One of the UAE's last sand golf courses has closed for good.
Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club shut several months ago because of a lack of new members.
It marks the end of more than 40 years of golfing history and throws the future of the heritage game into serious doubt.
The club was founded in 1978 and, like many across the country, it was run on a voluntary basis. All expenses were borne by the members.
But membership dropped from about 30 to 15 members and, with running costs at about Dh10,000 a month, such a small number of players could not cover the bills.
I feel the game is going to disappear
“Regrettably the club had to close,” said Damian Murphy, a former captain at Sharjah. “We had just 15 members and that was not sustainable. The youngest guy was 54.
“We were subsidised by Sharjah Wanderers Sports Club and we couldn’t expect that to go on. Course maintenance, water for the grass and bills were draining money from the bank.
“So we ran it for the final year, settled all our bills and closed the club at the end of May.”
Sand golf became popular in the 1950s when the early oil and gas workers carved rudimentary courses through inhospitable terrain. Oil drums marked fairways, while players carried a circular piece of astroturf to hit the ball. Not a green blade of grass was in sight.
In his 2011 book on the game, Abu Dhabi: The Sand Golf Years, Dennis Cox called it "the forgotten golf". But he also notes that sand golf was the only game in town from the 1960s until the emergence of grass courses in the UAE in the late 1980s. It is also more environmentally friendly and costs a lot less to play. Eighteen holes at Sharjah was just Dh100 for non-members.
But the game has rapidly lost ground. Dubai Country Club closed in 2007, effectively ending sand golf in the emirate. Another course closed in Al Ain a few years ago.
An international world sand competition held in Abu Dhabi in 2004 and 2005 did not stem the tide and just two courses are left in the UAE: one close to Ruwais in Al Dhafra and the other at Al Ghazal Golf Club beside Abu Dhabi airport. But the future for Al Dhafra is also uncertain. The game lingers on in other parts of the Middle East and Africa but it is on borrowed time.
"I feel the game is going to disappear," said Mr Murphy. "People played sand golf because there was nothing else. They had to make do. But then came Emirates Golf Club, the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club and grass courses everywhere."
The 18-hole Sharjah course – a section of the Sharjah Wanderers Sports Club – was unique as it combined grass and sand fairways with browns, as greens are known in sand golf, which are made of compacted sand. The land was never owned by the club and it has now been taken over by the equestrian club. The golf course is now no more and another chapter in history ends.
“Time moves on,” said Mr Murphy. “And the world is worse off for it really. But these things can’t keep going."
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
