Whether the Dane kept his advantage heading into the second round remained to be seen. Fading light forced the suspension of the 1st round with South African Justin Harding a stroke adrift of Hansen but with the eminently birdie-able 18th still to play.

What we can definitively say is that world No.2 Collin Morikawa and world No.5 Viktor Hovland are nicely in the mix and featured in our wrap of the first round. 

Enjoy the latest edition of the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic ‘Daily News’ FREE here. Get up to speed with all the news and scores from Thursday and tee times for round two by scrolling through the ISSUU link below or download Friday’s Daily News to your favourite device to read offline or keep for prosperity.

Enjoy and stay tuned for the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic Daily News review of the second round, out bright and early Saturday.

The post Get your official Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic ‘Daily News’ FREE here appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Enjoy and stay tuned for the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic Daily News review of the first round, out bright and early Friday.

The post Get your official Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic ‘Daily News’ FREE here appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
A few days either side of captivating victories by Daniel Berger and Webb Simpson at the Charles Schwab Challenge and RCB Heritage respectively, Nick Watney and Cameron Champ tested positive for coronavirus. Then, in a blink, Graeme McDowell and Brooks Koepka, like Champ, withdrew from the Travelers Championship in Connecticut after their respective caddies returned positives tests. Simpson and Chase Koepka scratched themselves hours later out of an abundance of caution. Cracks had suddenly appeared in the PGA Tour’s travelling bubble with fears it might burst, leading to another indefinite shutdown.

Trying to navigate his own COVID-19 conundrum at the time – namely how to get back to Dubai after being caught in Australia with the family when travel restrictions were imposed – Simon Corkill watched the drama unfold with a deeper interest than most.

Like the rest of us, the return of top-flight golf, even without spectators, was heartening. Indeed, the golf was exceptional at times, Berger, Simpson and co. showing few signs of ring rust. But as the Executive Tournament Director for Falcon and Associates, the positive tests on the other side of the world must have felt disconcerting close to home for the Englishman.

There is still a way to go before Corkill will assist at the inaugural $1 million Aramco Saudi Ladies International (rescheduled to Oct. 8-11) and oversee Dubai’s own Ladies European Tour stop, the OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic from Nov. 4-6. There’s longer still until the European Tour’s OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic returns to the Majlis course in late Jan. All going well, spectators will be allowed at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City and at Emirates Golf Club for both the women’s and men’s events in Dubai. But the first fortnight or so into the PGA Tour’s return showed elite golf and those tasked with delivering it are walking a wobbly health and safety tightrope. Above an equally scary business knife edge.

Fans could be marshalled around the majlis in COVID-friendly zones. (Getty Image)

“Yeah, it’s had its challenges,” Corkill admits. “We’ve spent the last few months looking at contingency plans for all our events, scenario A, B, C and D and even E on everything and it changes daily with the news.

“That stands us in good stead though. We already had emergency plans for all sorts of things but this has refocused everyone’s time. It’s interesting. There are seminars and talks going on at the minute about sports events [in the COVID era] but we’re well ahead of that because we’ve been living and breathing it since February when we were talking about it with the Saudi Ladies event [originally planned for late March].

While sagely planning for every conceivable eventuality (who saw a global pandemic coming?), Corkill insists the outlook for the Middle East events is positive. While the Desert Classic is in a “strong position” with all the event’s sponsors still on board for now, other European Tour events aren’t so fortunate. Corkill won’t be surprised if more fall by the wayside but is hopeful replacements will pop up in their place.

As European Tour chief Keith Pelley has said, the circuit will look radically different going forward, perhaps even with a PGA Tour twist with rumours of a takeover still swirling around the financially troubled European Tour. Only time will tell what the global golf landscape looks like post COVID but the impact, fingers crossed, mightn’t be so noticeable in the Middle East.

“The Desert Classic fits in where it has always been. It’s been one of the long-standing events on the European Tour, 31 years, the heritage is all still there and it will still be one of the best events on the tour,” Corkill said when asked where the Old World tour’s longest-running event outside continental Europe will fit in what is already a new-look European Tour.

“The talk of prize funds being reduced and courtesy cars not happening and different things, unless there are serious restrictions with COVID, that’s not going to happen. We are in very healthy shape as an event. We want to build on the success of the last few years and the event will be as good, if not better, than last year.”

