The format for the day was a four-person Texas scramble with a minimum of three drives per player required.

Winning the net division was the team of Ross Grant, Raymond Logan, Michael Connor and Jordan Ryan with an excellent score of net 54. They also shot an impressive 18 under par gross score of 54, but were awarded the net prize for the day.

Net Division Winners – Men’s Club Captain Mark Gathercole, Jordan Ryan, Raymond Logan, Michael Connor, Ladies Club Captain Nicola Breeze and Golf Operations Manager Ryan Smith

They were followed by the team of Graham Rennie, Steven Martin, Scott Johnston and Ben Clark in second place with their net 55. Followed by the team of Peter Mulholland, Andrew Dowling, T.R Vijayan and Alfonso Gutierrez in third place on net 56 and the last of the net prizes were awarded to the team of James Sayer, Mark Sayer, Matthew Derrick and Jack Sayer also with a net 56.

The gross division was won by the fourball of Christopher Benson, Christopher Andrews, Mike Robson and Douglas McLennan with an impressive score of gross 57, followed by the team of Graeme Mccann, Barry McGettigan, James Scallon and Craig Gibson two shots back on 59 gross.

Image: Arabian Ranches Golf Club

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Just a single shot back was Ross Grant in third while in the Men’s Net Division A for handicaps 0-12, Nick Borkhataria claimed victory on countback with a great round of net 68. In second place in the division was Douglas McLenann also with his net 69.

For the Men’s Net Division B for handicaps 13 and above, Scott Johnston took the top spot with a net 65, followed by Fuad Aghabi just one shot back after his net 66.

In the Ladies Gross Division, Elvira Khaliullina won with a gross 81, while Marta Biswas won the Ladies Net Division on net 74 as Nicola Breeze took the countback for second place on net 75.

Image: Arabian Ranches Golf Club

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The now 54-year-old had spent more than 27 years in jail convicted of murder — locked up inside one of America’s most brutal maximum security prisons for a crime he didn’t commit, before he was allowed to walk away a free man in 2018, exonerated of any crime after the real perpetrator confessed.

With only a few magazine photos for inspiration — Dixon had written to Golf Digest asking for help, explaining how drawing golf courses had become a needed diversion — he spent his time in Attica prison drawing, perfecting his style over the many, many years with only some pieces of card and a few pencils to create his work. Wonderful, unique depictions of famous courses such as Augusta, Pebble Beach and the Country Club in Brookline emerged over the years — as did some of the most famous courses in Dubai, a city that had found a special place in Dixon’s heart.

While the story of Dixon’s wrongful conviction, and Golf Digest’s part in his eventual release, is absorbing, emotional and well documented, the man who can count Tiger Woods and Barack Obama among fans of his work has finally achieved one of his dreams five years after his walk to freedom — visiting the courses in Dubai that he drew in prison to help him cling on to hope of one day seeing the outside world.

Dixon recently visited Golf Digest Middle East’s offices in Dubai while on a tour to visit those courses that helped him through his darkest times — from the Address Montgomerie and Dubai Creek to Jebel Ali, Emirates Golf Club and Arabian Ranches — and talk about his journey.

“In prison you live in a dream sometimes. You live in your own world,” he told me, his eyes repeatedly drawn to the windows of our 33rd floor office, admiring the towers and the views of the ocean. “And you look for anything that can give you inspiration. Something that can give you hope, something that can invigorate your spirit. And looking at pictures of Dubai during my time, it had to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life, even though I was seeing it through a magazine.

Photo by Mark Mathew

“While I was drawing these other golf courses, I said to myself: ‘I might as well draw the most beautiful place on the planet,’ which is Dubai, in my opinion. This is why I drew these seven pictures of these golf courses right here. And this is why I am here today.”

Developing his style was no easy task given the limited resources he had in prison, but it was a challenge he applied himself to over the years in captivity. 

“There were limitations on was I could use in prison, I was not allowed paint or canvas or brushes, only card, so I turned to coloured pencils,” he said. “The goal was to make the drawings look like paintings — everyone always refers to them as paintings, even after I tell them they are drawings, they say: ‘Oh, that’s a nice painting’ — and to me that is the best compliment I can get because I sometimes spend hundreds of hours drawing one of the golf courses. It takes a lot of time to layer coloured pencils on top of one another to get that ‘paint’ look. It took me about 10 years to develop that style.”

Seeing Dubai for himself was always one of Dixon’s ambitions once he gained his freedom.  

“It wasn’t just the beauty of Dubai that compelled me,” he explained. “I converted to Islam 20 years ago, so I felt a closeness to the country, because of the religion, and also what the golf courses were doing to help my spirit.

