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SWISS.COM
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EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: HH Sayyid Tarik Bin ShabibEditorial: Mayank Singh, Visvas Paul D. Karra, Sushmita Sarkhel Production Manager: Govindraj RameshArt Directors: Sandesh S. Rangnekar, Minaal G. Pednekar Photographers: Rajesh Burman, Sathyadas C. Narayan
MARKETING Avi Titus Das, Jacob George, Jinu Mathew Varghese, Kush Gupta
CORPORATE Chief Executive: Sandeep SehgalExecutive Vice President: Alpana RoyVice President: Ravi Raman
Senior Business Support Executive: Radha Kumar
Published byUnited Press & Publishing LLCPO Box 3305, Ruwi, Postal Code - 112Muscat, Sultanate of OmanTel: (968) 24700896, Fax: (968) 24707939Email: [email protected]
Distribution United Media Services LLCAll rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The publisher does not accept responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person or organisation acting or refraining as a result of material in this publication. OER accepts no responsibility for advertising content.
Copyright © 2010 United Press & Publishing LLC
Printed by Oman Printers
Correspondence should be sent to:Oman Economic ReviewUnited Media ServicesPO Box 3305, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of OmanFax: (968)24707939Email: [email protected], Website: www.oeronline.com
Foreword
Tee off For most golf aficionados, the news of Tiger woods - the most recognised
sporting icon, having a string of extra marital affairs came as a shocker. But
controversies were neither limited to golf nor were they in shortage. The global
financial crisis was blackened by so many frauds and cheaters that nobody really cared
to recall the names of the culprits, honestly. But life is all about putting the past behind
and looking towards a bright future. The year 2010 has begun on a cheerful note and
the positive feel is spreading fast across the board to everyone.
For Tee Time, the official magazine of oer Ceo Golf, there couldn’t have been a
better time as the most awaited event of corporate oman’s business calendar is happening
on the lively green turf of Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club, the country’s premier
golfing destination. Set amidst dramatic natural mountain settings and billed as the
first of its kind in the Middle east, the greens of Muscat Hills also signal the fact that
oman’s golfing has come of age.
The sixth edition of Tee Time – an oer presentation coinciding with the oer
Ceo Golf 2010 comes with a variety of articles that would appeal to professionals and
laymen alike. over the last five years oer Ceo Golf has been played with unmatched
zing and gusto. The nail-biting action and fun has been carried over into the 2010
edition as well.
Happy teeing.
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NewsA round up of the biggest events
Golf CalendarImportant fixtures
Golf mechanics Commonly used parlances
An aligned approach Corporate Partnerships for OER CEO Golf 2010
Fashion on the fairwayThere’s more to it than what meets the eye on the greens
Golf humourLaughs from the course
Tiger Wood - Rise and shine
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28The Eves reign
A look at some of the prominent women who have
made a mark in golf
20OER CEO GOLF 2009 - A pictorial review
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64Golf Gadgets
Spoilt for choiceWith Oman getting a number of championship standard green courses golf tourism is set to take off in a big way
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10 Looking back
The lasT season was a year of shocks, surprises, broken records and much more. here’s a look aT some of The mosT Talked abouT headlines in The golfing world
NICK FALdo reCeIVeS KNIGHTHood
Faldo was given a knighthood by Queen
elizabeth II for his services to golf, the only
athlete to be given one of Britain’s highest
honours on the monarch’s birthday list last
year. Faldo, only the second professional golfer
to receive a knighthood following Sir Henry
Cotton in 1988, won his first professional title
in 1977 and added 46 more wins worldwide—
including three Masters and three British
opens. The 51-year-old golfer has made a
series of entrepreneurial moves, designing
golf courses all over the world and working
as a television commentator. He received a
Member of the order of the British empire
(MBe) in 1987.
“I am more than a little bit humbled to have
been afforded this great honor,” Faldo said. “It
has come as a real surprise, and the reaction
from my children, family and friends has made
this a very special moment for me.”
AMATeUr dANNY Lee BeCoMeS YoUNGeST wINNer
New Zealand teenager danny Lee became the youngest player to
win a professional european Tour event with victory in the Johnnie
walker Classic at Perth. The 18-year-old produced a superb finish to
win the tournament by a single stroke and enhance his reputation as
one of golf ’s most exciting young players.
“It was a pro event. All I wanted to do was make the cut and play
well and get in the top-20. But I played extremely well and I won it.”
Lee, who is 18 years and 213 days old, beat the previous european
Tour record of South African dale Hayes, who won the 1971 Spanish
open at the age of 18 years and 290 days. Lee was born in South
Korea but moved to New Zealand with his family when he was eight.
He made headlines in 2008 when he eclipsed Tiger woods as the
youngest U.S. amateur champion.
That victory earned him an automatic place in last year’s U.S.
Masters and U.S. open, on the condition he retains his amateur
status. By winning the Johnnie walker Classic, Lee would have been
entitled to the first prize of 235,892 euros but does not plan to turn
professional until after his first major appearance.
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For THe 2016 oLYMPICS
The International olympic Committee (IoC)
confirmed that Golf and rugby sevens were added
to the olympic schedule from the 2016 Games in
rio de Janeiro.
The two sports were added to the Summer Games
line-up after a vote of members at the IoC session in
Copenhagen. Golf earned 63 votes for inclusion and 27
against and has been guaranteed an appearance for two
consecutive games. Golf was last featured in an olympics
in 1904, an absence of more than a century. The IoC,
eager to revamp its sports programme to attract younger
viewers, voted to raise the number of sports to 28 for the
rio olympics, including the fast-paced version of rugby
played with seven players instead of 15 and men’s and
women’s 72-hole stroke play for golf.
“we are elated that the IoC membership has
accepted golf as an olympic sport, and look forward to
seeing the world’s best golfers compete for gold at the
2016 olympic Games in rio de Janeiro,” said Ty Votaw,
executive director of the International Golf Federation
olympic Golf Committee, which has coordinated golf ’s
olympic bid. “we thank the IoC for its support, and
also congratulate rugby sevens for its inclusion in the
2016 Games.”
MICKeLSoN SUSPeNded ToUr SCHedULe
Phil Mickelson’s wife, Amy, was diagnosed with
breast cancer, and the three-time major champion
suspended his PGA Tour indefinitely.
However, the good news was that the cancer
was detected early enough to be treated and Amy
had a strong possibility of being completely cured.
Sarah Strange, a breast cancer survivor and wife of
former ryder Cup captain Curtis Strange, said Amy
Mickelson’s outgoing personality would play a big
part in her recovery. Unfortunately, just six weeks
later, Mickelson’s mother was also detected with
breast cancer. It has been reported that Amy is still
undergoing treatment.
Mickelson met his wife in 1992 when he was a
senior at Arizona State, a year after he won his first
PGA Tour event as an amateur. They were married
in 1996 and have three children: Amanda, 9,
Sophia, 7, and evan, 6.
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NICKLAUS HoNoUred wITH GwAA’S BArTLeTT AwArd
Legend Jack Nicklaus, whose commitment to charitable giving has spanned
four decades and is embodied in The Memorial Tournament and the Nicklaus
Children’s Health Care Foundation, was honored with the Golf writers
Association of America’s Charlie Bartlett Award.
The award, named after the first secretary of the GwAA, is given to a
professional golfer for his/her unselfish contributions to the betterment
of society.
The 69-year-old Hall of Famer, has focused his charitable concerns on
children in need. His passion, along with that of wife Barbara, led to the creation
of the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, which provides pediatric
health care services for children in a five-county area of South Florida. The
primary beneficiary of the Honda Classic, the Foundation supports activities
that advance and enhance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of childhood
diseases and disorders and supports not-for-profit programs and projects aimed
at children’s health, safety, and well-being. It provides programs and services to
more than 4,000 hospitalized children and their families, free of charge, through
the creation of the Child Life Institute in 2007.
The Memorial Tournament, which Nicklaus founded in 1976, supports the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus,
ohio, as well as many other leading charitable organizations within
Central ohio.
Nicklaus, whose charitable commitments began shortly after launching his
professional career in 1962, supports such diverse causes as The Buoniconti
Fund to Cure Paralysis, The Barbara and Jack Nicklaus Junior Golf endowment
Fund, The everglades Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the American
Heart Association and the robert T. Jones, Jr., Memorial Scholarship Fund.
