club life march 2014
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Emirates Golf Club Dubai, monthly magazineTRANSCRIPT
[email protected]: Jacqui Barry
ISSUE 39 March 2014
&������!�������Omega Emirates Amateur Open Champion 2014
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Well, no sooner was the Omega Dubai Desert Classic over
but we were full on with our own Club competitions last month, including the prestigious Omega Men’s Amateur Open, followed by the Kohlman Nations Cup, two fantastic events that are always well supported.
Well done and thank you to Moshe Kohli for all his efforts in putting the Kohlman Nations Cup together, with the assistance of Senior Management at the Club of course. This event goes from strength to strength each year but it would not be possible without Moshe’s support.
Congratulations to Michael Harradine, the Omega Emirates Amateur Champion who beat a strong field of 116 players, winning with scores of 72 and 75. The previous week Michael had also won the Jumeirah Golf Estates Open played on the Fire and the Earth courses, finishing with a total of +3. Great scoring!
While we are now allowed carts on the Majlis, it is still wonderful to be able to walk the course and have the use of a caddy. The weather is perfect for golf and the course does really benefit from not having constant cart use. Think about getting a caddy next time you play – the best way to play golf in this superb weather.
The course is still in pristine condition following the Desert Classic; it really looked amazing during the tournament, thanks to the efforts and dedication of Craig, Luke and Peter and their team at Golf Course Maintenance. Please do your part in maintaining course conditions by repairing pitch marks, filling in divots and raking bunkers. It does make a big difference if everyone makes the effort.
Every department at the Club seems to be really buzzing these days; Chef Jeffrey is making a big difference with the menu in the Spike Bar; M’s is gaining in popularity; the recreation department has many weekly fitness classes, personal training, tennis, padel tennis and swimming going on; Bespoke Wellness is making a name for itself as a top-notch physiotherapy team and SensAsia Urban Spa has received many accolades since its inception at the Club; the Academy is really busy with lessons, the Junior programme, ladies’ mornings etc and both our courses as well as the par 3 are extremely busy most days of the week. It’s a fantastic Club and there’s something for everyone somewhere so make the most it and maybe even explore something different!
Jacqui Barry
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Christopher MayChief Executive [email protected]
Andrew WhitelawGeneral Manager
Chef Max GrenardCulinary Director
Barney ColemanDirector of Golf
Andy MeechHead of Sport and [email protected]
Craig HaldaneDirector - Golf Course
Adele CowgillHead of Sales and Marketing
Keith WilkesRetail Manager
Ganesh MangathilIn House Publishing [email protected]
Martin DruganFood and Beverage
Stephen DeaneHead Academy Professional
Andrew MatthewsPGA, Membership Services Manager
Saeed Ahamed Financial Controller
Haridas PalliyalilResident Engineer
EGC Key Telephone NumbersMain Switchboard 04 417 9999Members Golf Reservations 04 417 9800Membership 04 417 9801Recreation 04 417 9850Accounts 04 417 9875SensAsia Urban Spa 04 417 9820
Emirates Golf Club Senior Management
3Have you ever wondered
what it takes to prepare our golf courses for play? I have, so I went along for a
chat with Craig Haldane to find out. Craig is the Director of Golf Course Maintenance, which means that he is the man charged with ensuring the quality of the courses on which we play.
It’s an early start for Craig and his team as preparations need to commence before the first tee time of the day. The courses are maintained every day of the year, being prepared either for play, or as part of a planned maintenance schedule. The team numbers 68 people and comprises separate groups who look after irrigation, landscaping, and greenkeeping/course maintenance. The irrigation team of eight staff look after everything from pumping stations to individual sprinkler heads, and this is no small undertaking as the Majlis course alone numbers 2,208 such items. Each has separate piping to a distribution box, and each can dispense an individually determined volume of water.
The landscaping team has responsibility for all trees, shrubbery and suchlike, aimed principally at ensuring that the presentation within the grounds is attractive. The greenkeeping squad is divided between the two main courses with 18 dedicated to the Majlis and 21 to the Faldo and the Par 3 course. There are 59 bunkers on the Faldo and 43 on the Majlis, with a further
12 on the Par 3 course. I think I’ve visited each one at some time or another! I was surprised to learn that approximately 1,000 metric tons of sand is bought annually for our bunkers and that recent improvements on the Majlis have included hand brushed finishing so as to present a perfect surface.
Sadly, we still have people who fail to rake the bunkers following a visit, and I would again urge everyone to be diligent in this regard.
I was surprised to learn at the volume of water treated and used every day to maintain our courses. At this time of year approximately half a million US gallons are consumed daily. Whilst this figure applies to the cooler months, it rises during the heat of the summer to 1.5 million US gallons per day. The water is sourced from Jebel Ali and stored in the lakes on the courses; approximately 50 million US gallons of water are in those lakes – together I am sure with more than one or two golf
balls! Quality of water used for irrigation is absolutely key, with salinity, electro conductivity, the sodium absorption ratio, and the specific volumes
of nitrogen, potassium, and sodium all closely monitored in order to ensure the correct balance of nutrients to promote the required growth. Quite a science! It is also necessary to run pumps to reduce the height of the
water table otherwise the entire area would be waterlogged with water that had not been conditioned to promote the growth we need. These measures enable the greenkeeping team to present the courses in such splendid fashion, as we witnessed at the Omega Desert Classic where plaudits were received from all who took part.
So there you have it - a very involved process indeed. Craig and his deputies, Luke Partridge and Peter Stewart, who look after the Majlis and the Faldo respectively, can be proud of the job they do for all who play the courses and, judging by the passion with which Craig described the job his team do, we can all rest assured that our courses are in extremely good hands.
A brief note to let you know that Captain’s Day will take place on Friday 11th April. Whilst I enjoyed the mixed approach adopted last year by Moshe, I have decided that this year we will revert back to the gentlemen playing golf, with their ladies invited to join for dinner. I look forward to seeing you all there.
Happy golfing!
Dick PurchaseClub Captain 2013 – 2014
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MEN’S COMPETITION RESULTS
MEN’S MEDALA DIVISION (HCP. 0-10)Best Gross Pontus Fredriksson Gross 75
Winner Matthew Baxter Net 74
Runner Up Inaan Budhiraja Net 75
Third Peter Pavy Net 76
B DIVISION (HCP. 11-20)Winner Lionel Smith Net 67
Runner Up Zubin Chandra Net 68
Third Craig Dunn Net 69
C DIVISION (HCP.21-28)Winner Raj Janardhan Net 75
Friday 14th February 2014
Club Captain with Adel Safwat, Vice-President/Area Manager Mashreq Gold, and winner Matthew Baxter.
Peter, Craig & Luke
KOHLMAN NATIONS CUP
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Thursday 20th & Friday 21st February 2014
Friday 28th February 2014
WINNERS Achal Ghai, Gurinder Jit Singh,
(INDIA - 1) Ashish Nanda, Sharavan Khanna 84
RUNNERS-UP Abdulla Karam, Stathis Stathis,
(UAE - 2) Nick Evangepulous, Haris Michaelides 81
THIRD Mark Donovan, Roger Daynes,
(SCOTLAND -3) James McNish, Carlos Sabugueiro 79
FOURTH Sunny Manghani, Aman Chopra,
(INDIA -12) Pavan Nihalani, Inaan Budhiraja 79
NEAREST THE PINHOLE # 4 Ross Hopwood
HOLE # 7 Ishwar Jodha
HOLE # 11 Veneet Mohan
HOLE # 15 Hitesh Bhyani
LONGEST DRIVEHOLE # 1 Mark Donovan
HOLE # 8 Petr Dedek
HOLE #10 Petr Dedek
HOLE # 14 Mark Donovan
BEST ATTIRED Drummond Welsh, Alan Main,
TEAM (SCOTLAND -1) Peter Jamieson, Roy Pirie
Emirates Golf Club’s Michael Harradine followed in the footsteps of Stephen Gallacher on the Majlis course and
triumphed in the 25th Anniversary of the Omega Emirates Amateur Open.
