From the Fairways: Are we missing out on matches, away days?

For all those who have not merely learnt and played their golf solely in the UAE we will all have fond memories of two golfing experiences that are not especially prevalent in this country – matches against other clubs and away days in groups.

Why do we not have many matches? Perhaps our hours of daylight in peak season do not help our cause and a unique weekend system that fills up the courses to capacity at the busiest times. Some of the clubs may argue that for commercial reasons it is not always possible or practical to hold these matches at the busy times.

However, matches at the right time at the right place throughout the season and year will always be appreciated by all. The sand courses have always had a more traditional and at times less commercial approach to the game and their operations.

They have tended to have regular matches throughout the year on a home and away reciprocal basis especially amongst their sand friends. The UGA has perhaps not helped the matter by creating a more than busy calendar of events that fills the majority of the season at all the clubs.

In addition the UGA has tended to concentrate on the elite level of the game and high profile Order of Merits, rules and regulations of the game, Amateur status limits, slow play, handicaps and other technical issues. These have their place.

We must all acknowledge that most of the 5000 plus golfers in the UAE affiliated to the UGA as well as those occasional golfers who are not part of the UGA, are that interested in this elite element of the game and just want to play for fun with people of their own choice.

A follow on from this is the away days – many a memory of my distant golfing past are away days of a group of golfers going to play 36 holes in a day – a soup and sandwich lunch and a fish and chip supper and some refreshments on the way home.

Why do we not outside a few of the keener golfing societies have such a golfing scene in the UAE? A point of note is that members of many of the golf clubs in the UAE for their own right reasons are not great travellers and prefers to play at home.

It is a shame that golfers in the UAE, both established and new, are missing out on these experiences that are so common else where in the world.

Matches are easier to rectify than the latter.

We don't seem to have the volunteer in the UAE who at his own time and expense co-ordinates what can only be described as more than a difficult job to bring these days together. It has brought many a professional administrator to tears.

The match issue can be driven by the players themselves. There seems to be the interest but not the inclination to make it happen. The genuine club golfer and handicapper, not the elite players of, say, 6 handicap and less should be looked after and matches seems the ideal route.

The example of Abu Dhabi and their ladies league is a move that must be applauded – the 3 courses arranging inter club matches on a tri club basis is happening for the second season. We should all look to follow the enthusiasm set by the ladies from Abu Dhabi.

Nick Tarratt is the General Manager of the UAE Golf Association