22 August 2015 ttgmena.com

urrent global trends are having a huge impact on the golf community;

the increased attraction towards Asia, urbanisation, digital technology

advancement and environmental pressures. Despite these trends having a

profound effect on one of the world’s oldest sports, it is adapting to these new

challenges extremely well.

The professional game is already dominated by younger, fitter players – four of the

top ten PGA ranked players in the world are 27-years-old or younger – and there’s been

a boom in the number of children playing the sport in Asia – the MENA region included –

meaning that the next generation will increasingly be from the continent.

In Dubai alone there was just one course in 1988; that has now risen to more than 10

high-end courses, with two courses from Donald Trump’s business empire soon to be

added into the mix. “The next few years will further establish Dubai at the forefront of

golf tourism as the Trump International Golf Club, and Trump World Golf Club raise the

bar for quality golf play in the emirate,” senior vice president, DAMAC Properties, Niall

McLoughlin remarked to TTG.

Trends which are already starting to shape golf's future are the same trends that are currently shaping the global community.Mario Hajiloizis investigates

China has also witnessed the

number of championship golf courses

triple in less than a decade. With this

newfound enthusiasm for the sport

trickling into MENA, courses across

the region have reported a strong

proliferation in Chinese golf tourists

to their resorts.

“Global professional tours are

showcasing top resorts with the World

Golf Championships and professional

events paying top dollar to bring

top golfers into markets which are

emerging such as Dubai and China for

example, outlined managing director,

Preferred Golf, Michael Osgood to

TTG. “The influx of outbound Chinese

travellers is driving a huge demand,

as these golfers were once restricted

to playing only in China and now have

global destinations at their disposal.”

NOT JUST A MAN'S WORLD

Women participating in golf is also

on the rise, with this expected to lead

to changes in expectations about

the facilities that clubs and courses

need to provide to their members –

and creating a platform for golf as a

family game. Competitions such as

the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters,

due to be held from December 6 to

12, 2015, and the Abu Dhabi HSBC

Golf Championship previously holding

women-only activities, are only going

to further develop the women’s game

across the region.

With golf being one of a few unique

sports which people of any age,

gender and ability can play alongside

each other, this is also propelling

golf’s rise in popularity around the

world, and especially among families.

“You often see parents playing with

their children or even grandparents.

It brings people together in a social

and competitive way,” added chief

commercial officer, PGA Australia,

Stephen Ayles to TTG.

“Just like the [Fiji-based] Natadola

Bay Championship Golf Course, many

courses around the world are built on

some of the most stunning pieces of

ANALYSIS GOLF

EVERYONE CAN PLAY

land. People can enjoy a round of golf

whilst also absorbing the location and

beauty of the destination.”

With today’s increasingly busy

lifestyles, golf seems to provide the

perfect opportunity to spend some

time with friends and family in quality

resorts and beautiful destinations,

whilst simultaneously keeping fit.

GLOBAL APPEAL

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort &

Spa – the setting for the Natadola

Bay Championship Golf Course – is

one such resort which is increasingly

welcoming golf tourists from around

the world, including junior golfers with

their families.

“There are more younger golfers

visiting us, and we plan on capitalising

on this with our golf getaway

packages,” outlined golf operations

manager, Natadola Bay Championship

Golf Course, Amitesh Chandra to TTG.

Previously, in order to play golf,

participants used to have to be a golf

club member to access the course and

learn to play. Now, however, there are

public courses more widely available

and a less elitist attitude to the sport,

with even schools now offering golf as

a sport for children.

”We have noticed that golfers are

becoming younger and are welcoming

a more mixed group of men and

women, rather than the typical group

of older men on a golf buddies week

away,” marketing manager, Kempinski

Hotel Bahía, Justine Haughey

informed TTG. “We capitalise on this

trend by offering these younger and

more health conscious guests the

opportunity to also use our Spa and

Fitness Centre and ensure they have a

good breakfast before they head out

to the course each morning.”

Similarly Bahrain's The Royal Golf

Club is also welcoming a more diverse

golf clientele from businessmen, to

ladies, families and juniors. “Our ever

expanding junior programmes are also

helping to integrate young players

onto our championship course,” said

general manager, The Royal Golf Club,

Stephen Havrilla to TTG. “We are also

seeing families taking up the sport as

a way to enjoy doing an activity that

they all can participate in.”

As this globally-loved sport

continues to grow in appeal,

courses are being developed as

part of national tourism strategies,

thus highlighting their increasing

importance.

We are also seeing families taking up the sport.