Harradine headed into the final round two shots adrift of the overnight leader, Peter Dedek, following an opening 72 over the Faldo course. Harradine joined Dedek and Ashley Rees in the leading group over his home course, the Majlis. His consistent golf saw him take a four-shot lead and as his challengers slipped back he rolled a par putt in on the famous 18th green for a seven-stroke victory. He was delighted with his 72 and 73 for a 145 (plus 1) tally and congratulated Craig Haldane and his team for the condition of the two courses.
Ken Kellaney (Orange Tree Golf Club, USA) and Bayhaan Lakdawala (Dubai Creek) both finished on 8-over par for the championship but Kellaney’s 73 in the final round granted him runners-up place. Five competitors ended up on plus nine for the event and it was Paul King who went home with fourth place following a closing 75. Colin Fraser from Peebles Golf Club, Scotland, having attended this
prestigious championship for the past nine years took home fifth place with rounds of 76 and 77.
The top five prizewinners were all rewarded with Omega hospitality at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters at the end of the year and Harradine also secured a place in the Pro-Am. All prizewinners received a framed print of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic Champions from the celebrations at the beginning of the month.
The net competition was also keenly contested with Gavin Greer (EGF) clinching top prize with rounds of 71 and 77 for a 148 tally (4-over par). He took a two shot victory from Bilal Belaid (Dubai Creek) with
Maurice Murphy in third on a 155 36-hole total.
Peter Derek was disappointed with his final round but won best gross day one with a 2-under par 70 over the Faldo course, a fabulous effort from the championship tees. Jason Neese (Al Ain) carded a 75 in the final round to pick up best gross day two. Also in the prizes were Nikhil Damani (EGC) and Vaughn Reed (EGC) for best net day one and day two respectively.
As always the Omega Emirates Amateur Open attracted competitors from all over the globe with the 116-stong field including
amateurs from the United Kingdom, USA, Austria, Germany, Finland, Lithuania, Czech Republic to name but a few.
Harradine surpassed his 2012 runners-up place and will continue his development on the successful MENA tour with the knowledge he was champion in the 25th staging of the Omega Emirates Amateur Open.
OMEGA EMIRATES AMATEUR OPEN
Christopher D’Abreo (Group Manager Rivoli Group), Michael Harradine and Club Captain Dick Purchase
BLIND HOLES
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What a short yet busy month at Emirates! The Club seems busier than ever
with everyone taking advantage of our extended winter this year, enabling us to walk the courses in comfort. The ladies have had two major fixtures with a Medal on the 10th February and the Camel Trophy on 24th both on the Majlis. Congratulations go to Cathrine Clark and Mimi Hosking who both came in with a gross of 83. Cathrine took the Silver A Medal with her net 74 while Mimi took the gross for the day. Fiona Berry and Sabine Choudry took the honours in their respective Silver B and Bronze divisions.
A Blind Holes competition on the Faldo in the middle of these served some light relief and an opportunity to play with players from other divisions. Fiona Munro took the honours in this event with 29 stableford points over 12 holes. Well done everyone. It seemed that some ladies enjoyed themselves so much they didn’t want to return to the Clubhouse that day - please remember that on a fun Stableford event like this you should pick up your ball at the point that you cannot score which makes for a smooth flowing field. In addition it is your responsibility to be able to record your own score and that of your partner and hand then in
your own card at the end of the game! If you ever need help with any games formats then let me or Mark Bruce know and we will be happy to assist.
On Monday 25th we were finally able to present our cheque from the October Pink Ball Day to Liz Reyes of Breast Cancer Arabia. Chris May kindly came along to do the honours and pass on the 69,850 AED to Liz. Once again I have to thank everyone who helped to raise that fantastic sum. Liz was able to tell the ladies first hand of just exactly how that money will be used and how vital it is.
A Lady Captain’s life is never quiet for long and on 10th March it will be my Lady Captain’s Charity Day. This year we will be fundraising for Make A Wish UAE, a well known worldwide charity which is aimed at sick children. It revolves around four ideas – I wish to be, I wish to go, I wish to meet and I wish to
have - sometimes it is as simple as being a policeman for a day or meeting a famous wrestler. The competition is a fun scramble format so please turn out and support this event. Dubai Drums are coming along to ease the tension of your golf at the lunch afterwards! I am struggling to find sponsors for this event so please if anyone can help, let me know. It can be as simple as a prize donation that can be used out on the course or in the ladies’ lunch raffle. Last week I was at a Jebel Ali meeting with other Lady Captains in the region who participate in
the Inter Club – this was a new initiative this year to meet regularly and it is one that has proved very beneficial to all. It was lovely to play nine holes merely as a competitor and not to have to think about my usual Monday responsibilities. It is also very reassuring and constructive to listen to what is happening in other clubs in the region in the ladies’ sections. I must reiterate that as a ladies’
section, we are seen as very privileged by many others clubs.Good luck to everyone playing in the two-day Club Championship on 2nd and 3rd March. I hope you enjoy it .
Barbara HeadLady Captain 2013 - 2014
10th February 2014
Monday 17th February 2014
LADIES’ COMPETITION RESULTS
Sponsored byMONTHLY MEDAL
Overall Winner Fiona Munro 29 Pts
SILVER DIVISION (HCP. 0 – 23)
Winner Glynis Hendry 25 Pts
Runner Up Carolyn Thompson 25 Pts
BRONZE DIVISION (HCP. 24 –42)
Winner Maggie Neil 27 Pts
43 ladies competed in the Ladies’ Monthly Medal on the pristine Majlis course, sponsored by J.W. Marriot Marquis, the first Medal competition after the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
In Silver A division (HCP. 0-14,) Cathrine Clark triumphed in first place with an impressive net 74, taking the top spot with three net birdies on holes eight, twelve and thirteen. Jenny Ayres took second place with a score of net 77.
Best Gross went to Mimi Hosking with a score of 83.
In Silver B division (HCP. 15-23,) Fiona Berry played a great game of golf with three net birdies and a steady game to seize first place with an excellent net 72. Runner-up was Martha Wong with a great net 73.
In the Bronze Division (HCP. 24-42) Sabine Choudry scored a fantastic net 70 to triumph.
Martha Wong
Jenny Ayres
Fiona Berry
Cathrine Clark
Maggie Neil Glynis HendryCarolyn
Thompson Fiona Munro
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6CAMEL TROPHY
Monday 24th February 2014
Emirates Golf Club Members’ Trip to
Fancourt, South Africa
17th – 24th April 2014
Join our Head Professional Stephen Deane this spring on a fantastic seven MHFGS�FNKƥMF�AQD@J�SN�SGD�KTWTQHNTR�Fancourt Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort in the heart of the Garden Route.
