MYGOLFWAY INTERVIEW – David Taggart, Manager of Dubai Creek Golf, venue of the first 2024 DP World Tour event

January 15, 2024 – We have just witnessed the first event of the DP World Tour 2024 with the thrilling finish of the Dubai Invitational, between Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, with victory for the English player by one shot on the last hole of the tournament.

But it has also been fascinating to see the spectacular course of its venue, Dubai Creek Golf & Yatch Club, within Dubai Creek Resort, in all its splendor. The club has a prestigious history as the second oldest golf course in Dubai, opening its doors with its iconic clubhouse in 1993. Now it competes with other emerging Dubai golf clubs such as the Emirates Golf Club (Hero Dubai Desert Classic) or the Jumeriah Golf Estates (DP World Tour Championship).

To find out more about this legendary course, still a dream to play for many amateur golfers, we interviewed David Taggart, Manager of Dubai Creek Resort & Yacht Club, which offers countless activities, restaurants and golf academies, along with the excellent Park Hyatt Hotel, where being a guest is an extraordinary experience.

MYGOLFWAY: Dubai Creek Resort has shown itself to be fully prepared for the Dubai Invitational. What would you highlight about the work done for the event?

DAVID TAGGART: It’s being a unique event with a luxury Pro-Am alongside a regular tour event. That has meant that our Culinary and F+B teams have been as busy as our Agronomy Team.

The resort team have worked tirelessly to curate a wonderful experience throughout the resort, which spread over 55ha is not easy. The feedback on the hospitality has been nothing short of glowing.

But even that feedback has been overshadowed by the feedback we have received on the condition of the golf course. We were determined to make sure the golf course held its own but we have been surprised by how gracious the praise from the players and Tour officials has been.

MYGOLFWAY: This is the first event of the year for the DP World Tour schedule. Has this brought any sense of responsibility to set the standard for the rest of the year?

DAVID TAGGART: Any responsibility we felt was to honour our hard work and make sure that all those competing and staying with us felt they had been taken care of to the standard we expect. The players look to be genuinely enjoying rolling out of bed onto the range and starting their year surrounded by their friends and families.

MYGOLFWAY: Fleetwood, McIlroy, Donald, Hojgaard, Fox… the event has had a lot of golf stars. What is the estimated impact of the event worldwide, and what about the benefits of its organization for the resort?

DAVID TAGGART: We are thrilled with how the resort has presented on television and social media. The exposure that has been generated by having those marquee names play in the event is obviously very exciting. Our event host Abdulla al Naboodah is a very proud member of the club and we are very grateful to him for assembling such a stellar field.

MYGOLFWAY: How are you managing the effects of climate change so that the golf course is in perfect condition, including during the hot and dry summer?

DAVID TAGGART: One key step we have made is to remove our annual overseeding practice. This has dramatically reduced our water, fertilizer and herbicide usage and now ensures that we are also in consistently great condition throughout the year.

MYGOLFWAY: In the eyes of the players, what differentiates Dubai Creek Resort from its famous sister clubs Emirates Golf Club and Jumeriah Golf Estates? Are they competing with each other?

DAVID TAGGART: Beyond playful ‘rivalry’ amongst the respective memberships there is no real competing against the other clubs. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Our membership model means that members can access both JGE and EGC during the weekdays so we are always working closely with the other clubs to make sure our members are well cared for.

Naturally with the Desert Classic and DP World Tour Championship being such big events there is little point in us ‘competing’ with the gravitas of those events. We want to be renowned for what we do really well and have that captured in the atmosphere of the event.

‘The Creek’ has always had a reputation of being a fantastic members club and the resort as a whole is a hidden gem that people, including Thomas Bjorn, have fallen in love with and now call home. That is what we want the world to see.

MYGOLFWAY: How easily can European golfers travel to Dubai and play at Dubai Creek Resort, and what amenities will they find here in 2024? Do you have special price packs?

DAVID TAGGART: Travel to and through Dubai airport is seamless, the airport is one of if not the best in the world and we are a short 10 minute journey from the Baggage Carousel.

Once you are here we aim to provide you with a base for the ultimate golf holiday. We are owned and operated by the same group (Dubai Golf) as Emirates Golf Club and Jumeriah Golf Estates and we have also recently added properties in Abu Dhabi (Yas Links, Saadiyat Beach and Yas Acres).

Through our Central Reservations Team we can build a spectacular trip for you whilst securing the best rates at our wonderful courses (golfbooking@dubaigolf.com).

MYGOLFWAY: What does the iconic clubhouse represent for the resort?

DAVID TAGGART: It represents the clubs history amongst the growth of Dubai. It is the only clubhouse to appear on currency, a picture of our clubhouse can be found on the 20 dirham note. The sail shape is a nod to the pearl diving history of old Dubai and in the evenings you still see dhow boats sailing down the creek.

MYGOLFWAY: And to end, what are the goals for Dubai Creek Resort in 2024?

DAVID TAGGART: Continue to push golf course condition forwards, it is the core reason people return to the club. Secondly, preserve and enhance the signature warm service that our customers fall in love with. We have many staff here that were present when the doors opened in 1993 and not only is that testament to the culture of the club but also allows us to ensure our customers are consistently remembered and recognized.

Lastly, it is to continue the work of telling the story of Dubai Creek Golf Club and the Park Hyatt Hotel existing as one resort, Dubai Creek Resort. So many of our customers know either one business or the other and we recognize we have work to do to get the message out there that we are one. It was heartening to see our efforts recognized as we were ranked #43 Best Golf Resort in the world.

Onwards and upwards!

Thank you very much!

By MIGUEL ANGEL BUIL