DUBAI // It is said experience has the innate ability to generate comfort even when faced with unnatural situations.
Yesterday, for the second time in three weeks, Ahmed Al Musharrekh, the UAE's congenial young amateur, swapped university studies for European Tour golf and showed at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic he is adapting to such distinguished new surroundings.
The 21 year old competed at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship last month, but conceded his gift for the game had gone missing, replaced by a nervous tension brought on by pressure and expectation. He finished his two rounds on 18-over.
Yesterday afternoon, in perfect conditions at the Emirates Golf Club, Al Musharrekh flirted with a below-par score for much of the front nine before making what he described as "a few amateurish mistakes" and carding out on four-over par 76.
"This tournament has been a more relaxed atmosphere; it just feels a lot more natural," he said. "On the first tee, I felt a little pressure, but I hit it good - straight down the middle - and then the pressure was pretty much gone.
"I was playing the golf that I wanted and had a lot of birdies out there, but the mistakes I made were just silly; you can't do that at events likes this."
When the Dubai-based Al Musharrekh played in the UAE capital last month, the field included Tiger Woods and the four highest ranked players in the game. It is an experience that has set him in good stead.
"I have definitely adapted to my environment a lot more and I am proud of myself for that; for handling it better," he said.
"I just need to learn now how to score and try to shoot under par. When playing alongside pros, you realise how inexperienced you are, and how difficult you make things for yourself.
"I was at stages under par today and I just want to keep that going now."
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