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Emirates Golf Club’s exclusive package details:
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OVERALL WINNER: Mimi Hosking 40 Pts
SILVER DIVISION ( 0-23)
WINNER Selma Kehoe 39 Pts
RUNNER UP Mitsuko Emmerson 36 Pts
BRONZE DIVISION (24 – 42)
WINNER Ingrid Sjodoff 35 Pts
RUNNER UP Chris Hutchinson 35 PtsL-R: Mitsuko Emmerson, Chris Hutchinson, Ingrid Sjodoff,
Mimi Hosking, Selma Kehoe, Barbara Head
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We, as a Club celebrated a very successful 25th edition of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic last month. The course was in
great shape and the feedback received was very encouraging. Many folk have come up to me and asked me what it was that made this year a particularly great year in terms of conditioning. We have a few suggestions that may answer that question and perhaps as we move forward, it has taught us how to look at things a bit differently also. Firstly, the fact that it was the 25th staging of the event and we had all the past champions competing (with the late Seve Ballesteros being represented by his son, Javier) and that there was a general hype around the tournament, lends itself to ‘being the best’ from the onset. From a course conditioning point of view, we did nothing different per se, other than the detail bunker presentation and edging that was introduced last summer, together with the type of grass we used around the greens complexes when overseeing, which was a choice made based on playability and the characteristics of that species allowing us to create those run offs. It was a calculated risk in that we had not used this species of grass on this area of the course before but, without question, it was never a decision that would have been detrimental to the overall presentation or conditioning of the event. It greatly enhanced the playability and from an aesthetical point of view, it allowed us to create great contrast and definition. It is clear to see where the fairway ends and where the approach begins and the fine textured leaf blade and short mown approaches look great. “You must have really shaved the greens down to get them that quick” is another comment that has been made. In fact, the mowing heights this year were the highest they have ever been during tournament week. Ball speed does not come from mowing heights. It comes by default when surfaces are as true as they have been this season. True surfaces are determined by the cultural practices we undergo in the summer months and by the frequency of applications when applying sand after an aerification event and more specifically, throughout the entire year when applying light applications to maintain smoothness. “How did you get the greens so firm? You must have rolled them a lot!” is another comment made frequently. Whilst rolling does aid in firmness, again, it’s the top-dressing (application of sand) regime and timing that makes all the difference. This is again something that happens throughout the year, specifically after aerification events
in the summer. The roller is used primarily to aid in smoothness and to iron out any imperfections prior to a mowing event and yes, to some degree it aids in firmness and speed if required. With higher mowing heights we rolled the greens more this season than in the past. Typically in a given week, greens will be mown 14 times in a 7-day cycle. During
tournament week the frequency is increased significantly. If you imagine a green under good growing conditions being mown in the morning and then again the following morning, you have what is called a clipping yield (how much grass it taken off and removed). Of course throughout the day the plant is growing
and by default the ball roll will change and speed will change as well. To aid us in ensuring this graph is not shown as a daily peak then back down to zero, but rather as a more flat line graph, we introduce multiple mowing events throughout the weeks leading up to and during the tournament. This controls the clipping yield and we have a more consistent speed and roll throughout the day. We also introduce growth retardants to aid us in managing this process. For the week of the tournament, the greens were mown between Saturday prior to practice, and Sunday of the final round, an astounding 45 times, when in a typical scenario that would have been between 14 – 20 times. This is what teases the plant into controlling growth habit and in fact minimises growth throughout the week. The recovery process following a week like that is rather slow dependent on soil temperatures etc.
Finally, the resources at our disposal for a tournament set-up are phenomenal. Typically we would have a core team of 22 staff plus my management team involved in the daily preparations for the Majlis course. During the weeks leading up to the tournament and throughout the week of the tournament, this figure is inflated to 72. It is a dream scenario and it allows us to do the detail such as hand mowing the large six acres of approaches, hand mowing the intermediate and semi-rough cuts around greens, introducing the step cuts around the tees, putting in the walk ways and step cuts around the fairways among many
other things. We are in a position to mow all surfaces morning and evening and this of course takes presentation to a completely different level.
Moving ahead, our next challenge is naturally transitioning from a cool season golf course to a warm season course this summer. This summer the area that is going to be new to us is how the Poa Trivialis transitions from the approaches and greens surrounds. My opinion is we are going to be challenged more so than in the past as this species is extremely tight and has really become mature over the winter we have experienced this year, which is the most consistently cool winter we have had in the past eight years for sure. As always, challenges are what make us stronger and the dedicated team will be focused on making this transition as smooth as is possible for us all.
A final thank you to the entire team who put in the hours of hard work this season, and continue to do so. The membership has been fantastic and supportive with the team as well especially in the months leading up to the season. Carts have been allowed back on the Majlis full-time now, so please do your best to drive on the fairways and stay out of the rough and sand. We will do our best to guide you on and off the paths, but wear and tear is already evident and every bit you can do to minimise using the high traffic areas will only help prolong the great conditions out there at this time. Good golfing!Craig HaldaneDirector - Golf Course Maintenance
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Golf Course Maintenance Quiz Question?
The sunrise as the crew finish off the 16th green
Four mowers working on 12th green ahead of Desert Classic
final round
Hand watering approaches
10th bunker complex – Same process as on 13th, but finished product
10th hole Poa Trivialis approaches presenting well, with the new edges to bunkers
SPOTLIGHT ON
Hi, my name is Hugo Garcia-Villalon, I am from Spain and just turned 10 years old.
I like to practice many sports like football, tennis or swimming but the one that I like the most is golf. I started playing when I was only six years old when my parents gave a set of golf clubs for my birthday and I started attending golf lessons at Race Golf Club in Madrid. At first I struggled to hit the ball but after
some lessons and a lot of practice, I joined the junior team at the club.
In 2012 my family was relocated to Dubai and I was not very enthusiastic about the idea because I thought I would miss my school friends and golf teammates. The truth is that although I miss them, I have been very lucky in making many friends at my school (Dubai American Academy) and playing golf at Emirates Golf Club.
I have improved my swing and game a lot since I started taking lessons with Stephan Deane but I will need to train very much because I would love to represent Emirates Golf Club in junior tournaments.
Today I am 18.1 handicap and my goal is to be in single figures by the time I am 12 years old so I will train and have a lot of fun playing golf in the meantime.
Stephen Deane says...Hugo is a golf fanatic; he plays and practises six days a week. His
enthusiasm for the game is infectious and one of the Academy’s most promising students. Hugo’s game has lots of flare and he attacks the golf course. His technique is natural and fluent. He’s been working hard on staying more stable and his consistency is improving as a result. The Spanish talent is certainly a young member to keep an eye on and I expect to see his name appear on leaderboards in the not so distant future.
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The Capital Club, Dubai’s Premier Private Business Club are hosting some exciting forums this March and are delighted to offer a discount to all Dubai Golf Members.
Upcoming events include:-
To find out more and to register, please email [email protected]
Exciting Events with The Capital Club
Congratulations to Eshna Bhargava
for winning the fifth of eight Dubai Golf Junior Par 3 tournament held at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, with a 1 under par score of 26 moving her into 10th place on the Order of Merit this season. Well done to runner up Kabir Nanda who scored 27. Overall, Fardeen Meeran is still leading the way on 350 points with Joshua Hill in 2nd place on 325 points. A big thank you to all the parents who caddied and supported the kids at the event and well done to all the junior golfers who took part! We look forward to the next tournament at Emirates Golf Club on 4th April.
Golf is not just for adults! Book your child’s place in our eight week Junior Golf Programme which has been created for youngsters aged 7-17. Our Golf Professionals will focus on the physical, etiquette, rules and on-course performance areas of the game as their game develops. We aim to provide your child with the facilities, skills sets and knowledge required to reach their full potential.
Classes are limited to six students per instructor. Students will receive a Passbook containing exercises, rules, challenges and online tuition, an instructional DVD covering the lesson content, equipment use and unlimited use of Academy facilities including Par 3 course.
To register please contact 04 417 [email protected] or
Just like the golf swing, there are basically only three things that make the ball go on line or off line: the path, the position of the clubface and the quality of impact. If you have control of your path, then you have control of your initial direction; if you have control of your initial direction (with a putt), you can then let the green do the work.
People forget that the quality of the strike is everything in putting. Within a fraction of a second of hitting the ball, you know whether or not you have struck it on the correct line. It’s instinctive; you feel it off the putter-face.
And you can see that when I match the sweet spots, the putter is raised up a little.
In other words, the putter has to be released on the up as it works through impact in order to strike the equator of the ball. The whole of the putter, i.e. head, shaft and grip, has to be released (not ‘blocked’ or manipulated) as it swings up through impact.
So there’s the first principle to keep firmly in mind. We talk a lot about checking matters of alignment and ball position - quite rightly but when it comes to effectively improving your putting stroke, this is a critical element of technique that you need to be aware of. So work on the exercise below; get the handle of the putter working down and then up for that slightly ascending through-stroke that gets the ball rolling true.
The Reflex Drill In a solid stroke, the left shoulder works down and then up - just like the handle of the putter.
Hands remain neutral on the grip and passive throughout the stroke, enabling you to maintain this controlling unit while developing good tempo with the gentle rocking of the shoulders. Try this tip and enjoy rolling the ball better on the greens and holing more putts.
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PRO’S TIP OF THE MONTH
for a better roll.
