There is something very unique in travelling to Doha each year for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
It is the only country on the 2014/15 European Tour International schedule that boasts just one golf course. (NB: At the time of writing this article in 2015 the Jose Maria Olazabla designed course had not been built)
Fortunately the Doha Golf Club is a 27-hole complex with the 18-hole championship lay-out that has played host to the event since 1998, and there is a nine-hole Academy layout.
And while the Academy course is closed to members during Qatar Masters week the organisers are kind in allowing a handful of the media to play the course.
That was the scenario when myself and www.golffile.ie leading photographer, Eoin Clarke teed up around 10am on a glorious cloudless morning.
Eoin using hired clubs soon seized the advantage with a par down the first and then sending his tee shot at the par three, second hole about 5-feet pin-high right of the flag from where he birdied.
All of a sudden I was 2 down and Eoin continuing his mastery with his hire clubs to a surprise 3 & 1 success over this completely shocked editor.
Anyway it was a great morning to be out walking the course at the only golf club in Qatar, and the only nation on the Race to Dubai schedule to have just one course.
STOP THE PRESS! NEWS FLASH! –
Your editor is delighted to report that in this morning’s (Saturday) grudge rematch I managed to lower the Irish snapper’s colours with an emphatic 2up victory that included holing a five-foot birdie at the second.
Stay tuned for our next match from Dubai.
Super shot of the Doha GC – The hole on the far right is the 9th hole of the Academy course – all other holes are part of the championship course. Image @DohaGC
Doha GC Academy course – view off 1st tee.
Rest area on Academy course at Doha GC & changing skyline in background.
Doha GC Academy course – 5th hole.
Doha GC Academy course – Bernie’s Koala head cover on 6th tee marker.
Bernie on Academy Course at Doha GC – check out the ‘pallet-like’ buildings taking shape in the background. Remembering this is 2016
Eoin Clarke on the Academy Course at Doha GC.
