Kelly and Farrell book ‘Dream Ticket’ 22/07/2011
IAN Kelly and Denver Farrell of Arabian Ranches booked a dream trip to the International Pairs World Final with victory in the inaugural UAE National Final.

The duo qualified for the Final in the very first Tech Access International Pairs UAE event in October 2010 and waited seven months for their chance to compete against pairs from15 other clubs. But their patience paid off as they emerged victorious, just a point ahead of the chasing pack.

With a luxury trip up for grabs, competition on the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club course was fierce and trying to pick a pre-tournament favourite was impossible.

Many eyes were on home representatives K.J. Singh and Naresh Handa but their solid round tailed off towards the end as they came home with 39 points, two behind the winners and only good enough for fourth place.

With high winds affecting all players, the ladies appeared to suffer the most as mixed pairings occupied the bottom three places, with only Claire Warburton and partner Bob Driver mounting a serious challenge that ultimately came up short on the difficult 18th hole.

The tough weather conditions played into the hands of the better players and so it proved as Kelly and Farrell came into the event with the lowest combined handicap and their score of 41 points was a showcase of consistency throughout.

Both players contributed in the better-ball format as they scored six net birdies including one on the 18th – one of the toughest holes in the UAE. This experienced pair deserve their place in the World Final, which will be played at The Carrick on the shores of Loch Lomond, Scotland.

After finishing with a net eagle on their last hole, J.W. Choi and Roy Holmes from Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club came home with a commendable 40 points, which although good enough for second, was one behind the winners.  Kevin Black and George Gourlay from The Els Club also scored 40 points but lost out on a countback over the last six holes and had to settle for third place.

Kelly and Farrell book ‘Dream Ticket’
The Ambassadors Cup launched at Dubai Creek 21/04/2011

Dubai Golf and the Australian Business Council Dubai, in collaboration with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Wassl Asset Management, have launched The Ambassador’s Cup, an inter-Business Council Team Golf Event. Official Business Councils can enter eight teams of 14 players including the Ambassador or Consul General of each participating country with the scores of the top 10 players counting in a team Stableford over the two rounds, the first of which takes place at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club on April 28. The second round will be played at Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course on October 27. Chris May, General Manager of Dubai Golf, commented: “This is a fantastic event for Dubai which provides a unique platform for the business councils to come together in a setting away from their traditional environment. We are extremely proud to be the hosts of this tournament and we thank our sponsors and partners.”

Hesham Al Qassim, CEO of wasl Asset Management Group, the title sponsor: “We are very happy to be involved with the Ambassadors Cup. wasl has previously sponsored international golf events including the Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai Ladies Masters and we are all looking forward to supporting a unique event that brings together different nationalities within our city for what promises to be a great competition.”
The Ambassadors Cup launched at Dubai Creek
O'GRADY SET FOR MIDDLE EAST ADDRESS AT KPMG 14/04/2011
  THE European Tour's Chief Executive George O'Grady CBE is set to deliver an address at the KPMG Golf Business Forum outlining the major role the UAE and wider Middle East can play in the future growth of golf.

The event, which is regarded as the most significant industry gathering in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMA) takes place from April 17-19 at the Park Hyatt in Dubai. O'Grady's talk is entitled ‘The Opportunities for Golf in the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC)'

Following the address there will be a live onstage discussion about the current state of the game in the Middle East and the opportunities for future development chaired by CNN's Don Riddel.

O'Grady is also keen to promote discussion on the development of the grass roots game in the region through the hosting of European Tour events and will analyse  the role European Tour players have played in raising the profile of the golf in the Middle East through the designing of courses and using its courses for winter practice.

For more information about the Golf Business Forum and to register visit www.golfbusinessforum.com.

O'GRADY SET FOR MIDDLE EAST ADDRESS AT KPMG
Colin Montgomerie added to Golf Business Forum 01/04/2011

KPMG has confirmed that Colin Montgomerie will be the star name among a stellar line-up of speakers invited to the eighth annual Golf Business Forum.

The two-and-a-half day conference – firmly established as the leading golf industry event for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMA) as well as the emerging markets – will revolve around a dynamic agenda and be hosted by CNN’s Don Riddell. It is to be staged at the exclusive Park Hyatt Dubai, UAE, from April 17-19, 2011.

Mr Montgomerie, captain of the triumphant European team in the 2010 Ryder Cup and holder of a record eight European Tour Order of Merit titles, is well respected within the golf business community, and has a number of off-course interests, such as designing the championship course at the sumptuous Montgomerie Dubai facility.

Andrea Sartori, head of KPMG’s specialist Golf Advisory Practice in EMA, said: “Colin Montgomerie is not only a world-class golfer but a frequent and articulate speaker on golf industry issues. We feel sure his knowledge will add an extra dimension to the forum and his insights into how he motivated the Ryder Cup team to success will provide valuable lessons our delegates can replicate in their own businesses.”
Colin Montgomerie added to Golf Business Forum
Good scores at Arabian Ranches Captain’s Day 30/03/2011

THE four player team of Mark and Karen Evans, Nick Mesquita and Paul Sansom returned a staggering 92 Stableford points in Andy Burrow's Captains Day earlier this month to win by a comfortable four point margin.

The event attracted one of the largest fields of the year with 108 players competing and the format was the best two Stableford scores from the team of four to be recorded at each hole of play. Each competitor used their handicap index as the tournament allowance with 4 points were awarded for a net eagle, 3 points for a net birdie, 2 points for a net par and 1 point for a net bogey.

The key to the winning teams’ performance was only scoring less than four points on a hole on only one occasion and compiling six or more points on a hole at seven holes.

Chipping and putting competitions were held on the practice green throughout the day with Tony Stroud crowned ‘King of the Greens’ and Andre Coetzee winning the Chipping competition.

Andy Burrow and Vice Club Captain Andy Scanlan presented the winners of the day with their prizes, thanked everyone for supporting the day and the contribution they make towards ARGC. “I’m extremely pleased with how members and their guests supported this event and stayed for the prize presentation, we have a great group of Members whose support and input is greatly appreciated,” said Burrow.
Good scores at Arabian Ranches Captain’s Day
BAIN MAKES IT TWO IN A ROW 30/03/2011

SCOTLAND’S Ross Bain won the NBAD Men’s Abu Dhabi Open Golf Championship at Al Ghazal earlier this month to make it back-to-back victories in the event.

With harder pin positions to contend with and early morning blustery conditions, it proved to be a very difficult test for competitors but Bain prevailed with an excellent 138 total to win by two strokes from compatriot Simon Dunn.

Dunn did shoot the low round of the day – a stunning 66 – but it wasn’t enough to overhaul Bain’s lead.

Taking the third place professional division was newcomer to sand golf, Chris Davis from DCGYC, who came in with a two round total of 142.

In the Amateurs division Joel Neale kept his head to card a second consecutive level-par score and win by one shot on 142 from John Mills (AGGC) who despite shooting a second round 70 had to settle for second place. Third place went to another newcomer Michael Harradine (JAGRS) as he scored a 152 total, one shot clear fourth placed Paul King (DCGYC).

Winner of the overall net prize with a total 153 (75-78) on countback was John Fellingham (DCGYC) from second placed Jan Philip Friedmann (AGGC) with third place going to AGGC’s Golfer of the Year leader Mark Hayman on 155.

Presenting the trophies on behalf of National Bank of Abu Dhabi was Mr. Ali Al Naqbi, Head of Direct Banking & E Development, Consumer Banking Group. 
BAIN MAKES IT TWO IN A ROW
Tufail crowned Creek Ladies Amateur champion 29/03/2011

SANA Tufail was crowned Ladies Amateur Open Champion at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club in early March after a superb two-round total of 153. 

Tufail, who is just 14 and hails from Abu Dhabi, fired a superb second round of gross one over par 72 to add to an opening round 81 and beat Emirates Golf Club’s Jo Schoeman to the title by four strokes.

Tufail now hopes to follow in the footsteps of past champions Felicity Johnson and Rachael Cassidy who have gone on to make a career in professional golf.

 “Thank you to all of my playing partners, especially Sandra and all of the ladies who took part,” said Tufail. “The greenkeepers made the course in fantastic condition and thank you to the club for staging such a wonderful event.  Also I would like to thank my parents for their continued and dedicated support towards my golf.”

In the Silver Division Serifa D’Souza won with two solid net 70s as she prevailed by three strokes from Yuko Tsukiori who followed a net 70 with a 73. 

The Bronze Division witnessed G.A Cho card superb net scores of 64 and 71 to win by one shot from H.H Choi who signed for a 65 and a 71 for a net 136.

 

Picture: Ladies Champion Sana Tufail is presented with the winner’s trophy and flowers by Dubai Creek Club Captain, Joseph Andrade.

Tufail crowned Creek Ladies Amateur champion
Labis, Rivera and McGregor run riot at the Ranches 09/03/2011

LORENZO Rivera and Alaistair McGregor produced some solid golf to take their respective divisional honours in the Emirates Golf Federation’s Handicap Scheme Medal at Arabian Ranches while Nestor Labis took the overall Gross prize.

Rivera shot a tidy net 72 to win Division ‘A’ title while McGregor carded a brilliant 39 points to emerge victorious in Division ‘B’ which followed the individual Stableford format.

McGregor, who also walked away with the nearest to the pin prize on hole 2, dominated the proceedings in his division, finishing six shots ahead of nearest challenger Paul Stump.

Nestor Labis also made his presence felt in the event, winning with a fine 81 while Julia Alhemoud also made it to the podium after taking the ladies division title with 33 points.

The handicap scheme medal events are part of Emirates Golf Federation’s initiative to provide golfers who are not a members of any club with healthy playing opportunities to hone their competitive edge and improve their handicaps.

Saeed Albudoor, general manager of the federation, was pleased with the response to the event, saying: “We had a good turn-out and that reflects on the growing popularity of the event. We are grateful to the Arabian Ranches Golf Club for providing all the assistance in successfully putting the event together.”

Gross winner Nestor Labis is pictured after play.
Labis, Rivera and McGregor run riot at the Ranches
UAE Golf Teams Strike Gold 09/03/2011

THE UAE Senior and Junior Golf Teams produced their finest performances in the 15th GCC Golf Championship at The Royal Golf Club, Bahrain.

Sohail Al Marzouqi and Hassan Al Musharrekh combined magnificently to inspire the UAE Junior Team to a brilliant gold medal victory in the Junior Division of the Championship..
Sohail, who plays off a 10 handicap, shot solid rounds of 81 and 78 while Hassan (3 handicap) chipped in with an 83 and an 78 as the UAE posted a gross total of 320 to beat their nearest challengers, Qata,r by four strokes. Faisal Al Marzouqi was the other member of the Team that did the Emirates proud by going the full distance to improve upon their runners-up finish last year.
Sohail also had the distinction of finishing second in the individual division with a gross 158, just one shot behind gold medal winner Ali Al Bishi of Qatar and one ahead of third-placed compatriot Hassan.
The UAE Senior Team, comprising Ahmed Al Musharrekh, Khalid Yousuf, Abdulla Al Musharrekh and Faris Al Mazroui, hit top form as they finished runners-up to Bahrain in the Senior Division.

The UAE Team, who finished third in last year’s Championship, posted a gross score of 701 to Bahrain’s 683. Saudi Arabia were third with a gross score of 753.
Khalid Yousuf (75, 78, 84) and Abdulla Al Musharrekh (81, 79, 79) were major contributors to the UAE Team’s score. According to the format of the Championship, the top three scores were counted towards the total in a team of four in this 54-hole stroke-play event.
Ahmed Al Musharrekh, who followed up his gross 76 and 77 in the first two rounds with a superb level-par 72, was later declared winner of the Individual Gold Medal with a total of 225, two ahead of Bahrain’s Nasser Yacoob Salah and four clear of Hamad Afnan, also of Bahrain.
With one Team Gold, one Individual Gold, one Individual Silver and a runners-up place under their belt, the UAE had every reason to feel proud about the performance of the boys at the championship which attracted six GCC teams.

 

Khalid Al Mubarak, Manager of the UAE Team, congratulated all the members of the Team for producing good scores when it mattered most, saying: “The boys stayed focused on the job at hand and delivered the results expected of them.
“Their overall performance during the Championship also reflects on the growing standards of the game among UAE Nationals. The aim is to keep getting better and better every year,” said Mubarak, who also thanked UAE National Team sponsors Emirates NBD, Al Naboodah and Callaway/Cutter&Buck for their valuable support to the Team.
“Last but not least, I would to like congratulate National Coach Chris Vallender for all the hard work he has devoted in honing the competitive edge of the boys,” he said.

 

Pictured is Ahmed Al Musharrekh, winner of the Individual Gold Medal.

UAE Golf Teams Strike Gold
Mirza and King take route 66 to the grand finals 08/03/2011

MIKI Mirza and Paul King won the Carpetland Monthly Open in January with a superb 5-under-par 66 betterball net score to take a direct route to the Grand Finals held in May.

Brothers Anthony and Paul Saad took second place with a 67 by virtue of a countback over the past three holes ahead of past winners Ashok Kumar and Suresh Shewakramani

All top three pairs will now be invited back to compete at the grand final with now only three more qualifying events left.  

Patrick Morrow won Nearest the Pin on hole 8 with a sweetly struck iron to seven feet while Anthony Saad won the Longest Drive for the day on the 12th hole. 

Shahriar Khodjasteh, Group Marketing Director of Al Aqili Furnishings said: “As you are all aware we have launched our charity initiative and for every player plays we will donate DHS 100 to The Friends of Cancer Patients Charity and my father Mansour will contribute to double the total amount raised each month.  It was great to see a full field and means we have risen from you all playing today over DHS 10,000.” 
Mirza and King take route 66 to the grand finals
Mirza seals his hat-trick 08/03/2011

MIKI Mirza was crowned Dubai Creek Men’s Club Champion for the third time after rounds of 71 and 79 gave him a 150 total and a six-stroke victory over his nearest competitors.

Paul King finished runner up with his 156 total after rounds of 76 and 80 while Francisco Giles finished third with a 159 thanks to solid tee to green play over the two days.

