Worldwide Golf December 2021

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

KEITH PELLEY

ALAYNA RAFIQUE BREAKS PAR AND PLAYS WITH RORY AND SHE’S JUST 13!

l u a P E O LY M P I C S , RY D

FOCUS

2021

DUBAI TEEN LIVING THE DREAM

DEVELOPING THE GLOBAL GAME WITH DP WORLD AND THE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH THE PGA TOUR

FEATURE

DECEMBER

R CUP

ABRAHAM ANCER MEXICO’S GOLFING SUPERSTAR IS ON A RAPID RISE

ORE TO M ’S E R E H T I & DUBA

THE $3 MIILLION MAN WHAT MORIKAWA HAD IN THE BAG TO WIN THE 2021 RACE TO DUBAI

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

COME

+ PIETER’S SWING BY PETE COWEN + BUNKER BASICS + IMPROVE YOUR MOBILITY

EXECUTIVE EDITOR SINCE 1999

GARY PLAYER

Teaming up with my best friend Jack I am very pleased to be joining up in a strategic alliance with Jack Nicklaus and his design team because he is my best friend in golf. I play a lot of courses around the world and aesthetically they are very good, but playability wise they have faults. Being a world champion, Jack understands the intricacies of building golf courses, so I’m very happy to be joining the best as we both know how to avoid these faults. I don’t think there is a designing pairing more experienced than Jack and myself.

I think we both have the same ideas when it comes to design.

Maybe his greens are a little bit more undulating than mine, I am inclined to make softer greens for the average person. But there is very little difference in our ideas, that’s why we’ve joined forces, we are so similar.

When it comes to designing a golf course, you have to look at the ground on which you’re given and the area in which it sits. There are so many factors to consider when designing a course. Do they have much water? What is the climate? The quality of the soil.

There are lots of variables. It’s something you have to have a feeling for, and instincts are important. Once you fight against what is given to you, your costs will go up.

It is essential for courses to have different teeing options for different levels of players. But you don’t have to plant manicured green grass in between those tees – it is a waste of water. I was playing at one of Jack’s courses recently, The Bears Club in Florida with some people from Britain, and I was explaining to them how

“THERE WERE A LOT OF PLAYERS WHO COULD PLAY IN AMERICA BUT WERE NOT VERY GOOD WHEN THEY WENT OVERSEAS. ”

well Jack had done with the tees and all the natural foliage that exists between them, which only rely on rain water. That’s something I’ve always done. My brother is a leading conservationist and he has said for a long time that the world is running out of water. So we have to build golf courses in the future that will not need an abundance of water. There are so many things you can do to save water. I have developed a new bunkering system and I used it in India and it became the leading course there. I have repeated it in South Africa and it’s the leading golf course there too. The bunkering doesn’t need any watering or weeding, no fertilisation and the ball never buries in the sand.

Sustainability

I think the course that Jack did at Muirfield Village is a masterpiece. They can have the amount of greenery there due to the rainfall in Ohio! It’s getting harder to design championship courses these days due to the distance these guys hit the ball. If players continue to hit the ball 350 yards longer courses are required. Sustainability is a word many businesses are focusing on and golf should be no different. To save water and prevent courses expanding it would be much simpler to cut the ball back 50 yards for the professionals and not amateurs. Controlling the ball makes more sense than pushing courses to 8,000 yards!

One professional that has impressed me a great deal this year is Collin Morikawa. Not just for his Major success but the fact he is prepared to travel to become the best. To be a superstar you have to travel outside America and his victory at the DP World Tour Championship and to win the 2021 Race to Dubai showed he understands what it takes to be the best. Ben Hogan did it, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Gene Sarazen, all the greats of golf went outside of America and won. But there were a lot of players who could play in America but were not very good when they went overseas. Billy Horschel also won at Wentworth this year, a course I’ve had so many great memories on, and maybe their success will encourage more American players to travel outside their homeland.

Superstar formula

So if players start traveling globally and winning around the world, when does a great player become a superstar? First of all, to be successful you have to be a great putter, hitting it a huge distance is an advantage but it means nothing if you struggle on the greens. So, you are a great driver of the ball and a brilliant putter but the mind is the key to become a superstar. When you look at golf’s superstars – I’m talking about players who have won six or more Majors – they had an extraordinary mind on the golf course, different to other players. I can’t tell you what it is though.

It’s called ‘it’ – and nobody can define it. ■

WorldwideGOLF GOLF 43 Worldwide 2

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CONTENTS

28

PAUL CASEY The Englishman, who has has been triumphant three times in the UAE, reveals he’s more comfortable in his own skin at 44.

FEATURES 20 KEITH PELLEY

After surviving a pandemic with limited funds and events and evolving the European Tour into the DP World Tour, it’s a fitting time to speak exclusively to the man at the helm.

26 ABDULLAH BIN DAMITHAN We catch up with the CEO & Managing Director of DP World UAE & Jafza to discover more about the exciting DP World Tour partnership and to find out about his own golf game.

20

32

26

36

32 ABRAHAM ANCER

Ancer has made a remarkable rise up the world rankings to just outside the top 10. After making his Middle East debut at the DP World Tour Championship, he can’t wait to return.

36 BERND WIESBERGER The towering Austrian finished the season strongly and now has his sights set firmly on the Majors.

GARY PLAYER Teaming up with my best friend Jack Gary Player is excited about joining up with 18-time Major winner Jack Nicklaus to form the most experienced golf design partnership in the history of the sport.

PETE COWEN Get ready for a few shocks Pete Cowen reflects on a whirlwind season and makes some predictions for the upcoming calendar year, as well as sharing opinions on current in the golf scene.

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40

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Congratulations To the 2021 DP World Tour Championship Winner and Race to Dubai champion

Collin Morikawa

@dpwtc #dpwtc

Three Times The Fun !

Now @ 3 Locations !

Arabian Ranches Golf Club Umm Suqeim Street

Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club

CONTENTS 42

SWING Pete Cowen analyses Thomas Pieters’ swing. The world-class coach has worked with the Belgian since he was 12 so he knows this impressive swing sequence better than anyone!

46

48

BUNKER BASICS Alastair Brown demonstrates two bunker drills to help you feel confident when in a spot of bother.

54 YASH MAJMUDAR After recently moving to the UAE, the powerful young golfer, who is part of the Jumeirah Golf Estate’s Scratch Team, believes he’s in the perfect environment to raise his game to an elite level.

MOBILITY-IMPROVING EXERCISES Golf Fitness Coach, Victoria Mikhaylova, shows how to improve your mobility by teaching four exercises that will make a huge improvement to your swing.

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50

ALAYNA RAFIQUE On the back of playing in a Pro-AM with Rory McIlroy, teenage sensation Alayna Rafique is attracting a lot of attention in the golfing realm.

We catch up with her and her father, Kash, to find out how she became a wonderkid.

ABU DHABI AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP The tournament at Saadiyat Beach GolfClub will offer the winner a dream opportunity to compete in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the European Tour.

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52 EAGL CORPORATE INVITATIONAL SHAPING UP NICELY Key UAE businesses sign up for the inaugural event at The Track, Meydan Golf showdown later this month.

EDITOR’S LETTER

HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED: DUBAI COUNTRY CLUB BACK IN THE EARLY DAYS AND MODERN DAY EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

PASSING THE BATON

I

t’s time to pass the editorial baton over to the next generation. I’ve been the editor of Worldwide Golf since issue one, which was launched back in November 1999. In those 22 years I’ve been very privileged to have watched golf and the region flourish from a ringside seat. I remember playing in my first Sheikh Rashid Trophy, a tournament that brought together the best amateurs and pros in the UAE and was played over three days at different courses. It was an historic event with serious bragging rights in the local golfing scene at stake. The first year I played the courses were: Nad Al Sheba, Dubai Country Club and the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Nad Al Sheba became the footprint for The Track, Meydan Golf and it was a straightforward course and one I was familiar with. So, I had a solid opening round of four over par. Then came the challenge of the Dubai Country Club. I’d never played a sand course and it was an experience I’ll never forget. The key was to find the fairways so you could play your approach off a mat and have a better chance to find the browns. I think I managed to use the mat a handful of times and I sunk a 20-foot putt on the final hole to break 100! One local pro and a real character called Brad Sutherland could not stop teasing me as I suddenly found myself at the bottom of the leaderboard.

The final round at the Creek was full of the usual ups and downs but I managed to break 80 and creep up the leaderboard a little. I eventually had the final laugh. Brad the Australian wonder pro, as he called himself, had imploded and carded a final round 101! He quickly became known as the Dalmatian.

A few years later a friend invited me to make up a fourball at Jebel Ali as he was one short. We took on these two media guys who were covering the cricket in Sharjah that week. One was from India and the other from South Africa. Both were very keen on giving the two Brits a whooping.

As we started chatting during the round, I remember asking the pair how long they had been playing golf and what they did

for a living. You know the sort of conversation. At that point my friend started rolling on the ground in laughter. Our opponents just smiled at each other, and politely said they were both former professional cricketers. Like you do, I asked who they played for, obviously I was not a cricketer. My playing partner was now in pain, he was laughing that much. That was the day I first met Kapil Dev and Barry Richards!

Being in direct contact to other legends such as Gary Player and Pete Cowen has been a joy to see what goes on behind the scenes. Just as shame I can’t mention half of it, especially what Pete tells me each month.

I also remember my first product test as if it was yesterday.

It was the Titleist Professional and Prestige ball, yes in the days before the ProV1. How golf technology has evolved over the years is scary. I now hit the ball further and straighter than when I played off scratch, just a shame no one has brought out a putter than sinks more putts!

As the game has evolved, so has Worldwide Golf, which is why it’s time to pass the baton over to our new editor, Tom Wragg. His hunger for local golf news and social media awareness is key to our ever-growing platforms. As they say, it’s a young person’s game.

My passion for the game has never diminished and having Tom head the Worldwide Golf team frees up more of my time to play more golf and test more clubs.

In 1999, Worldwide Golf was given less than a year to survive. With a small golfing community and just six courses in the UAE vision was deemed as madness. Today the UAE is host to three Rolex Series events and the home of the DP World Tour. Likewise, we are also set to make our own partnership announcements in 2022.

We’ve been here from the beginning and seen some fascinating changes but there are truly interesting times ahead.

Alex Gallemo�e

ISSUE No.241 DECEMBER 2021 • 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, Ashraf Ahmed • 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.

