25 YEARS OF
DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB
A GULF NEWS SPONSORED SUPPLEMENT
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018
Celebrations tee off at iconic golfing venue ●● Riaz
Naqvi speaks to Christopher May, CEO, Dubai Golf, about Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club’s enduring sports legacy
Pictures: Gulf News Archives/Supplied
ver three decades, Dubai’s architecture has been a key part of its visual identity. From the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab to the colossal Burj Khalifa, the city is home to some striking structures. Among the most beautiful is the one printed on the UAE’s Dh20 note: The clubhouse at the Dubai Creek & Golf Club, which marks 25 years of operation. Christopher May has been CEO of Dubai Golf for five years. He arrived
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in the emirate as assistant manager of Dubai Creek & Golf Club in 1999. His first week coincided with the club hosting its first Dubai Desert Classic. “It’s always a great atmosphere around the Dubai Desert Classic week, and it was exciting times because it was the first time Dubai Creek had hosted the event, at one of the most beautiful clubhouses in the world.” May believes 1999’s Desert Classic ranks as one of the top three moments
in the club’s history thanks in part to the sheer star power involved. “Sergio Garcia played in it as an amateur, Mark O’Meara played in it as the then US Masters champion. José María Olazábal was the defending champion of the Desert Classic — he’d won it at Emirates Golf Club the previous year. Justin Leonard played as well, while David Howell won it that year.” However, beyond the interna-
tional pros, an unlikely hero emerged. “Probably the biggest story of that Desert Classic was our own director of golf, Peter Downie. In those Hosting the Desert days, the home golf profesClassic in 1999 was sional was given an invitation to play in the tournament. a big thing for the Peter played in the event and Creek and really was leading after two and a helped put both half rounds, which was unthe club and Dubai heard of at the time and it’s on the sports map.” never happened again since. With the likes of Ballesteros, Olazábal, and Clarke on the field, for the home professional to come in and be leading the tournament was quite outstanding and amazing. Peter knew the golf course better than anyone, probably played it more than anyone and he performed brilliantly. It caused quite a lot of headlines around the world. “Hosting the Desert Classic in 1999 was a big thing for the Creek and really helped put both the club and Dubai on the map because it showcased the fact that Dubai had more than one championship golf course and has since led to the building of many more courses in the region. In the UAE we have more than 20 golf courses — the testament is that if the first two hadn’t been successful, another 18 wouldn’t have followed them.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
25 YEARS OF DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB
25 YEARS IS A GREAT MILESTONE Abdulla Al Noon, Club Manager, Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, talks to Sankar Sri Pillai about what makes being at the club so special
1 Congratulations to the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on completing 25 glorious years! How long have you been associated with the club and how would you describe the unique bond that club members share with this venerable institution? Thank you. I have been with the club for the past 10 years and even though this is officially my second job after I started working in Dubai, having previously been in wealth management, I’ve always considered this to be the best and only job I have had. The club has always prided itself in providing a unique experience to its valued members. Personally, it’s great getting to meet all the members, their friends and acquaintances who have visited the club over the years, but more than anything else it is the sense of friendliness and bon homie shared by members and staff that provides a sense of community that we all pride ourselves in here.
2 How is the club planning to celebrate this milestone year, what are the events lined up and what is the duration for the celebrations? 25 years is a great milestone, the celebrations started on January 25, with a fantastic Members Party where we celebrated the achievements of the Club over the past quarter of a century and some of the We will continue to people that have been part of commemorate the its history. We will continue to anniversary over commemorate the anniversary the course of the over the course of the year with year with a host of a host of exciting events and activities. exciting events and
activities.”
