UAE Golf Columnist Archives

A New View from the Links with Craeg Deery

Craeg Deery takes over from Steven Morgan

A warm welcome to all of you to ‘ A view from the Links’ was previously written by Yas Links Head Professional Steven Morgan, I have now been given the chance to take over the reigns and write about some of my opinions on golfing topics around the world and especially here in the UAE. The column will often include some golfing tips as well, so be sure to keep coming back regularly for new articles.

I have only recently arrived in the UAE although have been working in the Middle East for the last couple of years. One of my main reasons for making the move here was due to the fantastic facilities that are on offer. Every golf club offers something different and there are the chosen few that really take golf to the next level. Looking through a recent magazine article I noticed that there are now 3 golf courses from the UAE in the top 100 in the world. That is an astonishing statistic for a country that is both relatively new to the game and also small in comparison to some of the other contenders. As we are into the summer season now I encourage you to take advantage of the summer rates that golf clubs have to offer. Even the best clubs in the region which often charge around 800-1000dhs during the season can be played for around half the price and if not less!

Summer here and summer in the UK (my home sweet home) have very different meanings. In the UK sets of golf clubs have survived the winter freeze in garages and garden sheds and are now in full use. Club competitions, matches and long evenings mean that golf is at its peak season, even if the umbrella should be carried at all times.

July for me means only one thing. The Open Championship. The origins of golf can be traced back to the old championship and the traditions still continue today. Royal St.George’s in Kent will host the 140th Open Championship where Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa will defend his title he won last year at St.Andrews. The Championship has rotated around 14 different links golf courses in the UK, although there are currently 9 of these venues on the ‘roster’.  After Rorys’ performance in Washington will he be able to display the same performance? One thing I know is that Rory grew up playing Links Golf in Northern Ireland…. watch out world!

Links golf is typically played in the UK, although there is a growth throughout the world. Here at Yas Links, Abu Dhabi we have the first links golf course in the Middle East. As you tune into watch the world’s top players tackle the testing layout of Royal St.George’s why don’t you test you own golf game whilst in the UAE on our very own links…..

Enjoy the championship and all the best from Yas Links,
Craeg Deery

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