Worldwide Golf

MIDDLE EAST’S No.1 GOLF MAGAZINE

I s s u e 1 2 2 , J A N U A RY 2 0 1 1

Official Media Partner Middle East

MIDDLE EAST SWING

$10 million is on the line over four events. It’s the start the pros need to get their season off to a flyer.

ABU DHABI BAHRAIN QATAR DUBAI Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood head the star-studded field to get the Middle East Swing underway at the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah.

Emirates Airline announce their title sponsorship of The Invitational at Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, on January 17

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ISBN 978-9948-15-427-3

“GRASS ROOTS GOLF IS WHAT’S NEEDED”

ELS

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PLAYER

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NORMAN

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FISHER

9 789948 154273

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NEWS & VIEWS

Official Publication of The Emirates Golf Federation & The Arab Golf Federation

GARY PLAYER INTRODUCTION

The spectacular Saadiyat Beach golf course in Abu Dhabi – “one of our most outstanding achievements.”

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CLASSIC START TO 2011

HIS is the time of year I love most when I can spend some time at home with my family and our grandchildren. We’re heading for our place on the coast in a couple of days and I’m really looking forward to it.

In the New Year I’ll be on my travels again and I can’t wait to get back to Abu Dhabi for the second of our Saadiyat Beach Classics. It will be interesting to see how the golf course has matured over the past 12 months since our inaugural Classic.

Just like last year the event follows the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, the first event in The European Tour’s Middle East Swing, which is now four tournaments, with the addition of the Volvo Golf Champions in Bahrain.

It was a great thrill for me last year to show the course to our guests at the Classic. I’m very proud of the Saadiyat Beach course. We’ve designed more than 300 courses worldwide and I think Saadiyat Beach is one of our most outstanding achievements.

I’m proud that the course is beginning to gain more and more accolades and it has very quickly gained recognition as a premier course in the region.

As Abu Dhabi progresses towards being a world-class golf tourism destination I’m sure that Saadiyat Beach will become known as one of its vital attractions and a must-play course.

With our two-day Classic taking place on Monday,

“IT’S A GREAT WAY OF ABU DHABI GETTING THE EUROPEAN TOUR’S MIDDLE EAST SWING OFF TO A FLYING START.” GARY PLAYER January 24 and Tuesday, January 25, with an informal evening welcome reception on the final day of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on Sunday, January 23, it will comprise six consecutive days of golf in Abu Dhabi. There’s also The Invitational hosted

by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Yas Links on Monday, January 17 so it’s a great way of Abu Dhabi getting The European Tour’s Middle East Swing off to a flying start.

On the Monday morning at Saadiyat Beach I’ll be doing one of my golf clinics, which is a combination of my reminiscences from a lifetime’s experience in the game and a demonstration of how to hit certain shots. It’s always a lot of fun and it’s good to get some spectator participation as well, particularly with the juniors.

In the afternoon we’ll play the Pro-Am which comprises teams of four playing 18 holes of golf with the best two scores out of the four counting.

Each team will be made up of three amateurs and a

professional, or a celebrity. There will be many well known personalities from the world of entertainment and sport taking part.

In the evening there will be a charity auction and gala dinner. Last year we managed to raise AED1.2 million, benefiting four local charities together with The Player Foundation.

On the Tuesday I will host one of our ‘9 Holes with the Black Knight’ events, which is always great fun.

Last year’s Saadiyat Beach Classic was a memorable occasion that proved to be the perfect introduction to the course. This time, apart from underlining the position of Saadiyat Beach on the world golf map, we want to put the emphasis on raising funds for some very worthy charities.

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

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CONTENTS

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Regulars

Features

8 EMIRATES AIRLINE INVITATIONAL

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GARY PLAYER INTRODUCTION

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EGF RATES

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ERNIE ELS COLUMN

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ARABIAN GOLF

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QUICK 9: WITH ERNIE ELS

LOCKER ROOM

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108

CLUBHOUSE QUICKIES

GROOM ROOM

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111

ROSS FISHER COLUMN

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IN THE BAG: CLUB PRO

DRIVING RANGE: VOLVO

Official Media Partner Middle East

MIDDLE EAST’S No.1 GOLF MAGAZINE

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GREG NORMAN COLUMN

54

DIVOTS

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OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKING

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EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS

60

GARY PLAYER COLUMN

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WORLD ROUND-UPS WOMEN’S GOLF MIDDLE EAST

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ASSISTING AMELIA TUTORIAL

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CLAUDE HARMON III

ISSUE No. 122, JANUARY, 2011 Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd, 54 Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, England, SK9 1NY mike@wspglobal.com alex@wspglobal.com Tel: +44 01625 535081 Fax: +44 01625 537487 Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore Executive Editor: Gary Player

MIDDLE EAST SWING

$10 million is on the line over four events. It’s the start the pros need to get their season off to a flyer.

ABU DHABI BAHRAIN QATAR DUBAI Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood head the star-studded field to get the Middle East Swing underway at the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah.

64 71

14 MIDDLE EAST SWING PREVIEW: An in-depth preview of the four events on The European Tour’s Middle East Swing.

I s s u e 1 2 2 , J A N U A RY 2 0 1 1

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2011 PREVIEW: All the news on the most prestigious Pro-Am in the region – Emirates Airline Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, on Monday, January 17.

Emirates Airline announce their title sponsorship of The Invitational at Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, on January 17

PADRAIG HARRINGTON SWING TIPS DRIVING RANGE ARABIAN GOLF

ISBN 978-9948-15-427-3

“GRASS ROOTS GOLF IS WHAT’S NEEDED”

ELS

●

PLAYER

●

NORMAN

●

FISHER

9 789948 154273

●

NEWS & VIEWS

Official Publication of The Emirates Golf Federation & The Arab Golf Federation

FRONT COVER: Graeme McDowell

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

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

24 HAWKER BEECHCRAFT: A run-down of the bespoke services offered by the prestigious private jet company.

27 PER ERICSSON: An interview with the President of Volvo Event Management – golf, Per Ericcson talks to WWG about Volvo’s continued involvement in the sport.

30 PETER HARRADINE: Mike Gallemore catches up with the legendary golf course architect Peter Harradine in Dubai.

34 GENWORTH TOUR STATS: A behind the scenes look at the methods of gathering statistics on The European Tour.

49 EARTH & FIRE CHALLENGE: Review of two days of spectacular golf at Worldwide Golf’s Fire and Earth Challenge.

50 SCOTTISH GOLF TRAVEL: WWG marvels at what Scotland – The Home of Golf – has to offer the ardent golfer.

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BPA Worldwide Audited Average Monthly Qualified Circulation 14,636 (July-Dec 2009)

WWGCOLUMNIST

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

Happy 5-star end to the Old Year

Ernie Els proudly hoists the South African Open trophy after winning by one shot from compatriot Retief Goosen in Durban.

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ECEMBER was a very special month for golf in South Africa, with the 30th anniversary of the Nedbank Challenge and the 100th playing of the South African Open. I was happy to be a part of both weeks and obviously very proud to win my fifth national open. I only need to win it another eight times and I’ll catch Gary!

The Nedbank Golf Challenge has been a part of my golfing life for as long as I can remember. When I was growing up in South Africa the fact that these guys were playing for a million dollars first prize was pretty incredible, especially at a time when you had to really play well to earn that in an entire season!

Soon after I turned professional it

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was a thrill to be able to play in my first Nedbank Golf Challenge, which is almost 20 years ago now, and I’ve been fortunate enough to win it three times.

I have to say it’s a tournament that I always look forward to, so to be able to play in the 30th anniversary tournament last month was pretty special. They invited some of the senior players from years gone by, which was a great idea.

It gave the spectators an opportunity to see some of the game’s golden oldies in action, and these guys still have some game, which added a bit more magic to this already special event.

I enjoyed the week, but it was frustrating from the standpoint of my performance. It was kind of strange.

Every day I did something well –

whether it was driving the ball great, hitting my irons well or making some putts – but I just couldn’t get it all going on the same day. It was close, but close isn’t good enough, especially the way Lee Westwood is playing. He fully deserved that runaway eight-shot victory from Tim Clark and he fully deserves to be the No.1 golfer in the world right now.

I actually thought that might be my last tournament of 2010, but I had a change of heart and decided to play in the South African Open at the Durban Country Club, a course that has hosted our national championship more times than any other venue. It’s also where I won my third Open back in 1998.

As I said earlier it was also the 100th

Ernie Els tees off during the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City last month.

playing of our national open, so it was a special week for the players and the fans. I’m obviously glad that I did play – and won my fifth South African Open!

Of course, all wins are special, but this one meant more than most, as it’s our national open. And with Retief Goosen finishing runner-up, Louis Oosthuizen third and Charl Schwartzel just behind him, the top four placed golfers were all home players, which was great for South African golf.

So that’s it for another year. I guess in many ways you could say it’s been a year of two different halves. I came out of the blocks pretty fast and won twice in March during the Florida Swing on the PGA Tour, but after the US Open my game went off the boil and it was a struggle to get things back on track.

However, during the last five or six weeks of the season there have been signs that all the hard work I’ve put in was starting to pay off. The South African Open victory proved that, and I’ll take heart from my win in Durban as I go into my two-week winter break down at our house here in South Africa at Herold’s Bay. To be honest, it’s not as long a break as I feel like I wanted or indeed needed, but it is what it is. I’ll try as best I can to re-charge the batteries and get ready for Hawaii in the first week of January when I’ll play back-to-back tournaments, the Hyundai Tournament of Champions featuring all the winners from this year

PERSONALLY, I’m proud that the 2011 Glacier Junior Series, featuring 30 one-day regional junior tournaments all over South Africa, will tee off in January 2011 with a tournament in honour of my mother Hettie. Fittingly, it’s taking place at Kempton Park, where I played most of my junior golf.

My mother is an amazing person and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for her. Mothers are often the driving force behind the family and it’s great that the Glacier Junior Series is honouring her in this way.

I will lend my own further support to the series by sponsoring another tournament in the summer of 2011, this one bearing

Ernie Els at his home back in 1997 in South Africa with Hettie, his Mother and dog Hogan. my own name and held at Oubaai, my first ever golf course design project in South Africa.

It means that this year there are going to be even more quality tournaments for our juniors to play in. As

and the Sony Open. I like starting my season this way and I’ve enjoyed quite a lot of success there over the years, which has often kick-started a good run of play into spring and summer.

JUST before I sign off for the Old Year of 2010 I want to mention a couple of good news stories for South African golf. At the season-ending tournament in Dubai last month, Lee-Anne Pace secured the Order of Merit title on the Ladies European Tour, the first South

we all know, that’s how you improve, by playing well in a competitive environment.

It’s great to see that South African junior golf is in a healthy state. That’s where our future champions are made.

African ever to do this. The paths of the men’s and ladies tours rarely cross, but us men folk still know what’s going on in the ladies game. Lee-Anne has done a great job, winning five times in 2010, and she deserves her success. Everyone in South Africa will take pride in her achievements.

I’D LIKE to send all readers of Worldwide Golf my very best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Golfing Year! www.wwgolf.biz

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Field of 48 leading Amateurs primed for a shot at Grand Final glory

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YAS Links Golf Club will welcome 48 of the finest amateurs from across the region on January 12th as two Golden Tickets to The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah are up for grabs to the winning adult and junior at the UAE Grand Final. Although participation in The Invitational 2011 is by invitation only, these two spots have been reserved by the tournament committee.

Players of all standards have been battling it out throughout the 2010 Worldwide Golf Midweek Open Series Invitational Qualifiers to earn a place in the Grand Final. Now the stage is set for the two lucky winners to play alongside a European Tour star at The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah on Monday, January 17th.

In total 32 adults and 16 juniors qualified from the UAE Qualifiers for a chance to win a Golden Ticket at Kyle Phillips’ masterpiece Yas Links Golf Club in Abu Dhabi including Steve Gray, from the UK, who makes the trip after winning the UK Qualifier at Heythrop Park Golf Club, Oxfordshire in July.

Gavin and Weisser qualify at Yas Links SUPERB performances from John Gavin and Dan Weisser saw the pair lead the way as 15 lucky amateurs qualified for a chance to tee it up alongside Europe’s finest professionals at The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah.

The 15 players – made up of ten adults and five juniors – battled their way to the top of the Net leaderboard at Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, in the Official UAE Qualifying Event hosted in conjunction with Worldwide Golf.

Gavin and Weisser both finished with net 68s while the other adult qualifiers were Burhan Mohammed (69), Trevor Varri (70), Tina Hasper (71), Annie Browne (71), Sharon Hall (72), Richard Madden (72), Nicholas Hymas (75) and Stuart Cameron (75).

The top scoring juniors were Rayhan Thomas and Jordi Menkhorst who both shot net 67s to earn their place in the Grand Final alongside Harry Baldock (69), Dhruv Nair (69) and Aryaan Kumar (72).

On-the-spot Zenia Wivou seals Grand Final qualifier berth at Al Hamra ZENIA Wivou fired a hole-in-one on the par-3 fourth hole at Al Hamra Golf Club on her way to a gross 79 to seal her place in the Grand Final qualifier for The Invitational 2011 hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah.

Wivou was one of 12 players to earn a spot in the Grand Final after a superb day of golf at Al Hamra as Maajid Madni also qualified by taking the Net honours with a 72 and Dhruv Nair sealed the Junior Net title with a 67.

In the Adults division Madni won by two shots from J.W. Choi and Eric Engelbrecht who all earn an invite to the Grand Final qualifier while Steve Dunnage and Robert Craquelin round off the five adult qualifiers.

In the Juniors division Dhruv Nair pipped his brother Rishi to the title after a card countback while Aryan Chordia took third place with a 68. Joe Madin, Katy Rutherford and Mikhail Pinto also qualified for the Grand Final qualifier as a result of their performances.

Karyn McDonald, representing The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, is pictured with the winners and far right with hole-inone ace Zenia Wivou.

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ALL SET FOR A TILT AT INVITATIONAL GLORY: Pictured from left to right – John Gavin and Dan Weisser with three of the junior qualifiers.

QUICK

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WITH ERNIE ELS

A QUICK 9 HOLES WITH…

Ernie Els Q: What’s your favourite golf course?

A: Royal Melbourne, Australia

Q: What age were you when you broke par for the first time on an 18-hole course, what did you shoot and where?

A: I can’t remember the score or the location but I think I was about 13 at the time.

Q: Who would make up your fantasy fourball of golfers?

A: Gary Player, Sam Snead and Jack Nicklaus.

Q: Who would make up your fantasy fourball of non-golfers?

A: My dad Neels, my Grandfather (who introduced me to golf) and my brother, Dirk.

Q: If you weren’t a pro golfer what would you be?

A: I’d run tours through the Caribbean and own bars!

Q: What’s your favourite sporting event away from golf?

A: The final of the Rugby World Cup, especially when it’s South Africa vs England!

Q: What’s your favourite sports team?

A: I’m a sports nut, so lots of favourites: Manchester United, Gauteng Lions (Rugby) Springboks (SA National Rugby team), New York Yankees (Baseball), Dallas Cowboys (American Football).

Q: What’s your all-time favourite movie?

A: Wall Street (the original).

Q: Who or what would you purchase a ticket to watch?

A: Ron White (American stand-up comic.)

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Premier Partners

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Date: Monday, 7 January, 2011 Tournament: Emirates Airline Invitational hosted by Abduallah Al Naboodah Venue: Yas links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke share the trophy and the title after both shot course record-breaking rounds of 8-under 63 at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club to jointly win the individual Pro event at The 2010 Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah.

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HE Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah is flying high, having gradually gained momentum since it was launched five years ago. With Emirates Airline taking up the title sponsorship the Pro-Am has finally taken off as a World-class event.

This year the Emirates Airline Invitational, on Monday, January 17, at Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, becomes the curtain-raiser for the four-tournament European Tour Middle East Swing.

Abdullah Al Naboodah was delighted at Emirates’ support, saying: “Emirates Airline’s title sponsorship is great news for The Invitational.

“We have been successful in building a base of select international brands as Premier Partners and Partners over the past few years but to go into our fifth year with the addition of Emirates Airline as title sponsor is a huge step forward.

“The Emirates Airline Invitational will benefit the Pro-Am, and particularly the charities that we and the Professional Tour players support. It really does take the Pro-Am to a new level and establishes the event as a World-class golf tournament.”

‘Great Pride’ Khalid bel Jaflah, Emirates’ VP Commercial Operations, UAE: commented: “Emirates has a great affinity with golf and it is tremendous to be strengthening our commitment to the sport further by supporting a tournament which will feature players of the calibre of Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell.

“Although we are proud of our involvement in golf around the world, with prestigious properties such as The Ryder Cup, our sponsorship of local events – including the Dubai World Championship, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Omega Dubai Ladies’ Masters – is particularly special to us.

“It is with great pride that we are now the title sponsor of the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, and we look forward to helping the event grow from strength to strength.”

Emirates Airline Invitational flying high The inaugural Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah became a mustplay Pro-Am right from the outset at the Four Seasons Golf Club in 2007. The concept of a fun but competitive Pro-Am seemed to catch everyone’s imagination, played as a four-ball ‘best two from four.’

The Invitational returned to the Four Seasons in 2008 with Denmark’s Anders Hansen sharing the spoils in the individual Professional event with Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez.

Charities In 2009 Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club staged The Invitational. The field included the 2008 Order of Merit winner Robert Karlsson and Spain’s Alvaro Quiros who went on to win the Commercialbank Qatar Masters the following week. Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher won the individual Professional event with a 3-under 68..

At last year’s Invitational at Dubai Creek both Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke shot course record-breaking rounds of 8-under 63 to share the individual Professional event. Westwood and Abdullah won the Professional-Amateur team event section with a 9-under 62.

This year’s Invitational will see competitors playing for a prize fund

of $500,000 of which $150,000 will be donated to the personal charities of the top four Professionals. The growing prestige of The Invitational has brought overwhelming and increasing support from sponsors who appreciate the value of being involved with one of the world’s greatest Pro-Ams. At the recent MEBA Show, Sean McGeough, President of the Europe, Middle East and Africa region for Hawker Beechcraft, pledged their long-term support of the event, saying: “We are delighted to announce our continued support of The Invitational as a Premier Partner. “After participating in last year’s event we see why celebrities and business leaders from around the world are eager to play in this competitive golf tournament, which is played in a unique spirit of sportsmanship!"#$%#&'(&$"))*+',-./'0 and fun.”

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Partners

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2011 PROFESSIONAL ENTRIES GRAEME McDOWELL LEE WESTWOOD ROSS FISHER PETE HANSON RHYS DAVIES RICHARD GREEN FREDRIK ANDERSSONHED DANNY WILLETT SIMON KHAN STEPHEN GALLACHER GREGORY HAVRET MATTEO MANASSERO DAVID HORSEY SIMON DYSON THONGCHAI JAIDEE GARETH MAYBIN DAMIEN MCGRANE PETER LAWRIE BRETT RUMFORD RAPHAEL JACQUELIN JAMIE DONALDSON OLIVER WILSON HENRIK STENSON JOHN PARRY SOREN HANSEN CHRIS WOOD GREGORY BOURDY ROBERT ROCK THOMAS AIKEN JOHAN EDFORS SHANE LOWRY ROSS McGOWAN PAUL LAWRIE JAMES KINGSTON OLIVER FISHER RAFAEL ECHENIQUE GRAEME STORM DAVID LYNN MARK FOSTER STEVE WEBSTER DAVID HOWELL RICARDO GONZALEZ PAUL McGINLEY CHRISTIAN CEVAER TOMAS LEVET

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ROSS FISHER “The tournament just keeps going from strength to strength and the field just keeps getting stronger each year,”

GRAEME McDOWELL

“It’s an event all The European Tour players want to play and a tournament that every amateur would die for. Over the years The Invitational has grown in stature and in prestige. It’s competitive but it’s also a lot of fun and the atmosphere on the golf course is always tremendous.”

ABDULLAH AL NABOODAH “I first visited Yas Links just over a year ago and loved the place instantly. It’s something completely different and I know this Invitational will be something special – I can’t wait to tee off.”

ALL SMILES at The Invitational Gala Dinner last year as the guests enjoy the entertainment.

Fun for all – from start to finish

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HE Invitational 2011 boasts the two players in world golf who will be the centre of attraction in the forthcoming season.

World No.1 Lee Westwood, along with US Open Champion Graeme McDowell head a star-studded cast for the The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, on Monday, January 17.

With his $1.25 million prize money for winning the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa keeping him on top of the world and with McDowell sharing the European Tour Player of the Year award with Martin KaymerLee and Graeme are currently the two players everyone wants to see.

Having had the honour of sinking the putt that secured The Ryder Cup for Europe, McDowell also had the distinction of receiving the Golf Writers’ Player of the Year Award on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Irishman, who had been an Ambassador for the Al Naboodah Group for two years before becoming an Ambassador for The Invitational in November, has been a regular competitor in the event.

“The Invitational is one of the best ProAms in world golf,” he says. “It’s an event all The European Tour players want to play and a tournament that every amateur would die for.

“Over the years The Invitational has grown in stature and in prestige. It’s competitive but it’s also a lot of fun and the

atmosphere on the golf course is always tremendous.

“We’re all pleased to support Abdullah and his event. He’s done so much for golf in the region and he’s widely respected throughout the world of golf. The Invitational also raises a huge amount of much-needed money for local charities.”

Lee Westwood, who shared the individual Professional first prize with his best friend and ISM stablemate, Darren Clarke, and won the Professional-Amateur team event with Abdullah Al Naboodah, scoring 9-under 62, joked at last year’s prizegiving ceremony, “the secret to winning the team event was choosing the right partner – and Abdullah chose me.”

Ryder Cup Stars Westwood and McDowell will be joined by some of the biggest names in European golf, including current and former Ryder Cup stars Ross Fisher and Peter Hanson, Henrik Stenson, Paul McGinley, Soren Hanson, David Howell, Paul Lawrie, Thomas Levet and Ignacio Garrido; European Tour Rookie of the Year Matteo Manassero and the talented young Welshman Rhys Davies.

Ross Fisher, who is sponsored by the Al Naboodah Group and has played in the event for the last two years, is one of The Invitational’s greatest fans. “The tournament just keeps going from strength to strength and the field just keeps getting stronger each year,” he says.

“The day itself is just fantastic. There’s always a fabulous atmosphere out on

the golf course and there’s always a lot of banter flying around with the spectators.

It’s great fun but don’t be misled – all the players are competing as hard as they can and they all want to win.

“Abdullah and Tournament Director, James Bowring, do a wonderful job in organising the event everyone wants to play. To know that you’re part of The Invitational gives you a great feeling.”

Abdullah has not been able to play as much golf as he would have liked recently, due to business commitments but he’ll be just as competitive as the rest of the field at Yas Links on January 17.

“The secret of the success of The Invitational is the fun factor,” says Abdullah.

“It’s competitive but it’s played in a lighthearted spirit. We’re always careful to invite the Professionals who not only have great skills but who are also fun personalities.

“They’re highly competitive but that doesn’t prevent them from sharing a joke or two with their playing partners and swapping banter with the galleries.

“After two years at the Four Seasons and two years at the Dubai Creek I’m really looking forward to playing The Invitational at Yas Links. It’s the first genuine links course in the Middle East and it’s a really stunning golf course. I’m sure all the Pros and the amateurs will enjoy the experience.

“I first visited Yas Links just over a year ago and loved the place instantly. It’s something completely different and I know this Invitational will be something special – I can’t wait to tee off. ■ www.wwgolf.biz

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A B U D H A B I - B A H R A I N - Q ATA R

- DUBAI

SWING

2011 MIDDLE EAST

THE MIDDLE SWING HAS GROWN IN STATURE YEAR ON YEAR AND IS NOW AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT STRETCHES ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR SCHEDULE. A GOOD DISPLAY IN THE DESERT CAN SET PLAYERS UP FOR AN ASSAULT ON THE RACE TO DUBAI AND WITH THE ADDITION OF A FOURTH EVENT THIS YEAR IN THE SHAPE OF THE VOLVO GOLF CHAMPIONS THE PICKINGS HAVE NEVER BEEN RICHER.

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SWING

2011 MIDDLE EAST

Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Abu Dhabi Golf Club, January 20 - 23

Facts and Figures: Lowest 18 hole score 62 (-10), Henrik Stenson, 2006 Lowest 72 hole score 267 (-21), Paul Casey, 2009, Martin Kaymer, 2010 Wire-to-wire winners Martin Kaymer, 2008 Holes-in-one Darren Fichardt, Rnd 2, Hole 4, 2006 Alvaro Quiros, Rnd 3, Hole 12, 2009 Francesco Molinari, Rnd 2, Hole 4, 2010

THE Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship burst onto The European Tour circuit in 2006 and has quickly established itself as one of the top tournaments on the schedule.

The championship consistently attracts a world-class field of the game’s top international stars, including past winners Chris DiMarco, Paul Casey and Martin Kaymer while this year sees Masters champion Phil Mickelson make his debut in the event.

