Are mobile operators getting into the iPhone app game? You can bet there's an app like that. 

Yes, it appears that Etisalat is taking the iPhone app world quite seriously with a new free application targeting golf enthusiasts who will be taking in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship next week.

I haven't seen it available on the iTunes App Store yet, but I'm sure that users will be able to get real time data, player profiles and course information, just like the company promises in its press release.

The operator has already got one iPhone app in the can, a Yellow Pages app that aids with finding addresses and phone numbers. Unfortunately, the only reviews for the current version of the app suggest that it crashes quite a bit, so caveat emptor.

The key thing here is that it is quite rare for telecom companies to develop iPhone apps, leaving the bulk of work to the software developers of the world. But operators are increasingly becoming more involved in the content side of the business and this announcement is definitely a sign of things to come.

A quick check on iTunes reveals that Etisalat appears to be the only Middle Eastern operator making iPhone apps, but that could soon change. We'll have more on this story at a later date.

And yes, an apology for the cheesiness of the first line there. I couldn't help myself.

More details from Etisalat after the jump. 

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Follow Abu Dhabi Golf Championship with the first-ever Golf  iPhone App by Etisalat

Abu Dhabi, 21 January 2010: Etisalat, as Platinum Sponsors and Official Telecommunications Provider, has exclusively developed the ultimate iPhone application dedicated to golf fans for the ongoing Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2010, the first-ever for a European Tour, starting today (21 January), until 24 January 2010. With its astounding user interface, live score, player profiles, push notification alert and real time live data broadcast, the application delivers the best sports experience ever for Etisalat's iPhone users, even for the most demanding fans.

This free must-have application has been designed in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2010 organisers, especially for golf fans and is available to Etisalat iPhone users for download via iTunes beforehand as well as onsite at the Etisalat stand in the sponsors village. Along with live updates, the application also allows users to view the leader board, player bios, course details with 3D fly-throughs of the holes and a 2-minute video highlight at the end of each day's play.

The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2010 defending champion, Paul Casey, commented on the occasion, "I'm a big follower of new technologies and am always excited when they have a relevance to the game of golf. The app gives everything a golf fan needs to improve the onsite experience and to have it right there on your phone is very cool."

Etisalat's iPhone app is aimed to keep the spirit of the game thriving throughout the Golf Championship 2010 as a perfect accompaniment to customers who may be on-the-road or not near the Internet or television on the day of a game, therefore keeping them constantly updated while on the move.