Worldwide Golf Summer 2020

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

EST

1999

Worldwide Golf

BOUNCING BACK

SUMMER

2020

KURT KITAYAMA

FORMER OMAN OPEN WINNER TARGETS MORE

GOLF AND TOURISM IN DUBAI ON ROAD TO RECOVERY

LEE

WESTWOOD A B U DH A B I CH A M P P R I M E D F OR EU R O P E A N R E T U R N

F E AT U R E

FOCUS

COLLIN MORIKAWA

CHARTING THE RISE OF THE CALIFORNIAN HOT-SHOT ONE YEAR AFTER TURNING PRO

TOBY BISHOP

YOUNG DUBAI-BASED PROSPECT TAKING THE UNITED STATES COLLEGE ROUTE

+ TIGER WOODS’ INSANE HANDICAP + ODYSSEY’S TRIPLE TRACK PUTTERS + IMPROVE YOUR PIVOT ST_Logo_Port_4C_OnLight.AW

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

CT_Logo_Port_4C_OnLight.AW

BY ALEX GALLEMORE, EDITOR

2018

2020

DRIVING DISTANCE: 311.7 YARDS BODY WEIGHT: 204LBS

A

DRIVING DISTANCE: 350.6 YARDS BODY WEIGHT: 246LBS

Bryson beefs up to take home more cake

LL EYES have been firmly focussed on the PGA Tour events since they came out of lockdown but one player has certainly been raiding the fridge at home. Bryron DeChambeau has put on 46lb since the start of the year and in doing so has gained more than 20 yards off the tee. The extra bulk brought him a weighty winners cheque after the 26-year-old bagged $1.3 million at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

During the four rounds at the Detroit Golf Club, Bryson recorded 16 drives over 350 yards, so his theory to increase his body mass to create more power was bang on target, averaging 360.5 yards for the week.

“It’s a little emotional for me,” DeChambeau said after he defeated Matthew Wolff to secure his first victory since the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open back in November 2018. “Because I did something a little different, I changed my body, I changed my mindset in the game, and was able to accomplish a win, while playing a completely different style of golf.”

Bryson is certainly a breath of fresh air when it comes to bringing a different approach to the game but he’s just highlighted the main problem with Tour golf in that to win you have to be a power hitter.

We all know he takes air pressure readings and a whole host of other variants in calibrating his lengthy pre-shot calculations but at the end of the day he just proved that to win you really need to smash it as far as you can off the tee!

It’s not rocket science. Jack Nicklaus set the bar by pounding it further than anyone else, and in doing so, he dominated the Majors.

Tiger Woods followed suit and today Rory, Dustin and Brooks have made the most of firing it further down the fairways.

In 2010 the Majors winners were Louis Oosthuizen, Graham McDowell, Martin Kaymer and Phil Mickelson. All great iron players with short games to match. Fast-forward a decade and we have Gary

Woodland, Brooks Koepka, Tiger Woods and Shane Lowry. Ironically, Lowry isn’t considered a ‘ball bomber’ although he averages 299 yards off the tee but the other defending champions are pinnacles of the power game.

With Bryson now joining the big hitting brigade, he has his sights set on the Majors and especially Augusta and The Masters.

His added length and recent win has seen him move up to 12 / 1 and third favourite to win an extra large Green Jacket in November.

The only two players ahead of him in the distance stakes at the moment are McIlroy and Rahm.

As Tour golf is starting to resemble a long-drive championship in America let’s hope when the European Tour get back up and running later this month the courses will be set up to reward players who can use all the clubs in the bag. I’d like to see players hit a Tiger stinger into a wind, a Seve style wedge that has you scratching your head in disbelief and Sergio bending it around a tree and dancing down the fairway. Now that would be exciting to behold. Seeing players pounding it down the middle and pundits excited by yet more distance has finally worn a bit thin.

We can make courses longer but all this achieves is to give the power players even more of an advantage. It’s about time Tour players started using a controlled ball that limits the tee shots and puts more emphasis on course management.

Many of you might think I’m fighting the evolution of the game but golf should be entertaining and fun to both play and to watch.

Can you remember one of Brooks Koepka’s or Gary Woodland’s greatest shots on route to winning their Majors last year? I can only remember that gutsy chip shot of Woodland’s down the 17th green at Pebble Beach en route to winning the U.S. Open. I struggle to remember one drive!

ISSUE No.226 SUMMER 2020 • Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd • Published in Dubai by: Prografix • PO Box 24677 • Dubai, UAE (Tel) +9714 340 3785 Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore • Executive Editor: Gary Player • Editor: Alex Gallemore (alex@wspglobal.com) Publisher: Mike Gallemore (mike@wspglobal.com) • General Manager Dubai: Richard Bevan (rick@wspglobal.com) • Editors: Todd Staszko, Scott Grayston, Thomas Wragg, Ashraf Ahmed, Jordan Smith • Production/Design Editor: Thameem Rayyan • Editorial Panel: Gary Player, Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Todd Staszko • Photography: Getty Images • June 2009 SSN 1- 46805671 • Approval UAE National Media Council: Ref.816 30/5/2007 Trade Licence No. 1/104375/15280 • Worldwide Golf specifies that post-press changes may occur to any information given in this publication and takes no responsibility for goods or services advertised.

Worldwide GOLF 2

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

Get Fit, Better

NOW OPEN

or you can visit: www.GolfSuperstore.ae Call Robbie 058 164 7567 / 043 588 010 WE HAVE MOVED! NEW LOCATION ON UMM SUQEIM STREET, NEAR THE WAREHOUSE GYM WWW.GOLFSUPERSTORE.AE | 043 588 010

FLYING YOU THERE safely and securely

We’re offering flights for passengers to a growing number of destinations*. For the most up to date information on where we fly visit emirates.com/wherewefly. For your peace of mind, we’ve implemented a comprehensive set of safety and hygiene measures every step of the way.

*Customers can check the latest network and flight services offering at http://emirates.com/wherewefly. Customers are reminded that travel restrictions remain in place at most destinations, and travellers will only be accepted on flights if they comply with the eligibility and entry criteria requirements of their destination countries. Residents returning to the UAE can check the latest requirements at emirates.com/english/help/flying-you-home/. For more information and full terms and conditions, visit emirates.com

CONTENTS 12

COLUMN

22

COLUMN

40

41

Starter

Tour News

David Howell

Adri Arnaus

We preview this year’s US PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park and take a look at some of the other goings on in the game around the world.

The DP World Tour Championship has a new slot on the schedule as the European Tour shuffles its calendar as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The European Tour veteran is hopeful that golf ’s return can be successful for everyone concerned – both inside and outside the ropes.

The Spaniard reflects on his short experience in the United States before returning to Europe to compete on his home Tour.

24

LEE WESTWOOD In an exclusive interview, we caught up with Lee Westwood and he reflects on his triumph in Abu Dhabi earlier this year and looks ahead to the UK Swing, which begins with the Betfred British Masters, where he is tournament host.

18

30

32

Tiger Woods’ handicap

Collin Morikawa

Kurt Kitayama

Statistically, the modern day icon is better at golf than you probably think. We break down his average handicap spanning 20 years worth of scorecard analysis.

We chart the rapid rise of the young Californian as he makes waves on the PGA Tour. Emerging at the same time as Viktor Hovland and Matthew Wolff – all three are winners, but Morikawa’s consistency sets him apart.

We talk to former Oman Open winner Kurt Kitayama about his plans for the rest of the season and how he’s preparing for his third career Major start at the US PGA Championship next month.

Worldwide GOLF 6

Premium Women’s Technology

Designed with Style.

Engineered for Performance.

At PING, we put a premium on performance. In the new G Le2 women’s family, you’ll enjoy lighter overall club weights to help you swing faster and launch your shots higher, straighter and longer than ever before. Clubhead designs and materials are engineered and optimised for your swing speed – giving you the full-swing feel and forgiveness to play with confidence.

Visit a PING Club Fitting Specialist to find out what combination of G Le2 clubs best fit your game.

© PING 2019

Worldwide GOLF 7

SUBSCRIBE FREE TO

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

EST

1999

Worldwide Golf

JANUARY

2020

DARIUS RUCKER

DESERT SWING

HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH ROCKER TALKS PXG

WORLD CLASS GOLF RETURNS TO THE MIDDLE EAST

2020 PREVIEW

THE LOWDOWN ON THE YEAR AHEAD

BROOKS KOEPKA LICENSED TO THRILL IN SAUDI

F E AT U R E

FOCUS

MG KEYSER

DANNY WILLETT

THE FORMER MASTERS CHAMPION OPENS UP ON HIS ROAD TO REDEMPTION

THE MENA TOUR CHAMPION ON HIS UPCOMING DESERT CLASSIC DEBUT

+ HONMA’S STUNNING BERES LINE + MASTER THE CHIP-PUTT + TAYLORMADE P790TI ST_Logo_Port_4C_OnLight.AW

CT_Logo_Port_4C_OnLight.AW

ST_Logo_Port_4C_OnLight.AW

CT_Logo_Port_4C_OnLight.AW

Worldwide Golf is the Official Media Partner to the European Tour in the Middle East and the official magazine of the Emirates Golf Federation

and the official magazine of the Emirates Golf Federation Worldwide Golf is the Official Media Partner to the European Tour in the Middle East

FOCUS F E AT U R E

ROAD TO REDEMPTION CHAMPION OPENS UP ON HIS THE FORMER MASTERS

DANNY WILLETT

CLASSIC DEBUT ON HIS UPCOMING DESERT THE MENA TOUR CHAMPION

MG KEYSER

+ TAYLORMADE P790TI + MASTER THE CHIP-PUTT + HONMA’S STUNNING BERES LINE

KOEPKA BROOKS

NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! IN SAUDI TO THRILL LICENSED

Receive your FREE copy of Worldwide Golf direct to your door.

Subscribers also receive our Worldwide Golf newsletter featuring great content, exclusive competitions and all the latest news and happenings in the Middle East golf scene.

THE YEAR AHEAD THE LOWDOWN ON

2020 PREVIEW

TALKS PXG BLOWFISH ROCKER HOOTIE AND THE

MIDDLE EAST RETURNS TO THE WORLD CLASS GOLF

DESERT SWING

1999

DARIUS RUCKER

Worldwide Golf

EST

2020 JANUARY

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

WWW.WORLDWIDE.GOLF/SUBSCRIBE Worldwide GOLF 8

Free magazine subscription offer applies to UAE residents only.

CONTENTS 37

Bouncing Back

With Dubai opening its doors once more to international visitors, we take a look at how the golf and tourism industries are bouncing back and how there’s never been a better time to stay and play in the desert metropolis.

42 GEAR

Odyssey Triple Track Putters We get the lowdown on the new Triple Track range from Odyssey. With three lines on the crown to help alignment, could these models put an end to off-centre strikes?

Golf Footwear - stepping into the future Golf shoes have come a long way since the time when players used to use nails through their soles to gain traction on the ground. We compare some of today’s hi-tech offerings with those from days of old.

eGolf’s new custom fit service We visit the eGolf Megastore as they launch their new club fitting system ‘AccuFit’ across all their locations.

Golf Superstore’s hot five

50 INSTRUCTION

With lockdown easing, we hear from the guys at Golf Superstore to find out what their current five best selling products are.

Sizzling summer academy offers at the Trump

Trump International Golf Club, Dubai is the ideal venue to accommodate your golfing needs with two fantastic summer academy offers.

Dustin Johnson Swing Sequence

UAE based PGA Professional Malcolm Young looks at the key aspects in Dustin Johnson’s swing and how he generates his huge ball speed.

The Piston Pivot Drill

Yasin Ali, PGA Professional, the Leadbetter Golf Academy at JA The Resort, demonstrates a drill that will help you move your body better.

Stephen Deane

The popular professional gives us the lowdown on his new role at the Peter Cowen Academy at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

60

Toby Bishop

With the Welsh hotshot confirming he’s set to go down the Collegiate route in the United States in 2022, we get some well known local faces to share their American experiences.

58

Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship Saadiyat Beach GC is primed to host the third edition of the prestigious Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship in December.

Worldwide GOLF 9

66

Celebrity Dinner Party This month we get Jon Rahm’s idea of the perfect evening get-togther.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON – THE FIRST MAJOR OF 2020

THE COURSE TPC Harding Park The first men’s Major Championship of the year is still on course for it’s August 6-9 slot and will be played behind closed doors.

A

municipal course own by the local council in San Francisco, TPC Harding Park is no stranger to hosting world-class events having previously crowned Rory McIlroy the winner of the 2015 WGC-Match Play Championship and Tiger Woods the winner of the 2005 WGC-Championship.

The golf course first opened in 1925 and covers a 163-acre area along the shore of Lake Merced to the west of the city.

It grew in notoriety after hosting the US Amateur Public Links and the likes of Ken Venturi and Johnny Miller both played a lot of junior golf at the venue, with Venuri’s parents running the pro-shop on site.

In the 1960s, Harding Park became a regular stop on the PGA Tour and winners included Venturi, Gary Player, and Billy Casper. However, the PGA Tour soon left due to the long outdated facilities and the course condition worsened in the 1980s and 1990s as city budgets were cut. The golf course reached its nadir when it was used as a car park to facilitate the 1998 US Open which was played at the nearby Olympic Club.

However, regeneration began and in recent years the course has been returned to its former glories and in 2009 it welcomed the Presidents Cup for the first time, with the event scheduled to go back there again before 2030.

For this year’s US PGA the fairways have been pinched slightly to test the best players in the world from the tee box, and they are dramatically framed by huge cypress and eucalyptus trees. The rough will be juicy and the tournament will, like most American-based Majors, produce a big-hitting winner.