 “Thank you to the club for a great two days of golf and the condition were tough with the wind,” said Mirza afterwards. “Thank you to J.Lindeberg and Chervo for their support and to Rob, the Director of Golf Course Maintenance, as the course was in great condition.”

Janish Khurana was crowned the Net Champion with a 147 total after rounds of 68 and 79 gave him a one shot win over last year’s Net winner Arshad Waheed.

Nasha Sarkari made it back to back Club Championships by successfully defended her Ladies title with two consistent rounds of gross 80 and 81 for a 161 total while Yuko Tsukiori was crowned Ladies Net Champion.

Paul Saad won the Junior Club Championship with gross scores of 80 and 84 and Serifa D’Souza the Junior Net Prize with rounds of 77 and 70.
Mirza seals his hat-trick
NEAL FIRES 68 TO TRIUMPH IN EMIRATES AMATEUR OPEN 08/03/2011

Joel Neale fired a superb final round 68 over the Majlis course to triumph in the Emirates Amateur Open.

Joel, representing Emirates Golf Club, started the day five shots off the overnight leader Michael Saunders but the familiar surrounds of his home course enabled him to produce a superb 4-under par tally over the exact layout that Spaniard Alvaro Quiros triumphed on the previous weekend.

Fantastic golf by Neale got him to 1-under par for the tournament as he teed up on the famous par-5 18th and he sank a memorable 10-foot birdie putt to post a clubhouse lead of 2-under par.

His closest rivals, Khalid Attieh (Arabian Ranches GC) and Harry Diamond (Belvoir Park GC), also teed off on the 18th at 1-under par for the championship but both players hooked their tee shots into the trees. Diamond’s challenge ended when he took two more shots to find the fairway while Attieh pitched out sideways and 200 yards from the flag.

A superb shot gave him a 30-footer to force a play-off but his putt failed to drop which handed Neale the title. Attieh settled for second place on 1-under-par 216 while Diamond wound up with a bogey to finish a shot back in third.

Michael Saunders (Dartford GC) finished fourth on 5-over-par 222 while two strokes further back was Ronan O’Reilly (Els Club) and the in-form Miki Mirza from Dubai Creek finished sixth with a 225 total.

The overall Net prize went to Nasser Saleh (Bahrain Golf Federation) as he defeated Billal Isamil from Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club with a countback after both players signed for a 54-hole tally of 226. Last years Net champion, Hamed Afnan (Bahrain Golf Federation) clinched third one shot further back.

The other highlight of the day was a hole in one by Mark Williams on the par-3 11th, six days after Quiros achieved the same feat in his Omega Dubai Desert classic victory.

 

Joel Neale is pictured receiving the trophy from Mike Sim, Vice Captain, Emirates Golf Club.
NEAL FIRES 68 TO TRIUMPH IN EMIRATES AMATEUR OPEN
Al Bana a model of consistency 08/03/2011

MOHAMMED Al Bana turned in a consistent performance to win the UAE National Monthly Tournament at the Arabian Ranches in late January.

Playing off an 11 handicap Al Bana strung together his game effectively to score a brilliant 39 points, taking the honours two shots ahead of Mohammed Darwish and Abdullah Muhrami.

Both Darwish and Muhrami scored the same 37-point total but it was the former who scored the better back nine (20 points) to finish runner-up on a countback.

Khalid Mubarak produced a tidy gross 79 to walk away with Best Gross prize while Hassan Al Suwaidi won the Division ‘A’ title, beating his closest rival on a countback. Al Suwaidi tallied 34 points, including 20 on the back nine. Jamal bin Marghoub topped Division ‘B’, winning the title with a solid score of 35 points.

Part of an ambitious Emirates Golf Federation’s drive to create more playing opportunities for Emirati golfing enthusiasts, the event turned to be a big hit with nearly 30 players lining up for honours.

The presence of H.E. Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the chairman of EGF, and other members of the board in the field further added to the competitive atmosphere.

Saeed Albudoor, general manager of the EGF, thanked the players for making the event a great success. “We are committed to creating and running more for UAE nationals,” he said. “The very intention is promote the game among the Emiratis. Events like this - which are meant exclusively for UAE nationals - provide the players a great environment in which they can hone their competitive edge and improve their skills. We have a separate Order of Merit for these monthly tournaments and that encourages them to do better. We are grateful to all golf clubs in the country for their support in organising the events on a regular basis.”

The next UAE National Monthly Tournaments will be played at Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa in March and Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club in April.

 

Caption - Winner Mohamed Al Bana at the presentation with Saeed Albudoor, general manager of the EGF.

Al Bana a model of consistency
WOODS, O’MEARA WIN OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC CHALLENGE MATCH 09/02/2011
 

Tiger Woods made a winning start to his campaign in Dubai when arguably the greatest golfer of all time, pairing with Mark O'Meara, won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic Challenge Match at the Emirates Golf Club on Tuesday evening.

 

The pair birdied the last hole to post a sizzling four-under-par 23 to take the honours, two shots ahead of the pairing of Lee Westwood and Miguel Angel Jimenez. The team of golf in DUBAi ambassadors - Jeev Milkha Singh and Seung Yul Noh -- finished third a further shot back.

 

The Challenge Match, one of the highlights of the tournament week, was followed an official dinner reception which golf in DUBAi -- the promoters and organizers of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic -- hosted for players featuring the field. The prizes were presented by Mohammed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi.

 

The six marquee players were split into three teams, each comprising two stars and played the nine-holes in the greensomes format in which both players hit their tee shots and then select the best-positioned ball. Thereafter, they hit alternate shots with the same ball until the hole is completed.

 

The par-27 course, measuring 1,239 yards from blue tees, has been designed such a way that it tests the skills of all. The longest hole on the course is the 194-yard third hole while the shortest hole (the fourth) measures 96 yards.

 

"The players for the challenge match were selected on the basis of their rankings and, of course, for their star value on the tour," said Buamaim. The intention behind organizing this match is to provide an opportunity to fans to watch the top stars up close and personal.

 

'golf in DUBAi' is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Gulf News, Emirates airline, Emirates NBD, Mercedes-Benz, Jumeirah and wasl while Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi's drive to showcase the emirate's vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.

WOODS, O’MEARA WIN OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC CHALLENGE MATCH
EGF's National Junior Programme progressing nicely 03/02/2011

THE National Junior Programme is the latest initiative to be introduced by the Emirates Golf Federation and is aimed at continually identifying and developing young UAE national players by providing them with the best possible opportunities to learn the finer points of the game.

One of the main goals is to develop character through the structure of the rules of the game as golf teaches key life skills like patience, good sportsmanship and the ability to focus on the task at hand. Particular emphasis is placed on core skills and game awareness, including lessons in introductory, educational, rules, etiquette and competition formats.

The programme provides young UAE national players with an environment in which they can grow, express themselves both personally and professionally and realise their dream of representing the country one day. Through this programme the EGF is exposing young people to a leisure activity that they can enjoy for the rest of their lives, no matter what their ability level.

The EGF value attitude, commitment, integrity, and honesty as highly as it does golfing ability. They have assembled an experienced team of coaches, technical experts and support staff who all specialise in player development.

Parents will also benefit from the programme because their children will be involved in an active, social sport which promotes positive values of citizenship and responsibility. Membership to the Junior National Programme is open to all UAE nationals who want to start playing golf or, if they already play, improve their game.

The UAE boasts some of the finest golfing facilities in the world and the interest in the game has skyrocketed over recent years. With support from all the clubs, the aim of the National Junior Programme is to promote and develop the game at the grassroots level which. Creating a strong pool of junior players is paramount to producing future generations of champions.

Introducing youngsters to the game is just one part of the programme, the more important aspect of it is to try and retain them. The National Junior Programme is a step in that direction. Golf teaches that even though the best golfers have the most chances to win, the other golfers have the most chances to improve.

‘Let’s play golf and have’ fun is the overriding theme of the National Junior Programme.

 

The main goals of the National Junior Programme are:

• Attract young UAE nationals to the game

• Provide the best possible playing facilities for our national players to succeed

• Provide the highest quality coaching by qualified staff

• Provide the most appropriate competitive programme for each player and to constantly review performance in training and matches

• Rules, etiquette and instructional clinics on the game

• Golf at a minimal cost

• Create an environment to promote and encourage good sportsmanship and friendship among junior golfers

• Opportunities to travel and participate in domestic and international tournaments

• To build good working relationships with all players, clubs other related parties

•  To set high standards for integrity, honesty and performance

 

For further information on the National Junior Programme please contact the Federation on:
Tel: +971 4 3684988   Fax: +971 4 3684974
Email: info@ugagolf.com

EGF's National Junior Programme progressing nicely
Emirates Airline Invitational takes off 31/12/2010

Emirates Airline has been unveiled as the Title Partner of The Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah to be played at Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, on Monday, January 17.  This is the fifth running of the event, after two years at the Four Seasons Golf Club, Dubai and two years at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

The one-day tournament is universally recognised as one of the most popular and prestigious Pro-Ams in golf and with Emirates Airline taking up the title partnership the event has taken off as a world-class golf tournament.

The event is played in a four ball format and among the 52 European Tour Professionals taking part – one Tour Pro per team - there are 41 European Tour Champions, 11 Ryder Cup players, three Major Champions and the World No.1.

This year the Emirates Airline Invitational, will be the curtain-raiser for the four-tournament European Tour Middle East Swing.

Abdullah Al Naboodah is delighted at Emirates’ support, saying: “Emirates Airline’s Title Partnership 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 Partner 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.”

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 Partner of the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, and we look forward to helping the event grow from strength to strength.”

World No.6 Graeme McDowell, who has just been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List after winning the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach and sinking the winning putt for Europe in The Ryder Cup, said: “The Emirates Airline Title Partnership is a great boost for The Invitational. It was already one of the best Pro-Ams in the game but this takes the event to a new international level.”

World No.1 Lee Westwood added: “The Emirates Airline Invitational now ranks with the biggest world-class tournaments of its kind. It's just reward for everything Abdullah has put into the game over recent years. It will also help enormously to raise funds for the charities.”

Ross Fisher, reigning Volvo World Match Play Champion and 2010 Irish Open Champion, commented: “The Emirates Airline Invitational has gone from strength to strength over the past four years. It’s an event all the players really look forward to taking part in, and the fact that a global company of the stature of Emirates Airline is involved as Title Partnership shows how highly regarded the tournament has become.”

For further information and to register for free tickets visit: www.emiratesairlineinvitational.com
Emirates Airline Invitational takes off
STAR PARADE FOR OMEGA DUBAI LADIES MASTERS CHALLENGE MATCH 06/12/2010
 

A sizzling star-cast, spearheaded by world number seven In-Kyung Kim, will feature in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters Challenge Match on Wednesday, December 8, at the Emirates Golf Club's Par-3 course, starting at 6.30pm.

The South Korean ace will be joined seasoned Laura Davies, Michelle Wie, Christina Kim, Melissa Reid and Carling Coffing in the six-player field that offers fans a rare opportunity to watch the marquee players up close and personal as they deliver a ‘clinic' in wedge play.

The Challenge Match, one of the highlights of the tournament week, will be followed an official dinner reception which golf in DUBAi is hosting for all players featuring the field.

The six players will be split into three teams, each comprising two stars. In this greensomes format, both players play their drives and then select the best-positioned ball. Thereafter, they hit alternate shots with the same ball until the hole is completed.

The par-27 course, measuring 1,239 yards from blue tees, has been designed such a way that it tests the skills of all. The longest hole on the course is the 194-yard third hole while the shortest hole (the fourth) measures 96 yards.

"The six players have been selected for the challenge match on the basis of their rankings and, of course, for their star value on the tour," said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of ‘golf in DUBAi,' the promoters and organisers of the event.

"We would like to encourage more and more golf fans to come to the Emirates Golf Club and cheer top professional lady golfers, some of them would be competing in this region for the first time.

Entry to the tournament is free, but access to the clubhouse will be restricted to pass holders. The opening of the Nakheel metro station just across the road would make it much easier for them to commute to the venue without any traffic hassles.

"We have made elaborate arrangements to ensure the fans enjoy the proceedings on all four days of the tournament. A giant TV screen has been installed in the 'public village' for them to catch up the live action," he said.

"Different food and beverage outlets, charity putt competitions and free golf clinics will further add to the carnival-like atmosphere at the village," Buamaim said.

The Challenge Match will be preceded by a pro am, the traditional curtain-raiser to the event, on Tuesday, starting at 7.30 am. The second shot gun is at 12.45pm.

'golf in DUBAi' is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Gulf News Emirates NBD, Mercedes-Benz, Jumeirah and wasl while Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi's drive to showcase the emirate's vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.

 

STAR PARADE FOR OMEGA DUBAI LADIES MASTERS CHALLENGE MATCH
Harrington Steers BMW To Victory In Dubai World Championship Pro-Am 24/11/2010

THREE-time Major winner Padraig Harrington steered his ‘BMW 3’ team of Tom Barry, Mike Tracey and Mike Sim to victory in the Rolex Pro Am, curtain raiser to the 2010 Dubai World Championship presented by DP World.

Ryder Cup hero Harrington, who currently lies 18th in The Race to Dubai, proved to be in top form in a 28-team event, which saw stars such as Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Louis Oosthuizen give their amateur partners a day to remember over the championship course.

The Irishman and his amateur partners combined to shoot a winning score of 19-under-par, three shots ahead of runner-up Francesco Molinari and his playing partners Ramesh Prabhakar, Moshe Kohli and Sandeep Singh in the ‘BMW 2’ team who took second place on a count-back from Ian Poulter’s ‘Emirates 3’ team of Bob Atkins, Peter Jackson and Mathew Warren on 16-under.

“Padraig was wonderful to play with,” said amateur partner Tom Barry. “Whenever one of us had a chance to score, he would spend time reading the putts and helping us get the best score we could. He was a real team player.”

Free tickets for the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World, which gets underway tomorrow (Thu) are available from www.dubaiworldchampionship.com.

Harrington Steers BMW To Victory In Dubai World Championship Pro-Am
‘ULTIMATE GOLF’ ON OFFER TO DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FANS 08/11/2010

UAE golf fans are being given a unique opportunity to witness the grand final of The Race to Dubai in five-star style thanks to an exciting prize draw courtesy of the sponsors of the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World.

