Club life may 2014 by Jacqui Barry

Editor: Jacqui Barry barrydxb@eim.ae

AY 2014 ISSUE 41 M

Lady Captain’s Day

Emirates Golf Club Senior Management

Editorial

Thanks once again to Surender Kandhari and family for their generous support and sponsorship of the Hankook Greensomes event which goes from strength to strength each year; it is always oversubscribed, attracting players from many other Clubs around the Gulf and it is such a great weekend of golf, socialising and fun.

Christopher May

Chief Executive Officer cmay@dubaigolf.com

Craig Haldane

Director - Golf Course Maintenance chaldane@dubaigolf.com

Andrew Whitelaw

General Manager awhitelaw@dubaigolf.com

Andy Meech

Head of Sport and Leisure ameech@dubaigolf.com

Chef Max Grenard

Culinary Director mgrenard@dubaigolf.com

Surender Kandhari

We often take some of the Club events for granted but they happen and run smoothly thanks to the Golf Office who put everything together – the draw, arranging all the oncourse special prize Barney set-ups, results and post tournament press releases. Thanks to the entire team there, especially to Barney and Nishanthi. In a recent men’s competition, there Nishanthi were only a few competitors who stayed behind for the presentation and in fact, of all the prize-winners there was only one who stayed on afterwards and this was after a shotgun start when everyone would have finished at the same time. We all lead busy lives but if you play in a competition, it follows that you should make the effort to attend the prize-giving and support the Club and your fellow competitors.

Barney Coleman

Adele Cowgill

Head of Sales and Marketing Director of Golf acowgill@dubaigolf.com bcoleman@dubaigolf.com

Martin Drugan

Food and Beverage Manager mdrugan@dubaigolf.com

After all my travels I got to spend a bit of time in Dubai over the past few weeks, and I was even able to play some golf. For me of course, the highlight was Captain’s Day, and I want to thank all those who work at our Club for their support. They really pulled out all the stops. Ross Bain’s VPAR organisation also helped in making the day run seamlessly, and certainly the VPAR scoring system was very good. I guess no one ever says bad things to the Captain about his day (!) but I was delighted with the number of positive comments I received which was very much the icing on the cake for me, so thank you. My drive-in, using the hickory driver from St Andrews in Scotland, was a little nerve-wracking; however, by keeping my eyes tightly closed, everything seemed to work out fine and I cracked it up the middle. Phew! I hope all who subsequently played off the first tee and used the hickory driver enjoyed the novelty. Gaurav Verma won the straightest drive contest and was presented

with a hickory driver. Well done Gaurav! This prize was identical to the one I used, which I still have in my possession and I have given a left-handed variant to the Club. If anyone would like to have a go with either the right or left handed clubs, please let me know as they are fun and bring a different dimension to the game. Not to be outdone, the same weekend as my Captain’s Day saw the United States stage a tournament at a course named Augusta in Georgia! For those of us foolhardy enough to stay up and watch, Mohammed Al Shaibani had organised a 9-hole tournament on the floodlit Par 3 course which was great fun. Thank you Mohammed, and to EGC for arranging refreshments afterwards as the Masters tournament was viewed. Well done to Bubba on collecting his second green jacket; he played brilliantly. Talking of getting into green jackets, I have to say that with all the hospitality I have been enjoying this year my own one is erring on the snug side! During the past few months I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting many of the people involved in running our Club, and learning of the myriad of challenges with which they have to cope. One area that I have managed to avoid however has been the gym!! I know for a fact that Andy

COMPETITION RESULTS

22nd Indian Invitational Friday 4th April Supported by INDIAN MEMBERS OF EMIRATES GOLF CLUB Ganesh Mangathil

Keith Wilkes

In House Publishing Manager Retail Manager gmangathil@dubaigolf.com kwilkes@dubaigolf.com

Saeed Ahamed

Financial Controller mahamed@dubaigolf.com

As we head into the summer months, the Majlis course is going through its transition period so we will have a few weeks of bare patches on the course; Course Superintendent Craig Haldane has written an article in this month’s magazine explaining all about this (see page 13). With temperatures already hitting 40 degrees, don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated when playing – you can never be too careful!

Jacqui Barry

Andrew Matthews PGA, Membership Services Manager

Stephen Deane

Head Academy Professional sdeane@dubaigolf.com

EGC Key Telephone Numbers Main Switchboard 04 Members Golf Reservations 04 Membership 04 Recreation 04 Accounts 04 SensAsia Urban Spa 04

417 417 417 417 417 417

9999 9800 9801 9850 9875 9820

Haridas Palliyalil

Resident Engineer hpalliyalil@dubaigolf.com

Follow Emirates Golf Club on Facebook for the latest news, views and special offers. We already have over 18,800 likes. Follow us on Twitter @emiratesgc and Instagram @emiratesgc

OVERALL PAIRS WINNERS Anvita Kapoor, Vikram Tah 48 Pts RUNNERS UP Ashish Nanda, Chanchal Nanda 45 Pts THIRD Achal Ghai, Naresh Handa 43 Pts TEAM PRIZES (BLIND PARTNERS TEAM OF FOUR) WINNERS Rajesh Deepchandani, Gaurav Verma Martha Wong, Bill Wong 84 Pts RUNNERS UP Anand Lakhiani, Nelly Amarnani Cliff Caley, Viv Caley 82 Pts THIRD Veneet Mohan, Vishal Tikku Manish Bakshi, Aayush Bakshi 81 Pts NEAREST THE PIN HOLE # 4 Ishu Rupan NEAREST THE PIN HOLE # 7 K J Singh NEAREST THE PIN HOLE # 11 Vikram Tah NEAREST THE PIN HOLE # 15 Lionel Smith STRAIGHTEST DRIVE HOLE # 5 Alok Rawat STRAIGHTEST DRIVE HOLE # 10 Charlie Stricklin

Meech and his team are very highly regarded and on the few occasions that my trepidation has been overcome, and I have ventured into this area of the Club, they always make me feel most welcome and try very hard to point me in the direction of better fitness. The array of equipment they have, and the care they take to ensure they understand one’s medical condition and aspirations in terms of better fitness, are borne testament to by the recent Awards that they have received. The Fit Lab itself received the Silver award for Best Fitness Facility. Congratulations to Andy and his team and I guess the time is fast approaching when I need to come and see you again!

in’s Club Capta Message

nother extremely busy month has flown past with golf competitions that attracted huge numbers of competitors…Captain’s Day, Lady Captain’s Day, and the two-day Hankook Greensomes. Both Captains’ days were great fun, before during and after play; thank you to Dick and Barbara, not only for those particular days, but also for all your hard work and effort throughout the season. It’s not quite over yet though!

ow! Summer is definitely on its way. I think we have been most fortunate so far this year to have enjoyed perfect temperatures for golf. However, with May fast approaching at the time I write this, I have definitely noticed a change for the worse. Hopefully it’s a passing phase, but we all know the truth don’t we?

