While the sport’s regional governing body, the Emirates Golf Federation, has yet to release an official public communiqué, courses across the Dubai are to reopen under strict health and safety guidelines from today.

Like their counterparts in Abu Dhabi which reopened three weeks ago, clubs will only be opened to members and cardholders with member-like playing privileges at courses under the umbrella of golf management companies.

Golf Digest Middle East understands the EFG notified clubs of the Government go-ahead to re-open at the weekend but urged caution with the UAE still reporting significant numbers of new confirmed coronavirus cases on a daily basis.

Clubs began communicating the development with members on Sunday evening. They outlined stringent health and safety precautions at their respective properties and one went as far as issuing a warning that the Government decree could be quickly rescinded if players did not follow the social distancing guidelines. The Gulf News reported Sunday that the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) authority shut down 21 shops, issued warnings to 65 others and imposed penalties to seven retailers for not complying with precautionary measures.

“Any abuse of these guidelines risk affecting the enjoyment for all as we have seen recently with other facilities reopening and not adhering to regulations,” the club said.

As with Abu Dhabi, golfers must pre-book in Dubai and wear masks upon arrival at courses. One club said the use of face masks would then be  “at your discretion once on the golf course”. Temperature checks will be logged on arrival and any player showing any signs of sickness asked to leave the property.

Tee times at many clubs have been stretched to 15-minute intervals with three players maximum per slot and one person per motorised cart to comply with physical distancing best practice. Some clubs are urging players to walk but that will become more difficult as spring temperatures soar across the Middle East.

On course restrictions include raised cups with players not to touch the hole flag, no rakes in bunkers and no shower facilities or locker availability.

So what will golf be like in the new norm that is the COVID era? One player who has been playing in Abu Dhabi summed it up: “It’s one to tell the grandchildren about one day.

“It is funny…three weeks off and you do lose touch and ache like hell after a couple of days as you use muscles again that you have not used in a while. I guess the biggest thing you miss is the 19th hole and banter. You just drive straight home.”

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Troon International President Mark Chapleski is confident the makeover of the Ian Baker-Finch design, which began on June 1, will please and even surprise members and green fee players.

“…Anybody that has played it in the last 10 years will hardly recognise it. The green complexes are back to their original shape…it’s going to be awesome,“ Chapleski said.

“The greens look very healthy, they’re coming along well, we’ve done some other work on other parts of the golf course. It’s going to be a completely new experience. “

The practice putting green at the Emaar-owned property (which opened in 2004) has also been rebuilt while the driving range, turf nursery and the desert surrounds on most holes have been enhanced as part of the ambitious course improvement programme.

Like Chapleski, Arabian Ranches G.C. General Manager Elliott Gray is clearly happy with the progress as this series of social media posts highlight.

The Greens renovation at ARGC is progressing well, pictured below is the 9th green, some new lines on putts will be had! A big thank you to Sean Kinsley his dedication and commitment to this project has been second to none ! ?‍??‍@skinsleygolf @troonint @RanchesGolfClub pic.twitter.com/EtlpqL2xR7

— Elliott Gray (@ElliottGraygolf) July 12, 2019

Progress is good, first 9 holes and putting green will be completed soon. We are excited to see the larger surfaces and what looks like to be a few new undulations ?‍??‍@RanchesGolfClub @skinsleygolf @troonint @TroonGolf pic.twitter.com/rSMvQ0Ty9P

— Elliott Gray (@ElliottGraygolf) July 17, 2019

The first cut of front nine greens after the planting of sprigs in mid July. We are on schedule, thanks to Sean and his team for their passion and commitment . ?‍??‍?? @RanchesGolfClub @skinsleygolf @troonint @troonint pic.twitter.com/37K9nonmBu

— Elliott Gray (@ElliottGraygolf) August 5, 2019

There is a wee stripe appearing ladies and gentlemen! The second cut on our new greens completed today, and yes we are still very happy with the progress ?‍??‍@RanchesGolfClub @skinsleygolf @IBFinchy @troonint @TroonGolf pic.twitter.com/5ULCfxsVqT

— Elliott Gray (@ElliottGraygolf) August 7, 2019

Starting to see the greens stripe up now, great cover of grass over the entire surface! Sean and the team working extremely hard to ensure everything is in place for re-opening. Today F9 greens verti cut and cleared, walk behind mowers to finish them off ?‍??‍@RanchesGolfClub pic.twitter.com/y0E0bkCnES

— Elliott Gray (@ElliottGraygolf) September 9, 2019

Desert Golf, a division of Desert Group, completed the greens renovation two weeks ahead of schedule. The course was closed to pave way for a greens renovation due to the invasion of foreign grasses, which had affected the uniformity, appearance and smoothness of the greens.