“Not only were there the likes of Tiger, it was Jack Nicklaus who said one thing that stuck with me. He compared me to Nelson Mandela. He said I had the same spirit as him — he was friends with him so that was a great compliment.

“Back to Dubai, just look at the character of the buildings. I was just saying that New York City of Los Angeles cannot compare to these buildings. I have never seen anything like it here, and have never seen buildings this tall!

“I would love to draw a massive picture of one of the courses here, you know, like 60×90. I did a 60×90 of the Augusta 12th hole and I would love to do something similar here in Dubai. It may take me a couple of months, 10 hours a day, but I look for that type of challenge. I want to do the type of thing that people have never seen before. 

“I could easily pull out a canvas and paintbrush and do something in 20 hours, but I get a lot of joy out of actually sitting down and drawing one golf course for over 200 hours.

“I am now going to visit some of the golf courses that I actually drew. That would be the ultimate.

“How would that compare from a 6x8m prison cell to sitting one of the golf courses here and actually seeing it in the flesh. I don’t think it could get any better than that.”

While Dixon still has plenty to see and do while in the UAE, he is already planning a return visit for the Dubai Desert Classic next month. 

“That would be a dream come true,” he said. 

The post Inspirational art: After 27 years in prison, wrongfully convicted Valentino Dixon realises a dream in Dubai appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 5th hole at Arabian Ranches Golf Club is a great long par 4. It’s actually not the longest par 4 on the course but given it is played into the predominant wind, you’ll soon discover why it is our stroke 1 hole. It always feels like it plays a little longer than the yardage and it definitely requires accurate placement off both the tee and with your approach shot. 

Off the tee: Although it’s a fairly straight hole, your tee shot demands accuracy. Ideally, you want to try and hit it as far up the fairway as possible in order to leave yourself a shorter shot in. However, the longer you hit it, the tighter the landing area. Hit it left and you will find yourself in the waste area, while a miss right will see you in the trees and most likely requiring a chip out. 

Approach & closing out: With severe drop offs both left and right of the green, your approach requires yet more accuracy or you’ll be faced with a challenging recovery shot. Indeed, any up and down here is to be celebrated. 

Although the green is fairly large, the better player will be mindful of leaving themselves on the correct side of the pin to give the best shot at birdie. The green is home to numerous subtle breaks so take care with your putter. Par here, be it off the stick or with the assistance of any handicap allowance, is always a good score. Enjoy. –with Kent Gray

BE AT 1 SERIES:
Tame ‘Sea View’, stroke index 1 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Tame the 15th, stroke index 1, at The Els Club Dubai
Tame the 5th, stroke index 1, at Tower Links Golf Club
Tame the 15th, stroke index 1, at Yas Links Abu Dhabi
Tame the 7th, stroke index 1, at Dubai Hills Golf Club
Tame the 12th, stroke index 1, at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club
Tame the 13th, stroke index 1, at Al Zorah Golf Club
Tame the 10th, stroke index 1, at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club
Tame the 5th, stroke index 1, at Abu Dhabi Golf Club

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The post Tame the 5th, stroke index 1, at Arabian Ranches Golf Club appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Troon International President Mark Chapleski is confident the makeover of the Ian Baker-Finch design, which began on June 1, will please and even surprise members and green fee players.

“…Anybody that has played it in the last 10 years will hardly recognise it. The green complexes are back to their original shape…it’s going to be awesome,“ Chapleski said.

“The greens look very healthy, they’re coming along well, we’ve done some other work on other parts of the golf course. It’s going to be a completely new experience. “

The practice putting green at the Emaar-owned property (which opened in 2004) has also been rebuilt while the driving range, turf nursery and the desert surrounds on most holes have been enhanced as part of the ambitious course improvement programme.

Like Chapleski, Arabian Ranches G.C. General Manager Elliott Gray is clearly happy with the progress as this series of social media posts highlight.

