Club Life

ISSUE 22 June 2012 Editor: Jacqui Barry egc@dubaigolf.com

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The Summer months are almost upon us but the summer weather is already here so no doubt we will notice a ‘thinning’ out of numbers around the Club as people escape the heat and head off to cooler climates.

Mike Sim’s Captain’s Day took place on 18th May and I think everyone had a great day and evening. I was out and about taking photos and the atmosphere around the course was fantastic and a great format too with all the local Pros turning out for the five-man Pro-Am teams.

The evening function at the Media Centre did not disappoint either with some great entertainment provided by Trevor and by the greenkeeping staff. Well done guys, you were fantastic.

Well done Mike for putting together one of the best Captain’s Days ever and congratulations on your year as Captain. Mike has always made himself available in the Club and has gone out of his way to play with various members and guests and he has put so much into his year as Captain…I don’t think his duties really required him to shut the bar each evening though!

Likewise a special thank you to Caroline who has worked hard to keep the ladies’ section running smoothly with a great variety of competitions and social events.

I heard a funny story the other evening and I have been given permission to share this with everyone…Mike, lastminute.com Sim decided to get his Emirates ID card, just days before the deadline of 31st May and enlisted the help of a friend who was able to get the company PRO to push things through. Having done that on the Wednesday, he then received a text asking him to go to the ID office for fingerprinting etc, the final part of the registration process, at 8.00am on 26th which was two days later. Mike was up early, despite getting home late the night before and took a taxi to the ID office. He assumed he was first there when the car park was empty, went to the entrance but it was locked. He managed to get the attention of the security guard who was standing inside and was indicating to Mike that they were closed so Mike showed him his mobile phone with the details the appointment.

They were indeed closed because it was a Saturday and Mike’s appointment was for 26th SEPTEMBER! Well, at least we know he will be coming back to Dubai after all!

The course is going through its transitional period when it’s not in good condition but please take the time to read Craig’s write-up in this issue so you will know why the course is as it is.

Well, here’s wishing you all a good summer, safe travels and see you all next season.

Jacqui

Club Life Issue 22

Christopher May

General Manager cmay@dubaigolf.com

Barney Coleman

Andrew Whitelaw

Club Manager awhitelaw@dubaigolf.com

Andy Meech

Golf Services Manager bcoleman@dubaigolf.com

Recreation Manager ameech@dubaigolf.com

Julian Danby

Adele Cowgill

Kate Philips

Steen Simon

Food and Beverage Manager ssimon@dubaigolf.com

Ganesh Mangathil

Executive Chef fporte@dubaigolf.com

In House Publishing Manager gmangathil@dubaigolf.com

Chef Benoit Cart

Executive Sous Chef bcart@dubaigolf.com

Saeed Ahamed Financial Controller

mahamed@dubaigolf.com

EGC Key Telephone Numbers Main Switchboard 04 417 9999 Golf Reservations 04 380 1234 Membership 04 417 9801 Recreation 04 417 9850 Accounts 04 417 9875 SensAsia Urban Spa 04 417 9820

Culinary Director mgrenard@dubaigolf.com

Chef Francois Porte

Senior Manager - Commercial Marketing & Communications & Business Development Manager jdanby@dubaigolf.com acowgill@dubaigolf.com

Membership Manager kphillips@dubaigolf.com

Chef Max Grenard

Craig Haldane

Director - Golf Course Maintenance chaldane@dubaigolf.com

Keith Wilkes

Retail Manager kwilkes@dubaigolf.com

Stephen Deane Head Academy Professional sdeane@dubaigolf.com

Haridas Palliyalil Resident Engineer

hpalliyalil@dubaigolf.com

Follow Emirates Golf Club on Facebook for the latest news, views and special offers.

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lthough I don’t really know where my last article will be written, I know one thing…this is the last that will be penned from my aging laptop.

Poor old girl has lasted a long time but now breaks down more times than my old Mini from the 60s. Every month, just as Jacqui reminds me that I am behind schedule, the old girl decides to crash leaving me struggling for the deadline. The easy fix would of course be to buy a new one but I have struggled with this knowing that at some time, maybe soon, I will be in the USA and I might need warranty.

Luckily she has behaved tonight and I am able to give you my final message from Dubai.

Captain’s day is now behind me. This is probably the day that everyone who has held this position looks forward to the most. I did things a little bit differently by combining not only

the Captain’s Day but the final of the Skills challenge. For those who participated in the event and in particular to those who reached the final stages, congratulations. For those who did not participate and for those who did not watch the final, shame on you. You missed a wonderful display of talent.

To those who participated in my day, thank you. I hope that you had as much enjoyment playing the format as I did. Yes I did have a touring Pro in my team but that was not just because he should be the best player, but because we have played golf together since he was twelve years old. To Ross, Mohsin, Tom and my son Richie, thanks. We did have the lowest score because everyone played great. To everyone who helped me make this day a success I thank once again.

The season is almost over and the course is beginning to show signs of wear. Have patience it will return. The new irrigation system is ongoing but of course it will cause issues during the summer. Again have patience.