Spaniard Nuria Iturrios is the defending Moonlight Classic champ. (Tristan Jones)

Falcon and Associates will, of course, be guided by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Dubai Sports Council at the two upcoming events. The Moonlight Classic will serve as a smaller scale testbed for the seemingly inevitable player and patron testing and social distancing measures set to be in place at Emirates G.C. in January. Corkill has vowed to share learnings from the Moonlight with the team tasked with delivering the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in December.

The talk of prize funds being reduced and courtesy cars not happening and different things, unless there are serious restrictions with COVID, that’s not going to happen.

“I think there will be a number we will be restricted to have on-site [for the LET Moonlight Classic] but with a golf course, it’s very big, we can work around those restrictions. As you look forward to bigger numbers [at the Desert Classic], yeah there is going to be restrictions but I think they’re going to be manageable. We can be creative with zones and things, how many people go in each area. Yes, there is going to be challenges around 18 [the hospitality chalets and spectator stands] but let’s be positive and think by the end of January, we’re in better shape.

“I think there will be social distancing elements around the golf club but that’s the norm anyway. The golf clubs have been fantastic in how they’ve adapted to this, they’re all geared up for it already, way ahead of a lot of businesses in the way they are dealing with it.”

Corkill insists the bullish attitude is rooted in lashings of real-world reality. He knows the region, as financially robust as it is, isn’t immune to any further global disruption caused by COVID. It’s a matter of being nimble, Corkill says, able to react swiftly and call on plans B, C, or D. Maybe even plan E.

“We’ve got to be prepared if we get something from left field that causes us to change things. If we get a second wave of COVID, then the whole world is going to change but we’ve prepared for everything. We’ve prepared for player safety, patron safety and it will be a fantastic event.

“The restrictions they [European Tour members] would have played in throughout the next six months, they’re driving to venues, and they’ll be staying in these bubbles, I don’t think we’ll be in a position where they’ll have to stay in bubbles. But if we have to create one, go to JA Resorts, we put them in a bubble, they come off flights and they go there, then so be it. But I don’t think we’ll be in that situation.”

The Saudi Ladies International has been rescheduled for October.

Approaching his second Desert Classic in charge, Corkill could never have imagined how his role (Falcon & Associates have also been appointed to assist with the delivery of rugby’s Dubai 7s) has changed so quickly. He’s thrilled with how his team have quickly adapted to the new norm that is online meetings but couldn’t wait to get back to Dubai and back to business, with all the new complexities confronting sports administrators the world over

“Yeah, there’ going to be challenges, there are no two ways about it, we are going to have to look at ways and think about how can we do it all a bit more efficiently,” he said.

“But the OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic is going to give us a great launching pad for the Desert Classic. What we really want to do for the Desert Classic is [show] Dubai’s back, it’s 2021, this is Expo year, we’re back, we can run a world-class event with everything that has been thrown at us. I’d like to think everyone who comes to the Desert Classic in 2021 won’t notice anything different apart from improvements.”

Here’s hoping.

The post ‘Improvements’ will be the only notable difference at the upcoming OMEGA Classics if Simon Corkill gets his way appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

A shock at the top, a newbie at the bottom and plenty of snakes and ladders action in between  highlight our 5th biennial ranking

By Kent Gray
“The next edition of our top 10 rankings in two years time promises to be an even harder club to get into.” The closing summation from our 2016 ranking didn’t do the difficultly of the impending initiation process justice. It clearly wasn’t impossible to break the monopoly as the new entry at No.10 in this year’s list illustrates.

But that the newbie ousted a proven European Tour venue in Doha Golf Club speaks to the truly world class concentration of courses in the region and the demanding task of trying to rank said quantity of quality. Indeed, less than a point separated the new 10 from the Qatar Masters venue and arguably the unluckiest club to miss out, Greg Norman’s brilliant new Ayla G.C. design in Aqaba, Jordan.

As noted in 2016, the Middle East is home to some of the finest golf on the planet, the spinoff of a region where visionary leaders embolden leisure investors who in turn entrust the world’s leading course architects not to mess up the blank desert canvases they are gifted. Few projects have disappointed, making the job of our expert panel of 23  (explained in detail on the next page and significantly boasting a female presence this time) as difficult as ever.

Awarded a mark out of 80 across seven scoring categories by each panelist, our top ranked course scored an average of 65.32, while No.10 came in at 59.88. Little more than three points separate the entire top five. In short, the Middle East’s best courses were extremely difficult to separate and just as tough to compare.

How do you measure a manicured hybrid of parkland and desert against a modern-day seaside links, or an inland links wannabe for that matter?

