Al Badia Golf Club by InterContinental Dubai Festival City is pleased to announce the appointment of James Shippey as Golf Club Manager.
James hails from Yorkshire, England and joins the team at Al Badia Golf Club from Taba Heights Golf Resort - Egypt where he held the position of General Manager. This followed a successful period at the Gary Player designed Cascades Golf & Country Club also in Egypt as Director of Golf & Marketing. James is no stranger to the region having been in Dubai from 1999 to 2007, holding both management and coaching roles at Arabian Ranches Golf Club and Emirates Golf Club. As a PGA qualified Golf Professional, James has a real passion for the game of golf and is very much looking forward to leading Al Badia Golf Club throughout 2011 and beyond.
James stated “I would like to say how delighted I am to be here at Al Badia Golf Club by InterContinental as the new Club Manager. Exciting times lay ahead, as we move forward through 2011.” James has received a warm welcome to the golf club so far, and looks forward to meeting all members and regular guests.
If you have a question for James, please leave it in the comment box below, or email [email protected]
Click on any of the hole numbers highlighted on the map to view information for that hole.
A relatively straight forward opening hole, with a bowl shaped fairway ready to gather most errant tee shots. The best approach to the green is from the right side of the fairway however, out of bounds flanks the right side of the hole and care must be taken. The green sits at an angle and is protected by bunkers while anything short will be swept away into the swale.
A relatively straightforward opening hole, with a bowl shaped fairway ready to gather most errant tee shots. The best approach to the green is from the right side of the fairway however, out of bounds flanks the right side of the hole and care must be taken. The green sits at an angle and is protected by bunkers while anything short will be swept away into the swale.
A dog leg to the right which requires a decision on the tee to either play safe up the left side avoiding the lake, or take an aggressive tee shot carrying the lake and biting off some of the dog leg. An attacking tee shot will be rewarded with a much shorter approach shot, over a meandering stream to a shallow green.
A demanding par 3, measuring 224 yards from the championship tees. A lake guards the entire left side of the hole and tucks round behind the green, while bunkers await any shot missing the green on the right. A par on this hole will be considered a great result.
With the prevailing wind coming from the left and the hole gently rising, a well positioned tee shot will find a narrow landing area with a "River of Sand" flowing up the right side of the fairway. The second shot will play uphill where a bunker guards the left side of the green while a swale will gather shots that miss the green short and right.
Al Badia's hardest hole, this is a true 3 shot par 5. The ideal tee shot will be positioned neatly between the bunker complex on the left and the lake on the right. A stream cuts the fairway in two, which should be crossed with the second shot. A small green awaits the approach shot and care must be taken as a body of water flanks the left side of the green. A par is a great achievement!
An exciting hole that offers two landing areas. For the conservative golfer, the route to the right provides the larger area, however, water must be crossed with the approach shot. The aggressive tee shot to the left portion of the fairway will be rewarded with an easier approach shot covering land. The green is guarded by bunkers on the left and a lake to the right and back.
The only par 3 on the course where water does not come into play! The 7th has a "River of Sand" hugging the left side of the fairway. The green is well protected by bunkers at front and back and requires an accurate shot to find the putting surface.
A right to left dogleg benefiting from the prevailing wind that will allow longer hitters to carry the bunker complex on the left side of the fairway to set up a long second shot to the green. When laying up with the second shot, beware of the strategically placed cross bunker in the centre of the fairway. Bunkers guard the narrow entrance to the green on either side as it widens towards the back.
A superb par 4 with stunning views of the clubhouse to the left and the magnificent signature waterfall to the right of the green. The fairway is flanked by bunkers and water, demanding accuracy with the tee shot while the approach shot plays uphill. An extra club may be required to find the green which juts precariously toward the waterfalls.
A relatively straightforward par 4 with a generous landing area, try to avoid the bunkers on the right side. A tee shot down the left of the fairway will open up the green and allow the pin to be attached whole bunkers in front will catch anything landing short.
A beautiful short hole set amongst the cascading waterfalls. From an elevated tee, you have an excellent view of what awaits you. Water is in play in front and down the left side of the green, those feeling not so brave should play for the right side where the bank may ease the ball on to the edge of the putting surface.
A long par 4 which narrows for the longest hitters as the fairway snakes between bunkers strategically positioned on either side of the fairway. One of the most difficult greens on the course credited to its slopes and undulations. Another hole where you will be happy to walk off with par.
Another long par 5 measuring just under 600 yards from the championship tees. There is little trouble from the tee, however the second shot does require accuracy. The safer option is to play down the right and set up an approach over the "River of Sand" with the more confident to challenge and cross this feature leaving a simple approach to the small green. A challenging par 5 that only the longest hitters will reach in two shots.
The shortest par 4 on the course and a brief respite before the closing four holes. A long iron or fairway wood from the tee will leave you just out of the fairway bunkers reach! The approach shot plays slightly uphill to a very shallow green, be aware of the large bunker which lies patiently in front.
With the prevailing wind blowing toward and to the left of you, the water on the right side of the green is very much in play. A safer play is to opt for the left side of the green with your tee shot and rely on your short game to get up and down for par. A dangerous hole where a bogey may be acceptable only if you have a good score going.
Water is in play all down the right side of this hole and wraps around the back of the green waiting for any bold approach shots. The ideal tee shot should be played up the left and short of the bunkers. This will leave a medium to short iron approach through a narrow entrance to the green.
A great par 4 which is all about accuracy! Consider a 3 wood or long iron for your tee shot to avoid the lake on the left side and find the relatively narrow landing area. This sets up a medium or short iron approach to a small green which drops off to the left toward the lake, nestled on the right of the green is a substantial bunker waiting for the chance to penalise an inaccurate approach.
Al Badia's signature hole with spectacular views of the waterfalls, clubhouse and the beautiful skyline of Sheikh Zayed Road. Longer hitters can take on the pt bunker which requires a carry of 242 yards from the championship tee. From there, the green can be reached by long iron or fairway wood, but watch the lake shouldering the left and bunkers positioned on the right. A safer route can be taken by playing the hole in three shots. With the relevant risk assessed, winning against this hole is rewarding and a lasting experience.