My message would not be complete

without me complaining about something and I will not let you down. I have played quite a lot of golf recently and I cannot believe how many range balls I have found on the course. I am not talking about the ones next to the ranges but balls on holes in the middle of the course. Who on earth would want to play a prestigious course like the Majlis with a range ball?

You might as well play with a potato! Surely members who pay a considerable annual fee would not do this. Surely guests who pay a substantial green fee would not scrimp on buying a box of the cheapest balls on the market!

Would they? If I had my way and I found somebody playing a range ball I would have them publically ridiculed and thrown off the course.

To everyone I wish you a great summer and happy golfing!

Mike Sim Captain 2011 - 2012

BMW/RIVOLI MEDAL Friday, 4th May 2012 A DIVISION (HCP. 0-10) BEST GROSS WINNER RUNNER - UP THIRD

Kouroche Achtari Mathys Oberholster Kouroche Achtari Andrew Robinson

72 69 70 72

WINNER RUNNER - UP THIRD

Joseph Smith Robert Bailey Tej Chhabra

69 69 71

WINNER

Cees Van Dooren

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B DIVISION (HCP. 11-20)

C DIVISION (HCP. 21-34)

Ahmed Al Musharrekh

BLACK TEE CHALLENGE Friday, 11th & Saturday, 12th May 2012 GROSS

CHAMPION RUNNER-UP THIRD FOURTH

Ahmed Al Musharrekh (EGF) 70 + 70 = 140 Pontus Fredriksson (EGC) 74 + 73 = 147 Philip Waine (ADGC) 77 + 73 = 149 Trevor Marshall (SG&SC) 75 + 75 = 150

OVERALL NET PRIZES OVER 36 HOLES

FIRST NET Richard Holden (EGF) 75 + 69 = 144 SECOND NET Sohail Al Marzouqi (EGF) 75 + 72 = 147 THIRD NET Maajid Mushtaq Madni (EGF) 71 + 77 = 148

GROSS DAILY

Mathys Oberholster

BEST GROSS DAY 1 BEST GROSS DAY 2

Craig Forrest (JGE) Mark Williams (EGF)

73 71

BEST NET DAY 1 BEST NET D-2

Yasser Refai (EGC) Luiz Bertuol (EGC)

72 71

NET DAILY

www.dubaigolf.com

4 MIKE SIM’S CAPTAIN’S DAY

MEN’S TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

Friday, 18th May 2012

25th May 2012

WINNERS

RUNNERS UP

THIRD

Andy Matthews Johnny Aldridge Steven Jones Paddy McGrath Cameron Bellman 57.2 Steven Deane Paul Byrne Rory McDonald Bill Ayres Brian King 58.5 James Shippey Dave Duguid Rohit Gupta Gordon Wingate Alistair McMillan 58.6

Winner

Roger Cornwell

HOLE HOLE HOLE HOLE

Lars Ohlsson Wayne Foster Paddy McGrath Steven Deane (FOR PROS ONLY)

Guest the Captain’s Drive NEAREST THE PIN # # # #

4 11 15 7

CHAMPION RUNNER UP THIRD BEST GROSS

Jignesh Sangani Rabih Sfeila Kuttan Malattiri Vikram Judge

69 net 71 net 71 net 71 net

229 yards

STRAIGHTEST DRIVE HOLE # 1 HOLE # 12

Amresh Sangani Kamal Kosta

BMW RIVOLI MEDAL FRIDAY, 1st June 2012

Cameron Bellman, Mike Sim, Paddy McGrath, Andrew Matthews and Stephen Jones

A DIVISION (HCP. 0-15) BEST GROSS Rohit Gupta WINNER Rohit Gupta RUNNER UP Jignesh Sangani THIRD Alan Salem B DIVISION (HCP. 16-34) WINNER Arjun Kapur RUNNER UP Jan Hooftman THIRD Kevan Halliwell

Rohit Gupta

75 (BB6) 71 72 76 72 76 76

Jones and Hendrickx combine to win the Blind Partners Competition Runners-Up: Steven Deane, Paul Byrne, Rory McDonald, Bill Ayres and Brian King

Third: James Shippey, Dave Duguid, Rohit Gupta, Gordon Wingate and Alistair McMillan Club Life Issue 19

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ady Captain Caroline Jones and Thea Hendrickx combined nicely in this exciting format around the Majlis course with 77 points. For this format the golfers play their own stableford game and then after play, their score is combined with a blind/ unknown player to form a pair.

The runners up spots were closely fought, with 2 pairs sharing the same number of points, 74. It was the pair of Najla Bartette and Ingrid Sjodoff who took the spot on a count back from Noemy Bertuol and Maura Duggan.

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y year as Lady Captain is coming to an end and my husband and children are looking forward to having food in the fridge next year! I have had a great year, my thanks to everyone for their support and kindness and a big thank you to all the staff at Emirates who do such a great job and welcome us with smiling faces every day!

