Doha Golf Club

By Neville Leck Last updated: 30th January 2012

Qatar's spectacular Doha Golf Club, where the European Tour's Qatar Masters is to be played this week, has a championship course with teeth - and especially when the wind gets up.

It measures some 7,312 yards, has eight artificial lakes weaving their way along most of the holes and, with the addition of a punishing rough made up of desert sand, rocks, trees, shrubs and long grass and cleverly bunkered fairways that twist and turn, the utmost accuracy will be of crucial importance.

Although uniquely different, this classic links course was designed by Peter Harradine, the same man responsible for the one at Abu Dhabi where Robert Rock has just outlasted Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.

To compliment the championship course, the nine-hole Academy Course measuring 2,544 yards, overlooks the West Bay Lagoon and has three par-3 holes, five par-4 holes and one par-5 hole and offers the perfect location for improving your golf.

HISTORY: The Doha Golf Club's championship course first opened in February 1996, its 150 hectare man-made oasis offering spectacular views of Qatar University, the developing West Bay Lagoon and the glistening turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf.

THE COURSE:

Harradine's 18 hole course challenges the beginner, yet tests the abilities of even the most seasoned golfer as some of the past competitors in the Qatar Masters can confirm!

The daring golfer can play drives over the bunkers or lakes on this risk and reward layout, but there is also scope for the less confident who prefer caution.

The course's first nine holes, which the club boasts are unique in design amongst the world's courses, are a little shorter than the second nine, but they require the utmost from a player in terms of accuracy and technical ability.

Lush fairways, greens and water hazards dominate an area which 9 years ago was a barren desert landscape.

To complete the transformation from desert to golf course, 1 300 palm trees, 10 000 trees and 5 000 shrubs were planted together with 65 cacti imported from the Arizona desert.

Eight artificial lakes, stocked with a variety of fish, ensure that the 150 hectares of manicured fairways and superb greens are maintained to a standard that has won unanimous praise from both European and Asian Tour players and officials.

Each of the 18 holes varies dramatically in character, of which the 9th (639 yards) and the 18th (587 yards) are true giants.

Of the par 4 holes; the 5th, 6th, 11th, 14th and 15th are all outstanding tests ranging between 400 and 500 yards in length.

The course is a real pleasure for long-hitters and hazards such as natural rock formations, sand bunkers and water are plentiful.

CARD OF THE COURSE
(See under Hole Yards Par)
1 591 5
2 433 4
3 235 3
4 379 4
5 452 4
6 488 4
7 391 4
8 195 3
9 639 5
10 548 5
11 474 4
12 429 4
13 203 3
14 410 4
15 470 4
16 307 4
17 155 3
18 589 5
1st nine: 3803 yds, par 36
2nd nine: 3585 yds, par 36
18 holes: 7388 yds, par 72

TOUR THE COURSE: Click here to go to an on-line tour of the Course

GOLF ACADEMY:The Club's Golf Academy is a state-of-the-art teaching and practice facility featuring superb driving range and custom-built chipping, putting, and bunker practice areas.

The Academy brings together a multinational team of dedicated PGA teaching professionals with a wealth of golfing knowledge and experience from some of the world's most exclusive golf clubs.

All of the Club's tuition programmes offer the unique opportunity to use the V1 Video Swing Analyzer, the latest in hi-tech computer and video equipment.

Also available is the Explanar Golf Training System which has been designed by English professional Luther Blacklock and is widely used around the world.

World renowned coach Butch Harmon has paid tribute to the effectiveness of the Explanar system, saying that it takes the place of every other teaching aid available.

The Academy also features a well-equipped gymnasium boasting a large range of equipment and offering professional tuition.

WHO CAN PLAY AT DOHA? The club makes a point on its official web site of "welcoming golfers, both as members and as playing non-members".

Now popular with overseas visitors from Europe as well as those from the Gulf, the Club has virtually everything you can offer the novice, the learner and the seasoned low-handicap player, its Championship course being complimented by a floodlit nine-hole Academy Course and a Driving Range. Special golfing tours are bringing in players who want to combine their love of the game with a holiday in an exotic location - and discussions are on the go which would give their 'golfing widows' access to the prestigious new Diplomatic Club nearby.

Doha is becoming increasingly popular as a wintertime destination for whilst rain, wind, thunder and snow may limit playing opportunities in other countries during the northern hemisphere's winter months, the mild climate at Doha offers endless sunny days.

MEMBERSHIP: The club offers both Individual and Corporate membership with the latter proving to be a welcome option and the club would be delighted to hear from any companies who would like details. Corporate membership can be for one, four or ten members from the same organization and offers several advantages including a waiver of green fees for a number of guests and a waiver of the joining fee for each name added to the corporate membership. Fee details are available from the Club.

THE CLUBHOUSE: The imposing Doha GC clubhouse, which typifies middle eastern design, includes:

- A new cafe and a highly rated Mediterranean restaurant and grill room offering an elegant venue and fine food. Both establishments are open to the public.

- Spikes and Oasis Lounges with views of the finishing holes of both nines. They are legendary for their upbeat yet relaxed atmosphere and are ideal for grabbing a bite and relaxing with friends after a round of golf

- A first class pro shop carrying a wide range of internationally branded equipment and apparel and offering a service that provides, balls, shorts and caps etc that carry the logos of tournament sponsors.

- Banqueting and conference facilities

- Locker rooms and showering facilities

CONTACT DETAILS

- Reservations can be made by contacting the reservations desk on Tel: (+974) 496 0777, Fax: (+974) 483 4790 or via e-mail at: golfreservation@dohagolfclub.com.

- for other information such as green fees and the cost of renting clubs carts and shoes etc. you should go to http://www.dohagolfclub.com/

Neville Leck