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	<title>Christopher May Archives - Golf Digest Middle East</title>
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	<title>Christopher May Archives - Golf Digest Middle East</title>
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		<title>Welcome to the club: Viya Golf’s Christopher May talks about expanding their portfolio to manage three of Abu Dhabi’s elite clubs </title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/welcome-to-the-club-viya-golfs-christopher-may-talks-about-expanding-their-portfolio-to-manage-three-of-abu-dhabis-elite-clubs/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Matt Smith]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Oct 2022 06:20:23 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[The Gulf Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chris May]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christopher May]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emirates Golf Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Saadiyat Beach Golf Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Viya Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yas Acres Golf & Country Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yas Links Abu Dhabi]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://golfdigestme.com/?p=59291</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Ever since Emirates Golf Club opened its doors in 1988, the UAE began evolving into a world-leading golf destination...</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/welcome-to-the-club-viya-golfs-christopher-may-talks-about-expanding-their-portfolio-to-manage-three-of-abu-dhabis-elite-clubs/">Welcome to the club: Viya Golf’s Christopher May talks about expanding their portfolio to manage three of Abu Dhabi’s elite clubs </a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="p1"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>By Matt Smith<br />
</strong></span>Ever since Emirates Golf Club opened its doors in 1988, the UAE began evolving into a world-leading golf destination, with every year somehow improving on the standards of the last.</p>
<p class="p1">In late 2021, Yas Acres Golf &amp; Country Club became the latest addition to that ever-expanding portfolio of courses, once again affirming the country’s place at the pinnacle of the sport.</p>
<p class="p1">Now — once again — that drive, vision and passion for perfection has led to the latest development in the UAE’s golfing landscape, but this time it is a little more behind the scenes.</p>
<p class="p1">In late August, Viya Golf, part of Wasl Hospitality &amp; Leisure, entered into a management deal with Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Properties to manage its golf courses and clubhouses, leisure facilities, and all dining outlets at Yas Links Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Acres Golf &amp; Country Club.</p>
<div id="attachment_59293" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-59293" class="size-full wp-image-59293" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Saadiyat-Beach-GC-16-signature-1.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="493" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Saadiyat-Beach-GC-16-signature-1.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Saadiyat-Beach-GC-16-signature-1-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-59293" class="wp-caption-text">Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. Photo courtesy of the club</p></div>
<p class="p1">The agreement will see Viya Golf look after all aspects of the golf operations; maintaining areas of existing excellence and delivering operational improvements to enhance all golf, leisure and dining experiences for members and visitors. This includes adding Aldar’s clubs to the Viya app, giving its members rewards and access to golf, leisure and dining experiences.</p>
<p class="p1"><em>Golf Digest Middle East</em> spoke with Viya Golf Chief Executive Officer, Christopher May, about these recent developments and the vision for the future. “We are very excited to have the opportunity to be involved with Abu Dhabi and these three fantastic venues,” he said. “Yas Links is so special in the region and has to be on every golfer’s bucket list. Saadiyat is not far behind, and it has such unique features with its wildlife and sustainability. These are two special courses that bring people from all over the region and beyond to Abu Dhabi to play.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-59292 size-medium" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ChrisMay_profpic-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ChrisMay_profpic-200x300.jpg 200w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ChrisMay_profpic-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ChrisMay_profpic.jpg 740w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></p>
<p class="p1">“And now there is the new addition. Yas Acres is a fantastic nine-hole course, a real jewel and I would recommend it to anyone. Where else can you get 27 holes in a brilliant setting like that in one day, thanks to the floodlights? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">“So, already we have three fantastic additions to our portfolio and we thank Aldaar for this opportunity. We have been in discussions for a number of years and finally we reached a deal.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">“The operations teams are already doing a fantastic job at each of the three venues and, as we come in, initially we will look to upgrade some club facilities — similar to what we did when we took over Jumeirah Golf Estates — and these improvements usually take about six months to implement.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">“We will review the current operations and bring in whatever improvements we feel are needed, be it in F&amp;B &#8230; whatever we can offer to improve the overall experience of golfers and non-golfers alike.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">“The operations are the real superstars here and we want to get more people seeing what they can experience. While golf plays a massive part, there is so much more to help drive tourism in Abu Dhabi.</p>
<p class="p1">“It is an exciting time for the UAE capital and Yas Island — we have UFC, NBA, F1 all coming up ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links in January. Then there is the World Cup in the region. These events all show how big sport is in the region, and the UAE in particular, and with tourism now getting back to normal, these events can show the world what we have to offer — and maybe get some racing or football fans to find some time for a round of golf, too.</p>
<p class="p1">“We get 25,000 golfers coming through Dubai too, so possibly now, through Viya we can get them and others to extend their stay and make it a two-city vacation.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">Viya is the region’s fastest-growing golf business, transforming and modernising the game across the Middle East through technology-led innovation. Alongside its sister business, Dubai Golf, Viya forms part of Wasl Hospitality &amp; Leisure’s diverse, fast-growing golf and leisure portfolio. In addition to developing and operating its successful golf booking, lifestyle and membership app.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<div id="attachment_59294" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-59294" class="size-full wp-image-59294" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Yas-Acres_MG_2969.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="432" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Yas-Acres_MG_2969.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Yas-Acres_MG_2969-300x175.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-59294" class="wp-caption-text">Yas Acres Golf &amp; Country Club. Photo by John Magdalinos</p></div>
