Club Life January

Editor: Jacqui Barry egc@dubaigolf.com

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nuary 201

ISSUE 27, Ja

Inaan Budhiraja

Alison Muirhead

Club Champions 2012 - 2013

Editorial

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hope you all had a great Christmas and here’s wishing you a very happy New Year.

Christmas at the Club has been wonderful…particularly the Mixed Christmas Scramble which really got everyone into the spirit, thanks to the efforts of the Pros who were on the course for various challenges.

Thanks also to the staff for their input and to our Santa of course who came around to every group…mind you, I was ready for a bar of chocolate or a mince pie when he got to our group but the Christmas golf ball gift did not go to waste either!

Thanks to all those who have written or who have spoken to me to say that they appreciate receiving Club Life magazine; it’s always good to get positive feedback, especially from members. However, I have to confess to a couple of mistakes in last month’s issue which were deliberate mistakes …just to see if you really are reading it! (Joking!). Apologies to Pontus Fredriksson and to Charles Hernon for the wrong caption on the Medal winner’s photo. It should have read ‘Charles Hernon with Moshe Kohli’.

Also the EGC 25th Anniversary photos – I really don’t know why I wrote Fred Couples instead of Ernie Els as I actually took the photo. Anyway, apologies again, this was in fact Greenkeeper Brent Holmes and Past Captain Paul Thornberry with Ernie Els after his Desert Classic win 1995 The Staff v Members tournament was excellent and a welcome change to the format this season with two members and two staff playing a scramble together, an event on the season’s calendar that is very enjoyable for all concerned. Thank you to all the staff members who took part in this and I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

The Omega Dubai Ladies Masters was very enjoyable and congratulations must go to ‘golf in Dubai’ for staging this event. It was much quieter this year in terms of spectators but this did not detract from the quality of the golf played resulting in the crowning of a worthy new champion Shanshan Feng who played superb golf to win the tournament by 5 shots finishing on -21 and setting a course record in the process.

Congratulations to two of our former EGC Juniors who were invited to take part in the Masters, Kavita Sehmi and Nanna Nielson. Both played their best in what must have been a nerve-wracking experience, competing with some of the best players on the LET and LPGA tours. Both girls played very well and I’m sure we will see them reaching their future goals of playing on the European Tour. (Nanna and Kavita have each written an account of their experience in this issue).

Emirates Golf Club Senior Management

Christopher May

Andrew Whitelaw

Chief Executive Officer cmay@dubaigolf.com

Barney Coleman

Golf Services Manager bcoleman@dubaigolf.com

Julian Danby

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

Kate Philips

Membership Manager kphillips@dubaigolf.com

Steen Simon

Food and Beverage Manager ssimon@dubaigolf.com

Club Manager awhitelaw@dubaigolf.com

Chef Max Grenard

Andy Meech

Culinary Director mgrenard@dubaigolf.com

Head of Sport and Leisure ameech@dubaigolf.com

Adele Cowgill

Craig Haldane

Marketing & Director - Golf Course Communications Manager Maintenance acowgill@dubaigolf.com chaldane@dubaigolf.com

Ganesh Mangathil

Keith Wilkes

In House Publishing Manager gmangathil@dubaigolf.com

Retail Manager kwilkes@dubaigolf.com

Chef Benoit Cart

Stephen Deane

Executive Sous Chef bcart@dubaigolf.com

Head Academy Professional sdeane@dubaigolf.com

This month two of our Past Captains are leaving Dubai, Allan Kidd and Mike Sim. Allan and Hazel are heading to South Carolina to live near their daughter Sarah. Although Allan has not been golfing a great deal over the past couple of years, he and Hazel have always been regulars at the Monday Quiz nights which they have won many times too. We wish you all the best for your retirement.

Mike Sim who has just left Dubai to live in Florida has been a member at EGC for 24 years and he has contributed greatly to the Club. In his role as Club Captain last year, he was full on for the entire year and his enthusiasm, efforts and total involvement in Club events as well as staff events was appreciated by all.

Thank you Mike. So many people will miss you but, no doubt, you will be making frequent visits to Dubai in the near future so we look forward to seeing you then.

Happy New Year to all

Jacqui

www.dubaigolf.com

Saeed Ahamed

Financial Controller mahamed@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

Haridas Palliyalil

Resident Engineer hpalliyalil@dubaigolf.com

9999 9800 9801 9850 9875 9820

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

We already have over 6,600 likes.

Follow us on Twitter@emiratesgc

Dear Members,

Early December started with the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters and it was great to see some of the world’s leading lady golfers at play. We are grateful to Omega and Rivoli for allowing the use of their chalet to members. It was definitely the meeting point from where we all witnessed some great golf. We thank you for your generous hospitality.

