This is the second year my husband & I have been lucky enough to receive an invitation to dinner a the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Earlier in the day, the men (yes, all the men!) played a round at one of the most beautiful courses in Dubai (that’s saying something given Dubai’s high standard of courses) and now I arrive with a couple of the other wives for dinner and, importantly (I’m told), the presentations.
Our driver has picked me up spot on time with the others already in the car and navigated the peak hour traffic expertly, proceeding down the long, manicured drive to the main club house and dropping us off at the door. We enter and descend the stairs to be greeted by our husbands all holding a fresh drink and partaking in the usual good-humored banter of post round corporate golf. By no means take this as a sign that there is no competition here. Golf is taken VERY seriously and the competition is not softened by the fact that there are client relationships involved and the round is followed by a few beers.
Luckily for me I have struck up a conversation in the car with two of the wives we grab a drink and are seated together which means we can continue our chat. It’s nice to connect with someone at these events and not have to rely on your partner to babysit you.
I greet some people I met last year and a few I have also seen since then. There is a tee set up from the balcony next to the bar and just as I pluck up the courage to go up for a hit, I’m directed to the tables as the formalities are about to begin.
It’s a balmy November night. It’s still warm and slightly humid but the Summer heat has finally passed and a refreshing breeze ruffles the palm leaves as welcomes are extended and dinner is served. The atmosphere is jovial and the view over the Creek is almost as fetching as some of the ladies look tonight.
After dinner and presentations a musician starts up and I regain my courage, after another visit to the bar, to take a hit. Three balls. The aim is the 18th green across a small stretch of water. It’s floodlit over there and I can see a few have made it. I ask the ‘caddy’ for a good club, not just any one, a really good one. Luckily it’s dark and no one is really looking, the caddy having been distracted by someone more important, as I have no idea where my balls land. Maybe, just maybe, one gets close to the green. My husband and his host are neck in neck on points by this time giving rise to another turn for the upper hand, rather than more genial quips.
We grab some dessert and take our seats again for the presentations and then take to the dance floor as the music (a solo singer doing a fantastic job) starts up again. We chat with the friends and colleagues at our table and there are a few catch ups from last year. A bit more dancing and another drink or two and it’s time to call it a night. This time last year I went straight from dinner to the airport for a 16 hour flight back to Australia. Tonight I’m grateful for a wonderful place for a night out with friends and to be heading home to my very comfy bed.
Would I Return?
Yes. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club is a great venue for a meal, a drink or a function. I hope to be able to play a round of golf here one day but I might need a fair bit of practice, preferably without 4 inch heels, first.
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