Putting In - February 2014

Issue # 1

Editor: Paula Savage

February 2014

A warm welcome by Mustafa Al Hashimi, Dubai Creek’s General Manager Dear Members, Welcome to the first edition of Putting In, the Club’s new members newsletter that has been put together by Paula Savage, our Lady Captain. This monthly newsletter is aiming to provide our valued members with the latest Club news and promotions including upcoming tournaments, past tournament results and other activities taking place around the Club. If you have any comments, feedback or information to be included in future editions please do not hesitate to contact Paula.

A Word from our Club Captain, Tejan Fadlu-Deen Dear Members, As the Golf Season kicks into full swing with the amazing weather, we all look forward to several months of fantastic golf at our great club the Dubai Creek.

Credit must go to the Creek staff for presenting us with such an immaculate golf course all year round, with carts not allowed on fairways now, it makes for an even more pleasant experience for everyone with the fairways and rough all looking great, one of the pitfalls of this is that there are a lot more divots in the fairways as players seem to forget that

little pot of sand in the golf cart to fix their divots, PLEASE PLEASE fix your divots, nothing more frustrating than hitting a good shot and ending up in a divot someone couldn’t be bothered to repair! Same applies on the greens, we all love immaculate greens and it makes a mockery of the effort the staff are putting in to present us with good greens only to find “bullet holes” all over them by mid afternoon, cant be that hard to bend over and fix a pitchmark!!!

I believe the club have several competitions lined up for us members who have all become competition hungry. Myself and Lady captain Paula are hoping to introduce

some “fun” competitions for all members such as 4/5 club challenges, Ryder Cup style events etc during the course of the season.

As you know the season is always super busy with so many events going on, so we have to coordinate these with the golf office to make sure they can slot us in on particular days. I’m confident we will figure out something.

Finally, I’d like to say I’m very much looking forward to my year as Captain where I will hopefully get to meet a lot more of our members. With all of your support I believe we will continue to make the Creek a very enjoyable experience.

All the best, Tejan

Lady Club Captain, Paula Savage, says…..

Hello and a belated happy new year, may 2014 be a happy and healthy one for you and your family. Welcome to what we hope will be the first of many issues of this newsletter, bringing you news and views from the fairways and events happening in and around this wonderful golf club of ours.

May I just take this opportunity on behalf of Captain Tejan and myself to thank George Horan and Maureen Platt for all their hard work during their terms as captains in 2013. Tejan and I look forward to continuing the hugely positive impact they had on the Club.

Happy reading and we look forward to seeing you out on the golf course.

A Round up of Results and Photos from the r 7th December 2013

8th December 2013

Mashreq Medal Dubai Duty Free Junior The final Mashreq Medal Winner of 2013 was Tejan Fadlu-Deen, with Mark Hughes the Gold Cup Winner.

Congratulations to Patrick Morrow for winning the 2013 Order of Merit.

11th December 2013

Ladies Monthly Strokeplay

Monthly Medal

The final Junior Medal of 2013 saw another strong field of impressive youngsters. Overall champion on the day was Vijayesh Haridas with a net 30.5, whilst Gross winner was Arkesh Bhatia with 36. Congratulations to Rishi Nair for winning the overall 2013 Order of Merit.

Many thanks go to George Horan, Dubai Duty Free and Club Captain for his support of the junior section.

The final strokeplay event of 2013 saw Glory Xavier triumph for the second time this season with a net 72. A huge thanks to our very generous sponsors J W Marriott Marquis Dubai.

21st December 2013

Captains Day

18th December 2013

Lady Capt v Vice Capt and Christmas Party This is a new competition for the ladies calendar and one which we hope will become an annual event. It was a fun day both on the course and off (!) with some great golf being played. The Lady Vice’s team led by Paula came out on top, showing great team spirit – probably thanks to the mulled wine and mince pies half way round! Prizes were generously provided by Lady Capt, Maureen. Christmas lunch and a visit from Santa completed a fabulous day. The Trophy for this event has been kindly donated by Creek Member, Mr Alan Stanton, a framed Flag, signed by the ladies of the Solheim Team. Many thanks Stanty, you are now officially a friend of the ladies section!

This year’s event was another great success boasting a full field of over 100 players turning out to compete.