This year, the event takes pride of place on the schedule. Usually billed as ‘Glory’s Last Shot’ as the final Major of the season, the tournament finds itself spearheading the 2020 Majors with the US Open in September and the Masters pushed to November and will no doubt captivate golf fans around the world.

Worldwide GOLF 12

STARTER “As soon as I played the course, I liked it. It’s a fair test of golf and you get rewarded for good shots. It suited my eye – I like big trees that frame holes and you’ve got a lot of definition to work the ball off stuff.”

– Rory McIlroy

Worldwide GOLF 13

STARTER

QUICK

HITS Two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson always likes to keep an eye on who his playing partners are for the first two rounds of a tournament, believing that being paried with certain players can mentally affect him to the cost of one or two strokes. “It matters tremendously,” said Watson. “There’s guys that are a shot, maybe a two-shot penalty when you see their name on that sheet. Maybe that’s what they say about me, too, so I guess it works both ways.”

Ladies European Tour stars Charley Hull and Meghan MacLaren won the first two events of the eight-week Rose Ladies Series in the UK. Hull won a play-off against Liz Young at the first event at Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club and MacLaren overcame a twostroke penalty for playing the wrong ball to win at Moor Park Golf Club in Hertfordshire. The series, which is organised by Justin Rose and his wife Kate, will feature a two-day final, set to be held at two venues on 6-7 August. The Berkshire will host the opening round with the second being played at Wentworth’s West Course – home of the European Tour’s BMW PGA Championship.

TOPGOLF DUBAI EXPECTED TO OPEN IN OCTOBER DUBAI GOLF HAVE REVEALED THAT THEY ARE ON SCHEDULE TO OPEN IN LATE OCTOBER AFTER SHARING IMAGES OF THE TARGETS BEING BUILT ON THEIR SITE AT EMIRATES GOLF CLUB. CONSTRUCTED ON WHAT USED TO BE THE FALDO COURSE’S DRIVING RANGE, TOPGOLF WILL FEATURE 102 BAYS SPREAD ACROSS THREE LEVELS AND EACH BAY CAN HOST UP TO SIX PLAYERS PER SESSION.

Teeing it up

News, Facts and Figures from around the world

Ryu SoYeon wins Korea Open for the fifth national title

USGA confident US Open will go ahead

LPGA star donates winnings to Covid-19 relief Former US Women’s Open winner Ryu So-Yeon won her tenth KLPGA Tour title at last month’s Korean Women’s Open Championship and immediately donated the $206,000 winner’s cheque to COVID-19related charities. The win came on her first competitive start since February. Her last win on the LPGA Tour was at the Meijer LPGA Classic in June 2018.

Chris Kirk wins one year after personal shutdown American seals emotional victory on Korn Ferry Tour Just over a year ago, Chris Kirk announced he was stepping away from professional golf to address alcoholism and depression. Kirk returned to action in November last year, and last month he collected his first trophy since 2015 at the Korn Ferry Tour’s King & Bear Classic.

It was the former Presidents Cup player’s first professional win since 2015. “I’m a completely different person than I was two years ago,” Kirk said.

Worldwide GOLF 14

Organising committee acknowledge the event will be ‘scaled back’.

The USGA are optimistic that they will be allowed to admit fans to the US Open at Winged Foot in September, but will adhere to any New York State rules as the ongoing coronavirus crisis continues to cause havoc across many locations in the USA. “The way I like to think about it is like an oldfashioned US Open, where if we are fortunate enough to have fans, you’ll see them along the rope lines,” said John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s managing director of championships.

Furyk turns 50 and hints at Champions Tour starts Former Ryder Cup Captain ready to enter the next stage of his career Jim Furyk remains competitive at the highest level, but the 17-time PGA Tour winner is beginning to consider transitioning to senior golf. “My goal this year was to play the PGA Tour through the play-offs and hopefully be able to play some Champions Tour events,” said Furyk, who turned 50 in May. “I would like to get say two to four, Champions Tour events in this calendar year and kind of re-evaluate.

Eventually, the timing is going to be right, and I’ll kind of flip the switch and go play the Champions Tour full-time.”

STARTER

By Tom Lewis

MY GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL LAG PUTTING Amateurs and professionals alike all dread a three-putt when we find the green but leave ourselves a huge distance to the cup. The best putters in the world tend not to three putt that often, and here two-time European Tour winner Tom Lewis offers two tips to help you avoid the momentum killing three-putt.

PICK A SAFE PLACE TO MISS “The top putters in the game don’t really do anything special when it comes to avoiding three-putting, so there’s no great science to it.

One thing I find helps me is to target an area where you want the ball to ‘miss’. I know that sounds negative – but we know we’re not going to hole that many putts from outside 30/40/50 feet. So it’s about where you feel confident missing to then hole the return putt. For example: It’s easier to make a short uphill putt than a tricky one downhill, so that is always something to factor.”

“It’s important to pick a spot where you’re confident you can hole the second putt from.”

VISUALISE THE PUTT “I like to try and visualise what I want the ball to do. And one thing I do on the practice green is hit long putts to a target with my eyes closed, to work on the ‘feel’ of hitting a long-distance putt. So, before addressing the ball I would look at the target and make some practice strokes.

Once I’ve addressed the ball, I would look at it, then turn my eyes and head left, to the target. Then as I’d look back to the ball I would close my eyes and hit the putt the way I had visualised it in my mind.

This will result in giving you some feedback on the feeling of how you strike the ball.”

Worldwide GOLF 15

STARTER Daniel Berger’s win at the Charles Schwab Challenge was his third on the PGA Tour and it arrived on June 14. His previous two victories were both signed and sealed on June 12 and June 11. Meanwhile Tom Lehman shot an opening round 65 to mark the first time since 1980 that a player older than 60 had carded a round of 65 or better on the PGA Tour. He followed it with a 74 to miss the cut by one.

Bryson DeChambeau has been the hottest player since the PGA Tour’s return. The American hit 47 drives over 300 yards en route to victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic - his sixth of his career. His Driving Average for the tournament was 350.6 yards.

Spieth feeling more relaxed without fans Three-time Major winner Jordan Spieth believes there is less pressure at fan-less PGA Tour events after sampling the experience during the first few events on Tour since it return to action.

“In general, it’s easier to win on the PGA Tour without fans is what I’ve seen from the first couple of weeks,” said Spieth. “It’s easier to just be zoned in on pure golf.”

Spieth could complete the career Grand Slam with victory at the US PGA Championship in August and thinks it could play

to his favour with the event going ahead behind closed doors.

“Clearly there’s no way of measuring this having not played a Major yet, but I would imagine it would be easier for a player to win a Major without fans just because of the atmosphere,” he said.

“The Sunday at Colonial felt like I was playing Thursday’s round. It felt no different. You know where you are by looking at the scoreboard, but

without any fans and roars and that stuff that make an impact, and then the settings on the last few holes that you normally get at Tour events – full grandstands and fans lining the fairways, it’s very much different.

“I would think it would be more comfortable coming down the stretch than it would normally be in a Major.”

The American’s last career win was the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

Hovland enjoying a summer road trip American-based Norwegian Viktor Hovland is savouring the PGA Tour’s return by driving from event to event instead of choosing to fly on the Tour’s specially organised chartered flights.

Currently residing in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the 22-year-old drove south to tee it up at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas. After finishing 23rd in Forth Worth he drove through the night – fully 16 hours – to get to the next top in South Carolina for the RBC Heritage.

From Hilton Head Island – where he finished 21st – he headed north, driving for almost 14 hours to reach Connecticut for the Travellers Championship where he tied for 11th.

He filled the tank again and headed west for another 10+ hour trek to Detroit for the Rocket Mortgage Classic where more steady play resulted in a T12. From there

Worldwide GOLF 16

he had his shortest drive to get to Dublin, Ohio for the back-to-back events at Muirfield Village.

“I just wanted to drive to these events because I like to drive,” said Hovland, who has sped along the interstates in his Lexus listening to heavy metal music and podcasts.

“I like to be by myself with my thoughts, listening to music, listening to podcasts.

“I was thinking during this whole pandemic thing, as well, having to get on the charter flights at specific times – even though I have to get in the car and drive 15 hours – it’s still a lot more convenient in the car because I can go whenever I want to go, and I can also pack more stuff in the trunk.”

It remains to be seen whether Hovland will make the road trip over to San Francisco for the first Major of the season at the US PGA Championship.

THESE THINGS GO. Born from the Titleist Speed Project, TS Hybrids represent a new standard in hybrid performance. In a word, these things just GO. They look great, feel amazing, and explode through the ball with a lively Tour-preferred sound. Wonder what it’s like to play a hybrid you can’t wait to hit? Stop wondering and GO.

www.titleist.co.uk

TIGER WOODS’ WHAT WAS

HANDICAP

WHEN HE WAS ATS HIS PEAK?

trap in. When you crunch the numbers, Tiger Woods is even better at golf than you might have thought. With 82 PGA Tour wins and 15 Majors, Woods ranks as one of the best – if not THE BEST - players ever to have played the game, but one recently unearthed statistic left the editorial team here at Worldwide Golf with our collective jaws on the floor having digested these figures: Tiger Woods’ average USGA Index handicap level for his performances at the highest level between 1996 and 2020 is a staggering +6.7.

Indeed, for 35% of his handicap revisions he was at +7 or better. Insert ‘mind blown’ emoji here. This is all the more impressive when you consider the number of injuries he has suffered from in his 24year career. Not to mention some of the lows he had away from the golf course

Worldwide GOLF 18

TIGER WOODS’ HANDICAP ANALYSIS

PRIME TIME

From August 2007 through to June 2008, Tiger Woods was in some form of god-like bubble and went on a run of unbelievable consistency. He had already won three times in 2007, but in August his form reached another level and he maintained it for almost a year before injuries took their toll. His record was as follows: WIN – WIN – T2 – WIN – WIN – WIN – WIN –WIN – 5th – 2 – WIN. That last victory was the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines, which he won in a gruelling 18hole play-off with a fractured lower leg.

During this stretch he won two World Golf Championships, the Tour Championship (and FedEx Cup) and two Majors. Only six golfers could boast that they finished ahead of him in 11 events.

His handicap at this point was an absurd +9.4, which is the lowest it has ever been in his career. You might think Tiger was it his best in 2000/01 when he held all four Majors at the same time, but his scores weren’t as consistantly solid as they were in 2007-08.

CURRENT PLAY Many people didn’t believe the then 44-year-old would be able to win another Major after having his fourth back surgery in 2017 but he made one of the most stunning comebacks in all of sport with victory at the 2019 Masters. His current handicap is +6.5 which is still highly impressive and is clearly enough for him to be able to contend in the biggest events in the schedule. His 82nd Tour win came

WORST SEASON

last October in Japan at the ZOZO Championship. An 83rd win would take him past Sam Snead as the player with the highest number of PGA Tour wins in the history of golf.

What you have to remember with all these statistics, is that his handicap could potentially be two or three shots better if he were not playing in the toughest Tour conditions – aka longer rough, faster greens and tougher pin placements.

TIGER WOODS USGA INDEX HISTORY 1996 - 2020

Tiger’s worst season came in 2015 when he had a number of setbacks due to injury and he shot an 82 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and an 85 at the Memorial – the two worst rounds of his pro career. He also missed back-to-back cuts in Majors for the first time that year. His handicap average was +3.7 in this career-low period and it came during his first season after he split from his then swing coach Sean Foley. “I was caught between patterns—old pattern, new pattern,” said Tiger, in what was a familiar theme throughout the season.

Worldwide GOLF 19

ALWAYS

GRINDING The quest for better is endless. The Vokey Design team never stops searching for ways to improve the feel and function of the tools they craft.

Learn more about the new SM8 at www.Vokey.com

Tour News

NEW DECEMBER DATE FOR

DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP DECISION YET TO BE MADE ON SPECTATOR ATTENDANCE

T

his year’s DP World Tour Championship is set to go head from December 10-13 and close out the 2020 European Tour season after being pushed back due to the scheduling issues that arose as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Golf fans will be treated to a slew of high-class golf events towards the end of the Year, with The Masters and no fewer than four Rolex Series events taking place before December’s season-ending finale in Dubai.

The PGA Tour returned to action behind closed doors in June and the European Tour will resume this month with six events in succession in the UK, but due to the ongoing nature of the Covid-19 pandemic it is not known when it will be safe for fans to return

to watch live golf in person.

Over the past 11 years, the DP World Tour Championship has attracted spectators in excess of 60,000 across four days, and Tour officials remain optimistic that fans could be queuing up at the turnstiles in similar numbers for this year’s edition of the tournament.

Last year’s event saw the packed crowds flock to the 18th green to witness Jon Rahm secure a second DP World Tour Championship title on an action-packed final day at Jumeirah Golf Estates. As well as pocketing a cool US$3 million for his win over the Earth course, the Spaniard also got his hands on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai meaning he took home an additional US$2 million in

Worldwide GOLF 22

prize money taking his total earnings from the weekend to a whopping US$5 million.

TOM PHILLIPS, EUROPEAN TOUR’S HEAD OF MIDDLE EAST: “As a global golf tour, The European Tour’s international reach is our greatest strength, but it has also been our greatest challenge as we look to return to competition,” said Phillips. “We run professional golf tournaments in 30-plus countries across the world, so that means dialogue with 30 different governing bodies and authorities, each with their own guidelines and unique situation.

