4 minute read
CLUB MANAGER’S MESSAGE
DEAN NELSON CLUB MANAGER, EMIRATES GOLF CLUB
I hope you have all been enjoying the lovely winter weather and our courses, which have been in stunning condition.
I would like to extend my thanks to all our Members for their patience around booking tee times at this very busy time of the year. The course conditions, great weather and many exciting events have helped make golf as popular as ever.
The walking season on the Majlis Course post Desert Classic retained the excellent playing surfaces and I do hope this extended period was enjoyed by all. Unfortunately, the overseeded Rye Grass does not perform too well with the cart traffic, which is why we kept them off for longer this year. The greens have been in top class condition and putting has been a joy, despite the challenge when they are so fast!
It all seemed to be scripted at this year’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, with perfect weather, perfect course conditions and a winner in Rory McIlroy that stunned the vast galleries with some incredible golf. Whilst it was Rory’s fourth win, we did see the first win for the Club team in the Pro-Am, with Captains, Frank Duggan and Fiona Berry assisted by Club Champion, Viktor Kofod-Olsen and Professional, Tom McKibben, who beat the field by three strokes on (-34). A fantastic win, and well done to our team!
JUNIOR DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC
The Junior Dubai Desert Classic was again hosted on the weekend prior to the Desert Classic and is a platform for 54 junior golfers to compete on the Majlis Course the weekend prior to the main event. Club Member, Viktor Kofod-Olsen played stunning golf to record (-4) over the 36 holes, winning by four strokes. Many congratulations to Viktor, a Desert Classic to remember!
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Chef Dayan and Food & Beverage Operations Manager, Martyn Davies, have been busy creating the all-new menu in the huts which started this month, and they have some exciting new additions. If you haven’t yet tried the signature Milkshakes or the Pulled Beef Hot Dog, I recommend you try it on your next round! We will continue to amend and upgrade where we can, to increase the on-course dining experience.
Keep an eye out for the new menu items in Spike Bar, as Chef Dayan refreshes the menu with exciting new dishes, curated by him and his team as well as retaining the popular classics.
Summer Projects
Our Golf Course Maintenance yard, to the left side on the 18th tee box on Faldo Course, will see an extension over the next year. The yard is being extended to accommodate our golf cart fleet, in-house publishing, and our Engineering departments.
To minimise disruptions to players the cart path on hole 18 has been moved to the right-hand side of the tee box, which will enable safe passage whilst playing the hole. This work should not have any impact on play, and we appreciate the support as we enhance the Club’s facilities.
Tee Time Bookings
We have been seeing several tee times booked and then cancelled and mostly within the permitted cancellation period. Whilst things happen, I would ask Members to try to only book what is necessary as this leads to frustration for other Members who can’t get a tee time and then find them re-opening closer to the time.
Course Care
The bunker raking has really improved, and I appreciate the efforts of all Members in ensuring bunkers are left the way you would expect to find them. It often sounds like a broken record talking about ball marks on the greens, but I will again mention that as we are still seeing many marks and shoe scuff marks on the greens not being repaired. Our greens are in excellent condition and let’s help keep them that way.
Divots on the fairway can be a challenge when walking and with the return to cart usage, please use the sand provided the fill these divots and keep the fairways in great condition
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