Putting in October 2014

Issue # 6

Editor: Paula Savage

October 2014

Editorial, by Paula Savage…..

Hello and a “warm” welcome to the start of the new golf season. Personally speaking, it’s great to be back on the course, the heat and humidity were a bit difficult at times during September but the good news is that these conditions can only get better – hopefully sooner rather than later! And what about the golf course? It’s in great condition and Matthew Perry and his team should be congratulated for all the hard work they have put in over the summer.

The summer months are becoming a distant memory and September has already been and gone but just because a few of us deserted town in July and August, didn’t mean there wasn’t some competitive golf still going ahead and I’ve included a round-up of all these events in this issue.

September saw the MENA tour resume here on our very own course. I do hope you were able to catch some of those guys in action, it was especially exciting watching the two play off holes, both down the 18th in typical windy Creek conditions!

Then there was the small matter of the Ryder Cup taking place at Gleneagles. Despite trying my hardest over the summer, sadly I was overlooked for the Captain’s pick. I really thought I could have brought something different to the team – as it was they didn’t need me! It was a great contest, with some outstanding golf being played and no doubt the best team over the weekend won. Just sat on the sofa watching on TV all weekend was physically and mentally exhausting – can’t imagine what the Captain and Players felt like! Well done to Paul McGinley and his European team.

For us mere mortals, we have quite a few competitions lined up, so do check out the tournament calendar and sign up for some great golf ahead.

Looking forward to seeing you out on the course, enjoy your golf.

Happy Nappy News from our Pros Say hello to the latest members of our Creek Family.

Congratulations go out to Dong and his wife as they welcomed their first baby, the very beautiful Sarah Lee, into the world on 27th June in Seoul, weighing in at 3.39kg. Congratulations also to Stephen, Leigh and big bro Will, who welcomed gorgeous little Hana Alena into the “Hubie” world on 12th September weighing in at 6.1lbs. Well done to the Mums who did all the hard work, whilst the proud Daddies just take all the glory at showing off their little princesses! Our best wishes and blessings go to both families.

And finally….. after 21 years of loyal service we said a sad but fond farewell to Evangaline “Vangie” Gonzales who retired in September.

Vangie was part of the pre-opening team at Dubai Creek and played a key role in our Membership Services Team. To spend over two decades with one organisation is a great achievement, we thank her for her hard work and commitment to Dubai Creek and we all wish her the very best in her retirement, which will take her to the United States to be with her family.

Golf Round Up Creek Kicks Thursday 26th June 2014: saw the launch of the inaugural Creek Kicks event running alongside the 2014 FIFA World Cup. It is a FootGolf event played over the 9 Hole Par 3 course. FootGolf is a relatively new but fast growing concept across America and Europe, but this was the first event of its kind in the UAE. FootGolf, as the name suggests, is a blend of Football and Golf, the difference being that instead of golf clubs and balls, players are kicking a size 5 football into a 22 inch hole.

This event would provide competitors a chance to experience a new concept to golf and promised to be a lot of fun. Players turned up sporting their favourite team colours and were keen to get the competition underway. It was young Matthew Kane, who combined his skills of both football and golf to take top honours on the evening with a superb 2 under par score of 25 and become the first Creek Kicks Champion.

The Inter-Society Championship sponsored by ECCO Saturday 27th June 2014: is annual event and a chance for Dubai Creek to recognize and bring together the various golfing societies from across the region to compete in some fun and light hearted competition. The invitation list this year consisted of JIGGERS, BBGS, KEGS, FIGME Dubai, FIGME UAE and FIGME Abu Dhabi, Indian Golf Society, DREGS, DIGS, Dubai Divots, Dubai Exputts, Sport2Business and the DOGFIGHT. As always, each society was invited to enter a team of eight players to compete in the Pairs Betterball Stableford format with all 4 pairs scores counting towards the overall team score.

After some great scoring from all of the teams in hot and humid conditions, it was the Sport2Business team of Russell Yeomans, John Coll, Richard Aybar, Kristi Sealey, Andrew Smolak, Jonathan Coates, Simon Earl and Jonathan Jeffery that emerged victorious with a superb winning team total of 157 points.

Making the most of their home course advantage and also displaying some great golf was the Dubai Creek DOGFIGHT society. There total of 155 points saw them clinch 2nd place over last year’s runners up, the Indian Golf Society who finished with a 146 point total.

