Reciprocal deal golf club shortlisted for award

A new Middle Eastern golf club that markets itself via reciprocal deals with other courses around the world has been shortlisted for an award.

Yas Links Abu Dhabi is battling for the gong of Best Course in the Middle East in the Asian Golf Monthly Awards 2011.

Since it opened last year, the club has been involved in various affiliate relationships and has  forged links with leading golf organisations and clubs worldwide.

For example, it teamed up with IMG, the global sports, entertainment and media company, earlier this year to support its Prestige service – a reciprocal programme that features a network of more than 30 premier golf properties and partners across the world. The services entitles Yas Links’ full members, along with those at participating clubs, to enjoy ‘preferred access’ status, including special rates, discounts, benefits and privileges, offered by their counterparts and selected IMG Prestige partners.

These golf properties and partners – in established and emerging golf markets – include Royal Golf Club (Bahrain), La Manga (Spain), Kingsbarns (Scotland), The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs (New Zealand), The Montgomerie Links (Vietnam), Legend Golf & Safari Resort (South Africa) and Lakeview (China).

Chris White, general manager, said: “Our affiliate reciprocal partnerships has helped elevate our standing among the world’s finest venues, including those in growing golfing destinations such as the Far East, and serves to help achieve our vision of seeing Yas Links sit shoulder to shoulder with the very best. This shortlist is further acknowledgement of Yas Links’ growing status within golf.

The gala awards ceremony will take place at the Pattaya Exhibition & Convention Hall in Thailand on November 2, 2011.