How a Dubai greenskeeper will leave his mark on the Masters

Augusta National Golf Club will have a touch of Dubai’s golfing expertise at the 2025 Masters, with Emirates Golf Club’s Golf Course Superintendent, Matthew Perry, selected to join its esteemed Golf Course Maintenance Team.

Known for his role in maintaining the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club - a centrepiece of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour - Perry has consistently delivered a course lauded by the sport’s elite.

His selection for Augusta stems from Emirates Golf Club’s recent honour of being chosen to host the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship later this year, a prestigious event organised by The R&A and Augusta National Golf Club.

As part of the lead-up, Perry has been invited to be part of the team at The Masters, providing an opportunity to work alongside Augusta’s renowned Agronomy team.

“This is an incredible opportunity, and I’m truly grateful to be part of the team during Masters week,” said Perry.

“To work alongside the crew at Augusta National and observe how they prepare and maintain the course at such a high level is an experience like no other. I’m particularly looking forward to learning more about their operation, exploring their approach to turf management, and seeing the property and grass types up close.”

Perry will oversee the maintenance of the third green during the tournament, gaining firsthand experience of the meticulous standards that have made Augusta National the ‘Disneyland’ of golf.

“Working within a major tournament will, of course, help me understand how they do things and explore whether there are elements we could adapt or implement here,” he adds.

“I’m excited to be part of the team for the week and grateful for the opportunity.”

Perry faced a challenging start to his duties on the opening practice day of the season’s first Major Championship. Monday morning saw practice suspended and spectators evacuated due to heavy rain and the looming threat of thunderstorms.

For someone of Perry’s expertise, however, the downpour was far from unfamiliar territory. While based in the warm, sun-drenched climate of Dubai, Perry has dealt with his fair share of rain during his tenure at Emirates Golf Club.

Two years ago, the Dubai Desert Classic made history by concluding on a Monday for the first time, following torrential rain and thunderstorms that caused significant delays to the opening round.

Under Perry’s leadership, the greenskeeping team - comprising over 100 personnel - undertook a monumental effort to restore the course. Flooded fairways and collapsed bunkers presented immense challenges, yet the crew worked tirelessly with tankers, pumps, shovels, and rakes, battling the elements to make the Majlis Course playable once more.

Against all odds, their efforts ensured the tournament went ahead as planned, earning widespread admiration from the stars of the DP World Tour for their dedication and resilience.