<p class="p1">“Since we launched Viya two years ago as a member booking app, “May explained, “you could say it has evolved into something of a bigger entity with 80,000 active users, who use it for such things in Dubai as golf tee times, lessons, facilities such as the gym or spa, dining and salons across a wide network of golf clubs and Wasl properties.</p>
<p class="p1">“Now we can incorporate our Abu Dhabi portfolio to offer our users even more opportunities as we continue to grow.”</p>
<p class="p1">Viya also recently launched the new golf holidays booking website, Viya Holidays, to help grow inbound tourism to the UAE.</p>
<p class="p1">“We are looking to expand across the region to open up more opportunities and experiences and with the website now up and running it will help us with flights, bookings and growth throughout the region,” May said.</p>
<p class="p1">“While Viya is still in its infancy, we already have 80,000 active users, like I said, and that number is growing all the time.</p>
<p class="p1">“Interestingly, the vast majority of those users are non-golf club members, showing the potential to bring in more people to enjoy what our facilities have to offer, and that will only grow with the addition of Abu Dhabi and the growing number of international travellers coming to the UAE, seeing Viya and downloading the app.”</p>
<p class="p1">Ever-improving&#8230;</p>
<p class="p1">We can only imagine what 2023 will bring.</p>
<p><strong>You may also like:<br />
<span style="color: #ff6600;"><a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://golfdigestme.com/golf-digest-middle-east-presents-oktoberfest-2022/">Golf Digest Middle East presents Oktoberfest 2020</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff6600;"><a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://golfdigestme.com/dubai-based-chiara-noja-secures-ladies-european-tour-card/">Chiara Noja secures LET card for 2023</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #ff6600;"><a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://golfdigestme.com/history-maker-rookie-ines-laklalech-bags-first-ladies-european-tour-title/">Laklalech becomes first Arab to win on LET</a></span><br />
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<a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://golfdigestme.com/liv-golfs-patrick-reed-pulls-out-of-dp-world-tour-alfred-dunhill-links-championship-thanks-to-a-dodgy-bed/">Reed withdraws from Dunhill links — thanks to dodgy bed</a><br />
</strong><strong><a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://golfdigestme.com/bangkok-bound-cameron-smith-and-dustin-johnson-lead-stellar-field-for-liv-golf-thailand-showdown/">LIV Golf Bangkok field revealed</a><br />
<a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://golfdigestme.com/ian-poulter-rages-at-henrik-stensons-dumping-by-sweden-for-liv-golf-links/">Poulter rages at dumping of Stenson</a><br />
<a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://golfdigestme.com/presidents-cup-true-or-false-the-10-most-pressing-questions-from-quail-hollow/">True or False: Presidents Cup takeaways</a><br />
<a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://golfdigestme.com/charlie-woods-shoots-career-low-at-notah-begay-junior-event-alongside-caddie-tiger/">Charlie Woods shoots career low with dad Tiger on the bag</a></strong></span></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/welcome-to-the-club-viya-golfs-christopher-may-talks-about-expanding-their-portfolio-to-manage-three-of-abu-dhabis-elite-clubs/">Welcome to the club: Viya Golf’s Christopher May talks about expanding their portfolio to manage three of Abu Dhabi’s elite clubs </a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
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		<title>Dubai Golf Trophy returns to Dubai Creek and Emirates Golf Club</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/dubai-golf-trophy-returns-to-dubai-creek-and-emirates-golf-club/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Matt Smith]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 May 2022 07:37:14 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[The Gulf Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Akram Skaik]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christopher May]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubai Creek Golf Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubai Golf Trophy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emirates Golf Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Khaild Yousuf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michael Major]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://golfdigestme.com/?p=53898</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Dubai Golf Trophy, one of the biggest events in the UAE golfing calendar, is back at Dubai Creek and Emirates Golf Club.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/dubai-golf-trophy-returns-to-dubai-creek-and-emirates-golf-club/">Dubai Golf Trophy returns to Dubai Creek and Emirates Golf Club</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="p1"><span style="color: #999999;"><em>Akram Skaik, Director General, Emirates Golf Federation; Khalid Yousuf, Dubai Golf Trophy Amateur Team captain; Michael Major, Dubai Golf Trophy Professional Team captain; Christopher May, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Golf</em></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>By Matt Smith</strong></span></p>
<p class="p1">The Dubai Golf Trophy, one of the biggest events in the UAE golfing calendar, is back, and the May 8-9 event takes place on the Championship course at Dubai Creek, ahead of the second day on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club.</p>
<p class="p1">The Ryder Cup-style tournament, now in its 23rd year, pits the UAE’s top 16 professional players against the top 16 amateurs in the region and was originally launched by Dubai Golf – owner and operator of some the nation’s top golf clubs. Each team consists of 12 automatic qualifiers from the season-long UAE PGA tournaments and qualifying Emirates Golf Federation events across the UAE. Both team captains have an additional four ‘wildcard’ picks, and two ladies are selected to compete in the Dubai Golf Trophy Ladies Challenge Match to complete both sides.</p>
<p class="p1">This year, the amateur team is gunning for seven victories in a row, having claimed another convincing victory last year at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Khalid Yousuf will captain this year’s amateur team, while Michael Major from Dubai Creek will lead the professionals in a non-playing capacity.</p>
<p class="p1">“I am delighted to be the captain for the professional team, it’s a proud moment,” Major said. “We have a strong team this year, but of course we continue to be underdogs until we manage to regain the trophy back from the amateur side.”</p>
<p class="p1">Yousef added: “It’s a great honour to captain the amateur team this year as I have been involved in the Dubai Golf Trophy for over 15 years. The team is looking very strong this year and we are hoping to continue the amateur run. The pro team is also looking very good this year and we are all looking forward to some tight games over the weekend”.</p>
