World's best in for a challenge

Dubai: The National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club has been upgraded to create a more challenging test for the world's top golfers when they tee off in January's 2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

The course, a five-time host of the PGA European Tour's Desert Swing curtain-raiser, has been modified in advance of the sixth edition of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which takes place from January 20-23.

At the forefront of the course upgrades are five new bunkers on holes two, five, six, 13 and 17.

They were all designed and implemented through the combined expertise of Troon Golf, the operator of Abu Dhabi Golf Club; Rob Shuttle, Senior Development Manager, Tourism Development and Investment Company, the master developer of major tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi; and MultiGolf, a company behind the sophisticated and unique bunkering at the Gary Player-designed course at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

The finished-sand hazards are, in typical National Course fashion, subtle and effective, with many bunkers pushed up closer to the greens.

Steeper faces

As opposed to simply deepening the traps, defined lips and steeper faces have been introduced to provide a strategic challenge for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship field, which currently boasts six of the world's top 10 players and all four Major winners from the 2010 season — the first time this has ever taken place outside the US.

The likes of Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Martin Kaymer are all confirmed in the race for the Falcon Trophy and the $2.7 million (Dh9.91 million) shared prize money. It's $500,000 up on 2010, which now makes this the richest event on the European Tour's Desert Swing.

"I think the players will enjoy the challenge of analysing the course changes and adapting their games," said Faisal Al Shaikh, Events Manager for Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the championship organiser.

"I am confident The National Course will once again provide a stern test for the field and offer the millions of television viewers tuning in around the world a fitting spectacle for what has become a flagship showpiece in Abu Dhabi's ever-evolving sporting calendar."

Abu Dhabi Golf Club's Andrew Whittaker, the course superintendent said: "We wanted to give the bunkers the impression of depth, so we've flushed the faces up rather than deepening the traps themselves.

"The result is a more visually stimulating experience for players and spectators," he said.

Tickets for sale

Championship tickets are Dh125 for a day pass and Dh400 for a four-day pass. Preferential rates of Dh100 and Dh300 apply to UGA members. Children under 18 admitted free with an adult. Car parking free.

Tickets at www.abudhabihsbcgolfchampionship.com, www.timeouttickets.com and www.itptickets.com. Phone bookings can be made toll-free at 800 4669, or +971 4 210 8943.

New event: First Saif Zone Sharjah Cup

Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club has released the entry forms for the first SAIF Zone Sharjah Cup which will be held over the weekend of January 28 and 29.

The 36-hole nett event will be a Stableford format and includes up to 104 players on the Friday. There will be two shotguns, one at 7.30am and the second at 1.00pm. The leading 52 players from day one will then progress to the second round on Saturday, which will feature tee time starts (from 6.50) with the leaders out last at 8.50.

Martin Duff, director of Golf at SGSC added: "The SAIF Zone Sharjah Cup will be primarily a nett event but run in a championship format. Players will use carts (both days) but only the leading 52 players from day one will progress to the second round. The main title is a nett award but there are also gross prizes, ladies prizes as well as daily prizes. Play will be from the white and yellow tees meaning the course will play at a comfortable 6,700 yards. We are really excited about this addition to the golfing calendar and are confident of a full field even though it's the event's first edition."

— Staff Report