The best way is with Golf Digest’s impartial and internationally trusted formula.

It’s certainly comforting that the top-10 selected by our panel closely mirrors the elite 10 selected by you, our loyal readers, proving we can’t have gone too far wrong.

In addition to the regular Readers’ Choice list we’ve also continued our ‘Best’ section (see p80) with your scores tallied alongside the thoughts of the panel to find the best ‘Nine-holer’, ‘Clubhouse’, ‘Food and Beverage/Service’ and ‘Best value’ course.

Ultimately, we suspect few of the courses on the following pages will come as a surprise although their place in the new pecking order might. That’s okay – there is nothing more subjective in golf that the apples versus pears ranking of golf courses after all. You don’t have to agree with us. In fact, we actively ecourage your thoughts on our social media channels either way.

What we are unequivocal about is our summary of the 2018 list. With new Tiger Woods and Dubai Hills courses soon to come on line and others in the pipeline, the 6th edition of our top 10 rankings in 2020 promises to be even tougher to judge, making it an even more coveted club of which to belong.

How lucky we are to golf in the desert.

Meet the panel and how they ranked the courses
Check out the best in the Middle East
Readers’ Choice: Your favourites revealed
Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East 2016

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1) The Majlis, Emirates Golf Club  (click to go to the club website)
2016 Ranking: 3 • Design: Karl Litten (1988)
Dubai, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,301 • Total Score 65.32

David Cannon

By Luke Joy (Tour Professional)
The venerable Majlis, the inaugural Middle East Top 10 winner in 2009, will always have a special place in my heart as it was the location of my first start in a European Tour event. The course looks awesome off the tee and well placed bunkers and run-offs around the greens make it a real treat to play and a challenge for golfers of all levels. The course peaks around December/January when the European Tour swings into town (an annual marvel by agronomy chief Craig Haldane and his team) and when the grandstands are up, it’s a cracking walk up the 18th.

Karl Litten’s design provides great excitement, especially on the back nine where birdie opportunities abound if you are playing well. Conversely, you’ll be punished for a poor, misplaced shot, as it should be. A much warranted return to No.1 for the spiritual home of Middle East golf.

Luke Joy will tee it up in the 29th Omega Dubai Desert Classic from Jan. 25-28

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2) Yas Links Golf Club
2016 Ranking: 1 • Design: Kyle Phillips (2010)
Abu Dhabi, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,414 • Total Score 64.75

Kevin Murray

By Kent Gray (Editor, Golf Digest Middle East)
From the moment you are greeted by Old Tom Morris at the gate, right up until one of the friendly bag drop attendants in their Tam o’ Shanters helps you pack the sticks back in the car, Yas Links is a magical experience. The Andalusian style clubhouse is the first give away, oozing understated elegance and offering a window to the sea/mangrove views which serve as a stunning accomplice to Kyle Phillips’ truly world class golf architecture.  Yas may only be seven years young but the rumpled fairways, undulating greens and ball swallowing rough combine to remind of ancient British and Irish links, minus the lousy weather.

All aspects of your game are tested, especially if the breeze fills in on the layout’s particularly invigorating, homeward stretch where pars on any of the 16th, 17th and 18th (or a combination thereof) ensures your post round sun downer will be even sweeter.

There will be genuine dismay among Yas Links’ most loyal devotees that it has been dethroned as the Middle East’s No.1 for the first time in its history. It should be noted its score this year is virtually identical to its winning number from 2016 and sometimes you simply have to doff your Tam o’Shanter to a rival at the top of its game. Still, we suspect this is a match play set-back Yas simply won’t settle for so watch this space in 2020.  Better still, get yourself to Yas Island for an unforgettable golf  experience.

Kent Gray began covering golf in the Middle East since 2013 and has reported on the game globally since 1989

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3) Almouj Golf
2016 Ranking: 2 • Design: Greg Norman (2012)
Muscat, Oman • Par 72 • Yards 7,300 • Total Score 63.62

Bob McCaffrey

By Robbie Greenfield (Sports Radio Co-host)
Almouj Golf may not be quite as well-known as some of the other high-flying courses in this ranking, but that will soon change with its new status as a European Tour venue. Previously established as the grand finale to the Challenge Tour’s Road to Oman, Greg Norman’s layout has had a deserved promotion to the main tour and you can expect plenty of high praise from Europe’s best players when they arrive for the NBO Oman Golf Classic in mid-February.