2010 RECAP: Martin Kaymer’s meteoric rise to European No.1 began with a victory in Abu Dhabi last year that was as solid as his swing. The young German had a one-stroke lead over Ian Poulter going into the final day and held off the Englishman’s valiant challenge to win by one after the pair traded blows down the stretch before ending up with matching 66s. Kaymer posted a 21-under-par total to take home the cheque for €250,000 while Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy finished third on 19-under-par.

The leaderboard was littered with stars from across the globe as American Anthony Kim and Colombia’s Camilo Villegas both carded top-20 finishes while Spain’s Sergio Garcia finished 13th and South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen was fifth.

All four of 2010’s Major champions will tee it up at Abu Dhabi Golf Club this year with Mickelson, Oosthuizen and Kaymer joined by Graeme McDowell as they look to bag the stunning Falcon trophy.

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Ones to Watch German MARTIN KAYMER begins 2011 as European No.1 after four wins last year including a Major triumph at the US PGA and his second career victory in Abu Dhabi.

The talented German will be one of the main draws when play gets underway.

LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN

Clocking in at 5’ 10” he’s no giant but you’d be surprised to know Louis Oosthuizen is one of the longest hitters on Tour – averaging close to 300 yards. His seven stroke victory at last year’s Open at St Andrews was breathtaking and if he gets in the zone again like he did at the Home of Golf he’ll be a match for anyone. Oosthuizen was runner-up in Abu Dhabi in 2009 and fifth last year.

MATTEO MANASSERO Record-breaking youngster Matteo Manassero had a season to savour last year by becoming the youngest ever winner in Europe and being named Rookie of the Year. The Italian will be making his first professional outing in Abu Dhabi after finishing 73rd as an amateur last year.

PAUL CASEY Before Martin Kaymer’s triumph last year Paul Casey was the only two-time winner in Abu Dhabi. The Englishman knows the Championship course as well as anybody and he’ll be tough to beat if his 300+ yard drives find the fairway.

PHIL MICKELSON Four-time Major champion Phil Mickelson is making his debut in the Gulf as he starts his 2011 campaign looking to overhaul Lee Westwood at the top of the World Ranking. His boom or bust approach off the tee and magical touch around the greens will delight onlookers – but not his rivals.

CARD OF THE COURSE Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 OUT

Par 4 5 4 3 4 4 3 5 4 36

Yards 405 600 439 174 469 469 200 597 456 3809

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 IN Total

5 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 5 36 72

582 417 186 414 490 177 475 483 557 3781 7590

NICOLAS COLSAERTS Admittedly a dark horse Belgian’s Nicolas Colsaerts hits it a mile and is just as solid from the fairway, making him perfect for the long Abu Dhabi layout. Colsaerts was the longest hitter on The European Tour last year, averaging 307 yards off the tee, and was fourth on the Greens in Regulation standings. His putter has a habit of letting him down but if it gets hot he’ll be one to keep an eye on.

No par-4 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club is under 400 yards

THE COURSE: The iconic Falcon clubhouse awaits players after they navigate the 7,590 yard Championship course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. One of the longest courses on The European Tour with large undulating greens and a healthy serving of bunkers, past winners Martin Kaymer and Paul Casey prove it’s a course that favours the big-hitters but inaugural winner Chris DiMarco bucks the trend.

The American had his wife Amy on the bag in 2006 and won by playing it steady – hitting fairways and greens to beat Henrik Stenson to the title. Knowing which part of the huge greens to land the ball can be the difference between a birdie putt and a challenging two-putt for par. www.wwgolf.biz

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SWING

2011 MIDDLE EAST

Volvo Golf Champions The Royal Golf Club Kingdom of Bahrain January 27 - 30

THE Volvo Golf Champions marks the beginning of a new era for The European Tour as Bahrain is welcomed as a destination to the all-important Middle East Swing.

A truly world-class field will gather for the inaugural Volvo Golf Champions this month as Bahrain hosts its first ever European Tour event, and as a form of celebration the 126 players teeing it up will be comprised of current and past champions – so expect to see a flurry of European Tour stars battle it out for honours.

From 2012, the Volvo Golf Champions will be the curtain-raiser on The European Tour season with a limited field exclusively made up of winners from the previous season.

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Ones to Watch Having designed the course, COLIN MONTGOMERIE has the upper hand over his fellow Pros when he tees it up. Free from the shackles of Ryder Cup Captaincy, Montgomerie will be looking to get 2011 off with a bang in Bahrain.

IAN POULTER

World No.11 Ian Poulter’s aggressive, bold approach to the game of golf makes him a hit with galleries across the globe.

Thankfully his penchant for stylish attire makes him easy to spot should he ever drive off-line and land into the deep stuff.

RICHARD GREEN Hot off the back of his win at the Portugal Masters in October last year, Richard Green will be hoping to kick on in Bahrain.

The left-hander averages 275 yards off the tee but what he lacks in length he more than makes up for with his iron play.

EDOARDO MOLINARI Edoardo Molinari impressed Colin Montgomerie with two wins in The Ryder Cup Captain’s homeland at Gleneagles and Loch Lomond last summer – now he has the opportunity to impress him again with a victory over one of the Scot’s own designs.

PETER HANSON Ice cool Swede Peter Hanson knew that if he won last year’s Czech Open he’d almost certainly qualify for The Ryder Cup. He duly won it, sinking a 20-foot birdie putt to win a play-off.

Fearless and confident, Hanson is a player who really came to the fore last year.

CARD OF THE COURSE Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 OUT

Par 4 3 5 4 4 4 3 4 5 36

Yards 424 213 578 487 408 402 174 461 541 3688

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 IN Total

4 4 3 5 5 4 3 4 4 36 72

323 353 146 587 586 474 229 429 429 3556 7244

SIMON DYSON The Gulf hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for Simon Dyson over the years with just three top-10 finishes in 25 appearances across Dubai, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. A new event in Bahrain might be just what the Yorkshireman needs for him to break his Middle East duck.

THE COURSE: The Montgomerie course was designed by 2010 Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie and opened in January 2009. The 7,243-yard par-72 layout will provide a stern test for Europe’s best as they chase the €217,000 first prize.

It’s the shortest of the four courses in the Middle East Swing so big hitters like Alvaro Quiros, Martin Kaymer and Paul Casey, who have done so well in the region in the past, might not necessarily be the obvious favourites.

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SWING

2011 MIDDLE EAST

Facts and Figures: Lowest 18 hole score 61 (-11), Adam Scott, 2008 Lowest 72 hole score 268 (-20), Paul Lawrie, 1999, Adam Scott, 2008 Wire-to-wire winners Henrik Stenson, 2006, Retief Goosen, 2007 Largest winning margin 7 shots – Paul Lawrie, 1999 Play-offs Darren Fichardt beat James Kingston, 2003

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Commercialbank Qatar Masters Doha Golf Club, Qatar February 03 - 06

THE Commercialbank Qatar Masters is the second oldest tournament on the Middle East Swing having been established as a Tour stop since 1998.

Scotsmen won the first two installments – Andrews Coltart and Paul Lawrie – and since then a whole host of different nationalities have triumphed in Doha.

Robert Karlsson last year became the third Swede to win after Joakim Heaggman and Henrik Stenson while South African Major winners Retief Goosen and Ernie Els have both lifted the famous Pearl trophy along with fellow countryman Darren Fichardt and Zimbabwean Tony Johnstone. Australian Adam Scott is the only two-time winner while Spain’s Alvaro Quiros produced a sublime display to win two years ago and Dutchman Rolf Muntz won in 2000.

2010 RECAP: After his 2009 season was beset by an eye injury, Robert Karlsson climbed back into the winner’s circle in spectacular fashion at last year’s Commercialbank Qatar Masters. The tall Swede produced a magnificent bogey-free 7-under-par 65 to storm up the leaderboard and win by three strokes from defending champion Alvaro Quiros.

Karlsson was two shots adrift heading into the final 18 holes but overhauled leader Bradley Dredge by the turn and then hammered home his advantage with glorious birdies on the two closing holes.

Ones to Watch Defending champion ROBERT KARLSSON heads into the new campaign fresh off the back of victory in the season-ending Dubai World Championship and he’s aiming on following in Adam Scott’s footsteps by becoming only the second two-time winner in Doha.

HENRIK STENSON

The 2006 winner Henrik Stenson suffered an illness towards the back end of last season and struggled to find his best form.

After a rest over the winter the Swedish Ryder Cup star will be raring to go and there’s no better place to recapture some form than in familiar surroundings.

ALVARO QUIROS It was hard to miss Alvaro Quiros when he won the Qatar Masters in 2009 with his bright red shirt and oversized straw hat. The Spaniard also has the game to match the flashy style and with drives of over 300 yards fizzing off the tee box he’s swiftly becoming a fan favourite across the globe.

SERGIO GARCIA Spaniard Sergio Garcia has an excellent record in Doha with back-to-back seventh place finishes in 2008 and 2009. Garcia, who is still only 30, will be raring to go after a healthy break for winter.

CHARL SCHWARTZEL Young South African Charl Schwartzel had his best season in Europe last year with two wins and six top 10s which helped him finish eighth on The Race to Dubai. He’s missed only one Qatar Masters in the past seven years and his best result is third in 2008.

CARD OF THE COURSE Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 OUT

Par 5 4 3 4 4 4 4 3 5 36

Yards 591 433 235 379 452 488 391 195 639 3803

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

5 4 4 3 4 4 4 3 5

548 474 429 203 410 470 307 155 589

IN Total

36 72

3585 7388

RETIEF GOOSEN The unflappable South African Retief Goosen has past experience of winning on the Montgomerie Course having won the Invitational Skins game held there in November 2008.

He won in Doha in 2007 and has a good record in the Gulf.

The four par 3s total a combined 788 yards

THE COURSE: Despite clocking in at close to 7,400 yards the Championship course at Doha Golf Club only plays long if the wind is gusting across the desert.

The exposed nature of the greens means they are cut slightly longer than normal so that balls don’t get blown away should the win increase, but if the wind is calm the course can be there for the taking. Designed by Peter Harradine and opened in 1996, Doha GC is popular with Tour pros. Huge natural boulders litter the back nine meaning a wayward drive could ricochet off in any direction. www.wwgolf.biz

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SWING

2011 MIDDLE EAST

Omega Dubai Desert Classic Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, UAE February 10 - 13

Facts and Figures: Lowest 18 hole score 61 (-11), Ernie Els, 1994 Lowest 72 hole score 266 (-22), Thomas Björn, 2001

Wire-to-wire winners Eamonn Darcy, 1990; Seve Ballesteros, 1992; Ernie Els, 1994; José Coceres, 2000; Rory McIlroy, 2009 Biggest final round comeback by a winner 4 shots, Tiger Woods, 2008

THE 2011 Omega Dubai Desert Classic marks the 22nd edition of the event which is the oldest in the region and was the trendsetter for the golf boom in the Gulf. The tournament began just over two decades ago with Englishman Mark James winning the inaugural event in 1989 at the Majlis – an oasis in the desert. Since then Dubai and its golfing community has grown at an astronomical rate and the winner’s roster reads like a Who’s Who of golf – such is the event’s stature on the global stage. Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazábal, Seve Ballesteros, Mark O’Meara and Rory McIlroy are just some of the big names who have lifted the stunning Arabian coffee pot trophy – enhancing the tournament’s reputation as one every player wants to win.

2010 RECAP: SPAINIARD Miguel Angel Jiménez followed in the footsteps of his legendary compatriots Seve Ballesteros and José Maria Olazábal by winning the Dubai Desert Classic last year after he defeated Lee Westwood in a play-off.

The veteran from Malaga was at his very best as he defeated his English Ryder Cup colleague at the third extra hole. The pair topped the leaderboard on 11-under-par after the final round and after Westwood missed two putts for the championship, Jiménez putted out from four feet to triumph in near darkness.

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Ones to Watch American superstar TIGER WOODS makes his return to the Majlis after missing the last two editions.

Although winless in 2010 he did show some late form, finishing second in the Chevron World Challenge. A return to competitive action in Dubai can’t come soon enough for Woods.

LEE WESTWOOD

World No.1 Lee Westwood came within a whisker of clinching victory at last year’s Desert Classic but was pipped in a playoff by Miguel Angel Jiménez. A winner of the Dubai World Championship in 2009, Westwood will be aiming to complete the Dubai double at Emirates Golf Club this year.

GRAEME MCDOWELL McDowell displayed nerves of steel at last year’s US Open at Pebble Beach, outlasting the field to take home his maiden Major title by one stroke from Gregory Havret. A gutsy performer who relishes the big stage, McDowell reached a career-high seventh on the World Ranking last month with a play-off win over Tiger Woods at the Chevron World Challenge.

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMÉNEZ Defending champion Miguel Angel Jiménez was a two-time runner-up in Dubai before he defeated Lee Westwood last year. A self-proclaimed “fine wine which gets better with age”, 11 of Jiménez’s 18 European Tour wins have come after turning 40 in 2004.

RORY MCILROY Not since Tiger Woods burst onto the scene in 1997 has anyone lit up the game like the young tussle-haired Ulsterman. McIlroy won his first professional title at the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic and last season won on the US PGA Tour before making his Ryder Cup debut.

CARD OF THE COURSE Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 OUT

Par 4 4 5 3 4 4 3 4 4 35

Yards 458 351 568 188 436 485 186 459 463 3594

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

5 3 4 5 4 3 4 4 5

549 169 467 550 434 190 425 359 564

IN Total

36 72

3781 7590

FRANCESCO MOLINARI Few European Tour pros can boast a swing as solid and dependable as Francesco Molinari. If his putting was as assured has his long game he’d have more than just two victories to his name, but despite the odd woe on the greens he still picked up one of the biggest titles on Tour last year with a win over World No.1 Lee Westwood at the WGC-HSBC Champions.

THE COURSE: Always regarded as a fair and challenging test by the Tour pros, the Majlis at Emirates Golf Club was built in 1988 and was a green oasis in the middle of the desert. Despite the huge influx of new golf courses in Dubai, the Karl Litten’s layout is still regarded as one of the finest in the region.

Water comes into play on 10 of the 18 holes and in the 18th Emirates GC has one of the most dramatic closing holes on The European Tour. With water guarding the front of the green and a bunker to catch anything going long, accuracy is at a premium.

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Hawker Beechcraft Spreads its Wings I

N a rapidly changing world where air travel is becoming increasingly time – consuming and aggravating, more and more companies are considering the benefits of using business jets.

Following the recent Middle East Business Aviation Show, the world’s most prestigious and popular private jet company, Hawker Beechcraft, is concentrating its bespoke service on the Middle East market.

With time and comfort a precious commodity in international business, many executives and global travellers can’t afford to lose vital minutes and hours in overcrowded airports, flying on conventional scheduled flights.

Hawker Beechcraft, which is a combination of two highly respected 80-year-old companies – Hawker in the UK and Beechcraft in the USA - have brought their expertise, reliability, versatility and performance, plus their vast array of bespoke aircraft to the Middle East in setting up a facility in Dubai to offer outstanding value and efficiency.

For further information contact: www.hawkerbeechcraft.com; +971 42 14 6615; +44 1244 523 803.

Hawker Beechcraft boast the most comprehensive variety of business aircraft available anywhere in the world. As a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for the corporate sector, governments and individuals worldwide – the current line-up is impressive, to say the least.

The Beechcraft King Air, has three options – the 350i, the B200GT, the C90GTx. It is the best-selling business aircraft of all time, setting the standard in cabin comfort, entertainment and flexibility while delivering unmatched fuel efficiency and the lowest operating cost per seat mile, making it one of the greenest aircraft available.

The Hawker 900 is the latest evolution in the best-selling midsize aircraft of alltime and the Hawker 400, the flagship of the Hawker line, is the most advanced and luxurious super-midsize business jet in the world.

With the recent significant investment in its customer support and parts infrastructure with Executjet Aviation Group in Dubai, Hawker Beechcraft is now positioned to offer a unique service in the Middle East.

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PER ERICSSON

For VOLVO

GOLF IS PAR FOR THE COURSE

Worldwide Golf Columnist Ross Fisher kisses the trophy following his victory at the 2009 Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesín in Spain.

HAVING INHERITED VOLVO’S LONGSTANDING GOLF PORTFOLIO, SWEDE PER ERICSSON, PRESIDENT OF ‘VOLVO EVENT MANAGEMENT – GOLF,’ IS STEADILY PUTTING HIS OWN STAMP ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR’S ONLY EVERPRESENT TITLE SPONSOR, STARTING THIS MONTH WITH THE BRAND-NEW, STAR-STUDDED VOLVO GOLF CHAMPIONS IN BAHRAIN, FOLLOWED BY THE WORLD FINAL OF THE VOLVO WORLD GOLF CHALLENGE, BOTH PLAYED OVER THE MONTGOMERIE COURSE AT THE KINGDOM’S ROYAL GOLF CLUB. MIKE WILSON MEETS THE MAN AND EXAMINES THE BUSINESS RATIONALE BEHIND GOLF’S LONGEST-SERVING SPONSOR.

P

ER ERICSSON took over the helm of Volvo’s golf ‘juggernaut’ that had no fewer than 110 title sponsorships on the clock since the Swedish brand started out in golf, back in 1988. His first event was the 21st and final Volvo Masters at Valderrama, his next, the 15th anniversary of the keynote Volvo China Open followed by the inaugural Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesín Golf Resort in Spain.

Some might regard that as a baptism of fire, perhaps even ‘mission impossible,’ but the 46year-old has taken it in his stride.

Having successfully navigated a transition that saw headquarters moved from Brussels back to Volvo’s home city of Gothenburg and wholesale changes in staff, structure and strategy, this month’s inaugural Volvo Golf Champions in Bahrain is the first Volvo-sponsored event he can truly call his own.

“It’s an exciting event and with our partners at IMG and the Bahrain Economic Development Board, we have been able to start with a blank canvas and create something that is tailormade for our needs,” says Ericsson. “We have had a resounding vote of confidence from The European Tour, the players, our internal Volvo stakeholders and the Kingdom of Bahrain,

especially the Bahrain Economic Development Board and the Royal Golf Club.”

The first of three new events on The 2011 European Tour schedule, the $2.2million Volvo Golf Champions has been positioned

by Ericsson as, “A celebration of golf and an event made primarily for television.” From next year onwards the tournament will kick-off The European Tour International Schedule, a fitting stage for the champions from the previous season as they attempt to be crowned ‘first among equals.’

Flying Start for The European Tour “A champions-all, season-opening format is something The European Tour has, until now, not enjoyed and because Volvo has never supported routine, run-of-the-mill tournaments, we saw the opportunity to create a truly special event to get The European Tour off to a flying start each year and we are delighted, with our partners, to have engineered this special event,” says Ericsson.

“Since I took over my new role in the summer of 2008, we have undertaken a significant review of our golf portfolio, even considering whether or not we should continue in the sector, asking whether we had reached the point of

diminishing returns,” he continues. “What we found, from all our research, was that golf still pays dividends for Volvo, gives us a return on investment, and our customers not only play golf but are passionate about the game.”

Since 1999, Volvo has been two autonomous companies, Volvo Cars, which was sold to Ford and Volvo Group, the heavy automotive side of Volvo, which includes Volvo Trucks, Volvo Buses and Volvo Construction Equipment.

Ericsson’s arrival was compounded by two significant issues. “First, we were faced with the worst economic downturn in more than a generation but it was my view, supported by our two key stakeholders, Volvo Cars and Volvo Group, that the worst thing to do in a recession was to stop marketing and curtail sponsorship,” says Ericsson. “I am delighted to say we followed that strategy because now the economic cycle is rising again. We remain in communication with our customers, partly through customer relationship management initiatives but also through global sponsorships such as golf and the Volvo Ocean Race.”

The second significant shift was the recently concluded negotiations involving the sale of Volvo Cars by Ford to Chinese automotive company Geely, which Per Ericsson sees as an 4 www.wwgolf.biz

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Bahrain's premier golf & leisure destination

Find us on

Volvo Golf Champions 27th – 30th January 2011 The Royal Golf Club is proud to welcome competitors to the inaugural Volvo Golf Champions.

Up to 126 of the world’s greatest current and past champion golfers will compete on our spectacular Colin Montgomerie-designed championship golf course in this unique event.

50 Tournaments, 29 Destinations, 1 Champion - 1 Choice.

The Royal Golf Club, Bahrain. .

The Royal Golf Club website is available to you 24/7 all year round. Keep up to date with everything going on at the Club, view our latest offers and news, reserve a table in any of our restaurants or book your next tee time.

www.theroyalgolfclub.com

PER ERICSSON opportunity rather than a threat. “It certainly caused us to mark time as we waited for the expected outcome, but now the deal has been done, and we have the ‘crown jewel,’ the Volvo China Open, the national open golf championship of China, we are well-placed to support the new management in gaining maximum benefit from China’s oldest and, in my opinion, most authentic golf championship,” says the man who in previous jobs had led the Gothenburg Exhibition and Convention Centre and Sweden’s most popular lottery.

“Moving to Gothenburg has allowed Volvo in Golf to re-engage with our internal stakeholders, business areas, market and employees, while maintaining our outward, customer-facing purpose,” says Ericsson.

“To have two independent and selfdetermining companies jointly market the shared brand is unique. It works well in terms of brand promotion and positioning, underscoring the three common brand values – Quality, Safety and Environmental Care, while markets and business areas are presented with a customer relations platform through Pro-Am golf events, client relationship building and quality time spent with quality customers.”

Finca Cortesín’s ‘Wow Factor’ Per Ericsson inherited the Volvo World Match Play Championship, the venerable but outmoded standard-bearer of match play golf since its inception in 1964. At a stroke, he boldly relocated it from Wentworth to the magnificent, world-class Finca Cortesín in Andalucía, Southern Spain, a golf course, boutique hotel and spa that delivered the ‘wow factor’ even to today’s multi-millionaire golf stars.

He turned the Championship on its head, moving from its traditional autumn date to a new and permanent springtime date in late May, justifying the root and branch changes as, “Bold but not change for the sake of change – instead for the good of this great championship, the players, the venue and, of course, for Volvo and its co-promoter IMG.” While the Volvo World Match Play Championship and the Volvo Golf Champions may be breaking new ground, the Volvo China Open strengthens its strategic importance for both Volvo and for Chinese golf with the Olympic Games in sight in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

‘Good News for Volvo’“ The forecasts for golf development in China are remarkable. Now that it’s an Olympic sport, participation and ease of access will grow exponentially and the China Golf Association is predicting as many as 20 million regular Chinese golfers by 2020, which has to be good news for Volvo,” says Ericsson.

While Volvo’s professional golf portfolio has grown to three annual events, a level not seen since the their hey-day in the mid-1990s, it is in Volvo’s amateur golf that Per Ericsson’s hand can be most clearly seen.

The Volvo Masters Amateur, previously the Volvo Klassik, with almost a million club golfers taking part in 25 countries since 1988, was

Y.E. Yang of South Korea poses with Per Ericsson President of Volvo Event Managment after winning the 2010 Volvo China Open.

running out of steam. So this, too, needed a dynamic makeover.

“I viewed our club golfer programme as the perfect foil for our professional golf portfolio, and indeed Volvo, uniquely among the big corporate golf brands, linked the amateur and professional campaigns by hosting the World Final of the Volvo Masters Amateur in conjunction with one of our flagship events,” explains Ericsson. “We undertook a worldwide review of our amateur golf activity, which reinforced our view that club golfers around the world are Volvo’s natural audience “The study revealed that, even at Volvo we were not maximising the opportunity to the full.

So we will be re-branding and re-launching our amateur golf as the Volvo World Golf Challenge in Bahrain, in conjunction with the Volvo Golf Champions.”

He concludes: “If our three professional golf championships are a global shop window, positioning the Volvo brand and its awardwinning range of products and services, then the Volvo World Golf Challenge is a worldwide trading floor, where dealers all over the world can capitalise on Volvo’s unparalleled reputation in golf and convert opportunities into sales.”

Volvo’s imaginative club golfer campaign bring pro and amateur together under what Ericsson calls, “A groundbreaking initiative.

“‘Playing with the Pros,’ where the world finalists in the Volvo World Golf Challenge take part in a team competition on the Saturday of the Volvo Golf Champions is indeed a compelling mix.”

Research reveals that women today are the primary decision makers in well over 50 per cent of all private car purchase decisions, while the largest market for both branches of Volvo is North America.

‘Building Female Participation’ Ericsson explains: “We are steadily building female participation in the Volvo World Golf Challenge, which is set to expand across America and beyond, but we are acutely aware of the gaps in our exposure and will be seeking to address both issues over time.”

The Latin ‘Volvo’ literally translated means, ‘I roll,’ and, with the brand’s golfing sails trimmed and a new course set by Per Ericsson and his new Gothenburg-based team, it looks as if Volvo and its golf portfolio is set to extend and enhance the business benefits it generates through golf as it rolls towards a quarter-of-a-century in the royal and ancient game. ■ www.volvogolfchampions.com www.volvoworldgolfchallenge.com www.volvocars.com www.volvo.com www.wwgolf.biz

29

h

dge er has the knowle lf course design go gion. n re ke e po th ts in ou d lf complished an wrong with go ac ’s st at mo wh d ’s an st t Ea gh what‘s ri The Middle pass judgement on and experience to

GOLF’S

GUNSLINGER

MY first epic encounter with Peter Harradine almost ended in tears. That was back in 2000 at the Abu Dhabi Seniors Tour Championship, played on one of Peter’s standout courses. Since then our exchanges have normally ended in tears of laughter and I’ve come to respect and admire one of the most accomplished golf course designers in the business.

