Release date: January 20, 2007



While Englishman Anthony Wall was flying up the leader board at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship with a consecutive eagle and birdie on the 10th and 11th holes at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, sports fan Colin MacLeman from Australia was keeping a close eye on a falcon in the tournament’s Tented Village.


Colin, an Abu Dhabi-based construction engineer, and his wife Susan took time out from watching the star-studded Championship to enjoy the traditional Arabian hospitality on offer at the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) stand. ADTA is owner of the US$2 million European Tour event, which has attracted top golfers Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Paul Casey, Colin Montgomerie and Chris DiMarco.


As the eagles and birdies were flying from the clubs of the world’s top stars on the immaculate Abu Dhabi course, Colin inspected the fastest creature on the planet while Susan had a henna design done on her hand.


“We enjoy the buzz of the event. It’s like going to a football match. You can watch the golf on TV, but only by being here can you experience the buzz,” said Colin, who has lived in Abu Dhabi two years.