A golf academy is said by many to be the heart or face of any golf club and I have to say, although perhaps having a slightly biased view being a PGA professional, I wholly agree!

I had an interesting discussion with a fellow PGA Professional yesterday on the role a golf academy plays at a golf club. No matter what part of the world you look at, in any developed or developing golf destination or region, the value that an efficient, well-run golf academy can bring to the business model of a golf club (whether public or private) is in part immeasurable, but recognisably invaluable to that business’s success.

The hypothetical question I raised was "if one of the successful Dubai-based golf academies was given to you tomorrow – would you want it" – and from my side I uncategorically said "no". OK, now before you start to think that I’ve just contradicted myself and perhaps I should give the column writing a miss, let me explain.

I can’t honestly believe that it’s that time of year again – where did the last 12 months go? Perhaps I subconsciously erased last year’s result from my bruised and selective memory bank – that seems the more likely scenario. If you haven’t a clue what I’m on about – it’s Dubai Golf Trophy time again.

The Dubai Golf Trophy is the season-ending finale in which the top 16 PGA Professionals take on the top 16 amateurs from the UAE Golf Association’s order of merit.

Following the recent UAE PGA Championship at Al Hamra, the final pro placings have been decided and the team is now gearing up to what will undoubtedly be another very close battle indeed. For the amateur readers that remember last year’s result (and let’s face it how could you forget), you would probably argue that the final score was far from "close".

The old adage of location, location, location sprang to mind this week when Chris May (General Manager of Emirates Golf Club) and I rounded the corner of the clubhouse at the stunning Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, an hour north of Dublin.

We were presented with what can only be described as “visual ecstasy” as the flora-rich mountainous dunes stretched out along the coastline, flanking the true links-style rolling fairways and inconspicuous pot bunkers.

Lunch times at Emirates Golf Club are never dull, as it is an opportunity for me to catch up with a number of colleagues. Sometimes we discuss golf but most of the time it’s an opportunity to talk sport, especially football, although it’s a sore subject in the IGLS office with the relegation of Leicester City – such a shame, boys!

During one of these riveting conversations, a certain Emirates GC executive, who shall remain anonymous, voiced his opinion that he believed that Ronnie O’Sullivan, the newly crowned three-time World Snooker Champion, was more talented than Tiger Woods, because he could play to an equal standard both right and left-handed and because snooker was a more "technically" challenging sport.

* Is Ronnie O’Sullivan better than Tiger Woods because O’Sullivan can beat his opponents both right- and left-handed? Vote in our poll.