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Club Manager Update
CLUB MANAGER
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CLUB UPDATE
Emirates Golf Club
As the 2021-2022 season concludes, I wish you safe travels and hope many of you have the opportunity to catch up with friends and family.
It has been fantastic to see colleagues looking forward to their well-deserved breaks and for some reacquainting with family members for the first time since the Covid pandemic.
Thank you to our Captains Abdulfattah and Amarjeet
for a great season and although they keep the muchcoveted parking spaces until the end of August their golfing season is complete.
The annual captain’s dinner took place on 29th May, an annual tradition when past, present and future captains get together.
A wonderful way to celebrate 34 years of Emirates Golf Club! Members Consultative Committee
Thank you to the Members Consultative Committee for their support and feedback over the past season. Following two years in the MCC, Dalip Tripathi, Ross Barlow and Aman Chopra will step side and replaced with three fresh faces, it has been great to have them on board and their feedback and commitment has been much appreciated.
Member Lounge Update
Please be informed of new and existing guidelines regarding the use of the members lounge and their guests:
• The members lounge may be used by members and their invited guests. • Male members and guests must wear a collared shirt. • No flip flops are allowed. • The lounge may only be used by members and guests 18 years of age or over. • Smoking and Vaping is not allowed.
Maura Duggan Hole-In-One Majlis Course Hole #11 Sunday 5th June 2022
Emirates Golf Club Indoor Tent
Many of you will have been familiar with the Media Centre tent that was positioned to the left of the bag drop area, close to the event lawn. This was owned by Falcon Golf (organizers and promoters of the SDDC). The club used the venue for functions including tournament prizegiving dinners and large sporting events. The old structure was removed last summer due to age and condition. The club doesn’t have an indoor event space including a back up plan for the occasional rainy day, so we are currently constructing a new indoor space.
FIFA World Cup Fan Zone
As we look forward to the remainder of 2022 one of the standout events is the FIFA World Cup in Qatar from 21st November to 18th December.
We have a long tradition of hosting fan experiences during global sporting events so during the tournament we will be hosting a fan zone on the event lawn and inside our new indoor arena.
Driving Range
The Driving range will be closed for an extended period in the summer to build new target greens, accessible from both ends of the range, plus the desert look and feel will be replaced with approximately 80% grass. Below I have included some background on the driving range to explain the changes since January 2022.
• Lack of opportunity for upkeep resulted in the range outfield being in poor condition at the start of the year, including potholes damaging ball pickers and January storms resulting in poor condition with SDDC approaching. • It was decided to copy a driving range the team saw in Arizona with sand outfield and defined targets. • The work was conducted in January including the leveling and the target greens were overseeded with Rye grass to create well defined targets for the SDDC Pros then subsequent golfers and got great reviews initially. • In addition, the sand outfield approach was a sustainability benefit and helped reduce irrigation expenses. You won’t know that all grassed and landscaped areas in Dubai last Summer struggled for irrigation (TSE) supply. Therefore, consequently we considered areas to reduce our water demand including the driving range. • Another disadvantage to the sand outfield has been accelerated deterioration of the driving range balls. • Green targets - During the summer changes we will ensure the targets are positioned so that golfers practicing from either end of the range will have plenty of targets to hit balls to. • Following the work in the summer the below will be achieved: • Main Grass tee top (near side) - completely levelled eliminating the irregularities in the surface. Note this is overseeded with Rye grass every December. • The outfield will be approx. 80% grass due to challenges mentioned above. • Target greens designed for practice from both ends (i.e., some will be back-to-back slightly inclined so golfers can see the ball land). • Some greens will be joined with grass aprons.
Faldo Hole 7 & 13
Nick Faldo design team has been consulting specifically on holes 7 and 13 during visits dating back to pre-Covid. During the summer we will make some changes to these holes as below:
The Fairway will be extended to the left, so players have an enlarged landing area.
The start of the fairway will be dropped so players can see the landing area from the tee, and mounding to the left of the tee boxes to improve the boundary appearance and segregation from Vida Hotel.
