Regional winners of Business Today-Honda Pro-Am of Champions 2012

Playing golf on a hot and humid summer day is not a good idea, but if it is at an idyllic golf retreat, like the Montgomerie Dubai, it is a different matter altogether. The enthusiastic regional winners of Business Today-Honda Pro-Am of Champions 2012 shrugged off the weather to display their passion for the game at this venue recently.

The participants had to even make do without caddies and display special skills in reading the well-manicured greens, where they were playing for the first time, but they did not mind one bit.

The Address Montgomerie Dubai boasts a 7,446-yard championship golf course designed by professional Scot golfer Colin Montgomerie in association with the late Desmond Muirhead, a renowned golf course architect. Ranked as one of the top courses in West Asia, the links-style course is managed by Troon Golf, one of the best golf course management companies in the world. (Link courses are usually near the coast, often amid dunes, with few water hazards and few, if any, trees.) The Montgomerie has a majestic clubhouse with 21 five-star hotel rooms, three international restaurants, a fitness centre and a spa.

The tournament, which was played over 6,750 yards, teed off at 1.30 p.m. (local time). Golf carts fitted with GPS devices, which displayed accurate yardages, helped the participants navigate the course.

Lush green fairways - not too thick rough - and the forgiving bunkers made for a pleasant experience despite the weather. At the end of play, Sheila Sangwan, a member of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), and Sudhir Patel, Chairman, ABC Bearings Ltd, came out on top in the 0-16 and 17-24 handicap categories respectively.

The participants then retreated to three top-of-the-line luxury fivestar hotels - The Address Downtown Dubai, The Address Dubai Mall and The Palace - The Old Town. The Address Downtown Dubai faces the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. As the second tallest building in Downtown Dubai, the 63-floor hotel is unique and breathtaking.

It has 196 guest rooms and suites, and 625 serviced apartments. The Address Dubai Mall is linked to the world's largest shopping and entertainment destination - The Dubai Mall. Both the hotels provide stunning views of The Dubai Fountain - the tallest performing fountain in the world. Finally, The Palace - The Old Town, another imposing structure, has 242 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, including the imperial suite with an enchanting West Asian ambience. The hotel is surrounded by a lake and offers prime views of the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Funtain.