Troon® announces an exciting initiative to promote the United Arab Emirates to PGA Professionals and members at their clubs, unveiling a series of packages for 2016 to make it even easier to enjoy the Middle East’s sun and first class golf facilities.
PGA Professionals have long been the back-bone of the golf industry, providing an informed approach to golf and offering unique tuition and playing golfing breaks across the globe. Thanks to the new array of packages, hosted PGA Professional trips not only receive a “one in eight goes free” discount but also additional commission structures available with partnering tour operators, allowing them to provide clear and concise packages at the best rates for their guests.
Troon has the ability to connect PGA Professionals with a plethora of premium experiences and with first-class destination knowledge offers valuable insights to each group organiser, all underpinned by the commitment to working alongside them to provide guests with a memorable golf holiday. With complementary range access, dedicated areas to develop each golfer’s game and courtesy access to the course, Troon is able to remove any obstacle and offer a one stop shop for PGA Professionals looking to build lasting relationships with their members and create supplementary income.
“This year is a great opportunity for Troon and our venues to create long term partnerships with PGA Pros and tour operators from our key regions,” commented Mark Chapleski, Area Managing Director, Senior Vice President Troon Golf Middle East/Asia Pacific. “In many cases, we have been able to provide privileged access to our venues, develop better contact for organisers to create their desired packages and offer the opportunity to create profitable golfing breaks for our partners. We are working closely with both sides of the booking process, introducing clarity and ensuring it is as seamless as possible for guests enjoying our facilities in the UAE.”
Whether it’s a tour operator looking at introducing new packages through PGA Professionals or Pros themselves looking at new destinations for their annual away-trips, Troon is able to offer international travellers a diverse array of seven golf, leisure and lifestyle experiences in the UAE.
For example, players can walk in the footsteps to Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Groups and players can accompany a visit to the Peter Harradine-designed course with a game at its sister venue, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. The UAE’s first beach-front golf course, designed by Gary Player with stunning views across the Arabian Gulf, the 18-hole course is complemented by its Academy building with extensive practice facilities and event lawn.
Both golfing venues have partnered with their respective on-site hotels, providing packages in the UAE’s Capital, Abu Dhabi at the on-site Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa or the award-winning St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. Adding to the “one in eight goes free” discount, both hotels and both courses are providing similar benefits for traveling groups, with options for the same discount on room rates and food and beverage spends at participating outlets.
The five-star Troon experiences extend in the country to Dubai and Ajman, where Troon manages the operations of a further five venues. PGA Professionals and their clients can sample the award winning manicured playing surfaces of The Els Club Dubai, the next point of call to any visit to the UAE. Designed by four-time Major Champion, Ernie Els, the course is a true desert links, framed by the venue’s magnificent Spanish Colonial-styled clubhouse, home to The Big Easy Bar & Grill and, of course, its renowned Butch Harmon School of Golf.
In keeping with Major Champions, players can move on to the Colin Montgomerie-designed vast greens, glistening lakes and undulating fairways of The Address Montgomerie Dubai. Combining the traditions of Scottish links golf within a stunning Arabian environment, the course is complemented by its boutique styled clubhouse where guests can stay in any of the 21 signature rooms and suites managed by The Address Hotels and Resorts. Golfers are encouraged to visit “The Monty’s” sister venue, Arabian Ranches Golf Club which opened in 2004 following initial consultancy from Troon alongside golf course architect Ian Baker-Finch, in association with Nicklaus Design, and Orient Irrigation. The venue’s 18-hole desert-style layout flows through the natural sand dunes and its wonderful waste areas, again accompanied by the club’s impressive Spanish Colonial style clubhouse with its Grand Lobby and eleven bedrooms.
The final game in Dubai should be played under the floodlights at The Track Meydan Golf’s 9-hole course, voted one of the best nine-hole course in the World outside of the United States by the prestigious Golf Digest Magazine in 2013. With the imposing Meydan Racecourse as a backdrop, home to thoroughbred racing and the world’s richest day in racing – the Dubai World Cup, The Track Meydan Golf is an accessible and player-friendly, daily-fee facility which was created in recognition of the need for quicker formats of the game.
Moving up the coast away from Dubai’s bustling city centre, players can now relish the newest club in the region, Al Zorah Golf Club. With a spectacular naturally preserved environment of native sandy areas, the Nicklaus Design course’s tidal water system drastically changes the playing dynamic of the course depending on what time of day it is played for an experience like no other.
The United Arab Emirates continues to see growth from international travellers, with recent records demonstrating one in four rounds played in the region coming from them, testament to the quality and service on offer in the burgeoning region. Thanks to Troon, this latest set of packages will enable PGA Pro groups from across Europe and Asia to enjoy all the Middle East has to offer at the market-leaders many high quality venues.
Troon Golf www.troongolf.eu