Grass the gap between the two fairways to improve playability for high handicapped players, plus facilitate new tee boxes. Build new tee boxes, back and to the right, enabling us to lengthen the hole for Blue and Black tee boxes.
The landing area short right of the green will be increased in size by reducing the size of the bunker.
Finally, Congratulations to Amarjeet and all EGC members who represented the club in the annual Quaich competition. The event is an interclub fixture against Montgomerie and delighted to say EGC retained the trophy.
Wishing you all a memorable and enjoyable summer!
A SUMMER OF OCEAN FRONT GOLF IN OMAN
Play 18-holes on the #2 course in the Middle East for just 26 OMR
Enjoy a change of golfing scene this summer at Oman’s multi award-winning Al Mouj Golf, host to the European Tour and the Oman Open. In July and August players from across the UAE can play 18-holes for just 26 OMR per person.
“This is our favourite work by Greg Norman, who made fine use of a wonderful Gulf-side site to create hole after memorable hole”.
No wonder as this spectacular 72-par course is set against the background of the Hajar Mountains and with stunning panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, offers players of all standards an exemplary golfing experience.
There is a floodlit driving range and international restaurant plus its location within the Sultanate’s premium lifestyle and leisure destination Al Mouj Muscat means there is plenty to do after you have made your final putt.
Take a stroll around the 400-berth marina or along a golden sands beach, relax at a 5-star hotel, dine and shop at any of Al Mouj’s 85 retail outlets and restaurants.
GOLF
under the lights
EMIRATES GOLF CLUB LADY CAPTAIN
CAPTAIN’S MESSAGE
I hope everyone is coping well with onset of summer and for those brave enough to still play, staying well hydrated!
While it is hard to pick just one highlight from the season, our memorable Lady’s trip to Kenya in May, is still fresh in my mind! It was a seven day adventure!
The beautifully challenging courses we played, Karen Country Club, Sigona Golf Club and Muthaiga Golf club. Each course was different and provided the challenge the ladies were looking for.
To Marie Vi, our Lady Captain and Fiona, our Vice Captain, I would just like to congratulate you and wish you all the success for your up coming season!
I will be there to back you and cheer you on, all the way! All the best to the Club Captain Campbell and Vice-Captain Frank, a fantastic team. Last but not least thank you to my Club Captain Abdul Fattah.
As my term as captain draws to an end, a role that I have really enjoyed, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support and enthusiasm over the season.
I would like to thank the whole management team at the club for all the encouragement and positivity that motivated me to do my very best. Thank you all!
Have a great summer break and safe travels! Amarjeet Radia
Emirates Golf Club ladies also had a match play against Muthaiga Golf Club and we are hoping to reciprocate with them on our home course.
The treatment we received from the clubs and their respective Lady Captains was astonishing, reflecting the true Kenyan hospitality! Off the course, we had great nights of socializing, a few features on local new channels.
We were celebrities! and an unforgettable trip to the Masai Mara, a safari, that introduced Kenya in its true form. This was a real high light– All in all, it was a trip we will cherish for years to come!
GOLF SERVICES MANAGER
TOURNAMENTS
With a successful 2021/22 golfing season behind us, we now look forward to a summer of golf as well as the start of the 2022/23 season! During June, July & August Emirates Golf Club Members can participate in events at Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Creek.
Each club will host a Summer and Red Hot Open, as well as other unique events such as the Jumeirah Pairs.
The Summer Tournament Calendar is available around the Club and as always upcoming events can be viewed on the Viya App. September is almost a transitional month as the summer ‘ends’ with Dubai becoming busier again with schools returning.
The weekend of September 17th and 18th sees Emirates host the Titleist Dubai Golf Pairs Championship. Day One will be a qualifying round on the Faldo Course, with pairs playing in a betterball format. The Top 16 pairs from each of Emirates, Dubai Creek and Jumeirah will qualify for the Day Two held on the Majlis on the Sunday.