<p class="p1">Christopher May, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Golf, said: “The Dubai Golf Trophy was founded on the principle of raising the profile of golf in the region and bringing both amateur and professional golfers from clubs all over the UAE together in a competitive and enjoyable format. The tournament provides a focus for players to aim for throughout the qualifying events counting towards EGF and UAE PGA Order of Merits during the season, and culminating in a season-ending spectacle on two of the finest courses in the region. Best of luck to both teams.”</p>
<h5 class="p1">Official <strong>Schedule</strong></h5>
<p class="p1"><strong>Sunday</strong><br />
Championship course, Dubai Creek Golf Club<br />
7am Foursomes<br />
12:30pm Fourballs<br />
<strong>Monday</strong><br />
Majlis course, Emirates Golf Club<br />
11am Singles</p>
<h5 class="p1"><strong>Teams</strong></h5>
<p class="p1"><strong>Professionals<br />
</strong>Non-playing captain: Michael Major<br />
Louis Gaughan<br />
Sujjan Singh<br />
Steven Munro<br />
Graham Forbes<br />
Michael Bolt<br />
Tom Buchanan<br />
Purna Sharma<br />
Ryan Smith<br />
Oscar Yeomans<br />
Thomas Ogilvie<br />
Sam McLaren<br />
Luke Plumb<br />
Jackson Bell<br />
Olivia Jackson<br />
Nathan Kernaghan<br />
Jack Woods<br />
Lea Pouillard<br />
Ginger Delacretaz</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>Amateurs<br />
</strong>Captain: Khalid Yousef<br />
Craig Vance<br />
Toby Bishop<br />
Jay Mullane<br />
Yash Majmudar<br />
Ali Parlane<br />
Hugo Garcia<br />
Sam Mullane<br />
Max Burrow<br />
Raghav Gulati<br />
Tom Nesbitt<br />
Jonathan Selvaraj<br />
Dan Byrne<br />
Ahmed Waheed<br />
Barry Pavic<br />
David Guinee<br />
Liang Wei Lui<br />
Jamie Rosalyn Camero</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/dubai-golf-trophy-returns-to-dubai-creek-and-emirates-golf-club/">Dubai Golf Trophy returns to Dubai Creek and Emirates Golf Club</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
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		<title>Majlis greens to grow up to 40% as USGA specification rebuild begins at Emirates Golf Club</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/majlis-greens-to-grow-up-to-40-as-usga-specification-rebuild-begins-at-emirates-golf-club/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kent Gray]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 May 2021 04:28:11 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[The Gulf Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Atlas Turf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chris May]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christopher May]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubai Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubai Golf CEO Chris May]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emirates Golf Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Majlis course]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Omega Dubai Desert Classic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Terry Baller]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United States Golf Association]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USGA]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://golfdigestme.com/?p=45886</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The five-month rebuild of the most recognisable greens in Middle East golf is underway. In the meantime, may we humbly suggest you brush up on your lag putting.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/majlis-greens-to-grow-up-to-40-as-usga-specification-rebuild-begins-at-emirates-golf-club/">Majlis greens to grow up to 40% as USGA specification rebuild begins at Emirates Golf Club</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #999999;"><em>Photos courtesy Emirates Golf Club</em></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>By Kent Gray</strong></span><br />
The five-month rebuild of the most recognisable greens in Middle East golf is underway. In the meantime, may we humbly suggest you brush up on your lag putting.</p>
<p class="p1">All 18 greens on the Majlis layout at Emirates Golf Club, plus the practice green beneath the club’s famed Majlis clubhouse, are being dug up and rebuilt to full United States Golf Association (USGA) specification.</p>
<p class="p1">Originally built as ‘push up’ greens in the late 1980s, the surfaces are subject to the region’s high-stress climatic conditions so had come to the end of their natural 20-25 year lifespan.</p>
<p class="p1">That was evident at January’s OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic but Dubai Golf CEO Chris May is confident the rebuild will impress members and guests when the course reopens in late September and the pros when they are fully bedded for next year’s European Tour stop.</p>
<p class="p1">Like for Arabian Ranches Golf Club’s recent greens rebuild project, Emirates G.C. is having the chosen Tifeagle Bermuda grasses flown into the UAE in refrigerated containers from Atlas Turf in Georgia in the U.S.</p>
<p class="p1">The most noticeable change will be the significantly increased size of the surfaces, thus the aforementioned tip to work on your lag putting in the intervening five months.</p>
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/EmiratesGolfClub/posts/10157783268563204" data-width="500" data-show-text="true">
<blockquote class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore" cite="https://www.facebook.com/EmiratesGolfClub/posts/10157783268563204"><p>We are very excited to have started work on the Majlis Greens Rebuild and we look forward to reopening at the end of&#8230;</p>
<p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EmiratesGolfClub/">Emirates Golf Club</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EmiratesGolfClub/posts/10157783268563204">Tuesday, May 4, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1">“The greens will essentially remain the same as Karl Litten&#8217;s original design,” said May. “The most noticeable difference on re-opening in September will be the increase in size of the greens. The putting surfaces will be brought back to their original size with the average increase being close to 40 percent.”</p>
<p class="p1">Scratch beneath the surface and the big long-term benefits can be found.</p>
<p class="p1">“The fundamental change will be enhancing the drainage in the greens complexes by building to USGA specifications.</p>
<div id="attachment_45888" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45888" class="size-full wp-image-45888" src="https://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Majlis-1st-green.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="500" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Majlis-1st-green.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Majlis-1st-green-300x203.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-45888" class="wp-caption-text">The 1st green on the Majlis is prepped for the rebuild.</p></div>
<p class="p1">“This will enable the golf course maintenance team to manage and present the greens to the world-class conditions that are expected on the Majlis course. The greens will be hand sprigged to ensure a consistent coverage with this work to be complete by the end of June after which the grow in will take place through to opening.”</p>
<p class="p1">Dubai Golf is also investing in drainage to the Majlis’ greenside bunkers to improve playability. Al Naboodah Contracting, the company responsible for the majority of golf courses in the region, is undertaking the construction.</p>
<p class="p1">American Terry Baller, who has significant global experience with many of the top design companies, is the design consultant.</p>
