At the heart of any unforgettable golf tournament is a great golf course, one that not only tests the skills of the players, but also challenges them to rise way above the ordinary.
The lure of the Masters is inextricably linked to Augusta National, and the most thrilling Open Championships have often been played in strong golf courses like the Old Course at St Andrews, Muirfield and Turnberry.
The National course of Abu Dhabi Golf Club, the permanent host venue of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, may not have joined that exalted list, but has made a stunning transformation from being a resort course to a respected championship course during these past 10 years.
The evolution continues this year too, with several minor changes being made to the golf course again for the 11th edition. Peter German, Tournament Director, summed it by saying: “Over the past 11 years, we have made improvements to the Championship course each year to refine the quality and playing characteristics of the course, in line with our overall objective to provide an optimum test for the very best players.
“While this has involved new tees and bunkers being built and in some places greens being extended and re-shaped, we have had an on-going programme to enhance the quality of the turf grasses, the consistency of the rough and the firmness of the greens to provide a true and fast putting surface.”
The new changes, and the existing challenge, can be found on this hole-by-hole guide to the National course.