The Greens renovation at ARGC is progressing well, pictured below is the 9th green, some new lines on putts will be had! A big thank you to Sean Kinsley his dedication and commitment to this project has been second to none ! ?‍??‍@skinsleygolf @troonint @RanchesGolfClub pic.twitter.com/EtlpqL2xR7

— Elliott Gray (@ElliottGraygolf) July 12, 2019

Progress is good, first 9 holes and putting green will be completed soon. We are excited to see the larger surfaces and what looks like to be a few new undulations ?‍??‍@RanchesGolfClub @skinsleygolf @troonint @TroonGolf pic.twitter.com/rSMvQ0Ty9P

— Elliott Gray (@ElliottGraygolf) July 17, 2019

The first cut of front nine greens after the planting of sprigs in mid July. We are on schedule, thanks to Sean and his team for their passion and commitment . ?‍??‍?? @RanchesGolfClub @skinsleygolf @troonint @troonint pic.twitter.com/37K9nonmBu

— Elliott Gray (@ElliottGraygolf) August 5, 2019

There is a wee stripe appearing ladies and gentlemen! The second cut on our new greens completed today, and yes we are still very happy with the progress ?‍??‍@RanchesGolfClub @skinsleygolf @IBFinchy @troonint @TroonGolf pic.twitter.com/5ULCfxsVqT

— Elliott Gray (@ElliottGraygolf) August 7, 2019

Starting to see the greens stripe up now, great cover of grass over the entire surface! Sean and the team working extremely hard to ensure everything is in place for re-opening. Today F9 greens verti cut and cleared, walk behind mowers to finish them off ?‍??‍@RanchesGolfClub pic.twitter.com/y0E0bkCnES

— Elliott Gray (@ElliottGraygolf) September 9, 2019

Desert Golf, a division of Desert Group, completed the greens renovation two weeks ahead of schedule. The course was closed to pave way for a greens renovation due to the invasion of foreign grasses, which had affected the uniformity, appearance and smoothness of the greens.

RELATED: Arabian Ranches promises “refreshing new experience” after major greens renovation

“The Arabian Ranches greens renovation process entailed a comprehensive survey of all 18 greens, followed by excavation and the precise shaping of the subgrade of all the greens in order to mirror the final levels,” Desert Golf said in a statement.

“A consistent depth of USGA greens mix was then added and shaped to meet original design contours. Finally, the greens were planted with certified Platinum TE Paspalum sprigs, an environmentally sustainable, salt-tolerant turfgrass, which was refrigerated and shipped by air from the United States of America.”

Platinum TE features a dark green colour and due to its very fine leaf texture provides a tight compact canopy surface that provides “exceptional ball puttability”, Desert Golf said.    

The post Greens renovation promises ‘completely new experience’ at Arabian Ranches appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
The championship course at Arabian Ranches Golf Club is to close for upwards of 4.5 months for a makeover designed to ensure its greens once again “compete” with those of its world-class Dubai neighbours, old, new and soon to be opened.

All 18 greens at the Troon International-managed, Ian Baker Finch-designed course are to be rebuilt as the centrepiece of a summer renovation set to begin on June 1.

Arabian Ranches G.C. General Manager Elliott Gray also confirmed the practice putting green at the Emaar property would be rebuilt while the driving range, turf nursery and the desert surrounds on most holes would be enhanced as part of the ambitious course improvement programme. It is also hoped some of the final back nine pipework to combat the club’s on-going drainage issues will be laid during the renovation although this is yet to be confirmed.

It is hoped the course will re-open in mid-October after what will be the “largest enhancement” since its opening in February, 2004. Gray said the majority of the club’s “loyal membership” has chosen to “defer their membership or suspend it until returning in October. With summer round the corner, many members travel and play less in the summer [anyway].”

“We regret the inconvenience this causes but we assure you of a refreshing new experience,” Gray continued.

“With new golf courses opening, we believe that it is important to enhance the experience that we deliver for our members. It is important to take timely action now to maintain the integrity of the turf for the future and with this in mind we are very excited that our course will compete on a level that allows us to have an active membership and tournament calendar which resembles years gone by.”

The renovation will be undertaken by Desert Landscape who also completed Dubai Hills Golf Club. “The grass will match that of Dubai Hills Golf Club which is known for its superior conditioning,” said Gray who also oversees the management of the emirate’s newest course.

Sean Kinsley,  Emaar Hospitality Group’s Director of Agronomy, explained the technical side of the makeover.

“The purpose of the greens re-surfacing is to eliminate the existing mixed turf sward and replace it with a new higher quality playing surface,” Kinsley said.

Sean Kinsley our Director of Agronomy – Emaar Hospitality Group and I discussing the the greens renovation, not long to get your last game in now, we close June 1st. ???‍??‍@RanchesGolfClub @skinsleygolf @troonint @Troon pic.twitter.com/M0sN2qZerX

— Elliott Gray (@ElliottGraygolf) May 19, 2019

“The existing Tifeagle Bermuda turfgrass has become weakened and contaminated with off type mutations, Tifway 419 and significant Paspalum encroachment. The intent is to remove this plant material along with the top 150 mm of greens/collars root zone and replace with a new USGA Greens Root Zone (greens core) and Red Sand (collar core) and then replant with Platinum TE Paspalum.”

