We managed to bring forward our 10am tee time on the Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club to 7:30am, as it was forecast to be 44°c at 11am.  So in preparation for the early start it was a quiet nigh with a light dinner in the club as venturing outside after the day we had was too much – see screenshot of my watch last night at 7:30pm.

I was in bed by 8:30 and pushing zzzz’s by 8:31, we both had a good nights kip even though you have to get up about 5 times a night to wee as you have drunk that much water during the day.  When we got the taxi this morning at 6:45am it was positively cool (I think it was 33°c) was this was winter compared to the past few days.  The skies were clear and the heat haze had gone – Dubai was a different place.  The buildings and skyline was even more amazing – I cannot get over how different the building are, you just lose yourself looking at  all the different features of the buildings – some more photos, I still love the twisty building.

The Emirates Golf Club is a short drive from the hotel and a few weeks ago Dave Warwick (our Course Super) introduced me to a friend of his who was Course Super of Emirates Golf Club.  Craig, is a South African and we had been in contact during the past few weeks.  We had arranged to meet up after the game.

The golf course is central to Media City and Internet City business districts and you are in this lush oasis in the middle of towering buildings.  The course has a combination of water and desert wastelands.  The weather was cooler although it was going to get to 44°c by 11am – but compared to yesterday it was heaven.  So off we go, the course is spectacular – it is where the Dubai Desert Classic is held each year and the LPGA Masters.  I played off the Mens tees and was in form, but John was on fire.  I was 2 over the front nine and he was 4 over – soon we will be playing against each other off the stick off the mens!  We were behind a 4 ball who let us through after 3 holes and then we sped around the course and were in and finished at 10:20am before the bad heat.

We met with Craig afterwards, he introduced us to Barnie who is Golf Operations Manager of the Emirates Golf Club and we had a great catch up and chat – listening to their stories.  We were also introduced to the CEO, who sat down and had a coffee with us.  Everyone here is so welcoming and for me this is the biggest surprise about Dubai.  Not that i thought that they wouldn’t be welcoming but I thought the wealth of the city would present with a different vibe – I was wrong…

Below are some of the photos from today and a video of Johns spectacular form…

We both had had the best day and it was only 11:30am, then we had a shower and had a light lunch in  the club.  Nothing better than a free lunch…  Off to experience the pool for the first time, we went to the adults pool and it was great, hot but great.  The pool is chilled – which is funny, in Aus we have heated pools here they have chilled pools.  It was one that had a swim up bar – all very nice and convivial.

Came back to the room for a siesta as I was struggling to keep my eyes open whilst lounging by the pool.  Again I was pushing zeds in no time.  John woke my up by snuggling in at about 4:30 and then at 5:30 there was a knock on the door for the turn down service.  Johns gentle wake up had turned into a siesta for him as well!  Needless to say that we are well rested….

Tomorrow we fly to Lisbon, 8 hours and a 3 hour time difference.  We have loved staying at the Ritz Carlton Dubai and thoroughly recommend it to anyone coming here and am looking forward to coming back in a few weeks time.

Categories: The Masters Trip

Shaz Thompson

Mad about golf, enthusiastic about life, totally in love with my husband and just having fun.