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This year I had the opportunity of a life-time to caddy for golfing legend Mr. Fred Couples. Below I have listed some interesting facts about the
former Dubai Desert Classic Champion:
Frederick Steven Couples (born October 3, 1959) is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. A former World No. 1, he has won numerous events, most notably the 1992 Masters Tournament. In August 2011 he won his maiden senior major at the Senior Players Championship and followed this up in July 2012 when he won the Senior British Open Championship. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2013. Because of his long drives, Couples has been given the nickname “Boom Boom”.Trivia
of the most laid-back, easygoing players on the PGA Tour. His best friend on Tour, Davis Love III, confirms this: “Everybody thinks Fred’s relaxed on the golf course, but he’s more tense on the golf course than anywhere. He’s a relaxed guy.”
learned gardening from his grandfather, who was a groundskeeper at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.
American Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
in May 2013.
who does not use a glove at any time.
Jordan and a season ticket holder for the Charlotte Bobcats, where Jordan is the majority owner.
On the bag with Freddy!
The week started with a quick introduction on the practice range on Monday morning followed by 9 holes with his good friend Mark O’Meara.
The first piece of advice Freddy gave was, “I don’t do yardages” and “I don’t care about any of my clubs, but if I get a mark on my woods I can’t use them”. He said it all in a fun way but I thought to myself, “I’m not touching those woods all week!” And I didn’t. On every tee and even on fairway wood shots I just left the club in the bag and Freddy would walk over, take the head cover off, then go through his normal routine of rubbing down his grips with his towel and then hitting the shot. On Tuesday we played the Challenge match with Tiger Woods and current champion Stephen Gallacher. This was probably the highlight of the week and it was fantastic to be inside the ropes with Tiger and hear the banter between him and Fred. On the sixth hole Tiger said to Fred, “Hey I’ll buy the old man dinner if he can finish under par.” Fred quickly replied, “Hope you remember to bring your wallet this time.” Fred took on the challenge and finished two under.
Wednesday was Pro-Am day and, as expected, Freddy entertained his amateur playing partners. He played solidly and finished on an impressive six under for his round. The highlight was a holed 8 iron from 173 yards in the par 3 fourth. This was Fred’s fourth ever Hole-in-One and a pleasure for his playing partners and myself to witness at first hand.
On Thursday and Friday we were drawn with French player Gregory Havret and South African Dawie Van de Walt. Both guys played solidly and all three of us managed to make the half way cut. The cut mark came at two under and we bogeyed 16 to drop to one under. I could see Freddy knew exactly what he needed to do as he glanced across at the small leader board on 16. He then proceeded to birdie both 17 and 18 to make it comfortably on three under. For the
first time I noticed that when he really needed to perform he had that extra gear to achieve what he needed. A sign of a true champion!
After Thursday’s round I got a phone call from Peter Malik (Fred’s Manager) to go and take his bag to the range. I thought this was strange as Fred doesn’t usually hit balls after his game. As I took the bag over, Fred was in the middle of giving Tiger Woods a lesson! He said, “Thanks for bringing the bag over Steve. Don’t worry I’m not going to practise, it just makes me look good!” For the next 40 minutes Fred proceeded to get Tiger to visualise different holes from various courses on tour and hit the required shot according to the shape of the hole. This ranged from the 13th hole at Augusta to the 12th at Riviera to name
but a few. He also called shots on Tiger right before he started his downswing. This included “high draw”, “low fade”, “dead straight” just before Tiger made impact. Impressively Tiger never missed a shot! Afterwards Freddy explained that he feels Tiger sometimes gets too technical and he’s trying to help him rely
more on his natural ability rather than get overloaded with technical thoughts.
On Saturday we drew with past champion Alvaro Quiros. Both guys struggled and finished on one over 73. Freddy hit the ball nicely but struggled slightly on the greens. Alvaro hit the ball long and solid but wasn’t controlling his wedge shots. He explained that since his wrist injury he’s been struggling to get his feel back, but reckons he’ll return to his winning ways before the end of the season.
On Sunday we had an early start and Freddy wasn’t that happy as he normally doesn’t play until 10am at the earliest when competing on the Champions tour. I met him on the range around 6.30am before our 8.20am tee time. He normally takes two hours to warm up due to the many back issues he’s encountered over the years and always starts his routine with 20 minutes putting. As soon as he starts to hit balls, he always hits first with his rescue club then moves to his wedges! He explained that this allows him to feel the weight of the club better and forces his shoulders to turn. These are the sensations he likes to feel during his normal swing. He says, It’s difficult to feel that when you start with a wedge”.
Just before we teed off Tiger walked onto the range to hit balls beside us. He reached into his golf bag and handed me a bag of almonds and said, “You’ll need these to keep Freddy going out there”. Freddy just smiled, gave Tiger a fist pump and then we made our way across to the first tee. We got paired with rookie Carlos Del Moral. He was a fun guy and Freddy enjoyed his company. Again Fred managed a birdie, birdie finish to round his tournament off on 4 under par. After sinking his last putt he put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Steve I’ve had a blast, I will have to get you back on the bag next season!”
BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC
The CaddyBy Stephen Deane
www.dubaigolf.com
11Having made my debut in the 2009
Omega Dubai Desert Classic as a guest referee I have been invited back on each occasion since and
was delighted to be inside the ropes for the 25th Anniversary of this great event.
The week of the tournament is naturally hectic and as soon as the long Pro-Am day finished I returned as guest referee. It is a pleasure working for the European Tour AS their professionalism and attention to detail is second to none. It is always an enjoyable week working with Mike Stewart, John Paramour and all the tour referees.
For the first two days I was posted on holes 12, 13 and 14, tasked to assist golfers with any rules queries but also to aid pace of play and to speak to golfers if they are out of position. To be honest 90% of the radio conversation is pace of play related. The team of 6-7 officials is tasked with manoeuvering the 132 players around the Majlis as close to 4 hours 24 minutes (for a 3-ball) as possible. It is not a coincidence that Stephen Gallacher walked on to the 18th green at the exact moment HH Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum walked in to the Royal Majlis. As referees we are given a deadline by T.V. and must get as close as possible. There are similarities with the marshaling of the EGC team and members on a weekly basis. Generally pace of play is good at Emirates especially when compared with other courses in the region but occasionally events happen and you just can’t recover. On day three we had a lost ball in the first match out, a 5 minute search then back to the tee. Incidents can happen resulting in a chain of events through the field. Another similarity is those players known for being slow; I could give you a list of five names or more that the referees and players know are slow. My EGC marshals can also give me a similar list so for those of you who know you are candidates, change your pre shot routine and get off the list!
The only incident of note on the first day’s play involved the ‘signature group’ of Stenson, Els and Bjorn. My years of experience have taught me to anticipate a problem especially when the T.V. crews are around! As the trio teed off on the 14th I positioned myself close to the lake on the corner of the dogleg. As it happened Stenson blocked his tee shot and it entered the lake. I was perfectly placed and marked the point the ball crossed the hazard with a tee peg.
I then moved away from the area but close enough to the action so I could see what was going on and be of assistance if required. Professionals generally get annoyed if you try and help them with a simple ruling like a water hazard drop so best to wait until asked! Stenson was assessing his options and with his caddie standing by the tee peg he went back about 60 yards to see if he could drop back in line with the flag stick and tee peg (where the ball crossed the margin last). He found a spot and before dropping wanted to consult me on a rule related to dropping the ball. I checked the line to make sure I was happy and also answered his other query – ball in play. It was a shame that Bjorn felt the drop area was not legal but I can assure you it was a perfect ruling. It was also a pity that the on-course reporter did his best to bamboozle the armchair golfer by stating ‘referee up there on the hill.. never looked to see where the crossing point was.. just on the hill with Henrik ‘; all golf commentators should learn to keep quiet on all things rules related as usually a) they have half the facts and b) don’t know the rules. The millions at home of course think what they say is gospel!
Having been inside the ropes now for a number of high profile European Tour events it is a shame that the armchair referee is keen to report all sorts of potential violations by the players. Although we want a fair outcome you would be surprised to know what is being reported in!
I probably only had 15 rulings all week but I did assist the champion on hole 2 with an unplayable ball; he went back to the Faldo 17th to play his third, I didn’t charge him a Faldo green fee!