I cannot close without expressing my delight for Emirates Golf Club in receiving the Gold Award as Best Sport and Recreation Facility. Despite strong competition, to see our Club prevail in such events is a source of great pride to me as Captain although, given what a splendid Club we share, I am not at all surprised. Happy Golfing !! Dick Purchase Club Captain 2013 – 2014

CAPTAIN’S DAY Friday 18th April

aris Michaelides, Stathis Stathis, Nick Evangelopoulos and Abdullah Al Karam combined perfectly to triumph in Dick Purchase’s Captain’s Day. Dick chose to play a 4-ball stableford format called ‘the Celtic Rumble’. It involved the best two scores counting on the first six holes, three scores to count on the 7th to 12th and all scores counting on the final six holes. Rajinder Razdan, Qamar Rasheed, Baljit Vohra and Naresh Bhambhaney sealed runners-up place, whilst the team of Alan Salem, Marc Charlet, Pascal De Garrigues and Jean Michel Selles won third place at 8-under par. The day commenced with the traditional drive-in by Captain Dick Purchase who decided that all players on the first tee would have to use a hickory club to compete in a straight drive competition. Dick dispatched his tee shot 190 yards down the fairway and within 27 feet of the straight-line rope, a superb effort under pressure.

Winning 4-ball

Competition

Wheeler Shoots 65 in April Medal

t is hard for me to believe that Lady Captain’s Day is actually behind us – in some ways this past year has gone so quickly while at other times it doesn’t seem like that at all! I have had a great opportunity to get to know so many wonderful ladies in the Club during my year as ViceCaptain with Lady Captain Glynis and then this year as Captain. It has been wonderful to welcome so many new faces in the last two years into the Monday group.

letcher Wheeler scored a best of the day net 65 to win the April version of the Mashreq Medal Championship supported by BMW and Harvey Nichols Dubai. His seven under par tally over the famous Majlis course earned him top position in Division C (handicap 21-28).

The scoring was low from the 86 competitors with Vipen Sethi continuing his excellent form with the best gross of the day, a 75. This was also good enough to give him a net 67 and top prize in Division A (Handicap 0-10). David Waite was three shots adrift in runners-up position after his 2-under par tally of 70 and Ian Scott took third after a 71. Alejandro Martin carded a 6-under par 66 to clinch top honors in Division B (handicap 11-20), one shot clear of Andrew Robinson and two from Ed Hesson in third. BMW once more sponsored the par 3 15th hole with a car for a hole in one; unfortunately there was no luck winner.

Despite it being the Easter holiday weeks, we have had a full programme. Two medals came in quick succession at the end of March, an early Easter Scramble on the 24th March gave us all a chance to eat even more chocolate than usual and a Stableford provided some more light relief. I am pleased to say that the Lady Captain’s Team won the day in the Annual Lady Captain versus Lady Vice-Captain event on 14th April. Competition was fierce that day. The Nations Cup on 21st April saw the Celtic Team of Mags Breen and Chris Dyball take the honours with an amazing 50 stableford points. Thanks to everyone who turned up for these events.

Easter SCRAMBLE Saturday 19th April

WINNER RUNNERS UP THIRD NEAREST TO THE Naema Maya NEAREST TO THE Paul Byrne NEAREST TO THE Liz Thorp NEAREST TO THE Paul Byrne

Alan Salem, Soumaya Salem Marc Charlet 59 Manish Bakshi, Aayush Bakshi Ashok Bakshi, Naresh Handa 60.6 Anvita Kapoor, Akash Kumar Vikram Tah, Nikhil Damani 61.4 BUNNY HOLE # 7 (LADIES) BUNNY HOLE # 15 (GENTS) PIN # 11 (LADIES)

“It was a little nerve-wracking; however, by keeping my eyes tightly closed, everything seemed to work out fine and I cracked it up the middle. Phew!” - Dick Purchase

PIN # 4 (GENTS)

On Tuesday 22nd April a team of ten ladies, who had represented

GREENSOMES CHAMPIONSHIP

EGC in previous Inter-Club events this year, travelled to Yas Links for the season final. I always feel as if I am going on holiday when I go to Yas as it is such a different experience. It was a hot, humid day and a long round but what a fun day. The Inter-Club gives us the opportunity to meet with other ladies as we always play in a mixed group with ladies from other clubs. Congratulations to Dubai Creek ladies who won the final this year. We were only five points behind Yas Links for the Plate which was not bad when we were competing against the home team on such a tricky course! My thanks to all who participated throughout the year. Lady Captain’s Day on 28th April was a great day with our altered course and lots of fun and activities out there. Craig Haldane provided us with a ‘Greenkeeper’s Revenge Hole’ on hole 10 complete with machinery, men and a very small cup on the green, minus a flag to give an added challenge. Putters and tennis rackets were used and hole 12 featured a ‘teleport hole tee shot’ which shot players straight onto the green. Jelly shots refreshed the back nine and bacon and egg butties on the front nine complemented by the medicinal syringes administered by doctors

Stephen, Mark and Jonathan. I have never seen so many ladies keen to get to that hut – many of them twice and then they found it so difficult to move on! Now what was the attraction I wonder? An excellent lunch followed in Sports Central which had been transformed for the day by our Food and Beverage team. Captain’s Day was sponsored by House of Windsor Jewellers and Turret Media who provided the main prizes for the day. My thanks go to Mehul at House of Windsor and Anju at Turret for this. Thanks also go to Mitsuko for her entertainment and support throughout the year, to Vera and Glynis for their table decorations and to all the ladies who contributed to my gorgeous Hand of Fatima necklace.

in’s Lady Capta Message

Results

MEDAL

Friday 18th April

We don’t stop here however and we still have many fun events coming up including the Past Lady Captains’ Trophy, Curtisy Cup and the Tournament of Champions, just to name a few. Keep your eyes on the Ladies’ Facebook page for all the latest. Barbara Head Lady Captain 2013 - 2014

Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April 2014

LADIES’ COMPETITION RESULTS LADIES

STABLEFORD Monday 7th April 2014

CHAMPIONS Suresh Shewakramani (EGC) Ashok Sindhu (EGC) 64 + 68 = 132 RUNNERS UP Karam Sehmi (EGC) Ninu Smith (EGC) 67 + 67 = 134 THIRD PLACE Gaurav Verma (EGC) Shreyans Khemka (DCGYC) 73 + 63 = 136 FOUTH PLACE Vipen Sethi (EGC) Rena Sethi (EGC) 69 + 67 136 OVERALL BEST GROSS 1ST PLACE Rohit Gupta (EGC) Vikram Tah (EGC) 151 OVERALL BEST GROSS 2ND PLACE Kavita Sehmi (EGC) Bobby Sehmi (EGF) 156 BEST NET DAY - 1 Yvette Heywood (ADGC) Neil Heywood (ADGC) 66 BEST NET DAY - 2 Craig Dunn (EGC) Allan Cross (EGC) 66 DAY 1 NEAREST THE PIN HOLE # 2: Kwong Mo Yim NEAREST THE PIN HOLE # 12: Ashley Anderson LONGEST DRIVE HOLE # 16: Mimi Hosking DAY 2 NEAREST THE PIN HOLE # 15: Lionel Smith NEAREST THE PIN HOLE # 4: Shaun Little LONGEST DRIVE HOLE # 12 Mimi Hosking

Hiromi Ohashi Wins Ladies Stableford with 40 Points

iromi Ohashi picked up top spot in the ladies stableford event, overall winner with an excellent 40 points total. Her card had an amazing 6 net brides and 8 pars for the 4 under total over the Faldo course.