The calendar for the 2022/23 Emirates Golf Club Tournament Calendar will be shared in August. As always a packed calendar lies in wait!
Emirates Match Play Championships
Sign ups for the 2022/23 edition will open in July, with the draws shared in October.
As in previous years there will be five different Match Plays open to Full Members: Mixed Doubles (Foursomes), Men’s Doubles (Betterball), Ladies Doubles (Betterball), Men’s Singles, and Ladies Singles. For the first time this coming season there will also be Match Plays for weekday members, these will be: Men’s Singles, Ladies Singles, and Mixed Doubles (Male Male, Female Female or Male Female pairs).
For those travelling during the summer have a great time and we look forward to welcoming you back for next season!
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Emirates Black Tee Challenge
Saturday, 30th April 2022
Emirates Golf Club hosted the Black Tee Challenge which saw 66 golfers compete on the Majlis course in strokeplay format.
The overall gross winner was Obediah Ayton from Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club with a 73 (+1 gross). It was an extremely tidy round, playing only his 2nd round on the Majlis Course. Dominating the Par 5s Obediah made incredible birdies on holes 3, 10 and 13. In Runners Up position was the 2021 defending champion Yash Majmudar from Jumeriah Golf Estates with a 75 (+3 gross).
It was a fine effort by Yash attempting to defend the title. Managing to avoid any scorecard wreckers Yash Made 2 birdies, 5 bogeys and 13 pars.
In third place was Sanjay Dhandsa of Emirates Golf Club with a 77 (+5 gross). A respectable effort by the current Emirates Men’s Club Champion who found birdies on holes 10 and 17.
The Winner of Division A (handicaps below 7.3) was Edouard Meyer of Emirates Golf Club with a 74 Net (+2) and a better back 6. It was a solid back 9 by Edouard finding net birdies on holes 12, 15 and 18.
Runner up in Division A was Ross Barlow of Emirates Golf Club with a 74 Net (+2) Narrowly missing out on 1st place Ross still had a great day on the Majlis course.
Most noticeable was his net eagle on hole 9. The Winner of Division B (handicaps above 7.4) was Tej Chhabra of Emirates Golf Club with a 68 Net (-4). The lowest net score of the day was by Tej, an incredible game featuring 7 net birdies.
Runner up in Division B was Dean Bell of Emirates Golf Club with a 74 Net (+2). Another prize for Mr. Bell and another solid game on the Majlis. Most noticeable was a Net birdie on the difficult 16th.
Tuesday, 3rd May 2022
Emirates Golf Club hosted the Ladies Monthly Medal which saw 26 golfers compete on the Faldo Course in Strokeplay format.
The overall winner of the Silver ‘’A’’ Division (0-14) was Jayshree Gupta with a net 68.
Jayshree went on a magnificent run in the middle of her round which included gross birdies on holes 8 and 10.
Runner Up was Amarjeet Radia with a net 72 (BB9), the highlight of Amarjeet Radia’s round came on the 11th where she made a net birdie. In Third Place was Anne Gely Bouigue with a net 72. Anne had a great run through the middle of her back nine where she made net birdies on holes 14 and 15.
In Silver ‘’B’’ Division, Josie Tracey was victorious with a net 75. Josie had a great start to her front nine where she made a net birdie on hole 2.
In second place was Haide Wright with a net 76, the highlight of Haide’s round came in the middle of her round where she made back to back gross birdies on holes 9 and 10. Third was Maria Petre with a net 79. Maria had a very strong finish to her front nine making a net birdie on hole 10. The Bronze Division (24-36) was won by Michele Carlsson with a net 84. Michele had a net birdie on hole 11. Runner up was Janice Adey with a net 94.
The best gross score of the day was won by Monica Palao with a gross 80 (BB9) which included seven gross pars on the back nine. Maria Arias won the raffle which was sponsored by Park Hyatt Dubai.
