Published: August 22, 2022 16:07
Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor
Expat Hannah Mannion always tries to squeeze in a game no matter how tired she is
The amateur expat golfing scene is growing fast here in the UAE but unlike football or cricket which is still mainly dominated by males, chances are high that you’ll see an equal number of females out on the greens playing the game.
Hannah Mannion, who relocated from Middlesbrough in the UK to work in the aviation industry, loves the sport with a passion she says while teeing off at the prestigious Jumeirah Golf Estates. She has a 2 handicap – but how does this flight attendant even get the time to pursue the game when she is typically in the air anywhere from 80 to 100 hours a month? “The amount I play can vary a lot with my work schedule”, says Hannah who has lived in the UAE for almost 7 years. “I play at all of the different courses around the UAE and try to play as much as I can. Sometimes that means once or twice a week and other weeks I’ll be lucky to even hit balls.”
After a short career in teaching upon the completion of studying Applied Sport and Exercise Science at University, the exciting opportunity of travelling the world and living in Dubai was something Hannah chose to pursue.
Spoilt for choice
With 24 world-class courses across the UAE, and 12 within Dubai itself, Hannah – whose favourite players are Tiger Woods and Nelly Korda – knew she would be spoilt for choice in the region. “I’m from the North of England so played most of my golf up that way back home. I started training with the Yorkshire squad when I was around 13.” After playing in her local area, Hannah went on to be successful in a number of national events, including the North of England Schools Championship.
Admittedly, golf was not her first choice when growing up, but after watching her whole family enjoy the game, her enthusiasm grew. “After a year or two and a bit of effort I improved quite a lot. This definitely helped me gain some enthusiasm since I’ve always been very competitive.”
Her social media following of 14k has helped her to be selected as one of just a few brand ambassadors for J-Lindeberg. “I’ve held this role for almost a year now and I have loved every second of it. The clothing is in my opinion the best golf clothing around. It has been great to see how the brand has grown in the region during my time as an ambassador so much so that they have recently opened a flagship store in Dubai Mall. It not only showcases all of their golf clothing but their other lines as well, including fashion, ski, tennis and more.”
Hannah tries her best to take part in the EGF events that are run by the different clubs around the UAE and is pleased to see more ladies taking the game up and seeing more participation in the EGF order of merit events.
For those females reading this and keen to take up the game, Hannah suggests to “Grab a friend and head to one of the many ladies group classes that are available in the area. You will find lots of different social events to choose from that are aimed specifically at ladies.” She isn’t wrong. The ‘Bubbles and Birdies’ at Dubai Creek helps ladies start to play the game, making the most of their accessible par 3 course in a fun and social environment.
Amazing courses
UAE golfers have a vast array of clubs to choose from. “The courses are amazing over here,” smiles Hannah.“You can find a golf course to suit every kind of player. From the championship courses available, to the 9 hole and par 3 courses; even night golf at some clubs.” These are just a few of the reasons as to why the UAE is often described as the ‘ideal tourist destination for golf lovers’. With so many different championship venues to choose from, there is something for everyone. “Within Dubai alone there are many courses within a 30 minute drive from each other and of course the hotels over here are also second to none, but you can always find one to suit every budget.”
Hannah also takes the time to watch the main international tournaments that take place in the region, admittedly watching the pro’s does inspire her to practice on her own game – especially her putting. “It’s a bit of a running joke with my friends that I have so many putts a round,” she laughs. “I’ll be the first to admit I don’t spend enough time on the putting green though which definitely shows out on the course.” She’s had coaching from Joe Marshall at the Claude Harmon academy, who has helped forge her swing to where it is today, whilst Euan Bowden at Dubai Creek has tried to help fix her putting. “I’ve noticed a big improvement but definitely need to spend more time working on it to get that consistency,” she says.
Time, however, is of the essence as she prepares for a flight to Nairobi and then London in the coming days. “Maybe I can practice my putting during my time away from the region, in the cooler climates,” she jokes.
Source: https://gulfnews.com/sport/golf-in-uae/local/watch-british-flight-attendant-works-100-hours-a-month-but-still-makes-time-to-play-golf-1.90061443
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