<p class="p1">“We are very much looking forward to reopening for play in September for our members and guests and providing world-class putting surfaces on the Majlis course for many years to come,” said May.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/majlis-greens-to-grow-up-to-40-as-usga-specification-rebuild-begins-at-emirates-golf-club/">Majlis greens to grow up to 40% as USGA specification rebuild begins at Emirates Golf Club</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
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		<title>UPDATED: Dubai Golf assume management of Jumeirah Golf Estates</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/dubai-golf-assume-management-of-jumeirah-golf-estates/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kent Gray]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Oct 2018 11:31:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Gulf Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christopher May]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubai Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emirates Golf Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emirates Golf Federation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jumeirah Golf Estates]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://golfdigestme.com/?p=20822</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Dubai’s two European Tour venues will now be overseen by the same management company with Dubai Golf assuming responsibility for Jumeirah Golf Estates.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/dubai-golf-assume-management-of-jumeirah-golf-estates/">UPDATED: Dubai Golf assume management of Jumeirah Golf Estates</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="p1"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong><span class="s1">By Kent Gray<br />
</span></strong></span><span class="s1">Dubai’s two European Tour venues will now be overseen by the same management company with Dubai Golf assuming responsibility for Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE).</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Dubai Golf already manages Emirates Golf Club, home of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, and Dubai Creek Golf &amp; Yacht Club. The agreement with JGE, which came into effect and was announced to members of all three clubs on Monday, means Dubai Golf take over ahead of the 10th anniversary edition of the DP World Tour Championship on JGE&#8217;s Greg Norman-designed Earth course from Nov. 15-18. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">It’s a huge coup, especially as the Race to Dubai decider is set to feature all 12-members of Thomas Bjorn’s victorious Ryder Cup winning team from Le Golf National last week.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Dubai Golf will oversee the golf operation on JGE’s Earth and Fire layouts plus the country club facilities and dining outlets. Here&#8217;s a promo video  announcing the partnership:</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">5 Golf Courses. 1 Dubai Golf.</p>
<p>We are delighted to welcome Jumeirah Golf Estates to Dubai Golf. <a href="https://t.co/Eh5wAmIJau">pic.twitter.com/Eh5wAmIJau</a></p>
<p>— Dubai Creek Golf (@DubaiCreekGolf) <a href="https://twitter.com/DubaiCreekGolf/status/1047453253343092736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">“We are proud to announce the addition of Jumeirah Golf Estates Clubhouse and Golf courses to the Dubai Golf management portfolio,&#8221; said Dubai Golf chief executive Christopher May.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">&#8220;The prestigious club will sit alongside the magnificent Emirates Golf Club – which is home to the annual Omega Dubai Desert Classic – as well as the renowned Dubai Creek Golf &amp; Yacht Club.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We approach this exciting relationship with optimism and extreme enthusiasm, and will continue striving towards delivering the very best golf and leisure experiences for our members.” </span></p>
<div id="attachment_20824" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-20824" class="wp-image-20824 size-full" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/55e96a46-c942-416c-8784-cfd97ffbec33.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/55e96a46-c942-416c-8784-cfd97ffbec33.jpg 600w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/55e96a46-c942-416c-8784-cfd97ffbec33-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /><p id="caption-attachment-20824" class="wp-caption-text">Part of the PR sent to club members of all three clubs on Monday.</p></div>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The real winners out of the acquisition appear to be members of all three clubs. Details of reciprocal rights are still to be revealed for each club but an email sent to Dubai Creek members on Monday highlighted the benefits for those golfers, with immediate effect, until the end of the year.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">&#8211; Access to JGE’s Fire course from Sunday to Wednesday (excluding public holidays).<br />
</span><span class="s1">&#8211; A clubhouse season pass for the 2018 DP World Tour Championship.<br />
</span><span class="s1">&#8211; Members’ discount at the dining outlets at Dubai Creek (Lakeview, QD’s, Casa de Tapas and Cielo Sky Lounge), Emirates G.C. (carine, Spike Sports Bar &amp; Terrace and Jones the Grocer), and JGE (Fresca Deli &amp; Café and Sports Bar).<br />
</span><span class="s1">&#8211; Full use of the leisure and recreation facilities at Emirates G.C. and JGE, as well as full access to the practice facilities (excluding the European Tour Institute at Jumeirah Golf Estates) across all three Clubs.</span></p>
<p>The email also said weekday members at Dubai Creek would gain weekday access to the gym and pool facilities at all three clubs and are also entitled to avail the members’ discount at the aforementioned dining outlets. It is understood similar benefits will be afforded members, full and weekday, of Emirates and JGE.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">“We will be reviewing different opportunities and additional benefits to our existing membership packages which will be published in the following week,” May said.</span></p>
<p>Like JGE, Emirates Golf Club boasts two championship courses, the Majlis and The Faldo. The latter is set to host the newly remodelled <a href="http://golfdigestme.com/sweeping-changes-including-new-course-and-pro-am-format-unveiled-for-dubais-let-event/"><span style="color: #ff0000;">Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic</span></a>, a Ladies European Tour event, in early May.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Yousuf Kazim, CEO of Jumeirah Golf Estates said: “We are all eagerly anticipating the opportunity to work with Dubai Golf who have a long-established history within the region.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_20841" style="width: 634px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-20841" class=" wp-image-20841" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JGE-Chris.jpg" alt="" width="624" height="936" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JGE-Chris.jpg 4000w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JGE-Chris-200x300.jpg 200w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JGE-Chris-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JGE-Chris-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JGE-Chris-800x1200.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px" /><p id="caption-attachment-20841" class="wp-caption-text">Dubai Golf&#8217;s Christopher May and JGE CEO Yousif Kazmin at the official contract signing.</p></div>
