Golf Digest Middle East caught up with The R&A’s Phil Anderton and Neal Graham to discuss the vision of the game in the region

The R&A’s ambition is to inspire future generations to say: ‘I love golf’

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer

How has the role of The R&A changed and expanded in recent times?
The R&A governs the sport of golf worldwide alongside the USGA who have responsibility in the US and Mexico. We have responsibilities for governing the Rules of Golf, staging The Open and AIG Women’s Open as well as elite amateur championships and developing the sport.

The R&A has changed significantly over the last few years and we continue to evolve as an organisation. We have modernised The Rules of Golf and made them more inclusive through the introduction of Rule 25 which allows players with specific disabilities to play fairly with players who have no disabilities, the same disability or a different type of disability.

We introduced a unified global handicap system for the first time, we have enhance The Open and the AIG Women’s Open and crucially we implemented a modern and proactive business models which has given us financial stability meaning we can double our investment into the sport to £200 million over a 10-year period.

We are now three years into a new five-year strategy where we are focused on achieving our vision for the sport which is that golf is open to all people. We continue to be leaders for the sport encouraging it to modernise, change and adapt to a rapidly changing world. Golf has a golden opportunity post-pandemic where more than ever people want to enjoy healthy, social and fulfilling leisure pursuits. Now is our time to act to ensure more people are playing more golf well into the future.

Over the next five years we are placing particular emphasis on women and girls golf, sustainable golf practices, the promotion of golf and it’s health benefits as well as alternate formats of the game and modernised facilities. Our real ambition is to inspire current and future generations to say ‘I love playing golf’.

The R&A looks to encourage even more women to play golf and work in the industry

I have seen the number of golfers rise significantly, especially in recent years. How is The R&A helping grow the game?
Our recent participation figures show that golf continues to thrive post-pandemic. In 2022 there were an additional ten million golfers playing the sport worldwide, excluding the US and Mexico, since 2016, which is an increase of 34 per cent. There are now 39.6 million on-course adult golfers, across 9 and 18 holes, with the top-five golfing nations, outside of the US and Mexico, being Japan, Canada, Korea, England and Germany.

What is really exciting is that women now make up almost a quarter of adult registered golfers, demonstrating the positive impact of initiatives focused on promoting greater diversity and inclusivity in golf. I was delighted to note that recently the UAE became the first country in the world to have all its golf clubs sign The R&A Women in Golf Charter. I will be keen to see the impact this has on the growth of women’s golf in the country.

The participation growth has been aided by the important work of golf bodies like The R&A and Emirates Golf Federation do to drive participation initiatives and increase awareness of the benefits of the sport. There remains significant interest in golf and while we recognise that there are economic challenges due to cost of living pressures, it is important for everyone involved to do their best to keep existing golfers in the sport as well as continuing to drive new participants.

Golf it! is designed to be family friendly and encourage new golfers into the sport

As I have mentioned golf has a golden opportunity and it is important that we capitalise on that. Already we have launched initiatives that take The R&A down new avenues including the opening of Golf It! The R&A’s new community-based golf and entertainment facility in Scotland. It’s a new concept which is set to make golf more accessible and inclusive for golfers and non-golfers alike. It was launched in August and has already seen huge success with over two million balls hit on the range in the first three months of operation. We see Golf It! as a blueprint for how a modern golf facility should be and hope that  more Golf It! style facilities will be created further afield.

The R&A’s Golf is Good campaign features international football star Gareth Bale

Golf and health has also been a significant focus of The R&A through ‘Golf is Good’, a new global project that we piloted in Wales last summer in partnership with Wales Golf. Featuring R&A global ambassador Gareth Bale, it used recent scientific research to promote the health and well-being benefits of playing the sport through cutting-edge animation. It is now being rolled out globally through other national associations and golfing bodies. The campaign in Wales produced positive results with 65 per cent of current golfers who had seen golf and health advertising playing more golf than usual in 2022, compared to 48% of current golfers who had not seen the advertising. Furthermore, 73 per cent of current on-course golfers were likely to play more golf because of the campaign.

Global superstar Niall Horan, a new initiative by The R&A, and Modest Golf to boost participation

Another significant project that we launched this summer, with the support of R&A global ambassador and music star Niall Horan, was Golf.Golf which encourages people to learn to play golf at a diverse range of golf facilities across Scotland. The initiative has been developed using extensive research into how to attract new people to the sport and is targeted specifically at those who already had or have an active interest in sporting activity but not necessarily in golf. The Golf.Golf digital platform provides an easy-to-use searchable list of all participating venues. Prospective players – from beginners to those who want to pick up the sport again – can use the platform to find their local venue and book sessions directly.

