Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course in Dubai back in the swing
Members teed off on Thursday to official open the new-look Majlis
At 6.40am on Thursday, the first golf ball was struck on the new and improved Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club.
The course has undergone a major upgrade this year. The renovation started on May 2 and the course is now reopened, firstly for EGC members only and then for non-members from October 17.
ECG outgoing captains Boyd Edmondson and Naima Maya had the honour of taking to the course for the ceremonial tee off on Thursday alongside Josie Tracey and Mike Tracey in the heart of the UAE as incoming ladies captain Amerjeet Radi looked on.
Matt Perry, Emirates Golf Club Golf Course Superintendent, recently explained the improvements that have taken place on the course.
“We have recreated the original size of all 18 Majlis greens plus the practice putting green as designed by Karl Litten in the late 1980s,” he said.
“It has resulted in a 33 per cent increase in green size on average and as brought many more greenside bunkers into play with the biggest green size increase of 67 per cent on hole No. 1.
“The greens have been rebuilt under USGA specifications, which involves layers of drainage, gravel and sand.
“The original greens of the Majlis were push-up style, using just the native sand but as agronomy knowledge and technology has advanced over the last 30 years or so, it was right to bring such a classic style course into the 21st century.”
A historic photo was taken to inaugurate the special occasion.
Barney Coleman, Club Manager of Emirates Golf Club, said at the first tee: "We felt it was only right that both Naima and Boyd were part of the first tee. They have both had tremendous challenges with COVID-19 and the closure of the Majlis during their captaincies. We thank them for all their hard work. Well done to them both."