Archive for January, 2009
The European Tour descended on The Emirates Golf Club in Dubai this week for the final leg of the Gulf Swing – the Dubai Desert Classic. With its striking trophy, this event has become one of the European Tour’s most keenly watched tournaments as people look for early season performance indicators! This, combined with a top prize of €300,000, is why seven of the world’s top 20 players are competing to have their name added to the coveted trophy.
Enjoy these pictures from The Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.
The Emirates Clubhouse and putting green.
Titleist staffers, Robert Karlsson, Rory McIroy and Martin Kaymer were all looking to take advantage of their length off the tee round the 7300-yard Majlis course. Initial feedback was that the greens were slightly slower than in previous years, but nonetheless the putting surfaces are very true and consistent – presenting a great opportunity for players to post low scores!
Both Rory and Robert got off to flyers in the first round, sitting first and second respectively – Rory at 8-under (64) and Robert one back at 7-under (63). The talented 19-year old Rory carded nine birdies, only a day after new European Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie named him as a potential candidate for Celtic Manor next year.
This week, the Titleist Tour Team has been working hard with Titleist full-line players Ross Fisher, Paul Waring and Robert Dinwiddie to make minor changes to their club set ups – all of this will be followed up with some regional metal fittings during a well earned break for the players next week (weather permitting!). The Titleist Tour Team will also be taking some new Vokey Design Spin Milled Tour Chrome wedges for Ross to test, all stamped with his trademark “FISH” on the back.
Australian duo Scott Strange (909 D2 driver) and Brett Rumford (AP2 irons) have been working hard this week, both looking to finish well
The European Tour descended on The Emirates Golf Club in Dubai this week for the final leg of the Gulf Swing – the Dubai Desert Classic. With its striking trophy, this event has become one of the European Tour’s most keenly watched tournaments as people look for early season performance indicators! This, combined with a top prize of €300,000, is why seven of the world’s top 20 players are competing to have their name added to the coveted trophy.
Enjoy these pictures from The Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.
The Emirates Clubhouse and putting green.
Titleist staffers, Robert Karlsson, Rory McIroy and Martin Kaymer were all looking to take advantage of their length off the tee round the 7300-yard Majlis course. Initial feedback was that the greens were slightly slower than in previous years, but nonetheless the putting surfaces are very true and consistent – presenting a great opportunity for players to post low scores!
Both Rory and Robert got off to flyers in the first round, sitting first and second respectively – Rory at 8-under (64) and Robert one back at 7-under (63). The talented 19-year old Rory carded nine birdies, only a day after new European Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie named him as a potential candidate for Celtic Manor next year.
This week, the Titleist Tour Team has been working hard with Titleist full-line players Ross Fisher, Paul Waring and Robert Dinwiddie to make minor changes to their club set ups – all of this will be followed up with some regional metal fittings during a well earned break for the players next week (weather permitting!). The Titleist Tour Team will also be taking some new Vokey Design Spin Milled Tour Chrome wedges for Ross to test, all stamped with his trademark “FISH” on the back.
Australian duo Scott Strange (909 D2 driver) and Brett Rumford (AP2 irons) have been working hard this week, both looking to finish well to improve their ranking on the Race to Dubai Leaderboard.
Next week sees a break for the European Tour and most players will either take a rest in the sun or travel home to work on their games. Next stop, in a couple of weeks, will be in Malaysia for the Maybank Malaysian Open at the Saujana Golf and Country Club – we’re looking forward to continued great golf from all of Titleist’s full-line players! Keep your eyes peeled for the next Tour Blog update!
for the Maybank Malaysian Open at the Saujana Golf and Country Club – we’re looking forward to continued great golf from all of Titleist’s full-line players! Keep your eyes peeled for the next Tour Blog update!
January 30th, 2009
The strongest field of the year so far rolled into Doha Golf Club, Doha, for the Qatar Masters and all eyes were on Titleist ambassador Adam Scott. This was understandable given the fact that he is the defending champion this week; but that wasn’t the only reason for all the attention. Adam arrived in Qatar in timely fashion for the event, ready for his usual pre-tournament practice routine. However, something very important was missing – his bag of Titleist clubs! Adam had made the trip from Honolulu, Hawaii, following a second place finish at The Sony Open this past weekend only to find that the airline had misplaced his clubs.