And the key objectives to help sustain and expand this growth through The R&A?
Our number one objective over the next five years is to increase the number of people playing all formats of the golf and get them playing more often. It is this objective which has driven projects like ‘Golf is Good’, Golf.Golf and Golf It!

These projects are all driven by extensive market research. We then take this research and create programmes which have been piloted in particular markets. We can then review and modify where necessary but more importantly we can take those programmes and work with other national golf associations to launch them in other countries. I think this is the real value The R&A can bring to golf internationally. We have the resources to undertake the research, to make sure programmes are evidence-based and then help golf associations with the local knowledge to deliver these programmes in their own countries.

And specifically in the Middle East region — how are you reaching more budding golfers?
The Middle East has become synonymous with elite level professional golf and even amateur golf with the recent staging of the World Amateur Team Championships. It is also a favourite golf holiday destination for many people. However, compared to many regions around the world, golf in the Middle East is still in the early stages of its participation development. But this also presents one of the greatest opportunities for growth worldwide and we are starting to see some very positive participation trends. Our recent global participation report shows that 9 & 18 hole golfer numbers in 2022 have risen by 62 per cent compared to 2020, by 100 per cent compared to 2016 and by 223 per cent compared to 2012. So I think we should acknowledge the successful efforts of the national golf associations in the Middle East to grow participation.

To help golf in the Middle East to continue to grow and to assist the national golf associations to take advantage of the current opportunity, The R&A has appointed Neal Graham as Regional Development Manager. He supports The R&A’s development strategy to engage and lead more effectively by working with national golf associations and other key stakeholders to drive the development of the sport within the Middle East. He provides organisations with support and advice in relation to grassroots initiatives, coaching, on and off-course facilities, pathways and high performance development, and staging professional and amateur championships.

Now almost a year into having a dedicated staff member in the Middle East, The R&A has seen the UAE become the first country to have all golf clubs sign the Women in Golf Charter, the introduction of a pilot of The R&A’s Unleash Your Drive in Schools programme and shortly we are about to host The R&A Middle East Golf Leadership Forum during the DP World Tour Championship.

Neal Graham. Ahmed Abdelwahab / Motivate Media Group

Neal Graham, Middle East and India Regional Development Manager

What is the active role The R&A takes to provide assistance in the region?
As Phil mentioned, The R&A works closely with the national golf associations and key stakeholders to support their development plans.  Since I commenced this role, my focus has been on engaging with the national golf associations in the Middle East,  listening and understanding the golfing landscape in their regions. Working together we have then identified key areas The R&A can support to develop programmes that make golf more appealing, accessible and inclusive.

In the UAE, working alongside the Emirates Golf Federation we identified the opportunity to create a pathway to introduce more children to golf. So, we are particularly excited to launch The R&A Unleash Your Drive in Schools programme in collaboration with the Golf Foundation, which is a six week beginner golf programme for students that can be delivered by teachers thanks to training from PGA professionals, easy to use resources and equipment which includes plastic golf clubs and soft foam golf balls. At the end of the six week programme students will have learnt the basics of golf as well as nine mental toughness skills which are integrated into the programme to positively impact their wellbeing. Those who wish to develop their golf skills further can join the Emirates Golf Federation junior programmes or those at local golf clubs.

Recently, we conducted workshops at Yas Links Abu Dhabi and the Tommy Fleetwood Academy at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai. We had attendees from the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan and Lebanon, so we will start to see The R&A’s Unleash Your Drive in Schools Programme rolled out in the coming months.

Following on from the success of the schools programme, we are also aiming to launch the Golf Sixes League in Abu Dhabi to provide children with another opportunity in their golfing journey. Golf Sixes League is a proven junior golf concept which The R&A collaborates on across the United Kingdom, Europe and Africa.

Tell us more about the upcoming R&A Middle East Golf Leadership Forum
The R&A Middle East Golf Leadership Forum will take place during the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai on Thursday November 16.

The purpose of the forum is to gather both industry and non-industry stakeholders from the Middle East region to network and collaborate on three key topics; golf and health, sustainability in golf and inclusion in golf.

Each session to being moderated by a leading figure and will feature panellists who can share with the audience their personal insights and experiences. We are delighted to be joined by Dr Andrew Murray, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of the European Tour Group, Chris Gray, Head of Sustainable Agronomy – Asia-Pacific for The R&A and Tony Bennet, Head of Disability and Inclusion – IGF, President of EDGA and PGA Master Professional.

