Worldwide Golf March 2017

Worldwide Golf The Middle East’s No.1 Golf Magazine

March 2017, ISSUE 190

LONG DRIVE WORLD SERIES

PABLO LARRAZABAL

THE HAPPIEST MAN IN GOLF JUST CAN’T STOP SMILING

Peter Dawson From handling The Open to developing the future of the game in Dubai with Falcon Golf

THE BIG DOGS ARE COMING TO DUBAI THIS MONTH

TIPS MANIPULATE YOUR SWING

FOR MORE

CONTROL

SIMPLE S L I C E

F I X

GEAR

FOCUS

PROV1 vs PROV1x C A L L A W A Y

CHROME SOFT X

BERND WIESBERGER ISBN 978-9948-15-427-3

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

Watch this month’s videos

WANG JEUNGHUN

Hit aDream

Draw

PXG 0311XF

SMASH FACTOR IN THE BAG

Wiesberger

CONTROL IT

NOW OPEN

Te e Ti me B o o k i n g s 04 2 4 5 3 9 3 9 or in f o @ t r u m p g o l f d ub ai .c o m

@t r umpgolf d ub a i W W W. T R U M P G O L F D U B A I . C O M

DINE WITH

C HEF FERNAN D O ENJOY GOLF COURSE VIEWS AND FRESH, HIGH QUALITY FOOD FROM BREAKFAST UNTIL LATE

THE NINTH SPORTS BAR T H E T E R R A C E A L L D AY D I N I N G ASSANA SHISHA LOUNGE FIFTH AVENUE UPSCALE DINING

FIND US IN DAMAC HILLS R E S E R VAT I O N S : 0 4 2 4 5 3 9 3 9 DINING@TRUMPGOLFDUBAI.COM

Executive Editor

Gary Player On song in Abu Dhabi

I

T NEVER ceases to amaze me when so many busy people eagerly give up their valuable time to support charity Pro-Ams. It was totally appropriate that the first of our six Gary Player Invitationals of 2017 was held in Abu Dhabi at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, a course I designed. It was also fitting that the second Gary Player Invitational at Saadiyat was hosted by the capital of the UAE in their second year of ‘Golf and Giving.’

Around 100 professional golfers, celebrities, sporting greats, musicians and business leaders turned out in force for the event, held in conjunction with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, under the Patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.

The charity event helped The Player Foundation raised funds for the Zayed Higher Organization and my thanks go to so many special guests, including Major champions Darren Clarke and Trevor Immelmann; cricket greats, Ricky

Ponting and Brian Lara, as well as Boyzlife singers, Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy (pictured above). It was a lot of fun and having a singalong in the golf cart with Brian and Keith, belting out the old Johnny Cash song, Ring of Fire, was great fun.

Magical I simply love visiting Abu Dhabi and, of course, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, which is special for me.

Once again, we had an amazing experience and I congratulate the emirate’s leadership on creating such a beautiful, safe and welcoming country. It was a pleasure to show so many of my fellow athletes and friends, what a magical place this truly is.

I congratulated the winning team led by professional golfer Emma Cabrera-Bello, sister of Dubai-based Rafa, who took home the unique African Baobab Trophy, but the real winners are the children from Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care & Special Needs who will receive significant funds raised

during the event. I salute the spirit of generosity that Abu Dhabi is well known for and I thank golf stars Beth Allen, Chris Wood, Georgia Hall, Joost Luiten, Caroline Martens, Jason Scrivener, David Howell, Victoria Lovelady, Victor Dubuisson and Thomas Aiken, along with rugby union’s Springbok great, Victor Matfield and racing car driver and television personality, Jodie Kidd for their enthusiastic support.

Support

I’d also like to thank the key supporters of our Gary Player Invitational, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Etihad Airways, TDIC, the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, SAP and Rolex. After two fabulous GPI events in Abu Dhabi, I’m looking forward to the next three in what is a five-year agreement to host the event.

I’d like to think that within that period the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship will have been moved around the emirate and that Saadiyat Beach GC would

Worldwide GOLF 2

become a venue to showcase to the world what a wonderful facility it is, in such a spectacular setting.

Garcia magic I was so pleased to see Sergio Garcia win the Dubai Desert Classic last month, shooting 6567-68-69 for a 16-under total of 269, defeating Henrik Stenson by three shots. I’m a great fan of Sergio’s and if ever a man deserved to win a Major, it’s Sergio.

I think it’s very good for the European Tour to experiment with different formats, such as the ISPS Handa World Super 6 in Australia, won by Brett Rumford, which was a combination of strokeplay and matchplay. It was different, but match play golf is not new. Mark McCormack introduced the World Matchplay at Wentworth from 1964 -1976, with an 8-man field playing 36-holes a day.

That was a very popular event and I hope this Super 6 grows in a similar fashion, too. n

ELEVA TE Y OU R GO LF S K I LLS AT

The Address

Our

popular group coaching programmes for ladies, juniors (3 to 17 years of age) and gentlemen continue at The Academy by Troon Golf this March. The PGA certified instructors can help you with all facets of your golf game, using technology, experience and mental performance training, regardless your skill level.

Eight-week term commences on 12 th March Starting from AED 950 per person

The Academy students are entitled to Food and Beverage discount as per package availed.

T +971 4 363 1241 ACADEMY.TAMDH@THEADDRESS.COM WWW.THEADDRESS.COM

M O N T GO M E R I E D UBAI

App

SIGN UP FOR FREE! GET VOUCHERS FOR

TOP OFFERS

• • • • +

Free golf lessons 2-4-1 golf rounds F&B discounts Pro-Shop offers Competitions, instruction videos, articles and more!

2 FOR 1 NIGHT GOLF 2 FOR 1 ROUND Abu Dhabi Golf Club

The Track, Meydan

2 FOR 1 FOOT GOLF

FREE 30 MIN LESSON

Arabian Ranches

appteam@worldwidegolfme.com

www.worldwide.golf

Golf DXB

WorldwideGolf

2Saadiyat FOR 1 ROUND Beach 50% OFF TOTAL BILL Hickory’s - Yas Links

PLAY MORE AND PAY LESS WITH

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS & DISCOUNTS TO SAVE YOU MONEY ON GOLF

CONTENTS March 2017

32 16 21 23 25 26 38

Cover Feature: Falcon Golf

We talk exclusively to former R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson who has taken up a new role as Chairman of Falcon Golf to oversee what promises to be a game-changing period for the game in Dubai.

The Starter

Austin Country Club in Texas is primed to host the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play for a second time, Garcia grants super-fan’s wish and we look at who’s hot...and who’s not!

Pete Cowen Column

PGA Master Professional Pete Cowen discusses Tiger Woods’ ill-fated return at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the impact Father Time has on even the best players in the world.

David Howell Column

European Tour veteran David Howell delivers his verdict on the European Tour’s first foray into the ‘Super Six’ format.

Rafa Cabrera Bello Column

The Spaniard gives his opinion on the formation of Falcon Golf and reveals that he plans to play his part in “telling Dubai’s story on the world stage.”

Tour News

We look ahead to the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters as the European Senior Tour visits the emirate for the first time, plus we assess the movers and shakers in the Race to Dubai.

Pablo Larrazabal

We chat to the man behind the smile and find out why the likeable Spaniard is the happiest man in golf.

42 56 70 Worldwide GOLF 10

Branden Grace

The South African tells us why he’s the man for the big occasion and reveals how playing on the Challenge Tour and Sunshine Tour prepared him for life among golf’s elite.

Long Drive World Series

The big dogs will be out in force at Jumeirah Golf Estates this month and we catch up with UK Long Drive Champion Lucas Dornan ahead of the big event and find out how you can qualify at eGolf Megastore.

Rayhan Thomas

The UAE’s finest young golfer outscored his idol Tiger Woods at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic but he’s determined to take it one step at a time as he continues his journey in the game.

CONTENTS GEAR

46

Bernd Wiesberger – In the Bag

We delve inside the Austrian’s bag and find out why the three-time European Tour winner is such a Titleist fan.

Pro V1 vs Pro V1x

The Els Club’s Jamie McConnell does a ‘blind ball fitting’ to discover which of Titleist’s new balls are best suited to his game.

Hottest Irons

We head to eGolf Megastore to find out which irons are currently making waves.

Callaway Chrome Soft X

Talent Development Manager Ian Garbutt tells us why the Chrome Soft X ball is exciting the golfing world.

PXG 0311XF Irons

We find out more about the luxurious, yet forgiving new irons from PXG which are setting tongues wagging.

INSTRUCTION

64

Control it!

Stephen Deane, Head Professional at Emirates Golf Club, demonstrates how to manipulate your swing length for maximum control.

How to hit a dream draw

Yas Links Teaching Professional, Mark Jones, has a simple slice fix that will get you shaping the ball right to left for that dream draw in no time.

69 78 82 84

Arabian Golf

All the latest news from the leading golf clubs in the Middle East.

Golf Club St. Leon Rot

The latest in our series of European Tour Destinations, the Golf Club St. Leon Rot in Germany which hosts two Championship layouts is a club based on fairness, innovation and reliability.

Gourmet Golf

We visit Trump International Golf Club Dubai and discover some tasty reasons to pay the region’s newest club a visit aside from the spectacular Gil Hanse-designed course.

Wang’s World

We enjoy a laugh or two with Korea’s latest golfing superstar Jeunghun Wang.

TM

SHARPEN YOUR SHORT GAME.

Soft, 431 stainless steel head with hydropearl chrome finish.

Our extremely precise wheel-cut milling process creates our sharpest grooves ever. The result: significantly higher spin rates and precise trajectory control so you can play with greater accuracy and confidence.

With four sole grinds, there’s a Glide 2.0 wedge to fit every golfer.

NEW GROOVES SPIN BALL MORE THAN EVER.

FIND YOUR GRIND.

.005”

TS GRIND

.004”

.005” 20° 20°

28°

Tour-proven half-moon grind for precision.

SS GRIND FULL SHOTS

Lower-lofted wedges are milled to increase spin and control on full shots.

46°, 50° & 52°

ONE ADDITIONAL GROOVE *

AROUND THE GREEN

Higher-lofted options are milled to impart more spin on chip and pitch shots.

54°, 56°, 58° & 60°

TWO ADDITIONAL GROOVES *

Moderate attack angles and divots.

Fits most golfers.

WS GRIND Full-sole for players with a steep angle of attack.

ES GRIND Visit PING.com to learn more about the entire PING product line. ©2017 PING P.O. BOX 82000 PHOENIX, AZ 85071 * Compared to original Glide

Inspired by Eye 2 for ultimate in bunker performance.

Editor’s Letter

By Alex Gallemore

ISSUE No.190 MARCH, 2017.

Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd.

From the latest gear to golf’s new stars

I

n this packed issue our cover feature is an exclusive with former R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson who has taken up a new posting as Chairman for Falcon Golf with the aim of “telling the Dubai story” around the world using golf as a mouthpiece.

We also caught up with former Abu Dhabi HSBC Champion Pablo Larrazabal who openly discusses why his love of the game drives him more than the vast prize money that’s on offer every week. He also reminded us that to make it on Tour talent isn’t enough, you have to put hard graft before partying.

Another player with fond memories of the Middle East is Branden Grace. The South African has won seven times on the European Tour including back to back victories at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. He tells us how he became the man for the big occasion and how his progression through the game was helped by his time on the Challenge Tour.

One of the great highlights of the Desert Swing was interviewing Jeunghun Wang. Fresh from his victory in Doha, the confident and easy-going Korean had me laughing from start to finish. His English is a ‘work in progress’ but his sense of humour is brilliant. At just 21 and with three European Tour titles already under his belt, the staff at Dubai Mall better get ready for some more of his shopping sprees!

Leading our Arabian Golf section is local hero Rayhan Thomas. After making the cut at the Desert Classic and outscoring his hero, Tiger Woods, the Dubai-based amateur is determined to keep his feet on the ground.

On the equipment side we look in depth at the new Titliest ProV1 range which has gone down a storm on Tour. Many of the players have put the 2017 ball straight in play and it seemed to work for Tommy Fleetwood, who used it to bag his first victory since 2008 at this year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. We also caught up with Bernd Wiesberger, to see what he’s got in the bag this year and we weren’t surprised to see he’s also playing the new ball.

Staying on the ball topic, Callaway has also released their new Chrome Soft X. During the Dubai Desert Classic we talked to Ian Garbutt, Callaway’s Talent Development Manager, about how versatile the new ball is; what the guys on Tour are getting out of it and how the advantages are being passed down into the amateur game.

For those long hitters in the UAE, eGolf Megastore has thrown down the gauntlet by offering local golfers the chance to qualify for the upcoming Long Drive World Series taking place at Jumeirah Golf Estates this month if they can show their muscle on the simulator at their Al Wasl store.

We also check out the latest irons on the market including the classy 0311XF from PXG.

Worldwide GOLF 12

Published in Dubai by: Prografix, PO Box 24677, Dubai, UAE. (Tel) +9714 340 3785.

Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore.

Executive Editor: Gary Player.

Editor: Alex Gallemore. alex@wspglobal.com.

Publisher: Mike Gallemore. mike@wspglobal.com.

General Manager Dubai: Richard Bevan: rick@wspglobal.com.

Editors: Todd Staszko, Scott Grayston, 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

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

The Course

Austin Country Club Host of the WGC-Match Play for the second consecutive year, deep in the heart of Texas.

M

ARCH is the month when the golfing year picks up some serious speed. After being eased into the season in the warmer climates of the Middle East, Australia and South Africa, the men’s European Tour season gets busy this month with two World Golf Championships events, quickly followed by The Masters in early April.

Mexico will host the WGCChampionships for the first time and then a few weeks later the WGC-Dell Match Play will be played at the Pete Dye-designed course in Austin CC, Texas.

The 180-acre golf course is the third home for the nomadic members of Austin Country Club since it was founded in 1899.

While it is a Pete Dye design, it is definitely not as beleaguering as his most famous layout at TPC Sawgrass. Indeed this site is more akin to a rolling Scottish course than a typical American track. There are elements of Texas dotted around with the use of huge limestone slabs – quarried on site – to build areas for trees or tee boxes and greens.

The course made for a great tournament last year as Jason Day underlined his status as the No.1 player in the game by defeating the likes of Paul Casey, Brandt Snedeker, Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy en route to a comfortable 5&4 victory over Louis Oosthuizen in the final.

This event features the top 64 players on the Official World Golf Ranking, and with The Masters taking place just two weeks later it will be a good indication of who will likely contend at Augusta.

Worldwide GOLF 14

Worldwide GOLF 15

STARTER COURSE STAFF HIT THE TARGET AT EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

GARCIA GRANTS A FAN’S WISH AFTER 206 days of continual pestering, Sergio Garcia finally relented and has agreed to let super-fan Mark Johnson caddie for him at the pro-am for this year’s British Masters. The Englishman has been tweeting the Ryder Cup star every day since July last year and the Spaniard eventually gave in, setting a date for Mark to looper for him in late September.

THE Golf Superintendents at Emirates Golf Club were the talk of the town after presenting the Majlis course in superb condition for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic – and with a unique ‘target’ design cut into each fairway. Director of Golf Course Maintenance, Craig Haldane, said: “This year we took the opportunity to think outside the box a little bit. The European Tour is very innovative and with more and more promotion of events on social media I’m challenged by our promoter to see what we can do that is a bit different. The one thing that is consistent is the distance of the target from the tees, which is 300 yards to the centre point.”

TOKYO OLYMPIC VENUE UNDER FIRE FOR BARRING WOMEN

US OPEN PURSE INCREASED TO A RECORD $12MILLION

THE purse for this year’s US Open at Erin Hills has been given a $2m boost to make the full fund a record $12m – the most lucrative in tournament golf. Meanwhile, the USGA has also announced that the Women’s US Open has had a $500,000 boost to take the purse up to $5m.

KO CONFIRMS MOVE FROM LEADBETTER TO GILCHRIST

THE Japan Golf Council has complained to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that their venue choice for the 2020 Olympics, the Kasumigaseki Country Club, does not accept women as members and is “quite contrary to the spirit of the Olympic Games.”