The Staff and Members Scramble was very well subscribed and we are grateful to the members of staff for spending their day with us for golf and then dinner as it was indeed most memorable. The Scramble format was a good change, and we are already looking forward to the next one, before the end of the golf season.

The Christmas Scramble was, as always, a huge success with Santa going around distributing gifts and the Club Pros manning the refreshment stations. It was most endearing to see so many of our young golfers back home from University and playing with their parents. The festive season, and life, is all about homecoming and bonhomie. Dan Hendry, Ross Barry, Nanna Nielson, Jay and Maya Srivastava,

We also bid farewell to our Past Captain Mike Sim, who has left Dubai for Florida after being a member for 24 years. We wish him all the luck and happiness and we look forward to welcoming him, whenever he decides to visit us. He is a friend who we will miss immensel as well as being a man of integrity who ‘walked the talk’. We shall miss you here Simbo!

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his has indeed been a Delightful December. At the outset, I wish to thank all the members for their very generous gifts for the Christmas raffle which resulted in over AED 43,000 being collected for the Junior Staff at the Club. Lady Captain Glynis, Vice Captain Barbara, Lanie, and their team worked relentlessly. Well done girls, and we are indeed grateful for your selfless work, and marshalling all the donations and gifts.

Tania Sangani, Arjun Ghai and all the others of the youth brigade - welcome back home and to your extended family at EGC. You are the present ambassadors and the future of this great Club. It is so heart-warming to see you around.

Captains Co

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We now get into Joyful January. For those of us who make it straight from the New Year’s Eve celebrations we have the Scramble on the first day of 2013. On 19th we have the annual Asia v Rest of the World Tournament which we will try to make festive and fun. The two team Captains, Dick Purchase and I, will work on interesting pairings and an enjoyable afternoon.

The golf courses are looking lovely and the weather is absolutely awesome. We are blessed to be here in Dubai, particularly at this time of the year.

Here is wishing you all a very Happy New Year !!

Till the next one, Cheers, Moshe Kohli Captain

MEN’S COMPETITION RESULTS

Baxter Wins Maiden Monthly Medal

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unior Matthew Baxter clinched his first BMW Rivoli Monthly Medal with a fantastic net 67 over the Faldo course. The youngster has been steadily improving over the past months and as a result of a superb 5-under par tally over the tricky Faldo course his handicap is now 10.8, he will be in confident mood ahead of the Junior Club Championship next weekend. He was fought all the way for the Division B (handicap 11-20) title as Nawaf Fawaz matched his 67 but had to settle for runners up position after a card count back. Robert Underwood took third in Division B with a level par 72.

The scoring was slightly higher in Division A (handicap 0-10) and it was David Waite who clinched top prize with a net 74. Again a card count back had to settle first and second place with Jignesh Sangani matching his 2-over tally. Eddie Hesson, the scratch team regular, carded the best gross of the day a 76 and his net 75 gave him third spot in Division A. Faisal Al Sayegh carded a net 73 to win Division C (handicap 21-34)

Moshe Kohli and Matthew Baxter

www.dubaigolf.com

in’s Lady Capta Message

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ell, December has been quite a month!

As usual, the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters was a huge success, with Shanshan Feng triumphing in such a confident way, and what a completely charming young lady she is. Many congratulations!

Our Ladies’ Christmas Scramble was played on the 10th and what a colourful morning we all had. It was so lovely to see everyone joining in with the Christmas spirit and dressing in red and white or going the whole way, in fancy dress. Many congratulations to the team of Janet Curtis, Viv Caley, Karin Gesterkamp and Phyllis Pule for making such a big effort and winning the best dressed prize! A big thank you to the F&B department for providing mulled wine and mince pies on the course, always an essential part of the scramble! A huge thank you yet again to our very generous sponsors Harvey Nichols and Ecco for providing our competition prizes. The team of Angela Connor, Brenda Cornwall, Fiona Berry and Agneta Ekstrand were the delighted winners, collecting beautiful Ecco purses which was particularly special as both Brenda and Angela will be moving on in the New Year to spend more time with their families in the UK. Eleven individual hole prize winners were thrilled to receive Harvey Nichols gift vouchers at Profile salon for wash and blowdry, manicure/ pedicure. With so many prizes it was great to be able to give something back as all the ladies bought many raffle tickets in aid of the Junior Staff Fund for the draw at the Mixed Christmas Scramble.

It was a very busy week and the Ladies’ Christmas lunch followed on Wednesday 12th. This is where we take over the Le Classique restaurant and you just never know what might happen! This year Father Christmas (aka Bob Connor), made a surprise visit and with Mohammed’s help, drew the separate Christmas raffle we held just for the ladies. With beautiful prizes donated by some of our ladies, we managed to raise an additional AED 4,400 towards the main raffle fund so a big thank you to all! The lunch was delicious as always and thanks must go to all Le Classique staff for looking after us so well.

