AN ELITE golf course has been turned into a lake after a freak weather event.
The course is due to host The Challenge Tour on Thursday with a host of professional golfers geared up to play.
The new and improved course has been left flooded
GettySpanish golfer Alejandro Canizares attempts to play a shot on the 12th hole in practice[/caption]
Multiple bunkers turned into lakes amid the heavy rainfall
The 16th hole has been left completely underwater
The course at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club in Abu Dhabi promises to be a true test for this week’s field after being hit by surprise flooding in the region.
The green – which is a first-time venue for the Challenge Tour – was flooded after torrential rain submerged the stunning landscape.
Flooding and murky water has completely swamped bunkers on the majority of the 18 holes.
A latest post on X indicates that the tour is set to go ahead as planned on April 18.
Ground staff have been hard at work draining muddy water via pumping machines from various obstacles around the course.
But despite their best efforts, golfers will be still be forced to navigate huge puddles in the usually dry desert.
The players include several winners on the DP World Tour, headlined by 2012 Ryder Cup winner Nicolas Colsaerts.
Colsaerts last won in the 2019 Amundi French Open, while the Kolkata Challenge champion Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen joins.
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The course was left flooded before the Challenge Tour
Ground staff were forced to drain bunker areas on the course prior to the start of play
Staff continue to drain bunkers
The Challenge Tour is the second tier tour in Europe, below the DP World Tour, but holds events around the world.
Despite the weather storms, Abu Dhabi is set to continue to build its status as a global sporting hub with upcoming competitions.
The two upcoming events are part of the European Tour group’s long-term partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation.
Golf fans in the region are being encouraged to attend both events, with entry free of charge and no ticket required.
The United Arab Emirates was reeling today after the heaviest rain ever recorded left at least one person dead in Dubai.
Work began early in the morning to sort the mess out
The Challenge Tour will still go ahead this week
APTwo men walk through floodwater in Dubai on Wednesday[/caption]
A view of submerged cars after heavy rainfall in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates”}]]