As Emirates Golf Club prepares to host some of the biggest names in golf to contest the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 16-19 next week, meticulous efforts are being made behind the scenes to prepare the iconic Majlis Course for the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood to do battle.
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Matthew Perry, Course Superintendent at Emirates Golf Club, oversees a team of over 100 who work while most of the UAE is sleeping, to ensure the golf course lives up to its reputation as one of the very best in world golf.
“The preparation for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is all about attention to detail,” said Perry. “Regular maintenance efforts are taken to an entirely new level for this tournament. It’s important for us to give the course a little rest in the build-up to the event but then we hit it pretty hard come tournament week, rolling greens, increasing cutting frequency, and adjusting grass heights to achieve the desired tournament conditions.”
Preparation is a year-round effort, starting immediately after the conclusion of the previous tournament.
“Planning begins as soon as the last event wraps up,” explained Perry. “We assess areas for improvement, such as extending holes or refining specific aspects of the course. A lot of the big projects will then be done over the summertime to minimise disruption.”
Sustainability at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic
With an emphasis on sustainability, the team collaborates closely with the GEO-certified event’s organisers Falcon and Associates, to minimise water usage, employ moisture probes, and conserve resources. These eco-conscious initiatives have earned Emirates Golf Club accolades, including a sustainability award at the DP World Tour Championship.
Managing Dubai’s unique climate poses additional challenges. Cooler weather post-overseeding is ideal, but excessive rain can impact the firmness of fairways and greens.
“We prepare for all possible scenarios to ensure the course meets tournament standards,” Perry said.
As the tournament approaches, efforts are focused on refining greens to meet the desired speeds, with last year’s greens achieving speeds averaging 13.3 on the Stimpmeter.
During tournament week, the team grows to include 105 staff members, including seconded staff members from Yas Links, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates.
“Early tee times mean much of the work is done in the dark,” said Perry. “From hand-mowing greens to perfecting every blade of grass, every team member plays a critical role.”
2024 Hero Dubai Desert Classic
Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, praised the dedication and hard work put in by the Dubai Golf agronomy team to achieve such a high standard.
“The work that Matt and the team do is amazing, it is an exact science to bring the course to peak at the right time. It is a very complex process and the Emirates Golf Club team deliver successfully year on year to championship standards,” said Corkill. “It’s vital that we communicate with Matt’s team to make sure that the tournament infrastructure dovetails seamlessly with their preparations. The synergy between our teams ensures that we deliver a world-class experience for both players and fans.”
The Majlis Course, renowned as the first course to host a European Tour event outside Europe, holds a special place in the golfing world, with the Hero Dubai Desert Classic consistently attracting a world-class field. Gaining accolades from some of the greatest players ever to play the game, makes it all worthwhile for Perry and his team.
“Seeing the course showcased on TV and receiving appreciation from players is huge for us,” said Perry. “It really is a massive team effort, we all work really well together and have a great synergy in the team so to see it all come together during tournament week is extremely rewarding for everyone.”
With a star-studded field and a course prepared to perfection, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic continues to set the standard for golfing excellence and highlights Dubai’s position as a leading sporting destination on the world stage. Established in 1989, the tournament is a key fixture on the DP World Tour and a part of the esteemed Rolex Series, instrumental in introducing golf to the Middle East and producing some of the sport’s most memorable moments.
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