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3 The Golf Academy offers some of the best facilities to golfing students. Are there any plans for upgrades in the coming months? The Dubai Creek Golf Academy is staffed by fully qualified PGA Professionals who are there to assist members and club visitors of all golfing standards. So, be it a one-hour individual lesson or a group clinic, the Academy instructors cater to every need. We have recently announced a partnership with Peter Cowen, the world’s leading golf coach, this will continue to develop our offering even further and maintain our position as one of the leading academies in the region. We have a very strong Junior Development Programme and are focused on attracting more younger players to the game of golf, who will hopefully become our members of the future.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018
1991-1992 These comparison frames show reluctant sands quickly giving way to rolling greens as work on the construction of the club nears completion
PUTTING INTO GOLFING 2010
Former England cricket skipper David Gower at the Club premises during a press conference for the UAE Charity Golf Tournament
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Celebrations tee off at iconic golfing venue
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HIS
2010 Golfing sensation Rory Mcllroy on the greens during the Invitational Golf Championships hosted by the club
Peter Downie in action at the Dubai Desert Classic in 1999
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May also cites the club’s opening in 1993 as a special moment. “I’ve spoken to many people since who were there on that night when Dame Shirley Bassey opened the club and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, then Minister of Defence, was there and there was a grand celebration. It was an iconic building for Dubai back in 1993 and was rightfully celebrated as such.” Over 2004 and 2005, Dubai Creek & Golf Club underwent a large-scale redesign, with the course revamped by European Golf Design and the advice of Danish pro Thomas Bjørn — another transformative event in the Creek’s history. “The Park Hyatt was also built, with the addition of 92 villas designed by Godwin Austen Johnson,” adds May. “That transformed the creek from a golf course with some nice restaurants into a full-on resort development.” May cites the renovation of the club’s academy as a milestone in the sport’s development in the emirate. “When the club opened, many golfers started their careers at the academy and felt very comfortable in the environment there. Lots of people found themselves in the same position of being golf novices and enjoyed going through that learning process together. “Lots of UAE nationals in particular started their game and learnt their golf when the Creek was opened, so the academy is a special place for many of them and it’s been responsible for huge development of juniors in the region and several of the region’s top juniors — people like Rayhan Thomas, who played in the recent Desert Classic. He’s one of the products of the Creek Academy and has been a mem-
ber there right from when he started playing golf, around ten years ago. We’re very proud to be seeing him playing the Desert Classic.” VIPs from last week’s tournament held at Emirates Golf Club, which May is also in charge of, also attended the Creek Golf Club’s 25th anniversary celebrations, alongside members, staff as well as former club managers and colleagues. “We have at least 25 members who have been with us from the club’s opening and it was a wonderful evening celebrating this fantastic Club with them,” explains May. Professional Golfer Thomas Bjorn arrived in spectacular fashion, via helicopter to the event which was another memorable evening in the history of the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. As the club’s golfing and residential facilities developed, so did its dining options. The first of these was Boardwalk, the marina-side eatery that May says has sold more than half a million fish and chips dishes over 25 years. Pretty vistas are also a huge draw for diners at the Cielo rooftop lounge and Spanish restaurant Casa de Tapas. For May, the Dubai skyline, Burj Khalifa and Downtown offer “million-dollar views” that are set to become even better: “I think this part of town is going to be rejuvenated by the canal and developments around Festival City, with the new Emaar Tower being built.” Besides adding new facilities and upgrading existing ones, the Dubai Golf CEO says the club is keen to embrace sustainability while looking forward. “We’re going to put a lot of solar panels on our flat roofs to generate some power from the large amount of sun and daylight hours we have in Dubai,” Dubai Creek is the second course after Emirates to be certified by the internationally recognised Golf Environmental Organisation. “We take the golf course and its impact on the environment very seriously. The use of TSE water, treated sewage FM water, which all golf courses in Dubai use, is very important.” The club’s recycling programme sees food waste from the club, villas, Boardwalk and the Park Hyatt composted, made into waste water and a fertiliser for landscaped areas. “It’s better there than in a landfill,” he says. “I think the next stage for us is going to be reducing the amount of plastic we use.” ■
25 YEARS OF DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018
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1999
2006
Golfing great Nick Faldo hitches a ride while attending the Pro Am Tournament at the club
Acclaimed Indian actor Aamir Khan performs on stage during the Bollywood to Broadway show
Circa
1992 The club’s nowfamiliar roofline resembling a dhow sail is seen gaining shape in this archive image from 1992
ISTORY
2002 Music legend Sir Elton John wows UAE crowds during a solo act
Celebrity tee offs and performances by some of the biggest names in cinema and music highlight 25 glorious years of sporting excellence and entertainment at one of Dubai’s most venerated institutions. We spotlight unmissable moments
2015 Portuguese football great Luis Figo swings into action at the Icons Cup
2017 2011 A bird’s eye view of the clubhouse and its surroundings
Dubai golfer Rayhan Thomas equals the world record for the number of consecutive birdies in a professional tournament during the MENA Tour
Pictures: Gulf News Archives/Supplied
Delightful dining experiences The Dubai Creek & Yacht Club serves up sumptuous fare and treasured moments for members through its famed restaurants QD’S A chic atmosphere makes QD’s the best place to chill out and indulge in a bit of shisha as you take in Creek views on a balmy evening anytime of year. From snacks and BBQ options to fresh from the fire oven wood pizza, QD’s has it all. Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday 5pm - 2am; Thursday to Saturday 5pm - 3am
LEGENDS BOARDWALK With its striking seafood display, reminiscent of a Mediterranean market, the iconic Boardwalk restaurant that opened doors to patrons 25 years ago, promises sumptuous fare for seafood lovers. Among the oldest and most popular restaurants at the Club, Boardwalk with its marina inspired interior and cosy terrace overlooking Dubai Creek offers best food and views. Its Mediterranean inspired menu provides everything from freshly baked pizzas and calzone, as well as an extensive fresh fish and seafood selection made to order. Don’t forget to check out the all-time favourite, Boardwalk Fish & Chips.
