Dubai & the Middle East

[bodgeblack]

I am about to leave the wind and rain of Scotland to embark on a 6-month trial contract with a Golf Course Architect in Dubai.

What are your impressions of the place? It is becoming a genuine golfing destination for us Europeans. Do you think the expansion can continue?

Is it a viable destination for those of you unable to play over winter up north in the US and Canada?

Also should the lack of environmental legislation in the UAE and many other Middle Eastern countries be a concern to us all?

cheers

Jamie

[cary lichtenstein]

Jamie:

Good luck to you. I don't think Dubai will ever be a destination. People are afraid of the Middle East.

I was there about 10 years ago, maybe thinks have changed.

[Ben Cowan-Dewar]

Jamie,
Flights are still a major problem, but it will be a destination in the coming years. Prior to 9/11 Dubai was being marketed heavily in Canada and with the expansion of Fairmont (Canadian chain) probably would have continued. I know a number of people that have made the trip, but I think the lack of four great courses is holding the destination back. However, given the drop in tourism, I am not sure it looks financially sound to start building for the short term.

Please email me or post updates on your experience, sounds like a great move.

[moth]

Quassie probably needs to clarify his comment to read " AMERICANS are afraid of the middle east (and lots of other places)". Dubai is nowhere near any of the current trouble spots (never seems to be any trouble there), is a popular European destination and consistantly rates as the best place to be an expat...for quality of life, recreation and partying. It is a great place to live and work.

You should try and get a place near the 2 towers where all the Emirates hostesses live - they are called "tam_on towers" (cant fill out the missing letter for fear of being deleted)

Have fun!

[PETER_G]

Brett is absolutely right. I was in Dubai 6 weeks ago - it is the most progressive city in the world at present and Sheik Mohammad has indicated he has only completed 10% of his vision. Dubai is safer than most Western societies - containers of electrical equipment sit unguarded for days on the docks without being stolen. Everything is clean and fresh, no graffitti and no vandalism. Whilst having coffee with friends in one of the busy modern shoppng centres, an Arabic lady indicated she wanted something adjacent to my chair. It was her handbag she had left there. It was handed to her, she removed some cash for shopping then asked for it to be put back next to my chair - such is the trust of the society.
As far as golf courses, nothing stunning as yet, most somewhat forced on to a very flat landscape but great courses will come. Maybe you will build one Jamie? You will enjoy it immensely. I will be back to Dubai in April holidaying with my young family.

[Tim_Weiman]

Jamie:

Last year I had the oportunity to spend a day with a young teaching professional who was working at Doha Golf Club in Qatar. He described it as a very nice working environment and place to live.

There was one especially interesting point he mentioned: women are welcome at the club, certainly to play and, if I remember our conversation correctly, as members as well.

Imagine that. Women aren't welcome as members at a club in Geogia, but they are in the Middle East of all places!

Anyway, this fellow forecast the conntinued development of golf courses in that part of the world, although securing water rights and supply was a major issue.

[cary lichtenstein]

It has been about 10 years since I visited Dubai. Sounds like the place has dramaticaaly changed for the better. That is great.

[GDStudio]

GO, HAVE FUN, ENJOY THE HOSPITALITY!

My wife and her family have been going here for years, and they have never said anything bad about the place.  I had the opportunity to go with them 2 yrs ago.  Now, as an American, I was nervous about the situation, but I really have no idea why.  This was such a wonderful place.  People were very friendly all over the city, except in certain parts of the airport, but they were still friendlier there than in any US airport today!

The food was great, the city is remarkable, and the openess to forgeigners, yes even Americans, was amazing.  I have traveled to many, many countries, and I can say that I recieved less "hastle" about being the evil American there than I have in about all of the "friendly" countries that i have been to.

Now, on more of a golf note, if you can get in with a rich sheik, BUILD MORE COURSES THERE!  This place needs them, and can afford to build them.

[bodgeblack]

Many thanks for the replys. I really can't wait to get out there.

Redanman, dont let your US passport put you off. Dubai is a city made up of 80% non-UAE nationals. There is a sizeable and very welcome group of American ex-pats in the city.

A lack of 4 great courses could hinder Dubai developing as a golfing destination but hopefully, in the near future, I will get the chance to alleviate the city of that particular problem!

Thanks again,

Jamie

[Neil Regan]

A couple of links regarding Dubai and UAE, for those who are interested:

Freedom House Report: United Arab Emirates    


Dubai, Havana &
choosing between evils
by Anthony Daniels    

[PETER_G]

Jamie - Are you able to elaborate a little further on the proposed course?