The club allows women to play between Monday and Saturday but they cannot become full members and bars them from playing on Sundays.

WORLD No.1 Lydia Ko has announced that Gary Gilchrist has officially taken over as her new coach after ending her relationship with David Leadbetter in December last year. Ko, 19, won 15 titles including two Majors under Leadbetter’s tutelage but she has moved to Gilchrist, who also teaches World No.2 Arita Jutanugarn and World No.4 Shanshan Feng, along with Paula Creamer.

LINCICOME WINS LPGA OPENER

THE LPGA Tour’s season-opening Pure Silk Bahamas Classic welcomed a strong field and Brittany Lincicome came out on top in a play-off against fellow Major champion Lexi Thompson to win, with Stacy Lewis third.

Q U O T E S “Go get a job instead of trying to make money off of the stuff that we have been able to do. We like to sign stuff for charity, or for kids, and if you ask anybody universally it's the same way.” – Jordan Spieth pulls no punches when it comes to 'professional' autograph hunters.

O F

T H E

“It’s the biggest change for our generation and I'm hoping that it's going to be welcome, because an awful lot of work and thought has gone into it – will somebody have a different view? Of course they will, and that's fine, that's why we're going into consultation for eight to nine months.” – New R&A Chief Martin Slumbers hints at strong upcoming changes to the Rules of Golf.

Worldwide GOLF 16

M O N T H "He deserves to get to the top of the ranking. The biggest thing for me is not to focus on the ranking – I need to focus on improving week by week and focus on winning. If I do that, it takes care of everything. ” – Jason Day reacts to losing out on the World No.1 spot to Dustin Johnson.

SPIN BACK MARCH 1998 Doha debut one to remember FOLLOWING the lead of the Desert Classic, the Qatar Masters became the second European Tour event held in the Middle East in March 1998, and a formidable cast of stars assembled at Doha Golf Club to contest for honours.

The field included Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke, Ian Woosnam, Padraig Harrington, José Maria Olazábal, Seve Ballesteros, Sam Torrance and future winners Retief Goosen, Thomas Bjørn, Robert Karlsson and Paul Lawrie, but it was Andrew Coltart who clinched the title – his first on Tour – with a superb final round 67

to win by two strokes.

Victory for the Scot, who had been a Tour member for five years, came on the same day he learned he had topped the Australasian Order of Merit and the following year he went on to make his Ryder Cup debut.

Nowadays the Desert Swing of Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai are in a far more prominent position on the schedule at the start of the calendar year and Coltart can be found prowling the fairways of Tour events as part of the commentary team for Sky Sports.

Nick Tarratt, Director, European Tour, Dubai Office:

"In 1998 the Qatar Masters saw The Desert Swing become a two-event series and in 2006 it became a threeevent Desert Swing with the addition of Abu Dhabi. The three events are ideal for preparation for the players in the run-up for their year ahead.

Qatar now fits nicely in the middle of the series. It has a quality field who say that the Qatar Masters stands out due to the excellence of the Peter Harradine-designed golf course, quality facilities, good weather and Doha and Qatar hospitality.

The challenge that any Tour faces is not one-off events. It's to get a flow of events for players and the officials, and that is ideal for the European Tour. We have three tournaments on The Desert Swing, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai. It's perfect for the players: very little travel required, great weather and great facilities. So it's a great kick-off for the season."

Worldwide GOLF 17

ALL-NEW IRONS

DISTANCE + HEIGHT

+ FACE SLOTS THE #1 IRON OF 2016 NOW HAS FACE SLOTS FOR ULTIMATE CONSISTENCY. AND THIS YEAR, THE FAMILY GROWS WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF M1 IRONS. PLAY M2 FOR MAXIMIZED DISTANCE, HEIGHT, AND FORGIVENESS, OR M1 FOR DISTANCE AND HEIGHT IN A MORE COMPACT, WORKABLE SHAPE.

BETTER EVERYTHING. ALL-NEW

IRONS

ALL-NEW

©2017 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. #1 claim based on #1 selling iron model in 2016 by dollar and unit share per the 2016 Golf Datatech U.S. On & Off Course Retail Market Report.

ALL-NEW IRONS

IRONS ™

FACE SLOTS

FACE SLOTS

MULTI-MATERIAL CONSTRUCTION

ULTRA-LOW CG

HIGH-DENSITY TUNGSTEN WEIGHTING

FLUTED HOSEL 2.0 WITH 360˚ UNDERCUT

IMPROVED SHAPING AND SOLE GEOMETRY

GEOCOUSTICTM FEEL MANAGEMENT

STARTER

DOUBLE DESERT WINNERS

WITH his win in Dubai, Sergio Garcia became yet another winner of two out of the three Middle East Swing events, but who will become the first to win all three and who is missing? Worldwide Golf investigates…

THE DOUBLE WINNERS: Ernie Els – Dubai Desert Classic (x3) and Qatar Masters.

Henrik Stenson – DDC & QM Alvaro Quiros – DDC & QM Sergio Garcia – DDC & QM Thomas Bjørn – DDC & QM What do they all have in common?

They all need Abu Dhabi to complete the set.

What are their chances? You’d have to say that Stenson and Garcia both have the best chance as they are in their prime. Quiros has lost his way (himself a former DP World Tour Championship winner as well) in the last 5-6 years and Ernie Els and Bjørn are gradually entering their twilight years. Stenson has been runner-up in Abu Dhabi twice before and Garcia’s record there is good (never outside top 20 in 6 outings) but he hasn’t played it since 2014.

Hot Streak

Cold Snap

Thomas Pieters. After a post-Ryder Cup lull, Belgian bomber Thomas Pieters romped up the leaderboard into T2 at the Genesis Open and is halfway to earning temporary US PGA Tour status as a result.

Tiger Woods. What can we say? Is this latest setback in the Desert Classic confirmation of the beginning of the end? Where and when will we see him again and will he compete or flop again like he did in Dubai?

Rory McIlroy. Defeated by Graeme Storm in South Africa and sat out the Desert Swing with a rib injury (which many suggest was not caused by swinging a club), Rory needs to hit the ground running as Augusta nears.

Spanish golf. Sergio Garcia is happy off the course and happy on it as he won his 12th European Tour title on his first start of 2017 in Dubai while John Rahm won his first victory on the US PGA Tour at Torrey Pines.

Dustin Johnson. A tenth successive year with at least one victory, the reigning US Open champion became World No.1 for the first time thanks to victory at the Genesis Open in Los Angeles.

BY THE NUMBERS

24.1

The average age of the winners on the US PGA Tour from the Hero World Challenge in December through to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last month.

Byeong Hun An. Got into contention at Abu Dhabi and most notably at the Phoenix Open but crumbled badly. Was leading in Arizona and shot a back nine 40 to drop down the leaderboard. Closing is hard.

6

Henrik Stenson's runnerup finish in Dubai was his sixth straight worldwide top-10 finish, dating back to the WGCHSBC Champions last November.

Tiger Woods’ withdrawal in Dubai was his seventh withdrawal since 2010.

MONTH-BY-MONTH ANALYSIS AS ANDREW ‘BEEF’ JOHNSTON TACKLES THE US PGA TOUR IT'S been a tough baptism for Beef on the US circuit with a missed cut at Torrey Pines followed by a T68 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

However, you can't keep a happy man down, and here he is giving out gear to the gallery at the 16th hole in Phoenix.

Food for thought?

9

Bernd Wiesberger made 9 birdies in succession during the second round of the Maybank Championship. It would be a record – ten players had recorded 8 in a row before – but Bernd will not find himself in the record books as lift, clean and place was in play.

BEEF WATCH

Columnist

Pete Cowen

Injury is now part of the game

L

AST month I was with Henrik Stenson at his home in Florida before heading South for the WGC-Mexico Championship, where nine of our players were in action out of a field of 70.

They’re going to be facing tougher opposition than previous years and they’re going to have to be mindful of the problem of repetitive strain injuries.

Tiger Woods looked like a man who was hitting every shot protecting his back when I saw him on the range at Emirates Golf Club during the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. I know it’s very difficult for him but his injuries looked pretty severe to me.

The problem these days is that there are so many good youngsters coming through, putting constant pressure on the players at the top who, understandably, are carrying injuries – some of which are caused by their fitness regimes.

Repetitive strain There’s only one thing that makes players look ordinary and that’s age. Henrik, for instance, is 40. He’s a strong man and he’s very fit but he’s got issues with his knees. It happens to everyone. It happens to us all at some stage. Repetitive strain injuries are pretty extreme but it’s almost inevitable in our sport. The swing action is a violent movement that we all make – and which we keep on doing – and as a result, suffer the consequences.

It’s not an impact injury, it’s a repetitive injury that’s quite extreme. It creates a situation which is a problem in itself for our sport. How do you practice with intensity, for instance, without the risk of getting an injury? It’s golf’s holy grail everyone is searching for.

These guys are athletes nowadays. It’s like sprinters. They can sprint at their maximum for, say five, six, seven years but eventually they’re not going to be able to do it anymore. When you look at how far the guys are hitting the ball these days they are just killing the golf courses. That’s why we are seeing people scoring 58s and 59s.

Look at Dustin Johnson as he romped to a five shot win at the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club. He made an uphill 630 yards

hole par-5 look easy, knocking it pretty much stiff in two shots. You’ve got to be a serious athlete to be able to do that.

I was so pleased with Thomas Pieters for finishing tied-second behind Dustin at Riviera. Thomas said he didn’t drive the ball too well but he played well in general and he was putting well. One shot he wasn’t pleased with came during the final round when an errant drive hit his girlfriend on the back. Luckily she was ok and it gave him a better angle into the green. I hope he shouted Fore!

Winning is a lot harder All the leading players are looking good for the season. But nobody can be guaranteed a win these days. My guys are all fairly happy with their form at the moment and they’re making inroads. I don’t think it will be too long before we see them winning. We’ve got off to a decent start. Graeme Storm won in South Africa, Thomas was tied-second at Riviera and Henrik was second, three shots behind Sergio Garcia in the Dubai Desert Classic.

Danny Willett was at our driving range in Rotherham last month and he seems to be doing all-right. The problem with Danny is the expectations – not his expectations but everyone else’s. I don’t think it will be too long before we see them winning. They’re happy with their schedules so it’s now our job to keep them fresh.

Good news for Dubai I heard that Falcon Golf are taking over the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Ladies Dubai Masters. I think it’s a good move to bring all the different elements of golf in Dubai together to promote Dubai in every way and not just in golf.

It had to happen eventually to stop people pulling in different directions. It’s a great step forward for Dubai.

Worldwide GOLF 21

“After extensive testing I chose the best golf ball for my game�

Columnist

David Howell Music, lights, action – why not?

H

AS a new dawn begun in the world of professional golf with the inaugural ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth taking place last month down in sunny Western Australia. If you didn’t catch the tournament on television then the basics are 54 holes of stroke play to take the field down to 24 players who then play a match play competion on the final day over six holes.

The feedback was that as a concept it certainly has legs. The players seemed to like it in general, and with a few tweaks and the right venue, it could be a real winner. With crowds spread over six holes, the chances of creating a fun-filled atmosphere are much increased. With all the action being over a shorter time frame everything is more intense. It has the possibility of being a great new concept, Twenty20 cricket being the obvious parallel, which has been a huge success worldwide.

Party Atmosphere Next up at the Centurian Club, St Albans, in the UK on March 5-6 is the European Tour’s next version of this type of format with the GolfSixes event taking place. This time it’s more of a stand-alone fun concept, again over six holes but this time in a pairs format, country versus country. Hopefully, it will have more of a party atmosphere where they will try and jazz things up a little.

So expect music, lights and all things bright and breezy in an attempt to aid the fun element. It’s a laudable initiative from the Tour to try and bring something different to the world of golf. If it turns out to be more fun for people to watch live, and more family orientated, too, then it has the potential to start to grow participation numbers once again.

There are drawbacks, however, to these short formats. With many more stroke play matches being halved it means that many more matches will need to go to a play-off. This causes delays, and, in some way, goes against the concept of short, sharp matches.

From a purely golfing standpoint it could become a little unfair. In the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth, local boy Brett Rumford won the stroke play element by five shots. Thankfully, he went onto win the whole tournament in fine style. Had he lost his first round match he would have finished in ninth place. Trust me, he would have felt hard done by had that happened. When it does there will be some negativity.

We, as players, have learned to play the game as marathon runners. I guess, four rounds is a lot of golf, every shot counts and to win you have

to take all that pressure that builds up into a crescendo over the final holes. The better players have the best chance of winning a longer race.

Shortening the distance levels the playing field dramatically. But with the stroke play element still present in terms of qualifying, it seems to tick quite a few boxes. Whether the world’s top players would like it is questionable but maybe they wouldn’t mind a pop at a shortened event from time to time. Yet I guess that only if they were to see an incredible atmosphere at the event would they throw their hat in the Sixes ring.

For the most part, this first-ever running of the concept has been positive so don’t be surprised if you see a few more events pop up in a similar vein. From my perspective, I think there is room for a few and when the time is right I look forward to taking part. I can imagine the buzz of starting a match all square with six holes to play. It must get the juices flowing for sure. But I would also like to see the introduction of some new ideas at 72 hole events, such as more crowd interaction in some way, maybe not expecting silence all the time, could change things for the better. It’s odd that we never get put off on a Tuesday by noise but then we do on a tournament day. Constant noise has never been a problem, finding ways to get people to an event and into a situation where they make plenty of noise is more the problem we face.

Whilst novel new formats could pull in the crowds let’s not shy away from trying to make the 72 hole stroke play event an enjoyable experience that golf fans and families consider a good day out.

So there you have it: 2017 is the year the European Tour come up with a few new ideas; the Rolex Series begins, with the aim of bringing the highest calibre of players together again at some of our most well respected events; and some of the smaller events have begun to try something a little different to bring a little pizzazz to the proceedings.

All in all, it could be an excellent year. Only time will tell but by the end of the season we will know a whole lot more about the future of golf on this side of the Atlantic. I guess the ultimate test will be to see if the US PGA Tour follows suit in some way. They have a pairs event planned for later on this season. Watch this space to find out if they, too, think the six-hole concept is a winner.

Worldwide GOLF 23

Worldwide GOLF 25

RAFA HELPED SPREAD THE WORD DURING ‘DUBAI WEEK’ IN CHINA LAST YEAR.

Columnist

Rafa Cabrera Bello Playing my part in telling the Dubai story through golf

A

s you probably know, I live in Dubai now and the most exciting news for golf in the UAE recently has been the formation of Falcon Golf – a new entity set up by Dubai to enhance the city’s golf infrastructure and optimise the benefits the sport brings the emirate.

The fact Falcon Golf has been created in the first place shows how significant the game is to the city and, as someone who loves the emirate, I’m excited and proud to be helping them tell the Dubai story during my travels around the world on the European Tour. I’ve recently been appointed to the Board of the Players Committee on the European Tour and I hope my experience will be valuable in working with Chairman Peter Dawson and the team at Falcon Golf in raising awareness of Dubai to the world’s golfing community.

I made Dubai my home and – after many years of playing golf in the region – I think I can provide an authentic voice to international audiences and share my personal views and experiences of living in the emirate. Not only does it boast beautiful golf courses, it is also a wonderful destination for the whole family.

Falcon Golf will also take over the running of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. Change brings fresh input and another perspective – that’s not to say what went before was not good. But change means challenging the status quo and that is what Dubai has always strived for. It pushes the boundaries and that is always a good thing in my view.

I’ve been fortunate to have been a winner of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and one of a long line of Spanish players to have won this great tournament. It really is a Who’s Who of Spanish golf. My

sister Emma has also competed over the years in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters with some success and we both feel very much at home in Dubai.

It was great to play so close to home on this year’s Desert Swing and I was reasonably happy with my performances (T19 Abu Dhabi, T6 Qatar, T11 Dubai). Although, of course, I would have preferred to win!