He might be guilty of overstating his case occasionally but it’s difficult to disagree with his pronouncements on the state of the game. It’s always a pleasure swapping insults with one of the most engaging characters in the golf industry. Mike Gallemore

W

HEN Peter Harradine says that things are beginning to change for the better, you’ve got to sit up and take notice. As a third generation golf course designer with a lifetime’s experience in the business, he should know.

“We’re suddenly coming out of a two year drought,” says Peter. “We went from 47 signed golf course design projects to 14 but now it’s all happening again. We’re currently working on developments in Dubai, Oman, Switzerland, Sudan, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Poland, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Russia and the Ukraine.

“I think the recession caused people to panic and now they’re starting to come to terms with it and getting back to business.

It was difficult for our company and it came as quite a shock to have to lose good staff.

But now we’re looking to get people back again.”

I met Peter at Meydan Racecourse recently where he is redesigning the old Nad Al Sheba golf course into a ninehole layout which is due to open for play next year. As always, we got into a deep discussion about what was right and what

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THE O T P U F L EN GO SPORT ON THE P O D L U O H WE S UT THE F CADDIES P D N A S L SCHOO LUM. THE USE O ED, WHICH CURRICU UALLY DISAPPEARE INTO HAS VIRTRADITIONAL ROUT OF MY WAS A T E. MANY GOLFERS LAY GOLF THE GAM ION STARTED TO PADDIE. GENERATH WORKING AS A C THROUG was wrong with golf in the Middle East.

Peter describes himself as having been “born with a golf ball in my mouth,” which is pretty accurate.

He was born in Berne but grew up in Caslano in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, where his mother still lives in ‘Via Golf’ right on the golf course. He is the son of a highly respected course designer, Donald, whose step-father was also a golf course designer.

“The step-father was a club golf pro at Shooters Hill in London in the days when club pros did every job imaginable,” says Peter. “My step-grandfather and father

moved to Bad Ragaz in Switzerland where they re-modelled a nine-hole course. My father designed and built the 18 hole course in 1957 and five years ago I added an executive nine hole course. Three generations worked in Bad Ragaz over a period of 84 years!

“My dad’s company was basically a design and build outfit, which is nearly impossible nowadays due to modern-day diffidence, contractual procedures and overloaded paperwork. Peter, who speaks four languages fluently and a little Arabic, had his first set of golf clubs when he was six and although he later became a 4

HARRADINE FActs Peter speaks four languages fluently and isn’t scared of using them to make his point: English, French, Italian, and German, plus a little Arabic.

He’s great at getting his message across – but far from great at remembering people’s names!

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PETER HARRADINE

“FORTUNATELY, THEY GAVE ME A BLANK CANVAS TO WORK ON AND DESPITE THE MANY ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS WE WERE ABLE TO CREATE THE NOW FAMOUS FALCON CLUBHOUSE. THE FALCON DESIGN WAS BASICALLY MY IDEA AND ARCHITECT SAMIR DAOUD DID AN EXCELLENT JOB IN DESIGNING IT.” – PETER HARRADINE a great job for us,” he says. “We agreed the price five-handicapper he admits he wasn’t cut out and just got on with it.” to be a pro golfer. “I had no natural talent and Peter’s forthright opinions on ‘professional no real feeling for the ball – although I think it’s signatories’ are well documented. He the greatest game in the world,” says Peter, who understandably laments the practice of started working for his father on the contracting importing sand from the United States to a desert side during his school holidays. After primary country just to make the bunkers look nice. and secondary school in Switzerland he was sent “We’re still building the wrong sort of golf to continue his education in Leamington Spa courses,” he says, “and we’re still not doing enough in England and then went to the United States to improve the image of the game. to work with golf design We’ve got to build municipal companies. Peter worked courses and pay-and-play courses with his father on his first to make golf more affordable and design contract at Nîmes more accessible to more people. in France in 1968 and since “We don’t need more over-thethen has never looked back. top courses where one big name “I worked as a golf course designer tries to outdo another. construction contractor I know it’s all about money but in the beginning and that to create and run those kind of has helped me a lot in the courses costs big money – and design work, particularly that cost has to be passed on to with the specifications in PETER HARRADINE the golfer. It’s too expensive to play order to understand what golf in the UAE. It’s driving golfers away from the can and can’t be done and how to work to game when we should be trying to encourage budget and on time.” more people to play.

Of all the golf courses Peter has built, he “We should open it up to the schools and put regards Doha Golf Club and Abu Dhabi Golf Club the sport on the curriculum. The use of caddies as two of his best – and Abu Dhabi the toughest has virtually disappeared, which was a traditional challenge. “Technically, it was difficult because route into the game in my youth. it was a totally flat piece of land and the water “Golf doesn’t make enough of the fact that table was only two metres below the surface, playing a round with friends or family is the best and was five times more salty than the sea,” he quality time you can have. When I played golf says. “Fortunately, they gave me a blank canvas with my two sons it meant that we were in each to work on and despite the many administrative problems we were able to create the now famous other’s company for up to six hours, which was Falcon Clubhouse. The falcon design was basically great. We can have a laugh and chat about things in an atmosphere that no other sport gives you.” my idea and architect Samir Daoud did an I know that Peter Harradine has been trying to excellent job in designing it. create a public course in Dubai for many years – Peter also has a soft spot for his nine-hole without success. Maybe this will happen before design at Jebel Ali, which remains one of the too long. ■ most popular courses in the region. “Jebel Ali was

“WE CAN HAVE A LAUGH AND CHAT ABOUT THINGS IN AN ATMOSPHERE THAT NO OTHER SPORT GIVES YOU.”

Arguably the greatest 9-hole resort course in the Middle East. Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa has entertained many of the world’s leading players over the years, plus the regular weekend warrior and the holiday golfer.

Using the natural surroundings, Doha Golf Club has been the venue of the CommercialBank Qatar Masters for the past 12 years and became a favourite of the Tour pros that gives them the ultimate desert golf challenge.

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VITAL STATISTICS IT’S THE TYPE OF WORK THAT GOES ON QUIETLY, LARGELY UNNOTICED, BENEATH THE SURFACE OF THE GOLF CIRCUIT, BUT, AS MIKE WILSON EXPLAINS, THE EUROPEAN TOUR’S STATISTICS CENTRE, SUPPORTED

BY GENWORTH FINANCIAL, IS VITAL FOR PLAYERS AND COACHES ALIKE.

“IT GIVES YOU COMPLETE FEEDBACK ON HOW YOU ARE PLAYING, BOTH THE GOOD AND NOT SO GOOD. IF A PLAYER IS STRUGGLING A LITTLE BIT WITH THEIR GAME THEY CAN LOOK AT THEIR STATS FOR SOMETHING TO WORK ON AND 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 IT WILL BE CORRECT.” – PADRAIG HARRINGTON

34

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VITAL STATISTICS

T

HE old adage goes, ‘statistics can tell you anything you want them to,’ but to the top professionals on The European Tour, statistics truly are a vital part of their game.

“Statistics to a professional golfer are a bit like information contained on the chart at the foot of a patient’s hospital bed is to a surgeon; hard facts, vital signs, evidence of what’s right and what’s not,” says Denis Blasdale, an ex-pro golfer who is now one of the travelling team of statisticians who accompany the Tour to events around the world, gathering in those vital stats before the number-crunching commences.

“Some of the guys read their stats with the same enthusiasm as they read their bank statements, but in this case, the statistics really do not lie.”

Central to the harvesting of statistics are

European Tour caddies like Phil ‘Wobbly’ Morbey, on the bag for Worldwide Golf columnist and Genworth Financial Ambassador Ross Fisher.

“We have a lot to do out there, in between yardages and club selection, keeping Ross cool, calm and collected,” says Morbey, who replaced Adam Marrow as Fisher’s bagman mid-season and helped the Englishman to victory at the 3 Irish Open in their first outing together.

‘Statistics are Invaluable’ “But it’s no problem to mark the stats down on the card and hand them in to Denis and the stats team at the end of the round.

“Genworth’s statistics service is invaluable to Ross and most of the other players because it provides the most accurate and numerate assessment of their strengths and weaknesses.”

The Genworth Financial Statistics provide Tour members with invaluable analysis of their performance, with every shot played by every Tour member computed and profiled throughout the season, with the results collated into nine key categories: Stroke Average, Driving Accuracy, Driving Distance, Greens in Regulation, Putts per Round, One-Putts per Round, Sand Saves, Scrambles and Putts per Greens in Regulation.

Clearly, as the face of Genworth Financial’s European Tour statistics sponsorship, and a leading player in the

Genworth Foundation’s Putts4Charity campaign Fisher is a huge advocate of statistical analysis.

“Golf is not unlike any line of business, where management information and the analysis of it to improve performance is the cornerstone of success, and I routinely analyse my stats to identify the areas of my game that I need to work hardest on, and it definitely works,” says Fisher.

“I would definitely advocate amateurs who wish to get their handicap down to take note of and pay attention to their own statistics, as it will provide clear evidence of strengths and weaknesses for them and their teaching professional to work on.”

Lifetime Ambition Four-time European Tour winner Fisher last year fulfilled a lifetime ambition by making his debut for Europe in The Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales, scoring 2 points from 4 and forming a formidable partnership with Ireland’s three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington, who is also a big fan of the Genworth Statistics.

“It’s vital that every player looks at their stats!” says Harrington. “It gives you complete feedback on how you are playing, both the good and not so good. If a player is struggling a little bit with their game they can look at their stats for something to work on and 9 times out of 10 it will be correct.”

Another of Fisher’s Ryder Cup team-mate’s

ROSS FISHER WAS ONE OF SIX GOLFERS TO SHOOT 29 FOR 9 HOLES ON LAST YEAR’S EUROPEAN TOUR, THE LOWESTEVER BEING 27. HE WAS ALSO ONE OF FOUR PLAYERS TO HAVE SIGNED FOR THE LOWEST ROUND OF 61 ON THE CIRCUIT LAST SEASON. THE LOWEST-EVER IS 60.

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35

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

10

Fascinating Facts and Spellbinding Statistics

1

According to Francis Scheid, Ph.D., of Boston University, the statistical chances of a hole-in-one are 5,000 to 1 for a ‘low-handicapper and 12,000 to 1 for an ‘average player.’

2 “BUT OF COURSE, GOLF ON TV IS AS MUCH ABOUT THE QUALITATIVE AS THE QUANTITATIVE, SO WE TRY TO MIX IRREFUTABLE FACTS WITH THE GREAT BREADTH OF OPINION AND DEBATE, WHICH TOGETHER MAKE THIS SUCH A FASCINATING AND POPULAR GAME.” – DOUGIE DONNELLY Rory McIlroy, is another player who uses the stats to help determine practice schedules and identify what’s working and what isn’t.

“I obviously have a good idea of how I am doing but it is always interesting to find out how everyone else is playing as well,” says McIlroy who claimed his maiden US PGA Tour victory last year with a sensational final round 62 to clinch the Quail Hollow Championship.

“The stats are an integral part of our tournament preparation, helping us to visualise what is happening and how individual performances are shaping up.”

‘Teamwork and co-operation’ At the other end of the statistics spectrum from the caddies collecting raw data is European Tour statistician Steve Doughty, a man with a myriad of material at his disposal.

“Golf is clearly a numerate sport which lends itself to statistical analysis, and the Genworth Statistics are especially invaluable to the golf media, broadcasters and print journalists, so having them on-hand, on-line and free-ofcharge is a vital service we are able to provide,” says Doughty.

“It all comes together through a chain of great teamwork and co-operation, involving the players, the caddies and the Tour staff. Mind you, regardless of statistical evidence to hand, golf is also a game of great emotions and opinions too!”

Genworth Financial’s Senior Vice President Peter Barrett believes his company’s partnership with the Tour is the perfect match up. “The financial services sector is numbers and performance-based, too, so financial analysis followed by clearly-focused action is central

to what we do, which makes the European Tour statistics sponsorship such a good fit for us,” says Barrett. “For the professionals on The European Tour, statistics are the lifeblood of their performances in the short, medium and long term and at Genworth we are proud to support what is a quietly effective and much appreciated service.

“For amateur golfers like me, it doesn’t take much more time to mark-up your stats along with your score and it can be both great fun and a good discipline towards that all-important goal of shaving a few strokes off your handicap.”

The media also use Genworth Statistics with golf broadcasters finding them particularly useful.

Golf Channel commentator Dougie Donnelly says: “Genworth Statistics are a vital part of a golf commentator’s toolkit, and we all base our research on them, whilst the onscreen statistics help the viewer to put how a golfer is playing into context.

Good enough for the amateur “But golf on TV is as much about the qualitative as the quantitative, so we try to mix irrefutable facts with the great breadth of opinion and debate, which together make this such a fascinating and popular game.”

So, if statistical analysis is good enough for the leading Tour pros it must be good enough for the humble amateur.

So next time you mark down those birdies, pars and bogeys, why not take note of the facts behind the numbers? It’s unlikely to turn you into a Tour pro, but it could slice some strokes off your handicap. ■

Genworth Financial is the Official Sponsor of the European Tour Statistics www.genworth.co.uk / www.europeantour.com

Dr Scheid calculates that if a ‘lowhandicapper’ plays 1,000 rounds of golf in his/her life, they have a 2,0% chance of recording an ace. If they play 5,000 rounds, the odds are even at 1-1.

3

The statistical chances of the same player scoring two holes-in-one during the same round of golf are an improbable 67million to 1, whilst the chances of two players in the same fourball holing an ace at the same hole are estimated at 17million to 1.

4

Genworth Financial Ambassador Ross Fisher was 18th in the ‘Sand saves’ category for 2010 with 61.2% , he averaged 29.8 putts per round and had a stroke average of 70.86.

5

Fisher’s driving is actually getting shorter, but he’s holing considerably more putts. In 2006, he was driving the ball 300.6-yards compared to 291.03 last term, but his average putts-per-round has improved from 30.29 in 2006 to 29.8 last season.

6

Ross Fisher was one of six golfers to shoot 29 for nine holes on last year’s European Tour, the lowest-ever being 27.

He was also one of four players to have signed for the lowest round of 61 on the circuit last season. The lowest-ever is 60.

7

The highest-ever recorded score on a single hole is 20, carded by Philippe Porquier at the 1978 French Open at La Baule Golf Club.

8

The lowest-ever winning score on The European Tour is 29-under-par 259 by Ernie Els when winning the 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic at Lake Karrinyup GC in Australia.

9

Els is one of four golfers to have fired 12 birdies in a single round – at the 1994 Dubai Desert Classic.

10

The longest hitter on The European Tour is Spaniard Alvaro Quiros, who drove his tee shot 314.47yards. The ball stayed in the air for 7.5 seconds, carrying 305-yards, reaching a height of 112ft and a maximum speed of 185mph.

www.wwgolf.biz

37

YAK-DA-MAN TIGER WOODS, in need of a well-earned rest, flew off to Nepal. But like any golfer on holiday, he had, of course, to try the local links – a mountainous course situated high in the Himalayas. The club was delighted to welcome him but were devastated that they couldn’t provide him with a caddie as the sherpas who usually attended were on an Everest expedition.

However, they assured him they could provide a yak, which would serve very well instead.

“Sahib Woods,” assured the secretary, “this animal is of inestimable value but you have to watch out for him as he does like to sit on golf balls. It is, however, no problem as you have merely to reach under him and remove the ball.

The yak will then continue on with the caddying.”

Forewarned and only slightly perturbed, Tiger set out.

Over the first eight holes he had to remove the ball from beneath the sitting yak twice. Then on the ninth hole he had to drive the ball blind over a rocky outcrop.

The yak took off after it and Tiger followed the yak. He caught up with it beyond the rocks. It was sitting in a water hazard - right up to its neck. Tiger stripped off and dived in the icy water to rescue his ball. He groped around under the yak but could not feel it at all. He surfaced, took another deep breath and tried again. Still nothing. Almost frozen stiff, he tried again but with the same result. Finally, he gave up and frozen to the bone made his way back to the clubhouse.

“Hey fella, what’s going on?” asked the club secretary. Woods explained how he had dived three times for his ball but that the yak refused to move. He told the man that despite all his efforts he couldn’t find his ball and that he almost froze to death in the process.

“And,” he went on,” that stupid yak is still sitting out there in the water hazard!”

The secretary replied apologetically: “Oh, a thousand apologies. I forgot to tell you – the yak also likes to sit on fish.”

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PLAYER QUOTES JOKES WORD OF THE MONTH CARTOONS

69?

..and hoping to do better What’s your golf score?” the country club interviewer asked the prospective new member.

“Well, not so good,” replied the golfer. “It’s 69.”

“Hey, that’s not bad. In fact, it’s very good.”

“Glad you think so. I’m hoping to do even better on the next hole,” the golfer confided.

DID YOU

KNOW

Would it be cheating?

Two golfers, after slicing their drives into the rough, went in search of their balls. They searched for a long time without success while a dear old lady watched them from afar with a kind and sympathetic expression.

At last, after the search had proceeded for half an hour and the golfers had decided to give up, she approached them and said sweetly: “I hope I’m not interrupting, gentlemen,” she said, “but would it be cheating if I told you where they are?’”

Identical twins John and Desmond Rosser scored holes-in-ones in consecutive rounds while playing at New Zealand ’s Auckland Golf Club in 1975.

WORD OF THE MONTH GOAT FARM: A poorly maintained golf course is sometimes referred to as a Goat Farm!

Lee Trevino’s ex caddie advises..

MULHOLLAND believed himself a superior caddie.

He certainly had a superior attitude towards the man whose clubs he carried. Why only last month he had caddied for Lee Trevino, and now each time his client asked for a 5-wood, the boy would sneer, “Lee Trevino used a 4-iron from here.” And so it continued all the way round the course. The caddie recommended the clubs Trevino would have used and the golfer’s game went rapidly from bad to worse.

Finally, at the 18th, there was a huge lake to carry.

“OK, Mr. know-all,” said the golfer, “what would Trevino have hit here here?”

“I think if Lee had come this far with you, he’d say, `Use an old ball.”’

‘Playing golf is like eating.

It’s something which has to come naturally.’– Sam Snead

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39

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WWGCOLUMNIST

THE BATTERIES ARE RECHARGED

I

’VE really enjoyed having some down time at home after a long, hard but very enjoyable season.

We play all over the world now in Asia, Africa, America and Europe so the season is really long, which makes the short amount of time we get off at this time of year all the more precious.

Christmas time was lovely. We went out for Christmas dinner with the whole family, which was great because it meant no-one had to cook and everyone could relax and enjoy the day.

It was good to catch up with family and friends and not think about golf for a while. I played my last event in South Africa at the Nedbank Golf Challenge and then a week or so later played a BMW golf day and that was the end of the season for me.

I packed the clubs away and haven’t thought about golf again until now. It was nice to just switch off for a while and fully recharge the batteries ready for another long season. I think our daughter, Eve, enjoyed Christmas day but she’s still very young so wasn’t really aware of what was happening – I’m sure she’d have been just as happy playing with the wrapping paper as with any of the toys she got!

Back to Business I was asked to go on BBC television’s ‘A Question of Sport’ over the Christmas break which was a bit of fun. It’s a sports quiz show that airs in the UK. I did all right but unfortunately our team lost by a point! I was on former rugby player Matt Dawson’s team along with cricketer Steve Harmison and we were up against cricketer Phil Tufnell’s team of footballer Matt Holland and Patrick Keilty, the Irish comedian so it was a good laugh.

But now it’s back to business and time to get my golf head on again.

I need to finalise my schedule after speaking with my wife and Connor, my manager, but I’ve got a reasonable idea of what I want to do. I’ll be playing in both Europe and the US again but I want to make sure that it’s not as ‘here there and everywhere’ as it was

HAPPY FAMILY: Ross Fisher and wife, Jo having fun with their one-yearold daughter, Eve, back home in Surrey after Ross’s “long, hard, but very enjoyable season.”

Ross is looking forward to getting his new season off to a flying start at The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Yas Links on Monday, January 17, the week of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

last season. It would be nice to get into more of a routine this year. I’ll be playing three of the four Middle East Swing events – Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai and, as always, I’m really looking forward to playing in the Middle East. I’m quite a big hitter so the long courses suit my game and it would be great to get my season underway with a win as they’re all big tournaments.

As I mentioned in my last column, I’m also really looking forward to playing my sponsor Abdullah Al Naboodah’s event, The Invitational, on Monday, January 17th - the week of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

It’s going to be played at Yas Links Golf Club which is perfect because it’s also in Abu Dhabi, so we won’t have to travel too far!

I love playing in The Invitational.

The Al Naboodah Group are a major sponsor of mine so it’s nice to be able to give something back by playing the event to show that I appreciate everything that Abdullah does for me and for golf. It’s good fun as well and Tournament Director, James Bowring,

and Abdullah run a really good tournament. I don’t know much about Yas Links, except that I’ve heard it’s an outstanding Kyle Phillips-designed links course, so it’s going to be exciting playing it for the first time.

Recapture the Memories I was really pleased to hear that the Irish Open will be hosted at Killarney again this year. It’s a great venue and it’ll be nice to go back there and hopefully recapture the fond memories I have from winning there last year. I’m really looking forward to successfully defending my title.

My aims for the season are simply to keep improving. I’m not going to be doing anything drastic, just work on the same things. I’ll try to be sharper and more consistent than I was in 2010 – I wasn’t as consistent as 2009 so that’s something I want to improve on.

Once I start playing again I’ll look at where my game is and what I need to do to make sure I’m up there challenging for tournaments and hopefully having a great 2011. ■

IN THE KNOW WITH ROSS FISHER ROSS FISHER HAS WON FOUR EUROPEAN TOUR TITLES. HE IS CURRENTLY 33rd ON THE OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKING GOING INTO THE NEW 2011 SEASON.

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41

VOLVO

V60

COUPE RATHER THAN ESTATE CAR FROM the design viewpoint the focus was on making the car as close to a coupe as possible, while retaining that handy extra space at the rear. The sports wagon does not aim to compete with the traditional estate car. For the customer who wants a lot of load space, there is the Volvo V70 or the Volvo XC70.

The pronounced wedge shape and the slim coupe-like roof line of the new V60 are accompanied by the shoulder profile along the car’s sides, creating a gentle yet powerful double wave from the headlamps at the front to the tail lamps at the rear.

The dip in the middle of the double wave visually pushes the car down. This enhances the stance and makes the car look sleeker and lower. The sculpted bonnet and the short overhangs front and rear also emphasise the sports car feel.

42

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DRIVING RANGE

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43

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RACING INFLUENCE GIVES SPORTY FEEL

NEW INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM THE V60 has an all-new infotainment system where information from the audio unit, navigation system, mobile phone and other functions is presented on a five-inch or seveninch colour screen in the upper part of the

centre console. The screen is installed in a high position to make it easy for the driver to keep his or her eyes on the road.

The driver has access to all infotainment functions via controls in the steering wheel.

DRIVELINE THE T6 petrol engine has a displacement of 3.0 litres and has been improved still further, primarily thanks to lower internal friction. It now pumps out 304 hp and no less than 440 Nm of torque. At the same time, Volvo Cars’ engine specialists have succeeded in cutting fuel consumption by about 10 per cent to 10.2 l/100 km (EU Combined).

The engine’s power is delivered to the wheels via Volvo’s second-generation six-speed automatic Geartronic transmission.

● Volvo’s designers obtained their inspiration from the racing track as they pursued the uncompromising sportiness inside the all-new S60. The graphic character of the racing track is clearly apparent in the instrument panel and in the doors. Every detail looks like it’s in motion. The instruments and centre stack are angled towards the driver to create a sensation of focus and control. The new dynamic three-spoke steering wheel and new sports seats with extra side supports are standard. ● Scandinavian design’s rationality, simplicity, clarity and functionality are all prominent in the new V60: ● The 40/20/40-split rear seat and the fold-flat front passenger seat make it possible to combine passengers and load in a remarkably flexible way. Each backrest in the threepiece rear seat is folded with exceptional ease to create an entirely flat load floor. The rear seat headrests can be folded electrically. ● The load area has been designed for maximum utilisation of each available millimetre. The 1095 millimetre wide tailgate in combination with extra space behind the wheel housings and under the load floor is an example of the systematic approach adopted to ensure generous load capacity.

The rear seat can be specified with integrated child booster cushions in the two outer seats.

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45

WWGCOLUMNIST

The Shark Shootout celebrates another milestone

O

NE of my most enjoyable and rewarding few days of the year is always our The Shark Shootout at the Ritz-Carlton Tiburon Golf Resort in Naples, Florida.

Over the years it’s become a combination of a fun yet competitive golf tournament, a reunion of old friends, a meeting of minds from the corporate world and a friendly, relaxed gathering that has grown into one of golf’s great occasions.

