Alejandro del Rey – 2025 Ras Al Khaimah Championship – Getty Images

Here is your chance to tee it up on the same fairways that challenged the pros, starting from just AED 375.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience tournament-ready conditions and create your own championship moments.

Book Your Tee Time Now

Make it even more special with a Stay & Play Package. Choose from a group-owned hotel, including Al Hamra Residence Hotel, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, and Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort. You can then customise a package that suits your style to include golf, adventure activities, or simply moments of relaxation.

Here’s what your weekend itinerary could look like:

Friday Night

Check-in and enjoy dinner at any one of the delicious restaurants in the surrounding hotels.

Don’t miss Reunion at Sofitel and Umi at Waldorf Astoria.

Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

Saturday

Start the day with the world’s longest zipline at Jebel Jais.

Get ready for an afternoon tee time.

Finish off the day with drinks at The Bay, with sunset views over the water.

Sunday

End the weekend relaxing poolside or at the beach.

Stay packages start from AED 1,499 per person.

Stay & Play Packages

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With its par 72 layout, it can range from anywhere between 5,576 to 7,164 yards thanks to its variety of tee boxes. Each hole has five tee options, allowing for a different experience every time you play, with some holes varying by over 150 yards, critical for a 9-hole course.

Additionally, as a fully floodlit golf course, it offers golfers with the opportunity to play at night—a popular experience that many of its members and guests regularly enjoy.

Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. Image supplied

The course features wide fairways, large greens, water features, bunkers, and undulating terrain, making it a rewarding test for golfers of all levels.

With a thriving, strong and loyal core membership, members and visitors often comment on the club’s sense of community. Unlike some other clubs in the UAE, SGSC doesn’t see as many tourists, which fosters a sense of familiarity and belonging that its members value. This, along with its active event calendar—hosting two to three events per week—makes SGSC a popular choice as a home club. It’s one of the key reasons many choose to join.

Almost daily, first-time visitors describe it as a hidden gem, often remarking that they didn’t expect the course to be of such a high standard. People mistakenly think SGSC is further away than it actually is. In reality, it’s only 20 minutes from Business Bay and 30 minutes from central Dubai—closer than most think.

The club takes great pride in being a host venue of the European Senior Tours, now Legends Tour, Sharjah Senior Masters. The tournament was the first DP World Tour, Challenge Tour, or European Senior Tour event held on a nine-hole course. Emphasising the course’s status as a true test of golf.

Nine-hole courses often face the misconception of being merely a pitch-and-putt, but anyone who has played SGSC knows that this is far from the case. Over the past two years, they’ve made several key improvements. The most notable include the introduction of a completely new fleet of golf carts, complete with GPS units that had been absent for a few years. Additionally, they have completed a full bunker renovation, replacing the old sand with a finer variety that has significantly enhanced both the visual appeal and playability of the course.

Key Holes

Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. Image supplied

4th / 13th
This is the most risk-reward hole on the course, ranging from 520 yards to 570 yards. Longer hitters may take a more aggressive approach, while a tee shot or layup favouring the right side offers a slightly easier route to the green. With no bailout option, clearing the water with your approach shot is a must. Water runs along the left side of the green, and a bunker guards the right. A bold approach will be rewarded.

Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. Image supplied

8th / 17th
A challenging par three that can require either a pitching wedge or rescue club, playing between 135 and 205 yards. Water tightly hugs the right side of the green, while a bunker stretches along the left. Players must navigate a narrow green with precision. A safer play might be to aim for the bunker, but that brings its own challenge—a bunker shot with water lurking just beyond. Centre of the green is the only option to overcome this tricky par three.

Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. Image supplied

9th / 18th
From an elevated tee, you’ll face a generous fairway, but with water to the right and a canopy of palm trees to the left, precision is key. The green is surrounded by water and a bunker, with its undulating surface making putting a challenge. Hitting the fairway is crucial here, with distances ranging from 435 yards from the back tees to 328 yards from the front. Choose a club that ensures you find the short grass and set yourself up for a strong approach.