The $7.5 million tournament – the final event on The European Tour’s Race to Dubai calendar – is expected to attract some 60,000 spectators to the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 25-28.

But while the majority of those golf fans will have taken advantage of the free season ticket offer available online, for two lucky winners watching the likes of Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell go for the biggest pay day in European golf will be just one part of an incredible sporting prize.

“The prize is what we are calling the Dubai World Championship Ultimate Prize” said Colin Smith, Director, Dubai World Championship. “The winner will win a flight to bring a friend or relative from anywhere on the Emirates network to Dubai for the tournament weekend, as well as a five-night stay for two at Atlantis.

 “In addition, the prize includes BMW transfers to and from the tournament each day for two guests, hospitality for two for all four days, two seats on “The Big Red Couch” within the 18th grandstand and a month of complimentary golf for two at Jumeirah Golf Estates. We believe it is a sensational prize for anyone who loves golf and wants to be at the ultimate celebration of the game here in Dubai.”

 Fans can enter simply by dropping a business card at any branch of Costa’s, MMI and ELR outlets and at golf clubs in Dubai.

 In addition, the public can register through competitions running with the tournament’s radio partner at ARN, particularly on Dubai Eye’s Talk and Sport Drivetime show, Dubai 92 and Virgin Radio, as well as through The National, Time Out Dubai, What’s On and Hello! magazine.

Entry to the competition is available on the event’s website – www.dubaiworldchampionship.com – where spectators can also register for free season tickets. The winner will be announced live on air on Dubai Eye’s Entertainment Show on November 15

In addition to DP World – Presenting Sponsor for the second year in succession – the Dubai World Championship is supported by Premium Partners Rolex, Emirates, and BMW; Sponsors Atlantis, CNN, The National and Polo/Ralph Lauren; and Event Supporters Dubai Duty Free, MMI, TNT and Toshiba.

‘ULTIMATE GOLF’ ON OFFER TO DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FANS
MCDOWELL SETS UP SPRINT FINISH IN RACE TO DUBAI 02/11/2010

With just four legs to be run in the 2010 Race to Dubai, Graeme McDowell’s victory in the Andalucia Valderrama Masters has set up a sprint finish with Martin Kaymer as the countdown continues to the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World.

McDowell’s battling victory at Valderrama saw him win €500,000 and halve Kaymer’s lead at the top of The Race to Dubai.

The German now leads the man from Northern Ireland by just over €500,000, but with US$23 million to be played for in China, Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai over the next month, McDowell can still catch Kaymer at the top of the rankings.

No matter what the outcome of this year’s Race to Dubai, it is fitting that the German and the Northern Irishman will be the main protagonists in the battle to succeed newly crowned World Number One Lee Westwood as The European Tour’s best player of 2010.

McDowell, who moved up to Number Ten on the Official World Golf Ranking on Sunday night, opened the floodgates to an unforgettable summer for The European Tour’s Membership by winning the US Open. He was swiftly followed into the Major Champions’ enclosure by Louis Oosthuizen at The Open, before Kaymer came good at the US PGA Championship.

Those Major successes set the tone for The European Team’s unforgettable Ryder Cup win, where Kaymer and McDowell played their part in Europe’s 14½-13½ victory. McDowell, of course, brought home the vital winning point on Celtic Manor’s Twenty Ten Course, the venue where he won The Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open two weeks before his US Open success.

Now that he has added a third title in the Andalucia Valderrama Masters, McDowell has a chance to catch Kaymer in The Race to Dubai, but he will have to produce more of that Valderrama magic to harbour a realistic chance of charging past a man of Kaymer’s class.

The 25 year-old German has been in phenomenal form since his US PGA Championship win, adding the KLM Open and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship titles to his Major success. Kaymer also won the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship at the start of the year to underline his consistency throughout the entire year.

Given the performances of McDowell, Oosthuizen and World Number One Westwood – not to mention the likes of the Tour’s youngest ever winner, 17 year-old Matteo Manassero; or the oldest player to win three events in one season, 46 year-old Miguel Angel Jiménez – it is amazing to think that one player would have a lead of over €500,000 with four tournaments to play.

But that is what Kaymer has managed to achieve in a truly memorable year that could yet see him take that coveted World Number One spot from his Ryder Cup partner Westwood as the second Race to Dubai nears its climax.

In addition to DP World - Presenting Sponsor for the second successive year - the Dubai World Championship is supported by Premium Partners Rolex, Emirates, and BMW; Sponsors Atlantis, CNN, The National and Polo/Raplh Lauren; and Event Supporters Dubai Duty Free, MMI, TNTand Toshiba.

Free tickets are available online at www.dubaiworldchampionship.com


MCDOWELL SETS UP SPRINT FINISH IN RACE TO DUBAI
France lead Eisenhower Trophy after superb opening day 29/10/2010

FRANCE opened up a two-stroke lead over Canada after the first round of the Eisenhower Trophy after carding a superb 7-under-par 137. Alexander Levy and Romain Wattel did the damage with round of 4-under 68 and 3-under 69 respectively at Buenos Aires Golf Club in Argentina. Canada’s Eugene Wong fired a 67 to propel them into second place while Denmark’s Joachim Hansen (pictured) also shot a 67 as they finished in third place on 3-under-par alongside England and Sweden.

Defending champions Scotland stumbled to an 8-over-par 150 while the UAE team lead the way for the Arabian teams after a 13-over-par 157.

Khald Yousuf performed admirably with a 4-over-par 76 while Abdullah Al Musharrekh came in with a 9-over-par 81. Abdullah's brother Ahmed bogeyed four of the five closing holes to fall to an 11-over-par 83 and so his score was not counted towards the team's total. Egypt carded a 20-over-par opening round while Qatar posted a 37-over-par score.

France lead Eisenhower Trophy after superb opening day
Tullo victorious as McIlroy shines in Egypt 25/10/2010

CHILEAN Mark Tullo guaranteed his place on the 2011 European Tour with a superb victory at the Egyptian Open presented by SODIC while World No.9 Rory McIlroy hit top form over the weekend to delight the galleries and seal a 12th place finish.

Tullo produced a superb 6-under-par 66 to rampage up the leaderboard to 13-under-par and seal a one-stroke victory over Dutchman Floris De Vries and Scotland’s George Murray.

Murray was one stroke clear of De Vries and five ahead of Tullo heading into the final day but only managed a level par 72 while De Vries posted a 71 to finish alongside the Scotsman. Tullo had a nervy wait after signing his card as he watched both players birdie the par-5 17th to get to within a stroke, however neither could birdie the par-4 finishing hole to force a play-off and Tullo walked away with a cheque for €28,612.

“This is an amazing day for me – I won the Rolex Trophy earlier in the year when I was four behind going into the final round,” said Tullo. “I don’t know how I do it or why it happens but it feels great. Winning once is amazing but to do it twice in the year shows your consistency and that you are doing a really good job.

“Winning the second time, at this stage of the season, is so important for me – it has secured my card for The European Tour for next season and that is like a dream for me.”

One player Tullo can look forward to locking horns with again next year is Northern Irish Ryder Cup star McIlroy who didn’t get off to the best of starts but re-captured his game to post a strong finish.

The Ulsterman opened with a 1-under-par 71 but then posted a 2-over 74 to make the cut by just three strokes. He then bounced back with weekend rounds of 69 and 68 to finish on 6-under-par and in a share of 12th place.

“That was my lowest of the week and it could have been a lot better as well,” said McIlroy after his 4-under-par final round. “I played really nicely today and carried it on from yesterday. I hit some really nice shots and it was definitely the best that I played all week.

“I missed four short ones for birdie in a row, all inside eight feet, on the back nine so it could have been very, very good but that’s the way it goes.

“It’s encouraging moving forward and for the rest of the season. There was a massive difference between how I hit the ball on Wednesday in the first round and how I hit it today so that’s really good.

“Wednesday was really bad – it was the worst that I have ever hit it as a professional, put it that way. Thursday was a bit better and then Friday was good and I carried that into the final round.”

McIlroy was impressed by the set-up at the JW Marriot Mirage City Golf Club in Cairo and despite his early problems on the golf course he admitted he was delighted with how the week went.

“Overall this week has been really good, I have really enjoyed the trip to Egypt,” he smiled. “The golf course was in fantastic condition and the hotel resort was excellent.

“It was cool to see the Pyramids even though it was a short trip but I was the first guy to ever hit balls at the Pyramids so that was brilliant. It has been a great week – hopefully I’ll be able to come back one day if it becomes a European Tour event.”

 

Tullo victorious as McIlroy shines in Egypt
AHMED AL MUSHARREKH QUALIFIES FOR THE EGYPTIAN OPEN 04/10/2010

Ahmed Al Musharrekh qualified for the Egyptian Open with a fourth place finish at the Egyptian Amateur Open on October 2 which was won by Englishman Jack Senior (pictured).

Al Musharrekh becomes the first UAE national to qualify for the Egyptian Open at the Mirage City Golf Club in Cairo from October 20 to 23 after a tidy finish to proceedings at Kayameya Heights.

The number one UAE golfer, who featured in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship earlier this year on a special invitation, carded rounds of 72, 76 and 72 to finish with a 4-over-par 220 total, five shots off winner Senior’s total.

"It feels great - the feeling of becoming the first golfer from the UAE to make it to the Egyptian Open hasn't sunk in yet," Said Al Musharrekh. "The competition was tough, but the key was to remain patient and concentrate on one shot at a time which I did.

"I need to work even harder if I am to do well against some of the top players on the European Challenge Tour. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead and hopefully meeting Rory McIlroy during the tournament."

A strong field of 51 golfers, including seven from the UAE, competed in the event with the first five making it to the Egyptian Open.

Senior defeated his compatriot Eddie Pepperell in a play-off to lift the trophy while third place went to South African Thabo Maseko. Al Musharrekh took fourth while Norwegian Mikkel Andersson wrapped up the final place in the Egyptian Open field with a fifth place finish and they will all rub shoulders with a top-class field in Cairo, spearheaded by Ryder Cup star McIlroy. 

AHMED AL MUSHARREKH QUALIFIES FOR THE EGYPTIAN OPEN
GRAY WINS GOLDEN TICKET FOR INVITATIONAL 05/08/2010

ENGLISHMAN Steve Gray has bagged a Golden Ticket for the golfing trip of a lifetime to play with the stars of The European Tour in The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah next year after winning the UK Qualifier held at Heythrop Park Resort in Oxfordshire on Wednesday July 28th.

The event proved to be a roaring success with a full field of competitors, including BBC Radio Five Live Presenter Spoony turning out to play for the sensational prize. The Heythrop Park Resort course was in wonderful condition and players could scarcely believe that the layout is less than 12 months old. The event was played in an 18-hole strokeplay format with full handicap allowance and there was some terrific golf on display. It was tight at the top of the leaderboard and when the scores were calculated three players – Pete Brady (5), Ed Kelly (5) and Steve Gray (12) – were tied on net 70 so a return trip down the par-5 18th was needed to find a winner.

With so much on the line, tensions were understandably running high and all three players made six but Steve took the spoils after receiving a shot on the stroke index 11 hole. Steve will now join the likes of Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Ross Fisher and Graeme McDowell at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi in the UAE next January to compete in the prestigious ‘invite only’ event.

Prizes at the Qualifier were provided by Titleist and handed out by Spoony, who gave a glowing account of his experience playing in The Invitational in 2010, while £600 was raised for the Make A Wish Foundation UK through an auction for a number of signed photographs of Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group sponsored players Graeme McDowell and Ross Fisher.

In last January’s Invitational World No.3 Westwood shared the individual Pro’s title with Darren Clarke, while former Irish jockey James Collins, who gained entry through the GOLDEN TICKET qualifier in Dubai, and Australian Tour player Richard Green came second in the Pro-Am behind the winners, Westwood and Host, Abdullah Al Naboodah.

For more information, visit www.theinvitational.com

Steve Gray (r) is pictures with James Bowring, Tournament Director, The Invitational.

 

GRAY WINS GOLDEN TICKET FOR INVITATIONAL
Cool Oosthuizen eases to Open Championship glory 19/07/2010

UNHERALDED South African Louis Oosthuizen produced a performance that rivalled the supremacy of Tiger Woods at St Andrews ten years ago to secure a maiden Major title at the home of golf and cap a sensational year of sport for South Africa.

Oosthuizen was the very definition of calm as the gusts coming in off the North Sea blew away his competitors and he was left to stroll to a seven-stroke victory ahead of Lee Westwood.

“It’s unbelievable,” he beamed after following in the footsteps of Bobby Locke at St Andrews and Gary Player and Ernie Els as winners of The Open. “It was a battle for me to keep calm round this course. That was the biggest goal for me, to keep calm. It’s probably going to hit me tomorrow or the week after what I did.”

The 27-year-old began the final day with a four-stroke lead over Paul Casey and after an inspirational chat with Player prior to teeing off he carded a stress-free 1-under-par 71 to finish on 16-under-par for the tournament.

“We had a chat in my home language Afrikaans,” said Oosthuizen. “He said to stay calm, have a lot of fun and that the crowd was going to be on Paul’s side.

“Then he told me the story when he played against Arnold Palmer when he won his first Masters. He said they wanted to throw stuff at him, but he was so focused on beating him in Augusta. It meant a lot him phoning me up. He’s just a great guy.”

Oosthuizen opened with seven straight pars but when he bogeyed hole 8 his lead was down to three strokes from Casey and the crowd showed their support for the Englishman as they sensed a change in fortune. However, the 5’ 10” powerhouse from Mossel Bay moved quickly to exert his dominance, sinking a raking eagle putt on the following hole after driving the green. Casey made a birdie but with the gap back to four strokes Oosthuizen could breath a little easier.

He made it to 17-under on hole 12 while Casey wound up with a triple bogey after hitting some gorse bushes and from there the result was a formality. Westwood couldn’t apply any real pressure on the outward half, making his first birdie on the ninth. A bogey on the 12th pegged him back to level par for the day but back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14 gave him second place. He bogeyed the 17th Road Hole but birdied the last to hang on to second on 9-under-par and secure his fourth top-three finish in the last five Majors. Casey wound up with a 3-over 75 and a share of third place alongside Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson on 8-under.