I have also summarised below how each hole played for the Professionals from hardest to easiest; obviously the par 5s are four of the five easiest holes due to the immense power on show nowadays, but the Majlis did defend itself with a 72 hole winning tally of -16. One factor does stand out and I’m sure most of you agree that six of the easier holes are on the back nine, so next time you are in the monthly medal remember to be patient on the front nine and score coming home!
Finally in my 11 years of working around Professional events I have never heard so much praise for the golf course so congratulations to Craig, Luke, Peter and their staff for an awesome job.
Hardest holes:6 9 12 1 8 5 15 4 16
Easiest holes 14 7 11 2 3 17 18 13 10
The Marshalsby Boyd Edmondson
Dubai is fortunate to have access to a number of quality marshals who return
to help out year after year with the Omega Dubai Desert Classic (ODDC). It is these loyal golf enthusiasts who play a huge part in producing the quality end product, which is the ODDC. This year we had in excess of 350 marshals in total, with approximately 200 marshals per day reporting for duties.
The marshal management process begins some six months prior to the tournament itself, with the administration, planning and recruitment process involving a monumental effort on the part of our Chief Marshal, Andrew Matthews. This process includes the initial marshal application process via the ODDC website, the planning of the marshals briefing night, marshal training evenings, daily scheduling for each day’s play and finishes off with the volunteers’ golf day. Without the time and effort that Andy sets aside for the Chief Marshal’s role, the whole marshaling process would not match the quality result seen by all on course.
The Marshal Management team consisted of Mohammed Al Shaibani, Lynne Dickinson, Sue Baron and our very own Emirates Golf Club staff of Fred and Dinesh. Long hours are worked during the tournament days starting each day with the welcoming and checking in of each and every marshal, assigning and explaining what is required for the day ahead and distributing various resources and supplies on course throughout the day’s play. Without the combined efforts and professionalism of this team, the marshaling operation would not have been as successful as it was.
With the ODDC 2014, hosting the world’s finest golfers, created in itself a whole new dimension to our marshaling requirements on course. To this end, a group of 30 experienced marshals were selected, under the leadership and guidance of Geoff Spear, Yunus Sealant, Dave Manners and Gavin Reed to manage the groupings that would attract the larger crowds.
The acid test for any such event is always whether we get ‘that’ call from golf in Dubai (giD), or the European Tour Office about any issues. With the efforts of all our 350 marshals along with our selected team leaders with our larger group, we never did get ‘that’ call. For all the right reasons, Adrian Flaherty and Chris Turlik are two people we just don’t want to hear from during tournament week. Well done to all, especially to Geoff Spear and his team, who had the task of seeing both Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy through the first two days of play with crowds well in excess of 5000.
This year we added a new dimension to our marshal team in the form of Greenfield Community School, who joined us as part of their ‘Community in Service’ practice. Special thanks need to be said to the staff, in particular Mike Worth, who assisted us brilliantly with 30 students taking the static marshal roles within the main grandstand and hospitality units around the 18th green. We all look forward to working with them again in future tournaments.
There is always something that stands out from each year’s tournament. This year it has to be what I never thought possible. A vehicle en route to the ‘public parking’ managed to drive between the 18th tee box and 18th fairway, before it was pulled over. I am sure it will be remembered by all for many years to come, inclusive of Rory McIlroy, who took a little tour past the vehicle and left with the words, “Now that’s a first.”
In conclusion, to each and every marshal who took part in this year’s ODDC, to Andy, Geoff, Mohammed, Lynne, Sue, Fred and Dinesh thank you, it was the finest marshaling performance I have ever seen. Let’s do it all again next year!
The Refereeby Barney Coleman
www.dubaigolf.com
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Full golf members at Emirates Golf Club have the privilege of the member’s guest green fee rate when playing at a host of wonderful golf courses around the world, so why not start planning your next golfing break!
Spain
Lumpur, Malaysia
Tver Region, Russia
Singapore
UK
upon Tyne, UK
Tee time reservations need to be made in advance through Membership Services. Your valid 2014 membership card must be produced at the reciprocal club when playing golf.
One of the new reciprocal clubs on our list is the Centurion club in Hertfordshire England. The name comes from the ties to the Roman presence at St. Alban’s and in the surrounding areas. This was one of the Empire’s key staging posts on the island and there is a rich history all around. The club has embraced that, with membership titles of Centurion and Senate, and holes all have Latin names. The 18th, fittingly, is called Ad Infinitum.
The course was designed by Simon Gidman who designed the highly rated Galgorm Castle outside Ballymena in Ireland.
Simon’s philosophy, he says, is to “combine the three main elements of golf course architecture; namely the penal, strategic and heroic philosophies that make golf such an exciting and varied sporting challenge.”
“The Romans are famous for leaving a lasting legacy and that is something all of us working on this project wanted to achieve at the Centurion Club,” said Simon Doyle, Troon Golf’s head of agronomy.That aspiration was also shared by Centurion Club’s management team, led by Chairman Graham Wildish and Managing Director Scott Evans who has spent 25 years working in senior management roles at Troon Golf in Arizona, Dubai Creek, Loch Lomond and several other prestigious golf clubs around Europe
International membership is available at the Centurion Clubhttp://www.centurionclub.co.uk
Scott recently organised a members’ trip to Dubai to play golf and to watch the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and an informal match was arranged against EGC with the help of overseas Captain for Centurion, Neil Maclean
Reciprocal Clubs
8th hole at Centurion
1st hole at Centurion
EGC V Centurion friendly match
ALL STARS GOLF TOURNAMENT6 – 8 June 2014
Your invitation to an exceptional event ... a two day ‘Ryder Cup Style’ golf event that sees some of the biggest names in sport battling it out! Watch Team USA take Team Rest of the World in the All Stars Tournament played on the spectacular Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, in an event that you won’t want to miss.
The Platinum Package
The Platinum Package is the ultimate way to enjoy this tournament and includes the following:-
- Four nights accommodation including breakfast at a luxury MGM resort- Four nights accommodation including breakfast at a luxury MGM resort- Two places on the Pro-Am at Shadow Creek course, 6th June- Seated hospitality box throughout the tournament- Unlimited access to Shadow Creek clubhouse- Informal meet and greet with members of Team USA and Team ROTW- Gold Circle seating on a player’s table at gala dinner- Luxury collectable tournament gift set- And much more
The Platinum Package is available for two people, price on request.For more information and ticket bookings, please contact Phil Dickinson on +971 501 894 496 or email [email protected]
“I’m honoured to announce that I’ll be the captain of such an incredible array of sporting talent at the ASGT in June this year. #ROADTOASGT”
John Daly, Team Captain
“It’s a privilege to be leading a truly world class group of icons from all corners of the globe.
#ROADTOASGT”
Darren Clarke, Team Captain
Dream Team
Tom Brady
Drew Brees
Oscar De La Hoya
Jimmie Johnson
Michael Jordan
Greg Maddux
Peyton Manning
Chris Paul
Michael Phelps
Andy Roddick
Tony Romo
John Smoltz
Dream Team
Gareth Bale
Franz Beckenbauer
Robbie Fowler
George Gregan
Wayne Gretzsky
Pep Guardiola
Jacques Kallis
Brian Lara
Sir Steve Redgrave
Andriy Shevchenko
Mike Tindall
Dwight Yorke
Team members subject to change.
UNITED STATESOF AMERICA
REST OF THE WORLD
Team members subject to change.
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Yoga and meditation practitioner, Katie
Veneer-Woodbridge
Yoga and meditation work from the inside out and help you develop the confidence and faith in
yourself to accomplish your goals, whether it is to find more control, a physical challenge or a peaceful life. We can begin to find a sense of wholeness through our practice of yoga, becoming more aware, creating balance in our bodies, in our minds, and in our lives. We evolve as individuals and come closer to an open, authentic state of being.
A range of options are available:
scheduled to allow for your daily commute.
a shorter session to start the day.
way to release after a day at work.
- longer guided meditations promoting mindfulness.
sessions available on request.
- include a ‘yoga break’ in your day and increase productivity.
specific muscle groups, strengthening and stretching for golf, running, cycling, and water sports.
