Mena Golf Tour provides platform for emerging talent Second edition will have regional flavour

Shaikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Arab Golf Federation and the Emirates Golf Federation, Mohamed Juma Buamaim, Chairman of the Mena Golf Tour, and Khalfan Al Kaabi, a board member of the Emirates Golf Federation, with the Mena Golf Tour trophy. (FILE)

The Mena Golf Tour fits perfectly into the larger scheme of things if the region’s players, including the UAE, are to realise their ambitions of competing on the bigger stage, especially the Asian Games or even the 2016 Olympics where the sport is making a comeback after a 112-year absence.


The tour, now in its second edition, has assumed a special significance with the UAE National Olympic Committee officially endorsing golf in its portfolio of sports, thus clearing the way for the country’s leading players to start dreaming about the biggest moments of their careers.

"There are hundreds of young golfers in the region who would be proud to represent their country and it would be an honour for anyone who plays this game to be part of the Asian Games and Olympic Games,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour.

“Hard work and exposure to high-intensity competitions are vital ingredients to preparing the players for top flight golf, and the Mena Golf Tour has the strength in depth to provide competition that would challenge the players and fine tune their skills required to compete at this level.

“Our intention is to develop amateurs who represent their country through this Tour because we feel they are the ones who will encourage more people to take up golf – and not Woods and Westwoods,” he said. “The added incentives, of course, are the spots that we offer to top golfers on the Order of Merit - three professionals and one leading amateur - to compete in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

“We have created a springboard for the players to benefit from it and, hopefully, they will set new standards,” said Buamaim, who thanked the UAE NOC for its initiative to recognise golf, which is fast becoming popular among the Emiratis.

The Tour, he explained, is not UAE specific. “It is meant to create playing opportunities for all those keen on playing at the top level or planning on making a career out of golf. It’s a stepping stone to the exciting world of international golf.”

The second edition of the Mena Tour, which is scheduled to kick off in September this year, will have a true regional flavour with stops in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and possibly, Morocco. With more tournaments, more prize money on offer, the tour is expected to attract a strong field with players who have featured on the Challenge Tour and Asian Tour events adding to its strength.

If a Mena Golf Tour player goes on to establish his credentials on the international circuit, it will just be a sign of the times in an ever-changing world. “This calls us to join hands, group our efforts and set off to make this dream come true,” he said.

Westwood retains Indonesian Masters title World number three secured his 38th career victory

Lee Westwood played an "exhausting" 32 holes on Sunday to successfully defend his Indonesian Masters title and pick up his first win of the year.The world number three secured his 38th career victory after he returned early in the morning to complete his third round before closing with a final round two-over-par 74 at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.Englishman Westwood's winning total of 16-under-par 272 meant he finished two shots ahead of Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, with the Indian duo of Gaganjeet Bhullar and Shiv Kapur tied in third place.

The 38-year-old, who finished tied third at the Masters two weeks ago, held an eight-shot lead going into the final round but tiredness began to kick in on his homeward nine as he shot three bogeys.

Play at the Asian Tour event had been abandoned on Saturday due to lightning.

"It was draining out there and I was really feeling it on the back nine. When you are in contention and under pressure, it seems to zap your energy faster," said Westwood.


"You never know how to play with such a big lead. You don't know if you should attack or defend. It is quite hard to get your mental attitude around it.

"It was a case of staying patient and calm and playing the holes correctly. It was exhausting."

Westwood, who collected a winner's cheque of ê118,875, said he hoped the win would kick-start this year's attempt at winning an elusive Major championship.

"I've played well without any wins so hopefully I can go on and win other tournaments.

"It is tough when you are the favourite because if you don't win then it will be disappointing. There was a lot of pressure so I'm glad I did it."

Thaworn, winner of the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2005, birdied the last two holes to claim his best finish of the season.

"I felt tired after the 12th hole but I held on. I couldn't really hit my shots properly so I'm quite surprised with the way I finished.

"I haven't won in a while but I've come close this season so I hope to keep the momentum going."