“Despite this challenge, we were excited to announce the resumption of our 2020 season,

Jon Rahm wins the 2019 DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai.

THE REMAINING 2020 EUROPEAN TOUR SCHEDULE Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood CLOSE HOUSE GOLF CLUB July 22 – 25

English Open

FOREST OF ARDEN MARRIOTT HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB July 20 – August 2

WGC – FedEx St Jude Invitational

TPC SOUTHWIND July 20 – August 2

English Championship

HANBURY MANOR MARRIOTT HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB August 6 – 9

US PGA Championship starting on July 22 with a swing of events across the UK. Multiple events in one region will allow us to adopt strict health and safety measures.

“We have also announced new dates for four of our Rolex Series events, including the season-ending DP World Tour Championship here in Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates from December 10-13, where once again the winner of the 2020 Race to Dubai will be crowned.”

Talking about the attendance of fans, Phillips added: “In terms of spectators, our first six events in the UK will be played behind closed doors.

“However, we are looking into the possibility of spectator attendance for events played later in 2020, but we are not committed to it at this stage. It completely depends on risk mitigation, Government approval of the country we are in and adhering to general and overarching global health guidelines. Golf is not a stadium sport, but there are considerations unique to our events.

“All tournaments will be subject to the Tour’s comprehensive Health Strategy, which will continue to evolve, aligned with international Government guidance and health guidelines.”

TPC HARDING PARK August 6 – 9

“As a global golf tour, The European Tour’s international reach is our greatest strength, but it has also been our greatest challenge as we look to return to competition.”

Celtic Classic

THE CELTIC MANOR RESORT August 13 – 16

Wales Open

THE CELTIC MANOR RESORT August 20 – 23

UK Championship The Belfry AUGUST 27 – 30

U.S. Open

WINGED FOOT GOLF CLUB September 17 – 20

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship CARNOUSTIE, ST ANDREWS, KINGSBARNS GOLF LINKS October 1 – 4

Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open THE RENAISSANCE CLUB October 8 – 11

BMW PGA Championship

WENTWORTH GOLF CLUB October 15 – 18

WGC – HSBC Champions

SHESHAN GOLF CLUB October 29 – November 1

The Masters

AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB November 12 -15

Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted

by Gary Player GARY PLAYER COUNTRY CLUB December 3 – 6

Estrella Damm N.A Andalucia Masters

REAL CLUB VALDERRAMA, SOTOGRANDE, SPAIN September 3-6

Portugal Masters Tom Phillips European Tour’s Head of Middle East:

Worldwide GOLF 23

DOM PEDRO VICTORIA GOLF COURSE, VILAMOURA, PORTUGAL September 10 - 13

DP World Tour Championship

JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES December 10 - 13

Lee Westwood

TO GLAD BE

BAC

BY THOMAS WRAGG

Worldwide GOLF 24

CK

I

N JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, LEE WESTWOOD WROTE HIS NAME IN THE HISTORY BOOKS AS HE JOINED AN ELITE CLUB OF PLAYERS INCLUDING SEVE BALLESTEROS, SIR NICK FALDO AND COLIN MONTGOMERIE WITH 25 WINS ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR THANKS TO HIS TWO-STROKE WIN AT THE ABU DHABI HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP. THOMAS WRAGG CAUGHT UP WITH THE ENGLISHMAN AS HE PREPARED TO RESUME ACTION ON THE TOUR’S UK SWING.

Worldwide GOLF 25

Lee Westwood in action at the 2017 Betfred British Masters at Close House, he will return as tournament host once again later this month.

W

Estwood’s emotional victory in the UAE was his second Rolex Series triumph in the space of 14 months following his win at the NedBank Golf Challenge at the back end of 2018, and a few weeks later he finished in a share of fourth place at the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic before golf was shut down due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

It came at the wrong time for the Englishman, but he has used the unscheduled break to his advantage by working on his fitness ahead of hosting the Betfred British Masters for the second time later this month at Close House, Newcastle.

“I’m very excited to be hosting the Betfred British Masters once again,” said Westwood, when we caught up on Zoom. “I’ve been up at Close House a lot recently and the course is in unbelievable condition. I played a round with Alan Shearer and we both commented on how you could literally hold the tournament then because the fairways and greens were immaculate.

“It would have just been the case of getting

“I’m very excited to be hosting the Betfred British Masters once again.” the TV people in as obviously we don’t need any roping this year as there are no crowds.

The course is going to look unbelievable on TV and we’re really excited that it’s going to be kickstarting the UK Swing and it also has the biggest prize fund of those six events so I can’t wait to get going.

“These have been tough times for everyone and I’ve spoken to a few of the lads on Tour who are all excited to come to Close House and play competitive golf again. I hosted the event

Worldwide GOLF 26

in 2017, which I really enjoyed, and I found out that a lot more goes into the tournament than just turning up and playing and receiving your cheque at the end of the week if you’ve played well.

“It’s a big operation setting up these events that involves the infrastructure, local authorities, TV companies, and the police.

It won’t be as big of an operation this time around as we won’t have spectators, but there are still a lot of boxes to tick before you can go

LEE WESTWOOD ahead with the tournament. It’s been fun being involved again.”

The Betfred British Masters will see the return of European Tour golf for the first time since March’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters with five more events to follow in the United Kingdom to combat quarantine rules currently in place around Europe and beyond.

Despite there being six home events in his homeland, Westwood’s schedule is still up in the air with a marriage and potential Major appearance on the horizon.

“The European Tour has done a brilliant job in getting the tournaments on as it’s not like the PGA Tour who are just dealing with one country,” said Westwood. “It’s been tough for them but it’s great they’ve put six in a row on in the UK so players haven’t got to cross borders and deal with all the quarantines and things like that.

“I’m not sure how many UK Swing events I’ll play; it all depends on the quarantine rule as two weeks after the British Masters is the World Golf Championships and the week after that is the US PGA Championship in San Francisco, so they are on the same time as the English Open and the English Championship.

“The week after that I’m getting married so the two events in Wales I won’t play as the first one is when I’m getting married and the following week we’re hoping to get away for a mini-honeymoon.

“I’m playing it by ear at the moment in regards to my schedule as travel arrangements and quarantine rules are changing all the time. If there was no quarantine right now, I’d definitely go over and play the US PGA but I’m not sure I’d go over and play the World Golf Championships. If there is quarantine then I’ll play one of the events in England.”

LEANER AND FITTER Whatever schedule Westwood decides to play he will be a force to be reckoned with given where his form was at before the pandemic started. Aside from his ‘A’ game, the Ryder Cup star will also be looking a lot leaner and fitter out on the course having used the lockdown as an opportunity to shed some weight.

“At the start of lockdown, all the golf courses were closed so I didn’t hit a ball for six weeks – but that’s nothing strange for me as I’ve done that the last two years where I’ve taken a big gap between playing the Middle East events and then shutting down until middle of May,” he says. “Since the clubs have opened up again, we’ve been rushing out there to get onto the course. My son plays golf and plays off a four handicap so we were hitting balls as soon as they started opening up.

“I’ve played more golf over the last few weeks than I usually would when there isn’t a lockdown so I’m not underprepared for when we get going again. Most of the golf has been played at Close House so I should know the course really well by the time the British Masters comes round!

“But I’ve mainly used the lockdown to work on my fitness. I’m embarrassed to say I was 106kgs before lockdown started but I got on the scales recently and I was 93.9kgs, so I’ve

Westwood wins his 25th European Tour title at this year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

“I proved I’m still good enough with my win in Abu Dhabi against a quality field so I feel as if I’m in a good place for when the golf starts up again.” lost 12.1kgs since the lockdown started. I’ve been doing a lot of work on the Peloton bike and also plenty of weight training so I would say I’ve used the lockdown to my advantage to get in better shape. You can carry a bit of extra weight when you’re younger but I’m 47 now and as you get older it certainly helps to keep your body in check out on the golf course.

“Look at Bernhard Langer, he’s lean and still playing great golf at 62 and he’s a motivation

Worldwide GOLF 27

for me to stay fit and healthy and keep being able to take on the kids. I proved I’m still good enough with my win in Abu Dhabi against a quality field so I feel as if I’m in a good place for when the golf starts up again.”

Westwood’s win in the UAE capital made it four decades of success on the European Tour in a field that included the then World No.1 Brooks Koepka. The victory never looked in doubt with Westwood signing for a total of

Worldwide GOLF 28

LEE WESTWOOD 19 under par to lift the Falcon trophy in his first outing with new caddie James Baker on the bag. There was nothing new about the tears on the 18th green though just as Westwood had shown with his first Rolex Series triumph at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2018.

“I don’t know why I’ve got so emotional in my last couple of wins,” he says. “I guess as you get older you learn how much it means. I don’t want to sound a bit doom-and-gloom but you never know if it’s going to be your last triumph, so it’s even more special.

“As you go through life you deal with more things mentally, and winning a golf tournament is a tough mental process – so my battle is to keep my emotions in check and stay in the present and focus on winning the tournament.

“When the tournament is over you can finally let go mentally and that’s when the release of all the emotions comes out. It’s because I’ve been controlling it over the golf course as I’ve been focussed on every shot.

“I love playing in the Middle East, it’s one of my favourite places to play on the schedule. All the tournaments in the UAE are great and the courses and weather are always perfect which makes it great for golf. There’s a lot of expats there that love golf and have a good knowledge of the game so there’s always plenty of fans walking along the fairway.”

Westwood’s victory propelled him up the Race to Dubai rankings and effectively sealed his place in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship. It’s a tournament which holds a special place in his heart having won the inaugural edition in 2009 on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates and he’ll be hoping to bookend the year with another slice of success here in the Middle East.

“As you go through life you deal with more things mentally, and winning a golf tournament is a tough mental process – so my battle is to keep my emotions in check and stay in the present and focus on winning the tournament.”

Lee Westwood on World No.1 Rory McIlroy’s comments stating the European players who opted not to travel to the United States for the PGA Tour’s restart should not complain about losing out on world ranking points.

“Rory’s entitled to his opinion but what he fails to explain in there is that only handful of European Tour players were eligible for those PGA Tour events.

The players ranked from 50th upwards couldn’t get in those events and that’s the issue with the World Ranking starting up. You’ve got all these American players playing in these events for World Ranking points and they’re

Worldwide GOLF 29

going past the Europeans in the OWGR because they have no tournaments to compete in. The World Ranking is very important in regards to getting into the Majors and the World Golf Championships and that to me doesn’t seem fair that the Europeans, South Africans, and Australians that play on the European Tour lose out purely because of a global pandemic that’s hitting the world. It seems like the rest of the world is treating this pandemic more seriously than the United States. I did send Rory a text and we had a little chat about his comments. He’s probably had a rethink.”

Collin MORIKAWA C H A RT I N G THE R I SE OF ON E OF G O L F ’S B RIGHTE ST YO U NG ST A R S

A

lot has happened in the 12 months since the golfing world was introduced to three hot-shot USbased rookies – Collin Morikawa, Matthew Wolff and Viktor Hovland.

The trio of amateur stars all embarked on their professional careers with a month of each other, and many commentators were hoping that they could one day compare to the class of 2011 which included

Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele.

Of the new trio, it’s Californian native Morikawa who has made the biggest impact so far, despite both Oklahoma State prospects Hovland and Wolff having stronger amateur CVs. Norwegian Hovland is the reigning US Amateur Champion and Wolff won the 2019 NCAA individual title, yet it’s Morikawa who

“To have that consistency over the past year, especially from not having any status last summer, to go out and win, and make the FedExCup play-offs, it means a lot.”

Worldwide GOLF 30

currently has the current bragging rights on the PGA Tour after he won last year’s Barccuda Championship and began his professional career with 22 consecutive cuts made on the PGA Tour. Only Tiger Woods, with 25, had a longer streak to start his career.

“To have that consistency over the past year, especially from not having any status last summer, to go out and win, and make

COLLIN MORIKAWA

COLLIN MORIKAWA (BOTTOM ROW, FAR RIGHT) POSES WITH HIS TEAMMATES PRIOR TO THE 2017 WALKER CUP.

the FedExCup play-offs, it means a lot,” said Morikawa.

All three of the young stars have won a PGA Tour event, but it’s Morikawa’s consistency which is causing the separation and he currently finds himself inside the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Last month the 23-year-old was unfortunate to miss out on a second PGA Tour victory at the Charles Schwab Challenge when he was too firm with a three-foot putt and lost out to Daniel Berger in a play-off.

It was the third time in his short career so far that he had finished runner-up at the historic Colonial Country Club – he was a finalist for the Ben Hogan Award in back-toback years but missed out to Hovland in 2019 and to Doug Ghim in 2018. When asked to compare his near-misses in Texas, it wasn’t even a competition.

“I’d say this one is the hardest to take,” he

said. “This one I had full control. It’s going to be a little bittersweet looking back because I know I’m going to have to try and see all the positives, but I’m also going to have to nit-pick what I did wrong. It’s going to be something I just have to figure out. But this one bites a little harder.”

Morikawa’s form will have certainly caught the attention of American Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker. And with the contest at Whistling Straits postponed until next year, Morikawa now has more opportunities to impress Stricker, and should he earn a place in golf’s greatest event he won’t feel out of place as his track record in team events is strong.

At the 2017 Walker Cup, he made history as he and teammates Ghim and Maverick McNealy became the first American players to complete a perfect 4-0 record for the week.

He also represented USA in consecutive

“The fact that those three guys have won already is unbelievable. They probably don’t even realise how impressive it is. But they do understand how talented they are – and we sure do too.” – Justin Thomas Worldwide GOLF 31

winning teams at the Arnold Palmer Cup. Already making waves and with his sights set on more glory, Morikawa knows his healthy friendship with both Hovland and Wolff – and their innate competitiveness – can only be beneficial to them all as they seek to progress.