Kinsley added: “Works are forecasted to occur June through August 2019 [13 weeks] from mobilisation onsite to grassing. The golf course will be closed for the duration of the construction and grow-in works. The construction will require several teams to establish a progressive program of completion and handover for each hole.”

Gray admitted the mid-October target for re-opening is dependent on initial growth. Robin Evans, Vice President of Troon Agronomy and Construction, will travel to Dubai to ensure the handover of the new greens meet expectations and standards.

“Mid-October is the targeted date for nine holes with the balance nine coming towards the back half of October. It will all depend on progress in the first two months of the project and the timing of the sprigging of the greens. Rest assured we will have all hands on deck to ensure there are no significant delays in regard to the work plan.”

Gray said Arabian Ranches hoped to host a MENA Tour event in January/February 2020.

“Many Pros who played here when there was very little contamination on the greens know how good this ‘hidden gem’ is,” Gray said. “Many ex-members are also excited to come back and play and with our social engaging atmosphere, we only see participation and membership sales increasing.”

The post Arabian Ranches to close for 4.5 months; club promises “refreshing new experience” after major greens renovation appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

If you’re also like us, you’re probably looking for ways to golf more for less in 2019 after another expensive silly season. Well, Dear Golfers of the UAE, we have an ace up our sleeve, or more specifically news of a discount card that will not only be conducive to your new year’s golfing resolutions.

ONE City Card is a single-purchase card that unlocks an array of benefits and discounts across Dubai and beyond, on everything from golf, to restaurants and bars and family days out.

Golf is our gig so we’ll focus on that, as well as the ONE City Card’s unlimited usage.

Unlike other discount schemes which offer a one-time only benefit, this little beauty can be used over and over again. That’s useful if you get beaten at one of the participating clubs below; next time invite a pal you know you have the upper hand over or keep playing and playing to exact priceless revenge, all the while saving money on green fees.

ONE has negotiated 2-4-1 deals off the rack green fee rate at the following clubs (the fine print – e.g. the cost of the ONE City Card which follows below and may surprise you):

Arabian Ranches Golf Club

Designed by former Open winner Ian Baker-Finch, “the winner of the Gold Medal and the Champion Golfer of the Year” in 1991, Arabian Ranches is a golfers’ golf club. A strategic challenge which is scoreable if you keep it out of the sand, you’ll also enjoy one of the best post-game debriefs in the region.

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The Address Montgomerie Dubai

Thomas Wiberg tackles the treacherous par 5 18th at The Montgomerie.

Colin Montgomerie sadly missed the cut at the Desert Classic, but produced comedy gold in his press conference. The Dubai course carrying his name is class too. Take advantage of the generous fairways early because there are some potential card wreckers as your round progresses, none tougher than that water encased par-5 18th.

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JA The Resort Golf Course

Better known to most of us as Jebel Ali, Dubai’s pioneering 9-holer has undergone a transformation with UAE-based architect Peter Harradine re-doing the opening three holes. You can read all about the recent makeover of JA The Resort Golf Course here. We’re big fans of the now par-4, par-4, par-3 start which has added even more strategic challenge to an idyllic course with teeth. Luckily they have a new Leadbetter Golf Academy to help take the bite out of a testing layout. You might even pop into Desert Swing regular Rafa Cabrera Bello, the resort’s global ambassador, who is a regular on the driving range.

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Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club

Another Harradine Golf design, SGSC created history by becoming the first course in the world to host a main tour event, the Staysure Tour’s Sharjah Senior Masters. Picturesque and ever challenging, SGSC is well worth a trip north of Dubai’s border where you’ll find some of the friendliest members in the Middle East. Comes with free buggy and range access.

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The Track, Meydan Golf

Continuing the nine-hole, Peter Harradine-theme is The Track, Meydan Golf, a course previously voted the world’s best nine-holer. If there is a tougher opening hole in the Middle East than the Track’s par-5 1st, we haven’t played it. Bring a few spare balls for all the water that follows too; this is a stern but fair test that will keep you coming back. Score well on the Track and you can score well pretty much anywhere.

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Trump International Golf Club

ONE has also negotiated a great deal at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai which offers these preferential rates:

500 AED Weekend
450 AED Midweek
250 AED Twilight after 2pm (Weekdays only)
75 AED Par 3 Course

But that’s not all. ONE City Card is not all about the discount, it’s about the golf and starting on February 20 is ONE Golf Wednesdays. Hosted at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai, 40 golfers can enjoy a 9-hole par-3 game followed by a thirst-quenching beverage and burger with prizes to accompany the event.

