Wow....a bunch of mixed emotions ran over me while reading that article. I spent some time in that area of the world conducting less than desirable operations and dealing with interesting individuals immersed in a complex/repressed culture.
Golf speaking, the topography is dull...it would take someone's best efforts and a firm understanding of grasses and irrigation for any chance of realizing that dream. In addition, summer temps peak out at about 122-125 F, which would cause great stress on the course. Golf is not a popular sport in Iraq. That doesn't mean it will not have a chance to grow, but I do not remember seeing any golf courses from the western sector of the Anbar province to the Tigris River in southeastern Baghdad.
I may add more at a later time about this post. I need some time to digest this concept.