The Omega Dubai Desert Classic received a big boost with Tiger Woods making his return to the event. It was unfortunate that injury forced him to retire after the first round, but his attendance energised international media, golf fans and his fellow professionals.

It was a natural fit for him to come as he has great history of playing in, and winning, the tournament. We have a lot to thank Tiger for as he has been a standard bearer for our great game and is an iconic athlete so I was pleased to see him pick Dubai as one of the events to continue his comeback. Following his withdrawal Tiger took part in an excellent Q&A chaired by Peter Dawson in the Falcon Golf chalet which I thought was a touch of class.

I’m looking forward to making my first appearance in the Hero Indian Open next month. I’m honoured that the organisers were keen to secure my attendance at the event and excited about the prospect of competing against the leading Indian players, led by Anirban Lahiri, and helping to make the tournament a great success.

RAFA CABRERA BELLO IS A JA RESORTS & HOTELS AMBASSADOR.

Worldwide GOLF 25

Senior Stars set for Sharjah Showdown WHILE the dust has settled on the Desert Swing for another year, worldclass professional golf will once again take centre stage in the UAE this month as a host of past Ryder Cup legends compete in the inaugural Sharjah Senior Golf Masters presented

by Shurooq.

The nine-hole course at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club holds a European Tour event for the first time and the Tour is making its first stop in the UAE since 2000 in Abu Dhabi as no fewer than nine former Ryder Cup stars tee it up.

The likes of Des Smyth, Ronan Rafferty, Jose Rivero, Gordon J. Brand, Steven Richardson, Gordon Brand Jnr, Philip Walton, Costantino Rocca and Barry Lane all played their part as past members of Team Europe and helped make the Ryder Cup the global attraction it is today.

The European Senior Tour players are renowned for their friendly, outgoing approach to the game and their interaction with their playing partners and the galleries, yet when their names are announced on the first tee they are as competitive as they ever were.

Also in the field is two-time Senior Major winner Roger Chapman, former

Barry Lane poses with the trophy after winning the season ending 2016 MCB Tour Championship in Mauritius.

Order of Merit winners Peter Fowler and Paul Wesselingh and Welshman Stephen Dodd, who is a former World Cup of Golf winner back in 2005.

Indeed, all the winners from last year’s European Senior Tour international schedule are in the field, giving this a ‘Champion of Champions’ feel as the 2017 season opener, and all of the top 20 players on last year’s Order of Merit will be teeing it up.

England’s Paul Broadhurst who claimed

Worldwide GOLF 26

the Senior Open Championship and Order of Merit title in his first full season on the over-50s circuit last year, has also committed to compete in the event which offers a prize fund of $425,000 with $63,750 going to the winner.

Not only are the stars of the Senior game on show, but local players Ramli Sulaiman (SG&SC), Rene Larsen (JGE) and John Mills will also be in the field having come through the amateur and professional qualifying events.

SPORT360.COM

LINKS WITH THE PAST – HELPING THE RYDER CUP GROW A lot of the talk about golf today is concerned with growing the game, and the nine Ryder Cup players who feature at this month’s Sharjah Senior Golf Masters presented by Shurooq have their own place in history in helping transform the biennial Europe versus the USA tournament from an American exhibition match into a global phenomenon. Let’s look back on some of their memorable moments: WALTON’S WINNING MOMENT The 1995 Ryder Cup was as close and as exciting as any in recent years. Trailing 9-7 going into the final day singles at the leafy Oak Hill CC in New York, Europe fought back to win, and a heroic Philip Walton etched his name into the record books by winning the final hole for a 1-up win over Jay Haas to spark wild celebrations as Europe triumphed 14½– 13½.

ACES HIGH FOR ROCCA Costantino Rocca has had many unforgettable encounters in his storied career – his monster putt from the Valley of Sin after a duffed chip shot to force a play-off with John Daly at The Open at St Andrews in 1995 is rightly or wrongly the No.1 moment on his highlight reel. But he has Ryder Cup pedigree and in 1995 he became only the third player to record an ace during the matches. Two years later he defeated rising star Tiger Woods 4&2 at Valderrama to help seal a famous European victory.

SHARJAH'S RYDER CUP HEROES 'TALE OF THE TAPE' Des Smyth 2 apps 2 points Ronan Rafferty 1 apps 1 point Jose Rivero 2 apps 2 points Gordon J Brand 1 app 0 points Steven Richardson 1 app 2 points Gordon Brand Jnr 2 apps 2.5 points Philip Walton 1 app 1 point Costantino Rocca 3 apps 6 points Barry Lane 1 app 0 points Paul Broadhurst 1 app 2 points Total No. Ryder Cup appearances: 15 Total No. Ryder Cup points: 36.5

David MacLaren

Head of the European Senior Tour "We are all very excited about the inaugural Sharjah Senior Golf Masters and would like to extend our grateful thanks to Shurooq for enabling our very first event in Sharjah to see the light of day. Both the setting and a fantastic field of top class golfers will gurantee a great spectacle, as will the quality of our host venue, Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club. We believe that this may be the very first time that a full European Tour event of any description has been played over a nine-hole layout and this is sure to add a different and exciting dimension to a tournament that we would urge all local golf fans to support."

FREE ENTRY FOR ALL What is the event? The opening tournament of the 2017 European Senior Tour season.

When: March 16 - 18 Where: Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi Street, Sharjah.

For more information go to: www.golfandshootingshj.com or www.st.golf/Sharjah

Worldwide GOLF 27

PERFORMANCE REIMAGINED

HyperFlexâ„¢ II features a completely reimagined BioMorph exoskeleton designed to mimic the ligaments of the foot. HYPERFLEX II delivers lightweight support, cushioning and enhanced flexibility to elevate your game to its highest level.

Explore www.footjoy.co.uk

Race to Dubai movers and shakers Big moves made after inaugural ISPS Handa World Super 6 WHILE the top ten on the Race to Dubai was unaffected after the inaugural staging of the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth there was plenty of jostling behind them as players looked to make an early dent on the ranking. Home favourite Brett Rumford triumphed in the tournament, an innovative mixture of stroke play and match play, played for the first time in European Tour history.

He defeated 17-year-old Thai Phachara Khongwatmai 2&1 in the 6-hole final.

The Perth local moved up 50 places on the Race to Dubai to 11th place as he goes in search of a third career starting berth in the top 60 at the DP World Tour Championship in November, having teed it up at Jumeirah Golf Estates in 2010 and 2013. Khongwatmai moved from 109 to 24th while Australian Jason Scrivener also moved into the top 60 as a result of his fourth place finish. Pre-tournament favourite Louis Oosthuizen won the fifth-sixth place match against Australia’s Steven Jeffress to gain 53,490 points, while Wade Ormsby made big strides, jumping from 106th to 68th in the standings after gaining 31,539 points for beating Matthew Millar in the seventh-eighth place play-off.

Garcia isn’t the only winner at the Classic While Sergio Garcia captured most of the headlines with his wire-to-wire win at Emirates Golf Club, Dane Lasse Jensen finished in a share of third place to collect 138,576 points and move himself into contention for a first-ever berth at the DP World Tour Championship. His final round 65 saw him climb up inside the top 30 on the Ranking. Garcia took home 410,225 points to move into the top five while runner-up Henrik Stenson claimed 273,483 to boost his position from 42nd into sixth place.

Lasse Jensen

The Race to Dubai trophy Congratulations: Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson

Zanotti goes low and makes a huge move Brett Rumford

Phachara Khongwatmai

WITH his win at the Maybank Championship in Malaysia, Fabrizio Zanotti looks set to clinch a spot in the seasonending DP World Tour Championship for the third time.

The Paraguayan vaulted into second place on the Race to Dubai after earning 461,689 points thanks to his final round 9-under-par 63 and his second European Tour title.

Runner-up David Lipsky took home 307,790 points and moved from 24th into the top ten on the ranking while Austrian Bernd Wiesberger’s third place finish earned him 173,410 points as he crept into the top ten from 21st position. France’s Alex Levy made a huge leap – from 128th to 24th – after he collected 138,507 points for his fourth place finish.

Worldwide GOLF 29

Fabrizio Zanotti

David Lipsky

Tour News Date: Jan 26 - 29 Event: Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Venue: Doha Golf Club, Doha, Qatar Winner’s Cheque: €389,656

Date: Jan 26 - 29 Event: Farmers Insurance Open Venue: Torrey Pines, San Diego, California Winner’s Cheque: €1,206,000

WANG MASTERS QATAR JEUNGHUN Wang moved closer to his ‘dream’ of playing in The Masters with his third victory on the European Tour at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. The 21-year-old missed out in regulation but put the disappointment behind him with an up-and-down birdie on the first hole of a play-off to beat Joakim Lagergren and Jaco Van Zyl.

“When I was young, I really wanted to play The Masters. I always imagined that I would play Augusta National one day. Maybe now I have a chance to play The Masters.”

Pos. Name 1 2 3

Jeunghun Wang Joakim Lagergren Jaco Van Zyl

Country KOR SWE RSA

-16 -16 -16

Total

Pos. Name

272 272 272

1 Jon Rahm T2 Charles Howell III T2 C.T. Pan

“I’m very happy to play the way I did. I was pleased with how I handled some of the key moments. To beat Henrik was something special. We all now what a great a player he is.

It’s a great start to the year so I'm going to try to keep on going the same way.”

Sergio Garcia Henrik Stenson Lasse Jensen

ESP SWE DEN

R1 R2 R3 R4 -19 -16 -14

Country ESP USA TPE

-13 -10 -10

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

72 69 69 65 67 74 69 68 70 69 69 70

275 278 278

Date: Feb 2 – 5 Event: Waste Management Phoenix Open Venue: TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona Winner’s Cheque: $1,206,000

SERGIO Garcia was back to his brilliant best as he finished on 19-under at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic to win his 12th European Tour title by three strokes from former champion Henrik Stenson. Garcia opened with a superb 65 and never looked back, closing out a comfortable wire-to-wire victory.

1 2 3

“It was important to keep composure, keep it going. I’m so glad I was able to keep my mind on the game and I was able to think clearly – and I’m so glad it finally happened.”

R1 R2 R3 R4

CLINICAL GARCIA CLINCHES THE CLASSIC

Country

SPAIN’S Jon Rahm sank a memorable eagle putt on the final hole to win his maiden US PGA Tour title at the Farmers Insurance Open. Rahm was on fire on the final day, closing on 13-under par, three strokes clear of C.T. Pan and Charles Howell III to become, at 22, the youngest winner at Torrey Pines.

69 67 65 71 67 72 67 66 67 69 68 68

Date: Feb 2 – 5 Event: Omega Dubai Desert Classic Venue: Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, UAE Winner’s Cheque: €410,224

Pos. Name

RAHM EAGLE SWOOPS TO MAIDEN WIN

65 67 68 69 68 68 67 69 69 70 70 65

MATSUYAMA DEFENDS IN THE DESERT

HIDEKI Matsuyama continued his rich vein of form successful defend his title at the Phoenix Open, defeating former US Open winner Webb Simpson in a play-off. The Japanese birdied the fourth extra hole to finally prevail after the pair had finished on 17-under-par, one clear of Louis Oosthuizen.

“The results have been really good these last few months, and, hopefully, I can just keep it going. What I’m trying to do now is to work hard, correct what I’m doing wrong, and continue onwards.”

Total

Pos. Name

269 272 274

1 2 3

Worldwide GOLF 30

Country

Hideki Matsuyama JPN Webb Simpson USA Louis Oosthuizen RSA

-17 -17 -16

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

65 68 68 66 67 71 65 64 68 67 68 65

267 267 268

WORLD ROUNDUPS Date: Feb 9 - 12 Event: Maybank Championship Venue: Saujana G&CC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Winner’s Cheque: €461,689

Date: Feb 9 - 12 Event: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Venue: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, California Winner’s Cheque: $1,296,000

SPIETH CRUISES TO PEBBLE VICTORY

ZANOTTI WINS AS WILLETT WILTS FABRIZIO Zanotti clinched his second European Tour title in stunning style as a final round 9-under-par 63 – including an eagle at the last – secured a one-stroke victory over David Lipsky and Bernd Wiesberger. Overnight leader Danny Willett shot a closing 73 to fall into a share of fifth place.

“It was probably the best round of my career, so I’m very happy. It was a really good day, good week and I’m really happy. It was at the 15th where I thought I might be able to win.”

Pos. Name 1 2 3

Fabrizio Zanotti David Lipsky Bernd Wiesberger

Country PAR USA AUT

-19 -18 -17

JORDAN Spieth collected his first victory of the season with a fourstroke victory over Kelly Kraft at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – his ninth victory on the US PGA Tour. The two-time Major winner posted birdies on holes 2 and 17 as he plotted his way to the winner’s circle, largely unchallenged.

“This is a bucket place list place to win. Here, Augusta National, St. Andrews, I mean there’s only a few in the world, it feels really special, it was amazing walking up the 18th green knowing that we were going to win.”

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

Pos. Name

70 69 67 63 68 67 68 67 69 63 73 66

269 270 271

1 2 3

Jordan Spieth Kelly Kraft Dustin Johnson

Country USA USA USA

-19 -15 -14

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

68 65 65 70 69 70 66 67 70 69 66 68

268 272 273

Date: Feb 16 – 19 Event: Genesis Open Venue: Riviera Country Club, Los Angeles, California Winner’s Cheque: $1,260,000

Date: Feb 16 – 19 Event: ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth Venue: Lake Karrinyup CC, Perth, Australia Winner’s Cheque: €210,255

JOHNSON'S TOP MAN WITH LA WIN RUMFORD HITS THE FIRST SUPER 6 TITLE HOME-favourite Brett Rumford clinched the inaugural ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth with a 2&1 victory over Thai teenager Phachara Khongwatmai in the final. The European Tour was breaking new ground in Western Australia, with an event consisting of 54 holes of stroke play before a 24-man six-hole match play competition on Sunday and Rumford was in fine form throughout.

“Golf is bigger than one person. If we're going to grow the game it has to be more than just a golf tournament. It has to become an event in which we’re trying to grow this sport by introducing a few more thrills and much more excitement about it."

DUSTIN Johnson became World No.1 for the first time with a superb 5-stroke win at the weather-delayed Genesis Open in Los Angeles.

High winds blew away play on the Friday and the course took time to be cleared on Saturday, meaning 36 holes were played by the leaders on Sunday – and Johnson was in fine form as he romped home ahead of Thomas Pieters and Scott Brown.

“To finally get a win at Riviera feels good because I’ve finished second here a couple of times, lost in a play-off, and felt I should have won a couple of other times.”

Pos. Name 1 Dustin Johnson T2 Thomas Pieters T2 Scott Brown

Worldwide GOLF 31

Country USA BEL USA

-17 -12 -12

R1 R2 R3 R4

Total

66 66 64 71 70 68 71 63 68 68 69 67

267 272 272

Falcon Golf

taking Dubai to new heights

PETER DAWSON, former R&A Chief Executive, who has taken up the role of Chairman of the newly formed Falcon Golf to oversee what promises to be a game-changing period for Dubai at home and abroad, talks exclusively to Worldwide Golf ’s Richard Bevan.

T

HERE’S a revolution taking place in the Dubai golf industry and it’s good news for all lovers of the game. For years now Dubai has been synonymous with world-class golf courses, facilities and tournaments. Near perfect weather conditions for nine months of the year and some of the best hotels, facilities and attractions in the world make the emirate an obvious choice for a golfing holiday. For those of us based in the region, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting venues to satisfy our golfing passions.

Indeed, a Deloitte report which was released in 2015 revealed that the economic impact of golf to Dubai was a staggering US$131 million.

But a recurring issue has always been the lack of a centralised body creating the coordination between golf clubs, stakeholders, tourist board, hotels and airlines in order to maximise the enormous potential for Dubai to establish itself as one of the premier golfing destinations on the global stage, as well as also providing the finest possible offering for residents. 

Worldwide GOLF 32

FEATURE

PE TER DAW SON  FALCON GOLF

Worldwide GOLF 33

FEATURE

PE TER DAW SON  FALCON GOLF

TIGER WOODS TALKS TO PETER DAWSON AND H.E. SAEED HAREB AT THE BURJ AL ARAB, AHEAD OF THIS YEAR’S OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC.

