UAE breaks record with 50,000 golf rounds in a month

Golf clubs in the UAE hosted more than 50,000 rounds of the sport in a single month for the first time this year, according to figures published today.

Statistics from BDO Chartered Accountants & Advisors showed a total 54,365 games tee'd off in the Gulf state during March across a mix of clubs.

Around 44 percent of the games were played by members, 42 percent local rounds and 14 percent were those played by overseas visitors. 

The Majlis course at Emirates Golf, which was the first grass course to open in the region, had the highest number member rounds at more 3,300, while Abu Dhabi Golf Club welcomed the biggest number of local players at more than 3,400 local players.

Al Hamra Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah reported the most overseas players, with more than over 1,200 tourists visiting the course during the period.

The UAE is home to a number of top-end golf clubs.

Among the well-known courses in the country are Emirates Golf Club, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, The Montgomerie Dubai, Arabian Ranches, the Els Club Dubai, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Al Hamra Golf Club, Saadiyat, Yas Links, Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa and Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The UAE's courses have attracted some of the biggest names in the sport, including Tiger Woods.

Tournaments played in the Arab country include the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, and the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.