More importantly, this annual PGA Tour-sanctioned event, which celebrated its tenth anniversary of being hosted by the Ritz-Carlton Tiburon Golf Resort, raises funds and awareness for CureSearch, The National Childhood Cancer Foundation, and other local children’s charities. In the tournament’s 22-year history we have raised more than $15 million.

It’s a remarkable aspect of the game of golf that Tour players, amateurs and sponsors are always willing to take time away from their busy schedules and contribute so many dollars to such worthwhile causes.

Strongest International Field This was the final year of Merrill Lynch being our title sponsor of The Shark Shootout, and I am very proud that we had one of the strongest international fields ever. Merrill Lynch, a Bank of America Corporation, have been a huge support to us over the years and a very generous sponsor.

We’re hoping that the prestige of the event will encourage new sponsors to keep The Shootout going in 2011 and continue to raise vital, much-needed funds for children’s cancer.

Apart from The Shark Shootout itself, The Ritz-Carlton Tiburon Golf Resort also means a lot to me. It’s not too dissimilar to Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, which hosted the Dubai World Championship this past November.

Just like the Earth and Fire courses at JGE, I designed two golf courses at The Ritz-Carlton Tiburon Golf Resort, The 46

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WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING Irishmen Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke share a joke at The Shark Shoothout at the Ritz-Carlton Tiburon Golf Resort, Naples, Florida, en route to taking second place.

Greg Norman presents the trophy to America’s Dustin Johnson and England’s Ian Poulter who combined brilliantly to score an emphatic victory at The Shark Shootout.

Black and The Gold, out of 800 acres of pristine natural Florida real estate.

Just like Dubai, in addition to creating two 18-hole golf courses we were also closely involved in developing the real estate property at the resort community.

It was a fitting result to The Shark Shootout that two outstanding Ryder Cup personalities, an Englishman and an American, combined to win the event.

Dustin Johnson and Ian Poulter shot a 13-under 59 in the scramble format to beat Ireland’s Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell. Johnson and Poulter had birdies on the first four holes, cruising to victory at 30-under 186, always keeping the Irish duo at bay, at least two shots away.

Clarke and McDowell finished in second place while the American pair of Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly shared third place with Chris DiMarco and Anthony Kim on 26-under.

The Shark Shootout is regarded as the best Pro-Am on the PGA Tour, where the amateurs play with a different pro on each day of a two-day Pro-Am, which helps them overcome their opening round nerves.

There was a great atmosphere throughout the tournament and a wonderful community spirit. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved with The Shark

Shootout and I’m hoping we can continue to run the event for many years to come.

■ CONGRATULATIONS to Worldwide Golf for the great success of their twoday amateur tournament at Jumeirah Golf Estates, played on the Fire course on Friday, December 10, and the Earth course on Saturday, December 11. I’m honoured that the tournament was almost double over-subscribed with a maximum field of 100 golfers playing the two days. I think golfers will enjoy playing both courses, which have their own individual challenges.

■ I’D ALSO like to congratulate Belen Mozo (pictured above at Mission Hills) who played so well at the Star

Trophy in China for qualifying in eighth place at Q-School for the LPGA Tour in 2011. She was a semi-finalist at the 2008 Women’s Amateur and helped Spain to second place in both the Women’s World Amateur Team Championships and at the European Women’s Team Championship. She won the British Amateur and was a semi-finalist in the 2008 Women’s Amateur in the United States.

Belen is not only an outstanding golfer but she’s also a fabulous personality. She’ll go a long way in the game and I’m pleased that she will be the first woman golfer to wear our Greg Norman Collection apparel.

I’m hoping to find Belen sponsors’ invitations to play some women’s Tour events in Australia.

UPDATE ON THE WAVE OMAN TO update you on The Wave, Oman, I’m pleased to say that grassing is now complete on holes 3, 10, 14, 15 and 16, the native landscape planting is underway and work has also started on the Academy superstructure.

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

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

Douglas McClennan masters Worldwide Golf’s Jumeirah Golf Estates Fire and Earth Challenge

A

FTER two days of play over two immaculate Greg Norman-designed courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Douglas McClennan took the honours in our Worldwide Golf Fire and Earth Challenge thanks to an imperious weekend of golf.

McClennan collected 34 points over the Fire course before tackling the Earth course and walking off with 35 points to take the overall winner’s title with an impressive haul of 69 points.

Just two weeks after the finest professionals from across the globe battled it out in the Dubai World Championship, keen amateurs from around the UAE turned out in force to Jumeriah Golf Estates in their own quest for glory.

The greens were lightning quick – something the finest European Tour professionals are accustomed to – and the tee boxes and bunkers were in pristine condition and McClennan can take a lot of pride from his performance over the two days.

In the sub divisions, Peter Bowland took the title in Division ‘A’ after defeating Michael Harradine on a card countback. The pair both finished with 66 points in the

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bag but it was Bowland who prevailed after scoring 36 points around the testing Earth course on day 2, compared to Harradine’s 32.

Division ‘B’ was topped by Ralf Stahl after his 66 point tally gave him a three-point win over Frederick Oosthuizen while taking the crown in the Ladies Division was Caroline Lamb with 62 points.

In the on-course prizes Saif Thabet won the prestigious Nearest the Pin prize on the famous 17th hole on the Earth course while Chong Yew Voon was closest on the 8th hole on the Fire course and struck the Longest Drive on Earth’s 14th hole. McLenann hit the Longest Drive down the 10th fairway on the Fire course.

The tournament was organised by Worldwide Golf in conjunction with Jumeriah Golf Estates, who saw the event as an opportunity to preview new Membership opportunities at the Club and promote the ‘Pay and Play’ scheme. From the reaction of the competitors in our Fire and Earth Challenge, which was more than two times over-subscribed, they can’t wait to get back Overall Winner, Douglas McClennan, shakes hands with Neal Graham, Director of Golf at JGE. there and take up the challenge again.

Nearest the Pin

8th Hole

Chong Yew Voon

Longest Drive

10th Hole

Douglas McLennan

Nearest the Pin

17th Hole

Saif Thabet

Longest Drive

14th Hole

Chong Yew Voon

Ladies

Winner

Caroline Lamb

62 pts

Division B

Winner

Ralf Stahl

66pts

Runner-up

Frederick Oosthuizen

63pts

Winner

Peter Bowland

66pts

(2nd round 36pts)

Runner-up

Michael Harradine

66pts

(2nd round 32pts)

Winner

Douglas McClennan

69pts

(34 + 35)

Division A Overall

The Fire Course on Friday was assessed as a difficult challenge and the Earth on Saturday was said to be an even toughest challenge. The condition of both courses was rated as ‘fantastic.’

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THE OLD COURSE HOTEL

EXPERIENCE THE HOME OF GOLF

EVERY self respecting golfer must visit the Home of Golf at least once in their life. Despite the worldwide golfing boom Bonnie Scotland still has some of the finest courses on the planet and no matter how many pristine, stylishly sculpted layouts you’ve had the pleasure of playing, the old adage ‘you can’t buy history’ becomes clear the moment you step onto one of the many ancient and hallowed fairways the country houses.

Bespoke golf travel operator Evolution Golf Travel has carved out a reputation for providing some of the best authentic Scottish golfing experiences money can buy and the company has put together an absolute gem of a package for Worldwide Golf readers to take advantage of.

THE OLD COURSE HOTEL, GOLF RESORT & SPA

THE DUKE’S COURSE, ST ANDREWS

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The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa borders the world-renowned 17th “Road Hole” of the Old Course, ensuring spectacular views across the links, the West Sands and the town of St Andrews.

This iconic resort has been lavishly refurbished and features luxurious suites and bedrooms, a majority with views of the world-famous Old Course.

Most rooms have private balconies and feature the distinctive Kohler bathroom products and many other sumptuous comforts.

Awakening in luxury accommodation you are only a stones’ throw away from six of the seven Links Trust courses and dedicated Golf Stewards based in the hotel are more than happy to arrange a tee time for you. The Castle Course, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie are only a short drive away.

For a unique golfing experience in St Andrews The Duke’s, owned and managed by the Old Course Hotel, is a lush, heathland golf course perched on the

hillside just a few minutes from the hotel. Regarded as one of the top courses in the UK, this championship 18-hole course has magnificent greens, beautiful fairways, a fleet of electric golf buggies and five tees on every hole, making it most appealing to golfers of all abilities.

The rolling terrain of The Duke’s provides spectacular, panoramic views that range from the surrounding countryside to the North Sea and the skyline of St Andrews in the distance. Re-designed by Tim Liddy, protégé of renowned golf architect Pete Dye, The Duke’s is a sister venue to the Kohler-owned courses of Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run, USA. A luxurious resort with sumptuous guest rooms and suites, superb dining, a stunning Kohler Waters Spa and own championship golf course, The Duke’s – makes the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa a “must visit” destination. www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk

Travel

THE GLENEAGLES HOTEL

13TH HOLE 13TH HOLE, CARNOUSTIE CARNOUSTIE

THE GLENEAGLES HOTEL The Gleneagles Hotel is set in a magnificent 850-acre estate, and has three championship golf courses.

The King’s and the Queen’s courses were designed by the five-time Open winner, James Braid. Its other championship course is The PGA Centenary Course, created by Jack Nicklaus and host to the 2014 Ryder Cup. When off the course, the hotel offers unrivalled 5 star facilities. From the Shooting School and the British School of Falconry, to the two Michelin-starred Andrew Fairlie restaurant, you’re spoilt for choice. The award-winning Spa at Gleneagles by ESPA boasts 20 treatment rooms, and is the perfect destination to unwind after a round of golf.

The Gleneagles Hotel is just one hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh, yet feels like a million miles from anywhere.

The King’s Course opened in 1919 and has hosted the Scottish Open eight times. It is a shot-makers

dream, and a masterpiece of design. Threading through high ridges on the north and west sides of the estate, The Queen’s Course offers lovely woodland settings, lochans and ditches as water hazards, as well as many moorland characteristics. The PGA Centenary Course had to be a great course and, set as it is in the heart of Scotland, the country that gave golf to the world, Nicklaus described the course as, “The finest parcel of land in the world I have ever been given to work with”.

Other courses and practice areas at Gleneagles include the nine-hole Academy Course, which provides the perfect experience for beginners and tuition, and a great warm-up for the seasoned golfer.

The PGA National Academy of Scotland also has an 11 acre championship practice ground, a nine-hole pitch and putt course, a short-game area, video analysis and several putting greens. www.gleneagles.com

PANMURE GOLF CLUB, CARNOUSTIE COUNTRY

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Travel

MONTROSE LINKS, CARNOUSTIE COUNTRY

CARNOUSTIE COUNTRY Carnoustie Country is home to some of the finest golf courses in Scotland, if not the world. There are over 30 courses within a 40-minute drive of the famous Carnoustie Championship course, seven times host to The Open Championship since 1931, and host to the Ricoh Women’s British Open 2011.

Challenging links, scenic parkland and bracing heathland courses give a variety of experiences to test every level of golfer. Whether a dedicated amateur looking to take on the challenge of the Carnoustie Championship or one of the four Open Qualifier courses, or a casual golfer looking for a few relaxing rounds, Carnoustie Country offers a truly memorable golfing break.

There are a variety of tournaments held annually, including the Carnoustie Country Classic, a 72-hole Stableford competition played on the four Open Championship and qualifying courses each May. But it’s not only the often breathtaking landscapes of the courses which make the area a golfer’s paradise, the golfing history and heritage also attracts enthusiasts from all over the world.

Many of the Carnoustie Country courses were designed by the men who are now considered golf’s greatest architects, Old Tom Morris, Willie Park Jnr and James Braid.

It was in fact James Braid who designed the Carnoustie Championship course, although some of his holes were reckoned too weak for competitive play and the notorious “sting in the tail”, Carnoustie’s final three holes, was introduced to compensate. Now deemed the “toughest links course in the world”, Carnoustie is a significant challenge even on a mild day.

Between rounds make time to enjoy the wildlife and glorious scenery of the area’s magnificent glens and sweeping beaches, or head to the contemporary culture of the nearby City of Dundee, with its lively night life, stylish Waterfront shops and bars and superb museums. www.carnoustiecountry.com

Evolution Golf Travel is a proud member of IAGTO, ASTA and Golf Tourism Scotland.

All Evolution Golf Travel passengers are issued with financial failure certificates once a deposit has been paid to protect them against any unlikely insolvency.

Evolution Golf Travel is giving Worldwide Golf readers the opportunity to sample the aforementioned Scottish golfing delights in style with a specially designed tour at an unbeatable price.

HISTORIC GOLFING HEARTLAND PACKAGE DAY 1 Arrive in Scotland and Transfer to Gleneagles Resort x 3 nights DAY 2 Play Gleneagles PGA Centenary DAY 3 Play Gleneagles Kings DAY 4 Play Panmure and transfer to Old Course hotel x 4 nights DAY 5 Play Monifieth in the morning and Montrose in the afternoon DAY 6 Play Dukes DAY 7 Play Carnoustie DAY 8 Depart home Package from: AED7,513 / £1,295 / US$2,046 per person Package includes: 7 nights twin accommodation with breakfast 7 rounds of golf Spacious rental vehicle Comprehensive tour management service

by Evolution Golf Travel To book this wonderful tour please contact: Evolution Golf Travel 41 Owendale Avenue Bellshill North Lanarkshire Scotland ML4 1NS Call Scotland: +44 141 416 3298 Call Dubai: +971 566921544 Website: www.evolutiongolftravel.com Email: enquiries@evolutiongolftravel.com www.wwgolf.biz

53

DIVOTS RULES EXPLAINED To SAY 2010 has been an interesting year on the professional Tours would be something of an understatement. From Jim Furyk being disqualified from a US PGA Tour event for oversleeping and missing his Pro-Am tee time to Dustin Johnson’s penalty for not realising the little patch of earth he was chipping out of was a bunker at the US PGA Championship – it’s been fascinating for armchair fans.

However, one incident stood out this year – and it was all down to an eagleeyed TV viewer who spotted an infringement of the rules!

Juli Inkster was three strokes behind the lead and playing well at the Safeway Classic on the LPGA Tour but ran into some slow play on the par-5 10th hole and faced a 30 minute wait.

In an attempt to keep loose Inkster attached a

small “doughnut” weight to her nine iron and swung freely. This is a breach of Rule 13/4 as it is illegal to use a training aid during competitive play.

However, nobody in Inkster’s group picked up on the foul play and it was a TV viewer who alerted tournament officials and after consultation with the USGA the LPGA disqualified Inkster at the conclusion of her round.

Inkster was surprised and said: ”I had a 30-minute wait and I needed to loosen up.

It had no effect on my game whatsoever, but it is what it is.

I’m very disappointed.”

So the lesson to be learned is keep a watchful eye on your partners next time you’re competing in your monthly medal – like Inkster they might think they’re not gaining an advantage but like it or not – rules are rules!

McDowell gets golf writers’ vote US Open Champion, Graeme McDowell, who also had two other wins on The European Tour, was recognised for his phenomenal season by winning the Golf Writers Player of the Year award on both sides of the Atlantic.

Having shared The European Tour Player of the Year award with fellow 2010 Major Champion and Race to Dubai winner, Martin Kaymer, McDowell, played a starring role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory over the US at Celtic Manor in Wales, and ended the year with a win in the US at the Chevron World Challenge, got the writers’ vote.

In second place in the European version of the award was the entire European Ryder Cup Team while Kaymer took third and World No.1 Westwood was fourth. “I am hugely honoured to win such a prestigious

award, especially in a year when European golf as a whole has achieved such amazing things,” McDowell said.

“To win a Major championship and to hole the winning putt in The Ryder Cup, are absolute, ultimate golfing dreams for me. It has been a life-changing experience the last few months and I feel incredibly lucky. I can’t get my head around it for sure now, but I feel very fortunate and privileged that I’ve had the opportunity.”

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie said: “In my 24 years as a Member of the European Tour, I have never, ever witnessed the success we have had this year,” he said. “We have completely dominated the world of golf in 2010.

“It’s amazing the quality we have now and it is not going to stop here.”

MISSION HILLS GROUP FOUNDER Dr. DAVID CHU TO RECEIVE KPMG LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD KPMG are to present Dr. David Chi, founder of the esteemed Mission Hills Group in China, home to the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup, with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the eighth annual Golf Business Forum at The Park Hyatt Dubai from April 17-19.

Chu set out in 1993 to build a golfing facility that would rival any in the world when he created the plans for Mission Hills Golf Club, despite China having only 25 years of golf history.

He achieved his dream and has since contributed enormously to the growth of the game in his country, where he is known as ‘The Father of Golf in China’, through the building of new courses and the staging of over 100 new tournaments and events.

Andrea Sartori, head of KPMG’s specialist Golf

Advisory Practice in EMA, said: “Dr David Chu is a true global ambassador for the game of golf. He has been the driving force behind bringing the Chinese sports industry to the world stage, not only with golf, but also making significant contributions

STATMASTER

ROUND OF THE MONTH

There were 28 holes-in-one on The European Tour in 2010 while three players holed an unlikely albatross.

Play-offs were required nine times, course records were broken 27 times and there were 13 first-time winners on The Tour.

Lee Westwood showed his class with a stunning 8-under-par 64 in the second round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.

The Englishman opened up a three shot lead after his second round and he easily closed out his second win of 2010 to pick up a cheque for €1,250,000.

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to the successful bid for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. It is right that we recognise Dr. Chu, who continues to explore new golf horizons and champions the development and growth of the game throughout the world.”

NEWS SNIPPETS FROM AROUND THE GOLFING GLOBE

STUART APPLEBY VOTED US PGA TOUR COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR STUART Appleby was voted the 2010 PGA Tour Comeback Player of the Year by his fellow competitors following a season which included a final-round 59 en route to winning the Greenbrier Classic.

Appleby was selected over the evergreen Rocco Mediate and Arjun Atwal – the first Indian to win on American soil.

The 39-year-old Australian used a onetime, top 25 career money list exemption for his Tour status in 2010 after finishing 137th on the money list in 2009.

It was the first time since his rookie season of 1996 that he had finished outside the top 125.

ANNIKA EXPECTING SECOND CHILD

Annika Sorenstam has confirmed on her blog that she and husband Mike McGee are expecting their second child in early summer 2011.

“Mike and I are happy to share the news that our family will be a foursome,” she posted on AnnikaBlog.com.

Sorenstam and McGee married in January 2009 with the arrival of their first daughter, Ava, coming in September later that year.

VETERAN SENIOR PIPS OGILVY TO AUSTRALIAN PGA PETER Senior (right) won the rain-delayed Australian PGA after defeating Geoff Ogilvy with a par on the second hole of a play-off to become the oldest winner of a professional tournament in his homeland.

Senior, 51, sank a 10-foot birdie on the 18th hole in regulation for a 1-under-par 71 to match Ogilvy, who won the Australian Open a week earlier, with a 12-under-par score.

Both players parred the 18th at the first attempt but Ogilvy then three-putted for bogey on the second extra hold to give Senior his third Australian PGA title.

SHOTS OF THE MONTH Graeme McDowell showed nerves of steel at the Chevron World Challenge by rolling in two almost identical birdie putts on the 18th green – one during the final hole in regulation and then again on the first hole of a play-off – to defeat former World No.1 Tiger Woods in Woods’ own event.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“It wouldn’t have something to do with Rory not joining the tour next year?

Maybe the PGA tour just employs the same voting process as FIFA!” – World No.1 Lee Westwood speaking his mind upon hearing the news that Rickie Fowler was named the US PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year ahead of Rory McIlroy.

LANGER WINS HIS THIRD STRAIGHT ‘PLAYER OF THE YEAR’ AWARD

BERNHARD Langer was named the 2010 Champions Tour Player of the Year for the third consecutive year after a season which featured five victories, including back-to-back Major wins at the Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie and the US Senior Open.

“Winning five times and with two Majors and also winning far more Charles Schwab Cup points than I had won in the first two years – it’s been a wonderful ride on the Champions Tour these last three years,” said the German veteran.

NEWS FORUMS COMPETITIONS TRAVEL READ ONLINE VIDEOS & MORE...

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Tiger Woods at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa Challenge Match 2004

Quality Golf at an affordable Price Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa Midweek Packages and Daily Specials available from 1st October to 15th December 2010 at its award winning Resort Course:

Straight Shot Sunday 9 or 18-hole green fee includes electric cart or trolley and bucket of 50 range balls, plus 20% food and beverage voucher for use in the Sports Café: • 9-hole rate – AED 160 per person • 18-hole rate – AED 235 per person

Wednesday Ladies Special Rate 9 or 18-hole green fee includes electric cart or trolley and bucket of 50 range balls, plus 20% food and beverage voucher for use in the Sports Café: • 9-hole rate – AED 160 per person • 18-hole rate – AED 235 per person

Midweek 5-day Special Offer includes unlimited golf from Sunday to Thursday (excluding public holidays), electric cart or trolley hire, unlimited range balls, 12-day tee time booking privilege, plus 20% food and

Middle East’s Leading Sports & Leisure Beach Resort

beverage voucher for use in the Sports Café: • 2-month package – AED 1,495 • 6-month package – AED 3,995

For more information or bookings, please contact the Golf Reception on (04) 814 5023, (04) 814 5058 or the Golf Office on (04) 814 5046 E-mail: golf.teetimes@jaihotels.com www.jebelali-international.com *Rates include 10% municipality fee and are valid from 1st October to 15th December 2010 unless otherwise stated above. Tee times and all packages are subject to availability. Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa reserves the right to charge normal green fee rates for failure to cancel a tee time at least 48 hours in advance. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other promotions or offers. Terms and conditions apply.

OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKING AS OF MONDAY DECEMBER 27, 2010

AROUND THE WORLD ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR & US PGA TOUR

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

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

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

Pts. Avg

Tot. Pts

Events

9.37 8.07 7.37 6.86 6.34 6.25 6.24 6.02 5.73 5.69 5.65 5.45 4.83 4.60 4.47 4.45 4.39 4.21 4.12 3.79 3.70 3.68 3.65 3.62 3.62 3.61 3.54 3.50 3.47 3.46 3.44 3.40 3.32 3.30 3.20 3.15 3.15 3.09 3.07 3.00 2.98 2.93 2.91 2.77 2.77 2.75 2.73 2.67 2.66 2.62

431.18 322.81 361.33 294.80 291.53 268.77 336.92 270.83 315.04 313.15 276.86 315.97 250.96 230.16 259.35 244.58 188.72 227.24 218.24 200.88 214.35 195.23 204.37 188.39 184.42 191.15 205.08 140.17 184.08 183.29 158.07 159.87 169.45 184.76 169.34 166.70 182.42 129.59 162.54 140.97 166.97 149.19 163.15 147.04 160.51 131.83 141.88 149.37 143.45 143.89

46 40 49 43 46 43 54 45 55 55 49 58 52 50 58 55 43 54 53 53 58 53 56 52 51 53 58 40 53 53 46 47 51 56 53 53 58 42 53 47 56 51 56 53 58 48 52 56 54 55

Pts. Gained 374.21 140.02 346.33 247.69 247.27 221.46 331.48 265.46 325.67 266.04 245.30 314.83 257.36 239.95 229.90 222.28 203.86 206.02 206.78 221.64 175.69 170.99 144.52 160.01 165.90 192.55 207.43 157.32 192.61 166.03 158.83 167.76 124.23 200.60 152.79 175.56 138.17 130.23 177.90 130.83 129.16 111.80 127.84 123.07 167.78 90.03 159.48 131.10 152.60 126.33

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

Henrik Stenson Charley Hoffman Jeff Overton Angel Cabrera Brendan Jones Lucas Glover Heath Slocum Toru Taniguchi Ryan Palmer Richard Green Bill Haas Matteo Manassero Simon Dyson Noh Seung-yul Kevin Na Tetsuji Hiratsuka Liang Wen-Chong Thongchai Jaidee Rhys Davies Anders Hansen Scott Verplank J.B. Holmes Fredrik Andersson Hed Danny Willett Kenny Perry Stuart Appleby Sergio Garcia Brian Davis David Toms Ricky Barnes Michael Sim Michio Matsumura John Senden Søren Kjeldsen Bryce Molder Brandt Snedeker David Horsey Oliver Wilson Stephen Gallacher Vijay Singh Shunsuke Sonoda Jason Dufner Gonzalo Fdez-Castano Rory Sabbatini Katsumasa Miyamoto Gregory Bourdy Darren Clarke Raphael Jacquelin Jamie Donaldson Joost Luiten

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

2.53 2.50 2.49 2.38 2.36 2.35 2.34 2.25 2.24 2.23 2.23 2.20 2.12 2.11 2.06 2.04 2.04 2.03 1.98 1.96 1.96 1.94 1.93 1.92 1.91 1.86 1.83 1.83 1.81 1.79 1.78 1.71 1.71 1.69 1.68 1.65 1.65 1.65 1.60 1.60 1.59 1.59 1.59 1.53 1.51 1.51 1.50 1.49 1.48 1.48

Tot. Pts

Events

Pts. Gained

116.51 127.70 134.63 104.82 94.41 119.67 135.57 98.93 123.37 104.95 124.99 87.82 120.59 92.98 111.29 118.54 95.81 117.95 112.59 108.05 90.21 102.64 90.56 90.22 87.75 108.16 89.89 106.13 94.04 94.84 82.10 87.21 99.11 91.33 85.90 87.68 80.91 88.85 70.42 75.01 63.67 85.71 85.70 85.81 78.43 81.28 79.38 86.69 75.63 59.30

46 51 54 44 40 51 58 44 55 47 56 40 57 44 54 58 47 58 57 55 46 53 47 47 46 58 49 58 52 53 46 51 58 54 51 53 49 54 44 47 40 54 54 56 52 54 53 58 51 40

70.76 120.44 141.70 68.37 78.03 72.30 114.79 92.00 146.01 99.79 133.56 88.41 77.47 101.45 101.80 115.61 78.39 109.07 118.70 75.71 74.27 118.16 95.11 86.96 48.19 97.22 67.81 105.05 71.81 102.51 59.49 80.31 72.09 64.10 74.40 81.24 89.86 69.23 82.75 70.12 69.42 59.57 67.60 77.70 69.25 52.65 74.05 71.89 68.02 64.52

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EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS

AWARDS BONANZA FOR RYDER CUP CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE

PETE COWEN NAMED UK COACH OF THE YEAR

COLIN Montgomerie, Europe’s winning 2010 Ryder Cup Captain, collected two awards at the 62nd annual British Sports Awards lunch hosted by the Sports Journalists’ Association and was also named the Coach of the Year at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony.

