Rock to open golf academyin Abu Dhabi

Dubai: Hot prospect Robert Rock hopes to encourage UAE youngsters to take up golf after opening an academy in Abu Dhabi.

Rock, who sprang a major surprise by winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last month, aims to promote the sport in the region after signing a two-year agreement with his sponsor, the Emirates Palace Hotel, on Wednesday.

"It is the right time to start my plan, the academy will be training young ones in the UAE to play this game and raise knowledge of golf regionally," said Rock, who shot a one over par 73 in the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic yesterday.

"I believe that the emirate of Abu Dhabi has a great infrastructure to design and start the academy and then run it in the next few years.

"I'm delighted to be part of the Emirates Palace family. To win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship was the greatest achievement of my career, a great thrill that will always be associated with the Emirates Palace, where I was lucky enough to stay for the duration of the tournament. I'm proud and honoured by the association and look forward to a successful two years."

Rock captured the imagination of the golfing world with his stunning victory at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, which saw him eclipse some of the greatest names in golf, including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer.

It was Rock's second European Tour victory in seven months following his maiden win at the BMW Italian Open last June.

Bugra Berberoglu, General Manager of Emirates Palace Hotel, said, "We are pleased at the Emirates Palace to sign an agreement, as the official sponsor, for two years, with Robert Rock."