“It’s cool to see us come out here and start to make a name for our selves,” said Morikawa of he and his two friends. “It helps us all as we keep pushing each other. We saw that with Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth and how push each other, and they both won Majors within their first three seasons on Tour. And we pushed each other in college and it’s great to be out here on Tour as we continue to do that.”

K U R T K I TAYA M A

EYES ONTHE

PRIZE

BY SCOTT GRAYSTON

Worldwide GOLF 32

K

urt Kitayama is one of the most exciting players to burst onto the European Tour in recent times.

The Californian was victorious twice in his debut season and came agonisingly close to adding a third at the Turkish Airlines Open in an unforgettable sixman play-off under floodlights which Tyrrell Hatton prevailed in.

Worldwide GOLF 33

Kurt Kitayama plays his approach shot to the 18th at this year’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

“I WAS GETTING SOME PGA TOUR STARTS AND GAVE MYSELF A GOOD CHANCE IN THE ABU DHABI HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC WHEN I WAS IN THE TOP 10 GOING INTO THE FINAL ROUND.”

T

his epic journey began when Kitayama earned his European Tour card through Q-School in November 2018 after competing on the Asian Tour. In just the second European Tour event of the season, the 27 year old made a whirlwind start to his European Tour career by winning the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open to rise into the top 200 in the world. Four months later, he became the fastest player to record their first two wins in European Tour history when he triumphed in the Oman Open.

Currently ranked just outside the top 80 in the Official Golf World Ranking, the American has his sights set on rising into the top 50 to gain exemptions in the big events, but it’s been a frustrating stop-start season for Kitayama, who felt it was his time to shine after

impressive performances in the Desert Swing.

“I felt like my game was in a really good spot coming into the New Year,” he says. “I was getting some PGA Tour starts and gave myself a good chance in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the Dubai Desert Classic when I was in the top 10 going into the final round. I definitely felt like I could build on these performances for the rest of the year so it was disappointing with the timing of the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Kitayama’s sixth place finish at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic is his best result of the season so far and he also finished T18 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in his home state.

His situation is more complex than the typical European Tour golfer because Kitayama is based in the United States, so travelling to

Worldwide GOLF 34

Europe and having to quarantine for two weeks is challenging for him to commit to.

“Currently I’m based in Las Vegas and am playing in some qualifiers in the States and trying to prepare for the US PGA Championship,” Kitayama adds. “As far as the European Tour goes, if the travelling to the UK is going to be tough, it’s difficult to make the commitment to play in the events they have coming up like the British Masters. I’m waiting to hear what happens with the quarantine before I make a commitment to travel.

“The travel is tough having to go back and forth from Europe to the US with the 14-day quarantine. It works out nearly a whole month of sitting around when you travel to both, so it’s hard to choose one country.”

Being based in Vegas, there’s plenty of fun activities to do away from the course but recently Kitayama got back to business with tournament golf for the first time in months and was unlucky not to win a spot in the Travelers Championship through the Monday qualifiers.

“I played my first competitive round in three months in the Travelers Championship qualifier and played well and gave myself a chance,” says Kitayama, who lost out in a five-man play-off with two qualifying spots up for grabs. “It felt great to be competing again.

Unfortunately, I fell short in the play-off but it was nice to be out there. I’ve missed the competition when shots really matter because it’s not the same when you just play against friends. My local golf club opened again over the last month so it’s been nice to get my game back into shape.”

KURT KITAYAMA

MY PERFECT

GOLFER

by Kurt Kitayama

DRIVING

RORY MCILROY He doesn’t have any fear and will hit the driver on every hole. He hits it long and straight so I think most guys would choose Rory for this category.

IRON PLAY

TIGER WOODS Kitayama celebrates securing his second European Tour title at the 2019 Oman Open.

With the traumatic COVID-19 situation, it’s the ideal time for Kitayama to focus on competing on the PGA Tour so he can hopefully earn his card. It won’t be easy, though.

“It’s been my goal to play on the PGA Tour and that’s why I’m chasing lots of Monday qualifiers to try get an opportunity to play some events,” he says. “My aim is to get into the Korn Ferry Tour Finals and play well enough to try and achieve a PGA Tour card. That’s an ambition of mine.”

However, his European Tour fans don’t need to be concerned about him leaving anytime soon.

“I enjoy playing the European Tour and if it was easier for me to play right now, I’d be over there in the UK. For the meantime, it’s an opportunity for me to try and get as many starts as I can in the States. It will be tough

to get my PGA Tour card soon with not many guaranteed starts, so there’s a good chance I’ll still be playing on the European Tour next season.”

Another reason Kitayama is likely staying stateside this summer is his place in the US PGA Championship, which is scheduled for August 6 – 9 in San Francisco – right in the middle of the European Tour’s UK Swing.

“I’ve got an invite into the US PGA so that will be cool and then I’m waiting to hear about the US Open because they’ve changed all their exemptions as there’s no qualifying,” he adds.

“I’ve never played that or the Masters, so they are the two left to tick off.

“If I could win any of the Majors it would have to be the Masters because then you can go back every year! Having the Green Jacket as my ‘going out jacket’ would be awesome too!”

His iron play has been one of the best parts of his game over the years.

When he reflects on his Masters victory, he talks about how he put the ball in good spots rather than going for the hole which was crucial to his comeback win.

RECOVERY SHOTS

PHIL MICKELSON He’s known for all the thrills he provides when he’s in trouble out on the course.

SHORT GAME

JON RAHM He’s got beautiful touch around the greens and knows how to play all the right shots.

MENTALITY

Kurt Kitayama on rising star

Collin Morikawa He’s a solid golfer and he’s proven it with his start on the PGA Tour. I’ve played golf with a couple of guys that know him through college golf and they spoke very highly of him. His game is so solid and there’s no weak part of his game.

He’s got a great chance of making the US Ryder Cup team next year and looks like he will be right up there in the World Rankings soon.

TIGER WOODS To be as dominant as he has for so long and make the comeback like he did, he had to be strong mentally.

PUTTING

JORDAN SPIETH He makes a ton of putts and when he’s on fire with the putter, there’s not many who are better.

Worldwide GOLF 35

BOUNCING

BACK! Dubai’s golf and tourism industries on the road to recovery

Worldwide GOLF 36

GOLF AND TOURISM DUBAI

A

fter an extremely tough period response to tackling the pandemic from the brought about by the global government the clubs were among the first Covid-19 pandemic the green sport and leisure facilities to re-open due to shoots of recovery have finally golf being one of the easiest games to play begun to sprout and the UAE while observing social distancing precautions. is officially back open for business and While the period of golf blackout was hard to tourism. bear for fairway addicts across the country, an With Dubai opening its doors once more undoubted bonus is the sensational condition to international visitors as of July 7 and the re-opened courses are now in. the other emirates expected to follow suit, “The Dubai Golf courses have really we take a look at how the golf and tourism benefited from the enforced lock down we industries are bouncing back and how there’s had,” says Matt Perry, Director of Agronomy never been a better time to stay and play in at Dubai Golf and responsible for the courses the desert metropolis. at Emirates Golf Club, Dubai Creek Golf and “Dubai’s successful management of the Yacht Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates. “At a COVID-19 pandemic not only led to the time when we normally get a lot of play we reopening of the had nothing on the city to international courses which caused visitors on July 7, but grass to recover also paved the way very well due to less towards restarting cart traffic. We cut other sectors like surfaces a little less sports that play a regularly which really crucial role in the helped growth and growth of the tourism were able to do some industry,” says summer renovation Issam Kazim, CEO of works earlier. The Dubai Corporation transition from cold for Tourism and season grass to warm Commerce Marketing season was also (DCTCM). “This is started earlier and evident in the global helped us be ahead sporting events that with this once the “Dubai’s successful are hosted annually, courses reopened so management of the and which themselves there’s never been a have become major better time to play COVID-19 pandemic tourism attractions summer golf.” not only led to the such as the Emirates After being starved Airline Dubai Rugby of action for so long, reopening of the city to Sevens or the Omega golfers across the international visitors on Dubai Desert Classic country have been and DP World Tour hitting the fairways July 7, but also paved the Championship golf in unprecedented way towards restarting tournaments. In fact, numbers. The Track these mega events Meydan’s Summer other sectors like sports featuring celebrity Wildcard, which offers that play a crucial role players have helped between one and five position Dubai as a months of unlimited in the growth of the leading destination and fully transferable tourism industry.” for sports tourism, golf for one to four especially since these players, sold out in a tournaments are matter of days and the Issam Kazim telecast to millions of course is reportedly CEO of Dubai Corporation viewers worldwide. operating at 70-90% for Tourism and Commerce “With its diversity of occupancy.

Marketing (DCTCM) offerings and tourism The golf retail infrastructure and industry is also facilities including showing signs of deluxe hotels and world-class golf courses recovery with surprisingly high sales in the underpinned by the highest standards two months they’ve been operating since the of hygiene and safety, Dubai is happy to lockdown ended. welcome tourists from around the world “In these unprecedented times golf has who wish to combine their sporting passions been one of the first sports to get back up with a general love for travel, recreation and and running and with that we’ve seen a relaxation this summer.” fantastic appetite invest into buying clubs or The UAE, like most of the world, was forced start up the game from scratch even,” says to close down all its golf clubs when the Stuart Taylor, Regional Sales and Distribution pandemic hit the GCC around the middle of Manager of Prosports International. “We have March. But after a successful nationwide been inundated with people wanting to get sterilisation programme and a swift and stern fitted in our new Golf Superstore on Umm

Worldwide GOLF 37

With no members, we welcome all who love the game Set in 300 acres of Hertfordshire countryside just 18 miles from central London and with easy access from all London airports, The Grove offers visitors an exceptional golfing experience.

Choose from a range of rates and packages, then simply book, pay and play.

THE GROVE | Chandler’s Cross Hertfordshire WD3 4TG T: 01923 294266 | E: tee.time@thegrove.co.uk | www.thegrove.co.uk

Worldwide GOLF 39

GOLF AND TOURISM DUBAI

Suqeim Road. We look forward to welcoming more golfers to be fitted into new product.”

Dean Cheesley, Founding CEO of eGolf Megastore adds: “Interestingly, there was a far greater pent up demand for golf retail than we anticipated coming out of the lockdown, so we feel very fortunate as a business to have come through the turmoil in good shape. Our main focus during lockdown and after the reopening of the stores has been to support our eGolf Megastore community as much as we can. With the difficult times many are going through, we introduced discounts of 10-60% on all products online and across the stores until the end of summer to help make the products more accessible and affordable for everyone. Most importantly of all, we’re excited that golf is back and everyone is out on the course”.

THE GOLF RETAIL INDUSTRY PICKED SURPRISINGLY QUICKLY AFTER THE END OF THE NATIONWIDE LOCKDOWN.

GREAT SUMMER OFFERS

S

ummer is always a great time to grab bargains at the UAE’s golf courses but this year the clubs are really going all out to attract business after a period of inactivity.

Jumeirah Golf Estates is currently offering a fabulous deal to play the famous Earth course, home to the DP World Tour Championship, twice for just AED 305 when booked through Dubai Golf’s Golf Central app.

The Els Club is offering some highly attractive ‘bundle’ offers – AED 1,510 for

five midweek rounds or AED 1,210 for Troon Executive Card holders and AED 1,760 for five ‘flexi’ around with TEC holders paying just AED 1,330.

A great way for residents or tourists to bag cheap golf is purchase THE ENTERTAINER app, which offers 2-4-1 rounds at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai, JA The Resort, Dubai Hills, Arabian Ranches, The Track Meydan and The Address Montgomerie, Dubai.

One of the best hotel offers we’ve seen for golf lovers is at JA Palm Tree Court in Jebel Ali, Dubai. The hotel is offering to return 100% of the room rate (minus taxes) in ‘resort credit’ which, as well as being redeemable at the various restaurants and bars, can be spent on one of the many activities on offer, including golf rounds on the fabulous Peter Harradine designed golf course.

“We’ve been really busy with UAE residents booking ‘staycations’ at the hotel and enjoying a few rounds of golf during their

GUESTS AT JA PALM TREE COURT RECEIVE ‘RESORT CREDIT’ WHICH CAN BE SPENT ON GOLF!

Worldwide GOLF 39

stay,” says Stuart McMurdo, Director of Golf at JA The Resort Golf Celub. “Hopefully we’ll see tourists returning to the UAE over the coming months and taking advantage of some of the great offers we have.”

It’s going to take a while before golf and tourism are firing on all cylinders again around the world but Dubai and the UAE are most certainly on the road to recovery.

COLUMN

y r a i D r u o

A D R I

A R N A U S

T

Adri Arnaus has risen through the ranks of tour golf at sensational speed. He won the Alps Tour Order of Merit in 2017, while still an amateur, after two victories including the tour’s season-ending grand final. He then repeated the feat by winning the Challenge Tour finale in Ras Al Khaimah in 2018 to take second place on the Rankings and gain promotion to the European Tour.

His maiden campaign on the Race to Dubai was also a success after he secured a place at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship following three runner-up finishes throughout 2019.

t’s been a busy few weeks for me since the lockdown ended in Spain.

My caddie Pello and I went on a brief trip to the United States to compete in Monday qualifying events to try and earn some starts on the Korn Ferry Tour.