This is a rugged, windswept brute of a layout, as challenging as it is beautiful. The opening hole features a green hidden among some typically impressive sand dunes but you don’t have to wait long for the first ‘wow’ moment, as the par 3 2nd provides sweeping views out across the Sea of Oman. The presence of the sea enhances this modern-day links, but it’s not the defining feature. Norman has crafted some enormous dunes and the last few years have added a rustic maturity to the native areas.

When the wind is up, which is most of the time, the par 3 14th has to rank among the most terrifying one-shotters in the region but it’s by no means the only do-or-die shot you’ll face here. We’re used to seeing the best players on the European Tour shoot the lights out, but don’t expect any record low scores when Almouj Golf bears its teeth.

Robbie Greenfield played as a marker for Darren Clarke during Jordan’s MENA Tour debut last year

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4) Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
2016 Ranking: 5 • Design: Thomas Bjørn Redesign (1993)
Dubai, UAE • Par 71 • Yards 6,967 • Total Score 63.44

Steve Carr

By Luke Plumb (PGA Professional)
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club is one of my favorite courses in the UAE. The course is laid out fantastically from start to finish with a great mixture of holes which put an emphasis on straight driving and accurate iron shots. The greens are always in stunning condition, running true and fast, which makes putting at the “Creek” testing but enjoyable. One of my favorite holes is the 6th with the Island tee box where you tee off from the middle of Dubai Creek.

You can’t talk about Dubai Creek without mentioning the finishing stretch. The 16th, a tough par 3, is certainly one you are happy to walk off with a par, followed by the amazing 17th and 18th holes. The 17th is relatively short but the tee shot is extremely tight with water up the left and bunkers waiting to swallow your ball on the right. You need to hit two accurate and solid shots to set up a birdie opportunity. The 18th is, quite simply, a fantastic hole and one of the best finishes in golf. You have a great view of Dubai Creek on your left however there is disaster awaiting at every corner. Similar to the 17th you need to hit two great shots to make the green in regulation. Any miss hit is likely to result in a double bogey. Playing back towards the iconic clubhouse gives the fantastic finishing holes a perfect back drop.

Luke Plumb is the new CEO of the UAE PGA

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5) Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
2016 Ranking: 8 • Design: Gary Player (2010)
Abu Dhabi, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,806 • Total Score 62.73

By Malcolm Young (PGA Professional)
Saadiyat Beach is always a pleasure to play, offering a memorable experience and challenge to golfers of every skill level. The design makes good use of its location, the gulf coastline coming into play on several par 3s and par 4s on both nines and giving the layout its  seaside character and links feel.

The mix of holes demand some well-placed tee shots, accurate irons and pin point wedges to score well whilst never feeling too demanding. Taking a lead from some classic designs, Gary Player entices you to be creative particularly around the greens which allow a variety of shots to be played.

The course has a very natural feel with the obvious standout holes being the combination of 16 and 17. The elevated position of the 16th tee lays out the demands ahead where only a well struck tee shot and accurate second will be worthy of a par. The tricky 17th is a true gem with a small target making it a perfect short par 3. Another great example of the design is the 10th where the short par 4 offers many options off the tee with a well-guarded green making it a perfect risk and reward hole.

From tee to green, Saadiyat Beach requires every club in the bag to score well. It’s always a pleasure to play with the natural terrain and roaming wildlife leaving a lasting impression.

Malcolm Young is a former UAE PGA Championship winner

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6) Earth, Jumeirah Golf Estates
2016 Ranking: 4 • Design: Greg Norman (2009)
Dubai, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,675 • Total Score 62.71

Kevin Murray

By Callum Nicoll (PGA Professional)
It’s always special to play a course where we watch the best players in the world do battle each year. What makes the Earth Course so enjoyable on a day-to-day basis for me is the fact that it’s so aesthetically pleasing and always kept to a high standard. The definition of the fairways to the woodchip and the trees frame every hole, making each feel individual. While the fairways could be deemed generous, tee shots still have to be strategically placed to afford the best route into most pins and even though Earth hosts large greens, Greg Norman’s design really makes you think when hitting approach shots. Pins can easily be tucked away in difficult positions on the already tricky and undulating putting surfaces. There is an excellent variety of holes and this is most evident on what I regard as a particularly strong finishing stretch. Within the last five holes you have two different length par 4s, a par 3 surrounded by water and two par 5s including the last which can produce an eagle chance if brave enough, aka Henrik Stenson’s memorable three wood to the 72nd hole of the 2013 DP World Tour Championship.