We hope to motivate and inspire the golf industry, to share best practices amongst colleagues but also to look at how golf can learn from other successful sports.

All 22 golf clubs in the United Arab Emirates have signed The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter. It becomes the first nation to achieve the feat

The R&A has a strong focus on women and girls golf, how are you bringing that to the Middle East?
The R&A is committed to increasing the number of women and girls both playing golf and working in the industry. In 2018 The R&A Women in Golf Charter was launched to inspire an industry-wide commitment to developing a more inclusive culture within golf. Since then over 1,300 organisations in 75 countries have signed the Charter. Something that all golfers within the UAE should be very proud of, is that earlier this year the UAE became the first country to have all golf clubs sign the Charter. Each club has set out its commitment to developing women’s golf at their facility and long term I believe we will start to see the number of women golfers in the UAE increase because of this initiative.

The UAE also now has five women from the industry participating in The R&A Women in Golf Leadership Programme which is aimed at supporting the development and progression of women who have the potential to become future leaders.

Nada Mir of Qatar (L) and Vanessa Richani of Lebanon (Ri) became the first players from their countries to compete in the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship

At an elite amateur level, we have also seen golfers from the Middle East start to emerge. This year The R&A staged the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in Singapore with 85 players from 22 countries in the field. For the first time this year there was a competitor from Lebanon and Qatar in the Championship which has helped to inspire more women and girls in those countries to take up the sport. 

And Greenkeeping training is also in the pipeline?
The R&A has partnered with the Asian Golf Industry Federation and the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute to provide a Certificate in Greenkeeping programme available to greenkeepers across the UAE.  This programme is crafted for golf course staff who may not have formal education related to the knowledge and skills required to operate safely and efficiently as a greenkeeper on a golf course. The blended workplace learning will allow the students to apply the technical skills and processes learned to a variety of turf situations under the supervision of a qualified workplace supervisor throughout the one year duration of the course. The introductory course will kick start the programme at the The Montgomerie Golf Club from Monday 27th November to Friday 1st December.

Off course facilities are inspiring more people onto the golf course

There are many off-course facilities too, popping up. How does this help beginners get into the game?
The R&A’s research has shown across the globe that over a third of on course golfers were inspired to play on course golf by playing alternative formats of the sport.

The rise in popularity of off course facilities such as indoor simulator golf, adventure golf, mini golf, and driving range golf with tracker technology has a number of benefits to aid beginners getting into the sport.  Firstly, they attract a much larger non-golf audience who traditionally would have not engaged in golf.  The variety of the facilities and experiences on offer can assist in engagement being maintained.  The facilities are friendly focused and are able to attract all demographics.  We are fortunate that many of the off course facilities in the UAE offer professional instruction on site to assist golfers develop their game further and make the transition to the course should they wish to.

Off-course and on-course facilities working together on initiatives when able will help improve engagement for golfers and as a result increase the awareness of the sport and breakdown traditional perceptions.

The post The R&A reaches out in the Middle East appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The UAE has, for decades now, been the driving force behind the growth of golf in the region, but with elevated International Series events arriving on the Asian Tour in places such as Oman and Qatar, Bahrain joining the DP World Tour schedule, the Ladies European Tour and Golf Saudi innovating the game on the Aramco Team Series, and the explosion in popularity of the sport in Saudi Arabia, it is safe to say golf has never been more popular in the Middle East.

Even with all the ‘growing the game’ in the region, the numbers involved may be surprising.

Source: R&A. Includes par-3 courses

The R&A recently released the latest figures for global golf participation, with the key stat that 10 million more adult golfers are playing the sport worldwide since 2016.

According to new research undertaken by the governing body, there are now 39.6 million on-course golfers (nine and 18 hole) in R&A affiliated markets.

The research figures indicate that the growth trend began before the onset of Covid-19 and continued during the pandemic — up 34 per cent from 29.6 million on-course golfers in 2016. The sport has since continued to increase in popularity post-pandemic, up 15 per cent from 34.5 million on-course players in 2020.

Closer to home, the growth in the Middle East has been exponential, growing from 13,000 golfers in 2012 to 42,000 in 2022.

Source: R&A

Since 2012, nine and 18-hole golf participation numbers have risen by 62 per cent compared to 2020, including 16,000 registered — the Middle East leads the world on this metric.

Overall, golf in the region is still in the early stages of golf participation development, especially in the massive market of Saudi Arabia, where Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation are making massive inroads into inspiring golfers of all ages and levels through its Mass Participation Mission, introducing, educating and entertaining both the young and old through an array of programmes.

