Clublife Issue Feb 2012

ISSUE 18 February 2012 Editor: Jacqui Barry egc@dubaigolf.com

Men’s Club Champion 2012

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ell, well, it’s Desert Classic time again allowing us great opportunity to see some of the top players in action…and hopefully we’ll be able to replicate those wonderful swings and play something similar to the game of golf, for some of us anyway. Following that, everything will get back to normal when the two major Pro tournaments at EGC are finished and we will have an uninterrupted remainder of the season with a clear view of our iconic Clubhouse.

Last week the Men’s Club Championship took place and what a score by the eventual winner, Michael Harradine who shot an unbelievable gross 66 on the Faldo course on day one, eight shots clear of his nearest rival, three-time winner Pontus Fredrikkson.

Congratulations Michael on winning the Club Championship with scores of 66 and 74, claiming the amateur course record and making Peter Harradine a very proud Dad indeed.

I was present for the prize-giving and I must say I was astonished at how few players stayed behind for the prize presentation from a field of more than a hundred players. We have been members at the Cub since the first week it opened and I can honestly say, I have never seen so few people present for one of the major tournaments of the season.

I would like to make special mention to Director of Golf Course Maintenance, Craig Haldane and his crew for the superb condition of the courses, in particular, the Majlis, It really is stunning and it’s such a pleasure to play on this wonderful, immaculate course. Craig is also overseeing the Creek course together with Matthew who used to be assistant to Craig at EGC and this course is also in great condition, With our special membership benefits now allowing us to play the Creek free of charge during the week, it’s great to be able to play a third course in such superb condition.

If you haven’t yet tried any of the special themed evenings at the Club, do give them a go. In addition to the Prawn Market night, the Sunset BBQ night and the Mussel night, there is now a Saturday evening Mongolian barbecue, which is delicious and great value for money.

As well as golf and F & B, don’t forget Sensasia Spa at the Club, which offers all sorts of treatments and it is truly a relaxing experience. Since it opened last year, I for one, have not been tempted to go elsewhere as this is truly an outstanding Spa. Sensasia Spa was recently awarded ‘Best in Dubai” by Ahlan magazine, so WINNER congratulations to all the staff Best Spa there who certainly deserve this award.

Finally, don’t forget to pick up your members’ tickets for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic which are available from the main reception.

PS Don’t forget it’s Valentine’s Day on 14th February… there are plenty of ideas floating around the Club; try the special Valentine’s dinner in Le Classique (see offers on the back page), spa vouchers for some pampering or pop into the Pro shop…they even sell jewellery there too!!

Jacqui Club Life Issue 18

Christopher May

General Manager cmay@dubaigolf.com

Barney Coleman

Andrew Whitelaw

Club Manager awhitelaw@dubaigolf.com

Andy Meech

Golf Services Manager bcoleman@dubaigolf.com

Recreation Manager ameech@dubaigolf.com

Julian Danby

Adele Cowgill

Kate Philips

Steen Simon

Food and Beverage Manager ssimon@dubaigolf.com

Ganesh Mangathil

Executive Chef fporte@dubaigolf.com

In House Publishing Manager gmangathil@dubaigolf.com

Chef Benoit Cart

Executive Sous Chef bcart@dubaigolf.com

Saeed Ahamed Financial Controller

mahamed@dubaigolf.com

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

Culinary Director mgrenard@dubaigolf.com

Chef Francois Porte

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

Membership Manager kphillips@dubaigolf.com

Chef Max Grenard

Craig Haldane

Director - Golf Course Maintenance chaldane@dubaigolf.com

Keith Wilkes

Retail Manager kwilkes@dubaigolf.com

Stephen Deane Head Academy Professional sdeane@dubaigolf.com

Haridas Palliyalil Resident Engineer

hpalliyalil@dubaigolf.com

Follow Emirates Golf Club on Facebook for the latest news, views and special offers We already have over 3,500 fans

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hope everybody had a great festive season and that you are looking forward to another busy year at EGC. Since I returned I have played and presented the prizes at the first Monthly Medal of 2012 and the Club Championship and I was really disappointed at the turn-out at the prize presentations. The Medal is a shotgun start with everybody finishing at approximately the same time so there is no real reason for people not to stay behind for a few minutes to congratulate the winners. The Club Championship is one of the most important events in the golfing calendar and attracted a full field as it always should. As usual, the first day on the Faldo did result in some pretty large scores.

The result of this was that a number of players did not make the effort to turn up on the second day. I think that this totally unacceptable. Even though you no return on the first day you should have the decency to play the second round. One player who stood out as having a bad day at the office on the first day was Johnny Aldridge who not only returned after a horrendous first round, but shot a fabulous gross 74 for his second round. This was a 20 shot improvement, which demonstrates that there is always hope.

The Championship provided some great golf with Pontus Fredriksson putting up a brave defence of the title he has held for three years but there was nothing he could do to catch Michael Harradine, whose 66

on the Faldo must rate as one of the finest ever competition amateur rounds played at EGC. What really pleased me was that Michael was playing off a plus 3 handicap.

This really was an incredible performance so on behalf on all the members I congratulate Michael.

I believe that Michael’s moment could have been made better for him if all the other prize-winners and more participants had been there to cheer him on and applaud his effort.

The Club has made huge improvements in the quality of the food provided after these events and I believe it is a part of the event to stay behind and even return to the Club to join in the prize-giving and enjoy what the Club provides.

I therefore urge everyone to make the effort to support the winners and the Club.

Whilst away I did watch a lot of the ‘Golf Channel’ and I also read a number of golf magazines whilst perched on my favourite sofa. I now have the secret to success in golf.

It’s easy. All you have to do is buy every gimmick on the market that promises to knock shots off your handicap, from drivers to irons to pitching wedges and putters, they can all make you a much better player. Short off the tee? Not a problem anymore! Just buy the latest, longest ball on the market, guaranteed to add fifty yards to your drive. I’m just surprised that I never figured it out before.