I had a discussion with my team during the lockdown and we decided that flying over to America was the best option for me to get back to playing competitive golf at the earliest opportunity. We made a plan, which wasn’t an easy task, but my manager Richard used his contacts at the PGA Tour and the government to help us get in. It was an exciting adventure and I put in a lot of work with Pello to try and get my game firing on all cylinders.

When we made the decision to go over to America, it was looking like the European Tour weren’t going to be back competing again until September, so it made sense to get out to the States and play competitive golf.

Since the European Tour confirmed the UK Swing and the two events in Austria I

I

have flown back to compete – first on the mainland and then the tournaments in the UK. It’s great for the Tour that they’ve added the UK Swing and I am happy to be back in Europe to compete here again.

It was a great experience in the States and a great adventure, but you’ve got to play your best golf on Monday qualifying to get into the Korn Ferry tournament event of that week.

We started out in Utah where I finished tied 34th before heading to Colarado where I narrowly missed out on a maiden appearance in a tournament by two strokes.

The week after we made our way to San Antonio, Texas which is where I went to university, so that was really cool.

When I realised that the Korn Ferry Tour would be stopping there on the schedule I was delighted as I have really fond memories of my four and a half years studying and taking part in the golf programme at Texas A&M University.

We spent a lot of time at College Station,

Worldwide GOLF 40

the main campus, and took advantage of the great gym and golf facilites on offer, and it also gave me the opportunity to catch up with some of my old college teammates, which was a really nice experience.

As well as using the time in America to get back to competitive golf at the earliest opportunity, I’ve also been using the time to get to know Pello better and understand how we both function on the golf course. We have had a lot of fun and worked hard together and hopefully that has put us in a good postition now that we’ve returned to play on the European Tour.

I’m really grateful to be playing competitive golf again as I was really starting to miss it towards the end of lockdown. Having said that, I cherished the time I got to spend with my girlfriend in the place that I grew up, surrounded by nature and peace. This COVID-19 pandemic has really put everything in perspective and we’ve still got a big battle before we are out on the other side, so take care of yourself and your loved ones. ■

COLUMN

DAVID HOWELL During lockdown my respect for school teachers around the world went up a lot.

Normality is what we all crave right now With golf ’s resumption both in the United States and Europe some semblance of normality has returned, but there’s still a long way to go and hopefully golf is well-placed to bounce back.

s a professional golfer we are always trying to find any positive we can to help us on our way to our next big result. But, of course, staying positive and optimistic can be a challenge for everyone.

In these unchartered waters, in the midst of a world that has collided with Covid19, it can almost seem churlish to worry about the state of the game that I love, but when you have been knocked down there is only one thing to do - get back up on your feet and start back on the journey you were once on.

The game of golf in general could well come through this nightmare in better shape than many other sports. It’s a game that lends itself to social distancing, played outside, with all manner of health benefits embedded into it. So, it seems to me that it stands a better chance than most sports to bounce back.

The professional game has managed to get itself up and running once again in America – but not without some challenges of course, and by the time you are reading this, with a little luck the European Tour will have embarked on its first tentative steps with two tournaments in Austria before we attempt to play a six-week swing in the UK. Life will feel different on Tour for some time to come. Social distancing, a tournament bubble that is as strict as can be, no crowds, and no dining out, too. All small sacrifices that are necessary to get the Tour up and running again in as safe a way as possible – both for the 500 or so people that will be on site but, more importantly, for the communities we enter into. Still, with a little luck, and with everyone playing their own part, we may just get to finish the 2020 Race To Dubai, albeit with numerous revisions along the way.

Fortunately, the vision is strong, and we can work our way through a safe and sensible schedule that will lead the Tour’s top players to Jumeira Golf Estates and bring to a close a year unlike any other. For those players who make it to the season-ending finale a glorious welcome, as ever, awaits.

The DP World Tour Championship has, in very little time, become a tournament that seems to always offer up excitement right to the very end. The roster of champions is already a roll of honour for some of the Tour’s finest players, and where better to be able to celebrate than in one of the Emirate’s finest entertainment establishments.

All sports go through cycles and since I have been on the Tour, it’s been a quarter of a century in which Dubai has formed a strong bond with the European Tour, culminating with DP World upping the stakes again to

A

welcome the season’s finest performers to do battle over the magnificent Earth Course. We are living in a new world right now, but wouldn’t it be nice if the Dubai golf fans were to be allowed to come out and enjoy themselves as they usually do so well. Normality is the prize that communities across the globe are craving at the moment, and a packed-out hospitality pavilion to the left of the island green on the 17th would be a great symbol that things have taken a turn for the better.

What better way is there to end the season than to take that walk up the 18th fairway and soak in the applause from the hospitality units that hug the left-hand side of the lay-up area. Any player who gets to enjoy that walk has, at the very least, had a positive year and for many it will have meant a season-long goal had been achieved.

I haven’t managed to tee it up in the DP World Tour Championship often enough in recent years and it’s a huge disappointment to miss out on such an exciting, iconic tournament. Jealousy is a mean emotion but it’s safe to say I have always felt that way when I have to watch the action from afar. If you play on the European Tour, it’s always the place you want to be, no doubt about it.

It has been a pleasure to watch the development grow from the dark days of the financial crash to a booming thriving community. Jumeirah Golf Estates was a grand vision, and to see it mature into the magnificent venue that was envisaged is hugely heartening, and it’s a reminder that, in time, we can and will get through this challenging period.

As I write this column, I envisage walking off that 18th green, with the fabulous clubhouse starting to cast its shadow and a smiling gathering of colleagues awaiting a well-earned refreshment or two. If that doesn’t happen – and all I can do is witness a colleague doing it on TV – then I vow not to be jealous this year, just thankful that everything in the world is heading in the right direction and normality is starting to come our way once again.

One thing that hasn’t been normal for any touring professional golfer is a prolonged period of time at home, and whilst Bryson Dechambeau seems to have been lifting and eating and then more lifting and more eating, I have been gaining a new-found respect for all the school teachers around the world. Golf is a tough and frustrating game - I’ve learned that home schooling is both of those things and more. I am intrigued to find out whether my levels of patience have been enhanced or depleted. I hope it’s the former, but I have a niggling feeling that it may turn out to be the latter. ■

Worldwide GOLF 41

TOP FIVE HOTTEST PRODUCTS

PAUL ROBINSON FITTING SPECIALIST, GOLF SUPERSTORE

ROBBIE MCCARTHY

RETAIL MANAGER, GOLF SUPERSTORE

HOT

STUFF

A

S THE GOLF INDUSTRY GETS BACK TO BUSINESS AFTER THE NATIONWIDE COVID-19 INDUCED LOCKDOWN, WE HEADED DOWN TO GOLF SUPERSTORE WHERE RETAIL MANAGER ROBBIE MCCARTHY AND FITTING SPECIALIST PAUL ROBINSON GAVE US THE LOWDOWN ON THEIR CURRENT TOP FIVE HOTTEST PRODUCTS. Worldwide GOLF 42

GEAR

TITLEIST VOKEY SM8

1.

RRP. AED 709

Robbie: "Another winner from the No.1 brand in golf for wedges. They perform great with the forward centre of gravity giving exceptional feel and control, and they look even better! I've had loads of requests for character stamping with the sharper, cleaner look!"

2.

SCOTTY CAMERON SPECIAL SELECT

CALLAWAY MAVRIK DRIVER RRP. AED 2495

Robbie: "This has been another solid offering from Callaway, we've had a lot of customers gain a lot of distance with this and the feel of the face is fantastic."

RRP AED 2375

Paul: "These look world class! A lot of refinement has gone into the look of these putters and it's definitely paid off."

5.

RRP. AED 885 PER CLUB STEEL, AED 975 PER CLUB GRAPHITE

Paul: "This is a hot iron! The distance gains I've seen customers pick up have been unbelievable. Throw in the striking black finish and built in Arccos Caddie system in the grips, it's no surprise these irons have been flying off the shelves!"

4.

3.

PING G710 IRONS

TITLEIST JET BLACK GOLF BAGS

RRP MIDSIZE AED 1595 | PREMIUM CART AED 1895 TOUR BAG AED 2875

Robbie: "These bags are stunning, the black and red colour scheme makes them look ultra-premium. You better get in quick if you want one because these won't last long!"

Worldwide Golf subscribers living in the UAE are being treated to a 20% discount at Golf Superstore’s retail stores or website until August 31st. Subscribe for FREE to our digital or print magazine at www.worldwide.golf/subscribe/.

Worldwide GOLF 43

GEAR

eGolf launch new custom fit service Earlier this month eGolf Megastore launched its new club fitting system named AccuFit across all of its locations. We caught up with eGolf Megastore’s CEO Dean Cheesley to find out more about their new club fitting service.

Worldwide Golf: What is AccuFit all about?

Dean Cheesley: AccuFit is our new master club fitting service we launched in stores this July, which places an emphasis on accuracy and performance in every custom fit. In each AccuFit session, our club fitters deploy a proprietary step-by-step fitting process we have developed following years of experience and tens of thousands of individual custom fits. Our customers can now schedule an AccuFit appointment by booking an available time slot on eGolfMegastore.ae or on a walk in basis, subject to availability.

WWG: Why did you establish AccuFit? DC: We established AccuFit after we decided to unify the very best of our club fitting processes into a single system. Our team includes professional fitters with years of experience and their feedback from fitting all ages and levels of ability helped us put AccuFit’s club fitting system in place.

We wanted to ensure a consistent fitting experience for our customers whichever eGolf location they visit.

WWG: What typically happens during an AccuFit session?

DC: The fitting takes place in 5 distinct stages.

In the pre-fitting stage, the customer is asked a series of questions to understand their golf background, establish objectives for their game and set a clear plan for the

fitting. Following that, our fitters blueprint their current equipment to determine specifications which may be the cause of performance issues mentioned in the interview. We then set up the customer on the launch monitors to gather baseline data from their current clubs that we use throughout the fitting to determine progress.

Fourth, we move on to the test phase where our fitters utilise our universal shaft adaptor fittings, allowing our customers to interchange multiple shafts with multiple different clubheads from a brand matrix of over 20,000 head and shaft combinations.

Finally, based on detailed testing and the club comparison data, each session concludes with a recommendation of the clubs most accurately fitted to their swing.

WWG: To what extent does technology play a role in the AccuFit process?

DC: Tech plays a very important role in the process. Our fitters use Trackman 4, Foresight GC Quad and FlightScope X3 launch monitors in our stores which are trusted and owned by every member of the PGA Tour. We’ve made sure to make available all three technologies for the customer to choose from during their AccuFit session.

WWG: eGolf carries every hardware brand in its club fitting matrix. How is AccuFit complimentary to this?

Worldwide GOLF 44

DC: All brands, TaylorMade, PXG, Callaway, Honma, Titleist, PING, XXIO, Srixon, Cobra, Cleveland and Mizuno have developed different clubs for all ages and abilities and the amount of choice can be confusing. During the AccuFit testing phase, our fitters use their knowledge of the different technologies from each brand to recommend the right club for each swing.

WWG: Is there anything else our readers can look forward to?

DC: We further enhanced the fitting experience by equipping all indoor fitting studios with 5-piece urethane cover golf balls for us in every fitting. This assists by providing more accurate and comparable numbers for our customers who play a tour quality ball on the course.

IF YOU WANT TO BOOK AN ACCUFIT SESSION, VISIT www.egolfmegastore.ae/accufit, OR GIVE THEM A CALL ON + 971 (0) 4 338 5770.

ODYSSEY WITH TRIPLE TRACK PUTTER

STRONG FOR ODYSSEY WITH TRIPLE TRACK CONFIDENCE BOOSTER

O

dyssey have revolutionised putting with a triple track line system, using the Callaway Chrome Soft Triple Track golf ball and the new putters to help master the perfect ‘line up.’ With a variation of seven different models to choose from, ranging from mallets to blades and, of course, the iconic two balls – there’s a model for every golfer’s needs with the new technology focusing on weighting, feel and alignment.

WHAT’S NEW? TRIPLE TRACK ALIGNMENT All putters have three lines on top of the putter head: one bold red line and two narrow, parallel blue lines either side, which are placed on a rectangular white background. This was developed using Vernier Hyper Acuity, a proven scientific method of analysing how the human eye sees straight lines. This Triple Track alignment is an eye-catching design aimed at giving players an easy way of aligning their putter to the ball and boosting their confidence as they’re stood over a putt.

SHAFT WATCH The shafts have been upgraded to ‘Stroke Lab Weighting’ shafts to help with the balanceenhancing distance control. Odyssey say the multi-material shaft saves 40 grams weight, which is redistributed to the head and grip of the putter. This rebalances the putter for improved tempo and consistency in the stroke.

Worldwide GOLF 46

GEAR

SEVEN MODELS: TAKE YOUR PICK

7 6

1 2

5 4

There are seven models to choose from, but strictly speaking, three different styles.

You have the 2-Ball and 2-Ball Blade, one of Odyssey’s originals. The Double Wide and Double Wide Flow are similar-looking putters, the difference being the Flow model which is for an arc-stroke putter, and the Double Wide being for a minimal arc putter.

The mallet-style putters, the Ten and the Ten S, have clearly been inspired by the TaylorMade Spider, as both models are the same shape, to suit both styles of putting strokes. Finally, the Marxman, is a double MICRO-HINGE STAR INSERT Odyssey have upgraded their Micro-hinge Insert, that will enhance sound and produce a firmer feel. What is Microhinge Star Insert? The face of the putter has a thermoplastic layer behind, with metal hinges on the front. As a player strikes the ball the hinges push back into the thermoplastic layer, which allows topspin, or reduces backspin, helping the ball to roll more efficiently and enabling us to control distance more accurately – which is a big advantage for the fast, undulating greens in the Middle East.