The prize for the ‘Best Pair” score was a very one sided affair. The Sport2Business pairing of Jonathan Jeffrey and Simon Earl ran away with the prize with a massive 45 stableford points.

Nearest the pin saw Simon Earl amongst the winner’s again as he was rewarded for his accurate tee shot into the Par3 5th hole, whilst Dubai Creek and Indian Golf Society member, Ishwar Jodha, was rewarded for the same on the Par3 14th.

Dubai Golf Mashreq Medal Championship Saturday 2nd August 2014: Dubai Creek was the host of the second Dubai Golf Mashreq Medal Championship. The two Dubai Golf joint medal events are run over the summer months, with each club hosting one event. They are part of the season long Mashreq Medal Championship series which runs at both Dubai Creek and Emirates Golf Club.

Two superb performances came from Dubai Creek members Kevin Savage and junior member Mikhail Pinto, who finished tied with scores of 66. However it was Pinto who claimed top honours on a better inward half.

With Savage narrowly missing out on the overall title, his 66 saw him claim top spot in Men’s Division A ahead of Ishpal Bajaj who claimed runner up spot for his sub-par score of 67. Emirates Golf Club member, Fletcher Wheeler took the Men’s Division B title with a 1-uner par net 70, whilst Dinesh Sharma was the runner up in the division after a 77. Glory Xavier was back in the winner’s circle with a level par 71 to top the Ladies Division. Thakur Tolani claimed his first win of the series with a fantastic performance and a score of 67 in the Seniors Division. Max Burrow showed his talent yet again and picked up the Best Gross prize after a 3 over par 74.

The 2014 Ping Summer Open Saturday 16th August 2014: The Summer Open proved a popular event again this year with a field of more than 70 players turning out to compete despite the humid conditions.

Easing his way around the course and producing a fine performance was young Rayhan Thomas whose score of 1 over par 72 earned him victory. Martin Haymer also produced a fine performance and fired a 73 to clinch the runner up spot.

The Men’s net Division was won with a 3 under par 68 from Joe St. John. Aziz Al Hakim was amongst the winners again, finishing runner up in the division as he beat John Fahy and Qamar Rasheed on a count back after the trio finished tied on 73. Dubai Creek member Katherine Duffy claimed top honours in the Ladies Division with a level par net 71, whilst fellow lady member Glory Xavier was runner up after a 76. The Junior Division was very closely contested with Shyam Kakar and Mikhail Pinto finishing tied or top spot on net 70. It was Pinto who finished slightly stronger and claimed first place on a better inward half. Thakur Tolani picked up his second victory of the month with a net 74 to win the Seniors Division.

Mashreq Medal Championship in association with BMW Saturday 6th September 2014: saw the ninth round of the Mashreq Medal Championship in association with BMW and Harvey Nichols Dubai.

Despite the hot and humid summer conditions the popular member’s event boasted a field of just under one hundred players. To make this month’s event extra special, the winner would receive the ‘Luckiest Ball on Earth’, which would be their ticket into the qualifying event for this year’s DP World Championship Pro-Am. In the end it was Glory Xavier who was crowned champion after her superb net 64 gave her victory by four strokes over Suresh Shewakramani. The best gross score of the day came from Max Burrow who carded a superb 1-under par 70 to beat Miki Mirza by a single stroke. Samy Eldin scored a two under par 69 to collect first prize in the Men’s A Division beating Ashok Sindhu who scored 70 into second place. Suresh Shewakramani’s net 68 saw him collect the prize for first place in Men’s Division B ahead of UAE National player Mohammed Al Musharrekh who scored an excellent 69.

The Ladies Division was won by Chikako Inoue who shot a net 72, and the Senior Division prize went to Thakur Tolani who scored 69 to win for the second consecutive month.

Alan Mackenzie – Club Manager

Congratulations to Alan Mackenzie who has been promoted to the position of Club Manager at Dubai Creek. Alan brings a wealth of experience to the position having been at the Club for over 15 years. Once again congratulations Alan and we wish you the very best in your new role!

Getting to know you…..

We all know what a great bunch of friendly and hard working Marshalls we have here at Dubai Creek and so I thought it was about time we recognised that fact officially in the newsletter. These guys have the unenviable task of getting us to play to pace, replace our divots, repair our pitch marks and rake the bunkers – no mean task, especially on the busy shotguns every weekend. To Jonas, Nick, Paul and Prudence, keep up the good work, it is very much appreciated by us all. And then there’s Ernie, who was on vacation at the time of going to press – but who could forget Ernie? He drives the fastest golf cart in the Middle East!!

