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Dubai: Abu Dhabi Golf Club -home to the $2 million, European PGA Tour-sanctioned Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, which takes place this month - has upgraded its course and facilities to enhance the playing and spectator experience for 2008's hotly contested tournament and curtain raiser to the new season.
The club has redesigned its severe dog-leg-left 16th hole on the National Course to create a more challenging line of play for the star studded Championship field, which features many of the world's top 25 players - including defending champion Paul Casey, fellow English duo, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter, Australia's Adam Scott and Ireland's Padraig Harrington.
With water hazards bordering the right hand side of the fairway, the treeline aligning the corner of the dog-leg has been replaced with a deep, devilish bunker complex which should restrict long-hitters looking to drive the 'Tiger Line' over - or fade round - the par 4's bend from the tee.
The amendments, which also include changes to the rough to make them more penal, have led to the Par 72 National Championship course being extended to 7,500 yards - the longest its been in the event's three year history.
"We are continuously looking at ways to enhance the overall experience of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, and make the course more demanding for the players.
"We have seen some fantastic golf played on this course, and the amendments that have been made for 2008 will foster the tight, enigmatic golf we have come to expect from this tournament," said Ahmad Hussain, Deputy Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, which organises the Championship.
"We have had members from the European PGA come to inspect the course already and they are very happy with the state of the facilities! This Championship is going from strength-to-strength and this year will be no different."
The Abu Dhabi Golf Club has also undertaken a soft refurbishment of its dining experience for this year's Championship, which runs from the 17-20 January 2008.
The thrust of this work is the redesign of its signature outlet, Café 37, to create a more relaxed and enjoyable setting.
The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2008 has attracted a high profile sponsorship line up including: Etihad Airways and Aldar as Diamond Sponsors; etisalat, Standard Chartered Bank and Emirates Palace as Platinum Sponsors; Nissan, Airbus, Rolls Royce, Omega and Xerox as Gold Sponsors, Gulf News as Official Newspaper, Radio 2 as Official Radio Station, Middle East Golfer as Official Magazine, AME Info as Official Media Partner and Cutter & Buck as official merchandise.
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