Oosthuizen did drop a shot on the 17th but a simple par at the last was all that was required for him to take golf’s biggest prize on what was Nelson Mandela’s 92nd birthday.

“It’s amazing. I woke up this morning and I didn’t know it was his birthday, but I saw it on the news,” said Oosthuizen. “It felt a bit special out there. When I walked down the 18th I was thinking about his birthday and then my manager also gave me a list of things for my speech and it was also in there. What he’s done for our country is unbelievable.”

Another of his fellow countryman on his thank-you list was 2002 Open Champion Ernie Els. Oosthuizen revealed that the experienced he gained in his three years in the Ernie Els Foundation set him up perfectly for a career in professional golf. Before turning pro Oosthuizen admitted that Els had funded and supported his progress and said that he wouldn’t be where he is today without his help as his father didn’t earn enough to financially back the youngster to go all the way.

“At that stage things weren’t going that great on the farm, and we just heard of this foundation which had just started,” he explained. “It was an unbelievable three years with what Ernie did for me, travelling around the country, helping with expenses, giving clinics, things like that. He’s such a good mentor, probably without him I wouldn’t be here. It’s just nice knowing him; he’s just a great, great guy to be around.”

The Big Easy himself is proud of his young protégée after he became the first Major winner to progress through his foundation.

“This is absolutely unbelievable,” said Els, who won at Muirfield eight years ago.

“It would be difficult to find anybody in the world who is more proud of him right now.

“He comes from a little town on the outskirts of George in South Africa and needed help so we took him into the foundation and educated him and sent him to various tournaments around the country and also the world.

“I could not be happier. He is our first Major champion and has made us all very proud. His life will change but he won’t. He is simply a wonderful kid. You cannot find a better one. I thought long before anybody had heard of him that he was going to be an exceptional player.”

Words quickly came in from Player too, who never doubted the youngster’s temperament in what was the biggest moment of his career to date.

“He’s very, very good, has a magnificent golf swing and has got a lot of experience," said the 74-year-old three-time Open Champion. “He has won golf tournaments and is very, very strong physically but he doesn’t look like it when you see him walking along the fairways with waterproofs on.

“He wants to buy a farm, it’s a great incentive and I understand because that’s how I wanted to win to buy my farm and that’s my great joy in life.”

Prior to his historic win Oosthuizen had won five times on the South African Sunshine Tour and finally made his European Tour breakthrough earlier this year at the Open de Andalucia de Golf in Spain. Now he’s setting his sights on more Major glory after getting the taste for it around the most famous track in the world.

“I want a few more of them,” he smiled. “It would be great - after winning one you want to get to the second one and after the second one you probably want to get to the third. I’m going to work harder and get as many as I can. To win an Open Championship is special, but to win it here at St. Andrews is just something you dream about.”
Cool Oosthuizen eases to Open Championship glory
Egyptian Open joins European Challenge Tour for 2010 15/06/2010

Egypt will find itself as a venue on the European Challenge Tour for the first time this year when the 2010 Egyptian Open – one of the world’s oldest Open golf events – is staged at Cairo’s Mirage City Golf Course from Wednesday, October 20 to Saturday, October 23.

With $250,000 in prize-money at stake and in prime position as the last European Challenge Tour event before the Apulla San Domenico Grand Final in Italy the following week, the Egyptian Open is expected to attract a powerful field, while negotiations are currently underway with one of the world’s best players to appear as a guest invite.

“Following the success of the event in 2009 and the support we received from the Challenge Tour, we are proud that the Egyptian Open has achieved full European Challenge Tour status and is now part of the official Order of Merit,” said Egyptian Golf Federation Chairman Ayman Hussein.

“As well as around 80 players from the European Challenge Tour, around a third of the field will be made up of local and regional invites and qualifiers. This is important to us at the Egyptian Golf Federation as the event has a tradition for being a showcase of the best in Egyptian golf as well as the region.”

Home-based players looking to rub shoulders with the likes of last year’s champion Steven Tiley and the cream of the European Challenge Tour will have the opportunity of securing their places in a number of events staged between now and the tournament itself.


As well as the Closed Championship of Egypt, the Egyptian Amateur Open and the Red Sea Amateur Open, players can qualify from their standings in the Egyptian PGA rankings with amateurs having to be of three handicap or less to be eligible.

 

Hussein added: “It is especially exciting for us is to have allocated the top five spots in the 54-hole Egyptian Amateur Open to be held September 30th to October 2nd at Katameya Heights Golf and Tennis Resort to qualify to play in the 2010 Egyptian Open.

“We are encouraging all amateurs in the region, whether Arab Nationals or expats, to enter this Egyptian Amateur Open which, we believe, will add significant kudos and credibility to the Egyptian golf calendar. We are also in the process of inviting representatives from the Golf Associations of the Arab Golf Federation to the 2010 Egyptian Amateur Open.”

Now in its 24th year, the European Challenge Tour has developed into a proven training ground where the stars of the future can hone their skills over 72-hole competition and under differing conditions in a substantial number of countries within Europe and beyond.

Widely regarded as a valuable stepping-stone onto The European Tour, the Challenge Tour has achieved incredible growth. It caters for aspiring, ambitious young hopefuls who aim to follow in the footsteps of Challenge Tour graduates such as Thomas Bjorn, Michael Campbell, Niclas Fasth, Trevor Immelman, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Oliver Wilson. In 2009, the European Challenge Tour carried a total prize fund of more than €4 million during a season of 24 tournaments in eighteen countries.

A true test of character, the Tour offers only the top twenty ‘promotion’ each year to The European Tour but scores have gone on to become tournament winners on The European Tour with many earning Ryder Cup honours.

“We were impressed with the way the event was staged last year and received very positive feedback from all of the players who took part,” said Nick Tarratt, Director The European Tour International, Dubai Office. “The fact that Egypt will be the last chance of qualification for the 45 places available at the end-of-season Grand Final in Italy means Cairo will command a strong field.”

Pictured: 2009 champion Steven Tiley will be back to defend his title when the 2010 Egyptian Open makes its full debut as part of the European Challenge Tour in October
Egyptian Open joins European Challenge Tour for 2010
Magnificent McIlroy cruises to Quail Hollow victory 04/05/2010

RORY McIlroy shot an incredible 10-under-par 62 to win his first PGA Tour title at the Quail Hollow Championship by four strokes from Masters champion Phil Mickelson.

The 20-year-old made an eagle and eight birdies in his final round as he broke the course record in North Carolina to become the youngest winner on the American circuit since Tiger Woods in 1996.

“I’m delighted - I don’t think I’ve ever played a better round in my life,” beamed McIlroy after his 15-under-par total. “I’m just so excited. I got off to a pretty slow start this week and had to fight to make the cut and the weekend was just very, very special.”

McIlroy made the weekend’s play on the cut-line at 1-over-par and then fired rounds of 6-under and 10-under to take home the title. “I suppose I just got in the zone. I didn’t realise I was going eight, nine, 10-under-par. I just knew I’d got my nose in front, I was just trying to stay there.

“Ever since I was 10 or 11, I wanted to be a professional golfer and you know it's been a crazy ride to this point. I’m going to have a bit of a party - if I was back home and had a win like this I’d be having a good one tonight.”

He began the day four strokes behind Bill Mayfair and started his charge with three birdies in succession from hole 7. He then moved clear of the field with a run of birdie-eagle-birdie from the 14th and wrapped up the victory in stunning fashion with a 43-foot birdie putt on the final green. Mayfair carded a 4-over 76 to drop out of contention while Angel Cabrera carded a 4-under 68 to claim third place behind Mickelson. Zimbabwean Brendon de Jonge shot a 66 to move up 13 places and into fourth place on 9-under-par.
Magnificent McIlroy cruises to Quail Hollow victory
YAS LINKS HOSTS MAIDEN TOURNAMENT 28/04/2010
AFTER four weeks of operations Yas Links Abu Dhabi, the latest gem by Aldar Properties, will host its inaugural Men's Open on Saturday May 1, 2010.

Currently only the front nine of the Kyle Phillips designed layout is open for play so the Yas Links Open will be played over two loops of those nine holes playing from two different teeing grounds. 

Prizes will be awarded to the winners in both gross and net divisions.  The tournament has been oversubscribed with over 100 entries so a handicap ballot was taken to get the field down to the desired 60 and one thing for certain is that the region's first true links course will be a unique challenge for all participating.

Nick Oakley, Director of Golf at Yas Links said: "We are very excited to host the Yas Links Open, the course is in great condition considering its maturity and we are sure the guys will enjoy it.  This is a very special course and when we launch the full 18 in June there is no doubt this will be regarded as one of the best in the region."

Yas Links needed to host the tournament over the nine holes in order to qualify for the Order of Merit events in 2011. Nick went on to say: "Obviously we would have loved to host the event over the full 18 holes but due to deadlines within the EGF calendar we had to host it this way.  The back nine holes are developing very quickly and will be ready by June 1st".

The Yas Links Ladies open will take place on the 11th May while golfers can experience the full 18 holes by signing up for the WWG Desert Island Double taking place June 10-11, 2010. See the May issue of Worldwide Golf, out now, for details or read all about it here on www.wwgolf.biz.

YAS LINKS HOSTS MAIDEN TOURNAMENT
Honest Davis hands Furyk Heritage title 19/04/2010

ENGLAND’S Brian Davis called a two-shot penalty on himself during the first hole of a sudden death play-off which effectively handed Jim Furyk his second PGA Tour victory in the space of a month at the Verizon Heritage.

Furyk, who missed the cut at the Masters last week, was drawn into a play-off when Davis birdied the final hole with a superb raking putt. However, after Davis knocked his approach shot to the 18th on to the beach he splashed out but notice he knocked a piece of reed during his backswing. To his credit he called over rules official Slugger White who confirmed the penalty before Furyk stepped up to two-putt for par and take the title.

“To have the tournament come down that way is definitely not the way I want to win,” said Furyk, who shot a final round 2-under-par 69. “It’s obviously a tough loss for him, and I respect and admire what he did. To be there and be in the battle and have an opportunity to win, and then have to call a penalty on yourself has got to be extremely disappointing but it’s a testament to our game and the people that play on the Tour, and that we have so many guys that do that.”

Davis, who began the day one shot behind Furyk and shot a 3-under 68 to match his total on 13-under-par, was disappointed he couldn’t close out the victory after dropping shots on holes 15 and 16 and then missing a birdie putt on 17.

“I’ve got to learn from that and make a couple of putts on the back nine, that’s what makes a champion,” said Davis, who now has four second-placed finishes in his last four years on the PGA Tour.  “It then came down to 18th and I hit an unbelievable second shot and obviously I made the putt. It was great getting into the play-off, but it was a disappointment not to win.”
Honest Davis hands Furyk Heritage title
ENTRY TO WORLDWIDE GOLF MIDWEEK OPEN AT TOWER LINKS STILL OPEN 19/04/2010

ENTRIES are still being received for the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open at Tower Links Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah on Thursday May 6th.

The WWG Midweek Open in as Individual Stableford event for male and female golfers with an official handicap. Entrance fee for the event includes access to the practise facility prior to play and the locker rooms plus a light buffet presentation dinner at the close of play.

To enter simply fill out the entry form on page 4 of April’s issue of Worldwide Golf and fax it to Tower Links on 07 228 444.

If you do not wish to use your credit card, payment can be made directly to Tower Links Golf Club. Payment is required in advance to book your place in the competition. Advance fees paid by players who fail to turn up will not be refunded unless cancellation notification is received within 48 hours of the competition.

Entry fee AED260 includes Green Fees, shared golf cart, event shirt, range balls, tournament prizes and buffet.

Only players who are registered with the Emirates Golf Federation are eligible to play in the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open. Those not registered with the EGF please contact the EGF on 04 368 4988 or visit the website on www.emiratesgolffederation.com to apply.
ENTRY TO WORLDWIDE GOLF MIDWEEK OPEN AT TOWER LINKS STILL OPEN
UAE Juniors given boost with joint sponsorship of Amateur Open 26/03/2010

JUNIOR GOLF in the UAE has received a huge boost with wasl (Dubai Real Estate Corporation and owners of Dubai Golf) joining the Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group in the sponsorship of the 2010 Junior Amateur Open at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club on April 2.

wasl has matched Al Naboodah’s sponsorship to help create an even bigger and better Championship with 30 juniors competing, ranging from 11-18 years old. There will be three divisions on the day: DIV A - handicaps 0-14 playing off the blue tees; DIV B - 15-28 off the white tees and the Girls Division off the red tees. The overall tournament is a gross format with the Division prizes decided by net scores.

The Championship was launched in 2001 and among the winners are Dubai Nationals Nabil Sharif, who won the inaugural event and the 2007 Champion, Khalid Yousuf.

wasl announcement

Abdullah Al Naboodah, who has inspired and sponsored the Junior Open since 2008, commented: “This is an enormous benefit to junior golf in the UAE. The involvement of wasl as a joint sponsor of the Championship will help us take it to a higher level. It was a big step to take in introducing the Junior Open and it has proved to be a great success. We are already witnessing the effect of the event with Joel Neale’s triumph last year and Matthew Turner’s victory in 2006 – helping both players to embark on a professional career in golf. With the support of wasl we can look forward to a great future for the Championship and to further promoting junior golf in the region.”

A delighted Hesham Abdullah Al Qassim, wasl Chief Executive Officer, added: "wasl is proud to sponsor the 2010 Junior Amateur Open alongside the Al Naboodah Group. Over the last two years with Al Naboodah's support it has become the premier Junior Amateur Open event in the UAE and with wasl's added support this year it will no doubt be the best.  

“We have been able to significantly reduce the entry fee to add more value to the event and ensure all the juniors with a valid handicap can afford to take part. Junior Golf Development is very important for the future of golf in the UAE and at our two wasl-managed courses, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and Emirates, we have hundreds of youngsters learning the game under the helpful guidance of our PGA Professionals.

“I am sure it will be a thrilling event as proved over recent years and I look forward to seeing who will be crowned champion for 2010."