In the Silver Division it was Lorraine Logan that took the honours with 37 points closely followed by runner up Margaret Breen on 36 points. Rajni Sud was the winner in the bronze division with a solid 34 points.

Lady Captain’s Team v Lady Vice-Captain’s Team Monday 14th April 2014 Lady Captain Barbara Head led her side to a 5 ½ - 3 ½ victory over Lady Vice-Captain, Mitsuko Emmerson’s team on the Majlis course. Most matches went to the final few holes and could have gone either way but Barbara’s team held their nerve to clinch the win. Nearest The Pin Hole No 4: Janine Dols Hole No 7: Ingrid Sjodoff Hole No 11: Fiona Berry Hole No 15: Carolyn Thompson

Longest Drive Hole No 3: Elaine Belcher Hole No 10: Viv Caley

NATIONS CUP

Club News

Monday 21st April 2014

WINNERS

CELTIC Christine Dyball, Margaret Breen

50 PTS

RUNNER UP

GERMANY Sabine Choudry, Sabine Kielmann

47 PTS

THIRD JAPAN Mitsuko Emmerson, Yasuyuki Fujitani 47 PTS

Lady

Monday 28th April 2014 WINNER (NE) RUNNER UP (NER) THIRD (RDS) BIRDIE TREE WINNER ECLECTIC COMPETITION BEST NET WINNER BEST GROSS WINNER ROSEBOWL COMPETITION WINNER

Chris Dyball Janet Curtis Veronica Elias Fiona Berry Sue Hopwood Rosemary Turlik Ellen johanssen

captain’s day Check out the new Emirates Golf Club Women’s Collection in store now! Various colours available from a selection of brands in apparel and footwear from Greg Norman, Daily Sports, Cutter & Buck and Ecco.

42 Pts 41 Pts 41Pts

PACE OF PLAY

by Barney Coleman

his topic has surfaced on many occasions but I wanted to try and dispel a few myths around this important subject. First of all, a bit of feedback from the marshal team since February, the team of marshals has actively recorded the finishing times of the groups starting play at approximately 10am and 1pm on both our courses, results below: Average finishing times for the 10am/10.05am and 1pm/1.05pm groups. Majlis Course Faldo Course February 4 Hours 21 minutes 4 hours 5 minutes March 4 hours 4 minutes 4 hours You can see from the above that the team of 15 marshals do a great job and there won’t be many courses in the world as busy as Emirates Golf Club who can boast figures such as these. I would suggest the slower rounds in February were due to walking only until the 14th of the month and fast greens with long rough following the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. One reason for presenting these figures is to urge you to keep supporting and cooperating with the marshal team and maybe keep a mental track of actually how many slow rounds you have during the busy season. I predict your average round is closer to the four hour mark as opposed to the four and half hour mark. There will be a lot of golfers around the UAE and beyond who would be jealous of these figures.

The Myths of Pace of Play The quotes below are often heard by members and visitors alike:

‘But we are on time to the schedule’

If you finish nine holes in two hours, this is perfectly acceptable. However if the group ahead of you is two holes ahead (hence a twohole gap) and the group behind you have waited on every shot since the sixth hole, then let them through! This is common sense and according to golfing etiquette.

‘But we are not holding anybody up’

The hardest part of the marshal’s job is two back-to-back slow groups. One group is slow and has a gap ahead but the group behind is not pushing them which then results in a back-log behind. The marshal team needs to get the first group moving into the gap which is why it is important to be aware of your position with regard to the group in front; don’t concern yourself with the group behind.

‘But they are a TWO-ball and have no standing on the course’

We will always look to have four-balls on the course particularly during a busy weekend; however, golfing etiquette dictates that ‘it is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in the group’. However on a busy day with no gaps ahead a one or two-ball should not expect to go through.

‘The group in front is slow and holding up the entire course’

The fact is that the marshal team has a far better understanding of what is going on ahead of any particular group. We have a front nine and back nine marshal plus a chief marshal and a starter. Therefore a team of four people stretched across the course has a far better understanding of what is going on ahead; please take on board their comments as they will always know which group/s are slow. For instance don’t get frustrated with the group in front as more often than not they will be waiting also if the problem is further ahead on the course.

The Academy’s Elite Juniors are making some

excellent progress working under the instruction of Head Golf Pro Stephen Deane. Pictured recently during a 6.00am session that covered pitching and putting drills!

Congratulations to Joshua Hill who shot a

tournament record 23 (4 under par) to win during the Dubai Golf Junior Par 3 Series held at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club 9 hole Academy course and opened up a 75 point lead in the Order of Merit going into the last event. This was the seventh event of an eight tournament series, when juniors from the Dubai Golf Junior Programme compete against each other with winners receiving vouchers for Wild Wadi waterpark and a host of other prizes! Runnerup was Fardeen Meeran who shot 27. In the Purple division, Hoshi Yadav took first place with 30 whilst Dilan White came second. In the Blue division, Aarnav Nath and David Polo finished first and second resepctively whilst Sadie Brannock and Rishi Lolla came first and second in the Yellow division. Mirwais Arghanidawal took first place in White division. Congratulations to all the players!

SATURDAY, 12 APRIL 2014 RESULTS Tees

by Gareth Quigley

BOYS: (HANDICAP 0-14) (Blue Tees) BOYS: (HANDICAP 15-28) (White Tees) GIRLS: (HANDICAP 0-36) (Red Tees)

NAME

HCP

GROSS

NETT

Rayhan Thomas (DCGYC)

Kim Chiang (ARGC)

Tanishq Lalvani (EGF)

78 79

Jung Bin Kim (ADGC)

Aashaka Desai (DCGYC)

Vaughn Reed (EGC)

Aarkesh Bhatia (DCGYC)

78 72

Karam Sehmi (EGC)

80 82

Gustav Adestrom (ADGC)

Ryan Hunter (YLGC)

Darren Hall (YLGC)

James Weng (EGC)

Jai Bhalla (DCGYC)

Aaron Smith (EGC)

84 84

Mikhail Pinto (DCGYC)

Inaan Budhiraja (EGC)

Elio Lugo (TEC)

84 85

Dhruv Nair (DCGYC)

Aryan Chordia (DCGYC)

Erik Hartzuiker (DCGYC)

Rishi Nair (DCGYC)

Jennifer Vincent(DCGYC)

Ananya Sharma (EGC)

87 87

Ahmed Ashfaq (EGF)

Mathew Laven (EGC)

87 88

Suvansh Arora (EGC)

Aryaan Kumar (TEC)

Mohamed Pirmohamed (EGC)

29 30

PRO’S TIP OF THE MONTH

hen purchasing a new set of clubs it is easy to walk into a shop and pick a set off the shelf in the hope that these new clubs will help to improve your game. Since the arrival of custom fitting, players have always asked themselves “Am I good enough to get a custom fit?” or “Will a custom set of clubs help me to improve?” Regardless of skill level, the question a golfer should be asking is “Am I good enough not to have a custom fit”. It is a myth that custom fitted golf clubs are only for the good player; the reality is that when purchasing a set of golf clubs, we have areas to address in order to reduce

swing errors and maximise the swing strengths the player has.