Callum Nicoll is a multiple UAE PGA Order of Merit champion

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7) The Els Club
2016 Ranking: 7 • Design: Ernie Els (2008)
Dubai, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,538 • Total Score 61.14

Paul Severn

By Danny Jakubowski (PGA Professional)
You know you are in for a special day at The Els Club. What impresses me the most about the golf course are the nuances that may take a round or two to notice. Course designer Ernie Els has done an amazing job of bunker routing, creating risk-reward tee shots and approaches. As with many of his designs, Els has utilised clever undulations and elevations to protect par. The greens are always in perfect condition, tricky but fair, and a well struck and on line putt never deviates from its line. The great conditions are one thing, but having that beautiful clubhouse in view on holes 9 and 18 makes for a great setting to finish the round and enjoy a well earned drink after.

Danny Jakubowski is Group Director of Instruction at Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach

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8) The National, Abu Dhabi Golf Club
2016 Ranking: 6 • Design: Peter Harradine (2000)
Abu Dhabi, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,334 • Total Score 60.36

Kevin Murray

By Karl Whitehead (PGA Professional)
What a venue Abu Dhabi GC is. Known the world over for it’s iconic clubhouse and as the proud host of one of the European Tour’s biggest events each year, it’s a real jewel in the crown for the UAE golf scene.

The National course is truly world class,  a reminder of which we get every January with the great feedback it receives from the world’s leading tour professionals.

On the eye it’s a stunning looking layout: beautiful landscape surrounds each hole and when overseeded in the cooler season, there is a striking contrast between fairway and rough. Add to this the nice variety of water features and some very strategically placed bunkers and the result is an outstanding golf experience.

What always stands out to me is the premium, and in turn reward, placed on driving the ball well.  Pretty much all the landing areas are at an angle and it therefore challenges both the eye and your shot shaping ability. If driving well, it can certainly become scoreable as the greens and run-offs are not overly demanding.

Delving into specific holes, the 9th and 18th always stand out and are topped off with the unique experience of playing towards the Falcon clubhouse. The par 3’s each have character and are great fun to play also. Mix in a world-class team and with the expertise of Troon and the overall club experience from start to finish is consistency top class.

Karl Whitehead is General Manager at The Els Club, Dubai

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9) Al Zorah Golf Club
2016 Ranking: 10 • Design: Nicklaus Design (2015)
Ajman, UAE • Par 72 • Yards 7,169 • Total Score 60.05

Kevin Murray

By Claudine Foong-Riggs (Golf Wellness and Performance Coach)
When I tee it up at any golf course, the aesthetics and energy of the course significantly influences how much I enjoy my round of golf. Al Zorah Golf Club, located in Ajman, and only a 30 minute drive from downtown Dubai, does not disappoint.

The Nicklaus designed golf course, is a peaceful and tranquil haven if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. You can spend a few hours amongst the acres of naturally protected mangroves that feature an abundance of wildlife, which is unique to other courses in the UAE.

For the most part, the course exudes a sense of confidence off the tee, with generous fairways allowing you to hit driver at will. Nicklaus designed many of the tee boxes as islands set amongst the mangroves adding to the beauty of the design. Water comes into play on several holes and even more so when the tide is in. When the tide is out, some of those hazard areas become sandy waste land, providing you with a glimmer of hope. The fairways run firm but you can still take a clean divot on an iron strike. The greens are guarded by deep traps and have plenty of undulation, making judging your line a tricky test.

Overall, the course has a great balance of challenge and opportunity. Al Zorah is a course where unless you hit it into the water, you should always be able to find your ball. When the wind picks up, which it often does, you better know how to control your trajectory. However, regardless of your playing ability, the course features several tee boxes to provide the right level of difficulty.

Every time I’ve left Al Zorah, I’ve felt like I just had a mini holiday. The combination of nature, excellent design and first class service makes Al Zorah a course you will always love coming back to.

Claudine Foong-Riggs is a former Symetra Tour pro and regular golf fitness contributor to Golf Digest Middle East

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10) Trump International Golf Club, Dubai
2016 Ranking: New Entry • Design: Gil Hanse (2016)
Dubai, UAE • Par 71 • Yards 7,300 • Total Score 59.88

Kevin Murray

By Robbie Greenfield (Sports Radio Co-host)
It may not be on the coast, but the Trump International Golf Club Dubai is actually the closest thing you’ll find to a traditional links course in the Middle East. It’s one of the few courses in this region that allows you to take the terrestrial route, and the undulating terrain shaped by Gil Hanse adds an entirely new dimension to the playing experience. If, like me, you reach for your putter at the first conceivable opportunity, you will enjoy this golf course.