Click here to check out the photo gallery
Out on Tour, problems don’t get much bigger than this one and unfortunately the Titleist Tour Vehicle (our mobile workshop) was not on site, making a solution that little bit more challenging. After raising the alarm, and moving to DEFCON 3, the Titleist Tour team arranged for a brand new set to be assembled for Adam at our European Headquarter in the UK. Built in double-quick time, the set was transported to London’s Heathrow Airport with a one-way ticket to Qatar and arrived with him on Thursday morning for the start of the tournament – a great team effort! However, I am glad to report that they were ultimately not required. On Thursday morning, Adam’s original set also arrived safely allowing him to start his defence with his usual 909 metals, AP2 Irons, Vokey Wedges and new Prototype Scotty Cameron Putter.
Another player in the field this week is Scott’s fellow Australian, Titleist Ambassador Brett Rumford. Brett is a proven winner on the European Tour and is looking to re-establish himself after playing the bulk of his golf stateside on the PGA Tour in 2008. Rumford is renowned for having superb touch on and around the greens and this will be put to the test around Doha Golf Club where quick, firm, undulating greens are the order of the day. Brett spent a good deal of time working with a new Scotty Cameron Studio Select 2.7 putter this week and has taken it away for further testing. Following the first two rounds Brett’s entire game certainly seems to be in shape with rounds of 67 (-5) and 69 (-3) putting him right in contention.
Finland’s Mikko Ilonen is another Titleist ambassador with new equipment, having this week taken delivery of two new Vokey wedges. Mikko set to work with some short game practice in order to familiarise himself with the new wedges and has subsequently put them straight into tournament play. You can take a look at Mikko’s new 60° wedge in this week’s photo gallery.
Next week it’s Dubai for the European Tour as we move to The Emirates Golf Club for The Dubai Desert Classic. As one of the most prestigious events on the European Tour calendar, the event will once again attract a strong field. The field will include a number of Titleist staffers including Martin Kaymer, who will be looking to go one better than his second place finish last year. Stay tuned for next week’s Blog!!!
January 23rd, 2009
Another week on the European Tour and another fabulous golfing destination!! This week we are at the first event of the “Gulf Swing” – The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.
At last year’s event the golfing world stood up and took notice as young German Martin Kaymer won in stunning fashion. Twelve months on and Martin is back to defend his title and aiming to repeat last year’s hugely impressive wire-to-wire victory. Martin’s ball striking is a definite strength and he looked in fine form this week as he geared up for the event. In addition to playing Titleist ProV1, ZM Irons and Vokey Design Wedges, Kaymer has recently added the new 909 fairway metals to his set composition and actually decides on either 909F2 13.5° or 909F3 13° based on course conditions. Having opened with a 4-under 68, at the time of writing Martin was looking likely to post another sub-par round – encouraging signs!
Titleist Tour Representative Phil Dimmock on the range working with Martin Kaymer
A strong field has assembled here for the event including the European Tour’s youngest member; Titleist Ambassador Rory McIlroy. Rory is currently in a rich vein of form that has seen him climb into the top 50 of the official golf world rankings and, in doing so, earn a spot at this year’s Masters. Rory is understandably buzzing about his upcoming trip to Augusta and, given his performances in recent events, is fully expecting to contend every time he tees it up. This confidence is understandable given that McIlroy’s stroke average so far for the 2009 European Tour season is a stunning 68.3 strokes per round – and after opening rounds of 66 and 69, this looks set to fall further! Look out Augusta National!!!
We'd all be smiling if we could hit it like Rory!
Another Titleist Ambassador in this week’s field is Englishman Ross Fisher. Ross hasn’t played since the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai back in early November and will be looking to get some early season momentum. Ross recently took time out to visit the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) in California where he spent time working with our technicians to fine tune his equipment. A 909F3 15° and 909H 19° yielded some positive results for Ross and he has put them straight into the bag for this weeks event. In addition to a visit to the TPI facility, Ross also took the time to visit the Scotty Cameron Studio and has returned with one sweet looking putter. Check out Ross’ custom Newport 2 in the photo gallery – Oh to be a Titleist Staff Player!!