Leading final scores (par 72)
272 - Lee Westwood (ENG) 65-68-65-74
274 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 72-69-66-67
276 - Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 72-70-65-69, Shiv Kapur(IND) 68-71-70-67
277 - Anirban Lahiri (IND) 74-68-66-69
278 - Seuk-hyun Baek (KOR) 72-70-68-68
279 - Angelo Que (PHI) 69-73-68-69, Lee Sung (KOR) 68-71-67-73, Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 70-68-72-69
281 - Berry Henson (USA) 69-73-69-70, Wade Ormsby (AUS) 71-73-66-71, Masanori Kobayashi(JPN) 69-68-74-70, Zaw Moe (MYN) 68-67-75-71

Meydan launches the Track for golf enthusiasts No membership fees and a real challenge guaranteed for all players

Meydan Golf today launches The Track - a unique new pay-and-play golf course at the world famous Dubai racecourse.Challenging enough for even the best players, it is also extremely welcoming for novices looking to take up the sport and those with limited experience.There is no membership fee at The Track with players simply booking a tee time to take on the brilliant nine-hole course.Bookings for preview play rounds are now being taken, at Dh300 per player. Players in this introductory period can choose to play nine holes or double up to 18 holes at no extra charge.

Permanent rates for 9 and 18 holes will be announced following the preview period.

Tuition packages and one-off lessons will also be available from professional instructors who will tailor sessions to the individual’s needs.


From the summer, The Track will be floodlit and open until midnight so golfers can beat the heat and keep their game sharp.

Developed by Meydan Golf and run by leading golf management company Troon Golf, The Track is nestled alongside Meydan racecourse, home of the Dubai World Cup.

Just a ten minute drive out of the city, the facility makes the most of the natural contours and lakes in the area and is home to a variety of wildlife.

The Track, which is open from 6.30am, was designed by renowned golf course architect Peter Harradine, with every hole posing a unique challenge.

“Water is a predominant feature of the course thanks to the natural lakes we have here,” said Paul Dennis, The Track’s general manager.

“These make sure the course is a challenge for better players off the back tees with the forward tees also allowing it to be really enjoyable for the novice golfer.”

The course can be played as 9 or 18 holes, with a challenging 18 hole yardage of 7,416. The course offers something for players of all ages and abilities, as distances from the tees vary from 633 yards on the 1st hole at the toughest level, down to 100 yards for novices on the 6th.

Stunning views across Meydan and towards the Burj Khalifa add to an unforgettable golfing experience for everyone.

“The Track opens up the sport to those who are a little intimidated by traditional golf clubs or who cannot commit to becoming a member,” added Dennis.

“It gives people somewhere to play where they receive five-star service but without the fees which usually accompany being a member of a golf club.

“It is really all about getting everyone out and enjoying golf at The Track.”

At the heart of the stunning two-tier clubhouse is The Track Restaurant.
A light and modern space, it is open daily between 6.30am and 10.30pm and offers a variety of food - from classic full breakfasts through to gourmet sandwiches, salads, steaks and curry.

A family room and children’s play-area will open later in the year.

Upstairs is Qube – a revolutionary sports lounge whose sleek design offers an airy and sophisticated setting without compromising on all the fun elements of a sports lounge.

Four giant screens are suspended in a cube at the centre of the vibrant venue with a further 16 big screen televisions around the perimeter. A range of games including pool tables, shuffleboard, darts and fussball will keep guests entertained all evening.

For more information on The Track or for golf bookings and enquiries, please visit www.meydangolf.com

For more information on Qube sports lounge, programming and events please visit www.qubesportsbar.com

Haya extends patronage of Dubai Ladies Masters Dh2.45m European Tour event is growing in stature

Her Royal Highness Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has extended her patronage to the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters (ODLM) for another two years, reaffirming her support of the premier women’s golfing event in the region.Promoted and organised by 'golf in DUBAi', the euro 500,000 (Dh2.45 million) Ladies European Tour’s season-ending event has grown in stature and popularity since its inception in 2006, showcasing the talent of the world’s leading players in what is billed as the ‘Ladies Major of the Middle East.’

Princess Haya’s kind gesture of extending her patronage to the 2012 and 2013 Omega Dubai Ladies Masters is a fitting recognition to the role played by the event in promoting women’s golf in the region and is part of a long-term Dubai goal to become a solid foothold for sports in the world.


“It is indeed a great honour and privilege for all of us at golf in Dubai to have HRH Princess Haya extend her patronage to the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters," said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, Vice-Chairman and CEO of golf in Dubai.

“A former Olympic athlete, humanitarian, member of the International Olympic Committee, UN Messenger of Peace and President of the International Equestrian Federation, HRH Princess Haya is a woman of substance who has inspired many people with her strong values and forceful conviction," he said.