<p><span class="s1">“Jumeirah Golf Estates continues to be one of the world’s premier golfing destinations, and we aim to set an unrivalled level of customer service to our members, residents and guests. By partnering with industry leaders such as Dubai Golf, we are able to enhance the experience of our Clubhouse members and provide the highest quality and service to our residents and members.” </span></p>
<p>Dubai Golf has been at the forefront of golf and golf-related services since its inception in the Emirates.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> In addition to JGE,  it</span> owns and manages two Emirates and Dubai Creek Golf Clubs with facilities that include a marina, 11 restaurants.</p>
<div id="attachment_4211" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4211" class="size-full wp-image-4211" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Emirates-Golf-Club.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Emirates-Golf-Club.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Emirates-Golf-Club-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-4211" class="wp-caption-text">The Majlis course at Emirates G.C. is set to host the 30th Omega Dubai Desert Classic in January.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_13220" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-13220" class="size-full wp-image-13220" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Creek-17th-2.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Creek-17th-2.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Creek-17th-2-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-13220" class="wp-caption-text">Dubai Creek Golf &amp; Yacht Club.</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/dubai-golf-assume-management-of-jumeirah-golf-estates/">UPDATED: Dubai Golf assume management of Jumeirah Golf Estates</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
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		<title>Creek chic &#8211; Celebrating a Middle East icon</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/creek-chic-celebrating-middle-east-icon/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Golf Digest Middle East]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 04 Feb 2018 12:36:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[25th Anniversary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brian Johnson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christopher May]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Howell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubai Creek Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubai Desert Classic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubai Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jose Coceres]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Karl Litten]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peter Downie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Silver Anniversary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thomas Bjorn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://golfdigestme.com/?p=13222</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Dubai Creek Golf &#038; Yacht Club is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Here author Rodney J. Bogg, the Middle East’s foremost golf historian, charts the rise of the iconic Dubai landmark. </p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/creek-chic-celebrating-middle-east-icon/">Creek chic &#8211; Celebrating a Middle East icon</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #999999;"><em>An aerial view of Dubai Creek Golf &amp; Yacht Club from Feb. 1991. Images David Cannon/Getty Images. </em></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"><strong>Dubai Creek Golf &amp; Yacht Club is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Here author Rodney J. Bogg,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the Middle East’s foremost golf historian, charts the rise of the iconic Dubai landmark </strong></p>
<p></span>“Hey big spender”. Those immortal words were hammered out by Welsh singer Shirley Bassey to more than a thousand VIP guests, headlined by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and more than a thousand VIP guests, on a starry night in January 1993. It was a fitting climax to the opening party for the Dubai Creek Golf &amp; Yacht Club, a party that has gone down in the annals of this remarkable city as “The Party of the Century”.<span class="Apple-converted-space"></p>
<p><a href="http://golfdigestme.com/25-facts-celebrate-dubai-creek-golf-yacht-clubs-25th-birthday/"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong><span style="color: #000000;">Related:</span> 25 facts to celebrate the Creek&#8217;s 25th birthday</strong></span></a></span></p>
<p class="p4">Two days earlier the golf course had been tested by four of the world’s leading golfers in an opening tournament – the Dubai Creek Challenge – which was a curtain raiser to the 1993 Dubai Desert Classic. Isao Aoki, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, and Severiano Ballesteros competed over the back nine holes in front of a crowd of several thousand, many of whom were probably there to see the new course as much as the stars.</p>
<div id="attachment_13220" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-13220" class="wp-image-13220 size-full" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Creek-17th-2.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Creek-17th-2.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Creek-17th-2-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-13220" class="wp-caption-text">Is there a tougher, or more picturesque closing stretch in Middle East golf than the 17th (pictured) and 18th at DCGYC?</p></div>
<p class="p4">The course had been designed by the same course architect as the Majlis at Emirates Golf Club – Karl Litten – but on a very different site, with just a flat piece of land on the banks of the creek to work with. But work with it he did and the result was lauded by everyone who played it in the coming months.</p>
<p class="p4">From the outset the Dubai Creek Golf &amp; Yacht Club was far more than just a golf course. As the name suggests it housed the first inland marina in the region, with berthing for pleasure boats of all sizes, plus a workshop and the first chandlery in Dubai.</p>
<p class="p4">The Dubai Creek Golf Academy was the first of its kind – totally dedicated to teaching golf and bringing new people into the game –<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>a remit that continues to be fulfilled today, especially in the introduction of so many UAE Nationals – young and old – to golf.</p>
<div id="attachment_13215" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-13215" class="wp-image-13215 size-full" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-DubaiCreek_clubhouse-construction2.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-DubaiCreek_clubhouse-construction2.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-DubaiCreek_clubhouse-construction2-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-13215" class="wp-caption-text">The iconic clubhouse taking shape.</p></div>
<p class="p4">And then there was – and still is &#8211; the clubhouse.</p>
<p class="p4"><span class="s2">Driving into the property today is like entering a hidden valley, with palm trees and bougainvillea lining the entrance road between half-hidden villas, bringing one to the lush fairways of the golf course, the richness of the Marina, the stone lined entrance to the hotel, all reflecting the amazing expansion that the club has seen over the past 25 years. But the highlight of it all is still the fabulous multi-tiered clubhouse which sits majestically overlooking the entire property.</span></p>