The other new game I discovered was Wii Golf. I must admit that I have never been a great fan of computer games. I think this is maybe something to do with my generation, but I did enjoy the challenge. Having watched my

young nephew play many different games I was always amazed that nothing he did remotely recognised the sport he was trying to replicate.

I, on the other hand, thought I was out there to play golf and my swing plane and putting strokes were made to resemble the real thing. I will give you two guesses whose score was better. It certainly was not me.

Since returning, I have played the Faldo, the Majlis and the Creek, thanks to the new arrangement between the Clubs, which, by the way, I think is fantastic but I’m disappointed to say that our same old problem of people not repairing pitch marks and not raking bunkers is reappearing. We can blame guests and visitors all we want, but we, as members, must take responsibility for making up for the people who do this damage to the course. When you rake your own bunker marks, take the time to run the rake through those footprints that belong to some other guilty party. The same applies when you repair your pitch mark, repair one or two more whilst you wait for your turn to putt.

We have lots of competitions coming up in the next few months so let’s try to make sure that every event is fully subscribed. It is only fair to the Club, to the sponsors and to your fellow members.

The 2012 Classic is almost upon us and we look forward to not only seeing some quality golf but having the opportunity to welcome back old friends and members. I look forward to seeing you there.

Mike Sim Captain 2011 - 2012

BMW/Rivoli Medal Friday, 13th January 2012 A DIVISION (HCP. 0-12) Winner Michael Harradine Runner-Up Rohit Gupta Third Lionel Smith Best Gross Michael Harradine B DIVISION (HCP. 13-24) Winner Peter Mackenzie Runner-Up Naveed Kamal Third Brian Edwards C DIVISION (HCP. 25-34) Winner Prem Amarnani

74 74 75 74 70 72 74 71 www.dubaigolf.com

4 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Friday 20th & Sat 21st January 2012 Club Michael Harradine Gross 66+74 =140 Champion Runner-Up Pontus Fredriksson Gross 74+75=149 Third Daniel Hendry Gross 79+72=151 Fourth Ewan Cameron Gross 75+76=151 Division A (0 –12) Winner Rohit Gupta Net 73+73 = 146 Runner Up Peter Mackenzie Net 74+74 = 148 Division B ( 13-24) Winner Suresh Shewakramani Net 73+76 = 149 Runner Up Arun Khehar Net 77+74 = 151 Best Gross Day 1 Marcus Wallman Gross 77 Best Gross Day 2 Johnny Aldridge Gross 74 Best Net Day 1 Andrew Robinson Net 72 Best Net Day 2 Choon Park Net 71

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t’s nearly Desert Classic time again and I’m looking forward to watching the professionals in action; there’s always such a good atmosphere around the Club and it’s great to rub shoulders with some of the world’s top players in the Spike Bar. As our courses will be closed, it’s a great opportunity to play some other courses so we will have a trip to Yas Links on February 6th. Also I’m sure that many of you will take advantage of our link with the Creek to play there and remember that EGC ladies can now join in with the Creek ladies’ competitions on a Tuesday morning!

January was a busy month on the golf course although it was a slow start with only 24 ladies taking part in the first ladies’ competition of the New Year on Jan 3rd. I guess everyone was still recovering from the holidays, kids were still off school and visitors were still in town! Nevertheless, Margaret Breen and Lorraine Logan gave a great

performance, winning the Pairs Betterball with 48 points to start the New Year in style! We were back to our usual numbers the following week in the Medal with Jayshree Gupta, Ivy Bailey and Sandra Broedelet winning their divisions.

Well done!

A group of ladies went to Sharjah Wanderers on Jan 13th for the Stoncor Greensomes Event which once again proved to be a great day out! Golf on the sand course was challenging to say the least and, although we didn’t feature in the golf prizes this year, we made up for it with the raffle prizes!

So, why do we need 14 clubs in our golf bag? It’s amazing how you can get round the course with only four clubs and a putter. It certainly takes less time as you don’t have to decide which club to use and it makes you plan your route a bit more carefully.

Nancy Wingate definitely found it easy as she managed to get 34 points with only four clubs and a putter and won our competition on Jan 16th!

Congratulations to our Emirates Ladies’ team who won their third Interclub match at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club against the home side,

LADIES PAIRS BETTERBALL COMPETITION 2nd January 2012 Winners

Runners Up

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Margaret Breen Loraine Logan Glynis Hendry Barbara Head

48 Pts 45 Pts

Saadiyat and the Creek ! The Abu Dhabi City course proved to be a very tricky little nine-hole course in the middle of a racecourse in the heart of Abu Dhabi and with a strong wind blowing, it definitely tested our skills and we were very happy to walk away with a victory!

We are currently leading our group and we are looking forward to the final match in February at Saadiyat Golf Club, which will decide which club goes into the Grand Final in April…hopefully Emirates !!

With only the Faldo course open at the end of January our last two competitions had to be fourball events so we had Greensomes on Chinese New Year to welcome the ‘Year of the Dragon’ and a Shambles on January 30th. Remember the Eclectic competition is only for rounds on the Faldo so take the opportunity to put in some scores.

Finally, congratulations to Helen Srivastava who had her second Hole in One this month. I hope the Spike Bar wasn’t too busy that day!

Caroline Jones Lady Captain 2011 - 2012

5 4 CLUBS & A PUTTER Monday, 16th January 2012 Overall Winner Nancy Wingate Silver Division 0-20 Winner Carolyn Thompson Runner-Up Rosemary Turlik Bronze Division 21-36 Winner Barbara Head Runner-Up Ingrid Sjodoff

34 Pts 34 Pts 33 Pts 32 Pts 31 Pts

LADIES MONTHLY MEDAL Monday 9th January 2012 SILVER “A” DIVISION (0 – 14) Winner Jayshree Gupta Runner Up Najla Bartette Best Gross Jayshree Gupta SILVER “B” DIVISION (15 –23) Winner Ivy Bailey Runner Up Maura Duggan BRONZE DIVISION (24 –42) Winner Janet Curtis Runner Up Sandra Broedelet

74 net 74 net 83 71 net 72 net 71 net 71 net Greensomes Monday, 23rd January 2012 Winners

Runners-Up

Third

Jenny Isles Carolyn Thompson Najla Bartette Naima Maya Annette Carstanjen Mego Han

37 37 35

Kim Boocher

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i all. It has been a little over two years since I was last in Dubai.