RELATED: Arabian Ranches promises “refreshing new experience” after major greens renovation

“The Arabian Ranches greens renovation process entailed a comprehensive survey of all 18 greens, followed by excavation and the precise shaping of the subgrade of all the greens in order to mirror the final levels,” Desert Golf said in a statement.

“A consistent depth of USGA greens mix was then added and shaped to meet original design contours. Finally, the greens were planted with certified Platinum TE Paspalum sprigs, an environmentally sustainable, salt-tolerant turfgrass, which was refrigerated and shipped by air from the United States of America.”

Platinum TE features a dark green colour and due to its very fine leaf texture provides a tight compact canopy surface that provides “exceptional ball puttability”, Desert Golf said.    

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By Kent Gray
The championship course at Arabian Ranches Golf Club is to close for upwards of 4.5 months for a makeover designed to ensure its greens once again “compete” with those of its world-class Dubai neighbours, old, new and soon to be opened.

All 18 greens at the Troon International-managed, Ian Baker Finch-designed course are to be rebuilt as the centrepiece of a summer renovation set to begin on June 1.

Arabian Ranches G.C. General Manager Elliott Gray also confirmed the practice putting green at the Emaar property would be rebuilt while the driving range, turf nursery and the desert surrounds on most holes would be enhanced as part of the ambitious course improvement programme. It is also hoped some of the final back nine pipework to combat the club’s on-going drainage issues will be laid during the renovation although this is yet to be confirmed.

It is hoped the course will re-open in mid-October after what will be the “largest enhancement” since its opening in February, 2004. Gray said the majority of the club’s “loyal membership” has chosen to “defer their membership or suspend it until returning in October. With summer round the corner, many members travel and play less in the summer [anyway].”

“We regret the inconvenience this causes but we assure you of a refreshing new experience,” Gray continued.

“With new golf courses opening, we believe that it is important to enhance the experience that we deliver for our members. It is important to take timely action now to maintain the integrity of the turf for the future and with this in mind we are very excited that our course will compete on a level that allows us to have an active membership and tournament calendar which resembles years gone by.”

The renovation will be undertaken by Desert Landscape who also completed Dubai Hills Golf Club. “The grass will match that of Dubai Hills Golf Club which is known for its superior conditioning,” said Gray who also oversees the management of the emirate’s newest course.

Sean Kinsley,  Emaar Hospitality Group’s Director of Agronomy, explained the technical side of the makeover.

“The purpose of the greens re-surfacing is to eliminate the existing mixed turf sward and replace it with a new higher quality playing surface,” Kinsley said.

Sean Kinsley our Director of Agronomy – Emaar Hospitality Group and I discussing the the greens renovation, not long to get your last game in now, we close June 1st. ???‍??‍@RanchesGolfClub @skinsleygolf @troonint @Troon pic.twitter.com/M0sN2qZerX

— Elliott Gray (@ElliottGraygolf) May 19, 2019

“The existing Tifeagle Bermuda turfgrass has become weakened and contaminated with off type mutations, Tifway 419 and significant Paspalum encroachment. The intent is to remove this plant material along with the top 150 mm of greens/collars root zone and replace with a new USGA Greens Root Zone (greens core) and Red Sand (collar core) and then replant with Platinum TE Paspalum.”

Kinsley added: “Works are forecasted to occur June through August 2019 [13 weeks] from mobilisation onsite to grassing. The golf course will be closed for the duration of the construction and grow-in works. The construction will require several teams to establish a progressive program of completion and handover for each hole.”

Gray admitted the mid-October target for re-opening is dependent on initial growth. Robin Evans, Vice President of Troon Agronomy and Construction, will travel to Dubai to ensure the handover of the new greens meet expectations and standards.

“Mid-October is the targeted date for nine holes with the balance nine coming towards the back half of October. It will all depend on progress in the first two months of the project and the timing of the sprigging of the greens. Rest assured we will have all hands on deck to ensure there are no significant delays in regard to the work plan.”

Gray said Arabian Ranches hoped to host a MENA Tour event in January/February 2020.

“Many Pros who played here when there was very little contamination on the greens know how good this ‘hidden gem’ is,” Gray said. “Many ex-members are also excited to come back and play and with our social engaging atmosphere, we only see participation and membership sales increasing.”

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