of experience running premium golf facilities across the Middle East, Visser is equal parts coach, innovator, and custodian of tradition.

Ask him about his philosophy and he’ll smile and tell you it’s all about balance: protecting heritage, embracing innovation, and making sure golf remains as welcoming as it is aspirational. And judging by the buzz around Emirates Golf Club – from Tour events to junior programmes –it’s a balance he’s striking beautifully.

GOLF’S PLAYGROUND

“The Middle East is a golfer’s playground,” Visser says, sipping a coffee on the terrace that overlooks the Majlis Course. “You’ve got the links-style challenge of Yas Links – now ranked in the world’s Top 100 – the lush parkland beauty of the Majlis itself, and even the surreal magic of playing night golf under the floodlights on the Faldo Course. Where else in the world can you get that variety within a couple of hours’ drive?”

He’s right. Nowhere else can you tee off in the desert at sunrise, play through a skyline at noon, and then squeeze in a floodlit round at night – all while the city buzzes around you with restaurants, shopping, and nightlife that rivals anywhere in the world. It’s this heady mix of world-class golf and lifestyle that has turned Dubai into a must-visit for players of all levels. What really sets the region apart, though, is consistency. “The conditioning here is second to none,” Visser explains. “From October through May, courses are immaculate. That, paired with the wider lifestyle offering of Dubai, makes the UAE one of the most exciting golfing destinations anywhere.”

HERITAGE IS WHAT MAKES EMIRATES GOLF CLUB SPECIAL — BUT INNOVATION IS WHAT KEEPS US AHEAD.” “ “

THE MIDDLE EAST IS A GOLFER’S PLAYGROUND — WHERE ELSE CAN YOU PLAY WORLDCLASS LINKS, LUSH

PARKLAND

AND FLOODLIT GOLF ALL IN ONE WEEK?”

HERITAGE MEETS HIGH-TECH

As the first grass golf course in the Middle East, Emirates Golf Club is steeped in history. Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy – all have left their mark here. But Visser knows heritage alone isn’t enough to keep the club relevant in a city that thrives on reinvention.

“Heritage is what makes Emirates Golf Club special – but innovation is what keeps us ahead,” he explains. “We’ve introduced digital platforms to improve the member journey, invested in Trackman Range technology, and opened the new Peter Cowen Golf Academy.”

The Academy is a jewel in the club’s crown: four swing studios, a state-of-theart putting lab, simulators, and a stylish café where players can linger after lessons. And with Pete Cowen himself mentoring the club’s professionals, members and visitors have access to some of the most advanced coaching in the game.

“Pete’s philosophy has produced winners at the very top of the sport,” says Visser. “Here, our pros combine that with world-class technology – GC Quad, ZEN Greenstage, PuttView, SAM Putt Lab, Swing Catalyst – to give golfers of all abilities real, data-driven progress. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a Tour player, you’re getting the very best coaching possible.”

That ethos runs straight into the grassroots. The Cowen Cubs junior programme has become one of the most popular in the region, with over 180 children taking part each term. They progress through Cowen’s Pyramid of Learning, compete in monthly events, and – more importantly – fall in love with the game from the very start.

Visser beams when talking about it: “That’s the future. If we can get juniors excited, if we can create environments where women feel comfortable learning, and if even our colleagues here at the club are picking up the game through summer lessons, then we’re building something far bigger than a single club – we’re building a golfing culture.”

DUBAI ON THE WORLD STAGE

If there’s one week that defines Emirates Golf Club each year, it’s the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The event has become one of the DP World Tour’s crown jewels, and for Visser, it’s both the busiest and most exhilarating part of the calendar.

“It’s electric,” he says. “You’re welcoming the world’s best players, working with partners like Falcon to deliver an unforgettable event, and at the same time making sure our members feel looked after. Our agronomy team does an incredible job preparing the Majlis to a standard where the best golfers on the planet can showcase their skills. It’s a privilege to be part of it.”

But the Classic is just the start. In October 2025, Emirates Golf Club will host the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship – a tournament that hands its winner invitations to both The Masters and The Open Championship.

“That’s huge,” says Visser. “We’re working with Augusta National, The R&A, and the Emirates Golf Federation to make it unforgettable. It’s a chance for the best young amateurs in the region to test themselves on a global stage – and potentially change their careers overnight.”

Looking ahead, Visser sees no slowdown. “Demand is huge. There aren’t enough courses to keep up with the appetite for golf during peak season, which tells you just how strong the game is here. Add to that the growth of junior golf, the rise of women’s programmes, and Dubai’s constant reinvention, and I can only see the sport going from strength to strength.”

ABDULAZIZ MURAD’S LATE GOLF BLOOM

Some golfers are born into the game. Others stumble across it later and never look back.

For UAE national Abdulaziz M. Murad, golf wasn’t love at first sight, but when it came, it was the start of something special.

He’d always been athletic, but it was his family – his dad, uncles, cousins, and even his best friend – who lit the spark.

“My dad played for a while, along with my uncles and cousins. Even my best friend has been a longtime golfer. They all inspired me to pick the game back up after being away from it for a while,” Abdulaziz recalls.

What started as a casual return soon became an obsession. Within months, he wasn’t just playing, he was competing, achieving milestones most golfers spend years chasing.

A LATE START WITH A FAST TRACK

Unlike many of the UAE’s young amateurs, Abdulaziz didn’t grow up swinging a club. But rather than seeing his later start as a disadvantage, he views it as a gift.

“I wouldn’t really call it a challenge, because I’ve been enjoying the journey,” he says. “What’s helped me a lot in golf is that I’ve been athletic since childhood, so that made a big difference. I’ve been enjoying the game ever since I started hitting balls.”