Areas addressed during the fitting process:

A professional golfer is skilled enough to adjust to poorly fitted equipment but the once-a-week golfer will not gain any benefit from trying to play with clubs that do not suit his/her physical characteristics. Every golfer is physically different, whether in height, strength, flexibility, or it could even be that he/she has a form of injury. It is therefore vital that the equipment used is suited to his/her physical capabilities.

• Swing speed • Length of the clubs • Lie angle • Loft • Shaft material • Shaft flex • Grip type and thickness • Club weight

With the advances in golf equipment and the use of launch monitors to analyse the ball flight, custom fitting has become a crucial part of the process when considering buying a new set of clubs.

Pro’s Tip

Academy N

ews

All of these points are important when finding the right set of golf clubs. Having a properly fitted set will help with confidence, knowing your clubs suit your swing, ability and physical stature. This all contributes to the process of improving and adds to the enjoyment of the game.

67 80

88 89

Buehler Vincent (EGF)

James Sayer (ARGC)

Juan Diego Lugo (TEC)

Alkyonie Aharidis (TEC)

Amr Ashfaq (EGF)

Adam Savage (DCGYC)

Abdulla Al Qubaisi (EGF)

Michael Beisenwenger (SG&SC)

90 91

Davis King (JGE)

Griffin Joseph (SBGC)

Kabir Nanda (DCGYC)

Abdullah Sherazee (EGC)

93 94

Clement Flaherty

Tanmaya Hada (ADGC)

Hoshi Yadav (TEC)

Hugo Garcia (EGC)

Ryohei Kawakami (ABGC)

Samuel De Souza (EGF)

Bradley Mogire (EGC)

100

Fardeen Meeran (DCGYC)

Alexander Beisenwenger (SG&SC)

101 102

Rayhan Deane (EGF)

103

Natali Gupta (EGC)

Asanka White (DCGYC)

103 103

Sign up for our Ladies Programme with The Academy. Weekly 60 minute lessons over eight-weeks, the Ladies Programme is suited for both beginner and intermediate levels. Take advantage of the eight-week range pass that allows you to practice between sessions and improve on your skills!

Ayush Bakshi (EGC)

106

Abutorab Arghandiwal (DCGYC)

Tommy King (JGE)

109 111

BEHIND THE SCENES STAFF AT EGC Another team that works really hard behind the scenes is our Engineering team who do such a great job at the Club.

LadyCaptain’s Day 2014

Member Pr

Aditya and Helen Srivastava (Incoming Lady Vice-Captain)

Where are you from? Helen: I grew up in Warrington, in the north west of England.

Aditya: India but I have lived overseas since 1979. I grew up in a small town called Ranpur, but I went to boarding school in the foothills of the Himalayas from the age of eight.

Where did you go to University and what did you study?

Helen: I went to the University of Sheffield where I studied German and Linguistics. The best part about studying a language at University is that you get to spend the third year overseas. I spent my year working as an English language assistant in Hamburg, which was fantastic, but it also made me realise that I wasn’t cut out to be a teacher! Aditya: I did my Masters in Economics at the Delhi School of Economics, then moved to London to do my Chartered Accountancy.

said that I am definitely not a natural golfer, but I both love and find frustrating (in equal measure) the personal challenges of negotiating my way around the golf course.

Helen: We both trained as Chartered Accountants in London and this is how we first met. I took a very long sabbatical to stay at home with the children when they were growing up, but in the last few years I have been working part-time on and off although I learned a long time ago to ensure that Mondays are always reserved for the ladies’ golf competitions.

Aditya: Many years ago - but you would never believe it if you saw my game!

Aditya: I worked as a banker for many years, first with Gulf International Bank in Bahrain and later with Societe Generale in Dubai. However for the last six years I have been working with wasl.

Helen: My handicap is 21 and sadly climbing again. It was down to 18 a couple of months ago (an infuriating game!).

Do you have family here?

Both the children are now based in the UK. Maya is a junior designer with a branding agency in London. Jai is in his final year studying PPE at Oxford University and will start doing his chartered accountancy with KPMG in London in September.

When did you start playing golf?

What brought you to Dubai and how long have you been here?

Helen: I was initially a very reluctant golfer, but when we moved to Dubai 16 years ago I succumbed to pressure from Aditya to try six lessons, fully expecting not to enjoy it. I had lessons with Julian Danby at Nad Al Sheba and was hooked by the golfing bug in no time at all! Having

Helen: I initially followed Aditya to Bahrain. This was long before we were married. We lived there for 13 years during which time we got married twice (once in Delhi then three weeks later in Warrington) and our two children were both born there. Aditya: I was seconded from KPMG in London (Peat Marwick in those days) to their Bahrain office.

The return of Summer! I

What field of work are you in?

Scratch League

When did you join EGC?

In 2003, when Sophie Longstreet was Lady Captain

Current handicap and lowest handicap?

Aditya: My handicap is currently hovering around 18-19 which is about as good as it’s been.

Favourite golf course to play and why?

Helen & Aditya: It’s lovely to travel and play beautiful courses all over the world, but it’s always great to come back home to EGC and the wonderful Majlis. The more we travel and the more courses we visit, the more we appreciate how privileged we are to have EGC as our home club - it really spoils you for anywhere else.

Helen, how do you feel about being asked to become Lady Captain?

It is a great honour to be asked to become Lady Captain. I hope that I will be able to rise to the challenges of the role and follow in the footsteps of all the former Captains who have set the standard so high.

