Dear Members
We hope that you have enjoyed your Novruz Holidays, we look forward to welcoming you this weekend. It’s a busy week next week for Andrew and the Golf Course Team as they start the green’s coring and renovations. No sooner as we are through these works we will host the “GrassCutter’s Revenge” with the aim to navigate some well placed obstacles and distractions on course.  In Academy News Tom Henderson has arrived and looks forward to helping members with their game ahead of the season.
SOCAR CAPE Novruz Trophy 2021
Dreamland Golf Club Baku was delighted to host the The SOCAR CAPE Novruz Trophy 2021. With 49 players competing over this 36 hole event the playing conditions remained cool with a seasonal wind for both rounds. Leading the way after Day One were Bob McEwan and John Salins with 38pts, followed closely by David Seo, Tom McGarry and Ruslan Jafarov with 37pts. With all to play for in the final round it was a closing round of 38pts for Michael Young (35+38 = 73points) to give him a 3pt the victory in turn collecting the winners voucher and the SOCAR CAPE NOVRUZ Trophy. Runner up with rounds of (32pts+38pts) = 70pts was Colton Thomas winning on his last round pts total from Bob McEwan, Third Place with (38pts + 32pts) = 70pts.
 
Day One On course prize winners were John Salins with his Nearest the Pin on the 10th Hole and Andrew Ikstrums with his Longest Drive on the 4th Hole.
Day Two On course prizes went to Martin Docherty with his Nearest the Pin on the 5th Hole and Eldar Kerimov with his Longest Drive on the 18th Hole.
 
Commenting on the weekend “ Congratulations to the winners, its pleasing to see new names on the leader board each year. We would like to thank everyone for joining us for the tournament, it’s our pleasure to host this annual event which goes from strength to strength each year” We look forward to an enjoyable season of golf ahead of us here in Baku and wish everyone a blessed Novruz Bayram, commented Ilgar Ahmadov, SOCAR CAPE General Director.
Celtic V Rangers
The largest gathering to date for the Bernardi / McGhee Match Day Trophy with 26 players per side for the Celtic Rangers Derby. A shotgun start at 9.00am took the players to the course is somewhat cool pre-season conditions.  As with the nature of matchplay it drew out some excellent golf and closely fought battles between the teams.  With the first few matches going to Celtic, it took wins for Brian Lawson, Nick McDonald, Bryan Thomas, William Blanchard put Rangers into a stronger position. Points from Leo Troup, Alan Ferguson, George Ball, John Quinn, and Daniel Lee (Celtic) insured the final matches on course would decide victory. Halved matches between Oliver Mansfield V Willie Garden & Lawrence McLeod V Mitch Hughes and wins for Kenny Martin and Jim Cunningham helped Rangers edge in front leaving the final point of the day to be won by John Wright (Rangers) for a match score of Rangers 14.5pts Celtic 11.5pts. Well done to the side contest winners for Nearest the Pin in 2 shots on Hole 3 Bryan Thomas, Nearest the Pin on Hole 5 George Ball, Nearest the Pin on Hole 13 Colin Douglas and Longest Drive on Hole 9 over very own Parman! Commenting on the win Rangers Team Captain – Les Tulleth “It was a very good win by this young Rangers team, more importantly though it was a great day enjoyed by all, thank you to the Dreamland team for organising everything. There is a feeling in the Rangers camp that this team can go onto great things, possibly even 10 in a row”
Dreamteam Updates
Ahead of the coming season we would like to update and introduce personnel who will be joining the Dreamland team. Arriving from the UAE is Tom Henderson PGA Professional previously with Jumeriah Golf Estates and the Montgomerie Dubai. Tom, who worked at The National Azerbaijan Golf Club - Quba 2014 - 2015 joins the team in a teaching and operations role to start the golf season in Baku. We are still confident that with Alex Day (currently based at Education City Golf Club in Doha Qatar) will return to Dreamland after Ramadan for our summer season May - November. Tom will open his tuition diary from next Thursday and is available to help members with their game – a great chance for you to use your complimentary “Swing Check” voucher in your membership packs. E-mails can be sent to academy@dreamlandgolflcub.com regarding bookings.
In developing our National Team players Nabi Efendi and Huseyn Babazade will join our Golf Academy and Golf Operations Team this month as they embark on careers within Golf and Leisure. We wish them well for the future and know they will learn a lot here at Dreamland.
We are pleased to announce the extension of our Management contract with IMG till 2023. Russell Hannah IMG’s Director of Golf and frequent visitor to Baku, will continue his guidance to the team having been involved with Dreamland for the last 7 years. Following the clubs growth and more recently transiting through a very testing 2020,
 
Russell’s continued support comes with the announcement that Phil Jones, our General Manager is departing Azerbaijan for a new position in the Middle East. Commenting on the move Phil Jones “After 7 years in creating Dreamland Golf Club, the time has come for me to take up my next career opportunity. What started out as a two year assignment quickly became a much longer term project. Despite the challenges of recent times, I am pleased that we have created many memorable moments on and off course, helping to put Azerbaijan on the golfing map. None of this would have been possible without the people that have supported me along the way. I will always be proud of our Azerbaijani team who continue to grow their agronomy knowledge, customer service skills, event knowledge and tuition skills whilst hosting players with their warm hospitality. I look forward to following the success of Dreamland members in the years ahead and will carry on supporting golf in Azerbaijan. With the hot Middle Eastern summers… The plan is to get back to Baku to enjoy some weekend golf!"

