The UAE PGA team has its eyes firmly fixed on the annual International Team Championship, which takes place in Murcia, Spain this week, and preparation has been going extremely well for the team to put in a strong showing.

The International Team Championship, is an annual tournament comprising all member countries of the PGAs of Europe (of which the UAE PGA is a member) and is fiercely contested each year in the southern European climate of Spain.

Prestige

I am writing this week’s column in a decidedly different climate to that of Dubai, and one that looking back six months ago I would not have imagined I would be in! The southern Russian region of Rostov-on-Don.

The weather is just on the brink of turning into winter, and although teetering near the minus numbers, I was lucky enough to bring with me some lovely UAE sunshine!

So why Russia? Well, what other reason than this wonderful game of golf!

As the headline suggests, I am taking a break from writing about the UAE’s gossip and golf news this week, but just before I do that – what a week of gossip it has been!

I wait with bated breath for official news of the new super rich European Tour Event which, if substantiated will become the wealthiest golf tournament in the history of golf. A prize pot of $20 million has been rumoured, but I guess I won’t join the hordes of other reporters and add fuel to fire just yet by speculating further. All will be revealed at a press conference at the Burj Al Arab on Monday.

Now on to the real purpose of this column – to inspire you golfers out there to take a trip of a lifetime!

“What was it you play off again?” How often have I heard that question? One thing is for sure, if I’d been given a dirham for each time I’d been privy to it being shouted across a tee in jest or muttered under someone’s breath while trudging down a fairway, I’d be appreciably better off.

It is without doubt the most contentious global issue in golf. In days gone by, when golf was truly a game of honesty and honour and when the word “principle” meant something, the handicap system had integrity.

Maybe I’m being a little harsh here. No matter where you are in the world, there are always golfers willing to cheat their way to recognition and what easier way than to maintain an inflated handicap?