<p class="p4">Brian Johnson’s iconic building has received more awards, plaudits, and publicity than virtually any building in Dubai – the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa apart. Voted Best of the Best by Golf World in 1997, it must surely be the only golf clubhouse to appear on its national currency, thanks to its unique – but classic &#8211; architectural style based on the design of the lateen sail of the traditional racing dhows that were such a thrill to watch sailing along the coast.</p>
<div id="attachment_13213" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-13213" class="wp-image-13213 size-full" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Dubai-Creek-Feb-1-1992-GettyImages-141460210.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Dubai-Creek-Feb-1-1992-GettyImages-141460210.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Dubai-Creek-Feb-1-1992-GettyImages-141460210-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-13213" class="wp-caption-text">The island green on the 14th in build.</p></div>
<p class="p4"><span class="s2">The first brochure published about the club was called “The Creek” (a name by which it is now affectionately referred) – with the tag line <i>‘More Than Just Golf’</i>, which it certainly was even before the hotel and the 92 residential villas were added in 2005.</span></p>
<p class="p4">The hotel sits on a site that hosted some of the finest parties ever held in Dubai, including five Dubai Air Show Gala Dinners – headlined by such stars as Barry White, Stevie Wonder and Rod Stewart &#8211; Shopping Festival openings, and concerts featuring the likes of Roger Waters, Asha Bhosle and Sir Elton John.</p>
<p class="p4"><span class="s2">Enjoying a prime location the envy of any sports resort in the world, the Creek took full advantage of its good fortune and created some of the most exciting restaurants in Dubai. Over at the Yacht Club – its design based, like the clubhouse, on a nautical theme, this time the prow of a luxury cruiser &#8211; the Aquarium with (at the time) the first floor-to-ceiling aquarium in Dubai drew seafood lovers to its location overlooking the marina, while the Boardwalk became one of the city’s ‘must do’ experiences in every travel brochure, often serving in excess of 1000 covers on its wooden decks overlooking the sparkling waters of the creek.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_13211" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-13211" class="wp-image-13211 size-full" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Boardwalk-Restaurant.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Boardwalk-Restaurant.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Boardwalk-Restaurant-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-13211" class="wp-caption-text">Boardwalk dining at DCGYC.</p></div>
<p class="p4">Despite all this, the Creek is still a golf club, and has over the years hosted numerous international tournaments. In 1994, following the success of the opening tournament, the European Tour held its pre-Desert Classic exhibition match at the Creek for the second year, this time as the Reebok Challenge, featuring Isao Aoki, Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer, and Greg Norman, who, despite going straight onto the course after flying in from Tokyo, won by three shots over the back nine.</p>
<p class="p4">For three years between 1994 and 1996, the Creek played host to the Asian Tour, the US$500,000 events becoming he third ‘major’ on the rapidly developing tour. Despite the name of the tour, the Gadgil Western Dubai Creek Opens produced two winners from Australia – Robert Willis and Adrian Percey – and one from South Africa, Paul Friedlander.</p>
<p class="p4">But it was the 1999 and 2000 Dubai Desert Classics that really put Dubai Creek on the map internationally, when the tournament moved from its traditional home on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club, to the tighter fairways of The Creek. Intended to demonstrate to the world that Dubai had more than one world class golf course, and to show off the ‘new’ Dubai skyline to the world, those Desert Classics were beamed to millions of household television sets around the world.</p>
<div id="attachment_13221" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-13221" class="wp-image-13221 size-full" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-DCGYC-Swimming-Pool.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-DCGYC-Swimming-Pool.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-DCGYC-Swimming-Pool-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-13221" class="wp-caption-text">Enjoy a post round dip.</p></div>
<p class="p4">The two Desert Classics produced two first-time Tour winners in David Howell and Jose Coceres, but received most of its publicity for two other reasons – the USA-Open style rough which Course Superintendent Ken Glover produced in response to the Tour’s request to toughen up the course, and Director of Golf, Peter Downie, who nearly created the biggest upset in European Tour history when he led the field halfway through the third round, and actually threatened to win the 1999 Classic.</p>
<div id="attachment_13217" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-13217" class="wp-image-13217 size-full" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Jose-Caceres-GettyImages-1074203.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Jose-Caceres-GettyImages-1074203.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Jose-Caceres-GettyImages-1074203-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-13217" class="wp-caption-text">Argentina&#8217;s Jose Coceres won the 2000 Dubai Desert Classic at The Creek before the European Tour event returned to sister property Emirates G.C. where it remains.</p></div>
<p class="p4">After the Desert Classic moved back to its traditional home on the Majlis , the Chairman decided that the time had arrived to develop the hotel that had always been intended for the property. Although this took away the lucrative concert site, the advent of the Park Hyatt Hotel and the 92 residential villas – and the subsequent re-design of the golf course to accommodate them – changed the Creek from a golf and yacht club to a fully-fledged resort.</p>
<p class="p4">The Park Hyatt Dubai is regarded as the perfect luxury city centre retreat, with its stunning architecture, world-class cuisine, personalised service, and excellent facilities, including one of Dubai’s leading spas – the award winning Amara.</p>
<div id="attachment_13218" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-13218" class="wp-image-13218 size-full" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Unknown.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Unknown.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-Unknown-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-13218" class="wp-caption-text">Opening fireworks.</p></div>
<p class="p4"><span class="s2">The hotel and villas may have made the Creek the complete resort in physical terms, but it is still an abstract quality that continues to make Dubai Creek Golf &amp; Yacht Club such a special place – something that has become known as the Creek Culture.</span></p>