“The leadership recognise that golf is an important sport for the region and the Deloitte report highlights just how big an element of Dubai’s sporting landscape golf is.”

ENTER FALCON GOLF. An affiliate of Falcon and Associates, a strategic advisory company working on behalf of the Dubai leadership, it was set up in recognition of golf’s ever-increasing importance to the emirate. The new division aims to use the sport to “tell Dubai’s story on the world stage” as well as work with existing bodies such as the Emirates Golf Federation to encourage and increase participation from the local market, especially among juniors.

Not only that, they’re taking over the running of the Middle East’s oldest tournament, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, as well as the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. It’s clear that such a major task requires an experienced hand at the helm, and they don’t come much more experienced than Peter Dawson.

Previously the Chief Executive of the R&A as well as Secretary at the ‘Home of Golf’, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, the Scotsman has taken up the role of Chairman of Falcon Golf to oversee what promises to be the most exciting period for the game ever witnessed in the region.

“The Dubai leadership were very keen to enhance Dubai’s position in the world through

sport,” says Dawson. “They recognise that golf is an important sport for the region and the Deloitte report highlights just how big an element of Dubai’s sporting landscape golf is.

“The Leadership wanted to ensure that everything about golf in Dubai was as good as it could be and that we could use the sport to tell the Dubai story around the world.

Falcon and Associates was asked to take a look at this – they approached me and I was privileged to come and do what I can to help.

I think the formation of Falcon Golf is a real indicator that we’re on the road to making sure that golf is really punching its weight for Dubai.”

Race to Dubai

Eight years ago, the European Tour’s season-long rankings were re-branded as the ‘Race to Dubai’ with players competing throughout the year for a place in the US$8 million DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, open only to the top 60 players.

Dawson believes that this asset provides the perfect vehicle to achieve one of Falcon Golf’s objectives of “telling the Dubai story on

Worldwide GOLF 35

the world stage” through the sport.

The first sign of Falcon Golf’s influence on the Race to Dubai was the unveiling of a new logo at last year’s DP World Tour Championship which now incorporates the emirate’s official brand. But that’s just the start, with plans in place to maximise the worldwide promotional opportunities offered by the globe-trotting nature of the European Tour International Schedule.

“To have something called the ‘Race to Dubai’ which is in the limelight every week of the golf season on the European Tour is a phenomenal thing to have. Frankly, it hasn’t been used to Dubai’s optimum benefit in the past,” says Dawson.

“We plan to activate that with a steady build up. We’re not going to go to every event in year one but we will go to tournaments in countries that are strategically important to Dubai and set up to tell the Dubai story at these events. We’ll invite influential people and explain what’s going on in the emirate and how attractive it is for business and tourism and as a place to stay.”

While the DP World Tour Championship will continue to be run by the European 

FEATURE

PE TER DAW SON  FALCON GOLF

“With my R&A background we’ve got access to many of the programmes around the world that I’m aware of. I don’t deny that I’d love to see more Emirati participation in the game and I know that the EGF has a lot of very good grassroots programmes, so I’ll see what we can do to help with those.”

- PETER DAWSON

Tour, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, formerly staged by ‘golf in Dubai’, will come under the control of Falcon Golf as of next month. David Spencer, “giD’s” Strategic Advisor has been kept on in a consultancy capacity while Vice Chairman and CEO Mohamed Juma Buamim will become ‘Honorary President’ of the tournaments.

“Let me say at the outset that I think both events are very good indeed,” says Dawson.

“The way that they have moved forward in the last two or three years has been pretty stellar. That is evidenced by how popular the events are with the players, the standard of the players who come and play and the list of winners each event has had.

“Both events could benefit from some infrastructure investment and, obviously, we’ve got to be sure that these events remain competitive in terms of being attractive for the players to come and play. So those things will be at the forefront of our mind.”

Boost Golf Tourism

Considering the region’s host of top-class courses and hotels, it’s surprisingly difficult to plan an all-encompassing golfing trip to Dubai remotely. The creation of a centralised portal which showcases everything the emirate has to offer from a golf and tourism perspective is another key part of Falcon Golf’s plans.

“It’s essential to make it easier for potential tourists to book their trip to Dubai,” says Dawson. “It’s something that all the clubs realise would be a benefit.

“The golf facilities, courses and clubhouses from my experience are second to none. Most golf destinations have a proportion of very

good courses, but in Dubai they all seem to me to be of an excellent standard, which is wonderful.

“We could do with some more joinedup thinking in terms of booking systems to make it easier for visitors to make their arrangements regarding travel, accommodation and golf courses. We need to be able to put together a trip to Dubai more easily than perhaps has been possible in the past. It’s good to know that all the stakeholders are aware of this and are buying into action in this area.

“We had a great report done by Peter Walton, who is the President of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, making recommendations about what Dubai should do and we’re embarking on that programme.”

Local Development

Another element of Falcon Golf’s remit is to look at the issue of local and junior participation in the sport. Dawson is quick to point out that the Emirates Golf Federation are already doing a good job in this area and that Falcon will play a purely supportive role.

“This is one of the Emirates Golf Federation’s responsibilities and we’re not here to usurp them in anyway. We’ll certainly do whatever they want us to do to help.

“With my R&A background we’ve got access to many of the programmes around the world that I’m aware of. I don’t deny that I’d love to see more Emirati participation in the game and I know that the EGF has a lot of very good grassroots programmes so I’ll see what we can do to help with those. They’re providing leadership in that area already.”

Worldwide GOLF 37

Then there’s the issue of the cost of playing golf in Dubai and the lack of more affordable public courses. Dawson believes that in a destination known for exclusivity and luxury, it’s a case of ‘horses for courses’.

“To be honest, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how strong local demand for golf is, especially among the expat population who tend to treat the golf clubs, to a degree, as social hubs and they get a lot of use,” he says.

“Certainly some more affordable facilities for getting people started in the game wouldn’t go amiss.”

Positive Plans

The 68-year-old, who spent 16 years at the R&A, had actually retired three months prior to being approached by Falcon and Associates to take up his new role and he jumped at the chance to remain part of the game he loves.

“I retired in September 2015 and I started with Falcon in December of that year,” he says.

“You’re never quite sure when you retire, what you want to do and the last thing I wanted to do was to just fall off the edge of the cliff and do nothing.

“So to be approached by Falcon to continue to be involved in this wonderful game was something I jumped at. I’m very much enjoyong working with Falcon, I’ve also been much encouraged by the warmth of the reception from golf’s stakeholders in Dubai.”

With a raft of positive plans already being put into action and an esteemed figurehead like Dawson steering the ship, the future of the Dubai golf scene looks bright indeed.

Falcon Golf could be a real game-changer for the emirate both at home and abroad. ■

Worldwide GOLF 38

FEATURE

PABLO LARRAZABAL

Love of the For the

Game L

IFE is good for Pablo Larrazabal. The 33-year-old is embarking on his tenth year as a European Tour professional and has finished in the top 60 on the Race to Dubai every year since 2011. It’s no wonder he’s always got a smile on his face as he plots the fairways and stalks the greens out on Tour. “I play golf because I love it,” smiles the four-time Tour winner. “I just want to beat these guys every week. I don’t play for the money or to be rich, I play the game simply because I love it. That’s why I smile so much, because I am doing what I love for my job. Not too many people can say that.”

Larrazabal was an unheralded rookie who surprised many on Tour back in 2008 when he won the Open de France, holding off the likes of Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood to win by four strokes. He came through a 36 hole qualifying tournament to take his place on the field and opened with a 65 before weekend rounds of 67-67 saw him ease to victory at Le Golf National – one of the most difficult courses on Tour. It is not lost on Larrazabal that the famed layout in Paris plays host to the next Ryder Cup in 2018 but he downplays his ambition of following his compatriots Rafa Cabrera Bello and Sergio Garcia in representing Team Europe.

“I always say that the future will take care of the future,” he says. “I can only control what I do. I try to shoot as low as I can – win some titles

Worldwide GOLF 39

FEATURE

PABLO LARRAZABAL

ABOVE: PABLO LARRAZABAL WITH THE NEWLY CROWNED WORLD No.1 DUSTIN JOHNSON AT THE 2017 ABU DHABI HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP. RIGHT: LARRAZABAL PROUDLY HOLDS THE ABU DHABI HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY IN 2014.

LEFT: LARRAZABAL WALKING THE FAIRWAYS ALONGSIDE HIS BOYHOOD FRIEND AND FELLOW COUNTRYMAN RAFA CABRERA BELLO.

and make some top tens. That will take me wherever it will take me. If it is to the top 100 in the world, I will be happy, the same if it takes me into the top 50 or the top 10. And if I play in three or four Ryder Cups in my career then that means I will be playing in the best tournaments in the world against the best players.

“I am a fan of The Ryder Cup and big tournaments like The Masters so I watch them on TV. When The Ryder Cup is in Europe, I’ll be awake early at 7.0am to see the first tee shots, and I’ll watch the Majors in the Unites States until the very end – sometimes as late as 2.03.0am. I’m a golf lover! I’m a guy who will watch every shot of The Ryder Cup when it is on.

“This last Ryder Cup was special because Europe had Rafa playing, and he and I are close because we grew up playing as part of the Spanish national team when we were young.

We’ve been playing since we were 9-10 years old and it was our dream to play in the best tournaments in the world – and Rafa achieved it. So I am very happy for him and proud to be his friend.”

Larrazabal has made a fast start to this year’s Race to Dubai and last month was sitting in tenth place thanks largely to a runner-up finish at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in January. He finished strongly with a 68 but it wasn’t quite enough as Tommy Fleetwood won by one stroke.

Despite the near miss Larrazabal was happy with the state of his game during the Middle East Swing, admitting that the region brings out the best in him.

“I like the course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club because I can see it out in front of me and it suits me,” he says. “I love Abu Dhabi as a city and I love how tough the course is and how fast the greens are. So it has quickly become one of

my favourite events. I also love the weather and the fact that Dubai and Abu Dhabi are big cities.

“It’s good to go back to a city. I grew up in Barcelona and I love the city feel and city style of life. So to come to the Middle East Swing in January feels like how it is in Barcelona in June and July. It’s hot, great weather, good golf

“ THE TOUGHEST PERIOD IS OFTEN IN YOUR LATE TEENS. YOU WILL HAVE FRIENDS GOING OUT HAVING FUN AND IT IS THEN WHEN YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE TO TRY TO BECOME BETTER, TO WAKE UP EARLY EVERY DAY AND PRACTICE. OR YOU CAN GO AND PARTY. THAT’S THE DECISION YOU HAVE TO MAKE.” – PABLO LARRAZABAL. courses and good people, so I love it.”

It took him a long time and plenty of hours of hard work but Larrazabal is now enjoying the fruits of his labours. “I turned pro at 21, in 2004, and I remember going to European Tour Q School and missing the first stage. I went to the Alps Tour Q School and missed out and also the Spanish Tour Q School, so I missed everything,”

Worldwide GOLF 41

he says. “But I managed to get a few invites to play some events on the Spanish Tour the following year. I finished second in one tournament and that earned me my card for the year.

“In my second year as a pro I finished fourth on the Spanish Tour order of merit, and I received six or seven invites to the European Challenge Tour. I kept on improving and then earned my European Tour card at Q School in 2007. The rest, as they say, is history.”

Indeed, Larrazabal won the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award in 2008 following his victory in France and has since gone on to win the BMW International (2011, 2015) and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (2013) and has been a fixture at the DP World Tour Championship since 2011, never finishing lower than 51st on the Race to Dubai in that period.

So what’s the secret? “There are things that you must have to play on the European Tour – the first one is talent, if you don’t have talent you can work as hard as you can but you’ll never achieve what you want,” he says.

“However, if you have the talent then you must work hard on that talent, and you’ve got to love to work hard. Those are the keys.

“There are many players in the world with talent, but to work hard and to love to work hard is the toughest thing. The hardest period is often in your late teens.

“You will have friends going out having fun and it is then when you have to choose to try to become better, to wake up early every day and practice. Or you can go and party. That’s the decision you have to make.”

When you love the game as much as Larrazabal, every day feels like a party anyway. ■

Worldwide GOLF 42

Man for the big occasion WORDS:

SCOTT

G R AY S T O N

O

ver the last five years Branden Grace has developed into one of the top players on the planet. Many would have doubted this astounding progression when they saw the South African struggling on the Challenge Tour in 2007. In four seasons and 68 tournaments he failed to lift a single trophy and only finished in the top three a few times. But he's grown into one of the most consistent players on the European Tour and with ability and confidence by the bucketload, it's shock if Grace is not challenging at the summit in every tournament he enters these.

The 28-year-old seven-time European Tour winner currently sits in the top 20 in the world which isn’t bad for a man with no Major to his name, for now‌

Worldwide GOLF 43

Sign up or Renew

your Membership now with the Emirates Golf Federation

"Raise Your Game"

New Website

www.egfgolf.com info@egfgolf.com

EGF Benefits - USGA handicap - Ability to enter to play in club events and competitions requiring an official handicap - An online handicap management system - Golfer's Insurance - Insider volunteer opportunities and special ticket offers at Pro Golf Events in the UAE - Membership Benefits Program with special offers from partners * Only for new adult memberships Worldwide GOLF 44

FEATURE

BRANDEN GRACE

Worldwide Golf: You’ve made a promising start to the season Branden, do you feel like you’re close to winning that elusive first Major?

Branden Grace: Yeah I think it’s just a matter of time because my golf is getting better by the week and I’m getting closer in these big tournaments. I’m hitting the ball really nicely so far this season but I need a few more putts to drop but that’s how it goes.

WWG: You’ve got a fantastic track record in the Middle East with two Qatar Open victories, two top-10 finishes in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and three top-10s in the DP World Tour Championship.

What is it about this part of the world that brings out your A-game?

BG: I think I just generally just get off to a good start to the season when it’s the Desert Swing. These courses

suit my game and are in pristine condition so you have absolutely no excuses to not perform well apart from yourself. When I’ve had my time off I’ve relaxed but have also grinded when I’ve needed to. For some reason, I feel lot more comfortable at the beginning of the season than towards the end.

WWG: You’ve consistently been in the top five in big events and Majors, do you feel you perform better when the pressure is on and the stakes are high?

BG: I’ve been giving myself chances in the bigger tournaments which is what you need to do to be in a chance of winning a WGC or a Major. I feel I’m getting closer. It’s nice to get the consistency going but it’s not always easy but so long as you’re in the runin on the final day, you must be doing something right.

Branden Grace poses with the 2016 RBC Heritage trophy.

This was his first taste of victory on the PGA Tour.

WWG: You were never triumphant on the Challenge tour but you are now one of the best players in the world.

Did you believe back in your Challenge Tour days that you would have such a successful career and would improve as much as you have?

BG: The Challenge Tour and the Sunshine Tour were a great stepping stone for me. Although I didn’t manage to win on the Challenge Tour I did on the Sunshine but I always believed I could be great and could do good things but it’s a matter of doing it when it matters.

When I got over the first hurdle and sealed my inaugural European Tour victory in front of my home crowd at the Joburg Open in 2012, you kind of sit back and realise what you’re capable of doing which leads on from one thing to another. That season I won four tournaments in total so it proves how much confidence it gave me. Hopefully there’s a lot more victories to come.

GRACE HAS RECENTLY SWITCHED TO THE CALLAWAY GREAT BIG BERTHA EPIC AND IS LOVING HAVING THE INNOVATIVE DRIVER IN THE BAG. Is it a hard decision to change your clubs when you’re performing well?

It normally is. I don’t usually change my clubs that often but it was an easy decision with this new Callaway set and I can tell I’m going to stick with the Epic for a while because it’s game-changing.

Everybody is talking about how good the driver is but the three-wood is brilliant as well.

What’s the most Epic thing you’ve done on the golf course?

The most Epic thing I’ve done has got to be when I hit a hole-in-one. That’s as good as it gets I suppose.