Christmas carols were sung by our enthusiastic group,

Annette Stewart, Angela Connor, Caroline Jones, Brenda Cornwall, Karin Gesterkamp and Martha Wong and everyone thoroughly enjoyed being able to join in. Finally, I would like to thank Trevor Varri, for giving his time to come and host our “Merry Quizmas” quiz, in his undeniable jovial manner which was very much appreciated by all. After some quite tricky questions each table toasted their winner. At such a busy time of year, thank you to everyone who was able to attend and join in with the Festive Spirit!

Our December Medal was scheduled for 17th, but due to some rather bad weather for Dubai, it was cancelled on the morning. After heavy rain caused some flooding on the course, the decision was made to call off the day’s competition.

Onwards to the Mixed Christmas Scramble! Over 120 members tackled the Faldo after joining in with well received welcome drinks! More mince pies and mulled wine followed on the course and the day was topped off by a delicious Festive Buffet on M’s terrace. I must again thank everyone who donated prizes and bought raffle tickets and particular thanks to my Vice-Captain, Barbara Head for her help with all the raffle ticket sales. We managed to raise over AED 42,000 for the Junior Staff Fund through raffle ticket sales and donations, I’m sure they will be thrilled with this generous token of our gratitude for all their dedication. Our Club Captain, Moshe Kohli concluded the day, with his ever appropriate and touching eloquence; Thank you Moshe.

After the New Year’s Day scramble, our season resumes on 7th with the January Medal, so don’t forget to sign up for that! I very much look forward to seeing new and old members in the New Year.

As we approach 2013, I would like to wish everyone a very peaceful, healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

With all best wishes, Glynis Hendry Lady Captain

LADIES’ COMPETITION RESULT LADIES CHRISTMAS SCRAMBLE Monday, 10th December 2012 WINNERS Angela Connor, Agneta Ekstrand

Brenda Cornwell, Fiona Berry 37.9 Runner up Mary Brown, Judy Ashcroft

Anjana Thapar, Movanna Sadek 39.1 Third Elaine Belcher, Sue Hopwood

Carrie Parker, Marie Benson 40.9 Best Dressed Viv Caley, Janet Curtis

Karin Gesterkamp, Phyllis Pule SPECIAL EVENTS NEAREST THE SANTA’S HAT HOLE# 2: Ivy Bailey STRAIGHTEST DRIVE HOLE# 3: Gitte Nielsen NEAREST THE SNOWMAN HOLE # 5: Phyllis Pule NEAREST THE PIN HOLE# 7: Fiona Berry NEAREST THE PIN HOLE# 8: Caroline Jones STRAIGHTEST DRIVE HOLE# 10: Jenny Ayres LONGEST DRIVE HOLE# 11: Viet Nga Luu Petersen NEAREST THE PIN HOLE# 12: Chris Hutchinson LONGEST DRIVE HOLE# 16: Nanna Nielsen NEAREST THE SANTA HOLE# 17: Antonia Ludvigson NEAREST THE PIN (WITH YOUR PUTT) HOLE # 18: Maria Arias

www.dubaigolf.com

5 Kohli, Turlik, Whitelaw and Brown take the honours in the Members and staff scramble

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he Club Captain Moshe Kohli lead his team of Chris Turlik, Club Manager Andrew Whitelaw and Golf Professional Alastair Brown to victory in the popular annual event, played over Faldo design course. Their impressive scramble score of 58 included 11 birdies and an eagle on the par 5 3rd hole. All 4 players kindly donated their prize back to the junior staff via a lucky draw.

The runner up spot was taken by the team of Alan Salem, Soumaya Salem, Cart well Supervisor Jega and Starter/ Marshal Sudarsan. Their scramble score of 59.6 included 6 birdies in the windy conditions.

Third place went to the 3 ball team of Jacqui Barry, Nick Evangelopoulos and GCM staff member Miaz Khan with

Club News

MIXED COMPETITIONS RESULTS

a great 59.9 scramble score. Their scorecard included 6 birdies equally spread between the front and back nine. Jackie and Nick also kindly donated their prize back to the junior staff via a lucky draw.