<p class="p4"><span class="s2">From the day it opened under the Chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Creek has gained a reputation for its warmth and welcoming feeling, excellent service, and its friendly staff, much of the credit for which must go to the early management team, and especially front man Downie, whose expression “This is not a practise round, the tournament’s today” became the motto that defined the entire Creek operation.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_13206" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-13206" class="wp-image-13206 size-full" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CREEK-VIEW-OF-17th-b9a71b5ff389a7a2_org.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CREEK-VIEW-OF-17th-b9a71b5ff389a7a2_org.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CREEK-VIEW-OF-17th-b9a71b5ff389a7a2_org-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-13206" class="wp-caption-text">The Creek is a Middle East landmark for more than just the world class golf on offer.</p></div>
<p class="p4">Today, under the excellent stewardship of wasl, DCGYC continues to develop &#8211; always dynamic, always changing, but always charming – and always focussed on His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s vision<br />
of a world-class resort, which personifies Dubai and its cultural heritage.</p>
<p>While January’s celebrations may not equal those of the opening party, you can be certain that the celebrations will nonetheless be typical of this fabulous resort – classy, friendly, and a credit to Dubai.</p>
<div id="attachment_13219" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-13219" class="wp-image-13219 size-full" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25-.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/C25--300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-13219" class="wp-caption-text">The par-5 10th hole.</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/creek-chic-celebrating-middle-east-icon/">Creek chic &#8211; Celebrating a Middle East icon</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
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		<title>Emirates Golf Club to open Middle East’s first Topgolf venue in 2020</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/emirates-golf-club-open-middle-easts-first-topgolf-venue-2019/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kent Gray]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Dec 2017 15:09:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christopher May]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dave Jolliffe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubai Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emirates Golf Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faldo course]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ladies European Tour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Majlis course]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Omega Dubai Desert Classic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Omega Dubai Ladies Classic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Steve Jolliffe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Topgolf]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://golfdigestme.com/?p=12054</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In arguably the most significant development for the game in the Middle East since golf first met grass in the UAE nearly 30 years ago, Topgolf is coming to Dubai.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/emirates-golf-club-open-middle-easts-first-topgolf-venue-2019/">Emirates Golf Club to open Middle East’s first Topgolf venue in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #999999;"><em>Photos/Kent Gray</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #999999;"><em>Golf Digest Middle East experienced Topgolf in Tampa earlier this year. It shapes as a genuine game-changer as golf tackles waning participation rates. </em></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>By Kent Gray<br />
</strong></span>In arguably the most significant development for the game in the Middle East since golf first met grass in the UAE nearly 30 years ago, Topgolf is coming to Dubai.</p>
<p class="p1">Emirates Golf Club, home to the region’s first grass course since 1988, is the trailblazer once more with a three-level, 60,000sq foot Topgolf Dubai scheduled to open at the Emirates Hills venue off Sheikh Zayed Road in June next year.</p>
<p class="p1">Topgolf brings technology &#8211; and a party atmosphere &#8211; to the royal and ancient game. Played to the backdrop of music in a souped-up, floodlit driving range, players hit microchipped balls to targets where accuracy and distance are rewarded in a series of different points scoring games. Results are instantly flashed up on big-screen TVs in climate controlled hitting bays where participants also enjoy food and beverage.</p>
<div id="attachment_12059" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-12059" class="size-full wp-image-12059" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Topgolf-Emirates-GC-DUBAI.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Topgolf-Emirates-GC-DUBAI.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Topgolf-Emirates-GC-DUBAI-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-12059" class="wp-caption-text">An artists impression of the new Topgolf Dubai, due to open in 2019.</p></div>
<p class="p1">It promises a much-needed participation boost for the game in a region where golf doesn’t come cheap. Whereas traditional forms of the game can be an intimidating experience for newcomers, non-golfers have flocked to Topgolf given its less formal, family-friendly and fun first ethos.</p>
<div id="attachment_12062" style="width: 878px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-12062" class="size-full wp-image-12062" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/320paige20hits20barefoot.jpg" alt="" width="868" height="495" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/320paige20hits20barefoot.jpg 868w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/320paige20hits20barefoot-300x171.jpg 300w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/320paige20hits20barefoot-768x438.jpg 768w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/320paige20hits20barefoot-800x456.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 868px) 100vw, 868px" /><p id="caption-attachment-12062" class="wp-caption-text">Players hit microchipped balls to a series of targets where accuracy and distance are rewarded. Here &#8220;golf influencer&#8221; Paige Spiranac samples Topgolf Las Vegas&#8230;barefoot!</p></div>
<p class="p1">Year-round programming including events for kids and families, social leagues, groups, tournaments and instruction have been promised in Dubai.</p>
<p class="p1">Here’s a video teaser of what’s to come:</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9e1kkKir-aQ" width="740" height="462" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p class="p1">Founded in 2000 by American twins Steve and Dave Jolliffe as a way to spice up their driving range practice sessions, Topgolf now operates at 37 venues around the globe and is said to “entertain” more than 10.5 million people annually. Following recent expansion into Australia, Canada and Mexico, the Dallas-based company today confirmed its latest partnership with Dubai Golf.</p>
<p class="p1">A leisure subsidiary of wasl Asset Management Group, Dubai Golf will manage the venue on a day-to-day basis, working closely with Topgolf to “ensure the culture, fun and excellent hospitality that are authentic to Topgolf are brought to the city”.</p>
<p class="p1">The Dubai complex, to be spread over approximately 12 acres of land, will be built in the vicinity of Emirates G.C.&#8217;s existing Faldo course driving range with a rooftop terrace offering views over the marina and city skyline.</p>