Spotlight on Michael Kinloch In this issue I felt it was time we heard from Michael Kinloch. Some would say he’s the quiet one amongst the Pros, others would say have you seen him down at the academy behind the wheel of the F1 simulator, when Michael Kinloch turns into Michael Schumacher?! And in true “Schumi” style he’s not shy at telling anyone who’s willing to listen, that he’s pretty tough to beat and certainly number one amongst the other golf pros!! Wow, let’s get back to the more gentle sport of golf shall we with a few more facts you maybe didn’t know about the very likeable Michael?!

PS: When did you join the Creek?

MK: I first joined the Creek on the 27th of September 2007, the same evening as one of the other current Creek Pro’s George Kasparis. We shared an apartment for our first season which was good fun, apart from George’s smelly socks!

PS: Where were you born?

MK: I was born in Craigtoun Maternity Hospital in St. Andrews, Scotland. The building is now part of the property at the Dukes Course where I worked for several years when I first turned professional.

PS: And at what age did you first start playing golf?

MK: I first started playing when I was around 10 years old. None of my family played golf but a friend’s dad took me to the local driving range one day and I really enjoyed it. I was lucky that my primary school started giving some after school lessons around the same time and after that I was hooked.

PS: Where is your Home Club?

MK: My home club is St. Andrews Golf Club. I joined when I was 11 and have been a member ever since. It’s a working man’s golf club and has a great club house overlooking the 18th green of the Old Course.

PS: When did you turn professional and at what age?

MK: I turned Pro in 1999 when I was 25. I’m getting old!

PS: Which tours did you play on and how did you fare?

MK: I played in events on the tartan tour as it is known, but without much success!

PS: When did you decide to become a teaching pro?

MK: I decided that I would teach golf shortly after completing my PGA training. I was never going to be good enough to be a player and I’ve always been interested in the mechanics of the swing, I really enjoy seeing my student’s technique evolve and improve.

PS: How old where you the first time you broke par and on which course?

MK: To be honest I can’t really remember, I think I was either 14 or 15, the golf course was the Eden in St. Andrews.

The course has changed a lot over the years and has been lengthened, but it’s still a lovely course to play.

PS: Which is your favourite golf course and/or the best course you have played MK: That’s not easy. I have to say for an overall experience it’s hard to beat the Old Course at St. Andrews. The course has a great atmosphere about it, particularly the 1st and 18th holes, the 17th is also a lot of fun. I also really like Carnoustie. There’s a long list of courses I haven’t played yet that I’m sure are fantastic.

PS: Who would be in your dream fourball?

MK: I would have my brother Norman and good friend from Scotland Andy Mackie, they are always great entertainment during a round. To round off the four ball I would choose Rory McIlroy to be my playing partner.

PS: Do you have a favourite club in your bag?

MK: Hmmm, that changes from time to time. I do enjoy hitting a 3 wood.

PS: What is your best tip for amateur golfers?

MK: The quickest way to improve your score is by getting better at wedge play and putting. I also think it’s very important to have fun on the course and not to take the game too seriously. It’s supposed to be enjoyable after all.

PS: Which other sports do you play/have an interest in?

MK: I really like football and I’ve recently taken up cycling which I am enjoying, although I can’t say I look that good in lycra. I enjoy watching almost any sport played at a high level whether it’s on TV or live.

PS: Do you have any gym advice to stay golf fit?

MK: I would encourage all golfers to do some thorough stretching in the gym and perhaps take up yoga. This is an area I intend to improve on in the coming months. A lot of recreational golfers tend to lack a little flexibility and so struggle with their swing.

Ladies Locker Room News

I’m pleased to report that the Ladies have got off to a great start to the new season and, despite some difficult weather conditions to contend with, have turned out in good numbers in the September Wednesday morning competitions. Please do remember that all ladies are welcome to join us on Wednesday mornings, simply check out the fixture list and sign up on the sheet in the ladies locker room. We also have our social Monday mornings, again please sign up in the ladies locker room, we look forward to seeing you out on the course with us.

The Future Generation Creek Juniors

The Dubai Duty Free Junior Medal and Order of Merit has resumed. Sign up with the reservations desk, so as to not miss out. It’s a nine holes competition and all juniors play from the red tee.