ResuLts

Emirates Golf Club

Faldo

Jumeirah Golf Estates

Ross Hopwood & Inaan Budhiraja

13.05

Graham Stephenson & Graham Pascal

Ed Hesson & Charlie Stricklin

13.15

Stephen Watson & Martin Fernandez

Petr Dedek & Marcus Wallman

13.25

Simon Howells & Alessandro Zanetti

Ewan Cameron & Paul Byrne

13.35

Ian MacDonald & Martin Issott

think it is fair to say we have had an unbelievable winter season with more rain than we would typically experience and some pretty cool mornings and evenings. The golfing weather has been about spot on and at the time of putting pen to paper, things are definitely turning! I guess one dreams of this weather hanging around for as long as possible but the inevitable will happen and the hot muggy weather will be with us in no time at all. You will already start to notice how the Rye grass is stressing out in places and this is simply nature doing its job. I am encouraged by the amount of Bermuda I am seeing at this early stage, particularly on fairways. Approaches will take longer as the rate of seed and variety this year was different. I am however, seeing encouraging signs here as well. Roughs, as always, will be slower to transition fully due to the higher mowing heights. As it warms up even more, the rough will be the first to go and as always, this will leave us with some bare areas to attend to. This is nothing out of the ordinary and I expect transition to be in line with how things have gone over the last couple of years. Areas I really want to draw your attention to, this season in particular, are the greens extensions that we seeded into and my thoughts on how these areas are going to transition, what our plan is to grow these areas back and if we will go ahead and push for the extended green areas to come back as green or maintain them as green surrounds instead.

found that matching this perfectly is not being achieved and it is for this reason that, directly following the Ladies Masters, we took the opportunity to simply overseed these areas as surrounds which created larger bands of short mown approaches around certain greens. The outcome was fantastic and the feedback has been great. So the question remains, why try and go back to that being green when the surrounds option is working so well? Quite right and we intend to keep the playing surfaces in terms of what are greens and what are surrounds, as they are just now. The areas in question are essentially one through five.

Photo B is a close up of how the Bermuda comes back through the Rye as seen on the left side vs. the right.

Photo C is in fact an area where the TV tower stood for the tournament. When these areas came down, the Rye was dead and with the increase in temperatures the Bermuda has come through very well.

PHOTO B

The sacrifice, irrespective of this decision, is that because we overseeded into the weakened tiff-eagle extension, these areas will transition the same way. The cool season Poa Trivialis will simply die back without anything substantial beneath to come back from. So, we can expect these areas to be completely bare until such time as we have the available Bermuda throughout the golf course, to turf these areas out. Once we start laying turf the transformation is instant and the issue is resolved, but it will be a good few weeks of having to deal with a band of weak area around certain greens complexes this summer. I have attached a few photos for you to look at. The first photo (A) is of the back of the 1st green. You can see the area between the green and the rough on the right. Then if you look directly in the middle of the photo you can see the dew area where the Bermuda is coming through nicely then the area between the green and the dew showing no dew at all. Well, this is the band that will not have Bermuda beneath it to come through. Basically, in the early morning when you play, any areas that are showing heavy dew are areas of Bermuda coming back through. The cool season grasses do now dew heavily like the Bermuda does.

The feedback this year has been very positive in terms of playability and yes aesthetics, but playability is most important to me for two main reasons. Firstly it allows the golfer to enjoy the experience that much more when surfaces are true and when greens look finished and complete.Secondly, it gives the golfer options around the greens that may or may not have been available to them before. When we extended the greens back to their original size we had to try to match a brand new extension to an existing profile and surface that was 12 years old at the time. Today, the greens are into their 14th year since having been re-grassed in 2000. That task was always going to be monumental and we achieved this on almost all of the PHOTO A areas we looked at extending. Certain complexes however, we have just

r’s Greenkeepe Cuttings

ofile

PHOTO C

The photos are here simply to show you where we are at this stage of the game and also to inform you that the Bermuda warm season plant remains our stock plant throughout the entire season. It just has its up time and down time and with us overseeding in winter, the Bermuda is forced into down time allowing the Rye to dominate for the season. It is now time for this scenario to reverse. One thing for certain, the Bermuda will come back! It just takes a bit of time and patience. Enjoy the last of the good weather and invest in some sunscreen. My guess is we are in for a very hot and humid summer! Good golfing Craig

Plan Ahead For The Summer!

Make the most of your practice time this summer with The Academy at Emirates Golf Club. In addition to individual lessons, we have a range of Summer Packages available from 1st June to 14th September. Individual Lessons 30 minute lesson Member AED 200 Guest AED 230

Bronze Pass 4 x 30 minute lessons One month range access Member AED 760 Guest AED 920

Silver Pass 8 x 30 minute lessons Two months range access Member AED 1,400 Guest AED 1,600

Gold Pass 8 x 30 minute lessons Unlimited driving range access until 14th September Unlimited Par 3 access until 14th September AED 2,800

To book a lesson, please call +971 4 417 9845 or email emiratesacademy@dubaigolf.com

FitnessActivity ActivitySchedule Schedule Fitness May 2014

Dear Members,

Fit Lab

new month brings with it a new challenge from the Fit Lab team. Each month this year we have been giving you a variety of different challenges and this month is no different as we have for you the 30-DAY BURPEE CHALLENGE. To get involved in this please see one of the team at the Fit Lab.

Bootcamp Fit Lab at Emirates Golf Club has put together a new and exciting Bootcamp Programme - a fun way of getting fit in just a few weeks! The programme consists of four classes of 45 minutes and is ideal for all levels of fitness. Guaranteed to burn up to 700 calories per session, each class covers a mixture of bodyweight and free weight exercises, helping you get the body you’ve always wanted. Led by Fitness Professional Rob, each class has a maximum of eight participants. Timings Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays at 10am Price Per Session: Member AED 60 Non Member AED 70

Fit Lab would like to announce the return of Pilates and we would like to welcome on board Brittany Costa who specialises in Bar Pilates Classes. For more information on this please call into Fit Lab and speak to one of our Pilates Instructors. (Also see article on page 16)

I look forward to seeing you at the gym. Healthy Regards Andy Meech Head of Sport & Leisure

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

STUDIO

7.30 - 8.30 Artistic Yoga

8.45 - 9.45 Pilates Reformer (Andrea)

7.30 – 8.30 Bootcamp (Robert)

8.45 - 9.45 Pilates Reformer (Andrea)

8.45 - 9.30 Primary Ballet (Lisa)

8.45 - 9.45 Zumba Toning (Tracy)

8.45 - 9.45 Pure Body Blast (Elaine)

8.45 - 9.45 Zumba Toning (Tracy)

9.30 - 10.45 Grade 2 Ballet (Lisa)

10.00 - 11.00 Bootcamp ( Robert )

10.00 - 11.00 NYLA Barre (Andrea)

11.15 - 12.15 NYLA Barre (Andrea)

12.30 - 13.30 NYLA Barre (Andrea)

14.30 - 15.15 Grade 3 Tap (Lisa)

12.30 - 13.30 NYLA Barre (Andrea)

8.45 - 9.45 Pure 30/30 (Elaine)

10.00 - 11.00 NYLA Barre (Andrea)

11.15 - 12.30 Grade 4 Ballet (Lisa)

11.15 - 11.45 Beginners Ballet (Lisa)

11.15 - 12.15 NYLA Barre (Andrea)

12.30 - 13.30 Grade 4 Tap Dance (Lisa)

11.45 - 12.45 Grade 1 Ballet (Lisa)

13.30 - 14.30 Private Dance Lesson (Lisa)

13.30 - 14.30 Grade 5 Tap Dance (Lisa)

12.45 - 14.00 Grade 6 Ballet (Lisa) 14.00 - 15.30 Grade 7 Ballet (Lisa)

15.30 - 16.30 NYLA Barre (Andrea)

17.00 - 18.00 Spinning (Robert)

17.00 - 18.00 Grade 5 Modern (Lisa)

