Just finished a weekend playing in Doha, Qatar. Played both Education City Golf Club and Doha Golf Club. ECGC is a Jose Maria Olazabal design which opened in 2019 and they play the European Tour event in Qatar there now. IMO way over bunkered and tight, not nearly as much fun as Doha Golf Club.
As the title indicates, Doha Golf Club which is a Peter Harradine design from EGD opened in 1997. I was impressed and know that there isn't much if any discussion on middle east golf, much less Qatar. Some very unique aspects I wanted to highlight.
You are greeted by a unique and very culturally typical clubhouse, which was opulent in the day, although could use a redo inside.
Back
Scorecard
- The only course I have played which the par 5's are holes 1,9,10,18. That is very unique and love to hear of any other courses with similar layouts.
- Peter had a blank slate was able to pick out the ground himself to create a course out of a rocky desert landscape. Here is a nice article : https://worldwide.golf/feature/peter-harradine-doha-golf-club-is-one-of-the-best-courses-in-the-middle-east/
- Hole 16 is now one of my favorite short par 4's in the world. What a great hole. About 270 from a elevated tee to a semi blind green as there is a huge rock outcropping blocking your views of the green. Big bailout area right of the rock, or you could go left which is what I did and got a nice kick onto the green.
Some more info on hold 16 as to me that was the most memorable and best hold IMHO.
A quote from Peter:
“I was asked to move the boulder, but I wanted to design the hole using it as a natural hazard,” Added Peter. “It’s not every day you have to try and drive over a boulder. But that isn’t the only rock that comes to play on that hole. To the right of it are some other rocks in the fairway. This is a typical example of a driveable par4 which can bring you a lot of trouble if you get it wrong.”
The prevailing wind is down, so you have just about everyone trying to take a crack at it. The tee is probably 30 or 40 feet above the fairway, with it climbing about 15 or so feet up to the green from there. The back of the green is surrounded by a rock wall which gives it an amphitheater atmosphere around the green. A bunker less hole, you can roll one onto the green with a right to left shot as well, or upon approach.
The green is relatively docile, but I equate it to North Berwick 18th which is pretty good company. Both greens a relatively flat and can provide the eagle thrill, even for the every man. You don't need to read a huge break, or navigate a fast downhill putt it is slightly sloping back to front with one ridge running most of the middle. Even the mowed down surround can accommodate putting, which is often selected.
It was a very much appreciated change up hole which used the desert landscape masterfully and once again kudos to Peter for finding it and sticking to his guns.
Some other notes:
- I typically check provisualizer before playing a new course. Good balance in doglegs. Par 4's have three left, five right and two straight. Par 5's have two left, one right and one straight.
- Distance variation on par 3's with shortest 154, longest 219; par 4's with shortest 304, longest 486; par 5's with shortest 512, longest 640.
- There are some trees off the fairway on quite a few holes, but none that affect play and actually help corral errant shots and drop them into findable areas below for none have low branches.
- As with almost all middle east courses it is publicly accessible and not cheap during winter high season at about $250.
- There is a huge shared green on hole 9 and 18 in front of the clubhouse and with a large pond in front or each. Reminds me of the PGA Nicklaus Tournament course finish but much larger green.
Put it on your list if you are ever in the country, for it won't disappoint as I have played many desert courses with this being among the best.