The UAE’s newest 18-hole course has other hallmarks of a classic links design. Holes one and nine are bisected by a snaking wadi, but the opening tee shot is nonetheless among the most inviting of any course that features on this list. The giant green complex on the 1st, which flows seamlessly into the adjacent eighth green, encapsulates this Hanse design. Your targets may be generous on the Trump course, but woe betide you if you wind up in the wrong spot. The closely cropped tight lies demand a high degree of skill with a wedge and this course plays firm and fast, which is what this game should be all about.

The best stretch of holes lie on the front nine, from the par 3 5th to the short uphill par 4 8th that plays back towards the imposing clubhouse. Hanse wanted this to be a fun experience, and in allowing golfers to get the ball in play off the tee before challenging them with a varied array of different approach shots, he has done just that. And for a layout that’s barely one year old, we can expect plenty of improvement as both the course and its surrounding development continues to mature.

Robbie Greenfield has been covering golf in the Middle East since 2005

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•  MEET THE 2018 PANEL
•  READERS’ CHOICE 2018
•  THE BEST IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2018
•  TOP 10 GOLF COURSES IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2016
•  TOP 10 GOLF COURSES IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2020

The post Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East 2018 appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 48-year-old is a confirmed starter for the Jan 25-28 Omega Dubai Desert Classic and hopes a return to his beloved Majlis will trigger a change of fortune after a lean 2017 campaign.

“My hunger for competition is as strong as ever,” said Els, the only three-time winner of the Desert Classic’s famed Dallah whose last victory came at the European Tour’s BMW International Open in June 2013.

“It’s all about fighting hard to get something going, some momentum rolling. Hopefully, good memories of the Majlis course will come in very handy.”

If there is one place Els can count on good vibes it is Emirates Golf Club where lifted the Dallah in 1994, 2002 and 2005. The South African great is a collective 184-under par in 56 rounds on the Majlis since his Desert Classic debut in 1993 and holds the course record of 61, set en-route to an emphatic six-shot victory in 1994 for his maiden European Tour win.

“I think everyone knows I love playing in Dubai. I like the lines off the tees and the greens are quite soft so if you get your ball up, you can shoot some good scores. I always look forward to coming back and playing in this wonderful tournament.”

Els endured a difficult 2017 with 11 missed cuts and two WDs in 20 starts on the PGA Tour for a season long collect of just $155,926. He was in the money in seven of nine official European Tour starts – including making the cut in three of the year’s four majors -with a T13 at the early-season Qatar Masters his year’s best.

There has been more of the same in 2018 thus far – a MC, an injury enforced WD at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba and a t51 at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open – but Els is unshaking in his belief he can compete again.

“Results-wise, my 2017 season may have been a bit disappointing but the good thing is that I feel like my game has been in better shape than the scores suggested,” said the former world No.1 who boasts 70 professional career victories, including four major titles,  two WGC Championships and a record seven World Matchplay titles.

Els is the latest star to commit to the Desert Classic along with Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Ian Poulter, further bolstering a stellar cast headlined by defending champion Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy and ‘current FedEx Cup No.1 Pat Perez.

Daily tickets, priced at AED 175, are available online at omegadubaidesertclassic.com

Season passes, which provide access to Emirates G.C. all week, is available for AED 500. Under 16s gain free entry with a adult carrying a valid ticket for the day.

The post Els hopes Desert Classic return will trigger change of fortune appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

A new entry and a new no.2 are the big stories in our fourth biennial ranking of the best courses in the Middle East on a list of the highest quality
By Robbie Greenfield

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he Middle East has always been a golf destination that punches well above its weight. When top European Tour players speak in glowing terms about the courses and the facilities here, they’re not just trotting out some well-worn line. They really, really mean it, and our exclusive images for this new Top 10 ranking will illustrate precisely why.

Using the tried and trusted Golf Digest methodology, we have ranked the best courses here with the combined insight of 28 expert panelists, but that doesn’t mean you’re supposed to agree with us. This is a celebration of golf courses that as a collective whole must undoubtedly rank among the finest concentrations in the world.

Below you will find the new top 10 list, along with a personal take on each course from a different member of our expert panel.