Europe’s Ryder Cup-winning golfers were named Team of the Year at both ceremonies and Montgomerie was on hand to accept the awards on behalf of the Team. In addition the Scot was also personally honoured with the SJA’s ‘J. L. Manning’ award for his outstanding contribution to sport.

It was the sixth time the SJA has honoured a successful Ryder Cup team following wins in 1985, 1987, 1995, 2002 and 2006 and they beat off competition from the English men’s cricket team – winners of the Twenty20 World Cup – and the medalladen Great British rowing team.

At the BBC TV awards show Montgomerie beat Blackpool manager Ian Holloway, who guided the Tangerines into the Premier League, and England cricket coach Andy Flower to the Coaching award.

“It’s an honour for me to be here on behalf of this Team of 12 great men,” said Montgomerie at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year show. “It was a fantastic year for European golf, we’ve never been in ruder health, I’m privileged to be here to receive this on behalf of 12 fantastic players and coaches, who got us prepared just that bit better than the opposition.”

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PETE COWEN, whose pupils include World No.1 Lee Westwood, US Open Champion Graeme McDowell and Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen, has been named UK Coach of the Year at the 2010 UK Coaching Awards.

His stable of players won 12 times in 2010 including the two Major Championship titles and the new World No.1 and Cowen is rightly proud of their achievements.

“All my players seem to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations,” he said. “That’s what sets them apart. Lee absolutely loves those situations and so does Graeme. Look how he held out at the US Open and then closed The Ryder Cup. He was terrific.

“European golf is in a good place at the moment and I’m just proud to be a part of it and to have such a good group of players to work with.”

KEL NAGLE

GOLFING greats have poured in their birthday tributes to Kel Nagle, the oldest living Major Champion, who turned 90 on December 21st. Fellow Open Champions Jack Nicklaus and Peter Thomson led the tributes to Nagle who won at St Andrews in 1960.

Five-time Open Champion Thomson retold the story of having to loan Nagle his jacket for the presentation ceremony 50 years ago at the Home of Golf. “I had a jacket with me just in case I won but I failed, so as Kel didn’t have a jacket I loaned him mine, even though it looked a bit tight on him,” said Thomson. “The funny thing was that when he gave it back to me Kel’s first prize cheque was still in the pocket, so I guess he didn’t really need the prize money.” Nicklaus added: "He was a great competitor and a true gentleman and he played the game as it should be played."

EUROPEANS TOP 2010 RANKING

SUCH was Europe’s dominance on the world golf stage in 2010 that if the Official World Golf Ranking took into account only one year’s results rather than the present two years on a rolling basis, European players would occupy the top four places.

The top four points earners in 2010 were Westwood, Kaymer, McDowell and Donald while McIlroy, Els and Casey would also make it into the top seven.

In stark contrast, Tiger Woods, who had a dismal year, would be way down the list in 41st place.

THE IRISH OPEN REMAINS AT KILLARNEY FOR 2011 THE European Tour and Fáilte Ireland have confirmed that the Irish Open will return to the Killeen Course at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club from July 28-31, 2011.

The announcement was made by European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady and Fáilte Ireland Chairman Redmond O’Donoghue and will be the fourth time in history that the tournament has been staged at the renowned County Kerry venue.

“All our Members have spoken very highly of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club and the tremendous welcome given to them, not only by the club but by the town of Killarney itself,” said O’Grady. “There was a wonderful festival atmosphere generated by the record crowds over the course of the week and we are so pleased to be returning.”

Pictured right with the 2010 3 Irish Open Champion, are Ross Fisher, Connor Ridge, Ross's manager and caddie, Phil 'Wobbly' Morbey.

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WWGCOLUMNIST

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

A great way to end the year for Lee and Ernie World No.1 Lee Westwood gives his caddie, Billy Foster, a hug after chipping in for birdie on the final hole to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City by an emphatic eight shots.

Lee has been trying to win the event for the past 15 years and he’s always said that this is one tournament he wanted to win.

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COULD not be more pleased to see that Lee Westwood has gone into the New Year as the World No.1 following his amazing eight-shot victory ahead of South Africa’s Tim Clark at the Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City.

Many people expected Lee to take a break to rest his troublesome calf injury after his third place finish in the Dubai World Championship. But Lee didn’t let anyone down and he showed the huge galleries why he’s the best in the world with a superb all-round display of his talents.

He’s a popular player out here and he’s been a great supporter of South African golf over the years. He’s played the Nedbank Golf Challenge for the

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past 15 years and he’s always said that this was one event he wanted to win.

It was a just reward for his consistency and his skill that he should finally win the tournament in such style. You can’t do any better than chipping in for birdie on the 72nd hole for a final round 68 to win with a 17-under total of 271.

I’m a great fan of Lee as a player and as a person. I’d like to see him extend his run at the top well into 2011and if Tiger Woods doesn’t do anything to improve his back-swing Lee could be up there for a long time.

I’m not too good at making predictions but if I had to make one, it would be that Lee will win his first Major in 2011.

I’m also a great fan of Ernie Els and

Retief Goosen and what a wonderful spectacle it was for South African golf to see them both go head-to-head in the final round of the South African Open at Durban Country Club.

Ernie got off to great start at the beginning of the season, winning the World Golf Championships-CA Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida. But after that he struggled with his putter and was frustrated that he couldn’t build on that early success.

But in winning his fifth South African Open by one shot from Retief, shooting 65-65-64-63, he showed that he’s got what it takes to beat the best. Everyone wants to win their own Open Championship and I’m proud of the fact that I won the South African

Open 13 times between 1956 and 1981 (plus 10 South African Masters titles and 5 South African PGA Championships).

This could be just the boost in confidence Ernie needs to take him into 2011 on a winning note and make next year a vintage season for him.

It was also good to see Retief playing so well in chasing Ernie all the way to the wire. Retief has played consistently well all season and he’s been in contention in so many tournaments worldwide. He’s had 14 top 10 finishes but he’s not been able to get that vital win.

Retief started the final round in Durban one shot behind Ernie. He dropped to four shots back before putting on a charge over the closing holes but Ernie just managed to hold off the challenge.

Louis Oosthuizen also came with a late run to match Ernie and Retief’s final round 63 to take third place and Charl Schwartzel was fourth on 18-under.

It’s good to see South African golf in such good shape. It’s not only the men’s game that’s doing well. Lee-Anne Pace became the first South African to win the Henderson Money List on the Ladies European Tour when she shared 52nd place at the Dubai Ladies Masters, the final event on the LET. She was also voted Player of the Year for 2010 by her fellow players.

Lee-Anne, who is 29, only started playing the game at the age of 17 and turned professional in 2005. She comes from Mossel Bay and plays at the same golf club as Louis Oosthuizen. I wish she

Above: Lee-Anne Pace celebrates at the Dubai Ladies Masters after becoming the first South African to win the Henderson Money List on the Ladies European Tour.

Left: Ernie Els and Retief Goosen share a joke as they walk off the 18th green at Durban Country Club after Ernie had beaten Retief to win the South African Open for the fifth time.

IT’S GOOD TO SEE SOUTH AFRICAN GOLF IN SUCH GOOD SHAPE. IT’S NOT ONLY THE MEN’S GAME THAT’S DOING WELL. LEE-ANNE PACE BECAME THE FIRST SOUTH AFRICAN TO WIN THE HENDERSON MONEY LIST ON THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR.” – GARY PLAYER were my daughter. She’s a darling girl and I hope that she’s got the passion because ladies golf needs her and South African women’s golf needs her. It’s very encouraging.

It was good that Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell were voted equal winners of The European Tour’s Player of the Year award. The two Major champions did so much to raise the profile of The European Tour last year. Graeme was also voted the Golf Writers’ Player of the Year on both sides of the Atlantic.

Matteo Manassero was understandably

voted Rookie of the Year on The European Tour. What a wonderful award for a 17 year old. Italy can look forward to a fantastic season in 2011.

The only award I can’t understand is Rickie Fowler being voted the US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, without winning a tournament. I would have thought that Rory McIlroy would have been a certainty for the award, having won the Quail Hollow Championship over there.

There has been a lot of entertainment to enjoy in 2010 and 2011 promises to be just as enjoyable. ■

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WORLDROUND-UPS Tournament: Chevron World Challenge

30 Nov – 05 Dec, 2010

Venue: Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks, California

GRAEME McDOWELL DOWNS TIGER IN WORLD CHALLENGE GRAEME McDowell came from four strokes back to tie with Tiger Woods and then subsequently defeated the former World No.1 with a stunning birdie putt on the 18th green to end a dream year with victory at the Chevron World Challenge.

The Ulsterman holed a 15 foot birdie putt in regulation to tie with Woods on 16-under-par and then sank a putt from 20 feet on a similar line to win the resulting play-off on their return to the 18th hole.

“Playing one of the greatest golfers who has ever played and to beat him like this – I’m just ecstatic,” said McDowell, who moved up to a career-high seventh on the Official World Golf Ranking.

“Tiger used to appear invincible,” said McDowell. “Of course he has made himself appear more human in the last 12 months, but there’s still something a bit special about his golf game and I fully expect that mystique to return.”

Woods had never lost a tournament with a three shot lead heading into the final 18 holes but opened bogey, birdie, bogey, while playing partner McDowell

birdied the par-5 second to edge to 14under and then picked up another at the fourth to close the gap to just one.

Both players then birdied the fifth and after a succession of solid pars the contest seemed to turn in the Irishman’s favour on the 13th where McDowell birdied and Woods made a double bogey. However, McDowell’s two-shot lead didn’t last long. He dropped a shot on the following hole, then lost the lead with another bogey on the 17th but piled on the pressure with that stunning birdie putt on the 18th leaving Woods needing to hole out from four feet to tie.

Woods duly sunk it to go to overtime but that was as good as it got for Woods as McDowell again showed his prowess on the greens and Woods had to settle for second place. “The middle part of the round today was an exception, but I thought I did some good things this week,” said Woods. “I’m proud of the way I played, even though I lost.”

England’s Paul Casey finished outright third on 12-under-par with Rory McIlroy and Hunter Mahan in fourth and fifth respectively.

IN THE BAG Driver: Fairway Wood: Hybrids: Irons (4-9): Wedges: Putter: Ball:

WINNER: GRAEME MCDOWELL CHEQUE: $1,200,000

Callaway FT Tour 8.5° Callaway FT-i Squareway 15° Adams Idea Pro 17° and 21° Callaway X Forged Callaway X Forged Vintage 48°, 52° and 58° Odyssey White Hot #7 Callaway Tour ix

WINNING SCORE: 16-UNDER-PAR – 272 (66, 69, 68, 69) RUNNER-UP: TIGER WOODS (DEFEATED IN PLAY-OFF) – 272

FACT FILE

Graeme McDowell ended a run of 67 starts on the US PGA Tour without posting consecutive rounds in the 60s with his victory at the Chevron World Challenge.

Tournament: Nedbank Golf Challenge

30 Nov – 05 Dec, 2010

Venue: Gary Player Country Club, Sun City, South Africa

WINNER: LEE WESTWOOD CHEQUE: $1,250,000

WESTWOOD ENDS SEASON WITH A WIN LEE Westwood strengthened his grip on the No.1 spot on the Official World Golf Ranking with a commanding victory at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.

The Englishman cruised to an eight-shot triumph over Tim Clark after signing for a final round 4-under-par 68 and a 17-under-par total to take home the cheque for $1,250,000.

Westwood chipped in for birdie on the 18th hole to seal the win and delight the galleries in the process.

“I think that’s the first time I’ve chipped in all year,” he quipped. “It’s what you might call a grandstand finish. It was a good time to do it. I’ve been playing here for 15 years and it’s something I’ve always wanted to win.”

Clark closed with a 71 for outright second place, one stroke ahead of fellow South

African Retief Goosen who carded a 68 for an 8-under-par total. Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiménez finished alongside Goosen in third place while Ernie Els and Ross Fisher finished in fifth place on 5-under-par.

Westwood entered the final day with a five shot lead but admitted that hanging on for victory was no foregone conclusion.

“It’s never over,” he said. “It’s sometimes even more pressure having a big lead because it’s yours to blow.. But I got off to a fast start and I got a few in front, so I felt pretty comfortable, especially when I birdied nine and ten.

“It was a nice back nine, still tricky with the strong wind and the way it was swirling around. The finish was tough, so I was just pleased to get it done at the end.”

Tournament: Alfred Dunhill Championship

09 – 12 Dec, 2010

Venue: Leopard Creek CC, Malelane, South Africa

WINNER: PABLO MARTIN CHEQUE: $158,500

PABLO REPEATS AT THE CREEK PABLO Martin successfully defended his title at the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek after surviving a nervy slip-up on the back-nine. Martin had opened up a five-stroke cushion after 11 holes but a triple bogey on the 17th saw his lead cut to just one. However, a birdie on the par-5 closing hole gave him a final round 2-under-par 70 for an 11-under total and a two stroke win over South Africans Charl Schwartzel and Anthony Michael, and Danish Challenge Tour graduate Thorbjorn Olesen.

Michael held the overnight lead from Martin but it was the Spaniard who flew out of the blocks with a tap-in birdie at the first and then a ten-foot eagle putt on the second. He then made the turn in 30 after birdies on holes 7 and 9 but Michael maintained the pressure with a birdie of his

own on the eighth. However, Michael’s hopes faded when he snap-hooked his drive on the 11th and after a double bogey Martin had a five stroke lead with seven to play.

“I played really well on the front nine,” said Martin, who is the first player to successfully defend a European Tour title since Padraig Harrington won The Open Championship in 2007 and 2008. “I didn’t get into too much trouble and I holed a couple of good putts.”

Martin received a drenching from a bucket of water tipped over him by fellow Spaniards Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Alvaro Velasco but was relieved that his compatriots didn’t throw him into the lake that guards the 18th.

“Normally, they throw people into ponds and stuff,” he smiled, “but I’m glad they restrained themselves today, because there are crocodiles and stuff around here.”

Tournament: South African Open Championship

16 – 19 Dec, 2010

Venue: Durban Country Club, Durban, South Africa

WINNER: ERNIE ELS CHEQUE: €158,500

ERNIE ELS WINS HIS HOME OPEN FOR THE FIFTH TIME ERNIE Els won the South African Open Championship for the fifth time in his career after holding off a late surge from compatriot Retief Goosen in Durban.

In what was the 100th staging of the event, Els carded a final round 6-under63 for a 25-under-par total and a onestroke win over Goosen with Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen in third place on 21-under-par.

“It was a wonderful choice to come here,” smiled Els. “This really makes the year very good now. Playing under a lot of pressure, with really good players in the field on a great golf course. It was a great championship.”

A severe rain delay saw virtually no play on Thursday and forced the final two rounds to be completed on Sunday, while further showers in the early hours of Sunday morning made the par-3 fourth hole unplayable.

After shooting a 64 earlier in the day, Els started the final round one shot ahead of Goosen and he once again excelled on Durban Country Club’s

new greens with a 63 – which included five birdies, an eagle and just the one dropped shot. Goosen rallied late with four birdies in the final five holes but it wasn’t enough as Els hung on for his fourth victory of the year.

“I knew Retief was going to be the guy I had to beat,” said Els, who won twice in America in March before winning the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in October. “He’s beaten me coming down the stretch quite a few times, so I really wanted to play well. It was really important. He certainly made it tough for me.”

Oosthuizen didn’t drop a shot as he came in with a 63 for outright third place ahead of Charl Schwartzel who finished on 18-under-par for fourth place. French rookie Romain Wattel sank a birdie putt on the last hole to finish on 16-under-par alongside Englishman Robert Rock in fifth while another Frenchman, Victor Riu, finished one stroke further back in seventh, alongside Germany’s Alex Cejka.

IN THE BAG Driver: Fairway Wood: Irons: Wedges: Putter: Ball:

Callaway Diablo Tour Driver Callaway X Series Callaway Tour Authentic X Prototype Callaway X Series Jaws CC Odyssey White Ice #5 Callaway Tour i(s)

WINNING SCORE: 25-UNDER-PAR – 257 (65, 65, 64, 63) RUNNER-UP: RETIEF GOOSEN –- 258

FACT FILE

Ernie Els collected his 26th European Tour title with victory at the South African Open and the prize money of €158,000 took his European Tour career earnings to €25,947,950, extending his lead over Colin Montgomerie to almost €1m.

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2010 Omega Dubai Ladies Masters champion Iben Tinning proudly holds the trophy, pictured at the presentation with Emirates airline stewardesses at Emirates Golf Club.

IBEN TINNING BOWS OUT IN CHAMPION STYLE

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BEN Tinning saved her best for last as she bowed out of the professional game in stunning fashion with a fine victory at the 2010 Omega Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club.

The Dane couldn’t have wished for a better finish to a career spanning 15 years when she sank a 20-footer for a birdie on the 18th in the final round for a second consecutive round of 69 for an 11-under total and a two-shot win over Swede Anna Nordqvist, three shots ahead of England’s Melissa Reid.

The first round leader Florentyna Parker of England and American Christina Kim were tied for fourth place on 6-under-par 282.

American star Michelle Wie made a stunning charge up the leaderboard with a bogey-free 67 – the final day’s best score – but came up short and had to settle for a share of fifth place alongside defending champion In-Kyung Kim of South Korea.

For Tinning the day played out like a fairytale ending to her career as she now steps away

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from the game to focus on her family life. With her husband, Lasse, on the bag, Tinning made the turn tied for the lead with Reid at 9-under, and then produced back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th to establish a clear three-shot lead after Reid bogeyed the 10th.

However, Reid, the winner of the Turkish Airlines Open, refused to give up, birdieing the 13th to narrow the gap and then a bogey on the 15th by Tinning saw the deficit reduce to just one shot with three to play.

Tinning then showed her vast experience, holding firm when it mattered most to seal the title in style. ”I just can’t believe it that I have won – the feeling is just amazing,” said Tinning, an Ecco Ambassador who received a cheque for €75,000 for her efforts. “I really tried to keep strong out there and it was tough sometimes. ”Winning my last tournament is kind of a great gift for all those people who helped me in shaping my career – my parents, my husband, everybody. I have no plans to reconsider my

decision to retire. It’s really not an option. I’m on so many painkillers and playing golf is not fun anymore. Winning in Dubai had been my main goal and that has been accomplished. My next goal is to get a diploma in psychotherapy. That’s main thing at the moment.”

Star of the future, England’s Melissa Reid, produced a fighting finish but had to settle for third place.

Women's Golf Middle East

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AT YAS LINKS WOMEN’S Golf Middle East held their first event in Abu Dhabi at Yas Links Golf Club and it was a team from Emirates Golf Club who prevailed after shooting an excellent net 63 in the Texas Scramble format.

Maria Carrigy, Carmel King, Maggie Neil and Lynn Rowley took the top spot as they navigated their way around Kyle Phillip’s links course masterpiece in expert fashion. The wind came up

during the morning and added to the links feel, making conditions challenging for the four lady teams. Finishing in second place, four strokes back, was the team of Sharon Hall, Sabine Wiedenbruch, Angela Laidlaw and Sue Markou.

Susan Harrison, Carol Burns, Lynn Born and Helen McAinsh came home in third place after losing out on second place after a card countback.

WGME TO MAKE THEIR SHARJAH DEBUT WGME has arranged their first nine-hole evening event at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club on January 10th to allow many of the working ladies to come out after work and play in a fun event.

It is available to the many beginner ladies who want to get some experience on the golf course and the WGME golf professional will be on hand to help with any tips round the course.

You don’t have to have a handicap, but, of course experience is necessary, unless you are part of the beginner group.

DATE: Monday, 10 January, 2011 VENUE: Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club TIME: Tee times from 07.30pm - 08:30pm FORMAT: 9 Holes HANDICAP: Beginner COST: AED 220 *Closing date for entries 6 January 2011

WGME TEAM EVENT  JEBEL ALI GOLF RESORT & SPA, 16 JANUARY, 2011 DATE: Sunday, 16 January, 2011 VENUE: Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa TIME: 08.00am - 09:30am Tee Times FORMAT: 18 Holes – 2 Lady Team Event – Stableford COST: AED 335 WGME Members (360 non-members) *Closing date for entries 10 January, 2011

WGME SINGLEFIGURE HANDICAP AND PRO CHALLENGE ARABIAN Ranches will host a special 18-hole event open to all ladies who hold a single figure handicap and to lady golf professionals who are residing in the UAE. The entry fee will be free for Golf Professionals and Arabian Ranches Club Members, who will pay their general fees and WGME members will pay a fee of Dhs 295 for the Green Fee and Cart Fee. DATE: Tuesday, 18 January, 2011 VENUE: Arabian Ranches Golf Club TIME: 08.00am – 08.30am Tee Times FORMAT: 18 Holes *Closing date for entries 15 January, 2011

For more details on all the up-coming Women’s Golf Middle East events visit their website: www.womensgolfme.com

Sandy Meyer’s

PROFESSIONAL TIP HOW TO HIT OUT OF A DIVOT

On some unfortunate occasions a great drive, straight down the middle of the fairway, will end up being punished as it comes to rest in a divot. That is the reason why it is so important to fill in the divots with the provided sand in order to help maintain the fairways and avoid causing bad lies for other golfers playing behind you.

If you do end up in this situation, here are a few tips to help playing successful shots from these lies:

•

Avoid taking a very lofted club (ie: sand wedge), as this will tend to dig into the ground.

•

Grip slightly down on the shaft.

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When addressing the ball, hold the club slightly off the ground behind the ball.

•

Keep the ball back in your stance. making sure your hands are opposite your left leg.

•

Take a three-quarter backswing to maintain balance – avoid making a full swing.

•

Accelerate through the ball. www.wwgolf.biz

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AMELIA McKEE TOOK UP GOLF IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE AGE OF EIGHT BEFORE HER FATHER, ROB, CAME TO WORK IN DUBAI, BRINGING HIS WIFE, TWO SONS AND DAUGHTER. UNDER THE COACHING OF RHYS BEECHER AT THE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE, DUBAI AND CLAUDE HARMON III AT THE BUTCH HARMON SCHOOL OF GOLF AT THE ELS CLUB, AMELIA, NOW AGED 11, HAS REDUCED HER HANDICAP FROM 26 TO 10 IN LESS THAN A YEAR. LAST MONTH SHE WAS INVITED BY EMIRATES AIRLINE TO PLAY IN THE PROAM FOR THE OMEGA DUBAI LADIES MASTERS. HERE, AMELIA DESCRIBES HER ‘EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.’

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AM so lucky to have been invited by Emirates Airline to play in the Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club. It was a wonderful surprise and I can’t thank them enough. It really was a dream come true for me and it was so much fun that I can’t think of the words to explain it.

I was so excited when I got the invitation from Emirates I was jumping off the walls for the three days before the tournament.

I didn’t think I would ever get to play alongside the LPGA professionals while I was still a schoolgirl. My ambition one day is to play against them as a fellow professional.

It was a great honour to play in the same Fly Emirates team as Anja Monke. I follow the results on the LPGA Tour and the LET and I know that she won the OMEGA Dubai Ladies Masters in 2008, and that she’s won three times on the Tour.

She was very nice and friendly to me and made me feel very comfortable and happy.

She coached me quite a bit on how to read the grain and work out the break on the greens, which is something I really struggle 66

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AM EL I A McK E E

FLYING HIGH with. We talked about how she started in the game. She told me that she started playing in Germany when she was eight – the same age I began playing.

Just like me she decided that she wanted to be a pro golfer right from the start.

I also got on with Alexis Thompson. She was so nice and made me feel like I was just one of her friends she hangs out with all the time. It’s amazing that she’s only 15.

