The restoration itself is further testament to Al Zorah Golf Club’s commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation as it preserves the natural beauty of the region and provides a habitat for a variety of marine life, while also contributing to the global effort to combat climate change. It’s also a unique opportunity for golfers themselves to make a meaningful impact on the environment while enjoying their favourite pastime.

Clinton Southorn, Director of Construction and Agronomy for Al ZOrah’s management company Troon International, commented: “It’s fantastic to see Al Zorah Golf Club taking a proactive approach to environmental conservation through their mangrove planting initiative. I am proud to see one of our clubs leading the charge in sustainability efforts. This initiative is not only beneficial to the environment but also serves as an inspiration to the golf industry as a whole. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of their efforts for years to come.”

Al Zorah Golf Club

The club’s dedication to sustainability was recognised in November last year when they achieved GEO Certification, a prestigious recognition awarded for their efforts in preserving native ecosystems through agronomic work and supporting local communities.

Sustainability has been a top priority for Al Zorah Golf Club and their latest initiative is just one example of this commitment. In addition, Al Zorah’s management team has taken proactive steps to educate their staff on sustainable practices and involve the local community in initiatives such as mangrove cleaning and tree planting. The club has seen great success in encouraging residents to participate in these initiatives, which not only benefit the environment but also enhance community involvement.

Commenting on the club’s efforts, Philip Henderson, General Manager of Al Zorah Golf Club, said: “Preserving the local ecosystem has always been a top priority for us, and we are thrilled to have successfully restored this area to create a new home for even more mangroves and subsequent wildlife. It’s exciting to offer our golfers the opportunity to play a round of golf while also supporting our commitment to the environment. We look forward to seeing how many of our guests will take up this chance and play a part in sustainable initiatives.”

The post Al Zorah Golf Club pledges to plant one mangrove tree for every round of golf played in April appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The joint venture between the Government of Ajman and Solidere International, the leading holistic real estate master developer in the emirate, is surrounded by natural lakes and mangroves, preserved and maintained by the club.

The achievement is a key milestone for the club, whose management has placed sustainability at the forefront of operations for several years. The recognition has come about in two key ways: through the agronomic work to preserve the native ecosystems and through the golf club’s support of local communities.

GEO Certified is a comprehensive modern certification, developed to the highest credibility standard, to help golf facilities, developments and tournaments demonstrate and be recognized for their environmental and social responsibility.

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The post Al Zorah Golf Club in Ajman awarded GEO Certification appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
Emirates Golf Federation celebrated World Environment Day with EGF golfers at Al Zorah Golf Club, with the players planting mangrove trees following a tournament.

The 18-hole golf course, Nicklaus-designed course in Ajman is surrounded by natural lakes and mangroves.

George Saad, Chief Executive Officer of Al Zorah Development Company, said: “We are pleased to have EGF golfers on the joyous occasion of World Environment Day. The Al Zorah Golf Club was designed and constructed in the Al Zorah mangroves in a way that complements the natural beauty of the landscape here in Ajman. We have preserved the natural forestry and surrounding habitat to keep our golf course environmentally sustainable.”

“As part of the celebration of the Environment Day, each golfer planted their own mangrove tree at the end of the event, to show their appreciation of and dedication towards preserving our natural habitat.”

Four players from the EGF National Team ladies, men, coaches and juniors divisions took part in the EGF event.

Akram Skaik, Director General of the EGF, added: “It comes with great pleasure to work with Al Zorah Golf Club to not only help with the environment but also give the UAE National Team players an opportunity to work together off the golf course. It is our mission in following the path of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the adherence to implementing strategies and programmes to ensure a sustainable future and a healthy environment. Being golfers, the environment is extremely important to us and anything that the National Team or the Emirates Golf Federation can do to help is our mission”

Philip Henderson, Al Zorah General Manager, said: “The location of Al Zorah offers a uniqueness that allows a golfer to experience a world-class golf course and nature in its most refined setting. For any player visiting Al Zorah, you will find a knowledgeable team of associates dedicated to educating players on the importance of our environment and delivering superior service.”

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The post Emirates Golf Federation celebrates World Environment Day at Al Zorah Golf Club appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith

Clash of the captains

Emirates Golf Club celebrated its annual Captains Matchplay Challenge which saw 32 pairings compete for the title, representing either Amarjeet Radia’s Lady Captains Team or Abdulfattah Sharaf’s Men’s Captains Team. It was the Lady Captains team who were victorious by four points, prevailing 10.5-7.5.

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There was some exciting news out of Ajman as construction work began at the clubhouse at Al Zorah Golf Club, with the aim of transforming it into the leading tourist and golfing destination in the northern Emirates. The clubhouse at the Troon-managed course will offer full leisure facilities, including a gym, golf shop, tennis courts and swimming pool, plus food and beverage outlets will offer visitors a choice to dine, socialise and relax within the club.

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Frustrated with his one-over-par finish for a share of 34th place at the Saraha Kuwait Golf Championship last week, the 36-year-old Englishman knuckled down on the range over the weekend and was rewarded with a pace-setting six-under 66 at the MENA Tour Championship.

Elson leads by one from defending champion Tyler Hogarty (South Africa) but more importantly opened up a four shot buffer over his nearest rival for the OOM title, compatriot Luke Joy, on a perfect day for scoring at Al Zorah G.C.

The overall title will be Elson’s if he wins this week, finishes in the top three providing Joy doesn’t win or if Joy finishes outside the top 5.

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Joy was T-9 overnight but with 54-holes to play, this is far from over.

“I had a bad week in Kuwait that probably helped me focus better. My preparations for this week were certainly much better,” Elon said afterwards. “I hope I can keep the momentum going all the way through.”