After an afternoon of fantastic golf and great fun had by all, the team of Mark Williams & Peter Dunbar stormed to victory with a staggering 13 under par net 58. Naema Maya & Martha Wong also put in a superb performance and took the runners up spot with a 10 under par 61. Both of the club’s captains were present on stage to present a cheque for the money raised for the junior staff fund during 2013. The staff fund initiative was started three years back by then, club captain, Joseph Andrade to recognize the fantastic job that all of the junior staff do at the club on a daily basis. This year, thanks to many successful events and kind donations a staggering, Dhs155,000 was raised for this fund and captains George Horan and Maureen Platt happily presented this to junior staff from various club departments.

27th December 2013

Generations Day 20th December 2013

Baniyas Trophy Creek v Al Badia This newly founded event consists of two annual challenge matches between the members from Dubai Creek against our neighbouring Creek side golf club, Al Badia, with one leg at each club. After a great afternoon of golf, and some fantastic displays from both teams it was the Dubai Creek team who made the most of a home advantage and emerged victorious with a 9.5 to 5.5 victory. The win was taken in great spirit from both clubs and it really emphasised the relaxed and friendly nature of the event. Many thanks to Tony Billingham and his Al Badia team, we look forward to the return leg in March!

This newly founded event was set up to settle the age old battle of youth against experience. After a great afternoon of golf and fantastic spirit shown from all of the competitors the Youth team showed that it’s not all about age and experience as they cruised to a 12 points to 5 victory. Master Tommy King (the youngest competitor) and Lady Vice Captain, Paula (seriously?!!) accepted the trophy from Capt George Horan on behalf of the Youth team. We look forward to this event becoming an annual favourite on the Club’s golfing calendar.

recent Golfing Events: Saturday 18th January 2014

The first edition of the 2014 Mashreq Medal Championship series saw yet another full field

- proof that the competitors were eager to get back into the series after a short festive break. This day also marked the official introduction of the newly appointed 2014 Club Captains, Mr. Tejan Fadlu-Deen and Mrs. Paula Savage with a traditional captains drive-in ceremony.

Both of the Captains stood confidently on the 1st tee in front of the on looking crowd and put their tee shots straight down the middle of the fairway (probably for the first and last time on the part of Lady Capt!) Praveen Kalia got his season off to a flying start with a superb, 4 under-par net 67 to take top honours and the first title of the series. Newly appointed Club Captain, Tejan Fadlu-Deen, carried on from his fine shot off the 1st tee and shot a 75 to take the best gross title.

Kennon Rider was the winner of the senior’s division after a solid performance and a 1-under par net 70 and in the ladies division, Joy Lirio was back to winning ways as she took the ladies title with a net 74.

Ladies Locker Room News, from Lady Club Captain, Paula Savage

Firstly can I say, what an honour it is, and what great pleasure it gives me, to don the jacket of Lady Captain for 2014. I will endeavour to continue the fabulous work Maureen Platt (and Mego Han before her) has done to promote and progress our ladies section here at the Dubai Creek Golf Club and reaffirm us as one of, if not, THE, friendliest ladies sections in the region.

We meet on Monday mornings for a social round of golf and every Wednesday for our Ladies morning with competitions and prizes – both days give the chance to meet and play with other lady members of all abilities. Sign up sheets for both mornings can be found in the locker room, so, ladies, dust off those drivers, irons and putters and do come join us, a warm welcome awaits you, always.

GO CREEK LADIES!

Friday 10th & Saturday 11th January 2014

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht club hosted the first EGF order of merit event of 2014 - the OMEGA Dubai Creek Men’s Amateur Open It is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year and attracts the top amateur players throughout the region and a few competitors from overseas. This year proved to be no exception with a full field of over 100 players competing in this 36 hole stroke-play event.

Round 1: The course was in fantastic condition for the weekend’s play but windy conditions and slick greens would prove a tough test for the entire field. Standings in the clubhouse were very tight after round one with just a few shots between the top 10 players. Previous Dubai Creek member Paul Saad made the most of his knowledge of the course and shot a superb 3 over par 74 to take the overnight lead by one over Max Burrow and a two shot lead over Montgomerie member Chris Alderman.

Round2: The wind had settled a little from day 1 and so the players set out all hoping to make a move up the leader board and put some pressure on the leaders. It was tight at the top throughout the round with Saad holding off a strong challenge from Bayhann Lakdawala. As always the 18th hole gave us a dramatic finish. Saad could win with a double-bogey and so layed up short of the water. He hit his 3rd shot and came up about 40 feet short leaving himself a tough two putt. Saad maybe started to feel the pressure as he almost putted into the back bunker off the 18th green. This caused a momentary stir in the crowd at the slight chance of a play-off, however, he showed great nerve and judged his first putt beautifully leaving it just a foot past the hole for a simple return putt and victory – Paul Saad, 2014 OMEGA Dubai Creek Men’s Amateur Open Champion with a 8 over par 2 day total of 150.