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

T R U M P I N T E R N AT I O N A L G O L F C L U B , D U B A I

World’s Best Par 3 Course

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STARTER

T

he spectacular, floodlit Par 3 Course at the Trump International Golf Club, Dubai was recently awarded the World’s Best Par 3 Golf Course at the 2021 World Golf Awards. This was a huge achievement for the Gil Hanse designed course which first opened its doors in 2017 and is actually the only Par 3 course in Dubai that is designed by a renowned golf architect.

With holes ranging from 100 to 210 yards and water hazards throughout, the Trump Par 3 is a testing yet fun golfing experience. The pristine 9-hole course features undulating greens that are fast and challenging, even for your low handicappers and scratch golfers, and contains hazards that mimic the 18-hole championship course.

If you’re a beginner, junior, or just looking to dial in your wedges, this links style course can also be played with tees set up between 65 to 110 yards so it can offer a unique challenge to every level of golfer.

Traditionally on Masters Week, the agronomy team at the Trump have some fun with the contemporary 1257-yard Par 3 and set up the course to be like Augusta. This makes the course incredibly testing with insane green speeds, tricky pin positions and the maximum yardage for the course.

This Par 3 facility also offers ample parking and has the ‘Caddy Shack Drive In’ where you can enjoy delicious food and beverages whilst sitting on the outside terrace overlooking the course.

It’s no surprise that this Par 3 is being recognised on the global stage.

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THE SEASON

We pick out some of the most fascinating statistics from the

Spieth King of the Short Stick

The lowest round in the DP World Tour season was a 10-under 60 from James Morrison in the Omega European Masters which is a 70 handicap.

Jordan Spieth’s consistency with the putter is exceptional.

In 2014, he finished first on the PGA Tour with a one-putt percentage of 45.86 percent and his yearly putting rankings are below:

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

- 1 - 1 - 2 - T-28 - 64 - 1 - 10 - 5

64 Aaron Wise made the most threeputts on the PGA Tour this season. Yes 64… The worst thing is that three of them were inside 5 feet!

Spieth has been among the top 10 at this crucial category for six of the last eight years. It’s an extraordinary testament to not just his putting ability, but also to his approaches and scrambling game.

The average player on the PGA Tour in the 2021 season earned nearly $1.5m for his work, according to PGA stats.

478 At the age of 48, Richard Bland claimed his first victory at the 478th attempt after a dramatic final round at the Betfred British Masters in May.

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IN NUMBERS

2021 2021season seasonon onthe theDP DPWorld WorldTour Tourand andthe thePGA PGATour.

Tour.

45

Tiger is back!

Bryson the Brute

323.7- yard average

15-time Major winner, Tiger Woods, has made a remarkable recovery from a car accident and has shared a swing video on his social media recently. It appeared that the 45 year old’s playing career was over when he suffered serious leg and foot injuries in his LA car crash in February, where he required a rod inserted into his leg and screws and pins into his ankle.

However, it is reported that Woods’ goal is to get back out on Tour and he is “going to make it happen.” Exciting news for every golf fan.

Everything Bryson DeChambeau did to improve his power and strength during the pandemic has worked wonders because he was the longest on both Tours last season. South Africa’s Wilco Nienaber averages 323 yards on the DP World Tour.

4&3

The Match ends in a rout!

After months of trash talk and social media spats, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka finally got to settle their feud in ‘The Match’ but it ended embarrassingly for the longest hitter in the world. Bryson never won a hole. Brooks ended the 12 Hole Match on the 9th after winning five of these holes. He admitted after the round: “Not going to lie, I just wanted to spank you.” Koepka was then asked: “Does this want to make you play with [Bryson] more?” He responded: “Nah, I’m good.”

PGA Tour Careers KOEPKA

DECHAMBEAU

162

132

Wins

8

8

Top-10 finishes

39

35

$36.8M

$26M

4

1

Starts

Earnings Majors

a w a k i r o M ania 4INWINS 17 M TOUR STARTS

Collin Morikawa is taking the golfing realm by storm. He recorded the biggest payday of his career with his impressive DP World Tour Championship victory as he sealed a cheque for €2,640,975.00 and was crowned the DP World Tour No.1 which is another $1m bonus. Here are some impressive statistics for the 24 year old.

2

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MAJOR WINS

DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP IT WAS ANOTHER UNFORGETTABLE DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES. IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT IT’S ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR EVENTS IN THE REGION EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT A GOLF FAN.

WHAT DID THE FANS ENJOY?

Golf Clinics

hot Boys Golf Trick S

Hospitality Suite

ge Championship Villa

Fun for all the family Worldwide GOLF 18

FRIDAY Perfect outdoor weather

ay #La dies D

All smiles

SATURDAY

Packed leaderboard

SUNDAY

Collin Morikawa birdied five of the last seven holes to win the DP World Tour Championship by three strokes and also be crowned European No.1.

in d w ith Coll Ror y paire

Brendan Lawlor wins the EDGA Dubai finale

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GOING As the European Tour evolves with the huge financial support of DP World and their united global vision, we thought it was a fitting time to interview the Tour’s man at the helm, Keith Pelley.

KEITH PELLEY, CEO DP WORLD TOUR

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GLOBAL

JAY MONAHAN COMMISSIONER PGA TOUR

BILLY HORSCHEL

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1989 2021 The Chief Executive Officer took his seat at Wentworth in August 2015, having been President of Rogers Media in Canada, where he had successfully negotiated a $5 billion deal with the National Hockey League. Not one to fear change and going with his instinct, Pelley knew things needed a face lift. The introduction of the Rolex Series with huge prize funds was a resounding success with the players. Trying new event concepts such as the Golf Sixes and the Belgium Knockout helped to attract new audiences to the game. Just as things were looking up, the Covid pandemic struck. The sports and hospitality industries were devastated, and the European Tour, along with every other sporting organisation, went into survival mode to look after the players and keep fans fed with live tournaments. As the world started to climb out of the pandemic,the European Tour Group looked to the future as it first formed a Strategic Alliance with the PGA TOUR and then announced Dubai-headquartered global logistics provider DP World as the title partner of the group’s main Tour. The Middle East has always been a stronghold for the European Tour, ever since Mark James won the first Dubai Desert Classic in 1989.

Today those ties with the region have become much stronger, as the European Tour transitions into the DP World Tour. In 2022, three out of the five Rolex Series events are in the United Arab Emirates, and with the DP World Tour’s alliance with the PGA TOUR, things have never been stronger.

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How important is the Middle East for the growth of the European Tour?

The European Tour has been playing tournaments in the Middle East for 33 years so we have a long-established presence in the region as well as a number of strong, long-term partnerships. The Middle East enables us to play at a time of year when it is not possible to stage events in Europe due to the weather, so it has been a very important region in terms of the development of the European Tour, but equally since that first Dubai Desert Classic 32 years ago, the European Tour has played a hugely significant role in putting golf in the Middle East on the global map. So it truly benefits both sides. On our 2021 schedule, we had six events in the Middle East, including the AVIV Dubai Championship and DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates which concluded our season-long Race to Dubai.

The focus of global golf will be on the region then, and we will be back in the Middle East at the start of the 2022 calendar year for five consecutive weeks on the newly named DP World Tour, including back-to-back Rolex Series events with the addition of the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. We always play on first class courses and we receive terrific hospitality, while the players all enjoy the traditional start and end of year swings in the Middle East which have become fixtures in our schedules.

KEITH PELLEY

OVER THE YEARS THE EUROPEAN TOUR HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO ATTRACT THE BIGGEST STARS TO THE REGION. WITH THREE OUT OF THE FIVE ROLEX SERIES EVENTS NOW BEING HELD IN THE UAE.

The announcement of the DP World Tour further solidifies this relationship with the region. Although DP World, like the Tour, is a global entity these days, it is also proud of its heritage, having begun as a port operator in Dubai 50 years ago in 1972, the same year our Tour was established. That was one of the many synergies which we found when we first started discussing the deal as far back as 2019, and the start of the DP World Tour season really does herald a new era for both of our organisations.

Are you looking to expand into other countries in the region that want to develop or introduce the game?

One of our successes in the Middle East, and indeed around the world as golf’s global Tour, has been taking the game to new territories. The presence of the word ‘world’ in our title now affirms that and was one of many reasons why DP World was such a strong fit for us. As far back as my interview for this position, I said European Tour was a misnomer because of the number of events we play outside the continent. If you look at our 2022 schedule, which we confirmed as part of the DP World Tour announcement, we have 47 events in total and while 23 of those are in Europe, 24 are played in the rest of the world. Playing in new territories is an important part of what we and DP World are trying to do together. For 2022 we have

announced new events in Belgium, South Africa, Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE and the first event in our 50 year history in Japan.

We have helped develop golf more widely across the Middle East region over the last four decades. We have played in Qatar since 1996 and Abu Dhabi since 2006, while more recently we have taken the game to Oman, having previously played in Bahrain too. Next year we will also visit a new Emirate in Ras Al Khaimah, while our Legends and Challenge Tour have also played in Jordan along with the LET, and Sharjah so the European Tour group has shown a deep commitment to golf across the Middle East over a long period now.

How is the European Tour looking to promote the professional game in these regions? As there hasn’t been a Middle East golfer break through on Tour.

When you visit new territories, it does take time for the effect to trickle down the golfing pyramid. As golf’s global Tour, we take the world’s leading players to different countries.

This gives new audiences the chance to see the elite players up close and personal, which we hope, in turn, will inspire them to their own success or simply to take up the game, because participation is also a crucial factor. Golf has so many benefits for people and I’ve often said it is the most inclusive sport because anyone can play with anyone else

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What positives have come from the pandemic for the European Tour?

The pandemic is something nobody could foresee and something nobody wished for. You can’t control the uncontrollable and there was no playbook for it, but it happened, and it is how you respond and adapt that is important.

I have to say, I was hugely impressed by our staff, our players, our caddies, broadcasters and our partners in that respect. During Covid, unquestionably we became more agile as an organisation, responding decisively to the various challenges we encountered, and we showed incredible resilience too. To go from our schedule being essentially a blank sheet of paper in April last year to playing what will be 67 events during Covid times – 27 in 2020 and 40 in 2021 – across so many different countries, is a remarkable achievement. We also played a Ryder Cup too, and while it wasn’t the result we wanted, the event itself was another huge success. Over the last 18 months we have also announced Strategic Alliances with the PGA TOUR and Sunshine Tour, announced the DP World Tour deal and added a significant number of new partners, all of which means our business is now more financially robust than ever before, even surpassing pre-pandemic levels. So there have been so many positives to emerge from what was without doubt the most challenging situation most of us have faced professionally, and I am also energised by what lies ahead too.

➣

KEITH PELLEY

IAN POULTER PASSING ON SOME LOCAL COURSE KNOWLEDGE DURING THE BRITISH MASTERS PRO-AM AT WOBURN GOLF CLUB IN 2015.

