Yas Links, the Middle East’s ‘best golf course’, has teamed up with IMG, the global sports, entertainment and media company, to support the launch of its new IMG Prestige service, a reciprocal programme that features a network of premier golf properties andpartners from across the world.
The new service entitles Yas Links’ full members, as well as full members at each participating club, to enjoy ‘preferred access’ status – which includes special rates, discounts, benefits and privileges – offered by their counterparts and selected IMG Prestige partners.
Neil Coulson, Director of Operations at IMG Golf Course Services, explained: “Working with some of the leading golf clubs around the world on a daily basis has placed IMG in a unique and privileged position. This has allowed us to create IMG Prestige, an exclusive service offering for participating members and its global network of premier golf clubs.
“Each of the participating clubs offers a truly world-class golf experience,” continued Neil Coulson. “Yas Links is definitely worthy of inclusion and will be a great addition to the programme.”
Commenting on the significance of joining IMG Prestige, Chris White, General Manager of Aldar Properties (Golf Division), developers of Yas Links, said: “Those invited to participate in IMG’s new service represent some of the leading clubs in their region and, in some cases, the world. For Yas Links to be included among these is a true privilege and testament to the great legacy (course architect) Kyle Phillips has created here at Yas Links.”
For Yas Links, being a part of IMG Prestige is the icing on the cake after a very successful first year that has seen the club receive a number of prestigious accolades. These include ‘Best course in the Middle East’ by Golf Course Architecture and ‘Best Golf Course’ by Middle East Golfer magazine plus high-level rankings by Golf Magazine USA in its ‘Top 10 New International Golf Courses of 2010’ classification and inclusion in Golf International’s ‘finest things in golf’ listing.
Neil Coulson added: “We have concentrated on launching IMG Prestige with a selection of some of the finest golf clubs from Asia, Australasia and the Middle East. In the months ahead we are looking to expand on this and already have a number of clubs from Europe that are interested in taking part in the programme.”
In addition to the participating golf clubs, IMG Prestige has partnered with one of the world’s leading hotel brands, GHM (General Hotel Management Ltd), that operates an exclusive group of hotels and resorts worldwide, including The Setai in Miami, USA, The Legian in Bali and The Datai in Langkawi, Malaysia. The partnership will allow all IMG Prestige members to take advantage of additional privileges available through GHM’s portfolio of hotels.
“We are confident IMG Prestige will serve as a valuable member-benefit for the clubs signed up to the new service – giving members the opportunity to travel and visit clubs they may not ordinarily have had access to,” concluded Neil Coulson.
A full list of the clubs, partners and the ‘preferred access’ offering at each is available on the new IMG Prestige website (www.imgprestige.com) where members are able to make tee-time and booking requests. All requests will be sent directly to IMG Prestige Reservations that will liaise between members and the designated club or partner to facilitate and manage bookings.
Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi www.yaslinks.com
IMG Prestige www.imgprestige.com