The Middle East — and UAE in particular — continues to host multiple elite events and is growing in popularity as a golf tourism destination.

Source: R&A

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said, “Golf’s popularity has surged in recent years, which is reflected in a notable increase in the number of people playing the sport in both traditional on-course and alternative formats.

“It is significant that 10 million more golfers are playing on the course since 2016, but it is also important that millions of others are engaged in golf through many other alternative formats, such as driving ranges, which are so vital to the growth of the sport.

“It also underlines why effective and impactful participation programmes are important for encouraging more people into the sport and retaining them in greater numbers. We are working closely with our affiliated national federations and stakeholders within golf to sustain this momentum. We thank them for their efforts as we aim to ensure that golf is thriving for years to come.”

The R&A is continuing its commitment to invest £200 million over ten years in developing golf, including sustained work to encourage participation by promoting the health benefits of the sport through a global campaign.

Definitions
1. REGISTERED GOLFERS: These are the number of golfers who are affiliated to a federation (they may be members of golf clubs or affiliated to the federation in another way: eg, through a direct subscription).
2. UNREGISTERED 9 AND 18 HOLE GOLFERS: Golfers who have played on a full length nine or 18 hole golf course at least once in the last year, but are not registered with their national association.

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If there is one thing that can help your game in the Middle East heat more than anything else, it must be comfort.

While all the clubs, gloves and shoes in the world may tweak your form, staying cool and comfortable is key above all else.

This is where Ventana comes in.

The Dubai-based trading company is a key golf cart and turf machinery distributor in the region — a subsidiary of Tanseeq Investment Group, the region’s leading golf and landscape-based group. Proscape, the first company under the group, was established in the year 2000. Under the leadership of Ahmed AR Anoohi (Chairman) and Naser M Ahmed (Group CEO), the group has now grown to 22 companies within the last 23 years. It has established itself as the leading name in the landscape and golf industry in the Middle East with operational presence in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman. The group is now strategically positioned to achieve a group revenue target of
AED 1 billion in the near future. 

Ventana has been instrumental in promoting green energy in the region by introducing lithium-based golf carts and utility vehicles. In 2021, Ventana won the deal to supply 435 lithium-based golf carts (E‑Z‑GO Elite) to Dubai Golf. This was one of the biggest lithium golf fleet deals in the Middle East and it was followed up by another landmark deal, supplying 80 carts to Trump International in Dubai. 

As of 2023, Ventana has supplied more than 520 carts in the region, cementing its position as the No.1 lithium golf cart distributor in the Middle East.

But it is more than just carts and comfort with Ventana. It has seven main business verticals — Golf and electric vehicles, turf machinery, batteries, irrigation, chemicals, lighting and landscape products. It has a dedicated turf and golf cart machinery workshop with qualified and experienced technicians, which enables it to provide all-round customer service for its clients. Ventana is the official distributor for leading manufacturers like E-Z-GO, Cushman, Jacobsen, Ransomes, Rain Bird, Husqvarna, Enersys, Solis, MultiOne, Grillo, Active, Shibaura among other manufacturers. 

Launching in 2015, Ventana set out on its mission to offer products and services to the golf, landscape and leisure industries in the region. To further develop the business and accelerate the growth of the company, Riyad Mustafa was brought in as General Manager to head the company in 2018. With 15 years of business experience in the golf and landscape industry in the GCC region, he started out with a three-member team, with the key focus on developing the existing business and increasing the brand and product range.  

After five years, Mustafa and his team had made massive inroads, including an impressive revenue growth rate of 54.56 per cent, client growth rate of 86.98 per cent and the staff strength increasing from three to 35 members. During this period brand representation went up 24 per cent and now Ventana has more than 50 brands in its portfolio, serving numerous clients across various industries. With this privilege comes the responsibility of managing a large workload while ensuring quality customer service and maintaining fruitful partnerships. Ventana adopted effective strategies to streamline its operations and optimise client relationships.

After initial success, not resting on its laurels, there was more to come in 2021. Tanseeq Investment Group opened Ventana’s sister company — Al Aweer Trading in Riyadh to distribute golf carts and electric vehicles, golf irrigation, batteries, turf machinery and landscape products in Saudi Arabia. In a short span of time, Al Aweer secured important deals across the Kingdom and, in early 2023, was successful in securing the tender to supply Rain Brid golf irrigation products for a new golf project. Al had entered its second year of operation with company achieving 91 per cent revenue growth. 