Congratulations to all the end-ofseason champions who took the trophies for Golfer of the Year, Champion of Champions and to all the matchplay winners. My golf has not been so good all year but finally, at the end of the season I managed to get into the winning circle …with the help of 42 points from Thea Hendrickx, who helped our score enormously in the Blind Partners competition!

Sadly we have to say good-bye to

a few of our ladies as they move on and our best wishes go to Angela Kammer, Nancy Wingate, Stephanie Wilson, Kay Wright and Janine Craig. They have all been very active members of the ladies’ section and will be greatly missed though I have a feeling a few of them will reappear from time to time at Emirates, especially Nancy and Stephanie. Stephanie is only moving down the road to Abu Dhabi and will be a member at Yas so those lucky ladies will be sampling the delights of her delicious cakes!

I’d like to also welcome any new members and look forward to seeing them on Mondays next season.

Congratulations to the Rest of the World team for winning back the Curtisy Cup from Europe after six years which was a well deserved victory! Captain Janine Craig has been on a roll for the last few weeks; having led her team to victory, she had an amazing 60 net to win the Tournament of Champions and came second in the TNT tournament on May 26th - with

those fantastic scores I’m sure her bucket list must be complete before her return to Australia. Well done Janine!

On 29th May we had the annual Captains’ Dinner which was a very enjoyable evening; it is great to see that so many past captains are still here and active at the Club.

The Incoming Captains and Vice Captains were presented with their green jackets and I’d like to wish Glynis and Moshe the best of luck for next year; I have no doubt they will do a great job, ably assisted by Barbara and Dick.

Although there are no more official competitions on Mondays, there are still quite a few ladies around who will continue to play despite the heat so some tee times have been blocked on Monday mornings until the end of June and you can sign up for these at Reservations.

I’d like to wish everyone a great summer and hope to see you around the Club next season.

Caroline Jones Lady Captain 2011 - 2012

LADIES STABLEFORD AND PAST LADY CAPTAIN’S TROPHY Monday, 7th May 2012 Past Lady Captain’s Trophy Winner Angela Connor

34 pts

Stableford Overall Winner Silver Division Winner Runner-Up Bronze Division Winner Runner-Up

40 pts 38 pts 35 pts 31 pts 31 pts

Lorraine Logan Caroline Jones Glynis Hendry Carrie Parker Annette Carstanjen

Angela Connor

www.dubaigolf.com

6 Monthly Medal

MEN’S SINGLES

Monday, 14th May 2012 SILVER ‘A’ DIVISION (HCP. 0 – 14) Winner Carolyn Thompson Runner-Up Viv Caley Overall Best Gross Nana Nielsen SILVER ‘B’ DIVISION (HCP. 15 –23) Winner Janine Craig Runner Up Kay Wright BRONZE DIVISION (HCP. 24 –42) Winner Ingrid Sjodoff

73 net 74 net 82 72 net 73 net 74 net

Champion Dilip Tripathi Runner-Up Haris Michaelides Score 1 Up

LADIES’ SINGLES

Champion Rosemary Turlik Runner-Up Noemy Bertuol Score 4/3 Carolyn Thompson

MEN’S FOURBALL TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS Monday, 21st May 2012 Champion Runner-Up Third Best Gross

Janine Craig Viv Caley Naima Maya Kavita Sehmi

60 net 69 net 69 net 76

STABLEFORD (for non-qualifiers of Tournament of Champions)

Champions Scott Doak & Ewan Cameron Runners-Up Mark Donovan & Paul Donovan Score 2/1

SILVER DIVISION WINNER LADIES’ FOURBALL Thea Hendrickx 37 pts BRONZE DIVISION WINNER Natalya Sobotovych 39 Connor Champions Overall Winner Lorraine Logan 40 pts Nina Larm & SILVER DIVISION (HCP. 0 – 23) Elise Hanson Winner Caroline Jones 38 pts Runner Up Glynis Hendry 35 pts Runners-Up BRONZE DIVISION (HCP. 24 –42) Soumaya Argui & Winner Carrie Parker 31 pts Carmel King Runner Up Annette Carstanjen 31 pts Score 2/1

MIXED FOURSOMES Champions Trevor Varri & Jenny Ayres Runners-Up Moshe Kohli & Naima Maya

Janine Craig Club Life Issue 19

Score 5/4

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Tournament Update

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producing a fantastic 13-shot display ay witnessed the final Junior Tournament of the season as over and taking the runner-up position, but this season’s star performer with yet 70 budding Juniors battled it out another 1-under score of 11 on the Par 3 Academy course one last saw Takumi Miyawaki time! produce another win As always you could sense the excitement and nerves as both the 3pm as he consolidated his place as The and 4.30pm shotguns got underway.

Academy’s best From Cadet level Junior Noah Shawki tournament show cased his skills with a fantastic 18 performer. Well shots on his way to a first place finish Takumi done Takumi! and his first win of the season.

