Yas links triumphs with 4 Gongs at the Middle East Golfer awards 2011

Yas Links Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s newest golf course, is the first ever club, less than a year old, to have been decorated with the coveted Best Golf Course and Best Club accolades by Middle East Golfer, the region’s leading consumer golf magazine, at its annual awards ceremony.

On the night, Yas Links picked up four awards, including Best Value Golf Club 2010 and Best Food and Beverage 2010.

The Middle East Golfer Awards consist of 18 categories, 11 of which are decided by public vote, including Best Club and Best Course, with the remaining seven evaluated by a select panel of judges. They included: Nick Tarratt, Director of The European Tour’s International Office, Australian Tour professional, Adam Scott, and former ladies world number one, Annika Sorenstam.

Ben Jacobs, Editor of Middle East Golfer, said: “Congratulations to Yas Links on its awards. This is the fourth year we have organised them, and this is the first time one golf cub has won four or more accolades. Yas Links has certainly set the bar high for years to come.

“The club has not even been open for 12 months, and yet it is already a force to be reckoned with in the Middle East. I firmly believe it is only a matter of time before Yas Links is awarded a major European Tour event.

"The Kyle Phillips designed course is stunning, testing and received nothing but rave reviews from the many professionals who played in the recent Emirates Airline Invitational event. I strongly feel our readers got our flagship Best Club and Best Course awards spot on. Yas Links is a fast evolving, friendly club with first-rate facilities, a warm and family atmosphere, and a world-class course.”

After the awards ceremony, Chris White, General Manager of developer Aldar Properties, said: “Since its opening just 10 months ago, Yas Links has continued to make headlines around the world, raising the bar at every opportunity and setting the standards for other to follow.

“Being recognised as the Best Club and Best Course by Middle East Golfer readers is an honour we are very proud to have bestowed on Yas Links –we would like to thank everyone who voted and supported us.”