As Emirates Golf Membership prepares to hostsome of the largest names in golf to contest the Hero Dubai Desert Basic from January 16-19 subsequent week, meticulous efforts are being made behind the scenes to organize the long-lasting Majlis Course for the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood to do battle.
Matthew Perry, Course Superintendent at Emirates Golf Membership, oversees a crew of over 100 who work whereas many of the UAE is sleeping, to make sure the golf course lives as much as its popularity as one of many best in world golf.
“The preparation for the Hero Dubai Desert Basic is all about consideration to element,” mentioned Perry. “Common upkeep efforts are taken to a completely new degree for this match. It’s necessary for us to present the course a bit of relaxation within the build-up to the occasion however then we hit it fairly arduous come match week, rolling greens, rising chopping frequency, and adjusting grass heights to realize the specified match circumstances.”
Preparation is a year-round effort, beginning instantly after the conclusion of the earlier match.
“Planning begins as quickly because the final occasion wraps up,” defined Perry. “We assess areas for enchancment, akin to extending holes or refining particular facets of the course. Quite a lot of the large tasks will then be accomplished over {the summertime} to minimise disruption.”
With an emphasis on sustainability, the crew collaborates intently with the GEO-certified occasion’s organisers Falcon and Associates, to minimise water utilization, make use of moisture probes, and preserve sources. These eco-conscious initiatives have earned Emirates Golf Membership accolades, together with a sustainability award on the DP World Tour Championship.
Managing Dubai’s distinctive local weather poses further challenges. Cooler climate post-overseeding is right, however extreme rain can impression the firmness of fairways and greens.
“We put together for all potential situations to make sure the course meets match requirements,” Perry mentioned.
Because the match approaches, efforts are centered on refining greens to satisfy the specified speeds, with final yr’s greens attaining speeds averaging 13.3 on the Stimpmeter.
Throughout match week, the crew grows to incorporate 105 workers members, together with seconded workers members from Yas Hyperlinks, Saadiyat Seaside Golf Membership and Jumeirah Golf Estates.
“Early tee instances imply a lot of the work is completed at nighttime,” mentioned Perry. “From hand-mowing greens to perfecting each blade of grass, each crew member performs a vital position.”
Simon Corkill, Government Event Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Basic, praised the dedication and arduous work put in by the Dubai Golf agronomy crew to realize such a excessive normal.
“The work that Matt and the crew do is superb, it’s a precise science to convey the course to peak on the proper time. It’s a very advanced course of and the Emirates Golf Membership crew ship efficiently yr on yr to championship requirements,” mentioned Corkill. “It’s very important that we talk with Matt’s crew to be sure that the match infrastructure dovetails seamlessly with their preparations. The synergy between our groups ensures that we ship a world-class expertise for each gamers and followers.”
The Majlis Course, famend as the primary course to host a European Tour occasion outdoors Europe, holds a particular place within the {golfing} world, with the Hero Dubai Desert Basic persistently attracting a world-class subject.Gaining accolades from among the best gamers ever to play the sport, makes all of it worthwhile for Perry and his crew.
“Seeing the course showcased on TV and receiving appreciation from gamers is big for us,” mentioned Perry. “It truly is a large crew effort, all of us work rather well collectively and have an amazing synergy within the crew so to see all of it come collectively throughout match week is extraordinarily rewarding for everybody.”
With a star-studded subject and a course ready to perfection, the Hero Dubai Desert Basic continues to set the usual {for golfing} excellence and highlights Dubai’s place as a number one sporting vacation spot on the world stage. Established in 1989, the match is a key fixture on the DP World Tour and part of the esteemed Rolex Collection, instrumental in introducing golf to the Center East and producing among the sport’s most memorable moments.
For extra particulars and to buy a restricted variety of remaining hospitality and premium packages, or safe free common admission tickets, please go to: www.dubaidesertclassic.comand through the Hero Dubai Desert Basic app accessible now on App Retailer or Google Play.