17.00 - 18.00 Spinning (Robert)

18.30 - 19.00 Metafit (Tracy)

18.00 - 19.00 Pilates Reformer (Andrea)

18.30 - 19.00 Metafit (Tracy)

19.00 - 20.00 TRX Suspension Outdoor (Advantage Sports)

18.00 - 19.00 Artistic Yoga

19.00 - 20.00 NYLA Barre (Andrea)

19.00 - 20.00 Artistic Yoga

20.00 - 21.00 Artistic Yoga Weight Loss

STUDIO

10.45 - 11.15 Pre Primary Ballet (Lisa)

16.00 - 17.00 Grade 4 Tap (Lisa)

20.15 - 21.15 Pilates Reformer (Andrea)

SATURDAY

10.00 - 11.15 Grade 3 Ballet (Lisa)

10.00 - 11.00 Bootcamp ( Robert )

15.15 - 16.00 Grade 4 Ballet (Lisa)

Block of 10: Member AED 500 Non Member AED 600

Adam Pursglove, our former resident squash professional, has unfortunately decided to move on. We would like to thank Adam for raising the profile of squash at Emirates Golf Club. It has been great to have a world-class coach associated with the Club and we wish him all the best for the future. As always the Fit Lab team continues to do its very best in giving our members what they need in order to achieve their goals so please feel free to contact any member of the team if you have any ideas or suggestions to make fitness more fun for you. As always, the Fit Lab team is on hand to help you stay on the right track and get even better results than ever before.

SUNDAY

18.00 - 19.00

17.00 - 18.00

16.30 - 17.30 NYLA Barre (Andrea)

17.00 - 18.00

Wendy graduated from The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen with a BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy. Having ten years experience in Physiotherapy, Wendy is a Certified Member of the Titleist Performance Institute, specialising in Clinical Physiotherapy, Sports Physiotherapy, Post-operative Rehabilitation and Respiratory Physiotherapy. To book an appointment with Wendy, please call +971 55 372 4670

IT’S ONE OF NATURE’S FINEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND A TIME IN A WOMAN’S LIFE THAT DESERVES A LITTLE PAMPERING. SO SAy HELLO TO THE yUMMy MUMMy CLUB WHERE WE WILL TAkE yOU THROUGH yOUR PREGNANCy IN TRUE SPA STyLE.

Join the club and get your

THE VILLAGE +971 4 349 8850 • PALM JUMEIRAH +971 4 422 7115 • A FREE 18.00 - 19.00 GOLF CLUB +971 4 417 9820 • DOWNTOWN +971 4 456 0866 EMIRATES

Yummy Tummy treatment,

A FREE kit from Mama Mio,

Artistic Yoga

19.00 - 20.00 FREE 30-min baby arrival Mum and Bikini season has arrived. If that statement makes you want to cower under the Acovers… donʼt post panic! 18.45 TRX Suspension Running Club SensAsia Urban Spa has the secrets to that beach-proud bod. Baby wellness check from the Cooper Clinic Outdoor (Robert) (Advantage Sports) And up to

Weʼve just launched our brand19.00 new SensConscious treatments, which combines the best slimming, sculpting 19.00 - 20.00 - 20.00 19.00 - 20.00 18.00 - 19.00 25% off all SenSMaMa Barre NYLA Barre and NYLA anti-cellulite therapies Spaʼs award-winning team has designed maximum treatMentS Artistic Yoga in the business. SensAsia Urban Artistic Yoga (Andrea) (Andrea) impact programmes that can be taken over a series of weeks and work on key problem areas repeatedly, 20.15 - 21.15 and on rotation (check out Babyʼs Got Back below). 19.00 - 20.00 Pilates Reformer

while you are in the club.

(Andrea)

Artistic Yoga

There are also plenty of quick-fix detoxing and de-bloating treatments (like the Skinni-Mini), to boost your 20.00 - 21.00 20.00 - 21.00 20.00 - 21.00 confidence ahead of impromptu beach plans and on that dreaded ‘fat dayʼ… Artistic Yoga bodyArtistic Yoga Artistic Yoga Weight Loss

Weight Loss

mum

Weight Loss

SensAsia Urban Spa is also a proud partner of Mama Mio – the Omega-rich, expert skincare line loved by celebrities including Jessica Alba and Rachel Weisz. Butt or tummy in need of boot camp? Just bring it in!

For bookings and enquiries, please contact Fit Lab on +971 4 417 9850 or

Bespoke Wellness would like to welcome Wendy Smithson back after her maternity leave.

PREGNANCy IS A TIME FOR CELEBRATING MOTHERHOOD, NEW LIFE, AND LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST, yOURSELF.

Pilates Reformer Spinning NYLA Barre SCULP BIKINI BODY at SENSASIA URBAN SPAMummy to Be Massage, Monthly (Andrea) THAT (Robert) (Andrea)

For reservations, please call +971 4 417 9850 email egcfitlab@dubaigolf.com or email egcfitlab@dubaigolf.com dubaigolf.com

join the club! where we are bliss for bumps...

THE VILLAGE

SENSCONSCIOUS: NEW FOR SUMMER 2014

04 349 8850

THE PALM

04 422 7115

EMIRATES GOLF CLUB 04 417 9820

DOWNTOWN 04 456 0866

BABY�S GOT BACK 6836 dhs – The ultimate commitment to your summer bikini body. Combines 6 x Bootcamp for Butts, 5 x Skinni-Minis and 6 x Just Beat It massages, plus a DIY homecare kit. Exactly what you need... exactly where you need it. BABY’S GOT BACK 6,836 dhs – The ultimate commitment to your summer bikini body. Combines 6 x Bootcamp for Butts, 5 x Skinni-Minis JUST BEAT IT 60 minutes / XXX dhs or 2050 dhs for 6 sessions – and 6 x Just Beat It massages, plus a DIY homecare kit. Exactly what A massage to encourage fat deposit breakdown. Highly stimulating over a you need... exactly where you need it. EMIRATES GOLF CLUB +971 4 417 9820 series of six sessions.