Miyawaki The Academy The highly contested Bronze level saw Professionals would like Junior Maxim Ratobylskyy finish in to thank you all once again for your runner up position with 12 shots, but continued support during Term 3 of Junior Tanishq Lalvani took the spoils The Junior Pyramid Programme and with a fantastic score of 10 Junior Tournament series. As always, and one of the best we enjoyed passing on our knowledge performances of the during the weekly sessions season. and it was great to see the Playing from significant improvement the slightly in the Juniors’ scores longer during the scheduled red tees, Junior events.

Jai Singh As Coaches this produced improvement shows the a 21 to Juniors are not only taking claim a Jai Singh the knowledge onboard, well-deserved but putting in the required runner-up spot practice time to develop in Silver level, but their games and Junior Club Member golf course craft. and fast improving talent This is something Harley Snowling we appreciate was hard to beat with as coaches and a fantastic 16 and it is extremely yet another solid rewarding as performance to end Javier we watch your the season on a Mc Nish children develop into high. competent golfers.

Gold Level student We hope you all have a fantastic Suvansh Arora Suvansh summer break whilst keeping up your picked up yet another Arora practice and we look prize with a solid 21 forward to seeing and runner-up spot, but winner Javier you all again as McNish produced a superb 16 as he we kick of the picked up his second triumph of the new season in season and showed that his hard work September. and extra practice time is certainly paying off.

Regards The talented Elites Harley The Academy didn’t disappoint Snowling Professional with Cynthia Tabler

Harley Snowling

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y name is Harley Snowling I am 12 years of age and I love to play golf. I have been playing golf since Christmas 2011 and I have lessons with Alastair Brown at the Emirates Golf Club Academy, I really enjoy going to the academy and practising the par 3 course with my mum Karen and dad Harvey. My dad and I play a lot of golf on both the Faldo and the Majlis. I am at the Golf Club almost everyday; I just love it there. I find it is a place where I can go after a hard day’s work at school just to chill out and hit a few balls. I always beat my dad on the Majlis but he gets a bit lucky when it comes to the Faldo! I really like golf and I hope I can carry on with it for the next couple of years. I have great facilities to practise at, like the two driving ranges, all the putting greens and the chipping greens. The best aspect of my game is my chipping; I hole many chips and pitches. Putting… well I am not the best at putting but I can always improve. I’d like to say thanks to Alastair for helping me improve every aspect of my game; right now I am working on my swing technique to get the ball going far and straight with just a nice, easy swing, not hitting the ball as hard and causing the ball to hook or slice. I like hitting fades with my hybrids, I just think it is a hard shot to make but I am happy when the shot goes to plan. Thank you for reading my article.

Wishing you all good luck and play well.

Cynthia Tabler

www.dubaigolf.com

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Captain Nigel Hayden-Evans

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30th November 1937 - 26th May 2012

adly one of our life members and a regular visitor to Dubai, Nigel Hayden-Evans passed away last month. Our condolences go out to his wife Jan and his family.

Past member Len Chapman has written this about Nigel..

Nigel loved life, the sea and golf!

He had the knack of making friends wherever he went in the world none more so than EGC which Nigel joined in 1989. With a single figure handicap for most of his golfing life,

Nigel was always happy to play golf wherever he was and on whatever course was available.

First and foremost Nigel was a Master Mariner. He loved the sea whether it was bringing ships safely into Port Rashid, out fishing in his boat, sailing a yacht along New Zealand’s coastline or gently placing two huge tankers alongside each other offshore. Born in Liverpool, he trained at HMS Conway before joining Blue Funnel Line and Cunard Steamship Company.

Nigel and Jan married in 1963 after moving to New Zealand then returned to UK in 1966 where Nigel joined the RAF’s Air Sea Rescue Division as a Flight L - R Nigel Hayden-Evans, James Williams, Len Chapman Lieutenant. on the Majlis at pre-opening stage 1972 saw

WHERE in the W RLD

Wherever you’re travelling this summer, please try to get some photos taken of yourselves at golf courses you visit so that I can run the feature I did at the beginning of this season, ‘Where in the World were our members playing golf this summer’. If you can, get a photograph with an EGC Polo Shirt with logo which would be even better. Please email your photos to me at any time during the summer at barrydxb@eim.ae Club Life Issue 22

Nigel and his family move to Dar Es Salaam and Nigel becoming Assistant Harbour Master with East African Railways and Harbours Board.

In 1979 the Haydn-Evans family moved to Dubai for Nigel to join Port Rashid as a Senior Marine Pilot.

Nigel enthusiastically embraced everything Dubai could then offer.

He became a staunch Dubai Country Club Member regularly playing on DCC’s sand golf course before deciding the ‘new’ EGC was where he could play ‘real’ golf!

Nigel retired in 1998 to Cornwall where he and Jan became active members of Carlyon Bay Golf Club.

Nigel regularly visited Dubai en route to visit his family in Bahrain and Melbourne and, as an EGC Life Member, always looked forward to playing golf on the Majlis and dining at Le Classique. Sadly it was on a recent visit to his son and family in Melbourne that Nigel was taken ill and he returned to UK for treatment.

Nigel will be missed by his many friends around the world.