My life changed dramatically with the loss of my husband Jim who I know many of you remember with great fondness. Thanks to everyone at EGC for everything you did to remember him. It really means a lot to me and to the family.

I have settled into life at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia and I must admit it is a pretty good life. Since I’ve been here, I’ve focused mainly on golf. I won the WGA, the Member/Guest, I came in second for the Member/Member event and I got my first Hole-inOne. I have also made a lot of new friends.

I have backed off golf for the winter and am now focusing on Yoga, Tai Chi, swimming and oil painting, all of which I really enjoy. You know retirement isn’t really all that bad!

The kids are all doing well; Heather, the eldest, is in Salt Lake City, Utah

with two of my grandbabies, Mike is still in Dubai and expecting a fourth grand baby sometime in May. It looks like I will be back in Dubai just in time for the heat! Jeremy is there also, attending school and, with Mike’s help, he’s learning how to run a business. Anthony is here with me and with my third grandbaby.

Tom, the youngest, has just started college.

Tom and I played in the ‘Els for

Autism’ charity fundraiser and although we didn’t win, we had a blast. Thanks to all of you over there who supported us. I will definitely stop in at the Club when I visit in June and I hope to see some familiar faces when I am there!

Take care all.

Best Wishes Kim Boocher www.dubaigolf.com

6 ALASTAIR BROWN… says…

Spotlight on...YASH GUPTA

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i, my name is Yash Gupta and I just turned 6 years old on 30th December.

I’m excited to be featured in Club Life. I started playing golf when I was 4 years old. My sister Ira loves to come along and caddy for me though she’s more into ballet and her putting needs to improve. I started at Kindergarten level with kids my age with Alastair who is my Pro but now I’m bigger and stronger and I’ve worked hard to reach Gold level of the YDP with the much bigger boys and girls. I think it helps to have Nike golf shoes and I can change my Swoosh colour to match my clothes.

Alastair and I often play on the par 3 and we have a lot of fun. My favourite club is my 7 iron though I also love hitting my driver high and far (Mom says it’s about 100 yards which sounds very very far!).

My Dad Rohit and my Mom Jayshree spend a lot of time at the golf club and I practise with them. I like to watch my favourite golfers Tiger Woods and Rory McElroy on TV. Dad and I practise chipping and putting a lot at our little green at home and I beat him sometimes as I have a lucky orange ball and Dad doesn’t.

Did I tell you that my favourite colour is orange. When I grow up and become a good golfer, I will wear orange and play with orange balls so that no one else makes the mistake of playing my ball.

I’m now also learning golf with Grass Roots Golf as I get a chance to play for my school, Repton, in our under 10 squad. I love golf lessons because, after that, I get to go to the Spike Bar and eat my favourite food, Frosties cornflakes in the morning or prawns for lunch! I love swimming and taking pictures underwater, gymnastics, football and cricket but I think I love my orange ball and Nike clubs the most.

Club Life Issue 18

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have had the pleasure of working with Yash since he started golf at the Emirates Academy two years ago.

I have always been able to see a good swing in him and it is nice to see the constant development of his golf game as whole.

He works hard with practise and play each week. He also has time to play other sports which are key to helping his overall coordination and range of motion.

Through his enthusiasm he has been able to progress very quickly through our Junior Programme levels and he is holding his own with kids twice his age. After we work on the range we play our Academy course which is a good test for Yash. I set him challenges each time he goes out so that he can try to beat his previous outting and get encouragement.

I see fantastic potential in Yash. We will start to see how his swing and game improves through muscle growth and experience.

He always turns up early for his lesson, dresses like a tour pro and isn’t afraid to ask questions about his game. His parents who are good golfers encourage him to play which is so helpful to his progress. They are, I’m sure, very proud.

I look forward to instructing Yash through the foreseeable future.

Keep up the good work!!

Hole In One

Helen Srivastava, 12th hole Faldo Sunday, 15th January

Rohit Gupta, 12th hole Faldo Saturday, 28th January

7 I came across this write-up on Kam al Kosta which was written in February 1992 , so twenty years on, I decided it wou ld be interesting to get an update from him.

When did you join EGC? In 1988 Where were you a member before that?

Well, I had been a member at the old Hilton Beach Club (which is now the Ladies Club on the Beach Road); I played tennis there and used the beach and pool. Before that I had been a member at the InterContinental hotel on the Creek front where I used the pool and where I could be found from early morning until evening. You could say I did my pool apprenticeship there; I’ve given a lot of my life to pools in this country. In fact, I remember one occasion when I was sitting having a coffee and reading my newspaper when a lady came up to me, thinking I worked there and complained that there were no pool towels available so rather than embarrass her, or myself, I went to the store and got a fresh supply out!

Describe a typical day for you?

Well, it’s very hectic and stressful thinking where to have my first coffee of the day and rushing from one coffee venue to another to meet up with friends, although by mid-morning I can usually be found at EGC .

What’s your handicap?

My lowest was 9 but I am now playing off 13 How often to you play golf?

I play five times a week but I don’t play at the week-end usually as I like to relax. Mind you, I will turn out in an emergency if it’s a social round and it’s going to be with some fun people. I love playing the social competitions too, like scrambles.

Your views of the Club?

I love EGC and the friends I have

here but I do miss the early days of the Club when people had more time for each other and there were lots more sociable mix-in competitions. These days I don’t see so many people staying around the Club and enjoying it like we

used to years ago. If I ever become Captain here I’m going to change some of the competition formats to get people to have more fun!