WWG VERDICT The new putters look very high-tech and the line combination will certainly give players confidence standing over the ball. There might be some who may not enjoy having three lines on their ball for the duration of a full round of golf, but for golfers who don't mind what their ball looks like and who struggle with alignment on

Worldwide GOLF 47

3

bend face-balanced mallet suited for strokes with minimal face rotation. All putters are available in 33 inches to 38 inches, with the option to customise the grip, grip wrap, lie and shaft type.

the green, this could certainly be a huge benefit in holing more putts, as it helps ensure that the clubface is square to the ball and not left open or closed at impact. And as previously mentioned, having some extra assistance on the Middle East’s European Tour-standard greens won’t hurt – every little helps!

GOLF FOOTWEAR

GOLF

FOOTWEAR STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE

BY JORDAN SMITH

It’s taken a good few years, but golf fashion has finally started to up its game. From a sport which became famous for its plus fours, flat caps, shirts and tie for the gentleman golfer, it is no longer an ‘old man’s’ game anymore. The new footwear introduced by some of the top brands have helped the Royal and Ancient game become one of the most popular sports on the planet. Worldwide Golf looks into what the first pair of golf shoes looked like, compared with some of the trendy footwear available today.

Let’s rewind a few years, 163 to be precise, to the wooden hickory days. In 1857, golfers in Scotland would insert sprigs or nails into their shoes to prevent slipping on damp courses. This is where the term ‘I’ve nailed it’ came from. The image to the right shows a brown leather traditional shoe that shares similar qualities to the FootJoy classic. They certainly don’t look as comfortable as the shoes of today!

Fortunately, in 1891 metal spikes that screwed directly into the soles were introduced to save golfers’ feet from a possible skewering, and slowly progressed over the years into the masterpieces that we are blessed with in 2020.

Also, today’s golfers have so many options for stylish golf shoes, whether it be sporty, traditional, techy or simply comfortable – the brands have it all covered. Let’s look into some of the newest and most talked-about footwear of today.

Nike’s latest release, the Nike Air Max 97 G (based on the AirMax 97 which shook the running

Worldwide GOLF 48

world) have been designed with a ‘Versatile Grip’ – an integrated traction pattern providing excellent grip in a variety of conditions.

The design comes in a variety of colours and is available in the UAE at AED 799.

They certainly look stunning on the fairway – but you wouldn’t want to be rustling around through the bushes in them.

GEAR

Adidas have released a very technical-looking ‘Codechaos’ golf shoe that come in several colours, boasting an 'energised' feel with a boosted mid-sole that fuels every step with fresh energy. A light yet supportive shoe with integrated support that enhances stability without carrying any more weight comes at a price of 599 AED. For any golf geeks out there who need the solid support and prefer a more futuristic look, this spikeless design showcases just how far golf shoes have evolved in terms of design and technology.

Puma have introduced a street-styled spikeless shoe that has gone viral over golf pages on Instagram. Their RS-G golf shoes, available in three different colours, offer a bulky and bold aesthetic and showcases a true innovation of modern golf footwear. The waterproof design offers carbon rubber lugs which provide traction, while the performance fusion-foam midsole gives the ultimate feeling of comfort and supportive cushioning underneath the foot. The style would look great with shorts in the UAE, but may look a little bulky with a pair of trousers!

They’re not the newest of releases, but when it comes to the traditional look, FootJoy have captured it. A brand that caters to every golfer, and every style, the FootJoy ICON really is iconic. It keeps the classic style of a golf shoe while using luxury calfskin leather for a fine all round finish. The ICONs are a masterpiece that are worn by many of the top players on Tour. Memory-foam in the tongue and around the collar

enhances the comfort factor and the fine craftsmanship will give you the WOW factor on the course – and if you look good, you feel good and this may lead to some good golf.

Having the customisable 'MyJoy' service is an extra add-on, which makes this shoe so special and it’s little wonder that this is the most worn shoe on the Middle East Swing.

Many of today's new releases are making golf fashionable, and this has helped the sport's image in making it appealing to the younger generation who are interested in or starting to take up the game. The sport is growing – and everybody needs to look the part!

Worldwide GOLF 49

TRUMP GOLF DUBAI HAS TWO

EXCELLENT SUMMER ACADEMY PACKAGES

TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR GAME

T

rump International Golf Club, Dubai is the ideal venue to accommodate your golfing needs this summer with state-of-the-art facilities which will help improve your game and have more fun on the golf course.

The golf club is following all of the Emirates Golf Federation’s guidelines and is maintaining social distancing so you can enjoy the game in a safe environment.

The club has two fantastic academy packages on offer you can take advantage of.

There is the Summer Gold Academy Package or the Summer Platinum Academy Package where you will have unlimited access to the world-class training facilities and the Par-3 course, with a variable number of lessons given by their PGA professionals.

The Head Teaching Professional, Sven Nielsen, explains what is on offer at the Trump Golf Dubai Performance Academy to help achieve your golfing goals.

INDOOR SWING STUDIO “The lessons available in the Summer Packages can be conducted in the air-conditioned indoor swing studio, which has great functionality with outdoor access. We are able to control the temperature inside, which is great for the sizzling summers in Dubai. You can combine the Trackman info and video footage to see what areas you should try and improve in.”

Worldwide GOLF 50

SUMMER MEMBERSHIPS TRACKMAN DRIVING RANGE “The TrackMan Driving Range allows people to practice better with eight essential data points provided through the app to make the most of their time. You can see quicker results by practicing in this way and it’s brilliant for all levels of golfers, especially those that often find the driving range quite tedious.

“This TrackMan Driving Range is unique to Trump International Golf Club, Dubai and is included in all of the packages we’re offering this summer. It is a fantastic way to learn and improve your practice and we are the first club in Dubai to incorporate this technology.”

GIL HANSE DESIGNED 9-HOLE PAR-3 COURSE “Having the Gil Hanse designed Par-3 course as part of the packages this year is brilliant because it’s floodlit and suits every standard of golfer. The holes range from 100-200 yards in length, is undulating and more challenging than usual Par-3 courses in the region.

“I love the Par-3 course and take a lot of my clients out there to test their approach play and short game skills. It’s a fantastic 9-hole course.

“If anybody is looking to improve their game over the summer, join us at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai and we will help you get better with state-of-the-art data analytics technologies that help you achieve your golfing goals.”

T R UM P G OLF D U B A I P A C KA G E S : SUMMER GOLD ACADEMY PACKAGE

SUMMER PLATINUM ACADEMY PACKAGE Price: AED 2,995

Price: AED 1,250

June 1 – Sept 30

June 1 – September 30

Eight lessons (30 minutes)

Five lessons (30 minutes)

Four months unlimited access to the PAR 3 course and practice facilities

One (1) month unlimited access to the PAR 3 course and practice facilities

Special 18-hole Championship Course rates of AED 300 weekdays and AED 350 weekends

Preferred discount of 10% on retail items at the Golf Pro Shop

Preferred discount of 10% on retail items at the Golf Pro Shop

FIND OUT ALL ABOUT THE SUMMER OFFERS AND PRICES HERE: www.trumpgolfdubai.com/summer-academy-offers

Worldwide GOLF 51

PISTON PIVOT DRILL BY

YASIN ALI

PGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL (FORMER TOUR PLAYER), LEADBETTER GOLF ACADEMY DUBAI, JA THE RESORT

I

f you find that getting out to the course is tough going for you, have no fear, spend this off season improving your pivot with this simple drill. We at the David Leadbetter Academy believe that ‘a correct pivot motion is the life blood of any athletic

1

3

2

4

swing’. The beauty of the piston pivot drill is that it doesn’t require a golf club, all you need is some space, a mirror or window (and in my instance I’ve used a chair) as a prop to highlight some points to help you move your body better. So let’s get started.

1. ATHLETIC POSTURE We are going to adopt our athletic posture, feet shoulder-width apart (green arrows), hands running down the outside of our thighs (red arrows) with the right hand ever so slightly lower than the left to give a little bit of shoulder tilt.

2. INITIATION We will initiate our pivot with our core.

As we move into our backswing we are going to feel that our left hand slides down our left thigh closer to our left knee and our right will slide up our right thigh closer to our right hip (red arrows).

This is what our completed backswing pivot will look like.

The red arrows highlight our hand positions - notice the difference from the first image.

The yellow circle highlights how my left knee has come forwards towards the ball.

The red circle highlights my stable right foot and in this position I’m feeling the pressure towards the inner part of my right thigh down my leg with pressure placed firmly in that right heel.

The vertical green line and the one angled away from it show how my upper body has pivoted nicely over my right knee and my back is facing the target.

The blue arrow shows that I’m looking at the ball from the corner of my left eye. My head has moved laterally (slightly) to my right.

Finally notice the position of the outside of my right leg and the chair which has barely changed from the beginning.

Worldwide Worldwide GOLF GOLF 52 52

3. THE GLIDE This is the glide phase of the pivot. My hips glide laterally towards the target until the pressure, which was in my right heel, moves towards the front of my left foot. Look at my right leg and the chair, notice the gap (green arrow)? This shows I have started to transfer my weight to my lead leg. My back is still pretty much in the same position as the previous image, in-fact look at the red arrows they haven’t changed. The yellow circle shows that my left knee has gone from being slightly pointed inward to now moving towards the target.

4. WEIGHT TRANSFER In this final image you can see I have transferred my weight into my left side. My left knee has straightened and the left leg posts up nicely (yellow arrow) allowing me to hit against a firm left side. My right palm is down by my right knee (red arrow). My right knee is kicking in and down toward the balls (green arrow), right foot is rolling inwards helping me move into my left side (yellow circle). The pressure which was in my right heel at the top of my backswing is now in my left heel (red circle). My left side is feeling a great stretch and look at the gap between the chair and my right leg, I have moved the weight successfully into my left side and there’s no hanging back.

We are now at a good stage to compare this image with how it looks from down the line, and note how they mirror each other.

INSTRUCTION DOWN THE LINE 5

7

5. POSTURE Good posture with my hands down the side of my legs.

6

6. COMPLETED BACKSWING PIVOT Green arrows show how my right shoulder is higher than my left.

Red arrows show how my right hip is marginally higher than the left, also I’m feeling a nice bit of pressure in my right glute.

The yellow arrow shows how my left knee has moved forwards from where it was at address.

The blue arrow shows that my right knee still maintains some flexion.

The green circle highlights the pressure now being felt in my right heel and on the inner part of right leg.

8

7. THE GLIDE I’m feeling the right foot start to roll (red arrow) and the pressure is now being felt in the front of my left foot (red circle).

I’m not unwinding as yet, this glide allows me to get my chest over the ball.

8. WEIGHT TRANSFER Here we can see how my right shoulder is lower than my left - a complete reversal of what was happing in the backswing.

Right hand is also closer to my right knee and lower than the left (red arrow).

My left glute is unwinding and is more visible (blue arrow) and my right foot is rolling onto its instep (red circle) meaning that I’m now feeling the pressure in my left heel.

WHAT YOU WANT TO AVOID 9.

If your piston pivot looks like this then you have not been doing it correctly. My head is tipped over to the left past the green line (highlighted by yellow arrow). You may say that the hands are where they should be but look at that right knee, it’s bowing outwards (green circle and arrow).

Look at how the right foot is rolling outwards with the sole of my foot becoming visible.

This position is called a reverse pivot and is detrimental to your swing.

10.

My chest (blue arrow) and left shoulder (green arrow) aren’t as clearly visible especially when compared against image 6. You can also see how my head looks different. This is not a good pivot.

11.

My body is backing away from the target (blue arrows). My right foot is still grounded (red circle) showing poor weight transfer, and even though you could say that the other positions are almost where they should be, this is not the correct pivot.

12.

Again even though it seems that my hands and shoulder look to be in good positions, you can clearly see that my right foot is completely grounded (red circle) and my left glute has not rotated properly (blue arrow).

9

10

11

12

I am backing away from the target and this is going to rob me off a good contact, consistency, power and accuracy.

I hope you can use this instruction and these images to improve your pivot and get you in shape for the season ahead.

As always we look forward to welcoming you to the David Leadbetter Academy Dubai at JA The Resort to help you improve further.

Worldwide GOLF 53

WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf Worldwide.Golf

DEANE’S DELIGHT AT NEW BASE AT JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

W

orldwide Golf’s Scott Grayston caught up with Stephen Deane, one of the most recognisable and reputable teaching professionals in the UAE for over a decade thanks to his work at Emirates Golf Club, as he settles in to his new role up the road at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Deane was recently promoted to the Head of Academies at Dubai Golf and here he reflects on his time at Emirates Golf Club, what his new role entails and the exciting plans ahead.

“I

was with Emirates Golf Club for over 12 years and during that period I developed a great connection with Pete Cowen and he passed on a lot of his knowledge to me. With all the drills and the shadowing of the work he does with some of the top players in the world, it’s been a phenomenal experience.

“When I first started at Emirates Golf Club, the Academy was ‘in association’ with Pete Cowen, but then in 2017 it switched over to be known as the Peter Cowen Academy, Dubai.

“This was originally launched at Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, and when Dubai Golf took over Jumeirah Golf Estates, we launched the academy there too.

“My role changed when this happened just over a year ago as I became the Head of Academies at Dubai Golf. I’m now based at JGE and manage the three Peter Cowen Academies in Dubai. It’s been absolutely fantastic at Jumeirah Golf Estates, meeting all the new members and working with the team of teaching professionals here.