Worldwide GOLF 45

FACT FILE Three-time European Tour winner.

off nine Reeled successive birdies

in Malaysia last month but the record won’t stand due to lift, clean and place ruling during play.

288 bottles of Won beer for a hole-inone in Spain.

Worldwide GOLF 46

IN THE BAG

Bernd Wiesberger “I’m a Titliest staff player so it’s all Titleist in here!”

Driver: Titleist 917 D3 (8.5°)

Irons (4-9): Titleist 716 CB

My favourite club is the driver, and you can tell a lot of research and development has gone into this club.

I feel good holding it and I just love getting onto the tee box with it. It has a Mitsubishi kuro kage shaft which is customised with my initials to make it a bit special for me.

I’ve used these for a while now and before that I used the 714 and 712 in the CB forged range.

I switched to the Nippon Modus 3 tour 20 X flex about two weeks before I won the Open de France in 2015. They’ve been performing really well for me.

Wedges: Titleist SM6 Vokey (46°, 53° and 59°)

3 Wood: Titleist 917 F3 This is also from the new 917 range and has the same technology as the driver but in a smaller head. It’s got the SureFit CG technology which means I can swap between hitting draws and fades. This has a Mitsubishi Tensei shaft which I’ve been using in my 3 woods for a while now.

Hybrid: Titleist 915 (17.5°) This is probably the oldest club in my bag.

The face shows that it’s had a lot of use – mostly from the centre thankfully! It’s got a slightly shorter shaft than the 3 wood and is easier to hit. I use this on shorter par-4s off the tee and for approaches to shorter par 5s because I can hit it high and get it to stop pretty quick. Also, it’s easy to hit out of the rough so it’s good if I need to advance the ball a long way.

3 Iron: Titleist 716 T-MB I use this because it’s forgiving – like a driving iron, in a way. It’s got bit more weight at the base and is easier to hit compared to other 3-irons.

They look like they haven’t been cleaned in a while but they’re actually the raw finish heads.

It’s a familiar look to me which helps me feel good over the shot. They perform well around the green and spin a lot, so I feel in control.

Putter: Scotty Cameron Futura X7M This has been in my bag a while. It’s got an aluminium face-sole and has a large sweet spot. I have it with a black finish with a single white line-up mark to make it easier for me to line up the club behind the ball. I’ve got a two thumb grip which feels comfortable and also helps me line it up. It’s important to feel comfortable on the green because putting is the most important part of the game.

Ball: Titliest ProV1 (2017) The ball is used for every shot so it’s the most important piece of equipment, and until recently I had been using the Titleist ProV1x but I switched to this year’s ProV1 in Abu Dhabi in January. This ball really performs great for my swing speed and spin rate and I’m really happy with the way it’s performed so far.

Worldwide GOLF 47

C H O O S E T H E B E ST

o THE NEW TITL EIST New Pro V1 and Pro V1x are the most technologically advanced golf balls in the game. Both provide exceptional distance, Drop-and-Stop™ control and long lasting durability. This along with unmatched quality and consistency, golf ball to golf ball,

Our longest Pro V1 yet has a faster engine with lower long game spin, and a penetrating trajectory with even more consistent flight.

FO R YO U R G A M E.

r PRO V1 AND PRO V1x. dozen to dozen. Comparing models, new Pro V1 has a lower flight and softer feel than Pro V1x. So whether you choose the total performance of the V or the X, you are making the best choice for your game. Visit titleist.co.uk to learn more.

The extraordinary distance and high launch of the Pro V1x is enhanced with improved aerodynamics for its most consistent flight ever.

EQUIPMENT

Pro V1 Pro V1x W

HEN you tee up your new Pro V1 and Pro V1x you know the performance is immense. Titleist’s mission has always been to design and produce golf balls of superior performance and quality and that’s definitely the case with the Pro V1 and Pro V1x. The new Titleist Pro V1 golf balls offer total performance for every player. Golfers will experience even longer distance on all shots with lower long game spin and even more consistent flight, again with Drop-and-Stop greenside control, a very soft feel and long-lasting durability. Each element of a Pro V1 golf ball is precisely formulated and designed to work together, delivering the performance you need on every shot.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRO V1 AND PRO V1 The main differences between Pro Vl and Pro Vlx are in flight, spin and feel.

DESERT SWING SUCCESS Pro V1 and Pro V1x are the most popular balls on the Tour and the recent Desert Swing showed strength in numbers.

Pro V1 flies lower than Pro V1x.

Pro Vl spins less than ProV1x on iron and short game shots.

Pro Vl feels softer than Pro V1x.

Both golf balls deliver the best scoring performance in the game for all golfers.

PRO V1® TECHNOLOGY • Next Generation 2.0 ZG Process Core • Ionomeric Casing Layer • Soft Urethane Elastomer™ Cover System • New Spherically-Tiled 352 Tetrahedral Dimple Design

P R O V 1x™ TE C H N O LO GY • ZG Process Dual Core • Ionomeric Casing Layer • Soft Urethane Elastomer™ Cover System • New Spherically-Tiled 328 Tetrahedral Dimple Design

or or

Tommy Fleetwood claims his second European Tour title at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, in his first week playing with the new Titleist Pro V1x

FEEL

S o f te r

ABU DHABI HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP Titleist 95 Nearest Competitor 14

Soft

FLIGHT

Mid

High

COMMERCIAL BANK QATAR MASTERS Titleist 95 Nearest Competitor 12

LO N G G A M E S P I N

L ow

L ow

OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC Titleist 95 Nearest Competitor 16

IRON SPIN

Less

M o re

SHORT GAME SPIN

High

Higher

Worldwide GOLF 50

Blind ball fitting

Pro V1 vs Pro V1x

By Stuart Taylor, PGA Professional ProSports International

“We took Jamie McConnell of the Butch Harmon School of Golf at The Els Club through a blind ball fitting with the Pro V1 and Pro V1x so he wouldn’t know which ball he was hitting out of the two. We started from the green back to the tee box so he would get a chance to hit all types of shots with each ball. We believe that a proper golf ball fitting takes place on the golf course, and the Titleist Tour-validated “Green-to-Tee” approach successfully fits players of all abilities, from the world’s best to high-handicap amateurs. We marked out each golf ball so Jamie purely had to rely on feel and results of all shots hit to determine which one he preferred out of the two.”

– Stuart Taylor

SHORT GAME We tested Jamie on the short game shots around the green. He found both golf balls had superior control. He preferred Pro V1x due to it just launching a little higher on pitch shots. This suited his feel and the way he like the ball to land onto the green.

7 IRON INTO THE GREEN Both balls had great dispersion throughout the test and it was hard to choose between them. However, again from a feel perspective, Pro V1x was his preferred choice. There were small differences between the two balls.

DRIVER

PUTTING

Jamie just preferred the slightly higher peak flight with the ProV1x. Nevertheless, he couldn’t believe the penetrating flight he got from the the Pro V1 from the tee. Again, both had extremely good dispersion.

Out of the two balls Jamie picked out the Pro V1x. This was a result of liking the feel off the putter face and the amount of control he felt he had with the pace of the putts.

CONCLUSION The Titleist Pro V1x was Jamie’s choice in all four tests as his preferences came down to feel, and how he liked to see the ball through the air. Both balls performed terrifically but every different player will have certain balls that suit their eyes, feel and technique. It was an eye-opening experience for Jamie in witnessing just how well both golf balls performed and also how beneficial a ball-fitting can be to a player.

For more info on golf ball fitting please contact Stuart@prosports.ae.

I put the new Pro V1x in play in Australia and in the first week we won. What I noticed immediately was the improved flight. It held the crosswinds better. A couple of shots that were going to go further offline stayed closer to the fairway or closer to the green, which allowed me to save par when I may have been in trouble. Golf is a game of misses. When you misshit one, if it’s not really going as far off line, that makes a significant difference for us, and it makes even more of a difference for amateurs.”

Jordan Spieth on playing the 2017 Pro V1x for the first time in his win at the Emirates Australian Open.

Worldwide GOLF 51

Head down to eGolf Megastore and try out these new irons for yourself. We’ll custom fit you and get you into the right set to enhance your game.

Hottest

Irons

By Jason Ashley Custom-fit Specialist at eGolf Megastore

T

HIS month we are looking at some new irons that have recently been released and are much talked-about in the golf industry.

The three clubs I am testing and reviewing are: The Cobra F7, TaylorMade M1 and TaylorMade M2. I can’t wait to get these clubs into the players’ hands.

Worldwide GOLF 52

GOLF GEAR

Cobra F7 The Cobra F7 has some interesting technology with its new PWERSHELL Face which is a thinner and stronger face. This helps your ball speeds increase which enhances your distance and precision. Cobra have used a high strength stainless steel L-Cup face design to help your off-centre strikes maintain their momentum.

The F7s have a lot of perimeter weighting around the head which develops the size of the sweet spot and improves its forgiveness. Another intriguing thing to note with this club is that the long irons have a full hollow construction of the head, then the six and seven iron have a half construction and the lower irons are just cavity back. Therefore, the club progresses through the set.

First impressions when hitting F7 • Sits really nicely for a game-improving club.

• Impressive ball speeds.

• It’s a forgiving club but it looks like a player’s club.

TaylorMade M1 The TaylorMade M1 is a slightly different version of the M2 with a slightly smaller head and compact body, so it is designed for the better player. It’s got the same technology as the M2 so it’s got the Speed Pocket technology to help with ball speeds and the Face Slots for off-centre hits. The Geocoustic technology makes the club sound phenomenal, just like the M2.

First impressions when hitting M1 • Quite a bit slimmer than the M2 at address.

• Sits nicely.

• Brilliant distances.

TaylorMade M2

The TaylorMade M2 has the new thin-wall Speed Pocket technology which helps improve ball speeds off the face. It also has the Face Slots that preserve the ball speeds when you strike the ball off-centre. One of the key things you need with your irons is consistent yardages. It’s not good for your game if the ball goes way further when you hit the ball in the centre because of the ball speeds compared to hitting it off the toe or the heel, so this is a great piece of technology. In addition, the M2 irons also have the Geocoustic engineering which makes it sound much better when you let fly towards the pin.

First impressions when hitting M2 • Sits nicely for a larger club.

• Extremely forgiving.

• Fantastic distances.

Worldwide GOLF 53

EQUIPMENT

CALLAWAY CHR OME SOFT X

Callaway Chrome Soft X The ball that will steer you in the right direction

C

allaway has redefined golf ball performance with the launch of their new Chrome Soft X balls. The technology enables a player to have an elevated amount of speed and feel that will improve their distance, control and workability when out on the course.

Ian Garbutt, Callaway Talent Development Manager, explains why the Chrome Soft X could make all the difference in your next round:

Ian Garbutt, Callaway Talent Development Manager

“The Chrome Soft X is our new ball for 2017 and it’s one that should excite the golfing world. It’s still on the Chrome Soft platform but it has a slightly firmer feel than the original Chrome Soft and is higher spinning. Nevertheless, it’s still unbelievably soft with its Dual SoftFast Core so your ball speeds remain great but it will enable a player to have an extraordinary amount of feel around the greens.”

Versatility

“It’s a very adaptable ball. At the moment we have two Callaway players using it – David Horsey and Alvaro Quiros and they are both at either ends of the spectrum. Horsey has a clubhead speed of around 108/109 mph, whereas Quiros is up to 120 mph, although the ball works perfectly for both men.

“Irons don’t spin too much with this ball which gives them an added amount of control in the wind and with the HEX Aerodynamics, it enables the user to get great carry and have impressive stability when playing in tough conditions.

However, the better players will be able to generate more spin with this ball when they need to, compared to the original Chrome Soft.”

How much difference does a golf ball actually make?� “It can make a huge difference, especially when fitting a driver. Golf balls make a significant difference to launch and spin which are two vital aspects to a penetrable shot.

Available now at

Worldwide GOLF 55

Good news Middle East golf fans, the top eight drivers in the world will be competing in the Long Drive World Series at Jumeirah Golf Estates’ European Tour Performance Institute on March 17. Worldwide Golf’s Scott Grayston met the UK Long Drive Champion, Lucas Dornan, to find out the secrets behind him smashing the ball 500 yards and what to expect from this unique event that is coming to the region for the first time.

Worldwide GOLF 58

FEATURE

LUCAS DORNAN

“I can hit one shot 500 yards and then the next one will go 350 so it’s mixed and depends on the conditions.”

Worldwide Golf: How did you get into long driving?

Lucas Dornan: I went to get a club fitted for me because I was spinning my driver too much and I was given a shaft that was three times stiffer than normal and soon as I hit that it went nearly 400 yards. The guy said my swing has so many leaks of power in it that I could do well at a long driving competition. I entered into the UK Long Driving Tournament and went and won it. It’s all been a snowball effect from there really.

WWG: Were you a low-handicapped golfer before you started competing in these competitions?

LD: I played golf every two or three weeks, usually when it was nice weather but nothing that serious.

From October to April, I would never go anywhere near a set of golf clubs and competing in a Long Drive event was nothing I even considered. However, now I’m intent on proving myself to be the best in the world.

WWG: How far can you hit the ball?

LD: That’s the golden question! I can hit one shot 500 yards and then the next one will go 350 so it’s mixed and depends on the conditions. On a normal British day with no wind, I would say about 420 yards is the average. If the wind’s on your side and you have a nice firm fairway, 500 yards is easy. However, if the wind is against you and it’s wet and damp, 350 is a good number. Usually what I say to people, is whatever Rory McIlroy does, add 100 yards on and that’s roughly where a long driver would be.

WWG: What’s your longest drive ever?

LD: In competition, my longest drive was 427 yards.

WWG: Have you got any other party tricks up your sleeve?

LD: I can drive it with a putter! The design of a putter is actually very similar to the driver with a threedegree face but it’s a little bit harder

to find the sweet spot and is much shorter. However, I can hit it 300 yards with a putter so that’s not a bad average!

WWG: What do you look for in a club to get the most yards possible?

LD: Equipment’s always changing and improving but what we look for is a forged driver so you lose a bit of smash factor. We obviously want lower loft so we can reduce the spin and we have the longest shaft that is legal so we go up to 48 inches whereas most Tour players will have around 45 inches. This helps up get more speed with the club.

WWG: How popular do you think the upcoming World Long Drive Series will be in Dubai?

LD: I think it has the potential to change the sport. It will have a completely different vibe to a normal golf tournament with DJs and under the lights with pyrotechnics. Some of the best athletes in golf will be here competing so for the fans it will be a real party atmosphere.

WWG: Do you think we will find players switching from professional golf to professional long-distance driver soon?

LD: If you look in the past at people like Jamie Sadlowski, who was the face of long drives for a lengthy period, he’s moved on to the Tour because there was more money on it but now the money seems to be coming in to the long drive with the events getting more attention on a global scale. Pros that struggle with their short game and putting but are monster hitters have more chance of making a good living from long drive competitions than on Tour.

WWG: What’s the daily routine like for long hitters?

LD: We’re very different to a normal golfer. Most golfers nowadays train in a gym a lot more because they realise how beneficial it is but for a long driver it’s paramount. Our training and diet is

Worldwide GOLF 59

Lucas Dornan took the honours at the American Golf Long Drive Championship in August 2016.

crucial but it’s not just about bulking out because you’ve got to have fast twitch fibres. If you have a big chest, which most of us do, if it gets in the way it can prevent your flexibility so you’re lose a bit of distance so it’s all about the compromise of which muscles will slow you down and which ones will speed you up. It’s a science but the game’s evolving all the time and I think long drivers are at the forefront when it comes to the athleticism of golf.

Three athletes that are built for long driving but don’t know it!

Anthony Joshua

His physique, power and explosion would make him good

Derek Jetah

Baseball players are big athletes that hit the ball as hard as they can so he should do well.

Usain Bolt

He’s the fastest man in the world so surely he’s got a fast swing!

19th & 20th April 2017 at Doha Golf Club

The biggest celebrity golf event in the Middle East is back !

