ABU DHABI // Gary Player, one of golf's legendary figures, anticipates raising another Dh1million-plus for underprivileged children today at the Saadiyat Beach Classic.
Player's inaugural event last year raised Dh1.2m for various charities and the South African has assembled another field of famous faces with a view to surpassing that figure.
Top golfers will combine with leading figures from other sports to lead teams of four in a scramble competition over the new course which Player, a renowned golf architect, designed on Saadiyat Island.
Colin Montgomerie, Europe's winning Ryder Cup captain, is one of the leading professionals in the field, along with Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Matteo Manassero and Thomas Bjorn.
Montgomerie appreciates the value of such events in his desire to give back some of what he has taken during two decades at the top of his profession.
"Golf is one of the only sports that amateurs can actually play alongside the world's best professionals," he said.
"It is also played at a pace that allows a large amount of chatting and you really get the chance to get to know your playing partners over a five-hour round. I can't think of another sport where this happens as easily and amateurs can have such a great day out.
"I really enjoy playing in golf days that support important causes like the Saadiyat Beach Classic and am very much looking forward to the day and hope I am able to contribute to raising money for this very worthy cause."
The Scot, who has topped Europe's money list eight times during his career, is happy to support any charity but is particularly focused on raising money to help lung cancer sufferers.
"In January 1991 I lost my mother, Elizabeth, to lung cancer," he said. "During this difficult time, I became aware of the devastating effect that cancer can have on the patient, their carers and families. With this in mind, I set up the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation with the aim of raising funds to provide information and support to those affected by cancer."
Bjorn, the highly experienced Danish player who is a former winner of the Dubai Desert Classic, is also a seasoned campaigner in golfing fund-raisers.
"The European Tour players support many charities throughout the year and many of the players have causes very personal to them that we all want to support and get behind," he said.
"There are so many ways to raise money with golf from hole-in-one prizes to charity auctions - it is a really enjoyable way to raise money for important causes."
"I think the Saadiyat Beach Classic should be a great success and all the players participating will be working hard to ensure everyone has a great day. I think it is especially nice to be part of a fund-raising effort to support children's charities."
Gavin Hastings, the former Scotland and British & Irish Lions rugby union captain, will be one of the celebrity part-time golfers on view.
Hastings, a four-handicap golfer, said: "I played in this event last year and it was amazing. I'm sure others who experienced it are equally keen to take part again.
"Gary Player has an amazing presence for someone of advancing years. He is driven to make this a successful venture for those involve and the needy causes are going to benefit.
"I think the opportunity to play golf in the company of some of the world's best players is often irresistible to those who take part. There are not many sports that a member of the public can play alongside the best players on the planet on a level playing field.
"It would not be possible for someone to come in and play against the likes of me at Murrayfield or play tennis against somebody like Tim Henman. That is the case with most other sports but golf is such an appealing exception."
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Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
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A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
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