Special Events for staff kindly sponsored by Martha Wong Nearest the pin hole 12 – Bag storage supervisor Jhun Basa Longest Drive hole 5 – Spike Bar manager Andre Grove Special Events for members Nearest the pin hole 8 – Amresh Sangani Longest Drive hole 16 – Jacqui Barry

MIXED CHRISTMAS SCRAMBLE 21st December 2012 WINNERS Moshe Kohli, Nanna Nielson

Ross Hopwood, Naema Maya 58 RUNNERS UP Rekha Bandopadhyay, Tania Sangani

Amresh Sangani, Arun Khehar 58.8 THIRD Jill Muirhead, Robert Muirhead

Alison Muirhead, Butch Zeederberg 59.7 TRACKMAN HOLE # 16 (LADIES) Nana Nielson HOLE # 16 (GENTS) Ross Barry NEAREST THE PIN SPONSORED BY MAUI JIM HOLE # 12 (LADIES) Rosemary Turlik HOLE # 12 (GENTS) Arun Khehar NEAREST THE PINS HOLE # 2 (GENTS) Nak Min Choi HOLE # 8 (LADIES) Viet Nga Petersen NEAREST THE SNOWMAN HOLE # 14 (FOR ALL PLAYERS) Dong Chol Shin NEAREST THE SANTA HOLE # 4 (FOR ALL PLAYERS) Choon Park

Moshe Kohli, Nanna Nielsen, Naema Maya, Ross Hopwood and Glynis Hendry

www.dubaigolf.com

Club News

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Emirates Golf Club triumph in the Clash of the Titans Tuesday, 18th December 2012

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n this very popular bi annual event where members and professionals of Emirates Golf Club take on the team from the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club it was Emirates that came out on top with a 393 to 378 points victory played over the stunning Majlis course.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

JANUARY 2013

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Friday

Men’s Club Championship 06.35 & 13.35 Faldo

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4

Friday

BMW/ Rivoli Medal

08.30 Faldo

January 20th – February 3rd – Majlis course closed for the preparation and staging of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic

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12

Saturday

Men’s Club Championship 06.30 & 13.30 Majlis

17th – 20th Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

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www.dubaigolf.com

Monday

Ladies’ Competition 08.30 Faldo

Steven Vanson and Golf Professional Kenny Monaghan that took top honors with the score of the day 45 points.

This victory by the Emirates team brought the overall tally to 2 wins a piece with all players looking forward to the fixtures next year.

Monday

Ladies’ Medal 08.30 Majlis

08.00 & 13.00 Faldo

Monday

Ladies’ Competition

The top scoring pair of Club Captain Moshe Kohli and Club Manager Andrew Whitelaw led the way with a superb 44 points in the betterball format. This score was also matched in style by the pairing of Anand Lakhiani and Jignesh Sangani. For the Creek team it was

13th – 19th Majlis course open to Members ONLY

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Saturday

Asia v Rest of the World 13.00 Faldo

January 31st – February 3rd – Omega Dubai Desert Classic, Majlis Course

Meet The Spike Bar Team

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Junior Link

JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 22nd December 2012 BOYS CHAMPION Inaan Budhiraja GIRLS CHAMPION Alison Muirhead RUNNER UP Rory Blincow THIRD Karan Bhasin BEST GROSS SUPER JUNIOR CATEGORY

Niklas Korjonen BEST NET BOYS DIV. Matthew Lauren BEST NET GIRLS DIV. Alison Muirhead NEAREST THE PIN HOLE # 4 Karam Sehmi HOLE # 11 Inaan Budhiraja

Gross 78 Gross 78 Gross 80 Gross 81 Gross 92 Net 72 Net 68

Nanna Nielson and Kavita Sehmi played in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters last month and they should be very proud of their performances so well done to you. They have each written an account of their experience at the ODLM.

Nanna Nielson Hello Everybody!

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irst I would like to say I hope everyone is having a great time this festive season. It is a time to enjoy, let loose, and be surrounded by the people we love.

It is time for a small update from the long lost (no longer junior) in the United States of America. I was so lucky to be able to play in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters on an invitation. It has always been my dream to play in this event and my dream that became a reality did not disappoint.

I landed in Dubai on the evening of December 2nd and was more excited than ever to get down to EGC and get working.

The entire experience was surreal. I truly felt like I was one of “them”. The two days where I got to play will never be forgotten, and the supreme support I received from everyone in the Club will also never be forgotten. I almost felt like I had the biggest crowd (may not have been reality but it sure felt awesome). The scores were not of my best capabilities, but I am happy with the way I managed to control myself and learn as much as I did from the experience. Being surrounded by the ladies who do this for a living every week forces you to learn a thing or two. The way they handle bad shots on the course, and the way they handle good ones are entirely different to amateur golfers. It is all in our mind, and how you represent yourself to the crowd, and to

your co players, reflect upon yourself as a person – and last but not least – on your game. It is so important to bring YOU to the course and leave a mark of who YOU are, and not who others want you to be. A great caddy also always helps – Andy Andrews – did a great job handling me in tough situations and I firmly believe anyone at any level could benefit from a caddy. A second opinion is always preferred before hitting an important shot.

inch or two from playing the Dubai Ladies’ Masters. Additionally, another thank you to Mark Gregson-Walters is in order; a great coach to guide you through your first pro event is irreplaceable.

