Teeing off in style

Dubai: Sample this. In March this year, the UAE recorded more than 54,000 rounds of golf, breaking the 50,000 mark for the first time in the sport's 24-year history in the UAE. Now, that is a lot of golf even in a country replete with world-class golf courses. And perhaps there is none better to exemplify that than the one at The Address Montgomerie Dubai.

Voted ‘Middle East's Leading Golf Course' in the World Travel Awards 2011, The Montgomerie Dubai boasts a 7,396-yard championship golf course designed by Colin Montgomerie, winner of a record eight European Tour Order of Merit titles, in association with Desmond Muirhead. Opened in October 2002, the spectacular links-style course, managed by Troon Golf is consistently ranked as one of the top courses in the Middle East. It is an 18 hole, par 72 championship course featuring unique characteristics such as a hand-shaped bunker on hole 17, a mammoth 656 yard 18th hole, as well as 81 bunkers and 14 lakes. The clubhouse is managed by the five-star premium hotel brand - The Address Hotels & Resorts and features 21 five-star hotel rooms, three international restaurants including the award winning restaurant Nineteen, a fitness centre and a Spa.

Gems galore

The course offers four grades of tees from Black Pearl which reaches 7,396 yards, to Sapphire at 6,720 yards, Emerald at 6,152 yards and Ruby at 5,394 yards, allowing for games of varying levels to be enjoyed. It features "419" Bermuda grass fairways and its greens are knitted with Tift Eagle ultradwarf Bermuda grass allowing for a perfect green.

For evening golfing enthusiasts, the course offers a 662-yard floodlit 9-hole par 3 Academy course.

You would of course be forgiven for thinking that this exclusive facility at Emirates Hills would get the competitive tongues wagging at other courses, but The Address Montgomerie Dubai's new general manager Ian McInally believes that golf clubs in the UAE should work closer together rather than against each other to continue the positive trend.

McInally, who has been in the role since March this year, was previously the Director of Golf at the highly regarded Jack Nicklaus-designed Monte Rei Golf and Country Club on the Algarve in Portugal, and also held the post as Director of Golf at St. Andrews among other notable golf properties.

"The UAE has a fast growing reputation locally and internationally as a golf destination of distinction and we all have a collective responsibility to uphold and strengthen that reputation.

"By coming together, championing each other's uniqueness and offering something for every type of golfer, we can all seek to benefit from the growth - not just of golfing tourism but of the domestic golf market too," he said.

The Montgomerie has recently announced its rates for the summer golf season. Summer rates from June 1 until September 30 start from Dh3,750 and members will receive 10% off all spa treatments, meals in any of the club's three dining facilities and off any apparel purchased in the Pro Shop.

BEAT THE HEAT

One can enjoy world class golf for as little as Dh200 per player and beat the heat between 10am and 2pm, five days a week at The Mongomerie Dubai.

Valid from June 1 until September 30, the offer is available from Sunday to Thursday and inclusive of shared golf cart and access to the driving range, chipping and putting green before your round of golf. Terms and conditions apply.