New rULe reGArdING GrooVeS IN IroNS & wedGeS
The U.S. Golf Association and royal & Ancient Golf Club
had announced back in 2008 that effective January 1, 2009 the
dimensions in grooves—from the 5-iron through wedges—would
change to create less spin when the ball was struck. The idea was
to make shots out of the rough more difficult, putting a higher
premium on driving accuracy. Finchem was under increasing
pressure from players and some equipment companies to postpone
this by one year. But after a spirited discussion by the PGA Tour
policy board, Finchem decided to stay the course.
Grooves previously were U shaped with sharp edges, allowing
high-skilled players to generate enormous spin. The USGA was
concerned that players were able to spin the ball out of the rough,
allowing for shots to stop more quickly on the green. It felt that
players no longer were penalized severely for missing the fairway.
Golf officials said recreational players could continue using irons
that were manufactured through 2010, and the new rules would
not apply to them until at least 2024. Also, the grooves rule would
not apply for events like the U.S. Amateur until 2014.
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eUrASIA GoLF LAUNCHed New ToUrNeY IN INdIA
The first new tournament for the alliance between the european
and Asian golf tours was staged at an Arnold Palmer-designed course
in New delhi in February. The joint venture company, known as
eurAsia Golf Ltd, co-sanctioned the $2.1 million Avantha Masters
with the Professional Golf Tour of India at the dLF Golf and
Country Club from February 11-14.
The european Tour co-sanctioned two events in New delhi in
2008, including the Johnnie walker Classic at the dLF club, with
the Asian and Indian tours. It has been co-sanctioning events with
the Asian Tour since 1999.
“Professional golf in India has taken an enormous step forward
in recent years, assisted by the superb achievements of a number
of players, led by Jeev Milkha Singh,” said european Tour chief
executive George o’Grady. “The european Tour has always enjoyed
a rich and varied tournament portfolio and we are delighted to be
returning to New delhi for the first event in our new collaboration
with the Asian Tour, under the eurAsia banner, and the PGTI.”
The New delhi event was among five new tournaments in
an expanded schedule for the Asian Tour, which expanded to 28
tournaments. The tour also planned to launch a second tier circuit,
the Asian development Tour, for emerging players who do not have
full playing rights on the Asian Tour, similar to the Nationwide Tour
in the United States and the european Challenge Tour.
eurAsia Golf Ltd was formed in July 2009 to solidify the
relationship between the tours and handle commercial operations of
all the existing and new events co-sanctioned by the european and
Asian tours.
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10 MUNIYAPPA wINS
THe INdIAN oPeN IN PLAYoFF
Chinaswamy Muniyappa of India won the
Indian open in a playoff against Lee Sung of
South Korea to earn his first Asian Tour title.
Muniyappa shot a 2-under 70 on Sunday and
then won with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
Lee (69) forced the playoff with a birdie on
the 18th that tied him with Muniyappa at
12-under 276. The win his first Asian Tour title
and the future promises many more. Muniyappa
held his nerve in the playoff to add his name
to list of Indian golfing greats. “This is the first
year I am playing on Asian Tour. I have played
10 events in Asian Tour and learnt a lot. Before
this I didn’t had a sponsor or money to go and
play. Now I have got money and I can play in
european Tour,” said Muniyappa.
PAKISTAN QUALIFIeS For FIrST worLd CUP
Pakistan qualified for its first Mission Hills
world Cup last year by finishing in the top
three at the Asian qualifying tournament.
The Pakistan duo of Muhammad Shabbir
and Muhammad Munir shot a 3-under 68
in the final round foursomes at Seri Selangor
Golf Club, Malaysia for a 10-under 269 total.
Pakistan was third behind Singapore and the
Philippines, who also qualified.
The Singapore team of Lam Chih Bing
and Mardan Mamat won the qualifying
tournament with a four-day total of 15-under
269, a shot ahead of the Phillipines duo of
Mars Pucay and Angelo Que.
MICHAeL JoNZoN’S 12 YeAr wAIT For VICTorY
Michael Jonzon ended his 12-year wait for
his second european Tour victory when the
Swede won the Castello Masters last year. The
37-year-old stayed calm to birdie the final hole
and post a four-under-par 67 for a 20-under
total of 264, one stroke better than Germany’s
Martin Kaymer and Swede Christian Nilsson.
Since he won the 1997 Portuguese open,
Jonzon’s career had failed to take off. But
Castello Masters’ victory moved him from
158th on the money-list to 65th. “I was so
proud of myself holing that putt on the last,”
he told reuters. “I was determined not to let
the win get away from me.”
PGA ToUr rAISed $108 MILLIoN For CHArITIeS IN ’09The PGA Tour announced on January 25, 2010 the creation of a new
web site to tout its charitable endeavors, which raised $108 million
last year. The amount, raised through tournaments on the PGA Tour,
Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour, raises the organization’s all-time
total to nearly $1.5 billion. The 2009 contributions, achieved during a
depressed economy, fell short of the record $124 million raised in 2008.
The Tour plans to enhance its charitable efforts with a new public-
service campaign – “Together, anything’s possible”. The campaign
complements the new web site – www.pgatour.com/together – that will
provide information on tournament and player causes and provide a
means of contributing to them. The web site, in part, will highlight the
significant contributions tournaments make in their communities. Among
the events that raised the most money: The Valero Texas open led the
way with $8 million, and both the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
and Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial topped $5 million. Those that
raised more than $4 million were the waste Management Phoenix open
(formerly FBr open), HP Byron Nelson Championship, John deere
Classic, THe Players Championship and The Presidents Cup.
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ABU dHABI GoLF CLUB wINS BeST GoLF CoUrSe & BeST GoLF CLUB AT MIddLe eAST GoLF AwArdS
Abu dhabi Golf Club (AdGC) scooped the
“Best Golf Course in the Middle east” award and
“Best Golf Club (overall) in the Middle east” at this
year’s Middle east Golf Awards.
It was in fact the third straight year that
Abu dhabi Golf Club has claimed the title, an
unprecedented achievement in the Middle east
golf ’s history, and the second time in three years to
win the Best Golf Club (overall) award.
AdGC, home to the european PGA Tour’s Abu
dhabi Golf Championship, so deservedly won the
coveted “Best Golf Course in the Middle east”
award for the third year running as well as the award
for “Best Golf Club (overall) in the Middle east”.
Players at this year’s Championship were consistently
rich in praise for the condition of the course and the
challenge they were presented with as well as their
enjoyment of the time spent in the ever growing
emirate. Abu dhabi Golf Club remains a central
part of the vision in promoting the UAe capital of
Abu dhabi as an international golf destination and
is viewed very much as the home of golf
in the region.
ANNA NordQVIST ANd SoPHIe GUSTAFSoN wIN 2009 oMeGA dUBAI LAdIeS MASTerS CHALLeNGe MATCH
Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and Sophie
Gustafson birdied the closing hole to win the
omega dubai Ladies Masters Challenge Match,
sponsored by Jumeirah Golf estates, at emirates
Golf Club’s par-3 course. The Swedish duo, were
leading by one shot going into the final round
of a greensomes format competition, kept up
their dominance to see off the challenge of their
nearest rivals In-Kyung Kim (US) and Anja
Monke (Germany), who also picked up a shot
on the final hole.
2009 LPGA Champion Anna Nordqvist,
provided a glimpse of her precocious talent
when she drilled her tee shot close to the pin,
agonisingly missing out on a hole-in-one feat by
just two inches.
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LPGA LAUNCHed ‘oUTSIde THe roPeS’ ProGrAMMe
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA)
formally launched LPGA outside the ropes – an
outreach program embraced by LPGA Tour players
to elevate their significant off-course activities. The
community and charitable activities primarily have been
designed to benefit tournaments and title sponsors.
“Community outreach is part of the dNA of the
LPGA, and with LPGA outside the ropes, we will
further expand our commitment to help tournaments,
sponsors and the media in 2010,” said the then LPGA
Acting Commissioner Marty evans, who had been
participating in several outside the ropes activities in
the 2009 season.
As part of the initiative, an outside the ropes logo
was created and to be associated with activities to
further raise awareness and help provide a central link
for players’ significant contributions. Under the outside
the ropes heading, this body of work served as both
an asset and a tool for the LPGA, its tournaments and
other stakeholders.
The new outside the ropes program will enable
the LPGA to effectively organize, capture, quantify
and leverage all of this good work in 2010 and beyond.
The association-wide program incorporates the LPGA
Tour, LPGA Teaching & Club Professionals, duramed
FUTUreS Tour and the LPGA Foundation.