SIMBO’S SKILLS CHALLENGE sponsored by ABB

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imbo’s Skills Challenge was an ongoing event throughout the season, culminating in the final which took place on Captain’s Day. Eight of our members made it through to this stage when their short game skills were really put to the test with difficult shots like downhill chips, bunker shots, lob shots, putting etc. The eight finalists were joined by EGC Pro Mark Bruce and Paul Byrne, representative for ABB, the sponsors of the event. The standard was exceptionally high and it was obviously not easy performing in front of a crowd of fellow members; some spectators even came with their own chant for Tom Barry, “Tom, Tom, you’re the man. If you can’t do it nobody can.” It didn’t help his nerves, I can tell you!

Paul Byrne scored the highest points on the day but the overall competition was won by the ever-consistent, Charlie Stricklin. Second place went to Trevor Belcher and coming third was Kuttan Mallatiri.

Well done to all. It was a new event on the calendar this year, introduced by Mike Sim and one which would definitely be worth continuing.

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JACQUI JOSEPHSON Tell us a little about yourself Jacqui: I was born in UK and spent my early years on the south coast in Dorset. A love of travel probably started at the age of eight months when a wanderlust crawled me across a road into a ditch! At a very tender age, I was taken to Hong Kong to embark on life as a colonial brat, and before I could reach my teens, I was sent back to boarding school in Bournemouth to have it knocked out of me but they really were wonderful years at school there.

What did you do when you left school?

• On leaving school, it was back to Hong Kong to work for a Norwegian shipping company. My shipping assistant boss tried very hard to teach me his language, but useful phrases like ‘someone has stolen my bicycle’ and ‘unhand me, brave viking’ never quite made the top of the list.

• The came a stint with Radio Hong Kong, working for the Head of the English Programme Service.

Media was an exciting field, and some of the happier duties were going with the boss on outside broadcasts to interview the great and the good for news and current affairs programmes.

• Next was Cathay Pacific at Kai Tak Airport (checking in a charter flight of seamen going home at the end of a tour of duty, who thought cases of whisky qualified as hand luggage, sticks in the memory).

• Then came nine years working for one of Hong Kong’s Taipans whose hats included Chairman of the Royal HK Jockey Club, Vice Chairman of HSBC and 23 other directorships – that was a busy one, and finally two very happy years working for the President of Coca-Cola in the Pacific - wonderful people to work for.

What sports were you involved in before golf became a passion?

As the daughter of the President of the Motor Sports Club of Hong Kong, I became an enthusiastic petrolhead, and entered all the MSC

events in my first car, an MGA, adding a modest amount of silverware to the life of the unfortunate houseboy who had to clean it all. Motor sport ultimately gave way to sailing, Hong Kong and its gloriously scenic waters being a perfect place for it – some great trips were made to and from the Philippines in the annual China Sea Race, sometimes in sparkling sunshine with dolphins for company, sometimes for days on end in foul weather gear.

As an ‘expat’ based in Hong Kong, did you do a lot of travelling around the Far East?

On what was recorded as the hottest day of the year in Hong Kong, I took on the state of matrimony with a 6’ 4” New Yorker to whom Moss Bros in London had couriered a winter weight morning suit – vows taken in Hong Kong Cathedral were accompanied by rapidly expanding puddles of sweat – no wonder it didn’t last!

Married life, however, brought exciting changes of scenery – and a shared wanderlust took in skiing trips to Kashmir, ‘enjoying’ rancid yak butter tea with monks in Tibetan monasteries, visits to tea plantations and a wildlife park in Sri Lanka, a visit to Fiji, learning to skydive on the Hong Kong/China border, and nearly a month touring China at the invitation of the Chinese Government. Visiting a completely deserted Great Wall of China, and an empty Forbidden City remains a lifelong memory, as will the culinary challenges provided by dogs, snakes, civet cats, and other exotica, one of the worst being a glass of snake bile which sat like a rock on the stomach for two days – hard to believe that people in China actually pay for the stuff. There were also wonderful years of living in Singapore and Thailand, which instilled a lifelong love affair with both countries.

What brought you to Dubai?

The end of the marriage and a too-high cost of living in Hong Kong brought me here in 1990, where a new life awaited in insurance and financial

planning. I arrived just in time for the outbreak of the Gulf War when Dubai virtually emptied overnight, and I spent character-building days pounding the streets trying to get in to see people who had already got their money out of the country or very firmly hidden under the mattress, to sell them plans they really weren’t interested in!

When did you take up golf?

Golf took the place of sailing, and the early days were spent with EGC Pro Elliott Gray, trying to get the little white ball to go in the right direction. The Golf Club was then very much on the outskirts of Dubai, and there was righteous indignation when the Hard Rock Cafe was built, and was considered a terrible blot on an otherwise pristine landscape until we realised that it gave us something to aim at from the 8th tee box.

So you’ve been in Dubai since 1990?

No,1997 took me back to Hong Kong for the handover to China – the colonial brat had to go and supervise and make sure they got it right!

