Abu Dhabi Championship

The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship is one of the newest additions to the European Tour, and first took place in 2006. The event is played at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club every January and offers around $2,000,000 in prize money.

Some 120 players take part in the event. This number comprises 112 players from the European Tour and an additional 8 players who are especially invited by the organisers. The tournament lasts four days, and at the end of the first two days (that is, after 36 holes) the field is whittled down so that only those who make the cut may proceed to play on days three and four.

The Abu Dhabi Golf Club boasts a layout of 27 holes. The championship course is par-72 and 7,334 yards long, every yard of which is truly stunning and makes watching the game almost as satisfying as it must be to actually participate. The clubhouse has the impressive shape of a falcon with outstretched wings.

A big advantage for travellers is the fact that the Abu Dhabi Golf Club is located just ten minutes from the airport, and just fifteen minutes from Abu Dhabi city centre. Whilst championship participants probably won’t have a great deal of time for shopping and sightseeing, spectators can explore the region with ease.

May 13, 2008