ONE Golf Wednesdays will be on a first booked-first-serve basis so get in quick. Here’s the details: 

Date : Every Wednesday, starting February 20
Time: 7pm shotgun start
Course: Par-3
Cost: 150 AED
Inclusions: One house beverage + Burger & Prizes

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THE ONE CITY CARD FINE PRINT
ONE card is priced at 100 AED for 12-months of unlimited access from the day you sign up, which means you’ll pay less than Dhs10 per month for access to heaps of discounts.

Or, if you sign up this February with the exclusive Golf Digest Middle East discount code, GDME50, and you’ll get 50 per cent off your annual membership – that’s just Dhs50 for 12 months of brilliant discounts.

Enjoy, bargain hunters!

Find out more and sign up now at onecitycard.com here

The post 2-for-1 golf? There’s only ONE discount card you need appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Until Monday that was when the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club teaching professional finally flicked the switch, freeing the undoubted golfing talent within to notch his maiden victory on the regional circuit at Arabian Ranches.

The 29-year-old typically did it in topsy-turvy style, taking advantage of a new driver to fashion six birdies, an eagle and even a triple bogey to negotiate the Ian Baker-Finch designed, Troon International-managed layout in 69 memorable strokes.

Woods, a regular contributor of instruction content for Golf Digest Middle East, edged Dong Lee (Emirates Golf Club) by a stroke with recent The Track, Meydan Golf winner Tom Buchanan (Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club), Michael Major (Dubai Creek), Jonathan Craddock (Emirates G.C.) and UAE PGA chief executive Luke Plumb in a four-way tie for third on 72.

“It’s nice to get the first win…finally,” Woods told GolfDigestme.com

“It’s taken far too long to get. I haven’t been that close in the past and have struggled with my game for a while but feel it coming together now which bodes well for the rest of the season.”

The new driver helped Woods birdie the 1st and 3rd at Arabian Ranches before he undid all the good work with the triple on the shortish par-4 6th.

“I didn’t hit that bad a shot off the tee, just a little right, but never found it.”

WATCH: Jack Woods’ short game video tip – Fight or flight? 

Woods responded well with further birdies on 7,8,9 and 11 before nestling an 8-iron to about 15ft on the par 5 13th en-route to his eagle.

“I had a couple of frustrating three putt bogeys in the last five holes to finish with a 69 but it’s great to get my first win which will hopefully allow me to kick on a get more this year.

“I drove the ball particularly well which I haven’t done for a while which makes the game much easier.”

Like all his peers, Woods is eyeing Dec. 10-11 and the UAE PGA’s 36-hole qualifier at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club for a spot in the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

“The chance to play with the top players in the world at the HSBC would be great but there’s a lot of top pro’s out here so I’ll need another good round [or two] to have a shout at that,” Woods said.

“I wanted to have a run at the Order-of-Merit [the UAE PGA’s overall title] this year so that’s my main goal this season.”

After a slow start to the season, Woods is off and running in that quest but the Hertfordshire lad is still looking up to club-mate Major who is the latest to top the OOM ahead of the next tournament at Trump Dubai on Dec. 3.

The post Jack finally out of the UAE PGA Tour Woods after topsy-turvy Arabian Ranches win appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Related: South African duo off to Golf Digest C&S Invitational in Prague

Relive all the best action – and hijinks – from the Lifestyle Events tournament supported by Golf Digest Middle East here:

The post VIDEO: Happy Gilmore action, and even more hilarious shots, from the 4th Autism Golf Championship appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Abdalla Al Musharrekh has won the final UAE monthly medal of the season – and family bragging rights in the process after piping his father to the title.

It was a close run thing at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club with Abdalla winning on a count back from Mohammed Al Musharrekh after son and father finished with 36 stableford points on Saturday. Abdalla also recorded the leading gross score, a 7-over-par 78.

UAE national team player Reema Al Heloo was third overall with 35 points with the A (0-14 handicap) and B (14-24 handicap) divisions were scooped by Daood Jaffal with Rashid Al Qubaisi with 34 and 35 points respectively.

Rashid Al Jassmey capped a promising season by winning the juni0r competition among 20 members of the National Foundation Squad with a gross score of 30 on the Creek’s Par 3 Academy course, one clear of Mohammed Skaik. Abdulla Kalbat was third with a 33.

The next event for Emirati golfers is the Dubai Duty Free National Cup on May 5 at Arabian Ranches Golf Club.

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