Lexi told me how she practices for six or seven hours a day in her efforts to become a professional golfer, while still finding time to do her homework for highschool. She’s such a good golfer. Sometimes we walked together and talked like we had known each other forever. I learned so much about

EMIRATES AIRLINE MAKE A DREAM COME TRUE FOR AMELIA

Amelia picture Christina Kim d with her hero, .

Amelia picture Thompson. d with 15 year old Alexis

what it takes to be a pro golfer and what the players think about their game. I’m sure she will win big before she gets her LPGA Tourcard when she is 18 years old. She’s an amazing driver of the ball and has fantastic focus. I wish I could do that. I’m a big fan of hers and as I get older I’d like to do what she is doing.

Her handicap was 9 when she was 11 and mine is 10 so I’m almost up to where she was at my age. She’s also an American like me.

I met Carling Coffing, who I watched win the Big Break on TV. She was so friendly. She talked to me about my golf and my home course in the States. She gets so excited on the course and when she hits a good shot she does a really cool dance move.

At the Pro-Am dinner she told us all about winning the Big Break and that they paid her entry fees on the Futures Tour. I spent half an hour talking to her and she explained how much hard work it is to get to on the LPGA Tour.

It was a thrill to meet Christina Kim again.

She’s amazing and she’s my biggest hero.

I met her last year and she inspired me to work hard to better my handicap. When I arrived at Emirates Golf Club I thought she wouldn’t remember me - even though we e-mail each other regularly. But when she

“IT WAS A THRILL TO MEET CHRISTINA KIM AGAIN. SHE’S AMAZING AND SHE’S MY BIGGEST HERO. WHEN I SAW HER AT THE PRO-AM SHE YELLED MY NAME AND RAN OVER AND HUGGED ME. THAT WAS SO NICE.” did, it made me feel happy inside, like I was special. She is so encouraging. She’s one of the most amazing people I have ever met because she gets happy and sad and mad on the golf course and that makes me know that I’m not the only one who feels that way.

When I saw her at the Pro-Am she yelled my name and ran over and hugged me.

That was so nice.

Overall, I was pleased with my performance in the Pro-Am. I managed to shoot 40 on the front nine and matched or beat the best score in the group on five

of those holes, including that of the pro, Anja Monke. On the back 9, where there are three long par 5s I tried a bit too hard in order to try to contribute. But I dropped nine shots to par with a score of 46. Overall, I matched or beat everyone in the group, including Anja, on 10 of the 18 holes.

I managed to hit all but four fairways and had only one three-putt, even though the greens were really fast. I was pleased that I didn’t let anyone down.

Thanks again to Emirates Airline for giving me such an opportunity. It was a day I will never forget. ■ www.wwgolf.biz

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LOCAL SUCCESS STORY

RHEA NAIR

AT the age of nine Rhea Kumar, as she was then, knew that golf was going to be more than just a pastime. Through the support of her golf fanatic, father, Ashok, and by polishing her skills through the UGA Junior Development Programme, Rhea was off Stateside to fulfill her dream to become a Tour professional. The dream became a reality last month when she teed it up for the first time as a professional at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.

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HEN Rhea Nair was a young hopeful learning the game on the Junior Development Programme of the UGA (now the Emirates Golf Federation) back in the late 1990s Rhea pictured her dream was to play tournament with her proud golf with the stars of the LPGA father, Ashok, Tour and the LET. at last month’s Omega Ladies Last month at the Omega Dubai Masters Ladies Masters Rhea’s dream came true as she teed it up with the best in the women’s game. It was a first for Rhea and for Dubai – the first Dubaigrown female professional Tour player and the first Indian woman to play in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, along with fellow Indian Smriti Mehra, a veran of Indian golf and the LPGA Tour.

“I turned professional to be able to compete in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters after receiving an invitation to play from golf in Dubai,” says Rhea, who had the misfortune of being put on the clock on the fourth hole of her opening round at Emirates Golf Club.

“I was very nervous, playing in my first tournament as a pro, and when they put me on the clock it made me even more nervous,” says Rhea, who shot 79, 75 and missed the cut by five shots. I was disappointed but it was a worthwhile learning experience and I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to start my professional career in Dubai and in such a star-studded field.”

At the age of nine, Rhea Kumar began role in contributing to the University golf playing at the Creek Golf & Yacht Club, taking team’s run of success. Last month she was lessons from James Williams at Jebel Ali. unfortunate to miss out by just one shot “My father, Ashok, is a golf fanatic and from making it to the LPGA Tour Sectional he introduced me to the game,” says Rhea.

Qualifier at the Plantation Golf and Country “I knew I wanted to become a professional Club. tour player at an early age and I left Dubai “I took three different courses over the when I was 12 or 13 to go to college in summer because I wanted to make sure the United States. From the UGA training that I had a full college education so that programme I continued to develop my my degree would give me the comfort of game in the States at the David Leadbetter having a back up in case I didn’t succeed as Academy in Florida where I went to the a golf pro, because I know just how tough it Pendleton School.” is,” says Rhea.

Earlier this year Rhea graduated from “But now I’m totally focused on golf and Alabama University with a degree in totally determined to make it. I’m going to Communications, having played a pivotal stay in Dubai for a while enjoying life with

“MY FATHER, ASHOK, IS A GOLF FANATIC AND HE INTRODUCED ME TO THE GAME. I KNEW I WANTED TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL TOUR PLAYER AT AN EARLY AGE. FROM THE UGA TRAINING PROGRAMME I CONTINUED TO DEVELOP MY GAME IN THE STATES AT DAVID LEADBETTER ACADEMY IN FLORIDA.” the family and I’m aiming to play all these fantastic golf courses that didn’t exist when I lived here as a youngster. It’s amazing how golf has taken off in the UAE in the last 10 years.

“Then I’ll go back to the States and work with my coach and try to play as many competitions as I can and maybe some international events and earn my LPGA Tour card either through the Futures Tour or through the Tour qualifiers.”

Rhea may not have hit the ground running in her career as a Tour pro but she’s got the game, she’s had the ideal upbringing and she’ll make a fine ambassador in the ladies game for both Dubai and India. ■

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TUTORIAL B Y J U S T I N PA R S O N S

PGA PROFESSIONAL THE ELS CLUB

FOUR KEY STEPS TO SWING LIKE A PRO

Brought to you by

WE have all recently witnessed some terrific golf at the recent Dubai World Championship and it was a great time at The Butch Harmon School of Golf as many of the players stopped by for some practice.

It is always a great thrill to see what the best in the world are doing and how they implement many of the things that we teach on each and every shot.

This month, I have taken four positions in the swing which I feel are in evidence in many, if not all, of the best players in the world and I have also pictured four simple physical tests which we look at to ascertain whether our students are likely to be able to get into these positions.

TUTORIAL

B Y J U S T I N PA R S O N S

SWING TEST

POSTURE

PHYSICAL– TOE TOUCH

BACKSWING

When you look at the best golfers, particularly the best ball strikers, they all demonstrate great posture. What I look for is the way that a player hinges forwards and the way that he supports the spine from that hinge. You will normally see a little curvature at the top of the spine with the lumbar spine being nice and flat. The arms will be relaxed, hanging from the shoulders and the legs will be flexed.

One of the most straightforward ways to begin to see how a player will get into good posture is a toe touch test.

We are looking for not only how far a player can bend forward but the manner in which they do it. The backside needs to go backwards (crossing the red line) as the upper body bends forwards – this shows that a player has good hip hinge mechanics which is imperative for good posture. If the player can touch his toes then we know that the hamstrings are flexible which is also necessary for good posture.

The best players all support the club well at the top of their swings. This means that you do not see too many loose, long swings winning consistently on tour. To get this right, there are a number of things which we look for but for support, the right shoulder and shoulder blade need to be flexible and stable enough to get the club into position and hold it there.

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IMPACT

PHYSICAL– PELVIS TEST

FINISH

At the moment of truth all the best players look the same.

The weight is on the lead leg, the hips are more open than the chest with the hands in front of the ball. This will allow the delivery of the club to ball to be consistent – from the correct place, the correct angle and with a square and stable clubface.

To see whether a player is likely to get into a good impact position I ask them to set up in golf posture with their arms making an ‘X’. Then they have to turn their hips to the right and left whilst keeping their upper body stable. This shows whether they can separate their lower bodies from their upper bodies and have the coordination to do so which will give me a big clue as to the prospective quality of their impact position.

It is always great to watch a good player hitting a hard shot and firing into a balanced follow-though. They continue to clear the left side through the ball allowing the right side to rip though as the arms and club come to a stop somewhere over the left shoulder. Finishing positions do vary due to the different shapes and sizes of players but they all clear their lead hip and get onto the front leg.

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73

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

By Claude Harmon III

PADRAIG HARRINGTON HE’S become one of The European Tour’s statesmen. With three Majors to his name and countless victories all over the globe, Ireland’s most accomplished golfer has achieved so much in the sport due to his relentless work ethic. With the exception of Vijay Singh, I doubt there’s another professional that works as hard on their game. It’s not uncommon to see Padraig hitting balls on the range even when the floodlights have gone out!

We take a look at Padraig’s swing to access the foundations on which he’s built one of the greatest swings in the game.

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75

SWING

F R A M E B Y F R A M E A N A LY S I S O F S O M E O F T H E B E S T S W I N G S I N P R O F E S S I O N A L G O L F Padraig has a good modern player’s posture – a good neutral lumbar spine and strong looking legs set him in a prime position to work his upper body against his lower body in his backswing.

This take away shows that Padraig has been looking to create distance and power in his swing. The clubface is a little more on the closed side which is a long hitter’s move.

Over the past few seasons, he has really worked on becoming a more explosive ball striker.

Padraig does a great job of getting his lower body to remain stable and strong as it rotates, allowing his upper body to fire. In analysing his biomechanical data, he is one of the best in the business at keeping his lower body under control in the downswing – the opposite of the dreaded early extension.

A huge stretch created between upper body and lower body here.

Look at how square the hips have remained against a wide, strong chest turn and arm-swing.

This is the position of a very fit and strong athlete. It has been attained through hours of work in the gym and on the range.

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73

WINTER RATES CLUBS Abu Dhabi City Golf Club From: 1st October 2010 To: 31st May 2011

EGF RATE (AED) 18H 9H

Weekend Dhs.320 Dhs.185

NON EGF RATE (AED) Weekday Dhs.270 Dhs.165

Weekend Dhs.350 Dhs.195

Weekday Dhs.280 Dhs.175

Weekend Weekday 555 350 Rates includes golf cart, range balls, locker facilities and water

Weekend 795

Weekday 595

Weekend 150 90

Weekend 165 115

Weekday 120 85

Rates inclusive of shared buggy, water, pencil and towel Al Badia Golf Club From: 1st October 2010 To: 30th April 2011

18H

Al Ghazal Golf Club From: 1st October 2010 To: 30th April 2011

18H 9H

Al Hamra Golf Club From: 1st October 2010 To: 30th May 2011

18H 9H

Fri - Sat Sun - Thu 430 345 260 210 Rates inclusive of shared cart and 1 basket of range balls

Fri - Sat 475 285

Sun - Thu 380 230

Arabian Ranches Golf Club From: 1st October 2010 To: 30th May 2011

18H 9H

Thu - Sat Sun - Wed 460 390 275 240 Rates include range balls, optional cart for fee

Thu - Sat 660 395

Sun - Wed 555 345

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club From: 16th Nov 2010 to 15th Mar 2011 18H From: 16th Mar 2011 to 31st May 2011 18H

Fri - Sat Sun - Thu 715 625 625 495 Rates include cart and range balls

Fri - Sat 795 695

Sun - Thu 695 595

Emirates Golf Club – Majlis From: 1st October 2010 To: 31st May 2011

18H 9H

Whole week 875 525

Whole week 995 600

Emirates Golf Club – Faldo From: 1st October 2010 To: 31st May 2011

18H 9H

Fri - Sat Sun - Thu 625 495 375 300 All Emirates Golf Club rates include golf cart hire and practice range balls

Fri - Sat 695 420

EGC Faldo Night Golf (after 4pm) From: 1st October 2010 To: 30th April 2011

18H 9H

Whole week 385 230 Rates include cart and range balls

Whole week 425 255

Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa From: 1st October 2010 To: 31st May 2011

18H 9H

Fri - Sat 320 185

Weekday 95 75

Sun - Thu 290 160

Sun - Thu 595 360

Fri - Sat 350 200

Sun - Thu 320 175

Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club From: 19th September 2010 18H To: 31st May 2011 9H

Peak Off Peak 325 270 200 185 Rates inclusive of shared cart and driving range

Peak 375 220

Off Peak 290 200

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club From: 1st October 2010 To: 31st May 2011

Thu - Sat 550

Thu - Sat 825

Sun - Wed 600 Off Peak 315 190

Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club From: 1st October 2010 To: 31st May 2011

18H

Sun - Wed 400

Rates inclusive of shared cart and range balls prior to play 18H 9H

The Els Club From: 1st October 2010 To: 31st May 2011

18H

The Address Montgomerie Dubai From: 1st October 2010 To: 31st May 2011

18H

Yas Links Abu Dhabi From: 1st October 2010 To: 31st May 2011

18H

Peak 355 200 Rates inclusive of shared cart

Off Peak 290 175

Peak 385 220

Thu - Sat 565

Sun - Wed 395

Whole week 795

Rates inclusive of cart and range balls Fri - Sat 625

Sun - Thu 475

Whole week 825

Rates inclusive of cart and range balls prior to play Fri - Sat 699

Sun - Thu 299

Note: Peak/Weekend rates are applicable on Public holidays as well Rates subject to change at clubs’ discretion

Fri - Sat 799

Sun - Thu 399

ARABIAN GOLF GOLF CLUBS IN JANUARY 2011 WORLDWIDE GOLF DUBAI Emirates Golf Federation Al Badia Golf Club Arabian Ranches Golf Club Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Emirates Golf Club

SHARJAH Saif Zone Golf Society League Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club

WWG LOCAL FOCUS

EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION

ADEL ZAROUNI HONOURED WITH CAPTAIN’S DAY AT DUBAI CREEK ADEL Zarouni, Secretary General of the Emirates Golf Federation, celebrated his year as Captain at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club last month and a superb field took to the course to show their support for the Captain.

The overall winner on the day with a superb ¾ handicap Stableford score of 37 points was Vivian Verma who took the top spot by virtue of his better back nine ahead of Alok Pant.

Verma returned in a fantastic 24 points with two chip ins for gross birdies on the 13th and 18th holes that helped secure the

crystal by three points over the last nine holes. John Fellingham played some very consistent golf to finish alone in third place with 36 points.

“Thank you to all the members who have played today and for all their support throughout the year,” said Zarouni. “Thank you to Christopher May, General Manager, Mustafa Al Hashimi, Club Manager and Alan Mackenzie, Director of Golf and all the staff at Dubai Creek for their support as it has been a great pleasure to have been Captain at the best golf club in the region.”

Club Manager, Mustafa Al Hashimi presents Club Captain, Adel Zarouni with a commemorative gift for his captaincy.

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

BAHRAIN Royal Golf Club Bahrain

SAUDI ARABIA Dirab Golf & Country Club The Palms Golf Club

QATAR Doha Golf Club

EGYPT Egyptian Golf Federation Maritim Golf & Resort Katameya Dunes International Pairs

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AYLING SPARKLES AT EGC HANDICAP SCHEME MEDAL EVENT WENDY Ayling turned in a superb performance to win the Handicap Scheme Monthly Medal, organised by the Emirates Golf Federation, at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club.

Playing off a 33 handicap, Ayling strung her tee-to-green game effectively on both front and back nines to card an impressive 42 points for a comfortable win in the Ladies Division.

Tim Foulsham shot a tidy net 69 to win the Division ‘A’ title, one shot ahead of Bruce Chalmers and two off Richard Firth while Mark Poulin walked away with the prestigious Best Gross prize after carding a solid 75.

Foulsham rounded off a good day at

work, winning the nearest to the prize on the seventh with Rob Paige taking the same honours on the 17th. Roderick Thompson (sixth) and Bruce Chalmers (18th) also made it to the podium with the longest drive prizes.

Just three shots separated the top three in Division ‘B’ and it was John Bligh who held his nerve to take the honours with a superb 40 points, just ahead of Carl Wherrett (39) and Quinton Brent (38).

Saeed Albudoor, General Manager of the Emirates Golf Federation, thanked the players for their response to the tournament. “We are really grateful to Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club for all their help in successfully putting the event together,” he said.

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79

EGF card holder benefits 15% OFF Dinner A’la Carte Menu Food Bill – valid from Saturday till Wednesday.

10% OFF Dinner A’la Carte Menu Food Bill – valid on Thursday & Friday.

20% OFF Lunch A’la Carte Menu Food Bill – valid from Sunday till Thursday.

All above offers not valid with any other discounted offer or on set or promotional menus.

All above offers not valid on Xmas, Boxing Day, New Year Eve, New Year Day & Thanksgiving.

ARABIAN GOLF

EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION BURHAN MOHAMMED TEAM WINS NATIONAL DAY GOLF HONOURS THE Burhan Mohamed team stamped their authority on the UAE National Day Golf Tournament, organised by the Emirates Golf Federation, with an impressive showing at Yas Island Abu Dhabi.

Every member of the team chipped in with good scores as they finished with a superb haul of 102 points to take the honours, well ahead of their nearest challengers.

Finishing second on countback was the team of

Paul and Anne Brett Mercer and James and Maria Carrigy with 93 points while the foursome of Adel Zarouni, Abdullah Al Musharrekh, Alan Salem, Soumaya Argui took third place.

Over 100 golfers of different nationalities residing in the UAE turned up to showcase their golfing skills and the field also included some of the board members of the Emirates Golf Federation, further adding to the profile of the event. The EGF Chairman, Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, made

it to the podium after winning the nearest to the pin prize with a superb tee shot on hole 8.

“Once again the tournament was oversubscribed and this clearly reflects on the growing profile of the event which has now become a permanent fixture on the UAE calendar,” said Saeed Albudoor, general manager of the EGF. “Of course, there was a festive feel to the tournament, but the intensity level never dropped on the course as the scores clearly suggest.”

The winning team is pictured with Darwish Al Qubaisi and Adel Zarouni.

AL JANAHI FINISHES SUPERBLY TO WIN UAE NATIONALS MONTHLY MEDAL

UAE National Monthly Medal winner Musa Al Janahi.

MUSA Al Janahi produced a stunning finish to win the November edition of the UAE National Monthly Medal tournament, organised by the Emirates Golf Federation, at Al Badia Golf Club.

The in-form Al Janahi reeled off a staggering 10 points in his last three holes to total an impressive 42 points and beat his nearest challenger Jamal bin Marghoub by two points with Adel Al Zarouni finishing a creditable third after a countback.

Apparently inspired by the presence of Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan Qasimi, Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, Al Janahi went on a scoring spree from the outset. He picked up four points each on holes 4, 8 and 18 and three points each on holes

2, 5, 16 and 17 to stamp his mark as one of the fastest-improving golfers in the region.

Mohamed Al Musharrekh shot a gross 90 to walk away with the prestigious Best Gross prize while Nawaf Fawaz took the honours in Division ‘A’ with 32 points and Ali Ahmed reigned supreme in Division ‘B’ with 35 points.

“I would like to thank all players for making the event a success. The turnout was great and so was the enthusiasm of the players. It was good to see Musa play some superb golf. All his hard work is paying off,” said Saeed Albudoor, General Manager of the Emirates Golf Federation.

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81

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Pro Sports International, PO Box 26723, Dubai, UAE . Sign up to SnakeBytes,our free e-newsletter at snakebytes.info

CHRIS ROSS AND CHARLES PARKES SECURE QUALIFICATION TO THE TECH ACCESS INTERNATIONAL PAIRS UAE NATIONAL FINAL

A

BU Dhabi Golf Club hosted the latest Qualifying Event of the Tech Access International Pairs UAE and Chris Ross and Charles Parkes emerged victorious with a haul of 40 Stableford points.

The third of 17 qualifiers during the 2010/11 season saw the popular series played on a European Tour course for the first time as the capital’s most famous club prepared to host the world’s finest players at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

With visits to Jumeirah Golf Estates and Emirates Golf Club scheduled in February and March, the International Pairs UAE will take in all three of the European Tour venues in the UAE but it was Abu Dhabi Golf Club members who were first offered the chance to win a coveted place in the Tech Access International Pairs UAE National Final in May 2011.

The course was in magnificent condition as it prepares for the impending visit of the Tour professionals and scoring was always going to be difficult in the betterball Stableford format.

Ross and Parkes combined well and stuck to their task, perhaps aware that a lower

score than usual in this format might prevail.

Their patience was rewarded as they claimed top honours by a solitary point from Aboshi Tomoki and Matsutani Takao, who compiled a respectable 39 points for the day.

The winning duo will join Ian Kelly and Denver Farrell of Arabian Ranches Golf Club and Stuart Blay and Stuart Williams from Abu Dhabi City Golf Club in the National Final, which will be played at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and hosted by Park Hyatt Dubai.

Mike Revell and Rob Ballantyne finished with 38 points, fending off the challenge from Hany Abdelnour and Faris Al Azzawi after a card countback, to take third place.

Tech Access International Pairs UAE, which is presented by Cadillac, moves to Dubai on January 8th, when members of The Montgomerie Dubai will have the opportunity to play in the most exciting amateur event in the UAE. Tech Access International Pairs UAE is supported by EHL Management Services, Park Hyatt Dubai, Delwood, Nike Golf, Worldwide Golf, Sport 360 and UAE Golf Online.

Tech Access International Pairs UAE Abu Dhabi Golf Club Qualifier winners, Chris Ross and Charles Parkes.

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83

ARABIAN GOLF

ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB RAYHAN DOMINATES IN AQAUVENTURE SERIES RAYHAN Thomas won the second fixture in the Aquaventure Junior Golf Series in late November with another impressive performance as a level par 27 saw him follow up his victory in October with another trip to the winner’s circle.

Birdies on holes 3 and 9 helped him claim his second crystal medal by one stroke and a Nearest the Pin prize on hole 9 highlighted that Thomas could be the player to beat yet again this season.

The runner-up spot was a close call as both Arkesh Bhatia and Jai Bhalla came home with 28 strokes but it was Bhatia who claimed outright second place following a countback.

Ananya Sharma ensured the girl’s division was proudly represented by shooting a score of 30, and after the decuction of her 13 handicap she topped the pile with a net 17.

PROSCHOLD BLOWS HOT IN DECEMBER MEDAL DETLEF Proschold (3) returned a gross level-par 72 to win the December Rivoli Monthly Medal supported by Ecco shoes and Speed Cleaning while Louise Doyle won the Ladies gross title with an 86.

Proschold, also a member of the ARGC Scratch league team, put in his best performance to date over the links to secure his maiden victory in the Rivoli Monthly Medal.

He was very consistent from tee to green and placed himself in a great position to win

with an outward half of 35 then kept his nerve around the back nine to post a 37 and edge out John Mills by one shot.

“This is a special event to win,” said Proschold. “I am happy with my performance today.”

The net round of the day belonged to Division ‘A’ champion Paul Smith (12) who shot a gross 76 for a net 64 while in the Men’s ‘B’ Division Graham Tickell took the honours with a net 71.

In the Ladies Division, Louise Doyle won the gross title with an 86 while the net title went to Kun Sun Kwon with a 2-under-par 70.

“This was a very exciting event with all the Men battling for a place in the Singles Matchplay Championship and with the last 10 spots up for grabs they went all out and posted great scores,” said Club Captain Andy Burrow.

“I also want to thank Rivoli for their generous support in one of the Club’s most prestigious events.”

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

CONTACT: Tel : +971 4 366 3000 Tel : +971 4 366 3355 INFO: Arabian Ranches Golf Club

BLOM AND SERET ARE THE DREAM TEAM

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

COURSE: Championship Course 7691-yard par 72.

Mark Sault from Parasol Garden Furniture is pictured with the winning teams.

THE team of Alex Blom and DJ Seret were crowned the two-player Strokeplay Scramble Champions in the Parasol Garden Furniture Golf Day last month after a sublime performance.

The duo needed to be at their best to step into the winner’s circle as they narrowly pipped Kevin Barrett and Kevin Melton to the title.

Blom and Seret combined to hole eight gross birdies across an outward half of 35 and an inward 32 for a gross 67 and net 59.8. Barrett and Melton performed admirably but had to settle for second place with a net 61.2.

In the Ladies/Mixed Division Hakan and Pernilla Karlsson ran out victors with a brilliant net 64, one stroke ahead of Catherine Teyssedre and Sandy Crawford.

“It was a fantastic turnout, thanks to Mark Sault and the team from Parasol for their continued support of ARGC and for another successful event,” said Golf Professional Paul Hubner at the prize presentation ceremony.

AGE NO FACTOR FOR LAWSON AND TICKELL IVAN Lawson (EGF +1) and Graham Tickell (ARGC 16) claimed the respective Gross and Net titles in the 2010 Gulf News Men’s Seniors Open recently after hitting form at just the right time.

Lawson scored a 2-over par 74 with 14 pars, three bogeys and a birdie on hole 6 to edge out David Ashcroft by six shots while Tickell made a tremendous gross eagle on the par-5 16th to sign for a gross 87, net 71 and beat Jett Smith on a countback.