LPGA GeTS New BoArd oF dIreCTorS
Carolyn Bivens resigned as LPGA Tour commissioner, bowing to pressure from players who were
upset about the organization’s economic woes and her leadership and Marsha evans had taken over
as interim commissioner.
Bivens’ departure seemed increasingly likely after a group of players had written a letter to the
LPGA Tour’s board of directors calling for her to quit. “we reached a point which made it difficult
for Carolyn herself to see herself going forward and being able to lead in this environment,” board
chairwoman dawn Hudson said. “we had to change something.”
Bivens’ four-year tenure had been plagued with difficulties and controversies. The tour has lost
seven tournaments since 2007, and in 2008 Bivens was widely criticized when she proposed an
english-only policy for tour players. It was never instituted.
Mike whan was appointed the new Commissioner and began his tenure on January 4, 2010.
Tony Ponturo, Ceo of Ponturo Management Group and former top executive at Anheuser-
Busch, was elected as an independent director of theLPGA Board of directors by the membership
of the LPGA Tour. Ponturo and Leslie Greis (Vice President), were reelected, and will be serving
three-year terms starting this year.
The 2010 LPGA Board of directors consists of player members Helen Alfredsson, Michelle
ellis, Pat Hurst, Stacy Prammanasudh, Sherri Steinhauer, Katie Futcher and Kim Hall; dana rader,
national president of the LPGA Teaching & Club Professionals; and independent directors Hudson,
Greis, Ponturo and Bill Susetka. Two additional independent directors will be added at a later date.
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March
15th – 21st USPGA : Transitions Championship Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Palm Harbour, florida, USA
18th – 21st Hassan II Golf Trophy Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, Rabat, Morocco
22nd – 28th USPGA : Arnold Palmer Invitational Bay Hill Club and lodge, Orlando, florida, USA
22nd – 28th lPGA : Kia Classic Presented by J Golf la Costa Resort & Spa GC, San Diego, California, USA
25th – 28th Open de Andalucía de Golf Parador de Málaga Golf, Málaga, Spain
26th – 28th Berenberg Bank Masters The links, fancourt, South Africa
april
1st – 4th USPGA : Shell Houston Open Redstone Golf Club, Houston, Texas, USA
1st – 4th lPGA : The Kraft Nabisco Championship Mission Hills Country Club Rancho Mirage, California, USA
8th – 11th The Masters Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, USA
15th – 16th lPGA : The Mojo 6 Cinnamon Hill GC, Montego Bay, Jamaica
15th – 18th USPGA : Verizon Heritage Harbour Town Golf links, Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA
19th – 25th USPGA : Zurich Classic of New Orleans TPC louisiana, New Orleans, louisiana, USA
26th – 2nd May USPGA: Quail Hollow Championship Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
May
3rd – 9th USPGA : The Players Championship Sawgrass Country Club, Ponte Vedra Beach, florida, USA
13th – 16th lPGA : Bell Micro lPGA Classic Robert Trent Jones GC, Mobile, Alabama, USA
13th – 16th USPGA : Valero Texas Open TPC San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
19th – 23rd USPGA : HP Byron Nelson Championship TPC at four Seasons, Irving, Texas, USA
20th – 23rd lPGA : Sybase Match Play Championship Hamilton farm Golf Club, Gladstone, New Jersey, USA
27th – 30th USPGA : Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Colonial CC, ft. Worth, Texas, USA
June
3rd – 6th USPGA : The Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio, USA
10th – 13th USPGA : St. Jude Classic TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
14th – 21st US Open Golf Tournament Pebble Beach, California, USA
18th – 20th Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open Royal Porthcawl G.C., Mid Glamorgan, Wales
21st – 27th lPGA Championship presented by Wegmans locust Hill Country Club, Rochester, New York, USA
29th – 4th July USPGA : AT&T National Aronimink Golf Club, Newton Square, Pennsylvania, USA
July
1st – 4th Alstom Open de france le Golf National, Paris, france
MAJORTOURNAMENTS OF
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8th – 11th US Women’s Open Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA
15th – 18th The 139th Open Championship Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland, UK
22nd – 25th RBC Canadian Open St. George’s G & CC, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
29th – 1st August Ricoh Women’s British Open The Royal Birkdale Golf Club, South Port, England, UK
august
3rd – 8th USPGA : Bridgestone Invitational firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio, USA
9th – 15th PGA Championship Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wisconsin, USA
26th – 29th USPGA : Barclays Golf Classic first Tennessee Pavilion, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
26th – 29th Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland, UK
septeMber
2nd – 5th Omega European Masters Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans Montana, Switzerland
8th – 12th USPGA : BMW Championship Cog Hill Country Club, lemont, Illinois, USA
30th – 3rd October Viking Classic Annandale GC, Madison, Mississippi, USA
30th – 3rd October Acapulco lPGA Classic Acapulco, Mexico
OctOber
1st – 3rd The Ryder Cup Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, South Wales, UK
7th – 10th The McGladrey Classic Seaside Course, Sea Island, Georgia, USA
7th – 10th Alfred Dunhill links Championship Old Course St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, Scotland, UK
14th – 17th frys.com Open CordeValle Golf Club, San Martin, California, USA
21st – 24th Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open TPC Summerlin, las Vegas, Nevada, USA
28th – 31st Andalucia Masters Valderrama GC, Sotogrande, Andalucia, Spain
nOveMber
4th – 7th World Golf Championships – HSBC Championships Sheshan International GC, Shanghai, China
5th – 7th lPGA : Mizuno Classic Shima-shi, Mie, Japan
11th – 14th Children’s Miracle Network Classic Magnolia GC and Palm GC, lake Buena Vista, florida, USA
11th – 14th Barclays Singapore Open The Tanjong & The Serapong, Sentosa GC, Singapore
18th – 21st lPGA Tour Championship TBD
18th – 21st Hong Kong Open Hong Kong Golf Course, fanling, Hong Kong
25th – 28th Dubai World Championship Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, UAE
DeceMber
8th – 11th Omega Dubai ladies Masters Emirates Golf Course, (Majlis Course), Dubai, UAE
2 1
16
Golf mechanicsThe intricacies of golf are only understood when you actually get down to the brass-tacks. Here are some commonly used golf parlances.
Stroke mechanicslThe drive is used on the tee box to tee off
long distances. lThe approach is used in long to mid distance
shots lThe chip is used for relatively short distance
shots around the green. The goal of the chip
is to land the ball safely on the green allowing
it to roll out towards the hole. lThe putt is used in short distance shots on or
near the green. The goal of the putt is to get
the ball in the hole or as close to the hole
as possible.
PenaltiesPenalties are incurred in certain situations.
They are counted towards a player’s score as if
there were extra swing(s) at the ball. Strokes are
added for rule infractions or for hitting one’s
ball into an unplayable situation. A lost ball or a
ball hit out of bounds result in a penalty of one
stroke and distance.
ParA hole is classified by its par – the number
of strokes a skilled golfer should require to
complete play of the hole. For example, a skilled
golfer expects to reach the green on a par-four
hole in two strokes. This would be considered
a Green in regulation or GIr: one from the
tee (the ‘drive’) and another, second, stroke to
the green (the ‘approach’); and then roll the ball
into the hole in two putts for par. A golf hole is
either a par-three, -four or -five, rarely -six, very
rarely -seven.
The key factor for classifying the par of a
hole is the distance from the tee to the green.
eighteen hole courses may have four par-three,
ten par-four, and four par-five holes, though
other combinations exist and are not less
worthy than courses of par 72. Many major
championships are contested on courses playing
to a par of 70, 71, or 72. Additionally, in some
Stroke playIn stroke play, the score achieved for each and
every hole of the round or tournament is added
to produce the total score, and the player with
the lowest score wins. Stroke play is the game
most commonly played by professional golfers.
If there is a tie after the regulation number of
holes in a professional tournament, a playoff
takes place between all tied players. Playoffs are
either sudden death or employ a pre-determined
number of holes, anywhere from three to a full
18. In sudden death, a player who scores lower
on a hole than all of his opponents wins the
match.
Handicap systemsA handicap is a numerical measure of an
amateur golfer’s ability to play golf over the
course of 18 holes. Handicaps can be applied
either for stroke play competition or match play
competition. In either competition, a handicap
generally represents the number of strokes
above par that a player will achieve on an above
average day (ie, when playing well).
In stroke play competition, the competitor’s
handicap is subtracted from their total ‘gross’
score at the end of the round, to calculate a ‘net’
score against which standings are calculated.
In match play competition, handicap strokes
are assigned on a hole-by-hole basis, according
to the handicap rating of each hole (which is
provided by the course). The hardest holes on
the course receive the most handicap strokes,
with the easiest holes receiving the least
handicap strokes.