SCULP THAT BIKINI BODY at SENSASIA URBAN SPA

SENSCONSCIOUS: NEW FOR SUMMER 2014

JUST BEAT IT 60 minutes / 395 dhs or 2,050 dhs for 6 sessions – Bikini season has arrived. If that statement makes you want to cower THE SKINNI-MINI 90 Spa minutes / 515 dhsto– This last-minute de-bloating A massage to encourage fat deposit breakdown. Highly stimulating over under the covers… don’t panic! SensAsia Urban has the secrets abdomen. series of six sessions. that beach-proud bod.treatment results in wonderful water-shed from your thighsaand

BOOTCAMP FOR BUTTS BY MAMAwhich MIO 60 minutes 515 dhs – 90 minutes / 515 dhs – This last-minute de-bloating THE/ SKINNI-MINI We’ve just launched our brand new SensConscious treatments, treatment results A ‘buttsculpting liftʼ in an hour! Super-tightening toning treatment, resulting in in a wonderful water-shed from your thighs and combines the best slimming, and anti-cellulite therapiesand in the abdomen. higher, perkier, reduced-wobble business. SensAsia Urban Spa’s award-winning team hasderriere. designed maximum impact programmes that can be taken over a series of weeks BOOTCAMP FOR–BUTTS BY MAMA MIO 60 minutes / 515 dhs – and work on key problem areas repeatedly and on rotation (checkMIO out 60 minutes BOOTCAMP FOR TUMMY BY MAMA / 315 dhs ‘butt lift’ in an hour! Super-tightening and toning treatment, resulting in Baby’s Got Back below). If your tummy is your trouble spot, this is the treatment forAyou. a higher, perkier, reduced-wobble derriere. There are also plenty of quick-fix detoxing and de-bloating treatments BOOTCAMP FOR TUMMY BY MAMA MIO 60 minutes / 315 dhs – (like the Skinni-Mini), to boost your body confidence ahead of For and moreoninformation and‘fat further images, contact Sarah Walker, PR Director Think... Events, If your tummy isatyour trouble spot, this is the treatment for you. impromptu beach plans that dreaded day’… Marketing & PR Email: sarahwalker@thinkme.ae or call +971 4 368 9977 SensAsia Urban Spa is also a proud partner of Mama Mio – the About SensAsia Urban Spa: Omega-rich, expert skincare line loved by celebrities including Jessica For more information and on further images, Sarah Walker, Founded in 2004, SensAsia Urban Spa was the creation of Salina Handa, a Louboutin loving spa-oholic a mission to bringcontact a Alba and Rachel Weisz. Butt or tummy toinDubai... need ofOhboot spa-with-a-difference boy,camp? did she Just do that! Winner of ThePR Middle East Spa Independent Spa 2012, Director at Awards Think...Best Events, Marketing & PR bring it in! this uber chic day spa has brought us a touch of the Big Apple with heaps of Asian sole. SensAsia first opened at Village Email: sarahwalker@thinkme.ae orThe call +971in4 368 9977 2004, followed by Palm Jumeirah and Emirates Golf Club. SensAsia Express, opened in May 2011 at Mall of the Emirates and offers ‘editedʼ versions of our much-loved treatments, while our latest addition is SensAsia at Souk Al Manzil, the heart of hectic Downtown Dubai.

www.sensasiaspas.com / Like us on Facebook

sensasiaspas / Follow us on Twitter

SensAsia

News of our Honorary Members

Fit Lab

Congratulations Bubba Watson for winning the 2014 Masters Tournament and his second Green Jacket in three years!

NYLA Brittany Costa

YLA Method is on a mission in Dubai; in a place where women want to be the best they can and share a passion for well-being, we are introducing our barre inspired workout to the Middle East. We developed NYLA Method program by fusing the best of ballet, yoga and pilates, all the while combined a healthy dose of strength training and cardio. We’ve watched our method transform women’s bodies and lifestyles. Now, we want to share our passion for well-being and raise the barre—so to speak—on fitness in Dubai. Our signature 60 minute NYLA Method Barre class has been engineered to create length without bulking, boost the metabolism, and safely delivers results in only two weeks with consistent practice (three to four sessions per week). By attending class, you’ll be able to see and feel the results:

• Elongated muscles • Reduced body fat • Thinner, streamlined legs • Cinched waist and flat abdominals • Lifted and rounded seat • Toned and lean arms • More energy, better posture, and improved alignment During the one hour session, we focus on working off a ballet barre to assist us into various positions. In addition to using the barre, we utilize various props such as light weights, a stability ball and resistance bands. The NYLA Method class challenges muscles to fatigue in order to develop strength, while the cardio blasts and stretches throughout ensure a complete

head to toe workout, making it the most efficient training session you can do in under an hour. Our unprecedented and innovative method guarantees that it never gets “too easy”. We challenge clients past their comfort zone to ensure that they continue to get results from every session; with that being said, we make sure that our motivating playlists and inspirational instructors help you to get through each class with a smile on your face. NYLA Method is like no other fitness class and is the result of a collaboration of experts from different movement disciplines, who have all been recruited from New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Australia to develop this program here in the UAE. Our intensive instructor training program requires instructors to develop a firm grasp of the principles behind the movements and choreography, as well as a deep understanding of how to effectively motivate clients to believe in their strength and abilities. Our team is a group of women who are just like you— eager to get our sweat on in the most effective and enjoyable way possible and who are excited to work with women and help them to be empowered through fitness and nutrition. We want to create a community of fit, healthy women where we work together in fitness and keep you informed through health education and always stay current with cutting-edge and progressive fitness trends. Follow us on social media by searching for @NYLAMethod (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and check out our

blog at NYLAMethod.com/ blog to stay in touch. Have any questions about the programme or want to sign up for a class? Call us at +971 (0) 4 454 9880 or email at Info@NYLAMethod. com; you can also always visit our website at NYLAMethod. com to learn more.

• Full Range Taps: Toes to floor; lift leg hip height. 20x. • Circles: Extended leg at hip height, draw circles with toes. 20x each direction • Hamstring Curls: Keeping leg at hip level, flex foot, bend leg at knee, return to straight. 20x • Repeat all on left side.

Come and meet us at the barre to try a workout with us today!

Curtsey Lunge

In partnership with the Emirates Golf Club, NYLA will be hosting weekly classes in the Bespoke Fitness / Barre Studio as follows: • Sunday : 10am, 11:15am, 7pm • Monday: 10am, 11:15am • Tuesday: 10am, 11:15am, 7pm • Wednesday: 10am, 11:15am • Thursday: 10am, 11:15am, 7pm • Friday: 3:30pm, 5pm • Saturday: 4:30pm First class is always on us, so try it once for free! Package rates are as follows*: Single Class 5 Pack 10 Pack 20 Pack 30 Pack

AED 115 AED 550 AED 1,050 AED 1,900 AED 2,700

(*Emirates Golf Club members receive a 15% discount when purchasing) Want to get a sneak peek into what some of our signature moves are? Try these at home, then come by class and meet us at the Barre! Tabletop • Hands into floor under shoulders, knees under hips, tops of feet flat, core active; extend right leg back.

