By Kent Gray
Dubai’s two European Tour venues will now be overseen by the same management company with Dubai Golf assuming responsibility for Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE).

Dubai Golf already manages Emirates Golf Club, home of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. The agreement with JGE, which came into effect and was announced to members of all three clubs on Monday, means Dubai Golf take over ahead of the 10th anniversary edition of the DP World Tour Championship on JGE’s Greg Norman-designed Earth course from Nov. 15-18.

It’s a huge coup, especially as the Race to Dubai decider is set to feature all 12-members of Thomas Bjorn’s victorious Ryder Cup winning team from Le Golf National last week.

Dubai Golf will oversee the golf operation on JGE’s Earth and Fire layouts plus the country club facilities and dining outlets. Here’s a promo video  announcing the partnership:

“We are proud to announce the addition of Jumeirah Golf Estates Clubhouse and Golf courses to the Dubai Golf management portfolio,” said Dubai Golf chief executive Christopher May.

“The prestigious club will sit alongside the magnificent Emirates Golf Club – which is home to the annual Omega Dubai Desert Classic – as well as the renowned Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. We approach this exciting relationship with optimism and extreme enthusiasm, and will continue striving towards delivering the very best golf and leisure experiences for our members.” 

Part of the PR sent to club members of all three clubs on Monday.

The real winners out of the acquisition appear to be members of all three clubs. Details of reciprocal rights are still to be revealed for each club but an email sent to Dubai Creek members on Monday highlighted the benefits for those golfers, with immediate effect, until the end of the year.

– Access to JGE’s Fire course from Sunday to Wednesday (excluding public holidays).
– A clubhouse season pass for the 2018 DP World Tour Championship.
– Members’ discount at the dining outlets at Dubai Creek (Lakeview, QD’s, Casa de Tapas and Cielo Sky Lounge), Emirates G.C. (carine, Spike Sports Bar & Terrace and Jones the Grocer), and JGE (Fresca Deli & Café and Sports Bar).
– Full use of the leisure and recreation facilities at Emirates G.C. and JGE, as well as full access to the practice facilities (excluding the European Tour Institute at Jumeirah Golf Estates) across all three Clubs.

The email also said weekday members at Dubai Creek would gain weekday access to the gym and pool facilities at all three clubs and are also entitled to avail the members’ discount at the aforementioned dining outlets. It is understood similar benefits will be afforded members, full and weekday, of Emirates and JGE.

“We will be reviewing different opportunities and additional benefits to our existing membership packages which will be published in the following week,” May said.

Like JGE, Emirates Golf Club boasts two championship courses, the Majlis and The Faldo. The latter is set to host the newly remodelled Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic, a Ladies European Tour event, in early May.

Yousuf Kazim, CEO of Jumeirah Golf Estates said: “We are all eagerly anticipating the opportunity to work with Dubai Golf who have a long-established history within the region.

Dubai Golf’s Christopher May and JGE CEO Yousif Kazmin at the official contract signing.

“Jumeirah Golf Estates continues to be one of the world’s premier golfing destinations, and we aim to set an unrivalled level of customer service to our members, residents and guests. By partnering with industry leaders such as Dubai Golf, we are able to enhance the experience of our Clubhouse members and provide the highest quality and service to our residents and members.”

Dubai Golf has been at the forefront of golf and golf-related services since its inception in the Emirates. In addition to JGE,  it owns and manages two Emirates and Dubai Creek Golf Clubs with facilities that include a marina, 11 restaurants.

The Majlis course at Emirates G.C. is set to host the 30th Omega Dubai Desert Classic in January.

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.