Handicap systems are not used in professional
golf. Professional golfers often score several
strokes below par for a round and thus have
a calculated handicap of 0 or less, meaning
that their handicap results in the addition of
strokes to their round score. Someone with a
handicap of zero or less is often referred to as a
scratch golfer.
countries, courses are classified according to
their play difficulty, which may be used to
calculate a golfer’s playing handicap for a given
course.
BASIC FORMS OF GOLFMatch PlayIn match play, two players (or two teams) play
each hole as a separate contest against each
other. The party with the lower score wins that
hole, or if the scores of both players or teams
are equal the hole is ‘halved’ (tied). The game
is won by the party that wins more holes than
the other. In the case that one team or player
has taken a lead that cannot be overcome in
the number of holes remaining to be played,
the match is deemed to be won by the party in
the lead, and the remainder of the holes are not
played. For example, if one party already has
a lead of six holes, and only five holes remain
to be played on the course, the match is over.
At any given point, if the lead is equal to the
number of holes remaining, the match is said
to be ‘dormie’, and is continued until the leader
increases the lead by one hole or ties any of the
remaining holes, thereby winning the match,
or until the match ends in a tie with the lead
player’s opponent winning all remaining holes.
Specific term Definition
Condor four strokes under par Albatross three strokes under par Eagle two strokes under par Birdie one stroke under par Par equal to par Bogey one stroke over par Double Bogey two strokes over par Triple Bogey three strokes over par Quadruple Bogey four strokes over par
Scoring In every form of play, the goal is to play as few strokes per round as possible. A ‘hole in one’ (or an ‘ace’) occurs when a golfer sinks his ball into the cup with his first stroke (a drive from the tee). Common scores for a hole also have specific terms.
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An aligned approach The prestige and aura of OER CEO Golf 2010 has encouraged some of the biggest
names of Oman Inc. to associate themselves with the event.
The Ceo Sport – golf has always been
a big draw for business leaders. The
challenge of playing against oneself,
focus and attention that the game requires and the
networking opportunity provided by the game
keeps drawing corporate captains to the game.
The game has steadily been gaining popularity
in the Sultanate. And with the opening of the
Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club golf course
which offers an 18-hole, championship standard
experience the popularity of the game can
only sore.
over the last six years oer Ceo Golf has
played a seminal role in educating and spreading
awareness of the Ceo sport in oman. Ceo
golfing - as the event is now referred to by
participants, is more than just golf. The oer
Ceo Golf event has been, traditionally, the
unique networking opportunity every year for
the crème-de-la-crème of oman’s corporate
society. The most anticipated corporate event
in oman, oer Ceo Golf, is being played
this year on oman’s premier green golfing
venue - the 18-hole Par 72 PGA-standard
championship golf course at the Muscat Hills
Golf & Country Club.
The power and prestige of oer Ceo Golf
has encouraged a number of companies to
associate themselves with the event. The oer
Ceo Golf 2010 edition is being presented
by Nawras Business Solutions; in association
with National Bank of oman; in time with
rolex from Khimji’s watches and partnered by
BMw.
The other partners of the event include
Times of Oman and Al Shabiba, the publicity
partners; Hi!, Faces and Al Youm Al Sabe as the
media sponsors. Prize partners include Capital
Store and Samsung. Venue décor is provided
by Al Turki enterprises; Matharoo Trading
and Contracting Company and Green olive
enterprises. The category partners include
Cybex (Fitness), oUA (Beverage), Infoline (Call
centre), Axa Insurance (Insurance), Al Sawadi
Beach resort (Hospitality), oman Printers &
Stationers Co (Printing), Aggreko (energy); Jet
Airways (Airline); Signature (Luxury partner)
and Muscat Hills (Venue). The support partners
include Majees, ramniklal B. Kothary & Co.
and Almarai.
lending support Nawras Business Solutions will again be the
corporate captain at oer Ceo Golf 2010.
That’s not all, the support has, this year, been
signed up for 3 years up to the 8th edition of
oer Ceo Golf in 2012. Speaking about
Nawras’ decision to commit to presenting oer
Ceo Golf, Nawras Ceo, ross Cormack said,
“we are delighted to be sponsoring this event
for the second year running and excited that
this year it will be taking place on the first green
golf course in oman. This is particularly apt
as Nawras is no stranger to introducing many
communication ‘firsts’ for customers. our long
term commitment will see Nawras Business
Solutions presenting oer Ceo Golf with
pleasingly different networking opportunities
in this informal environment for the next
three years.”
oman’s customer-friendly mobile
communications service provider, Nawras,
is committed to enhancing people’s daily
lives, making life more versatile and always
a pleasingly different experience. For real
corporate mobility, and enhancing business
efficiency, Nawras Business Solutions has been
the right choice for many organizations. with
their vision to enrich the lives of people in
oman, Nawras constantly strives to be caring,
excellent and pleasing, striving to build close
relationships. They believe that people should
have the time to focus on the important things
in life. For this reason, they are always on the
lookout for avenues that significantly enhance
the quality of people’s lives. Considering their
corporate ethos, it is not difficult to understand
why they have agreed to be the Corporate
Presenters of the 6th edition of oer Ceo
Golf too.
Speaking about the three-year agreement,
Sandeep Sehgal, Ceo of United Media Services
Tore Solberg, Chief Commercial Officer, Nawras and Sandeep Sehgal, CEO, UMS (right) at the OER CEO GOLF 2010 signing ceremony
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LLC says, “The partnership reiterates Nawras’
commitment to the event and brings value to it.
over the years oer Ceo Golf has grown into
a media asset that gives partners an opportunity
to interact and engage with an elite target
audience. The inherent strength of this property
along with a preferred partner like Nawras
ensures that oer Ceo Golf will grow from
strength-to-strength in the coming years.”
On boardIn addition to Nawras, oer Ceo Golf is
being partnered by National Bank of oman
(NBo). david Power, NBo’s General Manager,
Chief of retail Banking said: “NBo is well
known in the banking industry for launching
many firsts. we are indeed honored to sponsor
the prestigious oer Ceo Golf Tournament,
which will be held at Muscat Hills, oman’s
first green golf course. The decision insures
that professional golf will continue to grow
in the Sultanate as we look forward to a long
lasting relationship with oer and their many
initiatives.” Humayun Kabir, NBo’s General
Manager, Chief of Business Banking said:
“NBo continues to remain committed to
supporting all major sporting and community
related events in the Sultanate. we are proud to
be ‘Associate Presenter’ of the prestigious ‘oer
Ceo Golf Tournament’. The tournament
provides us an ideal opportunity to mingle
informally with our valued customers and
high profile members of oman’s Business
Community
National Bank of oman (NBo), the first local
bank in the Sultanate of oman, was founded in
1973 and is today the second largest bank in
oman. The Bank offers cutting-edge financial
solutions, designed to keep pace with businesses
as well as tailor-made to meet individual needs.
whether it is financial requirements within the
Sultanate of oman or beyond, the Bank has
the people, the expertise and the technology,
to be a trusted partner, in everything that
customers do.
rolex from Khimji’s watches continues to
partner the event this year too. Says Anil Khimji
director, Khimji ramdas, “rolex is associated
with premium golf events globally; and it was
quite natural for Khimji’s watches to have tied
up with oer Ceo Golf from its very inception.
rolex stands for perfection and class and these
values resonate well with all those who would
be participating in this event. Khimji’s watches,
the final word in luxury watches and accessories
in oman today, is happy to be associated again
with this much anticipated and high profile
event of the year. It’s a win-win situation for us
as event partners; but for the most promising
golfer-to-be this could be the most exciting
win of all; when he takes home a rolex. I wish
this programme grand success.” Says Alpana
roy, executive Vice President, UMS, “This is
the opportunity for real top-flight brands to be
associated with a high-profile event in oman.
It’s become the most anticipated up-market
event of the year in oman, and every year, we
try to make more exciting.” with some of the
biggest names in corporate oman associating
themselves with the oer Ceo Golf, the event
can only get bigger and better from here.
Sandeep Sehgal, CEO, UMS (left) with Anil Khimji, Director, Khimji Ramdas at the OER CEO GOLF 2010 signing ceremony with Rolex
(Top) Humayun Kabir GM, Chief of Business Banking, NBO
David Power GM, Chief of Retail Banking, NBO
OER CEOGOLF2009 -A walk down memory lane
eves reign
Women have made their mark on the greens around the world asserting their supremacy on demanding greens across the globe. The following pages give a glimpse of some of the great ladies on the fairways.