Sam McLaren is the Director of Golf at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club

READ MORE: Where to Play: Arabian Ranches Golf Club

The post Where To Play: Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The Ras Al Khaimah Championship will be one of three events in the United Arab Emirates and five in the Middle East as part of the International Swing on the 2025 Race to Dubai.

The Irishman has enjoyed a successful 2024, with three victories on the PGA TOUR Champions, as well as top tens in two Senior Majors and a tie for 22nd at The 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon.

The 2021 Ryder Cup Captain has made the cut in each of his last three appearances at Al Hamra Golf Club and, despite plying his trade predominantly on the PGA TOUR Champions circuit in America since turning 50 in 2021, still feels able to compete at the highest level.

“I enjoy playing in the Middle East and Al Hamra is a great golf course, so I’m really looking forward to competing in the Ras Al Khaimah Championship next year,” he said.

“I think the golf course suits me and it certainly gives me a chance to contend if I have my game with me that week as I look to become the oldest winner on the DP World Tour.

“We’re always well looked after in the UAE, but the welcome we receive at Al Hamra is particularly good and I can’t wait to get back there.”

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox celebrates his win at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic in February – Getty Images

Harrington will be joined by New Zealander Ryan Fox and American Jimmy Walker in the northern emirate, with the Kiwi returning to Al Hamra for the first time in two years after triumphing on the Peter Harradine-designed course in the Ras Al Khaimah Classic in 2022.

“I’ve obviously got great memories of Ras Al Khaimah and I’m looking forward to going back next year,” he said. “I won a different tournament, but it still feels good going back to Al Hamra.

“I think it will be a tough test of golf. There are a lot of tee shots that are quite tricky, especially the back nine – ten, 12 and coming down the stretch 16, 17, 18 are narrow fairways. There’s always a bit of wind round there, it will be a good test.”

Jimmy Walker

2016 US PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker impressed on the DP World Tour earlier this year with a tied seventh finish at the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down, and the American is relishing the opportunity to tee it up in the UAE.

“Heading to the UAE is something I’m really excited about.” he said. “I’ve heard some great things, and it looks amazing. It’ll be really cool to go and play there and I’m also looking forward to experiencing what the region has to offer.”

Benoy Kurien, Group CEO of Al Hamra Group and owner of Al Hamra Golf Club, said: “We are delighted to welcome the DP World Tour back to Ras Al Khaimah for the 2025 edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship. Following the tremendous success of previous editions, we’ve implemented a few key changes to the course this year, and we look forward to seeing how the players adapt and navigate these new challenges.

“The RAK Championship has become a key feature in Ras Al Khaimah’s annual event calendar and it provides an opportunity to show case the diverse range of leisure and lifestyle offerings of Ras Al Khaimah to both local and international visitors and viewers.”

The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah hosted the DP World Tour for the first time in 2022 with the inaugural staging of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, followed the week after by the Ras Al Khaimah Classic.

Following exciting victories that year for Danish Ryder Cup star Nicolai Højgaard and New Zealander Fox, and by Englishman Daniel Gavins when the Ras Al Khaimah Championship returned in 2023, the tournament continued its success last year when Dane Thorbjørn Olesen sealed his eighth DP World Tour title.

The spectacular coastal venue of Al Hamra Golf Club has previously welcomed three European Challenge Tour events, including the 2018 Challenge Tour Grand Final.

Main Image: Jared C. Tilton

The post Harrington leads trio heading to Al Hamra in Middle East swing appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 39-year-old made a return to professional golf in a surprise turn of events when he signed for LIV Golf back in February. His 2024 season of events included the rest of the LIV Golf League and a solo event in Macau on the Asian Tour, after falling out of love with the game for over a decade.

Kim’s last run out was at LIV Golf Chicago in mid-September, where the Wildcard player recorded his second-best result of the season. It is still unknown what format Kim is playing in the LIV Golf League for the upcoming 2025 season.