Classes cater for complete beginners to advanced yogi. For bookings, please contact Bespoke Wellness on +971 55 372 4670 or email [email protected]
Dear Members,
As we enter a new month here at Fit Lab we are stepping up our challenges for you all. Last month we introduced our PLANK CHALLENGE, now it is
time for a different challenge and this month we have gone with our 30-DAY SQUAT CHALLENGE. To get involved in these challenges please see the Fit Lab team for moreinformation. With this challenge in mind we have gone for THE SQUAT as our exercise tip of the month.
Fit Lab Running Club made its return last month and, to date, runners have completed up to 4.5K runs. Each week the club aims to increase the distances covered and by the end of March we should be comfortably reaching the 10K mark.
The Mixed Tennis Social evening has really taken off - this is a fun evening which Monika from the Elite Tennis Academy is leading and all standards are welcome to join on Thursday evenings between8pm and 9.30pm.
As you all know the Omega Dubai Desert Classic was a fantastic event and it is interesting to see how many golf professionals are now using the gym. It is a big part of their daily routine and in the 12 years I have been here it has certainly been the busiest in terms of usage from the Pros.
We had the likes of Stephen Gallacher, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and many more using the Fit Lab facilities and it is interesting to hear them say that at no other golf club in the world do they have access to the facilities like they have at Emirates Golf Club.
The Fit Lab team continues to do its very best in giving our members what they need and want 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. Remember, 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.
I look forward to seeing you at the gym.
Healthy Regards,
Andy MeechHead of Sport & Leisure
THE PERFECT SQUAT IN TWO STEPS:STEP ONE
Stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, back straight, shoulders down, toes pointed slightly out.
STEP TWO
Keeping your back straight, lower your body down and back as if you are sitting down into a chair, until your thighs are parallel to the ground (or as close to parallel as possible). Make sure your knees do not pass over your toes, and keeps your abs tightly activated to ensure a straight spine. Rise back up slowly. Repeat!!!!!
What makes Squats such a fantastic exercise?1. Builds Muscle in Your Entire Body Squats obviously help to build your leg muscles (including your quadriceps, hamstrings,
and calves), but they also create an anabolic environment, which promotes body-wide muscle building.
2. Tone Your Backside, Abs and Entire Body Few exercises work as many muscles as the squat, so it’s an excellent multi-purpose
activity useful for toning and tightening your behind, abs, and, of course, your legs. Furthermore, squats build your muscles, and these muscles participate in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity, helping to protect you against obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease
PADELTENNISWhy not come and play a match or have a lesson with the Real Racquet Academy/ Padeltennis Dubai at Emirates Golf Club
daily for only AED 25 per player per match (1 hour).
and 16.00 daily (except Friday) for only AED 155 per player per match (1 hour).
Call 04 3805424 or 056 1798324 for more information.
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Fitness Activity ScheduleMarch
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SENSASIA URBAN SPA ADORES MUMS
ProGolf Health Inc.
TO: Andy Meech Tuesday, 28 January 2014
Dear Andy,
As a company we travel to more than 35 tournaments on the European
Tour and more than 35 tournaments on the PGA Tour and your
hospitality and quality of equipment at the Emirates GC Gym facility is
exceptional. We look forward to coming to the Dubai Desert Classic
every year as we know what to expect...friendly faces, a quality place to
work with our professional golfer clients and a set up of the highest
standard!
ProGolf Health Inc rates the Emirates GC Gym facility as one of the
premier golf conditioning facilities in the world!
Kind regards
Dr Dale Richardson
ProGolf Health Inc
ProGolf Health IncU0195, Jalan Merdeka, 87007 Labuan F.T, Malaysia.
FHMA>K�L�=:R�LI:�LI><B:ELAvailable throughout March
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For bookings, please call 04 417 9820
www.dubaigolf.com
MARK JAMES
Winner in 1989
Mark James born 28 October 1953 is an English professional golfer who had a long career on the European Tour and captained Europe in the 1999 Ryder Cup. He has also played
senior golf on the European Seniors Tour and the U.S.-based Champions Tour. He has represented Great Britain & Ireland or Europe in the Ryder Cup seven timesJames has also worked as a golf commentator for the BBC.
EAMONN DARCY Winner in 1990
Eamonn Darcy was born in Delgany, County Wicklow. He turned professional in 1968 and played on the European Tour from 1972, winning four European Tour tournaments and he went on to enjoy a long career. He finished in the top 20 on the Order of Merit nine times in total and made the top 100 as late as 1999, when he was 47. In 2002 he joined the European Seniors Tour.
The late Seve Ballesteros, represented by his son, JavierWinner in 1992
Javier Ballesteros took his step on the road to emulating his most famous of fathers when he made his debut on the Challenge Tour in Madrid in 2013. The eldest son of the late, great
Seve Ballesteros competed as an amateur as he was still completing a law degree at Madrid’s Complutense University.
But with his genes hopes will always be high, and Ballesteros jnr, sent expectations into the stratosphere by finishing 12th on
his debut in a professional tournament in Barcelona, and by winning the Amateur Madrid Open in 2012.
WAYNE WESTNERWinner in 1993
Wayne Westner born 28 September 1961 is a South African golfer from Johannesburg. He turned professional in 1981 and has won several events in his home country, including two South African Opens. He spent many years on the European Tour where he won two tournaments and had a best Order of Merit finish of 20th in 1993. In 1996 he won the World Cup for South Africa in partnership with Ernie Els.
Wayne is currently running his own Golf College, The Wayne Westner Golf College, on the South Coast of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. “I’m realistic, I’m 52 years old. I don’t play any competitive golf anymore; I just play with my mates.”
ERNIE ELSWinner in 1994, 2002, 2005
Ernie Els, born 17 October 1969 is a South African and a former World No. 1, Among his 66 career victories are four major championships: the U.S. Open in 1994 at Oakmont and in 1997 at Congressional, and The Open Championship in 2002 at Muirfield and in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s.
When not playing, Els has a golf course design business, a charitable foundation that supports golf among underprivileged youngsters in South Africa, and a highly regarded wine-making
business. He has written a popular golf instructional column in Golf Digest magazine for several years.
FRED COUPLESWinner in 1995
Fred Couples, born October 3, 1959 and from USA, competes on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. A former World No. 1, he has won numerous events, most notably
the 1992 Masters Tournament. In August 2011 he won his maiden senior major at the Senior Players Championship and followed this up in July 2012 when he won the Senior British Open Championship.
COLIN
MONTGOMERIEWinner in 1996
Colin Montgomerie, OBE born 23 June 1963 from Scotland, has won a record eight European Tour Order of Merit titles, including a streak of seven consecutively from 1993 to 1999. He has won 31 European Tour events, the most of any British player,
placing him fourth on the all time list of golfers with most European Tour victories.
In June 2013, after turning 50, Montgomerie joined the Champions Tour, where he plans to
play a full schedule and made his debut in the Constellation Senior Players Championship, one of the five senior major championships.
RICHARD GREENWinner in 1997
Richard Green born 19 February 1971 in Williamstown, Melbourne, Victoria, turned professional in 1992, and joined the PGA Tour of Australasia the same year.
Green has been a member of the European Tour since 1996, with his first win coming at the 1997 Dubai Desert Classic, where he became the first left-hander to win on the
European Tour since 1974. His consistent performances in 2004 took him to a career best European Tour Order of Merit finish of 17th. Green is also a keen motor racing fan and owns a Porsche 911 racing car in
To mark the 25th Anniversary Desert Classic each past winner was made an honorary member of our Club. Meet the new members…
OUR HONORARY MEMBERS18H
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which he has competed in the Australian GT Championship on occasion as touring schedules allow, including racing on the support card of the 2009 Australian Grand Prix.
JOSÉ MARÍA
OLAZÁBALWinner in 1998
José María Olazábal born 5 February 1966 and from Spain has enjoyed success on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour, and has won two major championships. In 2012 he captained Europe’s Ryder Cup
team to a narrow victory over the USA, which seemed improbable at the start of the final day’s play when the Europeans trailed 10–6. The comeback to win 14½–13½ was, Olazábal said, inspired
by his late friend Seve Ballesteros, to whom he dedicated the win.