Francois Wolfaardt commented: “We’ve had a tremendous afternoon for golf; our thanks go to everyone at Gulf News for their continuous support to golf in the region. Congratulations to all the worthy winners and to everyone for supporting the event including Callaway Golf.”

The tournament was an individual strokeplay event for male amateur golfers in the UAE, aged 50 years or over on the day of the event and was supported by Callaway Golf.

Net Winner Graham Tickell, Naureen Aquil from Gulf News and Gross winner Ivan Lawson.

Andrew Burrow Club Captain, Adrienne Fullerton Club Captain with the winners.

OWENS, HUT AND FULLERTON TAKE THE PLAUDITS SHAUN Owens (12) scored 38 points, Jean Charles Hut (14) scored 39 points and Louise Doyle (20) shot 36 points to win their respective Divisions in the Individual Stableford event in late November.

In Men’s Division ‘A’ (Hcp 0-12), Owens took full advantage of a perfect day for scoring, to post matching outward and inward halves of 19 points to win by four points from runner-up Paul Clark. In Division ‘B’ (Hcp 13-28), Hut recorded an outward half of 20 points with four net birdies and an inward half of 19 points with another four net birdies to edge out Matthew Derrick by two points.

In the Ladies division Louise Doyle continued her good form when she posted 36 points to claim the title ahead of Captain Adrienne Fullerton by three points.

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85

Greg Norman Collection - “The Grove”, near the Ice Rink, Dubai Mall, Tel (+9714 339 8117)

Greg Norman Collection apparel now available at our flagship store in Dubai Mall and our on course partners & retail specialists : Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Emirates Golf Club, The Els Club, Golf House, Go Sports, Dubai Duty Free and Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

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

ARABIAN GOLF

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

EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

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

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

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

BAILEY, CORNWELL, DUGGAN AND CONNOR ENJOY FESTIVE WIN

AMARNANI IMPRESSES TO WIN THE CLUBHOUSE TROPHY

THE Christmas Scramble is one of the most celebrated events on the ladies schedule and it was the team of Ivy Baily, Brenda Cornwell, Maura Duggan and Angela Connor who produced a fantastic tally of 64.4 to take the honours.

In a closely fought competition the team of Viv Caley, Carolyn Thompson, Moira Gowens and Mieke Slotboom clinched the runners-up place on 64.9 while Jo Schoeman, Gabrielle Daghestani, Maria Van Dooren and Anvita Kapoor signed for a score of 65.3 to take third place.

Also receiving early Christmas presents were Reta Sethi, Janine Craig, Rekha Bandopadhyay, Anvita Kapoor and Chris Dyball for their skill on the Nearest the Pin holes and the quartet of Rekha Bandopadhyay, Nancy Wingate, Barbara Mc Bean and Annette Stewart won best dressed award as ‘Choir Angels’.

EMIRATES Golf Club members were delighted to be back in the clubhouse following eight months of closure for refurbishment and the re-opening of the revamped facility just so happened to coincide with one of the most prestigious events on the calendar the Clubhouse Trophy.

Nelly Amarnani was inspired by the new surroundings and signed for a superb tally of 41 points over the Majlis course to win by one point from Joseph Bishop and David Watt who had to be separated by countback. Bishop’s stronger performance over the back nine saw him take the silver medal position, relegating Watt to third place.

Nick Evangelopolous secured the honours in Division ‘A’ by one stroke from Prabhakar Rao after scoring 37 points while Rabih Sfeila scored 38 points to top Division ‘B’ by one from Sam Tarassoli.

BARTETTE CLINCHES THE HERITAGE TROPHY NAJLA Bartette topped off a fantastic month of golf by following up her Monthly Medal success with victory in the Heritage Trophy.

Bartlette opened up with a 43-point tally over the Faldo course and she followed that up in the final round with 37 points over the Majlis for an 80-point total and a victory by eight points from Janini Craig.

Craig produced two consistent performances, signing for 36 points in both rounds to pip Viv Caley to second place by just one point.

Also in the prizes were Jo Schoeman for her 37 points in round one and Lorrain Al Bustani following her 36 points in the final round as they clinched best round one and two scores respectively.

WATT MAKES IT FOUR IN A ROW

BARTETTE EXCELS IN MONTHLY MEDAL

DAVID Watt continued his superb run of form with a fourth consecutive victory in the BMW Monthly Medal series in December.

In tough scoring conditions over the Faldo course Watt signed for a net 73 and edged Ewan Cameron into second place after a card countback to settle Division ‘A’ (hcp 0-12).

Kouroche Achtari played some outstanding golf and came in with the best-gross-of-the-day 75 while Nigel Thompson also excelled and shot a 74 to take second place. Tej Chhabra recorded the best net score of the day in Division ‘B’ (hcp 13-23) as his 70 was two shots clear of Ed Hesson and three clear of Sudhir Vora.

Suresh Shewakramani won Division ‘C’ (hcp 24-34) with a 76.

NAJLA Bartette produced a fantastic performance in the Ladies November Monthly Medal over the Faldo course, signing for a stunning net 65 to win by seven strokes. As a result Bartette took the spoils in Division ‘A’ (hcp 0-14) from Maria Petre who carded a 72.

The best gross of the day was a 78 by Mitsuko Emmerson while Nancy Wingate returned a level par 73 to take first place in Division ‘B’ (hcp 15-23), one shot clear of Veronica Elias in second. In the Bronze Division (hcp 24-42) Lorraine al Bustani fired a 73 to win from Maria Carrigy.

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87

LEAGUE STANDINGS AFTER

ROUND 3 SAIF - ZONE LEAGUE

GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE

PLAYED

WON

LOST

TIED

POINTS

KEGS 1

6

4

0

2

14

KEGS 2

6

4

2

0

12

Indian Golf Society

6

3

1

2

11

Mott MacDonald 1

6

2

3

1

7

Mott MacDonald 2

6

1

4

1

4

Darjeeling Golf Society

6

1

5

0

3

PLAYED

WON

LOST

TIED

POINTS

Etihad Pilots Golf Society

6

3

2

1

10

Gulf Rock

6

4

2

0

12

Dubai ExPutts 1

6

3

1

2

11

TOILers

6

2

2

2

8

Halcrow Golf Society

6

2

4

0

6

Dubai Exputts 2

6

1

4

1

4

PLAYED

WON

LOST

TIED

POINTS

FIGME

6

4

1

1

13

Massin Golf Society

6

4

2

0

12

Filipino Golf Society

6

3

2

1

10

Korean Golf Society

6

3

1

1

10

DUBAL Golf Society

6

2

3

1

7

The Lions

6

0

6

0

0

PLAYED

WON

LOST

TIED

POINTS

Sharjah Golfing Buddies

6

5

1

0

15

WedgeHogz

6

4

2

0

12

EPC Hole Diggers

6

3

3

0

9

Dubai Divots

6

2

3

1

7

Women’s Golf Middle East

6

2

3

1

7

Lebanese Golf Society

6

1

5

0

3

BMW LEAGUE

WORLDWIDE GOLF LEAGUE

SGSC LEAGUE

GOLF SOCIETY NEWS

THIRD ROUND A THRILLING AFFAIR

T

HE SAIF Zone Golf Society League’s third round of fixtures in the SAIF Zone and BMW Leagues proved a thrilling affair with honours pretty much even across all the board.

Only four points separate the top four teams in both pools with the remaining fixtures sure to prove pivotal in the battle to finish in the top two spots.

In the SAIF Zone League the Indian Golf Society endured their worst day in their GSL history, losing one match 2-dn and the second finishing all square against the fiercely competitive KEGS 1 team.

The KEGS 1 results sees them leapfrog the IGS to the top of the league with KEGS 2 moving into second place after tying their matches with Mott MacDonald 2.

In the division’s other fixture Mott MacDonald 1 had a half with Darjeeling and they now sit in fourth and sixth places in the league respectively.

2010 Semi Finalists Gulf Rock moved from second place to first place in the BMW league after they tied three points each with The TOILers.

Round two leaders, The Etihad Pilots Club, were victims of an 8&6 thrashing in their lead match but the second couldn’t have been more even as it finished all square against Dubai Exputts 1.

As with all but two of the matches in the third round Halcrow and Dubai Exputts 2 finished allsquare achieving three points each.

The Filipino Golfers in the Middle East and Sharjah Golfing Buddies made positive moves the third round of fixtures in the Worldwide Golf and Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club Leagues respectively.

Both teams now sit top of their respective tables as a result of 6–0 whitewashes over Emirates Pilots Club and The Lions.

Round two leaders in the Worldwide Golf League, the Massin Golf Society, finished honours even in their third round match against The Filipino Golf Society while the Northern Emirates Korean Golf Society put their slow start behind them as the recorded two narrow 1-up wins over Dubal.

The Koreans now sit tied third with the Filipino Golf Society and only three off the leaders FIGME. On balance the Massin Golf Society look the best placed with their remaining fixtures against the Koreans and bottom team The Lions.

FIGME’s final round fixture in February

GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE

against their counterparts The Filipino Golf Society looks certain to be crucial with the victor likely to progress to the quarter-final stage.

In the SGSC league the leading pair SGB and The Wedgehogz are still to play each other and the outcome of that match could catapult one team to certain qualification and condemn the other to the non-qualifying third slot.

Third placed EPC Hole Diggers need to bounce back from their third round thrashing as they have an easy looking run-in on paper, playing the Dubai Divots and the out-of-form Lebanese Golf Society who won their first match of the season against the Wedgehogz in the third round.

2010/11 SAIF ZONE GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE FIXTURE CALENDAR DATE

EVENT

TIME

JANUARY 2011

Sat 15th Sat 22nd

BMW & Saif Zone Leagues SGSC & Worldwide Golf Leagues

13.00 shotgun 13.00 shotgun

FEBRUARY 2011

Sat 12th Sat 26th

BMW & Saif Zone Leagues SGSC & Worldwide Golf Leagues

13.00 shotgun 13.00 shotgun

MARCH 2011

Sat 5th

Quarter Finals

13.00 shotgun

Sat 2nd Sat 16th

Semi Finals Grand Final and 3rd/4th play-off match

13.00 shotgun 13.00 shotgun

APRIL 2011

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www.omegawatches.com

SERGIO GARCIA’S CHOICE.

AVAILABLE AT:

Omega boutiques (BurJuman, Deira City Centre, Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre, Sahara Centre, Wafi) and at select Rivoli Stores. Toll Free: 800-RIVOLI

LOCATION: Deira, opposite Deira City Centre.

ARABIAN GOLF

DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB

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

INFO: First Open 1993, redesigned in 2005.

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

Original Designer: Karl Litten.

Redesign: European Golf Design in association with Thomas Björn.

ROUTE 66 FOR MIRZA BMW medal winner Miki Mirza, receives a firm handshake from Club Vice Captain Joseph Andrade alongside David Gray, Golf Services Manager at Dubai Creek.

MIKI Mirza won the December BMW Monthly Medal in emphatic style, scoring a gross 66, net 68 with his plus two handicap to take home the crystal. Mirza carded six birdies and one bogey in a near flawless route to shoot a gross 5-under-par.

Runner-up in the men’s Division ‘A’ was Stephen Fidler who carded an impressive net 70 while in the men’s Division ‘B’ Alok Pant carded a net 72 to take the division.

Mego Han won the ladies division with a solid net 71 and the overall lowest gross score for the day was a 1-over-par 72 by Vikram Judge. Diya Chopra all scored a 66 net to take the junior division.

KUMAR AND SHEWAKRAMANI TAKE THE HONORS

Club Manager, Mustafa Al Hashimi presenting the winners Suresh Shewakramani and Ashok Kumar alongside General Manager of Dubai Golf, Chris May and Club Vice Captain, Joseph Andrade.

AL BADIA GOLF CLUB NING LI TEES FOR VICTORY KEEN members gathered again for another thrilling Monthly Medal of the winter season and it was Ning Li who stepped up to the plate and delivered a sterling performance to take the overall title.

Li stormed to victory with a brilliant net 68 while Tim Sephton produced the round of the day to take home the Gross title.

Impressive scores were also posted in both sub-Divisions as new member M.S. Jhang took the honours in Division ‘B’ with an excellent net 70, three strokes ahead of runner-up Stewart Chisholm.

Division ‘A’ saw Iain Milligan and Tina Hasper post matching net 69s and after a tense card countback the top spot was handed to Milligan thanks to his stronger finish.

Bill Buchanan shot Nearest the Pin on hole 3 and launched the Longest Drive down the fourth fairway while Chet Riley won the Nearest the Pin on hole 11 and Naveed Kamal struck the Straightest Drive on hole 17.

ASHOK Kumar and Suresh Shewakramani gelled extremely well to win the Member’s Guest Invitational tournament staged at the end of November. A total of 46 members invited 46 guests to take part in the friendly competition and it was Kumar and Shewakramani who prevailed with an impressive 44-point tally.

Runners-up were Shashi Raghavan and Neil Chansome with a superb 43 points while in third place on an impressive 41 points by virtue of a countback over the last nine holes was Vikas Mathur and Amandeep Sandu.

In the on-course prizes I.K Kang fired a superb iron shot to several feet on the fifth hole to claim Nearest the Pin for the day while Ashok Sindu launched the longest drive on the 12th hole.

Prior to play a putting competition was held and Adhip Shanker claimed the prize with 50 points.

LOCATION: Dubai Festival City, Al Badia, Dubai

COURSE: Par 72 Championship Course with four teeing options.

CONTACT: Tel: +971 (0) 4 601 0101 Fax: +971 (0) 4 601 0102, Email: albadiagolf@ichdfc.ae

O’CONNOR AND GROVE SNATCH THE HONOURS THE December Officeland Monthly Open was played in cool and breezy conditions and it was Al Badia members O’Connor and Grove who took full advantage, winning by the narrowest of margins after scoring 41 points.

The duo of Edoardo and Beatrice Gallepini had to settle for second place on 40 points as they relegated the team of Oliver Putz and Jan Vandrey into third place after a card countback.

Putz continued his exceptional form in the on course competition as he won the Longest Drive in hole 4 while Ian McDonald impressed as he took home the Nearest to the Pin honours on hole 11.

Al Badia Member, Mike Grove is pictured with Al Aquili Furnishing Group Marketing Director, Shahriar Khodjasteh.

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LOCATION: 2km from Tasjeel Auto Village behind Emirates Road. A five minute drive from University City.

ARABIAN GOLF

SHARJAH GOLF & SHOOTING CLUB

INFO: A 9-hole fully floodlit course designed by Peter Harradine.

Played twice results in a par-72 layout in excess of 7,300 yards.

CONTACT: Tel: +971 6 548 7777 info@golfandshootingshj.com

SILVERTON’S TALE OF TWO HALVES MARK Silverton produced a virtuoso performance to win the first Northern Emirates Winter Loyalty Pass Stableford supported by Worldwide Golf and held at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club.

Held the same weekend as the Dubai World Championship, Silverton (25) reeled off 40 full handicap Stableford points en-route to an emphatic victory. Staggeringly, the Brit completed the front nine in just 15 points but hit the reset button at the turn to produce a Karlsson-like performance on the inward nine, scoring 25 points. The runner-up spot went to the rapidly improving Louise Adams who had recovered from a recent bout of food poisoning while on a golfing holiday to Nepal to return 31 points.

The Northern Emirates Loyalty Pass is a collaboration between Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, Al Hamra and

Tower Links Golf Clubs. Passes are available for only AED 999 (AED 399 for juniors) and includes 1 inclusive 18 hole round at each club, then 25% and 50% off rates (on and off peak) at all three clubs.

Valid until May 31st the card also entitles holders to discount in the three respective pro shops, 20% discount at listed hotels (rooms and selected F&B outlets), a complimentary subscription to Worldwide Golf and three tournament rounds where pass holders can meet and play with other nomadic golfers.

The next NEWLP Stableford is to be held at Al Hamra on January 15th in an 8am shotgun.

For more info on the Loyalty Pass contact any of the three clubs or contact the SGSC Golf Secretary on 06 5487777 or golfsec@golfandshootingshj.com

The victorious Mark Silverton with his winning prize.

HARRADINE LIFTS SAIF ZONE MEN’S OPEN TITLE

Michael Harradine (bottom right) is pictured with all the weekend’s prize winners.

MICHAEL Harradine won the third edition of the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Clubs SAIF Zone Men’s Open Golf Championship in late November with a three-stroke victory over Khalid Yousuf and Daniel Hendry.

Harradine (+3) had a one shot lead going into the second round, courtesy of a course record equaling first round of 71, one stroke better than Hendry (+4).

On day two Harradine produced controlled golf and showcased some particularly impressive iron play

en-route to a 75, which included a bogey, bogey finish, a luxury his earlier impressive form allowed him.

On the final hole Harradine’s main threat proved to be Yousuf (+1) who required a birdie to force Harradine to make par. However, Yousuf’s 5-iron from 181 yards found the water and a double bogey six gave Harradine a comfortable cushion.

At the presentation 27-yearold Harradine thanked SGSC for an extremely well run event and presenting the course in truly fantastic condition.

SHARJAH GOLF & SHOOTING CLUB HOSTS ANNUAL PARTY THE fifth annual party at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club (SGSC) was attended by HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of Sharjah Civil Aviation, Chairman of Air Arabia and Chairman of the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Thani Managing Director of Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, HE Sheikh Ghanim Bin Abdullah Al Thani, along with all the managers and staff of SGSC and the sister companies, Al Nawras Catering, Grab ‘n’ Go, Tamween Catering and the Cleopatra’s Boutique Spa. The Party was inaugurated with an opening speech from HE Sheikh Mohammed where he thanked all the staff working at all the companies while focusing that the success that has been seen throughout these years stems from the team work that is key at SGSC and all the sister companies. He also mentioned that in 2010 we witnessed the opening of the Cleopatra’s Boutique Spa as well as new branches for Grab ‘n’ Go, and a spectacular first year for Tamween Catering. “In 2011 we will see the opening of the new paintball building with the one of a kind indoor paintball fields and the opening of the first Grab ‘n’ Go branch in Dubai,” he added.

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ARABIAN GOLF

YAS LINKS ABU DHABI

LOCATION: Situated on Yas Island, Yas Links Abu Dhabi features an 18-hole course, a 9-hole academy course, golf academy and floodlit practice facilities which

are all set against dramatic views of the Arabian Gulf.

CONTACT: Tel: +9712 810 7777 www.yaslinks.com

YAS LINKS CROWN THE INAUGURAL CLUB CHAMPIONS YAS LINKS hosted their inaugural Club Championships last month as the strongest field of the season so far took to the course to battle for honours.

The overall champion was Joe Howell who kept hold of his lead after an opening day 76 with an 84 to win by three strokes.

Prevailing in the Net Division was Walter Hall who scored rounds of 66 and 76 for a 142 total and a mammoth 13-stroke victory over Emanuel Ostojic while Sharon Hall ran away with the ladies division, shooting 88 and 84 for a 172 total.

Overall winners Joe Howell and Sharon Hall are pictured with their trophies.

AL GHAZAL GOLF CLUB PETERSON CROWNED INDEPENDENCE WINNER MARC Peterson proved his mettle as he celebrated the UAE National Day by carding a gross 75 and a net 66 for an aggregate total of 132 and a five-shot victory in the 36-hole Independence Trophy.

Second place went to In Ki Kim on 137 (69,68) with third place going to Bernie Blanchard on 141 (72, 69).

Lowest handicapper playing in the event Rob Jennings scored a gross 75 and 74 to earn him the Best overall Gross prize. The best net Round 1 and Round 2 scores went to Rob Brown with a superb score of 63 and James Pullinger with a 69.

The ladies results were closely contested with Sue Murray taking the first round lead with an impressive 67, but a second round 79 saw her lose to top spot to Ming Brown who carded a gross 78 but then a superb second round 67 gave her a 145 total and a one-stroke victory.

The 36 hole Independence Trophy which has been competed for on sand since 1974 by Abu Dhabi golfers. The first winner

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was J. Archer and when the original sand course, which was situated in Abu Dhabi City, moved to the Al Ghazal Golf Club in 1995, when the AGGC (then known as the Airport Golf Club), willingly continued the Independence Trophy’s tradition.

LOCATION: Just 400 metres from Abu Dhabi Airport by road CONTACT: Tel : + 971 2 5758040 Fax: +971 2 5758041

CLUBHOUSE BAR Tel: +971 2 5758044 ACADEMY DIRECT Tel: +971 2 5758185 www.alghazalgolf.ae Email: golfclub@emirates.net.ae

ARABIAN GOLF

SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB

LOCATION: Saadiayat Beach Golf club is situated on Saadiyat Island, 700m off the coast of Abu Dhabi. The Gary Player designed course is a 317 acre par-72 beach/links style Championship course featuring three lakes

and 67 bunkers and offers stunning views across the Gulf.

CONTACT: T: +971 2 557 8000 F: +971 2 557 8001 E: info@sbgolfclub.ae W: http://www.sbgolfclub.ae

UK YOUTH TAKE ABU DHABI’S CHALLENGE MATCH AS UAE HOPEFULS PUT UP SPIRITED PERFORMANCE THE cream of UK junior golf held off a spirited display from a squad of aspiring UAE players to clinch the one-day Challenge Match at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club – a prelude to the 2010 Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship (ADJGC), in association with The Daily Telegraph.

Both sets of juniors produced some gripping action as the two sides fought hard in beautiful course conditions. Even though the British Isles took the challenge crown with 7.5 points, the current crop of UAE players produced an outstanding display to take 3.5 points, with Emirati juniors Khalid Yousuf and Ahmed Al Musharrekh winning their respective rounds.

“This tournament really gives us an excellent opportunity to play against the best young golfers in Britain and Ireland.

I feel like I have flown the flag for the UAE today and am very satisfied,” said Yousuf, who has participated in a number of European Tour events.

Equally impressive was Emirati rising star, Al Musharrekh. In a keenly fought contest

that developed into an epic over the closing three holes, Al Musharrekh and his partner Ronan Hall prevailed with a sensational victory, beating UK duo Luke Johnson and Fraser Mcleod on the final hole. “Today was very special,” he said afterwards. “It was a privilege to represent my country, and a special feeling to win. This is a great victory for me and shows how young golfers in the UAE have improved over recent years.”

The efforts of the UAE players drew particular praise from championship title sponsor, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which is supporting the event to help foster enhanced grass-root player development in the emirate.

“This shows how far UAE golf has come over the last few years as well as how much further we have to go. Giving talented local youngsters the chance to line-up against their international peers is critical for them to benchmark their own skills and learn new ones. It is very encouraging to see our young juniors holding their own in the highest level of competitive junior golf,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, ADTA’s Event Manager.

Ahmed Al Musharrekh tees off in his match with fellow UK counterparts.

Khaled Yousuf in action as Jordan Ainley from the UK looks on.

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Bahrain's premier golf & leisure destination

Find us on

Volvo Golf Champions 27th – 30th January 2011 The Royal Golf Club is proud to welcome competitors to the inaugural Volvo Golf Champions.

Up to 126 of the world’s greatest current and past champion golfers will compete on our spectacular Colin Montgomerie-designed championship golf course in this unique event.

50 Tournaments, 29 Destinations, 1 Champion - 1 Choice.

The Royal Golf Club, Bahrain. .

The Royal Golf Club website is available to you 24/7 all year round. Keep up to date with everything going on at the Club, view our latest offers and news, reserve a table in any of our restaurants or book your next tee time.

www.theroyalgolfclub.com

ARABIAN GOLF

ROYAL GOLF CLUB BAHRAIN

LOCATION: Situated just 20 minutes drive from Bahrain’s capital, Manama, the Royal Golf Club boasts the country’s only 18hole grass golf course which

forms the stunning centrepiece of Riffa Views, a residential lifestyle community.

CONTACT: Tel: +973 17 750777

MARSHALL TAKES THE KING HAMAD TROPHY ANDREW Marshall won the third edition of the King Hamad Trophy last month after three superb rounds of golf gave him a two stroke victory over Chris Hurter.

Marshall opened with a superb 7-under-par 65 and then hung on to win with a 208 total after rounds of 70 and 73. Hurter had given himself a fighting chance of victory with a second round 67 to sit just one behind Marshall heading into the final 18. However, Marshall’s 73 was good enough for victory after Hurter’s 74.

“I got four shots clear and tried to increase the lead, got to 10under-par at one stage but was not able to increase it further,” said Marshall. “It was all square as we stood on the 18th tee but Chris found water with his tee shot, took a drop and then found a bunker making a double bogey on the last. My putting dried up. Chris and I both had chances but we didn’t manage to take them.”

Players from 19 countries participated in the King Hamad Trophy with champion Marshall going forward to play in the Volvo Golf Champions which takes place on the Montgomerie Course from January 27-30.

VOLVO GOLF CHAMPIONS TEAM WINS THE ROYAL GOLF CLUB PRO AM THE “Volvo Golf Champions” team was crowned champions of the Royal Golf Club’s third annual Pro Am tournament last month with a fantastic team score of 29-under-par.