“Her patronage has certainly raised the profile of our event and we will strive and do everything possible to raise the bar for future events befitting Dubai’s image as the region’s sporting capital. Every international sporting event hosted in Dubai has its own appeal and aura, reflecting on the Emirate’s dynamic and innovative sporting culture,” he added.

The 2011 Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, the first event to be held under patronage, generated tremendous media coverage around the world. The independent facts provided by the Ladies European Tour show the event, won by US teenage prodigy Alexis Thompson, generated international media exposure worth Dh383 million via 380 broadcasts.

Tiger ready for Quail Hollow with 'fixed' swing Woods has spent past fortnight working on his game

Tiger Woods returns to PGA Tour action at this week's Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, confident he has solved the ball-striking problems which plagued him at this month's Masters.
The former world number one failed to break 72 in any of his four rounds at the year's opening Major, completing his worst performance at Augusta National since he turned professional.
He battled his way to a closing two-over-par 74 for a five-over total of 293, ruing his tendency to allow old habits to creep back into a swing he has grooved with coach Sean Foley over the last two years.

"At the Masters, I was kind of struggling with my ball-striking a little bit," Woods said during a question and answer video session with his fans posted on his website on Monday.

"Sean and I fixed it. It had to do with my posture. My setup wasn't quite right, as well as my takeaway so we worked on that. I just needed to do hundreds of (repetitions). I'm getting dialed in."



Woods, a 14-times Major champion, took a week off after the April 5-8 Masters and has since spent the past fortnight working on his game.

Asked if he liked his chances of winning a 73rd PGA Tour title in this week's event at Quail Hollow, he replied: "I feel like I do, yes.

"I feel like if I can do the things that we've been working on, and get my posture and my takeaway dialed in, then yes, I have a good chance.

"I'm going to a golf course I like in Charlotte. I've won there before. The very next week is a tournament that I've also won at," the 36-year-old American added, referring to the May 10-13 Players Championship at Sawgrass.

Woods triumphed at Quail Hollow in 2007 and won his only Players title in 2001 at the event regarded by many as the unofficial 'fifth' Major.

Monday's video session, based on questions sent in by fans via Facebook and Twitter, was an interesting choice by Woods who will not be giving his customary pre-tournament news conference ahead of the Wells Fargo Championship.

The world number seven typically addresses the media before every event in which he plays but is not scheduled to speak to reporters until after he completes Thursday's opening round at Quail Hollow.

Woods fielded 19 questions from fans in the video session, among them a query as to the best putt he has ever sunk on the PGA Tour.

In reply, he cited the par putt he knocked in from just inside four feet on the 72nd hole of the 1997 Masters, his first Major title which he clinched by a staggering 12 strokes with a record low total of 270.

"To set the record, all the history it meant at the time, to have my dad there at the back of the green," Woods added. "By far it was the biggest."

As for his favourite Major trophy, Woods did not hesitate in selecting the cherished Claret Jug awarded to winners of the British Open.

"The history and what it represents," he said. "Every single great champion has played in the British Open."

Fowler wins maiden PGA title in playoff McIlroy reclaims number one world ranking from Donald

Rickie Fowler delivered on his vast potential by claiming his first PGA Tour win at the Wells Fargo championship with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff against Briton Rory McIlroy and fellow American D.A. Points at Quail Hollow on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Fowler finally justified his billing as one of the game's top young players when he sank a four-footer for birdie at the 18th hole to claim victory at the Charlotte, North Carolina course.
"It's a good feeling right now," Fowler told reporters after winning in his 67th professional start. "Definitely some relief, satisfaction.

"I definitely knew I was good enough, and it was just getting everything to come together and stay patient."

Despite losing out in the playoff, the finish ensured US Open champion McIlroy, who is also 23, would reclaim the number one world ranking from Luke Donald.



Fowler fired a three-under-par 69 to join McIlroy (70) and Points (71) in the sudden-death playoff after tying at 14-under-par 274 after the regulation 72 holes.
Fowler, who had made the last US Ryder Cup team despite lacking a tour victory, saw the pressure lift off his shoulders when both Points and McIlroy missed their long birdie putts and had to settle for par.

McIlroy had left himself 34 feet from the cup after his approach shot, and Points was 41 feet away.