Bayhann Lakdawala finished second with a total of 151. Last year’s champion Chris Cornwall finished in 3rd place with a 155 total. Michael Nielsen took the overall net prize with a total of 3-over par 145. Max Burrow took the best gross on day 1 with a 4-over par 75 and Dino Varkey the same for his 73 on day 2. Rami Safadi was awarded best net on day 1 for his level par 71 and junior member Mikhail Pinto took the prize on day 2 with a net 74.

The Future Generation Creek Juniors These guys really do go from strength to strength. Not only do they compete in our own Dubai Duty Free monthly medal here at the Creek but there is always a strong contingent at every Junior Open within the region. Recently at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club (2nd Jan) 16 of our juniors made up a third of the field. Our boys then went on to take 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place! A huge well done to Rayhan Thomas for retaining his title with a fantastic birdie putt on the second play-off hole, and commiserations to Dhruv Nair who after looking to be in the driving seat just lost out, but certainly did himself proud. Well done also to Aryan Chordia who came in 3rd.

Keep up the good work, we look forward to seeing more great results from you this season.

And don’t forget when accepting the trophies and applause, a huge thank you goes to your coaches and parents for all their support!

r the Diary

February Dates fo

Partners!

Wed 19th Blind r Open k Ladies Amateu Fri 21st Cree er ubs and a Putt Wed 26th 3 Cl

A word from our Green Keeper, Matthew Perry Welcome to the first update from Golf Course Maintenance, I very much look forward to keeping you all updated with things happening on the golf course each month. As things stand at the moment the golf course is in great condition with the over seeded rough really growing well, apologies if it is a bit thick in places, we are bringing the height down a little bit. Carts will be allowed back on the course this month which I am sure you are all looking forward to. I do have one request though and that is to drive on the fairways as much as possible. This will help keep the rough in good condition and prevent early transition back to Bermuda grass. Have a great February and happy golfing.

Getting to know you!

Who better to start this new issue with but the ladies (and gent!) who greet us so cheerfully whatever the time of day or night on Reception and Golf Reserverations.

To Virgie, Nhully, Nimfa and Ed – thank you for all your hard work to fit us in on the course, especially when we haven’t booked a tee time and yet still expect you to find us a slot!

The Savage Garden

by Mr Neil Taylor

For anyone who is interested, this an introduction of Dubai Creek guests that find our golf course an oasis and enjoy a good life style here, regardless of imminent death or serious injury from little white (and the odd yellow) missile.

Now, first up, i know most of you out there are proper townies! The new Lady Captain Paula Savage, her worst half Kevin and Fledgling Adam included, the title “The Savage Garden” I thought was a gem and guarantees that at least 3 people will read it, and, now that i am rubbing shoulders with the influential I have bullied the Lady Captain into letting me take this opportunity via the newsletter to attempt to educate golfers in some of the wildlife seen on our local patch (as Bill Oddy would say), if you have any complaints about my content please have a go at Paula, if you have any questions, praise, free holidays, gifts etc see me.

The Hoopoe is found throughout Africa, Iran, Turkey, wooded area’s of Saudi Arabia, North West Oman And South Yemen, our birds are, allegedly, resident and breed here in holes in trees, the crest is impressive and is usually laid flat, it raises it on landing and when chatting up the ladies.

Hoopoe

On a warm day from March to November everyone will have most certainly spotted the Arabian Paper Wasps on the left gathering around water, smack one of these on the back of the head with a 5 iron and they get madder than a dog fighter in a bunker. They build paper nests in rocks and under bark, the colony is around 20-30 adults and they apparantly pack a punch with their sting.

When the ornamental grass around the club and on the walk from the pool along the Creek to the Yacht Club is full Arabian Paper Wasps of seed heads you will always find small flocks of Indian Silverbill. These birds are residents here and breed throughout the UAE and Northern Oman.

As a bird fan I do not like cats, so, last week I took the wifes cat 10 kilometers and turfed it out, when I got home it was having its dinner!! The next week I took it 30K and ejected it from my car, it was back home in time for its supper!!!, Jarred off I took it to Fujaira, at midnight i phoned the wife, “Is the cat home?” I asked, “Yes” she said “why do you ask?” Furiously i snarled down the phone “put it on the phone i am lost and need directions”. www.anibirds.co.uk

Indian Silverbill