Kamal, looking at your member profile from twenty years ago, have you achieved those early ambitions?

Well, my ambitions were:to get a Hole-in-One and I can tick this box as I have had two, both on lucky no 7 of the Majlis!

To never hurt anybody and I can tick this box too.

To become Club Captain…well there’s still time!

To get married in 1992…well, that didn’t happen but, there’s still time and this year is a Leap Year too so I might get lucky!!

www.dubaigolf.com

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am often asked what is actually done in the build up to a tournament or what things we may do differently. I have two interns working with me at the moment and as expected, I am being asked a variety of questions. Our industry is a difficult one to explain as it needs to be lived and experienced to fully appreciate what is involved on a daily basis. In explaining, you start to realise how technical the role is in many ways, yet how a simple task that is carried out routinely, can make a massive difference to the end result if not done correctly or in a timely manner.

Golf Course maintenance, simply defined, is being responsible for the daily presentation and playability of a facility. The tools and resources required for this to happen vary from course to course and many low budget facilities have to rely on factors out of their control to present a course at its best. On the other hand, some facilities have very good budgets that allow them to invest in equipment, technology and people, which in turn allow them to present great courses irrespective of the potential outside factors that may come their way.

A simple example of this is the ability to drain surfaces following a heavy storm such as they did at Sentosa Golf Club at last year’s Singapore Open. If you saw that event and how quickly those greens flooded with the downpour of rain, then equally, how quickly those greens became playable again, you would have been amazed.

Technology allowed for this to happen and if it had not been in place, would have delayed the start of play even further but more importantly changed the condition of the course overnight.

Finding the right balance is essential and in order to present consistent playing surfaces on a daily basis, in particular during a tournament week, is where the focus lies. So, coming back to the original question of what is actually done in the build up to the tournament, here is a taste of how some of the basic functions we do on a daily basis, are tweaked slightly.

The basic function of mowing the turf obviously happens daily. During regular play, we need to get the greens, tees, fairways and intermediate roughs cut prior to play. This is done early on so that you can enjoy a freshly mown course but

Q&A

also to remove the dew from the surface, which minimizes the chance of disease. For the two weeks prior to the event, this still happens but instead of mowing early in the morning, we go out and mow once the course is completely dry. We still go out and remove the dew in the morning as this helps dry the course out sooner and will avoid disease potential. Mowing the course dry means that the operators are mowing while it is still light but more importantly this improves the quality of cut significantly. A “dry cut” as it is termed, done on a daily basis simply improves the quality of the turf by getting the best cut possible each and every day. This is especially true on the greens. Occasionally in regular play, you may see us out there doing an additional cut in the afternoon. This is usually leading up to a Monthly Medal or Club Championship etc. It really is just to improve the quality of cut by that small margin and it allows us to speed things up slightly and improve ball roll.

Outside of quality of cut comes firmness of surfaces. On greens this is more important than any single area of the course. When the course closes we get aggressive on the greens in terms of how much sand we put down.

Regular and light application of sand gets applied throughout the season but none more so than during the six weeks leading up to the tournament.

The first day we close the course the greens will get their penultimate top-dress and we follow this up with one final

with Dubai resident, EGC member, and European Tour player

Henrik Stenson How did you get into playing golf?

By chance, I joined a friend/neighbor and his family at the local golf course, hit a couple of solid shots and was hooked!!!!

How would you describe yourself?

I’m kind, I look after my friends and family as well as I can. I have a good sense of humour. I’m trustworthy and I rarely let people down even if I let myself down every now and again.

What do you enjoy doing on tour, besides playing golf?

Answering these questions!

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Catching up with some of the other guys if I haven’t seen them for a while. Watching some big sporting event in the city where we’re playing, or watching a good movie. Normally there’s not that much time to do heaps of stuff!

What’s the best tip you’ve ever been given?

Don’t eat yellow snow!

Where is your favourite course?

TPC Sawgrass and most of the British Open courses and finally, Emirates in Dubai!

What is your most memorable

9 application of fine sand about five days prior to round one.

Outside of greens we focus once again on the firmness of the surfaces but also largely on presentation. We do a few final foliar applications of fertilizer to the rough and fairways, which enhance turf vigor and aesthetics. The focus really is on preciseness of mowing equipment to promote the best quality of cut. In terms of presentation we literally run long lines of ropes down the desired mowing pattern on fairways for example, to give the operator the exact mowing direction and angle desired. Once this has been mown a few times you begin to see the lines clearly. Typically, you would mow in a different direction each day to avoid the turf laying over in a particular direction. For tournament week however, we “burn” the lines in and mow the same direction daily. This will include a cut in the morning in one direction followed by a cut in the evening in the other direction. This continues throughout the week, so in essence, the fairways will be cut fourteen times in seven days. This is what gives that shiny look with the defined cross-cut appearance.

When it comes to the greens and the speeds in particular, this is monitored on a daily basis. Speeds on greens increase through firmness and frequency of cut. We have a number of tools at our disposal that assist us in the best possible quality of cut, and this is essential as with quality comes speed.

The most common misconception is that the greens are “shaved” and cut much lower than for regular play.

In fact, for the Ladies’ Masters this year, the greens were mowed at a higher height of cut than for regular play! It is all about how rigid the plant is, how firm the surface is and how smooth the surface is. If you achieve all of these you will definitely have a faster green to putt on. The frequency of cut is where it is at.

Essentially when you are moving as frequently as you do during tournament week, the plant stays

shot?

Chip in at The Belfry’s 10th for eagle on my way to win my first European tour event, sand wedge into 72nd when I won Dubai and of course my underwear shot at Doral!!!

What is your most embarrassing golfing moment?

I hit a proper shank at Vivendi trophy a couple of years ago, that didn’t feel good at all since we played foursomes...sorry partner.

What is your proudest golfing moment?