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Lorena ochoaThe prodigy
Growing up next to the Guadalajara
Country Club, ochoa took up golf
from the tender age of five and won
her first national event at seven. As a junior she
won 22 state and 44 national events and went
onto win five consecutive titles at the Junior
world Golf Championships. In 2000, ochoa
enrolled at the University of Arizona and was
very successful in women’s collegiate golf in the
next two years. In 20 collegiate tournaments,
ochoa posted 12 victories and six seconds.
In November 2001, ochoa was presented
with Mexico’s National Sports Award by
Mexican President Vicente Fox and was the
youngest recipient of her country’s highest
sporting accolade, and the first golfer to receive
it. In 2006 she was named NCAA division I
women’s Golf Most outstanding Student
Athlete, an award which was bestowed as
part of the 25th Anniversary of women’s
Championships celebration, taking into
account outstanding performances over the
past 25 years. She was the recipient of the
2003 Nancy Lopez Award which is presented
annually to the world’s most outstanding female
amateur golfer.
ochoa turned pro in 2002. Playing on the
Futures Tour, ochoa won three of 10 events she
entered and led the money list, earning her LPGA
Tour card for 2003. Her first LPGA victory came
at the 2004 Franklin American Heritage. She won
one more time that year, while setting LPGA Tour
rookies for most birdies, most rounds under par
and most rounds in the 60s. At The old Course at
St. Andrews, in the 2007 women’s British open,
ochoa earned her first major title. She went
on to win eight times total in 2007, becoming
the first LPGA golfer to cross the $3 million
single-season earnings mark, and was named
one of the 100 most influential people in the
world by TIMe.
At The Old Course at St. Andrews, in the 2007 Women’s British Open, Ochoa earned her first major title
mexican golfing prodigy, lorena ochoa plays on The us-based lpga Tour and is currenTly The
number one ranked woman golfer in The world. she was only The second mexican To become a
member of The us lpga, where she quickly became one of The Tour’s Top players, becoming The firsT
mexican golfer of eiTher gender To be ranked number one in The world.
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Suzann PetterSenThe fighTer
Suzann “Tutta” Pettersen was born in oslo, Norway
on April 7, 1981. She started playing golf as a six
year old and played her first tournament at the age
of 10. She plays on the US LPGA Tour (which she started
in 2003) as well as the Ladies european Tour. Pettersen
had an extremely successful amateur career and has some
extra ordinary wins to her name. Pettersen was a two-time
member of the european Team in the Junior ryder Cup
Matches. She won the 2000 world Amateur Championship
and the British Girls Championship in 1999. She is also a
five-time Norwegian Amateur Championship winner from
1996 till 2000.
In the year 2000, Pettersen turned pro. In 2001 was
named LeT (Ladies european Tour) rookie of the Year. In
her 2001 Ladies european Tour rookie season she played in
ten events without missing a cut and won the French open
in only her second start as a professional after beating Becky
Morgan in a playoff. She finished second on the order
of Merit. In the following year (2002) she recorded three
top 1- finishes at the LeT, including runner-up finishes at
the AAMI women’s Australian open. In 2004, however,
Pettersen missed a few events due to an elbow surgery and
in 2005 was limited to only nine events because of a back
injury. She bounced back into the golfing scene in 2007
by winning the rolex First-Time winner at the Michelob
ULTrA open at Kingsmill. Pettersen won her first LPGA
major championship the same year at the Mcdonald’s
LPGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola, where
she crossed the $1 million mark in season earnings, and
also won the Longs drugs Challenge, where she defeated
Lorena ochoa.
Last season was also a good one for Pettersen. She won
the CN Canadian women’s open, where she crossed the
$1 million mark in season earnings and $5 million mark
in career earnings. She also carded a season-low 64 in the
second round of the Corona Championship and went 68
holes without a bogey (a record that year). Pettersen also
qualified for her fifth consecutive european Solheim Cup
Team and posted a 1-4-0 record.
If not a pro golfer, Pettersen claims that she would either
like to be a pro skier or a physiotherapist. Pettersen will
begin her 2010 season, ranked three in the rolex rankings.
Pettersen was a two-time member of the European Team in the Junior Ryder Cup Matches
in 2004 peTTersen missed a few evenTs due To an elbow surgery and in 2005 was limiTed To only nine
evenTs because of a back injury. she bounced back inTo The golfing scene in 2007 by winning The
rolex firsT-Time winner aT The michelob ulTra open aT kingsmill.
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ai MiyazatoThe golf sensaTion
Currently competeing on the US LPGA Tour and
the Japan LPGA Tour, Miyazato is a professional
golfer who was born on June 19, 1985 in Higashi,
Japan. Her amateur career was capped with a victory in a
2003 professional event, the Miyagi TV dunlop Ladies
Golf Tournament - a remarkable feat for a girl who was still
a senior in high school. She also won the 2003 Japan Junior
Golf Championship and the Japan women’s Amateur Golf
Championship and in october that year, she turned pro and
began competing at the JLPGA.
In 2004, she added five more wins at the JLPGA Tour to
her name, tied for second at the Mizuno Classic and carded a
career-low 63 in the final round. In 2005, Miyazato won six
events on the JLPGA, including the Japan women’s open Golf
Championship; competed in six LPGA events partnered with
rui Kitada to win the inaugural women’s world Cup of Golf,
an unofficial LPGA event; and won the LPGA Final Qualifying
Tournament by a record 12 strokes to earn her exempt card
for the 2006 LPGA season. Miyazato was the #2 ranked player
on the JLPGA Tour behind Yuri Fudoh and had become the
youngest player in Japan to win a major. She continued her
winning streak in 2007 and managed to record six top – 10
finishes, including a second – place finish at the HSBC women’s
world Match Play Championship and crossed the $1 million
mark in career earnings.
In 2009, Miyazato became a rolex First – Time winner at
the evian Masters presented by Societe General. She tied for
sixth at the LPGA State Farm Classic, where she crossed the $2
million mark in career earnings. She won more events that year
and crossed the $3 million mark in career earnings when she
tied for 10th at the P&G Beauty Nw Arkansas Championship
presented by John Q Hammons.
Miyazato was the #2 ranked player on the JLPGA Tour behind Yuri Fudoh and had become the youngest player to win a major
ai miyaZaTo won more evenTs ThaT year and crossed The $3 million mark in career earnings
when she Tied for 10Th aT The p&g beauTy nw arkansas championship presenTed
by john q. hammons.
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karrie anne WebbThe consisTenT golfer
Karrie Anne webb was born in
the town of Ayr, Queensland on
december 21, 1974. A member of
the Australian Amateur Team, webb appeared
in six major international appearances from
1992 till 1994. In 1994 she also appeared in
the espirito Santo Trophy world Amateur
Golf Team Championships and became the
Australian Strokeplay Champion where she
scored a 128 on a par 68. In the same year, webb
began her professional golfing career, playing
on the Ladies european Tour (LeT) where she
finished second at the Australian Ladies open
and the Futures Tour in the US, where she
won one tournament. In 1995 she became the
youngest ever winner of the weetabix women’s
British open in her rookie season in europe,
prior to it being classed as an LPGA major, and
was european rookie of the Year.
In 1996, webb won three other tournaments
and was the first player in the history of the
LPGA to win the $1 million mark in a single
season. She also won the LPGA rookie of the
Year in the same year. Continuing the same
steak, in 1997 webb went on to win the LPGA
Tour three times more including a win at the
weetabix women’s British open. She also won
her first Vare Trophy that year and was voted
eSPY Best Female Golfer 1997.
In 2000, Webb won two more major championships, gaining her a second consecutive Rolex Player of the Year title
perhaps her highesT achievemenT in her golfing career was when webb enTered The hall of fame in
2005. aT 30 years of age, webb was The youngesT player To have enTered The hall of fame and kepT
ThaT disTincTion Till 2007.
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angeLa StanfordThe shining sTar
Born in Fort worth, Texas on November
28, 1977, Angela Stanford began
playing golf and winning accolades at
a very young age. As a junior golfer Stanford
won the Fort worth Girls Championship four
times, the 1996 Texas State 4A High School
Championship and the 1996 PING Texas
State Jr. Championship. She attended the Texas
Christian University and during that time, won
nine collegiate tournaments. She was also a
four time All – American and a four time All –
western Athletic Conference (wAC) selection.
In 1997 she was named wAC Freshman of the
Year and in 1999 the wAC Player of the Year.