Anton Samsonov - Anton continues his great marketing and exposure for Golf In Azerbaijan as a Dreamland Golf Club Ambassador, with Quarantine extended now till 1st of June tourism remains on hold, however he has secured Team Azerbaijan a place in the CIS cup to be staged in Belek Turkey 25th - 29th October. We look forward to him visiting us as flights and e visas resume.
Membership
Thanks to everyone that has renewed their membership for 2021, you voucher packs will be distributed from the GOLF ACADEMY over the Novruz Holidays. For those members still undecided we would like to offer the month by month option for you to continue your time with us until your circumstances become clearer. Feel free to contact the team on membership@dreamlandgolfclub.com
DREAMLAND GOLF CLUB – COVID Statement
Whilst maintaining our existing measures of cleaning and disinfection on a regular basis, we continue to monitor and Test our Operations team for the safety of all. We ask guests to be respectful of the measures in place and act responsibly at ALL TIMES. 
Dreamland Management
 
In line with the announcements we are OPEN TUESDAY – SUNDAY offering the following services.
 
  • We will continue to operate from the Golf Academy and Dreamland Golf Hotel for Food & Beverage services until 1st of APRIL 2021.
  • The Driving Range will OPEN until 18.30pm. Last balls issued at 18.00pm.
  • Golf Lesson appointment to be made by contacting  academy@dreamlandgolfclub.com
  • GOLF COURSE - OPEN MEMBERS / GUESTS and VISITORS welcome bookings online or by contacting reservations@dreamlandgolfclub.com
  • GOLF SHOP – AVAILABLE for online requests and sales on Weekends - retail@dreamlandgolfclub.com
  • LOCKER ROOM – CLOSED
  • CLUBHOUSE ACCESS – CLOSED (Wash Rooms and Take Away Beverage Service only)
  • DREAMLAND GOLF HOTEL –  OPEN – please email Gulnara.Asadova@dreamlandgolfhotel.az for details
**The above situation may be reviewed at any time in line with changes to the current Quarantine measures. 
ARRIVAL
  • Access through the MALL entrance – ONLY WITH TEE SHEET BOOKING
  • Each guest will have their temperature checked and Vehicle Baggage Check at the GATEHOUSE. Any person (Member or Employee) recording a temperature of 38 degree will not be allowed access to the property. If you are feeling unwell with a temperature we ask that you please STAY HOME.
  • Travel through Dreamland Access Barriers to the GOLF ACADEMY CAR PARK.
  • ARRIVE - 10 minutes before your game to the GOLF ACADEMY – Your Golf Equipment will be prepared for READY GOLF
  • Proceed to the GOLF COURSE without delay – 7th Tee (finishing on Hole 6)
  • Upon Completion of your game you can leave Dreamland within the shortest time possible to avoid interaction with fellow guests.
 
SAFETY MEASURES
We have the following safety measures in place at Dreamland, for Golf Members and Employees.
  • The wearing of a MASK IS COMPULSARY AT ALL TIMES including your during Your Game!
  • Social distancing is a MUST – maintaining a 2 metre distance is crucial AT ALL TIMES.
  • Hand washing and sanitizing is VITAL– we have stations in place for this to happen.
  • Always follow the hygiene instructions and disinfect or wash your hands before and after the game, avoid touching your face, mouth, eyes.
  • No contact with playing partners (replace 18th-green handshake with shoe bumps, elbow bumps, or Namaste bow….)
Monday 29th of March GREEN REJUVENATIONS will commence and will be completed by Wednesday 31st. I am extremely happy where the greens are for this time of the year and expect a speedy recovery post rejuvenations. Sunday the 4th of April will be The Grasscutters Revenge golf day, a chance for the team to set the course to really test your skills.  This year we have raised the bar even higher with some new challenges for players to overcome. I hope that as many players as possible will try their luck, I look forward to seeing you all out on the course.
Saturday 20th of March 2021 – Saturday Roll Up Results
Weather conditions were windy in the morning and calmer in the afternoon on last Saturday with 39 members participating in the weekly Saturday Roll Up. Competition was tight at top of the leaderboard with 2 players – Robert McEwan and John Salins both scoring 2 under par 38 points. In order to determine winner, it required us to look at their back nine scores. After countback Bob took 1st place with 23pts vs. John’s 21 inward points which resulted him to take second place. There was also a tie for 3rd place with David Seo and Tom McGarry both scoring 1 under par 37 points. After countback David took 3rd place with 22pts vs. Tom’s 19 inward points.
Last Saturday 4 players had 2s on their card – Nick McDonald birdied the 10th, Ilgar Ahmadov and Scott Blyth birdied the 17th hole and John Salins birdied both 10th and 17th holes to put 2 on his scorecard. 
Range Balls
We apologies that range users are finding some inferior practice balls within the current consignment. We have contacted the manufacturer and are in talks to replace over the coming weeks. We look forward to providing an update very soon – Academy Team.
Course Update
Quieter week for the team for the Novruz holidays, giving the team a chance to refresh and recharge ourselves before a busy summer ahead. We have now completed majority of course rejuvenations on the following areas - Tees, foregreens, fairways and rough. I would like to thank all our members and guest for your patients during these times and we appreciate all the positive feedback towards the course.
Monday 29th of March GREEN REJUVENATIONS will commence and will be completed by Wednesday 31st. I am extremely happy where the greens are for this time of the year and expect a speedy recovery post rejuvenations. Sunday the 4th of April will be The Grasscutters Revenge golf day, I look forward to seeing you all out on the course.
Online Tee Sheet EZLinks
For those members who wish to register, please refer to the advice notes in the below link as always our team are on hand to help  reservations@dreamlandgolfclub.com
Dreamland Golf Club | +994 (0) 12 404 7 404 | reservations@dreamlandgolfclub.com |