It is almost hard to describe exactly what I learned throughout that week, but it is imprinted in me and it gave me a want to play more tournaments, to work harder, and to dare to reach out for my dreams.

I definitely feel like I have grown an

As a little extra on the side it is only fair I update you guys on my doings at the University of Tulsa. Things are good, as per usual. We lost some great girls on the team and stepping up to fill their shoes is harder than expected. We did not have a great fall, me included. I am working hard over this break to make a move in spring and hopefully get to compete for our conference win (back-to-back). On the school front I have just finished my first semester of my junior year (time flies), and I changed my major to a double major in International Business Language (German) with Management Information Systems.

School is tough and it is cold in Tulsa at this moment but my grades for the fall turned out over expectations with straight A’s (phew… lucky), but all this makes it so much more enjoyable coming back to my Emirates Golf Club family. The welcome hugs and the long talks in the Clubhouse with people are overwhelming. It is great to be home.

Altogether the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters 2012 was one for the books, truly unforgettable for my family, and me, and I am so grateful that I have had this opportunity in my life.

On an ending note I simply want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

www.dubaigolf.com

8 eek JuonmiomritLtin C

s

Kavita Sehmi

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he long and eager wait for the invite to play as an amateur in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters 2012 ended on Saturday the 24th November when Adrian Flaherty sent me an email. Not only did I get an invite to play in the main event but also in the Par 3 Challenge Match that takes place the evening before the Pro-Am. Immediately I contacted my coach Stephen Deane here at Emirates Golf Club and we quickly organised a busy schedule in order to prepare me for the events. Practice rounds 1 and 2 on the dates 3 and 4 December were very exciting as I was up close with a lot of the top players already and it was a good introduction for me into the tournament as there was no one around, just you, your caddy and the golf course. I had never ever put so much focus and concentration into a practice round before as I knew what these rounds were leading up to.

and told me to relax and that we would hit a few balls just before heading off to the par 3 course at 6:00pm. I was on the range practicing just in front of Shanshan Feng, the winner of the main event this year, and she walked past and said hello. I went blank as I had never been on such a friendly level with any of the top players other than Lexi Thompson. We played the Challenge Match and I was paired with an American player named Cindy Lacrosse.

Sinking the birdie putt on the last due to Cindy’s fantastic approach shot allowed us to finish second ahead of Shanshan and Laura Davis. This challenge match was to an extent, an ice breaker for

After the practice round on Monday, I was eager to get onto the range again before the Challenge Match in the evening but Stephen calmed my nerves

me as I thought, playing with the top players in the world at the same time probably was more nerve racking than playing with two other professionals.

Throughout round 1, I was relaxed and just took one shot at a time in turn allowing me to shoot only a few over par which could have easily been a few under par if not for the putts as Stephen said. Playing such a great round made me get slightly ahead of myself hence, shooting far worse than expected in round 2. Even though I shot a terrible score in round 2, playing the way I did in round 1 allowed me to believe that I can play on par with the professionals.

I missed the cut but still came back to watch the finish and I enjoyed the part especially when the players I met during the Challenge Match stopped and had a little chat with me. Due to such a great opportunity, I am now communicating regularly with the top professionals such as Lexi Thompson, Shanshan Feng, Laura Davies, Cindy Lacrosse, Melissa Reid and Pernilla Lindberg. I just wanted to thank golf in Dubai for providing me with such an amazing experience, thank all my supporters, friends and family for being there with me the whole way. This experience has definitely given me a new perspective and hopefully, I will be there again next year.

RULES During a golfing season at Emirates, drop zones are used on a number of occasions often for Immovable obstructions (e.g. hospitality building behind 9th and 18th), or Ground Under Repair.

When using a drop zone the following provisions apply regarding the dropping and re-dropping of the ball: 1. The player does not have to stand within the drop zone when dropping the ball 2. The dropped ball must first strike a part of the course within the dropping zone 3. If the dropping zone is defined by a line, the line is within the dropping zone 4. The dropped ball does not have to come to rest within the dropping zone 5. The dropped ball must be re-dropped if it rolls and comes to rest in a hazard, on a putting green, out of bounds or in a position where there is interference by the condition from which relief was taken (e.g the GUR or Grandstand) 6. The dropped ball may roll nearer the hole than the spot where it first struck a part of the course, provided it comes to rest within two club-lengths of that spot. Therefore a ball, once dropped in the drop zone, may roll up to club lengths towards the hole and be in play.

Decision 13-4/9  Jenny’s ball lies in a bunker and a rake has been left in another part of the bunker. Prior to making her stroke in the bunker, the player retrieves the rake. Having lifted the rake, Jenny smooths the footprints that she has just created, and some others in the process, what is the ruling?