Winning Accenture Match Play and The Players.

What was the most nerve-racking shot that you have Played on tour?

I think the tee shot at The Belfry’s 18th made my heart beat a little faster on my way to winning my

dry with minimal moisture. We still irrigate when required, but this is generally done by hand and only on the areas that really need it. In a typical week the greens would be cut between 8 - 12 times. During tournament week this number increases to anything from 21 – 28 times. This includes morning and evening cuts in multiple directions.

The reason for this is to train the grass to not grow as vigorously during the day. We aim to present the same speed from the first tee time to the last. If you are gaining too much growth during the day you can lose up to 1 – 2 ft which is certainly not desirable. We aim to lose no more than 4 – 6” (1/2 ft). This is controlled through frequency of cut and through a very specific and detailed fertility program leading up to the week.

Obviously there is a lot of stress on the plant during a week of intense mowing practices, low water output and medium traffic. This is where the technical aspect of things becomes important. This includes control of water, fertility requirements, soil amendments and setting up of equipment. The fertility requirements are essential year round but none more so than leading up to the event.

It is all about creating the right balance and giving the plant exactly what it needs, not too much or too little.

A misconception is that we stop feeding the plant prior to an event so that it is lean and fast. Well, if you didn’t eat for the week of the tournament how would you feel?

With all the stresses we put on the plant for the week, this is likely the most essential ingredient to ensure it not only withstands the pressures, but is able to recover quickly enough so that our regular members and guests can continue to enjoy the course for weeks to come following the tournament.

Early mornings, late evenings and a really fun week for my entire team. Great communication between all parties involved from the promoters ‘golf In Dubai’ to the European Tour and their dedicated staff, the club and my team of greenkeepers, make for a very exciting event year on year. It is certainly a team effort and although the product comes under extreme scrutiny to a wider audience than during a regular week at work, the essentials stay the same and the focus remains on trying to produce the best possible golf course we can each and every day of the year.

Wishing you all a successful golfing season ahead Craig Haldane Director - Golf Course Maintenance

first European tour title.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Polishing my Major trophies...

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Tennis professional (they always want to be golf pros....)

What profession would you not like to do?

Window cleaner on high-rise buildings.

What’s in you’re bag?

Driver: Taylor Made R11, 8° White as snow! Woods: Callaway Diablo Octane 13° and 18°. Callaway Razor tour irons 3-pw. Cleveland wedges 588, 53° & 60° and a Scotty Cameron putter, Squareback #1. I play Titleist ProV1X. I wear FootJoy Icons and FootJoy Pure Touch

glove.

How would you describe your relationship with your caddie Fanny? What is she bringing to your game?

Fanny is one of the best and most experienced caddies in the world!

We have been “together” since fall 2006 and she is a great support in good and bad times! She is very hard working and dedicated and I know for a fact that no other caddie is more prepared then she is when the tournament starts and that is a great feeling for me when I tee it up!! I am lucky to have her on my bag and to call her my friend!

Read more about Henrik Stenson at www.henrikstenson.com www.dubaigolf.com

CLUB CHAMPIO

ONSHIP 2012

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Simbo’s Skills Challenge series now moves into its third round with 20 qualifiers.

The next round will take place in March, (dates to be confirmed) so please come along to support your friends and fellow members as this series moves towards the final!

Here’s a

slow-play memo you might want to borrow

It is a fact that we have all had to endure the company of slow golfers from time to time. The one thing that all slow golfers have in common is that they do not see that they are the slow ones. A comment like “nobody is pushing us” is the favorite expression of the slow golfer. Nobody is pushing you because they either went home or they jumped you. It is your job to stay up with the group in front of you, not ahead of the group behind you. If you are unsure of what category you fit into, I have come up with a test...

1. You might be a slow golfer if ... you wait in your cart for your partner to hit, so he can drive you six yards to your ball.

2. You might be a slow golfer if ... when it is your turn, you are not even close to being ready, i.e., the guy beside you is running down the fairway after his hat and you are throwing up grass to see if there is any wind.

3. You might be a slow golfer if ... you leave your cart and walk 50 yards to your ball (in an effort to ascertain some mysterious information) and then make the journey back to select 3 clubs from your bag.

4. You might be a slow golfer if ... you spend quite a bit of time Club Life Issue 18

discerning that you have 245 to the hole and not 243, despite the fact that you have not hit it either 245 or 243 since 1962.

5. You might be a slow golfer if ... you have decided for a multitude of reasons that you are not going to follow the trend of buying a gps system ... but when someone in the group has one, you will make them come over and give you a reading for everyone of your shots that day.

6. You might be a slow golfer if ... you are quite happy to use a delegation to help you read a triple-breaking, 45-ft putt.

Seriously, who are you kidding?

7. You might be a slow golfer if ... you are of the opinion that each golf course employs 18 rangers and that explains why there is always one on the hole that you are playing.

8. You might be a slow golfer if ... you hear comments like “Get off the green,” “What

now?” or the doozie, “You are without question, the slowest golfer that I have ever seen.”

These might be indicators to look out for.

Ways to improve your pace of play: • Ready golf – Be ready to play as soon as it is your turn to play • Leave your bags/cart in such a position to enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee.

• Immediately leave the green on completion of the hole • Do not mark your scorecard when it is your turn to play • Whoever has the honour on the next tee be ready to play • Be aware of your position with regard to the group in front, don’t concern yourself with the group behind • Don’t wait until it is your turn to play before putting your glove on • Don’t wait until it is your turn to play before calculating a yardage • Look at your own line of putt while your fellow competitors look at theirs (within the bounds of normal etiquette) Courtesy of Golf Digest www.golfdigest.com

13 Ask The Rules Wizard

by Barney Coleman

Q A

D

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

Sam was competing in the Monthly Medal and on the second hole he hit his approach putt to within inches of the hole. Frustrated and annoyed at missing his bogey putt he knocked the ball away and proceeded to the third tee. Before he played his tee shot his playing partner advised him that as the format of the event was strokeplay and not stableford he must hole out on every hole. What is the ruling?