In 2000, Stanford graduated from University
with a degree in Speech Communication. In
the same year, Stanford turned professional and
won the Futures Tour Championship on the
Futures Tour. She tied for fourth at the LPGA
Final Qualifying Tournament to earn exempt
status for the 2001 LPGA season. She became a
rolex First – Time winner at the Shoprite LPGA
Classic in 2003 and immediately the following
week, tied for second at the US women’s open.
Stanford was also a member of the 2003 US
Solheim Cup Team. In 2004, Stanford recorded
two top 10s: Mcdonalds LPGA Championship
presented by Coca-Cola where she tied for
4th and the Kellogg-Keebler Classic where she
tied for 5th.
Stanford crossed the $2 million mark in career earnings in 2007after she tied in at third place at the MasterCard Classic
2008 was a good year for sTanford; she recorded her second and Third lpga vicTories aT The bell
micro lpga classic and inaugural lorena ochoa inviTaTional presenTed by banamex and corona
lighT and carded a career – low 62 aT The safeway inTernaTional presenTed by coca cola, where she
finished fourTh.
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Morgan PreSSeLThe youngesT major champion
Morgan Pressel was born on May
23, 1988 in Tampa, Florida. She
was raised in Florida and grew up
playing golf at the St. Andrews Country Club.
She currently plays for the LPGA Tour and is
the youngest-ever winner of an LPGA major
tournament. Pressel has reached number 4 in
the women’s world Golf rankings.
She attended Banyan Creek elementary
School, omni Middle School, and graduated in
2006 from the Saint Andrew’s School in Boca
raton. Pressel’s well-decorated amateur career
speaks volumes about the incredible player
that she is. Marked with victories, her career
was capped with a runner up finish at the 2005
US women’s open. Pressel also qualified for
the U.S. women’s open in 2001 and 2003,
setting a record in 2001 for the youngest player
to qualify for that event at the age of 12 (this
record has since been broken). She was the top-
ranked girls junior and women’s amateur by
Golfweek magazine for much of 2005. Pressel
also had great success on the American Junior
Golf Association (AJGA) circuit, compiling 11
AJGA wins. She won all five AJGA Invitational
events in which she was eligible to play and was
named the 2005 AJGA Player of the Year. She
was a five-time rolex Junior All-American and
was a member of the U.S. PING Junior Solheim
Cup Team in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Pressel also
dominated high school golf in Florida, winning
three state titles from 2003-05.
At the age of 17 she earned her LPGA exempt card after tying for sixth at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament
in 2007, pressel became a rolex firsT-Time winner and youngesT player in lpga Tour hisTory To win a
major championship aT The krafT nabisco championship. her besT finish was runner – up aT The jamie
farr owens corning classic presenTed by kroger.
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PauLa creaMerThe pink panTher
Paula Creamer, born on August 5, 1986, in
Mountain View California started playing
golf from the age of 10. Her parent’s house in
Pleasanton overlooked the first tee of the Castlewood
Country golf course. when she was 12 years old,
Creamer won 13 consecutive regional junior events
and became the top ranked female junior golfer in the
state the consecutive year. during her amateur career,
Creamer won 19 National Tournaments, including
11 American Junior Golf Association events, and was
named Player of the Year by the AJGA.
In June 2004, Creamer placed second in the LPGA
Tour’s Shoprite LPGA Classic, finishing one stroke
behind Cristie Kerr. Later that year, she tied for 13th
in the U.S. women’s open and represented the United
States in the Curtis Cup. In december 2004, Creamer
won the LPGA Tour Final Qualifying Tournament by
five strokes, thus gaining membership on the Tour for
the 2005 season. She turned professional immediately
after the event at the age of 18.
Upon joining the LPGA, Creamer immediately
became a top player and in 2005 became the youngest
winner of a multiple-round tournament in LPGA
history. In her first year, she won the NeC open on
the Japan LPGA tour, the evian Masters tournament
in France, and the Masters GC Ladies Tournament.
Her performances earned her a spot on the US
Solheim Cup Team and helped the team win. In 2005
Creamer was awarded the LPGA rookie of the Year for
an incredible first year. Her second year however wasn’t
as strong due to wrist and foot injuries, but she still
managed to keep her earnings above $1 million.
In the 2008 season, Creamer won a career-high four
LPGA events and made more than $1.8 million, the
highest amount she has earned in a season. She also
became the first American with four or more wins in
an LPGA Tour season. Although she played reasonably
well in the 2009 season, Creamers health hampered
her performance and was placed 13th on the all-time
LPGA Career Money List.
If not a pro golfer, Creamer would’ve liked to work as a
fashion designer.
Creamer was awarded the LPGA Rookie of the Year for an incredible first year in 2005
in december 2004, creamer won The lpga Tour final qualifying TournamenT by five sTrokes, Thus
gaining membership on The Tour for The 2005 season. she Turned professional immediaTely afTer The
evenT aT The age of 18.
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yani tSeng The rising sTar
ranked number five in the official
rolex world ranking for the LPGA,
Taiwanese born, Yani Tseng started
playing golf since she was six years old. She
was the top ranked amateur golfer in Taiwan
from 2004 till 2006. The highlight of
her amateur career was winning the 2004
U.S. women’s Amateur Public Links. Her
remarkable amateur career included four wins
in the US and 15 international victories. Some
of her amateur victories include the 2003
Callaway Junior Golf Championship (finished
runner up in 2004), the 2005 North & South
women’s Amateur Championship, the Arizona
Silver Belle Championship in 2005, and the
Asia Pacific Junior Championship in 2003-05.
Yani took the golfing world by storm when she
turned professional in 2007. After finishing
sixth in the final LPGA Qualifying Tournament
in december 2007, Yani earned full playing
privileges on the LPGA Tour for 2008. After
joining the LPGA, Yani was also awarded
the Louise Suggs rolex rookie of the Year
Award and won the 2008 Mcdonald’s LPGA
Championship for her first career win. In
June 2008, she claimed her first LPGA tour
victory — the LPGA Championship — to
become the first player from Taiwan to win an
LPGA major tournament. At age 19, she was
also the youngest player to win the LPGA
Championship and the second-youngest player
to win an LPGA major. In 2009, Yani won the
LPGA Corning Classic and became the fastest
in LPGA history to cross the $2 million mark in
career earnings in the month of March.
Apart from golf, she is also an avid billiards
player. Today, Yani is one of the most
successful and celebrated female golf players
worldwide. And there’s no doubt that there’s
more to come.
At age 19, she was also the youngest player to win the LPGA Championship and the second-youngest player to win an LPGA major
Taiwanese born, yani Tseng sTarTed playing golf since she was six years old. she was The Top ranked
amaTeur golfer in Taiwan from 2004 Till 2006. The highlighT of her amaTeur career was winning The
2004 u.s. women’s amaTeur public links.
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feature There’s more To golf fashion Than meeTs The eye…
Golf fashion has swung onto the links in a
major way with big brands coming out with
lines exclusively for the game. Golfwear is
increasingly evolving to suit the game better, fabrics that
block sunlight, stretch panels on shirts; athleticism seems to be
dictating the rules of golf more and more. But of course, clothing
shouldn’t only be about fashion but comfort and etiquette as
well. wearing proper golf attire not only shows respect for the
game but also for your opponents. Most clubs have very strict
dress codes and extremely casual clothing is frowned upon.
Here are some rules worth remembering if you’re unsure how
to blend functionality with style.
A golf shirt is fairly standard for all occasions. It can be long-
sleeved, though most are short-sleeved. ensure that shirts have
full cut armholes that allow free swings. Make sure it is has a
collar, and doesn’t have any inappropriate messages written on it.
Find a polo shirt that’s made of a light, breathable material – especially
when playing in the hot and humid summers. If it is a chilly day, a
light sweater or vest is appropriate, as long as it is worn over a golf shirt.
For women, the collar rule isn’t mandatory, however, the shirt needs to
be dressier than usual workout ones. And for both genders, t-shirts are a
complete no-no. These days, flashy colours like reds, magentas, and even
inspired animal prints are becoming popular among the pros, however, if
those don’t sound too appealing then sticking to basic, safe colours like
black, navy, white or pastels is the best option.