Would you look to bring WGC events back to Europe or even the Middle East?

Through our Strategic Alliance with the PGA TOUR, we are working together across all aspects of scheduling. Earlier this year we announced three co-sanctioned tournaments – the Genesis Scottish Open, the Barbasol Championship and the Barracuda Championship – as part of our 2022 schedule, and we will continue to collaborate on the global calendar to provide the best product possible for all members and all fans.

The PGA Tour players have both the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, for this reason would the European Tour look to reinstate the Seve Trophy? If so could it be played in the Middle East or UAE? I know Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjørn, who sit on our board, often speak about how beneficial they found either the Seve Trophy or EurAsia Cup in terms of their own Ryder Cup captaincies. So another team event is something we have discussed, but the challenge, as with so many of these things, is finding the right time and place in a packed global schedule to do it.

The latest R&A ruling to limit shaft lengths is a step in the right direction to tackle the distance issue but what can the European Tour do in addition to safe-guard iconic courses such as St Andrews?

Our Tournament Committee voted through the local rule announced by The R&A and USGA to limit shaft length, so that will be adopted

across events on all our Tours next year. Those two organisations have also been conducting a wider Distance Insights Project, and so while it is not the role of the European Tour to proactively “do” anything, we have obviously contributed to the project and given our views as part of that process too.

The European Tour leads the way in regards to fun content with the players. Would you look at working with other sports to cross promote each other?

We have a phenomenally talented team which has produced some terrific content over the last five or six years. That content has really resonated with fans and it has brought a wider recognition to the our brand.

Fundamentally, we are in the entertainment business, and we have successfully developed a culture where our staff, players and fans have bought into that. Our team has the full trust of our players and it’s great to see that people outside the Tour wanting to be part of it. It’s helped us bring in new partners and in terms of crossing over, we’ve had a number of other athletes from cricket, football, rugby and other sports feature in our videos, but we also have had a lot of celebrities who love their golf. At the BMW PGA Championship in September, we posted a video of Spiderman star Tom Holland playing alongside Padraig Harrington, which got a lot of traction online, and it all helps golf and the our Tour reach new audiences.

People like Niall Horan and Gareth Bale, who are involved in our tournaments in

Ireland and Wales have been terrific for the promotion of our game to different audiences too.

You have the fortune in playing with the players during the tournament pro-ams.

How is your game and what’s the best tip a player has given you?

Whenever you tee it up alongside one of the professionals it is always a fantastic experience. You never fail to be impressed by just how good they are, and you always learn something from watching them play. How is my game? Well, if I could improve my short game it would be better! I played in a fatherson competition this summer in Waterville, in south west Ireland, with my 18 year old Jason, who is now playing college golf in America. We really enjoyed it and we actually did okay, but let’s just say he contributed more than I did.

How essential are the Pro-Ams for tournaments?

I said it in one of my earlier answers, but golf really is one of the most inclusive sports, which enables anyone to play with anyone else, and the Pro-Am truly is the perfect illustration of that. In which other sport would you get the chance to stand side by side with the best in the world. You can’t play alongside Lionel Messi or hit with Roger Federer, but Pro Ams give amateurs the chance to play alongside Jon Rahm or Rory McIlroy. It’s one of the things that makes our sport unique, and for our partners it is an incredible asset to have. ■

QUICK FIRE Golf hero growing up?

Jack Nicklaus

First car you bought?

Volkswagen Scirocco

Last concert you went to?

Billy Joel

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Favourite James Bond?

Roger Moore

Howe or Gretzky?

Both!

TRENDING DP World has been a close partner of the European Tour for close to a decade and the rebranding of the historic organisation first founded in 1972 to the DP World makes sense considering the global arena the professionals compete in these days. Especially when you look at the 2022 schedule and see that many tournaments are staged outside Europe. So, DP World was not just a great financial partner but have equally answered the geographical confusion sometimes associated with the European Tour. We caught up with Abdullah Bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director of DP World UAE & Jafza, to know more about the partnership and to find out a little bit about his own golf game.

Europe’s new WORLD REACH

When do you get chance to play?

We have customers from all over the world and Ienjoy playing with them when I get the time. It’s fun and golf gives you a lot of quality time to break the ice, talk business and enjoy yourself. Lately with the pandemic and my role as the CEO, I haven’t had as many opportunities as I’ve had in the past to play, but hopefully I will be able to get out more in 2022.

Where do you play locally?

I have played almost every course in Dubai – Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Creek, Emirates Golf Club, Al Badia when it was still operational. I enjoy playing everywhere, not just in Dubai but around the world.

With DP World sponsoring the Tour, at what stage did you shift from being the title sponsor of the season ending event and move to re-name the Tour itself?

DP World has been a partner with the Eurpean Tour for the last decade, so it was not new relationship. The opportunity for us, and our commitment to grow the game and elevate it, and with our new branding, it was a great match. A global port operator and a global championship coming together as a partner, it was the ideal time. So we are not new to each other, and now it is taking our relationship one level higher.

The schedule for 2022 has been announced early and events in Japan and the pairing with the PGA Tour are welcome additions.

Was Japan something that you looked at as a region to expand into?

Yes and in addition to Japan there are other destinations we looked at as well. We aim to take the Tour further to places like Japan or new destinations that bring value to the game and DP World.

What is it like having a colourful character like Ian Poulter as an ambassador for DP World?

Ian is a great ambassador, not just on Tour but with clients during our golf days. He understands the role of an ambassador perfectly both on and off the course. He is fun to watch and be around. We are not looking at adding any more ambassadors at the moment as our focus is on developing the Tour.

How important is the grassroots element of golf?

Are you trying to focus on the Challenge Tour and making sure there is a pathway for up and coming talent to compete on the DP World Tour?

Yes, we have a focus on the younger players and also the ladies and disabled golfers. We are trying to promote all aspects of the game. We want to see the younger generation come through – including Nationals in the UAE and Dubai.

We have noticed younger nationals being inspired by having the best players in the world come and compete in the DPWTC and Dubai Desert Classic.

What sort of opportunities will DP World bring to the local golf scene?

We are keen to promote the Emirates Golf Federation, and this kind of championship exposes youngsters to big players and gives them an understanding of the professional game. By bringing the leading profesisonals to Dubai it will give the younger generation the opportunity to learn and see first hand what is required to become a leading tour professional.

Will you come to the events around Europe, like in Scotland or London?

I’ve spent some time in Scotland before and really enjoyed it, especially walking in the Highland, so I would like to attend the Gensis Scottish Open. It is one of our Rolex Series events and it will attract some of the largest stars. With the Open Championship being played only two weeks later in St Andrews it will be a great time to be in Scotland. ■

PAUL CASEY P U R S UI NG MO R E D E S E RT S U CCE S S

Paul Casey earned a memorable victory at the 2021 Dubai Desert Classic and still feels as hungry as ever to compete with the world’s best. His record is sublime in the UAE with a further two wins in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in 2007 and 2009. We caught up with the 44 year old at a Rolex round-table event during the DP World Tour Championship where he finished tied-ninth.

Worldwide Golf: As the reigning champion, what do you think about the Dubai Desert Classic becoming a Rolex Series event?

Paul Casey: I feel like it’s finally been elevated to a position that a lot of us had always thought it was. For an event which is so new in the annals of golf, it gained quite some prestige among the players. And I think the trophy for the event has helped that. I think we can all agree that the trophies for the tournaments in the UAE are quite stunning. To me, it’s fantastic news.

Rolex, and their continued support of golf, is very much appreciated by the bulk of the membership and I think also golf fans globally.

These events are significantly different, so I’m looking forward to it.

There was always a rumour or myth that if you won a trophy three times – I remember Martin Kaymer won the Falcon Trophy in Abu Dhabi three times –you get to keep it after the third win. I’m not sure if he did get to keep that one though!

WWG: Is there a moment in your victory at Emirates Golf Club that sticks out as being pivotal?

PC: I arrived on the Tuesday night having played the week before in the United States, so I woke up on Wednesday and had no clue where I was. I played the Pro-AM quickly in a bit of a daze and then went on to win the event. It’s interesting because I was heavily jet-lagged from that. But it showed that energy can sometimes come from somewhere else – another source.

At that point we were heavily locked down, they didn’t let us outside of the hotel that week. But at the course we had about 500800 spectators – mostly members and guests. And the energy that we were getting as players in these little pockets when you got near these people – it was brilliant.

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Because we hadn’t really played in front of anybody. In the USA there were very few, and it was nice to see their enthusiasm.

That was what was really cool for me. That energy. And it’s one of the coolest events on the Tour. I love the trophy, obviously. I’m a big coffee fan!

WWG: You were very emotional afterwards.

What did that win mean to you and why did you get like that?

PC: I’d played some really bad golf coming out of the pause that they had on the PGA Tour. I’d struggled. It was about three months off and I didn’t play well and struggled the rest of that season. Therefore I tried to figure out what I needed to work on and where my motivation was. I wanted to get 2020 behind me, probably like everybody else on the planet really. Our performances on course is what is always talked about, but I had a bad time away from the course.

At home with the family not being able to operate the way we normally would which is just like everybody else so I was ready for that to be over. It was a culmination of it being my 15th win, the Dubai Desert Classic – which is just cool – and the fact that 2020 was a write-off. I had worked hard to make 2021 something successful then boom – the second week out, there it is. You don’t often get the pay-off that quick. Sometimes you never get the payoff. I had worked hard, set a plan and accomplished it. It was really cool.

WWG: You’ve competed in the Olympics, Ryder Cup and in all the Majors. What’s the goal next year with no Olympics or Ryder Cup? PC: Typically, it’s been a big ticket thing for me – to make that team or make the other team. It’s important for either cause that I play consistently well and think about winning events. And I’ve spoken to various guys, my coach, and asked ‘is that still the way to do it?’ Or should I have the goal of 2022 of just taking two or three categories, looking at hitting one more fairway per round. Or maybe see a category in which I’m ranked 100th on Tour and look to improve into the top 25, and have that as the goal. And then that will feed into my practice and my game and how I spend my time. Maybe that’s the thing, I don’t know. I’m yet to figure it out. Right now, I’m not lacking motivation to get on a plane – coming from Arizona to Dubai for the DP World Tour Championship is a 16+ hour journey. I still want to do this.

WWG: In the UAE there are impressive amateurs who believe the best opportunity to elevate themselves is to go to college in the USA. You did the same, and so did Luke Donald. What advice would you have to those players?