Sam can go back to the second hole and replace his ball under the penalty of one stroke and hole out. If he failed to hole out and didn’t correct the mistake before making his tee shot on the third he would have been disqualified.

Reminder seen at the club

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Cricketer Andrew Strauss Cricketer Graeme Onions Cricketer Ian Bell Cricketer Jonathan Trott Cricketer Matt Prior Former English Football Manager and Player, Steve Bruce

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Former English Cricketer Ian Botham Former English Cricketer David Lloyd Cricket Umpire Billy Bowden, from New Zealand

Please be reminded that all member tournaments can be entered by logging on to www.dubaigolf.com. Access the member zone in the top right of the screen by entering your pin number and password (if you don’t have these then please collect from main reception).

On the left of the screen click tournaments and all events open for entry will appear. Note we open events TWO weeks prior to the date of the event.

The 2011-2012 tournament calendar has been revised to try and improve tee time availability at the weekends particularly during peak season and following the staging of the two professional tournaments. The following changes have been incorporated: The prestigious Emirates Amateur Open has moved from the weekend after the Omega Dubai Desert Classic to the following weekend (23rd-25th February).

This will allow members to play the Majlis the weekend after the ODDC; also no members’ events will be staged on 2nd/3rd March and 9th March. Also there will be no BMW-Rivoli Monthly Medal in February as only one course is open prior to the ODDC. The following initiatives were adopted from 1st July 2011. The cancellation period for week-end tee times (Friday and Saturday) has moved to two days notice as opposed to one day. For example, if you would like to cancel a Friday tee time, this needs to be done by Wednesday (latest 10.30pm). Failure to cancel with two days notice will result in the current penalty of AED 200 per player. As a result, members who find themselves on the waiting list for a Friday tee time will be given a call on Thursday morning if a time is available.

On Fridays and Saturdays between 8am and 10am, the course allocated for tee times will be exclusively for members. Please note this is NOT applicable for the SHOTGUN set-up. Members’ guests can no longer tee off during this two-hour period. Members’ guests will have to play outside the timings of 8am-10am or on the other course. Any guests booked on these slots will be denied access to the course at check-in. Relevant dates in each month are communicated on-line and by notices at reservations/starter hut etc.

The new GPS system is in the testing stage and we expect to have the new units on the carts by the end of February. www.dubaigolf.com

14

The Wave, Muscat

Destined to become Oman’s most envied properties

T

he Wave, Muscat remains on track to meet demand for quality homes in the Sultanate which was recently proven during its 8th property release of Almeria East Apartments at Al Marsa Village. The largest precinct in the Sultanate’s first 100 percent freehold masterplanned community, 75% sales were recorded since the three boutique buildings featuring 92 spacious apartments first debuted three months ago.

Delivering world- class amenities, the first 9 holes of the 18-hole PGA Links golf course designed by the legendary Greg Norman golf course and academy equipped with the first of its kind teaching technology available in the region opened on December 1st 2011. The 400-berth marina witnessed the installation of the first pontoons also in December with boats expected to dock by the first quarter of 2012.

With a mission to become Oman’s premier lifestyle destination,

Club Life Issue 18

every effort has been focused on ensuring high service and delivery standards. The diverse residential offerings with exceptional recreational facilities, five-star hospitality and retail precinct along 6km of natural beach is meant to bring the best of the best to The Wave, Muscat. Properties ranging from apartments, town houses to villas designed by award-winning consultants and lead architects have attracted homebuyers from Oman and also from key neighboring markets including Kuwait, UAE and Qatar.

The Project’s team of experienced consultants, contractors and operators with added value services share a unified vision of creating a vibrant and sustainable multi-cultural community in the heart of Muscat. Home purchasing options with local banks have been facilitated to allow all nationalities affordable and adequate financing schemes, opening a world of opportunities for buyers who want

a home that combines modern convenience with comfort and guaranteed affordability.

With over 2,000 residents from 38 different nationalities calling The Wave, Muscat their home, and more than 700 homes delivered to date, the Sultanate’s first integrated tourism complex is one step closer to becoming the epicenter of lifestyle living.

The Wave, Muscat is a unique public-private project developed through a joint venture between Oman’s Waterfront Investments, representing the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, National Investment Funds Company, representing Omani Pension Funds, and the UAE-based Majid Al Futtaim Group.

For more details and for purchase inquiries please contact Saleh S. Al Siyabi ,Senior Manager Sales and Leasing, by emailing saleh@thewavemuscat.com or visit www.thewavemuscat.com

15 Your Golf T ip Of The Month

by STEPHEN DEANE, Head PGA Professional

Different Putting Styles!!

W

ith Keegan Bradley recently being the first player ever to win a Major Championship with a long putter and Adam Scott playing some of his best ever golf since his change , putting styles is certainly a key topic within the golf industry and one which can have a major impact on your game!

In many cases, we define our success by how well we have struck the golf ball during our round. However, statistics show that putting is the most frequent shot played during the round.

If you putt well, you just might shoot lower scores!

The mechanics of the putting stroke are not difficult to execute. In fact, the putting stoke has been determined to be the simplest motion in golf. To produce this motion, there are various putting styles and types of putters to use.

The putting stroke should be a pendulum like motion produced by the weight of the putter and length of the stroke. There are four main concepts that apply to any style of putting: aim, path, face angle and impact. Keep these in mind as you determine the best style to use.

Choosing the right style of putting for you should be based on comfort and the ability to repeat the putting motion.

Golf Tournament Calendar For February 2012 Monday, 20th February Ladies’ Monthly Medal 08.30 Majlis Friday 24th February EGC Amateur Open Day 1 06.35-14.05 Faldo Saturday 25th February EGC Amateur Open Day 1 06.40-13.40 Majlis Monday 27th January Ladies’ Camel Trophy 08.30 Majlis

The Short Putter: Many golfers are accustomed

to this style of putting. Using a putter of standard length (33” -35”), one might feel this is the best way to putt. To make sure you benefit the most from the use of this putting style, select the proper length based on your setup position.