<p class="p1">Dubai Golf CEO Christopher May believes the venture will be a boon for the club, the emirate and the game regionally.</p>
<p class="p1">“We are focused on expanding the reach of golf within the region and Topgolf will bring an exciting and unique new way of enjoying the game to the residents and visitors of Dubai,” said May. “We are looking forward to the opening of what will be a very exciting addition to Dubai Golf.”</p>
<div id="attachment_12058" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-12058" class="size-full wp-image-12058" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Topgolf-computer.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Topgolf-computer.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Topgolf-computer-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-12058" class="wp-caption-text">Players can choose different points scoring games.</p></div>
<p class="p1">Emirates G.C. plays host to the Ladies European Tour’s Omega Dubai Ladies Classic for the 12th time this week and has hosted the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, a blue-riband event on the men’s European Tour since 1989 (save for 1999 and 2000 when it was played at sister-club, Dubai Creek Golf &amp; Yacht Club).</p>
<p class="p1">The Faldo course at Emirates G.C. is the only 18-hole layout in the region to offer fully-floodlit night golf.</p>
<div id="attachment_12066" style="width: 878px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-12066" class="size-full wp-image-12066" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/620general20view20of20bay.jpg" alt="" width="868" height="579" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/620general20view20of20bay.jpg 868w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/620general20view20of20bay-300x200.jpg 300w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/620general20view20of20bay-768x512.jpg 768w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/620general20view20of20bay-800x534.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 868px) 100vw, 868px" /><p id="caption-attachment-12066" class="wp-caption-text">F&amp;B is all part of the experience as Topgolf Vegas shows.</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/emirates-golf-club-open-middle-easts-first-topgolf-venue-2019/">Emirates Golf Club to open Middle East’s first Topgolf venue in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
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		<title>Dubai Golf Scoop Six Golf Service Industry ‘Oscars’</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/dubai-golf-scoop-six-golf-service-industry-oscars/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kent Gray]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Mar 2017 05:44:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[The Gulf Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[59Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christopher May]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dubai Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emirates Golf Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Belfry Resort]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wasl Asset Management]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://golfdigestme.com/?p=4209</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Dubai Golf, the group responsible for Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf &#38; Yacht Club, has scooped six industry “Oscars” at the 7th annual 59Club Awards in the UK. Chief among them was a third successive ‘Golf Group of the Year’ title which underpins Dubai Golf’s performance across all business elements – sales, service, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/dubai-golf-scoop-six-golf-service-industry-oscars/">Dubai Golf Scoop Six Golf Service Industry ‘Oscars’</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dubai Golf, the group responsible for Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf &amp; Yacht Club, has scooped six industry “Oscars” at the 7<sup>th</sup> annual 59Club Awards in the UK.</p>
<p>Chief among them was a third successive ‘Golf Group of the Year’ title which underpins Dubai Golf’s performance across all business elements – sales, service, operations, retail, food and beverage, and management.</p>
<p>It was a particularly good night for Emirates GC which won ‘Ultimate Members Club’ and had Craig Haldane and Barney Coleman recognised as ‘Greenkeeper of the Year’ and ‘Golf Manager of the Year’ respectively.</p>
<div id="attachment_4211" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4211" class="wp-image-4211 size-full" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Emirates-Golf-Club.jpg" alt="Pictured in the main image at Emirates GC are (from L to R) Abdulla Ali Al Noon, Club Manager – Dubai Creek Golf &amp; Yacht Club; Christopher May, CEO – Dubai Golf; Mustafa Al Hashimi, Chief Hospitality &amp; Leisure Officer of wasl Asset Management; Barney Coleman, Club Manager – Emirates Golf Club; Craig Haldane, Director of Golf Course Maintenance – Dubai  Golf" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Emirates-Golf-Club.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Emirates-Golf-Club-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-4211" class="wp-caption-text">Emirates GC</p></div>
<p>Emirates GC and Dubai Creek also received Gold Flag awards, 59Club’s industry benchmark which recognises the finest membership clubs and commercial venues around the golfing world, including The Belfry, Celtic Manor, Monte Rei and Gleneagles, as well as golf groups such as Marriott Golf and Arabella Golf.</p>
<p>The ‘Ultimate Members Club’ is awarded to the club with the highest average scores of all those receiving a ‘Gold Flag’.</p>
<p>“This is a fantastic achievement for Dubai Golf, further cementing its reputation as world-class amongst a host of leading international golf resorts and clubs,” said Mustafa Al Hashimi, Chief Hospitality &amp; Leisure Officer of wasl Asset Management, owner of Dubai Golf, following the awards ceremony at The Belfry Resort.</p>
<div id="attachment_4212" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4212" class="wp-image-4212 size-full" src="http://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Dubai-Creek.jpg" alt="Dubai-Creek" width="740" height="462" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Dubai-Creek.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Dubai-Creek-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-4212" class="wp-caption-text">Dubai Creek Golf &amp; Yacht Club</p></div>
<p>Christopher May, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Golf, added: “We are delighted to be recognised for our commitment to service excellence at this prestigious award ceremony once again.</p>
<p>“The teams at both clubs have focused on improving the service in every area, and it is rewarding to see this compare favourably to some of the best golf operations in the region and overseas.”</p>
<p>Pictured in the main image above at Emirates GC are (from L to R) Abdulla Ali Al Noon, Club Manager – Dubai Creek Golf &amp; Yacht Club; Christopher May, CEO – Dubai Golf; Mustafa Al Hashimi, Chief Hospitality &amp; Leisure Officer of wasl Asset Management; Barney Coleman, Club Manager – Emirates Golf Club; Craig Haldane, Director of Golf Course Maintenance – Dubai  Golf.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/dubai-golf-scoop-six-golf-service-industry-oscars/">Dubai Golf Scoop Six Golf Service Industry ‘Oscars’</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
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