Related: Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East 2018
Meet the panel and how they ranked the courses
Check out the best in the Middle East
Readers’ Choice: Your favourites revealed
The UAE’s hardest golf holes

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1) Yas Links Golf Club
2013 Ranking: 1  •  Design: Kyle Phillips (2010)
Abu Dhabi, UAE  •  Par 72  •  Yards 7,414  •  Total Score 64.80

By Jake Shepherd (Tour Professional)
The main attraction of Yas Links is how naturally beautiful it looks. I know they moved a lot of earth in construction, but Yas looks likes a piece of land that could have been there for hundreds of years. It has got an authenticity to it that hits you from the moment you drive through the gates, and it has maintained that almost quaint feel that you find with some of the classic British and Irish links courses. For individual shot value, it just has so many memorable shots. The par 3 17th is hands down my favourite hole in the UAE, closely followed by 16. Yas is a bucket list course, probably the only one in the UAE that could be considered a true trophy course. It reminds me of Whistling Straits, and for me, is every bit as good.
Jake Shepherd won the inaugural MENA Golf Tour Order of Merit in 2011

2) Almouj Golf
2013 Ranking: 4  •  Design: Greg Norman (2012)
Muscat, Oman  •  Par 72  •  Yards 7,300  •  Total Score 64.27

By Robbie Greenfield (Editor, Golf Digest Middle East)
Almouj Golf was a new entry at No.4 in our 2013 ranking and this time around it ascends two places, only narrowly missing out on the top spot. Those who haven’t played it could be forgiven for being sceptical, while those who have are in almost unanimous agreement: this is an absolute belter of a golf course. There are no gentle crescendos on this Greg Norman design. The location is spectacular, but the great thing about Almouj Golf is it would be fantastic even without the coastal setting, too. The sea enhances this rugged modern links, but it’s not its defining feature.
Robbie Greenfield has been covering golf in the Middle East since 2005

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3) The Majlis, Emirates Golf Club
2013 Ranking: 2  •  Design: Karl Litten (1988)
Dubai, UAE  •  Par 72  •  Yards 7,301  •  Total Score 64.03

By Matt Turner (Tour Professional)
I was a junior member at Emirates Golf Club growing up, and when I look back now I realise how spoilt I was to call the Majlis my home course. Layout-wise, it’s got to be the best in the region for me. Even if you play the course once or twice, you don’t really forget any of the holes. Nothing is the same, visually, all the par 3s are outstanding. The par 4 eighth hole for me (pictured) is one of those iconic landmarks in global golf. As far as golf courses in the UAE goes, it’s the only one that holds that kind of truly iconic appeal for me.
Matt Turner is the first (and to date, only) locally-based amateur to make the cut in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic

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4) Earth, Jumeirah Golf Estates
2013 Ranking: 3  •  Design: Greg Norman (2009)
Dubai, UAE  •  Par 72  •  Yards 7,675  •  Total Score 62.81

By Scott Sullivan (General Manager, ProGolf International)
Personally, I think Earth is the best manicured course in the Middle East, certainly all-year round and the week of the DP World Tour Championship it’s just perfect, which is a huge plus for me. What I like about the layout is there’s a lot of vegetation – it feels like a mature golf course. It’s totally different to anything else in the Middle East. Visually, Earth is stunning, and a little intimidating in places as well. Although the central fairway bunkers look imposing, a lot of them aren’t really in play. I like that because it makes you think twice, you’re not just standing up and trying to bomb it down an open fairway.
Scott Sullivan is the current Arabian Ranches club champion

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5) Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
2013 Ranking: 7  •  Design: Thomas Bjørn Redesign (1993)
Dubai, UAE  •  Par 71  •  Yards 6,967  •  Total Score 62.31

By Trevor Marshall (Tour Professional)
What I love about The Creek is the fact it’s a bit more of an old-style golf course, it’s not a ‘bash driver’ type of golf course. You’ve got to use anything from a rescue to a driver off the tee, but that being said there is a lot of risk and reward out there if you are willing to challenge it. Obviously, the Creek’s finish gets talked about a lot, it’s both spectacular and demanding. In tournaments you’re invariably playing it into the wind and on 18 in particular, there’s just no margin for error. On most holes you can get away with one poor shot. You can’t afford to hit one here.
Trevor Marshall is a three-time runner-up on the MENA Golf Tour

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6) The National, Abu Dhabi Golf Club
2013 Ranking: 5  •  Design: Peter Harradine (2000)
Abu Dhabi, UAE  •  Par 72  •  Yards 7,334  •  Total Score 62.15