PC: I don’t know the scene in the UAE across the amateurs well enough to know what opportunities they have out here to improve the trajectory of their golf careers. But for me, from the UK, it was kind of dead-end in that you either turned professional and try to play professional golf, or you worked in a shop. I tip my cap to Ian Poulter because very few guys have

I’m not lacking motivation to get on a plane – coming from Arizona to Dubai for the DP World Tour Championship is a 16+ hour journey. I still want to do this.”

made their way from the pro-shop to the highest level. But you can’t go to university in the UK and play golf, so to me, those two options seemed scary. My parents were keen on me furthering my education so the college thing made total sense. And it is such a vehicle nowadays, looking at the players coming through their systems now. It’s almost like a no-brainer for a lot of kids.

I actually dropped out before my fouryear degree course was over, so I didn’t get my degree. For the first six months I was homesick and did struggle. But everything you do as a college athlete prepares you for being a professional golfer because it is away from home. The level of competition is tough. I was playing against guys like Adam Scott and Luke Donald week in, week out. The facilities and you way you train. And you can get a degree if you want because there might be a trend in the future when players retire earlier and maybe they want to do something else.

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Thousands of kids go to college with dreams of being a touring professional golfer and fail. So that education could be a wonderful thing. The underlying thing for me, is just go for it. Because if you don’t like it you just go back home. The error for me would be not trying it so if there is a system in place in the UAE that supports amateurs, funds them, educates them and provides a structure and support system that allows them to focus on becoming a pro golfer – wonderful. They don’t have to go the college in the USA. But there wasn’t that in the UK. It was the English Golf Union and the R&A and that was it. They are better now.

WWG: I read a quote from you that you feel better about yourself after 40? Is this true and are you more relaxed now?

PC: Yes, I am. I used to really live and die by my results when I was in my 20s and even into my 30s. And I get that because when you’re trying

Rolex present a timepiece to every player and captain of both the United States and Europe and that has been a tradition for quite some time.”

Casey is a Rolex ambassador and has been collecting watches for over 20 years to become a successful athlete on Tour, you never know if you’re going to make it or win.

And you get people chirping in your ear: “you should be winning twice a year” or things like that. And then you suddenly look back after ten years and it’s not happened. It’s never good if you start to live up to other people’s expectations. There’s a whole bunch of noise going on!

WWG: Can you see yourself playing on, perhaps onto the seniors?

PC: Yeah, I’m still hungry to compete and am hopefully not getting too soft or reflective.

I’m able to strike a balance between reflecting a little bit – like I can look back on the Olympics and know it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had because I set a goal and made the team. Also the Ryder Cup

in 2018 was like that. Some athletes don’t want to look back until they’ve finished but I find that I am able to look back and think ‘that was a really cool victory in Dubai’ – but it doesn’t make me soft for that week. I still want to go out there and beat whoever I’m playing. But I can do it and enjoy it and if it doesn’t happen I’m OK with it. Because, to me, the success thing – what is success?

It’s not about the trophy – of course we want to win. But it’s more about having a happy, healthy family, a bunch of friends and the fact I love playing golf for a living. That’s pretty damn cool.

WWG: Are you a scoreboard watcher?

PC: On Sundays I tend not to. I get distracted a bit. I don’t know why. If I’m in contention, I just try to execute the same game plan that

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I had been doing that got me to that point.

It’s different because the pin positions will change and the wind might be different, but the feelings are there. If I do look, it’ll be on the 18th tee or the 17th. It’s my caddies’ job really. If I need an eagle on the last to win – he’ll tell me. If I’ve got a three-shot lead on the 18th tee, he might hand me the 6-iron.

It’s his role to take control or remind me.

WWG: As a self-confessed petrol head, do you get your hands dirty?

PC: Yes, but I’m rubbish. I can break stuff and get someone to fix it. I can change wheels and oil filters, things like that. The sun visor fell off one of my old cars the other week and I screwed it back on – that’s about it, but changing the oil, I can do that. It’s not bad.

With modern cars it’s more difficult! ■

Becoming the finest

ANCER

t’s not been easy for Abraham Ancer to become a professional golfer, never mind one of the world’s best. At only 5ft 7’’ and raised in Mexican border city Reynosa, Ancer was introduced to the game by his father while he was still in nappies. As he grew up, he would practice while his dad played 18 holes then they would play nine together afterwards. “For as long as I can remember I had a golf club in my hand,” says the 30 year old as we catch up at an Audemars Piguet event at The Els Club. “I just fell in love with the game very early, started playing tournaments when I was six years old and I never stopped.”

I

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ncer, who spoke limited English as a teenager, only received one offer to play college golf, but emphatically took advantage of the opportunity.

He won six medals whilst at a junior college in west Texas called Odessa, including one stretch of five wins from six starts. He was also honoured to claim the Jack Nicklaus Award as the nation’s top junior college player. This was exceptional recognition for the young Mexican which helped him earn a transfer to the University of Oklahoma where he thrived again as he went on to post the second-lowest career scoring average in OU history, behind only Anthony Kim. Things couldn’t have been going any smoother for the aspiring golfer. However, the unthinkable happened in 2014 – his father died of a heart attack. The loss was hard to take. He had earned a conditional status for the Korn Ferry Tour but ended up losing that.

A “I loved playing in my first tournament in the UAE, I hit the ball great but didn’t really make any putts all week which was a bit frustrating but it was a great experience and I definitely want to come back.”

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ABRAHAM ANCER Presidents Cup and he showed that he more than belonged in such elite company when he emerged as the international team’s joint top point scorer with 3.5 points from five matches.

In 2020, in 21 starts, he posted more runnerup finishes (two) than missed cuts (one) as he rose up the World Rankings. Better yet, he got to test his game on golf ’s grandest stage when he qualified for the Masters for the first time.

This would be a nerve-wracking experience for most, but Ancer looked shockingly comfortable in his debut at Augusta National, playing his way into Sunday’s final group - only to fade to tied 13th with a final-round 76.

If this didn’t turn heads of his more esteemed golfing peers, his next victory certainly did. In 2021, Ancer sealed a career-defining win in the 2021 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational after beating reigning Masters champion Hadeki Matsuyama and Sam Burns in a playoff.

It is clear to see that his career only headed in one direction and it wouldn’t shock anybody if Abraham Ancer becomes the first Mexican to get their hands on a Major title in the coming years.

QUICKFIRE

The following year, Ancer bounced back and made it through Q-School earning his full status on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2015. In this breakthrough season, he finished second in Brazil and three months later he earned his first professional win in Nova Scotia which meant he was guaranteed a PGA Tour card. This was the opportunity he had always dreamed about.

But just when he thought his career was set to blossom, he found he wasn’t quite ready for the demands of the PGA Tour. Rather than trusting his own ability, he tried to change elements of his swing and match the bigger hitters. “When I first made it to the PGA Tour, I got there and I looked at some of the big names playing out there and I had this doubt about whether I have what it takes, so I started changing things and playing like someone else”, Ancer admits. “It went downhill from there and I realised that I don’t have to change anything, I just have to get better.”

ASTONISHING CLIMB He returned again to the Korn Ferry Tour in 2017 and started focusing again on the basics that had got him to where he was and ended up finishing in the top three in the money list to earn another shot on the PGA Tour in 2018. This time around, he arrived equipped to make good on his potential.

In four seasons on the PGA Tour, he’s gone from 272nd in the Official World Golf Ranking to his current position of 12th. This is an astonishing climb up the rankings that saw him gain a spot in the DP World Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

It was an experience he relished. “I loved playing in my first tournament in the UAE,” he says. “I hit the ball great but didn’t really make any putts all week which was a bit frustrating but it was a great experience and I definitely want to come back.”

It’s not just the golf scene that Ancer adores about Dubai and makes him want to return soon. “The food is unbelievable in Dubai! You can get any type of food you

can imagine, incredible hotels and golf courses, you’ve got everything you need.

“Even though I’m scared of heights, I went up the Burj Khalifa. Now I know I’m definitely petrified of heights after going up there! It’s a great city and there are so many things to do and see but I just wish I had a little more time to explore everything.”

Ancer is quite the character on and off the golf course. He has launched his own brand of tequila in true Mexican style and has a rather extensive putting collection. “I probably have around 95 to 100 putters!” he says. “I wouldn’t call myself a collector because I don’t go out there and search for them but I have some really good friends who work for the brands on Tour and they’re very nice to me.

“They often send me some putters to try and I tell them that I don’t need them but I do love putters so I accept them! I have a lot of cool ones from Joe Toulon, Callaway’s putter guru, and Odyssey that they sent me from Japan. One of them has an insert made of Damascus metal in the front and it’s just something that you can’t really get anywhere else in the world other than Japan.”

Ancer has actually never had a swing coach so it’s remarkable that he’s managed to surge up the Rankings to just outside the world’s top 10. His favourite quote is from Zig Zagler, who said, ‘You are the only person on earth who can use your ability’. Extraordinary iron play, sublime short game skills and pin-point accuracy off the tee are what his golf game is about – not big bombs off the tee. With an average driving distance of 295 yards, Ancer proves that you don’t have to be a monster off the tee to be successful.

He became the first Mexican to win the Emirates Australian Open in 2018 when he raced away to victory by five strokes. This helped him climb into the world’s top 60 and his consistency has been remarkable ever since. The following season after his win Down Under, he created more history when becoming the first Mexican to play in the

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Favourite golf course and why?

I’d say Royal Melbourne Golf Club. I’m a big fan of the sand-belt courses in Australia, I just love how firm they are and how good you have to be around the greens. You have to be extremely precise and the bunkering is beautiful. I feel that’s how golf should be played.

Last film you watched?

It was the Dark Knight for like the 90th time! I love it.

Last holiday you took?

I feel like I’m on holiday all the time! I haven’t been on a vacation without my clubs for a long time, so I just want to be home whenever I have time. That would be my holiday!

What’s your favourite Audemars Piguet watch?

That’s tough to pick just one. I have a small wrist and I can’t really pull off the big watches so I’ve always been a huge fan of all the Royal Oak collection. There are so many beautiful AP watches that I can’t just pick one, but the Royal Oak one I’m wearing now is stunning.

SEASON T O

R E M E M B E R

B

ernd Wiesberger has established himself as one of the most consistent performers in Europe. Since the 2015 season, the 36 year old has made the cut in 83% of the events he’s played on the DP World Tour and been victorious on six occasions. We caught up with the towering Austrian to recap on a monumental campaign which saw a big box ticked on his golfing bucket list.

