Oktoberfest Dubai Style

from Golf Digest - November 2021

Editor’s Letter

A famous German tradition mixed perfectly with golf at a world-renowned Dubai course

T WASN’T MUNICH. It was better. While the world famous hops appreciation party in the Bavarian capital was cancelled, Golf Digest Middle East’s very own golf-themed Oktoberfest was a roaring success last month.

Just shy of 60 players teed it up in the individual stableford tournament at The Els Club, Dubai where players where well fed by Bakers Kitchen and hydrated by African + Eastern.

Barry Simpson, George Clark and Yves Buchard were the stars of the day, winning the division A, B and gross titles respectively.

Simpson, playing off fi ve, scored 32 points to capture the top division (0 to 12 handicaps) on a back-nine countback. Fifteen-handicapper Clark compiled a thoroughly impressive 37 points to win division B (13-24) while Buchard, off 3.3, signed for a 78 off the stick.

Adidas and iconic footwear brand Birkenstock kicked-in on-course prizes in addition to Baker’s Kitchen and African + Eastern. Here’s a list of the winners for prosperity (and bragging rights!):

men's nearest the pin

Hole 2: James Davies (AED500 Birkenstock voucher) Hole 4: James Dean (Adidas golf bag) Hole 11: Yves Buchard (48 bottles of Erdinger Weißbräu) Hole 17: Mitch Charles (AED500 Birkenstock voucher)

ladies nearest the pin

Hole 4: Xiao Yan (Adidas Golf Bag)

longest drive

Hole 18: Xiao Yan (Breakfast for 2 at Baker’s Kitchen + a baking course)

Golf Digest Middle East wishes to thank the all the sponsors who made our inaugural Oktoberfest Tournament possible, in addition to The Els Club, Dubai and, most importantly, the 56 players who teed it up for some serious fun and hospitality. Stay tuned for more GDME events.