• Feet under hips, heels together, toes apart in small V, knees bent and aligned over third toe, tailbone dropped, hips in neutral alignment, core active, and shoulders over hips. Step right leg back into lunge, heel lifted, on the ball of the foot, knee turned out. • Pulses: Drop tailbone 6” (15 cm) lower / lift maintaining small range of motion. 20x. • Full extension: straightening legs, bending knees. 20x. • Repeat all on left side. Small V Position • Using a chair as stability, forearms distance away and keeping hand lightly on it, stack shoulders above hips, core active and tailbone dropped. Bring heels of feet together, toes apart in a small “V” position. • Keeping heels down or lifted for a challenge (and keeping the heels together) soften out the knees to lower tailbone towards the ground 6 inches; keep spine long (as if you’re sliding down a wall). • Challenge yourself by lowering and lifting hips an inch, move on to full range, staying low and pressing knees back, or staying low and circling the hips. Each movement 20x

Our honorary members are highlighted in the list below MASTERS W T2 T2 4 T5 T5 7 T8 T8 T8 T8 T8 T8 T14 T14 T14 T14 T14 T14 T20

Bubba Watson Jonas Blixt Jordan Spieth Miguel-Angel Jimenez Rickie Fowler Matt Kuchar Lee Westwood Thomas Bjorn Bernhard Langer Rory McIlroy John Senden Kevin Stadler Jimmy Walker Stewart Cink Jamie Donaldson Jim Furyk Justin Rose Adam Scott Henrik Stenson Fred Couples

Former winner of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, Miguel Angel Jimenez made his Champions Tour debut in style when he won the Greater Gwinnett Championship by two strokes over Germany’s Bernhard Langer in Georgia last month. A week after finishing fourth at the Masters, Jimenez won in his first start on the senior American circuit. Then the 20-time European Tour winner indicated afterwards that he would focus primarily on his home tour for the rest of the season as he tries to qualify for the Ryder Cup in September.

WHAT’S ON IN MAY? GOLF EVENTS

Ladies Amateur Open Friday 2nd s jli Ma 0, 3 11. 06.30hy Past Captains Trop Ladies Stableford & h 5t ay nd Mo 08.30, Faldo Round 1 Black Tee Challenge Friday 9th ldo Fa 5, 5 13. 06.35 Round 2 Black Tee Challenge h 10t y da tur Sa s jli Ma 0, 3 06.30-13. l Ladies Monthly Meda Monday 12th ldo Fa 0, 3 08. Curtisy Cup Wednesday 14th 20, Majlis 08.00-09.10, 13.10-14. pionship am Mashreq Medal Ch Friday 16th W BM h t wi n o ti In associa bai & Harvey Nichols Du 13.00, Majlis ent of Champions Ladies Tournam h Monday 19t 08.30, Majlis Ladies Competition Monday 26th 08.30, Majlis of Champions Men’s Tournament Friday 30th 13.00, Majlis

olf is not usually regarded as an extreme sport but Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal was given the scare of his life on the course in Kuala Lumpur last month.

17 Honorary Members

What a round by Honorary Emirates Golf Club member Miguel Angel Jimenez, who shot 66 at Augusta to go within two shots of the leaders going into the final round of the Masters!

TOP PICKS FROM THE TOURS

Larrazabal was playing the 14th hole of his second round at the Maybank Malaysian Open when he was suddenly attacked by a swarm of giant hornets.

The 30 year-old from Barcelona was forced to flee from the angry swarm and, after failing to escape his attackers, dived into a lake and took cover under water in a desperate bid to shake off the insects. ‘I’ve never been so scared,’ admitted Larrazabal afterwards. Larrazabal eventually emerged from the lake, dried off and received several injections to treat the 20 stings he suffered. Incredibly, Larrazabal then resumed his round and he shot a remarkable score of 68 -four under par, which included two birdies after the terrifying incident. Evasive action: Larrazabal attempts to waft away the angry hornets after they attacked on the fifth hole.

e l o H h t 9 1

SNIPPETS

CEO of Dubai Golf, Chris May with Senior Sales & CRS Manager Pansy Gonsalvez with The Claret Jug at the Asia Golf Tourism Convention in China.

Congratulations to Paddy McGrath on his recent wedding in Italy to MG Santiago

Congratulations to our member Matt Blom who won the AED 10,000 Club Night Accumulator last month.

Unusual Golf Courses Jega with cricketers Allan Donald and Daniel Vettori

Congratulations to Janice at EGC Reception and Charith (Lifeguard) who became proud parents to a baby boy, Vithun James, born on 13th February. Congratulations to you both. Cricketers Dave Miller and Glenn Maxwell playing the Majlis course

Uummannaq, Greenland

This nine-hole course is in Uummannaq, Greenland and is home to the World Ice Golf Championship, where harsh temperatures are only half the challenge; players are reminded that the green is white and the golf balls fluorescent orange! The course itself is forever changing at the whim of the moving icebergs, dictated by the true architect of the course; the ocean. For this reason even during the championships the course is only actually cut out a few days before to ensure it is still there come tournament time.

Did you manage to get your Starbucks coffee from the Starbucks buggy that was driving around the course again last month?

Dear Members,

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Warm greetings from sunny Phuket. For the coming summer season, we would like to invite all members and your guests to experience our club with the Golf and Accommodation package as outlined below The package starts from 1st May to 31st October 2014. Feel free to contact me at bluecanyonclub@hotmail.com if you have any questions/enquiries for the booking. I look forward to welcoming you all at our Club in the near futire.

US Masters Tournament: 9 holes on the Par 3 Course

fun Par 3, 9 hole tournament was held during the US Masters, culminating in a prize-presentation, dinner and an evening of watching The Masters. This was well supported and very well organised by Golf Experience Manager, Mohammed Al Shaibani. RESULTS WINNERS: Stephen Deane, Kavita Sehmi, Hugo Garcia and Aaron Smith. RUNNERS-UP: Sue Hopwood, Nina Larm and Pentti Tahvanainen THIRD: Gareth Quigley, Howard James and Bernard Soh. NEAREST THE PINS: Andre Grove and Pentti Tahvanainen.

Best regards, Ari PA to Dir. of Membership & Property Sales BLUE CANYON COUNTRY CLUB 165 Moo 1 Thepkasattri Road, Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand Tel: +66 (0)76 328 088 Fax: +66 (0)76 328 109 Mobile: +66 (0)81 968 1934

Dine at Spike Bar Monday Quiz Night Test your knowledge at Emirates Golf Club’s weekly quiz night, arguably the longest running quiz night in Dubai! Taking place every Monday from 8.30pm, why not come early and indulge in Spike Bar’s delicious buffet for just AED 115 per person or AED 285 per person including selected house beverages.

Thursday Seafood Market Spike Bar is calling all seafood lovers to come down on Thursdays between 7pm and 10.30pm. Enjoy a selection of seafood prepared in your own preferred cooking style in addition to our salad buffet. Accoustic Rain will entertain you throughout the evening to ensure that your Thursday evening is just the beginning of a happy weekend AED 30 per 100 gms (minimum of 300 gms)

Friday Sunset BBQ Indulge in our BBQ on the terrace every Friday from 7pm to 10.30pm. Choose your favourites from a selection of fresh seafood and meat, cooked to your liking for AED 125 per person or AED 290 per person inclusive of unlimited selected beverages. For an additional AED 50 per person, indulge in our decadent Death By Chocolate dessert buffet. Live entertainment is provided by our resident artist Party Pete.

Weekend Sports Night Enjoy live sports and great food at Spike Bar every Saturday and Sunday from 5pm to 10pm. Choose any dish from our Weekend Sports menu and sit back and relax with one house beverage for AED 75. With our flat screen televisions and large central screen, you’ll catch all the best of live football, rugby, cricket and golf action! To book a table, please call 04 417 9999 or email emiratesdining@dubaigolf.com