The most important factor in using the short putter is consistency. Knowing you can aim the putter correctly and produce a putting stroke without any variations during the stroke allows you to have success. The putting stroke travels in two distinct directions: back and forward. Controlling the stroke requires adequate movement and the ability to avoid small muscle control throughout the stroke.

The Belly Putter: This style

of putting certainly gets more attention because it is very different. However the benefits to using a belly putter make it simple and effective. The grip end of the putter is anchored into the belly area, therefore allowing a smooth, repeatable stroke. The belly putter can produce a more consistent motion down and through the ball.

It is less likely to produce variations in the stroke during its movement.

The Long Putter: A style of putting that offers a smooth and very consistent motion.

There are two ways to actually stroke the putt while using this method. The Piston method, which allows the shoulders and body to remain very quite, while the trailing arm moves the putter back and forward. The Synchronized Method, which allows the shoulders to rock up and down, moving the putter back and forward at the same time. Hold the putter in the top hand, gripping the club with a fist-like grip and positioning the thumb on the top. Extend the bottom hand down to a position comfortable to the set-up.

In your decision to select a putter, decide which method is most suitable to your game. Once you have decided, get comfortable with the putter and practice from various distances on the green. The most suitable putting method for you is the one providing a consistent downward motion through the ball at impact.

If you feel there is any change in the grip pressure during the stroke, take more time in evaluating which putting style and method is best.

During a putting stroke, there should never be any change in grip pressure. If you feel you need help with your selection feel free to ask one of The Academy Professionals. Good luck with your putting! www.dubaigolf.com

16

Introducing Andrea

A

ndrea is one of the Personal Trainers at the FitLab and a Kettlebell Master Instructor. She moved to Dubai last year after having spent twelve years in the UK. Originally from Hungary, she started out in competitive sports at an early age and has a passion for helping people’s transition to a healthier lifestyle. She gets enormous satisfaction from helping clients achieve goals they once thought were impossible.

She likes to think of herself as more of a lifestyle coach as we all know being fit and healthy doesn’t just stop at going to the gym. In fact, you can easily cancel out the benefits of all the hard work you put into your exercise routine by not giving enough importance to other factors (nutrition, emotions, recuperation, managing stress, etc) What qualifies her for this is the extensive personal experiences throughout her sporting career. She started out in athletics, her most successful event being 400 metre track running played competitive volleyball alongside it for a few years as well, but it was when she switched to preparing for and taking part in Fitness and Figure contests as well as fitness modelling, that she learned and experimented with all there is to know about specific training

methods and nutrition strategies so that we can be in the best shape of our lives.

Andrea is qualified in many different aspects of fitness training and nutrition and she offers the highest level of personal training to get your body into perfect shape and

peak performance.

If you’d like to get in touch with her, you can pick up one of her business cards from Fit Lab’s reception or just say hello in person when you see her around.

Fitness Activity Schedule SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Studio

Studio

Studio

Studio

Studio

Studio

Studio

06.00 - 07.00 06.00 - 07.00 06.00 - 07.00 Boot Camp Boot Camp Boot Camp Outdoor (Peter) Outdoor (Peter) Outdoor (Peter) 07.30 - 08.30 07.30 - 08.30 07.30 - 08.30 07.30 - 08.30 07.30 - 08.30 Artistic Yoga (Regular) Artistic Yoga (Regular) Artistic Yoga (Regular) Artistic Yoga (Regular) Artistic Yoga (Regular) 08.30 - 09.30 08.30 - 09.30 TRX Suspension TRX Suspension Outdoor (Amber) Outdoor (Stoyka) 08.45 - 09.45 08.45-09.45 08.45 - 09.45 08.45 - 09.45 08.45 - 09.30 Zumba (Tracy) Kick Boxing (Stoyka) Zumba Toning (Tracy) Spinning (Alan) Spinning (Andy) 09.45 - 10.30 08.45 - 09.45 09.40 – 10.40 09.40 – 10.40 08.45 - 09.45 Kick Boxing Pilates Reformer Fatburner Fatburner Pilates Reformer (Stoyka) (Amanda) (Stoyka) (Stoyka) 10.00 - 11.00 10.00 - 11.00 10.00 - 11.00 Pilates Reformer Pilates Mat Pilates Mat (Kirsty) (Amanda) 12.30 – 13.00 12.30 – 13.00 12.30 – 13.00 Fit Express (Stoyka) Fit Express (Stoyka) Fit Express (Stoyka)

08.45 -09.45 Grade 3 TAP Dance 09.45 -10.30 Pre Primary Ballet 09.00 - 10.00 Kettlebell Training Outdoor 09.00 - 12.00 Cavekids (Studio)

14.00 -15.00 Pilates Reformer For Golf (Khadija)

10.30 - 11.00 Beginner Ballerinas 11.00 - 12.00 Grade 1 TAP Dance 12.00 - 13.00 Primary Ballet 13:00-15:00 Grade 5 15.15 - 16.15 Jazz Dance

15.00 -16.00 Pilates Mat For Golf (Khadija) 18.00 - 18.45 Spinning (Alan)

19.00 - 20.00 Kettlebell Training Outdoor 19.15 – 20.15 TRx Suspension Outdoor (Amber)

20.00 - 21.00 Artistic Yoga Weightloss

18.00 - 19.00 Artistic Yoga (Regular)

18.00 - 19.00 Artistic Yoga (Regular)

18.00 - 19.00 Artistic Yoga (Regular)

19.00 - 20.00 19.00 - 20.00 19.00 - 20.00 Artistic Yoga (Regular) Power Yoga (Khadija) Artistic Yoga (Regular) 19.00 - 20.00 Kettlebell Training Outdoor 19.15 – 20.15 19.15 - 20.15 TRX Suspension TRX Suspension Outdoor (Stoyka) Outdoor (Stoyka) 19.30 - 20.30 19.30 - 20.30 Kettlebell Training Kettlebell Training Outdoor Outdoor 20.00 - 21.00 20.00 - 21.00 20.00 - 21.00 Artistic Yoga Artistic Yoga Artistic Yoga Weightloss Weightloss Weightloss

19.00 - 20.00 Artistic Yoga (Regular)

All bookings and packages are valid for 3 months from date of purchase.