Ventana has achieved success in a relatively short time by identifying and capitalizing on emerging opportunities in the golf & landscape market, introducing innovative products, adopting continuous improvement, broadening our customer base, and diversifying our revenue streams. As the golf and landscape market continues to evolve, with adaptation a key to success Ventana keeps client preferences, technology and industry trends at the top of the agenda, embracing flexibility and introducing innovative golf products in the region. With a dynamic team, supportive management, effective leadership and a clear vision to be the leading golf and landscape trading company in the region, Ventana looks ready to keep on rolling in the years to come.

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The 39-year-old is a product of the dedication put in by the likes of the Emirates Golf Federation to support and develop golfing talent of all nationalities across the country and Al Masaood recently had the honour of representing the UAE in the 2023 GCC Golf Championship in Bahrain. While he is part of the growing number of Emiratis who have embraced golf, it all started with a trip with his grandfather as a kid.

“I got into golf through my granddad at the age of six,” Al Masaood told Golf Digest Middle East. “He originally came from New Zealand and he was in the Royal Air Force. When he was out here, from time to time we would play on the Al Ghazal course in Abu Dhabi — the sand course — the first experience I had with golf was with that little plastic green mat.

“That was really my first experience on a golf course. He would always have the golf on in the house and we would always watch together — all sports, but really the golf.

“One day I said I would love to try it and that’s where we began and I got into it.”

As with many budding young athletes, Al Masaood got into different sports as he grew, but the golf bug remained. 

“In my teenage years I really got into tennis and focused on that,” he said. “But got has a funny old way of coming back to you and that is what happened as I fell back in love with the game. 

“I began to really improve and played some junior events in the US, including the Junior Worlds in 2001, which was an amazing experience.

“During my twenties, I got into the family business and that took up a lot of my time but, as I said, golf is one of those games that after a while you realise how much you miss it and get back into it. But then you remember how difficult it can be, too. Now I have been playing consistently and sometimes with the National Team, including at the GCC Golf Championship.

“That was something I will never forget. I felt privileged to be invited and I know I will not get another opportunity like that to play against some of the best amateurs in the world. It was something incredible — it is tough as the level is so high, it can be quite daunting, but it is a once-in-a-lifetime thing you would never want to miss.

Now, as he nears 40, Al Masaood has witnessed first-hand the next generation of golfers like the UAE No. 1 amateur Ahmad Skaik, coming through and he has noticed a big difference from his days as a youngster. 

“I have known Ahmad since he was a teenager, and not only is he a great golfer he is a very respectful and likeable guy. It is incredible how far he has come, and he is a good role model for some of the other juniors, and even they have really come on. 

“The popularity of the sport in the region has increased massively and we have so many amazing courses. Every course is different. In any other sport, you are playing on the same shape of field, but golf is unique in that it can change massively from course to course.”

The growth of the game is not only limited to the Emirati players as a number of ex-pat youngsters located in the UAE have broken through, including Josh Hill, Toby Bishop, Chiara Noja and Maya Palanza Gaudin.

“It’s incredible the talent across the board,” Al Masaood said. “The nice thing is there is now a group of them and they all push each other to get better and they realise that once someone is winning like Chiara, they can do it too. It’s a bit of a snowball effect when they see their friend can do it.

“Also the practice facilities, the courses and the coaching is world-class. There is an immense involvement in the game and a great opportunity for a lot of people to try the game.”

The World Amateur Team Championship (WATC) is taking place at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in October and Al Masaood cannot wait for the event to showcase what the UAE has to offer the golfing world — even if he is not playing himself.

“I won’t be able to play [due to other commitments in October],” he explained. “It is an incredible thing to have here as it solidifies the UAE as a golfing capital the world. It’s good to see we are not just having the professional events but the amateurs are coming too. It shows the best players come from and how they have developed and grown and to host it is an honour.”

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The new year is always a highly anticipated time for golf fans in the Middle East as it signals the busiest time on the calendar when the four-week DP World Tour UAE Swing comes to town. 

Such is the way of things these days, the players get little in the way of rest following the end of the preceding campaign, before the new season opens its doors (the 2023 campaign officially began on November 24, four days after the 2022 season-ending DP World Tour Championship).

There are actually six ‘2023’ events in South Africa, Australia and Mauritius before the bells ring on December 31, but the UAE Swing is the real sign to get the season rolling. 

The 2023 extravaganza is certainly not to be missed as some of the best players in the world grace the courses of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.

With the big names already in town for the Hero Cup, where the top 10 players from Great Britain & Ireland face off against Continental Europe’s finest on Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National Course in a Ryder Cup warm-up, fans will be in for a treat across the UAE.

First up is the return to Yas Links, Abu Dhabi, and the first Rolex Series event of the year. 