DAVID HOWELL Winner in 1999
David Howell born 23 June 1975 is from Swindon. UK His career to date peaked in 2006, when he was ranked in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking. He won the 1998 Australian PGA Championship, and the 1999 Dubai Desert Classic. He was tenth on the European Tour Order of Merit in 2004 By the autumn of 2005 he had reached the top 20 in the world rankings.
Howell was a member of the winning European Ryder Cup teams in 2004 and 2006. As a member of the Great Britain & Ireland team in the Seve Trophy he was on the losing side in 2000, but a winner in 2003.
JOSÉ CóCERESWinner in 2000
José Cóceres was born 14 August 1963 in Argentina’s Chaco province. He is one of 11 children who became a caddie and taught himself the game.
Cóceres turned professional in 1986 and won a place on the European Tour at
the 1990 Qualifying School. In 2000 he reached a career high of thirteenth on the Order of Merit. His two European Tour wins came at the 1994 Heineken Open Catalonia
and the 2000 Dubai Desert Classic.
In 2001, Cóceres switched to the PGA Tour. His first season in the U.S. was very inconsistent, with seven missed cuts and only two
top ten finishes, but those top ten finishes were wins at the WorldCom Classic - The Heritage of Golf and the National Car Rental Golf Classic Disney. He was the first Argentine to win on the PGA Tour since Roberto De Vicenzo at the 1968 Houston Champions International.
THOMAS BJøRN Winner in 2001
Thomas Bjørn born 18 February 1971, is the most successful Danish golfer to have played the game having won fifteen tournaments worldwide on the European Tour. In 1999 he also became the first Dane to qualify for a European Ryder Cup team. He has finished in the top ten on the Order of Merit eight times with a best finish of fifth in 2000. Bjørn was a member of the winning European Ryder Cup teams in 1997 and 2002. He made the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking for one week in 2001 after a second place finish at The Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.
Bjørn picked up his first European Tour win in four years and 10th of his career in 2010 at the Estoril Open de Portugal. He followed this with three more wins at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in February 2011, Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles in August 2011, and Omega European Masters in September 2011. It was Bjørn’s 13th career European Tour win.
ROBERT JAN
DERKSENWinner in 2003
Robert-Jan Derksen born 3 January 1974 in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, won the Dutch Amateur Championship four years in a
row from 1993 to 1996 and turned professional in 1996.
Derksen began his
professional career on the Asian Tour in 1997. His first win on the European Tour came in 2003 at the Dubai Desert Classic
His only other title to date was the 2005 Madeira Island Open Caixa Gerald de Depositors, a European and Challenge tour dual ranking event.His best year-end ranking on the Order of Merit has been 36th in 2007.
MARK O’MEARAWinner in 2004
Mark Francis O’Meara, born January 13, 1957, is an American professional golfer who was a prolific tournament winner on the PGA Tour and around the world from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. He spent nearly 200 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Ranking from their debut in 1986 to 2000
He has 34 professional wins to his name; he has begun to develop a golf course design practice and enjoys fishing in his off time.
TIGER WOODSWinner in 2006, 2008
Tiger Woods born December 30, 1975 is an American professional golfer who is among the most successful golfers of all time. Currently
the World No. 1, he has been one of the highest-paid athletes in the world for several years.
Woods turned professional in 1996, and by April 1997 he had already won his first
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major, the 1997 Masters in a record-breaking performance, winning the tournament by 12 strokes. He first reached the number one position in the world rankings in June 1997. Through the 2000s, Woods was the dominant force in golf, spending 264 weeks from August 1999 to September 2004 and 281 weeks from June 2005 to October 2010 as world number one.
He has won 14 professional major golf championships, the second highest of any player (Jack Nicklaus leads with 18), and 79 PGA Tour events, second all time behind Sam Snead, who had 82 wins. He has more career major wins and career PGA Tour wins than any other active golfer. He is the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam, and the youngest and fastest to win 50 tournaments on tour. Additionally, Woods is only the second golfer, after Jack Nicklaus, to have achieved a career Grand Slam three times.
HENRIK STENSONWinner in 2007
Henrik Stenson born 5 April 1976 is a Swedish professional golfer who plays both on the PGA and European Tours. He has spent over 100 weeks ranked in the World top ten
and his career high ranking of third is the best by any Swedish golfer. In July 2013, Stenson finished runner-up at the 2013 Open Championship. That year he also moved up to 3rd in the Official World Golf Ranking, and he won the U.S. PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup and the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, thus becoming the first player to win both, and to do so in the same season, a “historic double”.Stenson described his feat as a “double-double” because in the process of winning these two seasonal points crowns, he also won the season finales of both tours
RORY MCILROYWinner in 2009
Rory McIlroy MBE, born 4 May 1989, from Holywood in County Down, N Ireland, is a member of both the European and Tours He is a former World Number One and a two-time Major champion. He won the 2011 U.S. Open, setting a record score of 16-under-par on his way to an eight-stroke victory. The following year he won the 2012 PGA
Championship at Kiawah Island by a record eight strokes for his second major championship victory. He has been cited as the most exciting young prospect in golf and as having the potential to become one of the highest earners in sports in terms of endorsements.
He represented Europe in the 2010 and 2012 Ryder Cup. In 2011 at the age of 22, he became the youngest player ever to reach €10 million in career earnings on the European Tour. In 2012 he became the youngest player to reach $10 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour.
MIGUEL ÁNGEL
JIMÉNEZWinner in 2010
Miguel Ángel Jiménez, born 5 January 1964, is a Spanish professional golfer. He has won 20 times on the European Tour and has been a member of several victorious Ryder Cup teams.
He has finished inside the top 100 on the European Tour Order of Merit every season since 1989. In 1994 he finished fifth on the European Tour Order of Merit. One highlight was scoring an exceptionally rare albatross on the 17th hole at Valderrama, during the 1994 Volvo Masters, sinking his second shot on the par-5 hole with a 3-iron. After some weaker seasons he bounced back in 1998 and 1999, finishing fourth on the Order of Merit in consecutive years and winning four tournaments including the prestigious Volvo Masters. In 1999 he also came second in the WGC-American Express Championship, which is one of the elite World Golf Championships events, and made his Ryder Cup debut.
ÁLVARO QUIRóS
GARCÍAWinner in 2011
Álvaro Quirós García was born 21 January 1983 in Guadiaro, a borough of San Roque, Cádiz, Spain. He turned professional in 2004 and won the first European Tour event he entered as a European Tour card-holder at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, played in South Africa. Quirós claimed his second European Tour win at the 2008 Portugal Masters, and ended the season ranked 25th on the final Order of Merit. In January 2009, he won his third European Tour title, at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, which moved him into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings for the first
time. He ended the season ranked 20th on the inaugural Race to Dubai.
In February 2011, Quiros won his fifth European Tour title, the Dubai Desert Classic During the final round, Quiros made a Hole-in-One on the par-three 11th.He also won the season ending Dubai World Championship to finish the season ranked 6th on the Order of Merit.
RAFAEL CABRERA-
BELLOWinner in 2012
Rafael Cabrera-Bello was born in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. He first played golf aged six and went on to enjoy a successful amateur career, winning the Spanish National Championship at every age group level from under-7 through under-18. In 2002, as a 17-year-old amateur, he finished in a tie for fourth at the Open de Espana, a European Tour event. He turned professional at the age of 20 in 2005 and, in 2012 he claimed the biggest win of his career at the Dubai Desert Classic against a field containing three of the world’s top four.
STEPHEN GALLACHERWinner in 2013, 2014
Stephen Gallacher was born 1 November 1974 in Dechmont, West Lothian, Scotland and is the nephew of former European Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher and cousin of Sky Sports news presenter Kristy
Gallacher. He played in a victorious Walker Cup side in 1995 and turned professional later that year.
Gallacher first played on the European Tour in 1996, but struggled to begin with. In 2000, however, he reached the top hundred on the Order of Merit for the first time, placing 56th. In 2004 he recorded his first win on the tour at the Dunhill Links Championship, which is one of the richest golf tournaments in Europe, and finished the year ranked 15th on the Order of Merit.In February 2013, Gallacher ended a 201-tournament wait for his second victory on the European Tour, when he won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic by three strokes.
