There is nothing better than knowing the first thing you are going to do after you finish work, is to drive less than 10 minutes to a beautiful private golf course, and that you will be playing golf for 18 holes as a start to the Christmas vacation.
I would love to tell you that the Dunswood idea was born the first time we played golf abroad in Dubai but that would be stretching the truth. In fact in 2016 we were lucky enough to find ourselves together in Atlanta for 3 days, with 2 rounds of golf booked. Before we had even put the ball on the tee, we were enjoying a beer round the pool in the W Hotel in Atlanta (not a bad place to get rid of the jet lag and enjoy the view). I would also love to say it was a joint idea, but as with all good younger brothers, I have to pay respect to my older brother here…
We booked a round at the fancy Els Course, and, after having our practice supported by the attentive staff (the pyramid of range balls was magically rebuilt after every practice shot) we were ready to head out. Unlike most pay and play courses we were not paired with anyone else which helped settle the 1st tee nerves for sure. This didn’t help Braden’s driving much but he more than made up for it with his dead eye putting (something of a trait of his (which was even more impressive as the greens were nothing short of rapid!), and his cheeky chip in for birdie from one of the numerous bunkers (I guess sand isn’t in shortage in Dubai). The course was also memorable for the 100s of holiday homes around the course – not my favorite if I am honest, but I guess it’s what pays for the course. Perhaps the reason I don’t like courses like that is because it just adds to the fear when you have a driver in your hand!