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2021

has been a challenging year for most people dealing with the restrictions COVID-19 has brought to every day life but the Wiesberger has enjoyed one of his finest seasons to date after victory on hometurf in the Made in Himmerland tournament helped make his childhood dream come true. When asked about it at an Audemars Piguet event at Dubai Els Club, there’s only one word Wiesberger uses to describe the experience of becoming the first Austrian to represent Europe at the Ryder Cup… “Goosebumps!”

“It has always been a career goal for me to be part of the European Team so it’s definitely a massive motivator for me going forward to be part of the team again. I want to be wearing the same badges as the 11 brothers again because the bond is unbelievable in the team.

“We had a great mixture of veterans in Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia who were unbelievable in their support towards the rookies and young talents like Viktor Hovland and Fitzy (Matt Fitzpatrick), so it was a lovely group and we had such a good time regardless of the outcome. We had great support from all angles of the Tour and Ryder Cup Europe so it was an honour to be part of the team and hopefully it will be a massive motivator for years to come.”

The 6”2’’ golfer lost all three matches he was involved in during the 19-9 thrashing

“It has always been a career goal for me to be part of the European Team so it’s definitely a massive motivator for me going forward to be part of the team again. I want to be wearing the same badges as the 11 brothers again because the bond is unbelievable in the team.”

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from the States. But the entire team just came up against a formidable opposition in Whistling Straits.

Wiesberger proved himself as one the world’s elite when he triumphed in two Rolex Series event in one year at the 2019 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and the Italian Open. He’s currently 61st in the world but has his sights set on breaking back into the top 50 to enable him to compete in all the WGCs and Majors, both of which he would love to add to his trophy cabinet. “I will have a mixed schedule between the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour this season but I do need to claw a little back in the World Rankings to make sure I get the Major starts,” he says.

“I believe the Ryder Cup gives me one or two starts through some exemptions to tournaments like the Memorial Tournament.

One of big focuses for the early part of the season is to get myself into The Masters in April. There’s a lot to play for and I look forward to a strong start to the season on both tours.”

It was a topsy turvy ending to the season for Wiesberger. He finished second, just one shot back from Joachim B Hansen in the AVIV Dubai Championship on the Fire course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The following Sunday he shot the lowest round of the DP World Tour Championship with a final round 63. The trouble was he was was already 11 over par coming into the last day.

“I felt that the heat got to me a little bit on

BERND WIESBERGER

QUICK FIRE One club you wouldn’t change in your bag?

Hybrid

Toughest courses in the UAE: The Els Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

the first three days,” he admits. “I felt a little “There’s going to be an event in Ras Al dizzy, lacked energy and definitely wasn’t Khaimah and I haven’t been to the new venue 100%. However, I had nine and half hours of in Qatar so it would be nice to include that sleep on Saturday night, which isn’t normal for in the schedule. My sponsor Slync.io have me, and I felt much better on Sunday. become the title sponsor of the Dubai Desert “On the final day there was nothing to lose. I Classic and they are really trying to elevate played some really good golf and tried to enjoy that tournament with it becoming a Rolex my last competitive round for the season.

Series event as well so I’m excited to begin Everything just my season with the clicked so it was a Desert Swing.” nice way to finish The UAE has with a round like almost become a this for 2021 home away from which has been a home for the players memorable year who compete on the for me.” newly-named DP Wiesberger World Tour with new loves coming tournaments being to the Middle added to the tour East to compete. year after year in this Every year since region. Wiesberger is 2012, the Abu a huge supporter of Dhabi HSBC golf in this part of the Championship has world. “The Middle been his seasonEast has been very “All the courses here just keep opener and he’s supportive of us and improving and the quality is been successful the DP World Tour. exceptional because you have the enough on Tour We’re very fortunate likes of: Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Colin to qualify for the to have a base down Montgomerie and Greg Norman DP World Tour here as our season designing golf courses here. It’s Championship starts and ends here on nine out of every year. always nice to be able to come ten occasions.

“All the courses out here for a couple of weeks to But what’s his here just keep compete and chill.” favourite event in improving and the the UAE? “I enjoy quality is exceptional coming to the DP because you have World Tour Championship the most because the likes of: Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Colin it means you’ve had a decent year!” he says.

Montgomerie and Greg Norman designing “The Middle East is a great destination to play golf courses here. It’s always nice to be able tournaments, hopefully I can make it to the to come out here for a couple of weeks to ones starting off early next year. compete and chill.”

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Being from Austria, what’s your favourite Arnold Schwarzenegger film?

Kindergarten Cop

What’s it like being part of the Audemars Piguet family and what’s your favourite AP watch?

It’s a very relaxed atmosphere when we are out with the clients and friends of the brand. I’ve always liked watches and it’s a huge honour to be a part of a watch company such as AP. My favourite AP watch I own has got to be the 42 Royal Oak Offshore.

PETE COWEN Pete Cowen talks about the ups and downs he experienced this season and explains why there is a new breed of golfer coming to town.

GET READY FOR A FEW SHOCKS

R

eflecting on 2021 it’s been a good year, but I’d only give myself B-, as we only managed to record eight wins this season. Normally the average over the last 25 years has been 10, so eight wins is a little bit low, but it’s been an odd year living in a bubble, taking endless PCR tests and playing mostly without crowds.

There are some big name players that need that atmosphere to get them buzzing and that goes across all sports. Having said that, some players have flourished without the crowds as they would normally suffer with stage fright. It’s a massive thing for players and you don’t get stage fright when there are no crowds, so if you are not performing, it’s a bit like a rehearsal.

Lots of people are brilliant in rehearsals, but they struggle when the curtain goes up and Covid put the rehearsal to the front and no crowds meant there was no stage fright. There’s no stage to perform on and for many it was like they were playing with their pals.

This has thrown up a lot of different winners, which for those players is brilliant, but for the top players who would normally perform under pressure is not so great.

Lockdown has given some players time to focus more on their game and Richard Bland instantly comes to mind. His coach, Tim Barter gave it to Blandy straight and he must have listened, as he’s got really good from 120 yards in. His win at the British Masters showed that this game is all about what you put in.

So close to a great Christmas

I thought Matt Fitzpatrick might have won the DP World Tour Championship for the third time. He is pretty impressive round the Earth course, and winning at Valderrama as well a few weeks before, I thought he would be towards the top on Sunday, and he was. Just a shame Morikawa lit it up on the back nine. But it was a big-name winner and that was what the Tour and sponsors would have liked. However, if Matt had won our season would have been an A- not a B-. Having said that, I can’t claim much credit for Matt’s success at the moment. I’m more in the background these days as his coach Mike Walker has done a great job with him.

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INSIDE THE ROPES Poulter is a fan favourite

One of my players that continues to graft and deliver is the postman, Ian Poulter. Finishing sixth in Dubai last month was a great result, as many would not be aware of the additional work he was doing with his sponsor DP World. He’s a great ambassador for his sponsors and a great role model for young professionals, as he interacts with the fans and isn’t a faceless figure. He puts the work in on the range and his social media channels. At first, I thought social media was a distraction for my players, but Poults has shown that it can help players interact with the fans and not get distracted.

Perez Ryder Cup Pressure I got asked what happened to Victor Perez after he started the year in great form. His fourthplace finish at the Match Play in Texas suddenly put the Ryder Cup pressure on, as everyone was watching for more results to follow. The pressure of expectation is hard, especially when there was a while to go before the Ryder Cup. That spot in Padraig’s team would have been in his mind all the time building up to selection for Whistling Straights, but he needed events with crowds to provide a mental distraction.

Thomas back to winning ways

It was great to catch up with Thomas Pieters in Dubai, his victory at the Portuguese Masters was one of the highlights of the year for me (see pages 42-45). He was going well at the DP World Tour Championship and that second round 66 showed that the 2016 European Ryder Cup star is coming back into form. He just needs to climb into that top 50 and get back into the big events, then expect him to be right there with the best.

As we start the new year, keep an eye out on the manufacturers getting rid of some old faces and replacing them with some fresh less expensive players. In many ways, Poulter has set the bar to what is expected of an ambassador on and off the course. Get set for a few shocks!

Why Tiger is unique It’s great to see Tiger hitting balls again as the game misses him, as there isn’t a dominant figure in the game anymore and I doubt we will ever see one again. I don’t see many players that really love the game anymore. It’s all about money and lifestyle. We would have played for nothing when we started, and other sports are just the same. When you are earning more than $20 million a year hunger soon disappears. Tiger was unusual compared to the modern-day superstar, he was all about winning and the money was a byproduct of his success.

Now we have a conveyor belt of talent coming out of the American college system. They don’t care about your Rahm’s, McIlroy’s or Morikawa’s. They are good to go and driven, until they start to bring in the big bucks and the lifestyle changes.

One player of mine that is ruthless and is all about winning is Brooks. If he can stay injury free, he would be a dominant figure as he has showed. The big question is not his desire to win but can he remain fit?

Desert Double Delight

I’ve heard that Morikawa and Rory are playing Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Desert Classic will have a real buzz about it. The course will be in fantastic shape and the fans will be given a real treat. The Majlis is one of my favorite courses and the players just love Dubai that time of year. This year was weird being in the bubble but hopefully 2022 will make up for things.

Gallacher should get lifetime honour I understand why the Tour gave Morikawa a lifetime membership, but I would have liked to seen Stephen Gallacher receive one the week before at the AVIV Championship in Dubai. The back-to-back Dubai Desert Classic winner had just made his 600th start on the European Tour. That’s a remarkable achievement and it needed lifetime recognition. Not many players have got to 500 starts in their careers let alone 600.

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Bunker

BASICS BY

ALASTAIR BROWN,

HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL, EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

W

e all want to be able to hit the high, soft golf shot out of the sand where the ball lands close to our imagined landing point and stops within a few inches of the hole.

Two of the key factors to be successful out of bunkers are to ensure you strike the sand in the correct place with enough loft on the club to launch the ball high and landing softly on the

green. We know the club should enter the sand before the ball and be at its lowest point under the ball. Maintaining the loft on the club at the same time ensures the club doesn’t touch the ball allowing the sand to carry the ball out of the bunker softly.

I want to share my go-to practice drills to help you achieve these two factors and achieve consistent results every time you’re in the sand.

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INSTRUCTION

1

LOW POINT CONTROL DRILL DRAW 2 PARALLEL LINES ABOUT 2 INCHES APART IN THE SAND. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO:

1.

2.

3.

Avoid striking the back line The clubhead enters sand in the middle section between the lines The clubhead is at its lowest point when it reaches the front line

Start slowly with smaller swings. When you become consistent at striking the low point correctly then simply lengthen and then gradually speed up your

2

swing. Test your newly acquired skill by placing a ball and replicate the feelings you practiced where the low point would be under the ball.