Suited & Booted Open
Friday, 6th May 2022
The unique event utilised the floodlights on the Faldo Course with a 6pm shotgun allowing golfers to escape the daytime heat. The overall winner was Russell Yeomans with 40 points. Russell went on a great run throughout the middle of his front nine where he made net birdies on holes 6 and 7.
Runner up was PT Jain with 39 points. PT played some consisted golf throughtout the middle of his round where he back to back net birdies on holes 9 and 10. In third place was Kangho Rho with 38 points. The highlight of Kangho’s round came on the 15th hole where he made a gross birdie. In the A Division, Gordan Mair was victorious with 35 points (BB9). Gordan had a very strong finish to his round where he 11 points in his last five holes. In the B Division (15 & Above), Hattie He won with 36 points. Hattie had a very solid back nine which consisted of 19 points.
ON COURSE EVENTS:
Nearest The Pin Hole 2: Sanjay Dhandsa Nearest The Pin In 2 on Hole 9: Harold Brettenny Nearest The Pin In 3 on Hole 5: Sanjay Dhandsa
Ladies Five Club Challenge
Tuesday, 10th May 2022
Emirates Golf Club hosted the Ladies Five Club Challenge on the Majlis Course with 12 ladies competing in the unique event. The overall winner was Haide Wright with 34 points.
Haide had a very strong finish to her round which included three net birdies in her last five holes. Runner up was Josie Tracey with 33 points.
An excellent front nine performance of 18 points saw Josie move right up the leaderboard. The momentum started on the first hole where she made a net birdie.
Sunday, 15th May 2022
Emirates Golf Club hosted the OMA Emirates Monthly Medal in association with Christies International Real Estate. The Overall Winner, as well as winning the A Division, was Ross Barlow with a 69 (-3). Ross’ round included two solid nine hole scores of 34 on the front and 35 on the back. In runner up spot was Ian Scott with a 73, while in third place was Francisco Ronnqvist with a 74.
The best gross score on the day was Russell Yeomans who had a 79 which included five bogeys and one double bogey.
In B Division (11-20 handicaps), Dinesh Sharma was victorious after a score of 70. Runner Up was Dileep Kumar with a 73 who beat George Clarke, also a 73, with a better back nine score.
The C Division was won by Steven James Ross with a great score of 71. Raj Janardhan won the gents stableford with 35 points, while Susan Brearley won the ladies stableford with 33 points.
ON COURSE EVENTS:
Nearest The Pin Hole 4: Tauseef Khan Nearest The Pin Hole 7: Sam Shorrocks Nearest The Pin Hole 11: Francisco Ronnqvist Nearest The Pin Hole 15: Erwan Dantan
Ladies Mutt & Jeff Competition
Saturday, 17th May 2022
Emirates Golf Club hosted the Ladies Mutt & Jeff Competition which saw 16 ladies compete on the Faldo Course in a Stableford format that only allows points to be scored on par 3s and par 5s.
The overall winner with a Better Back 6 was Haide Wright who scored 18 points. It was impressive scoring from Haide which accumulates as a -2 Net. Most noticeable was the net birdies Haide made on 10 and 17.
The runner up with another strong 18 points was Fiona Berry. Fiona played exceptionally well, the biggest stand out was gross birdies on 10 and 12.
Ladies Tournament Of Champions
Tuesday, 24th May 2022
Emirates Golf Club hosted the Ladies Tournament of Champions on the Majlis Course with 23 Ladies Competing in a medal format.
The overall winner was Naima Maya with a net 69 after a better back nine countback. Naima had a particularly strong back nine making three net birdies and one gross birdie.
Runner up was the defending champion Kiyono Taniuchi with a net 69. Kiyono had a great finish to her front nine which consisted of net birdies on holes 8 and 9.
In third place was Caroline Granger with a net 69. The highlight of Caroline’s round came on hole 9 where she made a net eagle. The best gross was won by Nonita Chand with a gross 79. Nonita had a very strong finish to her round which included a net birdies on holes 15 and 18.