Matthew Turner and Joel Neale, winners in 2006 and 2009 respectively, are ineligible to compete this year as they are over the entry age of 18 but among the wealth of talented youngsters competing for the most prestigious prize in junior golf in the UAE are the talented Faisal and Sohail Al Marzuki and Hassan Al Musharrekh.

 

Pictured: Abdullah Al Naboodah and Hesham Abdullah Al Qassim, CEO wasl, with golfers Sohail Al Marzuki, Faisal Al Marzuki and Hassan Al Musharrekh.

 

UAE Juniors given boost with joint sponsorship of Amateur Open
Old Pals Act at The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah 29/01/2010

It was an ‘old pals act’ of the highest order that became the centrepiece of The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at the Creek Golf & Yacht Club as Lee Westwood, The 2009 Race to Dubai and Dubai World Championship winner, shared the Individual professional prize with his best friend and ISM stablemate Darren Clarke.

European Tour Player of the Year Westwood was back to his brilliant best and Clarke showed signs of returning to the form that won him two World Golf Championships as the Englishman and Irishman both shot course record-breaking rounds of 8-under 63.

Westwood also partnered his good friend, event host Abdullah Al Naboodah, to take first place in the Professional-Amateur team event with a 9-under 62.

Clarke partnered George Horan, Deputy Managing Director of Premier Partners to The Invitational, Dubai Duty Free, to take third place with a 63, losing out on a one-shot countback for second place to professional Richard Green and amateur James Collins, who qualified through a Golden Ticket at the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open earlier this month.

Sam Walker won longest Drive for the professionals, while Farbod Dowlatshahi of Premier Partners Delwood had the Longest Drive for the amateurs (0-14) with Stewart McIntyre taking the 15+ prize. Westwood joked at the excellent prize-giving ceremony at the Park Hyatt Hotel that: “the secret to winning the team event was choosing the right partner – and Abdullah chose me.”

Joint winner Clarke thanked all the pros for supporting Abdullah and the event and commented that the field equalled the best Tour Pro-Ams. Abdullah Al Naboodah thanked the professionals for turning out in force and making The Invitational a day to remember and also thanked the Premier Partners, Partners and Official Suppliers for making it possible to stage the event.

A live auction raised a magnificent Dh750,000 for the two benefiting charities, Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs and the Dubai Autism Centre.

At the prize giving ceremony Clarke said he had never played in an invitational event where the fun factor affected everyone from the sponsors to the players to the spectators. Throughout the day the banter and laughter between the players and supporting spectators made this a day to remember.

One young lady who won’t forget the occasion was ten year-old Amelia McKee, who qualified as the leading female player and junior at the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open earlier this month. Amelia was a sensation as she kept pace with her playing partners Jean-Francois Luquin, James Collins and Richard Green. Her team partner, Frenchman Jean-Francois, commented: “She’s an amazing girl and a phenomenal talent.”

The 50 European Tour Professional players, who numbered seven of the top ten in the 2009 Race to Dubai ratings and 22 of the top 50 agreed this was the most enjoyable invitational they had ever played and the joint winners, Westwood and Clarke both said they couldn’t wait for next year’s Invitational.

Old Pals Act at The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah
PAUL CASEY ADDS MORE STAR POWER TO THE INVITATIONAL LINE UP 14/01/2010

RYDER Cup star Paul Casey has confirmed his participation at The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah and adds his name to the already world-class line-up at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on Monday, January 25th.

Casey won three times in the space of five months last year to reach a career-high third place on the Official World Golf Ranking before a rib injury derailed his season.

Casey won the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January on The European Tour before winning his first US PGA Tour event at the Shell Houston Open in April. He then won the flagship tournament of The European Tour, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May before his injury – sustained at The Open Championship - forced him out of action until October.

The Englishman is now back to full fitness and finished in a tie for 10th place at the SBS Championship on the US PGA Tour earlier this month.

Casey joins the likes of Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Ross Fisher in the field to become the seventh player in the top ten of The European Tour’s final 2009 Race to Dubai ranking and the fifth player inside the top 20 on the Official World Golf Ranking to compete in the most prestigious Pro-Am in the region.

Garcia, currently ranked 13th in the World and 10th in the final 2009 Race to Dubai ranking, will be flying into Abu Dhabi for the first leg of The Tour’s Middle East Swing, the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, in style in his Hawker 4000 aircraft. The prestigious aircraft manufacturer, Hawker Beechcraft, has now become a Premier Partner of The Invitational, along with Dubai Duty Free, Delwood and Atom.

The Spaniard joins a host of leading European Tour players in The Invitational, including Europe’s 2009 Golfer of the Year, Westwood. World No.4 Westwood returns to Dubai on the back of one of the most consistent seasons of his career. He capped a stunning victory in the Dubai World Championship in November, by adding The Race to Dubai title with two wins and 11 additional top-ten finishes to collect €2,750,000 and take his season’s earnings to a record €4,237,762.

In total, 50 Professionals and 50 amateurs will combine in a betterball stroke play competition in teams of two – one Pro and one amateur – with the Pros playing for a charity prize fund of AED500,000.

Al Naboodah Director of Golf and The Invitational Tournament Director, James Bowring, commented: “It’s great that Paul Casey has joined the party and that we’ve got so many leading players competing who are right on the top of their game. The sponsors and the spectators are going to be treated to a wonderful day of world-class golf played in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. It’s going to be a special day for them to be able to play a part in enjoying this unique tournament.”

For more information on The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on January 25, please visit:

www.theinvitational.com 
PAUL CASEY ADDS MORE STAR POWER TO THE INVITATIONAL LINE UP
Dubai Duty Free named Premier Partner to The Invitational 04/01/2010

Dubai Duty Free has added their support to The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah by becoming a Premier Partner to the charity event to be held at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club on Monday January 25th.

Dubai Duty Free joins The National, Delwood and Atom as Premier Partners for the prestigious tournament widely regarded as the biggest and most popular Pro-Am in the Middle East.

Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, commented: “Dubai Duty Free is a long-time supporter of golf in Dubai and we are delighted to extend our support to The Invitational 2010, hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah. This event has grown over the past couple of years and has caught the attention of the top professionals as well as the media, which is good for Dubai and its reputation as a golfing destination. We are looking forward to participating in the tournament.”

Abdullah Al Naboodah added: “Dubai Duty Free have supported charity and golf events for many years and I am both pleased and honoured that they have become a Premier Partner for The Invitational.”

With Colm McLoughlin having been a long time member of the Creek and a former Club Captain, the connection with the golf club was further strengthened with Thomas Björn, who redesigned the course, confirming that he will be joining the star-studded cast of European Tour players which includes Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy.

Spectators are welcome to see the Professionals up close and personal in one of the friendliest and most competitive invitationals in World golf, where the galleries are made to feel an integral part of the proceedings.

For free tickets visit www.theinvitational.com

Pictured with Colm McLouglin is Rory Mcilroy, winner of the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic, and Salah Tahlak, Director-Corporate Communications, Dubai Duty Free.

Dubai Duty Free named Premier Partner to The Invitational
Thomas Bjorn joins the all-star cast at The Invitational 30/12/2009

NINE-time European Tour winner Thomas Bjorn has joined the already world-class line-up of professionals at The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on January 25th.

Bjorn, the former Chairman of The European Tour Player’s Committee and first ever Dane to play in The Ryder Cup, redesigned the Dubai Creek course in 2004 and joins the likes of Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood in the field of the most prestigious Invitational Pro-Am in the region.

Garcia, currently ranked 11th in the World, finished 10th in The Race to Dubai and joins a host of leading European Tour players in The Invitational, including Europe’s Golfer of the Year, Westwood. The World No.4 returns to Dubai on the back of one of the most consistent seasons of his career. He capped a stunning victory in the Dubai World Championship in November, by adding The Race to Dubai title with two wins and 11 additional top-ten finishes to collect €2,750,000 and take his season’s earnings to a record €4,237,762.

He was rightfully voted The European Tour’s Golfer of The Year for the third time in his career, having ended Colin Montgomerie’s seven-year reign at head of European Golf by winning the Order of Merit in 2000 after finishing runner-up in 1999 and third in 1997 and 1998.

Westwood and Garcia are joined in the field by fellow Ryder Cup star Graeme McDowell who recently shot back into the World top 50 with a superb second place finish at the Chevron World Challenge in California. Ross Fisher, currently ranked 20th in the world and who finished fourth in The Race to Dubai is another leading player to confirm his place in The Invitational on January 25.

Volvo World Match Play Champion, Fisher, who is sponsored by the Al Naboodah Group, put in a near-tournament winning performance at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa, finishing in a share of third place.

Another player bringing his best form to The Invitational is host Abdullah Al Naboodah himself. Abdullah teamed up with UK radio presenter DJ Spoony, Vincent Tshabalala and Thomas Aiken to win the fourball alliance competition at the Gary Player Invitational at The Links at Fancourt, South Africa, in November.

Other players confirmed to play at the Creek on January 25 include Rory McIlroy, Jeev Milkha Singh, Darren Clarke, Simon Dyson, Johan Edfors, Charl Schwartzel and Richard Green. In total, 48 Professionals and 48 amateurs will combine in a betterball strokeplay competition in teams of two – one Pro and one amateur – with the Pros playing for a charity prize fund of AED500,000.

Al Naboodah Director of Golf, James Bowring, commented: “It’s great that we’ve got so many leading players competing who are right on the top of their game. The sponsors and the spectators are going to be treated to a wonderful day of world-class golf played in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. It’s going to be a special day for them to be able to play a part in enjoying this unique tournament.”

For more information on The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on January 25, please visit:

www.theinvitational.com

Thomas Bjorn joins the all-star cast at The Invitational
Star-studded cast for The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah 16/12/2009

AS The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah gathers pace the strength of the international field continues to grow in stature. The recent announcement that European No.1 Lee Westwood, who headlines a world-class cast at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on January 25th, had won the European Tour’s Golfer of the Year Award, followed a series of excellent results from other leading players competing in the most prestigious Pro-Am in the Middle East.

Westwood returns to Dubai on the back of one of the most consistent seasons of his career, which he capped with a stunning display to win the Dubai World Championship in November. The Englishman topped The Race to Dubai with two wins and 11 additional top-ten finishes to collect €2,750,000 and take his season’s earnings to a record €4,237,762.

He was rightfully named The European Tour’s Golfer of The Year for the third time in his career, having ended Colin Montgomerie’s seven-year reign at head of European Golf by winning the Order of Merit in 2000 after finishing runner-up in 1999 and third in 1997 and 1998.

Westwood is joined in the field by fellow Ryder Cup star Graeme McDowell (pictured) who recently shot back into the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking with a superb second place finish at the Chevron World Challenge in California. The Irishman put in a superb performance as he finished one shot behind winner Jim Furyk but ahead of a field that included the likes of Padriag Harrington, Stewart Cink and Steve Stricker.

In South Africa, Ross Fisher, who is sponsored by the Al Naboodah Group, also put in a near-tournament winning performance at the Nedbank Golf Challenge finishing in a share of third place, one shot off making the play-off between Robert Allenby and Henrrik Stenson with the Australian finally winning at the third extra hole.

Fisher, who took home the biggest pay cheque of his career with a dominating display at the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin in Spain in October, is currently ranked 18th in the World and will join fellow form-players Westwood and McDowell at The Invitational

Another player in top form is tournament host Abdullah Al Naboodah himself. Abdullah teamed up with UK radio presenter DJ Spoony, Vincent Tshabalala and Thomas Aiken to win the fourball alliance competition at the Gary Player Invitational at The Links at Fancourt in November.

Although the Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola is a fun charity tournament it is also a competitive event as Masters Champion Angel Cabrera and British Senior Masters Champion Tony Johnstone proved in defeating John Bland and Tjaart van der Walt by three shots.

Other players confirmed for The Invitational include Rory McIlroy, Jeev Milkha Singh, Darren Clark, Simon Dyson, Johan Edfors, Charl Schwartzel and Richard Green.

Al Naboodah Director of Golf, James Bowring, commented: “It’s great that we’ve got so many leading players competing who are right on the top of their game. The sponsors and the spectators are going to be treated to a wonderful day of world-class golf played in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. It’s going to be a special day for them to be able to play a part in enjoying this unique tournament.”


The list of confirmed players for The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah is as follows:

Lee Westwood   Rory McIlroy  Ross Fisher   Simon Dyson  
 Charl Schwartzel   Robert Rock   Graeme McDowell  
 Johan Edfors   Jeev Milkha-Singh   Peter Lawrie  
 Chris Wood   Steve Webster   Gareth Maybin  
 Graeme Storm   James Kingston   Thomas Aiken  
 Bradley Dredge   Jamie Donaldson   Darren Clarke  
 Paul Lawrie   Rafael Enchinique   Ricardo Gonzalez  
 Daniel Vancsik   David Lynn   David Howell  
 Shane Lowry   Paul Broadhurst   Stephen Gallacher  
 Steven Jeppesen   Pablo Larazzabal   Richard Green  
 Simon Khan   Gregory Havret   Jean Francois Luquin 

For more information on The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on January 25, please visit: www.alnaboodahinvitational.com

Star-studded cast for The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah
Late Charge Carries Al Naboodah to Victory at Gary Player Invitational 02/12/2009

ABDULLAH Al Naboodah led his team to victory with a superb performance at the 2009 Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola at The Links at Fancourt in South Africa.

Teaming up with British radio celebrity DJ Spoony, Vincent Tshabalala and Thomas Aiken, Al Naboodah (left on the picture) propelled the team to a nail-biting victory in the fourball alliance competition of this premier charity tournament.

The competition was eventually decided on a countback on 22-under. This denied Irish property magnate Sinead Kenny the chance to become the first businesswoman to lead a team to victory in the team competition. Kenny combined well with playing partners John Bland, Tjaart van der Walt and South African cricket legend Barry Richards, but on the day Spoony and Al Naboodah’s fourball posted the lower score to seal the win.

“When I lost so narrowly last year, I vowed to come back and it would be game on,” said Spoony. “We cut it pretty fine today, but combined superbly over the closing holes. I’m delighted and I’ll definitely be back to defend.”