LOFT CONTROL DRILL

SCOOP SOME SAND ONTO YOUR CLUBHEAD AND TILT THE CLUBHEAD BACK SO THE CLUBFACE POINTS TO THE SKY. BEGIN THE SWING FROM YOUR ADDRESS POSITION. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO:

1.

2.

3.

Keep the sand on the clubface all the way through the backswing Throw the sand over your right shoulder From address position, do the same on the forward swing and throw sand over the left shoulder

BACKSWING

If the sand slides forward off the clubface on your backswing or forward swing then you are losing loft or rotating the clubhead too much. This will not

Enjoy this bunker drill and have fun practicing!

If you’d like some more advice and tips, you can join me at the Peter Cowen Golf Academy at Emirates Golf Club to better understand your swing and take your game to the next level.

Starting from AED 495/Month*

FORWARD SWING

only teach you to maintain loft but also help you smooth out the swing motion. The clubhead should feel stable during the golf swing.

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DUBAI CREEK GOLF CLUB JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

TOPGOLF DUBAI

MOBILITY-IMPROVING

EXERCISES

A

s the weather gets better and we play more rounds of golf, I want to bring your attention to a pre-round routine to activate your muscles. We all know that warming up is very important but there are three serious reasons behind it. These are: • You prevent your body from getting injured and extend your golfing longevity.

• You are preparing your neurosystem which connects the brain and muscles and helps you to control your movements.

• You become more confident on the course because you know that your movements are more predictable and consistent.

BY

VICTORIA MIKHAYLOVA

GOLF FITNESS COACH, JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES victoria_golffitness

Even if you don’t often warmup before a round, I recommend that you follow this routine when you have some free time.

To simplify this program for you and make it more logical, I divided the exercises into two boxes: mobility and stability-power.

This month we are going to start with mobility.

Each exercise should be repeated 5-7 times.

1. OPEN BOOK This exercise will help you to get into the correct backswing position.

Lie down on your side, bend your upper knee as shown in the picture, put your palms together and make sure your spine is straight. Keeping upper arm as close to the floor as possible, turn your thorax and open your arm. When you’ve reached one straight line between your arms, go back the same way.

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INSTRUCTION

2. LATS ACTIVATION Lats are responsible for our range of motion in the backswing.

Use a bench or a box. Kneel down, place one hand on to the box and the other behind your head. Reach to the floor stretching your shoulder, then turn your thorax, trying to show your chest to the ceiling. Your lower body must be still.

3. HIPS MOBILITY Very important for rotation and speed gain.

Sit down and take your golf club, placing it overhead. Bend your knees.

Maintaining a very straight back position, put both knees on the floor, then lift them up and switch side.

4. OPEN BOOK

BY THE WALL This exercise will help you to coil more in your swing and feel resistance and power.

Kneeling on a single leg, place foam roller (or any object) between your knee and wall.

Take a resistance band, lift your arms in front of your chest and make sure your posture is good. Now stretch the band and turn while opening your chest. When you’ve reached the maximum range, go back to the starting position.

These exercises will not take much of your time but will make a huge difference to your golf game. Next month we are going to look at stability-power exercises. Enjoy your next round with more mobility after performing these exercises consistently.

Starting from AED 495/Month*

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Start your golfing journey with the ‘Get into Golf’ monthly pass, and take part in a host of unlimited beginner golf lessons. *Unlimited lessons at Dubai Creek & Jumeriah Golf Estates AED 495 / month *Ten lessons per month at Topgolf Dubai AED 595 / month

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DUBAI CREEK GOLF CLUB JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

TOPGOLF DUBAI

Worldwide GOLF 46

SWING Thomas Pieters

By Pete Cowen

I

’ve been working with Thomas since he was 12, after I was commissioned by the Belgium Golf Federation. I got the kids to do my tennis ball drill for an hour and Thomas would do it for an hour-and-a-half. You could see at an early age Thomas had the talent. He went to the University of Illinois and won the individual 2011 Jack Nicklaus Invitational and the individual 2012 NCAA Division I Championship in his second year; the next year, he finished second with his team at the 2013 NCAA Division I Championship and won the individual 2013 Big Ten Conference Championship. He left to join the European Tour and made his mark with three victories. In 2016 he earned a place on the Ryder Cup team, collecting four out of five points in his debut for Europe at Hazeltine. He’s had a few issues in recent years to deal with off the course and to see him win this year’s Portugal Masters and to contend at the DP World Tour Championship has been one of the highlights of the year for me. Expect to see him back inside the top 50 in the world soon.

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1. Thomas is 6 foot 3’ tall, but he’s fairly symmetrical in his upper body and legs, so he hasn’t got extra long legs, that’s why in frame one his posture looks really comfortable. His arm hangs good under the sternum and his hands are under the sternum .

2. Initiating the move. What you don’t see with this movement is he’s actually used his feet to allow the arms to actually swing on plane, so it looks a little bit like he’s taking it slightly outside on the backswing.

But he’s keeping perfectly on plane and he’s using his upper body to work the club upwards 3. He’s now starting to allow the wrists to cock a little with a little bit of hinge on the right wrist to keep his left arm in plane.

4. The left arm coming straight towards the camera, clubface at what people would call a little bit strong.

But it’s actually perfectly square and he’s only turned probably 30 degrees and now he’s starting to coil.

1 Symmetrical upper and lower body

2 Using the feet

5. His upper body is coiling and his club is moving around correctly through his chest position parallel to his shoulder plane.

6. The left arm is getting parallel to the shoulder plane, with the right elbow and shaft in great positions.

7. The left arm has gone slightly higher than his shoulder plane but the right arm is supporting it perfectly. That enables him to initiate properly with his lower body.

8. The legs have gone back to parallel, ball to target line, and his upper body is starting to actually fall, rather than be forced into position. So, his left arm’s working really nicely and the right elbow’s moving around his rib cage and he’s got a differential between hip and upper body which keeps the coil.

9.There is even more differential between hip and shoulder in this image. I would like the shaft to be a fraction lower and through his middle of his bicep, rather than the top of his bicep. Then the left arm should be more vertical and the shaft a little flatter, but that’s being very picky.

6 Right elbow and shaft 900

7 Left arm a little high but right arm supporting well.

10. The body rotation is great, and the arms are stretching down and the left arm to shaft is a straight line. He’s really just getting out of the way with the speed that he’s got. You can’t see the speed in these static photographs, but there’s 125 mph clubhead speed and 180 mph ball speed plus.

11, 12, 13.The extension and stretch. His hips have come back into position, his coccyx has come back towards the camera here and his shoulders are stretching. Then it just flows to number 12 where the left arm now is falling properly, extension up to the finish where he almost can’t hold it.

14, 15. Now it’s getting forced to finish with the rotation of body in frames 14 and 15. From frame 15 you could tell with the left arm in the finish, there’s no real stress on the upper left trap, which a lot of golfers are getting these days.

11 Brilliant stretch and extension

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12

3

4 Clubface is not strong but square

Little hinge

8

The coil

9 Shaft a little too high

Back to parallel

5

13

10 Great rotation

14

No stress on the traps

15 Hogan like finish with the arms!

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ARJUN GUPTA JOSH HILL

CHANCE OF A LIFETIME

EUROPEAN TOUR SPOT FOR SEASON OPENER ON OFFER FOR ABU DHABI AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER

O

ne amateur golfer will get a dream ticket to tee it up among a galaxy of European Tour stars in the 2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship next January if they come out on top at the prestigious Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship which is being hosted at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, from 13th to 16th December 2021.

The Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship has enjoyed widespread success over the years. Particularly the 2019 event at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, where amateur and UAE resident Josh Hill secured victory with a thrilling one-shot victory to secure qualification for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at just 15 years old, making

him the youngest ever participant in the event.

This year’s Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship is set to be bigger and better

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than ever before, with the action set to take place over three days, with participants competing in an Individual Strokeplay format over 54-holes. Amateur scratch golfers from all over the world will be invited to Abu Dhabi to compete for not only the title but also the chance to earn valuable WAGR points.

H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “It’s great to see the return of the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship for what will be another hugely exciting prospect for amateur golfers to earn the exciting opportunity to qualify for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and test themselves against the world’s very best players. At Abu

ABU DHABI AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

THE ABU DHABI AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE HOSTED AT SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB DECEMBER 13-16

Dhabi Sports Council we are always looking to grow and develop our resident amateur golfers, and tournaments such as these allow them to test themselves against the very best players. Hopefully, we’ll see a UAE resident come through in December and take their place at next year’s Championship, generating more interest in the game locally.”

Returning to Abu Dhabi from 20th to 23rd January 2022 at its new Yas Links home, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, will be the 17th edition of the tournament and the first of back-to-back Rolex Series events on the European Tour’s new ground-breaking five-week Middle East Swing. As the largest event on the Abu Dhabi annual golfing calendar, the Championship is one stop on the European Tour that never disappoints the players or the fans. Some of the recent star players include Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler (2016 Champion), Tommy Fleetwood (2017 and 2018 Champion) and the 2019 Open Champion, Shane Lowry (2019 Champion), Lee Westwood (2020 Champion) and Tyrell Hatton (2021 Champion).

Commenting on the return of the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship, Matthew Waters, Group Director of Golf, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi, said: “The return of the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship confirms that golf is officially

back in the capital. This tournament will officially kickstart a brilliant schedule of golfing events in Abu Dhabi, which will in turn grow the profile of golf in the region.

By offering amateurs the opportunity to earn a prestigious spot at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship will see players from

“It’s great to see the return of the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship for what will be another hugely exciting prospect for amateur golfers to earn the exciting opportunity to qualify for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and test themselves against the world’s very best players.”

H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council

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all over the globe travel here to compete, underscoring the fantastic reputation our course here at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club enjoys. Thanks must also go to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for providing this qualifier spot, further boosting the tournament’s credentials.”

EAGL CORPORATE INVITATIONAL SHAPING UP NICELY

Key UAE businesses sign up for Meydan showdown

The UAE’s elite business community have come forward in droves to support the inaugural EAGL Corporate Invitational set to take place at The Track, Meydan Golf on Saturday December 18th.

T

he first-of-its-kind event will see nine eight-person teams representing some of the region’s top firms battle it out for top honours over the much-loved Peter Harradine-designed 9-hole course.

Already confirmed are Emirates NBD, Bentley Emirates, WoW (Wealth of Wellness), 24 Secure (international security firm), real

estate developer Shapoorji Pallonji and Satoshi FX – a Forex & Crypto firmas well as an Emirati Players team sponsored by the Giant group as a part of their CSR and sports enhancement activity.