 

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No real stranger to the Middle East, Kim has twice played over here before. Most recently, it was in February on his return to professional golf at the season-opening LIV Golf event in Jeddah. You’d then have to look back to 2010 when he competed in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on the then European Tour, where he signed for a tie in 13th place.

A host of LIV Golfers will join AK on the Peter Harradine designed layout with Sam Horsfield, Thomas Pieters, David Puig, Dean Burmester, Patrick Reed, Louis Oosthuizen, Peter Uihlein, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Anirban Lahiri already confirmed.

Players closer to home include the UAE’s Joshua Grenville-Wood and Saudi Arabi’s Shergo Al Kurdi both currently in the US $2.5 million dollar event, while American John Catlin will be looking to finish his season strong by securing a coveted LIV Golf League spot for 2025 as the International Series Rankings winner.

Main Image: LIV Golf 

The post Anthony Kim confirmed for Qatar tournament in just two weeks time appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Rory McIlroy is looking to end his season on a high note and claim his sixth Harry Vardon Trophy at the DP World Tour Championship. But before that, the DP World Tour heads to Yas Links for the first Play-Off event at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as we look at the course developments at Yas Links over the past 20 months. Golf course designer Peter Harradine gives us an exclusive on the changes being made at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, plus he tells us what to look out for at Doha Golf Club when the Asian Tour heads there in November. Staying with the Asain Tour’s International Series, we preview the season-ending PIF Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club where some big names in the game are coming to town. All this and plenty more in the November 2024 edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download it to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your favourite golf club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

The post Get your November 2024 edition of Golf Digest Middle East FREE here today! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

They are joined by the South African quartet from LIV Golf’s Stingers GC, Dean Burmester, Branden Grace with Major winners Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen in the US$2.5 million prize pool event, the most expensive prize fund to date on the 2024 International Series billing.

Grace is no doubt a favourite to do well around the Peter Harradine layout, having won twice here in the past on the DP World Tour in back-to-back years in 2015 & 2016 at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

The 2022 LIV Golf Portland champ will have to familiarise himself with the Doha layout with its eight strategically positioned lakes, 65 giant cacti, and numerous limestone rock formations that contrast with the fairways and pale desert, sculpted by Harradine back in the early 2000’s.

Peter Harradine – Harry Grimshaw

“Every time I go back to Doha, I really love it,” said Harradine. “It’s a hell of a golf course mainly because we had the rocks. The rocks make that course.

“When I was designing the course, I did calculate the wind. There are a few holes where the wind comes just straight across which makes it more difficult. On a windy day, the scores are not the same as on a day without wind.

“With a tough wind the ball rolls all by itself on the greens. They’ve actually stopped the tournament once in Doha because the greens are so fast.

“When Alvaro Quiros won in Doha back in 2009, he used to be very long, and was pretty straight for once off the tee.

“When he had his winners speech, he said ‘you know, all my colleagues are telling me the rough is too high, the rough is too high’. Well, the advice I gave them is stay on the fairway!’”

“Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but I’ll say it anyway,” said a grinning Harradine. “Doha Golf Club for me, is the best golf course in the Middle East, for sure.”

Main Image: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

The post Gracing Doha: The penultimate event on the 2024 International Series schedule touches down in the Qatari Capital appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

JA The Resort has just unveiled an incredible staycation package that allows you to redeem 100 percent (not a misprint!) of the cost of your stay at JA Palm Tree Court on F&B and activities resort-wide. With staycations starting from just AED 396 and the picturesque Peter Harradine-designed 9-holer at the heart of ‘Dubai’s largest experience resort’, what are you waiting for?

