Dubai golf course flooded after “historic weather event”

Golfers gave way to paddleboarders at the Els Club in Dubai today after record-breaking downpours flooded the golf course.

The UAE recorded an estimated 5.6 inches of rainfall in just 12 hours. According to United Nations data, this is on a par with what the country experiences in an average YEAR.

It was the largest rainfall event in the UAE since records began 75 years ago and brought widespread disruption to parts of Dubai, in particular.

Schools were closed and the government ordered its staff to work from home.

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At Dubai airport, flights were cancelled due to flooded taxiways, with airport officials predicting that “recovery will take some time”.

Four-time major champion Ernie Els shared footage on social media of the toll the weather took on his Dubai golf property, The Els Club.

A video clip posted to his Instagram account showed a paddleboarder floating where a fairway would usually be, with only parts of the elevated green visible above submerged bunkers.

Check out the clip here…

⛳️🏊‍♀️🤿 #UNDER WATER — Incredible scenes at The Els Club Dubai after record-breaking rainfall this week. (Via: @TheBig_Easy) pic.twitter.com/WVsAwCIXWH

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) April 17, 2024

“Unbelievable scenes at The Els Club Dubai after record-breaking levels of rainfall in the region this week,” wrote the South African.

The Els Club is one of more than a dozen golf clubs in Dubai and is part of the multi-billion-dollar, five-star Dubai Sports City development that also includes the world’s first purpose-built Manchester United Soccer School facility.

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It opened in 2008 and was, as the name suggests, designed by ‘The Big Easy’ himself.

“The Els Club combines the best of all the great clubs that I have played worldwide,” he said at the time

“The golf challenge is second to none. I am really proud of what we have achieved here. Whether you are an 18 handicap or a scratch golfer, it will be a great test of golf.”