By Steven Munro (PGA Professional)
For me, the National is probably now the best-conditioned course in the UAE. Having caddied at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship last year for Tianlang Guan, it goes without saying that during that week the course is impeccable, but what impresses me is the quality of its conditioning all year round. The agronomy team have a little-and-often approach to course maintenance, which I think is proven to work very well. In terms of the course, I think it’s a fantastic layout and there are some very challenging stretches. But in general play, the National isn’t overly penal for amateurs. There are no surprises out there, you see everything in front of you on the golf course – I think that’s a big reason why the tour players love it.
Steven Munro captained the professional team in the 2014 Dubai Golf Trophy

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7) The Els Club
2013 Ranking: 9  •  Design: Ernie Els (2008)
Dubai, UAE  •  Par 72  •  Yards 7,538  •  Total Score 61.79

By Clarke Lutton (Tour Professional)
The Els Club is appealing to a wide range of players because it’s got a lot of variety. Its condition is always fantastic, truly incredible. You’ve got to hit good shots, especially on the greens, because if you don’t putt well you’re going to struggle a lot of the time. It’s very much a second shot golf course for the pros. It’s very generous off the tee, but if you don’t hit the right approach shots into the greens you can find yourself in a lot of trouble. You can short-side yourself so easily around this course. The configuration of the swales and basins makes chipping tricky because every green is raised.
Clarke Lutton won the 2015 MENA Golf Tour’s Citizen Classic at The Els Club

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8) Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
2013 Ranking: 8  •  Design: Gary Player (2010)
Abu Dhabi, UAE  •  Par 72  •  Yards 7,806  •  Total Score 60.48

By Callum Nicoll (PGA Professional)
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is visually very beautiful. Everything is right in front of you. You can see all your landing areas from the tees and the fairways. The shaping at Saadiyat is what makes it eye-catching and the wispy grass in the native areas has really matured over the last few years. From the tee, everything comes towards you, with all the hazards and features accentuated. This makes Saadiyat a very straightforward golf course. It also unquestionably has some of the best looking holes in the Middle East. The two par 4s that play towards the sea, five and 16, are hard to beat in terms of panoramas, while the two par 3s on the beach, six and 17, are really pretty as well.
Callum Nicoll is a multiple UAE PGA Order of Merit champion

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9) Doha Golf Club
2013 Ranking: 6  •  Design: Peter Harradine (1998)
Doha, Qatar •  Par 72  •  Yards 7,374  •  Total Score 60.40

By Robbie Greenfield (Editor, Golf Digest Middle East)
One of the first rounds of golf I ever played in the Middle East was on the championship course at Doha Golf Club. Coming from southeast England, the land of short, tree-lined Harry Colt layouts, I found the test on this host venue for the Qatar Masters to be somewhat challenging, to say the least. For a start, this is a long, long golf course. It’s the kind where you reach what you think is your best drive of the day and then find yourself squinting into the distance in an effort to make out the flagstick. It’s also exposed, and windy. If you don’t have your pro ball flight dialled in (I didn’t) then you’re liable to visit many interesting spots. The designer, Peter Harradine, cites Doha as the best site he’s ever had to work on in the Middle East. That’s due to natural rock formations that Harradine fought to keep as an integral feature of the course. Needless to say, he was right.
Robbie Greenfield has been covering golf in the Middle East since 2005

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10) Al Zorah Golf Club
2013 Ranking: New Entry  •  Design: Jack Nicklaus (2015)
Ajman, UAE  •  Par 72  •  Yards 7,169  •  Total Score 58.44

By Shaun McGuckian (Golf Writer & Editor)
The childlike sensory overload that comes with new ’toys’ hits you as soon as you roll out across the wooden gangway to Ajman’s newly-opened Al Zorah Golf Club. Its mangrove and tidal setting immediately feels exotic and different to other courses in the UAE and, despite its infancy, it already plays like some of the finer parts of Yas Links and The Els Club. The par threes are superb. Real thinkers. If you can get through those with minimal damage done, then there are plenty of birdie chances to be had, but you have to earn them as this course can quickly punish casual shots. Normally, we only play with shiny, new things until something else catches our attention. I don’t think that’s going to be the case with Al Zorah.
Shaun McGuckian is a former Editor of GolfPunk magazine

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MEET THE PANEL  •  READERS’ CHOICE  •  THE BEST IN THE MIDDLE EAST
•  THE UAE’S HARDEST GOLF HOLES

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