Gallacher defended his title with a one-stroke victory at the 2014 Omega Dubai Desert Classic for his third European Tour victory. He is the first golfer to ever successfully defend the title.
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W������O�����M���DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sun 2nd Ladies’ Club Championship Round 1 08.30 Faldo
Mon 3rd Ladies’ Club Championship Round 2 08.30 Majlis
Fri 7th Chairman’s Cup 13.00 Majlis
Sat 8th Wentworth Club Invitational 13.00 Majlis
Mon 10th Lady Captain’s Charity Event 08.30 Majlis
Fri 14th Mashreq Medal Championship 08.00 & Majlis
in association with BMW & 13.00
Harvey Nichols Dubai
Mon 17th Ladies Monthly Medal 08.30 Majlis
Wed 18th IADC Majlis closed all day, Faldo closed until 18.00
Thu 20th IADC both courses closed all day
Mon 24th Ladies’ Easter Scramble 08.30 Faldo
Fri 28th Men’s Club Championship Round 1 06.35- 13.35 Faldo
Sat 29th Men’s Club Championship Round 2 06.30-13.30 Majlis
Mon 31st Ladies’ Monthly Medal 08.30 Faldo
GOLF
In the first round of the Match Play Championship WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship at Dove Mountain,
Arizona an unlucky spectator got more than he bargained for.
Rory McIlroy attempted to hit a shot with his ball touching a rock. Upon contact, the ball ricocheted off the rock and,
either the ball hit the spectator or he tried to dodge it, but in doing so he fell into a jumping cholla bush (jumping
cacti). Luckily for him, there were plenty of people with tweezers and knives at hand to remove the cholla from the man’s body.
Cheyenne Woods won
the Australian Ladies Masters on Sunday for her first major professional tour victory, holding off 17-year-old Australian amateur Minjee Lee by two strokes.
The 23-year-old Woods, Tiger Woods’ niece, closed with a 4-under 69 at Royal Pines to finish at 16-under 276. From Phoenix, Woods is the daughter of Earl Dennison Woods Jr., Tiger Woods’ half brother.
“This is a huge accomplishment for me,” she said. “The European Tour has been great to be able to play this past year. Woods said she had learned to live with the pressure of expectation that came with bearing a famous
golfing name.
“I’ve been pro for two years and, for the majority of it, people just think of me as Tiger Woods’ niece so now I have a game of my own and I have a title now, a win, which is exciting,” she said. “It’s nice now to say to people that I can play and I’m not just a name.
Jason Day & Victor DubuissonThe WGC Accenture Matchplay tournament ended with the most dramatic final match that appeared to be over as early as the 16th hole, but ended up being the longest title game in the event’s history. Finally, on the 23rd hole, Jason Day dispatched Victor Dubuisson for the biggest win of his career. Dubuisson was 3-down with just six holes to go, a large margin in match play format but, the Frenchman won the 13th hole and was 2-down standing on the 17th tee; he then managed to win the 17th and 18th to see the match go to extra holes.
On the first extra hole, it appeared Dubuisson’s comeback effort would be wasted when he over hit the green resulting in the ball landing in the desert and finishing next to a ‘teddy bear cholla’ cactus. Dubuisson blasted the ball out, spraying cactus chunks and hitting a camera cable but putting his ball around three feet from the hole.
On the second extra hole at No. 9, Dubuisson put his ball in a sandy waste area against a dead branch but just popped it up onto the green inside of 10 feet for yet another save.
It was the most ridiculous, one-in-a-million sequence on two straight holes, and all Day could do was shake his head and laugh. The match continued to the 23rd hole when at long last, Dubuisson relented and could not get up-and-down from the thick rough as Day put his ball inside five feet and walked off with the clinching par.
TOP PICKS FROM THE TOURS
Augusta National’s famous
Eisenhower Tree, which survived an attempt by a former US President to have it chopped down in 1956, has become a victim of America’s ice storms.
The tree on the left of the 17th fairway stands waiting to punish a wayward tee shot as President Dwight D. ‘Ike’ Eisenhower found during many a round and so he campaigned with club officials during his White House tenure to have the loblolly pine removed although his request was politely refused.
However, the tree came down over the weekend, Augusta National said in a statement, having been left in a bad state by the dramatic weather in the state of Georgia.
Six-time Masters champion Nicklaus said: “The Eisenhower Tree is such an iconic fixture and symbol of tradition at Augusta National. It was such an integral part of the game and one that will be sorely missed.
“Over the years, it’s come into play many, many times on the 17th hole. When I stood on the 17th tee, my first thought, always, was to stay away from Ike’s Tree. Period
“I hit it so many times over the years that I don’t care to comment on the names I called myself and the names I might have called the tree. ‘Ike’s Tree’ was a kind choice.
“But looking back, Ike’s Tree will be greatly missed.”
Double Trouble!Golf Experience Manager, Mohammed Al Shaibani with his twin brother Ahmad Yousef at Ahmad’s wedding
Moshe with EGC Pro, Alistair Brown’s baby daughter Annabelle
Congratulations to Vera and Terry Woolnough who won the 10,000 AED accumulator at Club night last month.
Great to see the Scotty Cameron putting championship taking place at Emirates Golf Club as part of the popular Kohlman Nations Cup event. Congratulations to Vaughn Reed who won with 49; in second place was Peter Dedek with 53 and third was Matthew Baxter with a solid 54!
Three generations of the Kohli family at Le Classique
Le Classique get-together of current and past (visiting) members
Augusta National, home to the US Masters, under snow last month
Ladies’ lunch and get-togetherPast Captain Nancy Wingate visiting from Malaysia, Angela Connor visiting from Wales, Annette Stewart, Sophie Longstreet, Margaret Bain, Maria Petre, Fay d’Abo, Afifa Clark, Ivy Bailey
EGC ladies outing to Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club for the annual Stoncor Greensomes, sponsored by Joe Hanson
Seeing double on a beautiful morning on the Majlis!
SNIPPETS19th Hole
GOING PINK ON THE GREENThe fourth annual Breast Cancer Arabia Foundation Ladies’ Golf Morning took place on 16th February at Emirates Golf Club. 72 ladies played in the tournament which supports breast cancer patients through the work of the Breast Cancer Arabia Foundation.
The event continues to grow and get support. This year Xerox was the Presenting Sponsor and The Nail Spa who have supported the event for four years now were at the event treating the ladies to manicures. Thank you to Emirates Golf Club who have been very supportive of the event.
The amount of AED 32, 390 was raised which will go towards helping women in the region diagnosed with breast cancer who are unable to afford their surgery and treatment costs. In January the Breast Cancer Arabia Foundation sponsored breast cancer surgeries
for two women aged 35 and 47 and radiotherapy for a 36 year-old woman.
A very big thank you to Maura Duggan who was instrumental in organising the day, to all sponsors and to the ladies who turned out to support.
Until next year. Elizabeth from Breast Cancer Arabia
Great to see the Scotty Cameron putting championship taking place at Emirates Golf Club as part of the popular Kohlman Nations Cup event. Congratulations to Vaughn Reed who won with 49; in second place was Peter Dedek with 53 and third was Matthew Baxter with a solid 54!
Actor Will Smith played the Majlis last month. What a gentleman! He spoke to everyone he met and what was even more impressive was that when he finished playing the 18th and walked off the back of the green where workers were dismantling the chalets, he went over and shook hands with all six of them!
Will Smith with Chris May and Andrew Whitelaw
Will Smith with Prabath, Bien and Sudeesh
Jega with Will SmithWill Smith with Peter Stewart, Golf Maintenance
Trevor Steven the ex-Everton football player had a Hole-in-One on the 7th of the Majlis on February 15th
HOLE IN ONEKhalid Al BustaniMajlis 4th15th February
Players from Manchester United Football team visited EGC recently and played the Majlis.L-R: Darren Fletcher, Wayne Rooney, Captain Dick Purchase, Past Captain, Tom Barry, Anders Lindegaard,Ryan Giggs
