By Kent Gray
Abu Dhabi Golf Club has earned further plaudits a week after its status as one of the premier stops on the European Tour was enhanced.

The Troon International managed facility has been named both Abu Dhabi’s and the Middle East’s best golf course at the 5th annual World Golf Awards held in Spain over the weekend.

The World Golf Awards “celebrate and reward excellence in golf tourism, world-class courses and golf destinations”.

Votes are cast online by professionals working within the golf industry and by the general public, namely consumers of golf tourism. Abu Dhabi G.C. beat off the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Nofa Resorts in Saudi Arabia and the Montgomerie course at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain for the Middle East gong.

Home to the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship which has been elevated to $7 million Rolex Series status this January, Abu Dhabi G.C., was rated eight in the latest edition of Golf Digest Middle East’s biennial Top 10 Courses in the Middle East rankings released in January.

“We are very happy to have received these accolades which place us as the top course in the United Arab Emirates,” said Abu Dhabi G.C.  general manager Ed Edwards.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s 14th hole

“Our team is fully dedicated to raising the standard of our championship course and this award is a testament to their tireless efforts.

“Abu Dhabi Golf Club has had a brilliant year bringing visitors to experience the amazing culture and golf on offer in Abu Dhabi, something which our members get to do week in, week out.”

Yas Links, meanwhile, won the title of the Middle East’s best 9-hole course, seeing off nominations from Al Mouj Golf and Ras Al Hamra in Muscat, and JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort and The Track, Meydan Golf in Dubai.

Arabian Greens Tours was named the Middle East’s best golf tour operator and the St. Regis Saadiyat Island the region;s leading golf hotel. The St Regis will coincidentally host the 6th World Golf Awards in October 2019.

The Old Course at St. Andrews was named the world’s best course while Portugal was judged the world’s premier golfing destination.

The post Abu Dhabi Golf Club win big at World Golf Awards appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.