Abu Dhabi GC

By Neville Leck Last updated: 23rd January 2012

A beautiful oasis of tranquility that carves its way through the desert, the course at the Abu Dhabi GC offers one of the most luxurious golf resort experiences in the Middle East.

Troon Golf, the world-renowned luxury-brand golf management, development and marketing company, has positioned the club as one of its 'facilities of excellence'.

Opened with the course in October 2000 and overlooking it like some giant guarding raptor, is the Abu Dhabi clubhouse which was built in the shape of a falcon with its wings outstretched.

Inside and out, this striking building with its three floors of restaurants, a fully equipped executive meeting room, and an extensive sports and fitness club, creates an atmosphere of relaxed elegance.

And all this is just 10 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport and 15 minutes from the city centre..

THE COURSE

The original 162-hectare, par-72 Abu Dhabi Championship course of 744O yards from the back tees, featured seven lakes and 90 bunkers and has been the permanent home of the European Tour's Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

With the first plantings having been started way back in 1992, its established surfaces are plush and pristine with Seashore Paspalm and Bermuda 419 being the grasses used for its tees and fairways. Tifdwarf Bermuda is the grass of choice for its greens..

Seashore Paspalum and Bermuda 419 are also used for its rough in winter, but in summer its rough is over-seeded with Pereniaz Ryegrass.

Designed by Peter Harradine, it has provided a tough but fair challenge, with lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers and generous greens.

And it's about to get tougher as we learned from this statement put out by Ken Kosak, the club's General Manager, just days before this week's tee-off on Thursday

"We are delighted to welcome the European Tour back to Abu Dhabi Golf Club and to have such an illustrious field is a testament to just how much the players enjoy visiting Abu Dhabi," said Kosak.

"We have some great new additions to the course and the falcon clubhouse has undergone a full refurbishment, which is going to make for the perfect setting for what we all believe will be yet another stunning championship.

"Having already received considerable praise from the world's best players, the additional length and strategic bunkering, as well as the refurbishment of existing bunkers, will add to the visual appeal and difficulty of the venue.

"New tees have been built on holes No 8 and No 10, both par-5's, and extensions made to the 6th and 14th, making the testing course 7,590 yards for the 2011 event.

As Abu Dhabi's meteoric rise to one of the world's top destinations continues, TDIC, the master developer of tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi, the owners of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, will unveil further developments at the club in the imminent future.

A Westin Hotel & Spa is being developed to open in 2011, which will sit alongside the iconic clubhouse, making the ideal base for visiting golfers.

TDIC's sustained investment in leisure facilities represents its ongoing commitment to further establishing Abu Dhabi Golf Club as one of the world's premier golfing destinations.

CARD OF THE COURSE:

(See under Hole No; Length in yards; par)

1 405 4 --- 10 582 5
2 600 5 --- 11 417 4
3 439 4 --- 12 186 3
4 174 3 --- 13 414 4
5 469 4 --- 14 490 4
6 469 5 --- 15 177 3
7 200 3 --- 16 475 4
8 597 5 --- 17 483 4
9 456 4 --- 18 557 5
1st nine: 3,809 yds, par 36
2nd nine: 3,781 yds, par 36
Total: 7590 yds, par 72

ABU DHABI CHAMPIONSHIP

Abu Dhabi Golf Club hosts the European PGA Tour's Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, the largest and most prestigious sporting event in the UAE capital.

The inaugural tournament was played in January 2006, with Chris DiMarco taking the honors.

In 2009 record crowds saw English Ryder Cup star Paul Casey, lift the trophy while for the last two year's the crown has been sitting firmly on the head of German star Martin Kaymer, the 2010 US PGA Champion..

PRACTICE FACILITIES:

The club boasts that it provides the 'very best practice facilities in the region'.

It includes a 17-acre floodlit driving range with a picturesque outlook and a tree-lined cut as well as practice putting and chipping greens.

The facility includes a Golf Institute run by Troon Golf that offers the highest standard of golf instruction and training facilities in the Middle East. It's instructors, the club claims on its website are committed to incorporating the latest instruction techniques, equipment and technology such as the V1 pro swing analysis system. All the while a fun and relaxed atmosphere enhances learning. The very latest V1 pro-swing analysis training system, as well as a state-of-the-art fitting system and an Explanar training aid are available on site

AIR-CONDITIONED GOLF CARTS

Abu Dhabi is not a cool place so the club provides the very latest technology golf carts with air-conditioning units providing a comfortable, cooling, golf experience.

Sensors are triggered when a passenger sits down, prompting the two mounted units on each cart to blow cool air on to the back of a passenger's neck. Sensors turn the units off when a player exits the cart to take a shot.

PRO SHOP

The club's well-stocked pro-shop carries all the leading brands including TaylorMade, Callaway, Titleist, Ping, Nike, Cobra and Greg Norman and caters to all a golfing needs, from clubs, balls, golf bags and the very latest fashion designs for all ages, to Abu Dhabi Championship merchandise.

OTHER FACILITIES:

The Abu Dhabi Golf Club's leisure facilities are second to none, they include:

- a state-of-the-art fitness centre with a gymnasium, a relaxing room with a plunge pool and an outdoor free-form swimming pool. 'Quick Fix', 'Pre & Post Natal' and 'Fore Fitness' for golfers are among the programs offered by its team of qualified instructors..A spa with sauna, a steam room and a Jacuzzi are among other facilities on offer at the fitness centre

- Squash: Racquet sports enthusiasts can play squash in two professional, glass-backed squash courts with stadium seating (including a bar area for light snacks and beverages).

Lessons are available by our resident professionals

WINING AND DINING

From casual meals to unparalleled fine dining, Abu Dhabi Golf Club offers them all.

You'll find offerings of light cuisine with a relaxed atmosphere at its poolside cafe or in its spike bar which has magnificent views overlooking the 9th and 18th Greens from its outdoor terrace.

But then if you like dressing for dinner and a fine dining experience with the taste of gourmet Italian cooking, that is available too - as is a suchi restaurant where talented chefs turn out dishes of exquisite Japanese delicacies such as sushi, sashimi and tempura.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership options include

- Golf & Country Club Membership

- Country Club Membership

- And these on an Individual, Family or Corporate member basis.

FEES: You will need to check the club website for up to date green fee rates and charges for other facilities

CONTACT DETAILS

Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Sas Al Nakhl, P.O.Box 51234, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Tel: +971 2 558 8990

Fax: +971 2 558 5005

URL: www.adgolfclub.com

Neville Leck