Home-town favorite Webb Simpson, the third-round leader who lives about a mile from the course, finished one stroke out of the playoff at 275 after posting a 73 for fourth place.

Two shots further back on 277 were Briton Lee Westwood (66) and Americans Ben Curtis (67) and Ryan Moore (74).

The Wells Fargo finish could presage a dynamic rivalry between the young Fowler and McIlroy, who two years ago fired a sensational, course-record 62 to win this tournament.

"I'm looking forward to playing with Rory for a long time," said Fowler, whose colourful outfits and all-orange Sunday get-up had brought him more attention than his tour results.

"We've always had a great camaraderie, been good buddies," Fowler said about the Northern Irishman.

"I've had a lot of fun playing against him. We first played against each other at the Walker Cup in '07, and I look forward to playing against him and hopefully having plenty more tournaments like this where we're battling back and forth."

After all three players found the fairway with their playoff drives, Fowler set up victory with his brilliant approach.

All three golfers had the chance to clinch victory during the final holes.

Points had a one-shot lead going to the final hole of regulation but knocked his approach shot into a bunker and took a bogey.

McIlroy had a shot at winning in regulation but missed a 15-foot birdie putt at the last.

Fowler had the outright lead until he drove into a fairway bunker at the 16th and then hit to a greenside bunker. He two-putted from 10 feet for bogey to slide back.

Dubai Ladies Masters raises global media value Alexis Thompson's triumph contributed to phenomenal success

The 2011 Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, won by US teenage sensation Alexis Thompson, generated a massive global media exposure giving ‘golf in Dubai’ and ‘Brand Dubai,’ in particular, a massive boost.
Held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Haya bint Al Hussein - wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai - the season-ending event of the Ladies European Tour played from December 14 to 17, reached millions of homes of worldwide, producing Global Media Value worth Dh382.5 million – a whopping 466 per cent increase in value since the inaugural edition in 2006.



In addition, commercials produced by CNN International in the run up to the event, reached over 170 million households and hotel rooms across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, bringing an unprecedented level of promotion to the euro 500,000 (Dh2.5 million) tournament, which has become the torch-bearers for ladies golf in the region.

The independent statistics, provided by Ladies European Tour, clearly shows ladies golf, once considered alien to the sporting fabric of the nation, has become very much part of Dubai’s vision in putting the Emirate on the sporting map, thus enhancing the Emirate’s image as an Arab city with “an international spirit and sensibility.”

Promoted and organised by ‘golf in Dubai,’ an event management company that operates under the umbrella of the Dubai Investment Corporation, the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters has grown in stature and popularity over the years, thanks to the regular participation of the world’s leading players, making it the 'Ladies Major of the Middle East'.

The tournament website (www.dubailadiesmasters.com) also recorded a new high with 27,737 visits from 120 countries, an increase of 22.46 per cent. Also, a total of 11,119 spectators turned up at the Emirates Golf Club to watch the proceedings, a healthy figure considering ladies golf is still new to the region.

The stunning victory of Thompson, who at age 16 years, 10 months and seven days, became the youngest professional to win tournaments on both sides of the Atlantic, greatly contributed to the phenomenal success of the tournament as the “breaking news” was splashed all over the newspapers and news sites in the United States of America.

Also included in the field were a slew of other LPGA stars, led by Michelle Wie and Christina Kim who joined Britian’s all-time great and golf in Dubai ambassador Laura Davies, Melissa Reid and Sophie Gustafson and a host of other top-draw from the Ladies European Tour, giving the tournament truly a global look.

The action on the course was equally thrilling with the strong 108-player field, representing 28 countries, producing six eagles (all on par-3, fifth hole), 995 birdies, 4,160 pars and 997 bogeys over the four days.

“The facts provided by the Ladies European Tour amply confirm the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters was well received on the international circuit and contributed immensely in showcasing Dubai’s attractions to the world,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in Dubai.

“We strive and assemble a top quality field that creates new storylines every year. The success of an event of this magnitude would not be possible without the generous support of key sponsors and I would like to especially thank the title sponsor, Omega, for their association. In fact, we have a great family of partners and patrons, and we value their support in raising the profile of the event.

“We feel proud and privileged to be part of a tradition that began in 2006 with the winner’s trophy serving as ladies golf’s one of the most valued treasures that holds significance to the players. Very soon we will announcing some big names who will be competing in the 2012 event.”