After four years in UK I returned to Dubai in 2002 to take up residency as the VIP and Delegations officer on the Palm. It was the job of a lifetime. Four and a half years of looking after high profile visitors to Dubai, who were all brought to the Palm so we could show off the newest Wonder of the World, meant meeting statesmen, politicians, pop stars, sports stars – the good, the bad and the ugly.

I should have kept a diary – I could tell a story or two!

What’s next ?

Dubai is home and I have much to be grateful for; it’s where my friends are, and where they and Emirates Golf Club (which is lucky enough to have the nicest staff in the world) have become central to my being here. I’ve given up on the fantasy of ever getting my handicap down to single figures - I’m happy where I am. www.dubaigolf.com

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Meet the M’s restaurant staff

Novelio, April, Christelle – Restaurant Manager, Jaichandra – Captai

n, Jonalyn and Christopher

Ask The Rules Wizard

by Barney Coleman

D

o you have any questions about the rules? If so, please email your questions to Barney on BColeman@dubaigolf.com with the subject heading ‘Ask the Rules Wizard’ and we will put a selection of questions and answers in Club Life magazine each month.

Ball in Abnormal Ground Condition Not Found

During play of the 2nd hole of the Majlis course Darren hit a poor low shot hooking to the left. The ball embedded in a mound of earth that was piled up due to the ongoing Irrigation project. Darren and fellow competitor Lee saw a hole in the mound of earth and they both agreed the ball must be within the pile of earth. What is the ruling?

It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward an abnormal ground condition (e.g. piled earth is GUR) is in such a condition. It must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in the pile of earth. If Darren and Lee had any doubt then Darren would have to proceed under the lost ball rule.

As both players were virtually certain the ball was lost in the pile of earth, Darren must determine the spot where the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the GUR and the ball is deemed to lie at this spot. Darren may substitute another ball, without penalty, and drop within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief.

Irrigation Project Reminder: Majlis course schedule

• June - Nine holes open Sunday to midday Thursday, full 18 holes open from midday Thursday to Saturday evening. * Please note the nine holes that will be open is a composite BACK 9. The holes making up the nine are the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th. Thus you will start your round on the 9th tee, miss out hole 13 and finish on the 18th. A new scorecard with appropriate Slope index and rating will be available for golfers wishing to play 9 holes or the same 9 twice • July - Nine holes open at all times • August - Nine holes open at all times • September - Nine holes open Sunday to midday Thursday, full 18 holes open from midday Thursday to Saturday evening

Club Life Issue 19

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Crazy Times in GCM!

like nothing more than being busy, especially when doing projects and renovations. Nothing however could have prepared me for just how busy this summer would be! A quick update on what will be going on over the months ahead!

Transition

You will have seen the transition happening over the past month in particular. The Rye checked out pretty quick this year once the switch went off and we went from an instant cool to an instant HOT! The weather in April was simply unbelievable and let’s face it, none of us were complaining as we got to enjoy our golf for that little bit longer while the temperatures remained just perfect. This resulted in the Rye grass hanging around a lot longer than expected or at least not starting to stress as early as I would have hoped. The course conditions remained very good throughout the month and we started to choke back on the water to try and push the Rye out quicker. That done and with the sudden increase in temperature, the Rye simply had enough in early May and we are currently in the middle of the transition, which quite honestly is going really well indeed. The fairways have not had any issues and are now 90% Bermuda already. Our greens were not overseeded so no transition to worry about there and the rough as it typical, is bare in places but with encouraging signs of Bermuda regrowth. All in all, I am happy with how things are going and expect to have us back to 100% Bermuda by mid June.

Irrigation Project

This is a massive project and as you would have noticed, work is well underway on the perimeter. It is a very challenging installation and will continue to be throughout the summer. Trying to keep the existing irrigation system in place whilst installing the new one is paramount and there are just so many variables to consider throughout the project. With part closure mid week in June and September

with full access on the weekends, the contractor needs to have his planning down to a tee. July and August will see the bulk of the work being carried out while we operate only 9-holes but never the less the timeline for this project remains a challenge throughout. Thus far, things are progressing well.

Greens extensions on the Majlis

We have looked at each individual greens complex and at our old plans and photos and have made the decision to bring the greens back to their original sizes. This is a huge exercise which involves a lot of disruption around the green surrounds. We need to remove the existing turf then dig out the profile and ensure we are extending the greens on the same profile as before. We then need to sprig the extensions and grow them in over the summer creating a seamless look. We have been planning this for some time now and two years ago extended our greens nursery to ensure we have more than enough turf to do the job.

Practice facilities

The Majlis putting green was made a lot smaller when the new clubhouse exterior was designed.

We will therefore be extending the putting green out and removing the mound at the center of the putting green on the surrounds. The green will be pushed back into this area and we are also going to maximize the space available surrounding the entire green and increase the surface area by up to 25%.