Naboodah, who made the biggest contribution at the charity auction, was the team’s star performer and also confirmed that he will soon be booking his ticket back to next year’s tournament.

“It would be fantastic to return and I will do my best to be here,” he said. “This was one of the best tournaments I’ve ever played in. My family and I are very passionate about charities around the world. When I met Gary a year ago, we spoke about giving back through golf. I have a lot of respect for what he does. We just enjoyed ourselves out there and it’s a bonus to walk away with a win.”

Late Charge Carries Al Naboodah to Victory at Gary Player Invitational
Your chance to play at The Invitational hosted by Al Naboodah 26/11/2009

WORLDWIDE Golf has partnered with the Al Naboodah Invitational to offer our readers an exclusive opportunity to play alongside European Tour professionals like Race to Dubai and Dubai World Championship winner Lee Westwood, Ryder Cup star Graeme McDowell and World No.10 Rory McIlroy in the charity event on January 25th, 2010, at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

This is the only chance to play in the Al Naboodah Invitational as it is a strict invitation only event. Two spots in the field have been reserved as ‘GOLDEN TICKETS’ for winners of the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open in January. The two lucky winners will each become a VIP for the day, partnering a European Tour professional and compete against some of the world’s best players in the most competitive yet friendly pro-am in the region.

There is one spot available for adults (maximum handicap 18 for men, 24 for ladies) and one spot for juniors (maximum handicap 28).

For your chance to win a place in the tournament that every amateur wants to play, and a prize that money just can’t buy, simply enter the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open at Arabian Ranches Golf Club on Tuesday January 5th, 2010.

The Worldwide Golf Midweek Open is an Individual Strokeplay event for male, female and junior golfers with an official handicap. The entrance fee is inclusive of access to the practice facility prior to play and to the locker rooms and a light buffet presentation dinner at close of play (beverages will be at individuals’ expense).

The sign-up is simple. Just fill out the entry form on page 4 of the December issue of Worldwide Golf and fax. it to Arabian Ranches Golf Club with your credit card details on 04 3663355

You can also download the entry form from www.alnaboodahinvitational.com

If you do not wish to use your credit card, payment can be made direct to Arabian Ranches Golf Club. Payment in advance is required to enable us to fill the limited field in the competition. Advance fees paid by players who fail to turn up to compete will not be refunded. Money will be refunded if cancellation is received with 48 hours’ notice as it will allow those on the long waiting list the chance to participate.

The details of the event are as follows: Entry fee AED495, which includes Green Fees, shared Golf Cart, Event Shirt, Range Balls, Tournament Prizes, Buffet at the Prize Presentation.

 

Date:                    Tuesday, 5th January 2010

Venue:                 Arabian Ranches Golf Club

Time:                   1.00 pm Shotgun Start

Format:                18 Holes Strokeplay Full Handicap Allowance

Tees:                    Men – Gold Tees, Ladies – Red Tees

Entry Fee:            AED 495.00 (Juniors AED195.00)

Closing Date:        20th December 2009

 

Cancellation:
The entry fee will be debited  from the card details enclosed with this form once the club has confirmed your event entry. If you need to withdraw your entry we require 48 hours notice to make the space available to players on the standby list. Your card will not be debited if you follow this cancellation process.

Your chance to play at The Invitational hosted by Al Naboodah
Dubai World Championship charity auction raises AED 150,000 18/11/2009
  

Funds donated to Dubai Autism Centre and ‘Els for Autism'

 

AN exclusive charity auction launched by global marine terminal operator DP World in conjunction with the Dubai World Championship has collected AED 150,000 for charity.

 

The funds were raised through an online auction in which golf enthusiasts bid for the chance to play with three-time Major winner Ernie Els in the Dubai World Championship Pro-Am on the stunning new Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

 

The proceeds from the auction were presented by DP World and South Africa's Els to the Dubai Autism Centre and ‘Els for Autism' before the Pro-Am Championship got underway.

 

Abdullah Al Naboodah, an avid golf fan and charity supporter, was the winning bidder, revelling in the opportunity to raise money for good causes while playing 18 holes of the stunning Greg Norman-designed Earth course alongside Els who is known as ‘The Big Easy'.

 

Chairman of Dubai World, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, said:

"DP World is proud to become part of the initiative. It is heartening to see golf fans coming forward wholeheartedly for a worthy cause. Autism is close to Ernie's heart and in great fellowship golf fans have stepped forward to stand alongside him to help raise awareness and much needed funds."

 

Els has devoted much time to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders since he discovered his son Ben was affected by the condition. The champion has since been working towards building a research facility and school close to his home in Florida in USA.

 

Mr. Mohammad Al Emadi Board Member and Director General of the Dubai Autism Centre, said:

"We express our immense gratitude to Ernie Els and DP World for taking the initiative to create awareness and raise the much needed funds to provide the necessary intervention programs and spread awareness. We depend entirely on philanthropic activities of organizations and individuals to meet our running expenses."

 

The Dubai World Championship has attracted 70,000 registrations for free tickets to date which are still available at http://www.dubaiworldchampionship.com/

Dubai World Championship charity auction raises AED 150,000
MICHELLE WIE TO HEADLINE STAR CAST FOR OMEGA DUBAI LADIES MASTERS 05/11/2009

MICHELLE Wie, one of the brightest stars in the world of women's golf, will headline a stellar field when the American golf sensation tees it up for the first time in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.

The Ladies European Tour's end of season event will be played at the Emirates Golf Club for the fourth consecutive year from December 7 to 12, 2009.

 

After a tremendously successful rookie season on the LPGA Tour, which also saw her play a key role in the U.S. team's Solheim Cup victory, the 20-year-old is expected to electrify the tournament when she joins an already talented field from Europe in what promises to be an intense Desert Duel.

 

Named in a 2006 Time magazine article as "one of 100 people who shape our world," the Hawaiian is the latest superstar to sign up for the Dubai Ladies Masters which, since its inception in 2006, has showcased players of calibre and reputation of Annika Sorenstam, Laura Davies, Karrie Webb, Gwladys Nocera, Sophie Gustafson and Natalie Gulbis, making it the most popular ladies golf event of Dubai's sporting calendar.

 

"We are really delighted to have Michelle in the field. She is charismatic, she is skilful and her presence will certainly provide a big boost to the tournament," said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi - the promoters and organisers of the euro 500,000 tournament.

 

"Michelle Wie may be just 20, but it appears that she has been around for a long time and has done wonders to raise the profile of women's golf. The amount of hard work she puts in every day to improve her game and fitness shows she is determined to realise her dream and is on the brink of mega-star status," said Buamaim, who also welcomed Omega on board as title sponsors of the golf in DUBAi events, which also includes the Dubai Desert Classic.

 

"Together, we will strive to deliver events befitting the global image of the brand Dubai," he said.

 

Nayla Hayek, a member of the Swatch Group Board of Directors, commented: "We're excited that Michelle, who is also an Omega brand ambassador, is making her first visit to Dubai. Combining feminine grace with power and technique, she is a strong ambassador for the future of women's golf.

 

"Omega is one of the few brands in the world with a rich history and tradition that can compete with that of golf. Our involvement in international golf today includes tour and tournament sponsorship as well as official timekeeping," she added.

 

Commenting on Michelle Wie's first visit to Dubai, Buamaim said: "Her presence will certainly bring star value to the event, but the reputation of the Dubai Ladies Masters is built on the collective presence of the players. And we are very pleased to know it has once again attracted a strong field.

 

"All the 108 players in the field are capable of winning the event on their day, but certainly fans will also be keen to follow the progress of seasoned stars such as Laura Davies, Sophie Gustafson, Gwladys Nocera, defending champion Anja Monke and the new Swedish sensation Anna Nordqvist, who will formally seal her "Rookie of the Year' award in Dubai.

 

"I wish all players, officials, caddies and guests a pleasant stay here in Dubai and I am confident they will all return home with fond memories of this city and further propagate the message of Dubai, as the ‘City of Golf'," Buamaim added.

 

"I am very excited about making my first trip to Dubai and playing in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters," said Wie. "I have heard so many great things about Dubai as a city, but also about the golf here, and I'm looking forward to experiencing it for myself."

 

"This season was a very rewarding one for me, both on the golf course and off, and I'd love nothing more than to wrap this year up with a strong showing at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. I have such great respect for the players on the Ladies European Tour, and was able to develop close friendships with many of them in my first Solheim Cup experience, so it will be a great week."

 

Wie, ranked 15 in the world, turned professional in October 2005, and has been building an impressive resume in golf since a young age. At 10, she became the youngest player to qualify for the USGA Women's Amateur Public Links Championship in 2000 and qualified for an LPGA event when she was 12.

 

A year later, she became the youngest to make a cut. She played in the men's Sony Open when she was 14. Now 20 years old, Wie is proving successful both on and off the golf course.

 

'golf in DUBAi' is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the sponsor while BMW, CNN, Emirates Airline, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Jumeirah Hotels, MasterCard and wasl are co-sponsors in its drive to showcase the emirate's vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.

 

MICHELLE WIE TO HEADLINE STAR CAST FOR OMEGA DUBAI LADIES MASTERS
OMEGA Dubai Ladies Masters Changes its Schedule - Volunteers needed 22/10/2009

IN a slight break from tradition, the 2009 Dubai Ladies Masters champion will be crowned on a Saturday instead of a Sunday when the Ladies European Tour event gets under way at the Emirates Golf Club next month.
Announcing new dates of the tournament, ‘golf in DUBAI’ - the promoters and event - said the tournament kicks off on Wednesday, December 9 and the final round will be played on Saturday, December 12.

In line with the tradition, the tournament will be preceded by a pro-am on December 8 and a challenge match, featuring marquee players, on December 7.
“Since we have a Friday-Saturday weekend in the UAE, it makes sense to have a Saturday finish which would encourage more spectators to come to the venue, adding to the carnival-like atmosphere there,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of 'golf in DUBAi.
”We are grateful to the Ladies European Tour for giving their nod to the weekend finish which, I think, will greatly enhance the profile of the event in all areas, also adding more value to the hospitality packages.

“Since the inception of the Dubai Ladies Masters in 2006, the tournament, which also marks the end of the LET season, has created quite a buzz in the region. No doubt about that. I think there is another dimension to it - and that's somehow the players feel comfortable in Dubai.”

“Whether it’s our hospitality or whether that’s the way Dubai is, I don't know. The formula, somehow, is working and that’s great for Dubai. That’s great for golf in Dubai too.”

The presence of world-class players like Annika Sorenstam, who has since called it a day, Laura Davies, Karrie Webb, Natalia Gulbis, Gwladys Nocera, Sophie Gustafason and Catriona Matthews over the last three years has firmly established the Dubai Ladies Masters a most sought-after event on the Ladies European Tour.

This year again there will be no entry fee and the intention is to encourage and motivate more ladies to take to the sport.

Organisers have also called upon golfing enthusiasts to come forward and be part of the action when the season-ending Ladies European Tour event gets under way at the Emirates Golf Club

‘golf in DUBAI' – the promoters and organisers of the €500,000 tournament - estimates over 150 volunteers will be required to act as marshals, scorers, TV production assistants, scoreboard carriers and carry out other related positions as needed.

“The role of the volunteers will be crucial in continuing to showcase Dubai as the 'city of golf', as we strive to make the Dubai Ladies Masters the most successful tournament on the Ladies European Tour,” stated Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of 'golf in DUBAI.'

  All golf fans wishing to be part of Dubai's premier ladies event may visit the tournament website --- www.dubailadiesmasters.com or www.golfindubai.org  – for online registration. Preference will be given to those volunteers who can commit to two or more days.

OMEGA Dubai Ladies Masters Changes its Schedule - Volunteers needed
TOP 10 TRIO EYE ABU DHABI’S FALCON TROPHY 15/10/2009
 

Casey, Garcia, and Ogilvy Vie For Abu Dhabi Golf Championship Glory

 

TWO-time Abu Dhabi Golf Championship winner and World No. 4, England's Paul Casey, will return this January to defend his crown, in a bid to extend the impressive form that has re-catapulted him to the forefront of the golfing world.

 

The 32-year-old, however, will have his work cut out for him, as Spanish swing wizard and world number eight, Sergio Garcia, and Abu Dhabi debutant, Australian Geoff Ogilvy - the current World No. 10 - have also thrown their hats in the ring for the European Tour-sanctioned 2010 Championship, which runs 21-24th January at Abu Dhabi Golf Club's sublime Par-72 National Course.

 

And with three of the world's top 10 golfers now teed-up, Faisal Al Sheikh, Head, Major Event's Division, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) - which organises the four-day spectacle - believes the landmark fifth edition of the US$2 million Championship will be a major boost to the emirate's growing credentials as an emerging world-class golfing destination.

 

"The Championship's success over the last four years has gone a long way to cementing Abu Dhabi's status as one to watch on the global golfing scene. The sport continues to form a key pillar of our long-term destination product, and will do so for the foreseeable future. We have no less than three great courses being finalised throughout the emirate and the people visiting and watching this Championship are connecting with a world-class golfing destination in the making," said Al Sheikh.

 

One player who knows more than most about the UAE capital is Casey, the only player to lift Abu Dhabi's coveted Falcon trophy twice: in 2007 and 2009 - the last of which kick-started a run of form where he clinched the Shell Houston Open and BMW PGA Championship. Casey is fully aware of what an Abu Dhabi win can do for a player's season. 

 

"The Abu Dhabi victory really gave my season a boost and helped me build momentum over the following months. As one of the first major events of the year, a good showing here can really make the difference, especially with the Majors teeing off not long after," said Casey, who is sponsored by Abu Dhabi developer ALDAR, which is behind the Kyle Phillips-designed Yas Island course, set to be the emirate's first links course.  

.

 

And Casey - who has 11 Tour wins under his belt - is keen to become the first golfer to retain the Falcon in back-to-back attempts.

 

"I have strong ties with Abu Dhabi, both on and off the course, and coming here always feels like home away from home. The National is stunning and fits my game nicely and I know what is needed to win. For me, it's about doing the right preparation, getting focused during the winter break and coming to Abu Dhabi in the right frame of mind," said Casey, who carded a Championship record this year with a stunning 21-under par to hold off 2008 Champion, Germany's Martin Kaymer. 