TEAMS WILL BE FOR 3 PLAYERS + 1 CELEBRITY

Entry Fee QR3000 per player | 50% Discount for Members • 19th April - Doha Golf Club Pre - Tournament Calcutta Dinner (Allocations of Celebrities to Teams)

• 20th April - Tournament Day 12 Noon Shotgun Start • Post Tournament Gala Dinner Prize Presentation

Visitor Entry Online at : www.dohagolfclub.com/celebritychallenge2017 * online payment available-service charge applies

For further information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact : Tel. : + 974 4496 0764 | www.dohagolfclub.com | events@dohagolfclub.com

Worldwide GOLF 60

FEATURE

LUCAS DORNAN

HOW TO SMASH A DRIVE LIKE THE UK CHAMPION

People always say the same thing: • Tee the ball further up to get less spin.

• Try and improve your clubhead speed by getting a faster hip turn.

However, everybody’s got a different type of swing so you can’t say that either of these would benefit your distance. The main thing I’d say is that you get a lot of power from your wrists and a lot of release from your wrists so strengthening this area is a big power source for you. Wrist exercises holding heavy weights will benefit you massively and improve your clubhead speed by up to about 10 miles an hour, which will gain you another 20 or 30 yards. This is a little bit different to the normal tip but something I believe in.

TH E 2 01 7 LO N G D R I VE WO R L D S E R I ES L I N E U P I S : Britain’s

Britain’s

Joe Miller

Lucas Dornan 2016 UK Long

Current and Two-time World Long Drive Champion

America’s

Tim Burke Two-time World Long Drive Champion

Drive Champion

Sweden’s

Emil Rosberg 2016 Scandinavian Long Drive Champion

America’s

Serbia’s

Britain’s

America’s

Two-time European Long Drive Champion

2016 Portuguese Long Drive Champion

2016 Italian Long Drive Open winner

Runner-up at the 2016 World Long Drive Championship

Maurice Allen Ilija Djurdjevic Brad Pearmain Ryan Steenberg

Worldwide GOLF 61

UAE golfers have the chance to earn a spot in the Qualifying Round of the Long Drive World Series by beating Lucas’ 404 yard rocket which he hit on the X-Golf Simulator at eGolf Megastore. Even if you can’t outdo the champion, eGolf will reward the longest drive in their new store at Al Wasl with a spot in the qualifier. Head down to test your mettle!

Competition closes on March 14.

EQUIPMENT

PARSONS EX TREME GOLF

PXG 0311XF Luxury meets forgiveness

I

N 2015, PXG made an indelible mark on the golf industry with the introduction of its revolutionary iron technology. The original PXG 0311 forged blades have a distinctive design, exceptional feel and unmatched performance. Joining the ranks, the PXG 0311XF iron collection leverages the same materials and sophisticated manufacturing processes. The clubhead has a longer blade length, wider sole, and slightly larger profile to help inspire confidence at address and deliver extreme forgiveness.

“The longer blade length and wider sole, help increase the MOI and drive the CG back to create greater forgiveness and more dynamic loft at impact,” said PXG Chief Product Officer, Brad Schweigert. “As a result, the clubs are incredibly forgiving and deliver outstanding miss-hit performance.”

Worldwide GOLF 62

“We’d all love to hit the ball perfectly every time, but the truth is, many of us don’t,” American businessman and PXG founder Bob Parsons said. “Most players struggle with imperfect swings and for some playing a blade can be intimidating. So, we engineered a game improvement iron that is even more forgiving than the original PXG 0311 irons and just as sexy. Trust me, forgiveness has never felt so good.”

“I love my PXG 0311XF 4-iron,” said the 2011 Masters Champion, Charl Schwartzel. “Off the tee I hit it 260 yards and when someone looks in my bag it blends perfectly with my 0311 irons. You would never know that it’s a game improvement club – and I like that.”

What makes the PXG 0311XF irons so good?

Sam Pain – PXG Master Fitter: “This is one of the best irons on the market for any category of golfer. If you’re looking for more distance they’ve got you covered with a thin, forged-face metal design which flexes more at impact to improve ball speeds. The 0311XF is a triple forged club but that is enhanced by injecting a hollow head with thermoplastic elastomer to give it exceptional feel. This reduces the dampening effect no matter where you strike it across the clubface. These irons are also unbelievably forgiving which we all need because nobody’s a perfect golfer. The clubs have forgiveness through the insertion of the metal tungsten alloy weights that are strategically positioned around the perimeter of the club which make the clubs perform brilliantly and give them a signature look. The irons also have a wider sole and longer blade for an overall bigger profile. This enhances its moment of inertia which equates to extreme forgiveness.”

Features ● Exceptional feel at impact. ● Softer feel and dramtic performance. ● World’s thinnest clubface.

www.egolfmegastore.ae

● Exceptionally high MOI for blade-style head.

Worldwide GOLF 63

INSTRUCTION

CONTROL IT

BY STEPHEN DEANE,

HEAD PROFESSIONAL, EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

A

common question lots of students ask is how far back they should swing. Many amateurs make the same length swing with every club in the bag or have an understanding of the lifelong clock-face analogy. I try and keep it simple and reinforce the correct combination of power versus control and it’s not how far back but how much you stretch up that makes the difference.

BOOK, PLAY AND SHOP WITH THE GOLF CENTRAL APP Available now to download

Worldwide GOLF 64

WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf

I GET MY STUDENTS TO TRANSMIT THE LENGTH OF THEIR SWING TO THEIR HANDS WORKING UP IN RELATION TO THEIR BODY.

WEDGES

Sternum high with rotation For example, when using your wedges you need control more than power. A sternum-high hand position with the correct rotation will work wonderfully and give you the control and consistency you desire.

MID IRONS

Head high with rotation When it comes to your mid irons you need that little bit more power, therefore more stretch up is required. A head-high hand position with the correct rotation is desirable here. This will give you control but plenty of power to apply pressure on the ball.

WOODS

Hands above head with rotation When it comes to woods, especially the driver, I love to see the hands just above the head with the correct rotation. This gives you a great dynamic stretch from the ground up with plenty of power and with both shoulders fully loaded.

From here we can really let the shoulders work back down and create those long drives with the control we all desire.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO OR GET IN TOUCH WITH THE DUBAI GOLF ACADEMY AT EMIRATES GOLF CLUB ON +971 4 417 9845

Book 18 holes at Emirates Golf Club or Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club on the Golf Central App and receive a voucher to spend in the Pro Shop for the full value of your round.

Offer applies to visitor rate bookings, valid until 25/03/17. Voucher to be used within 48 hours of play.

Worldwide GOLF 65

INSTRUCTION

Hit aDream

Draw NOT A SHOCKING SLICE!

,

by MARK JONES PGA Teaching Professional, Yas Links Abu Dhabi THE LEA D WRIST PLAYS A H U GE R OLL IN T H E SH APE O F S H OT YOU HIT. IF YOU CA N C ONT R OL T H E LE A D W R I ST DURING YOUR TRA NSIT ION INTO IM PACT YOU WI LL B E AB L E TO HI T T HAT DR E A M D RAW A ND GA IN YA R DS AT T H E SA M E T I M E ! T HE C LU B FAC E I S YO UR RUD D ER A ND T H E LE A D W R IST W ILL A LLOW YO U TO C O N T R O L T HE CLUBFACE A ND HIT T H E BA LL IN T H E DIR ECT ION YO U WAN T TO O !

CUPPED LEAD WRIST

W

hat we see from many players who slice the ball is a lead wrist position which is cupped at the top of their backswing and then more cupped during their downswing.

When the lead wrist is cupped the clubface will be open and then it becomes very difficult to then square the clubface at impact. If you are able to square the clubface you won’t be able to do it consistently, meaning you will never have complete control of where you are hitting the ball. Striking the ball with an

Worldwide GOLF 66

open clubface will cause the ball to curve to the right, this is also a very weak shot and you will lose a lot of distance.

When you cup your lead wrist not only is the clubface open but it will also encourage the club to get out in front of you and outside the line leading to a steep angle of attack into impact.

Your swing path will be more across the ball, this paired with an open clubface will cause you to start the ball left and then see it curve to the right. This is the SHOCKING SLICE!

FLATTER/BOWED LEAD WRIST

If we were to talk about what some of the best players in the world would do with their lead wrist, you would see a wrist position, more often than not, which matched their left forearm at the top of their swing and then flattens off during their downswing. For you to make this change, you will have to feel that you bow your lead wrist into a position so that your lead wrist and forearm create a straight

line. This will encourage the clubface to be in a squarer position and maybe even closed.

This is a much stronger position for the face to be in and you will gain yards with this action from the clubface. This movement will also encourage the shaft of the club to shallow out and work more behind you on an inside path, so this paired with a closed face will allow you to hit that DREAM DRAW!

DRI LL FOR TH E DRIVI NG RANG E

YOU CAN USE TWO ALIGNMENT STICKS AS A DRILL TO HELP YOU MASTER THE CORRECT SWING DIRECTION TO HIT A DRAW.

If the clubhead drops outside the alignment stick on the ground and the second alignment stick points left (across your body) then you will most likely swing across the ball and may see the ball SLICE to the right.

WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf

We want to see the club drop inside the alignment stick on the ground. You will feel your arms be very compact and connected to you which is a great way of moving the club to develop consistent ball striking. The alignment stick you are holding should point to the right.

VISIT WWW.YASLINKS.COM OR EMAIL THE GOLF ACADEMY AT GOLFACADEMY@YASLINKS.COM TO BOOK YOUR LESSON WITH MARK.

Worldwide GOLF 67

WHY FLY WITH THEM, WHEN YOU CAN HIRE THEM?

€35 HIRE CLUBS FROM

per set, per week

Clubstohire is located at 23 locations throughout Europe, America, Africa and Asia.

EUROPE

AMERICA

ASIA

ALICANTE APHRODITE HILLS (PAPHOS) BELEK CADIZ COSTA DORADA DUBLIN EDINBURGH FARO GIRONA GRAN CANARIA LISBON MALAGA MADEIRA MURCIA PALMA MAJORCA TENERIFE

ORLANDO SCOTTSDALE

BANGKOK PATTAYA PHUKET

AFRICA CAPETOWN MARRAKESH

M1 & M2 CLUBS NOW AVAILABLE!

If you’re golfing abroad go to www.clubstohire.com and hire the latest clubs.

Book online now!

ARABIAN GOLF News from the leading clubs in the region

THE UAE National Teams clinched a historic three gold and two bronze medals at the GCC Golf Championships held at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain last month.

The Ladies team, led by Tara Al Marzooqi, successfully defended their gold medal while rising star Ahmed Skaik won the Men’s Individual title as he helped the Men’s team to third place in the Team competition.

It was a double gold delight for Al Marzooqi as she won the Ladies Individual gold by a large margin while Reema Al Heloo finished third to take the bronze medal.

Al Marzooqi fired rounds of 92-89-82 for a 263 total and a huge eight-shot victory as she led the Team to victory ahead of Kuwait by 19 strokes with Qatar in third.

“Representing the UAE and winning these Gold Medals are a great honour,” smiled Al Marzooqi. “I am so proud of my team-mates as we continue to develop in this game that we love. All of the hard work with my coaches is starting to pay off. I really enjoyed the weather this week because it was a change to what I’m used to in the UAE. “I think that I stayed focus this week and didn’t let the bad shots affect my game. I stuck

to my pre-shot routines and drove the ball well off the tee. The UAE and Emirates Golf Federation offer so many great opportunities that hopefully others will take advantage of. With more participation we can become competitive in tournaments outside the GCC.”

Gold Medals

In the Men’s Division, Ahmed Skaik went wire-to-wire in the Individual Category as he took the lead after round one and never looked back. With rounds of 76-74-72–75 for a championship total of 297 (9-over-par), Skaik collected the first GCC Golf Championship gold medal of his young career.

This result is testament to Skaik’s commitment to the game over the past six months, as he is currently 5th on the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Order of Merit leaderboard after a recent third place finish at the 2017 UAE Presidents Cup. “It feels great to have my first individual victory and to have it at the GCC Golf Championship makes it even more special,” said Skaik. “The course played very tough this week but I feel like I didn’t rush things and played to my strengths. I was solid off the tees

Worldwide GOLF 69

as I didn’t miss many fairways, but the key was my short game and making a lot of up and downs.

“Winning the GCC was a big goal for me and I’d also like to congratulate my team-mates on winning the Team Bronze Medal for our country. Moving forward, I will continue to play the EGF Order of Merit and discuss with my coaches my schedule for the next few months”.

The Kingdom of Bahrain won the Team Gold while Saudi Arabia won the Silver.

National Team Coach Greg Holmes was delighted with the teams’ achievement. “I am so proud of our squads’ performance this week,” he said. “This is proof that hard work pays off.

“It’s great to see the Ladies defend their title and the Men to receive the Bronze.

Ahmed and Tara have been working hard and for them to win the Gold in their respected division will boost our programme. With the dedication of the EGF, the UAE will see many more youngsters involved in the National Junior Development Programme, where we can look forward to seeing more talent emerging in the future.” ■

ARABIAN GOLF

LOCAL HERO MIXES IT WITH THE BEST

RAYHAN THOMAS

ONE STEP AT A TIME Worldwide GOLF 70

Left: Rayhan Thomas pictured with the defending champion, Danny Willett, during the final round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Right: Thomas tees it up with Rickie Fowler during the practice round at this year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. He must have given Fowler some good tips!

Rayhan Thomas has had a fairytale season which has seen him outscore Tiger Woods, make the cut in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and top the Junior Presidents Cup standings. This is just the beginning for the 17-year-old Dubai-based amateur who has superior targets in his scope with The Indian Open just around the corner – another opportunity to prove that he can mix it with the elite.

WORLDWIDE GOLF: You made the cut and finished tied-60th in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, this surely defied your expectations – give us your thoughts on that experience?

Rayhan Thomas: It was a fantastic experience for me. I was born and raised here in the UAE so just to take part in this prestigious event and play in front of the home fans was really special.

WWG: Having missed the cut by five in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship the week before, did you feel more relaxed in the Desert Classic after this maiden professional event?

Rayhan Thomas: Yeah, I sure did. Obviously, it is quite intimidating to compete in a European Tour event, especially when you are not one of the pros yet, but I felt more comfortable as I went along. The Abu Dhabi experience was great and I learnt so much from it.

WWG: What was the experience like of playing in the same event as Tiger Woods (and outscoring him by nine shots)? Did you have any contact with him?

Rayhan Thomas: I couldn’t make any contact with him at Emirates Golf Club but he was my idol growing up. I have watched every single Major that he played in. Everything he has done for the game is huge. Whether or not I beat him by nine shots, doesn’t change the fact that he is the one and only Tiger Woods.

WWG: You and Curtis Luck both did brilliantly well as amateurs, did it feel good to have

another young amateur sharing the pressure with you?

Rayhan Thomas: It was definitely a plus.

Curtis is a very experienced amateur who has already done lots in the game like when he won the U.S. Amateur. He is actually another idol of mine. I look up to him and he motivates me to do better.

is it not something I am ever going to be complaining about!

WWG: Have you made any good friends on Tour from your time competing in the Desert Swing?

Rayhan Thomas: I get along well with some of the golfers who come from my country such as S.S.P. Chawrasia and Anirban Lahiri.

I played with Michael Lorenzo-Vera, who is a really nice guy. Hopefully, if he is there in the Indian Open I will get to see him.

WWG: You’re competing in the inaugural Junior Presidents Cup in September, are you looking forward to playing Match Play and being captained by Trevor Immelman?

Rayhan Thomas: I don’t want to count my chickens before they’ve hatched, but it would be awesome if I did manage to earn a spot and play under the leadership of Trevor Immelman. To be in the first ever Junior Presidents Cup would be something else, something in the history books for me.

WWG: On the subject of the Indian Open, how did that come about and give us your thoughts on playing on the European Tour in a country very close to your heart?

Rayhan Thomas: Obviously, India is home for me so I can’t wait to compete there. I am an Indian passport holder so this tournament will be another huge honour to play in. I managed to get an entry by sending an email to the Indian Golf Union and they were happy to accept me, so hopefully I can do them proud in the tournament.