Elson opened with three birdies in his first six holes and then made amends for a bogey on the 7th with a bounce-back gain on the 8th before rattling off three homeward birdies.

“I felt in complete control of my game which was good. Missed a couple of putts here and there, but overall played good golf.

“If you’re playing well, this course can offer you plenty of scoring opportunities. I made just one bogey which shows I was pretty accurate with my game out there.”

Tyler Hogarty

Hogarty, a shot clear of Sweden’s Henric Sturehed who opened up with a 68, equally pleased with his opening round.

“I began with a birdie and finished with a birdie, which was quite pleasing. Everything about the about the course, from fairways to greens, is just perfect,” said Hogarty.

Todd Clements cruised to his familiar place at the top of the amateur leaderboard ilong with fellow Englishman Sam Hobday after a 67 that included five birdies and three bogeys. England’s Taylor Carter was a further four shots back, one clear of India’s Arkesh Bhatia on a day when 21 players broke par.

The post Advantage Elson after Englishman’s perfect start to the MENA Tour Championship appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

efore watching the clip below, ask yourself this question: Immediately after hitting a shot with your driver, are you able to accurately tell which part of the clubface you struck it from? Launch monitors like TrackMan have revealed the true importance of a centered strike. It sounds obvious, but few of us actually practice hitting it out of the middle, right? Even the guys on the PGA Tour don’t catch it flush all the time, but where regular golfers can improve is by learning to identify which part of the clubface the ball has been struck by, be it the toe or the heel, and then knowing which swing adjustments to make from there. Watch the video to find out how.

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Photo and video by Kristina Nabieva

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The post Video: How to hit shots out of the middle of the clubface more often appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

he UAE’s newest golf course will host its oldest corporate golf series when Xerox Emirates brings its popular corporate tournament to Ajman for the two-day grand final at the end of 2016. As the host for the first qualifier (on March 3) as well as the now traditional 36-hole final, Al Zorah Golf Club, managed by Troon Golf, will play a pivotal role in promoting Ajman as a growing tourism destination through its partnership with a tournament that attracted over 1,300 golfers in 2015.

Entering its 18th year, the Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge has become a much-anticipated and highly popular addition to the GCC’s golfing calendar, also receiving great interest and support from its two South African qualifiers; played last year in Johannesburg and Stellenbosch. “We are encouraged with the positive feedback from the series last year, as well as bringing the series to Ajman and Al Zorah Golf Club. Building on the popularity of the Challenge, we look forward to expanding into newer countries across the GCC and MENA regions,” said Andrew Horne, the general manager of Xerox Emirates.

Ajman Tourism Development Department sees the partnership as a strong platform to promote sports tourism. “We are proud to be the Grand Final Host City sponsor of the 2016 Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge. This is a major amateur golf series across the GCC and South Africa, and we are confident that it will attract a large number of golfing enthusiasts to both the series and to the emirate of Ajman,” commented H.E. Faisal Al Nuaimi, general manager of Ajman Tourism Development Department.

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For Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge 2016 qualifier dates, locations and more information, visit www.xeroxcgc.com

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Photo by Farooq Salik

FEATURED: 2016 Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East

The post Al Zorah and Ajman to host 2016 Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

hat is your assessment of the 2015 Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge?
The event went extremely well. We had 14 qualifying rounds and then a two-day grand final at the Waldorf [Astoria] and the feedback from the players was incredible. We had 1,300 golfers taking part across the year, which speaks to a very successful edition.

How did it go from a fundraising perspective?
We were a little bit behind our target. We wanted to raise enough to sponsor an African eye camp in its entirety, and we’re not quite there yet, so we’ll continue. But we raised some good money with some activities at the tournaments, where the sponsors played a terrific part. Overall, I think we’ve raised close to $14,000 to date.

You’re launching the 2016 series at Al Zorah Golf Club, who will host the final. How did that partnership come about?
We had two great years up in Ras Al Khaimah, and we know that Ajman Tourism is very keen to promote Ajman as a golfing destination. It provided us a great opportunity to partner. We wanted to keep refreshing the series as we go forward and this was a chance to come somewhere new, to an absolutely fabulous course. I had the pleasure of playing it and it’s a very beautiful course. We have our first qualifying round at Al Zorah on March 3 and then there will be a two-day grand final in partnership with Ajman Tourism and the four participating hotels. And for the finalists again, there will be one complimentary night in a partner hotel and two rounds at Al Zorah Golf Club to look forward to.

Last year you held qualifiers all over the region and as far afield as South Africa. What does the schedule look like in 2016?
We had 14 qualifying rounds last year, whereas we have 16 this year. We’re adding Egypt and Kenya, which is terrific. Adding two more rounds should mean that we also add around 150 golfers to the total number of players. And that’s the objective, to give business people the opportunity to network and have some fun.

What’s the thinking behind adding more qualifiers in Africa?
Well, Africa’s a growth market. But the tournament isn’t so much an emirates tournament as it is a Middle East and Africa tournament supported by the Xerox brand. We are a core part of the organisation of the tournaments, but fundamentally any coverage across the MENA region is of interest.

Will the playing format in the qualifiers remain the same?
There will be a few changes, and we’re trying to add a bit of fun. It will enable people to have a bit more of a strategy when they’re playing, because even though a team might not have a round that enables them to win, they could still qualify for the final through doing well on particular holes. That’s all I can really say on that for now!

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For Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge 2016 qualifier dates, locations and more information, visit www.xeroxcgc.com

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FEATURED: 2016 Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East

The post Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge preview: Reaching the 18th appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

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