There is no penalty provided the smoothing was done for the sole purpose of caring for the course and nothing was done to breach Rule 13-2 in relation to the players next stroke (e.g. improving area of intended swing). If however a player is regularly creating and smoothing footprints close to her ball prior to making strokes from a bunker, it would be appropriate to question the player about the purpose of the smoothing. If the player is smoothing the surface to gain knowledge of the condition of the bunker the player would be penalised.

www.dubaigolf.com

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Current job in Dubai Retail Centre of Excellence Lead with Al-Futtaim group. We are currently setting up a brand new Retail Business College for the likes of IKEA and M&S amongst others. A one of its kind initiative in the region. I’ve actually recycled my career from a sales and marketing professional to an L&D consultant and specialist while pursuing an international management career in this region. Just loving it!

Family connection My parents John and Yolande have just celebrated their 50th anniversary together and live in Chateauguay just south west of Montreal. And my younger brother Stephane who lives in Alfred Ontario with his wife Anne and his 2 kids Kevin and Jason.

Favourite Childhood memory Cutting down a real Christmas tree with my family in the Lanaudiere woods back in St-Jeande Matha Quebec.

Best young adult memories Surviving and actually graduating from McGill University in 1988 with a B.Com degree. Some of the best years of my life!

First job after University Product manager for Dr Ballard dog food with Nestle in Toronto in 1989. Yes some people do get paid good money to study this stuff!

Best job ever Selling sponsorships for the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club in 2002.

Marketing Manager for Wonder Bra does come a close second however!

rofile

First job in the Middle East As retail marketing manager with Nike in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I was almost chased out of the country once and on the Muttawa’s most wanted list for something I did. Ask me about it. True story!

Member’s P

Eric Koeman Best golfing experience as a nongolfer Caddying for Cassandra Kirkland at ODLM 2010.

Most exciting golf encounter Talking about the Dubai weather with Tiger Woods at ODDC in 2008. Such a meaningless topic but yet so insightful at the same time.

Favourite Dubai pastime after golf Supervising and coaching young kids as Referee in Chief of the Dubai SandStorms Ice Hockey League. We play every Friday and Saturday morning at Dubai Mall!

First memory of EGC Listening to Chris Turlik call Bingo at Quiz night in 2005. “Duck in heaven number seven”. I thought his lines were just so funny since he appeared as such a straight guy…. In those days as membership director.

Most exotic travel destination Climbing the Piton de la Fournaise, a current volcano in La Reunion Island. It is actually one of the most active in the world with an eruption every 9 months!

Some EGC thank you’s To Steve Jones and Johnny Aldridge for nominating me as 2013 North American Talker Cup captain. Looking forward to retaining the Cup in April!

Earliest golf memory Playing with my father at Club de Golf “Le Portage” in L’Assomption Quebec in the Lanaudiere region as a teenager sometime in the early 80’s.

What do you love about EGC It is such a great golf environment.

Top course. Top facilities. Top service.

Everything basically! Except when Trevor doesn’t play a music round at Quiz night! This place is like my second home.

Best golf shot memory Hole-in One at Club de Golf StJanvier in Mirabel Quebec in 1986.

204 yards with a 4 iron too!

Greatest on course golf accomplishment Reaching a 5.3 handicap just a month ago. Now playing at 6.

“Outside of golf, one day I would like to …..travel in space! I think that would be a very cool thing to do!”

As a caddy with Cassandra Kirkland

Favourite golf trip Spending 4 days in an absolute golf paradise.

The Masters at Augusta in 2009. with Yvan Cournoyer

As best man at my friend Paul’s wedding in Dubai

with Kawa Euro Cup final Canada day 2013

with Ernie at ODDC

Second shot Par 5 18th... Help!

My family at my parents 50th anniversary party in Montreal

MIXE

CHRISTM SCRAMB

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MAS BLE

Club News

14 OMEGA DUBAI LADIES MASTERS 2012

By Viren Varma

H

Feng said that she would celebrate by going to the mall and buying herself, her friend and her parents each a handbag.

At the beginning of the week she had a wager with her compatriot Yu Yang Zhang, who tied for 24th, that if the young LET rookie recorded a top-10 to avoid a trip to next week’s Tour School, she would buy her a handbag.

eld under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters came to an end when Shanshan Feng lapped the field and made history by winning the tournament.

Attending the prize ceremony was HRH Princess Haya, along with Her daughter, HH Sheikha Al Jalila Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Both HRH Princess Haya and HH Sheikha Al Jalila presented Feng with the winner’s trophy. Mohamed Juma Buamaim, Vicechairman and CEO of ‘golf in DUBAi’, was also present at the ceremony, along with representatives of the sponsors.