Not only will there be $9 million on the table from January 19-22 on Yas Island at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, there will also be 5,000 Ryder Cup points up for grabs as those hoping to make Luke Donald’s team at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome come September look to make an early move into contention. 

Thomas Pieters’ final-round 72 and 10-under-par 278 was just enough to claim the trophy back in January, the Belgian just managing to hold off the surge from local hero Rafa Cabrera-Bello and India’s finest Shubhankar Sharma.

Viktor Hovland was two shots shy, but his time to shine was just around the corner 

“Winning a Rolex Series event is as good as it gets in Europe,” said Pieters as he cradled the Falcon Trophy in his arms. 

He will be looking for another strong start to the year, with Luke Donald certain to be taking notes.

Another one to watch will be the winner of the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship, which takes place from December 13-15. Victory in that tournament books a ticket to Yas Links, and the victor will have a lot to live up to following Josh Hill’s break-out season in 2022, where he made the cut in both the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (58th) and then the Dubai Desert Classic (55th).

Following the celebrations on Sunday, the cream of European golf will make the short trip along Sheikh Zayed Road to the Emirates Golf Club for the Dubai Desert Classic, where another $9 million and 5,000 Ryder Cup points will be available.

Coming off one of his best-ever seasons without lifting a major in 2022, reinstalled world No. 1 Rory McIlroy will be chasing a hat-trick over the famous Majlis course from January 26-29.

The Northern Irishman triumphed in this event in 2009 and 2015, and blew a great chance for the triple crown last year, where he found the water on 18 to miss out on at least a playoff with Viktor Hovland and Richard Bland.

Left: Viktor Hovland was the eventual winner of 2022’s Dubai Desert Classic. Right: Nicolai Højgaard won the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Championship. Photos by Getty Images

It was the Norwegian who took the glory and announce his arrival at golf’s top table with a thrilling playoff win over the English veteran Bland as dusk fell across EGC.

McIlroy himself, though, knows he has unfinished business in Dubai.

The 33-year-old said: “I always look forward to playing the Dubai Desert Classic, having won the tournament twice in my career, and the Majlis is a golf course that I love to play.

“Lifting the Dallah trophy for a third time is something I would love to achieve.”

Following the conclusion of the back-to-back Rolex Series events, the action rolls on up to Ras Al Khaimah, where the RAK Championship returns from February 2-5. Nicolai Højgaard took top spot at Al Hamra in 2022, and both he and his twin brother Rasmus will be back vying for those valuable Ryder Cup points this time around. 

So, strap in for four weeks of non-stop action right across the UAE.

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By Matt Smith
It is with great excitement and honour that I take over the helm of such a prodigious title as Golf Digest Middle East, and hope to continue
the journey we have all enjoyed under my editorial predecessors Kent Gray and Robbie Greenfield.

These are no small shoes to fill as we have charted the growth of the game over 13 years and 154 editions of the Middle East’s No. 1 golf publication. We will be part of plenty more to come as golf continues to break new ground in the UAE, Middle East and further afield.

More about the ‘new’ soon, but let’s begin with the ‘old’ and familiar, as timely as it is to my own journey thus far. 

It is somewhat appropriate that my arrival at Golf Digest Middle East sees the spotlight in the sport dominated by one man — and it isn’t the one that won the Masters title and the famous green at Augusta National in April. Instead it is the man that already has five golf’s most sought-after garments hanging up at home.

The guy who had fans clamouring for a glimpse of his practice-round swing as part of a record-breaking Masters Monday crowd was one of the reasons I got into the sport. He has been hitting fairways, greens and — sometimes shocking — headlines ever since, and well before I first saw him play at the Open Championship at Royal Troon way back in 1997, when I was a beginning to find my way as a young(ish) hack.

Of course, I am referring to Tiger Woods as he once again proved why he is simply in a world of his own on and off the course, just by managing to tee it up at the 86th edition of the Masters last month. Tiger — a man who has made a career out of defying the odds — staged arguably his most astounding chapter yet when he carded a one-under-par 71 on Masters Thursday, only 408 days after he almost lost his legs and his life in a horrendous car crash in Los Angeles.

When Tiger claimed his fifth Masters title and 15th major in staggering style in 2019 following a series of near-career-ending operations on his spine and creaking legs, the question was who, if anyone, could ever top such a comeback.

Well, there simply was only one man who could, and that was Tiger himself.

Even lining up over that first tee shot on the first hole last month on legs that now seem to be more metal than flesh and bone is an astounding achievement in itself, let alone making the cut while honed athletes half his age and less were packing their bags after round two. 