As part of the practise facilities, we plan to redesign and construct a purpose-built practise area for the short game. This will be in the same location as the chipping green on the Majlis and include a less severe green to chip to with purpose built practise bunkers allowing you to practice the variety of shots required to improve your game. Pete Cowen has helped us to visualise what it is the modern day player/coach requires and it is all based on the student being able to see results. In other words, the surface needs to be quite flat and consistent so that you as a player can see how the ball is reacting.

Environmental Stewardship

We are in the process of being certified under the Golf Environmental Organisation (GEO) and this is a three-year process involving a number of interesting changes to all areas of our operation. Recycled water, biodegradable oils, reusable energy and hybrid equipment for example, all form part of what we are trying to achieve. As part of our initiative to improve our carbon footprint on our golf courses we are continuing with our fire grass project, in particular around the Faldo Course.

More on this can be seen in the presentation on how we improved our tee complex which is up on the notice boards in and around the Club.

Annual Aerification Schedules

With the closure on the Majlis this summer we will do all the required hollow coring etc during this time.

Our closure on the Faldo to do the required works is therefore limited so we scheduled one large closure in May and did all the works required during this time. We will do some additional aerification on the Faldo during play whilst we are quieter in the summer. All communication in this regard will be posted in advance. It will be minimal however due to the large closure just completed.

Over and above all these projects, the two GCM teams at EGC and DCGYC are merging which will include a lot of training of staff and sharing of resources across both the clubs. By doing so we are able to maximize our resources during the critical times this summer and ensure the impact to our golfer is lessened as much as possible.

My team and I will be here throughout the summer to ensure these projects are carried out successfully so that you can return at the beginning of the next season with two golf courses you can be proud to play.

Have a great summer Craig Haldane Director - Golf Course Maintenance

www.dubaigolf.com

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adeltennis, called the fastest growing sport worldwide is about to land at Emirates Golf Club. With three of the latest technology padeltennis courts we expect to open doors in a couple of weeks’ time.

This racquet sport is meant to be played in doubles, combining squash and tennis on a smaller court enclosed in glass walls. Scoring is the same as tennis but serves are under arm. A lot of fun is guaranteed for all ages and abilities.

With over ten million players worldwide, Emirates Golf Club will host the first Padeltennis Club in town. We will be offering free trials, clinics and games until the end of this season (from 7am to 10am and 6pm to 11pm).

Come and give it a try for free with our professional player Carolina Gallo.

PRO TIP

Easy Tips To Help Manage Your Game In order to play your best golf, in addition to learning correct technique and using the right equipment, it is also important to know how to properly manage the course. Rather than simply going out and hitting the ball, you should employ a strategy for each hole that you develop ahead of time if possible. No two courses are the same, so the nuances of each need to be taken into consideration.

Plan for the Elements Be sure to take into account any weather that could affect your play. Note the wind direction and plan your shots to compensate for how it may carry the ball. This can help you with factors such as deciding whether your driver or another club is better when teeing off.

Approach If you are uncomfortable with approach shots, a good rule of thumb is to hit the ball short instead of long. If you hit the ball too hard, you could find yourself trying to hit out of the woods or another hazard. By hitting the ball short, you can usually avoid trouble, and there is also the possibility of getting a favorable roll onto the green.

Avoid Risks You should know your strengths and weaknesses and play accordingly. For example, if you are not strong off the tee, on a long hole you could find yourself in trouble by trying to hit the ball too hard, resulting in an inaccurate drive. If your weakness is your short game and you are faced with a downhill putt, it may be smarter to make a conservative first putt attempt and come up short instead of badly overshooting the hole.

Know the Course If you are playing a course for the first time that you think you will be playing again in the future, make written notes at the end of the round. Include information such as the slope of the greens, length of the holes and location of any hazards. This can help you to develop an effective strategy before playing the course again.

Be Flexible While it is important to have a game plan for each hole, it is also important to be flexible if things go wrong. For example, you may need to alter your planned club selection if you hit an errant tee shot or end up in the rough. You may also need to alter your putting strategy if the greens are playing faster or slower than usual on a given day.

Hole in One 1. Vikram Judge 4th Hole Majlis 5th May 2. Mrs Rim 7th Hole Majlis 21st May 3. Afzaal Ahmad 17th Hole Faldo 24th May 4. Cornelis Janse Ritson 11th Hole Majlis 24th May 5. Markus Brake 4th Hole Majlis 27th May Club Life Issue 22

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ensAsia Urban Spa has been awarded the title of ‘Best Independent Spa’ at the Middle East Spa Awards. Hosted at The Palace Hotel, which recognises outstanding achievements in both the quality of service and amenities provided by spas across the region and it is the ultimate recognition of excellence in the Middle East spa and wellness industry.

SensAsia Urban Spas was founded by Salina Handa in 2004 with a first outlet in Jumeirah providing a chic, urban spa destination for Dubai’s spa lovers. From there Salina went on to open spas on the Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Golf Club and the brand’s first express concept, SensAsia Express in Mall of the Emirates in 2011.