Buy a package of 10 and get one lesson free.

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

Meet the Recreation Staff Andy Meech (Recreation manager), Ishan Eranga Gunawardena , Charith Kulasuriya, Nery Calinisan, Jynger Padilla, Stanley Kariuki, Alfredo Bonga is and Ansel Candelario Club Life Issue 18

07.30 - 08.30 Artistic Yoga (Regular)

17

Feeling the Love?

Head to SensAsia Urban Spa’s this February for some Passionate Pampering!

It’s all about the ‘L’ word in February and whether you’re loved up, a sassy singleton or just want to show your bestie how much she rocks, SensAsia Urban Spas are offering a selection of divine treatments for V Day!

be my Valentine You could say it with flowers or a romantic evening meal but what better way to show your love and spend some quality ‘you’ time together than with a spa day?

For him - ‘The Player’ (90 min/AED 495) will help your man melt away his stresses using heated herbal packs – perfect for the guy who’s been over-doing it in the gym or on the golf course! A Hot Salt and Pepper SensPolish (60 min/ AED 350) can be enjoyed premassage which is guaranteed to turn him into the ultimate smoothie!

For her - Let’s face it, Valentine’s Day is all about YOU so treat yourself to absolute relaxation with the Warm Candle Massage (60 min/ AED 420 and 90min/ AED 495) which wraps you in a vitamin-laden velvety cocoon to knead knots and unravel stress. Get polished to perfection pre-massage with the Sugar Daddy Senspolish (60min/ AED 350) if desired.

Want to prolong the bliss in the comfort of your own home? SensAsia Urban Spas are also offering couples the chance to learn massage techniques with 30-minute partner massage sessions (AED 300 or complimentary when couples book a massage and scrub each).

Spa and Dine

Couples who produce their food and beverage receipts from M’s restaurant or Le Classique are entitled to 25% discount off all Valentine’s treatments at SensAsia Urban Spa from 10am – 5pm. Simply bring your receipt along and choose from a selection of indulgent treatments!

Singles in the City

Valentine’s day isn’t just for the loved up - if you want to show your bestie how much you ‘heart’ her, get ‘spa-struck’ together at SensAsia Urban Spas which is offering the Warm Candle Massage (60min) for gal-pals in the twin suite (AED 700 for 2, usually AED 840).

If the thought of Valentine’s is making you feel blue, spoil yourself and forget it all with Blissfully Unaware (150 min AED 650) which includes the signature SensAsia Hot Stone massage followed by a 60 minute Elemis facial – pure heaven!

All Valentine’s packages from SensAsia Urban Spas are valid from February 1st – 29th. Whoever you are with this Valentines, love yourself, spa yourself and be yourself with SensAsia Urban Spas. www.dubaigolf.com

19th HOLE

Is this really Dubai? Photos take at 7.30 in the morning in January when it was 13 degrees and felt very cold!

Cocktail making in Le Classique

Butch and Judy Kamps son, Charley recently got married to Samantha in Texas.

Ian Botham with Jim Wheat, Dave Smith and Ed Edwards

Club Life Issue 18

Zahra Haldane checking up on Daddy Craig’s greens!

19

EGC ladies recently played in the Stoncor Greensomes event in Sharjah at the sand course

This made Rai happy...visiting Dubai and he even had his name on his locker!

Past EGC Captains Rai and Joan Legnar have just spent two weeks on holiday in Dubai, enjoying the facilities at the Club and catching up with old friends

Steve Day and his son, Brandon with Colin Montgomerie at EGC Spike Bar last month

Mike Gerbich who managed to get a round of golf with European Tour players Anja Monke and Nicole Gergely in Scottsdale, Arizona

Dick Purchase at a driving experience at Dubai Autodrome

It looks like Chris and Dick Purchase are getting involved in a different kind of sport‌ Kashe Gerbich featured in the ad for Night Golf at EGC

www.dubaigolf.com

Valentine’s Day

Celebrate

at Emirates Golf Club

Treat your loved one to a special Valentine’s Day celebration at Emirates Golf Club. With five romantic options based on the four elements, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Air at Royal Majlis

Earth at M’s Restaurant

Situated amidst the world famous Majlis course, the Royal Majlis is the Club’s hidden gem set in a secluded enclave surrounded by lush greenery. Savour a delightful five course menu with a bottle of bubbly and live entertainment.

M’s is offering a delicious five course Valentine’s Day special menu with a glass of bubbly on arrival.

AED 995 per couple

The Fifth Element on the

Fire at Le Classique Cherish every moment in the multi award winning French restaurant and enjoy a six course menu prepared

by Le Classique’s iconic chef François Porté.

AED 245 per person

Majlis course

Water - Romantic Poolside Dining

Experience the ultimate Valentine’s Day experience nestled on the award winning Majlis course. A glass of bubbly will greet you on arrival, followed by a decadent seven course gourmet feast including a flambé dessert along with paired varieties of red and white grape plus bubbly.

Enjoy dining by the pool, offering a romantic and tranquil ambience. Indulge in a delectable four course menu with a glass of bubbly on your arrival.

AED 4,950 per couple (includes a private shuttle to and from Emirates Golf Club)

AED 395 per person

AED 295 per person

Members’ discount applies to all Valentine’s Day packages.

For more information and to make a reservation, please contact +971 4 417 9999 or email egcdining@dubaigolf.com dubaigolf.com