 

"Being the only player to win twice in Abu Dhabi is a fantastic personal achievement. I now want to see if I can do it two years on the trot. I know the 2010 field is going to be extremely strong, and there are going to be guys out there who are hungry to win. I just need to be hungrier."

 

Five times Ryder Cup star Garcia, one of the youngest ever players to compete in the biennial competition, is a familiar favourite at the Abu Dhabi event, having competed in the UAE capital for the last three years. 

 

Adored on both sides of the Atlantic, the fiery Spaniard - the 2008 US Players' Champion and US Tour Championship runner-up - knows that securing an elusive Abu Dhabi win will be an important catalyst to his 2010 season.

 

"I've been playing pretty consistently over the last year but I know there's more to come. As one of the first events in 2010, everyone looks to the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship to get the ball rolling and build momentum for the long season ahead," said Garcia, who has 19 professional wins under his belt.

 

"The Championship is one of the most enjoyable events on the calendar. The hospitality is unparalleled, the course plays great and the competition is intense. I'm looking forward to getting out there and hitting my best."

 

The imposing 6' 2" Aussie Ogilvy - whose career highlights include snatching the 2006 US Open by a one shot stroke and being a triple World Golf Championships winner - is hoping his lack of Abu Dhabi experience won't be an issue come January.

 

"I've already heard a lot about the National Course from many of the other guys that have played there. I enjoy a fresh challenge and I'm intrigued to see what all the hype is about," said Ogilvy, who beat Casey earlier in the year to win the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona, USA.

 

Ogilvy, who notes golf course design as a hobby, is also relishing the opportunity to take in some of the UAE capital's latest golfing initiatives, including the Gary Player designed, Saadiyat Beach Golf Course - the Arabian Gulf's only ocean front course.

 

"I understand that Abu Dhabi has made some impressive strides in establishing itself as a golfing destination, and I wouldn't mind having the chance to look around. I know the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club will be open to play when I'm there, so I hope to take the time to check it out."

 

All four days of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship will be covered live on high definition TV, reaching a global audience of over 140 million in many of the ADTA's key global markets.

 

The 2010 Championship formally begins on Wednesday, January 20th with the Al-Masaood Pro-Am and Awards Gala when sponsors and their guests will play and socialise with some of the world's best professionals.

 

TOP 10 TRIO EYE ABU DHABI’S FALCON TROPHY
UAE HOPEFULS PERFORM WELL ON ALPS TOUR 27/08/2009

AHMED Al Musharrekh and Khalid Yousuf turned in some encouraging performances in the Uniqa FinanceLife Open held at the Golf Club Gut Murstätten at Lebring in Austria in late July. 

Al Musharrekh (pictured) comfortably made the cut on the challenging 7,017-yard layout with tidy sub-par rounds of 70 and 71, but consecutive 6-over-par 78s in the third and final rounds prevented him from making a strong finish in the tournament which was an important stop on the demanding Alps Tour.
Yousuf also got off to an impressive start, carding 1-under-par 71, but he stumbled to a disappointing 81 in the second and missed the cut by six shots.

The top UAE golfer, who has twice featured in the Dubai Desert Classic, opened his second round with a birdie, but lost his momentum and a triple bogey on the long 564-yard, par-5 17th hole further added to his woes.

Meanwhile Al Musharrekh made his presence felt with some solid golf. Playing his first major tournament at the international level, Al Musharrekh negotiated the course with a mature performances in the first two rounds, but in the end had to settle for tied 50th at 3-over-par 219, 16 shots behind the winner Paolo Terrini of Italy.
Spurred on by a good showing in Austria, Al Musharrekh is determined to use his steady performance as a springboard to greater things when the new season gets under way in October. “Overall, I am pleased with my performance,” he said. “I could have done much better. Now I know what it takes to compete at this high-level of golf. I will try and use the experience to my advantage in the forthcoming tournaments.”
UAE HOPEFULS PERFORM WELL ON ALPS TOUR
Young guns to test their skills on the Alps Tour 20/07/2009

KHALID Yousuf and Ahmed Al Musharrekh will make their first appearance in an Alps Tour event when they feature in the Uniqa FinanceLife Open at the Golf Club Gut Murstätten at Lebring in Austria, from July 23 to 25.

The two leading UAE golfers have been selected by the Emirates Golf Federation as part of its ambitious drive to expose the homegrown talent to a high-level of competition.

Leading professionals and amateurs will be showcasing their skills during the tournament, part of the Alps Tour which has been created to give young players the opportunity to play and earn their chance to step up to the European Challenge Tour and gain exemptions from Stage One of the European Tour Qualifying School.

Yousuf is no stranger to playing in the company of top professionals having twice competed in the Dubai Desert Classic, but for Al Musharrekh it will be his first exposure to such a high level of golf.

The pair were selected for the trip following their impressive showing on the regional circuit. They were instrumental in guiding the UAE team to a creditable second-place finish - just one shot behind winners Bahrain - in the recent GCC Golf Championship where Al Musharrekh also won the individual championship with a gross 216.

“Both Khalid and Ahmed have already made their mark on the regional circuit and it’s time they should be competing at the international level to hone their competitive edge,” said Saeed Albudoor, general manager of the Emirates Golf Federation.

“If their recent form is any indication, I am sure they will do well in Austria. We, at Emirates Golf Federation, are committed to providing the players the best playing opportunities that we can and this Austrian trip is very much part of our initiative to try and keep the momentum going.

“I am sure the exposure that Khalid and Ahmed are getting at the international level will motivate other national players to take up golf seriously.”

Chris Vallender, the UAE team’s coach, is pleased that the pair are having an opportunity to play competitive golf with other hopeful young golfers.

“There is no short cut to success,” he said. “The best thing is that the boys are willing to sweat it out and that’s quite encouraging. The experience of playing with aspiring professionals will go a long way in building the confidence in their abilities.”

Young guns to test their skills on the Alps Tour
UAE FINISH SECOND IN GCC CHAMPIONSHIP 28/04/2009

KHALID Yousuf shot a tidy level-par 72 as the UAE finished second to Bahrain, narrowly missing out on their maiden GCC Golf Championship title at the Sahara Golf and Country Club in Kuwait.

Starting the day four strokes off the pace, the UAE team staged a compelling fight-back before posting an impressive 54-hole gross total of 671, just one shot behind Bahrain who managed to sneak home despite not being at their very best. The Saudi Arabia team finished a distant third on a gross 714.

It was the UAE team that held the centre-stage on the final day of the regional golf summit at the challenging Peter Harradine-designed course. Yousuf, who plays off plus one handicap, led the UAE charge with a flawless 72, the best individual score of the day.

The Musharrekh brothers – Ahmed and Abdulla - fired an identical 77 to contribute to the score while Saeed Malik, the fourth member of the team, carded 81 in the team event where the best three scores were counted towards the total.

Ahmed Al Musharrekh, who shot a sizzling 69 on the opening day, had the distinction of finishing on top in the individual championship with a gross 216 along with Abdullah Sultan of Bahrain, two strokes of ahead of Yousuf.

The UAE had something more to cheer about as Hassan Al Musharrekh won the individual championship in the junior division with a three-round gross total of 233 - one shot ahead of his closest challenger Khalid Atteih of Saudi Arabia.

Faisal Al Marzouqi carded a gross 252 while his brother Sohail was forced to withdraw from the championship after falling sick.

 “We have every reason to feel pleased about our team’s performance. The boys did a great job on the final day in particular and nearly upstaged Bahrain,” said Adel Zarouni, secretary-general of the Emirates Golf Federation and head of the UAE delegation to Kuwait. “You do feel bad when you miss out on the championship title by just one shot, but then close finishes are part of any sport. We are proud of the team’s fighting qualities and the way they kept up the pressure on Bahrain was something remarkable.

“I would also like to congratulate Hassan for winning the individual championship. Hassan is fast maturing into a solid player and that’s augurs well for UAE golf.”

UAE’s non-playing captain Khalid Mubarak also paid tributes to the team members, saying they approached the championship with a positive mindset. “We had our chances of winning the championship, but full credit to Bahrain for their consistent play over three days,” he said. “With a runners-up place in the team championship and impressive individual performances by Ahmed, Khalid and Hassan, in particular, we should be very proud of the team’s achievements.”

UAE FINISH SECOND IN GCC CHAMPIONSHIP
Gary Player Invitational a huge success 27/04/2009

THE Worldwide Golf 100th Anniversary Invitational presented by ECCO and hosted by Gary Player under the Patronage of H.H. Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed bin Hasher Al Maktoum at Emirates Golf Club on Friday, April 24, was a resounding success.

More than 700 people attended the day which began at 10.30 am with a brunch organised by the South African Business Council where the UAE Ambassador to South Africa, H.E. Yacoob Abba Omar, welcomed Gary to the Emirates.

Gary responded with an inspiring and passionate speech on the subjects of South Africa, diet, health and golf, which included an entertaining insight into his world. He talked about the importance of positive thinking and having the ambition to become the best in the world at whatever you chose to do – or maybe striving to become the best as a person.

It was an enthralling speech, which brought huge applause from the gathering of more than 100 guests.

From the balcony overlooking the Majlis Course Gary made his way to the driving range where he entertained a sizable gallery who were fascinated by his demonstration and his golfing reminiscences. Gary went out of his way to involve the youngsters present and invited some of them to hit a ball with him – which they did to considerable applause.

Gary then went to the 1st tee to hit a ceremonial drive to signal the start of the Invitational before heading for the 7th tee where he hit a drive with each of the 27 four-balls who played in the shotgun fourball two-ball betterball team event, which was won by the Hesson family, who had qualified to play in the Invitational.

In the evening, nearly 200 guests attended the Awards Dinner where Gary Player received a special award for his services to golf in the Middle East from Worldwide Golf and WSP Chairman Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed bin Hasher Al Maktoum.

Due to the personality, charisma and ability of one of the game’s greatest legends it was a day that all who attended will never forget.

Gary Player Invitational a huge success
UAE UNDER-18 TEAM TAKES THE ARAB JUNION GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 26/04/2009

Sohail Marzouqi and Hassan Musharrekh produced some solid performances as UAE beat off a strong challenge from a quality field to win the net under-18 team title at the Arab Junior Golf Championship held at the Yasmine Golf Course in Hammanat, Tunisia.

The talented duo also made their presence felt in the gross team division by posting a top four finish behind hosts Tunisia, Qatar and Egypt at the Yasmine course, designed  by well known Californian architect Ronald Fream.

 Faisal Marzouqi, the third member of the team, has also returned home with something to cheer about after taking fourth place in the under-15 individual category, a creditable effort considering the fact the youngster was playing his first international tournament away from home.

 Sohail and Hassan did stutter and stumble in the first round, but staged a compelling fight-back in the second and final round to post a strong finish. Sohail shot gross rounds of 102 and 92 while Hassan carded 100 and 82 in the championship which had drawn entries from several Arab countries, including Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon Libya, Morocco, Palestine and Qatar.

They could have done even better but were left bemoaning the shots that got away. “I think overall we have done well,” UAE coach Chris Vallender said. “The experience gained from the championship will go a long way in honing their competitive edge.

“I am, in particular, pleased with the way young Faisal handled the pressure. His back-to-back 91 on a challenging course amply shows the boy has the game needed to become a decent player.”

Adel Zarouni, secretary-general of the Emirates Golf Federation, congratulated the team for winning the net (under-18) title. “Their performance augurs well for the UAE golf. We, at Emirates Golf Federation, will keep trying to create more playing opportunities for our junior players.

“It was a good trip to Tunisia and there was a good camaraderie as players competed in a healthy environment. On behalf of the federation, I would like to thank the Tunisia Golf Federation for hosting the event. They did a wonderful job,” said Zarouni.

UAE UNDER-18 TEAM TAKES THE ARAB JUNION GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Gary Player to host Worldwide Golf Invitational at Emirates GC 03/04/2009

GARY Player, one of the true legends of golf, will play a hole in an Invitational tournament in the UAE for the first time.

The Black Knight is a winner of nine Majors and nine Senior Majors in a career that saw him claim his first title back in 1955, in Egypt. Since then he has won 167 official tournaments worldwide, travelling more than 14 million miles, and is universally recognised as golf’s greatest international player.

At Emirates Golf Club on Friday April 24 Player will host The Worldwide Golf 100th Anniversary Invitational presented by ECCO under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed bin Hasher Al Maktoum.

Player, who was part of the legendary Big 3 with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer and is one of only five players to have won all four Majors, will also host a brunch at Emirates Golf Club, organised by the South African Business Council, attended by The Ambassador, H.E. Yacoob Abba Omar. Player will then do a clinic on the driving range prior to the 18-hole, shotgun start, Invitational.

Player will play the par-3 seventh hole on the Majlis Course with each of the fourballs competing in the Invitational. Earlier this year the 73-year-old, who is arguably the fittest player in Senior Golf, beat his age on three successive days at the 7,100 yards Hualalai course in Hawaii in a U.S. Champions Tour event, shooting 70-71-71

The charity event will conclude with an Awards Dinner at Emirates Golf Club hosted by Player.

The South African Hall of Famer has amassed numerous awards throughout his 56-year career, captained the International Team in The Presidents Cup in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

“I have nothing but admiration for Sheikh Mohammed and his remarkable vision in creating such a thriving business, tourism and golfing centre in Dubai. I have been a frequent visitor to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Oman over the years and I am really looking forward to hosting the Worldwide Golf 100th Anniversary Invitational at the Emirates Golf Club,” said Player.

“It will be an opportunity to renew some old friendships and make some new ones and I hope it will be a day that all who attend will recall as an occasion to remember.”
Gary Player to host Worldwide Golf Invitational at Emirates GC
The race for the EGF Order of Merit hots up 27/03/2009

THE battle for the EGF Order of Merit title is hotting up after two of the main challengers sat out crucial events as the race for the title heads towards its climax.

Khalid Yousuf took advantage of the non-performance of Matthew Turner at the Audi Men's Open at Abu Dhabi Golf Club to move to the top of the EGF Order of Merit.

