Abu Dhabi Or Bust

In just a couple days, an international field of the world’s top golfers will be competing in the annual Abu Dhabi Golf Championship – the first major stop on the 2009 European PGA Tour calendar.

The tournament will take place 8,344 miles away from Troon Golf’s Scottsdale-based headquarters at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates.

If 8,344 miles is a bit outside of your travel range, you can tune in to the Golf Channel’s coverage. But hey, a few days in the UAE might do you some good – it should be sunny and in the low 70s through the weekend. I’ve gone ahead and done some of the leg work to get you there and back. You lose two days in travel so there’s no time to drag your feet here.

I found a flight out of Phoenix on Jan. 13 for $3,249 that would have you there for the first day of play on the 15th and back at work next Tuesday. And while you’re there, you might as well stay at the Emirates Palace. Four nights in the Palace Grand Suite will run you $13,600 and there is still availability. Or take the more affordable approach at the Al Diar Palm Suites, just $2,100 for four nights (but go for the Emirates Palace, really, you deserve it). Tickets to the tournament will run you $136 for the week, add in your meals at the course and a few cab fares and you are set.

Sounds like a fun trip.

Troon Golf has managed the operations at Abu Dhabi Golf Club since mid 2007. The semi-private facility features 18 holes of world-class golf on the National Course just ten minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport and 20 minutes from the city center.