Wherever you go across the golfing globe ... you'll find a Scot has beaten you to it!

When it comes to clubhouses, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club takes some beating! That's Alan MacKenzie, Director of Golf, in the picture - and loving every minute of his job. You can increase the size of the image by double-clicking on it.

ALAN MACKENZIE – THE FIFER WITH THE PLUM JOB AT DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

The very name – “Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club” – has a ring to it that suggests being its Director of Golf is one of the plum jobs to be had in the profession.
Step forward Alan MacKenzie, born in Fife in 1970 and who has been out in Dubai since October 1999.
I met him at the recent PGAs of Europe international team championship at DeVere Roda Golf Resort in Murcia, Spain where Alan, a member of the United Arab Emirates team of three, had his first ever hole in one.
“Dubai is an incredible city that has already given me many memorable experiences,” Alan told me.”It is changing and developing at an incredible speed and I have been very fortunate to be a part of it.
”I am also very lucky to work for such great people as my general manager, Chris May, and our managing director, Rod Bogg. They have placed great trust in me and allowed me to experience many wonderful things.”
Alan started golf as a member at Ladybank at the age of seven in 1977. He became an assistant professional with Martin Gray at Ladybank GC in 1990.
“I was fortunate enough to win the title ‘Scottish Trainee of the Year” after doing well in my PGA exams at the end of 1993. I also received a scholarship from Titleist,” said Alan.
He then moved to Gleneagles Hotel and Golf Courses in January 1995 and became a senior academy instructor in 1998.
“During my times at Gleneagles, I spent time at Sun City and Fancourt in South Africa as well as taking the Gleneagles Golf Academy ‘on the road’ to Milan, Cologne and Munich.”
Then Alan made the big move outwith Europe to join Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Clark in October 1999 as golf professional.
“I became head professional in 2003 and then Director of Golf in 2004. I oversee a team of 46 golf operations staff, including the management of two very successful golf shops.”