Starting the day with a healthy five-shot cushion, the world number six from China went about her business without much ado, closing with a 69 to finish at 21-under-par 267, a good five shots ahead of the Netherland’s Dewi Claire Schreefel. Becky Brewerton of Wales and Germany’s Caroline Masson finished four shots further back in a tie for third.

Feng’s was the lowest 74-hole total since the inception of the seasonending Ladies European Tour event in 2006, beating the previous best of 18-under jointly held by Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam and In Kyung Kim of South Korea.

The Omega’s newest ambassador had her moments to reach another landmark, but fell short by one stroke in matching Sorenstam’s largest winning margin of six shots she recorded in the inaugural edition in 2006.

www.dubaigolf.com

“I don’t think she made the top 10 and she has to go back to Q-School but I believe that she can make it anywhere,” said Feng, in a display of support.

It was Feng’s eighth professional victory and her second on the Ladies European Tour, after she won the World Ladies Championship in China in March.

The only player from China to win on the LPGA Tour, Feng couldn’t have asked for a better finish in a tournament she dominated from the word go. “I’m very happy because I had the lead for three days in a row and I don’t want to give it away on the last day. I think I tried my best, but still, I won, so here I am!.

“This (Omega Dubai Ladies Masters) is like a major on the Ladies European Tour. I’ve always heard about it, that it’s very nice. Finally, I got a chance to play, and I like it, I like the golf course: of course, I shot 21-under,”said the 23 year old, who turned professional in 2007. “I think I putted very solid the whole week and that was the key to my victory,” said whose goal before the start of the week was to rake in a top-five finish.

The Netherland’s Schreefel was equally excited with her second place finish, four shots ahead of Brewerton of Wales and Masson of Germany.

“I’m very excited with this finish. I think I played really well the whole week,” said Schreefel. “I was just focusing my game since Shanshan was so far ahead.

It was actually good because I could concentrate on my game.

“This second place almost feels like a victory since she (Feng) had already run away with it with her first two rounds.

I may not have won, but I am very pleased with my game, which was just solid,” said the Dutchwoman, who had set up a new course for ladies with a 63 on Friday.

Among the notables, defending champion Lexi Thompson finished tied 10th on nine under 279 while Laura Davies, who is also a ‘golf in DUBAi’ ambassador, settled for 16th place on eight-under 280. Charismatic Michelle Wie ended on 19th place with on six under 282.

15 25th Anniversary Photos

Visiting Professional Snooker players at EGC playing a match against the first EGC Golf Society, ’The Desert Rats’ in 1990. The snooker players subsequently called themselves ‘The Rat Catchers’ L to R: Steven Hendry’s Manager, John Spencer, Ian Walton, Steven Hendry, Tom Barry, Peter Finlay.

Lady Captain’s Day 1989, Lady Captain Margaret Bain with Maggie Neil

The first outline of the Majlis course

New Year’s Eve at EGC. L to R: Derek Scott, Neil McLean, Greenkeeper Brent Holmes, Pro, Steve Hagland, Pro, Matthew Gill

Pioneers

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19th HOLE

8 year old Alex Turlik joined two other Juniors, Clement Flaherty and Aashka Desai to play the ODLM Pro-Am with Pro Tandi Cunningham and finished second. Well done to the Juniors!

Snippets A very romantic story emerged from ODLM..

HK Seo who plays on the LPGA tour played in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters for the very first time and thoroughly enjoyed it.

After the second day of the tournament her long-term boyfriend got a flight to Dubai to surprise her. That was the first surprise and the second was that he proposed to her‌.nice one and congratulations to a lovely couple!

Footballer Dirk Kuyt (2nd from left) and friends on the Faldo

Michel Platini President of UEFA and ex French midfield maestro, Umberto Gandini Sporting Director AC Milan, Jean Francois Domergue ex French international

Congratulations to Dubai Golf Marketing & Communications Manager Adele Cowgill and her husband Travis, who are very proud parents to Lulu Iris Cowgill, born on Friday 14th December 2012 weighing 2.928 kg

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Winning team from the Pro-am

John Daly in Hong Kong ‘tree wo

Congratulations to Ishaan, (EGC Lifeguard) and Wahtsala, (EGC Locker-Room attendant) who got married recently.

Another staff wedding took place in December so best wishes and congratulations to Charith (EGC Lifeguard) and Janice (EGC receptionist)

Peter Downie..Singapore EGC Membership Services Manager, Kate Phillips got married to EGC Pro, Dave Adams in December. Congratulations to you both.

