Last year Henrik Stenson created golfing history becoming the first player to win both the FedEx Cup and the European No. 1 title in the same season.

Contributing to the Swede’s success was his England-born caddy Gareth ‘Lordy’ Lord.

Gareth ‘Lordy’ Lord gives the thumbs up to Arabian Ranches Golf Club.

Weeks early ‘Lordy’ had been voted ‘Caddy of the Year’ during the course of the WGC – Champions in Shanghai.

It was the second occasion ‘Lordy’ had be so honoured as five years earlier he was presented with the title after caddying for Robert Karlsson who had captured the season-ending Volvo Masters to also end the year (2008) as European No. 1.

Lord, who played amateur golf in the Midlands in the 1990s, spent time as a teaching professional in Germany before turning his hand to caddying.

And while he caddies full-time for one of the worlds best golfers, ‘Lordy’ is a pretty tidy golfer himself and that was very evident when the European Tour’s Denis Blasdale, leading Irish-born photographer, Eoin Clarke along with Lordy and myself had occasion to play Arabian Ranches during December’s DP World Tour Championship at the nearby Jumeriah Estate Resort.

In fact, also present at the club that morning was Karlsson and working on his game ahead of the final event on the 2014 Race to Dubai schedule.

Arabian Ranches is one of the newer golf facilities in Dubai.

The course was designed by 1991 Open Champion Ian Baker-Finch and opened in 2004.   It’s set out on 247 acres with 66 acres grassed and 55 acres desert vegetation.

As Baker-Finch hoped Arabian Ranches has a natural flow about it through the sand dunes and desert landscape.

Arabian Ranches Golf Club – 3rd hole.

I had the opportunity soon after Arabian Ranches opened to play the golf course and some eight years on it’s been good to have returned on a handful of occasions and on each occasion admire how the course has matured.

There has been changes over the years including improving the vision off tees to the fairways but overall Arabian Ranches is a rewarding experience.

And that experience begins upon arrival with a warm welcome at ‘Bag Drop’, a superb catering facility, excellent practice facilities (just ask Robert Karlsson) and a golf course with a selection of tees to choose.

This year marks Arabian Ranches 10th birthday and ‘Lordy’s’ and my advice is to join in the celebrations.