May 18, 2009 (WAM) : The Abu Dhabi Golf Club, one of the Middle East's most distinguished golf courses, has won the ?Best Golf Course in the Middle East' at the Business Traveller Middle East 2009 awards ceremony. The event, attended by over 400 international and regional guests across the business travel industry, was recently held in Dubai coinciding with the region's travel and tourism exhibition, Arabian Travel Market. The golf course and clubhouse, owned by Tourism Development '&' Investment Company (TDIC) and managed by Troon Golf, was voted by readers of Business Traveller magazine for its world-class 27-hole championship course stretching over 162 hectares of undulating terrain with ornamental trees and seven spectacular saltwater lakes.

"This award reinforces the fact that Abu Dhabi Golf Club is the number one golf destination for residents and visitors to the Middle East, and showcases Abu Dhabi as a growing and much sought-after golfing destination," said Lee Tabler, CEO of TDIC. "Abu Dhabi Golf Club presents itself as one of the most luxurious golf resort experiences within the Middle East and is favoured for its lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers and generous greens offering players a tough but fair challenge," Tabler added. Abu Dhabi Golf Club is the current host venue of the European Tour-sanctioned Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, which hosts a recognised field of the world's leading golfers. The event also received an award for the second year running as What's On magazine's ?Best Sporting Event of the Year' in Abu Dhabi.

"This award provides great recognition for our team and the facility as we continue to enhance the experience for tourists and businesspersons visiting from around the globe," said Ian Gardner, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Golf Club. "We are very proud that Abu Dhabi Golf Club has been recognised as a reason to visit and do business in Abu Dhabi." The Abu Dhabi Golf Club is renowned for its exceptional golf course quality and design, high agronomical standards and all year round course condition and consistency. Recently, the golf club garnered the ?Best Golf Course in the Middle East' at the Middle East Golfer Awards 2009 ceremony.

Built in 1985, the iconic clubhouse is currently undergoing major refurbishment of its ground floor, Spike Lounge, golf shop and locker rooms, which will all be completed by fourth quarter of 2009. In addition, over 120,000 palm trees have been planted on the course. The Westin Hotel '&' Spa, scheduled for completion by fourth quarter of 2010, will represent the hospitality heart of the Abu Dhabi Golf Resort which overlooks the spectacular course.