A look at Ross Fisher's new flatstick. Note the fish stamping on the toe. Nice!
Robert Dinwiddie is also teeing it up for the first time in 2009 and the likeable Englishman is raring to get back to business following a hectic winter move to a new flat. Robert was keen to get his hands on some 909 product and took advantage of the excellent facilities at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club to test a 909F3 15° and 909H 19°.
Back in the swing of things. Robert Dinwiddie.
The Gulf Swing continues next week at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters and the competition promises to be intense with a number of big names making their 2009 European Tour debut at the event. 2008 European Tour Order of Merit winner, Robert Karlsson, plus fellow Titleist Ambassador and reigning Qatar Masters champion Adam Scott will both be in town and looking to contend. Scott claimed last year’s event in superb style with a final round 61 (-11) and will be among the favourites to lift the title once again.
As always, we will be working closely with the players as they fine tune their equipment needs in the run up to the event. Keep it here for updates from Qatar!
January 16th, 2009
The first European Tour stop of the year brings us to Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club for the Joburg Open. The venue is the final leg of the South African swing for 2009 before the Tour moves out to the Middle East, making this the final taste of parkland golf until the Maybank Malaysian Open in mid-February. And with both the East and West course at Joburg and Kensington being used this week, the players’ shot-making skills will be put to the test by two challenging parkland layouts.
A number of young Titleist staffers are in action and looking to make a fast start to 2009. Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey is one such player. Michael is fresh from a visit to our UK Fitting Centre and is loving his new Titleist equipment. Michael has switched to the 909D2 Driver (9.5°), 909F3 Fairway (15°) and 909H Hybrid (19°) as well as all new Vokey Spin Milled Wedges in 56° and 60°. Michael’s first round 64 (-7) and second round 68 (-3) suggest that his new equipment is working well.
Michael Hoey
Another player looking forward to ‘gaming’ his new equipment is Sweden’s Joel Sjoholm. Joel recently paid a visit to the Titleist Performance Institute in Carlsbad, California, and is buzzing about his new 909D3. He is delighted with the improvement in accuracy from the tee and the confidence boost from knowing he has equipment that is perfectly suited to his game.
Spanish Rookie Carlos Del Moral is thrilled to be back in South Africa having enjoyed his first visit to the country for the Dunhill Championship and South African Open in late 2008. It’s not all golf, golf, golf for these players, but Carlos definitely undertook one of the more extreme tourist activities when he went diving with great white sharks. Carlos is one golfer who doesn’t mind going into the water, but it certainly isn’t something that happens too often out on the course. Having played college golf for the University of Oklahoma alongside Anthony Kim, Carlos moved onto the European Challenge Tour and, following two strong seasons including a victory, is now looking to make an impact on the European Tour. The young Spaniard can seriously play and anyone that can look a man eating shark in the eye certainly has no shortage of guts and determination. Keep an eye on Carlos in 2009!!!
Spanish Rookie Carlos Del Moral
Another hot prospect looking for a quick start to ‘09 is England’s Chris Wood. Chris burst onto the scene at the 2008 Open Championship claiming the silver medal prize for the top amateur thanks to a fifth place finish. Now a professional, Chris is fully exempt for the 2009 European Tour season having claimed his Tour card at the final stage of Qualifying School last November. Below is a look at Chris’ bag. Note the Beatles inspired “Yellow Submarine” headcover on his Scotty Cameron putter, produced for the 2007 Open Championship held at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. Very cool!!
A look at Chris Woods' bag which includes the Titleist 909 Driver
Next week sees the Tour move onto the United Arab Emirates for The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. The event will see one of the strongest fields of the year assemble for the start of the desert swing including Titleist Ambassador and defending champion Martin Kaymer. A number of other Titleist Ambassadors including Ross Fisher, Soren Hansen and Rory McIlroy are also in the field. It promises to be another busy week and, as always, the Titleist Tour Representatives will be on hand to work with the players.
January 9th, 2009