Priyaa Kumaria – League Administrator, commented: “The Corporate Invitational will be the first event of a planned Business

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Series and will feature nine teams represented by the banks, airlines, wellness, real-estate, logistics, Industry, luxury car and an EAGL Team. The agenda of the Corporate Invitational is to host eight different Corporates who shall further their customer / client enhancement via golf by fielding eight players each.

EMIRATES AMATEUR GOLF LEAGUE

“The corporates shall reap intangible benefits which are valued much higher with this model as compared to a regular golf day where only existing clients are invited.”

One of the standout features of the Emirates Amateur Golf League, which hosted its first showcase event at Jumeirah Golf Estates back in June, is its commitment to giving amateurs a pro-golf-like experience.

Central to this is the fact that the events are broadcast live on TV and online channels and EAGL Founder and Chairman Sudesh Aggarwal revealed that this key feature would again be at the forefront of the upcoming event at The Track, Meydan, Golf.

“Live broadcast has been the mantra for EAGL and this is another first of its kind for amateur golf,” said Aggarwal. “The EAGL Corporate Invitational will be live on Dubai sports and on the EAGL YouTube channel. Another path breaking initiative by EAGL after the resounding success of the showcase event held in June 2021.

“The EAGL Business Series is for promoting business, networking and team golf and in the Corporate Invitational we have raised funds partly from team sponsorships while the event costs around USD 250k.

“This event being of commercial nature will accrue benefits to the participating corporates directly and indirectly in many ways especially with the Live TV broadcast.”

The golf event on Saturday December 18th will be preceded by a Gala Dinner at the glamorous Meydan Hotel on the evening of Thursday December 16th alongside a night at the races on the iconic track.

“We are very happy to host the event in an all-inclusive luxury destination venue like Meydan with golf, dinner and races

The winning MENA Golfers team from the inaugural EAGL Mini Series event in June are pictured with Nick Tarratt (far left), Sudesh Aggarwal, Shiv Kapur and Priyaa Kumaria.

and a lavish spread for our teams. Meydan will be decked to welcome our teams with personalized lockers, carts with caddies and the wonderful weather and ambience that Meydan offers,” added Kumaria.

The prize for winning the EAGL Corporate Invitational will be a team golfing holiday to the Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort in Bulgaria while the winning corporate team sponsor will receive the much coveted EAGL bespoke trophy and a ½ page advert in a national newspaper.

The Track, Meydan Golf’s Director of Golf, William Bruce, said: “We are incredibly excited to host the Emirates Amateur Golf League at the Track, Meydan Golf. Meydan Golf has always prided itself on being the most inclusive golf experience in Dubai and partnerships like this one with the EAGL will help to further promote the facility as one that is available and open to all standards of golfer day or night, without the need for a membership, special dress code or stuffy rules!”

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Taking place on the same day as the EAGL Corporate Invitational will be the inaugural EAGL Junior Championship hosted by Shiv Kapur which aims to serve one of EAGL’s key goals to grow the game of golf among the younger population in the UAE. EAGL Ambassador, European Tour pro, Shiv Kapur, said: “The Business-Series will also have a junior series which will be a regular feature. I feel that a lot has been done at the corporate level and grassroots level but in terms of competition with juniors, we thought it would be a great platform to give alongside the business angle to promote junior golf and the women’s game in the region. I think a lot happens in Dubai at professional level but at the amateur level this is probably the grandest event that you’re going to see in the amateur golf landscape in Dubai.”

Entry to the EAGL Junior Championship will be administered by the local golf clubs while companies interested in registering a team for the EAGL Corporate Invitational should visit eagl.ae.

SHOOTING

FOR THE

STARS S

ingapore’s senastional amateur, Yash Majmudar, moved over to the Middle East earlier this year and is part of the Scratch Team at Jumeriah Golf Estates. He’s a gifted, powerful golfer who has lofty ambitions in the golfing realm and feels he couldn’t be in a better place to raise his game than the UAE. Worldwide GOLF 54 Worldwide GOLF 20

My driving distance is between 305-310 yards. My swing speed is around 116 mph but I’ve been working on bulking recently to try and increase my swing speed and power. I love my driver and it is certainly one of the keys to my game.”

How did you get into golf?

I got into golf when I was 5 in Singapore. I was born there and lived most of my life there until I went to high school in America. I played a lot of sports growing up and fell in love with golf after someone gifted me a plastic golf ball set.

I used to hit balls in the house and my parents could see that I loved it so they bought me a couple of real clubs and took me to the range. My dad actually took up the sport too because of me so he could take me out on the weekends to play golf in Singapore. We travelled around Asia and sometimes to the USA to play tournaments.

At the age of 16, I went to the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy in the States to finish my

two years of high school. After this I went to college at UNLV in Las Vegas before transferring to the University of San Diego where I graduated from last year in May 2020.

You competed in some college tournaments with golfers such as Collin Morikawa, how was that?

It was great to compete in a couple of tournaments with Morikawa and see what an amazing transition he has made from College golf to being a multiple Major champion at the tender age of 24. It’s a similar success story with Matthew Wolff and Victor Hovland so these are the sorts of players I look up to with how their careers

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have panned out after College golf in the States.

Can you tell us about some of the success you’ve tasted on the amateur scene?

This summer I spent about four months in the U.S and my first event was the local qualifying for the U.S. Open and I scraped through that in a playoff for the last spot. I then advanced to play my sectional qualifying in Washington for this Major event with 40 guys competing for two spots. The impressive field included the likes of Maverik McNealy and some of the European Tour guys out there so it was cool and a great experience although I didn’t quite manage to make it through.

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After this I went to play in 10 more tournaments that summer and managed to achieve three top 10s so it was great to be out there competing again. I didn’t play as well as I know I can during college, therefore it was brilliant to be back trying to win tournaments and playing to a much higher level.

What made you move to Dubai?

The next step after College was to try turn professional and we felt that the facilities and the competition out here would make it a good place to base myself so I can hopefully play on the Asian Tour then the DP World Tour in the future.

What we had heard about the facilities and golf courses here is absolutely true – they’re fantastic.

My move to Dubai actually got pushed back by six months. I ended up moving here in January 2021 but the intention before was to play on the MENA Tour. It will be intriguing to see what the future holds but I’m definitely in a great place to help take my game to the next level.

You’re a big, powerful athlete, do your Trackman numbers support this? (laughs) My driving distance is between 305-310 yards. My swing speed is around 116 mph but I’ve been working on bulking recently to try and increase my swing speed and power. I love my driver and it is certainly one of the keys to my game.

The Scratch League is a great platform to test your mettle, how have you found it?

It’s been a great experience for me. As well as the Scratch League, the Men’s Opens and the Amateur competitions have provided me lots of opportunities to show my skills. I was victorious in the Yas Links Men’s Open in February and the Emirates Black Tee Challenge in May which I am proud about. Hopefully it’s going to be an exciting six months with tournaments almost every weekend over here so it will be nice to compete with strong players on a regular basis.

The Earth course record is 62 by Justin Rose in 2012, what’s your best score around there?

I shot 64 on the Earth course last month but that was on the Green tees and not the Championship tees! Hopefully I can keep on improving and compete on the bigger stages in the future.

Yash Majmudar won the Yas Links Men’s Open in February 2021 with rounds of 66 and 72 for a 6-under par total of 138.

V

STAT •

At the age of eight years old, Majmudar made his first hole-in-one.

•

Won the 2012 San Diego Junior Masters at Carlton Oaks Golf Club with rounds of 63 and 69. The round of 63 set a tournament record and included an eagle, eight birdies and a bogey.

•

At 15 years old, he was the youngest player to ever win the Singapore National Amateur Championship.

•

Majmudar won the Yas Links Men’s Open in February 2021 with rounds of 66 and 72 for a 6-under par total of 138.

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FAM IT RUNS IN THE

KASH

ALAYNA

YAHYA

Little Red Devils Fan The Rafique family are keen sports fans and it is not hard to figure out which football team they all support, except one is a Leeds fan!

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MILY ZAK

SHANNA

Alayna Rafique is already shooting under par and has a clubhead speed close to 110mph.

She’s a star in the making and even got to show off her skills to one of the world’s best players, Rory McIlroy, last month.

We caught up with the talented teenager and her father, Kash, at Jumeirah Golf Estates where her and her brother Zak are part of the impressive Peter Cowen Academy.

HAWA

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IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY

Worldwide Golf: You had the opportunity to play a practice round with Rory McIlroy, how did this happen?

Alanya Rafique: My brother and I got a lastminute tee time a couple of months ago on the Fire course and these two men joined us who were impressed with our playing ability. My parents exchanged numbers after the round, as one was a sponsor of the DP World event and he promised me a round with Rory! I was counting down the days until the DP World Tour Championship and hoping this dream would come true and I couldn’t believe it when my invite arrived. It was a double wammy for our family that day, as Zak also got an invite to play with Paul Casey. We both look back at the photos from the pro-am to realise it was actually reality and not a dream! It was a crazy experience.

WWG: What impressed you the most about Rory and did he give you any tips?

AR: His ability with the driver is incredible. He doesn’t move his hips at all and the speed he is able to generate is phenomenal which is something I’d love to have in my swing. Rory gave me some putting tips and how I can improve my swing setup, so that was really cool.

WWG: Tell us about your incredible finish to the round with Rory…

AR: We finished on the ninth hole in the shotgun event on the Earth course and it was a Long Drive Challenge but I just missed the fairway on the par 4. However, I hit my hybrid over the green and managed to get ‘up and down’ for par. It was an amazing feeling to be able to rescue a par in front of Rory with everyone watching.

WWG: How did you first get into the game?

AR: I originally played tennis and aspired to be a professional, I wanted to be the next Venus Williams . We had moved from the UK to Dubai and my brother Zak has just go into playing golf. One day I went around Arabian Ranches with him and I hit a couple of balls. I really enjoyed it and then got noticed by one of the teaching professionals there and I soon forgot all about tennis. I’ve now joined Peter Cowen Academy at Jumeirah Golf Estates and I’m practicing all the time up there, plus playing at Emirates Golf Club. I’m very fortunate to have these opportunities, which makes me even more focused on praticing and playing well.

WWG: Is it true that you often challenge yourself and play off the Men’s tees at courses in Dubai?

AR: Yes I sometimes do because I can outdrive my brother and he says it’s because I play off the ladies tees so I try and prove a point and play off the same tees as him! Every summer I play with the England Girls team and they play from the back tees so I think it’s a great learning curve getting used to these sorts of distances in the UAE. WWG: You’re only 13 but you’ve already managed to break par. When did this happen?