WWG: Has anything changed for you since competing in these events? Do you get recognised more away from the course?

Rayhan Thomas: Yeah, I probably do a bit more actually. Being the centre of attention

Worldwide GOLF 71

WWG: Did you sign any autographs?

Rayhan Thomas: (Laughs) No, I am not quite at that stage yet! But when I am on the course the spectators took a couple of pictures with me, so that was great.

WWG: What do you think you have to do this season to make sure that you cement that place?

Rayhan Thomas: I will just keep doing what I have been doing. I just need to stay focused and be consistent.

WWG: Have these excellent performances in the Tour events swayed your decision at all on when you’d like to turn professional – what’s your plan for the next few years?

Rayhan Thomas: Not at all. I’ve got my mind set on what I want to do. When I graduate from school I will decide if I want to go to college or turn pro but it is not a decision that I would want to rush into for sure.

D U B AI CREEK GOL F C LUB

E M I R AT E S G O LF C LU B

FELLINGHAM AND McGINLEY ARE CREEK’S WINNING PAIR With only three events left with a chance to qualify for the grand final in May of the Links Group Pairs, the pairing of John Fellingham and Michael McGinley sealed top spot after a superb better ball score of 41 Stableford points.

Also with 41 points, just missing out on first place after being beaten on a back nine card countback was the father and son pairing of Ishwar and Yowan Jodha. Carrying on the winning family theme, were the mother and daughter pairing of Glory Xavier and Hannah Alan who fired a superb score of 39 points to claim third place and a spot in the final.

LIRIO’S TREMENDOUS DISPLAY LIGHTS UP OMA EMIRATES MEDAL Joy Lirio fired a superb Net score on her back 9 of 31 to win on a countback over fellow lady member Hyeonji Kang in the second OMA EMIRATES Medal Championship.

In Division A, one shot separated the top two, the winner being the in-form Ishwar Jodha after a fine score of 72 whilst Jamal Saab was awarded the runner-up prize. Division B was equally as closely contested with Paul Rebeiro scoring a brilliant 71 to beat the runner-up Qais Qureshi by a single shot. The best gross prize of the day was unsurprisingly awarded to +1 handicapper Michael McGinley after his five over par round of 76. In the Seniors Division it was Navneet Chopra who claimed the top prize for the second month in a row after producing an impressive two under par Net score of 69, whilst Hyeonji Kang, who missed out on the overall prize on a countback of the back 9, was awarded the first prize in the Ladies Division.

TOO MUCH FUN AT MIDCOM MIDNIGHT MADNESS The team of Raj Janardhan, Chandru Manghnani, Robin Kadyan and Abhijit Baruah triumphed in the unique 36-hole night golf event.

The winning team got off to a flying start in the 18-hole scramble, and having recorded two solid 9 hole scores, secured their position at the top of the leaderboard with an overall team total of 115 Net strokes.

In second place was the team of Ryan Glenn, Travis Sandal, David Wonfor and Hamish White, who carded a Net total of 119 strokes. One shot behind in third was the team of Kavit Palicha, Vikas Mathur, Naresh Handa and Nilesh Mashruwala.

T H E E LS C LU B

E M I RATES GOLF F EDER ATIO N

BACK-TO-BACK VICTORIES FOR HAMOOD AT UAE PRESIDENTS CUP Rashid Hamood successfully defended his title in stunning style in the fifth edition of the UAE Presidents Cup - the most represented Emirati golf tournament in the country.

Winning by four strokes, Hamood shot rounds of 77-74 for an event total of 151 but his most memorable piece of magic came on the famous 18th hole where he holed in from 145 yards for an eagle.

Taking the runner-up prize with rounds of 73-83 for an event total of 156 was Khalid Yousuf. Khalid now has three second place finishes and two wins in the UAE Presidents Cup. Rounding out the top three was Ahmed Skaik with rounds of 80-77 for a total of 157.

The overall Net winner was Abdulla Al Muharrami after finishing with a Net total of 135, nine under-par from his 26 handicap.

Reema Al Heloo was crowned the Ladies champion after shooting 171 Gross for 27 over par.

Reema had a very strong 2016 and was recently recognised at the 2016 MEGAs as the National Player of the Year.

The Ladies overall Net winner was Hamda Al Suwaidi with a score of 150, 6-over-par. Hamda was coming off a victory at last week’s Abu Dhabi Gary Player Invitational at Saadiyat Beach.

In the Junior Division, Rashid Al Emadi stole the show with a winning total of 169. Rashid also successfully defended his title after winning the Junior Division last year. This year he improved his score by 16 strokes and continues to get better with every event he plays in.

Winning the runner-up prize in the Junior Division was Obaid Al Heloo and taking home the best junior net prize was Rashid Al Qubaisi.

TRIUMPH FOR KAREN LISTER IN RAIMONDI’S CUP Karen Lister was in top form in the Raimondi’s Cup to finish the overall winner on 39 Stableford points. Dir Gantt came out on top out of the members with 37 points. Lisa Slane was second and Mark Thompson third. Matteo Roncaglia was the pick of the guests as her 35 points helped her seal the title, four points better than Tania Gelasini and with a six-point margin over Ezio Patrizi.

ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS P73 JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

THE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE DUBAI

DIVERS AND CHO TAKE ECCP MEDAL EVENT PRIZES THOMAS DEFENDS WITH PLAY-OFF WIN Rayhan Thomas successfully defending his BMW AGMC Amateur Open title after defeating Chris Rahm in a play-off on the 18th hole of the Earth Course at JGE. Both players returned scores of 142 after two days of play and it was Thomas who prevailed after Rahm found water off the tee and couldn’t catch the youngster.

Joshua Hill led the way after an opening round 69 but he fell back on the final day with a 75 and dropped into third place overall. In the net section, Gurbax Singh shot rounds of 69-74 to come out on top ahead of Marcus Wallman and Miki Mirak in second and third place respectively.

THE TRACK, MEYDAN GOLF

Scott Divers won the Men’s Gross Division in the ECCP Medal event at Montgomerie Dubai with 73 gross, beating Joon Eun, who shot 76 gross.

Young Cho once again took victory in the Ladies Gross Division with 83 gross, followed by Kerry Fitzpatrick in second with 86 gross.

Malcolm Gray won the Men’s A Division on a countback with a 71 net, beating Paul Pitman. In third place with a 72 net was Alan Salem.

The B Division was won by S.W. Park with a 71 net, followed by Billy Mitchell who missed out on a countback and Calvin Chung finished in third with a 73 net.

The Ladies Net Division was won by Handan Klue with a 70 net, followed by Carol Burns with a 71 net in second place.

THE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE DUBAI WELCOMES HEAD PRO MARTIN ROBINSON Heading up The Academy by Troon Golf, Martin Robinson joined The Address Montgomerie Dubai bringing with him a wealth of experience as a PGA professional. A teaching pro since 2004, he has gained international experience in various golf clubs in England, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB DELACOURTE AND TEYSSEDRE RULE CHAPMAN STROKE PLAY Alain Delacourte and Jean-Marie Teyssedre won the Chapman Stroke Play tournament with a 66 at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club. Taking second place on a countback were Serge Rahman and T.R. Vijayan, with third place going to Graham and Sheila Alban.

THE TRACK HEADS TO THE BEACH Guests could try golf for the first time at TryDubai - held at the infamous Barasti Beach Bar, under the supervision of Alex Nicholson (PGA Professional at the Meydan Academy by Troon). Guests took part in a putting competition where the challenge was to putt three in a row for a chance to win limited edition artwork from DollarSandArt. Even though there was no winner for three putts, all the participants received full swing coaching with Alex in the inflatable net.

Free lesson vouchers and Meydan Golf Gifts were handed out as well for people to give golf a ‘Try’ and return to Meydan Golf.

ITS NEARLY TIME FOR RIVOLI HOUR AT THE TRACK The Rivoli Hour, brought to you by the Rivoli Group and hosted by Meydan Golf will commence in March 2017. Head on down to the Driving Range and try your luck at this exciting new addition.

YAS LINKS ABU DHABI

THEOBOLD EDGES ETIHAD OPEN

Category A (handicaps 0-14) was decided on a countback in the Etihad Open at Yas Links after the top three golfers finished with a very respectable 32 points. Christian Theobold claimed first place with the best back nine score, Oliver Seldon came in second while Jonathon Selvaraj took third place. In Category B (handicaps 15 and above) Uwe Nienstedt was the overall winner with 34 points. Rick Lloyd secured second place on a countback after finishing tied with James Hickman on 32 points.

YAS LINKS’ LITTLE STAR MAYA SHINES AT THE HSBC FUTURE FALCONS Six-year-old Maya finished in second place at the HSBC Future Falcons Drive, Pitch, & Putt Competition in the girls under 8’s category at the HSBC Championships at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

GOLF DXB

DOHA GOLF CLUB

FUTURE IS ALL ABOUT FALCON Telling the Dubai Success Story on the World Stage

I

had a really interesting meeting last month with the team at Falcon Golf. If you’ve not heard about this company yet, you soon will.

Since Dubai’s first grass course opened at Emirates Golf Club, The Majlis, the emirate has been quite literally a hot spot for professional golfers and it’s no wonder why. We’ve got some expertly designed courses with postcard-worthy skyline views and a climate to match.

There are not many places where you can guarantee perfect golfing conditions throughout Autumn, Winter and well into Spring (with the exception of the recent weather last month). It’s no surprise that players of the calibre of Rory McIlroy call Dubai their ‘home-from-home.’

The future looks bright for the Dubai golf scene.

This is where Falcon Golf come in. Working on behalf of the Dubai leadership, they have been tasked with optimising the benefits brought to the emirate through the sport.

Falcon’s Golf’s mission is to use golf as a platform to tell Dubai’s success story on the world stage, as well as increase golf tourism and local participation.

They will also be taking control of two of the biggest tournaments that Dubai hosts: the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.

They’re serious about this mission and have recruited some of the best minds in golf including Peter Dawson, the former Chief Executive of The R&A and former Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, widely known as The

Home of Golf. Dawson was also key in fronting the campaign for the game’s re-introduction into the Olympic Games and still stands as President of the International e to lead the operation.

A part of Falcon Golf’s mission will also be to increase participation in the sport by focusing not only on tourism, but on grass roots golf and our local golfers.

We are so spoilt for choice here in Dubai that there really is no excuse for not getting involved in the game, even if it is just to visit some of the amazing courses that the region boasts. From children to seasoned handicappers, golf is about to become revitalised and I can’t wait to hear more about the plans that Falcon Golf has in store.

March Sports Festival

Getting more people into golf is what we’re all about at Golf DXB and we’ll be continuing this in our ethos for our venture Kids DXB. This franchise will be starting out in a mass participation Sports Festival that is completely free, which is taking place on the 17th March at Dubai College from 3.00pm.

Here we’ll be giving children the chance to not only get involved with golf but also many other sports in a fun and relaxed environment, which is sure to get more children out enjoying sport.

We really are on the verge of an extremely exciting time in golf in the UAE in general and in Dubai in particular which could see a much-needed boost to the country’s economy and firmly cement us on the map as one of the top places in the world to visit and to play golf. I can’t wait to be a part of it.

NAM THE MAN IN THE WET MUG JONGHYUN Nam had a round to remember in unusually wet weather during last month’s Megarme Mug as he scored 41 Stableford points to win by three from Jean Dominique Lucas in Division 3.

Play continued despite the storm midway through play and coming out on top in Division 1 was Shaun Swan with a countback win over Linus Byberg while the Ladies winner on the day was Tasnim Kazi with a haul of 35 points.

TIM MILLER ON TOP IN PRIMEPOWER TIM Miller shot a superb 65 to win the overall prize and Division 2 in last month’s Primepower Medal while a score of 75 saw Stephen Evans take the spoils in Division 3. There was a four-way tie at the top in Division 1 on net 74 and coming out on top after a countback was Shiv Kaura while in the Ladies Division Manon Marselis shot a 74 to win by one from Tasnim Kazi.

▶

AL AIN EQUESTRIAN, SHOOTING & GOLF CLUB

Winning team (left to right): Moon won Jo, Christos Nikopoulos (Greece PGA), Nikos Valsamidis and Sungjin Hwang.

AL MOUJ GOLF CLUB

WRIGLEY POWERS TO VICTORY IN MERCEDES-BENZ INTERNATIONAL PRO-AM

CAMPBELL ON FIRE ON HANDICAP DAY Patrick Campbell scored an incredible 73 Gross off a course handicap of 16 for 57 Net, to dominate the field on Handicap Day and cruise to a 12-shot victory in Division B as Nathan Robin’s Net 69 earned second place.

Ian Horbury and Mihail Bucataru fought it out for top spot in Division A. Horbury’s 67 Net was enough to clinch the victory by one shot over Mihail. Best Gross on the day was scored by Robert Horridge who finished with a 72.

In Division C, Gerry Madden came out on top with a Net 66. Gerry’s margin of victory was five shots over Karen Gladish.

The PGA of Great Britain & Ireland’s Alex Wrigley produced a dominant display on the final two days to win the 2017 Mercedes-Benz International Pro-Am. Having been runner-up in the event in both 2015 and 2016, Wrigley followed up his course record round of 63 (-7) in Round 3 with a 3-under par round of 67 to close the tournament in style on 14-under par (266).

Eventual runner-up Chris Gane started seven shots back, but made great strides for an excellent six-under round of 64, to leave him ten-under (270) for the tournament Ondrej Lieser of the PGA of Czech Republic took third place on 275 (-5).

The Team Pro-Am Competition was won by the team consisting of PGA of Greece Professional Christos Nikopoulos and amateurs Nikos Valsamidis, Sungjin Hwang and Moon won Jo, by nine points with a total of 268 points (-42).

YAQOOB WINS OHI OMAN AMATEUR OPEN Nasser Yaqoob won the OHI Oman Amateur Open at Al Mouj Golf after sealing a two-stroke win over fellow Bahrainis Sultan Al Hakam and Mohammad Diab.

Al Mouj member Lynn Casey came on top in the Oman Ladies Open with a score of 152. Rahira Ellison claimed second and Sanjoli Singh finished in third place.

The Oman Junior title went to Ali Saleem ahead of Eid Adel Meftah and Fahad Al Kitani while the Under 15s title went to Matthew O’Donoghue after he defeated fellow Al Mouj member Danny Whatmore on a countback.

ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS P75 SHARJAH GOLF AND SHOOTING CLUB

▶

SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB

MULVANEY WINS MONTHLY MEDAL IN SHARJAH

JEROME MARTIN SNATCHES INFINITY MONTHLY MEDAL BY SHOT Jerome Martin won the Infinity Monthly Medal at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club with a net 68. Ping Li finished second with a net 69 while David Mason claimed third with a net 73.

SG&SC member Ben Mulvaney was victorious over the day’s field in the Orient Travel, Malaysia Truly Asia Monthly Medal and the Malaysia Truly Asia Net and Gross Order of Merit supported by Emirates, with a net 68, four under par, at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club.

Coming closest to Mulvaney for the title was Y.D. Kim, who posted a net 70. Picking up third was Raj Ranavaya on one under par 71.

The morning prizes went to Max Hibbert and Nathan Fisher.

Ultimate Pairs Champions Abdul Moiz Khan and Shaheen Butt with Club Captain Vivian Verma

SAADIYAT GOURMET GOLF CHAMPIONS ENJOY THEIR STAY One hundred golfers from across the UAE descended onto Saadiyat Island for a unique Gourmet Golf Experience. It was the first time ever the event has been put on for public entry and it was a huge success! Congratulations to the Saadiyat Gourmet Golf Champions – Andy Rowan, Guy Simpson, Mike Fairburn and Tim Verangis, who scored a Net 53.7.

LARTER STARS AT SAADIYAT

STEADY golf from Abdul Moiz Khan (SG&SC) and Shaheen Butt (SGSC) proved too much for the rest of the field as they won the seventh edition of the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club’s Ultimate Pairs Championship.