STEPHEN DEANE TEACHING A PUPIL IN HIS FORMER ROLE AT EMIRATES GOLF CLUB IN 2015.

Worldwide GOLF 54

STEPHEN DEANE STEPHEN DEANE PICTURED WITH PETE COWEN DURING ONE OF THE ENGLISHMAN’S VISITS TO JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES.

“The Academy here feels like more of a learning environment and almost like a library because it’s very calm, so it’s easy to focus and put your head down and study! There’s not 100s of people down here bashing balls on the range, you have students working on their game - it’s a lovely environment to coach in.

“I began my time at Jumeirah Golf Estates a week before the COVID-19 lockdown began and have been back here since the lockdown began to ease, and I’m thoroughly enjoying coaching here. It’s a great facility and I would definitely recommend people to come along and try it.

“My role here is to improve the options for people to get into golf within the UAE. We want to grow the game in the region so have launched a ‘Get into Golf Programme’, which is a reasonably priced at 495AED and you get a month’s coaching.

“There are four to five classes every day that you can come to for a month, which are being held by our interns. We are passing on a lot of the Pete Cowen movement pattern drills and not simply expecting the beginners to pick up a golf club and be able to hit it straight away. The fundamentals need to be taught before anything else. There’s a brilliant learning structure in place here that is easy to follow and will give the beginners the perfect introduction to the game.

“Last year at the Academy, we did the first ever performance school with Pete Cowen, where we had 10 students who flew in to spend three days with Pete. We are going to do

“I was with Emirates Golf Club for over 12 years and during that period I developed a great connection with Pete Cowen and he passed on a lot of his knowledge to me.” the same again this year because that worked really well.

“We are also going to launch an international golf schools programme, which nobody has done in the region before. There will be multi-day options where you play with a pro on the course and check out all areas of your game and your swing mechanics.

“This is something different which I think people will love. Rather than people coming for one lesson a month, you come for a three-day golf school – then you don’t have to come back again for a few months. That’s an exciting launch for us later this year in September or October. I think both local and international students will benefit massively from this.

ALWAYS LEARNING “Another part of my role is to provide training for the teaching professionals so I pass on all the knowledge to the young interns, and I really enjoy this element of the job. I’ve learnt so much over the years and it’s great to help others excel in their coaching careers.

Worldwide GOLF 55

Pete helps the more senior staff when he’s over, so the environment is brilliant because everybody is always learning and improving.

“Back at Emirates Golf Club, one of my passions was developing the Junior Elite Programme which we started seven years ago.

We developed some brilliant golfers and some of them went on to University in America. Last year we flew out to California with the kids and played some tournaments and visited the Tiger Woods Foundation. That was a brilliant experience and was the pinnacle of my time with the juniors at Emirates Golf Club.

“I want to bring that knowledge and information across to the younger ones at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Alastair Brown and Jonathan Craddock will look after the juniors at Emirates, and I will still keep an eye on them. We are planning to get the juniors over from Emirates to JGE on a Friday and have a morning session, then get them to play an 18-hole competition on either the Earth or Fire course with the juniors at Jumeirah Golf Estates. This will be an excellent day of golf for all the top talented juniors in the region.” ■

SWING SEQUENCE

DUSTIN JOHNSON

1

2

3

DUSTIN JOHNSON swing analysis by Malcolm Young, PGA Professional Dustin Johnson’s overall athleticism as a golfer plays a big part in allowing him to do what he does with the driver in his hands.

At 6’ 4” he has an advantage over shorter players in terms of generating speed and power in the swing. The American recently won his 21st title on the PGA Tour, extending the number of consecutive seasons on which he has picked up at least one victory to 13.

7

8

Worldwide GOLF 56

9

ANALYSIS BY

MALCOLM YOUNG

4

1 & 2. The first thing we notice in the takeaway is as he sets the club in motion he does a little forward press and almost a ‘picking up’ of the club, which has a concept – for him – of looking at the target line a little bit longer, which creates a feeling of being square.

3. Here, as his takeaway progresses, you can see his club face is clearly looking at the target and he starts the rotation of the shoulders.

5

up to the top of the swing and we see an extension in the trailing leg, which allows a little more hip rotation.

7. As he begins the downswing we see his much-talked about bowed wrist and the closed club face, and it’s from this point that he now needs to match up these positions as downswing progresses – so he needs to find a way to open the face.

4 & 5. As the club moves into the half-way back position, we see a good extension of the lead arm and a slightly closed club face position.

8. He does this – like so many top players – by rotating the lower body very hard, which makes space for the hips to clear. Here we see the hips and knees level, in-line with the ball and the target. So he’s created a lot of rotation in a very short space of time.

6. This shoulder rotation continues around

9. This rotation has created a little bit of

10

11

Worldwide GOLF 57

6

forward spine tilt which retains his body angle and allows him to keep rotating to the left. His right arm appears to come very close to the body.

10. The external rotation he’s got in the right forearm helps him open the club face up, which will prevent the ball from going left.

11 & 12. This continues post impact and he has a lot of space to extend both arms into, to make sure that the little fade he likes to hit starts slightly to the left of the target and gently curves back to the fairway.

13. We see a continuation of this as he maintains the ‘side bend’ of his body as the club starts to decelerate around him, before coming to rest.

12

12

ABU DHABI AMATUER CHAMPIONSHIP

BACK WITH A BANG

S

AADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB IS SET TO WELCOME SOME OF THE WORLD’S BEST AMATEUR GOLFERS ONCE AGAIN AS THEY BATTLE IT OUT FOR TOP HONOURS WHEN THE CLUB HOSTS THE THIRD EDITION OF THE ABU DHABI AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP FROM DECEMBER 14 – 16.

T

HE Championship invites scratch golfers from the world over to compete for a chance to earn valuable World Amateur Golf Ranking points, as well as the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship title – and, potentially, spots in the European Tour’s prestigious Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA for the champion and leading Emirati player.

Following the success of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship in 2018, the 2019 event hosted at the Gary Player designed course, was bigger and better, with over 30 nationalities from across the globe competing over 54 holes in an Individual Strokeplay format.

Local sensation Josh Hill, who became the youngest ever winner of an Official World Golf Ranking event last year at the MENA Tour’s Al Ain Open, capped a memorable 2019 with a thrilling one-stroke triumph over close friend Arjun Gupta to be crowned the second winner of the Championship following Dino Capazario’s triumph in 2018. With the victory, Hill secured a spot in the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented

by EGA, where he became the youngest-ever participant in the event and also enjoyed a practice round with then World No.1 Brooks Koepka.

“It’s a really good event with strong competition and you really have to play well to win it as the course is difficult. Obviously the WAGR points on offer at this tournament are a massive draw and it’s going to help out

SKAIK AND HILL RUBBED SHOULDERS WITH THE STARS OF THE EUROPEAN TOUR AT THIS YEAR’S ABU DHABI HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY EGA

Worldwide GOLF 58

ABU DHABI AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

THE WORLD’S BEST AMATEUR GOLFERS ARE SET TO FLOCK TO SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB FOR THE THIRD EDITION OF THE TOURNAMENT

my amateur ranking by boosting me up a couple of places,” said Hill, after his victory last year.

Ahmad Skaik also secured a spot in the first Rolex Series event of the year following a dramatic play-off with Saif Thabet. The two UAE nationals finished the tournament in tied 11th before Skaik superbly drained a birdie putt on the first trip back up the 18th to book his place alongside the likes of Tommy Fleetwood and eventual winner of the event Lee Westwood, who the UAE’s number one went on enjoy a practice round with at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

‘HARDEST CLUB IN THE UAE’ “Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is the hardest club in the UAE in my opinion with the wind playing a big factor along with the difficult greens and slopes so it’s a perfect place to host this great tournament. I played in this event in 2018 and it definitely improved last year with the standard of players which means plenty more WAGR points were on offer,” said Skaik.

A date is yet to be decided for the return of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented

by EGA, which could include the amateurs who

top performing players for the potential move “It’s a really good event with strong to professional golf. At competition and you really have to play well the beginning of 2020 to win it as the course is difficult. Obviously our 2019 Champion, the WAGR points on offer at this tournament Josh Hill, competed are a massive draw and it’s going to help out in the Abu Dhabi my amateur ranking by boosting me up a HSBC Championship presented by EGA couple of places.”

Josh Hill, 2019 Champion and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic which provides an insight into the pathways that may open up for future are successful at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club if participants and champions over the coming the amazing prize is confirmed again, but it years. is often considered the unofficial start to the “At Saadiyat Beach Golf Club we pride European Tour. It’s the largest event on the ourselves in delivering the world renowned Abu Dhabi annual golfing calendar and a stop Troon Experience which largely consists of on the European Tour that never disappoints maintaining exceptional playing surfaces which the players or the fans. Some of the recent we believe sets the course up to be the perfect star players include Dustin Johnson, Brooks Championship venue for a World Amateur Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler (2016 Golf Ranking Tournament. We are thoroughly Champion), Tommy Fleetwood (2017 and 2018 looking forward to welcoming a vast array of Champion), the 2019 Open Champion, Shane elite amateur golfers to Abu Dhabi in December Lowry (2019 Champion) and Ryder Cup star Lee and to witness what we hope to be a thrilling Westwood (2020 champion). tournament for all.” ■ Commenting on the return of the popular event, Matt Waters – Senior Golf Operations Manager for Troon Abu Dhabi, said: “Our vision for the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship is to create a platform for elite international and UAE based amateur golfers to compete in an environment that prepares the

Worldwide GOLF 59

To book your place in this fantastic event please email: golfevents.sbgc@aldargolf.com or call 024998100.

GOING THE

‘COLLEGE ROUTE’ D

UBAI’S 16-YEAR OLD STAR TOBY BISHOP HAS AGREED TO JOIN THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN 2022 AND IS SET TO TAKE THE COLLEGE ROUTE IN HOPE OF ONE DAY TURNING PROFESSIONAL AND PLAYING ON TOUR. WE SPOKE TO A NUMBER OF STARS WITH A CONNECTION TO THE MIDDLE EAST WHO ALSO WENT TO COLLEGE IN THE UNITED STATES TO SEE HOW THEY FOUND THE EXPERIENCE AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD RECOMMEND IT.

YASIN ALI Yasin Ali is a teaching professional at JA The Resort and had an impressive career on the European and Asian Tour. Here he documents his his experience in the United States where he made the Ben Hogan Award List one year.

“W

ow, where do I begin with my college experience in the States?

What an amazing two years of my life. Not a week goes by where I don’t reminisce about the experiences back then. It was 2001 when I went and I would recommend the college route for anyone. It’s a great way for kids to learn how to be independent and it makes a man or woman out of them when they return! When I left to go to Oklahoma, I studied at a smaller school called Oklahoma City University, which is a real powerhouse in the NAIA. So I was different because I didn’t go the NCAA route, even though I had a lot of offers. I went to a smaller school because I preferred that environment and it suited me more. After my first year of playing at Oklahoma City, I was heavily recruited by the bigger schools. I was lucky enough due to my golfing success, I was put on the Ben Hogan Awards list for the year 2001/2002, which is the top 20 college players in the USA, so that got me a lot of recognition and lead to a lot more offers from colleges wanting me to transfer to a bigger school.

However, I was enjoying my game and was pretty intent on turning professional after my second year.

The studying isn’t that challenging if you navigated your way through high school with good grades. In your teenage years, if you have managed to keep a good routine of studying and working on your own, you will be fine.

SCHEDULE In the mornings we would get up around 6am, go for morning workouts and then be in our classes for 9am. You can control your class schedule to a certain degree, so you’ll finish by around 1:30/2pm. At lunch we would meet up at the players canteen with all the different athletes and have lunch then head

Worldwide GOLF 60

out for practice. Throughout the year, we would practice for a couple of hours and then we would go play. We had about eight guys on the course and there are five spots on the team - so there was healthy competition for places. In the weeks leading up to an event we would have qualifying and basically for that week we would play four or five rounds, and the five guys with lowest average for that spell would be selected to go play in a college event. If you played for a big school you would fly there in a private jet, unfortunately we went on a mini bus! We would go on long old drives to places like Houston and Arkansas but it would be such good fun with the team.

The main objective of any golf programme is to try and make it to the NCAA Championships – or in my case was the NAIA National Championships. You then get to play on the biggest stage against some of the best players in the US. From there you get to see the kind of guys you’re up against and how you fare against the best. I won lots of events when I was there and was part of a very successful team that won two NAIA National Championships. I have two huge rings with my name on them. Toby Bishop, and anyone else going over there, will have such a fantastic time. My advice would be: Enjoy yourself and keep working hard as it’s a great chance to prove yourself. You can expect fierce competition, which is brilliant for your game, especially when you have gone over from the Middle East where it’s not as intense. Remember to work as hard as you can and prove to the coaches how much determination you have and you’ll be rewarded for it.

TOBY BISHOP – GOING THE COLLEGE ROUTE

“I

truly believe going to college is an important step for any young golfer growing up in Dubai with any ambition to play at the top of the professional ranks. Although the golfing scene in Dubai is always growing, good players are still considered a ‘big fish in a small pond’ and college golf acts as a great stepping stone to understanding where weaknesses may lie, as well as providing the resources needed to take the leap into the professional ranks.”

MATT TURNER Matt Turner is one of the most talented golfers to be brought up in Dubai and finished as the low amateur in the 2009 Omega Dubai Desert Classic. He went on to study in the US on a scholarship.

KURT KITAYAMA

The former Oman Open winner’s swing coach, JC Deacon, is also the head coach of The University of Florida – which is where Toby Bishop is going.

