By Matt Smith
Everyone loves a long weekend — long lies, no early alarm calls, treat the kids, and maybe even an extra round of golf.

The Yas Acres Weekender has teed up a perfect way to take an extra day off to help celebrate its grand opening, where you can spend some time with the family, while still getting out on the course, either as a player or spectator.

From Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 October, the Yas Acres Weekender offers four days of family-fuelled fun at the newest golf club in the UAE portfolio on Yas Island, with activities and events including golf, padel tennis, watersports — alongside the launch of the club’s two new restaurants and the Big Acres Brunch

With something for everyone, there are some not-to-be-ignored offers in place over the weekend, including discounted rates on golf, starting from AED200 with drinks included. There is also a 9-hole Ladies Day on Saturday, with pre- and post-game coffee, snacks and fizz. There is a real treat on Sunday with the Festival of Golf, which is free to enter and includes a 7am Par 3 tournament, followed by a long-drive event, nearest-the-pin challenge and putting competition.

Away from the course there is a 50-per-cent discount on padel tennis each day and the Saturday kids’ pool party. There will also be a craft market and plenty of kids activities.

With the kids well fed and rested, Sunday sees the launch of the Acres Big Brunch from 12.30pm-3pm, along with the ever-popular Picnic on the Range, which opens at 8am and starts at AED50 per person.

For those not in the know, Yas Acres Golf & Country Club opened earlier this year on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and has quickly earned a reputation for golfers of all abilities, thanks to its 9/18-hole layout and a nifty floodlit set-up to help avoid the heat.

The Yas Acres Weekender will let visitors see the full facilities the Country Club has to offer, as the official grand opening also marks the launch two new F&B outlets: Acres Grill House and The Black Room, with music and refreshments to suit all tastes.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s on offer over the four-day bonanza:
Thursday
All-day Al Forno at Roots, 9am-10pm
Yas Links Ladies v Saadiyat Ladies
Complimentary padel clinics and tournament, 5pm-8pm
The Black Room launch, 7pm-10pm
Friday
All-day Al Forno at Roots,  9am-10pm
Kids art & crafts corner, 5pm-7pm
Society Championships, 5pm shotgun start
Yas Acres Grill House launch, 5pm-11pm
Pitching challenge, 5pm-7pm

Yas Acres Golf & Country Club offers activities such as swimming, padel tennis and a gymnasium

Saturday
All-day Al Forno at Roots, 9am-10pm
Craft market, 11am-8pm
Ladies Golf Day, 9am shotgun start
Kids Pool Day (free entry 12 and below), 11am-3pm
Viya Golf & Dubai Golf Challenge, 1pm-5pm
Sunday — Community Day
Picnic on the Range, 8am-10pm
Par 3 Challenge, 7am-10.30pm
Long Drive Challenge, noon-2pm.
Nearest to the Pin Challenge, 3pm-5pm.
Putting Challenge, 3pm-5pm
All-day Al Forno at Roots, 9am-10pm
Acres Big Brunch with live music and kids’ entertainment,12.30pm-3.30pm

What
Yas Acres Long Weekender
Where
Yas Acres Golf & Country Club, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When
Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 October

More info: viyagolf.com/weekender

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