The team was led by UAE-based golf professional Steven Munro and consisted of Bijan Majidi, General Manager of E K Kanoo Company, the Bahrain representatives for Volvo; Lady Vice Captain Debbie Lane and Claus Hansen, volunteer Chief Marshal for the upcoming Volvo Golf Champions tournament.

In second place on 25-under-par was the “Projects System 2” team consisting of Gino Gizzi and his son Daniel, Jason Smith and Royal Golf Club PGA Teaching Professional Tim Backhouse. The in-form Backhouse put the disappointment of missing out on the team prize behind him be winning the individual section of the tournament with a score of 70, knocking Germany-based professional Chris Hurter and Steven Munro into second and third places respectively on countback.

The winning team of Steven Munro, Claus Hansen, Bijan Majidi and Debbie Lane.

The highly popular tournament was played on the Club’s Colin Montgomerie-designed championship course and boasted 17 teams in total, each accompanied by a PGA Professional.

The tournament was supported by sponsors Projects System Holding Company and BMMI, hotel partner L’Hotel and corporate partners Euro Motors BMW, Gulf Air, Viva and HSBC.”

FAMILY DAY ON THE WEE MONTY

EIGHT INTERNATIONAL STARS TO CHALLENGE MONTY FOR VOLVO GOLF CHAMPIONS

EVERY Saturday is Family Day on the 9-hole par-3 Wee Monty golf course between 10.00am and midday. This is the perfect opportunity to try something new with the whole family – no pressure, just fresh air, light exercise and fun.

Only BD15 per adult (including hire clubs) and kids play for free. (Note, the Wee Monty course will be closed from 23rd January until 2nd February).

The Montgomerie championship course will be closed for the Volvo Golf Champions international golf tournament from 19th January until Wednesday 2nd February. The Wee Monty course will be closed from 23rd January until 2nd February.

FOUR of Colin Montgomerie’s European Ryder Cup team – Ian Poulter, Francesco and Edoardo Molinari and Peter Hanson – his Vice Captain Thomas Björn along with 2010 Dubai Golf Championship winner Robert Karlsson, the 2010 European Tour Rookie of the Year Matteo Manassero and former US Open Champion Michael Campbell have all booked their tickets to Bahrain for the inaugural Volvo Golf Champions at the Royal Golf Club, Bahrain from the 27th to 30th January, 2011.

This exciting new tournament takes place with the full support of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) under the guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad

Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Chairman of the EDB. Volvo Event Management Golf has worked with IMG to create an event with unique characteristics that makes it stand out on the schedule.

It has an original and specifically devised qualification criteria ensuring a field rich in quality consisting only of past winners of European Tour tournaments. From 2012, the Volvo Golf Champions will be the curtain-raiser on the European Tour schedule with the field containing only winners from the previous season. By way of celebrating the inaugural tournament the field has been extended to 126 and will include both current and past champions.

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ARABIAN GOLF

DIRAB GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

LOCATION: Nestled in the picturesque Dirab Valley below the Tuwaiq escarpment, just 30 minutes drive from the diplomatic quarters of Riyadh, take the Makkah national road and turn left to Dirab.

The golf course is situated just off the Dirab Road.

CONTACT: Tel: +966 1 498 0017/8 Email: dirabgolf@yahoo.com

INFO: Opened in 1991, Dirab GC is the only grassed Championship golf course in Saudi Arabia with 9 of the 18 holes floodlit for night golf.

COURSE: 7,420 yards par 72 Championship Course with driving range and practice facilities.

GREAT SCORES IN LADIES MONTHLY MEDAL CHOI Kim returned a net 75 and Paraminta Mukherjee scored a gross 93 to take their respective honours in the recent Ladies Monthly Medal.

In what was the third competition of the ladies 2010/11 season, Mukherjee secured the Gross prize with a two-stroke victory thanks to nines of 47 and 46.

Madele Burger topped the ‘A’ Division, defeating Miki Park on a

All the winners of the recent Ladies Monthly Medal are pictured with their prizes.

card countback after both players returned a net 77, while Lady Captain Flore Bouzann took third place with a net 80.

The ‘B’ Division was won by Barbara Dickinson with a net 77, one stroke ahead of Rita Dadzis with Roselyn Delpondevaux third with an 83.

In the on-course prizes Burger and Mukherjee claimed Longest Drive and Closest to Pin honours respectively.

FINS ENJOY THE FACILITIES THE Finland Embassy enjoyed an activity day at Dirab Golf & Country Club recently as they were treated to a golf clinic, horseback riding, aa putting competition and they finished off their day with a game of tennis.

LOCATION: Located on Al Maather Street in the centre of Riyadh, the Palms Golf Club at Intercontinental Riyadh is open for play from 6am until 10pm.

THE PALMS GOLF CLUB

CONTACT: Tel: +966-1-4655000 Fax: +966-1-4657833 COURSE: Info: 9-hole, fully grassed and floodlit course.

Golf Professionals are available for coaching.

EVANS TRIUMPH AT THE SECOND ALMARAI OPEN IT was an unforgettable day of golf for South African Roy Evans as he clinched the second Almarai Open title at the Palms Golf Club InterContinental Riyadh last month.

Even though his round started with a bogey he bounced back and showed his prowess, fittingly ending his round with a birdie.

Evans, a golf fanatic with a handicap of 4, posted a net 1-overpar total in this prestigious championship in Riyadh to take home the glittering championship trophy.

In addition to the main prize Filipino golf enthusiast Rudy Pranga (6) was crowned the ‘A’ Division (hcp 0-6) champion while South African Mark Campbell (5) finished runner-up.

Norwegian Knut Bjornstad missed out on the overall championship but did win the ‘B’ Division (hcp 7-12) while in the ‘C’ Division (hcp 13- 18) Ivo Zemek beat all the others to take first place.

In the Ladies Division Kareen Bridgerd took the honours with Anne Bjornstad taking second place.

Baby Joseph, Asst. Golf Club Manager thanked the sponsor

and the players for their continued support of the Club. He also thanked Intercontinental Hotel Resident Manager Tariq Dowidar and Mounir Melliti, Recreation Manager for their great patronage towards the event.

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ARABIAN GOLF

DOHA GOLF CLUB

LOCATION: Close to West Bay Lagoon, 8km north of central Doha.

CONTACT: +974 483 2338 info@dohagolfclub.com

INFO: 18-hole 7,374-yard par-72 Championship course accompanied by a floodlit 9-hole Academy Course with spectacular views of the West Bay Lagoon.

Designed by Peter Harradine.

TIGHT AT THE TOP IN THE MIXED OPEN THE ninth edition of the InterContinental Doha Mixed Open once again proved to be one of the highlights of the golfing calendar as participants took to the fairways and greens for a compelling day of golf.

The results couldn’t have been closer as the top three teams all recorded a score of net 70 and after a nervy card countback the top prize was handed to the father and daughter combination of Thomas and Kimberly Stiegler who relegated the husband and wife duo of Hisham Al Rashid and Paula Martin to second place. Finishing third in the Greensomes format was Peter and Elizabeth Flowers.

NET 60 WINS THE BYRNE GOLF DAY

ROSE BLOOMS IN TIME FOR MEDAL

THE team of Randy Holt, Alan Crozie, Andrew Brown and Fred Foster took first place in the recently held Byrne Corporate Golf Day after shooting an excellent net 60 to defeat the field.

In second place, three strokes back, was the team of Nick Baker, Johan van Vuuren, Calum Doyle and Paul Atherton who defeated Ian McInerney, Michael Maynard, Dave Gilks and Steve Grayson after a tense card countback.

SAMMY Rose recorded a net 68 to win Flight ‘A’ of the November edition of the Guardian Wealth Monthly Medal by two strokes from junior player Donovan Liddicoat.

Flight ‘B’ saw Chan Hee Park take the honours by two strokes from Criag Johnston after shooting a superb net 62 while Denise Gilks won the Ladies Division after shooting a net 73.

Flight ‘A’ winner Sammy Rose.

The winning team celebrate their victory.

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ARABIAN GOLF

EGYPTIAN GOLF FEDERATION ISSA WINS THE DECEMBER JUNIOR OPEN THE EGF held the third junior open tournament of the season at Mirage City late last month as 40 players entered and competed in five categories from various tee positions over both the Championship and Nine Hole course.

Hassan Fayed of Alexandria played a solid round to finish with a net 70 to win the 18-and-under net prize while a round of 80 from Issa Abou El Ela proved to be enough for him to win the gross prize and be crowned the overall champion.

Issa’s second victory of the season gives him a significant lead in the gross Order of Merit although he will miss most of the rest of the season as he will be moving to Florida to join the ISM Academy there.

Playing six holes on the Nine Hole course from the EGF silver tees, Omar Moselhy and Donia Schultz won the 9-and-under category with scores of 36 and 39 respectively while the 11-and-under category saw Anas Amin (50) and Hana Wael (40) win the top prizes after nine holes from the EGF orange tees.

Also competing on the Nine Hole course, Harry Butterworth (34) and Farida Mohktar (43) won the 12-and-over category following nine holes from the red tees while on the Championship course, Gezira’s Omar Mafouz fired an 83 to win the 15-and-under gross prize while Soraya Scarello won the categories net prize on countback from Ali Lemmon.

EGF December Junior Open Champion Issa Abou El Ela receiving his awards from EGF’s Richard Phillips.

BMW INTERNATIONAL GOLF CUP 2011 AT THE ALLEGRIA FOR the first time since its opening in June 2010, The Allegria Golf Club held the BMW International Cup last month with the winner of each handicap division earning a place in the BMW World Final at Blue Canyon Country Club, Phuket, Thailand from February 21st – 26th, 2011.

Hossam Hilal won Category ‘A’ Men with 34 Stableford points, second place went to Mohamed Amin with 33 while an outstanding score of 42 points saw Mohamed Khedr take the Category ‘B’ honours by two points from Oliver Debayser.

In the ladies category Florence Debayser hauled an incredible 43 points to win by nine from second placed Nga Healey with 36 points.

BENT CONTINUES HIS WINNING RUN WHILE CALLE CARLSSON PLAYS HIS LAST EPGA EVENT GERARD Bent fired a 1-under-par 71 off the back tees at Mirage City to win the first EPGA event of the 2011 season by four shots from Calle Carlsson, who was playing in his final EPGA event.

The popular Swedish pro, who has left to take up a new post in Spain, won the Egyptian Open twice and many EPGA events in its four-year history and will be sorely missed.

Third place was shared by Dreamland’s Bill McColl, Mirage City’s Samir Zaki and Karl Anders Grundig, who all came home with a 76 while Samir Zaki took the leading Egyptian prize – a new initiative which has been introduced for this season.

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MAHMOUD WINS THE SECOND EVENT OF THE 2011 EPGA LOCAL professional Ayman Mahmoud took 40 Order of Merit points after winning the second event of the 2011 EPGA season played at Alexandria Sporting Club last month.

Mahmoud managed an excellent 71 in strong winds to win by two strokes from Ezzat Aboul Kassem with Karl Anders third after a 74.

The win moves Mahmoud into second place on the 2011 Order of Merit, the winner of which qualifies for a spot in the 2011 Egyptian Open.

KATAMEYA WIN ROUND 2 OF THE EGF LADIES INTERCLUB COMPETITION THE Katameya ladies defeated Dreamland by three points on their home course to win the second round of the EGF Ladies Interclub competition recently. With a score of 143 points Katameya prevailed from Dreamland and Mirage City and as a result Katameya secured 20 team points with the others both sitting on 14.

RISING STARS MEET FOR DECEMBER COACHING CAMPS THE EGF Rising Stars squads attended their monthly coaching day camps last month and the Cairo squad met at Katameya Heights, spending the morning working on their techniques and taking part in a series of skills tests despite a thick fog.

The afternoon saw the squad play nine holes on the ‘New Nine’ course under the watchful eye of Richard Phillips, Golf Development Officer for EGF. The weather in Alexandria the following day was also less than ideal with strong winds, cool temperatures and sporadic showers making for a difficult day. The poor weather prevented the juniors from playing on the course but they did manage to complete a variety of skills tests covering all aspects of the game.

ARABIAN GOLF

JOLIE VILLE GOLF & RESORT

LOCATION: The first and only golf resort in the area is located 10 minutes from the Sharm El Sheikh International Airport and Naama Bay. The central location of the resort at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula makes it an ideal point of return from other trips in Egypt, to enjoy a unique game of golf in a dramatic setting of mountains, desert and sea.

CONTACT: Tel: + 2069 3600635 Fax: +2069 3600642 golfreservation@sgr-maritim-jolieville.com INFO: The 5 star Jolie Ville Golf & Resort has matured to be one of the best in Egypt. The par 72 PGA Championship golf course, measures 6,858 yards.

GET YOUR ENTRIES IN FOR THE 10TH SALEM TROPHY 2011 SET to take place over Friday 18th and Saturday 19th February the 10th Salem Trophy 2011 on the beautiful Championship course at MARITIM Jolie Ville Golf & Resort, will once again provide one of the highlights in the club’s golfing calendar.

The tournament will be played over 36 holes Stableford with golfers receiving full handicap allowance. Maximum handicap for men is 28 and ladies 36.

Prizes will be awarded to the leading Man and Lady golfer as well as to those in second and third place, Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin. Entry is only available to players with a recognised golf handicap certificate, which must be produced upon registration and you must get your entry in by February 1st, 2011.

“Over the years the Salem Trophy has witnessed some fantastic golf – we always get a great turnout and we expect the standard to be really high again this year,” said Golf Club Manager Dominic Naughton. “There’s a cocktail party the night before the tournament, a BBQ after each day’s play and a Gala Dinner at the end so it’s a really great occasion.”

Golfers interested in entering the Salem Trophy can tear off the Entry Form below and scan , email or fax to the Golf Reservations team located in the contact panel above.

ENTRY FORM Please tick your selections in the boxes porvided.

Name: Tel: Email: Member of: Handicap: Signature: Tournament Fee:

145 Euros

Extra Gala Dinner Tickets:

50 Euros

Total to be debited from card below:

£

Name on Card:

Card Type:

Card Number:

Epriry Date:

* Entry Fee: 145 EURO (does not include green fees)

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

CONTACT: TEL: +20 2 2759 7600 WEB: www.katameyadunes.com

KATAMEYA DUNES

INFO: Located in New Cairo, Katameya Dunes features 27 holes designed by Sir Nick Faldo which are configured into two Championship 18-hole courses – The Lakes and The Palms. Membership is open from January 1st, 2011.

MIKE GALLEMORE WALKS THE SPECTACULAR CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE AT KATAMEYA DUNES AND DESCRIBES THE FASCINATING CHALLENGE OF THE CLOSING NINE HOLES OF THIS OUTSTANDING NEW SIR NICK FALDO DESIGNED COURSE IN EGYPT

Hole 10: Par 4 – 495 yards

Hole 13: Par 4 – 400 yards

Hole 16: Par 3 – 230 yards

From the ninth green you meander around the lake to the tee box and take aim at the wide fairway ahead. Although a relatively long par-4 there is a generous run up area to the green so balls will bound on and find the putting surface.

Favour the right side when approaching this green as danger lurks to the left.

The semicircle of bunkers gives the illusion of a hole which appears closer than it actually is. A good tee shot will leave a midiron to the putting surface and with the generous green a birdie is a good possibility – but any shots missing left will be in the desert.

From the elevated tee box take heed of the water that protects the left side and bunkers that will catch any shots that come up short. A confident player can attack certain pin positions with the reassurance that the sloping green will feed the ball back to the target.

Hole 11: Par 5 – 595 yards

Hole 14: Par 4 – 320 yards

This hole offers the best opportunity for an eagle.

From the elevated tee box you can open the shoulders and let loose because there is hazardfree space left and right should a huge drive go slightly offline. The green can be made in two with a long iron but there is lots of room left should the decision to lay up be taken.

This is the shortest par-4 on the course and the exquisitely designed green is surrounded by the cool water of the Nile. The courage of the famous Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II is needed in order to win the battle with this magnificent risk-reward hole.

Hole 12: Par 3 – 175 yards

Keep your tee shot to the right on this medium length par-4 to avoid a visit to the large bunker on the left – a trap filled with the golden sand from the Egyptian desert.

An elevated green makes the second shot that bit trickier so take extra club as any balls that pull up short will roll back and leave a tough pitch shot.

Egypt is full of history and so is this location as this is the first hole at Katameya Dunes in which a ‘hole-in-one’ was achieved. The large green is surrounded by water and the additional threat of bunkers will make any golfer’s heart beat a little faster. Staying calm is crucial if your ball is to find the green.

Hole 15: Par 4 – 425 yards

Hole 17: Par 4 – 465 yards Considered one of the most difficult holes on the golf course, the 17th features a severe dogleg and the tee shot must find the fairway to have any chance of making this green in two. The lavish green awaits but any misses should be short or left as bunkers pepper the right side of the green.

Hole 18: Par 5 – 625 yards Probably the best finishing hole in Egypt – this par-5 offers something for everyone. The big hitter has the opportunity to finish with an eagle by going for the green in two but for those who can’t bomb it a mile there is the chance of a birdie finish. Good course management skills are needed for this hole as water lurks up the right side on the approach to the green.

Like everything in this beautiful country; this hole is exciting, glorious and picturesque. This will be a fantastic finish for any future European Tour event.

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LOCKER ROOM ECCO BIOM GOLF THE ECCO BIOM Golf shoe, as worn by Denmark’s Iben Tinning as she stormed to a two-stroke victory in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters last month, is a ground breaking shoe that follows the foot’s natural system for absorbing impact. BIOM Golf enhances stability while strengthening muscles in the feet and lower legs.

The shoe, which features five design patents and is available in men’s and women’s versions, brings players closer to the playing surface, improving ground feel during all phases of the swing. www.ecco.com/golf

ARCAM RCUBE THE Arcam rCube is one of the most stylish iPod docking station and speaker systems on the market. The cube itself is smaller than a football but the sound you get out of this thing is phenomenal. www.arcam.co.uk

SWING ACCELERATOR THESE Swing Accelerator training clubs are a great way of improving your distance and accuracy on the golf course.

Some weighted clubs fall down as they don’t promote realistic ‘feel’ in the golf swing but the Swing Accelerator uses patented shaft weighting which is basically a sandlike substance within the shaft that moves to the grip during the backswing and the clubhead during the downswing therefore promoting the correct muscle memory.

You can actually hit balls with these clubs and they’re also great for keeping yourself in shape during the off-season or warming up before a round. www.sklz.com

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EVERYTHING YOU WOULD WANT IN YOUR LOCKER... AND MORE! CLUBS

BALLS

CLOTHING

BAGS

COOL STUFF

YES! GOLF MOLLIE PUTTER THE Mollie Putter from Yes! Golf, as used by European Ryder Cup player Peter Hanson, is a classic blade style putter which is enhanced by the company’s C-Grooves and multi-material head construction.

With a straight hosel like her sister Morgan, the golfer’s view is perfectly clear down to the top of the blade with its elliptic back and single white sight line. The head combines a tungsten back with a stainless steel body and an aluminium face.

The combination of the light, aluminium face and extremely heavy back perimeter maximises the moment of inertia, stabilising the face at impact, resulting in more control and consistency. www.yesgolf.co.uk

TWO TRIBES

BY GAVIN NEWSHAM

IJP BELT FROM the peacock of golf himself – Ian Poulter – comes this lovely IJP belt. Made from the highest-quality leather, the belts can be matched with an IJP buckle of your choice to create your own snappy look.

TWO Tribes tells the extraordinary story of the transformation of The Ryder Cup from the golfing equivalent of a turkey shoot into one of the most competitive and most consistently thrilling events in the international sporting calendar. Packed with interviews with a host of world-class players, Two Tribes captures the essence of three passionate decades of The Ryder Cup culminating in a gripping account of Europe’s triumph at Celtic Manor, 2010.

www.ijpdesign.com

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# 1 G L OV E O N TO U R .

More players on the US and European Tours choose to wear FootJoy. Players like Luke Donald, Fredrik Jacobson and Davis Love III, who rely on the best fit and performance of the FootJoy StaSof ® and SciFlex ™ golf gloves.

From the performance of the premium Pittards ® Taction™ APL ™ Cabretta leather to the incredible feel, breathability and grip, the best players in the world know that FootJoy gloves are the most technically advanced and highest quality gloves available. To discover for yourself why the world’s best count on FootJoy, visit footjoy.co.uk/gloves.

Source: Darrell Survey (US) Sports Marketing Surveys Ltd (Europe). Pro Sports International, PO Box 26723, Dubai, UAE footjoy.co.uk Available from: Abu Dhabi Golf & Equestrian Club, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Al Badia, Al Ghazal, Dirab Golf Club, Doha Golf Club, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Golf Club, Golf House Super Store, Golf Shop Direct, Katameya Heights, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mirage Golf Resort, Nad Al Sheba Club, Riffa Golf Club,The Montgomerie Dubai, Sports Mart Doha, ME Golf Kuwait.

GROOM ROOM

AFTER A LONG DAY ON THE COURSE, IT’S ALWAYS GOOD TO TAKE TIME OUT TO FRESHEN UP

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER CLASSIQUE CHARM LIMITED EDITION A limited edition version of Jean Paul Gaultier’s wonderful Classique presented in an exquisite, striking bottle. Classique is an oriental floral based fragrance for romantic souls.

Technical jargon: Top notes – rose, star aniseed, orange, mandarin, pear liqueur. Heart notes – iris, plum, ginger, orange blossom, ylang-ylang.

Base notes – musk, vanilla, woody amber.

ISSEY MIYAKE L’EAU D’ISSEY FLORALE As the name suggests the new scent from Issey Miyake is based around a floral composition.

A very simple and uncomplicated fragrance, Florale opens with a breath of rose before giving way to soft sparkling mandarin orange and then a deep base of white woods.

THE ORGANIC PHARMACY DETOX The perfect antidote for overindulgence over the festive season, these Detox capsules from The Organic Pharmacy are full of cleaners and repairers that go to work on the gut and colon leaving you feeling tip top for the New Year.

KINGS FLAWLESS HOLD HAIR GEL Kings flawless hold Hair Gel creates classic styles with volume and shine. It doesn’t make hair greasy or leave visible residue and is easily washed out.

JIMMY CHOO EAU DE PARFUM The renowned shoe designer makes his first foray into the world of perfume with this delightful Eau de Parfum. The scent is wonderfully sweet and fruity. It smells delicious – very modern and stylish.

The company describe the composition as a ‘blend of green notes, orchid, caramel and patchouli.’

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER WORLDWIDEGOLF www.wwgolf.biz

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DRIVER - FAIRWAY - HYBRID - IRONS - WEDGES - PUTTER - BALL

IN THE RICHARD SHERIDAN

BAG TEACHING PROFESSIONAL BUTCH HARMON SCHOOL OF GOLF, DUBAI SPORTS CITY.

IRONS (3-pw) Q: When did you start playing golf and where?

A: I started playing in Poole, Dorset at the age of 13. My father’s work colleague suggested I attend Junior classes at East Dorset Golf Club and after one lesson I was hooked. I went on to become Junior Dorset Champion at the age of 15.

Q: How long have you been in Dubai and what has been your favourite experience so far?

A: I have been in Dubai since October 2007 and my best experience so far was playing in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January 2010 – it was possibly the best week of my life.

It’s great to put yourself up against the best players in the world, scary but great fun. I hope to do better next time round as I have qualified to play in the same event this month.

Q: What was your first set of clubs?

A: My first set of clubs was a set of Petron irons with a Wilson wooden driver and a Pinseeker putter! Not a classic set by any means but it did me well for a while before I moved on to something a bit more glamorous.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence in the sport?

A: My golfing hero is Payne Stewart. He was an unbelievable sportsman and a great example to all involved in the game of golf. One moment that epitomises his sportsmanship was when he gave his Ryder Cup singles match to Colin Montgomerie as an apology for all the abuse he received from the spectators at Brookline in 1999.

Q: If you were the head of the R&A, what rule would you change and why?

A: I would change the spike mark rule. If you play at the back of the field on a busy day at the course short putts can be tricky with all the blemishes around the hole. Tapping these down makes sense to me.

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Titleist AP1 Dynamic Gold S300 Shafts, Standard loft and lie

DRIVER Titleist D2 10.5° Driver Aldila RIP X Stiff Shaft

HYBRID

Titleist 909H 19° Aldila VS Proto Stiff Flex

3-WOOD Titleist 909F 15.5° Aldila VS Proto Stiff Flex

PUTTER WEDGES Titleist Vokey Spin Milled Wedges 52.08° and 58.12°

BALL Titleist ProV1x

Scotty Cameron Tour Only

A GOLF SHOE DOESN’T NEED TO LOOK LIKE A GOLF SHOE

Dubai - ECCO Shops - Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, The Dubai Mall.

Abu Dhabi - ECCO Shops - Marina Mall Also available at leading golf clubs in UAE, Qatar, Bahrain & Egypt For Sales & Distribution: ECCO Middle East, Tel: +971-4-299 3885 Ext - 101 Fax: +971-4-299 3886 P.O. Box 293878, Dubai. Email: ae.golf@ecco.com/golf

v isit : ec c o. c om / g o l f

FRED COUPLES IN GOLF STREET