 

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Dubai’s Largest Experience Resort So close to the city, yet so far from the everyday. With 1 million square metres of nature and 800 metres of private beach as your playground, you have all the space to disconnect and rejuvenate! Book your ideal staycation and get 100% credit back on daily dining and experiences. . . #JATheResort #JAPalmTreeCourt #staycation #familytime #summervibes #getaway #summer #experience #beach #pools #rejuvenate #friends #makenewmemories #myJAmoment

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There is plenty of fun to keep golfers and their families entertained across the resort’s one million square metres, including Dubai’s longest private beach at 800m. Take your pick of horse-riding lessons and pony rides, flood-lit tennis courts, clay pigeon shooting or a refreshing swim in one of the pools.

Your resort credit must be used in full each day, so get ready to spend up in the resort’s restaurants. Current dining options include the South-East Asian eatery White Orchid, the laid-back Sports Cafe and Captains Restaurant.

This money-back offer is open to UAE residents only, and is available for stays until September 30. To book, use the promo code UAESTAY.

JA The Resort Golf Course recently underwent a redesign and refurbishment to remain one of Dubai’s favourite golf escapes.

Safety measures
JA The Resort has prioritised your health and safety, with the following measures. You’ll have your temperature checked on arrival, and must adhere to social distancing throughout the resort. Kick back on a socially distant sun lounger, and rest assured knowing that your room and all common areas have been thoroughly sanitised.

JA The Resort, Jebel Ali. Staycation valid until Sept 30, with code UAESTAY. Visit jaresortshotels.com for full T&Cs.

The post Book an escape at JA The Resort and you can use your 100% staycation credit on golf appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
It has been quite the month for Nathan Fisher and an even better year for his beloved Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club (SGSC).

The 33-year-old South African did the small club with big ambitions proud by winning the 36-hole Emirates Golf Federation OOM Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in early May, edging JGE teen Arjun Gupta in a sudden death playoff for his maiden EGF title after a run of near misses.

Related: Fisher chalks one up for the ‘old guys’ at EGF Championship

Fisher survived another nerve-jangling playoff to land an even bigger title for the little 9-hole club that could at the weekend as SGSC overcame regional superpower and perennial title contenders Emirates Golf Club in the UAE Scratch League Final.

The two-day decider went to sudden death after the honours where shared on the Majlis 2-2 and the Peter Harradine-designed Sharjah layout, also 2-2, in regulation play, making it 4-4. SGSC opted for Fisher (+3.3 handicap) and Chinese 15-year-old Zi (William) Ang Xu (+0.6 handicap) to face former touring professional Mike Mezei (+3.8) and Kenny Babcock (+2.5) in overtime. It was some matchup with Fisher and Xu unbeaten all season and the Emirates G.C. duo flawless in the Grand Final.

“Miracle” par saves from Babcock and Mezei, the former from sand and the latter from water, kept Emirates GC in it on the 1st and 2nd respectively before the quartet halved the 3rd, again in pars.

Fisher then produced the telling blow, his 4-iron from 220 yards finding the back of the 553-yard par-5, 4th at Sharjah. The four-time SGSC champion rolled the ensuing 30-footer to three feet and then held his nerve to clinch the title before a rowdy crowd of nearly 50.

SGSC Director of Golf, Martin Duff, singled out Fisher and Xu, who only made his debut for the team in January, for special praise afterwards.

“I am extremely proud of everyone involved but the way our two players played the four playoff holes really was quite incredible and I really do believe they deserved the win,” said Duff.

The victory capped a memorable season for SGSC which celebrated its 10th anniversary in March with a second successful staging of the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters, the only tour event played on a 9-hole course. The Staysure Tour (formerly European Senior Tour) season-opener was won by Thai Thaworn Wiratchant.

Related: Wiratchant wins Sharjah Senior Golf Masters in dramatic playoff

“The golf course turned 10 years old at the start of March and to have won a title like the UAE Scratch League, beating much bigger clubs with much bigger memberships really is something for everyone involved to be extremely proud of,“ Duff continued.

SGSC had earlier edged Abu Dhabi Golf Club in their Scratch League semifinal while Emirates overcame Dubai Golf sister club, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, to reach the final.

The post Fisher helps Sharjah hook maiden UAE Scratch League title appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.