File photo: Yas Links Abu Dhabi

By Kent Gray
Golf news, much less positive golf news, has been thin on the ground in recent weeks as the world has grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic. It makes word of the re-opening of the three Troon Golf-managed Abu Dhabi clubs this week all the more encouraging for golfers confined to home quarters in other parts of the UAE.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Yas Links Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club reopened to members only on Tuesday – with strict health and safety caveats imposed by local authorities.

Among the rules in place are the limit of one golfer per motorised buggy, maximum groups of three with the standard practice of physical distancing to be followed and the adjustment of holes that allows players to retrieve their ball without touching the flag. There are no food and beverage available at the club and players must pay electronically – but only after being accepted to play following individual temperature checks upon entry to the respective clubs.

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

All three Abu Dhabi clubs are opening at 7:30am with tee times available between 8am and 6:30pm in line with the current Abu Dhabi Sterilisation Program.

Dubai clubs, meanwhile, remain closed with the emirate in lockdown until April 18th. All courses are being maintained to varying levels with one club taking advantage of the shutdown to work on the course with tee extensions and the removal of contaminated grass.

As of late Thursday evening (April 9) UAE time, the Gulf News newspaper reported there were a total of 2,990 confirmed coronavirus cases in the UAE, with 14 deaths. The newspaper said the Ministry of Health had conducted more than 40,000 tests in the previous 48 hours.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s 14th hole