Following his 12-over weekend and a 47th-place finish, the six-deep crowds around the 18th were something we usually only witnessed for the outright winner. That says something about Woods’ longevity with the dedicated fans as well as his own body.

Following the Augusta frenzy, Tiger will go back to his more secluded lifestyle, work on strengthening his legs further and await the next circus, perhaps at the US Open or Open Championship. With a quiet schedule and cherry-picked events ahead of the remaining majors this year — including at a happy hunting ground on the Old Course at St Andrews — who is to say the old cat is done just yet?  

And on to the ‘new’. We are also witnessing an exciting time closer to home with the next generation. Dubai-based youngsters Josh Hill and Toby Bishop are about to embark on their own journey, breaking new ground for the region, thanks to golf scholarships at the University of Tennessee and University of Florida respectively. We are also watching the emergence of a host of promising Saudi youngsters including Faisal Salhab and Saud Al Shariff, who are making great strides.

As Josh showed at the recent UAE Swing, it seems we are getting ever closer to crowning our own locally created champions.

So as Golf Digest enters a new era, it seems our next generation of hopes from the UAE and beyond are striking out on their own, too.

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The post Old faces and new at Golf Digest Middle East appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 15th hole at Yas Links is the start of one of the toughest stretches of finishing holes in the Middle East. Not only is it deservedly the stroke index 1 hole, it doubles down by invariably playing straight into the prevailing wind that sweeps across Yas Island.

Par or better is no cinch because even if you safely negotiate the fairway bunker and run-off areas designed to gobble up drives that stray too far left, the approach into the large, double-tier green shared with our 12th hole calls for a crisply struck shot.

The putting surface is then protected with a large bunker to the left, a hidden run-off area to the right and a fairway bunker short right, catching miss-hit or miss-judged approach shots which are common-place hitting into this challenging green. But fret not. Here’s my blueprint to walk away with a Stableford point or three. — with Kent Gray

Tee shot: There’s not much reward here if you’re tempted to take on the bunker on the left-hand side of the fairway. It sits about 276 yards out and because of its depth, you’re looking at bogey at best if your drive ends up in the trap. So for even the big hitter, right is your best chance of avoiding early punishment. There’s a large area that opens up to the right side of the fairway which you cannot see from the tee.  The left side, meanwhile, is cambered, leading to a runoff area which Is laced with thick rough, a magnet for anything that bounces left.

So aim for the right side and leave yourself a nice angle into the green from somewhere between the fairway bunkers.

Approach: Your number one task here is to simply hit the middle of the green. Manage this and it sets you up for a good start for the final three holes. The deep greenside bunker left and a fairway bunker 30 to 40 yards out is just waiting to catch those poor shots previously mentioned. Miss the green right and the nasty run off area will leave you with a shot from a tight lie over a steep bank guarding the green. So, to reiterate, take a short game blowout out of the equation by aiming for the middle of the green.

Closing out: The large two-tier putting surfaces sees its share of three (or more) putts on any given day. My advice is to accept a two-putt even if you are chasing a score. Don’t get greedy because the undulating green can easily leave you second-guessing with the flat stick, not something you want as you move onto the final stretch.

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 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

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
The Middle East’s 18 favourite holes
The Middle East’s best par 3s
Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East: The Class of 2020

The post BE AT 1: Tame the 15th, stroke index 1, at Yas Links Abu Dhabi appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

These are exciting times for Jumeirah Golf Estates. Back-to-back European Tour events are a golden opportunity to showcase the Dubai Golf-managed club’s two Greg Norman-designed courses, Fire and Earth, to a global television audience.

It will be a boon for Dubai Inc., showing the world that the Emirate is open for business after the complications of COVID-19. There’s more to come with the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic at sister club Emirates G.C. in January, not to mention the opening of the Middle East’s first Topgolf facility on the old Faldo driving range this month.

Back at JGE, there’s sure to be numerous shots of the picturesque range and world-class short-game improvement area beamed around the world too as the European Tour’s class of 2020 prep for their final fortnight. It’s a timely sales pitch for Dubai Golf’s network of Peter Cowen Golf Academies.

“We wish Peter Cowen Academy tour players Jazz Janewattananond, Thomas Pieters, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Callum Shinkwin, Eddie Pepperell, Mike Lorenzo-Vera and Romain Langasque​ every success as they compete in the penultimate event of the European Tour’s 2020 season,” Dubai Golf said ahead of the inaugural Golf in Dubai Championship, scheduled for Dec, 2-5 on Fire.

“We’re also excited to announce the launch of our online academy coming soon, giving students globally the opportunity to improve their games remotely when and whenever they maybe.”