Kitayama reflects on his experience of going to college in the States and how it has helped shape his game to become one of the top 100 players in the world.

“M

y swing coach, JC Deacon, is the head coach of the University of Florida. I was with him last month at Harding Park playing a couple of practice rounds and he was talking about this kid from Dubai that he needed to call at midnight because there’s a recruiting process and he had to try convince him to come to the college.

It’s great to hear that Toby agreed and is joining there!

JC Deacon is a great guy. He coached me for three years at the University of Nevada when he was the assistant coach but then he left in my Senior year to take the head coaching job at Florida.

“The thing I miss the most from back home is the food. I love the food in Dubai and I got a bit spoiled there with the options I had.

And obviously I miss my parents too!” – Rayhan Thomas (second from right)

RAYHAN THOMAS Born and raised in Dubai, Rayhan Thomas made waves on the UAE golf scene by winning numerous events in his early teens to alert the wider world to his potential.

Now 20, Thomas decided to head over to America for a golf scholarship at the celebrated Oklahoma State University (OSU) towards the end of last year – and it’s been a decision that the youngster certainly hasn’t regretted.

“O

klahoma State University has definitely lived up to its reputation so far. It is one of the best places to be and I am really happy with the decision I made in moving here.

I think dealing with leaving home was a bit

I’ve visited the University of Florida campus before and it’s a really cool spot and Toby will have a lot of fun. Florida is a great place to go to school and experiencing their athletic programmes will be a whole new experience.

The atmosphere of going to college and being on a team will be brilliant. They have a pretty good course and a great practice facility.

They play one of the toughest schedules in the country, so Toby will be competing against all the top players every tournament which will help grow his game. You’re forced to learn to manage your academics, golf and social time so that’s a great skill to learn. Toby will grow as both a person and a golfer.”

challenging at first, but everyone here is so nice and welcoming so I definitely feel like I’m at home. Now when I refer to home, I do refer to Oklahoma. The coaches are great, they take good care of us and I am surrounded by seven guys on the team who are like brothers to me.

Worldwide GOLF 61

The most challenging part about playing in the States is playing golf all over the country.

Back home I would play on similar courses all the time even in the smaller events, but the golf courses here are Major and PGA Tour level, so it is very special to play on these pristine courses.”

BOOK GOLF & CLOSE YOUR GAME !

Now available on the EGF App & Website

Try our more user friendly login options

Website

www.egfgolf.com

info@egfgolf.com

Social Media

SUMMER OFFERS

SUMMER OFFERS GALORE AT JA THE RESORT T

he world as we know it has changed immeasurably from the one we took for granted at the start of 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on every sector of society, not least of all the travel and tourism sector. The UAE has managed to contain and fight the virus better than many countries around the world and, despite travel restrictions being gradually lifted, more residents than ever before are choosing to stay put this summer. We caught up with Stuart McMurdo, Director of Golf at JA The Resort Golf Course who revealed how club has coped with the enforced lockdown and how they’re attracting resident golfers with some extra special summer offers.

Worldwide Golf: The Covid-19 enforced lockdown hit golf clubs hard like it did every business – how are you recovering, have you noticed a spike in rounds with golfers across the country having been deprived of playing for a few months?

Stuart McMurdo: I was seriously worried about the future outlook for golf during the lockdown and we had made plans for reduced rounds of golf. We were therefore pleasantly surprised by the huge demand in our Summer Swing Golf packages which sold out in six days once we reopened on April 27. It has proved that golf is still a very popular pastime and can be enjoyed under social distancing restrictions.

WWG: One bonus of the lockdown seems to be the condition of the courses are now in - would you agree with this and how is the course at JA The Resort looking and playing?

SM: We are fortunate as l decided from day one, that we would press ahead and conduct the yearly major course maintenance as soon as lockdown started and given we were closed for 33 days, this allowed for enough untouched recovery time to have the greens and surrounds in pristine condition. Our Agronomist has never been so happy to have free rein on the golf course for that length of time!

“We are so fortunate to have partnered with David Leadbetter and his experienced team supporting us with his wealth of coaching knowledge. We also have an indoor swing analysis room and a separate indoor putting room.”

WWG: You’ve got some great offers at the Resort this summer, we’ll start with the Academy packages, tell us about those?

SM: As we know, many Dubai residents will be staying here this summer so the Leadbetter team wanted to offer some special rates for not only on-range lessons utilising our indoor facilities but also to add on-course lessons to enjoy the JA The Resort Golf Course and improve players’ course management. For AED 950 a couple can enjoy 2 x 50 minute lessons and a 9-hole playing lesson.

WWG: There are a lot of great Academies in the UAE, what, in your opinion, sets the David Leadbetter Academy at JA apart and what can people expect from their lesson experience?

SM: We are so fortunate to have partnered with David Leadbetter and his experienced team supporting us with his wealth of

Worldwide GOLF 63

coaching knowledge. We also have an indoor swing analysis room and a separate indoor putting room. We will also utilise the Resort’s conference facilities for indoor Summer camps allowing vast indoor space for kids to play safely and socially distance. Once you’ve finished your session you can also relax at the Resort and take advantage of the many restaurants and beach facilities.

WWG: What other summer offers have you got at the golf club that residents or tourists could take advantage?

SM: Not only are the golf green fees great value at this time of year but the Resort is offering Staycations starting from AED 395++ per room per night in the idyllic JA Palm Tree Court. The offer allows you to redeem 100% of the room rate back on food and beverage or many of the Resort’s leisure experiences including golf.

AIR-COOLED GOLF CARTS

SUMMER GOLF JUST GOT COOLER Air-cooled golf carts hit the GCC

By Richard Bevan

I

’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve exclaimed during a summer round on one of the Middle East region’s multitude of fine courses: “When are they going to introduce air conditioned golf buggies?”

You’ve all been there. Red faced, sweat dripping out of every pore and becoming wearier with every passing hole as the relentless desert sun bears down on you. Summer golf in this part of the world can be a real battle of attrition. But no more. A saviour is upon us, just in time for the mercury reaching unpalatable levels, in the form of the Fresair S6 cooling unit.

The sleek and easy-to-install units can reportedly cool the air temperature in the buggy by up to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and they’re being imported from the US by local Callaway and Mizuno distributor Precision Golf with plans to introduce them at clubs across the GCC. DUBAI HILLS GOLF CLUB The first units in the region are already in place at Dubai Hills and Emirates Golf Club so I visited the former to see if they really do make a difference.

Standing only around 4 inches tall mounted onto the roof of the buggies, it would be easy to miss the attractively designed cooling system if you weren’t looking for it, blending in as it does with the cart on which it sits. A key factor in the Fresair’s suitability for use on a golf course is that, unlike traditional air conditioning units, it runs off tap water rather than refrigerant and is efficiently powered by the buggy’s own battery.

You just fill up a water tank that sits on the back of the buggy, switch it on and away you go! Air is pulled into the roof mounted unit and forced through a moist fibrous pine filter which is circulated with the water and fed back out into the cart through a control unit on the inside of the roof through four adjustable vents which driver and passenger can position on their face or body (or down the back of the neck in my case.)

So, does it work? Yes, it really does! Whether it cools the cart by 40 degrees is open to question but it certainly takes the edge off the blazing summer heat and makes for a much more pleasant golfing experience.

I usually suffer a literal ‘meltdown’ over the closing holes of a midday summer round due to the blistering heat sapping away my energy levels. However, during my round at Dubai Hills in the Fresair S6 installed buggy, I was delighted to retain my distinctly average level of golf to the end!

Fresair S6 units are also available for personal use priced at AED 8,500 + VAT. For more information please email: Contact@precisiongolfme.com

Worldwide GOLF 66 64

ARABIAN GOLF TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB, DUBAI

SHARJ AH GOL F AND S H OOT ING C LU B

White Rose finally breakthrough in the Sharjah Golf Society League

Dubai resident completes 4-round marathon for charity awareness in summer heat The scorching summer sun didn’t deter Trump International Golf Club, Dubai member Richard Charlesworth from completing four rounds in a day to raise awareness for a cause close to his heart.

The 49-year-old sped his way around 72 holes in a buggy – first in a four-ball with friends and then three solo rounds – starting his day at 6:24am and sinking the final putt at 4:10pm.

“This is something I’ve wanted to do for a couple of years but it’s not possible to do it with a group of friends here in Dubai because it goes dark earlier than it does in England, so there just isn’t the time,” said Charlesworth, a Dubai resident of over 10 years who hails from Chester.

“The restrictions on raising money for charity in Dubai means I’m simply donating myself and hoping to raise some awareness,” said Charlesworth of his chosen charity – UK-based Macmillan Cancer Support. “My dad died of cancer in 2017 and he introduced me to golf when I was eight. Whenever I am on a course I am reminded of him.”

A member at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai since 2018, Charlesworth went out with three friends from the British Dads’ Dubai Golf Society for the first 18 holes before going it alone to complete the challenge.

IMPROVEMENT “For those three rounds on my own I shot 82, 79, 79, and I think I improved as the day went on because I found myself trying to swing easily to try and prevent injury.

“Towards the end of the fourth round I did start to stiffen up a bit, but I think having no breaks between rounds helped me as the continued momentum meant I was a bit looser and I didn’t start to suffer the stiffness any earlier.

“I must have drank about 6-litres of water, refilling my bottle at every water station during the day – plus a couple of Gatorades and two coffees.

“I was very lucky that there was a breeze and it wasn’t as humid as it had been a couple of days earlier when players were coming off after nine holes.

“I think that walking four rounds during a UK summer would be harder, so now I’ve done this in Dubai I might try it one day when I’m back in England.”

After a patient wait, the White Rose Golf Society were crowned champions of this year’s Sharjah Golf Society League after seeing off the challenge of the GTI Society in a long-delayed final.

Originally scheduled for April 11th but pushed back due to lockdown restrictions, the White Rose team – made up of Club Captain Rory Thomson, Ryan Taylor and low handicappers Ben Mulvaney and Namir Al Naimi – emerged in good form last week to take the title and make up for their loss in the 2019 final.

It was a tense match up, with both teams winning a match each so a sudden-death playoff was required to determine who took hom the trophy.

The pressure was palpable, but a solid par4 from Al Naimi saw him wrap up the win and

leave the GTI team, made up of Andrew Thom, Eamonn Al-Rifai, Martin Rodden and Ahmed Musley, empty handed. In the third/fourth place play-off match the GEMS Society proved too much for the Angry Birdies as they won both their matches to clinch third place overall.

The final always sees the return of some familiar faces as it coincides with the annual Patrons Day – an event at which the club invites all the past captains and sponsors to play. The Individual Stableford competition was played from the white and yellow tees and there were some great scores considering the temperature and conditions.

Taking top spot was Mujahid Siddiqui with a sensational score of 39 points, one clear of Mohan GC with Jordan Smith in third with a score of 35 points.

DUBAI CRE E K GOL F AND Y AC H T C LU B

Toptracer Range introduced at the Peter Cowen Academy The Peter Cowen Academy at Dubai Creek has introduced Toptracer Range – the same balltracking technology used by TV broadcasters to track balls hit by the best players in the world – to its practise facility.

A fun, engaging, tech-driven experience, Toptracer Range will appeal to seasoned players, range rivals, friends, family members, and even first-time golfers.

Using cameras mounted around the facility and 21-inch monitors found at each hitting bay, Toptracer Range technology displays an array of details of each shot – including distance, speed, launch angle, shape and more.

Data is instantly recorded and displayed on the screen through a player profile that can continuously be accessed through the Toptracer Range community application, which features games and modes suited for all ages and skill levels.

Commenting on the company’s latest partnership, Dubai Creek Head Golf Professional, Michael Kinloch, said: “Toptracer Range is a great addition to the facilities at the academy. The system is amazingly accurate and great fun to use. In virtual golf you can take

Worldwide GOLF 65

on friends over a selection of world famous courses, challenge them to nearest the pin competitions or longest drive challenges.

“Serious golfers can use the practice module to hone their skills, keep track of their distances and upload data to their Toptracer profile. It will really add a new and fun dimension to practicing at the Club.”

Toptracer tracks the shots of the best players in the world on the PGA Tour and European Tour, and golfers of all ages and abilities are now able to share that experience at Dubai Creek.

Celebrity We ask the European Tour’s top golfers how their dream dinner party would unfold.

Players must choose three celebrities to accompany them, one band or artist to provide the music, what would be on the menu and tell us their favourite party trick!

Next in the hotseat is DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai winner Jon Rahm.

JON RAHM SEVE BALLESTEROS Music

KENDRICK LAMAR

I’m really into rap

CRISTIANO RONALDO MENU NELSON MANDELA

- Starter -

SALAD - Main -

STEAK PARTY DANCING. I CAN MOVE TO TRICK PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING!

- Dessert -

BREAD PUDDING

Leadbetter

SUMMER LESSON RATES Get better value with summer packages at the Leadbetter Golf Academy Dubai.

To book, call 04 814 5023 / 5058 or email golf.teetimes@jaresorts.com

SUMMER PACKAGES 1st June to 30th September

Lesson package inclusive of municipality fees and VAT. All lessons include trackman and V1 analysis. Lesson packages include full use of the practice facilities throughout the package period.

JAgolf.com

JAgolfdxb

JAgolfdxb

PACKAGE

AED

5 x 30-minute Individual Golf Lessons

950

2 x 50-minute Individial Golf Lessons and 1 x 9-hole playing lesson

950

1 x 50-minute Individual Golf Lesson

350