Fashion on the fairway
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featureMost golfers wear thin slacks or casual pants
such as khakis. Shorts, although not incredibly
popular, might be worn if the event/club leans
more towards the casual side or if the weather
is exceptionally hot. Jeans are definitely out of
the question (unless you’re playing at the local
YMCA). Pockets big enough for a couple of tees
and an extra ball are a good idea as well. Pants
should be worn with a belt (extra points if they
match with your shoes), but are not mandatory.
women also tend to wear lightweight pants,
capris, or else, skirts or skorts (shorts with a
skirt ‘flap’ in the front). Skorts are not only
elegant but also extremely comfortable and ideal
for sports.
Shoes are an important part of any golfers
outfit and there are a wide range of golf shoes
to choose from at most sporting goods stores.
Keep in mind that the shoes need to have soft
spikes or special golf-course designed tread.
Shoes with metal spikes may ruin the course and
they best avoided. Shoes are an investment, so
remember not to skimp when it comes to the
right kind. Nowadays, special golf sandals are
also available at certain sporting goods stores.
They may be worn without socks and are ideal
for hot summers.
Visors, hats and sunglasses are not only stylish
but a necessity, especially since golfer spend
hours on an end under the sun.
Most golfers tend to go for a classy or preppy
look and the key is to look elegant without
drawing too much attention to the attire.
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SPOILT FOR
CHOICE
With Oman getting a number of championship standard green courses golf tourism is set to take off in a big way
Promoting tourism is an integral part
of the Sultanate’s Vision 2020 and the
beautiful terrain lends itself naturally
to Golf tourism. The opening of an 18-hole,
‘championship’ standard, green golf course
at the Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club
(MHGCC) in 2009 and the upcoming 18-hole
Green Links Golf Course at The wave, Muscat
is sure to give an impetus to golf tourism.
MHGCC is the result of HH Sayyid Kais
bin Tarik al Said’s vision to have a grass golf
course in the Sultanate of oman. It is the first
course in the Middle east that is built into the
terrain using the natural underlying features of
the area. This unique feature also makes it one
of the most challenging courses in the region.
Players are required to carefully position each
shot since their usual game may not work too
well with the undulating terrain of the course.
MHGCC has been carefully crafted by the
internationally acclaimed golf course designer,
Paul Thomas, of dave Thomas Associates,
whose portfolio includes La Manga west
(Spain), Seve Ballesteros Golf Club and the Top
Players Golf Club (Japan). It was constructed by
Southern Golf who, with 30 years experience of
building and maintaining courses around the
world, is among the top golf course contractors
and consultants in the world.
TRADITIONAl TOUCHThe designers of the course have also tried to
work in keeping with omani tradition as much
as possible, which is evident from the ‘Khanjars’
used in the teeing areas and the rocks placed
around the course. These rocks have been
hand-picked from around the area to reflect the
features of the magnificent omani mountains.
In addition to this, there are three large ponds
and also a sort of ‘wadi’ simulator.
Currently, Muscat Hills has a temporary
club house with an accompanying caddy shack.
Also present is a pro shop which, although in a
temporary facility, has all the conveniences of
a full-fledged pro shop and stocks everything
from clubs, golf balls to golfing apparel. There
is even a catering facility at the club house which
is through the oman Tourism College.
For those of you who just want to practise,
Muscat Hills is also home to the first grass course
driving range in oman which will be floodlit at
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night. And at the reasonable cost of five rials
you get an unlimited amount of balls to use on
the range. once you pay the green fee, the balls
are included, so if you want to get some practice
before a game, you are free to do so.
The course currently has 90 golf carts; the
latest models from Yamaha. each is outfitted
with a colour GPS system that tells you exactly
where you are on the course and how far away
the hole is from the teeing area. Also, through
it you can actually interact with the pro shop;
this is a two-way interaction that is just a button
press away. This facility is a first of its kind
in oman.
At the heart of Muscat Hills, helping with
the maintenance and running of the operations
are the greenkeepers and the golf operations
boys, a large number of which, close to 90 per
cent, are omanis.
while the course may already be open, there
are a number of facilities that are still under
construction. Chief among these is the first
PGA academy in oman. when this facility
becomes operational, it will offer high-quality
golf teaching facilities to new golfers of all ages,
based on a dedicated academy hole near the
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driving range and will be handled by PGA staff.
There will also be a Turf Academy. A first of
its kind in all of the Middle east, this facility
is designed primarily to train young omanis
and apprentices in the skilled vocations of
turf maintenance and management. delivered
in three-five week segments to small batches
of students, the courses have been designed
by experienced professionals from around the
world, who will travel to Muscat Hills to deliver
them. After which the students will be certified
and, if needed, the Academy will help them find
placement with the various golf courses opening
up throughout oman.
And finally the greatest milestone that Muscat
Hills is aiming for is the PGA tour. when it
comes to Qatar, Abu dhabi and dubai, this
time round their aim is to try and invite them
into Muscat to play an event here in 2011. This
has never been done before but it sure will put
oman on the worldwide golfing map.
GOlf lINKS designed by legendary golfer Greg Norman,
the 18-hole Green Links Golf Course at The
wave, Muscat, is a PGA-standard course.
Situated on six kms of natural beach and just
10 minutes away from the airport, The wave,
Muscat, is nothing less than a mesmerising
pearl on the Sultanate’s shoreline. The varied
and dynamic landscape of The wave also lends
itself perfectly to the development of a signature
18-hole Green Links Golf Course. extending
over 800,000 sqm, the course is oman’s first
eversea-facing PGA-standard course. with
each hole overlooking the sea and the signature
holes having water on three aspects, the Greg
Norman golf course promises to take the game
of golf to a whole new high.
Based on US PGA standards, and at a
length of 7000 yards, the course will offer
golfers of all levels an opportunity to enjoy a
unique golfing experience. The golf course
has been crafted to capture the essence of the
surrounding environment and enhance it to
produce a challenging course of varying hole
lengths and configurations. To date, more than
750,000m3 of earth has been moved and the
18-hole standard course along with a dedicated
academy, driving range and floodlit par 3
practice facility is expected to fully open in 2011
with the initial 9-hole golf facility scheduled for
the end of 2010.
In January 2010, Southern Golf oman,
expert international golf consultants, was
appointed as the Golf Course Construction
Contractor, to ensure timely completion of
the construction of the facility. The Greg
Norman ‘design philosophy’ aims at creating
a unique design character for each project
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through in-depth perceptions of the terrain
and surrounding elements. The philosophy
focuses on aesthetics and playability, resulting
in courses that would create a memorable
golfing experience and blend seamlessly with its
surroundings as if it’s a natural component of
the landscape. The designers have made certain
that the course preserved an ‘omani’ character
through the desert landscapes of the Middle
east, incorporating native plants and dune
grasses so that players can feel connected with
the course, and with the spectacular scenery of
the Arabian Gulf to the North and the Hajar
mountains to the South.
The PGA Links golf course will also feature a
floodlit 9-hole academy course, a driving range
and short game practice facility, an academy
building offering tuition, a pro shop and a
restaurant along with an extensive clubhouse
catering to all the needs of golfers across all levels.
In addition, golfers will have access to and can
enjoy the other facilities at The wave, Muscat,
such as five star hotels, restaurants, retail shops,
and the sea berth at Al Marsa Village.
These courses will offer a wide range of
facilities, which will support the advancement
of golf as a sport, and assist in building the skills
of current and new golfers. These will play a
significant role in making oman a sporting hub
for golf in the Middle east and an international
arena for Golf tourists. So golfers what are you
waiting for.
Healthcare has a new Face in Oman
We accept most Insurance cards For “Honest Health care” Visit & Feel at Home at Our Hospital
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Largest custom built hospital in the Sultanate of Oman with 50 beds
Three state of the art operation theatresMedical, Surgical and Neo-natal ICUs.
Multi-slice CT Scan, Digital X-Ray, 4 D Ultrasound.24 hrs Ambulance, Emergency, Pharmacy .
A team of experienced and dedicated doctors.Excellent Nursing care.
Special Maternity PackageKIMS Care Card for families,
VISA Medical at a Special Rate.Special Corporate packages.
Executive Wellness Check.
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featurefIRST-TIME GOlfERA retiree was given a set of golf clubs by his co-
workers. Thinking he would try the game, he
asked the local pro for lessons, explaining that
he knew nothing whatever of the game.
The pro showed him the stance and swing,
then said, “Just hit the ball toward the flag on
the first green.”
The novice teed up and smacked the ball
straight down the fairway and onto the green,
where it stopped inches from the hole.
“Now what?” the fellow asked the speechless
pro.
“Uh... you’re supposed to hit the ball into the
cup,” the pro finally said, after he was able to
speak again.
“oh great! Now you tell me.” said the
beginner.