Commenting on the award, Salina said, “We are truly honoured to be recognised as the ‘Best Independent Spa’ in the Middle East by the Middle East Spa Awards. SensAsia Urban Spa at Emirates Golf Club has always been a special spa for us and we are delighted by its success with both golfers and non-golfers since opening last year.” She continued, “This success could not have been achieved without the support of the SensAsia Urban Spas team whom I would like to thank for making all of this possible.”

Emirates Golf Club’s Trip to Banyan, Thailand 8th – 13th July 2012 Join our PGA Golf Professional this summer on a fantastic five night golfing break to the luxurious Banyan Golf Resort in Hua Hin, Thailand.

Enjoy five nights in a luxury villa with jacuzzi or private pool, with breakfast served daily. This exclusive package includes two rounds of golf at Banyan Golf Club, as well as one round at Black Mountain Golf Course and one round at Palm Hills Golf Club, inclusive of green fees, caddies and transportation.

A welcome dinner will be served on your first evening and you will enjoy a five course dinner with grape on your final night.

Accompanying you on this trip is Mark Bruce, PGA Golf Professional from The Academy at Emirates Golf Club.

Mark will be on hand throughout the trip, giving you the opportunity to work on your game in the idyllic surrounds of the Hua Hin region.

What better way to enjoy golf this summer!

For more information or to make a booking, please contact Mark Bruce on +971 56 115 6201 or email mbruce@dubaigolf.com.

Summer Calendar Friday 1st Monday 4th Friday 22nd Friday 29th

June BMW Rivoli Monthly Medal Ladies End of Season Scramble Emirates Summer Open Dubai Golf Summer Series Stableford

13:30 Faldo 08:30 Faldo 13:30 Majlis 13:30 Majlis

Friday 6th Saturday 14th

July BMW Rivoli Monthly Medal (EGC & Creek) Dubai Golf Summer Series Stableford

13:30 Faldo 13:30 Creek

August Saturday 4th Dubai Golf BMW Rivoli Monthly Medal (EGC & Creek) 13:30 Creek Friday 10th Dubai Golf Summer Series Stableford 18:00 Faldo Saturday 25th Dubai Golf Summer Series Stableford 13:30 Creek www.dubaigolf.com

19th HOLE

This is definitely a ‘caption-worthy’ photo. What have Mike and Cammy seen? Obviously something startling!

Andy Matthews with Manchester City player, Sergio Aguero Unplayable lie?

Bryan Wlison’s son, Mark, living in USA, graduated in medicine last month and a week later he got married to Brittany.

Past Captains’ Dinner 2012

Incoming Captains Moshe Kohli and Glynis Hendry

Club Life Issue 22

Captain’s Day special guests, Past Captain Paul Thornberry from UK and Bill Gandy from Singapore with past members Wayne Foster and Gordon Ratcliffe

Incoming Vice-Captains Dick Purchase and Barbara Head

W M Cam Rich

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Congratulations to Alan Mackenzie, Director of Golf at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club who married Christine on 26h April

Amy Sullivan, daughter of Mike and Past Lady Captain Jean got married in England on 26th May. Congratulations

Our long time member, Mr. Singhal celebrated his 70th birthday at Le Classique last month.

Congratulations!

Welcome back to Mohsin Al Tajir, meron Bellman and hie Sim, Mike’s son

The Future of the golf cart

‘King’ Riyaz! www.dubaigolf.com

Swing by Emirates Golf Club for the Euros

Enjoy a full round of 18 holes at Almouj Golf with special summer green fees for Dubai Golf members It is with great pleasure that we are able to announce that Almouj Golf is now operating all 18 holes of the Championship Course.

For those of you who have already had the opportunity to play at Almouj Golf, please be advised that the back and front nine have now been reversed. Therefore the previous 10th hole will now be the 1st hole, which will make the transition between the front and back nine more convenient for your golfing experience.

With Almouj Golf offering special summer rates for Dubai Golf members we look forward to you taking the time to experience this splendid Greg Norman designed and Dubai Golf managed course for yourself.

The special summer rates at Almouj Golf are valid from 1st June to 30th September 2012, offering visitors the perfect opportunity to experience the full 18 holes of this superbly designed course.

2012 Summer rates for 18 holes

Rack Rate*

Dubai Golf Members Rate*

Weekday

AED 285 (30 OMR)

AED 220 (23 OMR)

Weekend AED 335 (35 OMR) (Thursday - Friday)

AED 250 (26 OMR)

*All rates are inclusive of Golf Cart and Range Balls.

Football Central is back! Join us in our dedicated venue for people who love football. Cheer on your team as they compete for European football’s biggest prize live on over 15 screens, meaning that you won’t miss a minute of the action.

Special member prices for tables start from just AED 215 for four inclusive of a Euro snack platter and eight house beverages or AED 520 for a table of ten with two snack platters and 20 selected beverages.

To reserve your table and guarantee your seats, call +971 4 417 9999 or email football@dubaigolf.com www.dubaigolf.com

For further details and to make a booking contact Dubai Golf Central Reservations on T+971 4 380 1234 or email golfbooking@dubaigolf.com www.almoujgolf.com