Starting the second day three strokes behind leaders Roy Holmes and Roger Ledeboer, the duo moved through the leaderboard and took the spoils after posting the clubhouse target on 3-under-par.

Haneef Rabbani (DACGC) and Saeem Rehman (RGC), who began the day in second place, also fell back and had to settle for second place with Holmes and Ledeboer in third.

Al Hamra Golf Club member Eric Engelbrecht was crowned Open Golf Championship supported by SNTTA Travel, champion at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club after achieving an impressive 39 Stableford points in tricky weather conditions.

After a scorecard playoff the second place went to Emirates Golf Club member Sultan Mahmood who carded 37 points with five net birdies and two net eagles.

The club welcomed Graham Birnie from Abu Dhabi City Golf club whose score of 34 gross Stableford points was good enough to take home the Championship’s gross trophy. Rita Engelbrecht, of Al Hamra Golf Club, won best lady with 35 points and Shaheen Butt of Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club won the Super Senior (60 years +) prize.

MAX’S BIG FINISH BEATS WEATHER AT UNITECHNIK ON a day which stopped play at the Dubai Desert Classic the golfers at Sharjah Golf and Shooting club weren’t about to be deterred as Max Hibbert took the spoils in the Unitechnik Stableford. Hibbert and Namir Al Naimi both compiled 37 points on the day but it was Hibbert’s better finish that saw him triumph. However, Al Naimi didn’t go home empty handed as he won the Division 1 prize while Le Jan Leyble top scored in Division 2 with 35 points.

AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB

▶

Michelle Larter was victorious in the Stableford tournament at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. Ann Fraser was runner-up and Alan Betts came in third.

Francisco Giles won the Longest Drive while Rolf Becker claimed Nearest the Pin.

KHAN AND BUTT ARE THE ULTIMATE PAIR

ERIC FLIES TO VICTORY IN SENIOR OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

TIM BIRD’S TOMBSTONE TRIUMPH Tim Bird continued his rich vein of form by claiming his first Al Hamra major event of 2017, The Tombstone Classic after finishing 46 yards from the flag. John Wilby came in second with 92 inches while Tony Cashman was two inches shy with his last shot, finishing 92 yards and two inches from the flag.

▶

TOWER LINKS GOLF CLUB

ABU DHABI CITY GOLF CLUB

RAHM DEFENDS MEN’S OPEN TITLE REBELLO AND HURDON CROWNED CHIVAS CHAMPIONS 99 players competed in the Chivas Open as Sylvester Rebello and Carmen Hurdon were crowned champions. Rebello’s Net 66 and Hurdon’s 73 were the triumphant scores and Rob Smith’s Gross 71 was the best round of the day.

JEON RETURNS TO VICTORY Eui Yong Jeon marked his return to Al Hamra with a four-shot victory over Cavan Bickell in the February Monthly Medal after shooting a solid 79. The top Net Division prize was collected by Pierre Lefebvre who carded a 2-under 70 to finish six strokes clear of runner-up Tony Cashman.

Christopher Rahm defended his Men’s Open title at Tower Links in style with a two-round total of 142, two under par.

Max Burrow was the runner-up after winning on a countback as he was tied with Craig Vence with each of them scoring a total of 143.

Burrow posted the lowest score of the day, a gross 70 while Vence finished third with a 74 gross.

CONARES GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE

TEAMS SET FOR A KNOCK-OUT AFTER THE PLAY-OFF STAGE THE league stage of this season’s Conares Golf Society came to a close at the conclusion of the play-off fixtures and the top three teams from each league have now progressed to the knock-out stages.

Leading the way in the Conares League were the Indian Expats as they topped the pile with 28 points ahead of KEGS 1 by just 0.5 of a point. Taking third place and advancing to the knockout round were the South African Golf Society after they edged out GTI by the same margin to progress.

There was a tie at the top of the BMW League as ASEAN and White Rose CONARES LEAGUE

both compiled 24 points to lead the way while Sport 2 Business 1 also progress on 22 points, well clear of Gulf Rock who were eliminated.

The SNTTA League saw the most dominating performance across the competition as Naboobah SGB scored a mammoth 31.5 points to be clear winners by 10.5 points. The Happy Hookers and Sport 2 Business 2 both finished with 21 points to progress ahead of KEGS 2 who fell short.

The quarter final fixtures are set for Saturday 4th March with a 1.0pm shotgun.

LEAGUE POINTS

PLAYOFF 1

PLAYOFF 2

PLAYOFF 3

PLAYOFF 4

TOTAL POINTS

Indian Expats

19

3

2

0

4

28

KEGS 1

15

4

3

2.5

3

27.5

South African GS

13

1

4

2.5

3

20.5

GTI

12

1

0

4

2

19

WD

WD

WD

WD

WD

WD

Vikings

BMW LEAGUE

LEAGUE POINTS

PLAYOFF1

PLAYOFF2

PLAYOFF3

PLAYOFF4

TOTAL POINTS

ASEAN

10

4

2

4

4

24

White Rose GS

14

2

4

2

2

24

Sport 2 Business 1

16

0

0

3

3

22

8

3

3

0

0

14

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

PLAYOFF1

PLAYOFF2

PLAYOFF3

PLAYOFF4

Gulf Rock GODS

SNTTA LEAGUE

LEAGUE POINTS

TOTAL POINTS

Naboodah SGB

21

0

3

3.5

4

31.5

Happy Hookers

12

3

4

2

0

21

Sport 2 Business 2

15

2

2

0

2

21

9

4

0

3.5

3

19.5

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

KEGS 2 DKN Law

GOLF CLUB ST. LEON-ROT Two Championship layouts and some impressive practice facilities make this stunning German complex really worth a visit.

Worldwide GOLF 78

www.europeantourproperties.com

About European Tour Properties

Destinations LE GOLF NATIONAL FRANCE

GOLF CLUB ST.LEON-ROT GERMANY

MAXX ROYAL BELEK GOLF RESORT TURKEY

THE DUTCH THE NETHERLANDS

VERDURA RESORT SICILY

Courses

DIAMOND COUNTRY CLUB AUSTRIA

BLACK MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB & RESORT THAILAND

PGA CATALUNYA RESORT SPAIN

MOUNT JULIET ESTATE IRELAND

JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

ALBATROSS GOLF RESORT CZECH REPUBLIC

LIGHTHOUSE GOLF & SPA RESORT BULGARIA

BOM SUCESSO PORTUGAL

ESTONIAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB ESTONIA

TROIA RESORT PORTUGAL

KUNSÄNGEN GOLF CLUB SWEDEN

SAUJANA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB MALAYSIA LONDON GOLF CLUB UNITED KINGDOM TERRE BLANCHE HOTEL SPA GOLF RESORT***** FRANCE

CONSTANCE BELLE MARE PLAGE MAURITIUS MARCO SIMONE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB ITALY

LINNA GOLF FINLAND QUINTA DO LAGO PORTUGAL

Destination Under Development ROSSINGTON HALL UNITED KINGDOM

Worldwide GOLF 79

European Tour Properties is a network of world class golf venues, all of which have a close relationship with the European Tour, one of the game’s leading global sporting organisations.

Our internationally-recognised network currently spans Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia.

We are proud to present a collection of Member Venues that all boast the hallmark of tournament quality and which offer extensive off-course facilities guaranteed to provide a memorable golfing experience for members and visitors alike.

Many of them are close to famous cities and all offer a wealth of golf, leisure and accommodation choices. For those seeking the ultimate golfing lifestyle, a number of our Member Venues offer elegant and secluded real-estate opportunities.

OUR

MEMBER VENUES

DIAMOND COUNTRY CLUB VIENNA, AUSTRIA

THE DUTCH ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

LIGHTHOUSE GOLF & SPA RESORT CAPE KALIAKRA, BULGARIA

BLACK MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB & RESORT HUA HIN, THAILAND

LE GOLF NATIONAL PARIS, FRANCE

LONDON GOLF CLUB LONDON, ENGLAND

MOUNT JULIET ESTATE COUNTY KILKENNY, IRELAND

JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

GOLF CLUB ST. LEON-ROT HEIDELBERG, GERMANY

TERRE BLANCHE HOTEL SPA GOLF RESORT***** PROVENCE, FRANCE

LINNA GOLF HAMEENLINNA, FINLAND

SAUJANA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

MARCO SIMONE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB ROME, ITALY

MAXX ROYAL BELEK GOLF RESORT BELEK, TURKEY

CONSTANCE BELLE MARE PLAGE MAURITIUS

ESTONIAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB TALLINN, ESTONIA

QUINTA DO LAGO ALGARVE, PORTUGAL

PGA CATALUNYA RESORT GIRONA, SPAIN

VERDURA RESORT SICILY, ITALY

KUNGSÄNGEN GOLF CLUB STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

ALBATROSS GOLF RESORT PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

BOM SUCESSO ÓBIDOS, PORTUGAL

TROIA RESORT TRÓIA, PORTUGAL

E X P L O R E

M O R E

O F

O U R

MEMBER VENUES V I S I T W W W. E U RO P E A N TO U R P RO P E RT I E S. C O M

www.europeantourproperties.com

S

ITUATED near the scenic German town of Heidelberg, this stunning complex - which in 2015 hosted The Solheim Cup - opened more than 15 years ago and has since welcomed numerous professional events, national team events and national team training squads.

The club’s philosophy is based on fairness, innovation and reliability – and all that comes in bucket loads at St. Leon-Rot! Their number one priority is to make sure members and guests, young and old, pro or beginner, feel welcome and find an adequate challenge. And there is plenty on offer.

The club features two 18-hole Championship layouts, a nine-hole executive course, a children’s course, a professional driving range and sizeable training facilities, including the Allianz Golf Arena – an indoor short game centre of excellence offering 1,700 sqm of practice greens and aprons as well as two levels.

Solheim Cup and the 2002 Deutsche Bank event, also won by Tiger Woods, was designed by English architect Dave Thomas.

Links in style, its sandy soil, numerous water hazards, elaborately-shaped bunkers and an island fairway are the dominating elements of this course. Length and precision are key here to a successful round.

A welcoming and spacious clubhouse completes the picture at St. Leon-Rot, with two fine restaurants, an impressive golf shop, a members’ lounge and a modern fitness room, where trainers and physiotherapists cooperate closely with clients in order to

Beautiful setting The Rot course, designed by Hannes Schreiner and measuring 6,587 metres, is a parkland course in a beautiful natural setting with preserved meadow floodplain habitats. Host of the Deutsche Bank OpenTPC (European Tour) on three occasions, with Tiger Woods victorious on two of those, it is a successful combination of top-level golfing and relaxation in a fabulous natural environment.

The St. Leon course, stage for The 2015

For further information visit www.gc-slr.de/en/

Worldwide GOLF 81

achieve optimum training results. The club is also known for promoting young golf players, with President Dietmar Hopp, a co-founder of the software corporation SAP, being especially interested in the development of junior golf. For years, an exemplary and systematic youth development scheme has formed the basis of sporting success at the club, producing, amongst many successes, the German men’s team champions seven years in row and the women’s team boasting five German championships and five European Champion titles. The club is located approximately 90km south of Frankfurt. ■

GOURMET GOLF

Gourmet Golf

at its finest at

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB, DUBAI OPENED ITS DOORS LAST MONTH TO GREAT FANFARE. BUT IT’S NOT ONLY THE STUNNING GIL HANSE DESIGNED COURSE AND EYE CATCHING 30,000 SQUARE FOOT CLUBHOUSE WHICH IS CAUSING A STIR.

Trump International Golf Club, Dubai

F IF T H AV E N U E

Worldwide GOLF 82

THE DELI CI OUS CHOCOLATE BROWNI E AT THE TERRACE

E X E C U T IV E C H E F F E R N A N D O G ALBIATI

ubai’s latest golf club development also features a worldclass culinary offering, featuring four top notch restaurants, spearheaded by Italian Executive Chef Fernando Galbiati who is looking to ‘revolutionise golf club dining’.

“Diners can expect the highest quality of food, beverage and service, combined with a great atmosphere and welcoming staff where guests can relax, enjoy themselves within our elegant sanctuary in the city,” says Galbiati who describes his cooking as: “Simple, traditional and designed to meet the guests’ expectations, thanks to a strong knowledge of the basics that serves as a foundation for exceptional cooking. My style is a constant evolution of technique and passions, always referencing the past, while keeping an eye towards the future.”

The goal is for people to visit the club for its gourmet, as well as its golfing, delights. For those looking for something a little fancy for that special occasion, there’s Fifth Avenue, which is kitted out in glamourous ‘1920s Manhattan’ style décor and features a menu which celebrates the best cuisine of Galbiati’s homeland as well as carefully selected wine and cocktail list.

The Ninth Sports Café, as the name suggests, is more of a classic relaxed sports bar with wide-screen TVs to catch all the games and tournaments as well as a beautiful outside

terrace complete with Cabanas surrounded by water and fire pits, offering a perfect vantage point for the on-course action.

Upstairs, on the same floor as the spectacular infinity pool and golf-fitness focussed gym, is Assana - a shisha lounge offering traditional Arabic fare in a tapas style with stunning views.

But we had the pleasure of visiting The Terrace, which sits somewhere in between the opulent Fifth Avenue and the laid back Ninth Sports Café in terms atmosphere and cuisine. We can see this one becoming a regular for families, foodies and golfers alike. Open from breakfast until late evening, the menu has a blend of simple Italian favourites and classic American style dishes. Think stonebaked pizzas, delicious handmade pasta, sandwiches and burgers, steak and seafood.

We sampled one of chef Galbiati’s fabulous pasta dishes (when in Rome and all that) – the rigatoni duck in carbonara sauce as well as the capricciosa pizza – both of which were delicious.

Our arms were twisted into trying a desert and we plumped (pun intended) for the chocolate brownie with caramelised walnut and vanilla ice cream, created by talented pastry chef, Heston Pereira. All we can say is ‘wow’!

Trump International Golf Club, Dubai is a welcome addition to the region’s golf offering but it’s clear that there are some other mouthwatering reasons to pay this classy new development a visit.

Dining reservations dining@trumpgolfdubai.com

Worldwide GOLF 83

WANG JEUNGHUN

JEUNGHUN WANG – or simply ‘Wang’ as he is known on Tour – wrote a little bit of history earlier this year by becoming the third-youngest player to win three European Tour titles (behind Matteo Manassero (19) and Seve Ballesteros (20) and did so in the calmest of fashions, defeating Joakim Lagergren and Jaco Van Zyl in a play-off on the first extra hole at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. The 21-year-old is loving life week by week on Tour and Worldwide Golf sat down with the likeable, happy-go-lucky youngster at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic to ask him about his life so far.

Getting into the game: I followed my father. He is also a professional golfer. I started when I was 11 years old. I’d follow him to the driving range and to the course and just hit some balls and play.

Early days of golf in Korea: Yes it was big back then and right now it is massive. It has gotten a lot bigger in the last decade or so.

Golfing idol: Tiger Woods was my idol. My favourite thing about him is his fist-pump.

I love that. I played the Tiger Woods golf games on the computer when I was younger and I love them. Now, I don’t play the golf games as much, I play FIFA football and I’m always FC Barcelona. I don’t really like football though – only on the game (laughs).

What would you say to Tiger: Hello Tiger, I am Wang (laughs hysterically).

Making it on the European Tour: I finished second at the Indian Open and my money ranking was quite high. I tried to get some invites to tournaments and I got one to play in the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco and I won the event – and I’ve just kept on playing since!

On winning the Qatar Masters: It was really fantastic. My dream tournament is The Masters and I think my win in Qatar improves my ranking enough so I will, hopefully, play in my first Masters this year, so I am very happy and excited.

On playing in the Middle East: The weather is good – I like the courses too, and when I have some time off I like to go shopping to the Dubai Mall. I like to buy stuff (laughs some more).

On putting: Well, my putting used to be a weakness, but I changed my grip and I seem to hole the short putts more now and miss less.

Where will you be in five years? I hope I play on the US PGA Tour and in all the big tournaments – and win plenty of tournaments!

Worldwide GOLF 84