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Abu Dhabi World Sand Golf Championship 2004 |
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February 2, 2004; Source: AnyoneForTee.com Browned off with your putting? Good out of sand? We have the tournament for you! |
ABU DHABI. Fed up with driving into the long grass? Don't despair, the perfect tournament has just been created for you.  Abu Dhabi Duty Free, one of the world's leading airport retailers, is creating the world's first pro-am golf tournament to be played entirely on sand at its unique Al Ghazal Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates.The one-day Abu Dhabi World Sand Golf Championship will take place on March 8th between two European PGA events, the Dubai Desert Classic and the Qatar Open. It will be played on Abu Dhabi International Airport's 18-hole, par-71 Al Ghazal sand course, measuring 6,487 yards.  The sand course has many unique attractions: instead of 'greens', players putt on 'browns'. These are created by compacting rolled and oiled sand, and as players quickly discover they give an extremely true putting surface - provided, of course, you know how to read the grain.The front nine holes (par 35) are based around an archaeological site on what, thousands of years ago, was the original Abu Dhabi coastline; the back nine (par 36), have been constructed on flatter reclaimed land. In addition to the customary hazards of water and the rough, players must also contend with the numerous burrows dug by desert lizards known as dhubs (no relation to the American president).  "We hope the event will make our sand course a focal point of world golf," said Mohamed Mounib, managing director of Abu Dhabi Airport Duty Free. "We aim to attract 32 professionals and extensive television coverage that will highlight this unique facility and encourage tourism here."Instead of buggies, players will drive around the course in 4-wheel drive vehicles and many other unique local touches are planned. AnyoneForTee has been appointed official "alternative golf" website for the event and will bring regular news in the lead-up to the tournament and then brown-by-brown coverage of the event itself. 19 of the top European Tour stars have already confirmed their presence in this unique setting, including 6-time major winner Nick Faldo, world number 10 Padraig Harrington, Ian Poulter, Ian Woosnam, Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley, 2004 Dunhill Champion Marcel Siem and AnyoneForTee's favourite amphibious Frenchman Jean Van de Velde. Others likely to be attracted include, of course, "Sandy" Lyle and ex-Ryder Cup star and commentator Ken "Brown". Further details about the Championship can also be found on the official website at www.worldsandgolf.com.  For more information on Abu Dhabi Duty Free (including details of the "Become a Millionaire" Raffle!), the Al Ghazal Golf Club and the Abu Dhabi Airport Golf Academy, please click here. |
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