Yousuf posted rounds of 72 and 75 for a 3-over gross total of 147 to win at Abu Dhabi Golf Club to move above Turner in the rankings with 86 points. Another promising UAE star Ahmed Al Musharrekh matched Yousuf's 147 - the best score by an amateur in the Audi Men's Open - to jump to fifth position with a tally of 51 points, just 8.5 points behind Dino Varkey of Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and 6.5 points of Joel Neale, who plays off an impressive plus-1 handicap.

Former Order of Merit champion Vikram Judge posted a 156 to slip to seventh place with 47.5 points.

However, Turner returned to action at the Ras Al Khaimah Men's Open at Al Hamra Golf Club to reclaim his place at the top of the Order of Merit as he took his turn to take advantage of his competitor's absence with rounds of 73 and 71 for a six-shot victory over Joel Neal.

Yousuf could not make it to the RAK Men's Open after a busy schedule in the 29th Arab Golf Championships where he played a key role in guiding the UAE national team to a creditable second-place finish.

With Neale making solid gains after a second place finish in the RAK Men's Open, the race for the Order of Merit title has picked up steam with at least three players in contention for claiming the honours.

Neale, also of Emirates Golf Club, has tallied 81.5 points after the RAK Open, the fifth event on the EGF Order of Merit schedule. Snapping at his heels is seasoned Vikram Judge who has jumped to fourth place from seventh with 67.5 points after a fourth-place finish in Ras Al Khaimah.

Ahmed Al Musharrekh was also absent from Ras Al Khaimah due to his performances alongside Yousuf in the Arab Golf Championships. He remains on 51 points but dropped down to seventh place.

With just two events remaining at Al Ghazal Golf Club in Abu Dhabi and The Montgomerie, Dubai, the race for the EGF Order of Merit title looks like it will go to the wire.

 

 Order of Merit leaders after the RAK Men's Open:

 

1. Matthew Turner             (EGC)              95

2. Khalid Yousuf                         (EGC)              86

3. Joel Neale                            (EGC)              81.5

4. Vikram Judge               (DCGYC)     67.5

5. Paul King                             (DCGYC)     59.8

6. Dino Varkey                         (DCGYC)     59.5

7. Ahmed Al Musharrekh             (SGSC)           51

8. Steve Kelly                           (EGC)              49

9. Alex Charawani                    (ADGC)        46.25

10. Robert Watts               (EGC)              45

The race for the EGF Order of Merit hots up
Bahrain dominate the 29th Arab Golf Championship 06/03/2009

BAHRAIN put the disappointment of a runner-up finish at last year’s Arab Golf Championship behind them with a dominating display to win their 13th Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club yesterday

The Bahrainis completed a wire-to-wire victory in the 29th Arab Golf Championship thanks to rounds of 233, 235, 230 and 241 for a 939 total and a 17-stroke win over the UEA team.

The team of Abdulla Saleh, Naser Yacob and Sultan Sultan combined superbly well over the four days to beat the host nation into second place. Egypt finished third, two shots behind the UAE while last year’s winner Lebanon finished fourth after being beaten to a podium place by a countback by the Egyptians.

 

Bahrain dominate the 29th Arab Golf Championship
Young Dhruv earns his Golden Ticket 13/01/2011
 

AFTER a series of Worldwide Golf Golden Ticket Qualifying tournaments throughout the UAE the final two Invitations were decided yesterday (Wednesday) at Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi.

As befitting a world-class links course, the conditions for the Grand Final were challenging, with a brisk wind giving players something extra to consider. The course was set up long and the wind made it play even longer.

The scores reflected the course set-up and the weather with the adult division being won by Abizher Mohammed on a countback with a better back 9 of net 35 and a total net 72.

The performance of the day came from Dhruv Nair, aged 13, a member of Dubai  Creek Golf and Yacht Club, who shot a net 62. Dhruv earned his place as one of the two lucky juniors to tee up at the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Yas Links Golf Club on Monday, January 17.

He joins 11 year old Amelia McKee, last year's Golden ticket winner, who received an Invitation from Abdullah Al Naboodah to return to play again this year. Amelia and her family relocated back to the USA in December, however, she is flying back with her father, Rob, this weekend to participate in the event.

The two juniors, Dhruv and Amelia, along with the adult Golden Ticket qualifier Abizher Mohammed, join a star-studded field of 52 European Tour Professionals, which includes 42 European Tour Champions, 12 Ryder Cup players, four Major winners and the World No.1 and No.5, Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell.

The Emirates Airline Invitational on January 17 will be played in a fourball format as two two-man teams with one Pro per team. Among the amateurs taking part from the worlds of entertainment, commerce and sport are former England cricketers Michael Vaughan and Allan Lamb, DJ Spoony, ex-international footballers Jamie Redknapp, Ruud Gullit and David O'Leary, who is also current manager of UAE club Al Ahli.

The Emirates Airline Invitational is universally regarded as one of the most prestigious and popular one-day Pro-Ams in golf and spectators are invited to attend the event at Yas Links for free and join in the fun at ‘The Friendly Invitational.'

 

Caption:

Left to right: Worldwide Golf's David Burke, Abdullah Al Naboodah, making the presentation of a Golden Ticket to 13 year old Dhruv Nair, and Emirates Airline Invitational Tournament Director, James Bowring, at the presentation at Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi.

Young Dhruv earns his Golden Ticket
Sergio Garcia joins World Class Invitational lineup 17/12/2009

SERGIO GARCIA is the latest big name to join the all-star cast at The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on January 25th. The popular Spaniard, currently ranked 11th in the World, makes his debut in the most prestigious Invitational Pro-Am in the region.

Garcia, who finished 10th in The Race to Dubai, joins a host of leading European Tour players in The Invitational, including Europe’s Golfer of the Year, Lee Westwood. The World No.4 returns to Dubai on the back of one of the most consistent seasons of his career. He capped a stunning victory in the Dubai World Championship in November, by adding The Race to Dubai title with two wins and 11 additional top-ten finishes to collect €2,750,000 and take his season’s earnings to a record €4,237,762.

He was rightfully voted The European Tour’s Golfer of The Year for the third time in his career, having ended Colin Montgomerie’s seven-year reign at head of European Golf by winning the Order of Merit in 2000 after finishing runner-up in 1999 and third in 1997 and 1998.

Westwood and Garcia are joined in the field by fellow Ryder Cup star Graeme McDowell who recently shot back into the World top 50 with a superb second place finish at the Chevron World Challenge in California. Ross Fisher, currently ranked 20th in the world and who finished fourth in The Race to Dubai is another leading player to confirm his place in The Invitational on January 25.

Volvo World Match Play Champion, Fisher, who is sponsored by the Al Naboodah Group, put in a near-tournament winning performance at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa, finishing in a share of third place.

Another player bringing his best form to The Invitational is host Abdullah Al Naboodah himself. Abdullah teamed up with UK radio presenter DJ Spoony, Vincent Tshabalala and Thomas Aiken to win the fourball alliance competition at the Gary Player Invitational at The Links at Fancourt, South Africa, in November.

Other players confirmed to play at the Creek on January 25 include Rory McIlroy, Jeev Milkha Singh, Darren Clarke, Simon Dyson, Johan Edfors, Charl Schwartzel and Richard Green. In total, 48 Professionals and 48 amateurs will combine in a betterball strokeplay competition in teams of two – one Pro and one amateur – with the Pros playing for a charity prize fund of AED500,000.

Al Naboodah Director of Golf, James Bowring, commented: “It’s great that we’ve got so many leading players competing who are right on the top of their game. The sponsors and the spectators are going to be treated to a wonderful day of world-class golf played in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. It’s going to be a special day for them to be able to play a part in enjoying this unique tournament.”

For more information on The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on January 25, please visit: www.alnaboodahinvitational.com

Sergio Garcia joins World Class Invitational lineup
UAE hosting 29th Arab Championship 02/03/2009

AL Hamra Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah will host the 29th Arab Golf Championship this week as 16 Arab countries battle for honours around the first Links course in the region.

Host nation the UAE will be spearheaded by Khalid Yousuf who recently competed in the Dubai Desert Classic and he will be joined by the Musharrekh brothers Ahmed and Abdullah and the experienced Ismail Sharif.

Last year in Australia a Yousuf-led UAE team finished at the top of the pile of all the Arabian teams contesting in the Eisenhower Trophy and the team are confident ahead of this year’s Arab Championship.

“We have the talent to win the championship,” said Sharif, a seven-time UAE National Champion. “All we need is to stay focussed on the job in hand. It won’t be easy since the competition is going to be very tough, but we have to keep faith in our abilities.”

Secratery General of the Emirates Golf Federation Adel Zarouni said: “We are delighted to host the Arab Golf Championship and he hope all the players will relish the experience of playing on the challenging layout of the par-72 Championship Golf Course at Al Hamra.

This Championship will showcase to the Arab world the giant strides that have been made in the UAE with our golfing infrastructures of international standards. We will try and ensure all the players and their delegations have a comfortable stay in the UAE and they return home with good memories of the Championship.”

Lebanon took home the title last year as they completed a wire-to-wire victory at Dirab Golf Course in Riyadh last year.

 

 

Teams lining up will be:

Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia and the UAE.
UAE hosting 29th Arab Championship
Golden chance to play with the stars 15/08/2011
UK golfers are to get a golden opportunity to play with the stars when the Emirates Airline Invitational Golden Ticket Qualifier gets underway at the beautiful Golf Club at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire this summer.

The hotly anticipated event, in aid of the Jude Brady Foundation, takes place on August 22nd. Not only will amateurs get the chance to play at one of the most prestigious venues in southern England for an unbelievably low entry fee, they will also line up alongside a host of celebrities, including DJ Spoony and ex West Ham and Celtic goalkeeper Allen McKnight, to compete for a truly mouthwatering prize, while raising valuable funds for a great cause.

The Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah is one of the most esteemed Pro-Ams in world golf. Taking place in the United Arab Emirates in January 2012, the event attracts the cream of The European Tour for a unique day of golf played in a competitive yet friendly and fun atmosphere.

This year’s tournament featured the then-World No.1 Lee Westwood, 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, double Major champion Retief Goosen and a wealth of talent from The European Tour and around the globe who flocked to Abu Dhabi to play in an event that has become the unofficial ‘curtain raiser’ for the Tour’s Middle East Swing. “It’s a great event that Abdullah puts on and I really enjoy it,” said McDowell. “Obviously, with Emirates Airline and all the other great sponsors they have – they just keep raising the bar for the tournament year after year.”

The event is followed by a glittering Gala Dinner attended by all the players and celebrities as well as their lucky amateur playing partners.

Amateur places in the Invitational are among the most sought after tickets in world golf and entry is on a strictly ‘invitation only’ basis. But Worldwide Golf is running a series of ‘Golden Ticket’ Qualifying events, culminating in a Grand Final where the leading adult amateur will receive a place in the Invitational.

The Emirates Airline Invitational Golden Ticket Qualifier at The Golf Club at Brocket Hall, the only event in the series taking place outside the Middle East, will see amateurs compete alongside the celebrities to win a place in the Grand Final. Travel and accommodation will be included.

The Qualifier will be followed by a sumptuous two-course buffet meal in The Golf Club’s spectacular Oak Room and Piano Lounge. There will also be special prizes for Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin. Perhaps the most tantalising aspect of the event is the cost. A standard green fee for The Golf Club at Brocket Hall, with no added extras, ordinarily costs £130, but this wonderful charity event is being charged at just £75.

The Emirates Airline Invitational Golden Ticket Qualifier is open to all players with a valid handicap certificate (maximum for men 18; women 28).

 

Entry fee includes:

Tea, Coffee, Orange Juice and Bacon Rolls on arrival.

Use of the Palmerston Golf Academy warm up facilities.

Complimentary Welcome Pouch including Brocket Hall logo golf ball, pitchfork, ball marker, tees and pencil.

Complimentary Course Planner. 

18 holes of golf on the Championship standard Melbourne Course.

2-course lunch.

Complimentary Buggy Hire.

 

Golden chance to play with the stars
Neale retains EGF Order of Merit crown 26/05/2009

JOEL Neale retained the Emirates Golf Federation’s Order of Merit title after the talented youngster posted a strong finish in the BMW Men’s Open held at The Montgomerie Dubai.

Neale, who plays off a plus one handicap, carded solid rounds of 73 and 70 to finish tied second on a gross total of 143, just one shot behind the winner Pontes Fredriksson in the seventh and the final round of the Gulf News-sponsored Order of Merit.

With this creditable second-place finish the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club star took his points tally to 122.25 which was good enough to beat his nearest challenger Matthew Turner of Emirates Golf Club by 5.25 points. Khalid Yousuf, who led the Order of Merit after the penultimate round – the NBAD Men’s Open – had to settle for third place on 113 points.

Khalid had a good chance of winning the prestigious Order of Merit, but couldn’t feature in the final event because of the GCC Championship in Kuwait where he played a key role in guiding the UAE team to a fantastic second-place finish.

In his absence it was left to Neale and Turner to battle it out for the championship title. With just three points separating the two going into the final round, both produced some solid golf in the final round to provide a fitting climax to the Order of Merit race.

Neale held on to his slender lead, finishing just one point ahead of Turner, who settled for tied fourth on a gross144. , In the end, it was a strange coincidence that Neale, Turner and Yousuf finished the Order of Merit race in the same order as they did last year.

The Musharrekh brothers – Ahmed and Abdulla – were in with a chance to sneak into the top ten, but had to skip the final event as they joined Khalid Yousuf in the UAE team for the GCC Championship.

Saeed Albudoor, general manager of the Emirates Golf Federation, thanked the players, the sponsors and the clubs for making the Order of Merit a great success. “All the seven events produced some good scores and that gives an indication of the rising standards of the game in the UAE,” he said. “There is no dearth of talent in the country and it showed in the performance of the players during the season. We, at the Emirates Golf Federation, are committed to creating more playing opportunities for golfers, both national and expatriates, to hone their skills.

“We are also working on new initiatives to make the Order of Merit events even more appealing to the players."

Neale is pictured with Saeed Al Budoor, General Manager of the Emirates Golf Federation.

Neale retains EGF Order of Merit crown

Rss Feed

 
Worldwide Golf Travel
WGD