Tom and Jacqui Barry met up with past members Cameron Bellman and Gerry & Therese Feerick on their recent trip to Singapore; they also met up with former Creek Club Manager, Peter Downie who is now GM of Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore. Peter invited everyone to play golf there where they received a wonderful welcome and generous hospitality.

ood’

Moshe and Michelle Wie

Romel and Michelle Wie

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Course Con

dition

18

Greenkeeper’s Cuttings

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help us by staying outside of the designated areas in particular around greens. They have all been marked with the small white and green stakes.

ollowing the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters the greenkeeping team didn’t waste any time in preparing the Majlis surfaces for the overseeding which took place from 9 - 12 December with the course opening again for play on the 13th.

As I write this article, we are still in the process of overseeding and would expect germination anything from December 16th onwards. It leaves us with a precious 6 weeks to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic to get the seed established and ready to host the tournament and season ahead.

I speak about traffic management quite a lot and how much this can affect the plants ability to not only present well, but in many cases survive. I was once asked what the big deal was to which I simply replied as follows: “Lie on the ground for the day, let’s say in the walk up to a green and imagine each golfer coming up to the green walked over the top of you. When they exit the green, they do so again. Add to that the sun beating down on you, not being able to get much or any water during the day as you would upset the golfers, and then tell me just how you would feel at the end of the day?” It sounds a bit over the top but in essence that is exactly what the turf suffers. It is just so important to chose a different path on and off all surfaces whether walking or driving a cart. It certainly helps believe me. This rings especially true for walkers using trolleys! Walking right up to the edge of the green with your trolley does the turf absolutely no favours what so ever. So, please

Preparing fairways for seeding

Topdressing fairway after the seed has gone down

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The Rye Grass will mature over the weeks ahead and beyond the tournament as well. We trust you will enjoy the cooler months ahead and particularly our golf courses at this time of year.

Good golfing Craig Haldane Director - Golf Course Maintenance

New approach on 18th after seedbed preparation

First fairway seven days after topdressing

Seeding the approach on the first using the Gandy drop seeder

Third approach two weeks after seeding

19 Dear Member,

Fit Lab would like to welcome any members who went on leave back to the Club and any new members who have recently joined.

2012 was a great year for the Club and for Fit Lab where we added many new activities and services including Bespoke Wellness, Padel Tennis, Bollywood Dance Academy, Aqualates & Scuba Diving.

We are already looking to add some new activities during 2013 with Pilates classes being added to the timetable as well as something for the kids - watch this space!

2013 is already shaping up to be a fantastic year at the Club and especially now it is the 25th anniversary year. Keep an eye out for some exciting activities happening throughout the year.

Healthy Regards Andy Meech

Alan Walters Personal Trainer

A

lan has been in the fitness industry for almost 10 years. He is a C.H.E.K level 1 practitioner and has studied with the Gray Institute.

Alan specialises in sports performance (golf) and injury rehabilitation, as well as general fitness and weight loss, providing you with an effective and safe way to reach your goals.

If you require a fitness session with Alan he is available at Fit Lab and please feel free to contact him directly.

NUTRITION CORNER FROM VIJAY AT BESPOKE WELLNESS

Recreation

I

hope you had a relaxing Christmas and New Year and that you are now ready to get back to business and look after that body of yours.

Sugar: A Genuine Health Hazard

T

here are good calories and bad calories, just as there are good fats and bad fats, good amino acids and bad amino acids, good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates but sugar is toxic beyond its calories.�

Robert Lustig, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

The health hazards associated with the consumption of refined sugars have been deemed as harmful as tobacco and alcohol. Recently, the United Nations declared that the number of deaths linked to this life style related disease has surpassed that of infectious diseases that contributes to 35 million deaths annually. The average Westerner consumes 57kg of sugar a year. Refined sugar contains no nutritional value and has been linked to a number of fatal metabolic conditions.

For years people have been speculating about the negative effects of refined sugar.

However, the only scientific link has been associated with increased rates of obesity resulting in diabetes, increased blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Recent studies by professors at UCSF have found that obesity is not the cause but rather a symptom of metabolic dysfunction. The cause has been linked to the white crystals that so many people sprinkle on their cereal every day. Refined sugars, be it high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or sucrose is affecting human health beyond simply adding calories; it is inducing life threatening disease. Now that science has proven refined sugar is toxic and is the direct cause of millions of deaths worldwide, it is time to stop feeding yourself the white poison. When we consume refined sugar, the blood becomes flooded with sugar and the body responds by releasing the hormone, insulin. This causes a massive drop in blood sugar levels leaving us energy depleted, not energised.

If you require a nutrition consultation with Vijay please contact the sports desk at Fit Lab.

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HAPPY NE

EW YEAR

YOUR WORLD. OUR INSURANCE.

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And by adding personal possessions cover to your policy, you can also protect your golf clubs and equipment worldwide for up to AED 10,000. If your clubs are worth more than this, let us know and we’ll tailor your cover to suit your needs.

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