Dubai Creek

As part of skysports.com's 'desert swing' we tested out the picturesque Dubai Creek golf course.

skysports.com plays Dubai Creek golf course as part of our 'desert swing'

Another iconic clubhouse in the Middle East towers over the picturesque Dubai Creek golf course, which offers possibly the best views of the three course played by skysports.com on our trip to Dubai. Opened in 1993, Dubai Creek has twice hosted the Dubai Desert Classic, and although it now cannot provide the length and infrastructure to hold an event on the European Tour, its splendour still makes it a special experience to play. The 18-holes of the par-71 course provides stunning views when alongside the creek after which it is named, while the huge clubhouse, modelled on the sail of a traditional Arab dhow, dominates the course and almost every photograph ever taken on the course. Originally designed by Karl Litten, modifications were made in 2004 by Euro Golf Design along with Thomas Bjorn, but only to the front nine between tee and green with the back nine, especially the closing two holes, offering a spectacular finish. Both starting and finishing in the shadow of the huge sail-shaped clubhouse is a real treat, while features such as huge bunkers, well-placed water and the odd feature tee box make Dubai Creek an eventful round of golf. When we played, the greens were a little on the slow side and slightly unpredictable, but director of golf Alan McKenzie told us that they were just two weeks away from being in optimum condition.

Condition

Every care is taken to keep the course in top condition, buggies are allowed only on the path, numbers of rounds played are limited and the course is closed regularly on certain Sundays for maintenance work. This goes in some way to justify green fees the top out at £130, but nowhere is cheap in Dubai and you certainly get what you pay for in terms of quality. I must admit that driving buggies along the path and walking out to play each shot takes away something from a round for me, I much prefer marching down/driving down the fairway, but these buggies did come pimped out with the latest sat nav devices so it was hard to argue. Starting off with a longish par four, your tee shot has to carry an off-putting slice of water before dog-legging left, with a huge expanse of sandy wasteland awaiting my inevitable slice! Big bunkers are a feature here, as is plenty of driving in between holes, especially from the fourth to the fifth, but I was happy with the break after a dreadful start scoring-wise. With the sun shining down and views of Dubai being built up all around you, it's hard to get mad at your round though, and even more so when you complete the 139-yard par three over water and turn to play the 6th hole with its floating island tee-box.

Stunning views

A stunning view down the creek to the boathouse awaits, as does a testing drive back across water and a second shot also over the drink towards the green - luckily this brought out the best in both my driver and three-wood enabling a rare par. The 493-yard 13th later is a par five culminating in an island green, and the 145-yard par-three 14th follows neatly on over the water to a huge green that made a three-putt inevitable. Scotsman McKenzie told us the closing two holes were as good as any in Dubai and even overshadow the quirky 6th and its island tee box. "At 17, you turn for home and bang the creek is right there, then 18 is the hardest on the course in my opinion, it's ruined many a good scorecard and those two offer up a brutal finish." Sadly these words came after out fourball had fallen to pieces in these closing holes, making our match tumble into the farcical, despite personally being relatively pleased with keeping out of the water on 17 which lurks all the way down the left.

Up the creek!

The 18th also creeps down the creek, with water all down the left, and after watching all three playing partners struggle, two of them veering left, I made the smart play of smashing it miles right, and into the huge lake on the other side of the hole! With myself and travel photographer Peter Ellegard out of the picture, it settled down to a shoot out between award-winning Dutch writer Martin Paehlig and Scotsman and esteemed links golf expert Malcolm Campbell. Unfortunately, with water also guarding the front of the green, and an hilariously angry mix-up in golf balls between playing partners Peter and Malcolm, Martin picked up the hole, and the win for us, with a lowly seven! Not the way to finish quality-wise, but with a mixture of bemusement and enjoyment we marched off to enjoy the hospitality and opulence of the clubhouse and then the Boardwalk - the creekside dining spot offering stunning views. McKenzie came out to Dubai to work for two years - that was 11 years ago - and with year-round sunshine and great standard of not just golf but living in general, it's easy to see why he never made it back! As a leading supporter of golf tournaments across the globe, Emirates is the Official Airline of 18 events, including the Ryder Cup, while in 2012 it is the Official Partner of the European Team. Ten of the 17 other tournaments it sponsors are on the European Tour International Schedule. The airline also extends its support of golf to passengers by allowing them to check in a set of golf clubs free of charge. See www.emirates.com for more.