Overlooking the magical Dubai Creek, enjoy the view at Legends through floor to ceiling glass windows as you take in the sights, and some delicious steaks. Cuisine: Steakhouse; Opening hours: Sunday: Closed; Monday - Thursday: Open for dinner from 7pm to 11pm; Friday Brunch: 12 noon to 3.30pm and 7pm to 10.30pm; Saturday: Open for dinner from 7pm to 11pm
Opening hours: Sunday - Thursday: 12 noon to midnight; Friday and Saturday: 8am – midnight
LAKEVIEW Breakfast, lunch or dinner, Lakeview serves it up with panache. A unique, modern space cloaked in a chic European setting with the leaves of a 900-year-old olive tree filtering through some amazing Creek views, soak it all in as you plate up on Lakeviews’ unique breakfast, platter and international menus. Opening hours: Daily 6.30am - 2am; Breakfast: 6.30am - 1pm; A la Carte Lunch Menu 11am - 6.30pm; Dinner Buffet 7pm - 11pm
CASA DE TAPAS Madrid’s alleyways and its rustic Bodega style find inspiration within Casa de Tapas’ walls. One of the most sought after venues at the Club, Casa deTapas delights with its team of excellent Spanish chefs, ever willing to surprise guests with their take on an extensive repertoire of classic Spanish dishes. Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday, from 12pm to 2am; Friday 12.30pm to 2am
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25 YEARS OF DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018 ADVERTISERS’ CONTENT
SEAWINGS
DUBAI DUTY FREE
Seawings keeps the golden age of flight alive at Dubai Creek
Dubai Duty Free right on course
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he very first Empire flying boat touched down on Dubai Creek in July 1937, the first seaplane visit that was part of a five-day trip connecting Britain with what was then known as British India, marking the beginnings of tourism in the region. However, developments in aviation and landing facilities made commercial flights more common from the 1950s, and the waters of Dubai Creek were quiet for some time. More than a decade ago Seawings launched the return of seaplane flight to Dubai Creek. With roots in the original seaplane voyages of the 1930s, this innovative operator continues to share the magic of seaplane flight with travellers today. The UAE’s only seaplane tour operator, Seawings was established by its CEO Stuart Wheeler in 2007. Wheeler says, “At Seawings flying
is our passion, and this year we celebrate a decade of flying more than 180,000 guests on scenic tours of Dubai and across the Emirates.” “We’re honoured to keep that pioneering spirit of adventure alive and well at Dubai Creek, and give our guests a truly unique perspective of the city,” he adds. “Every day we fly guests from around the world across Dubai’s ever changing skyline. The most popular tour is Seawings Silver, which is a 45-minute flight taking in all of Dubai’s iconic landmarks including the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab and World Islands. Other popular flights include aerial tours of Abu Dhabi which take in the new Louvre museum, among other key attractions including Emirates Palace Hotel. Seawings also operates a seaplane charter service with capacity to land at 25 destinations across the UAE.
The most popular tour is Seawings Silver, a 45-minute flight taking in Dubai’s iconic landmarks
The Dubai Duty Free team of Niall and Colm McLoughlin, Ara Nakhnikian and Dermot Davitt at the 25th DDF Golf World Cup
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ver the past 34 years, Dubai Duty Free has become a highly recognised global brand that has shown considerable sales growth, consistently setting new retail milestones, when it recorded a sales figures turnover of Dh7.05 billion (US$1.93 billion) for 2017. While the successful running of the shop floor is a major focus for Dubai Duty Free, the operation is highly committed to promoting Dubai through a series of high level sporting events. A supporter of golf for many years, Dubai Duty Free remains one of the region’s biggest patrons of the game, sponsoring around six golf initiatives a year. Dubai Duty Free is a proud sponsor of the Ladies European Tour Omega Dubai
Ladies Classic and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. In addition to this, Dubai Duty Free hosts a series of high profile golf tournaments which includes the annual Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup, which celebrated its 25th year in 2017, the Dubai
Duty Free UAE Nationals Cup, the Dubai Duty Free Golf Cup, Mark Fahy Memorial Golf Tournament (DIGS) and the Dubai Duty Free Seniors Cup. Some of these have been staged at the stunning course of Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. “I have enjoyed playing at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club since it first opened,” says Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dubai Duty Free. “It is a terrific course and the management and staff are professional and friendly, I was honoured to be the Club Captain in 2007.” Dubai Duty Free is also the title sponsor of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation which has become part of the Rolex Series, with a prize money of $7 million.