Ian Cross heads into the heat for a round of desert golf at Dubai CC

Host Ian Cross travels to Dubai, a city that in just a few years has been transformed from desert into a bustling metropolis. Glittering skyscrapers have replaced the palm huts that were typical just 40 years ago. Dubai is famous for its gold, the only seven star hotel in the world – and its six world class golf courses.

Ian starts at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, situated in the heart of the city and running alongside Dubai Creek. This golf course is one of the icons of the city, and also has gym, swimming pool, steam rooms and six restaurants and bars.

The following day he plays on the Dubai Country Club, a gift from the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum in 1970, and the first golf course in Dubai.

Camels in the desert on the outskirts of Dubai

Next, Ian visits the Burj al Arab hotel. Built on its own reclaimed island, the world’s tallest hotel reaches higher than the Eiffel Tower and is claimed to be a seven-star hotel!

Being there during the holy month of Ramadan, Ian notices the fantastic atmosphere on the streets after dark, and learns a bit more about Ramadan with the locals. But just because it gets dark doesn’t mean the golf has to stop!

Ian goes to play on the Nad al Sheba night course with the manager of the UAE national football team. The big advantage with night golf is that in a country where daytime temperatures can reach 130 degrees Fahrenheit, playing at night is a lot more comfortable. He then attends a horse race before trying an exciting local sport – dune bashing!

Ian at the Emirates ‘desert miracle’ course

After a brief overview of other golf courses in Dubai, Ian learns more about the national sport of falconry at the Al Maha resort. Finally, he heads to the Emirates Club, regarded by many as the best course in Dubai. The Emirates has two 18 hole courses, the most famous of which is the Majlis. This is the home of the world renowned two million dollar Dubai Desert Classic.

Golf, like everything else, is booming in Dubai and whether you’re a golfer or not, Dubai is a very exciting place to be.

Credits

Presenter

IAN CROSS

With thanks to

DUBAI CREEK GOLF AND YACHT CLUB

THE DUBAI COUNTRY CLUB

THE EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

NAD AL SHEBA CLUB

AL MAHA DESERT RESORT

THE SHEIKH MOHAMMED CENTRE

FOR CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING

TAMSIN SHERIFA MADGWICK

TAHA AL HAMRI

DTCM, DUBAI

JUMEIRAH INTERNATIONAL

Titles and Graphics

BIG SQUID

Title Music

MICHAEL CONN

Additional Music

MICHAEL CONN

DANIEL PEMBERTON

COLIN WINSTON-FLETCHER

Musical Director

NEVILLE FARMER

Facilities

SUITE

THE VOICE & MUSIC COMPANY

On Line Editor

MATT ROBERTS

Dubbing Mixer

JOEL BALDWIN

Editors

HUGH LEWIS

KAVI PUJARA

NICK ROBBINS

Production Accountants

MICHELE LONERGAN

RICHARD MILLER

Production Secretary

FAYE WELBORN

Production Assistant

JULIAN MARSHALL

Researcher

BOB BAKER

KATE GRIFFITHS

Post Production Manager

LIZ RICHARDS

Production Manager

POLLY JONES

Sound

OLIVER MACHIN

Camera

TIM KNIGHT

Producer

LORA GALANTINI

Director

PETER WISDOM

Series Producer

NEVILLE FARMER

Executive Producer

IAN CROSS

Produced by

Pilot Film & Television Productions

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