Yas Acres Golf & Country Club may well be the newest kid on the block in the UAE, but with the world-class facilities and unbeatable hospitality on offer at the Abu Dhabi-based club, you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d been in the game for a long time.
But you could argue that they have been here for an eternity, with Viya Golf, part of wasl Hospitality & Leisure, managing the clubs golf operations, leisure facilities and dining outlets for the last 12 months.
It’s safe to say their arrival has been been a game-changer for the venue, with the club not only boasting one of the finest manicured nine-hole golf courses in the region, but also offering a unique beginner program, a family fair for the local community and a state-of-the-art country club, which is home to a gymnasium, swimming pool, padel courts and a whole lot more.
We caught up with Ann Daniel, Cluster Membership Manager – Viya Golf, to find out why the club’s off course facilities stand out from the rest.
Worldwide Golf: Yas Acres has been under the Viya Golf umbrella for just over a year now – How have those last 12 months been and have you made any changes to the way Troon used to run things?
Ann Daniel: Yas Acres Golf and Country Club is a magnificent facility, known for its award-winning golf course, and under the stewardship of Viya Golf is evolving into a comprehensive country club that caters to the entire family. During our first 12 months, we’ve been very much focused on driving overall awareness of the facility, as well as the various golf, leisure and F&B product offerings both to the local Abu Dhabi market, as well as nearby Emirates. We have launched two new F&B concepts (The Black Room and The Grillhouse), introduced a Food Truck to service our guests at poolside and who enjoy Padel tennis.
Looking ahead, we have some exciting projects on the immediate horizon. One of these is the establishment of a supervised kids club called ‘Little Acres’, providing fun and educational learning experiences for children up to 8 years old, as well as a cinema room for children up to 12 years old to enjoy. Additionally, before the end of the year we will open our pet-friendly garden – ‘Happy Tails’, to enhance the overall experience for our members and guests’ furry companions. Viya Golf have invested in enhanced training and development for all of our staff, ensuring the entire team from the course marshals to top level management are working towards a common goal and operating as “One Team”.
We believe this plays a huge part in the service excellence we provide to all members and guests and encourages a positive working environment. In summary, these 12 months under Viya Golf have been marked by positive changes and ongoing development at Yas Acres Golf & Country Club, ensuring that it remains a premier destination for leisure, recreation, and family enjoyment.
WWG: Aside from the stunning floodlit course, what other facilities does the venue boast that you are keen to shout about?
AD: Aside from the new projects and facilities I’ve just mentioned, we have a fantastic swimming pool that’s great for simply lounging by or developing your stroke and putting in your lengths. Our separate kids’ pool is a great addition to keep the little ones engaged for hours on end. Our four Padel courts, offer an exciting new recreational option.
Furthermore, we’ve invested in our members’ well-being by updating our state-of-the-art gymnasium, ensuring it stays at the cutting edge of fitness facilities. Our three unique dining outlets continue to provide a diverse and delightful culinary experience for our members and guests. Yas Acres Golf & Country Club is in the heart of a thriving community, and we have developed the perfect place for the entire community to come together and enjoy a leisure experience catered to their needs.
WWG: What do the club offer novices who are looking to get into the game?
AD: Yas Acres stands apart from our other Viya Golf Clubs, namely Yas Links Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club; as this is the home of our ‘Get Into Golf’ program, specifically designed for complete beginners. We have everything a beginner needs, all the way from our exceptional floodlit practice facilities that encompass a short-game area with 3 target greens, inclusive of a large putting green, as well as a large grass-tee driving range, through to our very welcoming and friendly colleagues and expert coaching staff.
Our coaching team is aptly led by PGA Senior Teaching Professional Marc Arnold, who aside from Get Into Golf, offers a diverse range of lesson packages to meet all abilities.
These packages include specially tailored Ladies and Men’s Group Lessons designed to cater to beginner and intermediate golfers. Additionally, we are thrilled to introduce our innovative Junior Development Programme, thoughtfully crafted to guide young enthusiasts on their golfing journey, gradually nurturing them from beginners to accomplished competition-level players.
WWG: We’ve seen you guys shout about the Family Fair event on social media – What exactly is that?
AD: Yas Acres Golf & Country Club has always been the epicentre of community spirit and togetherness. Since March 2023, we hosted our first Family Fair which aims to encourage residents to come together and build stronger social connections within the community. Our Family Fair happens once a month at our stunning pool location with plenty of Kids Activities, from educational workshop to water playground and more. We also have a variety of live cooking stations to compliment our food truck, providing a diverse menu that caters to a range of tastes and dietary preferences. Include options for kids, adults, and health-conscious customers, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
WWG: You’ve just been crowned United Arab Emirates’ Best New Golf Course 2023 at the World Golf Awards – How proud are the Viya Golf team to have received that honour having only been at the helm for the last year?
AD: We are immensely proud and deeply privileged to have won the title of the Best New Golf Course in the UAE at the 2023 World Golf Awards. It is truly an honour to receive this prestigious award and this recognition reaffirms our unwavering commitment to excellence and our dedication to creating a golfing experience that stands out and exceeds expectations. We are grateful for this remarkable achievement and look forward to continuing to set new standards in the world of golf.
To learn more about all the stunning facilities on offer at Yas Acres Golf & Country Club, please visit www.viyagolf.com/yasacres
