By Matt Smith
After bidding farewell to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last year, the famous Falcon clubhouse will watch over professional, competitive golf once again.

The DP World Tour Rolex Series event took up residence at Abu Dhabi Golf Club from 2006 to 2021 before the HSBC moved to its new home at Yas Links. But now its place has been taken on the calendar at the famous course in the UAE capital by the new-look matchplay Hero Cup. The top male golfers from Great Britain and Ireland will take on the best of Continental Europe in a matchplay team competition over three days from January 13-15 to help Luke Donald ready his men for the Ryder Cup later in the year. 

It will be a welcome return to one of the UAE’s most famous clubs, and with the added element of superstar names competing in a team event, the fans will be sure to be back packing the fairways as if they had never been away.

A WEEK IN IRELAND SERIES
DAY 1: The K Club
DAY 2: Lahinch
DAY 3: Dromoland Castle
DAY 4: Mount Juliet Estate
DAY 5: Druids Heath

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
Tame the 5th, stroke index 1, at Arabian Ranches Golf Club

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The post A National treasure is back as professional golf makes a welcome return to Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the shape of the Hero Cup appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The iconic Falcon has overlooked much drama since the inception of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA in 2006 with all two editions of the event being decided by a single shot.

Related: Abu Dhabi voted best clubhouse in biennial Middle East Top 10 courses

Erected in 2000, the Falcon pays homage to the national bird of the UAE and recognises the importance of falconry in Arab tradition and culture. Dating back to hundreds of years, the Bedouin hunters used falcons to gather their food.

It’s undoubtedly one of the most iconic clubhouses in golf, and certainly the most unique, as well as providing the location for some much-needed rest and relaxation for players off of the golf course where there is a surprising array of facilities hidden beneath those outstretched wings. The players can sample the award-winning dining options in the clubhouse, as well as leisure facilities including swimming pools, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and a squash court.

The most unique area is the meeting room situated in the beak of the falcon, allowing a near all around view of the property, and from which you can see many of its 27 championship holes.

Such is the size of the clubhouse, Abu Dhabi Golf Club is one of the few Tour venues that allow its members to experience going behind the ropes during the week of the championship. Members can rub shoulders with the stars of the European Tour, watch the winner being crowned under the shadow of the clubhouse and with the floodlit Garden Course remaining open every evening during the week, members and visitors will also have an opportunity to go and play themselves.

Similarly, these benefits can be enjoyed by anyone enjoying the many hospitality options the club is offering during this year’s championship.

Related: Play Night Golf during the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA

Ed Edwards, GM of Abu Dhabi Golf Club, spoke of the benefits of having such a recognisable clubhouse.

“It’s got to be one of the most iconic clubhouses in the world, the recognition really helps us promote the facility on both the regional and international stage because as soon as you see the clubhouse you know it is Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

“In addition to the iconic clubhouse and the services and facilities it offers, the quality of the golf course and the option of playing night golf, plus the extensive practice facilities and the leisure offering, all form a unique membership selling point which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year.

“The players also love it here as there is a really relaxed atmosphere during the tournament. Inside the clubhouse you can usually find them either mingling with members and guests in Café 28 or chilling out in the players’ lounge, where there is a veranda overlooking the course.

“There’s also lots of hidden spots where they are able to wind down, including the championship lounge with its own pool table and sport on numerous TVs. Every year we take great pride from their feedback.”

Visit adgolfclub.com

The post Inside the Iconic Falcon clubhouse at Abu Dhabi G.C. appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

If there is a more convenient resort offering in Middle East golf, we haven’t experienced it.

From arrival at the spectacular Falcon Clubhouse, throughout your 7,600-yard (from the championship tees) loop of Peter Harradine’s beloved design to your post round debrief on the Falcon Terrace and back to your luxurious hotel room, this is golf delivered to a true five-star standard.

The golf is challenging without ever being unfair – a trait of Harradine’s – with the championship layout’s par 5s all memorable, none more so that the 18th, which delivers a fitting finale to European Tour events and rounds with your buddies. You need to shape your ball of most tees but the big hitter is given ample opportunity to open their shoulders. Strategic bunkering and normally pristine greens complete the picture.

Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood will defend the famed Falcon Trophy in January as part of a “Magnificent Seven” including Johnson, McIlroy, Rose, Stenson, Kuchar and Casey. The marketers trumpet it as a #BestoftheBest, which speaks volumes of the course and the resort. Europe’s best rave about the event and turn up year after year even if the likes of Stenson and McIlroy have found the Falcon extremely elusive thus far.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club is actually home to 27 holes and you shouldn’t dismiss the little nine-holer, secretly referred to as the Garden Course but officially known as ‘Holes 19-27’.

Golf Digest ME has previously enjoyed a family stay and play focused solely on the little course where forward tees of 2,530 yards were perfect for a nine-year-old rookie and 3,341 yards ample for Dad. It was precious family time and also perfect for some floodlit fun the day before or the night after your round on the championship circuit.

Abu Dhabi is indeed an “oasis of tranquillity and beauty carved out of the desert” where the generous fairways meander through pockets of palms and ornamental shrubs and trees and seven saltwater lakes dissect both courses but rarely come into play.

Throw in extensive practice facilities, that iconic Falcon Clubhouse with three floors of lounges and restaurants including The Grille, the club’s fine-dining restaurant and one of the best steak and seafood restaurants in Abu Dhabi, a swimming pool…

We could go on and on – squash courts, a health club with sauna, spa and Jacuzzi – but you get the message. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better stay and play option in the region. They’ll even organise a game at sister club Saadiyat Beach G.C. if you fancy it – and can drag yourself away from the place champions call home.

www.adgolfclub.com

The post Travel Guide 2018: Abu Dhabi Golf Club appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.