In the meantime, we’ve commissioned Dubai Golf’s JGE-based Head of Academies Stephen Dean to help us negotiate the holes on Fire set to decide where the European Tour’s newest event will be won and lost.

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Hole 2

Par3, 250 Yards
This is a challenging hole so early in the round. With a 230-yard carry to reach a green complex well-guarded by bunkers, a solid long iron or hybrid shot here is a must. The large, undulating green provides the opportunity for some challenging pin placements come the weekend.

The 2nd has the potential to be a momentum maker or breaker for the rest of the round.

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Hole 7

Par 5, 555 Yards
With a green easily reachable in two shots for the European Tour’s best, expect plenty of red numbers on this straight away par 5. Birdies and eagles will abound with the hole a chance for the front-runners to extend their lead or perhaps those tripped up earlier, maybe by the tricky 2nd, to claw their way back into proceedings.

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Hole 10

Par 4, 490 Yards
​The longest par 4 on Fire has a double defence with out of bounds down the entire left-hand side and well-placed bunkers in the landing area off the tee and guarding the green front right. The contenders need to stand up and hit a solid tee shot here because there is no bailout. Will be a pivotal hole as the pressure heats up moving into the back nine come Saturday’s final round.

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Hole 11

Par 3, 251 Yards
​The longest par 4 on the course is followed by Fire’s longest par 3. It’s home to a long green that will again provide some testy pin placements.

The leaders will need to pay close attention to their club selection as anything short can easily find the well-placed bunker on the right and anything long or flighted too low will release quickly through the back of the green. Anyone playing the 10th and 11th under par will certainly make a move on the field.

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Hole 16

Par 4, 340 Yards
A great short, risk-reward hole that will tempt many to have a nudge at the green off the tee, depending on the tee location and wind direction.

A raised green means any miss to the right brings a problematic, but far from impossible, up and down birdie into play.

This hole will produce many birdie and eagle opportunities and will challenge the players’ strategically each day. A front tee, downwind scenario come the final round will certainly make this a pivotal hole as the players close in on the European Tour’s newest piece of silverware.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
The Middle East’s 18 favourite holes
The Middle East’s best par 3s
Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East: The Class of 2020

The post Fire’s Pivotal 5: Where the inaugural Golf in Dubai Championship presented by DP World will be won and lost appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

We’re blessed with some incredible golf in the Middle East so why limit yourself to the cost and limitations of a one course-only membership?

An excellent reason why you wouldn’t is the ‘Troon Executive Card’, your golden ticket to some of the best Troon-managed courses in the Middle East at preferred rates.

For just AED 895, the Troon Executive Card allows regular players to tee it up at multiple courses across the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and India. You can easily activate your card on the Troon International App, a one-stop shop to book and manage your tee times.

BUY TODAY! Purchase your Troon Executive Card here

Sign up today and you’ll not only be able to access a seven-day booking window, 10% off merchandise and food and beverage at participating facilities, but also a dozen Callaway Chrome Soft golf balls (for new card sales) absolutely free.

Al Hamra Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in Abu Dhabi

Existing Troon Executive Cardholders who renew their card before December 20 will get an additional 2-months on their card validity date; that’s  14 months for the price of 12.

This limited time only offer is valid until December 20, 2019, so click here to take advantage of the TROON EXECUTIVE CARD today!

The post Troon Executive Card: The Middle East’s most eclectic golf offering appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

For the third time we’ve included a ‘Readers’ Choice’ section where you can have your say on the top courses and the region’s best performing clubs.

Best of all, your valued opinion could win you a pair of season passes to the 2020 Omega Dubai Desert Classic where defender Bryson DeChambeau is one of six Ryder Cuppers confirmed for the $3.25 million European Tour event at Emirates Golf Club from Jan. 23-26.

Entry is easy but you need to be quick. Simply rank your five favourite courses in the region in order of preference from 1-5 (one being your absolute favourite) from the drop-down menu below.

RELATED: Top 10 Courses: 2018 Readers’ Choice

Please also select your favourite 9-hole course, Clubhouse, the club with the best F&B and the club that provides the best overall Service, as prompted.

We’ll draw one lucky reader at random to win a pair of season passes to the 2020 Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Entries close 5pm, Thursday, November 7, 2019.

Make sure to share with friends to increase your chances of watching DeChambeau and co. for FREE on the Majlis at Emirates G.C. in the New Year.

Good luck and thank you again. We value your opinion!

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The post VOTE & WIN! Last chance to have your say in the 2020 Top 10 Courses Readers’ Choice Awards appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.