SENIOR GOlf lOGICA foursome of senior golfers hit the course
with waning enthusiasm.
“These hills are getting steeper as the years go
by,” one complained.
“These fairways seem to be getting longer too,”
said one of the others.
“The sand traps seem to be bigger than I
remember them too,” said the third senior.
After hearing enough from his senior buddies,
the oldest and wisest of the four of them, at 87
years old, piped up and said, “Just be thankful
we’re still on the right side of the grass!”
POOR EYESIGHTArthur is 95 years old. He’s played golf every
day since his retirement 30 years ago. one day
he arrives home looking downcast.
“That’s it,” he tells his wife. “I’m giving up
HUMOURG O L F
golf. My eyesight has gotten so bad...once I’ve
hit the ball, I can’t see where it went.”
His wife sympathizes, and as they sit down,
she says, “why don’t you take my brother with
you, and give it one more try. He may be a 103
but his eyesight is perfect.”
So the next day, Arthur heads off to the golf
course with his brother-in-law. He tees up,
takes a mighty swing, and squints down the
fairway. He turns to the brother-in-law. “did
you see the ball?”
“of course I did!” says the brother-in-law. “I
have perfect eyesight.”
“where did it go?” asks Arthur.
“I can’t remember.”
HOlY SHOT!one Sunday morning, a priest wakes up and
decides to go golfing. He calls his boss and says
that he feels very sick, and won’t be able to go
to work.
way up in heaven, Saint Peter sees all this and
asks God, ‘’Are you really going to let him get
away with this?’’
‘’No, I guess not,’’ says God.
The priest drives about five to six hours away,
so he doesn’t bump into anyone he knows. The
golf course is empty when he gets there. So he
takes his first swing, drives the ball 495 yards
away and gets a hole in one.
Saint Peter watches in disbelief and asks, ‘’
why did you let him do that?’’
To this God says, ‘’who’s he going to tell?’’
lONG TIMEGolfer: “well, I have never played this badly
before!
Caddy: “I didn’t realize you had played
before, Sir.”
Golfer: “That can’t be my ball, caddie. It looks
far too old.”
Caddy: “It still could be; it’s a long time since
we started, sir.”
STRANGE CHOICEMany a golfer prefers a golf cart to a caddy
because it cannot count, criticize or laugh.
There’s no game like golf: you go out with
three friends, play eighteen holes, and return
with three enemies.
GOlfA 5 mile walk punctuated
with disappointments
TOP 5 SIGNS YOU’RE GOlfING TOO MUCH• Whenyoupickupsomethingoffthefloor,
you have to lean on your putter.
• Wheneveryouseeaholeintheground,
you squat, squint and read the line.
• You’revaguelyawareoflivingwitha
woman, allegedly your wife.
• Youasktheshopperaheadinthecheckout
line if you can play through.
• Beforeyoupickupthesaltshaker,you
mark its position with a dime.
Golf balls are like eggs. They’re white.
They’re sold by the dozen ...and a week later
you have to buy more.
A good golf partner is one who’s always
slightly worse than you.
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feature
for that Perfect ShotFor some budding golfers, one of the most frustrating challenges is looking where
the lie is and trying to gauge how far out they are so as to choose the right club. The
Bushnell Yardage Pro XGC GPC can help mitigate some of that stress and frustration.
But you still have to work out that slice.
The Yardage Pro has a sharp high resolution LCd screen which gives shot information
in full colour and with it’s matte finish, can be seen with little glare in bright ambient
light. The Yardage Pro gives you distance to hole information for up to 100 different
courses around the world and can be updated with a simple upload. It has both hole
up tracking and down the hole fairway perspectives and even keeps track of stroke
information. Comes with scorekeeping and statistic utilities, rechargeable lithium ion
battery, belt clip and storage pouch.
GAdGeTSGo
LF
ShadoW gaMeSLooking for an automated caddy? Then the Shadow Caddy is the answer. It automatically follows
you on the fairway that too in a very automatic and eerie fashion. The way it works is relatively
simple. Budding Tiger woods carry an rSS transmitter on their belt as they play. The Shadow
Caddy, which carries golf bags in the back, picks up the transmitter and follows it wherever it may
lead. There’s no remote control, no joystick and it’s completely hands free. In addition to following
the transmission, the Shadow Caddy has a sophisticated detection avoidance system which prevents
collision with other carts, people, trees, and the like and then picks up the transmission and goes
right back to following the game. The Shadow Caddy will also carry any drinks, sand buckets, and
whatever else the golfer needs to focus on his game.
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GAdGeTSParagoLfing
finding the range
Life is markedly challenging for the disabled. And when technology helps in
that regard, so many of life’s passions – namely golf – suddenly come into
view. And with Paragolfer, it’s flat out the truth.
Paragolfer is a three wheeled buggy which has a rising seat to take the
occupant from a sitting to standing position. The seat has chin and waste
belts to keep the golfer balanced and in the seat and the buggy is fully all
terrain, meaning it can go in and out of sand traps, high grass, wherever
the ball may end up. And it’s design is gentle on the greens as well, making
the Paragolfer easy for courses to embrace. Cost is steep at this point, about
$20,000 but for the freedom it offers, it’s money well spent for the disabled
sportsman.
The Garmin Approach G5 Golf GPS is essentially a hi-tech digital range finder which uses GPS to
ascertain your position (after you’ve found your ball) and gives you range data to the pin based on
preloaded maps of thousands of golf holes from all around the world. In addition to range data to
the pin, it has a green view for up close putting data (again, a range finder) as well as being able to
keep track of your score digitally. duffers can then download and track their scores onto their PCs.
Practice MakeS Perfect
well, just like many other things in life, practice makes perfect, so why not make sure your putting is in tip-top condition with the
electronic Putting Trainer. It helps you improve your ball striking, club path, and putt alignment. The system’s infrared sensors detect
both the speed and direction of each putt, providing precise, instant feedback by showing exactly where the midpoint of the ball has
struck the bar in relation to its “virtual hole”. A series of putts are displayed on the bar as separate illuminated tick marks. The flexible
bar automatically bounces the ball back to you. The sensitive trigger bar can be set to any green speed and distances between four and
32’. The trainer challenges you with six games; you can play a game of ‘500’ which requires you to place a series of five putts as close
as possible to the hole. Putts are graded on a scale of 0-100 and can be played on any surface.
All your favourite magazines
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Now availableas -magazines
RISE And SHInE
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edit
Tiger Woods remains a sportsman par excellence of our generation and for the sake of golf we wish him a speedy return to the game
Tiger woods is preparing for a
comeback to golf after being
embroiled in a scandal involving a
string of extra-marital affairs last year. woods
indicated his imminent return to the game in
his February 19, 2010 televised speech from the
PGA Tour headquarters in Florida in which he
admitted his infidelities and apologised to his
wife elin Nordegren. Though his decision may
be greeted by ridicule by many, this is sure to
cheer golfing fans. Ironically, the press coverage
and the interest levels about his recent crisis
proves his standing in the world as a multi-racial
superstar athlete and celebrity whose appeal
transcends the world of golf.
In the wake of the scandal several companies
reconsidered endorsement deals with woods.
Gillette suspended advertising featuring woods,
and said they would not be hiring him for any
appearances for the company. Accenture cut its
sponsorship of woods, stating that the golfer was
‘no longer the right representative.’ TAG Heuer
dropped woods from its advertising campaigns
and AT&T ended its sponsorship with him. A
december 2009 study by Christopher r. Knittel
and Victor Stango, economics professors at the
University of California at davis, estimated
that the shareholder loss caused by woods’
alleged extramarital affairs to be between $5bn
and $12bn.
despite these setbacks his achievements as
a golfer rank him among the most successful
golfers of all time. Currently the world No. 1,
he was the highest-paid professional athlete in
2008, having earned an estimated $110mn
from winnings and endorsements. woods has
won 14 professional major golf championships,
the second highest by player, and 71 PGA Tour
events. He has more career major wins and career
PGA Tour wins than any other active golfer and
is the youngest player to achieve a career Grand
Slam. Additionally, woods is only the second
golfer, after Jack Nicklaus, to have achieved a
career Grand Slam three times. He has held the
number one position in the world rankings for
the most consecutive weeks and for the greatest
total number of weeks and has been awarded
PGA Player of the Year a record ten times.
while the debate on woods personal
transgressions will continue, for the sake of Golf,
we wish for his speedy return to the game. Tiger
is the sportsman in excelsis of our generation,
the child prodigy who breathed life into a game
that was traditionally seen as the preserve of the
old and the retired.