Did you know?

Golf had been played in Dubai since 1960s

Several short sand golf courses had been started then closed

Dubai Country Club Golf Course started in 1971

DCC's Golf Course remained open until 2007

Dubai Country Club Golf Course

Image by Len Chapman

Emirates Golf Club Opens 1988

Dubai's Emirates Golf Club changed the desert sand into lush green grass when it opened in 1988.
EGC was then "out of town" and surrounded by desert.
Late President Muhammed Zia Ul Haq of Pakistan was invited to open EGC. the first grass golf course in the Gulf.
An "East West" Competition between two pairs of International Golfers - Sam Torrance (Scotland) and Howard Clark (England) representing the West with Graham Marsh (Australia) and Rodger Davis (Australia) representing the East.
This was the first tournament to be played on EGC's Majlis Course.
A Ceremonial Golf Club and Golf Tee made from gold were parachuted in for (then) President of Pakistan to play the first ball off No 1 Tee Box Majlis Course, formally opening Emirates Golf Club.
In 2018, Emirates Golf Club celebrated 30th Anniversary of its opening.

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Late Pakistan's President Muhhamed Zia ul Haq's convoy drives into EGC
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Dignatories are taken on a tour of the Majlis Golf Course
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EGC Opening was covered by Dubai TV
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Opening Ceremony began with Dubai Defense Force Parachutists
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Opening Ceremony began with Dubai Defense Force Parachutists
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A specially made Golf Club and a Golden Tee were delivered to the President by a Parachutist.
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People assembled on the the First Tee for the official opening of the course.
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People assembled on the the First Tee for the official opening of the Majlis Course.
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President Haque drove the first ball off the Golden Tee to declare EGC open.
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President Haque drove the first ball off the Golden Tee to declare EGC open. President Haque was apparently a competent Golfer
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Preparing for the opening Competition
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President Haque waiting for the start of the Competition
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East West Challenge Competitors preparing for the Competition
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Players Tee Off for the East West Challenge
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Winners of the East West Challenge -Howard Clark and Sam Torrence (The West Team) with Sheikh Butti - Chairman of EGC
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Ernie Els won the inaugural Dubai Desert Classic in 1989
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Skyline around EGC was beginning to change in 1989
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Tiger Woods first played at EGC in 2001. He was beaten by Thomas Bjorn who won the 2001 Dubai Desert Classic
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Skyline around EGC continues to change
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EGC is no longer out of town or surrounded by sand.