That natural sporting ability paid off quickly. Before his first anniversary with the game, Abdulaziz achieved what many golfers never manage in a lifetime: a hole-in-one.

“I think one thing I’m really proud of, even though I don’t usually say it, is getting a hole-inone after just 11 months of playing golf. It was a very special moment for me. It happened at Jebel Ali, Hole 3.”

The shot cemented his love for the sport. From that moment, he was hooked.

“

MOST OF THE SUPPORT I GOT WAS FROM MY FRIENDS, WHO ARE LONGTIME GOLFERS, SOME HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR 20 YEARS, OTHERS FOR 15. WE ALL PLAY TOGETHER, AND THEY’VE REALLY SUPPORTED ME IN A BIG WAY.”

SUPPORT, COURSES & EXPERIENCES

Abdulaziz is quick to credit his circle of friends, who have been golfing for decades.

“Most of the support I got was from my friends, who are longtime golfers, some have been playing for 20 years, others for 15. We all play together, and they’ve really supported me in a big way.”

That community has helped him embrace the game fully, both on home soil and abroad. His most treasured course remains Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

“It’s where I started playing golf, and it’s such an iconic course. It means a lot to me because it’s where I first started learning and playing on a golf course.”

But golf has also taken him further afield. His recent tournaments include the DP World Race to Dubai Pro-Am and the Royal Bled Pro-Am in Slovenia, where he teed it up alongside DP World Tour pro Niklas Nørgaard.

“It was a great experience, playing with the pros and learning from them. I really enjoyed it a lot.”

Of course, no golfer’s journey is complete without the right tools, and Abdulaziz has already found his go-to club. “The last club I bought was the Qi35 5-wood, and it was the one club I was really missing. It’s satisfying to hit, I can get around 260 to 265 yards with it. It’s been a big help on par fives, especially for second shots that reach the green, and it’s helped me get a few eagles.”

PATIENCE, MENTORSHIP & GOALS

For anyone considering golf later in life, Abdulaziz’s advice is simple. “Have patience. That’s really important in golf. I’ve got a lot of it myself, and it’s helped me a lot along the way.”

He also leans heavily on the guidance of Damjan Murgelj, a pro at Emirates Golf Club and a close friend.

“Damjan has been both a coach and mentor to me. He’s helped shape my game massively.”

As for his idols, there’s no debate. “Tiger, Tiger always,” he says with conviction. His dream round would be alongside Woods, with a little comic relief from Happy Gilmore rather than Caddyshack.

Looking ahead, Abdulaziz is focused on steady improvement rather than silverware. “I’m working on lowering my handicap and playing more golf courses around the world. I’m really looking forward to experiencing even more golf globally.”

From family inspiration to a hole-in-one in less than a year, Abdulaziz’s story is proof that golf is a game for life – whether you start at six or 36. With Tiger as his idol, Dubai Creek as his home, and patience as his secret weapon, his golfing journey has only just begun.

WIN 6 x DOZEN

Think you know your DP World Tour glory stories from your Pro V1 trivia? Time to put that big golfing brain to the test. We’re giving away 6 dozen Titleist Pro V1 balls—yes, that’s enough ammo to last you through every shank, splashdown and miraculous up-and-down you’ll manage this season.From Tyrrell Hatton tearing up the Hero Desert Classic to Tommy Fleetwoods epic win at The Championship, this year’s Tour has served up more drama than a clubhouse lunch queue. Plus let’s face it, who doesn’t want to strut around the first tee with a fresh sleeve of the #1 ball in golf? All you need to do is answer these 10 questions—some tricky, some easier than a tap-in—and you could be rolling in Pro V1s.

Who won the 2025 Commerical Bank Qatar Masters?

a) Rory McIlroy

b) Tyrrell Hatton

c) Haotong Li

Who topped the 2024 DP World Tour Rankings presented by Rolex after the season finale in Dubai?

a) Viktor Hovland

b) Rory McIlroy

c) Shane Lowry

Which Titleist ball model celebrated its 25th anniversary this year?

a) Tour Soft

b) AVX

c) Pro V1

At which Dubai course did Tyrrell Hatton fire a final-round 69 to win the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic?

a) Jumeirah Golf Estates – Earth Course

b) Emirates Golf Club – Majlis Course

c) Abu Dhabi Golf Club

True or False: The Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x are both triple-layer golf balls.

a) True

b) False

Which Titleist staff player from the USA clinched the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth?

a) Billy Horschel

b) Collin Morikawa

c) Max Homa

What is the official slogan used by Titleist in their global marketing campaigns?

a) Play Like a Pro

b) The #1 Ball in Golf

c) Find Your Edge

Which rising Scandinavian talent won the Genesis Invitational on the PGA TOUR using Titleist gear?

a) Nicolai Højgaard

b) Ludvig Åberg

c) Victor Perez

Which European Tour legend won the 2025 U.S. Senior Open?

a) Berhnard Langer

b) Darren Clarke

c) Padraig Harrinton

What does “Pro V1” actually stand for?

a) Professional Victory 1

b) Pro Velocity 1

c) Proven 1

HOW TO ENTER

Email your answers to comps@worldwide.golf

Subject line: Titleist Prov1 Comp 2025

Include your full name and contact number. Deadline: Midnight, August 31, 2025.

Winner picked at random, using data protected app Vondy, from all correct entries. One lucky golfer will be stuffing their locker with 6 dozen Titleist Pro V1s.

SECURE YOUR TICKETS FROM ONLY AED 130 FOR SATURDAY 15 TH OR SUNDAY 16 TH NOVEMBER