AR: On the Fire course two summers ago, my brother and I were pretty much playing every single day and that’s when I broke par. Since then it’s happened on a much more regular basis. Now when I go on the course my aim is to shoot under par and get birdies so my confidence and ability keep growing in the sport. Zak is also pushing me as his putting is better than mine, so I can’t let my guard down on the greens.

WWG: We know you’re only young, but have you

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made plans for when you finish school?

AR: Well GCSEs and A-levels are stressful so I’d love to be able to skip them! My dream would be to go to America and get a golf scholarship.

WWG: Are your friends at school aware of your golfing ability?

AR: They all call me ‘The next Tiger’ at school!

Some of my friends challenged me to a round and believed they could beat me. I could have been hard on them and taken them on over nine holes on the Majlis but that would have been unfair. The challenge was only for fun so what better way to settle things than going to Topgolf. We had a brilliant time and eventhough I won many of those friends enjoyed it so much they are getting into golf.

WWG: Who’s your favourite golfer?

AR: Tiger Woods has inspired me the most ever since I was a young age. He’s done so much for the game and everyone can relate to him even if they aren’t golf fans. He’s had lots of ups and downs in his career but he’s kept going and is a role model for all golfers. My favourite female golfer is Lydia Ko because she has a great attitude towards the game and is an incredible golfer. I hope she comes to Dubai soon to compete.

WWG: Are there any other sports stars you would like to meet and learn from?

AR: Being from the North of England and a Manchester United fan, it would have to be Marcus Rashford. He has done so much on and off the pitch and a real inspiration. He is only young as well, which makes all his achievements even better.

PROUD PARENTS Kash Rafique, Alayna’s father, explains how he and his wife Shanna are encouraging their children to make the most of golf, as it develops life skills that will benefit their future.

WWG: How did you get Alayna into golf?

Kash Rafique: Well originally it was Zak, my son, who is 11 months older than Alayna who picked up plastic clubs and started hitting the ball but as time progressed we realised that Alayna was also keen to play! There was a great rivalry and competition between the two of them. Alayna started playing at three years old and Zak started when he was two.

WWG: How did you grow that interest when you came to Dubai?

KR: We started off at Arabain Ranches Golf Club because there’s a short par 3 course there. Zak actually managed to get a birdie on there when he was just three years old! Their coaches were keen to develop his skills and Alayna didn’t want to be left, out so she got involved too.

QUICK FIRE What is the hardest course you have played in the UAE? AR: Yas Links in Abu Dhabi. The greens are so fast and it’s hard to get the ball close to pins. The ball just rolls for miles What is the hardest hole you have played in the UAE? AR: Definately the 18th at the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The Wadi that runs through the fairway all the way to the green and it is constantly on your mind.

What is your favourite hole in the UAE? AR: The 18th on the Earth course. Eventhough I find it the hardest it is also one of the reasons I like it so much.

Favourite band?

AR: This is easy. One Direction!

Favourite restaurant?

AR: Black Tap in Dubai, their shakes are amazing!

Last film you watched?

AR: The Hunger Games Favourite subject at School?

AR: Without doubt, P.E! Favourite holiday destination?

AR: Cape Town, South Africa.

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WWG: Both of your children played in the DP World Tour Championship Pro-AM with Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey. That’s got to be a first and how did this come to fruition?

KR: Actually, it was very opportunistic! The kids are members of Emirates Golf Club and one evening they were playing with Pawan Munjal the CEO Hero Motocorp who is one of Tour’s main sponsors. He was vastly impressed and asked us to see if we would accept an invitation to play in the Pro-AM. I thought it was just a passing remark and he wasn’t serious at first but then a week later I received a Whatsapp from him and then I realised it was genuine.

WWG: Do you think it’s important, as a parent, to not let your kids get too ahead of themselves in the sport?

KR: Yes it’s pivotal that the kids don’t get overlyenthusiastic and ahead of themselves when they are such a young age. We are just regular parents and are trying to give our children the best opportunities as possible, without pushing them to do anything they don’t want to do. I come from a very sporty background myself so I love that my kids are competitive and are both making friends and learning life skills from a brilliant sports such as golf. I’m thrilled and delighted with how the children are doing and I think the experiences they are having will certainly benefit them in the future. ■

ARABIAN GOLF EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

Al Dobowi Mixed Amateur Open ends in dramatic style

Ladies pink ball is huge success yet again

Radia, Gandhi, Wright and Aoto on fire in Ladies Waltz

Emirates Golf Club hosted the Ladies Pink Ball Competition on the Majlis which saw 67 golfers competing in a Shamble Format. The overall winners were Fiona Berry, Sue Hopwood, Anita Jopp and Maureen Platt with 87 points. In second place was Naima Maya, Martha Wong, Najla Bartette and Maura Duggan while In third spot was Helen Strivastava, Maya Strivastava, Josie Tracey and Rekha Bandopadhay with 86 points.

Emirates Golf Club hosted the Al Dobowi Mixed Amateur Open on the Majlis with a grand total of 98 golfers competing. In the first time in 28 years, the event went to a playoff, where Alex and Nischa Rodriguez were victorious with a net 68. The pair put in an incredible front nine, which included four net birdies and one gross birdie.

In second place was Edgar Dalusong and Sitong Fan who shot a net 68. The team managed to make two net eagles in the last three holes on the front nine, which was followed by three net birdies in the back nine.

In third place on a better back nine countback was Paul Byrne and Victoria Anikina who shot a net 69. Paul and Victoria put a strong performance together on the front nine, managing three net birdies in six holes.

The best gross was won by Ashok Sindhu and Christiane Verhaagen who shot a gross 80.

The pair played excellently on the back nine, making four net birdies in there last five holes.

Waite wins the Gents Senior Championship

Palao, Blanco, Petre and Choudry seal Ladies Season Opener

Monica Palao, Gemma Blanco, Maria Petre and Sabine Choudry formed a Texas Scramble team that shot a net 60 to triumph in the Ladies Season Opener on the Majlis. In second place with a net 62 was the team of Marta Biswas, Shiba Wahid, Atsumi Aoto and Agneta Ekstrand. In third was Anne Gely Bouigue, Nischa Rodriguez, Steva Fornazaric and Marie Benson with a net 62.

In the Ladies Waltz Stableford Competition on the Majlis, the overall winners were Amarjeet Radia, Sonal Gandhi, Haide Wright and Atsumi Aoto with 81 points. The team put together an excellent back nine shooting 41 points which included six net birdies and two net eagles. Meanwhile, in second spot was Maria Petre, Rekha Bandopadhay, Sue Hopwood and Anita Jopp with 78 points. The team managed six net birdies and one net eagle on the front nine, supported by two net eagles on the back nine.

ABU DHABI CITY GOLF CLUB

Cho claims top spot

Scott secures OMA October Medal Ian Scott was the Division A winner of the OMA October Medal after having an incredible back nine which consisted of three net birdies and one gross birdie to shoot a score of 72. In Division B, the winner was Aman Chopra with a net 72 which included a net eagle and birdie on the back nine. In the C Division, Jan Hooftman was victorious with a net 79. However, the best gross score of the day was the James Yeomans with a round of 74 which included five birdies.

With a gross score of 78, David Waite won the Gents Senior Championship on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club. The runner-up was Darryl Cox with a gross 78 and Ken Newell claimed third place with a gross 79.

In the Net Division, the winner was Dean Bell with a net 71 (BB9). Dean had a very strong back nine which included 4 net birdies.

In the Super Seniors, Veneet Mohan was victorious with a gross 85. Veneet played solid golf, particularly throughout the middle of his round.

The second round of the ADCGC Order of Merit was a brilliant day with 59 players competing.

Mr. Young Gyun Cho played an outstanding round to secure first place with 40 points with his handicap of14. Meanwhile, Mr. Javier Peña was the runner-up with 39 points and Mr. Kweon Do Sung claimed third place with 36 points.

Worldwide GOLF 62

A COOL BRAND

WITH A CONSCIENCE

Purpose driven apparel brand, launches sustainable range made from recycled waste, with a mission to plant one million trees.

T

here’s a new apparel brand making waves in the market with its environmentally conscientious approach and it goes by the name of Reflo.

Launched by Dubai-based Brit, Rory MacFadyen the clothing range, which includes a very cool golf apparel range, is made from advanced technical fabrics woven from recycled waste with discarded single use plastic and coffee beans given a new lease of life. One tree is also planted for every product sold in areas of the world devastated by deforestation, The UK based company, which sells direct to consumers in the Middle East and around the worlds, has set a lofty target of recycling five million plastic bottles worth of plastic and planting one million trees by 2026.

Sustainability is built into every decision Reflo makes. They offset the carbon of their entire workforce and sponsored athletes, all of their packaging is recycled and/or recyclable and there are no single-use plastics in their supply chain.

Reflo also takes responsibility for every person involved in the creation of their apparel. They are dedicated to the fair treatment of workers, good working conditions and high-quality production.

All their partners uphold Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) standards and follow the BSCI Code of Conduct.

“We are so excited to launch Reflo, it’s been a project several years in the making through some challenging global events!” said Rory MacFadyen, Founder of Reflo. “There is space in the industry for a brand to be really cool while also caring about the world and the people in it.

Fast fashion is having a devastating impact on the environment. We know it’s one of the most polluting industries in the world, which is why we don’t think it’s enough to just minimise our environmental impact.

“Every aspect of our business strives to make a positive imprint with concrete action. We do less but do it better. We won’t release new lines every week. We won’t produce endless samples. There’s nothing fast about our fashion. Everything in our collection is precisely designed, rigorously tested, and crafted to stand the test of time. We created Reflo to help people look good, feel good and do good.

We’re not perfect – that’s what pushes us to keep improving. We’re always looking for ways to be more sustainable, more efficient, more effective. And we won’t stop. The world is moving.

So are we.” www.reflo.com

Worldwide GOLF 63

I N

T H E

B A G

W I T H

Morikawa

Irons TaylorMade P770 (4), P7MC (5-6), TaylorMade P730 (7-PW) Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Driver TaylorMade SIM (8 degrees @9.5) Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX

Wedges TaylorMade MG2 (50-09SB), Titleist Vokey Design SM8 (56-14F), TaylorMade MG2 Hi-Toe (60-09) Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

3-Wood TaylorMade SIM Titanium Rocket 3 (14 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80 TX DRIVING DISTANCE

DRIVING ACURRACY

Putter TaylorMade TP Juno Prototype Grip: SuperStroke Tour 1.0 GREENS IN REGULATION

295.2 69.6% 70.8% yards

EAGLES

BIRDIE AVERAGE

SCORING AVERAGE

234 4.23 70.11

HOLES PER

Worldwide GOLF 64

PUTTS PER ROUND

29

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